Recessed Outdoor Outlet Mounting Device for Weather Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional outdoor power outlets face issues with ice and snow accumulation, which prevents easy access and sealing, and gasket deterioration leads to moisture infiltration and electrical safety problems, while existing protective hoods are susceptible to damage from accidental impacts.

Innovation Solution

A mounting device with a V-shaped configuration, featuring sloped upper and lower plates, recessed into a power pedestal, which shields the outlet from environmental elements without the need for sealing covers, reducing exposure to rain and snow and minimizing physical damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If hinged covers with gaskets are used to protect outlets, then protection from weather elements is improved, but ice formation seals the cover shut and prevents access

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from rain and snowVSAvoidaccess to outlet

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the hinged cover and gasket sealing system entirely, extracting the problematic sealing mechanism that caused ice to seal the outlet shut. Instead, it uses a recessed outlet configuration where the outlet is set back into the structure with an overhanging surface that prevents direct exposure to precipitation, eliminating the need for removable covers while maintaining weather protection and continuous access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Rather than using a cover that closes over the outlet from the outside, the patent inverts the approach by recessing the outlet into the structure so that the protective element (the overhanging surface) extends outward from the structure to shield the recessed outlet. This reversal of the protective mechanism eliminates the sealing problem while maintaining protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Ease of operation

If outlets are exposed for access, then ease of operation is improved, but ice and snow accumulation prevents sealing and causes damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to outletVSAvoidexposure to rain and snow

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary protective action by designing the outlet configuration with an overhanging surface that extends outward before the outlet location. This pre-positioned structural element proactively prevents precipitation from reaching the outlet, eliminating the need for reactive sealing mechanisms and preventing ice accumulation before it can cause damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If gaskets are used for sealing, then protection from moisture is improved, but gaskets deteriorate over time and sealing effectiveness degrades

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidservice life of gasket

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates the gasket sealing system entirely by using a recessed outlet configuration protected by an overhanging structural surface. This removes the deteriorating gasket component that required periodic replacement, providing a permanent structural solution that maintains protection throughout the lifetime of the building structure without degradation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Object-affected harmful factors

If protective hoods project away from pedestal, then protection from weather is improved, but susceptibility to vehicular impact damage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from rain and snowVSAvoidresistance to impact damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent nests the outlet configuration within the existing structure by recessing the outlet into the wall or pedestal surface. The overhanging protective surface is integrated as part of the structural element itself rather than being a separate projecting hood, eliminating vulnerable protruding components while maintaining weather protection through the recessed configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS10971910B2Recessed protective apparatus for outdoor electrical outlets

Publication Date: 2021.04.06 A C DANDY PRODS

AI summary

A mounting device for outdoor electrical outlets includes an upper plate and a lower plate arranged and interconnected in a generally V-shaped configuration, and is adapted for recessed installation into a power pedestal or other structure. The upper and lower plates may be contiguous along their inner edges. Alternatively, an intermediate plate may be disposed therebetween, giving the mounting device a trapezoidal configuration. Either or both of the upper and lower plates may be sloped, and side plates may extend between the side edges of the upper and lower plates. The upper plate has an aperture for an electrical outlet, which when installed in the aperture will face generally downward and thus be protected from rain and snow. The outer edges of the upper and lower plates, and of the side plates when present, may have mounting flanges to facilitate installation of the mounting device in a power pedestal.