Electrical Junction Box Water-Drain Structure for Component Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrical junction boxes fail to effectively prevent water from reaching electronic components due to gaps between the inner and outer walls, allowing water to enter and potentially damage the components.
Innovation Solution
The electrical junction box incorporates a bent wall and separate drain passages to guide and drain water away from the electronic components, preventing capillary action and ensuring water is directed downward and out of the junction box, even if it overflows one passage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a double-wall structure is used in the case body and upper cover, then water protection is improved, but water can still enter the gap between the inner wall of the case body and the inner wall of the upper cover
Solution Approach 1:
The cover-side peripheral wall is segmented into multiple functional walls: an outer wall for structural support, an inner wall for sealing, and a bent wall extending downward from the inner wall to create a water guiding function. This segmentation allows each wall to perform its specific function, with the bent wall actively directing water away from the electronic components.
Solution Approach 2:
The bent wall extends in the vertical dimension downward from the inner wall, creating a three-dimensional water guiding structure. This vertical extension allows water that enters the gap to be directed downward along the bent wall surface, adding a dimensional element to water management that goes beyond simple gap sealing.
2Reliability
If water enters the gap between the inner wall of the body-side peripheral wall and the first wall of the cover-side peripheral wall, then electronic components are at risk, but the bent wall guides water downward to protect components
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of trying to completely prevent water from entering the gap between walls, the bent wall is designed to accept and utilize the entered water by guiding it downward along its surface. This converts the harmful water intrusion into a controlled flow path that ultimately protects the electronic components by directing water away from them.
Solution Approach 2:
The bent wall acts as an intermediary structure between the water that enters the gap and the electronic components. It provides a controlled interface that manages water flow, preventing direct contact between water and components while providing a defined path for water to follow toward the drain passage.
3Ease of operation
If a single drain passage is used, then water drainage is provided, but water may overflow and reach electronic components
Solution Approach 1:
The drainage function is segmented into multiple independent drain passages instead of relying on a single passage. This segmentation ensures that if one passage becomes blocked or overflows, other passages continue to provide drainage, maintaining reliable protection of electronic components.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple drain passages are provided in advance as a preventive measure against water overflow. This redundancy cushions against the risk of single-passage failure, ensuring that water can always be drained effectively even under unexpected conditions.
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 configuration effectively protects electronic components from water ingress by guiding and draining water away, ensuring the components remain dry and functional, even in wet environments.
Implementation Method 1
the bent wall includes a portion between the distal end and the proximal end that is located inward and downward from the upper end of the inner wall of the body-side peripheral wall. Thus, even when water enters the gap between the inner wall of the body-side peripheral wall and the first wall of the cover-side peripheral wall, the water is guided downward to protect the electronic components from the water.
Implementation Method 2
the drain passage is located downward from the bent wall. Further, among the walls of the drain passage, the inner wall includes the upper end that is located downward from the bent wall. Thus, the water entering the drain passage will not be drawn upward by capillary action or the like.
Implementation Method 3
the inner wall includes the upper end that is located downward from the bent wall. Thus, the water entering the drain passage will not be drawn upward by capillary action or the like.
Data Source
AI summary
A cover-side peripheral wall includes an inner wall, which serves as a first wall, and a bent wall. The inner wall is located between an inner wall and an outer wall of a body-side double-wall. The bent wall extends inward and downward from an inner surface of the inner wall. The bent wall has a proximal end that is located upward from an upper end of the inner wall of a body-side peripheral wall. The bent wall further includes a portion between a distal end and the proximal end that is located inward and downward from the upper end of the inner wall of the body-side peripheral wall.