Vehicle Outlet Box Layout for Easier Terminal Insertion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle power outlets with inclined mounting surfaces pose difficulties in terminal insertion and increased risk of water ingress, making it challenging to efficiently supply power and route cables.
Innovation Solution
The outlet box design features inclined cover portions with varying depths and projections to align terminal insertion ports horizontally, reducing insertion difficulties and water exposure, with through-holes recessed from the mounting surface to prevent interference and facilitate easy cable routing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the mounting surface is inclined with respect to the vertical direction, then the vehicle power outlet can be installed on various vehicle surfaces (dashboard, door panels, etc.), but terminal insertion becomes difficult and water ingress risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cover portion that is inclined relative to the back wall, creating a stepped structure with multiple depth levels. This dimensional change allows the terminal insertion port to be positioned at a different orientation than the mounting surface, effectively decoupling the mounting adaptability from the insertion ease. The cover portion acts as an intermediate structure that transforms the inclined mounting surface into a horizontally accessible terminal port.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the mounting surface is inclined, then installation flexibility is improved, but water ingress into the terminal insertion port increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cover portion creates a stepped structure where the terminal insertion port is positioned at a different depth level than the mounting surface. This vertical dimensionality change allows the terminal port to be shielded from water that flows down the inclined mounting surface, while still maintaining the mounting flexibility on various vehicle surfaces.
3Device complexity
If the terminal insertion port is opened directly on the mounting surface, then the structure is simple, but cable routing becomes difficult and interference with harness occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The cover portion is nested within the outlet box structure, creating a stepped configuration where the cover portion extends forward from the back wall. This nested structure provides a dedicated space for cable routing without significantly increasing the overall footprint of the outlet box, allowing cables to be routed easily while maintaining structural compactness.
Data Source
AI summary
A back wall that defines a recess of an outlet box includes a first cover portion and a second cover portion that respectively include a first through-hole and a second through-hole. The first through-hole and the second through-hole are configured to open a first terminal insertion port of a first outlet member and a second terminal insertion port of a second outlet member in the back wall, respectively. Each of the first cover portion and the second cover portion is inclined with respect to an opening surface of the recess. The second cover portion projects toward the opening surface with respect to the first cover portion. The first cover portion and the second cover portion are arranged in that order in a direction along the opening surface and in which a depth from the opening surface to the first cover portion increases.