Circuit board protection device in vacuum environment

Abstract

The invention discloses a circuit board protection device in a vacuum environment. The circuit board protection device can protect a circuit board in the vacuum environment. Good sealing connection between the sealed air box main body and the box cover ensures the air tightness of the sealed air box. Nitrogen can enter the closed air box through the spherical sealing valve, so that the closed air box is in a micro-positive pressure state in the air, and the air tightness of the closed air box can be ensured when the sealing valve is closed. The circuit board in the closed air box can realize normal communication between an internal signal and an external signal of the air box through the airtight plug, and meanwhile, the air tightness of the closed air box can be ensured. Therefore, the closed air box in the vacuum environment protects the internal circuit board, so that the circuit board can work normally for a long time.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of circuit protection technology, specifically relating to a circuit board protection device in a vacuum environment. Background Technology

[0002] To control sensors and other devices in a vacuum environment, and to achieve attenuated analog signal transmission and precise digital signal processing, circuit boards need to operate within a vacuum. However, circuit boards operating in a vacuum cannot dissipate heat through conduction or convection; relying solely on radiation for heat dissipation can lead to overheating and malfunction over prolonged operation. Unless there are specific application requirements (such as aerospace-grade), components such as the PCB and connectors on the circuit board typically contain micro-bubbles during manufacturing. When exposed to a vacuum, the pressure difference between the inside and outside of these bubbles poses a risk of rupture, causing the circuit board to fail. Patent CN 219418937 U provides a vacuum circuit protection device, but this device only melts a fuse ring when the circuit reaches a high temperature to achieve circuit protection; it does not provide a protection scheme that allows the circuit board to operate in a vacuum environment for extended periods. Summary of the Invention

[0003] To overcome the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention provides a circuit board protection device for vacuum environments, enabling the protection of circuit boards in vacuum conditions. A secure seal between the main body and the cover of the sealed gas chamber ensures its airtightness. Nitrogen gas can enter the sealed gas chamber through a spherical sealing valve, creating a slightly positive pressure environment. Closing the sealing valve maintains the airtightness of the chamber. The circuit board inside the sealed gas chamber can communicate with external signals via an airtight connector, while simultaneously ensuring the airtightness of the chamber. Therefore, the sealed gas chamber in a vacuum environment protects the internal circuit board, allowing it to operate normally for extended periods.

[0004] The technical solution adopted by this invention to solve its technical problem is as follows: A circuit board protection device in a vacuum environment includes a pressure sensor and a sealed gas box. The sealed air box includes a sealed air box body, a sealing rubber ring, a round hole flange, an air passage interface, and an airtight plug; The sealed air box body includes a bottom plate, side plates, and a lid; The sealed air box contains a circuit board and a pressure sensor; The pressure sensor is used to measure the air pressure of the sealed air box body; A flange is provided around the top of the side plate to accommodate a sealing rubber ring; the side plate and the cover are mechanically connected through threaded holes and screws in the cover. The side plate is provided with a round hole flange, and the airtight plug is installed on the round hole flange with screws. One end of the airtight plug is connected to a circuit board and a pressure sensor inside the sealed air box body, and the other end is connected to an external device.

[0005] Preferably, the sealed air box is a cubic container.

[0006] Preferably, the main body of the sealed gas box is made of stainless steel, so that the sealed gas box can operate normally when the internal pressure is one atmosphere greater than the external pressure.

[0007] Preferably, the side plate and the box cover are provided with grooves at corresponding positions, and a sealing rubber ring is placed in the groove. The thickness of the sealing rubber ring is greater than the sum of the groove depths of the side plate and the box cover. The sealing rubber ring is pressed between the box cover and the side plate by a ring of equally spaced screws.

[0008] Preferably, the airtight plug includes multiple pins, with one-to-one correspondence between the internal and external signals of the pins. The internal and external devices of the sealed air box complete the interaction and transmission of power, signals and data through the airtight plug.

[0009] Preferably, the gas interface adopts a spherical sealing valve, which is opened when nitrogen is filled into the sealed gas box and closed after the nitrogen filling is completed.

[0010] A method for installing a circuit board protection device in a vacuum environment includes the following steps: Step 1: Place the circuit board to be protected and the pressure sensor into the sealed air box, and connect the required wiring to the airtight plug. Step 2: Secure the sealed gas box cover to the side plate using multiple screws to ensure even pressure on the sealing rubber ring; Step 3: Open the ball-shaped sealing valve to release nitrogen from the high-pressure gas tank into the sealed gas box body. Observe the pressure sensor value. When the pressure inside the sealed gas box is higher than the external pressure, close the ball-shaped sealing valve to stop the inflation. Step 4: Connect the external wiring of the sealed air box to the airtight plug of the sealed air box.

[0011] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: This invention designs a sealed gas chamber to protect circuit boards in a vacuum environment. Nitrogen gas can enter the sealed gas chamber through a spherical sealing valve, creating a slightly positive pressure state within the chamber. When the sealing valve is closed, the airtightness of the chamber is maintained. The circuit board inside the sealed gas chamber can communicate with external signals via an airtight connector, while simultaneously ensuring the airtightness of the chamber. Attached Figure Description

[0012] Figure 1This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the sealed air box body of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the sealed air box cover of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a side view of the structure of the sealed air box body and the box cover after assembly of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the sealed air box body and the box cover after assembly in this invention; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the sealed gas box and vacuum environment in this invention; Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating the circuit board protection process in a vacuum environment as described in this invention.

[0013] Figure reference numerals: 1. Circuit board; 2. Pressure sensor; 3. Sealed air box body; 4. Side plate; 5. Sealing rubber ring; 6. Round hole flange; 7. Air passage interface; 8. Screw; 9. Box cover; 10. Upper edge of air box body; 11. Threaded hole; 12. Screw; 13. Base plate; 20. Airtight plug; 21. Other equipment; 22. Airtight plug; 23. Vacuum environment. Detailed Implementation

[0014] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0015] In a vacuum environment, heat dissipation is difficult for the circuit board system during operation, and some components cannot withstand the pressure difference between the inside and outside. In order to enable the circuit board system to work in a vacuum environment for a long time, this invention designs a sealed gas box placed in a vacuum to protect the circuit board system, so that the circuit board system can work together with other devices in a vacuum environment.

[0016] This invention provides a method for designing a sealed gas chamber to protect a circuit board in a vacuum environment. In this invention, the circuit board is not directly exposed to the vacuum environment, but is placed in a sealed gas chamber.

[0017] The sealed gas chamber is filled with nitrogen (or an inert gas) at one atmosphere (or higher). The casings and packages of the electronic components (such as chips and capacitors) on the circuit board do not have to withstand the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the device. Heat generated during circuit board operation can diffuse through the gas filling the sealed gas chamber to the outer shell of the chamber. The outer shell of the sealed gas chamber is in contact with the inner shell of the container that creates the vacuum environment, allowing heat to diffuse into the inner shell of the vacuum environment and then be conducted to the outside of the vacuum environment. These designs ensure that the circuit board operates normally under normal temperature and pressure.

[0018] The sealed air box of the present invention is made of stainless steel (or other pressure-bearing material), which enables the sealed air box to operate normally when the internal pressure is one atmosphere greater than the external pressure.

[0019] In this invention, all interfaces of the sealed gas box are designed with airtightness in mind, including the interface between the gas box body and the box cover, the interface between the circuit board inside the gas box and other devices, and the gas path interface for nitrogen to enter the gas box.

[0020] In this invention, the sealed gas box has grooves at corresponding positions between the gas box body and the box cover. A rubber sealing ring is placed in the groove, and the thickness of the rubber sealing ring is greater than the sum of the depths of the grooves in the gas box body and the box cover. The sealing rubber ring is pressed between the box cover and the gas box body using a ring of equally spaced screws.

[0021] An airtight connector consists of multiple pins, with each pin corresponding to a specific signal inside and out. Internal and external devices exchange and transmit power, signals, and data through the airtight connector.

[0022] In this invention, the gas inlet for nitrogen entering the sealed gas box uses a spherical sealing valve. The spherical sealing valve is opened when nitrogen is being filled into the gas box and closed after the filling process is complete. The sealing valve prevents nitrogen from leaking into the vacuum environment.

[0023] The present invention installs a miniature pressure sensor inside a sealed gas box. This pressure sensor can display the pressure status inside the sealed gas box in real time, so as to replenish nitrogen in time when the pressure drops.

[0024] The experimental steps for using a sealed air box to protect the circuit board in this invention are as follows: Step 1: Place the circuit board to be protected and the pressure sensor into the sealed air box, and connect the required wiring to the airtight plug. Step 2: Secure the cover of the sealed gas box to the main body of the sealed gas box using multiple screws, ensuring that the sealing rubber ring is evenly compressed. Step 3: Open the ball-shaped sealing valve to release nitrogen from the high-pressure gas tank into the sealed gas box. Observe the pressure sensor value. When the pressure inside the sealed gas box is slightly higher than the external pressure (e.g., 5 kPa), close the ball-shaped sealing valve to stop the inflation.

[0025] Step 4: Connect the external wiring of the sealed air box to the airtight plug of the sealed air box.

[0026] Example: Figures 1-4 The structural design scheme of the sealed air box is described from different perspectives.

[0027] In this invention, the sealed gas box body 3 can be designed as a cubic container or other shapes, and is composed of a base plate 13, side plates 4, and a lid 9 connected in a sealed manner. The sealed gas box body 3 mainly houses the circuit board 1 and pressure sensor 2 to be protected. A flange is designed around the top of the side plates 4 of the sealed gas box body 3 to house the sealing rubber ring 5, which is mechanically connected to the lid 9. The mechanical connection is mainly achieved through the threaded holes 11 and screws 12 of the lid 9.

[0028] In this invention, the gas inlet 7 for nitrogen entering the sealed gas box body 3 adopts a spherical sealing valve. The spherical sealing valve is opened when nitrogen is being filled into the gas box and closed after the nitrogen filling is complete. The spherical sealing valve, installed on the gas inlet 7, prevents nitrogen from leaking into the vacuum environment.

[0029] In this invention, the airtight plug 20 of the sealed gas box body 3 is mounted on the side plate 4. One side plate 4 of the sealed gas box body 3 has a circular flange 6, and the airtight plug 20 is mounted on the circular flange 6 using screws 8. The airtight plug 20 connects the circuit board 1 and the pressure sensor 2 inside the sealed gas box, and connects to other devices 21 externally. Additionally, a portion of the signal from the airtight plug 20 can be connected to devices outside the vacuum environment 23 via the airtight plug 22.

[0030] The steps of this invention for constructing a protective sealed space for the circuit board 1 in a vacuum environment 23 are as follows: Figure 6 As shown, the details are as follows: Step S1: Place the circuit board 1 to be protected and the pressure sensor 2 into the sealed air box body 3, and connect the required wiring to the airtight plug 20. Step S2: Secure the box cover 9 to the air box body 3 using multiple screws 12 to ensure even pressure on the sealing rubber ring 5; Step S3: Open the spherical sealing valve to release nitrogen from the high-pressure gas tank into the sealed gas box body 3. Observe the pressure sensor 2. When the pressure sensor 2 observes that the internal pressure is slightly higher than (e.g., 5 kPa) than the external pressure, close the spherical sealing valve to stop the inflation.

[0031] Step S4: Connect the wiring of the external sensor 21 of the sealed air box body 3 to the airtight plug 20 of the sealed air box body 3.

[0032] This embodiment designs a sealed gas chamber to protect a circuit board in a vacuum environment. The tight seal between the main body and the lid ensures the airtightness of the chamber. Nitrogen gas can enter the sealed chamber through a spherical sealing valve, creating a slightly positive pressure environment. Closing the sealing valve maintains the airtightness of the chamber. The circuit board inside the sealed chamber can communicate with external signals via an airtight connector, while simultaneously ensuring the airtightness of the chamber. Therefore, the sealed gas chamber in a vacuum environment protects the internal circuit board, allowing it to operate normally for extended periods.

Claims

1. A circuit board protection device in a vacuum environment, characterized by, The sealed gas box comprises a pressure sensor and a sealed gas box. The sealed gas box comprises a sealed gas box body, a sealing rubber ring, a circular hole flange, a gas path interface and a gas-tight plug. The sealed gas box body comprises a bottom plate, a side plate and a box cover. The sealed gas box internally places a circuit board and a pressure sensor. The pressure sensor is used to measure the air pressure of the sealed gas box body. A flange is arranged at the top of the side plate for placing the sealing rubber ring; the side plate and the box cover are mechanically connected through the threaded holes of the box cover and screws. The side plate is provided with a circular hole flange, and the circular hole flange is used to install the gas-tight plug through screws. One end of the gas-tight plug is connected to the circuit board and the pressure sensor inside the sealed gas box body, and the other end is connected to external equipment.

2. The circuit board protection device in a vacuum environment according to claim 1, wherein, The sealed gas box is a cubic container.

3. The circuit board protection device in a vacuum environment according to claim 1, wherein, The sealed gas box body is made of stainless steel, so that the sealed gas box can normally operate when the internal pressure is greater than the external pressure by one atmosphere.

4. The circuit board protection device in a vacuum environment according to claim 1, wherein, The corresponding positions of the side plate and the box cover are provided with grooves, and the sealing rubber ring is placed in the grooves; the thickness of the sealing rubber ring is greater than the sum of the groove depths of the side plate and the box cover; a circle of equally spaced screws is used to press and seal the sealing rubber ring between the box cover and the side plate.

5. The circuit board protection device in a vacuum environment according to claim 1, wherein, The gas-tight plug comprises a plurality of pins, and the internal and external signals of the pins correspond one-to-one; the internal and external equipment of the sealed gas box completes the interaction and transmission of power, signals and data through the gas-tight plug.

6. The circuit board protection device in a vacuum environment according to claim 1, wherein, The gas path interface adopts a spherical sealing valve; when nitrogen is filled into the sealed gas box, the spherical sealing valve is opened; after the nitrogen filling is completed, the spherical sealing valve is closed.

7. A method of mounting a circuit board protection device as claimed in claim 1, characterized by, The method comprises the following steps: Step 1: Place the circuit board to be protected and the pressure sensor into the sealed gas box, and connect the required lines to the gas-tight plug; Step 2: Fix the box cover of the sealed gas box to the side plate using multiple screws to uniformly press and seal the sealing rubber ring; Step 3: Open the spherical sealing valve, release nitrogen from the high-pressure gas tank into the sealed gas box body, and observe the pressure sensor value; when the internal pressure of the sealed gas box is higher than the external pressure, close the spherical sealing valve and stop filling; Step 4: Connect the external lines of the sealed gas box to the gas-tight plug of the sealed gas box.

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