Electric Pump Heat Sink Insulation Condensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric pumps face issues with condensation on the electronic board due to thermal gradients and air circulation, which compromises their operation, and are prone to water ingress from accidental pipe ruptures, leading to reliability and maintenance challenges.
Innovation Solution
An electric pump design featuring a heat sink element with a metallic heat sink portion and a thermally insulating plastic portion, installed between the electronic board and the external wall of the pump, combined with gaskets for hermetic sealing, to prevent condensation and water ingress while facilitating heat dissipation and user access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a heat sink element is installed to improve heat exchange, then heat dissipation is improved, but condensation forms on the electronic board due to thermal gradients
Solution Approach 1:
The heat sink element is divided into two distinct portions: a external heat dissipation portion made of thermally conductive material (aluminum or copper) and an internal thermal insulation portion made of thermally insulating material (such as polyamide). This segmentation allows the external portion to efficiently dissipate heat while the internal portion prevents thermal gradients that cause condensation on the electronic board.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat sink element combines two materials with opposite thermal properties: a thermally conductive material (aluminum, copper, or brass) for heat dissipation and a thermally insulating material (polyamide or similar plastic) for preventing condensation. This composite structure resolves the contradiction by allowing simultaneous heat dissipation and condensation prevention.
2Volume of moving object
If the electronic board is positioned close to the external wall for compact design, then space occupation is reduced, but water ingress risk increases from accidental pipe ruptures
Solution Approach 1:
The internal portion of the heat sink element acts as an intermediary barrier between the external wall and the electronic board. This thermal insulation portion, made of water-resistant plastic material, provides both thermal insulation and water ingress protection, allowing the electronic board to be positioned close to the external wall without compromising reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The internal thermal insulation portion of the heat sink element serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides thermal insulation to prevent condensation, acts as a water barrier against accidental pipe ruptures, and maintains the compact positioning of the electronic board. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction between compact design and water protection.
3Temperature
If a double brass/aluminum heat sink is used for heat exchange, then heat dissipation is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite material structure combining a thermally conductive material (aluminum, copper, or brass) for heat dissipation and a thermally insulating plastic material (such as polyamide) for condensation prevention. This composite approach simplifies manufacturing compared to traditional double-material heat sinks while maintaining heat exchange efficiency and adding condensation protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the heat dissipation function and the condensation prevention function into a single integrated heat sink element. By combining the thermally conductive external portion with the thermally insulating internal portion, the design eliminates the need for separate heat sink and insulation components, reducing manufacturing complexity and assembly steps.
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 limits condensation on the electronic board, prevents water ingress, and maintains reliable operation with contained space occupation, ensuring easy user access and competitive costs.
Implementation Method 1
a heat sink portion (11) made of metallic material to be placed in contact with electronic components (13) of an electronic board (14) from which heat is to be removed
Implementation Method 2
a thermally insulating portion (12) made of plastic material; said heat sink element (10) being installed with said insulating portion (12) in contact with said electronic board (14)
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
An electric pump with insulation of the electronic part and a heat sink element for the electronic part. The electric pump comprises an electromechanical section in which there are at least one electric motor and at least one electronic part (19) which in turn comprises at least one electronic board (14) for the control at least of the electric motor. The electric pump comprises, in the electronic part (19), a heat sink element (10), installed between the electronic board (14) and the external wall of a box-like body (20) of the electric pump. The heat sink element (10) comprises a heat sink portion (11) made of metallic material in contact with the box-like body (20) and with the electronic components (13) of the electronic board (14) from which heat is to be removed, and a thermally insulating portion (12).