Illuminated Power Receptacle Translucent Rim Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing illuminated power receptacles are not sufficiently visible, particularly in emergency situations like power outages, making it difficult for hospital personnel to quickly identify live circuits for critical equipment.
Innovation Solution
An illuminated power receptacle design featuring a translucent rim around each outlet face with a light source behind the opaque insert, allowing light to be directed through the rim while being blocked by the opaque material, enhancing visibility and guiding plug insertion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a colored window with a light emitting source is used to indicate live circuits, then the receptacle provides positive indication of powered status, but the visibility is not sufficiently enhanced for quick location during emergencies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color changes by using a translucent rim that emits light in specific colors to indicate circuit status. The rim can display different colors (e.g., green for live, red for dead) to provide immediate visual identification of powered receptacles during emergencies, directly addressing the visibility and time-location problem.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds a dimensional element by incorporating a translucent rim that surrounds the outlet face in a circular configuration. This rim provides illumination from multiple angles and dimensions around the receptacle, making it visible from various directions and significantly enhancing overall visibility compared to traditional front-facing indicators only.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the outlet face is made opaque to block light, then the internal components are protected and light is directed only through the rim, but the overall visibility of the receptacle is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making only specific portions of the receptacle translucent or transparent (the rim and selective areas of the outlet face) while keeping other portions opaque. This allows light to be directed and visible only through designated areas, protecting internal components while maintaining visibility where needed for safety indication.
Solution Approach 2:
The translucent rim acts as an intermediary element between the internal light source and the external environment. It mediates the light transmission by allowing controlled visibility of the circuit status while preventing direct viewing of internal components, thus protecting them while still providing the necessary visual indication.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design significantly improves visibility of the receptacle, allowing users to easily locate and connect to live circuits, ensuring timely operation of life-critical equipment during power outages.
Implementation Method 1
Each outlet member further includes an outlet rim made of a translucent material and disposed about the outer periphery of the outlet face. There is a light source disposed between the receptacle base and the receptacle cover and operatively coupled to said electrical power source for generating light directed at each outlet member. The light is transmitted through each outlet rim out of the illuminated power receptacle
Implementation Method 2
The light transmitted toward each outlet face is substantially blocked by the opaque material
Data Source
AI summary
An illuminated power receptacle includes a base having at least one set of contacts for receiving a plug. Each set of contacts having at least two openings for receiving a respective prong of a plug. There is a cover mounted on the base with an outlet member corresponding to each set of contacts. Each outlet member includes an outlet face with an opaque material and an outer periphery. Each outlet face includes at least two openings configured to receive and guide a respective prong of the plug into the set of at least two openings of the corresponding set of contacts. Each outlet member also includes an outlet rim made of a translucent material disposed about the outer periphery of the outlet face. There is light source disposed between the base and the cover that transmits light that passes through each outlet rim and is blocked by the opaque material.