Wall Outlet with Extendable Receptacles and Spool Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wall outlets are inadequate for powering electronic devices at distances greater than the length of their power cords, leading to the use of extension cords that can become tangled and pose tripping hazards.
Innovation Solution
A wall outlet with extendable and retractable electrical receptacles, featuring a spool mechanism with actuators that allow the electrical cables to wind and unwind, enabling the receptacles to extend or retract as needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If extension cords are used to provide power at greater distances, then power accessibility is improved, but the risk of tangling and tripping hazards increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power outlet from its fixed wall position and relocates it to a movable receptacle that can be extended along the cable length. This allows the outlet to be positioned anywhere along the cable's reach, providing power accessibility without requiring extension cords to be left on the ground, thereby eliminating tripping hazards and tangling issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic power outlet system where the receptacle can move along the cable length between retracted (flush with wall) and extended positions. This dynamic capability allows the outlet to adapt to different power delivery needs while keeping the cable organized and hidden when not in use, preventing both tripping hazards and tangling.
2Length of stationary object
If extension cords are used to extend power reach, then power delivery distance is improved, but device complexity and safety risks worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nesting mechanism where the electrical cable is wound around a spool that is housed within the wall outlet box. When the receptacle is not in use, the cable is neatly nested within the wall cavity, eliminating the need for external extension cords and their associated management complexity.
3Ease of manufacture
If fixed wall outlets are used, then installation simplicity is maintained, but flexibility in power delivery location is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains the simplicity of a fixed wall outlet installation while adding dynamic functionality through a retractable receptacle mechanism. The outlet is installed in the wall like a conventional outlet, but the receptacle can be extended to various positions along the cable length, providing location flexibility without complicating the installation process.
Data Source
AI summary
A wall outlet with extendable electrical receptacles is provided. The wall outlet is mountable into the wall outlet cavity of an existing structure. The wall outlet includes extendable electrical receptacles that are extendable from the wall outlet via electrical cables that are wound around a spool. Each electrical cable is wound around a section of the spool, such that it may be unwound, independently, therefrom. The electrical receptacles are attached to ends of the cables and are in electrical communication therewith. A user extends an electrical receptacle from the wall outlet by pulling the electrical receptacle in a first direction, which unwinds the electrical cable from the spool. Each section of the spool is coupled to an actuator that when triggered rotates the corresponding section of the spool in a second direction, which winds the electrical cable around the spool and retracts the electrical receptacle back into the wall outlet.