Outlet Faceplate Lighting With Battery Backup and Wireless Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional electrical outlets lack integrated lighting solutions, such as nightlights or emergency lights, which can pose safety hazards and are not easily adaptable for dual operation, and existing lighting devices often require separate outlets or batteries, limiting their functionality and connectivity.
Innovation Solution
A lighting device integrated within an electrical outlet faceplate that can operate as a nightlight or emergency light, powered by the outlet itself, with a communication module for wireless connectivity and a control circuit to manage light emission based on ambient conditions or power failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional electrical outlets are used without integrated lighting, then the outlets remain simple and cost-effective, but they lack lighting functionality requiring separate nightlights or emergency lights that pose safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the electrical outlet and lighting device into a single integrated unit. The outlet faceplate incorporates a light source, control circuit, and power management system that draws power from the electrical connection, eliminating the need for separate nightlights or emergency lights and reducing overall system complexity despite adding functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated outlet provides multiple functions: standard electrical power delivery and automated lighting. The lighting component can operate as a nightlight during normal power conditions and as an emergency light during power outages, making the device versatile and adaptable to different lighting needs without requiring multiple separate devices.
2Reliability
If separate nightlights are used, then lighting functionality is provided, but they require additional outlets or batteries and cannot operate during power outages
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated lighting system draws power from the electrical connection at the outlet itself. During normal operation, it uses line power. During power outages, the control circuit detects the loss of power and automatically switches to battery power, allowing the device to serve itself across different power conditions without user intervention or additional outlets.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes its power source parameter dynamically based on operating conditions. The control circuit monitors power availability and switches between two power sources (line power and battery power), allowing the device to adapt to different power conditions and maintain reliability during outages.
3Illumination intensity
If emergency lights with large batteries are used, then strong light output is achieved, but the devices become bulky and require battery backup systems for entire buildings
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system is segmented into two independent power source components: a small battery integrated into the outlet and the main electrical power supply. This segmentation allows the battery to provide supplemental power during outages without requiring a large centralized battery backup system, reducing device complexity while maintaining adequate light output.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of providing full emergency lighting capacity through a large battery, the system uses partial action by employing a small integrated battery that provides sufficient lighting for immediate safety needs during outages. This approach achieves adequate illumination without the complexity and bulk of a full battery backup system designed for entire buildings.
4Ease of operation
If nightlights operate continuously, then lighting is always available, but the devices become hot and create fire hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuit incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor ambient light levels and automatically control the light source. The system turns on the light when ambient illumination is insufficient and turns it off when adequate light is present, providing continuous lighting when needed while avoiding unnecessary operation that would generate heat and create fire hazards.
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
Provides integrated lighting for outlets that operates independently of external power sources, ensuring safety and functionality during power outages, with wireless communication capabilities for coordinated lighting across multiple outlets.
Implementation Method 1
a light source for emitting light
Data Source
AI summary
A lighting device and system having a faceplate and a backplate. The faceplate or the backplate may have an arm or a set of arms having electrical conductors to connect or couple to the electrical contact points of an outlet, plug, or switch. The operational modes may be in an emergency lighting mode and a nightlight mode. The voltage source can be connected to a light source or sensor through the control circuit or the switch, and the light source may be activated based on the output of the sensor. A controller is connected to the sensor and can send or receive wireless signals through a wireless module.