Universal Transparent Receptacle Cover for Electrical Safety

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electrical receptacle covers are prone to damage from repetitive use, require multiple sizes and colors, and pose safety risks due to the need for frequent opening to determine configuration, leading to increased maintenance costs and stock management issues for repair technicians.

Innovation Solution

A universal transparent receptacle cover that fits all standard sizes and shapes, allowing operators to view the color and configuration without opening, reducing the need for multiple colors and sizes, and minimizing damage through less frequent opening.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple colored receptacle covers are manufactured to match different receptacle types, then safety and proper identification are improved, but manufacturing complexity and inventory management become worse

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The receptacle cover is designed as a universal cover that can be used on multiple receptacle types (16AMP, 32AMP, 40AMP) without needing different colored versions. The single transparent cover design eliminates the need for multiple colored covers while maintaining safety through visibility of color-coded indicators and configuration identification through transparency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using different colored covers to indicate different receptacle types, the invention uses color-coded indicators visible through the transparent cover and configuration-specific indicators that change appearance based on receptacle configuration. This eliminates the need for multiple colored covers while maintaining proper identification

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If repair technicians carry multiple sizes and colors of receptacle covers, then proper coverage for all receptacle types is improved, but stock management complexity and time to locate correct covers become worse

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoverage for all receptacle typesVSAvoidtime to locate correct covers

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

A single universal receptacle cover design fits multiple receptacle types (16AMP, 32AMP, 40AMP) without requiring technicians to carry multiple sized covers. The universal design eliminates inventory management complexity while maintaining adaptability to different receptacle types

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Loss of information

If receptacle covers are opened frequently to determine configuration, then proper identification of receptacle type is improved, but safety risks and damage to covers increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveidentification of receptacle configurationVSAvoidsafety

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses configuration-specific indicators that provide visual information about receptacle configuration without requiring the cover to be opened. Different configurations display different indicator patterns, allowing identification while the cover remains closed and maintaining safety

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the mechanical action of opening the cover to identify configuration with an optical system where configuration-specific indicators provide visual information through the transparent material. This eliminates the need to open the cover for identification, reducing damage and maintaining safety

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Loss of information

If receptacle covers are opened repeatedly to check configuration, then proper identification is improved, but the lifespan of covers deteriorates due to damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration informationVSAvoidlifespan of cover

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the mechanical opening action with an optical information delivery system where configuration-specific indicators provide all necessary configuration information through the transparent cover. This eliminates repetitive opening and closing cycles, significantly extending cover lifespan

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces configuration-specific indicators as an intermediary that conveys configuration information from the receptacle to the user without requiring direct access by opening the cover. This intermediary system provides information while the cover remains closed, preventing damage from repeated opening

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9325161B2Universal electrical receptacle cover

Publication Date: 2016.04.26 TRYSTAR LLC

AI summary

A universal receptacle cover for an electrical receptacle is provided. The universal receptacle cover includes a base, a neck supported by the base, and a cap coupled to the neck, the cap moving between an open configuration and a closed configuration. In some cases, a portion of the universal receptacle cover consists essentially of a material transparent to visible light. In some cases, the universal receptacle cover is sized and shaped to completely cover standard electrical receptacles when the cap is in the closed configuration.