Waterproof Plug Socket Connection for Humid Cold Environments
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional plug and socket electrical connections fail in humid and cold environments, such as refrigerated showcases, due to moisture infiltration, rust, and difficulty in disconnection caused by air shrinkage and humidity.
Innovation Solution
A waterproof plug and socket connection design featuring a socket with a recess, tabs, and a movable hook, along with a handle on the plug, which engages with the tabs to prevent moisture ingress and facilitates easy disconnection by pivoting the hook away from the tabs, and an insulating material like an o-ring to ensure a secure and watertight seal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional plug and socket connections are used in humid environments, then electrical connection is achieved, but moisture infiltration causes rust and connection failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a waterproof membrane that forms a flexible barrier between the electrical terminals and the humid environment. This membrane allows the connection to maintain electrical contact while preventing moisture infiltration, thus resolving the contradiction between achieving electrical connection and preventing moisture damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a waterproof membrane as an intermediary element between the electrical terminals and the external humid environment. This mediator protects the electrical connection from moisture while still allowing the plug and socket to establish electrical contact, thereby preventing rust and connection failure.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If electrical connectors are firmly connected to prevent moisture ingress, then waterproofing is improved, but disconnection becomes difficult due to humidity and rust
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a movable hook that can transition between engaged and disengaged positions. When engaged, the hook secures the connection and maintains waterproofing; when disengaged, it allows easy separation. This dynamic mechanism resolves the contradiction between maintaining firm connection for moisture protection and enabling easy disconnection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent separates the waterproofing function from the connection function by using distinct components: the waterproof membrane handles moisture protection while the movable hook handles connection and disconnection. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its specific function without compromising the other.
3Strength
If electrical connectors are designed for secure connection, then connection strength is improved, but disconnection requires excessive force and may damage connectors
Solution Approach 1:
The movable hook provides a dynamic connection mechanism that delivers strong engagement through positive locking when connected, yet allows easy release through simple pivoting motion. This dynamic design resolves the contradiction between achieving strong connection and enabling easy disconnection without damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a simple pivoting motion of the handle to copy the complex action of disengaging the hook from the tab. By moving the handle, the user indirectly actuates the hook release mechanism, making disconnection easy while maintaining strong connection during normal use.
4Stability of the object's composition
If air shrinkage is accommodated in cold environments, then connection stability is maintained, but connection security may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The movable hook provides a dynamic connection that can accommodate dimensional changes due to thermal contraction. The hook's ability to pivot and its engagement with the tab allow the connection to maintain security while adapting to air shrinkage in cold environments, resolving the contradiction between stability and security.
Data Source
AI summary
A plug and socket electrical connection for environments with high humidity and low temperatures has a socket with female connections (holes with an electrical terminals), a circular recess for receiving a mating part and tabs and a plug with a male connection (electrodes), the mating part and hooks. The electrical connections are protected from moisture by a snug fit and o-rings when the socket and the plug are electrically connected and the tabs and hooks hold the socket and plug together in place. The socket and plug are disconnected by movement of a handle holding the hooks that is part of the plug and can act as a lever to help the disconnection. The handle also provides a convenient finger hold for pulling the plug away from the socket.