Modular Rugged Electronics Enclosure for COTS Upgradeability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS) electronics require frequent updates and modifications due to obsolescence and changing system requirements, leading to costly requalification and infrastructure changes, especially in harsh environments like ships, where traditional enclosures are not scalable and require significant logistical efforts.
Innovation Solution
A modular, ruggedized cabinet enclosure with predefined mounting locations and standardized interfaces allows for easy removal, replacement, and upgrading of COTS electronics, maintaining constant mechanical and electrical interfaces, and incorporating electromagnetic interference mitigation features, enabling the enclosure to remain functional and adaptable throughout its lifespan without altering the surrounding infrastructure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional custom enclosures are used to house COTS electronics, then the enclosure can meet specific system constraints and interfaces, but the enclosure requires requalification and modification when COTS components become obsolete or system requirements change
Solution Approach 1:
The enclosure is divided into a fixed housing and removable modules. The housing contains standardized mounting locations and interfaces that remain constant, while modules can be independently swapped. This segmentation allows the enclosure system to adapt to new COTS components without requalifying the entire enclosure, as only the module changes while the housing and its certification remain the same.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional custom enclosures are modified to accommodate new COTS components, then the enclosure can support updated electronics, but significant costs and logistical efforts are incurred including potential infrastructure changes
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is designed with universal standardized interfaces and mounting locations that can accommodate multiple different module types. This universality allows the same housing to support various COTS components throughout its lifecycle without modification, eliminating the need for costly custom alterations or infrastructure changes when upgrading electronics.
3Productivity
If COTS electronics are selected to fulfill functional requirements, then the electronics can meet system constraints, but they become obsolete within 3-5 years requiring enclosure requalification
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static enclosure design to a dynamic modular architecture where modules can be independently updated. This allows the electronics performance to evolve over time through module replacement while the housing maintains its certified status, effectively decoupling the service life of the enclosure infrastructure from the obsolescence cycle of the electronics it houses.
Data Source
AI summary
A cabinet enclosure for mounting to a vehicle and providing an inner cavity isolated from a surrounding environment. The cabinet enclosure includes a removable module including a frame and a plurality of mounts on the frame for receiving an electrical component. A housing defines the inner cavity and includes a plurality of predefined mounting locations within the inner cavity configured to receive the removable module. The housing is configured to protect the inner cavity from exposure to moisture, heat, vibration and/or electromagnetic forces. An interface element secures the housing to a vehicle.