Moisture-Tight Spout Assembly with Annular Base
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing moisture-tight connection arrangements for electrical plugs with non-circular cross-sections fail to provide a reliable seal due to uneven tightening, leading to moisture ingress.
Innovation Solution
An annular base made of elastically deformable material is placed around the plug, allowing the tightening strap to adjust circumferentially, and a grommet with a slightly smaller cross-section is applied, with a ring-shaped support that can deform to ensure a secure, moisture-tight connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a tightening strap is used to secure a grommet to a plug with non-circular cross-section, then the connection is simplified, but the seal becomes unreliable due to uneven tightening
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a ring element with locally varying thickness - a thicker first region and a thinner second region. The thicker first region provides structural support and even pressure distribution for reliable sealing, while the thinner second region allows the tightening strap to penetrate through and secure the grommet. This local variation in quality resolves the contradiction by enabling both simple strap connection and reliable moisture seal.
2Manufacturing precision
If a grommet with cross-section matching the non-circular plug is used, then the fit is improved, but the tightening strap cannot apply uniform pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The ring element serves as an intermediary between the grommet and the tightening strap. It is positioned between these two components to mediate the force transmission. The ring's varying thickness allows it to convert the localized strap tension into distributed pressure on the grommet, ensuring uniform pressure application while maintaining the precise non-circular fit of the grommet to the plug.
3Volume of moving object
If the plug has a non-circular cross-section for space reduction, then the overall height is reduced, but the sealing effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The ring element's non-uniform thickness profile is specifically designed to match the non-circular geometry of the plug. The thicker regions correspond to areas needing enhanced sealing pressure, while thinner regions accommodate the plug's contours. This local adaptation enables effective moisture protection while maintaining the space-efficient non-circular plug design.
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
This solution effectively seals non-circular plugs, such as those with oval or oblong cross-sections, by allowing the strap to tighten evenly, maintaining a moisture-proof connection while reducing overall height and space requirements.
Implementation Method 1
an annular base made of inherently elastically deformable material is placed around the socket in its area intended for resting on the extension of the plug, the dimensions of which can be changed in the circumferential direction of the socket
Data Source
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Figure 5~7
AI summary
A moisture-tight connection is described between a nozzle made of elastomeric material and an electrical coupling element made of mechanically stable material. The nozzle surrounds a projection of the coupling element, which has a non-circular cross-section and whose outer dimensions correspond to the inner dimensions of the nozzle. A ring-shaped base made of an elastically deformable material is placed around the nozzle in the area where it rests on the projection of the coupling element. The dimensions of this base are variable in the circumferential direction of the nozzle. A tension band is placed around the base and tightened securely.