Outdoor Waterproof Power Socket Sealing Assembly

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional outdoor sockets are prone to short circuits due to moisture ingress, as existing waterproof designs are inadequate and often require manual operation, leading to potential accidents from human errors.

Innovation Solution

The outdoor waterproof power socket features a socket assembly with larger inner holes for conductive components and a sealing assembly comprising an insulating flake and sealing cover, creating a pressure difference to prevent external moisture entry, with the sealing cover manufactured via injection molding and optionally enhanced by a film for improved sealing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a switchable waterproof cover is provided outside the socket hole, then the socket can be protected from water, but the structure becomes complex and manual operation errors may occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewaterproof reliabilityVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention removes the traditional switchable waterproof cover and extracts only the essential sealing function. The sealing assembly is integrated directly into the socket body with a sealing ring at the inner socket hole, eliminating the need for separate movable covers and switches, thus simplifying the structure while maintaining waterproof reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The socket design eliminates manual operation requirements by using a self-sealing structure. The sealing ring automatically maintains the waterproof seal without requiring user intervention to open or close covers, preventing human errors such as forgetting to close the waterproof cover.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional waterproof covers are used, then some water protection is provided, but they fail when excessive water vapor exists in the air, causing short circuits

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater vapor resistanceVSAvoidshort circuit prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses a flexible sealing ring made of elastic material that can deform and adapt to seal the inner socket hole effectively. This flexible sealing structure prevents water vapor and moisture from penetrating into the socket, providing reliable protection even in high humidity conditions where conventional rigid covers fail.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Object-affected harmful factors

If manual waterproof covers are provided, then water protection is attempted, but human errors frequently occur leading to short circuit accidents

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemoisture blockageVSAvoidmanual operation safety

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The socket design eliminates manual operation requirements by using a self-sealing structure. The sealing ring automatically maintains the waterproof seal without requiring user intervention to open or close covers, preventing human errors such as forgetting to close the waterproof cover.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The invention removes the traditional switchable waterproof cover and extracts only the essential sealing function. The sealing assembly is integrated directly into the socket body with a sealing ring at the inner socket hole, eliminating the need for separate movable covers and switches, thus simplifying the structure while maintaining waterproof reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

This design effectively prevents water ingress and avoids short circuits by maintaining a higher internal pressure than external pressure without manual operation, enhancing safety and reducing the risk of accidents.

Implementation Method 1

allow a larger air pressure to be formed inside the socket case, thereby generating a pressure difference against the outside so as to effectively prevent external moisture from entering the socket

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure difference: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS10847923B1Outdoor waterproof power socket

Publication Date: 2020.11.24 LIN CHIA HUA

AI summary

An outdoor waterproof power socket is disclosed, comprising a socket assembly and a sealing assembly, wherein the socket assembly includes a case, in which one side of the case is openly configured with a plurality of outer socket holes, while the other side of the case is also openly configured with a plurality of inner socket holes, each of the outer socket holes and each of the inner socket holes are commutative within the case, a conductive component is respectively installed within each inner socket hole; in addition, the sealing assembly includes an insulating flake and a sealing cover, in which the insulating flake is fixedly installed on one side of the case and covers each inner socket hole, and the sealing cover completely wraps the insulating flake as well as the position where the case and the insulating flake connect.