Ventilation Unit Partition Wall Blocks Water Ingress
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ventilation units for housings, such as those in automobile electric components, fail to prevent foreign matter entry when subjected to high-pressure water jets due to residual clearances between the ventilation member and the housing, allowing water to enter the housing.
Innovation Solution
A ventilation unit configuration that includes a water-proof gas-permeable membrane, a support with a tapered flange portion, and a cover component with hanging and inner walls forming a labyrinth structure, combined with an annular partition wall member that blocks the clearance between the ventilation member and the housing, preventing foreign matter entry even under high external pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a ventilation member is attached to the opening of the housing, then ventilation between the inside and outside of the housing is ensured and foreign matters are prevented from entering, but a clearance is formed between the housing and the peripheral portion of the ventilation member allowing high-pressure water to act on the sealing member and deform it
Solution Approach 1:
The partition wall member acts as an intermediary structure between the ventilation member and the housing. It blocks the clearance through which high-pressure water would otherwise reach the sealing member, thereby protecting the sealing member from water impact while maintaining the ventilation function through the water-proof gas-permeable membrane.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a new spatial dimension by adding the partition wall member that extends from the housing surface toward the ventilation member. This creates a three-dimensional barrier structure that blocks the water path without interfering with the two-dimensional ventilation function of the membrane.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the cover component has a peripheral wall to reduce high-pressure water impact, then the amount of water acting on the sealing member is reduced, but a clearance between the peripheral wall and the housing cannot be fully eliminated due to attachability and production error
Solution Approach 1:
The partition wall member serves as a secondary barrier that blocks the clearance between the peripheral wall and the housing. Even when manufacturing tolerances prevent complete elimination of this clearance, the partition wall member intercepts high-pressure water before it can reach the sealing member through the gap.
Solution Approach 2:
The partition wall member provides preemptive protection by blocking the water path in advance. It cushions the high-pressure water jet before it can reach the vulnerable sealing member, preventing deformation even when clearances exist due to manufacturing variations.
3Shape
If partition walls are provided to surround the ventilation member, then a ventilation channel is secured, but a clearance between the partition walls and the ventilation member cannot be fully eliminated
Solution Approach 1:
The partition wall member acts as an intermediary barrier that blocks the clearance between the partition walls and the ventilation member. It prevents water from entering through this gap while allowing the ventilation channel to function, as the partition wall member is positioned to block water paths without obstructing gas flow through the membrane.
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
Effectively prevents foreign matter entry into the housing by blocking the clearance between the ventilation member and the housing, even under high-pressure conditions, thereby protecting the internal components from water ingress and maintaining the integrity of the water-proof gas-permeable membrane.
Implementation Method 1
a water-proof gas-permeable membrane 4 for covering the opening 11 of the housing 10
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A ventilation unit (1A) includes: a ventilation member (2) configured to be attached to an opening (11) of a housing (10), the ventilation member (2) including a water-proof gas-permeable membrane (4) for covering the opening (11); a sealing member (6) configured to seal a gap between the housing (10) and the ventilation member (2); and an annular partition wall member (7A) defining an inner space in which the ventilation member (2) is fitted. The partition wall member (7A) is configured to keep in contact with the housing (10), and blocks a clearance formed outside the sealing member (6) and between a peripheral portion of the ventilation member (2) and the housing (10) when the ventilation member (2) is attached to the opening (11) of the housing (10).