Fuel Dispenser Vent Channel for Liquid-Shielded Electronics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fuel dispensers in outdoor and indoor environments face challenges in preventing liquid intrusion, which can damage electronic components and affect their functionality and operating life, especially due to exposure to environmental conditions like rain, snow, and chemicals.
Innovation Solution
A component shielding device with a substantially vertical channel, airflow inlet, arrays of angled protrusions, and vertical protrusions is mounted to the fuel dispenser component, creating a tortuous path for airflow that decreases momentum and helps remove particulates, including liquids, while also providing a screen for additional protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a fuel dispenser is placed in an outdoor or uncovered environment, then it can be accessible and functional, but electronic components are exposed to liquid intrusion from rain, snow, and other environmental hazards
Solution Approach 1:
A shielding device with a tortuous airflow path is introduced as an intermediary between the outdoor environment and electronic components. The device includes a channel with angled protrusions that create a winding path, allowing air flow while blocking liquid intrusion. This mediator structure enables the fuel dispenser to remain accessible in outdoor environments while protecting sensitive electronics from liquid hazards.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a protective cover is added to shield electronic components from liquid, then liquid intrusion is prevented, but heat dissipation from electronic components is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The shielding device incorporates a pneumatic solution by using airflow dynamics to simultaneously achieve liquid blocking and heat dissipation. The tortuous channel path with angled protrusions creates turbulence that impedes liquid flow while allowing air to pass through and carry heat away from electronic components. This pneumatic approach resolves the contradiction by using fluid dynamics to fulfill both protective and thermal management functions.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a tortuous airflow path is created to remove particulates, then liquid and particulate removal is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shielding device uses a thin-walled channel structure with integrated angled protrusions to create a tortuous path. Rather than complex multi-component assemblies, the design employs a streamlined channel where the protrusions are formed as part of the channel structure itself. This approach achieves effective particulate and liquid removal through the winding path while minimizing device complexity through integrated, form-efficient design.
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 liquid from entering the fuel dispenser components, helps in heat dissipation, and prevents unauthorized access, ensuring the components remain functional and protected from environmental hazards.
Implementation Method 1
The arrays of angled protrusions are adapted to form a tortuous path for the airflow through the channel
Implementation Method 2
form a tortuous path for the airflow through the channel... that decreases momentum
Implementation Method 3
The plurality of substantially vertical protrusions are adapted to substantially straighten the airflow within the channel
Implementation Method 4
The channel is adapted to guide an airflow within the channel
Data Source
AI summary
Shielding liquid from electronic components may be accomplished by a variety of systems, devices, and techniques. A shielding device may include a substantially vertical channel mounted to a fuel dispenser component; an airflow inlet; a plurality of arrays of angled protrusions; and a plurality of substantially vertical protrusions. The channel is adapted to guide an airflow. The plurality of arrays of angled protrusions are, disposed within the channel and are substantially parallel in arrangement within each array. The angled protrusions within each array are angularly offset in arrangement relative to the angled protrusions within adjacent arrays. The arrays of angled protrusions are adapted to form a tortuous path for the airflow through the channel. The plurality of substantially vertical protrusions are disposed within the channel and are located between the airflow inlet and the plurality of arrays. The vertical protrusions are adapted to substantially straighten the airflow within the channel.