Reconfigurable Data Distribution System for Armored Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current comprehensive networked systems for specialized vehicles, such as armored vehicles, face challenges in rapid integration, size reduction, and speed to market due to the combination of commercial and custom components, which complicates production and testing, and often rely on active cooling with lower mean-time-before-failure compared to solid-state components.
Innovation Solution
A reconfigurable data distribution system integrated onto a single circuit board, featuring a dedicated microprocessor, video switch matrix, communication hub, and multiplexer, along with a conformal heat sink design, to enable efficient data routing and passive cooling, reducing physical footprint and enhancing production flow and testing simplicity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If commercial and custom components are combined with custom cabling harnesses to achieve data routing functionality, then system adaptability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple previously separate components (data routing device, switching matrix, cabling harnesses) into a single integrated circuit board. The circuit board incorporates routing circuits, switching matrices, and connection interfaces all in one unit, eliminating the need for separate custom cabling harnesses and reducing system integration complexity while maintaining data routing flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated circuit board serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a data routing device, switching matrix, connection interface, and signal distribution hub. This multi-functional design replaces the need for multiple specialized components and custom cabling, reducing overall system complexity while preserving adaptability for various data routing configurations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate components and custom cabling are used to enable any data any station functionality, then system adaptability is improved, but production time and speed to market decrease
Solution Approach 1:
By combining all necessary data routing functionality into a single pre-integrated circuit board, the patent eliminates time-consuming assembly operations involving multiple separate components and custom cabling. The integrated board can be installed as one unit, dramatically accelerating production speed and time to market while preserving full data distribution flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The circuit board is pre-integrated with all necessary routing circuits, switching matrices, and connection interfaces during manufacturing. This preliminary integration of complex functionality eliminates the need for time-consuming field assembly and configuration, enabling rapid deployment while maintaining adaptability for various data routing scenarios.
3Temperature
If active cooling components are used to manage heat in comprehensive networked systems, then temperature control is improved, but reliability decreases due to lower mean-time-before-failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces active mechanical cooling components (such as fans or pumps) with passive cooling structures integrated into the circuit board design. The passive cooling system uses natural convection, conduction, and radiation to dissipate heat, eliminating moving parts that fail while maintaining effective temperature control for networked system components.
Solution Approach 2:
The passive cooling structure is self-regulating and requires no external power or control mechanisms. It automatically dissipates heat through its thermal design, eliminating the reliability issues associated with active cooling components that require power supply, control electronics, and moving parts. The cooling system serves itself without intervention.
4Adaptability or versatility
If commercial and custom components are assembled with custom cabling, then functional requirements are met, but physical footprint increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates all functional components into a single integrated circuit board, eliminating the volume occupied by separate components and custom cabling harnesses. The integration of routing circuits, switching matrices, connection interfaces, and cooling structures into one compact unit dramatically reduces the overall physical footprint while maintaining full system functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The circuit board design embeds multiple functional elements within each other: routing circuits are traces on the board, switching matrices are integrated circuits mounted on the board, connection interfaces are built into the board edges, and cooling structures are integrated into the board substrate. This nested arrangement maximizes space utilization and minimizes overall system volume.
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 solution allows for rapid integration and dynamic reconfiguration of inputs to outputs, reduces system size, increases reliability with solid-state components, and expedites market entry by simplifying testing and production while maintaining a small form factor and high reliability.
Implementation Method 1
conformal heat sink design, to enable efficient data routing and passive cooling
Implementation Method 2
conformal heat sink design, to enable efficient data routing and passive cooling
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and computer program product embodiments for a reconfigurable system are described herein. An embodiment includes a power supply an integrated controller configured to host a plurality of sensors and a display. The embodiment also includes a video decoder configured to receive a plurality of inputs and route a selected input based on an interaction with the display. Further, the embodiment includes memory devices configured to store the selected input.