A Free Idea: USB Wall Outlet
Nothing ground breaking here and no true innovation; just bringing to light something of demand with no supply. It is simple and sweet, simply a wall outlet with a slot for USB charging built-in. For this iPhone world we live in, many of our electronic devices are powered by USB; you see USB charging stations at airports, why isn’t this same thing available at home?
When at home I keep my MacBook Pro on our kitchen’s island, and my iPhone sits right by it … I’d love to be able to run to my local Home Depot and pick up a USB wall outlet and install it myself in place of the standard outlet that I have now. I have a few devices that are powered by USB, I don’t like depending on my laptop to power these devices and it would be nice not to have to lug around the USB power adapter around the house.
The more these type of devices become a big part of our lives, the more power they will demand and the more convenient charging them will need to be. Again, nothing that many of you probably haven’t thought of or wished for at some point; just a simple idea that might have a strong demand behind it. It would be great is someone with more of an inventor spirit than myself and bit more electrical knowledge could whip this together for us!
- January 4th, 2009
- 37comments
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I’ll see your USB outlet and I’ll raise you a regular-outlet-to-USB converter. Have one at home, one at work, another in your laptop case for the hotel room, etc.
What is the voltage/current of a USB? You’d need something to take it from 120V AC (or insert local voltage here) to the 12V or whatever comes out of a USB. Which is probably more appropriate for a plug-converter than an outlet.
Phil,
Do you mean something like the Apple USB Power Adapter?
If so, I just don’t like having a bunch of these hanging around. Don’t get me wrong, I love the one I have and use it all of the time. But there are a couple places in my home and at work that I used to power USB devices frequently enough that I’d rather just have the USB replace the outlet all together. Just like the outlet in the side of my island — it is always the go-to charging spot for the iPhones in our house.
Cool! Why don’t you contact the manufacturer and see if you could go on QVC with a home outlet?
Really, really cool! Good advice, Pamela. Go for it, Martin. :)
Thanks Pamela, but I just don’t have the follow-through for this. Was hoping to put the idea out there and someone else could bring it to life.
USB requires 5 volts so there would have to be a transformer and regulator in there (basically a wall wart) BUT the building code people would make the manufacturers jump through hoops and with their bureaucratic efficiency it probably wont be available until usb is obsolete.
you can get a USB wall wart though.
My thoughts exactly DeFex.
Another consideration: when connected through a computer, there is a little bit of protection from ‘dirty power’ or power surges. By connecting directly to the wall outlet, we could be subjecting our devices to nasty (and potentially destructive) power.
You could solve this by using a fuse or a capacitor I’d think. It wouldn’t be terribly hard to do, but yeah, the building standards code would probably be the main part of the problem. It’s pretty easy from an electrical engineering standpoint.
Found something on UL approval too.
*Edit*
Also found a patent. Sorry.
Thanks for all the ideas guys! If anyone of you want to bring it to life, I will through in some start-up cash!
That’s a great idea. Make one, sell it, get rich.
I’m thinking the next logical extension (no pun intended) would be USB network storage. A few terabytes behind the wall never hurt anyone.
Yeah, not a bad idea. I’ve also seen USB outlets in modern day surge protectors; which is sort of nice.
Love it. But as DeFex said, it would take a lot of R&D testing before it could be UL approved.
Yeah, all that “work” is what keeps me from having this be anything more than an “idea”. Good luck to whomever wishes to bring it to life; I will surly buy one when you do!
Must be made foolproof; what happens when I insert a USB-stick in that socket? Fireworks? Other than that, great idea!
It wouldn’t do anything. USB charging usually is done with the normal circuitry. If you plug a thumb drive into the socket, it’s getting the same amount of current and voltage that it would in a computer. Well, at least if this is built right.
This site allows you to create custom made wall-plates. USB is only 5V and though the spec is 500ma, the ports do end up with more current than that sometimes. It probably wouldn’t be hard to cobble up a circuit or to tear apart an inexpensive charger and build it into it.
Interesting! Thanks for sharing and for all the comments Justin.
When flying southwest I see USB outlets on the arms of each chair in the terminal…I am on the phone, I’ll try to find an image or more info later.
Thats sad justin, the idea has already been patented. According to the same source, it is already for sale too. I certainly haven’t seen anything like it, or ever had the opportunity to use one in a private home!
Well, until the regulatory issues others have mentioned get ironed out, you can always get one of these. (Not as elegant, but VERY useful and highly recommended.)
Throw one of these or these on there, and you’ve got a solution for cellphones and other handheld gadgets.
maybe not as elegant but I like this idea simply because of the built in surge protector. Thanks for the link.
It’s a good idea, and while not exactly the same, something similar has been done. You can already purchase wall plates with USB ports, however they are most commonly to extend USB throughout other areas of the house, not just specifically for power use.
I have the Belkin power strip. It is an awesome product. Leave it in the brieface for those times where I am in a Starbucks or Airport. When all the outlets are taken, I can share with one of the folks and have an extra outlet to share with someone else. Might be worth a coffee….
You can get an iPod wall charger that’s essentially this on a cord. Toss the iPod cable in a drawer, and presto!
there is already a patent for this. almost looks just like the picture.
This is pretty close:
http://www.datapro.net/catalog/usb-firewire-wall-plates.html
That is pretty slick looking, but I think it only acts as a connector between two USB cords through a wall plate, not a power source. But definitely a step in the right direction for sure.
Very good idea, I was thinking of this today after buying the new Apple supercompact USB adaptor. If they can be so small, they can also be put inside wall plates as an optional plug, together with usual power plugs. I really hope USB power will soon become the de facto standard for powering up mobile devices. I read in December that the European Power Commission is already at work on this matter.
I am doing research on a control system that will power not only 5v but 7,9,12,18,24. USB is a great solution especially since it seems that
the micro USB (not to be confused with mini) will be the standard for cell phones. The idea is to use renewable energy to power this directly.
We can always use some help :)
Forgot to mention. Right here in the US.
can anyone point me to the patent - i would be interested in understanding what the details are of it
thanks guys - great site!
Hello!!!! i´m the inventor of the Universal Usb Outlet.
I have the first working module, I was finalist in a innovative contest.. and people loved the product.
I invite you to see mi site and the video
http://www.internalusbcharger.com
Making the world a little bit better.
Sebastian
Now imagine a house that communicates with all of its appliances
Update … they finally did it! Only took a year …
http://store.fastmac.com/product_info.php?products_id=458