Flush-Mount Floor Socket Box With Hidden Fastening for Watertightness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing socket boxes for flush-mounting in floor surfaces face issues with water ingress through screws or bolts, dirt accumulation, and complex installation, along with a large built-in size that complicates integration into smaller spaces.
Innovation Solution
A socket box design that eliminates screws or bolts on the cover plate, using a click, screw, glue, or weld attachment, and incorporates clamps and complementary threads for secure closure, allowing for a compact and watertight structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If screws or bolts are used to attach the cover plate to the housing, then the cover plate can be securely fastened, but water can seep into the socket box along the screws or bolts and dirt can accumulate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes screws and bolts from the top surface of the cover plate, extracting the fastening function to the bottom surface only. This eliminates the harmful effects of surface-mounted fasteners while maintaining secure attachment through alternative means.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment mechanism is moved from the top surface (2D plane) to the bottom surface (different dimension/level). Screws are positioned on the underside of the cover plate, attaching to the housing from below, which prevents water and dirt accumulation while maintaining structural integrity.
2Strength
If space is allocated for screws or bolts on the top surface of the cover plate, then secure attachment is achieved, but the cover plate and socket box size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening elements are extracted from the top surface area, removing the need for additional space allocated to screws or bolts. The cover plate top surface is freed from attachment hardware, reducing overall dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
Attachment functionality is relocated to the bottom surface dimension, allowing the top surface to be minimized. The cover plate can be made smaller since no space needs to be reserved for surface-mounted fasteners.
3Reliability
If the cover plate is firmly screwed to the housing for waterproofing, then watertightness is achieved, but the installation and repair process becomes complex requiring disassembly
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment system is segmented into bottom-surface screws (for secure, waterproof attachment) and a separate top-surface opening (for cable access). This allows the cover plate to remain firmly attached for waterproofing while maintaining access functionality without full disassembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover plate is pre-attached to the housing via screws on the bottom surface before final installation. This preliminary secure attachment ensures watertightness is established early, while the top opening remains accessible for subsequent cable connections without requiring cover plate removal.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a socket box for flush-mounting in a floor surface, comprising a housing for placement in the floor surface, an electrical base element, a cover plate for covering an upper side of the housing, and a cover for closing an opening in the cover plate, wherein the base element is placed in the housing, wherein the base element is accessible through the opening in the cover plate, wherein the cover plate is attached to the housing, wherein the opening in the cover plate is the only opening in a top surface of the cover plate, and wherein viewed in a direction perpendicular to the top surface of the cover plate, the opening in the cover plate is free of screws or bolts for fastening the cover plate to the housing. The invention also relates to a method for incorporating a socket box in a floor surface and a use of the socket box and/or the method for incorporating a power socket.