Gas Appliance Ignition Module Battery Leakage Protection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Gas appliance ignition modules are prone to exposure to contaminants and battery material leakage, which can lead to damage and reduced lifespan, especially when mounted on surfaces that are exposed to environmental conditions.
Innovation Solution
The ignition control module is designed with a battery compartment that positions the battery's negative terminal at a lower elevation than the positive terminal, reducing exposure to potential leaks, and features improved connection points for ignitor and actuator switch connections, including a cap-shaped battery access portion and a gasket to prevent contaminant ingress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the battery compartment is mounted on an exposed surface of the gas appliance, then the ignition module is easily accessible and installable, but the battery and electrical components are exposed to environmental contaminants and battery material leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The battery compartment is nested within the housing structure, with the battery chamber positioned inside the protected interior space of the housing. This nesting arrangement allows the battery compartment to be accessible for installation and removal while simultaneously protecting the battery and electrical components from environmental contaminants and battery material leakage through the housing's sealed structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing acts as an intermediary barrier between the battery compartment and the external environment. The housing's wall structure and sealed design mediate the interaction between the battery components and environmental factors, blocking contaminants and preventing battery material from reaching external surfaces while maintaining access to the battery compartment through designated openings.
2Reliability
If the battery negative terminal is positioned at higher elevation, then gravity assists in draining leaked material away from electrical components, but leaked material can more easily reach and damage surrounding components
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of positioning the battery negative terminal at a higher elevation to use gravity for protection, the invention inverts this approach by positioning the negative terminal at a lower elevation within the battery compartment. This inversion causes leaked material to drain away from electrical components and toward the bottom of the compartment, preventing damage to surrounding components while maintaining reliability.
3Ease of operation
If the ignitor connector connection point is exposed and accessible, then connection and disconnection is easy for installation and maintenance, but the connection point is vulnerable to contaminant ingress and damage
Solution Approach 1:
The ignitor connector connection point is nested within the housing structure, positioned inside the protected interior space rather than being exposed on the exterior. This nesting allows the connector to be accessible for connection and disconnection operations while simultaneously protecting it from environmental contaminants through the housing's sealed structure.
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 mitigates damage from corrosive battery material leakage and enhances the module's durability and ease of installation by protecting electrical components from environmental contaminants, while ensuring reliable electrical connections for efficient ignition.
Implementation Method 1
The battery within the module can provide electrical power to an electronic circuit therein in order to generate a voltage potential. If the voltage is applied to an electrode (e.g., in the ignitor), and the voltage is sufficiently large enough, the air across a gap on the electrode will be ionized and a spark will be generated
Implementation Method 2
If the voltage is applied to an electrode (e.g., in the ignitor), and the voltage is sufficiently large enough, the air across a gap on the electrode will be ionized and a spark will be generated
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for an ignition control module for a gas appliance. The housing of the ignition control module, and/or the mounting points for mounting the module to a gas appliance, can be configured to dispose the battery in a manner that provides for potential battery leakage to flow away from most operable components of the module. Further, the ignitor connection terminals can be configured to provide for ease of connection, by providing a connector guide disposed in a cylindrically-shaped terminal housing. Additionally, an ignitor actuator terminal can be configured to selectably engage with an ignitor actuator connector, where the ignitor actuator terminal comprises at least two connector points that engage with a single ignitor actuator connector.