Illuminable Wall Socket Plate Using Terminal-Screw Power Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wall socket plates do not efficiently power embedded lights without blocking receptacles or requiring additional components, limiting their functionality and installation ease.
Innovation Solution
The use of metal tabs on the back of the illuminable wall socket plate to conduct electric current from wall socket terminal screws to a light, allowing for easy installation and continuous power without blocking existing receptacles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If metal tabs are used to conduct power from terminal screws, then ease of installation is improved, but electrical safety risks increase due to direct contact with live terminals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where the metal tabs are designed to contact terminal screws through the receptacle bodies, which act as mediators. The tabs are positioned to make contact only when the receptacles are properly inserted into the outlet, providing a controlled connection path that reduces safety risks while maintaining ease of installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The metal tabs are strategically positioned at specific locations on the receptacles to contact only the appropriate terminal screws (hot, neutral, ground). This localized contact approach ensures that power is conducted only where needed and with proper electrical configuration, reducing the risk of incorrect connections while maintaining simple installation.
2Device complexity
If existing receptacles are used to power the light, then device complexity is reduced, but the original number of receptacles cannot be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the lighting function with the existing receptacle structure. The light is integrated into the wall cover plate assembly, and power is drawn from the terminal screws through the receptacle bodies. This combination allows the system to use existing electrical infrastructure while adding lighting functionality, maintaining the original number of usable receptacles.
Solution Approach 2:
The wall cover plate assembly serves multiple functions: it provides electrical receptacles for plugging in devices, incorporates embedded lights for illumination, and conducts power from the terminal screws. This multi-functional design maintains receptacle availability while adding lighting capability without requiring separate wiring.
3Reliability
If a bulky system with additional components is used, then power supply reliability is improved, but ease of installation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single integrated assembly: the wall cover plate, receptacles, metal tabs for power conduction, and embedded lights are all merged into one unit. This integration maintains power supply reliability through proper electrical connections while simplifying installation to a single replacement operation, eliminating the need for separate components and complex assembly procedures.
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
Enables easy replacement of standard socket plates with embedded lights that remain powered, providing versatile lighting solutions without increasing electricity costs or obstructing receptacles, suitable for various applications like nightlights or decorative lighting.
Implementation Method 1
metal tabs conduct electric current from socket terminal screws for lighting a light in the illuminable wall socket plate
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates generally to an illuminable wall socket plate for replacing existing wall socket plates in one simple installation step. The illuminable wall socket plate obtains electric current from a socket to power a light by connecting metal tabs on the back side of the illuminable wall socket plate to socket terminals, and transferring electric current from the socket terminals to a light in the wall socket plate through conductive material, in accordance with the invention described herein.