Electronic component protection method and device and production system of electronic equipment

Abstract

The invention discloses an electronic component protection method and device and a production system of electronic equipment, and the method comprises the steps: detecting the state of a battery protection chip after a circuit board semi-finished product is tested; if the battery protection chip is in the activated state, controlling the battery protection chip to enter a shipping mode through the test system; and after confirming that the battery protection chip successfully enters the shipping mode, transferring the circuit board semi-finished product to a connector buckling station for assembling. The lithium protection chip is forced to enter the shipping mode before the BTB connector is buckled, closed-loop management is achieved through detection-control-verification, it is ensured that assembling is conducted in a safe state, and the technical concept transformation from post-event remediation to pre-event prevention is achieved; according to the method, the existing hardware is utilized, no additional protection device needs to be added, the high requirement of traditional PCB layout optimization for wiring space is avoided, the design complexity is reduced, the core pain point problem in the precise connector assembling process is fundamentally solved, and remarkable technical progress and commercial value are achieved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of electronic equipment manufacturing, and more particularly to a method, apparatus and production system for protecting electronic components. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, portable electronic devices such as TWS Bluetooth earphones generally use shipping mode to achieve ultra-long storage time. This mode is implemented through a battery lithium protection chip (referred to as lithium protection chip). The microprocessor (MCU) outputs a level signal to control the lithium protection chip to enter shipping mode, and the charging signal triggers the exit from shipping mode. The shipping mode control is separated from the assembly process and does not form a closed-loop management.

[0003] With the increasing sophistication of equipment structures, BTB connectors are widely used for connections between motherboards and secondary boards (such as FPC flexible boards) due to their compact structure and stable transmission. The pin pitch of these connectors is typically only 0.3mm to 0.5mm, making them highly susceptible to pin misalignment during assembly. This can easily lead to high-voltage networks (such as VBAT, 3.8V) accidentally contacting low-voltage ports (such as the 1.8V I / O port of an MCU), exceeding their withstand voltage specifications (typically ±1.8V), causing problems such as chip port breakdown and circuit malfunction.

[0004] There are two existing solutions. One is to increase the spacing or stagger the layout between the VBAT network and the MCU port network. While this can reduce the probability of short circuits, it is severely limited by PCB area and wiring density, making it difficult to implement in ultra-compact devices. The other solution is to add protection devices, such as TVS diodes and Zener diodes, in series with the sensitive ports. While this can improve surge protection, it brings the following problems: each port requires an independent protection device, significantly increasing material and processing costs; additional devices increase layout difficulty, contradicting the trend towards thinner and lighter devices, and increasing space occupation. Both existing solutions are "passive protection" and fail to eliminate risks at the source of power supply issues. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides a method, apparatus, and production system for protecting electronic components.

[0006] According to a first aspect of this application, this application provides a method for protecting electronic components, comprising: After the circuit board semi-finished product testing is completed, the status of the battery protection chip is checked; If the battery protection chip is in an active state, the test system controls the battery protection chip to enter the shipping mode. After confirming that the battery protection chip has successfully entered the shipping mode, the circuit board semi-finished product is transferred to the connector fastening station for assembly.

[0007] In the method involved in this application, the battery protection chip is a lithium battery protection chip, and the shipping mode achieves an extremely low power consumption mode by disconnecting the battery cell from the system power supply circuit.

[0008] In the method involved in this application, the step of controlling the battery protection chip to enter the shipping mode through the test system includes: A control signal is applied to the shipping pin of the battery protection chip for a duration longer than the time it takes for the battery protection chip to enter shipping mode.

[0009] In the method involved in this application, the detection of the state of the battery protection chip includes: Read the voltage across the battery terminals; If the voltage value is higher than the set threshold, it is determined to be in an active state; if the voltage value is lower than or equal to the set threshold, it is determined to be in an inactive state.

[0010] In the method involved in this application, the step of transferring the circuit board semi-finished product to the connector fastening station for assembly after confirming that the battery protection chip has successfully entered the shipping mode includes: After entering shipping mode, perform a voltage retest to verify whether shipping mode has been successfully entered. If the verification is successful, the semi-finished circuit board is allowed to flow into the next workstation for snap-fit ​​assembly.

[0011] In the method involved in this application, after transferring the circuit board semi-finished product to the connector fastening station for assembly, it further includes: After the connector fastening assembly process is completed, the battery protection chip is automatically controlled to exit the shipping mode via a charging signal.

[0012] According to a second aspect of this application, this application provides an electronic component protection device, comprising: The detection module is used to detect the status of the battery protection chip after the circuit board semi-finished product testing is completed; The control module is used to control the battery protection chip to enter the shipping mode through the test system if the battery protection chip is in an active state. The verification module is used to transfer the circuit board semi-finished product to the connector fastening station for assembly after confirming that the battery protection chip has successfully entered the shipping mode.

[0013] In the apparatus of this application, the control module is further configured to apply a control signal to the shipping pin of the battery protection chip for a duration longer than the time it takes for the battery protection chip to enter shipping mode.

[0014] In the apparatus of this application, the detection module includes: The reading unit is used to read the voltage at both ends of the battery; The judgment unit is used to determine that if the voltage value is higher than the set threshold, it is in an active state; if the voltage value is lower than or equal to the set threshold, it is in an inactive state.

[0015] According to a third aspect of this application, this application provides a production system for electronic devices, including the aforementioned electronic component protection device, wherein the electronic component protection device is deeply integrated into an automated testing production line and interacts with a manufacturing execution system. Due to the adoption of the above technical solutions, the beneficial effects of this application are as follows: This application provides an electronic component protection method, device, and production system for electronic equipment, including: detecting the status of a battery protection chip after the circuit board semi-finished product testing is completed; if the battery protection chip is in an active state, controlling the battery protection chip to enter a shipping mode through a testing system; and after confirming that the battery protection chip has successfully entered the shipping mode, transferring the circuit board semi-finished product to a connector fastening station for assembly. This application eliminates the risk of VBAT network electrification by forcing the lithium protection chip into shipping mode before BTB connector fastening, cutting off power from the power supply end. Through "detection-control-verification," closed-loop management is achieved, ensuring that each semi-finished product is assembled in a safe state. Compared to the limitations of "passive protection" in existing technologies, this application realizes a shift in technical concept from "post-event remediation" to "pre-event prevention." Utilizing existing hardware, no additional protection devices are needed, avoiding the high requirements for wiring space in traditional PCB layout optimization, reducing design complexity, and fundamentally solving the core pain points in the precision connector assembly process, demonstrating significant technological progress and commercial value. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 A flowchart of one implementation of the method provided in this application embodiment; Figure 2 This is a control circuit diagram for the shipping mode of a lithium-ion battery protection chip provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 3 A flowchart of the sub-steps of the method provided in one embodiment of this application; Figure 4 A flowchart of a sub-step of the method provided in an embodiment of this application in another implementation; Figure 5A flowchart of another implementation of the method provided in the embodiments of this application; Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the program modules of the apparatus provided in one embodiment of this application; Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the program modules of the detection device according to an embodiment of this application in another implementation. Detailed Implementation

[0017] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to specific embodiments and accompanying drawings. Similar elements in different embodiments are referred to by associated similar element reference numerals. In the following embodiments, many details are described to facilitate a better understanding of this application. However, those skilled in the art will readily recognize that some features may be omitted in different situations, or may be replaced by other elements, materials, or methods. In some cases, certain operations related to this application are not shown or described in the specification. This is to avoid obscuring the core parts of this application with excessive description. For those skilled in the art, detailed description of these related operations is not necessary; they can fully understand the related operations based on the description in the specification and general technical knowledge in the art.

[0018] Furthermore, the features, operations, or characteristics described in the specification can be combined in any suitable manner to form various embodiments. At the same time, the steps or actions in the method description can be rearranged or adjusted in a manner obvious to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the various orders in the specification and drawings are only for the clear description of a particular embodiment and do not imply a necessary order, unless otherwise stated that a particular order must be followed.

[0019] The serial numbers assigned to components in this article, such as "first" and "second", are used only to distinguish the objects being described and have no sequential or technical meaning.

[0020] Furthermore, the technical features and solutions described herein can be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. It will be readily understood by those skilled in the art that the steps or order of operations related to the embodiments provided herein can also be changed. Therefore, any order in the drawings and embodiments is for illustrative purposes only and does not imply a requirement to follow a particular order, unless explicitly stated otherwise.

[0021] While existing technologies utilize lithium-ion batteries for shipping, they haven't integrated them into critical aspects of the production process. Especially after the FPC sub-board completes semi-finished product testing, production line errors or improper test process design may cause the lithium-ion battery to prematurely exit shipping mode. Specifically, this manifests as BAT- becoming conductive with GND, energizing the VBAT network of the BTB connector. Connector engagement under energized conditions becomes a significant risk point in the production process.

[0022] This application applies not only to electronic products using BTB connectors, but also to electronic products using FPC, ZIF, and other connectors. The following explanation uses BTB connectors as an example.

[0023] A BTB connector, short for Board-to-Board connector, is a component used to connect different printed circuit boards (PCBs) in electronic devices. Its main function is to provide a reliable electrical connection, allowing the transmission of signals, power, or data between two circuit boards. It typically consists of two parts: a female connector and a male connector. The female connector includes a series of slots or holes with arranged electrical contacts, while the male connector has corresponding pins or leads that can be inserted into the holes in the female connector to complete the electrical connection. In this application, the BTB male connector is mounted on the FPC sub-board, and the BTB female connector is mounted on the main board.

[0024] The pin pitch of these connectors is mostly around 0.3mm to 0.5mm, making it easy for short circuits to occur between adjacent pins during the fastening process. Live assembly may cause misalignment of some electrical contacts, allowing some low-voltage network ports (e.g., 1.8V) to accidentally come into contact with high-voltage networks (e.g., 3.8V), potentially damaging the microprocessor or circuitry.

[0025] like Figure 1 As shown in the embodiment of this application, the method for protecting electronic components is used in the production and assembly process. One implementation includes the following steps: Step 101: After the circuit board semi-finished product test is completed, the status of the battery protection chip is checked.

[0026] Step 102: If the battery protection chip is in an active state, control the battery protection chip to enter the shipping mode through the test system.

[0027] The battery protection chip involved in this application embodiment can be a lithium battery protection chip, or simply a lithium protection chip. The shipping mode achieves an extremely low power consumption mode by disconnecting the battery cell from the system power supply circuit.

[0028] Step 103: After confirming that the battery protection chip has successfully entered the shipping mode, transfer the circuit board semi-finished product to the connector fastening station for assembly.

[0029] The electronic component protection method provided in this application is applicable to the safety management of lithium battery protection chips during the circuit board assembly process. It is not only suitable for TWS earphones, but can also be extended to electronic products using precision connectors such as smartwatches, AR / VR devices, and foldable phones.

[0030] This application addresses the risk of live operation during the BTB connector fastening process in products such as TWS earphones. When the lithium-ion battery protection chip is activated, the VBAT network of the BTB connector becomes energized, which, with a precise pitch of 0.3-0.5mm, can easily contact adjacent microprocessor ports, leading to overvoltage damage. By forcibly entering a shipping mode, the connector is ensured to be de-energized during fastening, fundamentally avoiding the risk of short circuits. Compared to traditional PCB layout optimization or adding protection devices, this method directly utilizes the inherent characteristics of the lithium-ion battery protection chip and achieves automated control through a testing system, reducing design complexity, saving production costs, and significantly improving product yield.

[0031] In addition to BTB connectors, the method provided in this application embodiment can also be applied to scenarios where live short circuits are likely to occur, such as FPC flexible circuit board connectors and board-to-wire connectors.

[0032] Figure 2 This is a circuit diagram for the control of a lithium battery protection chip in shipping mode. The diagram shows the control logic and hardware connection of the lithium battery protection chip in "shipping mode". It is used in the production process of electronic equipment. The MCU applies a specific timing control signal to the CTL pin of the lithium battery protection chip to activate and verify the shipping mode, ensuring the safety of the battery assembly during transportation / storage. Figure 2In this circuit, the lithium battery protection chip pins are defined as: VDD (power supply), VM (voltage monitoring), GND (ground), and CTL (shipping mode control). By detecting the battery voltage (BAT+, BAT-) and the external control signal (CTL pin), the switch between battery protection and shipping mode is achieved. The microprocessor (MCU) outputs a shipping mode control signal through the GPIO pin to control the lithium battery protection chip to enter shipping mode. The circuit explicitly marks "400ms," indicating that the MCU needs to output a high-level signal to the CTL pin for 400ms to trigger the lithium battery protection chip to enter shipping mode. In this mode, the lithium battery protection chip disconnects the battery from the external circuit to avoid the risk of short circuits during transportation. R1 and R2 are current-limiting resistors to protect the lithium battery protection chip pins and prevent damage from excessive current. C1 and C2 are filter capacitors to filter out high-frequency noise in the power supply / signal, ensuring circuit stability.

[0033] By using an MCU to perform closed-loop management of the lithium battery protection chip's shipping mode through "detection → control → verification," the safety of the battery components during transportation and storage during the production process is ensured, avoiding short circuit risks caused by static electricity, accidental contact, etc. This is a key circuit design in electronic manufacturing processes to ensure product quality and safety.

[0034] In the method provided in this application embodiment, step 102, controlling the battery protection chip to enter the shipping mode through the test system, may specifically include: applying a control signal to the shipping pin of the battery protection chip for a duration longer than the time it takes for the battery protection chip to enter the shipping mode. In one embodiment, the control signal applied to the shipping pin may be a high-level signal, and the applied high-level signal may be 3.3V (or a voltage that can be effectively implemented).

[0035] like Figure 3 As shown, in step 101, the status of the battery protection chip is detected, which may specifically include the following steps: Step 1011: Read the voltage across the battery terminals; Step 1012: If the voltage value is higher than the preset threshold, it is determined to be in an active state; if the voltage value is lower than or equal to the preset threshold, it is determined to be in an inactive state.

[0036] In one embodiment, the voltage across the battery terminals and a preset threshold can be read. The preset threshold can be set as needed. The voltage value and the preset threshold can be dynamically calibrated based on the voltage withstand characteristics of the battery protection chip. In this embodiment, the threshold can be 2.0V-2.5V, which can be adjusted according to the chip specifications.

[0037] like Figure 4 As shown, in the method provided in this application embodiment, step 103 may specifically include the following steps: Step 1031: After entering shipping mode, perform a voltage retest to verify whether shipping mode has been successfully entered; Step 1032: If the verification is successful, the circuit board semi-finished product is allowed to flow into the next workstation for snap-fit ​​assembly.

[0038] If the verification passes, the circuit board semi-finished product is allowed to flow into the next workstation for snap-fit ​​assembly. If the verification fails, a control signal is applied to the shipping pin of the battery protection chip for a duration longer than the time it takes for the battery protection chip to enter shipping mode, so that it enters shipping mode and then the voltage is retested to verify whether the shipping mode has been successfully entered.

[0039] like Figure 5 As shown, in the method provided in this application embodiment, after step 103, the following steps may also be included: Step 104: After the connector fastening assembly process is completed, the battery protection chip is automatically controlled to exit the shipping mode via a charging signal.

[0040] When there is a charging voltage (e.g., 5V) at the charging end, the voltage between PACKAGE+ and PACKAGE- will be greater than the cell voltage. After the lithium protection chip detects the charging voltage, it will automatically exit the shipping mode, and the VM port and GND port will be connected, and the system will resume power supply.

[0041] like Figure 6 As shown in the embodiment of this application, one implementation of the electronic component protection device includes a detection module 610, a control module 620, and a verification module 630.

[0042] The detection module 610 is used to detect the status of the battery protection chip after the circuit board semi-finished product testing is completed. The detection module 610 is integrated into the testing system and is used to determine the status of the battery protection chip by voltage comparison.

[0043] The control module 620 is used to control the battery protection chip to enter the shipping mode through the test system if the battery protection chip is in an active state.

[0044] The battery protection chip involved in this application embodiment can be a lithium battery protection chip, or simply a lithium protection chip. The shipping mode achieves an extremely low power consumption mode by disconnecting the battery cell from the system power supply circuit.

[0045] The verification module 630 is used to transfer the circuit board semi-finished product to the connector fastening station for assembly after confirming that the battery protection chip has successfully entered the shipping mode.

[0046] The verification module 630 performs voltage retesting and interacts with the Manufacturing Execution System (MES) to control the workflow permissions of the workstation.

[0047] In one embodiment, the control module 620 is further configured to apply a control signal to the shipping pin of the battery protection chip for a duration longer than the time it takes for the battery protection chip to enter the shipping mode, thereby causing it to enter the shipping mode. In this embodiment, the control signal applied to the shipping pin can be a high-level signal, and the applied high-level signal can be 3.3V (or a voltage that can be effectively implemented).

[0048] like Figure 7 As shown, in the electronic component protection device provided in this application embodiment, the detection module 610 may include a reading unit 611 and a judging unit 612. Reading unit 611 is used to read the voltage at both ends of the battery; The judgment unit 612 is used to determine the active state if the voltage value is higher than the set threshold, and to determine the inactive state if the voltage value is lower than or equal to the set threshold.

[0049] In one embodiment, the voltage across the battery terminals and a preset threshold can be read. The preset threshold can be set as needed. The voltage value and the preset threshold can be dynamically calibrated based on the voltage withstand characteristics of the battery protection chip. In this embodiment, the threshold can be 2.0V-2.5V, which can be adjusted according to the chip specifications.

[0050] In the electronic component protection device provided in the embodiments of this application, the verification module 630 may include a retesting unit 631 and a processing unit 632.

[0051] The retest unit 631 is used to perform voltage retest after entering the shipping mode to verify whether the shipping mode has been successfully entered. The processing unit 632 is used to allow the circuit board semi-finished product to flow into the next workstation for snap-fit ​​assembly if the verification is passed.

[0052] If the verification passes, the circuit board semi-finished product is allowed to flow into the next workstation for snap-fit ​​assembly. If the verification fails, a control signal is applied to the shipping pin of the battery protection chip for a duration longer than the time it takes for the battery protection chip to enter shipping mode, so that it enters shipping mode and then the voltage is retested to verify whether the shipping mode has been successfully entered.

[0053] The electronic component protection device provided in this application embodiment may also include a reset module 640, which is used to automatically control the battery protection chip to exit the shipping mode by means of a charging signal after the connector fastening assembly process is completed.

[0054] When there is a charging voltage (e.g., 5V) at the charging end, the voltage between PACKAGE+ and PACKAGE- will be greater than the cell voltage. After the lithium protection chip detects the charging voltage, it will automatically exit the shipping mode, and the VM port and GND port will be connected, and the system will resume power supply.

[0055] One embodiment of the electronic device production system provided in this application includes the above-mentioned electronic component protection device, which is deeply integrated into the automated testing production line and interacts with the manufacturing execution system.

[0056] The electronic device production system provided in this application embodiment is implemented through a MES interface: Real-time synchronization of test data and process parameters; Prevent unverified semi-finished products from entering the fastening station; Record battery protection chip mode switching logs for quality traceability.

[0057] The electronic device production system provided in this application embodiment supports cross-platform applications and is compatible with various connector types such as BTB connectors, FPC connectors, and ZIF connectors.

[0058] Those skilled in the art will understand that all or part of the steps of the various methods in the above embodiments can be implemented by a program instructing related hardware. The program can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium, which may include: read-only memory, random access memory, disk or optical disk, etc.

[0059] The above description, in conjunction with specific embodiments, provides a further detailed explanation of this application and should not be construed as limiting the specific implementation of this application to these descriptions. Those skilled in the art to which this application pertains can make several simple deductions or substitutions without departing from the concept of this application.

Claims

1. A method for protecting electronic components, characterized in that, include: After the circuit board semi-finished product testing is completed, the status of the battery protection chip is checked; If the battery protection chip is in an active state, the test system controls the battery protection chip to enter the shipping mode. After confirming that the battery protection chip has successfully entered the shipping mode, the circuit board semi-finished product is transferred to the connector fastening station for assembly.

2. The electronic component protection method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The battery protection chip is a lithium battery protection chip, and the shipping mode achieves an extremely low power consumption mode by disconnecting the battery cell from the system power supply circuit.

3. The electronic component protection method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The step of controlling the battery protection chip to enter the shipping mode via the testing system includes: A control signal is applied to the shipping pin of the battery protection chip for a duration longer than the time it takes for the battery protection chip to enter shipping mode.

4. The electronic component protection method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The detection of the battery protection chip's status includes: Read the voltage across the battery terminals; If the voltage value is higher than the set threshold, it is determined to be in an active state; if the voltage value is lower than or equal to the set threshold, it is determined to be in an inactive state.

5. The electronic component protection method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, After confirming that the battery protection chip has successfully entered shipping mode, the semi-finished circuit board is transferred to the connector assembly station for assembly, including: After entering shipping mode, perform a voltage retest to verify whether shipping mode has been successfully entered. If the verification is successful, the semi-finished circuit board is allowed to flow into the next workstation for snap-fit ​​assembly.

6. The electronic component protection method according to claim 1, characterized in that: After transferring the semi-finished circuit board to the connector assembly station for assembly, the process further includes: After the connector fastening assembly process is completed, the battery protection chip is automatically controlled to exit the shipping mode via a charging signal.

7. An electronic component protection device, characterized in that, include: The detection module is used to detect the status of the battery protection chip after the circuit board semi-finished product testing is completed; The control module is used to control the battery protection chip to enter the shipping mode through the test system if the battery protection chip is in an active state. The verification module is used to transfer the circuit board semi-finished product to the connector fastening station for assembly after confirming that the battery protection chip has successfully entered the shipping mode.

8. The electronic component protection device as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The control module is also used to apply a control signal to the shipping pin of the battery protection chip for a duration longer than the time it takes for the battery protection chip to enter shipping mode.

9. The electronic component protection device as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The detection module includes: The reading unit is used to read the voltage at both ends of the battery; The judgment unit is used to determine that if the voltage value is higher than the set threshold, it is in an active state; if the voltage value is lower than or equal to the set threshold, it is in an inactive state.

10. A production system for electronic equipment, characterized in that, The device includes an electronic component protection device as described in any one of claims 7-9, wherein the electronic component protection device is deeply integrated into an automated testing production line and interacts with a manufacturing execution system.

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