Waterproof Receptacle with Ridges and Baffle

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electrical receptacles are susceptible to damage from water or other liquids, leading to potential electrical malfunctions and safety hazards due to inadequate waterproofing in existing configurations.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a waterproofing clip with resilient legs that snap-fit around the rear housing, combined with angled or curved front surfaces featuring outwardly extending ridges and a baffle element to prevent liquid ingress, and a resilient protective element to shield terminals when not in use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If electrical receptacles are mounted in accessible positions for convenience, then ease of operation is improved, but susceptibility to water damage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccessibility of receptacleVSAvoidwater damage susceptibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The receptacle is divided into multiple functional components: a front portion with terminals, a rear housing, waterproofing clips, and protective elements. This segmentation allows each component to address specific aspects of the water protection problem while maintaining overall accessibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Waterproofing clips and protective elements act as intermediary components between the external environment and the electrical terminals. These intermediaries prevent direct contact between water and electrical components while allowing the receptacle to remain accessible for normal use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If traditional waterproofing methods are used, then water protection is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater protectionVSAvoidreceptacle structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple protective functions are merged into integrated components. The waterproofing clips combine sealing, structural support, and terminal protection functions. The protective element integrates terminal coverage with water diversion features, reducing the number of separate components needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The waterproofing clips and protective elements serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide water sealing, structural attachment, terminal protection, and water flow diversion. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity compared to separate dedicated components for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If terminals are exposed for easy connection, then ease of operation is improved, but vulnerability to liquid ingress increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveterminal accessibilityVSAvoidliquid ingress

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The protective element is designed to be dynamic rather than static. It can move between a closed position that covers and protects the terminals, and an open position that allows terminal access for plugging and unplugging. This dynamic behavior maintains both protection and accessibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The protective element serves as an intermediary between the terminals and the external liquid environment. It provides a physical barrier that prevents liquid ingress while allowing easy access to terminals when needed, resolving the contradiction between exposure and protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Effectively prevents water seepage and electrical malfunctions by ensuring the receptacle remains waterproof, even when positioned at various angles or exposed to liquids, enhancing safety and durability.

Implementation Method 1

a resilient protective element positioned below the front surface to cover and shield the terminals when not in use

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

Each of the ridges is sized and configured so that if the front surface is positioned at any angle between horizontal and vertical, inclusive, liquid located on the front surface is prevented from dripping through the terminals

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurface tension and gravity-driven flow: Surface Tension

Data Source

PatentUS9270047B2Waterproof simplex receptacle with additional watershedding

Publication Date: 2016.02.23 BYRNE NORMAN R

AI summary

A liquid spill resistant electrical receptacle includes a main body and a front portion. The front portion includes a front surface and rear surface. Terminals are recessed rearwardly from openings formed in the front surface, and are connected to wires extending rearwardly from the main body. The front surface includes a first surface portion, in the vicinity of the openings, which is positioned forwardly from a second surface portion that is located generally outboard of the first surface portion. Optionally, the first surface portion may be in the form of outwardly-extending ridges around the terminal openings, and configured to direct water or other liquids away from the terminal openings associated with the terminals.