Electronic interface unit for an electrical heating device of a heating, ventilation and/or air-conditioning system of a motor vehicle
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Solution Overview
Problem
The rigidity of electronic interface housing covers in high-voltage electric heating devices for vehicles is compromised due to their large surface area, making them susceptible to deformation under mechanical stresses such as vibrations, which can damage the electronic components.
Innovation Solution
A cover design with offset support members and elements, made from plastic or thin sheet metal, provides rigidity and flexibility, allowing easy assembly without damaging components by incorporating a slight gap and snap-fit fastening to distribute stress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of stationary object
If the cover surface area is increased to accommodate larger electronic components, then the electronic interface housing can house necessary components, but the cover becomes more susceptible to deformation under mechanical stresses
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is segmented by adding support members and support elements that create structural divisions. These segments (comprising the support members extending in a first transverse plane and support elements extending in a second transverse plane) distribute mechanical stresses across multiple localized areas rather than allowing the entire large surface to deform uniformly, thereby maintaining rigidity while preserving the large surface area needed for housing electronic components
Solution Approach 2:
The cover employs a composite structural design combining the base cover material with integrated support members and support elements. This composite structure creates a multi-layered rigidity system where the support members and elements act as internal reinforcement, providing enhanced structural strength without increasing the external dimensions or surface area of the cover
2Strength
If the cover rigidity is increased to withstand vibrations, then the cover can resist deformation, but the assembly process may damage electronic components due to excessive stress
Solution Approach 1:
The support members and support elements are strategically positioned at specific locations within the cover structure where they provide localized reinforcement. This creates areas of varying rigidity - stiffer regions at support locations and more flexible regions elsewhere - allowing the cover to withstand vibrations while permitting controlled deformation during assembly that prevents damage to electronic components
3Ease of operation
If the cover is made flexible to allow easy assembly, then the cover can be assembled without damaging components, but the cover becomes more susceptible to deformation under vibrations
Solution Approach 1:
The cover structure exhibits dynamic characteristics where it can deform flexibly during the assembly process to accommodate minor misalignments and prevent damage, then maintains structural stability during operation. The support members and support elements provide a framework that allows controlled flexibility during assembly while ensuring vibration resistance during the vehicle's operation phase
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention, in a first aspect, relates to a cover (4) for an electronic interface unit (300) of an electrical heating device for a motor vehicle, the cover (4) comprising at least one pressing member (44a, 44b) and at least one pressing element (45) which are respectively configured to be in contact with a printed circuit board (5) when the cover (4) is fixed over the electronic interface unit (300), a free end of the at least one pressing member (44a, 44b) extending in a first transverse plane (451), and a free end (4501) of the at least one pressing element (45) extending in a second transverse plane (452), the at least one pressing member (44a, 44b) and the at least one pressing element (45) being arranged so that they project, in a direction perpendicular to a reference plane (400) of the cover (4), from an internal face of the cover (4), which face is intended to face toward the inside of the electronic interface unit (300), characterized in that the first transverse plane (451) and the second transverse plane (452) are substantially parallel to one another and to the reference plane of the cover, strictly not coincident with one another or with the reference plane (400) of the cover (4), the second transverse plane (452) being, in a direction perpendicular to it, closer to the reference plane (400) of the cover (4) than the first transverse plane (451).