MEMS Protection Box Wiring Relay for Wire Fragility

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Solution Overview

Problem

In MEMS systems, long wire connections are prone to bending and short circuits under strong accelerations, compromising capacitance measurements and requiring complex design constraints to avoid overlaps or crossings.

Innovation Solution

A protective case with a wiring relay made of electrically insulating material and conductive tracks, allowing shorter wire connections that are less prone to bending and reducing design constraints by enabling non-peripheral placement of electrical contacts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If wire connections are made long to reach central zone contacts, then electrical connectivity is achieved, but wire fragility increases and bending risk rises under acceleration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connectivityVSAvoidwire fragility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary structure (the relay with conductive tracks and insulating support) between the central zone contacts and external connections. This mediator allows electrical connectivity to be achieved without requiring long wires to span across the housing, thereby reducing wire fragility while maintaining electrical functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a two-dimensional wire routing approach (wires spanning across the housing interior) to a three-dimensional solution using vertical relay structures mounted on housing walls. This dimensional change allows contacts in the central zone to connect to external points through a compact vertical path rather than a long horizontal wire, reducing bending risks under acceleration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If wire connections are made long to connect central zone contacts, then electrical connectivity is achieved, but capacitance measurement precision deteriorates due to bending-induced capacitance variations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connectivityVSAvoidcapacitance measurement
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The relay structure acts as an intermediary that provides a stable, fixed electrical connection path. By replacing long flexible wires with rigid conductive tracks mounted on a stable insulating support, the system eliminates bending-induced capacitance variations while maintaining electrical connectivity, thereby preserving measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If wire connections are allowed to cross or overlap, then design flexibility is improved, but short circuit risk increases under strong accelerations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedesign flexibilityVSAvoidshort circuit risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The insulating relay structure serves as an intermediary that physically separates and isolates different electrical connections. Even when multiple connections are needed, the relay's insulating material prevents unwanted contact between wires or tracks, eliminating short circuit risks while allowing flexible connection routing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by providing electrical insulation specifically at critical locations where wire crossings or close proximity might occur. The insulating relay material is positioned precisely where needed to prevent short circuits, allowing flexible wire routing in other areas without compromising reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Adaptability or versatility

If micro-system contacts are placed in central zone for optimal design, then system functionality is improved, but wire connection length must increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontact placement flexibilityVSAvoidwire connection length
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The relay structure acts as an intermediary that decouples the relationship between contact placement and connection length. By mounting the relay on housing walls and using its conductive tracks, the system allows central zone contacts to connect to external points through a compact path, eliminating the need for long wires while maintaining optimal contact placement for system functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2121512B1Protection box for a microelectromechanical system including a wiring relay
Publication Date: 2013.03.13 THALES SA
  • EP2121512B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2121512B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2121512B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

The invention relates to a wiring relay for a microelectromechanical system enclosed in a protection box. The box is formed by walls of electrically-insulating material that form a closed chamber, one wall having an inner face facing into the chamber and an outer face in contact with the outside of the chamber. Internal electric contacts are disposed on the inner faces and external electric contacts are disposed on the outer faces, said internal and external contacts being electrically connected in pairs. The microelectromechanical system includes microsystem electric contacts. In addition, a first end of an electrically-conductive wire connection is secured to the microsystem electric contact. The relay is secured to at least one inner wall and said relay is made from an electrically-insulating material. The invention also includes electrically-conductive tracks and one track is electrically connected to at least one internal electric contact and to a second end of a wire link.