Underwater Light Watertight Power Connection via Piercing Seals

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Solution Overview

Problem

Underwater lights suffer from electrical conduction failures due to water penetration, leading to poor performance and short lifespan, as commercial products often have inadequate watertightness and electrical conduction issues when submerged.

Innovation Solution

The design features a base with screw holes that connect watertight walls to screw devices, a light source housing chamber, and a power strip clamped by a bottom plate, ensuring electrical connection through an insulating casing, providing a stable and watertight power source by using screw devices to pierce through the insulating casing of the power strip.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If commercial underwater lights are mounted underwater, then they provide decorative lighting function, but they suffer from water penetration causing electrical conduction failures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical conduction stabilityVSAvoidwater penetration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the housing into multiple segmented sections (first housing section, second housing section, third housing section) with distinct functional zones. Each section has sealed compartments that isolate electrical components from water, preventing water penetration while maintaining electrical conduction stability. The segmentation allows independent sealing of each housing section with O-rings and gaskets.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces intermediary sealing elements (O-rings, gaskets, waterproof membranes) between housing sections and electrical components. These intermediaries create watertight barriers that prevent direct contact between water and electrical parts, while still allowing electrical connections to pass through sealed penetrations. The power wire passes through a waterproof membrane that seals around it, preventing water ingress along the wire path.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If watertight structures are improved to prevent water penetration, then electrical conduction stability increases, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovewatertightnessVSAvoidhousing structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs universal sealing mechanisms that serve multiple functions: O-rings and gaskets provide both sealing against water penetration and structural alignment between housing sections. The threaded connections serve both mechanical fastening and sealing purposes. The waterproof membrane provides both electrical insulation and water barrier functions, reducing the need for separate components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a nested housing structure where the first, second, and third housing sections are concentrically arranged with sealed interfaces between them. Electrical components are nested within sealed compartments inside the housing sections. This nested arrangement allows multiple sealing interfaces to be compactly organized, reducing overall complexity compared to distributed sealing arrangements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Use of energy by moving object

If light-emitting diodes are used for long durability and low power consumption, then energy efficiency improves, but vulnerability to water damage increases lifespan risks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidprotection from water damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements beforehand cushioning by providing multiple layers of protection (sealed housing sections, O-rings, gaskets, waterproof membranes) that preemptively shield the LED from water damage before any potential leakage can occur. The redundant sealing mechanisms ensure that even if one sealing element fails, other layers continue to protect the LED, maintaining its long durability and low power consumption characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentUS7445352B2Underwater light

Publication Date: 2008.11.04 LIN YUAN

AI summary

An underwater light generally has a base having a light source housing chamber and a bottom tunnel. The base has at least two screw holes communicating the light source housing chamber with the bottom tunnel. A substrate for a light-emitting device is disposed in the light source housing chamber. A reflection cover is disposed over the substrate. A watertight upper cover is disposed over the reflection cover, and coupled to the upper edge of the light source housing chamber. The screw holes are connected respectively with two watertight walls to allow the insertion thereinto of at least two screw devices. A power strip is clamped in the bottom tunnel by a bottom plate to enable the watertight walls to pierce through an insulating casing of the power strip for electrifying the screw devices, whereby the underwater light has a stable power source and an excellent property of watertightness.