Reconfigurable Electrical Receptacles With Modular Sensor Inserts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical receptacles lack the ability to be easily reconfigured to provide additional functions such as sensors, wireless interfaces, and data interfaces, limiting their adaptability in various environments like industrial, home, and business automation systems.
Innovation Solution
The development of intelligent configurable electrical receptacles and inserts that allow for the dynamic configuration of additional features. These receptacles feature a housing with electrical interfaces and contacts, and a cavity for removable inserts, enabling users to change the functionality as needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional electrical receptacles are used, then basic power distribution function is provided, but adaptability and functionality are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The receptacle is divided into modular components: a base unit and interchangeable inserts. Each insert provides specific functionality (power outlets, data interfaces, sensors, wireless interfaces), allowing the system to be segmented into functional modules that can be independently selected and replaced based on application needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The base receptacle unit is designed as a universal platform that can accommodate multiple types of inserts through standardized mechanical and electrical interfaces. This multi-functionality allows a single receptacle location to serve different purposes by simply changing the insert, eliminating the need for multiple specialized devices.
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional functions are integrated into receptacles, then functionality increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Complex functionality is segmented into separate inserts rather than being integrated into a single complex device. Each insert contains specific functions (power, data, sensing, wireless), allowing the overall system to achieve high functionality while keeping individual components relatively simple and manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The insert design allows functional components to be nested within a standardized housing. The electrical contacts, mechanical retention features, and functional elements are nested within the insert structure, which then nests into the base receptacle, creating a hierarchical organization that manages complexity.
3Ease of operation
If discrete deployment of electrical power distribution, lighting, and sensors is used, then each element can be independently configured, but system integration and coordination are difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges previously discrete elements (power distribution, data communication, sensing, wireless interfaces) into a single integrated receptacle system. The standardized electrical and data interfaces allow these functions to be combined in one location while maintaining the ability to independently configure each insert type.
Solution Approach 2:
The universal receptacle platform provides multi-functionality by integrating power outlets, data interfaces, sensor capabilities, and wireless communication in a single system. This allows independent configuration of each function through insert selection while simplifying system integration compared to discrete deployments.
Data Source
AI summary
Today building automation and infrastructure provisioning are discrete deployments and systems such that electrical power distribution for consumption, electrical power and switching for lighting, environmental sensors, security sensors etc. are all discrete and fixed. In contrast, the inventions provide receptacles including electrical power outlets, light switches etc. with configurable and reconfigurable additional functionality such that additional functions can be distributed as necessary or required within the environment such as sensors, wireless interfaces, data interfaces etc. through the use of removable inserts. Further, these receptacles and inserts support artificial intelligence based assisted living functionality through monitoring user activities etc. with the artificial intelligence centralized or distributed locally or remotely accessed. Beneficially, these receptacles and inserts can identify other electrical or electronic devices attached to them allowing increased knowledge of the user's activities as well as providing additional aspects of artificial intelligence based assisted living such as power monitoring, preventative maintenance etc.