Oblique Outlet Electrical Receptacle for Standard Wall Box
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical receptacles designed for standard wall boxes often struggle to accommodate multiple devices of varying sizes and types without exceeding standard dimensions, leading to issues with ground prong placement and compatibility with chargers and transformers.
Innovation Solution
A standard-size electrical receptacle with a body designed to fit in a NEMA-standard single or double wall box, featuring outlets with oblique centerlines and laterally open ground prong openings, allowing for three or six outlets with all ground prongs within the box, and the option to replace one outlet with additional devices like timers or surge protectors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If three or more outlets are added to accommodate multiple devices, then the receptacle can power more devices simultaneously, but the receptacle size exceeds standard wall box dimensions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies oblique centerlines at angles (e.g., 30°, 45°, 60°) to arrange outlets in a compact angular pattern rather than linear or grid layout, enabling three outlets to fit within standard wall box dimensions while maintaining accessibility and compliance with electrical codes
2Adaptability or versatility
If outlets are oriented in different directions to accommodate right angle plugs and transformers, then compatibility with various device types improves, but ground prong openings become clustered and prone to blockage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses asymmetric angular positioning of outlets with oblique centerlines relative to the receptacle face, creating non-uniform spacing that distributes ground prong openings across different zones, preventing clustering and blockage while maintaining compatibility with various plug orientations
Solution Approach 2:
Each outlet is independently positioned with its own oblique centerline angle, allowing ground prong openings to be segmented and distributed across the receptacle face rather than clustered together, reducing the risk of blockage
3Adaptability or versatility
If ground prong openings are positioned to accommodate all device types, then device compatibility improves, but some ground prongs extend outside the wall box perimeter
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adjusts the angular parameters of outlet centerlines (e.g., 30°, 45°, 60° oblique angles) to optimize the position of ground prong openings, ensuring they remain within the wall box perimeter while maintaining compatibility with various device orientations and types
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical receptacle with a body sized to fit in a NEMA-standard single wall box has a substantially rectangular face with phase blade openings, neutral blade openings and ground prong openings associated with respective first, second and third outlets, each outlet having a centerline passing through its ground prong opening parallel to its phase and neutral blade openings. The centerline of the first outlet is oblique to the edges of the face and oblique to the centerline of at least one other outlet. The centerlines of all of the outlets may be mutually nonparallel, and they may be mutually oblique. The centerline of the second outlet may be parallel to an edge of the face; and if so, the centerline of the third outlet may be either perpendicular to or parallel to the centerline of the second outlet. In a preferred arrangement, the centerlines are mutually nonparallel, and the ground prong openings of two of the outlets are located at corners of the face that share a common longer edge. All of the arrangements simultaneously accommodate plugs, chargers and transformers of many known sizes and types.