Partitioned Junction Box Lids for Water Ingress Blocking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electric junction boxes allow water to enter the housing when it flows from one lid to the other, due to the design of the lids and partitions which do not effectively prevent water ingress.

Innovation Solution

The electric junction box is designed with a housing that includes a first partition wall dividing the interior into two areas, and two lids with specific configurations. The second lid features a second upright wall standing away from the housing, and the second upper cover includes additional waterproof ribs and inclined faces to direct and prevent water from entering the housing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If water flows from the first lid toward the second lid, then the water can be repelled back by the second lid, but the water enters the interior of the housing through the gap between the first lid and the housing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater ingressVSAvoidprotection against water

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is divided into two separate lids (first lid and second lid) with partition walls, creating distinct sealed compartments. Each lid can be independently sealed against the housing, preventing water ingress paths that would exist in a single-lid design. The partition walls create separate water-tight zones.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Upright walls are introduced as intermediary structures between the first lid and second lid. These upright walls act as barriers that block water flow paths, particularly preventing water that is repelled by the second lid from entering through gaps near the first lid. The upright walls mediate the water protection function between the two lids.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the housing is partitioned into two areas, then water can be contained in one area, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater containmentVSAvoidpartition structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The partition walls are integrated directly into the housing structure itself, rather than being separate components. The first and second partition walls are formed as integral parts of the housing body, reducing the number of separate parts and simplifying assembly while still achieving effective water containment in separate areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The partition walls serve multiple functions: they divide the housing into separate compartments for water containment, provide structural support for the lids, and act as mounting surfaces for the upright walls. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12344174B2Partitioned junction box with two interconnected lids

Publication Date: 2025.07.01 YAZAKI CORP

AI summary

An electric junction box is provided. A second upper cover includes a second body wall covering an upper opening of a housing on a side rearward of a first partition wall, and a first waterproof rib standing upward from a front end of the second body wall. The first waterproof rib is arranged between the first partition wall and a first peripheral wall. The second upper cover includes a second waterproof rib standing upward from the second body wall. The second waterproof rib is arranged rearward of the first peripheral wall.