Washable Cordless Connector Assembly With Waterproof Drainage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cordless electrical connectors for domestic appliances, such as food processors and kettles, are difficult to clean manually and often require regular cleaning, which is time-consuming and challenging.
Innovation Solution
A waterproof cordless electrical connector assembly with a flange and elastomer cover that allows for secure fitting to appliances, providing a watertight seal and drainage holes for easy cleaning in a dishwasher, incorporating gasket seals and drainage channels to prevent water accumulation and facilitate cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a cordless electrical connector is used to allow easy dispensing of water or processed food, then the appliance can be detached from the base for convenient use, but the connector becomes difficult to clean manually and requires regular time-consuming cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into separate components including a removable plug portion that can be detached from the appliance. This segmentation allows the plug to be easily removed for cleaning and replacement, solving the cleaning difficulty while maintaining the cordless functionality for easy dispensing.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical connection components (pins, contacts) are extracted and enclosed within a sealed plug housing that can be completely removed from the appliance. This extraction allows the cleaning surfaces to be accessible and removable, enabling easy cleaning in a dishwasher or by immersion while preserving the detachable benefit for dispensing.
2Reliability
If the connector is sealed to be waterproof, then the appliance can be cleaned by immersion or in a dishwasher, but water may accumulate inside the connector causing electrical hazards
Solution Approach 1:
Drainage holes are pre-formed in the plug housing at strategic locations to enable water to drain out before the plug is reattached to the appliance. This preliminary drainage action prevents water accumulation and electrical hazards while maintaining the waterproof seal during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
A gasket seal acts as an intermediary element between the plug and appliance housing. The gasket provides the waterproof seal during operation but allows the plug to be easily removed and reattached, facilitating the drainage and cleaning process while preventing water ingress during use.
3Power
If the connector includes multiple current carrying components, then sufficient power can be supplied to the appliance, but each component requires sealing into the connector increasing complexity
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple current carrying components (live, neutral, earth pins and contacts) are merged into a single integrated plug housing structure. This consolidation allows all components to be sealed together as one unit using a single gasket seal, reducing the overall sealing complexity while maintaining the necessary power supply capability through multiple contacts.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1e
Figure 2a~2e
Figure 3
AI summary
A cordless electrical connector has current-carrying components sealed into the connector so as to render washable a cordless electrical appliance including the connector.