Under-Cabinet Outlet Strip Cover for Plug Access and Seamless Joints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical outlet plug strips beneath kitchen cabinets face challenges in accessibility due to proximity to the cabinet bottom, making it difficult to insert plugs, and visibility issues when outlets are located at the bottom, and gaps between adjacent strips detract from appearance when joined together.
Innovation Solution
An elongated outlet plug strip with a horizontally disposed housing and a cover that extends beyond one end of the housing to cover the juncture with adjacent strips or support members, providing improved accessibility and a continuous appearance by housing the gaps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the electrical outlets are positioned close to the cabinet bottom wall, then the plug strip can be securely mounted in the available space, but it becomes difficult for a person to grasp the electrical plug and insert it into the outlet
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet is repositioned from a vertical wall mounting to a horizontal bottom wall mounting of the plug strip. This dimensional change allows the outlet to be located in a position that is both securely mountable near the cabinet and accessible from the countertop surface below, resolving the contradiction between mounting security and plug insertion accessibility
2Ease of operation
If the electrical outlets are located in the bottom wall of the plug strip, then clearance problems are eliminated, but it becomes difficult for a person to visually observe the outlet to properly position the electrical plug
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet cover is made of translucent material that allows light to pass through, making the outlet visible from below the countertop. This enables a person to visually observe the outlet position and properly position the electrical plug for insertion, while maintaining the outlet's location in the bottom wall for clearance accessibility
3Adaptability or versatility
If two plug strips are positioned adjacent one another in an end-to-end relationship, then more outlets are available, but the juncture between them creates visible gaps that detract from the appearance
Solution Approach 1:
Adjacent plug strips are designed to abut one another with their ends meeting flush, eliminating visible gaps at the juncture. The outlet covers extend to the ends of the housing to provide a continuous appearance, while the internal structure allows multiple strips to be installed end-to-end for increased outlet availability
Data Source
AI summary
Electrical outlet plug strips are positioned at the underside of a kitchen cabinet or cabinets. The plug strips include covers which are designed to shield or cover the gaps between adjacent plug strips and to shield or cover support members positioned at the bottoms of adjacent cabinets.