Circuit Unit Cover Opening for Heat Dissipation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing circuit units face inadequate heat dissipation due to the accumulation of heat within the cover, which hinders the efficient transfer of heat from the electronic circuit body to the outside environment.
Innovation Solution
A circuit unit design featuring a metal fixing member with a heat dissipating projection exposed through an opening in the cover, allowing for improved heat dissipation by increasing the contact area with outside air, and eliminating the need for additional components by integrating the fixing member with the cover using a bolt and nut system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the cover covers the entire fixing member, then the circuit body is fully protected, but heat accumulates inside the cover and heat dissipation becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the heat dissipation function from the covering structure by providing an opening in the cover that exposes part of the fixing member to the outside environment. This allows heat to be dissipated through the opening while the rest of the cover continues to provide protection, thus separating the protection function from the heat dissipation function.
2Strength
If a separate member is provided to fix the fixing member and cover, then secure fixation is achieved, but the number of components increases and manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the fixing member and cover into an integrated structure where the fixing member is directly secured to the cover. This eliminates the need for separate fastening components, reducing the total number of parts while maintaining secure fixation through the integrated design.
3Reliability
If the fixing member is fully covered by the cover, then complete protection is provided, but heat dissipation area is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing an opening in the cover at a specific location to expose the fixing member. This creates a localized area for heat dissipation while maintaining complete coverage and protection in other areas, thus optimizing both protection and heat dissipation functions in different locations.
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
Enhances heat dissipation by preventing heat accumulation within the cover and simplifies the manufacturing process by reducing the number of components required, while maintaining secure fixation to the base.
Implementation Method 1
heat of the electronic circuit body is transferred to the mounting member on the electronic circuit body
Implementation Method 2
a contact area with outside air is increased by the heat dissipating projection to improve heat dissipation
Data Source
AI summary
A circuit unit (10) includes a circuit body (11) having a resin portion (12) covering a circuit, first terminals (15) projecting from one edge of the resin portion (12) and second terminals (16) projecting from another edge part of the resin portion (12). A fixing member (20) made of metal is configured to fix the circuit body (11) to a base member (BM) by being mounted on the base member (BM) while being held in contact with the resin portion (12). A cover (30) having receptacles (35, 36) is fit to mating connectors (50A, 50B) while covering the first and second terminals (15, 16). The cover (30) is configured to cover the circuit body (11) and the fixing member (20). The cover (30) is formed with an opening (33) for exposing the fixing member (20) to outside.