Recessed Outlet Housing With Telescoping Weatherproof Cover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Outdoor electrical outlets are vulnerable to moisture and weather damage when their covers are open for use, as existing solutions provide protection only when closed.
Innovation Solution
A recessed outlet housing with a mounting flange, base, and lid configuration that allows for a cover to remain closed over the electrical device even when in use, featuring adjustable and telescoping designs to accommodate plugs and cords, and includes a barrier channel for enhanced weatherproofing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a flat metal cover with hinged plates is used to protect electrical receptacles, then protection from weather elements is provided when closed, but the receptacles become vulnerable to moisture and damage as soon as the lid is opened for use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a telescoping cover design that can dynamically extend and retract. When retracted, the cover allows full access to receptacles for plugging/unplugging appliances. When extended, the cover telescopes outward to enclose and protect the receptacles from weather elements, thus providing both ease of operation and weather protection at different operational states.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover is divided into multiple telescoping sections that can independently extend and retract. This segmentation allows the cover to adapt its length dynamically - extending to cover multiple receptacles or retracting to provide access, thereby resolving the contradiction between protection and accessibility.
2Reliability
If a cover is designed to remain closed to protect electrical devices from weather, then weatherproofing is maintained, but access to the electrical device for plugging/unplugging becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The telescoping mechanism allows the cover to transition between closed and open states dynamically. During normal operation, the cover remains closed to maintain weatherproofing reliability. When access is needed, the cover telescopes outward to provide clearance for plugging and unplugging appliances, then returns to the closed position to restore protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover is designed to telescope outward in advance before the user needs to access the receptacles. This preliminary action creates the necessary clearance for plugging/unplugging operations while minimizing the time the receptacles are exposed to weather elements.
3Ease of operation
If a telescoping cover design is used to allow access while maintaining coverage, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The telescoping cover uses a dynamic expansion mechanism that allows the cover to adjust its length as needed. This dynamic structure provides the flexibility to accommodate both covered and accessible states without requiring multiple separate components, thereby managing complexity while improving operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The telescoping cover employs a nested structure where multiple sections are housed within each other. When the cover needs to extend, the nested sections slide outward in sequence. This nesting principle allows the complex telescoping functionality to be achieved within a compact form factor, reducing overall structural complexity compared to alternative designs.
Data Source
AI summary
A recessed outlet housing includes an outlet box having a plurality of first side walls, a rear wall, and an open front configured to receive an electrical device. A mounting flange extends from the outlet box. The mounting flange comprising a plurality of cells. A base extends from the outlet box. The base has a plurality of second side walls. The base is configured to receive a lid.