Explosion proof housing for a power electronics device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current housing designs for power electronic devices lack effective explosion protection, leading to injuries from flying parts due to inadequate safety regulations and inefficient pressure relief mechanisms, which are often material-intensive and not suitable for all applications.
Innovation Solution
A housing design featuring deformable sleeves integrated into fixing screws that compress to form a gap between the lid and trough during explosions, allowing pressure relief while maintaining the lid's attachment, supplemented by additional braking elements for enhanced energy absorption and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a deformable fastening element with a closed ring is used to connect the cover and tray, then the housing can provide explosion protection, but the fastening element requires considerable space and is only suitable for selected applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a deformable sleeve (flexible element) that integrates the pressure relief function directly into the fastening structure. The sleeve deforms under explosion pressure to create a gap, eliminating the need for large separate pressure relief mechanisms while maintaining compact housing dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the fastening function and pressure relief function into a single integrated component (the deformable sleeve with fixing screw). This merging eliminates the need for separate large-scale pressure relief mechanisms, thereby reducing the overall space requirement while maintaining explosion protection.
2Reliability
If a washer with a predetermined breaking point is used on a fastening screw, then the housing can relieve explosion pressure, but it requires modification of existing housing covers with considerable effort
Solution Approach 1:
The deformable sleeve is designed to automatically deform and create a gap when explosion pressure exceeds a predetermined threshold. The sleeve's deformation structures self-regulate the pressure relief process without requiring external control systems or complex modification procedures, thereby simplifying manufacturing and installation.
3Reliability
If the housing is designed to prevent complete detachment of the cover, then safety is improved, but the housing structure becomes more complex and material-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic fastening system where the deformable sleeve transitions from a rigid fastening state during normal operation to a deformable state during explosion. This dynamic behavior allows the housing to adapt to extreme conditions without requiring permanently complex structural modifications, thereby maintaining simplicity while improving safety.
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 design effectively relieves explosion pressure by forming a controlled gap, preventing the lid from detaching and ensuring the housing remains secure, thereby enhancing safety and reducing material intensity while being adaptable to various applications.
Implementation Method 1
the sleeve is compressed in a manner defined by the deformation structures in such a way that a gap of a predetermined width is formed between the cover and the tray
Implementation Method 2
a contact force between the cover and tray is exerted by the screw head via the sleeve
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 2a
AI summary
The invention relates to a housing (1) for a power electronics device, comprising a tray (2) for receiving power electronics components and a cover (3) for placing on the tray (2) so that a closed housing (1) is formed. The cover (3) is fixed on the tray (2) by a plurality of fixing screws (4). At least one opening element is provided that is made of one of the fixing screws (4), each of which is guided through a sleeve (5) with deformation structures (14.n), said sleeve being arranged between the screw head of the fixing screw (4) and the housing (1) such that a pressing force is exerted by the screw head between the cover (3) and the tray (2) via the sleeve (5). The deformation structures (14.n) are designed such that under the effect of the force of an explosion that exceeds the pressing force, the sleeve (5) is compressed in a manner defined by the deformation structures (14.n) such that a gap (11) with a specified width is formed between the cover (3) and the tray (2).