Vented Chassis Tabs for EMI Shielding and PCB Cooling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Automotive infotainment systems face challenges in managing electromagnetic interference (EMI) and heat dissipation without increasing the packaging size of electronic devices.

Innovation Solution

A chassis with bent tabs forming vent openings and a circuit board contact points, made from electrically conductive and magnetically permeable materials, enhances EMI shielding and heat dissipation through mini-fins, vents, and convective cooling without enlarging the enclosure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a chassis is formed from metal to provide EMI shielding, then EMI protection is improved, but heat dissipation capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveEMI shieldingVSAvoidheat dissipation
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The chassis is segmented into multiple sections with different material properties - metal sections for EMI shielding and thermally conductive sections for heat dissipation. This allows the chassis to simultaneously provide both EMI protection and thermal management by dividing the structure into functional zones.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The chassis utilizes composite material construction combining metal and thermally conductive materials in a single structure. This composite approach enables the chassis to exhibit both electromagnetic shielding properties and enhanced heat dissipation capabilities, resolving the contradiction between EMI protection and thermal management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Temperature

If heat dissipation features such as perforated holes and heat spreaders are added to the chassis, then thermal management is improved, but packaging size increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat dissipationVSAvoidpackaging size
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Heat dissipation features are merged with the chassis structure itself rather than being separate components. The thermally conductive sections are integrated directly into the chassis walls, allowing heat dissipation functionality to be achieved without adding external heat sinks or separate ventilation systems that would increase packaging volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The chassis structure serves multiple functions simultaneously - it provides EMI shielding, thermal management, and structural support. The thermally conductive sections are positioned to serve both as structural elements and as heat dissipation pathways, eliminating the need for separate dedicated heat dissipation components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If dense integrated circuits are used in automotive infotainment systems, then system performance is improved, but heat generation and EMI susceptibility increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem performanceVSAvoidheat and EMI
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The chassis acts as an intermediary between the dense integrated circuits and the external environment. It provides a structured approach to managing the harmful effects by directing heat flow through thermally conductive sections and blocking EMI through metal sections, thereby protecting the high-performance circuits while managing their byproducts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 robust EMI shielding and efficient thermal management for high-performance infotainment systems by increasing heat sinking capacity and airflow without increasing the package size.

Implementation Method 1

A chassis with bent tabs forming vent openings and a circuit board contact points, made from electrically conductive and magnetically permeable materials, enhances EMI shielding

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic shielding: Faraday Cage

Implementation Method 2

The chassis with bent tabs forming vent openings... enhances EMI shielding and heat dissipation through mini-fins, vents, and convective cooling

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 3

The solution provides robust EMI shielding and efficient thermal management for high-performance infotainment systems by increasing heat sinking capacity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat sinking: Heat Sink

Data Source

PatentEP4322720B1Systems and methods for an electronic device
Publication Date: 2026.03.18 HARMAN INT IND INC
  • EP4322720B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4322720B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4322720B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

Methods and systems for an electronic package for a vehicle are provided. In one example, the electronic package includes a chassis having a plurality of bent tabs forming a plurality of respective vent openings in the chassis, and a circuit board coupled to the chassis, wherein the bent tabs directly contact the circuit board.