Electronic interface housing for controlling an electrical heating device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical heating devices in motor vehicle ventilation systems face issues with cover deformation and water accumulation on the printed circuit board due to high-voltage power supply, leading to potential short circuits and component damage.
Innovation Solution
An electronic interface housing with a printed circuit board featuring water drainage openings at contact zones between the board and rigid ribs, designed to prevent cover deformation and drain away condensation, ensuring the components remain dry and functional.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of stationary object
If the cover surface area is increased to house high-voltage electronic components, then the housing capacity is improved, but the cover becomes more prone to bending and deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a third dimension by adding ribs that extend from the cover into the housing space. These ribs provide structural reinforcement without increasing the external footprint of the cover, effectively solving the bending issue while maintaining the required housing capacity for high-voltage components.
2Temperature
If cooling openings are added to the cover and base, then the heat dissipation is improved, but water condensation and dripping occur on the internal surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of condensation into a beneficial drainage function. By positioning drainage openings at the lowest points of the housing and designing the rib structures to guide water toward these openings, the system utilizes gravity and surface tension to channel condensed water away from sensitive electronic components, transforming a potential hazard into a controlled drainage system.
3Stability of the object's composition
If rigid ribs are added to support the cover, then the cover deformation is reduced, but water can accumulate and drip along the ribs onto the printed circuit board
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces drainage openings as intermediary elements between the ribs and the printed circuit board. These openings act as mediators that allow water to pass through the rib structure and drain safely, preventing water accumulation on the circuit board while preserving the structural support function of the ribs. The drainage openings serve as a compromise solution that reconciles the conflicting requirements of structural integrity and water protection.
4Reliability
If the housing is sealed to protect electronic components, then the protection is improved, but heat accumulation occurs inside the housing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs filtering membranes in the cooling openings that act as flexible barriers. These membranes allow heat to dissipate while blocking water and contaminants from entering the housing. The membranes provide a selective permeability that maintains the protective sealing function while enabling thermal management, effectively decoupling the protection function from the ventilation function.
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
The solution effectively prevents cover deformation and water stagnation, reducing the risk of short circuits and component damage while maintaining the functionality of the heating device.
Implementation Method 1
water drainage opening in the contact zone between the printed circuit board and the rib
Implementation Method 2
electrical heating devices comprising heating elements for diffusing heat under the effect of an electrical potential, that is to say resistive heating elements
Implementation Method 3
the cover and/or the base are pierced with openings, equipped with filtering membranes, to allow the passage of air and the evacuation of calories
Implementation Method 4
rigid ribs which extend in such a way as to be in contact with one another, between the electronic components fixed to this printed circuit board, in order to reduce the risk of deformations of the cover
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an electronic interface housing (6) of an electrical heating device (1) for heating an airflow passing through, the electronic interface housing (6) being configured to house electronic components for controlling at least one heating element (4) fitted to the electrical heating device (1), including at least one printed circuit board (44), the electronic interface housing (6) comprising at least one rib (56, 58) in contact with the printed circuit board (44) in a contact zone (54), characterized in that the printed circuit board (44) comprises at least one water drainage opening (82) in the contact zone (54).