Method and apparatus for evaluating a set of electronic components
First Claim
1. A method of evaluating a set of identical electronic components prior to installing the components into electronic assemblies, the method comprising:
- combining an associated environmental condition recorder with a set of electronic components for travel with the set;
collecting data with the environmental condition recorder, the data being indicative of an environmental condition associated with the electronic components during consecutive periods of time prior to installing the electronic components from the set into the electronic assemblies by reflow;
storing the collected data in a memory storage unit within the environmental condition recorder;
evaluating whether the electronic components are suitable for exposure to reflow conditions based on an estimated cumulative effect of exposure to the environmental condition based on the stored data; and
then, for electronic components found suitable for exposure to reflow conditions, installing the suitable electronic components into electronic assemblies using reflow.
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Abstract
A method is disclosed of monitoring an environmental condition associated with a container with a set of electronic components including attaching a moisture recorder to the container, the moisture recorder comprising a sensing element responsive to atmospheric moisture content, a memory storage device, and a processor electrically coupled to the sensing element and the memory storage device, the processor being configured to periodically receive information from the sensing element indicative of atmospheric moisture content and to store data in the memory storage device based on the received information.
28 Citations
39 Claims
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1. A method of evaluating a set of identical electronic components prior to installing the components into electronic assemblies, the method comprising:
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combining an associated environmental condition recorder with a set of electronic components for travel with the set;
collecting data with the environmental condition recorder, the data being indicative of an environmental condition associated with the electronic components during consecutive periods of time prior to installing the electronic components from the set into the electronic assemblies by reflow;
storing the collected data in a memory storage unit within the environmental condition recorder;
evaluating whether the electronic components are suitable for exposure to reflow conditions based on an estimated cumulative effect of exposure to the environmental condition based on the stored data; and
then, for electronic components found suitable for exposure to reflow conditions,installing the suitable electronic components into electronic assemblies using reflow. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
a sensing element responsive to an environmental condition;
a memory storage unit in electronic communication with the sensing element and adapted to store environmental condition data sensed by the sensing element; and
a processing unit in electronic communication with the sensing element and the memory storage unit.
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21. The method of claim 20 wherein the processing unit is adapted to evaluate whether the electronic components of the set are suitable for exposure to reflow conditions.
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22. The method of claim 20 wherein the processing unit is adapted to estimate a remaining floor life associated with the electronic components of the set.
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23. The method of claim 20 wherein the processing unit is adapted to identify a reference time associated with a reference remaining floor life value based on the stored data.
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24. The method of claim 23 wherein the processing unit is adapted to identify the reference time as a time that the environmental condition recorder began collecting and storing environmental condition data associated with the set of electronic components.
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25. The method of claim 23 wherein the processing unit is adapted to identify the reference us a time that the set of electronic components were exposed to a baking event, based on the stored data.
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26. The method of claim 23 wherein the processing unit is adapted to identify the reference time as a time, represented by the stored data, that the electronic components of the set experienced a prolonged exposure to a temperature greater than a preset temperature.
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27. The method of claim 20 wherein the processing unit is adapted to calculate a floor life reduction value associated with each of the consecutive periods of time, based on the stored data.
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28. The method of claim 27 wherein the processing unit is adapted to determine a total remaining floor life value based on the calculated floor life reduction values associated with each of the consecutive periods of time.
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29. The method of claim 27 wherein the processing unit is adapted to account for a moisture sensitivity level associated with the set of electronic components in calculating the floor life reduction values associated with each of the consecutive periods of time.
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30. The method of claim 27 wherein the processing unit is adapted to account for a body thickness associated with the electronic components of the set, in calculating the floor life reduction values associated with each of the consecutive periods of time.
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31. The method of claim 20 wherein the processing unit is adapted to integrate as a function of time the data stored in the memory storage unit to calculate a cumulative environmental exposure factor.
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32. The method of claim 31 wherein the processing unit is adapted to compare the calculated cumulative environmental exposure factor to a predefined acceptance criteria, stored in the memory storage unit, to determine an estimated reliability factor.
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33. An article comprising a computer-readable medium that stores computer executable instructions for causing a computer system to:
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receive a set of time-based data from an environmental condition recorder combined with a set of uninstalled electronic components for trawl with the set, the data representing ambient moisture content exposure for the set of uninstalled electronic components and having been electronically collected by the environmental condition recorder over time;
evaluate whether the set of electronic components are suitable for exposure to reflow conditions during installation based on a cumulative effect of moisture exposure derived from the time-based data; and
output information indicating suitability of the electronic components for exposure to reflow conditions during installation into electronic assemblies. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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Specification