Electronic Module Casing With Cold Zone Moisture Protection

Solution Overview

Problem

Electronic modules in avionics face moisture-related malfunctions due to condensation, with existing solutions like air drying systems being complex, costly, and bulky, and protective varnishes increasing weight and making repairs difficult.

Innovation Solution

An electronic module with a protective casing that includes means for detecting environmental conditions and generating a cold zone separate from the circuit board, using a Peltier effect cell to direct condensation away from the circuit board, and allowing for easy repair by being demountable.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a protective varnish is applied to the electronic circuit board, then moisture protection is improved, but weight increases by up to 200%

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemoisture protectionVSAvoidcircuit board weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The protective function is segmented from the circuit board itself and transferred to a separate protective casing. The casing is divided into a first part and a second part that can be assembled together to enclose the circuit board, providing protection without adding weight to the board itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A protective casing acts as an intermediary barrier between the circuit board and the harmful external environment. The casing includes a retention zone that intercepts condensation before it can reach the circuit board, providing indirect protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a protective varnish is applied to the electronic circuit board, then moisture protection is improved, but repairability becomes virtually impossible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemoisture protectionVSAvoidcircuit board repairability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The protective function is segmented from the circuit board itself and transferred to a separate protective casing. The casing is divided into a first part and a second part that can be assembled together to enclose the circuit board, providing protection without adding weight to the board itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A protective casing acts as an intermediary barrier between the circuit board and the harmful external environment. The casing includes a retention zone that intercepts condensation before it can reach the circuit board, providing indirect protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If air drying systems are used in the avionics rack, then moisture protection is improved, but device complexity, cost and mass increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemoisture protectionVSAvoidavionics rack complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The moisture protection function is extracted from the external avionics rack environment and transferred to the individual electronic module level. Each module becomes self-protecting through its integrated protective casing and cold zone generation, eliminating the need for complex rack-level air drying systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Each electronic module becomes self-sufficient in protecting against moisture through its own protective casing and integrated cold zone generation capability. The module monitors its own environmental conditions and activates protection when needed, without requiring external assistance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 protects the electronic circuit board from moisture, dust, and chemical attacks without the weight penalty of varnishes, while enabling simple and cost-effective maintenance by directing condensation to a separate retention zone.

Implementation Method 1

generating a cold zone inside the internal volume such that the cold zone is separated from the electronic circuit board

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPeltier effect: Peltier Effect

Implementation Method 2

A cold zone may be produced by raising the temperature of the reference zone, which creates a temperature gradient and therefore the appearance of a zone of higher temperature and zone of lower temperature

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTemperature gradient: Temperature Gradient

Implementation Method 3

the moisture in the air contained in the internal volume condensing on the electronic circuit board

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Data Source

PatentUS11140793B2Electronic module with improved moisture protection

Publication Date: 2021.10.05 SAFRAN ELECTRONICS & DEFENSE (FR)

AI summary

Electronic module comprising a protective casing defining an internal volume and an electronic board placed in the internal volume, the electronic module comprising: means, for detecting a predetermined environmental condition of the internal volume, means for generating a cool zone inside the internal volume, which means are arranged such that the cool zone is separated from the electronic board; a control unit that is linked to the means for detecting an environmental condition and to the means for generating a cool zone and arranged to trigger the means for generating a cool zone when the means for detecting a predetermined environmental condition in the internal volume detect an environmental condition that is liable to result in the moisture in the air contained in the internal volume condensing on the electronic board.