Drainage Channels in Electrical Connection Box Waterproofing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrical connection boxes lack a drainage structure to prevent water from entering and causing short circuits when attached to vehicles, as the opening for connectors exposes the internal circuit board to water ingress.
Innovation Solution
A drainage structure is implemented within the electrical connection box, featuring inclined first and second drainage channels that guide water entering through the opening to the outside, utilizing the lateral electrical component attaching portions and protruding end portions to efficiently drain water without increasing the box's size or component count.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an opening is provided in the attaching surface for connector connection, then electrical connection between main body and attachment is enabled, but water can enter the inside from the opening causing short circuit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of water entering through the opening by providing drainage channels that guide the water away from the circuit board. The opening that allows water ingress is transformed into a controlled water path that ultimately drains water safely outside the housing, turning a potential failure source into a protective feature.
Solution Approach 2:
The drainage channels act as intermediary structures between the opening (where water enters) and the exterior (where water should go). These channels mediate the water flow path, preventing direct contact between water and the circuit board while providing a controlled route for water evacuation.
2Reliability
If drainage structure is added to prevent water ingress, then waterproofing is improved, but device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The drainage channels are merged with the existing housing structure rather than being separate components. The channels are formed as integral parts of the housing walls, combining the protective function with the structural elements already present in the design, thereby avoiding additional complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing walls serve multiple functions: they provide structural support, define the enclosure volume, and simultaneously act as drainage channels for water evacuation. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated drainage components, maintaining structural simplicity while achieving waterproofing.
3Reliability
If drainage structure is added to prevent water ingress, then waterproofing is improved, but the box size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drainage functionality is combined with the existing housing walls rather than adding separate drainage structures. The walls themselves form the drainage channels, eliminating the need for additional space-consuming drainage components and maintaining compact dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The drainage channels utilize the vertical dimension of the housing walls to guide water from the opening downward to the exterior. By using the existing height of the housing structure, the patent creates an effective drainage path without requiring additional horizontal or depth space.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Effectively prevents the internal circuit board from getting wet by immediately guiding and draining water outside the electrical connection box, enhancing waterproofing and reliability without adding components or size.
Implementation Method 1
a first drainage channel that is inclined downward from an upper surface of a housing peripheral wall of the main body-side connector toward an upper surface of the housing peripheral wall of the lateral electrical component attaching portion is provided inside the electrical connection box main body
Implementation Method 2
a second drainage channel that extends downward and whose upper end portion is connected to the first drainage channel is provided in the protruding end portion of the housing peripheral wall of the lateral electrical component attaching portion
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a drainage structure for an electrical connection box capable of preventing an internal circuit board from getting wet even if water has entered. An electrical connection box main body is mounted on a vehicle wherein a main body-side connector is located on an upper side and protrudes from an opening in a horizontal direction, and a protruding end portion of a housing peripheral wall of a lateral electrical component attaching portion protrudes to the outside from a lateral window, the lateral electrical component attaching portion protrudes laterally from on a side edge portion of a circuit board. A first drainage channel is provided inside the electrical connection box main body, and a second drainage channel extends downward and having an upper end portion connected to the first drainage channel in the protruding end portion of the housing peripheral wall of the lateral electrical component attaching portion.