Waterproof Plug Cover With Integrated Locking Seal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing waterproof covers for electrical plug assemblies fail to prevent disconnection of male and female plug portions, leading to inactivity of appliances or tools, especially in wet environments.
Innovation Solution
A waterproof cover with locking means, transparent and solid bodies, ribs for strength, and a seal system that includes grooves and stop means to ensure a secure, watertight enclosure of the plug assembly, preventing separation of the plug portions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a waterproof cover is provided to enclose the plug assembly, then protection against water and environmental exposure is improved, but the plug portions can still become disconnected rendering the appliance inactive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the waterproof enclosure function with the plug retention function into a single integrated cover structure. The cover body simultaneously provides environmental protection and mechanical retention through its design features including the recessed portion that receives the plug assembly and the locking mechanism that secures the plug portions in connected state.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is designed to automatically engage when the cover is closed, preliminarily securing the plug portions before any disconnection can occur. The spring-loaded plunger and cam surface arrangement ensures that as the cover closes, the locking mechanism activates to prevent the male and female plug portions from separating.
2Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to prevent disconnection, then connection stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: a plunger element for engagement, a cam surface for actuation, and a spring for maintaining locking force. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while keeping the overall structure manageable and manufacturable.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is designed to be self-actuating through the closing motion of the cover itself. The cam surface converts the linear motion of closing the cover into the rotational motion needed to engage the locking mechanism, eliminating the need for separate actuators or complex control systems.
3Ease of operation
If the cover bodies are made transparent to allow visual inspection, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The transparency requirement is applied locally to the cover bodies where visual inspection is needed, while other portions of the assembly can use different materials optimized for their specific functions. This allows selective use of transparent materials only where necessary for observation purposes.
Data Source
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AI summary
A waterproof cover (10) to enclose a plug assembly (11) of an electrical lead. The cover (10) including a first and a second hollow cover body (17, 18). The bodies (17, 18) being pivotally attached for angular relative movement between an open position and a closed position. The bodies (17, 18) in the closed position providing a chamber (9) to receive the plug assembly (11). The bodies (17, 18) having a longitudinal axis and each with opposite longitudinal end walls. Each end wall (22) being provided with a recess. The recesses of adjacent end walls (22) providing an aperture through which an electrical lead (12, 13) is to extend to an associated male or female plug portion (13, 15). A seal (25) extends between the body portions (17, 18) to completely surround the chamber (9) so that in the closed position the body portions sealingly close the chamber (9) to provide a water proof seal.