Retractable Outlet Box Cover Sealing Against Moisture and Dust
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical socket housings in furniture suffer from gaps that allow moisture, liquid, and dust ingress, compromising the integrity of the housing and its electrical components.
Innovation Solution
A sealed junction device is implemented using a retractable cover with a two-plate structure and an elastomer seal, ensuring a watertight connection between the cover and the housing, maintaining ergonomic operation and structural integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a retractable cover is used to close the housing, then access to the socket is enabled and ergonomic operation is improved, but gaps appear between the cover and housing allowing moisture and dust ingress
Solution Approach 1:
An elastomer seal is introduced between the cover and housing to create a flexible sealing barrier. The seal comprises a sealing body with a compression extension that deforms elastically to fill gaps and prevent moisture and dust ingress while allowing the cover to move between open and closed positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomer seal utilizes changes in compression parameters to achieve sealing. When the cover is in the closed position, the seal is compressed between the cover and housing, changing its volume and density to fill gaps and create an effective seal against harmful factors.
2Ease of operation
If the cover is made movable between open and closed positions, then access to the socket is enabled, but maintaining a sealed connection becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing system is designed to be dynamic rather than static. The elastomer seal can deform and adapt its shape as the cover moves between positions, maintaining sealing integrity throughout the range of motion. The seal's elasticity allows it to accommodate the dynamic interface between moving cover and stationary housing.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomer seal acts as a flexible element that can deform to maintain contact and sealing between the cover and housing during movement. This flexible sealing approach preserves reliability while enabling operational accessibility.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a seal is added between the cover and housing, then protection against moisture and dust is improved, but the complexity of the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is merged with the cover structure itself. The elastomer seal is integrated into the cover assembly, combining the protective sealing function with the existing movable cover component, thereby minimizing additional complexity while achieving effective protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomer seal provides a simple yet effective sealing solution using a single flexible component rather than multiple rigid sealing elements. This approach reduces structural complexity while maintaining reliable protection against moisture and dust ingress.
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 solution effectively prevents moisture and dust ingress while allowing smooth and ergonomic operation of the cover, ensuring durability and compatibility with various housing configurations.
Implementation Method 1
a one-piece elastomer seal extending around the periphery of the cover
Implementation Method 2
The membrane extends from the first seal body to the second seal body... between which the membrane extension is compressed and sealed
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for a sealed connection between an electrical box (1) and a flat cover (2) which is retractable via a mechanism (3) housed inside the box (1). The cover (2) is composed of an upper plate (5a), a lower plate (5c) and a sealing gasket (5b). The sealing gasket (5c) incorporates a first seal body (6a) applied against the box (1) at a distance from a second seal body (6b) applied against the upper plate (5a), and a membrane (8) which extends in compression between the upper plate (5a) and the lower plate (5c).