Electrical Offset Containment Box Anchoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional containment box assemblies at gasoline service stations face issues with electrical conduit installation, which can lead to leaks and void warranties due to improper installation and exposure to chemicals, and the elastomeric fittings often fail within one to five years.
Innovation Solution
A containment box assembly with an anchor frame that includes outwardly extending anchoring clamps and a dispenser frame with an electrical offset area, allowing for removably attaching different product dispensers and eliminating the need for drilling through structural panels, thereby preventing leaks and ensuring secure anchoring in concrete.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional electrical fittings are used in containment box assemblies, then electrical components can be installed, but the fittings fail within one to five years due to chemical exposure and improper installation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the vulnerable elastomeric electrical fittings from the containment box assembly by drilling a hole through the top wall and routing the electrical conduit externally, eliminating the component that fails due to chemical exposure and installation errors
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediate electrical conduit as a mediator between the containment box interior and exterior electrical components, allowing electrical connection without using vulnerable elastomeric fittings that直接接触 chemicals
2Ease of operation
If holes are drilled through the dispenser frame or fiberglass pockets are formed for electrical conduits, then electrical components can be installed, but the locations are fixed and may interfere with internal hydraulic hardware
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the electrical conduit path from the containment box structure by routing it externally through the top wall hole, allowing the conduit to be positioned independently without interfering with internal hydraulic hardware
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a dynamic conduit routing system where the electrical conduit can be flexibly positioned and adjusted externally, rather than being fixed by predetermined holes or pockets in the dispenser frame
3Ease of manufacture
If contractors are required to cut through structural panels for conduit installation, then conduit access is achieved, but the dispenser warranty is voided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by providing a pre-planned access hole location in the top wall that is specifically designed for conduit passage, eliminating the need for contractors to cut through structural panels and preserve warranty validity
4Strength
If an integral flange is used on the containment box, then the containment box can be anchored in concrete, but the flange occupies the same area as the top opening and limits conduit routing options
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the spatial conflict by moving the conduit access to a different dimension - creating a hole in the top wall surface rather than requiring side access, allowing both the integral flange for anchoring and flexible conduit routing to coexist
Data Source
AI summary
A frame assembly for anchoring a containment box with a top opening in a surrounding driveway surface and for removably attaching one of a plurality of different product dispensers to the containment box. The frame assembly includes an anchor frame attached to the top opening of the containment box wherein the anchor frame is configured to be removably attached to any one of a plurality of different dispenser frames and a dispenser frame removably attached to the anchor frame, the dispenser frame including a plurality of frame walls having a frame area larger than an area of the top opening of the containment box such that the frame walls define an offset opening adjacent to the top opening of the containment box, wherein the dispenser frame is adapted to be mounted to one of the plurality of different product dispensers.