Pop-up power system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrical receptacles placed on horizontal surfaces, such as countertops, are often visible and disrupt the surface's aesthetics and utility, especially in situations where a wall is not available, and are susceptible to liquid exposure.
Innovation Solution
A pop-up power system comprising a hollow tower with a radially extending lid, a biasing element, and a mounting sleeve that allows the receptacle to be slidably and rotatably positioned between extended and retracted states, providing convenient access while maintaining a low profile and protecting against liquids.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional electrical receptacle is placed on a horizontal surface such as a countertop, then convenient power access is provided, but the receptacle disrupts the surface aesthetics and reduces its utility
Solution Approach 1:
The receptacle is designed to be movable between a retracted position (flush with or below the surface) and an extended position (protruding above the surface). This dynamic configuration allows the receptacle to maintain aesthetic appearance when not in use while providing convenient access when needed, resolving the contradiction between operational convenience and visual appeal.
Solution Approach 2:
The system separates the receptacle from the permanent surface structure, allowing it to be independently positioned. The receptacle can be extended only when needed and retracted otherwise, creating a segmented functional approach that preserves surface integrity and aesthetics while providing on-demand power access.
2Shape
If a conventional receptacle is embedded in a horizontal surface, then the surface aesthetics are maintained, but the receptacle is susceptible to liquid exposure and damage
Solution Approach 1:
By making the receptacle extendable rather than permanently embedded, the system creates a dynamic barrier against liquids. When retracted, the receptacle maintains surface aesthetics; when extended, it positions the electrical components above the typical liquid spill zone, reducing susceptibility to liquid damage while preserving visual appeal.
3Ease of operation
If a receptacle is placed on a wall within easy reach of a horizontal surface, then convenient power access is provided, but the receptacle is very visible and disrupts aesthetics
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of placing the receptacle on a vertical wall (one dimension), the system embeds it within the horizontal surface, utilizing the third dimension (depth/below-surface positioning). This allows the receptacle to be accessible when extended but invisible when retracted, eliminating the aesthetic problem of wall-mounted visibility while maintaining convenience.
4Shape
If a pop-up mechanism is added to allow the receptacle to extend and retract, then aesthetic appearance and liquid protection are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a biasing element to automatically change the positional parameter of the receptacle between extended and retracted states based on operational needs. This parameter-driven approach simplifies the control mechanism compared to active actuators, reducing overall device complexity while achieving the desired aesthetic and protective functions.
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 pop-up power system offers convenient and aesthetically pleasing power access without reducing the surface's utility, while ensuring the receptacle is protected from liquids when not in use, maintaining a low profile and easy installation on various horizontal surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing element coupled to the tower and to the liner, the biasing element biasing the lid of the tower away from the liner
Data Source
AI summary
A pop-up power system with a hollow tower to support an electrical receptacle. The lid includes a lid locking mechanism, and the tower being rotatable between a locked position and an unlocked position. A mounting sleeve receives the tower body through it and includes a locking mechanism alignable with the lid locking mechanism. A liner is positioned between the tower body and the mounting sleeve, the liner comprising a groove for the guide pin in an interior surface of the liner which surrounds and slideably engages the body and is rotatably connected to the mounting sleeve. A biasing element biases the lid of the tower away from the liner and is configured to slide between an extended position and a retracted position with respect to a mounting surface so that it has an extended locked position and an extended unlocked position, a retracted locked position and a retracted unlocked position.