Waterproof Electronic Unit Space Utilization and Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing waterproof electronic equipment units for automotive transmission gearboxes face challenges in effectively utilizing installation space and maintaining heat dissipation, with inadequate utilization of exterior space and disadvantageous heat dissipation characteristics due to temperature differences between the base and cover.
Innovation Solution
A waterproof electronic equipment unit design featuring a frame with a depressed mounting surface portion and a water-repellent filter inlet positioned to prevent direct water exposure, allowing for efficient air intake while minimizing the unit's size and optimizing heat transfer through conductive adhesives and heat transfer pedestals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the connector housing is disposed between the circuit substrate and base, then the unit achieves compact arrangement, but the heat dissipation becomes disadvantageous when base temperature is higher than cover temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the heat transfer path dynamic by allowing heat to transfer to either the base or cover depending on which is at a lower temperature. The controller monitors temperatures and switches the heat transfer destination accordingly, optimizing heat dissipation under varying thermal conditions while maintaining compact unit dimensions.
2Productivity
If the water-repellent filter inlet is positioned on the base, then air intake is facilitated, but the filter becomes vulnerable to direct water exposure and contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the connector housing as an intermediary structure that houses the water-repellent filter. The filter inlet is positioned in the connector housing rather than directly on the base, creating a protective intermediate zone that allows air intake while shielding the filter from direct water exposure and contamination.
3Reliability
If the mounting legs are made tall to prevent water ingress, then water protection is improved, but the height dimension increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the connector housing as a protective barrier that replicates the water protection function previously requiring tall mounting legs. By positioning the filter inlet within the connector housing structure, the system achieves water protection through the housing's protective enclosure rather than relying on increased mounting leg height.
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 effectively utilizes space, prevents water ingress, and enhances heat dissipation by positioning the water-repellent filter inlet to avoid direct water exposure and using conductive adhesives to manage temperature differences, resulting in improved heat management and reduced size and cost.
Implementation Method 1
The water-repellent filter is configured of a flat porous material including a multiple of minute holes that prevent water droplets from flowing into and passing through the interior of the frame and allow air to pass freely through
Implementation Method 2
heat generated by a heat generating component is transferred to a heat transfer base portion of the base by a heat transfer mechanism
Data Source
AI summary
A waterproof electronic equipment unit attached and fixed to a mounted surface having a flat mounting portion and depressed portion is reduced in size by effectively utilizing the depressed portion. A circuit substrate on which is mounted a connector housing is hermetically housed in a frame configured of a base and cover, the base includes a multiple of mounting legs fixed by screwing to a flat mounting portion, a base depressed portion disposed in a mounting surface depressed portion, and an inlet of a water-repellent filter opposing the flat mounting portion across a gap D1, and the connector housing and a high component are disposed in the base depressed portion.