Outlet Spacing Plate With Triangular Opening
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spacer devices fail to ensure proper positioning of electrical outlets relative to the wall, leading to inconsistent and unstable mounting.
Innovation Solution
A spacer device comprising a plate with a triangular opening to receive the mounting tab of an electrical outlet, paired with forward-extending mounts and a stabilizing riser, which engages apertures in the mounting tab and abuts the wall to maintain correct outlet positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If existing spacer devices are used, then electrical outlets can be mounted, but proper positioning relative to the wall cannot be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer device is divided into multiple functional components: a plate member with triangular opening for outlet reception, forward-extending mounts for wall engagement, and a stabilizing riser. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function - positioning, mounting, and stabilization - thereby ensuring both accurate positioning and reliable mounting that existing single-piece spacers fail to achieve.
Solution Approach 2:
The plate member acts as an intermediary between the mounting box and the wall surface. By positioning the outlet on the plate rather than directly in the box, and by using the triangular opening geometry, the plate mediates the positioning to ensure the outlet is correctly aligned relative to the wall, resolving the positioning accuracy issue.
2Manufacturing precision
If outlets are mounted directly in mounting boxes, then installation is simple, but consistent positioning relative to the wall surface cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The triangular opening in the plate member has specific local geometric properties that ensure proper outlet positioning. The triangular geometry with its vertex pointing toward the wall creates a self-aligning mechanism that ensures consistent outlet alignment with the wall surface, while the local quality of this specific geometric feature provides the precision needed without requiring complex overall device structure.
3Manufacturing precision
If forward-extending mounts are added to ensure proper positioning, then positioning accuracy improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The forward-extending mounts are merged with the plate member as an integrated component rather than separate attachments. This combining approach provides the necessary positioning function while minimizing device complexity - the mounts are simply extensions of the plate itself, forming a single piece that performs both positioning and mounting functions without requiring additional separate components.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical outlet spacing system includes a plate that a front side, a back side and a perimeter edge. The perimeter edge includes an upper edge, a lower edge, a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge. The plate has an opening therein extending into the front side and outwardly of the back side. The opening is configured to receive a mounting tab of an electrical outlet. A pair of mounts is attached to and extends forward of the front side. The mounts are configured to engage apertures in the mounting tab. The panel is abutted against a wall surface to correctly position the electrical outlet relative to the wall surface.