US 12,267,978 B2
Electronics box for in-flight entertainment system
Mark Allen Setele, Ladera Ranch, CA (US); Andrew Barnes, Mission Viejo, CA (US); and Yichao Jiang, Irvine, CA (US)
Assigned to Panasonic Avionics Corporation, Irvine, CA (US)
Filed by Panasonic Avionics Corporation, Irvine, CA (US)
Filed on May 12, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/663,195.
Prior Publication US 2023/0371195 A1, Nov. 16, 2023
Int. Cl. H05K 7/14 (2006.01); B64D 11/00 (2006.01); H05K 5/03 (2006.01); H05K 7/20 (2006.01)
CPC H05K 7/1427 (2013.01) [B64D 11/00155 (2014.12); H05K 5/03 (2013.01); H05K 7/20863 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An electronics box for an in-flight entertainment system, comprising:
a first module including a first group of electronic components for the in-flight entertainment system and having a housing accommodating a first board on which the first group of electronic components are disposed; and
a second module detachably placed over the first module and having a second board on which a second group of electronic components for the in-flight entertainment system are disposed, the second board covered by a frame that forms a sealed enclosure with the housing, the second group of electronic components having characteristics that generate more heat than the first group of electronic components;
a cooling structure that is disposed external to the sealed enclosure that is free of any opening on an external surface of the sealed enclosure and configured to disallow for a substance to enter from outside into the sealed enclosure, the cooling structure including a fan introducing air from outside into the cooling structure, and
wherein the first group of electronic components and the second group of electronic components are configured to provide power or data to at least one of the in-flight entertainment system that is located in a commercial passenger vehicle, and
wherein the second module is disposed closer to the cooling structure as compared to the first module.
 
10. An electronics box for an in-flight entertainment system, comprising:
a housing configured to accommodate a first electronic component and a second electronic component that are disposed on a first board and configured to support the in-flight entertainment system;
a third electronic component and a fourth electronic component that are disposed on a second board and configured to support the in-flight entertainment system, the second board placed apart from the first board and arranged to face in an outward direction of the electronics box; and
a frame covering the second board and having a top surface and side surfaces that are detachably attached to the housing, the frame forming a sealed enclosure together with the housing and
a cooling structure that is disposed external to the sealed enclosure that is free of any opening on an external surface of the sealed enclosure and configured to disallow for a substance to enter from outside into the sealed enclosure, the cooling structure including a fan introducing air from outside into the cooling structure, and
wherein the first electronic component and the second electronic component are configured to supply power to the third electronic component and the fourth electronic component that are configured to provide data or power to at least one of an in-flight entertainment equipment and a passenger device that is located in a commercial passenger vehicle, and
wherein the second board is disposed closer to the cooling structure as compared to the first board.
 
16. A method for providing an electronics box for an in-flight entertainment system, comprising:
configuring a power supply module having a first board on which a first group of electronic components for the in-flight entertainment system are disposed;
placing a processor module over the power supply module, the processor module having a second board on which a second group of electronic components for the in-flight entertainment system are disposed, the processor module covered by a frame that forms a sealed enclosure together with the power supply module and the second group of electronic components having characteristics that generate more heat than the first group of electronic components;
disposing a cooling structure to be external to the sealed enclosure that is free of any opening on an external surface of the sealed enclosure and configured to disallow for a substance to enter from outside into the sealed enclosure, the cooling structure including a fan introducing air from outside into the cooling structure, and
wherein the first group of electronic components and the second group of electronic components are configured to provide power or data to the in-flight entertainment system that is located in a commercial passenger vehicle, and
wherein the second board is disposed closer to the cooling structure as compared to the first board.