Vehicle Control Housing Assembly Against Debris and Moisture Ingress
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle control apparatuses face issues with foreign matter such as scraps or chip powder from screw assembly entering circuit boards, causing short-circuits, and moisture ingress via jig holes leading to circuit board burn-outs.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates protectors to enclose coupling members and jig pins, preventing foreign matter and moisture ingress by using flange and receiving portions, and in some cases, a single plate with dome structures to simplify assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a coupling member is used to join the housing and cover together, then the structural strength and assembly stability are improved, but foreign matter such as scraps or chip powder can enter through the assembly hole and cause short-circuits on the circuit board
Solution Approach 1:
The assembly hole is divided into two functional sections: an exposed portion that allows the coupling member to pass through for joining, and an enclosed portion that is sealed to prevent foreign matter from reaching the circuit board. This segmentation enables the hole to serve both assembly and protection functions simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
A protective structure (such as a cap or seal) is introduced as an intermediary element between the assembly hole and the circuit board. This intermediary blocks foreign matter while allowing the coupling member to pass through during assembly, thereby protecting the circuit board without compromising the joining function.
2Manufacturing precision
If jig holes are provided in the housing for assembly alignment, then the manufacturing precision and assembly efficiency are improved, but moisture can enter through these holes and cause burn-out of circuit board elements
Solution Approach 1:
The jig hole is segmented into an exposed portion that allows jig pin insertion for alignment during manufacturing, and an enclosed portion that is sealed to prevent moisture from reaching the circuit board. This enables the hole to provide alignment functionality while protecting against moisture ingress.
Solution Approach 2:
The enclosed portion of the jig hole is sealed in advance before the product is put into service. This preliminary protective action ensures that even though the jig hole exists for manufacturing purposes, it cannot allow moisture to reach the circuit board during the product's operational life.
3Reliability
If multiple parts are jointly fixed with screws to satisfy vibration durability requirements, then the vibration resistance and durability are improved, but scraps or chip powder from screw assembly can cause short-circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful byproducts (scraps or chip powder) are extracted or prevented from reaching the circuit board area. The enclosed portion of the assembly hole acts as a barrier that extracts the protection function from the assembly process, allowing screw assembly to proceed while isolating the circuit board from generated debris.
Solution Approach 2:
A protective barrier (cap or seal) is introduced as an intermediary between the screw assembly area and the circuit board. This intermediary allows the screw assembly to generate scraps and chip powder while preventing these harmful factors from reaching and damaging the circuit board.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle control apparatus including: a housing including a base portion, a side wall configured to extend from the base portion and have a predetermined height with respect to the base portion, at one lateral side of the base portion, and a first assembling hole formed vertically at one end of an upper edge of the side wall; a circuit board that is held in the housing; a cover configured to be disposed vertically above the circuit board and be attached to the housing, and a second assembling hole formed at a position corresponding to the first assembling hole; a coupling member for coupling the housing and the cover together by vertically passing through the first assembling hole and the second assembling hole at a time; and a first protector formed in such a manner as to enclose at least part of one end of the coupling member while the housing and the cover are coupled together.