Modular Electrical Receptacle Inserts for In-Place Reconfiguration

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing home automation systems lack a standardized method for integrating diverse functionalities into a single electrical receptacle, limiting flexibility and adaptability to changing user needs.

Innovation Solution

A configurable electrical receptacle system that allows in-situ replacement of inserts, providing specific functionalities through a housing with mounting means, electrical interfaces, and retention mechanisms for demountable inserts, enabling flexible configuration and user-accessible features.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a single electrical receptacle combines multiple functionalities, then adaptability and versatility improve, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional configurabilityVSAvoidreceptacle structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The receptacle is divided into a fixed housing and a removable insert. The housing contains mounting means and electrical interfaces, while the insert provides specific functionality. This segmentation allows the functionality to be changed by simply replacing the insert without modifying the complex housing structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The housing is designed with universal mounting means and electrical interfaces that can accommodate different types of inserts. This allows a single receptacle to provide multiple functionalities by swapping inserts, achieving adaptability without increasing the complexity of the housing itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If functionality is reconfigurable through replaceable inserts, then adaptability improves, but ease of operation deteriorates due to insertion/removal requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional reconfigurabilityVSAvoidinsert replacement process

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The insert is designed to be dynamically replaceable - removable and reinsertable without tools. The retention means allows the insert to be securely held during operation but easily removed when needed, providing dynamic reconfigurability that balances adaptability with operational ease.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If the receptacle accepts inserts when the cover plate is attached, then ease of operation improves, but reliability may deteriorate due to potential connection issues

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsert accessibilityVSAvoidelectrical connection stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The insert is nested within the housing and accessed through an opening in the cover plate. This nested structure allows the insert to be inserted and retained within the housing while the cover plate remains attached, providing both ease of operation and reliable electrical connections through the housing's internal structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS12555991B2Configurable electrical receptacles

Publication Date: 2026.02.17 SWIDGET CORP

AI summary

This invention relates to configurable electrical receptacles and more particularly to electrical receptacles that accept in-situ replacement of an insert providing a specific functionality within an electrical receptacle which is configurable to function or user accessible feature.