Electrical Connection Box Drainage Grooves Prevent Water Penetration
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Solution Overview
Problem
In electric power distribution systems, water condensation on the top face of the electrical connection box can penetrate through gaps between the cover and parts accommodation portions, leading to potential short-circuits due to inadequate water drainage.
Innovation Solution
The integration of drainage grooves on the top face of the electrical connection box that extend to the outside face, allowing water to flow into these grooves and be drained away, preventing water from accumulating and reducing the risk of penetration into the box.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If parts accommodation portions are exposed on the top face of the cover to enable easy attachment and detachment of parts, then ease of operation is improved, but water penetration risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
A water barrier portion is introduced as an intermediary element between the cover and the electrical connection box. This water barrier protrudes from the bottom face of the cover and extends into the parts accommodation portion, creating a physical barrier that prevents water from penetrating through the gap between the cover opening and the parts accommodation portion, while still allowing parts to be attached and detached.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution addresses the water penetration problem by adding a vertical dimension element (the water barrier protruding downward from the cover) rather than trying to solve it in the horizontal plane. This three-dimensional approach creates an effective water barrier without interfering with the horizontal attachment and detachment operations.
2Reliability
If the cover fully covers the top face of the electrical connection box to prevent water entry, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation for parts attachment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cover structure is segmented by introducing a water barrier portion that protrudes from the bottom face of the cover. This segmentation creates distinct functional zones: the main cover body provides protection, while the water barrier segment specifically addresses water prevention without blocking parts access. The parts accommodation portion remains accessible through the cover opening.
3Reliability
If drainage grooves are added to the top face to improve water drainage, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The water barrier portion serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a water barrier to prevent water penetration, provides a surface for water to drain along, and maintains the structural integrity of the cover assembly. This multi-functionality improves water drainage and protection without requiring separate dedicated drainage components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
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 design effectively drains water from the top face of the electrical connection box, preventing it from entering the internal components and minimizing the risk of short-circuits, thereby enhancing the system's reliability and durability.
Implementation Method 1
drainage grooves that are provided on the top face of the electrical connection box extend to the outside face of the electrical connection box... water remaining on the top face of the electrical connection box flows into the drainage grooves, and thereby is drained to the outside face side
Data Source
AI summary
There is a concern that water on the top surface of a cover 50A will penetrate the top face of a case 20 through gaps between an opening portion 51H and parts accommodation portions 34 because the parts accommodation portions 34 are exposed to the outside at the opening portion 51H on the top face of the cover 50A while the electrical connection box P is positioned in the cover 50A. Because drainage grooves 35 and 36, which reach the drainage channels 38 on the outside face of the case 20, are formed on the top face of the case 20, water that remains on the top face of the case 20 (the main body portion 30) is reliably drained by flowing into the drainage grooves 35 and 36.