Automotive Vents – Effective Components For Protecting Sensitive Automotive Electronics

In addition, more and more driver assistance systems are making their way into cars – especially active safety systems such as ABS, ESP, traction control, lane departure warnings, 360 degree cameras, distance radar and night vision devices. Sensors measure the distance to the vehicle ahead and the speed is adjusted accordingly, which eases the driver’s workload in heavy traffic. Cameras built into the rearview mirror inform the front headlamps whenever an oncoming vehicle is approaching, so that the light cone can automatically be dipped, which also increases traffic safety. Today’s premium vehicles already feature more than 100 sensors and over 60 control units for operating these complex driver assistance systems.

The more critical driving and safety functions that sensitive electronics assume, the more important it is to ensure that sensors, motors and control units function with complete reliability. The two biggest challenges are harsh external and under-the-hood conditions and the increasing length of manufacturer’s guarantees. The electronics must be protected from dust, dirt, mud and all kinds of particulates, as well as against water and typical automotive fluids such as oils, detergents and chemicals. If fuel, engine oil, gear or hydraulic oil, engine cleaning agent, brake fluid or coolants and antifreeze intrude into the electronics, they can cause lasting damage. Electronic components must also be able to withstand extreme temperature and pressure differentials. If a housing that has heated up while the vehicle is in operation comes into contact with cold spray or a high-pressure cleaning jet at the car wash, the resulting high differentials in temperature and pressure must be equalized so they do not cause any damage.

There are a number of ways to protect against pressure differentials. One common but very costly solution is to use a thick-walled housing with robust seals. But this increases vehicle weight, which in turn has a negative impact on fuel consumption. Opting for a finer design not only brings weight savings, but also gives designers more freedom in developing the housing. Another alternative is to pot the electronic housings, but once again this has a negative impact on weight. It also means the unit cannot be reopened to repair or replace individual components.

GORE® Automotive Vents take a completely different approach. They feature an expanded PTFE (ePTFE) membrane with pores that allow air to pass, which means any build-up of pressure is constantly equalized. As they are roughly 20,000 times smaller than a water droplet, the membrane’s pores also stop water, dust and dirt particles and deposits in their tracks, down to a size of 1.0 micrometer. The membrane’s oleophobic properties mean oils and chemicals are repelled, rolling off in droplets instead of penetrating the membrane. This provides effective protection for sensors, ECUs and motors and guarantees lasting functionality for safety-critical components.