Condensate Protection Cover for Underground Link Box
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing underground link boxes fail due to moisture ingress into the phase housing, leading to reduced service life and potential short-circuits, despite measures to prevent moisture ingress.
Innovation Solution
The condensate protection cover is fixed to the diving bell lid, positioned above the access opening, to direct condensed water away from the inner phase housing, and a sealing agent is used to ensure the inner phase housing remains air-tight, even if the link box is not levelled.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a diving bell lid is used to protect against moisture ingress, then protection against water is improved, but condensation forms on the lid which reduces service life
Solution Approach 1:
The diving bell lid is segmented into two functional parts: the main lid structure for water protection and a separate condensate protection cover that extends over the access opening. This segmentation allows the cover to intercept condensation before it enters the phase housing, resolving the contradiction between moisture protection and condensation-induced service life reduction
Solution Approach 2:
The condensate protection cover acts as an intermediary element between the diving bell lid and the phase housing. It intercepts condensed water droplets that form on the lid and redirects them away from the access opening, preventing moisture ingress while allowing the diving bell lid to maintain its water protection function
2Ease of operation
If the access opening is left open for cable access, then ease of operation is improved, but moisture can enter the phase housing
Solution Approach 1:
The condensate protection cover provides localized protection specifically over the access opening area where moisture ingress risk is highest. The cover extends only as far as needed to protect the opening while maintaining cable access capability, applying protection precisely where required without compromising operation
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
This configuration effectively prevents condensed water from entering the inner phase housing, enhancing the safety and longevity of the underground link box by reducing the risk of short-circuits and maintaining the link box's functionality even under incorrect installation conditions.
Implementation Method 1
Diving bell lids are kept in place when submerged through their own weight
Implementation Method 2
When exposed to humidity, a diving bell lid may cause condensation forming
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
The invention relates to an underground link box (1) for connecting and/or switching adjacent sections (21) of at least two low-voltage cables (5), the underground link box (1) comprising an outer housing body (19); an inner phase housing (33) for receiving electric connection links (55) for linking the at least two low-voltage cables (5), the inner phase housing (33) being received within the outer housing body (19) and having an access opening (41); and a diving bell lid (27) arranged between the outer housing body (19) and the inner phase housing (33), wherein the diving bell lid (27) is open in a downward direction (45), wherein the diving bell lid (27) comprises an upper wall (69) opposite its opening (77), and wherein the diving bell lid (27) is adapted to receive the inner phase housing (33) underneath the upper wall (69). Underground link boxes (1) of the art have the disadvantage that condensed water may enter the inner phase housing (33) and cause a short circuit in the underground link box (1). The inventive underground link box (1) improves prior art solutions in that a condensate protection cover (73) is provided between the access opening (41) of the inner phase housing (33) and the upper wall (69) of the diving bell lid (27) as a cover (79) for the access opening (41).