Staggered Ventilation Unit Waterproofing for Electromechanical Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ventilation and heat dissipation apparatuses fail to meet IP rating requirements for different operating environments, particularly in outdoor conditions where rain and dust are present, leading to potential damage and disruption of electromechanical devices.

Innovation Solution

A ventilation and heat dissipation apparatus with a waterproof unit, staggered external and internal ventilation units, and a drainage system that includes baffles and a rotating board to prevent rainwater entry while allowing effective air and heat exchange, ensuring the apparatus meets IP rating requirements and maintains device functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If ventilation openings are provided in the housing to allow heat dissipation, then heat exchange efficiency is improved, but rainwater and dust can enter the device, compromising waterproof performance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat dissipation efficiencyVSAvoidrainwater and dust ingress
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The ventilation system is divided into separate internal and external ventilation units with different functions. The external ventilation unit has a larger opening area for heat dissipation, while the internal ventilation unit has a smaller opening for air intake. This segmentation allows the device to achieve both effective heat exchange and waterproof protection by separating the functions of heat dissipation and air intake.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The waterproof unit acts as an intermediary component between the internal and external ventilation units. It includes a rotating board with drainage holes that can rotate to open or close the drainage path. This intermediary mechanism allows rainwater to be discharged when the drainage holes are open, while preventing water ingress when closed, thus mediating between the need for ventilation and waterproof protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a waterproof structure is implemented to prevent rainwater entry, then IP rating is improved, but heat dissipation capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewaterproof performanceVSAvoidheat dissipation capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The waterproof unit incorporates a rotating board that can dynamically change its position between open and closed states. The drainage holes in the rotating board can be rotated to align with or away from the drainage groove, dynamically adjusting the waterproof performance based on environmental conditions. This dynamic mechanism allows the device to maintain high IP rating when needed while preserving heat dissipation capability through the larger external ventilation opening.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If drainage holes are provided in the waterproof unit to discharge rainwater, then waterproof performance is improved, but rainwater may enter the device through the drainage path

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverainwater discharge capabilityVSAvoidrainwater ingress risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The rotating board with drainage holes provides periodic control over the drainage path. By rotating the board, the drainage holes can be periodically opened to discharge accumulated rainwater through the drainage groove, then closed to prevent rainwater ingress. This periodic action allows the system to clear water accumulation without creating a continuous open path for water entry, thus resolving the contradiction between drainage capability and water protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

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 prevents rainwater from entering the device, ensures normal heat dissipation, and meets IP rating requirements, even in harsh outdoor environments, thereby protecting the electromechanical device from damage and ensuring its operational integrity.

Implementation Method 1

A rotating board is provided, and the rotating board is matched to the drainage hole. The rotating board is used to rotate, thereby opening or closing the drainage hole.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRotation:

Implementation Method 2

External air enters the main frame through the external air intake vent... Heat generated during device operation enters the main frame through the internal air intake vent, and heat exchange is implemented inside the main frame.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP3883356B1Ventilation and heat dissipation apparatus, and electromechanical device
Publication Date: 2023.06.28 HUAWEI DIGITAL POWER TECH CO LTD
  • EP3883356B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3883356B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3883356B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

This application discloses a ventilation and heat dissipation apparatus and an electromechanical device, and relates to the field of device protection technologies. The apparatus includes: a main frame configured to connect to a device to be ventilated and cooled, and a ventilation and heat dissipation assembly located inside the main frame. The ventilation and heat dissipation assembly includes a waterproof unit, an external ventilation unit, and an internal ventilation unit. The waterproof unit is located between the external ventilation unit and the internal ventilation unit, and the external ventilation unit and the internal ventilation unit are arranged in a staggered manner. A bottom of the waterproof unit is provided with a drainage hole. In this application, external rainwater is prevented, by using the waterproof unit located in the main frame, from entering the device to be ventilated and cooled, outside air enters the main frame through the external ventilation unit, and heat generated during operation of the device to be ventilated and cooled enters the main frame through the internal ventilation unit, for heat exchange. This ensures normal heat dissipation during the operation of the device, prevents rainwater from entering the device in different operating environments, and meets IP rating requirements of the electromechanical device in different operating environments.