Lighted Plug Grip With LED Ring for Low-Light Cord Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical power extension cords lack effective illumination and ergonomic design features, limiting their usability and safety in low-light environments.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a central ring within the housing of the receptacle and plug, featuring LED lights made of translucent material to provide ambient lighting, along with ergonomic designs such as trigger notches and pivoting handles for improved handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If traditional extension cord design is used, then the device complexity remains low, but the illumination capability and usability in low-light environments deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into the extension cord: illumination LEDs are integrated into the plug and receptacle housings, and the cord itself incorporates lighting capabilities. This merging approach adds illumination without requiring separate lighting devices, resolving the contradiction between improved illumination and increased device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The extension cord is designed with multi-functionality by incorporating both power transmission and illumination functions into a single device. The plug and receptacle serve dual purposes: electrical connection and light emission, eliminating the need for separate lighting equipment and maintaining relatively simple device architecture.
2Ease of operation
If traditional plug and receptacle design is used, then the manufacturing process remains simple, but the ease of operation and handling in various positions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a rotating mechanism that allows the receptacle to rotate relative to the plug, enabling the user to orient the receptacle in different directions for easier plugging and unplugging. This dynamic feature improves ease of operation while adding only moderate manufacturing complexity through the inclusion of a rotating joint.
3Reliability
If no illumination is provided, then the device complexity remains low, but the visibility and safety in low-light environments deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination LEDs are designed to activate automatically when the plug is inserted into an outlet or when the receptacle is engaged, providing preliminary lighting action before the user needs to perform operations in the dark. This automatic activation improves safety without requiring complex control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs color-coded LED illumination to indicate different operational states and provide directional guidance. Different colors can indicate plug orientation, receptacle status, or power flow direction, enhancing safety and user guidance while maintaining relatively simple device architecture through the use of standard LED technology.
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
Enhances visibility and ease of use in low-light conditions while providing ergonomic benefits, improving safety and usability of electrical power extension cords.
Implementation Method 1
at least one LED light
Implementation Method 2
at least one LED light is configured to provide ambient light
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates in general to electrical power extension cords, and in particular to electrical power extension cords with improved features, which include: handling, illumination, and functionality. The invention comprises an electrical power supply cord containing a central ring within a housing of a receptacle and/or within the housing of an electrical plug. The central ring provides illumination to an ambient area. Embodiments described for the present invention comprise an electrical plug, a receptacle electrically connected to the plug, a central ring within a housing of the receptacle, whereas the central ring comprises: at least one LED light, an optical element comprised of translucent material, whereas the at least one LED light is configured to provide ambient light, whereas the central ring is perpendicular to a face of the receptacle, and the central ring creates an aperture through the housing of the receptacle.