Coolant-Venting Gasket Assembly for Electronics Cavity Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic assemblies face the risk of fluid leakage from coolant cavities into electronics cavities due to deteriorated or inadequate gaskets, potentially damaging the electronic devices.
Innovation Solution
An electronic assembly with a gasket featuring two outer lips and a primary channel that diverts coolant to an exit aperture if leakage occurs, coupled with a sensor to detect coolant presence and trigger alerts, and a primary overflow vessel to collect excess coolant.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a gasket is used to seal the interface between coolant cavity and electronics cavity, then fluid leakage is prevented, but the gasket may deteriorate over time causing leakage risk
Solution Approach 1:
The gasket includes a drain channel formed within its body that provides a predetermined leakage path from the coolant cavity to the electronics cavity. This preliminary structural arrangement ensures that if the gasket deteriorates, coolant will follow the designated drain channel path rather than randomly leaking, allowing detection and response before complete seal failure occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The drain channel acts as an intermediary structure within the gasket that mediates between the coolant cavity and electronics cavity. Instead of direct leakage through deteriorated seal material, the drain channel provides a controlled intermediate path that directs coolant flow to a collection reservoir, preventing uncontrolled ingress into sensitive electronic components.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If coolant leaks through the gasket seal, then coolant enters the electronics cavity causing damage, but adding detection and drainage systems increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The gasket integrates multiple functions into a single component: sealing between cavities, providing a drain channel for leakage, and directing coolant to a collection reservoir. This merging reduces overall assembly complexity compared to separate sealing elements, drainage systems, and detection mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The drain channel and collection reservoir system provides self-service by automatically directing leaked coolant away from electronic components without requiring active detection or intervention. The passive gravitational or capillary-driven flow through the drain channel eliminates the need for complex active pumping or monitoring systems.
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
Prevents fluid ingress into electronics cavities by redirecting leaked coolant away from sensitive components, reducing the risk of damage and ensuring reliable operation.
Implementation Method 1
a gasket configured to hermetically seal the electronics cavity from the coolant circulating in the coolant cavity or coolant channel
Implementation Method 2
a primary channel between the outer lips for conveying coolant to an exit aperture within the primary channel if coolant breaches or penetrates an outer lip facing the coolant cavity
Implementation Method 3
A first sensor is configured to detect the presence of coolant in the primary overflow vessel and to generate a sensor data or a sensor signal indicative of the presence or level of coolant in the primary overflow vessel
Implementation Method 4
A second housing portion or thermal plate has a coolant cavity or coolant channel for circulating a coolant to dissipate heat from the heat-generating electronic component
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
A gasket (20) is configured to isolate or hermetically seal an electronics cavity (12) from the coolant circulating in the coolant cavity or coolant channel, wherein the gasket comprises seal with two outer lips (16, 116) and a primary channel (17) between the outer lips for conveying coolant to an exit aperture within the primary channel if coolant penetrates a penetrated one of the outer lips facing the coolant cavity to prevent the ingress of fluid into the electronics cavity. A primary overflow vessel (464, 513) is capable of receiving coolant from the exit aperture via an overflow linkage channel. A first sensor (464) is configured to detect the presence of coolant in the primary overflow vessel and to generate a sensor data or a sensor signal indicative of the presence or level of coolant in the primary overflow vessel.