Connector Liquid-Detect Contact for Corrosion Mitigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic device connectors are prone to corrosion and damage from liquids and moisture, especially when an electric potential is applied, leading to potential shorts and dendritic growth that can hamper device functionality.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a liquid-detect contact in connectors that uses a stimulus voltage signal and transimpedance amplifier to detect the presence of liquids, allowing for timely mitigation strategies such as powering down the device or disconnecting circuitry, and employing raised surfaces to prevent dendrite formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If contacts are exposed to the local environment to enable data and power transfer functions, then connectivity and usability are improved, but contacts become vulnerable to liquid corrosion and dendritic growth
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid-detect contact proactively detects the presence of liquid before corrosion or dendritic growth can occur. By applying a stimulus voltage and measuring the resulting current through the liquid-detect contact, the system identifies liquid presence in advance, allowing preventive actions (such as disconnecting circuitry or powering down) to be taken before damage occurs to the functional contacts.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid-detect contact serves as an intermediary sensing element that does not participate in data or power transfer but specifically detects liquid presence. This separate detection contact allows the system to monitor environmental hazards without the functional contacts being directly involved in the detection process, enabling protective measures to be triggered independently.
2Power
If electric potential is applied to contacts during operation, then power and data transfer functionality is enabled, but corrosion and dendritic growth are exacerbated
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors the liquid-detect contact for signs of liquid presence by measuring current flow in response to an applied stimulus voltage. When liquid is detected (indicated by a current threshold being exceeded), the system provides feedback to control logic that can then disconnect circuitry or reduce power levels, preventing the exacerbation of corrosion and dendritic growth that would occur if power continued to be applied to contacts in the presence of liquid.
3Reliability
If additional liquid-detect contact is added to the connector, then liquid detection capability is improved, but connector complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid-detect contact is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both a sensing element for liquid detection and can be integrated into the existing connector contact array. By using a standardized contact structure that can function as either a data/power contact or a liquid-detect contact depending on its electrical connection configuration, the design minimizes the increase in physical complexity while maintaining enhanced reliability through liquid detection capability.
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
Effectively detects the presence of liquids and moisture, preventing corrosion and shorts, and reducing dendrite growth, thereby ensuring the reliability and longevity of electronic device connectors.
Implementation Method 1
A current through the impedance can be determined and referred to as the resulting current... The stimulus voltage signal and the measured voltage signal can be used to determine the presence of liquid at the liquid-detect contact
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, structures, and apparatus that are able to detect the presence of liquid, moisture, or other contaminants in or on a connector. Examples provide a connector having a dedicated liquid-detect contact that does not have a corresponding contact in a corresponding connector. Examples provide liquid-detect circuitry that can use the liquid-detect contact to determine the presence of a liquid on or in the connector and can perform self-diagnostic tests such as continuity checks and calibration.