Electric Module Cover With Oblique Snap Engagement for Tool-Free Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing covering devices for electric sockets require tools for mounting/dismounting, and interlocking engagement systems are fragile and prone to breakage during these operations.
Innovation Solution
A covering device with an engagement system featuring engagement elements with oblique sides and resilient connection elements that allow tool-free mounting/dismounting and provide a stable, robust connection to electric modules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cover is provided over an electric module to protect it from foreign objects and water, then protection reliability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase due to additional sealing components and assembly steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the cover and module housing into a single integrated component. The cover is formed as an integral part of the housing, eliminating the need for separate sealing components and reducing assembly steps while maintaining protection reliability through built-in sealing features.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support, acts as a protective enclosure, and incorporates sealing features for water and foreign object protection. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components.
2Reliability
If a cover is provided over an electric module to protect it from foreign objects and water, then protection reliability is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates due to additional sealing components and assembly steps
Solution Approach 1:
The cover and module housing are merged into a single molded component, reducing the number of parts to manufacture and assemble. This integration eliminates the need for separate sealing components and reduces assembly steps, directly improving ease of manufacture while maintaining protection reliability.
3Ease of operation
If connection terminals are exposed at the front surface of a module, then ease of connection is improved, but object-generated harmful factors worsen due to foreign object intrusion and water ingress
Solution Approach 1:
The connection terminals are nested within a recessed area of the housing that extends toward the front surface. This nested structure allows terminals to be accessible for connection while being protected from foreign object intrusion and water ingress by the surrounding housing structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing features a localized recessed area specifically designed for terminal access. This local structural modification provides protection where needed (at the terminal location) while maintaining overall ease of connection, rather than requiring complete exposure or full enclosure.
4Ease of operation
If connection terminals are exposed at the front surface of a module, then ease of connection is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to foreign object intrusion and water ingress
Solution Approach 1:
The connection terminals are nested within a recessed area of the housing that extends toward the front surface. This nested structure allows terminals to be accessible for connection while being protected from foreign object intrusion and water ingress by the surrounding housing structure, thereby maintaining reliability.
Data Source
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AI summary
Covering device which can be removably connected to an electric module, comprising a body and an engagement system. The body includes a lower surface suitable for interfacing with the module, and comprising two transverse sides, two longitudinal sides and four vertices. The engagement system includes engagement elements which are arranged near each vertex of the body. Each engagement element comprises: an engagement portion, a support portion and a receiving member. The engagement portion comprises a first surface which is located in a plane substantially parallel with the lower surface of the body of the covering device, the first surface comprising an oblique side which is inclined with respect to a longitudinal axis of the lower surface. The support portion extends between the lower surface of the body and the engagement portion. The receiving member is delimited by the engagement portion, the support portion and the lower surface and is formed so as to allow insertion of a connecting element of a respective connection device of the electric module.