Sheet Metal Shield for Liquid-Tight Ventilator in Automotive Computers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing computer systems with ventilators in the automotive field face challenges in maintaining liquid-tightness and gas-permeability, especially under conditions of direct pressurized water spraying, which current solutions fail to address effectively and often result in increased production costs due to complex shapes and the need for casting.
Innovation Solution
A computer system with a ventilator protected by a sheet metal shield created through stamping, where the shield is folded onto the ventilator to form a liquid barrier while allowing gas flow, integrated into the cover and casing, reducing production costs and complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a simple orifice ventilator is used in the cover, then the production cost is reduced and the structure is simplified, but the liquid-tightness under direct pressurized water spraying is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The ventilator is divided into two functional parts: a simple orifice for gas permeability and a separate folded shield structure for liquid protection. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally while maintaining overall simplicity and cost-effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The shield is created by folding back a portion of the cover sheet metal, transforming a two-dimensional flat surface into a three-dimensional protective barrier. This dimensional transformation provides liquid protection without adding separate components or increasing production complexity.
2Reliability
If a complex shaped ventilator is used to protect against liquid spraying, then the liquid-tightness is improved, but the production cost increases and manufacturing becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of shaping the ventilator orifice itself to be complex and resistant to spraying, the invention inverts the approach by adding a simple folded shield around the orifice. The orifice remains simple and easy to manufacture, while the shield provides the protective function.
Solution Approach 2:
The shield changes the physical parameters of the ventilator assembly by adding a protective geometry that deflects liquid spray. This parameter change (adding the folded barrier) achieves liquid-tightness without changing the basic orifice structure or manufacturing process.
3Reliability
If a complex shaped ventilator is used to protect against liquid spraying, then the liquid-tightness is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shield is merged with the cover as a single integrated component created by folding back a portion of the cover itself. This merging eliminates the need for separate protective parts, reducing device complexity while maintaining liquid-tightness functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover material itself serves the dual purpose of enclosing the ventilator and providing liquid protection through the folded shield. The same sheet metal that forms the cover also creates the protective barrier, making the structure self-sufficient and simpler.
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 provides a cost-effective, compact, and reliable liquid-tight yet gas-permeable ventilator that meets severe testing requirements by effectively breaking pressurized spray jets without risking water ingress, enhancing the computer's operational reliability in harsh conditions.
Implementation Method 1
said protection means being placed on one of the edges of the sheet metal part and then being folded onto the ventilator in order to make up, for the latter, a shield against liquid spraying. The resulting shield makes it possible to break the force of the pressurized spray jets, while nevertheless allowing the flow of the gases.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a computer containing electronic components incorporating a liquid-tight and gas-permeable ventilator, including, on a part of the computer, a unit for protecting the ventilator against liquid spraying, which is created by stamping sheet metal making up the part receiving the ventilator, the protection unit being placed on one of the edges of the sheet metal part and then being folded onto the ventilator in order to make up, for the latter, a shield against liquid spraying. Also disclosed is the associated method.