Double-Walled Electronics Housing for Motor Vehicle Water Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electronics housings for motor vehicles, such as tailgate control devices, offer insufficient protection against dripping water and electrostatic discharge (ESD), particularly when mounted obliquely or on edge, leading to potential corrosion and electrical short circuits due to inadequate sealing and limited ESD protection.
Innovation Solution
A double-walled electronics housing design with a labyrinth-like connection between two housing shells, featuring a groove-like interspace and outflow openings with peripheral webs to channel and drain liquid, combined with increased wall thickness for enhanced stability and ESD protection, ensures effective sealing against water and ESD regardless of mounting orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional electronics housing with two housing shells connected by a latching connection is used, then the housing can be easily manufactured and assembled, but it offers insufficient protection against dripping water when mounted obliquely or on edge
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a third dimension by creating a double-walled structure with an interspace between walls, transforming the conventional single-wall design into a multi-layer configuration. This dimensional change allows liquid to be channeled away in a direction perpendicular to the mounting surface, enabling effective water protection regardless of mounting orientation.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing shell is segmented into multiple walls with an interspace between them, creating separate functional zones. The first and second walls form a double-walled structure that divides the interior space, allowing liquid to be directed into the interspace and channeled away through outflow openings rather than penetrating to the electronics.
2Ease of manufacture
If the housing shells are connected with a slight overlap along a complementary stacked contour, then the assembly is simple, but liquid can seep between the housing shells into the housing interior
Solution Approach 1:
The housing shells are nested within each other through the double-walled configuration, where one shell is positioned inside another with an interspace between them. This nesting arrangement creates a labyrinthine path for liquid, preventing direct penetration while maintaining simple assembly through the form-fitting connection between nested shells.
3Ease of operation
If the side walls of housing shells are positioned with a slight overlap, then the housing can be easily assembled, but ESD protection is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The double-walled structure adds a dimensional barrier against ESD by creating multiple layers through which electrostatic discharge must pass. The interspace between walls and the increased wall thickness provide additional protection paths, dissipating ESD energy before it reaches the electronics while maintaining easy assembly.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronics housing is specified for electronics in a motor vehicle. The electronics housing has a first housing shell with a first base plate and a first side wall as well as a second housing shell with a second base plate and a second side wall. The first side wall is embodied here with double walls either completely or at least in one section, with the result that a groove-shaped wall intermediate space is formed between an outer partial wall and an inner partial wall of the first side wall. In an assembled state of the housing, the second side wall dips into this wall intermediate space.