Passive Vent Layout for Cooling Electronic Control Housings

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic control devices face challenges in achieving effective cooling performance without relying on power-consuming methods like electric fans, particularly in applications where noise and reliability are concerns, such as in-vehicle installations.

Innovation Solution

An electronic control device design incorporating a thermally conductive material, a housing with fins, and a cover featuring strategically positioned intake and exhaust holes to facilitate natural convection, allowing for heat dissipation without the need for external power sources.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If water cooling or electric fan cooling is used, then cooling performance is improved, but device complexity and reliability are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling performanceVSAvoidreliability

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The housing structure utilizes natural convection of air to achieve cooling without requiring external power sources or moving parts. The intake hole positioned away from the heating element and exhaust hole positioned close to it creates a natural airflow path where heated air rises and exits, drawing in cooler air automatically, thus the system cools itself passively

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces active mechanical cooling systems (electric fans, water pumps) with a passive thermal convection system. The housing structure itself becomes the cooling mechanism through strategically positioned holes that exploit natural air convection currents, eliminating mechanical components entirely

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Temperature

If water cooling or electric fan cooling is used, then cooling performance is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling performanceVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling function is merged into the housing structure itself. The housing is designed with integrated intake and exhaust holes positioned to create natural convection, combining the structural enclosure with the cooling mechanism into a single unified component rather than adding separate cooling systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The housing structure utilizes natural convection of air to achieve cooling without requiring external power sources or moving parts. The intake hole positioned away from the heating element and exhaust hole positioned close to it creates a natural airflow path where heated air rises and exits, drawing in cooler air automatically

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Temperature

If electric fan cooling is used, then cooling performance is improved, but noise is generated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling performanceVSAvoidnoise

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces active mechanical cooling systems (electric fans, water pumps) with a passive thermal convection system. The housing structure itself becomes the cooling mechanism through strategically positioned holes that exploit natural air convection currents, eliminating mechanical components entirely

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The housing structure utilizes natural convection of air to achieve cooling without requiring external power sources or moving parts. The intake hole positioned away from the heating element and exhaust hole positioned close to it creates a natural airflow path where heated air rises and exits, drawing in cooler air automatically

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

This design enhances cooling performance by promoting natural convection, reduces the risk of noise and mechanical failure associated with fans, and provides a cost-effective, compact cooling solution for high-heat-generating components.

Implementation Method 1

a thermally conductive material that is in contact with the heating element and conducts heat of the heating element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

the cover has an intake hole and an exhaust hole, the exhaust hole is formed at a position close to the heating element relative to the intake hole, and the intake hole is formed at a position away from the heating element relative to the exhaust hole

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNatural convection: Free Convection

Data Source

PatentUS12127377B2Electronic control device

Publication Date: 2024.10.22 ASTEMO LTD

AI summary

An electronic control device capable of improving cooling performance by air cooling is provided.The electronic control device includes a circuit board 6 (board), a heat-generating component 7 (heating element) mounted on the circuit board 6, a heat dissipation material 12 (thermally conductive material) that is in contact with the heat-generating component 7 and conducts heat of the heat-generating component 7, a fin-integrated housing 3 (housing) that is in contact with the heat dissipation material 12 and covers the circuit board 6, and a cover 1 that covers the fin-integrated housing 3. The cover 1 has a hole (2) 8 and a hole (3) 9 as intake holes, and a hole (1) 2 as an exhaust hole. The hole (1) 2 is formed at a position close to the heat-generating component 7 relative to the hole (2) 8 and the hole (3) 9. The hole (2) 8 and the hole (3) 9 are formed at positions away from the heat-generating component 7 relative to the hole (1) 2.