Electric Connection Box Flap Design for High-Pressure Water Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
General electric connection boxes in vehicle engine rooms are vulnerable to water ingress when subjected to high-pressure water washing, as water can penetrate through gaps between the side cover and the groove in the box main body.
Innovation Solution
The electric connection box design includes a side cover with parallel members and a connecting member, along with an insertion wall and projections that reduce water pressure by directing it away from the box main body, ensuring the water energy is dissipated before it can penetrate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the side cover is mounted to cover the groove, then the assembly is simple and easy to manufacture, but water can penetrate through the gap between the groove and side cover under high pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The side cover is divided into multiple functional parts: the main side cover body, a flap portion that projects from the plate member, parallel members forming a barrier structure, and a connecting member. This segmentation allows each part to perform a specific function in blocking water while maintaining assembly simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective structure is extended from a simple planar cover to a three-dimensional barrier system. The flap projects along the widthwise direction of the groove, and the parallel members with connecting member create a multi-layer obstacle in the water flow path, effectively blocking water from reaching the groove gap.
2Device complexity
If the side cover is made as a simple covering structure, then the device complexity is low, but it cannot prevent high-pressure water from entering the box main body
Solution Approach 1:
The flap and parallel members are positioned to preemptively block water flow before it can reach the vulnerable gap between the groove and side cover. The structure creates a preliminary barrier that redirects water flow away from the penetration path, preventing the harmful effect before it occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The flap and parallel members act as intermediary elements between the external water environment and the internal groove space. These intermediate structures intercept and redirect water flow, protecting the critical interface between the side cover and groove without requiring direct sealing at the gap location.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If additional protective structures are added to block water, then waterproof performance improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective functions are merged into the side cover structure itself rather than being separate components. The flap, parallel members, and connecting member are integrated with the side cover plate, forming a unified structure that provides water protection without requiring additional independent components.
Solution Approach 2:
The side cover is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides the basic covering function, creates water flow barriers through the flap and parallel members, and structurally supports the groove assembly. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate protective components.
Data Source
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AI summary
For an object of providing an electric connection box which can maintain waterproof when a car is washed by high-pressure water, the electric connection box includes a box main body having a groove recessed from an outer wall and extending straight; and a side cover slid along a lengthwise direction of the groove so as to be mounted at the box main body, and covering the groove when the side cover is mounted at the box main body. The side cover includes third and fourth plate members to be arranged within a same geometrical plane of the outer wall. The third and fourth plate members are provided with flaps projecting from the third and fourth plate members along a widthwise direction of the groove.