Wall-Mounted Fixture with Flush Outlet Cover Mount for Safe Heating

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional heating and cooling appliances, such as space heaters, baseboard heaters, and wall-mounted heaters, face issues like space occupancy, costly professional installations, and safety hazards due to accidental disconnection or wall damage.

Innovation Solution

A fixture system that can be configured for three levels of installation permanence, including a flush mount over electrical outlets, snap fittings, and hard-wired connections, allowing for safe and secure temperature modulation without requiring extensive professional installation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If a wall-mounted heater is used, then heating efficiency is improved, but safety hazards increase due to accidental disconnection or wall damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating efficiencyVSAvoidsafety

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The fixture supports multiple installation configurations (temporary outlet cover mounting, semi-permanent backplate mounting, permanent hardwired mounting) that can be dynamically selected based on safety requirements and installation context, allowing the system to adapt its permanence level rather than being fixed in one installation mode

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The installation system is segmented into modular components (fixture, backplate, mounting hardware) that can be assembled in different configurations, enabling users to choose between temporary and permanent installation methods depending on their safety and portability needs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If baseboard heaters are used, then professional installation safety is improved, but installation cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation safetyVSAvoidinstallation cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The fixture is designed with user-friendly installation features including snap-fit mounting, clear instructions, and standardized outlet cover dimensions that enable non-professionals to safely install the device themselves, eliminating the need for costly professional installation while maintaining safety through proven mounting methods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The backplate serves as an intermediary component that provides a safe, standardized mounting interface between the fixture and wall, distributing mechanical loads and electrical connections in a manner that is both safe and accessible to non-professional installers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If space heaters are used, then portability is improved, but floor space occupancy increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveportabilityVSAvoidfloor space

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The fixture transitions the installation from the horizontal floor plane to the vertical wall plane, allowing portable heating/cooling functionality while eliminating floor space occupancy by mounting the device on walls at various heights

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Reliability

If a permanent wall-mounted fixture is used, then safety against disconnection is improved, but installation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoidinstallation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The same fixture design and components can be universally installed using multiple methods ranging from temporary to permanent, making the system adaptable to different user needs and installation contexts without requiring different hardware or designs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

The system provides safe, secure, and cost-effective temperature modulation by reducing the risk of accidental disconnection and wall damage, while allowing for easy installation and operation by non-professionals, and can be adapted for various permanence levels without altering the housing structure.

Implementation Method 1

a fan positioned within the housing and configured to move air through the housing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectForced airflow: Fan

Data Source

PatentUS11920803B2Systems and methods for providing a fixture supporting different levels of permanence

Publication Date: 2024.03.05 MARLEY ENGINEERED PRODUCTS LLC

AI summary

A system configured to provide supplemental heating or cooling is provided. Some embodiments may include the fixture having an air movement device and a back surface configured for a flush mount on a wall, the back surface having a recess sized to substantially the same dimensions of a cover of an electrical outlet. The flush mount may provide a degree of permanence for the fixture that satisfies a criterion.