Flush-Mount Junction Box With Pivoting Diving Bell
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing underfloor distributors face challenges in achieving effective and permanent sealing, which is difficult, expensive, and requires maintenance, and often necessitate a sewer connection, limiting installation choices due to space and aesthetic constraints.
Innovation Solution
The design features a shaft cover that can be moved independently of the diving bell, with a two-part shaft cover that can be closed to form an assembly platform, allowing for water protection without a sewer connection, and includes a mechanism to prevent water from contacting the distribution box, even if the shaft is flooded, along with a cooling air flow system for heat dissipation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If seals are provided to protect electrical and electronic components against water ingress, then water protection is improved, but device complexity and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into separate functional components: the diving bell serves as a water-tight enclosure for the distribution box, while the shaft cover provides access and structural support. This segmentation allows the distribution box to be protected without requiring complex seals throughout the entire structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The diving bell acts as an intermediary element between the shaft environment and the distribution box. It creates a protected micro-environment that isolates the electrical components from water ingress, eliminating the need for complex sealing measures in the shaft itself.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a sewer connection is provided for draining condensed water, then water drainage is improved, but installation flexibility deteriorates due to space and aesthetic constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The diving bell design allows condensed water to drain naturally through its bottom opening into the shaft, utilizing gravity and the self-draining geometry of the bell structure. This eliminates the need for active pumping systems or sewer connections, enabling installation in locations without access to sewer infrastructure.
3Ease of operation
If the shaft cover is moved independently of the diving bell, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shaft cover is divided into multiple parts that can be independently manipulated. This allows the cover to be opened and closed without moving the diving bell, providing convenient access to the distribution box while maintaining the water-tight integrity of the bell enclosure.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the first diving bell is designed with sufficient downward projection, then water protection is improved, but weight of the moving object increases
Solution Approach 1:
The diving bell is designed with sufficient downward projection only in the critical area where water ingress would directly affect the distribution box. This localized extension provides adequate protection without unnecessarily increasing the overall weight of the bell structure.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution simplifies sealing and maintenance, eliminates the need for sewer connections, and allows for flexible installation locations, while ensuring the electrical and electronic components remain protected from water and effectively cooled.
Implementation Method 1
an air bubble forms in the first diving bell. Therefore, the distribution box in the first diving bell itself does not need to be watertight
Implementation Method 2
At least one, but preferably two gas pressure springs can be provided in a manner known per se to support the pivoting out and back in of the first diving bell and the distributor box accommodated in it
Implementation Method 3
means are also preferably provided with which a flow of cooling air can be generated and guided through the first diving bell. On the supply air side, these means preferably comprise a first fan, which is preferably arranged in a second diving bell
Implementation Method 4
a locking rod that can be swiveled together with the first diving bell and a locking bolt that snaps into this can be provided
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides in a flush-mount junction having a junction box (30) for receiving electric and/or electronic components that the junction box (30) is disposed in a bell (20), which is disposed in a duct (10) of the flush-mount junction, having the opening thereof directed downward, and which can be pivoted from said position by 90° toward the top out of the duct (10). In an advantageous refinement of the junction box, a means is provided for generating a cooling air flow.