MP3 Players

The coolest thing about an MP3 player is its portability. Users can download volumes of their favorite music, and it’s always available at their fingertips. But that portability is also the device’s biggest liability. The fragile LCD, HDD and circuit board are always subject to damage from inadvertent drops, bumps and blows. E-A-R applications engineers have teamed up with several MP3 designers, however, to create more durable devices. Here’s how.

(A) HDD Protection
Specially designed components—end caps, corner bumpers, snubbers and isolation frames—protect the hard disk drive from shock and hold it in place without rigid connections. E-A-R’s CAD capabilities and injection-moldable damped elastomers make custom parts easy and affordable.

Back to MP3 Player

(B) LCD Shock Pads
A pad of energy-absorbing CONFOR® CF-EG foam is placed behind the liquid crystal display (LCD) screen, to help prevent the delicate component from breaking or flexing when the player is dropped or bumped. The unique material is formulated to absorb shock energy without recoil and, at the same time, conform to and fill gaps between components. Four standard stiffness are available.

Back to MP3 Player

(C) Circuit Board Snubbers
Custom-engineered snubbers act as shock absorbers for the circuit board, reducing and dissipating shock energy that could cause the board to flex and fail. They also reduce secondary impacts and reduce solder joint fatigue. The molded snubbers mirror the board topography and fit tightly between stacked boards or between the board and the case.

Back to MP3 Player

Download PDF version of this article

BACK TO APPLICATIONS MAIN