Multi-Function Electrical Equipment with Standard Cover Plate
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical installations in buildings face limitations due to the small interior volume of standard electrical boxes, restricting the integration of new functions and requiring costly and cumbersome upgrades to accommodate additional features, such as USB sockets or ionizers, when only a single-station electrical box is provided during renovations.
Innovation Solution
The design allows for a standard cover plate to be used with electrical equipment, where the trim and trim plate are separate from the device support, enabling a bezel with a shape adapted to the desired function and a standard cover plate with chosen finish, compatible with existing types of electrical equipment, thus reducing storage and manufacturing costs by utilizing existing cover plates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If two electrical boxes are provided one next to the other to accommodate electrical equipment fulfilling two different functions, then the functionality and versatility are improved, but the implementation complexity and cost increase during renovation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple electrical functions (power socket, USB socket, ionizer) into a single integrated device that mounts on one electrical box. The device includes multiple mechanisms housed in a common structure with a single cover plate, eliminating the need for multiple separate electrical boxes while maintaining all required functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical equipment is designed as a universal multi-functional device that can provide power distribution, charging, and air purification functions simultaneously. The single device replaces what would traditionally require multiple separate devices and electrical boxes, offering versatile functionality in a unified implementation.
2Ease of manufacture
If a standard cover plate is used for electrical equipment with additional functions, then the manufacturing and storage costs are reduced, but the adaptability to different electrical functions is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into distinct functional mechanisms (power socket mechanism, USB socket mechanism, ionizer mechanism) that can be independently designed and manufactured. Each mechanism is housed in a standardized configuration that accommodates a common cover plate, while the individual mechanisms retain their specific functional characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
A universal cover plate design is implemented that can accommodate multiple different functional mechanisms. The cover plate serves as a common interface for various electrical functions, allowing the same cover plate to be used across different device configurations while maintaining adaptability to specific functions through the underlying mechanisms.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to an electrical equipment (1) comprising: - an equipment support (10) which includes a frame (11) and means for fixing the frame to an electrical box (100) according to a support plane (P1), - an equipment base (20, 30, 35) which is fixed to the equipment support and which houses side by side, on the one hand, at least a first equipment mechanism (70) recessed at the rear of said support plane, and, on the other hand, a second equipment mechanism (90) projecting exclusively at the front of said support plane, and - a trim piece (50) which is fixed to the front of said equipment base and which gives each equipment mechanism an electrical function. According to the invention, the electrical equipment includes means for attaching (14) a finishing plate (200) around said trim, at the front of said equipment support.