Hospital Wall Outlet Cover Snap-Fit for Fast Secure Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for fixing the cover of hospital wall sockets for fluid distribution, such as medical gases and vacuum, are tedious and prone to errors, leading to potential damage and connection issues due to excessive tightening or misalignment during installation.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves a socket cover with wall expansions that securely clip onto the socket body using radial shoulders and an annular groove, eliminating the need for nuts and reducing installation time while preventing detachment, thus ensuring a secure and accurate connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the cover is fixed with a nut, then the cover can be securely attached to the socket body, but the installation process becomes tedious and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional nut-screw mechanical fastening system with a snap-fit mechanism. The cover includes radial shoulders that engage with an annular groove on the socket body, eliminating the need for nuts and screws. This substitution maintains secure attachment while dramatically reducing installation time and complexity.
2Reliability
If the nut is tightened excessively to ensure secure fixation, then the cover is firmly attached, but damage to the cover and/or front panel may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The snap-fit mechanism with radial shoulders and annular groove replaces the over-tightening-prone nut system. The engagement geometry provides secure fixation through precise geometric interlocking rather than compressive force, eliminating the harmful effect of excessive tightening on the cover and front panel.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the socket positioning in the duct is not perfectly aligned with the openings, then installation flexibility is improved, but misalignment causes apparent misalignment between socket and cover
Solution Approach 1:
The radial shoulders on the cover are designed with asymmetric engagement features that accommodate positional variations. The annular groove and radial shoulder geometry allows the cover to self-align and compensate for misalignment between the socket and duct openings, maintaining precise appearance despite installation flexibility.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a hospital wall outlet for fluid distribution (1) comprising an outlet body (2) with axis (AA) including a peripheral wall (4) and a distal end (2-2), and an outlet cover (10) including a cover opening (11) through which the outlet body (2) passes. The outlet cover (10) includes several wall expansions (12) projecting along axis (AA) towards the distal end (2-2) of the outlet body (2). The wall expansions (12) are integral with the cover body (2) and each includes a free end (12-1) shaped to cooperate with the peripheral wall (4) of the outlet body (2) to secure the cover (10) to the outlet body (2). A conduit (20), ceiling arm, or housing for a fluid distribution outlet (1) comprising at least one fluid distribution outlet (1).