Retractable Outlet Cover Shelf for Secure Plug Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical outlets often fail to securely retain plugs and connected devices due to loose connections, leading to inconvenience and potential electrical hazards.
Innovation Solution
An outlet cover with a movable shelf and support brackets that securely hold plugs and devices in place using a movable wall and spring mechanism, enhanced by an adhesive substrate for added stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional outlet cover is used without additional support structures, then the device complexity is low, but the plug connection stability is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The shelf is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to adapt between extended and retracted positions. This dynamic structure provides plug support when needed while maintaining a simple appearance when not in use, resolving the contradiction between reliability improvement and complexity increase.
Solution Approach 2:
The shelf is stored within the outlet cover body when retracted, creating a nested configuration. This allows the support structure to be integrated into the existing outlet cover form factor without significantly increasing the overall device complexity or footprint.
2Reliability
If a movable shelf with support brackets is added to the outlet cover, then the plug retention capability is improved, but the ease of operation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The shelf incorporates a spring mechanism that automatically extends the shelf when a plug is inserted, eliminating the need for manual deployment. The system serves itself by detecting the plug insertion and autonomously activating the support structure, thereby improving retention capability without compromising ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring mechanism is pre-loaded and ready to extend the shelf immediately upon plug insertion. This preliminary preparation ensures that the support structure is activated instantly when needed, providing reliable plug retention without requiring user intervention or complex control systems.
3Area of moving object
If the shelf is extended to provide support surface, then the area for receiving plug is increased, but the volume of the outlet cover increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shelf transitions from a retracted state (minimal volume) to an extended state (increased support area) as needed. This dynamic configuration allows the outlet cover to provide large support surface area when required while maintaining a compact form factor during normal operation, effectively resolving the volume-area contradiction.
Solution Approach 2:
The shelf extends in a direction perpendicular to the main body of the outlet cover, utilizing three-dimensional space efficiently. This dimensional approach allows the support surface area to increase without significantly increasing the overall volume envelope of the outlet cover assembly.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The outlet cover effectively prevents plugs and devices from falling out, ensuring secure connections and reducing electrical hazards while allowing easy storage and use.
Implementation Method 1
The first support bracket and the second support bracket may extend the support surface away from the cover plate using a spring in response to depressing the support surface while the support surface is retracted against the cover plate.
Data Source
AI summary
An outlet cover, including a cover plate removably connected to at least one electrical outlet and surrounding the at least one electrical outlet, and at least one shelf disposed on at least a portion of the cover plate to receive at least one of a plug and a mobile device thereon.