Dehumidified Storage Device for Hygroscopic Electronic Components
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hygroscopic electronic components, such as resistors, capacitors, and integrated circuits, absorb moisture during storage, leading to quality issues and a short lifespan, necessitating frequent disposal and increased environmental harm.
Innovation Solution
A storage device with two distinct storage zones, one maintaining a dehumidified atmosphere and controlled temperature to prevent moisture absorption and another for re-drying components, utilizing commercially available dehumidifiers and air conditioning systems to extend the components' lifespan.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If electronic components are stored in ambient air, then storage is simple and accessible, but components absorb moisture leading to quality problems and limited lifespan
Solution Approach 1:
The storage device is divided into multiple independent storage zones (first storage zone with dehumidified atmosphere, second storage zone with different atmosphere) that can be separately controlled. Each zone maintains specific atmospheric conditions to prevent moisture absorption, while the modular structure allows for easy access and management of components without compromising the protected environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage device creates a controlled dehumidified atmosphere (inert environment) within enclosed storage zones to isolate electronic components from ambient air. This controlled atmosphere prevents moisture absorption by maintaining low humidity levels, thereby preserving component quality and extending lifespan while allowing for organized storage and retrieval.
2Reliability
If components are sealed in film packaging with desiccants, then moisture protection is provided, but protection is lost after packaging is opened and storage time is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The storage device provides continuous inert atmosphere protection by maintaining dehumidified conditions in enclosed storage zones. This replaces the temporary protection of film packaging with a sustained controlled environment that preserves component reliability indefinitely, eliminating the need for re-packaging and extending storage lifespan beyond the limitations of desiccant-based packaging.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage device ensures continuous moisture protection through maintained dehumidified atmosphere in sealed storage zones. Unlike intermittent protection from packaging that must be opened and closed, the system provides uninterrupted atmospheric control, continuously preventing moisture absorption and extending component lifespan throughout the entire storage period.
3Device complexity
If manual storage systems are used, then storage racks are simple to construct, but retrieval is slow and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The storage device integrates multiple functions into a unified system: automated handling mechanisms for rapid retrieval, atmospheric control for moisture protection, and zone management for organized storage. This multi-functional integration maintains structural simplicity while dramatically improving retrieval speed and accuracy through automation, eliminating the trade-off between simplicity and productivity.
4Duration of action of moving object
If dehumidified storage is implemented, then component lifespan is extended, but storage device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The storage device uses segmentation to manage complexity by dividing the storage space into independently controlled zones with different atmospheric conditions. This allows dehumidification to be applied only where needed (in storage zones containing hygroscopic components) rather than throughout the entire system, extending component lifespan while keeping the overall system complexity manageable through modular zone control.
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 storage device effectively prevents moisture absorption, extends the lifespan of electronic components, reduces storage space requirements, and minimizes environmental impact by allowing for long-term storage and re-drying of components, eliminating quality issues and manual handling inefficiencies.
Implementation Method 1
the gas atmosphere inside the storage device is dehumidified so that the electronic components are prevented from absorbing moisture during storage
Implementation Method 2
the storage zones differing in terms of atmospheric humidity and/or the temperature in the respective storage zone
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a storage device for electronic components, comprising a housing (2), storage locations in the housing (2) for placing the components, a handling device (4) for handling the components, wherein the handling device (4) places the components onto their assigned storage locations during storage and picks them up again from the storage locations during retrieval, and a control computer that controls the handling device (4). The object of the invention is to provide a storage device for electronic components that enables the long-term storage of hygroscopic components in manufacturing plants for electronic components and electronic circuits. The invention achieves this object by providing the storage device with at least one dehumidifier that dehumidifies the atmosphere in the housing (2).