Electronics Module Housing With Integrated Spring Damping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electronic modules in environments with strong vibrations and shocks are prone to damage due to inadequate support, which can lead to vibrations causing the housing to hit the mounting base, potentially damaging the functional electronics.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating spring elements, such as spring bars, into the housing of electronic modules, particularly at the lower outer corners, which are designed to be in constant contact with the mounting base, providing resilient support and damping vibrations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If rigid mounting is used to securely attach electronic modules to the mounting base, then mechanical stability is improved, but damage from vibrations and shocks increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical stabilityVSAvoidvibration damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies flexible spring elements (spring bars) integrated into the housing to create a resilient mounting system. These flexible elements allow the housing to adapt to vibrations and shocks while maintaining secure attachment to the mounting base, resolving the contradiction between rigid stability and vibration protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the mechanical parameters of the mounting system by introducing elastic spring elements that can dynamically adjust their stiffness and deflection characteristics. This allows the system to maintain stable attachment while absorbing vibration energy, transforming the rigid mounting approach into a compliant one.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If spring elements are integrated into the housing to reduce vibration damage, then protection from shocks is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshock protectionVSAvoidhousing structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the spring elements directly into the housing structure, making them an integral part of the housing rather than separate components. This integration approach provides shock protection functionality while minimizing additional complexity, as the spring elements are formed as one piece with the housing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The spring elements are designed to automatically absorb and dampen vibrations and shocks without requiring external control systems or additional components. The housing structure itself provides the protective function through its integrated spring elements, making the system self-sufficient in combating vibration damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Object-affected harmful factors

If multiple spring elements are distributed at various locations on the housing, then vibration damping is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevibration dampingVSAvoidmanufacturing simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple spring elements into a single integrated housing structure, where all spring elements are formed as one piece during the housing manufacturing process. This approach provides distributed vibration damping at multiple locations while maintaining manufacturing simplicity, as no separate assembly steps are required for the spring elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 integration of spring elements effectively reduces the risk of damage from vibrations and shocks by absorbing oscillatory movements, thereby protecting the functional electronics and maintaining a cost-effective, compact design.

Implementation Method 1

at least one spring element (6) is formed on the housing (2) in its lower region directed towards the mounting base (M)... the at least one spring bar (7, 7a, 7b, 7c, ...) is dimensioned such that it is constantly in contact with the mounting base (M) and/or during relative oscillatory movements

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

This effectively reduces the risk of damage caused by shocks or vibrations... providing resilient support and damping vibrations

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration damping: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP3569042B1Electronics module, and a mounting base comprising an electronics module

Publication Date: 2023.05.03 WEIDMULLER INTERFACE GMBH & CO

Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 2a

AI summary

The invention relates to an electronics module comprising a housing (2) having a mounting foot (4) suitable for mounting on a support rail (T) and for fastening the electronics module to the support rail (T) which is mounted on a mounting base (M), wherein at least one spring element (6) is provided in the lower region of the housing (2), said region facing the mounting base when mounted. The at least one spring element is proportioned and designed such that it has a damping effect when the housing (2) vibrates relative to the mounting base (M).