Compact Electronic Control Apparatus Sealing via Segmented Rectangular Joints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing waterproof electronic control apparatuses face challenges in reducing the size of the casing in the longitudinal direction of the connector, making it difficult to minimize the overall size of the electronic control apparatus while maintaining effective sealing.
Innovation Solution
The electronic control apparatus features a casing with a top and bottom sealing part, each with a rectangular ring shape and rounded corners, where the sealing material is applied between these parts and the connector housing to form a three-way joint, allowing for a more compact design without compromising water-sealing efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the corners of the ring-shaped edge are rounded to enable uniform sealing material application, then productivity is improved, but the size of the casing in the longitudinal direction of the connector increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing structure is divided into three separate sealing portions (first, second, and third sealing portions) positioned at different locations along the connector's longitudinal direction. This segmentation allows each sealing portion to be independently formed with optimal geometry, eliminating the need for rounded corners while maintaining compact overall dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
Each sealing portion is designed with specific local characteristics tailored to its position and function. The first sealing portion has a first cross-sectional shape, the second has a second cross-sectional shape, and the third has a third cross-sectional shape, allowing each to be optimized for its specific sealing requirement rather than using a uniform design throughout.
2Productivity
If the sealing material is applied at constant speed to improve productivity, then manufacturing efficiency increases, but right-angled corners make uniform application difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing path is segmented into three distinct portions, each with its own optimized geometry. This eliminates the problem of right-angled corners that would require speed changes during application, allowing constant-speed application while maintaining uniform sealing quality across all portions.
3Length of moving object
If the casing size is reduced in the longitudinal direction of the connector, then the overall apparatus size decreases, but effective sealing becomes more difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the sealing function into three separate sealing portions distributed along the connector's length, the patent achieves effective water sealing within a compact space. Each sealing portion contributes to the overall sealing effectiveness, allowing reliable protection in a reduced-size casing.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing strategy transitions from relying on corner geometry (two-dimensional concern) to utilizing the longitudinal distribution of multiple sealing portions (three-dimensional arrangement). This dimensional shift enables effective sealing in a more compact configuration.
Data Source
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AI summary
In an electronic control apparatus, a connector (110) mounted on a circuit board (90) accommodated in a casing body (30) constructed with top and bottom casings (50, 70) is partially exposed outside the casing body (30) to be mated with an external connector. A sealant (130) is interposed between the top and bottom casings (50, 70), between the top casing (50) and the connector (110), and between the bottom casing (70) and the connector (110). A sealing part (55, 57) of at least one of the top and bottom casings (50, 70) has a substantially rectangular ring shape with rounded four corners. A sealing part (119, 120) of the connector (110) faces two adjacent corners of the rectangular sealing part and one side of the rectangular sealing part directly connecting the two adjacent corners.