Waterproof Power Socket With Integrated Elastomer Seal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Household appliances, especially those exposed to moisture or used in damp environments, require effective protection against splashing water, which existing plug connection systems fail to provide without compromising adaptability to national electrical standards.
Innovation Solution
A mains connection socket and power cord system featuring a sealing element made of soft elastomer, integrated into the socket and plug design, providing moisture protection while maintaining flexibility in adapting to different national electrical conditions through interchangeable components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a seal is provided between the connecting body and the support body, then protection against water ingress is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element is integrated directly into the base body of the mains connection socket, merging the sealing function with the structural component. This eliminates the need for separate sealing mechanisms between the connecting body and support body, reducing device complexity while maintaining water ingress protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The base body serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, electrical insulation, and water sealing. The sealing element integrated into the base body creates a universal solution that protects against water ingress from multiple directions (front and rear) without requiring additional specialized sealing components.
2Reliability
If a sealing element is integrated into the socket design, then protection against splashing water is improved, but adaptability to national connection requirements deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The mains connection socket is divided into modular components: a base body with integrated sealing, a connecting body with electrical contacts, and a removable mains power cord. This segmentation allows the sealing-protected base body to remain fixed while the power cord and connecting body can be exchanged to meet different national electrical standards.
Solution Approach 2:
The design allows dynamic reconfiguration by replacing the mains power cord and connecting body assembly while keeping the sealed base body in place. This enables the appliance to adapt to different national connection requirements without compromising the water protection already provided by the integrated sealing element.
3Ease of manufacture
If the sealing element is made as a separate component, then ease of manufacture is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element is pre-integrated into the base body during its manufacturing process, creating a unified component. This preliminary integration ensures precise positioning and sealing contact before the connecting body is assembled, reducing the need for post-assembly adjustments and maintaining high sealing reliability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively prevents splashing water ingress while allowing for flexible adaptation to various national electrical standards, ensuring reliable operation in moist environments without the need for special modifications.
Implementation Method 1
the sealing element is designed as a separate component... preferably a soft elastomer
Implementation Method 2
A sealing element that provides moisture protection between the socket and the corresponding plug
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~6
AI summary
In a home appliance (10; 110; 210; 310) comprising a mains socket (12; 112; 212; 312) for plugging in a mains connection cable (70; 170) having a plug (72; 172; 272; 372) that mates with the mains socket, the mains socket is provided with a sealing element (50; 150; 250; 350) that establishes moisture protection between the mains socket and the mating plug. In a mains connection cable (170) comprising an appliance plug (172; 272) for plugging in the mains connection cable in a mains socket (12; 112; 212; 312) of a home appliance (10; 110; 210; 310), the appliance plug (172; 272) is provided with a sealing element (184; 284) that establishes moisture protection between the appliance plug and the mating mains socket.