Sonar Unit Shield with Window for Flexible Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sonar units face restrictions in assembling order due to the need for noise protection from electromagnetic waves and static electricity, which hinders the flexibility and accuracy required for downsized, high-precision sensors like in-vehicle distance sensors for collision prevention.

Innovation Solution

A sonar unit design featuring a rectangular circuit substrate with a transducer and a shield unit that includes a plate portion to block electromagnetic waves and a window portion or notch for easy access and assembly, allowing for flexible assembly order and efficient resin sealing while maintaining noise protection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a shield unit is used to protect the circuit substrate from electromagnetic waves and static electricity, then noise protection is improved, but restrictions on assembling order are increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenoise protectionVSAvoidassembling order flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The shield unit is segmented into a plate portion and a window portion, allowing different regions to serve different functions. The plate portion provides electromagnetic shielding while the window portion allows flexible assembly operations, thus resolving the contradiction between noise protection and assembling flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the shield unit have different properties: the plate portion is designed for electromagnetic wave blocking while the window portion is designed for assembly access. This local differentiation allows the shield unit to simultaneously provide noise protection and assembling flexibility without compromising either function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the shield unit is placed to cover electronic components for noise protection, then electromagnetic wave blocking is improved, but air bubbles during resin sealing are increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectromagnetic wave blockingVSAvoidair bubbles during resin sealing

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The shield unit is divided into plate portion and window portion, where the window portion acts as an air bubble escape path during resin sealing. This segmentation allows the plate portion to maintain electromagnetic shielding while the window portion resolves the air bubble issue, thus resolving the contradiction between electromagnetic wave blocking and sealing reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the shield unit is designed as a complete covering structure for noise protection, then electromagnetic wave blocking is improved, but assembly flexibility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectromagnetic wave blockingVSAvoidassembly flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The shield unit is segmented into a plate portion for electromagnetic shielding and a window portion for assembly access. This segmentation allows the structure to provide complete electromagnetic wave blocking while maintaining assembly flexibility by allowing access through the window portion, thus resolving the contradiction between the two requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Object-affected harmful factors

If the shield unit is placed to protect electronic components, then noise protection is improved, but reworking property is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenoise protectionVSAvoidreworking property

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The shield unit is segmented into a plate portion that provides electromagnetic shielding and a window portion that enables access to electronic components for rework. This segmentation allows the shield unit to maintain noise protection while improving reworking property by allowing technicians to access components through the window portion without removing the entire shield unit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 balances noise protection with relaxed assembly restrictions, enabling improved assembly flexibility and reducing air bubbles during resin sealing, thus enhancing the operational efficiency and accuracy of the sonar unit.

Implementation Method 1

The shield unit is configured to block an electromagnetic wave incident on the electronic components

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic shielding: Faraday Cage

Data Source

PatentUS11686842B2Sonar unit

Publication Date: 2023.06.27 AISIN CORP

AI summary

A sonar unit includes: a circuit substrate on which a transducer, electronic components constituting a circuit configured to drive the transducer, and an input-output terminal for the circuit are mounted; and a shield unit. The shield unit includes a plate portion at a position where the plate portion overlaps at least a part of the electronic components when the shield unit is viewed in a thickness direction of the rectangular circuit substrate. The shield unit includes a window portion provided as a through-hole or a notch. The window portion is placed at a position close to the input-output terminal in a longitudinal direction of the rectangular circuit substrate when the window portion is viewed in the thickness direction of the rectangular circuit substrate.