Power Socket Light Source Rear Illumination Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power outlets with built-in light sources for location identification in dark rooms are complex to implement and do not effectively signal unused outlets, limiting their usability and requiring structural modifications.
Innovation Solution
A power outlet design featuring a light source positioned within the insertion well, illuminating from inside and emitting light through gaps, allowing for simple integration without structural modifications, and automatically indicating unused outlets by a visible light circle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a light source is provided on the outcrop of the finishing plate as in prior art, then light signaling is achieved, but the device complexity increases due to drilling openings in finisher and support
Solution Approach 1:
The light source is extracted from the finishing plate outcrop location and repositioned within the insertion well. This eliminates the need to drill openings in the finishing plate and support structure, as the light now originates from inside the insertion well where it can signal through the piston structure without requiring structural modifications to the finishing plate.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of placing the light source on the outer finishing plate as in prior art, the invention inverts the approach by positioning the light source inside the insertion well. The light then travels outward through the piston structure rather than being emitted from the finishing plate, fundamentally reversing the light path and structural requirements.
2Loss of information
If a light source is provided as in prior art, then location signaling is achieved, but unused outlets cannot be located
Solution Approach 1:
The light source is positioned to illuminate specific local areas within the insertion well, creating different lighting patterns that indicate outlet status. By controlling which areas are illuminated and how light passes through the piston structure, the system can distinguish between occupied and unused outlets, providing local quality variations that convey status information.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting system provides visual feedback about outlet status. When an outlet is unused, the light source illuminates the insertion well and allows light to escape through the piston structure in a pattern that indicates availability. This feedback mechanism enables users to identify unused outlets without physical inspection.
3Illumination intensity
If structural modifications are made to integrate light sources as in prior art, then lighting function is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The requirement for structural modifications is extracted and eliminated by repositioning the light source to the insertion well location. This allows the light integration to proceed without drilling openings in the finishing plate or modifying the support structure, significantly simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining the built-in lighting function.
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
Simplifies the manufacturing and use of power outlets with built-in lighting, effectively signaling unused outlets and enhancing user safety in dark environments without altering the outlet's structure, while maintaining operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a light source (92) disposed between a rear edge (22a) of the cylindrical wall (22) and a bottom wall (11) of the base (10), so as to illuminate at least partially, from the back, the section of the insertion well (2)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
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AI summary
The invention relates to a power outlet (1) comprising an insulating base (10) housing: - a cylindrical wall (22) defining an insertion well (2) for an electrical plug extending along a longitudinal axis (R), - a piston (50) partially closing the cross-section of this insertion well (2) and movable in translation relative to said cylindrical wall (22) along the longitudinal axis (R), and - at least one light source (92). According to the invention, this light source (92) is arranged between a rear edge (22A) of said cylindrical wall (22) and a bottom wall (11) of the insulating base (10), so as to illuminate at least partially, from the rear, the cross-section of the insertion well (2).