Viscous Fluid Shock Protection for Electronic Components

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electronic devices face cooling challenges in harsh environments due to increased heat generation in compact sizes, and existing cooling methods compromise the integrity of ruggedized housings, failing to effectively manage both shock and overheating.

Innovation Solution

A shock protection system utilizing a spring element and viscous liquid coolant to absorb shock and thermal energy, with isolated cavities and reservoirs to prevent electrical shorts and contamination, ensuring effective heat dissipation and protection from vibrational forces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If traditional cooling methods are used in ruggedized housings, then heat dissipation is compromised, but the housing integrity that protects from shock and vibration is maintained

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat dissipationVSAvoidhousing integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is divided into separate functional zones: a rigid outer shell for shock protection and an internal cavity system for cooling. The cooling cavities are segmented and filled with viscous fluid, allowing thermal management without compromising the structural integrity of the main housing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A viscous fluid is introduced as an intermediary cooling medium that can absorb and transfer heat effectively while being contained within sealed cavities. This fluid mediator enables heat dissipation without requiring direct exposure or openings in the ruggedized housing structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Temperature

If cooling systems are added to ruggedized housings, then heat management improves, but the protection from shock and vibration is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling efficiencyVSAvoidshock resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling cavities and viscous fluid system are nested within the existing ruggedized housing structure. The cooling components are contained inside the protective shell, allowing both functions to coexist without interfering with each other's performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The viscous fluid in the cooling cavities serves a dual function: it provides thermal management and simultaneously acts as a shock-absorbing cushion. The fluid's viscosity and incompressibility allow it to dampen vibrations and shocks before they reach sensitive electronic components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Productivity

If compact size is reduced to increase processing power, then device portability improves, but heat generation in a smaller space increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing powerVSAvoidheat density
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

A hydraulic cooling system using viscous fluid is implemented within the compact device. The fluid circulates through sealed cavities, providing efficient heat transfer in a compact form factor that doesn't require large radiators or fans, thus maintaining portability while managing high heat density.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

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 system effectively absorbs shock and thermal energy, preventing component degradation and failure, while maintaining the integrity of the housing by isolating electrically conductive elements and utilizing thermoconductive materials for efficient heat transfer.

Implementation Method 1

a viscous liquid for dampening and thermal transfer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

Energy extracted from the impulses is converted to heat and motion in the viscous fluid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectViscous heating: Viscous Heating

Implementation Method 3

The spring element is positioned between the bottom portion and the circuitry interface panel to absorb shock or vibrational impulses

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 4

The system utilizes a spring element and a viscous liquid for dampening and thermal transfer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectViscous damping: Viscous Damping

Data Source

PatentEP3498061B1Isolating liquid cool shock protection
Publication Date: 2021.06.16 SHARFI BENJAMIN K
  • EP3498061B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3498061B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

An assembly for electrical components that will protect the components from G force trauma. The assembly will also prevent overheating of the component parts due to the trauma through the use of a coolant that will be employed when the trauma impacts the assembly.