Sliding Shield Connection Box for Dust-Protected Plug-In Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current connection boxes are prone to dust and liquid ingress through plug-in holes, leading to short circuits and aesthetic issues due to exposed panels.

Innovation Solution

A connection box design featuring a guiding groove with multiple sections and a slidable, rotatable shielding member that covers the plug-in panel when not in use, enhancing protection against dust and liquids while reducing material usage and improving aesthetics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the plug-in panel is exposed for easy access, then ease of operation is improved, but dust and liquid ingress occurs leading to reliability deterioration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to plug-in panelVSAvoidprotection against dust and liquid ingress

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The shielding member is designed to be movable between a first position covering the plug-in panel and a second position exposing it. This dynamic structure allows the system to adapt between protection mode (shielding member in first position) and access mode (shielding member in second position), resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The connection box is divided into functional zones: the plug-in panel area and the guiding groove for the shielding member. The shielding member itself is segmented into multiple sections that can rotate relative to each other, allowing independent movement and positioning to achieve both protection and accessibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the plug-in panel is covered to prevent dust and liquid ingress, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to reduced accessibility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection against dust and liquid ingressVSAvoidaccess to plug-in panel

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The movable shielding member transitions between covered and exposed states, allowing the system to maintain reliability when protection is needed while providing easy access when the shielding member is moved to its second position

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The shielding member includes a handgrip that allows users to easily manipulate and move the shielding member between positions, making the system self-serviceable without requiring tools or complex mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of manufacture

If a traditional straight guiding groove is used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but volume and material usage increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveguiding groove structureVSAvoidbox body volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The guiding groove is designed with a curved trajectory instead of a straight line, allowing the shielding member to move efficiently between positions while occupying less space within the box body, thereby reducing overall volume and material usage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

4Strength

If the shielding member is made of rigid material for structural strength, then strength is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in sliding

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshielding member structural strengthVSAvoidsliding movement of shielding member

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The shielding member is constructed from soft, flexible material that can easily slide within the guiding groove while maintaining sufficient structural strength to cover and protect the plug-in panel, resolving the contradiction between strength and ease of operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

5Device complexity

If the shielding member has fixed sections for structural simplicity, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of operation deteriorates due to rough sliding movement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshielding member structureVSAvoidsliding movement smoothness

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The shielding member is divided into multiple sections connected by rotating joints, allowing each section to move independently and adapt to the curved guiding groove trajectory, providing smooth sliding movement while maintaining relatively simple overall structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS12483015B2Connection box

Publication Date: 2025.11.25 CHU ZOOEY C

AI summary

A connection box comprises a box body and a plug-in panel disposed on a top portion of the box body. The box body includes a guiding groove therein. The guiding groove extends from the top portion of the box body into an interior of the box body. A shielding member is slidably received in the guiding groove. The guiding groove and the shielding member in the box body permit the plug-in panel to be reliably covered, thereby avoiding dusts or any liquid from entering the plug-in hole and causing short circuit. The guiding groove has several sections, such that the shielding member can be suitably received in the box body, thereby reducing the overall volume of the box body, reducing the amount of material of the box body, and increasing the aesthetics of the overall connection box.