Waterproof Enclosure Mounting with Segmented Spacer Caps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing enclosures for protecting electrical components and cables face challenges with water ingress due to mounting apertures and legs, which compromise sealing and make installation difficult, especially in environments requiring easy cleaning and high water protection.
Innovation Solution
The enclosure features a plurality of apertures with spacer members, caps, and connecting members that ensure waterproofing by preventing water entry through the rear face, and allows for easier installation by attaching spacer members to connecting members before mounting, stabilizing the enclosure and reducing the need for multiple installers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If mounting apertures are provided in the rear wall for fixing screws, then the enclosure can be mounted to the wall, but water can ingress through the apertures compromising the seal
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system is divided into separate components: the rear wall with apertures, spacer members that fill the apertures, connecting members that attach to the spacers, and caps that seal the outer ends. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while maintaining waterproofing throughout the assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting components are nested within each other: spacer members are inserted into the apertures in the rear wall, connecting members attach to the spacers, and caps fit over the connecting members. This nested structure creates multiple barriers against water ingress while maintaining a compact design.
2Ease of operation
If the enclosure is mounted on legs to allow cleaning access behind it, then cleaning becomes easier, but the number of junctions increases creating more potential water ingress points
Solution Approach 1:
The leg structure is segmented into spacer members (providing the elevation for cleaning access) and connecting members with caps (providing waterproof sealing). This segmentation allows the leg to fulfill its structural purpose while the cap-sealed connecting members prevent water ingress at the junction points.
Solution Approach 2:
The caps act as sealing elements that close the hollow connecting members, creating a waterproof barrier. This allows the leg structure to remain hollow for structural integrity while preventing water from penetrating through the junction between the leg and the enclosure.
3Ease of operation
If longer legs are used to improve cleaning access, then cleaning becomes easier, but the enclosure becomes more susceptible to impact forces loosening the fixing screws
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer members are pre-installed into the apertures of the rear wall before the connecting members and caps are attached. This preliminary action ensures that the spacers are securely in place to support the full weight and resist impact forces on longer legs, maintaining mounting stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The leg assembly combines multiple materials and components: the spacer members (providing structural support and positioning), the connecting members (providing mechanical attachment), and the caps (providing sealing). This composite structure maintains reliability even with longer legs by distributing mechanical loads across multiple components.
4Reliability
If multiple legs are installed to support the enclosure, then mounting stability improves, but the installation process becomes more difficult requiring two persons
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer members are pre-installed into the apertures before the enclosure is lifted into position. This preliminary action allows the main body of the enclosure to be mounted first, and then the leg assemblies can be attached to the bottom, enabling single-person installation while maintaining mounting stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The installation process is segmented into distinct stages: first mounting the enclosure body to the wall, then attaching the leg assemblies with pre-installed spacers. This segmentation simplifies the overall installation process, allowing one person to complete the task while achieving stable mounting.
Data Source
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Figure 3
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AI summary
An enclosure for protecting electrical components, cables and the like is disclosed. The enclosure has a plurality of faces which define a volume with an opening to provide access. One face has apertures for receiving fixing screws to fix the enclosure to a wall or surface. There is a lid to close the opening. Spacer members separate the enclosure from the surface. Each has a bore extending through it and a threaded portion extending from a surface of the face which engages the apertured face of the enclosure. For each spacer there is a cap for covering the aperture and sealing the apertured face. Also provided for each spacer is a connecting member fixed to said aperture each having third and fourth threaded portions for respectively engaging first and second threaded portions.