{"id":42,"date":"2014-07-16T11:09:12","date_gmt":"2014-07-16T15:09:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/new.products.memoryprotectiondevices.com\/?page_id=42"},"modified":"2014-07-23T09:36:43","modified_gmt":"2014-07-23T13:36:43","slug":"test2","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/products.memoryprotectiondevices.com\/?page_id=42","title":{"rendered":"Powering Toll Tags"},"content":{"rendered":"

Powering Toll Tags<\/strong>
\nCase Study: Customized coin cell holders for automotive toll tags<\/p>\n

Challenge
\nA leading manufacturer of toll tags recently approached MPD looking for a new battery holder to replace soldered-in batteries. The customer had two main problems with their current battery solution. First, coin cell batteries with solderable terminations are expensive, and second, they are not compatible with modern SMT manufacturing.
\nThese problems seem quite common in the industry today. Coin cells with PCB pins are often nearly twice the price of a bare coin cell. In many cases, a bare coin cell along with a battery holder can be less expensive than a coin cell with leads, while still offering an extremely strong battery retention and the added benefit of replaceability. Meanwhile, the soldering process of reflow ovens not only reduces batteries\u2019 functionality, but sometimes damages cells and can even cause them to explode in extreme cases.
\nAdditionally, toll tags require significantly stronger and more durable battery holders than most products, since they must be able to withstand extreme environmental conditions- both inside and outside of the car. Although most current toll tags are meant for internal windshield mounting, license plate mounted toll tags are starting to become popular as well. In order to keep costs down, the customer requested the same battery holder to be functional for both types of toll tags, which meant designing a more versatile and resilient holder.
\nThe environmental specifications of a toll tag can call for large operating temperature ranges, which is not surprising given that a car parked in the Arizona desert can reach nearly 85\u00b0C, while one in a Minnesota blizzard can be around -40\u00b0C. Humidity was another large concern, as toll tags are usually not hermetically sealed, so resistance to 95% relative humidity was another factor of consideration. Further areas of design concern were the fretting of the contacts over the expected 10 year lifespan of the toll tag, given the frequent shocks and vibrations a car encounters on the road, and the various ways in which consumers can accidentally damage any product, such as accidentally dropping it onto concrete.
\nSolution
\nOur solution was a customized version of our new, award-winning Glider line of battery holders. Gliders can have their metal retainers mounted to the PCB in an automated reflow solder process, allowing for reduced labor costs that create additional value for the customer beyond the upfront savings. At any time later, the coin cell battery can be loaded into the matching plastic tray and inserted into the retainer.
\nThe normal Glider design was modified to include a locking feature, so that once the tray is inserted it is permanently locked into the retainer. A more durable plastic with a higher temperature range was also necessary for the tray, to account for the strict environmental specifications of the toll tag. Both the stronger plastic and locking feature will also enhance the lifespan of the customized Glider, and help it to withstand the wear and tear of years on the road.
\nCurrent Status
\n\uf0a7 MPD engineers designed and created prototypes within days
\n\uf0a7 New holder design meets customer\u2019s target price point
\n\uf0a7 Customized Glider is compatible with SMT manufacturing process
\n\uf0a7 Custom packaging for automated assembly was made for holder
\n\uf0a7 Design withstands extreme shocks and vibrations
\n\uf0a7 Plastic tray functions within operating temperature range
\n\uf0a7 Battery-loaded tray locks in permanently upon insertion
\n\uf0a7 MPD is performing additional reliability studies for customer<\/p>\n

Memory Protection Devices, Inc. is an ISO 9001 certified manufacturer<\/a> of battery holders and other electronic components.
\n Battery Holders Website<\/a>
\n info@memoryprotectiondevices.com<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"