Electrical Connection Box Rib Groove Drainage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrical connection boxes installed in exposed environments, such as engine rooms, face the risk of liquid ingress through gaps between housing members, especially during high-pressure washing, which can lead to liquid entering and spouting into the housing.
Innovation Solution
The electrical connection box design features a first housing member with an insertion wall and a second housing member with a groove portion, where at least one rib protrudes downward from the groove's bottom, creating a drainage space that inhibits liquid from spouting into the housing by reducing flow and promoting discharge outside.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a gap is formed between the bottom portion of the groove portion and the distal portion of the insertion wall portion to facilitate assembly, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the reliability deteriorates because liquid can enter and spout into the housing
Solution Approach 1:
The groove portion is divided into multiple segments by protrusions that extend from the bottom portion toward the distal portion. These protrusions create multiple sub-grooves, segmenting the liquid flow path and preventing continuous liquid flow into the housing while maintaining the gap for assembly purposes
Solution Approach 2:
The protrusions act as intermediary elements within the gap between the insertion wall portion and groove portion. These protrusions intercept liquid flow, serving as a mediator that allows the gap to remain open for assembly while blocking liquid from spouting into the housing
2Adaptability or versatility
If the groove portion is designed to accommodate the insertion wall portion with a gap, then the adaptability is improved for assembly tolerance, but the object-affected harmful factors worsen due to liquid entry and spouting
Solution Approach 1:
The groove portion is segmented by protrusions into multiple sub-grooves, which maintain assembly tolerance through the gap while segmenting liquid flow to prevent spouting into the housing
Solution Approach 2:
Protrusions are added in the radial dimension within the groove portion, creating a three-dimensional structure that manages liquid flow in multiple directions while maintaining the radial gap for assembly tolerance
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 prevents liquid from entering and spouting into the housing, even under strong liquid collision, by slowing down liquid flow and enhancing drainage, while also supporting the structural integrity of the housing members.
Implementation Method 1
at least one rib protruding downward from a bottom portion of the groove portion is formed in the groove portion... slowing down liquid flow and enhancing drainage
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical connection box includes a box main body having an opening portion in an upper end portion at a time of installation, and an upper cover that blocks the opening portion at the time of installation. The box main body has an insertion wall portion continuously formed along an outer circumference of the box main body in the upper end portion at the outer circumference of the box main body. The upper cover has a groove portion continuously formed along an outer circumference of the upper cover in a lower end portion at the outer circumference of the upper cover. Here, the insertion wall portion is inserted into the groove portion from lower side when the opening portion of the box main body is blocked. At least one rib protruding downward from a bottom portion of the groove portion is formed in the groove portion.