Protective Cage Enclosure for Cooling Delicate Circuit Components

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic devices with large and delicate components, such as capacitors and cooling components, are prone to damage due to lack of physical protection, especially in confined spaces with limited movement, leading to potential impact during installation, removal, or servicing, and are not adequately cooled.

Innovation Solution

A protective enclosure with a base frame and cage frame structure that provides physical protection and airflow, incorporating fans for cooling, designed for retrofitting existing devices to enhance protection and cooling of components like capacitors and fans.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If large and delicate components are mounted in confined enclosures, then space utilization is improved, but physical protection against impact deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenclosure space utilizationVSAvoidcomponent physical protection

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The enclosure is divided into an inner protective structure and an outer enclosure. The inner structure includes a protective cage or frame that segments the space around delicate components, providing a buffer zone that protects against impact while maintaining the compact footprint of the overall enclosure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Cushioning materials such as foam, rubber, or padded structures are positioned beforehand around delicate components like capacitors and heat sinks. These cushioning elements absorb impact forces before they can reach the vulnerable components, enabling safe mounting in confined spaces without compromising physical protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Stability of the object's composition

If rigid electrical cables are connected to power devices, then electrical connection stability is improved, but device movement freedom deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical connection stabilityVSAvoiddevice movement freedom

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Flexible cables or cables with flexible connectors are used instead of rigid wiring. These dynamic cable solutions can accommodate movement and positioning adjustments while maintaining stable electrical connections. The cables are designed to bend and flex without compromising connection integrity, allowing operators to install and service devices with greater ease.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of manufacture

If components are mounted without significant physical protection, then installation simplicity is improved, but component durability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation simplicityVSAvoidcomponent durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The protective cage or frame structure is merged with the mounting mechanism itself. The protective elements are integrated into the mounting brackets and enclosure structure, so that installation procedures remain simple while automatic physical protection is provided. This merging eliminates the need for separate protective components that would complicate installation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Temperature

If cooling components are added to protect against heat, then thermal management is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal managementVSAvoiddevice structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling system is designed to be self-regulating and automatically responds to thermal conditions without requiring complex external control mechanisms. Passive cooling features such as heat sinks with fins, natural convection channels, or thermally-driven fans are incorporated, allowing the system to manage its own temperature through inherent thermal gradients and heat transfer principles, thereby minimizing added complexity.

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

Enhances the reliability and serviceability of electronic devices by providing robust protection against impacts and efficient cooling, reducing the likelihood of component damage and improving operational efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

incorporating fans for cooling

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectForced Convection: Forced Convection

Implementation Method 2

A protective enclosure with a base frame and cage frame structure that provides physical protection

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical Containment: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentUS20250380366A1Protective enclosure for electronic circuits

Publication Date: 2025.12.11 INVENTUS HOLDINGS LLC

AI summary

Devices and methods for protecting an electronic circuit. A device includes a base frame, an electronic circuit, and a cage frame depending from the base frame. The cage frame is configured to provide physical protection on at least four sides for the electronic circuit. The cage frame also defines a plurality of openings configured to provide air circulation across the electronic circuit. The device also has at least one fan disposed within the cage frame and configured to at least partially drive the air circulation. A method involves providing the above components. These devices and methods are able to be further adapted to provide for the retrofit of an installed electronics device.