Telescoping Outlet Cover for Space and Weather Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing outlet covers are large and cumbersome, making them inefficient for use on rarely used electrical outlets, as they do not effectively collapse or configure to save space.
Innovation Solution
A configurable electrical outlet cover design featuring a base with a hingedly coupled lid, a telescoping enclosure that slides between expanded and collapsed positions, and a latch assembly, along with a sealing mechanism that restricts water and dirt entry, even when the cover is in the collapsed state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If outlet covers are made large and boxy to accommodate power plugs, then they provide sufficient space for electrical devices, but they occupy excessive space when outlets are rarely used
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet cover employs a telescoping enclosure that can dynamically change its configuration between expanded and collapsed states. The enclosure includes a sleeve with ledges that slide within the central aperture, allowing the cover to adjust its volume based on whether electrical devices are present, thus resolving the contradiction between space occupation and adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The outlet cover is divided into separable components including a base, a telescoping enclosure with sleeve and ledges, and a lid. This segmentation allows the enclosure to be collapsed when not in use while maintaining full functionality when expanded, addressing the space efficiency issue without sacrificing versatility
2Volume of moving object
If outlet covers are designed to be collapsible, then they save space when outlets are rarely used, but they may compromise protection against water and dirt ingress
Solution Approach 1:
The telescoping enclosure uses a flexible sleeve structure with ledges that can slide within the central aperture. This flexible design allows the enclosure to collapse for space efficiency while maintaining its protective function, as the sleeve can still form a barrier against water and dirt when in the collapsed position
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic telescoping mechanism allows the enclosure to adapt its configuration while maintaining protection. The sleeve with ledges can move between expanded and collapsed positions, and the sealing mechanism ensures that protection against water and dirt is maintained in both states, resolving the contradiction between space savings and protection effectiveness
3Volume of moving object
If outlet covers include a telescoping enclosure mechanism, then they achieve configurable space reduction, but they increase device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The telescoping enclosure is segmented into discrete components: a base, a lid, and a telescoping assembly with sleeve and ledges. This segmentation simplifies the overall design by breaking down the complex telescoping mechanism into manageable parts that can be easily manufactured and assembled
Solution Approach 2:
The sleeve is nested within the central aperture of the frame, and the ledges are integrated into the sleeve structure. This nesting arrangement reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall mechanism, achieving space reduction functionality without excessive complexity
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical outlet cover with a lid having a configurable protrusion or recess to accommodate different uses and weather resistance states. The electrical outlet cover includes a base coupled to an electrical outlet and a lid hingedly coupled to the base along a first side. The lid includes a frame with a central aperture and a telescoping enclosure with a flange at a front edge of a sleeve, the flange extending outward from the sleeve. The sleeve may include a ledge extending outward from the sleeve adjacent a back edge of the sleeve on at least two sides of the sleeve. The sleeve is slidably coupled within the central aperture and movable between an expanded position and a collapsed position. The flange may abut the frame in the collapsed position and the ledge may abut the frame in the expanded position.