Field-Replaceable Unit LED Diagnostics with Backup Power

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Solution Overview

Problem

In electronics systems, faulting components within sub-assemblies are often hidden from view, making it difficult for technicians to identify the faulty component without uninstalling the sub-assembly, which results in LEDs losing power and ceasing to function, thus failing to indicate the faulting component.

Innovation Solution

An individually replaceable electronics module with a light-emitting device (LED) and a microcontroller that uses a DC power source to illuminate the LED even after the module is disconnected from the external power source, allowing the microcontroller to determine and indicate faulty components based on diagnostic results.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the sub-assembly is uninstalled from the larger electronics assembly to view the LED, then the technician can see the LED, but the LED loses power and stops functioning

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisibility of LEDVSAvoidLED power supply

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The power supply system is segmented into two independent sources: the main electronics assembly power source and a dedicated backup power source within the sub-assembly. This segmentation allows the LED indicator to be powered by the backup source when the sub-assembly is removed, maintaining visibility without compromising the main system's power integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A backup power source is pre-configured within the sub-assembly specifically for powering the LED indicator. This preliminary preparation ensures that when the sub-assembly is removed for inspection, the LED immediately has power available without requiring the technician to perform any additional setup or connection actions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Loss of information

If the LED is placed near the component within the sub-assembly, then the LED can indicate the faulting component, but the LED is hidden from view when the sub-assembly is installed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefault identificationVSAvoidvisibility to technician

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The LED indicator is positioned on the sub-assembly in a location that is accessible and visible when the sub-assembly is removed. The system transitions the visibility problem from a spatial constraint during installation to a temporal solution where the sub-assembly itself becomes the display platform during removal, allowing the LED to be viewed in its natural context.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the sub-assembly is electrically disconnected to be removed, then the sub-assembly can be replaced, but any lit LEDs within the sub-assembly are no longer lit

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereplaceability of sub-assemblyVSAvoidLED illumination duration

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The backup power source ensures continuous illumination of the LED indicator across the transition from installed to removed state. By maintaining power supply continuity specifically for the diagnostic LED function, the system preserves the useful action of fault indication throughout the entire workflow of removal and inspection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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

Enables technicians to readily identify faulty components within a field-replaceable unit (FRU) even after it is removed from the electronics system, ensuring that LEDs associated with faulty components remain illuminated, facilitating accurate fault detection and replacement.

Implementation Method 1

light-emitting devices or diodes (LEDs)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight Emitting Diode: Light Emitting Diode

Data Source

PatentUS7684961B1Light path diagnostics

Publication Date: 2010.03.23 EMC IP HLDG CO LLC

AI summary

Described is an electronics system having an individually replaceable electronics module installed therein. The individually replaceable electronics module includes a component, a light-emitting device (LED) disposed near the component, a processor module for performing diagnostics on the component and producing a message based on results of the diagnostics, and a microcontroller in communication with the processor module to receive the message produced by the processor module. The microcontroller determines whether the component is faulting based on the message. A DC power source is coupled to supply power to the microcontroller after the individually replaceable electronics module is electrically disconnected from the electronics system so that the microcontroller can illuminate the LED if the received message indicates that the component is faulting.