Central Vacuum Inlet Receptacle With Box-Free Field Wiring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current central vacuum system inlet valves require an electrical box for household wiring connections, which is cumbersome due to space constraints and increases installation complexity and cost, especially when existing electrical boxes are not conveniently located.
Innovation Solution
A field-made electrical connection system that eliminates the need for a separate electrical box by allowing standard household wires to be connected directly to the female receptacle, using a snap-fit mechanism with conductive bayonets and a transparent cover for visual verification, enabling flexible wire length adjustment without waste or additional boxes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate electrical box is used for household wiring connections behind the inlet valve, then the electrical connection is code-compliant and enclosed, but the installation complexity and cost increase due to space constraints and the need for specially molded curved boxes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the electrical connection enclosure function directly into the inlet valve housing by creating a recessed cavity within the valve body that houses the female receptacle. This eliminates the need for a separate electrical box while maintaining code-compliant enclosed connections. The mounting plate is configured with an opening that provides access to this integrated enclosure, allowing electricians to make connections without requiring additional specially molded boxes.
2Ease of manufacture
If a factory-made pigtail lead is used, then the electrical connection is simplified, but the wire length is fixed and may be too long (causing waste) or too short (requiring additional electrical box)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the wire length dynamic and adjustable by allowing the electrician to feed wire from an existing electrical box through the mounting plate opening and into the recessed cavity. The wire can be cut to the exact length needed for the specific installation location, eliminating the waste associated with fixed-length pigtails while ensuring sufficient length reach. The female receptacle is mounted within the recessed cavity to receive the custom-length wire connection.
3Productivity
If the female receptacle is permanently mounted to the back of the valve, then the electrical and vacuum connections are made simultaneously, but the wiring connection requires an awkwardly shaped molded box that is difficult to wire
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the electrical connection space into a dedicated recessed cavity within the inlet valve housing, separated from the main valve body. This recessed cavity provides ample room for wire manipulation and connection-making, while the mounting plate opening provides access to this segmented space. The female receptacle is mounted within this recessed cavity, allowing electricians to work in a spacious, accessible environment rather than contorting wires in a small curved box.
Data Source
AI summary
A female electrical receptacle for mounting behind an inlet valve of a central vacuum cleaning system, having a base portion and a cover portion wherein the base portion defines three open topped channels and two side channels include an electrically conductive bayonet extending into said channel. The central channel retains the ground wire. Each bayonet is electrically connected to a female pin receptacle located toward one end of said base portion. The cover is sized and shaped to be field securable to said base portion to close said open top channels onto said bayonets, The female electrical receptacle further includes attachment features adjacent the pin receptacles, which are sized and shaped to engage with said inlet valve to permit said one end to be mounted behind said inlet valve and connected to a plug opening in said inlet valve. An electrical wire may be field inserted between the cover and the base so that when the cover is secured to the base an electrical connection is completed by the bayonets between the wire and the pin receptacles to electrify the plug opening in the inlet valve.