Wall-Mounted Network Outlet With Integrated Power Supply
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing demand for electrical outlets and LAN jacks due to VoIP telephones and optical fiber-to-the-wall applications leads to cluttered and complex user stations, with higher risks of theft and human error from excessive cabling and devices.
Innovation Solution
A network outlet fixture with integrated in-wall power supply and multi-gang wall box configuration, providing fiber-to-copper media conversion and network switching, along with adjustable mounting and power disconnection features to reduce clutter and enhance safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple electrical outlets and LAN jacks are provided at each user station to support VoIP telephones and optical fiber applications, then the network functionality and device compatibility are improved, but the device complexity and cabling clutter increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple electrical outlets and LAN jacks into a single integrated wall-mounted network outlet fixture. This consolidation merges previously separate devices and cabling requirements into one unified unit, reducing clutter while maintaining support for multiple functions including VoIP telephones, computers, and optical fiber connections
Solution Approach 2:
The network outlet fixture is designed with multi-functionality to serve multiple purposes: providing electrical power outlets, LAN network connections, and optical fiber connections all through a single device. This universal design eliminates the need for separate dedicated outlets for each function, thereby reducing overall device complexity and cabling requirements
2Reliability
If electrical outlets and network devices are provided at each user station, then the power and network availability are improved, but the risk of theft and human error increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power supply and network switching functions from individual user station devices and relocates them into the wall-mounted outlet fixture itself. By taking out these functions from vulnerable endpoint devices and embedding them in the fixed wall infrastructure, the system maintains network availability while reducing theft risk and human error associated with portable devices
3Device complexity
If power supplies are integrated within the wall outlet fixture, then the number of external power strips is reduced, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the power supply functionality into modular components that can be independently manufactured and then assembled into the final wall outlet fixture. This segmentation allows standard power supply units to be produced separately using conventional manufacturing processes, reducing overall manufacturing complexity while still achieving the benefit of eliminating external power strips
Data Source
AI summary
A network outlet fixture providing wall-mounted LAN jacks. The fixture may include an in-wall power supply and be configured for mounting within a conventional multi-gang wall box. The power supply may be directly connected to an adjacent wall outlet, which serves as a power source, in the same or an adjacent wall box. The fixture may include both network switching and fiber-to-copper media converter functionality. The fixture may be configured to disconnect the power source upon removal of a face plate of the fixture. Further, the fixture may be configured to allow mounting of the jack-supporting structure in any one of several different positions relative to a remainder of the outlet fixture. This allows for presentation of the LAN jacks in a certain preferred orientation while permitting the remainder of the outlet fixture to be mounted in several different orientations relative to a wall.