Flush-Mounted Electrical Assembly With Elastomer Air Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flush-mounted electrical devices in buildings suffer from air leakage through openings or recesses, leading to energy loss, and existing solutions to reduce air leakage, such as airtight membranes, are costly to produce and install.
Innovation Solution
An electrical device with a mounting frame having a first sealing membrane on the back side and a second sealing membrane on the front side, both made of elastomer, covering fixation and latching openings, and circumferentially surrounding the mounting window, to reduce air leakage between the mounting frame and functional module.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If standard flush-mounted boxes are used without airtight membranes, then the installation cost is low and installation is simple, but air leakage occurs through openings or recesses leading to energy loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by using a removable sealing element made of inexpensive material that can be inserted into the mounting frame and discarded or replaced if damaged. This avoids the need for expensive permanent modifications to the flush-mounted box while effectively sealing air leakage pathways.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies this principle by introducing a sealing element as an intermediary component between the mounting frame and the functional module. This sealing element mediates the connection, providing airtight sealing without requiring modifications to either the flush-mounted box or the functional module, thus maintaining low installation cost while reducing energy loss.
2Loss of energy
If airtight membranes are added to flush-mounted boxes to reduce air leakage, then energy loss is reduced, but production cost and installation cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by dividing the sealing function into a separate, independent sealing element that is distinct from the mounting frame and functional module. This segmentation allows the sealing element to be manufactured separately using simple processes and then easily integrated during installation, reducing both production and installation complexity while maintaining effective air leakage reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies this principle by using a flexible sealing element made of elastomeric material that can conform to the mounting frame and functional module surfaces. This flexible membrane approach provides effective sealing with simple manufacturing processes, avoiding complex rigid airtight structures while reducing energy loss through air leakage.
3Reliability
If sealing elements are added to reduce air leakage, then airtightness is improved, but the structure becomes more complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by designing a sealing element that automatically seals air leakage pathways through its own elastic deformation when installed between the mounting frame and functional module. The sealing element self-adjusts to conform to surface irregularities and maintains airtightness without requiring additional fastening mechanisms or complex structural modifications, thus improving airtightness while maintaining structural simplicity.
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
Effectively reduces air leakage through openings or recesses without requiring costly modifications to existing flush-mounted boxes, using a monoblock structure with elastomer membranes that enhance airtightness and dampen vibrations from functional modules.
Implementation Method 1
both made of elastomer
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
This invention has its object in an electrical device (20) to be mounted into a flush-mounted box, the electrical device (20) comprising a mounting frame (30) having a front side (32) and a back side (34). The electrical device (20) further comprises a first sealing membrane (40) attached to the back side (34) of the mounting frame (30) and covering at least partially the back side (34) of the mounting frame (30).