Modular Electrical Receptacle Inserts for In-Situ Reconfiguration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing home automation systems lack a unified standard for electrical receptacles, preventing the integration of disparate functionalities within a single unit, and there is a need for configurable electrical receptacles that allow in-situ replacement of inserts to provide specific user-accessible features.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a housing with mounting means and electrical interfaces, allowing insertion and removal of demountable inserts, which can be configured to provide additional functionalities such as sensors, wireless routers, or power sockets, within conventional electrical utility work boxes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple disparate functionalities are combined within a single electrical receptacle, then versatility and adaptability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The receptacle is divided into a fixed housing and removable inserts. The housing contains common components (mounting means, electrical interfaces, cavity), while separate inserts provide specific functionalities (optical emitter, sensor, communication interface). This segmentation allows users to mix and match inserts for different functions without redesigning the entire receptacle, thus improving versatility while managing complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The receptacle housing is designed as a universal platform that can accommodate multiple types of inserts through standardized interfaces. The same housing structure supports various functionalities by simply changing the insert module, enabling a single receptacle to serve multiple purposes across different applications and environments.
2Ease of manufacture
If electrical receptacles are configured with specific functionalities during installation, then initial setup is simplified, but adaptability to changing user requirements deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The receptacle system transitions from a static, fixed-configuration design to a dynamic, reconfigurable system. Inserts can be removed and replaced after installation without requiring professional electricians or complex procedures. This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt to changing user needs while maintaining simple installation of the base housing unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing is pre-configured with standardized cavities, mounting means, and electrical interfaces during manufacturing, enabling simple installation. However, the specific functional configuration is left for the user to determine later by selecting and installing appropriate inserts, thus separating the simplicity of installation from the flexibility of configuration.
3Reliability
If standard electrical receptacles are used without replaceable inserts, then device reliability is maintained, but adaptability to diverse user needs is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the receptacle into a reliable, standardized housing and interchangeable inserts, the system maintains the proven reliability of standard receptacle designs while adding configurability through modular inserts. The housing remains unchanged and reliable, while inserts provide the necessary adaptability for diverse applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The insert acts as an intermediary component between the standard receptacle housing and specific functional requirements. It mediates between the universal, reliable housing design and the need for application-specific functionality, allowing users to obtain both reliability from the proven housing and adaptability from the customizable inserts.
Data Source
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.