Evaporator Connection Box with Movable Tray for Protected Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional evaporator systems in refrigerated cargo trucks and trailers have separate connection boxes that are independent of the evaporator housing, leading to potential system reliability issues due to external wiring, which can be damaged and difficult to access for maintenance.
Innovation Solution
An electrical connection assembly with a movable tray within a frame fixed to the evaporator, allowing the tray to transition between a closed, sealed position and an open position for access, incorporating quick-connect electrical systems and secure fastening mechanisms to protect and facilitate access to the electrical connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate connection boxes are used for evaporators, then installation flexibility is improved, but system reliability deteriorates due to external wiring damage and maintenance difficulty
Solution Approach 1:
The connection box is merged with the evaporator housing to form an integrated assembly. The electrical connections are moved from external separate boxes into the evaporator housing itself, eliminating external wiring that is susceptible to damage. This integration maintains installation flexibility while significantly improving system reliability by protecting electrical connections within the sealed evaporator housing.
2Reliability
If electrical connections are sealed within evaporator housing, then system reliability is improved, but maintenance accessibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The connection box is designed with a movable tray that can transition between a closed sealed position (improving reliability) and an open accessible position (improving maintenance accessibility). This dynamic structure allows the connection box to adapt its state based on operational needs, providing both protection during operation and easy access during maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection box is segmented into a movable tray portion and a fixed housing portion. The tray can be independently moved within the housing, allowing electrical connections to be sealed within the housing while providing access through the movable tray component. This segmentation enables both reliability and maintainability.
3Ease of repair
If quick-connect electrical systems are used, then ease of maintenance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The quick-connect electrical system is integrated into the movable tray mechanism. The tray's movement capability enables quick connection and disconnection of electrical components without requiring complex external wiring systems. This dynamic integration simplifies the overall device by combining the connection mechanism with the movable tray, reducing device complexity while maintaining ease of maintenance.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A
AI summary
An electrical connection assembly (300) for an evaporator module (302) comprising a heat exchanger and a fan is provided. The assembly includes a frame fixedly connected to an exterior of an evaporator, and a tray (322) having at least one aperture in a wall thereof and supporting a quick-connect electrical system (324), the tray configured within at least a portion of the frame. The tray is movable from a first position to a second position, the first position being a closed position wherein the quick-connect electrical system is secured within the frame, and the second position shown in figure 3B being an open position that is removed from the first position and configured to enable access to the quick-connect electrical system within the tray.