Powered Wall Plate Plug Prongs for Safer Receptacle Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wall plates with spring biased connections are unsafe due to their unreliability, which can lead to electrical hazards and fires.
Innovation Solution
A powered wall plate design featuring electrical plug prongs originating within the wall plate, extending rearward, and configured to removably mate with an electrical device's receptacle, along with an integrated electrical circuit, LED light, and photocell for ambient light measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If spring biased connections are used in wall plates, then ease of installation is improved, but reliability deteriorates leading to electrical hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the spring biased connection mechanism from the wall plate design entirely. Instead, it uses rigid electrical plug prongs that extend from the wall plate and mate directly with receptacles on the electrical device, eliminating the unreliable spring element while maintaining ease of installation through a simple plug-socket interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces rigid electrical plug prongs as an intermediary element between the wall plate and the electrical device. These prongs serve as a reliable mechanical and electrical connection medium, replacing the unreliable spring biased connections while maintaining the ability to easily connect and disconnect devices.
2Device complexity
If direct spring biased connections are used, then device complexity is reduced, but safety deteriorates due to electrical and fire hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the spring biased connection component that creates safety hazards. By eliminating this element entirely and replacing it with rigid plug prongs, the design maintains simplicity while removing the source of electrical and fire hazards associated with spring fatigue and failure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the rigid electrical plug prongs with proper insulation and structural integrity from the outset, preventing potential electrical hazards before they can occur. The robust construction and secure mating mechanism provide inherent safety margins that prevent the electrical failures and fire hazards that can arise from degraded spring connections.
3Ease of manufacture
If spring biased connections are used, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but reliability deteriorates over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the spring component from the manufacturing process entirely. The rigid electrical plug prongs can be manufactured using standard molding or fabrication techniques, eliminating the need for spring manufacturing, assembly, and adjustment while achieving comparable or superior reliability through a simpler, more robust design.
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 solution provides a safer and more reliable means of powering devices while maintaining aesthetic appeal, as it eliminates direct spring biased connections and reduces the risk of electrical hazards.
Implementation Method 1
a photocell exposed on the protruding front face, electrically coupled to the electrical circuit and to the at least one LED light, and configured to measure an ambient light level
Implementation Method 2
at least one LED light located along a bottom edge of the wall plate and electrically coupled to the electrical circuit
Data Source
AI summary
A powered wall plate comprising a wall plate, at least two electrical plug prongs, an electrical circuit, and an electrical feature. The wall plate has a front surface opposite a rear surface and at least one opening sized to expose a first electrical receptacle of an electrical device. The at least two electrical plug prongs originate within the wall plate and extend rearward from the rear surface, and are configured to removably mate with a second electrical receptacle of the electrical device. The electrical circuit is located between the front surface and the rear surface. The electrical feature is exposed on the wall plate and is configured to receive power from the at least two electrical plug prongs through the electrical circuit. The wall plate may have a profile with a first thickness and a second thickness. The second thickness may be less than three times the first thickness.