Waterproof LED Light Plug with Segmented Housing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional Christmas light strings with LED bulbs have poor waterproof performance for their electrical components, which are often exposed to outdoor environments, leading to inadequate protection against moisture.

Innovation Solution

A waterproof electric plug and receptacle design featuring a plastic insulative housing with internal compartments, dividers, and a waterproof adhesive to seal and protect electrical components, along with a printed circuit board and conductive supports, ensuring electrical connectivity while preventing short circuits.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional electrical components are used in outdoor LED light strings, then basic electrical functionality is achieved, but waterproof performance is poor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewaterproof performanceVSAvoidmoisture exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is divided into multiple compartments separated by dividers, with each compartment containing specific electrical components. This segmentation allows for targeted waterproof sealing of each compartment independently, improving overall waterproof performance while maintaining electrical functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Waterproof adhesive is applied to seal the housing and compartment boundaries, creating a flexible waterproof barrier that protects internal electrical components from moisture exposure while allowing for thermal expansion and contraction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Reliability

If electrical components are sealed in compartments, then waterproof performance is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewaterproof performanceVSAvoidhousing structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple electrical components are integrated into a single housing structure with unified sealing, combining protection functions for different components into one integrated waterproof enclosure rather than separate sealed units.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS7766681B1Waterproof electric plug or receptacle for LED light string

Publication Date: 2010.08.03 WANG CHIA CHUN

AI summary

Waterproof electric plug or receptacle for LED light string is provided. In one embodiment, the plug includes a housing comprising two prongs, two fuses, an internal space, rear passages, compartments between the space and the passages, a wall for separating the space and the compartments; an electrical assembly comprising a PCB electrically to the prongs via the fuses, and rear conductive posts in the compartments; a power cord passing the passages and having two sleeves secured to the posts, and a shell mounted around the housing. Waterproof adhesive is applied on the wall, the compartments, and front and rear ends of the PCB.