Fan Structure Waterproofing Circuit Substrate in Battery Packs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fan structures in battery packs are prone to short-circuiting and malfunctions due to the adhesion of salt, water, or dust on the circuit substrate, especially when operating in harsh environments with seawater mist or dust-laden cooling air.
Innovation Solution
A compact fan structure with a waterproof member and sealing parts forming a labyrinth structure to separate the motor and circuit substrate from the scroll housing, preventing the ingress of salt, water, or dust, and ensuring reliable sealing even when the cooling air contains seawater mist.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the circuit substrate is exposed to cooling air currents for compact fan design, then space utilization is improved, but the circuit substrate becomes vulnerable to salt, water, or dust adhesion causing short-circuiting
Solution Approach 1:
The fan structure is segmented into a wet side (scroll housing with cooling air flow) and a dry side (motor and circuit substrate area). The waterproof member creates a partition wall that divides these two zones, allowing the circuit substrate to be protected from cooling air currents while maintaining compact overall dimensions. This segmentation enables the circuit substrate to be shielded without significantly increasing fan volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The waterproof member acts as an intermediary barrier between the cooling air currents containing salt, water, or dust and the circuit substrate. It prevents direct contact between contaminants and the circuit substrate while allowing the fan to maintain its compact design with the circuit substrate positioned near the cooling air inlet for efficient heat dissipation.
2Reliability
If waterproof walls extend from the fan to protect the output shaft bearing, then bearing protection is improved, but the structure becomes complex and less suitable for compact applications
Solution Approach 1:
The waterproof member serves multiple functions simultaneously: it protects the output shaft bearing from water and mud (traditional function), divides the fan into wet and dry sides (additional function), and shields the circuit substrate from cooling air currents (another additional function). This merging of functions reduces overall structural complexity compared to having separate waterproof structures for each protection need.
Solution Approach 2:
The waterproof member is designed as a multi-functional component that provides bearing protection, circuit substrate protection, and structural partitioning all in one element. This universal component approach simplifies the overall fan structure for compact applications compared to using multiple specialized waterproof components.
3Volume of moving object
If the fan is compactly structured with circuit substrate between base plate and motor, then space efficiency is improved, but the circuit substrate is exposed to harmful cooling air currents
Solution Approach 1:
The waterproof member creates a localized protective environment around the circuit substrate and motor, shielding this specific area from harmful cooling air currents while allowing the rest of the fan to maintain compact dimensions. The protection is applied locally where needed rather than requiring a complete enclosure of the entire fan structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A fan structure is provided, which includes: a fan case having an inlet and an outlet; a bladed wheel provided inside the fan case; a motor for rotating the bladed wheel; a circuit substrate for controlling the motor; and a scroll housing formed between the fan case and the bladed wheel. Rotation of the bladed wheel causes a fluid to enter the scroll housing from the inlet and to exit from the outlet. The circuit substrate and the motor are arranged inside the fan case. The fan structure further includes a waterproof member for dividing the motor and the circuit substrate from the scroll housing, and a cylindrical seal for sealing a hole formed in the waterproof member through which an output shaft of the motor extends. The fan structure is compact and prevents adhesion of salt, water, or dust to the built-in circuit substrate.