PCB Corrosion Sensor Assembly for Early Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrical equipment, particularly printed circuit boards (PCBs), face performance degradation and shortened lifespan due to exposure to corrosive environmental factors like moisture, leading to metallic corrosion, which is difficult to detect and remediate in its early stages.
Innovation Solution
A corrosion sensor assembly is integrated into the PCB, comprising a signal trace field with exposed and shielded copper traces, a gigabit serializer/deserializer, PIC microcontroller, silicon storage technology flash memory, and temperature/humidity sensors, which logs and analyzes signal changes to detect corrosion and alert system operators, enabling timely remediation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electrical equipment is placed in harsh environmental conditions, then operational capability is maintained, but equipment reliability deteriorates due to corrosive damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by implementing corrosion sensors and monitoring systems before actual corrosion damage occurs. The system proactively detects early signs of corrosion through electrical conductivity measurements and environmental parameter tracking, enabling preventive maintenance before reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses corrosion sensors as intermediary elements that mediate between the corrosive environment and the electrical equipment. These sensors expose themselves to corrosive agents (moisture, chemicals) while protecting the main equipment by providing early warning signals, acting as a buffer between the harmful environment and the protected system
2Loss of time
If corrosion detection is delayed, then device complexity is reduced, but loss of time increases due to delayed remediation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing corrosion sensor assemblies that perform multiple functions: detecting corrosion through electrical conductivity changes, monitoring environmental parameters (temperature, humidity), and providing early warning signals. This multi-functional approach reduces overall system complexity while enabling timely corrosion detection
Solution Approach 2:
The corrosion monitoring system applies self-service by automatically detecting and reporting corrosion conditions without requiring manual inspection. The sensors continuously monitor their own environment and automatically trigger alerts when corrosion thresholds are exceeded, eliminating the need for complex manual detection protocols
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 solution allows for early detection and monitoring of corrosion, enabling proactive measures to prevent equipment failure by tracking corrosion growth and providing predictive analytics for effective environmental management.
Implementation Method 1
Metallic corrosion, which is generally an electrochemical reaction that occurs when metals are exposed to electrolytes, may destroy metal over time... causing the destruction of copper traces
Implementation Method 2
temperature and humidity sensors, which logs and analyzes signal changes to detect corrosion
Implementation Method 3
temperature and humidity sensors, which logs and analyzes signal changes to detect corrosion
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes a first printed circuit board (PCB), the first PCB including a first interface, and a corrosion sensor assembly. The corrosion sensor assembly including a second interface arranged to be coupled to the first interface. The corrosion sensor assembly further including a signal trace field and a plurality of components, where the signal trace field and the plurality of components are arranged to provide an indication of whether the apparatus is in an environment that is corrosive.