Crash-Hardened Memory Device with Scored PCB
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for protecting electronic components from crash-related impact and fire hazards are bulky and unsuitable for small, self-contained or handheld devices, as they are designed for larger applications with different requirements.
Innovation Solution
A compact crash-hardened enclosure for solid state memory devices, comprising a printed circuit board wrapped in fire retardant material and RF shielding tape, sandwiched between metallic enclosure halves with a sealant and screws, featuring a score line for clean breakage in case of impact, allowing external connections and environmental sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If elaborate mechanisms with liquid or chemical enclosures are used to protect electronic assemblies from crash-related fire and impact, then protection reliability is improved, but device size and complexity increase making them unsuitable for small handheld devices
Solution Approach 1:
The PCB is divided into two functional segments: a wrapped protected portion containing the electronic component surrounded by fire retardant material and RF shielding, and an unwrapped exposed portion for external connections. This segmentation allows the device to provide crash protection for critical components while maintaining a compact form factor suitable for handheld devices.
Solution Approach 2:
Fire retardant material and RF shielding are applied locally only to the portion of the PCB containing the electronic component, rather than enclosing the entire device. This localized protection approach provides adequate crash and fire protection for the critical memory device while keeping the overall device size small and compact.
2Reliability
If the PCB is fully enclosed in a sealed metallic enclosure to provide environmental sealing and protection, then protection reliability is improved, but ease of operation for external connections deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The PCB is segmented into wrapped and unwrapped portions, with the unwrapped portion extending through the metallic enclosure to provide external connection points. This allows the enclosure to maintain environmental sealing for the protected electronic component while enabling easy external connections without requiring opening the sealed enclosure.
3Ease of repair
If a score line is added to the PCB to enable clean breakage during crash, then ease of repair and data recovery are improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
A score line is pre-formed on the PCB during manufacturing to create a predetermined weak point that will break cleanly during a crash event. This preliminary action ensures that when impact occurs, the PCB breaks at the score line location, separating the wrapped protected portion from the unwrapped portion and allowing the memory device to survive intact for data recovery.
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
The solution provides effective protection against impact and fire hazards while maintaining a small, self-contained form factor, ensuring the memory device can survive a crash and retain data for recovery.
Implementation Method 1
wrapped first in fire retardant material
Implementation Method 2
wrapped first in fire retardant material, then in RF shielding tape
Implementation Method 3
A sealant/adhesive is placed between the two enclosure halves and around the PCB slot to provide an environmental seal
Implementation Method 4
A thin score line is made on the exposed part of the PCB to create an acceptable shearing point for the PCB in the event of a crash
Data Source
AI summary
A crash-hardened memory device in which only a single electronic component, such as a memory chip, mounted on a small printed circuit board (PCB), is protected against an impact. The portion of the PCB containing the electronic component is wrapped in fire-retardant material. The wrapped PCB assembly is placed in a rigid, hardened enclosure which provides an environmental seal for the portion of the PCB containing the electronic component. A portion of the PCB extends outside of the enclosure to allow electrical connections to be made to the electronic component contained inside. A score line is created on the PCB to create an acceptable shear point between the internal and external portions of the PCB in the event of a crash. Threaded fasteners extend through and beyond both enclosure halves to provide a means for mounting the crash-hardened memory device on an external surface.