PCB Layout for Concealing Encryption Modules Behind Housing Openings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electronic apparatuses allow packages to be visually observed through openings, making it difficult to protect the production number or model number of components like controllers from visual observation.
Innovation Solution
The electronic apparatus includes a housing with spacers interposed between printed circuit boards, positioning the encryption device in a region not irradiated by light from ventilation holes, using heat conductive sheets for heat management, and employing snap-fit engaging portions for secure assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If openings are provided in the housing for attaching connectors, then ease of operation is improved, but security is worsened because packages can be visually observed through the openings
Solution Approach 1:
The encryption device is positioned in a depth dimension beyond the light irradiation range from the ventilation holes. The light from ventilation holes only reaches a certain depth into the housing, and the encryption device is deliberately placed beyond this penetration depth, utilizing the third dimension (depth) to achieve concealment while maintaining accessibility of openings for connector attachment.
2Ease of operation
If packages are positioned to be visually observable through openings, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability is worsened due to security concerns
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the housing interior have different optical properties. The region near the ventilation holes is illuminated and visible, while the region at greater depth where the encryption device is positioned remains dark and concealed. This creates local quality differences in visibility throughout the housing space.
3Temperature
If ventilation holes are provided for heat dissipation, then temperature management is improved, but security is worsened because they allow light to illuminate internal components
Solution Approach 1:
The encryption device is positioned in the depth dimension beyond the light penetration range of ventilation holes. While ventilation holes effectively dissipate heat by allowing air flow, the light from these holes only illuminates components within a certain depth range, leaving the encryption device in the darker region beyond this range.
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
Prevents visual observation of encryption modules and enhances security by concealing critical information while effectively managing heat and ensuring reliable assembly.
Implementation Method 1
a heat conductive sheet, and a ventilation mechanism The encryption device has a first region that is not irradiated with light emitted from a light source placed at the ventilation hole
Data Source
AI summary
According to an embodiment, an electronic apparatus includes a printed circuit board including a plurality of devices that include a nonvolatile memory package and a controller package configured to control the nonvolatile memory package, and a housing accommodating the printed circuit board. The housing includes an opening on a surface constituting the housing. An encryption device among the plurality of devices is present in a first region. The first region is a region on the printed circuit board that is not irradiated with light emitted from a light source placed at the opening. The encryption device is a device used for an encryption process of data to be stored into the nonvolatile memory package.