Wiring Device with Interchangeable Low Voltage Modules
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need to integrate low voltage ports into standard electrical installations in buildings to facilitate charging and connectivity of rechargeable consumer electronic devices, such as cell phones and laptops, which are not typically supported by standard wall outlets designed for line voltage.
Innovation Solution
A wiring device with user-interchangeable modules featuring low voltage ports, such as USB charging ports or IEEE 1394 ports, and rechargeable battery packs, which can be configured to provide charging current and communicate with external devices, allowing for integration into standard electrical installations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If standard wall outlets are used for electrical installations, then line voltage power distribution is achieved, but low voltage devices cannot be charged or connected
Solution Approach 1:
The wiring device integrates both line voltage outlets and low voltage ports into a single universal electrical installation unit, allowing the same device to serve multiple functions: providing both high voltage power distribution and low voltage charging/ connectivity for various electronic devices
2Adaptability or versatility
If fixed wiring devices are installed in walls, then stable electrical connection is achieved, but adaptability to different device types is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The low voltage portion of the wiring device is designed as a separate, interchangeable module that can be independently replaced. This segmentation allows users to swap out the low voltage module to support different device types (e.g., USB ports, IEEE 1394 ports) without affecting the permanent line voltage wiring installation
Solution Approach 2:
The wiring device transitions from a completely static, fixed installation to a dynamic system where the low voltage module can be easily removed and replaced by users, enabling adaptation to new device standards and connectivity requirements over time
3Adaptability or versatility
If interchangeable low voltage modules are added to wiring devices, then adaptability to different devices is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wiring device is divided into distinct modules: a permanent line voltage component and a replaceable low voltage component. This segmentation isolates the complexity of interoperability to just the low voltage module, while the line voltage portion remains simple and unchanged
Solution Approach 2:
The low voltage functionality is extracted as a separate, self-contained module that can be independently handled, installed, and replaced. This extraction prevents the complexity of low voltage interoperability from affecting the simplicity of the line voltage wiring system
Data Source
AI summary
A wiring device includes a strap having mounting holes to facilitate fastening of the wiring device to an electrical box, a housing having a face accessible once the wiring device is fastened to the electrical box, the face having an area divided into a first region and a second region, a first line voltage electrical outlet accessible through a first set of apertures on the first region of the face and a user-interchangeable module accessible on the second region of the face, the user-interchangeable module including a low voltage port configured to receive a male charging connector of a charging cable connected to an external device. The wiring device comprises charging circuitry within the housing, the charging circuitry being configured to provide charging current to the external device. The charging circuitry has an electrical operating parameter configurable automatically by a characteristic of the user-interchangeable module or the external device.