Modular Smart Receptacles With Removable Inserts for Building Automation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing configurable electrical receptacles lack the ability to provide increased functionality, connectivity, intelligence, and decision-making capabilities within distributed applications such as industrial automation, home automation, and business automation, as they are limited in their reconfigurability and integration with advanced features like sensors and wireless interfaces.
Innovation Solution
The development of intelligent configurable electrical receptacles and inserts that allow for the insertion and removal of demountable inserts, enabling dynamic configuration of features such as sensors, wireless interfaces, and artificial intelligence-based assisted living functionalities, while maintaining compatibility with existing infrastructure through a retention mechanism that allows for easy retrofitting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional electrical receptacles are used, then basic power distribution function is provided, but functionality and intelligence are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The receptacle is divided into modular components: a base unit and removable inserts. Each insert provides specific functionality (sensors, wireless interfaces, AI processing). This segmentation allows the system to start simple and add complexity only when needed, resolving the contradiction between versatility and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The base receptacle unit is designed as a universal platform that can accommodate multiple different inserts. A single receptacle can be reconfigured for different applications by swapping inserts, providing multi-functionality without requiring multiple different devices, thus improving adaptability while controlling overall system complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If discrete deployment of automation elements is maintained, then existing infrastructure compatibility is preserved, but integration and connectivity are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The insert combines multiple previously discrete functions into a single integrated module. Sensors, wireless interfaces, data processing, and communication capabilities that would traditionally require separate devices are merged into one insert unit, improving connectivity while simplifying system integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The insert acts as an intermediary between the electrical power distribution infrastructure and intelligent automation systems. It provides the interface layer that enables connectivity to existing infrastructure while adding smart capabilities, bridging the gap between legacy systems and modern automation requirements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If fixed configuration receptacles are used, then manufacturing and installation are simplified, but reconfigurability and dynamic adaptation are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The receptacle transitions from a static, fixed configuration to a dynamic, reconfigurable system. Inserts can be added or removed based on changing requirements, allowing the system to adapt over time. The retention mechanism enables this dynamic reconfiguration while maintaining ease of installation through tool-free or simple attachment methods.
4Extent of automation
If advanced intelligence and AI features are added, then decision-making and monitoring capabilities are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Complex AI and decision-making functions are extracted from the main receptacle and placed into removable inserts. This allows the intelligence to be added only when needed for specific applications, rather than being built into all receptacles. The base unit remains simple, and complexity is taken out into optional, swappable modules.
Data Source
AI summary
Today, building automation and infrastructure provisioning are discrete deployments and systems such that electrical power distribution for consumption, electrical power and switching for lighting, environmental sensors, security sensors and the like are discrete and fixed. The present disclosure provides receptacles including electrical power outlets and light switches with configurable and reconfigurable additional functionality such that additional functions are distributed as necessary or required within the environment such as sensors, wireless interfaces, and data interfaces through the use of removable inserts. Further, these receptacles and inserts support artificial intelligence-based assisted living functionality through monitoring user activities with the artificial intelligence centralized or distributed locally or remotely accessed. These receptacles and inserts identify other electrical or electronic devices attached to them, allowing increased knowledge of the user's activities, as well as providing additional aspects of artificial intelligence-based assisted living such as power monitoring, and preventive maintenance.