Pivoting Electrical Device Cover With Track Latch
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrical device covers lack effective mechanisms for secure closure and waterproofing, particularly in orientations like horizontal or vertical, and do not allow for easy access while maintaining protection.
Innovation Solution
An electrical device cover design featuring a base with a track system and a hinged lid that automatically adjusts and latches into notches on the track, providing secure closure and allowing cord escape, with a hinge pin mechanism for rotational fixation and gravity-assisted closure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional electrical device cover is used, then the electrical device is protected from water and contaminants, but the cover lacks secure closure mechanism and easy access capability
Solution Approach 1:
The lid is made dynamically adjustable through the hinge mechanism, allowing it to pivot between open and closed positions. The selectively adjustable first end enables the lid to adapt to different orientations (horizontal/vertical) and access requirements while maintaining protection when closed
Solution Approach 2:
The cover is divided into separable components: a base, a pivotable lid, and adjustable elements (hinge pin, lid pin). This segmentation allows the lid to be independently positioned and secured at different locations along the base, providing both protection and easy access capability
2Ease of operation
If the lid is made pivotable for easy access, then ease of operation is improved, but secure closure and waterproofing are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The lid automatically self-closes and self-secures through gravity-assisted pivoting and the latch mechanism. When opened, the lid pivots away; when released, it automatically returns to closed position and secures itself via the lid pin engaging with the track, maintaining protection without manual intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge mechanism acts as an intermediary between the open and closed states, providing controlled movement. The latch mechanism (lid pin and track) serves as an intermediary that maintains the closed state and ensures waterproofing while allowing easy transition to open state when needed
3Adaptability or versatility
If the cover is designed for vertical or horizontal orientations, then adaptability is improved, but the closure mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge mechanism provides universal functionality across multiple orientations. The same hinge structure enables the lid to pivot effectively whether the base is mounted vertically or horizontally, eliminating the need for orientation-specific closure mechanisms and reducing overall complexity
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
The design ensures secure closure and protection from water and contaminants while allowing easy access for cord usage, enhancing usability and protection in various orientations.
Implementation Method 1
a hinge configured such that the first end of the lid is selectively adjustable generally parallel to the back wall of the base toward and away from the second base end
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical device cover comprises a base with an opening in a back wall of the base sized to receive an electrical device and a lid coupled to the base at a first base end through a hinge, the lid pivotable between and open position and at least one closed position. The base comprises a track and a notch in a side of the track extending away from the first base end. A first end of the lid in a closed position is adjustable generally parallel to the back wall of the base toward and away from a second base end. A lid pin extends from the lid towards the track when the lid is in a closed position. In each closed position the lid pin seats in the at least one notch of the track when the first lid end is selectively adjusted toward the second base end.