Sealed Antenna Housing With Cap Gasket for Signal and Waterproofing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic antenna housings made of metal face challenges with signal transmission and reception due to the Faraday cage effect, require complex assembly, increased production costs, and compromised sealing, especially in outdoor environments like the automotive field.
Innovation Solution
A waterproof electronic antenna box design featuring a rigid chassis, cover, and a cap with an overmolded seal that compresses against the edges to seal openings, allowing signal transmission through metal walls while ensuring easy assembly and disassembly, reducing production costs, and enhancing recyclability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the enclosure is made of metal for heat dissipation and structural strength, then strength and heat dissipation are improved, but signal transmission and reception are blocked due to the Faraday cage effect
Solution Approach 1:
The enclosure is divided into two distinct parts: a metal chassis providing structural strength and heat dissipation, and a plastic cover providing signal transmission. This segmentation allows each material to perform its optimal function without the drawbacks of using a single material for both purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the enclosure are made from different materials with different properties. The chassis is made of metal for strength and heat dissipation, while the cover is made of plastic for signal transmission. This local differentiation of material properties resolves the contradiction between structural requirements and signal transmission requirements.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the antenna region is exposed to the external environment through an opening, then signal transmission is improved, but sealing against liquid and impurity penetration deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A sealing gasket is introduced as an intermediary element between the metal chassis and the plastic cover. This gasket creates a waterproof seal that prevents liquid and impurity penetration while allowing the antenna region to remain exposed for signal transmission. The gasket mediates between the conflicting requirements of signal exposure and environmental protection.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a protective cap with seal is mounted on the electronic board to make the housing waterproof, then sealing is improved, but disassembly capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The enclosure is segmented into removable parts (chassis, cover, cap) that can be easily assembled and disassembled. The sealing function is achieved through the sealing gasket between these modular components rather than through permanent bonding, allowing the assembly to be waterproof while maintaining disassembly capability for repair and recycling.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing mechanism is replaced from a permanent mechanical attachment system to a friction-based snap-fit system with a sealing gasket. This allows the cap to be securely attached for waterproofing while enabling easy removal without special tools or damage, facilitating repair and recycling.
4Object-generated harmful factors
If the antenna region is offset from the electronic board and connected by shielded cables, then signal transmission is maintained, but production cost and assembly complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna region is merged with the electronic board as an integrated structure, eliminating the need for separate shielded cables and connections. The antenna traces are directly formed on the board near the edge, simplifying the assembly process while maintaining signal transmission capability through the plastic cover.
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 design ensures effective sealing, reduces production costs, simplifies assembly, and facilitates recycling by allowing easy disassembly and integration in limited space, while maintaining signal integrity and electromagnetic shielding.
Implementation Method 1
the gasket is compressed against a surface of the chassis and the cap to seal the two openings
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 2C~2D
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a sealed electronic antennas housing (1) comprising: - a rigid chassis (2) having a first opening (7) positioned on one of the edges of the chassis; - a rigid cover (3) comprising a second opening (8) positioned on one of the edges of the cover; - an electronic board (4) comprising an antennas region (9) arranged near an edge of the electronic board, the board being mounted in the housing such that an upper face of the antennas region faces the first opening (7) of the chassis and a lower face of the antennas region (9) faces the second opening (8) of the cover; - a cap (5) configured to engage with an edge of the electronic board to cover the antennas region and the first and second openings; - a gasket (6) overmoulded on an outer surface of the cap and extending along the free edges of the cap (5) such that when the cover (3) and the chassis (2) are mounted on the electronic board (4), the gasket (6) is compressed against a surface of the chassis and of the cover so as to seal the two openings.