WO2007052899A1

WO2007052899A1 - Case assembly for protecting electronic device

Info

Publication number: WO2007052899A1
Application number: PCT/KR2006/003701
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sung Seok Lu
Original assignee: Sung Seok Lu; Kim Nak Hyeon
Priority date: 2005-09-15
Filing date: 2006-09-15
Publication date: 2007-05-10

Abstract

A case assembly for protecting electronic device is provided. The case assembly includes a case having a space portion in which illumination or electronic equipment is installed, pressurizing means installed at one side of the case and allowing air to be induced to the inside of the case, and pressure adjusting means coupled to the other side of the case and controlling an amount of air emitted from the space portion to maintain a pressure of the case to be higher than atmospheric pressure. The case assembly can prevent electronic equipment installed therein from corroding due to moisture or waste gases and prevents foreign matter or moisture from being induced from the outside by increasing the internal pressure of the case while inducing the external air into the case.

Description

CASE ASSEMBLY FOR PROTECTING ELECTRONIC DEVICE

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a case assembly for protecting electronic device, and more particularly, to a case assembly for protecting electronic device installed underground or on the ground from environments that are hostile to the electronic equipment, such as waste gas, moisture, dust, or the like. Background Art

[2] With the advance in the industry, recent years have witnessed the accelerated gravitation of population toward the cities and the urban-centered reorganization of industrial foundations. Accordingly, various electronic devices, including controllers for electric lines or communication lines, traffic signal controllers, waste gas supply controllers, advertising devices, and so on, are increasingly installed underground or on the ground.

[3] However, the electronic devices that are installed underground or on the ground are vulnerable to damages due to moisture, gas, or dust. In particular, electronic devices that are installed underground are likely to corrode due to moisture or waste gas, which may result in considerable maintenance and repair expenses. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[4] To solve the above problems, it is an objective of the present invention to provide a case assembly for protecting electronic device, such as electric lines, communication lines, or image display devices, installed underground or on the ground from environments that are hostile to the electronic equipment, such as waste gas, moisture, dust, or the like. Technical Solution

[5] To accomplish the above object of the present invention, there is provided a case assembly for protecting electronic device, the case assembly including a case having a space portion in which illumination or electronic equipment is installed, pressurizing means installed at one side of the case and allowing air to be induced to the inside of the case, and pressure adjusting means coupled to the other side of the case and controlling an amount of air emitted from the space portion to maintain a pressure of the case to be higher than atmospheric pressure.

[6] In the present invention, the pressurizing means comprises an intake duct installed to be led to the interior of the case; a blower installed within the intake duct; a dust filter installed in the intake duct and removing foreign matter from the air induced into the case; and a dehumidifying filter removing moisture from the case.

[7] In addition, the pressure adjusting means may comprise a plurality of exhaust ducts installed at one side of the case so as to maintain the internal pressure of the case to be higher than the external pressure of the case, the pressure adjusting means being constructed such that a diameter of an expansion portion of each of the exhaust ducts is smaller than a diameter of the exhaust duct.

[8] In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a case assembly for protecting electronic device comprising: a case having a manhole unit creating an underground cavity, and a closed space portion in which electronic equipment and/or precision machinery are installed; and circulation means for allowing the internal air of the closed space portion of the case and external air to circulate through the closed space portion by a difference in the specific gravity or forced draft blowing.

[9] In the present invention, the circulation means may comprise an exhaust duct installed at an upper portion of the case and extending to the ground to exhaust the internal air of the closed space portion, and an intake duct installed at a lower portion of the case and extending to the ground to induce the external air into the closed space portion due to a density difference between the internal air and the external air. Brief Description of the Drawings

[10] FIG. 1 is a partially cut-away cross-sectional view of a case assembly for protecting electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[11] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of pressurizing means shown in FIG. 1;

[12] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of pressure adjusting means shown in FIG.

1;

[13] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a case assembly for protecting electronic device according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[14] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a case assembly for protecting electronic device according to still another embodiment of the present invention;

[15] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of pressurizing means shown in FIG. 5 ,

[16] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of pressure adjusting means shown in FIG.

5;

[17] FIG. 8 is a partially cut-away perspective view of a case assembly for protecting electronic device according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[18] FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of pressurizing means shown in FIG. 8;

[19] FIG. 10 is a partially cut-away perspective view illustrating a state in which a case assembly for protecting electronic device according to the present invention is installed in a manhole unit; [20] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a case assembly for protecting electronic device according to the present invention;

[21] FIGS. 12 and 13 are cross-sectional views of case assemblies for protecting electronic device according to other embodiments of the present invention;

[22] FIG. 14 is a partially cut-away perspective view illustrating a state in which a filter is installed in an intake duct; and

[23] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which a dust filter is installed in an intake duct. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[24] A case assembly for protecting electronic device, such as a controller for electric lines or communication lines, a traffic signal controller, a waste gas supply controller, an advertising device, and so on, according to the present invention, will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 through 4, in which a preferred embodiment is shown.

[25] Referring to the drawings, an electronic equipment protecting case assembly 10 includes a case 11 having a space portion in which illumination or electronic equipment is installed, a fixed frame 12 installed within the case 11, and electronic equipment 200 installed in the fixed frame 12. The case assembly 10 further includes pressurizing means 20 installed at one side of the case 11 and allowing air to be induced to the inside of the case 11 in which the electronic equipment 200 is installed, and pressure adjusting means 30 coupled to the other side of the case 11 and controlling an amount of air emitted from the space portion to maintain a pressure of the case to be higher than atmospheric pressure.

[26] The aforementioned electronic equipment protecting case assembly 10 will now be described in more detail.

[27] The case 11, installed on the ground, for example, on the playground or on the roof of a building, may be formed by a steel plate, a steel framework, or a concrete structure. The fixed frame 12 may be configured in a structure capable of supporting the case 11 from the bottom or side portion thereof, but not limited thereto so long as it can support the case 11 to a predetermined height. Although not shown in the drawing, the fixed frame 12 may further include a driver capable of rotating the case 11 by a predetermined angle.

[28] Meanwhile, the pressurizing means 20 prevents moisture from leaking from portions with hermetic seal failures and is capable of cooling various electronic devices, and an exemplary embodiment thereof is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[29] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the pressurizing means 20, which is installed on the bottom surface of the case 11 to increase the internal pressure of the case 11 by blowing air into the case 11 and to cool various devices installed inside the case 11, includes an intake duct 21, a blower 22, a dust filter 23, and a dehumidifying filter 24. The intake duct 21 is installed to be led to the interior of the case 11. The blower 22 is installed within the intake duct 21. The dust filter 23 is installed in the intake duct 21 and removes foreign matter from the air induced into the case 11. The dehumidifying filter 24 removes moisture from the case 11. The dehumidifying filter 24 may be a carbon filter, porous non- woven fabric or a paper filter.

[30] The pressure adjusting means 30 includes a plurality of exhaust ducts 31 installed at one side of the case 11, the plurality of exhaust ducts 31 for exhausting the air blown from the blower 22. Each of the plurality of exhaust ducts 31 has grills 32 for preventing foreign matter or rainwater from flowing in. The grills 32 are formed by plates stacked one on another to be rotatably installed at the exhaust duct 31 so as to serve as check valves, as shown in FIG. 3. The plates of the grills 32 installed at the exhaust duct 31 are opened by air pressure discharged from the exhaust duct 31 and closed by their own weights. The exhaust duct 31 may further include a filter for preventing foreign matter from being induced into the exhaust duct 31.

[31] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a case assembly for protecting electronic device according to another embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 4, the case assembly 40 has a transparent window 42 on a top face of a case 41. The case 41 includes illuminating lamps 43 that is electronic equipment for illuminating a building and/or an advertising board, and controllers 44 for driving the illuminating lamps 43.

[32] The case 41 includes pressurizing means 20 and pressure adjusting means 30 for preventing evaporated moisture from turning into dews due to cooling of the illuminating lamps 43 and induction of moisture into the case 11, the pressurizing means 20 having substantially the same structures as that of the previous embodiment of the present invention. That is to say, the pressurizing means 20 has a blower 22, installed at one side of the case 41, increases the internal pressure of the case 41 by blowing air to the interior of the case 41 and cools various devices installed within the case 41. In addition, a dust filter 24 and a dehumidifying filter 23 are installed in proximity of the blower 22 installed in an intake duct 21.

[33] The pressure adjusting means 30, which is provided for maintaining an internal pressure of the case 41 to be higher than atmospheric pressure, includes an orifice 31a having a relatively small diameter installed at the exhaust duct 31.

[34] In the course of driving the electronic equipment installed within the case 11 of the aforementioned case assembly 10 according to the present invention, the blower 22 of the pressurizing means 20 is driven so that external air is blown into the case 11 and the blown air is exhausted through the exhaust duct 31 of the pressure adjusting means 30. In doing so, since some of the grills 32 installed in the exhaust duct 31 are closed by their own weights, the internal pressure of the case 11 becomes relatively higher than the atmospheric pressure. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent foreign matter or rainwater from flowing into the case 11. In other words, since the case 11 has a plurality of components combined with one another, moisture or rainwater may flow into the case 11 through crevices formed between each of the plurality of components and the air may be discharged through the crevices from the case 11 the internal pressure of which is relatively high, thereby preventing foreign matter or rainwater from flowing into the case 11. In addition, since the blown air is continuously discharged from the case 11 by the blower 22 of the pressurizing means 20 through the exhaust duct 31, various electronic devices such as the electronic equipment 200 or illuminating lamps (43 of FIG. 4) installed in the case 11 can be cooled. In particular, since the dust filter 23 and the dehumidifying filter 24 are installed in the intake duct 21 of the pressurizing means 20, the electronic devices can be prevented from being damaged due to moisture. In addition, it is possible to fundamentally prevent dews from being formed on the transparent window 42.

[35] FIGS. 5 through 7 illustrate another embodiment of the present invention of a case assembly for protecting electronic device.

[36] Referring to the drawings, the case assembly includes a case 50 having a space portion 51 in which various electronic devices are installed, pressurizing means 60 coupled to one side of the case 50 and inducing air of the ground to the space portion 51, and pressure adjusting means 70 coupled to the other side of the case 50 and discharging the air in the space portion 51 to the ground or underground.

[37] The case 50 is installed in the ground, and electronic equipment for controlling electric lines or communication lines is installed in the space portion 51, the case 50 having small crevices formed therein so that gases underground may flow into the case 50 through the crevices. According to the present invention, however, induction of such waste gases can be fundamentally prevented.

[38] The pressurizing means 60 includes an intake duct 61 connected to the case 50 so as to induce the air of the ground to the interior of the space portion 51, and a blower 62 installed in the intake duct 61. Here, an end of the intake duct 61 is exposed to the ground. A dust filter 63 and a dehumidifying filter 64 are installed in the intake duct 61 to remove foreign matter and moisture from the induced air. Dews are formed in the case 50 due to a difference in the temperature between the external air and the internal air. The dehumidifying filter 64 can prevent the dews from being formed by removing moisture from the induced air.

[39] As shown in FIG. 7, the pressure adjusting means installed at the other side of the case 50 is constructed such that a diameter D2 of an expansion portion 72 of an exhaust duct 71 is smaller than a diameter Dl of the exhaust duct 71. Alternatively, the pressure adjusting means may be implemented by installing a pressure adjusting valve (not shown), e.g., a butterfly valve.

[40] FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate a case assembly for protecting electronic device according to another embodiment of the present invention. The case assembly according to the current embodiment has a basic configuration substantially the same as that according to the previous embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 through 7, except that an auxiliary duct 65 having pressurizing means is installed in an intake duct 61. As shown in FIG. 9, a blower 62, a dust filter 63 and a dehumidifying filter 64 are installed in the auxiliary duct 65.

[41] In the aforementioned case assembly for protecting electronic device, electronic device for controlling electric lines or communication lines is installed in the case 50 installed in the ground, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. The foreign matter and moisture in the air induced from the ground through the intake duct 61 of the pressurizing means 60 through the dust filter 63 and the dehumidifying filter 64 are removed to then be induced to the space portion of the case 50 via the blower 62. Therefore, gases present outside the case 50 can be prevented from flowing into the case 50. In addition, since the moisture contained in the air induced into the space portion of the case 50 is removed by the dehumidifying filter 64, it is possible to fundamentally prevent dews from being formed due to a difference in the temperature between the external air in the ground and the internal air of the case 50.

[42] FIGS. 10 through 14 illustrate another embodiment of the present invention of a case assembly for protecting electronic device.

[43] Referring to the drawings, the case assembly includes a case 90 having a manhole unit 80 creating a cavity 81 underground, and a closed space portion 91 in which electronic equipment and/or precision machinery are installed, and circulation means 100 for allowing the internal air of the closed space portion 91 of the case 90 and external air to circulate through the closed space portion 91 by a difference in the specific gravity or forced draft blowing.

[44] The case assembly for protecting electronic device will now be described by component in greater detail.

[45] The manhole unit 80 is installed in the ground and creates the underground cavity

81. The manhole unit 80, which is formed using a concrete wall material or a synthetic resin material, includes a housing 83 having an entrance 82 at its top portion and a manhole lid 84 for opening or closing the entrance 82. The entrance 82 preferably has a relatively large diameter so as not to interfere with the case 90 when the case 90 is inserted into the housing 83 through the entrance 82. The manhole unit 80 may further include exhaust means 85 for discharging underground water flowing into the manhole unit 80 or water induced through the entrance 82, as shown in FIG. 12. The exhaust means 85 includes a water collecting unit 85a provided at one side of the manhole unit 80, and a pump 85b for discharging water collected in the water collecting unit 85a to the outside. The pump 85b has an intake conduit 85c installed at its inlet port to pump water from the water collecting unit 85a. A discharge port of the pump 85b is connected to a sewage conduit 86 buried underground through a discharge conduit 85d via the housing. The water collecting unit 85a may further include a separate discharge port (not shown) for exhausting water underground in a case where underground water in the ground is unlikely to be induced from the ground. The structure of the manhole unit 80 is not limited to the illustrated example but the invention can be applied to any structure that is capable of creating the underground cavity 81.

[46] The case 90 is installed into the under ground cavity 81 of the manhole unit 80, and electronic equipment 200 and/or other precision machinery are installed therein. The case 90 includes a case body 91 having an upper portion opened, and a case lid 94 coupled to the case body 91 to create a closed space portion 92 corresponding to the underground cavity 81. In addition, the case lid 94 has a transparent window 93 through which the inside of the case 90 can be seen. The closed space portion 92 may be formed of concrete, synthetic resin or metal. A lagging layer (not shown) may further be provided on the inner or outer surface of the case 90. The case 90 may further include separate fastening means for fastening the case lid 94 to the case body 92. The fastening means may include, but not limited to, screw members for coupling the case lid 94 to the case body 92 and clips or clamps may be employed as the fastening means. Meanwhile, the case lid 94 having the transparent window 93 may further include a separate entrance door (not shown) configured to allow people to have access to the case 90. The shape and size of the case 90 may be modified in various manners according to the electronic equipment 200 mounted on the inner surface of the manhole unit 81 and the case 90.

[47] The circulation means 100 allows the internal air of the closed space portion 91 of the case 90 to circulate through the closed space portion 91 using a density difference depending on temperatures, thereby preventing dews from being formed in the case. First and second ventilation holes 101 and 102 are formed at upper and lower portions of the case body 92. The first ventilation hole 101 is connected to an exhaust duct 103 for exhausting the internal air having a reduced density as the temperature of the internal air is elevated by being heated by the electronic equipment 200. The second ventilation hole 102 is connected to an intake duct 104 for inducing the external air having relatively low temperature and high density into the inside of the case 90. The exhaust duct 103 and the intake duct 104 respectively connected to the first ventilation hole 101 and the second ventilation hole 102 pass through the manhole unit 80 to extend outside. The exhaust duct 103 is formed to be relatively higher than the intake duct 104. A heat- absorbing coating for facilitating exhaustion of the internal air by heating the exhaust duct 103 using solar heat may further be provided on the outer surface of the exhaust duct 103. The heat-absorbing coating is preferably formed by coating a black paint to absorb heat energy derived from the solar heat. Here, the first ventilation hole 101 is preferably shaped of a hopper so as to facilitate discharge of the air. The case lid 94 is preferably tilted at a predetermined angle so as to guide the heated internal air toward the first ventilation hole 101.

[48] As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, at least one blower 110 which is pressurizing means may be installed on at least one side of the first and second ventilation holes 101 and 102 to discharge the internal air to the outside or to induce the external air into the inside. When heat is not generated from the electronic equipment 200 or other precision machinery installed in the closed space portion 91 of the case 90, a heater (see 120 of FIG. 13) may further be provided for the purpose of heating the internal air of the closed space portion 91.

[49] Here, the closed space portion 91 of the case 90 may further include a humidity sensor 112 for sensing the humidity of the closed space portion 91, and a controller 113 for selectively driving the heater 120 or the blower 110 depending on the humidity sensed by the humidity sensor 112.

[50] In the embodiments of the present invention, a dust filter 131 and a dehumidifying filter 132 for filtering dust or foreign matter and moisture contained in the air externally applied into the inside of the manhole unit 80 may further be provided in the intake duct 104. As shown in FIGS. 13 and 15, the dust filter 131 and the dehumidifying filter 132 are exposed to the outside of the intake duct 104 and are supported by filter support portions 133a and 134a of the upper and lower partitions 133 and 134 alternately installed within a filter case 135.

[51] The filter case 135 has an insertion slot 136a formed for replacement of the dust filter 131 and the dehumidifying filter 132. The insertion slot 136a is closed by a cover 137 coupled to the filter case 135 using screws. The dust filter 131 and the dehumidifying filter 132 are not limited to the illustrated examples and any structures may be used so long as they are capable of filtering foreign matter and moisture from the air induced from the case 90 through the intake duct 104. Meanwhile, in order to inspect the electronic equipment 200 installed in the manhole unit 80 from the outside the manhole unit 80, the exhaust duct 103 may further include a detection panel (150 of FIG. 13) connected to the electronic equipment 200 by a cable. The detection panel may be installed on a separate cover provided on the exhaust duct 103.

[52] The case assembly for protecting electronic device according to the present invention operates in the following manner.

[53] In the case assembly for protecting electronic equipment according to the present invention, in a state in which the case 90 having the electronic equipment 200 and/or other precision machinery is installed in the underground cavity 81 of the manhole unit 80, when the electronic equipment 200 operates, heat is generated from the electronic equipment 200. Then, the internal air of the closed space portion 91 is heated by the heat, so that the temperature of the closed space portion 91 of the case 90 is elevated. Accordingly, since the density of the internal air of the closed space portion 91 of the case 90 becomes relatively low due to the elevated temperature, the air is lifted to then be exhausted outside through the first ventilation hole 101 and the exhaust duct 103. The exhaustion of the air decreases the internal pressure of the closed space portion 91, thereby causing the external air to be induced into the closed space portion 91 through the intake duct 104. By repetition of such operations, the air in the closed space portion 91 can be continuously circulated, thereby preventing dews from being formed on the inner surface of the case body 92 due to a temperature difference between the underground cavity 81 of the manhole unit 80 and the closed space portion 91 of the case 90. In particular, since the heat-absorbing coating for the purpose of facilitating exhaustion of the internal air by heating the exhaust duct 103 using solar heat is provided on the outer surface of the exhaust duct 103, the internal air of the exhaust duct 103 can be lifted upward by heating the inside of the exhaust duct 103 using the solar heat during the daytime, thereby enhancing the air circulation efficiency of the closed space portion 91.

[54] Since the heater 120 is installed within the case 90 and the blower 110 for forced draft blowing is installed at an entrance side of the intake duct 104, the relativity high humidity, which is due to insufficient circulation of the internal air, can be forcibly circulated. The internal pressure of the case 90 is increased by the forced circulation, thereby preventing waste gases, dust or moisture from being induced from the outside of the case 90. Industrial Applicability

[55] As described above, the case assembly for protecting electronic device according to the present invention can prevent electronic equipment installed in the case assembly from corroding due to moisture or waste gases. In addition, the case assembly can prevent dust from being induced from the outside. Therefore, the service life of the electronic equipment can be extended and maintenance and repair expenses thereof can be considerably reduced.

[56] Although the present invention has been described in connection with the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes may be made thereto without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, it should be understood that the above embodim

Claims

[1] A case assembly for protecting electronic device comprising: a case having a space portion in which illumination or electronic equipment is installed; pressurizing means installed at one side of the case and allowing air to be induced to the inside of the case; and pressure adjusting means coupled to the other side of the case and controlling an amount of air emitted from the space portion to maintain a pressure of the case to be higher than atmospheric pressure.

[2] The case assembly of claim 1, wherein the pressurizing means comprises an intake duct installed to be led to the interior of the case; a blower installed within the intake duct; a dust filter installed in the intake duct and removing foreign matter from the air induced into the case; and a dehumidifying filter removing moisture from the case.

[3] The case assembly of claim 1, wherein the pressure adjusting means comprises a plurality of exhaust ducts installed at one side of the case so as to maintain the internal pressure of the case to be higher than the external pressure of the case, the pressure adjusting means being constructed such that a diameter of an expansion portion of each of the exhaust ducts is smaller than a diameter of the exhaust duct .

[4] A case assembly for protecting electronic device comprising: a case having a manhole unit creating an underground cavity, and a closed space portion in which electronic equipment and/or precision machinery are installed; and circulation means for allowing the internal air of the closed space portion of the case and external air to circulate through the closed space portion by a difference in the specific gravity or forced draft blowing.

[5] The case assembly of claim 4, wherein the circulation means comprises an exhaust duct installed at an upper portion of the case and extending to the ground to exhaust the internal air of the closed space portion, and an intake duct installed at a lower portion of the case and extending to the ground to induce the external air into the closed space portion due to a density difference between the internal air and the external air.

[6] The case assembly of claim 5, wherein a dust filter and a dehumidifying filter for filtering dust or foreign matter and moisture contained in the induced air are provided in the intake duct.

[7] The case assembly of claim 5, wherein a blower for facilitating air circulation is installed in the intake duct and a heat-absorbing coating for facilitating exhaustion of the internal air by heating the exhaust duct using solar heat is provided on the outer surface of the exhaust duct.