Recessed WIU Cover Reducing External Depth
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Solution Overview
Problem
While-in-use (WIU) covers for electrical devices are aesthetically unpleasing and interfere with users due to their extended design, which does not efficiently accommodate electrical devices and related items like plugs, leading to potential contact issues and environmental exposure.
Innovation Solution
A WIU cover assembly comprising a base with a recessed portion and a hood that opens and closes, allowing the electrical device to be positioned within an electrical box, reducing the cover's external extent by providing a larger internal cavity, and featuring a hinge pin connection and various materials for secure and protective mounting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the WIU cover is designed with an extended external depth to accommodate electrical devices and plugs, then the internal cavity space is sufficient, but the cover becomes aesthetically unpleasing and interferes with users
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical device is nested within a recessed portion of the base, which itself is nested within the WIU cover assembly. This nested configuration allows the electrical device to be accommodated within the available space without increasing the overall external depth of the cover, thereby maintaining aesthetic appearance while providing sufficient internal cavity space.
2Ease of operation
If the WIU cover extends further from the wall to accommodate plugs and devices, then more space is available for electrical components, but user access and safety are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of extending the WIU cover in the depth dimension (away from the wall), the design utilizes the recessed portion in the wall dimension (within the wall plane). This dimensional shift allows sufficient internal cavity space to be created without increasing the external protrusion, thereby maintaining user access and safety while accommodating electrical components.
3Length of moving object
If the WIU cover is made compact to improve aesthetics and user safety, then the external depth is reduced, but there is insufficient space to accommodate electrical devices and plugs
Solution Approach 1:
The base incorporates a recessed portion that creates localized additional space for the electrical device without affecting the overall external dimensions of the WIU cover. This local modification to the base structure provides the necessary internal cavity space while maintaining the compact external depth of the cover.
Data Source
AI summary
A while-in-use cover assembly includes a hood and a base connected to the hood. The base includes a first side wall and a first back wall forming a first cavity with a first opening opposite the first back wall. The hood covers the first opening, the first side wall includes a first side wall edge and a second side wall edge opposite the first side wall edge. The first side wall edge is proximate to the first opening, and the second side wall edge is proximate to the first back wall. The first back wall includes a second opening to a second cavity. A second side wall defines the second cavity and extends from the first back wall from the first opening. The first cavity and the second cavity provide access through the first opening and the second opening to an electrical device coupled to the second side wall.