Outlet Cover Assembly with Intermediate Plate for Reliable Power Delivery
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrical outlet cover plates are difficult to install with reliable electrical connectivity, especially ensuring contact with side terminal screws, making it challenging to draw power for integrated loads like lights or USB ports without damaging the existing outlet setup during remodeling or decoration.
Innovation Solution
An electrical outlet cover assembly with an intermediate plate providing electrical connectivity between the cover plate and the outlet receptacle, featuring connectors that engage side terminal screws to deliver power to integrated loads, allowing for seamless power supply while maintaining access to the outlet.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If conventional cover plates are used to draw power from outlets, then power delivery to integrated loads is achieved, but reliable electrical connectivity is difficult to ensure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediate plate as a mediator component between the receptacle and cover plate. This intermediate plate includes receptacle connectors that engage with the side terminal screws of the receptacle, providing a reliable electrical connection pathway. The intermediate plate acts as a bridge that ensures stable electrical connectivity while enabling power delivery to integrated loads on the cover plate, thus resolving the reliability issue of conventional direct connection methods.
2Reliability
If intermediate plate with receptacle connectors is used, then reliable electrical connectivity is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into the intermediate plate component. The intermediate plate integrates both the electrical connection function (through receptacle connectors engaging side terminal screws) and the structural support function (providing a mounting surface for the cover plate). By merging these functions into a single component, the patent reduces the need for separate connection mechanisms while maintaining reliable electrical connectivity, thus mitigating the increase in device complexity.
3Ease of operation
If cover plate is removed during remodeling, then access to outlet is gained, but existing outlet setup may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables preliminary installation of the intermediate plate and cover plate assembly before remodeling activities begin. The intermediate plate is pre-configured with receptacle connectors that engage the side terminal screws, establishing a secure electrical connection in advance. This preliminary setup allows the cover plate to be removed and reinstalled during remodeling without risking damage to the outlet, as the robust intermediate connection protects the electrical pathway from accidental damage.
Data Source
AI summary
An outlet cover assembly with electrical connection to couple to a receptacle. The cover assembly may include a cover plate having an electrical load and at least one intermediate connector coupled to the electrical load, an intermediate plate having at least one receptacle connector extending from the intermediate plate and an electrical connection point coupled to the at least one receptacle connector. The receptacle connector may be placed in electrical contact with an electric supply of the receptacle and delivers current to the electrical connection point when coupled to the receptacle. The intermediate plate is coupled between the receptacle and the cover plate with the intermediate connector of the cover plate engaging the electrical connection point of the intermediate plate to supply power to the electrical load coupled to the cover plate.