Rugged Data Storage Enclosure with Potting Seal and Fireproof Dock
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portable data storage devices are vulnerable to water, fire, and physical damage due to their design, which often requires removable caps or plugs for water resistance, making them prone to damage when activated or forgotten, and are typically heavy and expensive due to fireproof insulation, posing risks during data transfer and backup.
Innovation Solution
A low-cost, ruggedized portable data storage device design that uses an electronic potting compound or plastic resin for water resistance, eliminating the need for removable caps, combined with a fireproof docking station that automatically senses and responds to fires, allowing quick data transfer and protection against water, fire, and physical damage without increasing weight or cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If removable caps or plugs are used for water resistance, then water protection is achieved, but device reliability deteriorates when caps are forgotten or damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the removable caps or plugs from the device design entirely. Instead, the device housing itself is made water-resistant through integrated sealing structures, eliminating the need for separate protective components that can be forgotten or damaged.
Solution Approach 2:
The water-resistant sealing function is merged directly into the device housing structure rather than being a separate removable component. The sealing elements are integrated into the connector design and housing, ensuring continuous protection without requiring user intervention.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If fireproof insulation materials like gypsum or Portland cement are used, then fire protection is improved, but device weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state and composition of fireproofing materials from heavy traditional materials like gypsum and Portland cement to lighter alternative materials that provide equivalent fire protection at reduced weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material structures that combine lightweight materials with fire-resistant properties, achieving fire protection without the weight penalty of traditional fireproof insulation materials.
3Temperature
If traditional fireproof materials are used for docking station, then fire resistance is improved, but portability deteriorates due to increased weight
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the fireproofing approach by changing from heavy traditional materials to lighter materials with equivalent or improved fire-resistant properties, reducing the overall weight of the docking station while maintaining fire protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a sacrificial fire-resistant barrier that can be replaced if damaged, using lighter materials that provide adequate fire protection for the intended service life without requiring the device to be permanently heavy.
4Ease of operation
If portable device is kept docked for convenience, then data transfer ease is improved, but vulnerability to natural disasters increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the portable device from the docking station when natural disaster threats are present, allowing the device to be physically separated and moved to safety while maintaining ease of connection when needed for normal operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic approach where the docking state is adjustable based on environmental conditions. The device can transition between docked and undocked states, providing flexibility to respond to changing disaster risks while maintaining operational convenience during normal use.
Data Source
AI summary
A low cost, water resistant, rugged and enclosed portable digital data storage device is provided. A two piece enclosure includes a monolithic housing and a cover, both preferably metallic. A passageway is formed in a side wall of the enclosure for plugging an external power and data line into an internal connector which extends into or adjacent the passageway. A liquid water resistant epoxy is applied over the internal connector and adjacent the passageway prior to applying the cover. The result is a low cost, water resistant enclosure with water resistant passageway for power and data lines that remains water resistant whether the external power and data lines are connected to the digital data storage device or not. A fire resistant docking station is also provided, into which the portable data storage device may be easily connected to a primary computer for transferring data.