A waterproof box for electrical equipment

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a waterproof box for an electrical device. The waterproof box comprises a frame body surrounding the electrical device and fixed to a wall surface via the electrical device, the frame body comprising at least a top edge and a pair of side edges extending in a gravity direction respectively; a water guide structure comprising a water guide groove formed in the top edge and a pair of water guide channels formed in the pair of side edges towards the wall surface and extending in the gravity direction respectively, at least a bottom of the water guide groove extending in a width direction obliquely, the water guide channels being adapted to guide water to the outside; and a cover body pivotably coupled to the frame body and adapted to rotate around a rotation axis extending in the width direction to shield or expose the electrical device, the cover body and the frame body being tightly fitted to allow the cover body to stay and maintain a plurality of open angles relative to the frame body. Thus, water in the waterproof box can be quickly drained, reducing water accumulation inside the waterproof box and improving the electrical safety of the electrical device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The exemplary embodiments disclosed herein generally relate to the field of electrical equipment, and particularly to a waterproof box for electrical equipment. Background Technology

[0002] Electrical equipment installed on walls (such as sockets and switches) is usually directly exposed to the outside environment and is easily susceptible to moisture intrusion. This is especially true for electrical equipment installed in bathrooms, kitchens, and other similar locations. When exposed to humid environments or splashes of water, moisture can easily seep into the internal components of the electrical equipment, potentially causing short circuits, electrical leaks, and other safety accidents. Utility Model Content

[0003] In a first aspect of this disclosure, a waterproof box for an electrical device is provided. The waterproof box includes: a frame surrounding the outside of the electrical device and fixed to a wall via the electrical device, the frame including at least a top edge and a pair of side edges extending in a direction of gravity; a water-guiding structure including a water-guiding channel formed on the top edge and a pair of water-guiding channels formed on mounting sides of the pair of side edges facing the wall and extending in a direction of gravity, at least the bottom of the water-guiding channel extending obliquely in a width direction, the water-guiding channels being adapted to guide water to the outside; and a cover pivotally coupled to the frame and adapted to rotate about a rotation axis extending in the width direction to shield or expose the electrical device, the cover and frame being tightly fitted to allow the cover to remain relative to the frame and maintain multiple opening angles.

[0004] In some embodiments, the frame includes a pair of pivots coaxially arranged along the width direction on the top edge of the frame; and a pair of positioning protrusions respectively arranged on the pair of pivots and projecting along the width direction, wherein the cover is pivotally coupled to the pair of pivots and adapted to rotate about the axis of rotation between a plurality of open and closed positions, wherein in the closed position the cover shields electrical equipment, and the positioning protrusions are adapted to press the cover to provide a predetermined rotational resistance to the cover.

[0005] In some embodiments, the cover includes at least one positioning groove formed on the side of the cover facing the positioning protrusion, so as to allow the positioning protrusion to engage when the cover is rotated to a predetermined angle, so as to allow the cover to stay and remain at the predetermined angle.

[0006] In some embodiments, the water guiding structure further includes: a plurality of through holes formed on the user side of the frame facing the user and communicating with corresponding water guiding channels to guide the accumulated water on the user side to the water guiding channels.

[0007] In some embodiments, the upper end of the water inlet is higher than the electrical equipment in the direction of gravity.

[0008] In some embodiments, the waterproof box further includes a connecting groove formed on the frame and located above the electrical equipment. The connecting groove is located above the outer side of one of a pair of sides of the water inlet channel that is away from the wall and communicates with the water inlet channel. The depth of the connecting groove gradually increases from the middle to both ends in the width direction.

[0009] In some embodiments, the waterproof box further includes a water-blocking strip coupled to the frame and disposed on the side of the connecting groove facing away from the wall.

[0010] In some embodiments, a pair of pivot shafts are coaxially arranged at both ends of the water-retaining strip along the width direction, and there is a gap between the water-retaining strip and the cover body not exceeding a predetermined width, and the upper edge of the cover body extends above the communicating groove.

[0011] In some embodiments, the cover further includes a pair of notches, respectively disposed on the sides of the cover in the width direction, and adapted to align with a pair of water channels when the cover is in the closed position to allow water to flow out from the pair of notches via the water channels.

[0012] In some embodiments, the waterproof box further includes a bottom drain formed on the frame and disposed below the electrical equipment, the bottom drain extending from the user side of the frame toward the installation side.

[0013] In some embodiments, the waterproof box further includes a flexible pad disposed on the mounting side of the frame and filling the space between the wall and the frame.

[0014] According to some embodiments of the waterproof box disclosed herein, a water-guiding structure additionally designed on the frame allows water accumulated on the frame surface to be guided to the outside of the waterproof box. On one hand, water on the frame surface can be guided to both sides of the waterproof box along its width via water-guiding channels; on the other hand, water on the frame surface can also flow into the water-guiding channel through multiple through-holes and be discharged through the water-guiding channel. In this way, water inside the waterproof box can be quickly drained, reducing water accumulation inside the waterproof box and improving the electrical safety of electrical equipment.

[0015] It should be understood that the content described in this content section is not intended to limit the key or essential features of the embodiments of this disclosure, nor is it intended to restrict the scope of this disclosure. Other features of this disclosure will become readily apparent from the following description. Attached Figure Description

[0016] The above and other features, advantages, and aspects of the embodiments of this disclosure will become more apparent from the accompanying drawings and the following detailed description. In the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements, wherein:

[0017] Figure 1 A schematic diagram showing the connection relationship between a waterproof box and electrical equipment according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown;

[0018] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the overall structure of a waterproof box according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown;

[0019] Figure 3 An exploded view of a waterproof box according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown;

[0020] Figure 4 A user-side schematic diagram of a frame according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown;

[0021] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the mounting side of a frame according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown;

[0022] Figure 6 A schematic diagram showing the connection relationship between the frame and the cover according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown; and

[0023] Figure 7 It shows Figure 6 A magnified view of detail A in the middle. Detailed Implementation

[0024] Embodiments of this disclosure will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. While some embodiments of this disclosure are shown in the drawings, it should be understood that this disclosure can be implemented in various forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided to provide a more thorough and complete understanding of this disclosure. It should be understood that the accompanying drawings and embodiments of this disclosure are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this disclosure.

[0025] It should be noted that the headings of any section / subsection provided herein are not limiting. Various embodiments are described throughout this document, and embodiments of any type may be included under any section / subsection. Furthermore, embodiments described in any section / subsection may be combined in any way with any other embodiments described in the same section / subsection and / or different sections / subsections.

[0026] In the description of embodiments of this disclosure, the term "comprising" and similar terms should be understood as open-ended inclusion, i.e., "including but not limited to". The term "based on" should be understood as "at least partially based on". The term "one embodiment" or "the embodiment" should be understood as "at least one embodiment". The term "some embodiments" should be understood as "at least some embodiments". Other explicit and implicit definitions may also be included below. The terms "first", "second", etc., may refer to different or the same objects. Other explicit and implicit definitions may also be included below.

[0027] As briefly mentioned earlier, traditional waterproof boxes for electrical equipment typically achieve waterproofing by surrounding a base around the equipment and covering the base with a shield. However, due to gaps between the shield and the base, water accumulated on the outside of the waterproof box may seep into the box and become difficult to drain, potentially causing the waterproof box to fail and posing a safety hazard.

[0028] Embodiments of this disclosure provide a waterproof box for electrical equipment to solve, or at least partially solve, the aforementioned problems or other potential problems existing in the conventional technology. According to some embodiments of this disclosure, the waterproof box, through an additional water-guiding structure designed on the frame, allows water accumulated on the surface of the frame to be guided to the outside of the waterproof box. On one hand, water accumulated on the frame surface can be guided to both sides of the waterproof box along its width through water-guiding channels; on the other hand, water accumulated on the frame surface can also flow into the water-guiding channels through multiple through holes and be discharged through the water-guiding channels. In this way, water inside the waterproof box can be quickly drained, reducing water accumulation inside the waterproof box and improving the electrical safety of the electrical equipment.

[0029] Figure 1 A schematic diagram showing the connection relationship between a waterproof box and electrical equipment according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the overall structure of a waterproof box according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the electrical equipment is mounted on the wall, and a waterproof box is arranged on the outside of the electrical equipment to provide protection for it. In some embodiments, the electrical equipment may be a switch, socket, etc., and the waterproof box will be described below primarily using a switch as an example. However, it should be understood that the waterproof box provided according to the embodiments of this disclosure can be arranged on any other suitable device mounted on the wall to provide waterproofing to that device, and this disclosure does not limit this.

[0030] Figure 3 An exploded view of a waterproof box according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. Figure 3 As shown, the waterproof box generally includes a frame 1, a water-guiding structure formed on the frame 1, and a cover 7 pivotally coupled to the frame 1.

[0031] The frame 1 surrounds the outside of the electrical equipment and includes at least a top edge disposed above the electrical equipment and a pair of side edges disposed at both ends of the electrical equipment along the width direction and extending in the direction of gravity. The overall shape of the frame 1 is adapted to the electrical equipment, and depending on the external shape of the electrical equipment, the frame 1 can be square, rectangular, etc. The frame 1 can be directly or indirectly abutted against and coupled to the wall. In some embodiments, the frame 1 can be fixed to the wall by the electrical equipment 10. Specifically, the frame 1 includes a fixing edge 11 disposed toward the electrical equipment 10. In the installation direction perpendicular to the wall, the fixing edge 11 is disposed between the wall and the electrical equipment 10, and the fixing edge 11 can be pressed against the wall by the housing of the electrical equipment 10 during coupling between the electrical equipment 10 and the wall box inside the wall, thereby coupling the frame 1 to the wall. In some other embodiments, the frame 1 can also be fixed to the wall by means of adhesive, bolt connection, etc.

[0032] In some embodiments, the waterproof box further includes a flexible pad 9, which is disposed on the mounting side of the frame 1 facing the wall and fills the space between the wall and the frame 1. On one hand, the flexible pad 9 provides cushioning between the wall and the frame 1 to avoid rigid contact between the frame 1 and the wall. On the other hand, the flexible pad 9 can also seal the gap between the wall and the frame 1 to improve the waterproof performance between them.

[0033] Figure 4 A user-side schematic diagram of a frame according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the mounting side of a frame according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. For example... Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the water-guiding structure includes a water-guiding trough 2 formed on the top edge of the frame 1 and a pair of water-guiding channels 3 formed on a pair of sides of the frame 1 facing the wall. The pair of water-guiding channels 3 extend in the direction of gravity and are adapted to guide water entering the water-guiding channels 3 to the outside of the waterproof box in the direction of gravity. At least the bottom of the water-guiding trough 2 extends obliquely in the width direction and is adapted to guide water on the surface of the frame 1 to the two sides of the waterproof box.

[0034] The water channel 2 includes an upper end and a lower end, partially distributed along the direction of gravity. The lower end is flush with the corresponding side of the frame 1, and the upper end is arranged relative to the lower end along the width direction W close to the middle of the frame 1. In this way, the water channel 2 has a sloping structure that slopes from top to bottom along the direction of gravity and extends towards the corresponding side of the frame 1. Water accumulated on the surface of the frame 1 can be guided to the two sides of the frame 1 through the water channel 2, and then drained to the outside of the waterproof box along the two sides, thereby reducing the accumulation of water inside the waterproof box. In some embodiments, the upper end of the water channel 2 is higher than the electrical equipment, thereby diverting water in advance to prevent water from flowing along the direction of gravity to the electrical equipment and affecting its normal operation.

[0035] A pair of water channels 3 are formed on the mounting side of the frame 1 facing the wall, and the pair of water channels 3 are respectively close to the two sides of the frame 1 along the width direction W. Each water channel 3 extends in the direction of gravity, and the lower outlet of the water channel 3 is flush with the lower edge of the frame 1. A through hole 4 is arranged on the user side of the frame 1 facing the user, and the through hole 4 communicates with the water channel 3 along the mounting direction perpendicular to the wall. Some water that cannot be discharged through the water channel 2 on the frame 1 can flow through the through hole 4 to the water channel 3, and is discharged from the lower outlet under the guidance of the water channel 3.

[0036] In some embodiments, a water-guiding bottom hole 8 is also formed on the frame 1. The water-guiding bottom hole 8 is arranged below the electrical equipment and extends from the user side to the installation side. Water accumulated on the surface of the frame 1 can also be drained into the waterproof box through the water-guiding bottom hole 8.

[0037] In some embodiments, a connecting groove 5 is also formed on the frame 1. The connecting groove 5 is arranged above the electrical equipment and is located above the outer side of one of the pair of sides of the water inlet trough 2 that faces away from the wall. The connecting groove 5 communicates with the water inlet trough 2. The connecting groove 5 and the water inlet trough 2 generally form a stepped structure. The height of the bottom surface of the connecting groove 5 gradually decreases from the middle to both ends, that is, the depth of the connecting groove 5 gradually increases from the middle to both ends along the width direction. Thus, the connecting groove 5 can guide the water accumulated on the frame 1 above the electrical equipment to the water inlet trough 2, and further guide the water to the outside of the waterproof box through the water inlet trough 2.

[0038] In some embodiments, the waterproof box further includes a water-blocking strip 6, which is coupled to the frame 1 and disposed on the side of the connecting groove 5 facing away from the wall. The water-blocking strip 6 extends in the width direction W and protrudes upward to a predetermined height. In this way, the water-blocking strip 6 can further prevent water from flowing towards electrical equipment, thereby improving the waterproof performance of the waterproof box.

[0039] Figure 6 A schematic diagram showing the connection relationship between the frame and the cover according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is provided. Figure 7 It shows Figure 6 A magnified view of detail A in the middle. (See image below.) Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, in some embodiments, the cover 7 of the waterproof box is pivotally coupled to the frame 1 and adapted to rotate about a rotation axis parallel to the width direction between an open position and a closed position. In the closed position, the cover 7 can shield the electrical equipment to further protect it from contact with splashed water. In the open position, the cover 7 can at least partially expose the electrical equipment for user operation. The cover 7 and the frame 1 can maintain a proper tight fit so that the cover 7 can remain at any suitable angle relative to the frame 1 to facilitate user operation of the electrical equipment.

[0040] In some embodiments, the frame 1 includes a pair of pivot shafts 61. The pair of pivot shafts 61 are coaxially arranged along the width direction W on the top edge of the frame 1. In some embodiments, the pair of pivot shafts 61 may be formed at both ends of the water-retaining strip 6 along the width direction W. A pair of mounting holes 71 are provided on the side of the cover 7 facing the pivot shafts 61, and the pair of pivot shafts 61 can be inserted into the pair of mounting holes 71 respectively. Thus, the cover 7 can rotate about the rotation axis by the cooperation of the pivot shafts 61 and the mounting holes 71.

[0041] In some embodiments, when the cover 7 is in the closed position, there is a gap between the cover 7 and the water-retaining strip 6 of no more than a predetermined width to reduce the amount of water entering the area of ​​the corresponding electrical equipment inside the cover 7 through the gap. In some embodiments, the upper edge of the cover 7 extends directly above the connecting groove 5, so that the joint between the cover 7 and the frame 1 is located above the connecting groove 5. Even if water enters the interior of the waterproof box through the joint between the cover 7 and the frame 1, it will drip into the connecting groove 5 and be discharged by the connecting groove 5 and the water channel 2.

[0042] In some embodiments, the frame 1 further includes a pair of positioning protrusions 62. The pair of positioning protrusions 62 are respectively arranged on a pair of pivot shafts 61, and each positioning protrusion 62 protrudes along the width direction W. In some embodiments, the positioning protrusions 62 can also be coupled to a water-retaining strip 6. After the cover 7 is coupled to the pivot shaft 61, the positioning protrusions 62 can press against the cover 7. For example, they can press against the edge of the mounting hole 71 of the cover 7. Thus, the positioning protrusions 62 can provide a predetermined rotational resistance to the cover 7, allowing the rotation of the cover 7 relative to the pivot shaft 61 to be suspended and held at any angle. This design provides great convenience to the user, preventing the cover from accidentally closing when the user operates a switch or socket, thus improving the user experience.

[0043] It should be understood that the pivot coupling between the cover 7 and the frame 1 is not limited to the method of using the water-blocking strip 6 and the pivot shaft 61 in this embodiment. Other hinge structures or pivot mechanisms known to those skilled in the art can also be used.

[0044] In some embodiments, to reduce the relative wear between the cover 7 and the positioning protrusion 62 during rotation about the axis of rotation, the cover 7 can be made of a material with lower hardness. For example, the hardness of the material of the cover 7 can be lower than that of the material of the positioning protrusion 62. This structural design allows the cover 7 to undergo appropriate elastic deformation during rotation about the axis of rotation, thereby reducing the compression between the cover 7 and the positioning protrusion 62; on the other hand, it reduces the wear of the positioning protrusion 62 by sacrificing the cover 7 (making the cover 7 the primary wear target). If the wear of the cover 7 exceeds a predetermined requirement (e.g., the rotational resistance between the cover 7 and the positioning protrusion 62 prevents the cover 7 from hovering at any angle), the user can replace the cover 7. In this way, the service life of the waterproof case can be extended.

[0045] In some embodiments, the cover 7 includes at least one positioning groove 72. The positioning groove 72 is formed on the side of the cover 7 facing the positioning protrusion 62. When the cover 7 rotates about the rotation axis to a predetermined angle, the positioning protrusion 62 can engage with the positioning groove 72, and the cover 7 can be relatively fixed through the cooperation of the positioning protrusion 62 and the positioning groove 72. In some embodiments, the positioning groove 72 may include two types, and the two types of positioning grooves 72 are formed at different positions on the cover 7 to correspond to the open position and the closed position of the cover 7, respectively. In this way, the cover 7 can remain fixed in the open position and the closed position, thereby facilitating the user's use of the electrical equipment.

[0046] To prevent the closing of the cover 7 from affecting the drainage efficiency of the water inlet 2, the cover 7 also includes a pair of notches 73, which are respectively arranged on a pair of sides of the cover 7 along the width direction W. When the cover 7 is in the closed position, the pair of notches 73 are respectively aligned with the pair of water inlet 2, so that accumulated water flows out through the water inlet 2 from the notches 73 to the outside of the waterproof box.

[0047] Various implementations of this disclosure have been described above. These descriptions are exemplary and not exhaustive, nor are they limited to the disclosed implementations. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described implementations. The terminology used herein is chosen to best explain the principles, practical applications, or improvements to technology in the market, or to enable others skilled in the art to understand the various implementations disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A waterproof box for electrical equipment, characterized in that, include: A frame (1) surrounds the outside of the electrical equipment and is fixed to the wall via the electrical equipment, the frame (1) including at least a top edge and a pair of side edges extending in the direction of gravity; The water intake structure includes a water intake trough (2) formed on the top edge and a pair of water intake channels (3) formed on the mounting sides facing the wall and extending along the direction of gravity, wherein at least the bottom of the water intake trough (2) extends obliquely in the width direction (W) and the water intake channels (3) are adapted to guide water to the outside. as well as A cover (7) is pivotally coupled to the frame (1) and adapted to rotate about a rotation axis extending along the width direction (W) to shield or expose the electrical equipment. The cover and the frame (1) fit tightly together, thereby allowing the cover (7) to remain relative to the frame (1) at multiple open angles.

2. The waterproof box according to claim 1, characterized in that, The frame (1) includes a pair of pivot shafts (61) coaxially arranged along the width direction (W) at the top edge of the frame (1); and A pair of positioning protrusions (62) are respectively arranged on the pair of pivot shafts (61), protruding along the width direction (W), and The cover (7) is pivotally coupled to the pair of pivot axes (61) and adapted to rotate about the axis of rotation between a plurality of open and closed positions. In the closed position, the cover (7) shields the electrical equipment. The positioning protrusion (62) is adapted to press the cover (7) to provide a predetermined rotational resistance to the cover (7).

3. The waterproof box according to claim 2, characterized in that, The cover (7) includes at least one positioning groove (72) formed on the side of the cover (7) facing the positioning protrusion (62) to allow the positioning protrusion (62) to engage when the cover (7) is rotated to a predetermined angle, so as to allow the cover (7) to remain and be held at the predetermined angle.

4. The waterproof box according to claim 1, characterized in that, The water diversion structure also includes: Multiple through holes (4) are formed on the user side of the frame (1) facing the user and are connected to the corresponding water channel (3) to guide the accumulated water on the user side to the water channel (3).

5. The waterproof box according to claim 1, characterized in that, The water inlet channel (2) is higher than the electrical equipment at its upper end in the direction of gravity.

6. The waterproof box according to claim 5, characterized in that, Also includes: A connecting groove (5) is formed on the frame (1) and located above the electrical equipment. The connecting groove (5) is located above the outer side of one of the two sides of the water inlet channel (2) away from the wall and communicates with the water inlet channel (2). The depth of the connecting groove (5) gradually increases from the middle to both ends along the width direction.

7. The waterproof box according to claim 6, characterized in that, Also includes: A water-blocking strip (6) is coupled to the frame (1) and arranged on the side of the connecting groove (5) away from the wall.

8. The waterproof box according to claim 7, characterized in that, A pair of pivot shafts (61) are coaxially arranged at both ends of the water-retaining strip (6) along the width direction (W), and The water-blocking strip (6) and the cover (7) have a gap of no more than a predetermined width, and the upper edge of the cover (7) extends above the connecting groove (5).

9. The waterproof box according to claim 8, characterized in that, The cover (7) also includes: A pair of notches (73) are respectively arranged on the side of the cover (7) along the width direction (W) and are adapted to be aligned with the pair of water channels (2) when the cover (7) is in the closed position to allow water to flow out from the pair of notches (73) via the water channels (2).

10. The waterproof box according to any one of claims 1-9, characterized in that, Also includes: A bottom water guide hole (8) is formed on the frame (1) and arranged below the electrical equipment, the bottom water guide hole (8) extending from the user side of the frame (1) to the installation side.

11. The waterproof box according to any one of claims 1-9, characterized in that, Also includes: A flexible pad (9) is arranged on the mounting side of the frame (1) and fills the space between the wall and the frame (1).

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