Vent Seal System for Electronics Enclosure Gas Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronics enclosures face challenges in sealing vents to prevent gas displacement during assembly, which can lead to damage from environmental contaminants like rain or sleet, and existing solutions do not adequately protect the seal from external hazards.
Innovation Solution
The use of a vent seal system comprising a through hole with a malleable sealing member, such as an elastic spheroid, and a rigid retaining member, like a steel ball bearing, which engages the interior surface of the hole to prevent gas escape and protect the seal from damage, ensuring a complete and durable seal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a vent is sealed using a traditional sealing method, then the enclosure is sealed from environmental contaminants, but the seal can be damaged by external hazards such as vibrations or impacts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by positioning a rigid protective member inside the vent to protect the seal from external hazards before damage occurs. The rigid protective member acts as a cushioning element that absorbs or deflects vibrations and impacts, preventing them from reaching and damaging the seal during the sealing process and throughout operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary approach by introducing a rigid protective member as a mediator between the external environment and the seal. This protective member serves as an intermediate barrier that protects the seal from direct exposure to vibrations, impacts, and other external hazards, thereby maintaining seal integrity without compromising the sealing function.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a vent seal is applied to ensure full sealing of the housing module, then environmental contaminants are prevented from entering, but the seal may be damaged by displaced gasses during the sealing process
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid protective member is positioned in the vent before the sealing process to provide beforehand cushioning. This protective element is already in place to cushion and protect the seal from damage caused by displaced gasses during the sealing process, ensuring the seal maintains its strength and integrity throughout assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by positioning the rigid protective member in advance to counteract the potential harmful effects of gas displacement during sealing. The protective member is pre-positioned to oppose and neutralize the damaging forces that would otherwise compromise the seal, allowing the sealing process to proceed without damaging the seal.
3Productivity
If the vent is left open to allow gas escape during sealing, then gas displacement is managed, but environmental contaminants can enter the enclosure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the vent function into two distinct components: the through-hole that allows gas escape during sealing, and the sealing member that prevents contaminant entry during operation. This segmentation allows the vent to perform both functions - facilitating the sealing process while protecting the enclosure from environmental hazards when sealed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses dynamics by implementing a seal that transitions from an open state during the sealing process to a closed state during operation. The sealing member is positioned to allow gas flow during sealing but closes to prevent contaminant entry once sealing is complete, providing dynamic control over the vent's opening and closing states based on operational requirements.
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 vent seal system effectively prevents environmental contaminants from entering the enclosure while maintaining the integrity of the seal, even under operational conditions like vibrations or impacts, thereby protecting the internal electronics.
Implementation Method 1
a malleable sealing member, such as an elastic spheroid
Data Source
AI summary
An electronics housing includes a first enclosure portion defining an internal cavity, a second enclosure portion sealing the internal cavity, at least one vent positioned in one of the first enclosure portion and the second enclosure portion, the vent comprising a through hole protruding from an exterior edge of the vent to an interior edge of the vent, a malleable sealing member disposed in the vent, and a rigid retaining member disposed in the vent.