Light Fixture Adapter for Exterior Outlet Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Many homes lack exterior electrical outlets, and existing solutions such as hiring an electrician or using non-grounded extension cords do not meet safety and code compliance, especially for exterior lighting and tool usage.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with a mounting ring placed between a light fixture and its electrical box, providing an auxiliary outlet while maintaining the existing fixture, with options for grounded outlets, IR sensor control, and manual switching to ensure safety and compliance with local codes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an electrician is hired to add new wiring for exterior electrical outlets, then a safe and code-compliant outlet is provided, but the cost and complexity of the solution increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the outlet function from the traditional wiring system by using a self-contained adapter unit that plugs into the existing light fixture socket. This adapter integrates the electrical connection, mounting mechanism, and outlet functionality into a single extractable unit, eliminating the need for complex new wiring while maintaining safety and code compliance.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter serves as an intermediary device between the existing light fixture and the electrical outlet requirement. It mediates the connection by receiving power through the light fixture's existing wiring and providing it through a code-compliant outlet, thus resolving the contradiction without requiring new wiring infrastructure.
2Ease of manufacture
If extension cords are used to provide exterior outlets, then outlets are provided without new wiring, but the outlets are not grounded and may not comply with local electrical codes
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter acts as an intermediary that bridges the gap between simple extension cord installation and code-compliant grounding. It connects to the existing fixture wiring which provides grounded power, and outputs through a code-compliant receptacle, thus achieving both installation simplicity and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter serves multiple functions: it provides a grounded outlet, maintains the existing light fixture functionality, and ensures code compliance all in one device. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by delivering both ease of installation and reliability simultaneously.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a mounting ring is placed between the light fixture and electrical box, then an auxiliary outlet is provided while maintaining the existing fixture, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the mounting ring, adapter housing, electrical connections, and outlet into a single integrated assembly. This combination eliminates the need for separate mounting components and reduces overall structural complexity while providing the auxiliary outlet capability and maintaining fixture functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated assembly serves multiple functions: it mounts to the electrical box, provides structural support, houses the electrical connections, and outputs power through the receptacle. This multi-functionality achieves adaptability without proportionally increasing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus is provided for mounting between a light fixture and an electrical box supplying a source of electrical power to the fixture where the apparatus includes an auxiliary electrical outlet that is electrically connected to the source of electrical power.