Offset-Channel Vent/Drain Cover for Protected Electronics Enclosures

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic assemblies face challenges in effectively preventing the ingress of dust, debris, and moisture while venting or draining the housing interior to the external environment, as current countermeasures increase housing size and maintenance requirements.

Innovation Solution

A vent/drain cover with a labyrinthine path defined by offset channels on its walls, which limits the ingress and egress of foreign materials, and is designed to be sealingly coupled with the enclosure, providing a longer labyrinthine path to impound and expel foreign materials effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If infiltration countermeasures such as valves, filters and traps are used to prevent dust, moisture, and debris from entering the housing, then protection against foreign materials is improved, but device complexity and housing size increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection against foreign materialsVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The housing wall is segmented into multiple sections with alternating channels (first channels and second channels) that create a labyrinthine path. This segmentation divides the protection function across multiple structural elements rather than using a single complex filter or valve system, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining effective foreign material protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from using conventional linear filtration paths to a three-dimensional labyrinthine configuration. The alternating channels extend in opposite directions and connect through circumferential channels, creating a multi-dimensional path that foreign materials must traverse. This dimensional approach provides effective protection without requiring additional complex components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Object-affected harmful factors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection against foreign materialsVSAvoidhousing size

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The housing wall is divided into multiple segmented channels that alternate directions, creating a compact labyrinthine structure within the existing housing volume. This segmentation allows the protection function to be distributed across multiple smaller pathways rather than requiring a single large filter or trap component, thereby maintaining effective foreign material protection without increasing overall housing size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The labyrinthine channel structure is nested within the housing wall thickness itself, utilizing the existing wall volume to create the protective pathway. The first channels, second channels, and circumferential channels are integrated into the wall structure rather than adding external components, effectively nesting the protection mechanism within the housing's existing geometric constraints.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Object-affected harmful factors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection against foreign materialsVSAvoidmaintenance requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The labyrinthine channel structure provides passive protection without requiring active maintenance components. The alternating first channels and second channels create a self-contained pathway that relies on the physical geometry rather than mechanical valves or filters that require servicing. This self-service design eliminates the need for regular maintenance while maintaining effective foreign material protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 the entry of foreign materials into the enclosure while allowing ventilation and drainage, reducing maintenance needs and housing size, while also providing electromagnetic shielding.

Implementation Method 1

The first channel and the second channel can be in fluid communication with one another along a labyrinthine path. The labyrinthine path can be defined within the vent/drain cover to limit ingress and expel foreign material from the vent/drain cover.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLabyrinthine flow path:

Data Source

PatentUS10986742B2Vent/drain covers, vented/drained enclosures, and methods of protecting vent/drain features in electronic assemblies

Publication Date: 2021.04.20 HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORP

AI summary

A vent/drain cover for an electronics enclosure includes a cover body defining an axis and a surface with a first wall protruding from the surface in a direction and a second wall protruding from the surface in the same direction but displaced radially from the first wall. The first wall has a first channel formed therein that is defined by a portion of the first wall that does not extend as far from the surface as the balance of the first wall. The second wall has a second channel defined by a portion of the second wall that does not extend as far from the surface as the balance of the second wall, the first channel being circumferentially offset from the second channel. Electronics enclosures and methods of venting electronics assemblies are also described.