Heat Pump Electronics Drainage Structure for Fluid Intrusion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Heat pump devices face issues with fluid penetration, such as water, into the housing unit, which can impair electronic components by conducting electrical current unintentionally, necessitating costly and complex sealing solutions.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a collecting and/or draining unit, preferably designed as a vacuum-formed plastic element, that completely covers the receiving unit to collect and direct fluids away from the electronics, preventing contact and eliminating the need for intricate sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sealing solutions are used to prevent fluid penetration into the housing unit, then the electronic components are protected from fluid damage, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a receiving unit as an intermediary component between the housing unit and the electronic components. This receiving unit has a recess that receives the electronic components and is designed to prevent fluid from reaching them, while also providing a mounting surface for the electronics. This intermediary structure protects the electronics without requiring complex sealing solutions throughout the entire housing.
2Reliability
If sealing solutions are used to prevent fluid penetration into the housing unit, then the electronic components are protected from fluid damage, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The receiving unit is designed as a simple, inexpensive structural component that can be easily manufactured and replaced if necessary. Rather than investing in expensive, complex sealing systems, the patent uses a straightforward receiving unit with a recess that provides protection at minimal cost. The receiving unit itself becomes the primary defense against fluid intrusion.
3Ease of operation
If the receiving unit is designed to accommodate electronic components with precise contours, then the electronic components are securely mounted, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The receiving unit features a locally adapted recess that is shaped to match the outer contour of the electronic components. This localized customization provides secure mounting and precise accommodation of the electronics, while the rest of the receiving unit maintains a simple, uniform structure. The complex contouring is applied only where necessary to interface with the electronic components.
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
This configuration effectively prevents damage to electronic components, reduces production costs, and ensures user safety by efficiently routing fluids away from sensitive areas without requiring expensive sealing solutions.
Implementation Method 1
at least one collecting and/or draining unit (24), which is provided to collect at least one fluid that has in particular penetrated into the housing unit (14) and to conduct it away from the receiving unit (32)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a heat pump device with at least one receiving unit (32) for a receiving unit of an electronic unit (20) and with at least one housing unit (14) on which the receiving unit (32) is arranged. It is proposed that the heat pump device comprises at least one collecting and/or draining unit (24) which is designed to collect at least one fluid, in particular one that has penetrated the housing unit (14), and to discharge it away from the receiving unit (32).