Radial PCB Arrangement in Munition Nose Cone
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Solution Overview
Problem
The design of nose cones for guided projectiles faces challenges in accommodating electronic components, power sources, explosives, and signaling equipment, leading to complex maintenance and increased potential for human error due to the use of numerous interconnecting Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) and wires, which complicates access, heat management, and component replacement.
Innovation Solution
A modular nose cone assembly featuring a transducer array connected to a reversible transmission assembly with push-fit connectors allows for 360-degree access and easy replacement of electronic circuit boards, reducing the need for fixed connections like wires or solder, and includes a support hub for cooling and structural integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If traditional fixed PCB arrangements with numerous interconnecting wires are used, then electronic components can be integrated in the nose cone, but maintenance complexity increases and component replacement becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The nose cone is divided into modular sections with electronic circuit boards arranged radially and independently mounted. Each circuit board can be accessed and replaced individually through the open radial arrangement, eliminating the need to disassemble entire assemblies for maintenance. This segmentation enables quick component replacement while reducing overall maintenance complexity.
2Power
If multiple interconnecting PCBs are used to process signals, then signal processing capability is improved, but heat management becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit boards are arranged radially in three-dimensional space around a central axis, extending from the outer periphery toward the rotational center. This spatial distribution in multiple dimensions allows heat to dissipate more effectively in radial directions, preventing heat accumulation that would occur with planar arrangements, while maintaining full signal processing capability across multiple boards.
3Ease of operation
If traditional nose cone design is used, then structural integrity is maintained, but access to electronic components for maintenance is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The nose cone incorporates a frustroconical recess that allows dynamic access to the electronic components. The conical geometry enables maintenance personnel to access circuit boards from multiple angles and positions, providing 360-degree accessibility while the overall nose cone structure maintains its structural integrity through the integrated recess design.
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
This modular design simplifies maintenance, reduces downtime and costs by enabling quick detachment, testing, and reassembly of components, minimizing the complexity of replacing individual boards without affecting adjacent parts, thus enhancing operational efficiency and safety.
Implementation Method 1
The transducer array is responsible for the transduction between an electro-magnetic or acoustic signals, such as, for example a radar or a sonar signal to an electronic signal
Implementation Method 2
The support hub may also allow electronic connection to the edges of the electronic circuit boards
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to A nose cone assembly for a munition, comprising a transducer array operably linked to a transmission assembly, wherein the transducer array is operably connected to a transducer housing, said transducer housing comprising a first and second surface, wherein said transmission assembly is reversibly operably connected to the second surface of said transducer housing,said transmission assembly comprising a control board and a plurality of electronic circuit boards, wherein at least one electronic circuit board is a transceiver circuit board,said electronic circuit boards being reversibly connected to the control board and being arranged along their longest dimension, at an axis substantially perpendicular to the control board and further arranged such that the electronic circuit boards extend radially inwardly to a substantially rotational centre of the control board.