Sealing Element With Convex Ribs For Waterproof Receptacle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing receptacles for electric vehicle charging face challenges in providing effective waterproof sealing and assembly efficiency, leading to compromised safety and increased manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
A sealing element and seal assembly featuring a pair of seal sidewalls with oppositely arranged seal surfaces, a connecting top wall, and convex ribs, integrated into a receptacle design that includes a mounting seat and outer circumferential wall, providing a retaining groove and accommodating groove for enhanced sealing and assembly simplicity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional sealing structures are used in receptacles, then assembly complexity increases and manufacturing costs rise, but waterproof sealing performance may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element integrates multiple sealing surfaces and retaining groove structures into a single unified component. The first seal sidewall, second seal sidewall, and connecting top wall form an integrated structure that simultaneously provides sealing against the first support, sealing against the second support, and retains the sealing element in position, eliminating the need for multiple separate sealing components and reducing assembly complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing element serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides sealing contact with the first support, sealing contact with the second support, structural retention through the retaining groove, and positioning on the support stage. This multi-functional design consolidates what would traditionally require multiple specialized components into a single universal sealing solution
2Reliability
If multiple separate sealing components are used, then sealing coverage improves, but assembly time and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple sealing functions are merged into a single sealing element structure. The first seal sidewall provides sealing with the first support, the second seal sidewall provides sealing with the second support, and the connecting top wall connects these sealing surfaces, all within one integrated component that can be installed in a single assembly operation
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing element is segmented into functional zones (first seal sidewall for first support sealing, second seal sidewall for second support sealing, connecting top wall for structural integrity) that work together simultaneously, allowing comprehensive sealing coverage to be achieved through a single component rather than multiple assembled parts
3Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional sealing designs are used, then manufacturing experience shows adequate sealing, but safety performance in harsh environments is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element provides enhanced sealing at critical locations where it contacts the first support and second support. The convex ribs on the sealing surfaces create localized high-contact-area zones that ensure reliable sealing against water ingress, while the overall structure maintains appropriate sealing pressure distribution to protect against harsh environmental conditions
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure discloses a sealing element, a seal assembly and a receptacle. The sealing element comprises a pair of seal sidewalls that are arranged to be spaced from each other and a connecting top wall. Each of the seal sidewalls includes a pair of seal surfaces. The pair of seal sidewalls have the seal surfaces that are oppositely arranged. The connecting top wall is disposed between the pair of seal sidewalls and connects them integrally. The pair of seal sidewalls and the connecting top wall form a retaining groove. The sealing element of the present disclosure may provide a waterproof seal for multiple parts and can be readily assembled and save costs.