Water-Tight Sealing Member for Electrical Floor Box Connectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical floor boxes lack effective moisture inhibition when connected to or disconnected from electrical cables, leading to potential damage from moisture interaction.
Innovation Solution
The electrical floor box design incorporates a sealing member between the electrical connector and the aperture, providing a water-tight seal to prevent moisture interaction with the cable terminal and connector terminal, ensuring the electrical connection remains secure and protected from moisture whether the cable is connected or disconnected.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the electrical floor box uses a traditional open connector design, then the electrical connection is easily accessible and simple to connect, but moisture can interact with the cable terminal and connector terminal causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
A sealing member is introduced as an intermediary component between the electrical connector and the aperture. This sealing member creates a water-tight barrier that prevents moisture from reaching the cable terminal and connector terminal, while still allowing electrical connection to be made. The sealing member acts as a mediator that protects the sensitive electrical components from moisture exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing member functions as a flexible barrier that conforms to the aperture and connector interface. This flexible sealing structure creates a water-tight enclosure around the electrical connector, preventing moisture ingress while maintaining the accessibility needed for electrical connections. The flexible nature of the sealing member allows it to adapt to the connector geometry while providing effective moisture protection.
2Ease of manufacture
If the electrical floor box is cleaned with liquid cleaner, then the floor surface is effectively cleaned, but moisture from the cleaner can damage the electrical connector and terminals
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing member serves as a protective intermediary that isolates the electrical connector and terminals from the cleaning environment. When the floor is cleaned with liquid cleaner, the sealing member prevents the cleaner and moisture from penetrating to the electrical components, allowing effective floor cleaning without compromising electrical connection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing member provides preliminary protection by creating a water-tight barrier before any cleaning activity occurs. This pre-established protective barrier prevents moisture and cleaner from reaching the electrical terminals, thereby preventing potential damage before it can occur during the cleaning process.
3Ease of repair
If the electrical floor box allows cable disconnection for maintenance, then the connector can be accessed and maintained, but moisture exposure risk increases during the disconnection process
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing member acts as a protective intermediary that remains in place during cable disconnection and reconnection operations. This sealing barrier continues to protect the connector terminal and cable terminal from moisture exposure even when the cable is being disconnected or connected, allowing maintenance activities without increasing moisture risk.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical floor box is configured to be electrically connected to an electrical cable that includes a cable terminal. The electrical floor box includes a surface plate oriented parallel to a floor surface. The surface plate includes an aperture. The electrical floor box also includes an electrical connector positioned in the aperture of the surface plate. The electrical connector includes a connector terminal that is configured to engage the cable terminal to provide an electrical connection therebetween. The electrical floor box further includes a sealing member positioned between the electrical connector and one of the aperture and the electrical cable to inhibit moisture interaction with the cable terminal and the connector terminal while the electrical cable is coupled to the electrical connector.