Removable Grille Component for Motor PCB Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronics housings for electric motors are expensive to protect electronic printed circuit boards from external influences and electrostatic discharge through full casting, which is a costly and complex process.

Innovation Solution

A removably arranged contact-protection component made of electrically insulating material with a grille structure is used to cover the printed circuit board, incorporating a recess for a fan wheel to enhance airflow and prevent direct contact during installation and removal, while being cost-effective and structurally simple.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If full casting with casting compound is used to protect the electronic printed circuit board, then protection from contact, dirt and external influences is improved, but manufacturing cost and process complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection of electronic printed circuit boardVSAvoidmanufacturing cost and process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The protective function is segmented into multiple components: a housing structure with integrated housing floor and housing wall, a removable contact-protection component with grille structure, and ventilation openings. This segmentation replaces the monolithic casting compound approach, allowing individual components to be manufactured separately and assembled, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining protection functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The contact-protection component with grille structure acts as an intermediary element between the electronic printed circuit board and the external environment. It provides physical protection and electrostatic discharge prevention while allowing airflow through the grille openings, eliminating the need for complete encapsulation in casting compound.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of repair

If the electronics housing is removed for repair, then maintenance access is improved, but the electronic printed circuit board becomes vulnerable to contact and external influences

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccessibility for motor repairVSAvoidexposure of electronic printed circuit board to contact and dirt

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The housing structure is designed with integrated protective elements (housing floor, housing wall, and contact-protection component with grille) that are installed before the electronics housing is removed for repair. This preliminary protective arrangement ensures that the electronic printed circuit board remains protected even when the housing is detached, allowing repair access without exposing the electronics to harmful factors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If a contact-protection component with grille structure is used, then protection from direct contact is improved while allowing ventilation, but the component design complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from direct contact with ventilationVSAvoidcontact-protection component design

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The contact-protection component with grille structure is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: providing physical protection against direct contact, preventing electrostatic discharge, enabling ventilation through the grille openings, and serving as a mounting surface for the electronic printed circuit board. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby managing design complexity while achieving comprehensive protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 protects the electronic printed circuit board from contact and provides improved cooling through airflow, offering a cost-effective and structurally simple alternative to traditional casting methods.

Implementation Method 1

the airflow produced by the fan wheel is able to flow radially through openings in the contact-protection component and to flow back through the central opening in the contact-protection component to the fan

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAirflow: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS9667115B2Electronic housing for an electric motor with protection against accidental contact

Publication Date: 2017.05.30 EBM PAPST MULFINGEN GMBH & CO KG

AI summary

The present invention concerns an electronic housing for an electric motor, consisting of a housing holder part with a housing floor and a housing wall comprising the housing floor. A housing opening lies opposite the housing floor. Arranged in the housing holder part is a motor electronic component with an electronic printed circuit board, which is arranged parallel to the opening plane of the housing opening. Detachably arranged on the electronic printed circuit board or on the motor electronic component, on a side of the electronic printed circuit board facing away from the housing floor is a contact protecting component, which covers this surface, from an electrically insulating material, which has at least partially a grid structure as an air outlet.