Flexible Membrane Electrical Cover for Connector Adaptability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrical device covers fail to effectively shield devices from water and contaminants while accommodating electrical connectors, as they lack the flexibility to expand and retract, limiting their functionality in various environmental conditions.

Innovation Solution

An electrical device cover with a flexible element coupled along the perimeter of a lid ring, hinged to a base, which can expand to enclose connectors and retract to a low profile, featuring pleats and a cord port for adaptability and protection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a rigid cover design is used to shield electrical devices from contaminants, then protection effectiveness is improved, but adaptability to accommodate electrical connectors is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from contaminantsVSAvoidaccommodation of electrical connectors

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a flexible membrane as the cover material that can deform to accommodate electrical connectors while maintaining continuous coverage. The membrane's flexibility allows it to conform to different connector positions and sizes, providing both protection and adaptability simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The cover design incorporates dynamic elements that allow the membrane to move and adjust its shape in response to connector insertion and removal. This dynamic behavior enables the cover to transition between protected and accommodated states, resolving the contradiction between rigid protection and flexible adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If a cover expands to accommodate electrical connectors, then adaptability is improved, but profile height increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccommodation of electrical connectorsVSAvoidcover profile height

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible membrane is designed to nest around the electrical connectors, conforming closely to their shape and position. This nesting approach allows the membrane to accommodate connectors without excessive expansion, maintaining a compact profile while providing adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The membrane exhibits local quality variations with different stiffness characteristics in different regions. Areas near connectors become more compliant to accommodate them, while other regions maintain a lower profile. This localized adaptation resolves the contradiction between expansion for adaptability and height control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS7381894B1Electrical device cover

Publication Date: 2008.06.03 HUBBELL INC

AI summary

A cover for electrical devices is disclosed. Particular implementations include an electrical device cover configured to mount over an electrical device includes a lid having a flexible membrane. The lid is coupled by a hinge to a base and the cover includes a cord port in an edge of a surface of the cover. The lid is configured to expand through the flexible membrane to an expanded position to accommodate an electrical connector coupled with the electrical device. The lid may also be configured to reduce in depth as the lid retracts from the expanded position to a retracted position through the flexible membrane.