AllSocket
WINNER Ideal Home Show 'Concept Product Award' 2009
FINALIST James Dyson Award 2009
Exhibited at New Designers 2008
Product
The AllSocket Power Track system integrates the electrical wiring into a skirting board or a similar wall panel. ‘AllPlugs’ replace conventional electrical plugs, then simply slot into the distribution system anywhere around the perimeter of the room, giving you access to power wherever it is required. This accommodates the growing trend of gadgets and appliances that exist in the modern home without unsightly adaptors and extension cables or the expense of chasing in of additional plug points. AllPlugs are environmentally friendly, with options that allow users to turn the power off to one or several appliances at a time, by either a flick of one conveniently placed wireless wall switch, or automatically by smart plugs which detect standby states.
Background
"I grew frustrated that the placement of my furniture and electrical equipment was always restricted by the access to and lack of electrical wall sockets. I live in a Victorian home where the problem is really bad, but even new homes suffer as technology increasingly becomes more and more part of our everyday lives. There are never enough sockets, and the bird’s nest of extension cables and multi-adaptors is untidy, unsafe, and ugly. I tend to try and hide them, yet that creates more frustration in my attempts to be ‘green’ as I need access to switch them off and/or unplug them. Existing sockets have not changed in 70 or so years but our use of them has changed dramatically and I believe the distribution system is in need of a dramatic overhaul, which is what I set out to do with the AllSocket System."
The concept was my final year project of an Engineering Product Design Degree, for which I gained a First Class Honours Degree in 2008. Further development took place under the University's Enterprise Associate Scheme, where the concept earned £6000 'mini grant' from the Emerald Fund to protect the Intellectual Property with a patent application, establish market need and secure further pre-commercial funding for prototyping. In 2009 AllSocket won The Ideal Home Show's Concept Product Award, where the 'Mark 3' model was displayed and voted for by the public. Also later that year won through to second round finalist in the James Dyson Award.
Development
CAD produced on Solidworks, using prototyping techniques such as fuse deposition modelling, vacuum casting, stereo lithography, laser cutting, machining and general workshop techniques, the concept has been through 3 iterations, from it's first concept display model for the Degree piece, to a proof of principle rig, appearance model and working prototype.
International Patent Publication Number (PCT): WO2009/153582A1
Relative Documentation and research (pdf's)
Prototyping Development Report
Model displayed at Ideal Home Show 2009
4th iteration rendering
3rd iteration advert
3rd iteration STL finished parts
2nd iteration vacuum cast tools
2nd iteration FDM master part - mid finish
