Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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CONFIGURABLE S FETA' LIGHT RECEPTACLE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to electrical wall receptacles. In
particular, this invention relates
to replacement wall receptacles that can house specific function inserts
having common
mechanical and electrical interfaces
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In most conventional buildings, both residential and commercial, electrical
receptacles are
spaced out on walls at fixed intervals. This allows for convenient
distribution of power, but does
not typically provide any additional functionality. Each receptacle typically
provides two outlets.
The style of the provided outlet is usually determined by geographical
location and the electrical
standards of region.
In many buildings, emergency lighting is required to provide a means for
navigating in the dark.
There are two common needs for navig Ilion in the dark. The first is a
conventional night light
situation, whereby a light is required to provide illumination in a dark
environment on a regular
basis; the other is for backup lighting. Backup lighting is also referred to
as blackout lighting,
and is required when there is a lower failure and lighting cannot be turned
on.
The prior art has attempted to address this situation by developing a number
of solutions
including both nightlights and rechargeable lights. Nightlights are typically
plugged-in to one of
the outlets provided in a standard receptacle. They often include switches,
that can be either
photosensitive or manually controlled. This allows the nightlight to be
deactivated during
daylight when it is not needed. Rechargeable lights are also designed to be
connected to an
outlet. Many of these lights will activate when they are no longer in a
charging state. Thus, a
rechargeable flashlight of this design will activate both upon being unplugged
and upon a power
failure.
One problem with both of these designs is that they consume an electrical
outlet, and require
external components that can be removed and accidentally disconnected. Thus,
an integrated
solution provides advantages.
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Backup lighting is necessary to ensure that individuals can safely navigate
through dark and even
unfamiliar locations. The need for these lights to operate on emergency power
is increased in
locations such as hospitals, nursing homes, and both industrial and commercial
buildings in
which individuals may be unfamiliar with floor plans and layouts. Residential
homes benefit
from emergency lighting as it enables homeowners, residents, and guests to
safely navigate the
home when power outages occur. Emergency rescue personnel are often hampered
by the lack of
knowledge of floor designs, increasing the time and effort required to rescue
people from
potentially dangerous situations.
Many solutions to backup lighting involve a dedicated lighting unit connected
to the electrical
power main. When a loss of power is detected, these systems turn on. Although
they provide
blackout lighting, they require additional wiring, which is inconvenient
during construction, and
expensive as a retrofit. The external units are often unsightly and are single
purpose
infrastructure items that serve no function other than emergency lighting.
A key limitation of conventional emergency lighting, especially considering
residential
utilization, is installation of bulky and generally unappealing systems that
require direct access to
electrical outlet. In addition, these conventional emergency lights have a
single operational
function and hence cannot be tailored different emergency lighting scenerios
(ie power loss, low-
light illumination, smoke/fire detection). In addition, alternate lighting can
be provided by
external devices (ie a night light plugged into a receptacle) however, these
tend to be bulky and
diminish the use of the wall receptacle for other purposes.
Thus, there remains a need for discrete emergency lighting that can
automatically illuminate and
can allow a user enough flexibility to select the appropriate emergency
illumination situation.
Prior art attempts at addressing this need are discussed below. Typically they
do not provide a
sufficiently integrated and flexible system.
U.S. Patents 6,010,288 and 6,000,807 both describes a light switch plate and
wall receptacle
plate that are installed in place of the normal flush mounted plastic cover
plates. While generally
easy to install as this senses the absence of power wirelessly, this type of
fixture plate (in both
thickness and length) is bulky, potentially unappealing and only has the power
outage lighting
feature via LED lights. Similarly U.S Patent 5,473,517 also use this same type
of bulky light
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switch plate but utilizes direct connection to 120VAC to sense the presence or
absence of power
to both with the illumination source being a relatively inefficient
fluorescent tube arrangement.
U.S. Patent 6,045,232 describe an emergency light arrangement that has both
the capability of
providing lighting for power out conditions and night light for illumination
during low light
levels. While this does have expanded utility as it provides more than just
one type of emergency
lighting and does not utilize bulky plates, this is a direct replacement of
the wall receptacle
removing the ability to use this as a normal outlet. This then precludes the
use of this in certain
locations where there are limited numbers of wall receptacles.
U.S. Patent 6,805,469 describes the complete replacement of the internal wall
receptacle and
light switch units with a custom light switch and wall receptacle that
internally contain the
electronics and batteries for an emergency light. Both arrangements use
illumination (light
switch via the toggle, wall receptacle via the face of the receptacle body)
during power out
conditions and conform to the size and shape of normal light and wall
receptacles, thus
maintaining the normal appearance. However, both have only one possible
function and
importantly, when the batteries require replacement or the device has failed
and requires
replacement, the user must disassembly the unit from the electrical box
creating a potential
safety hazard for the user.
Thus there remains a need for an emergency lighting system that conforms to
the normal
configuration these standard wall receptacles, contain a level of flexibility
to allow the user to
select the desired functions, maintain the full use and capability of the
substituted wall
receptacle, and is easy and safe for the user. In addition, as technology
changes and advances,
there also is a need to ensure that the state-of-the-art can be utilized with
minimal user cost or
change to the installed system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate at least one
disadvantage of the prior
art.
In a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electrical
receptacle for mounting
in a wall or receptacle box, the receptacle having an externally accessible
face. The receptacle
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comprises an electrical main connection point, an electrical out, a cavity and
a removable insert.
The electrical main connection point connects the receptacle to the electrical
main. The electrical
outlet is connected to the electrical main connection point and is set into
the externally accessible
face. The outlet has a standard interface for connecting external loads to the
electrical main. The
cavity is set into the externally accessible face of the electrical outlet,
and has a connection to the
electrical main connection point. The cavity receives inserts and connects
them to the electrical
main. The removable insert is sized for insertion in to the cavity, and
receives power from the
electrical main through the connection to the electrical main connection
point.
In embodiments of the first aspect of the present invention, the cavity and
the insert include
cooperating latches for releasably locking the insert into the cavity. In
other embodiments, the
insert includes a battery-powered light activated when power from the
electrical main is not
present. Optionally, the insert includes a battery charger for charging the
battery connected to the
battery powered light when power from the electrical main is present. In
further embodiments,
the insert includes a light activated by a photosensor. In other embodiments,
the insert includes a
current converter, such as a transformer, and a socket. The current converter
receives power from
the electrical main and converts the power to a direct-current signal. The
socket, which may be a
universal serial bus socket, is connected to the current converter and
provides external access to
the direct current signal. In other embodiments, the insert can include either
a wireless network
bridge or a powerline networking bridge connected to an externally accessible
network jack. The
insert can also provide a further outlet, either directly on the face of the
receptacle on through an
extension cord.
In a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electrical
receptacle for
mounting in a wall or receptacle box, the receptacle having an externally
accessible face. The
receptacle comprises an electrical main connection point, an electrical outlet
and a cavity. The
electrical main connection point connc..cts the receptacle to the electrical
main. The electrical
outlet is connected to the electrical main connection point and is set into
the externally accessible
face. The outlet has a standard interface for connecting external loads to the
electrical main. The
cavity is set into the externally accessible face of the electrical outlet,
and has a connection to the
electrical main connection point. The cavity is sized for receiving inserts
and connects the inserts
to the electrical main.
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In embodiments of the second aspect of the present invention, the receptacle
includes a second
electrical outlet set into the externally accessible face. The cavity can be
centrally located
between the two electrical outlets on the externally accessible face. The
cavity can include a
latch for interacting with a cooperative element on an insert to prevent
accidental removal of an
inserted insert. The cavity can include a connection point not connected to
the electrical main
connection point, such as a computer network connection point. The connection
point can
alternatively be used to provide an interface for controlling the connection
of the electrical outlet
to the electrical main.
In a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an insert, for
insertion into a cavity in
the face an electrical receptacle. The insert comprises electrical contacts
and a substrate. The
electrical contacts connect to the receptacle and draw electrical power from
an electrical main
connected to the receptacle. The substrate supports the electrical contacts.
In embodiments of the thirds aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a latch, connected
to the substrate, for mating with a respective latching system in the cavity
to prevent accidental
removal of the insert.
Other aspects and features of the present invention will become apparent to
those ordinarily
skilled in the art upon review of the following description of specific
embodiments of the
invention in conjunction with the accompanying figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example
only, with
reference to the attached Figures, wherein:
Figure 1 illustrates the assembled wall receptacle and insert according to an
embodiment of the
present invention;
Figure 2 shows the insert of Figure 1 removed from the interface cavity in the
wall receptacle;
Figure 3 is a representation of an exemplary layout of components on the
insert;
Figure 4 shows a wall receptacle according to an embodiment of the present
invention with the
insert removed;
Figure 5 illustrates the floor illumination of an embodiment of the present
invention;
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Figure 6 is an illustrative circuit diagram for use in an embodiment of a
power out lighting insert;
Figure 7 is an exemplary diode-based power out illumination insert circuit
design; and
Figure 8 is an exemplary night light insert circuit design.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The present invention is directed to a configurable receptacle, which can be
configured with a
variety of function specific inserts such as safety lights and motion
detectors.
Reference is made below to specific elements, numbered in accordance with the
attached figures.
The discussion below should be taken to be exemplary in nature, and not as
limiting of the scope
of the present invention. The scope of the present invention is defined in the
claims, and should
not be considered as limited by the implementation details described below,
which as one skilled
in the art will appreciate, can be modified by replacing elements with
equivalent functional
elements.
Systems of the present invention provide a mechanism for making use of
standard building
wiring to provide additional functionality including emergency lighting. In
one embodiment of
the present invention, a modification to the design of an electrical
receptacle is provided. This
redesign allows for an insert to be placed into a cavity in the receptacle
body. A standard
electrical receptacle provides two outlets. When installed in a receptacle
box, the receptacle is
typically covered by a faceplate. It is preferable for the receptacle of the
present invention to
function with standard receptacle boxes, and in some designs faceplates.
As illustrated in Figure 1, receptacle body 100 has been modified to accept
insert 200. The
receptacle body 100 provides two outlets in what is referred to as a decora-
style configuration. In
this configuration, the outlets are vertically spaced from each other, and a
faceplate serves to
surround the central structure that houses the outlets. In such a
configuration, insert 200 is
placed into a cavity between the two outlets. A decora-style faceplate can be
attached to the
receptacle without any modification. This allows for compatibility with a
large number of
existing elements, and allows for easy t ztrofitting. A building can be
retrofit to these receptacles
with no tools other than a standard screwdriver.
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Figure 2 provides an exploded view of the receptacle 100 and insert 200.
Insert 200 is inserted
into cavity 110 in receptacle 100. As noted above, receptacle 100 can be
accommodated into a
standard decora-style faceplate. Insert 200 provides a physical an electrical
interface for various
insert configurations, each of which an provide alternate functionality. In
the illustrated
embodiment, insert 200 provides illumination, although alternate inserts can
provide other
functions such as chargers for different connection, additional outlet, smoke
detectors, and other
functions that will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Insert 200
includes a printed circuit
board 210 that houses the control circuitry and elements for the intended
functionality. Faceplate
220 provides a cover that preferably matches with surface of the receptacle.
On the faceplate is
provided a light 230, preferably a light emitting diode (LED), and a test
switch 240 which can be
used to determine if the insert is functional.
As shown in Figure 3, PCB 210 includes contacts 211 that are connected to the
electrical main
that the outlets of the receptacle are connected to. This provides PCB 210,
and any circuitry
thereupon, with power. As illustrated in Figure 3, embodiments of the present
invention can
provide a battery 212 on the PCB 210. Battery 212 is used to provide LED 230
with power
during blackout situations. Contacts 211 provide a mechanism for connection to
the 120VAC
once the insert 200 is fully inserted in the receptacle body 100. Although
reference is made
herein to 120VAC as a source, it will be understood that other power standards
can be used with
suitable modifications to electrical designs on the inserts. The assembled
insert 200 is held into
the receptacle body 100 by mounting mechanisms such as plastic latches 221 on
the insert cover
plate 220. These latches provide the necessary protection from accidental
removal and child
protection as the removal of this embodiment of the present invention requires
a small
screwdriver or specialized tool on both the left and right side of the insert
cover plate 220 to
unlock the latches 221 for removal. Note that dependent on the insert
function, all or a portion of
these elements may be present.
As shown in Figure 4, the receptacle body 100 provides the insert cavity 110
and the nominal
wall receptacle interfaces for normal 120VAC power via the receptacle plugs
102 and
installation screw terminals 101.
For illumination-based inserts, a high intensity LED 230 provides floor
illumination 300 as
indicated in Figure 5. Although this does may not provide the same degree of
illumination as a
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dedicated emergency blackout light, a large number of distributed lights can
be employed. This
provides a distributed lighting in a room as opposed to a large centralized
point source of light.
If light 230 makes use of LEDs, as illustrated in the embodiments, the power-
on time provided
by the battery can exceed the time provided by a conventional battery backup
light that makes
use of halogen or standard incandescent lighting.
Below, exemplary designs for functional inserts are provided. One skilled in
the art will
appreciate that alternate designs are possible, as are designs for functions
not described herein.
Figure 6 illustrates a relay-based schematic for illumination during power out
conditions. In
operation, the design presented obtains a low power rectified signal from the
120VAC main
voltage. Note that for 220-240AC, C2 is decreased in half. Connection to the
receptacle is
provided by contacts AC1 and AC2. The rectified voltage powers a relay such
that the NO
contact is engaged which disconnects the battery from the LED. When power is
removed (i.e. a
power black-out) the relay triggers the NC contact and the LED illuminates for
as long as power
is off or until the battery is drained (>60 hours). At any time, the LED and
battery can be tested
via an external push button. Higher illumination intensity can be achieved by
reducing R1 ¨ note
this would reduce the total illumination time. In an alternate embodiment, a
rechargeable battery
can be used and can be charged during non-blackout periods.
Figure 7 illustrates an exemplary diode biased based schematic for
illumination during power out
conditions. While performing the same emergency lighting function, the relay
has been removed
and a passive voltage difference is used to enable or disable the LED light.
In operation, a low
power rectified signal is obtained from the 120VAC main voltage. Note that for
220-240AC, C2
is decreased in half. This rectified voltage generates a potential between R3
and R1 that is higher
than the battery voltage (3V). This creates a reverse bias state in diodes D3
and Dl. In this
reverse bias state, current cannot flow from the battery to the LED. When
power is removed (i.e.
power black-out) the higher voltage potential is removed, power can flow from
the battery, and
the LED illuminates for as long as power is off or until the battery is
drained (>60 hours). At any
time, the LED and battery can be tested via an external push button. Higher
illumination
intensity can be achieved by reducing R1 ¨ note this would reduce the total
illumination time.
Figure 8 illustrates a Night Light insert. In operation, the design presented
obtains a low power
rectified signal from the 120VAC main voltage. Note that for 220-240AC, C2 is
decreased in
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half. The 6.3V rectified voltage is used to power the circuit and drive the
LED's. The R1/R3
voltage divider generates a input to the Voltage Comparator. The
photoconductive cell has an
impedance of 1M in the dark and 45K in the light. Internal to the voltage
comparator is a
1.24Vref, so during the day (i.e. lighted conditions) the input voltage to the
comparator would be
between 3.0 and 2.0V. Once the light is sufficiently reduced, the impedance of
R1 is decreased,
the voltage input drops below 1.24V the LED's illuminate. One skilled in the
art will appreciate
that the photoconductive cell act as a photosensor to determine ambient light
levels. When a
threshold is crossed, the photosensor activates or deactivates the light as
required. Numerous
other implementations will be understood by those skilled in the art.
Other, non-illustrated inserts are contemplated. As the insert provides a
mechanism for drawing
power from the 120VAC main, a number of different inserts can be provided.
Rechargeable
devices, such as cellular phones, can provide inserts that allow charging
without occupying an
outlet. Many devices now draw power for charging from a standard Universal
Serial Bus (USB)
connection. Typically a Type A connector to a computer or to a power converter
is used to
connect to a device. A current converter insert that transforms the AC current
to a DC current
and provides a USB connection can be provided to allow for charging devices
such as cellular
phones, cameras, portable music players and other electronic devices. The
current converter be
implemented using any of a number of standard devices including transformers,
rectifiers and
other devices that will be well known to those skilled in the art.
Computer network connections can be provided in inserts. Additional contacts
can be provided
so that computer networking cabling can be connected to the receptacle and
accessed through the
insert. Alternatively, power-line networking connections can be provided using
industry
standard interfaces. Such a design provides network connectivity to any
location that a computer
would need to be plugged in to an outlet. In an alternate embodiment, a
network jack can be
provided. To connect to a network, a wireless transceiver can be employed, and
powered from
the contacts connecting to the electrical main. The wireless connection can be
any of a number
of standard connections, such as any of the IEEE802.11 family of standards, or
even using a
wide area networking standard such as WiMax. Alternatively, a proprietary
networking standard
can be provided.
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Although reference has been shown to providing only two contacts, in view of
the above
discussion multiple contacts can be proifided for any number of reasons. One
skilled in the art
will appreciate that a third contact to the electrical main can be provided to
offer grounded
connections. This allows the insert to connect to a cable that provides
further outlets. Thus, a
receptacle can provide standard outlets, and through the use of the insert can
provide further
outlets.
In an alternate embodiment, the receptacle provides a single outlet, and
provides at least one
insert connection point. Thus, in the shape of a conventional outlet, and
allowing compatibility
with a standard receptacle, a single outlet can be provided with multiple
inserts.
Further insert designs for motion detectors, security system sensors, smoke
detectors, radon
detectors, noxious gas detectors such as carbon dioxide detectors, carbon
monoxide detectors and
natural gas detectors, have been contemplated and can be implemented by those
skilled in the art
by placing standard designs for these system on an insert and drawing
electrical power from the
power main.
The additional contacts can be employed for any number of uses. In one
embodiment, the extra
connectors allow a timer insert to control the availability of the outlets in
accordance with a
predefined schedule. A receptacle can make use of logic circuitry to identify
the insert using a
set of contacts, and then handle the signals from the contacts appropriately.
This allows a single
set of contacts to be used for both outlet control, such as with a timer
insert, and for other
purposes such as networking, or other communications activities.
One skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention provides not
only for designs of
inserts, but also for receptacles that accept such inserts. By providing power
to an insert in a
receptacle, a variety of components can be distributed through a commercial or
residential
environment. Because they do not require external access to a power supply,
they provide a
simpler and more pleasing installation. Thus, motion detectors can be
installed and powered off
the connection, and can be connected to security systems. Because installation
of these
receptacles can be done during construction, or as a retrofit, data
connections to systems such as
security systems can be provided using either a wired or wireless connection.
Power line
communication can also be employed.
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Inserts can be provided with processors and communications interfaces so that
a set of co-located
inserts can communicate and provide functionality based on conditions at a
number of different
inserts.
The above-described embodiments of the present invention are intended to be
examples only.
Alterations, modifications and variations may be effected to the particular
embodiments by those
of skill in the art without departing from the scope of the invention, which
is defined solely by
the claims appended hereto.
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