Wall Faceplate Wireless Extension Layout for Concealed Antennas
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wireless devices and wireless extension devices are aesthetically unpleasing as they typically plug into electrical wall outlets or have visible wires, necessitating a need for more robust and scalable solutions for implementing faceplate-based wireless functionality.
Innovation Solution
Attaching antennas and a power adapter to the inner surface of a faceplate configured to be attached to a wall, allowing the antennas to be powered and communicatively coupled to a processor, which connects them to a network for transmitting or receiving signals, thus concealing the devices aesthetically within the wall.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional wireless devices plug into electrical wall outlets or have visible wires, then wireless functionality is provided, but aesthetic appearance deteriorates due to visible devices and wires
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless device is extracted from its conventional visible form and integrated into the wall structure itself. The faceplate becomes the housing for the wireless device, with antennas and components mounted on the inner surface, effectively hiding the device within the wall while maintaining functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless device components (antennas, processor, power adapter) are nested within the faceplate structure. The faceplate serves as both the aesthetic cover and the structural housing, with the wireless device embedded inside, creating a nested configuration that eliminates visible wires and external device mounting.
2Shape
If wireless devices are concealed within wall faceplates, then aesthetic appearance improves, but device complexity increases due to integration requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The faceplate is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the aesthetic wall cover, the structural housing for the wireless device, the mounting surface for antennas, and the interface for electrical connections. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and simplifies the overall integration process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the faceplate and wireless device into a single integrated unit. The antennas, processor, and power adapter are combined within the faceplate structure, eliminating the need for separate device housings and reducing installation complexity despite the increased integration requirements.
3Shape
If antennas and power adapters are attached to the inner surface of faceplates, then aesthetic blending within walls is achieved, but manufacturing scalability may be limited
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless device is segmented into modular components (antennas, processor, power adapter) that can be independently manufactured and then assembled on the inner surface of the faceplate. This segmentation allows for standardized manufacturing of individual components while maintaining flexibility in final assembly and customization.
Data Source
AI summary
Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing wireless functionality, and, more particularly, to methods, systems, and apparatuses for implementing faceplate-based wireless device functionality and wireless extension functionality. In various embodiments, one or more antennas, a power adapter, and at least one processor may be attached to an inner surface of a faceplate configured to be attached to a wall. The one or more antennas may be electrically coupled to the power adapter and communicatively coupled to the at least one processor. Alternatively, a wireless functionality device might include one or more antennas, a power adapter, and at least one processor. The wireless functionality device may be attached to an inner surface of a faceplate configured to be attached to a wall. The one or more antennas of the wireless functionality device may be electrically coupled to the power adapter and communicatively coupled to the at least one processor.