Modular Raceway with Cordless Receptacles for Flexible Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional electrical outlet raceway systems require specialized cords with integral receptacles, limiting flexibility and efficiency, and do not adequately accommodate both high and low voltage devices, necessitating inefficient installation methods like daisy chaining or doubling of cords.
Innovation Solution
A modular electrical outlet raceway system with cordless receptacles, allowing for assembly of components such as a raceway back plate, cover, coupler, and faceplates, enabling the use of off-the-shelf electrical cords to create a customized configuration of outlets and low voltage connections without the need for specialized cords.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional electrical outlet raceway systems use specialized cords with integral receptacles, then the system provides electrical connectivity, but the installer flexibility and cord utilization efficiency deteriorate due to fixed pre-manufactured lengths requiring folding or daisy chaining
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the electrical outlet delivery mechanism into separate components: a raceway module and a standalone receptacle module connected by a cord. This segmentation allows the receptacle to be positioned independently at any location along the cord length without constraining the cord configuration, eliminating the need for folding or daisy-chaining multiple fixed-length cords.
2Productivity
If traditional electrical outlet raceway systems use specialized cords with integral receptacles, then the system provides electrical connectivity, but material efficiency deteriorates due to cord wastage from folding and inability to use exact lengths
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary measurement and planning during the design phase, allowing the installer to determine the exact cord length needed before purchasing. Off-the-shelf cords are selected to match the calculated length precisely, eliminating post-manufacturing adjustments and preventing cord wastage through folding or trimming.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional electrical outlet raceway systems are designed for high voltage devices only, then the system provides electrical power outlets, but adaptability deteriorates by inability to accommodate low voltage devices such as communications jacks
Solution Approach 1:
The raceway module is designed as a universal platform that can accommodate multiple types of devices through interchangeable faceplates. The same raceway structure supports both high voltage electrical receptacles and low voltage communications jacks, eliminating the need for separate specialized systems while maintaining organized cable management for all device types.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical outlet raceway that eliminates the necessity of daisy chaining or doubling of electrical cords within the raceway. The electrical outlet raceway includes a modular system of several components that can be assembled together in order to provide additional electrical outlets on a wall, including a raceway back plate, a cordless receptacle, a raceway cover, a coupler, and one or more faceplates for attaching a high or low voltage component to the raceway. The electrical outlet raceway may also include a corner, end caps, and means for attaching faceplates to the raceway. Cordless receptacles enable the use of off-the-shelf electrical cords, thus allowing the installer to plan a given installation and obtain the proper number and lengths of electrical cords required to construct the planned installation. This eliminates the inefficiencies caused by the corded receptacles of conventional electrical raceways.