PCB strain relief arrangement

Abstract

An electronic device is disclosed that comprises a printed circuit board that includes at least one edge and at least one strain relief element positioned inboard of the at least one edge to redistribute strain induced in the printed circuit board.

Description

PCB STRAIN RELIEF ARRANGEMENT CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 557,890, filed Feb.26, 2024, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] P The present disclosure relates generally to electronics and, more specifically, relates to a strain relief for an electronic device. BACKGROUND

[0003] Printed circuit boards (“PCBs”) are used in wide range of vehicle applications for mounting sensors, such as image sensor, rain sensors, proximity sensors, light sensors, etc., used to assist operation of the vehicle. The sensor can be secured the PCB with electrically conductive solder. The PCBs can be connected to another PCB, motherboard or other component or substrate by fasteners, adhesive and / or compression between enclosure components. The interface between the connection and the PCB can experience high levels of strain, which can adversely impact the sensor of the PCB. SUMMARY

[0004] An electronic device is disclosed that comprises a printed circuit board that includes at least one edge and at least one strain relief element positioned inboard of the at least one edge to redistribute strain induced in the printed circuit board.

[0005] In one exemplary arrangement, the at least one edge includes first and second edges that extend transverse to one another. In one exemplary arrangement, there are a pair of first edges that are arranged parallel to one another, and a pair of second edges that are arranged parallel to one another.

[0006] In one exemplary arrangement, each strain relief element comprises a first end, a second end, and a connecting portion therebetween. The first andsecond ends are larger than a width of the connecting portion. The first end may have a diameter that is larger than a diameter of the second end.

[0007] In one exemplary arrangement, at least one opening extends through the printed circuit board. The opening is configured for receiving a fastener to secure the printed circuit board to an electronic component.

[0008] In one exemplary arrangement, each strain relief element is positioned between one of the at least one opening and a sensor secured to the printed circuit board. The strain relief element is configured to redistribute strain away from the sensor.

[0009] In one exemplary arrangement, an electronic device is disclosed that comprises a printed circuit board and a sensor. In one exemplary arrangement, the printed circuit board includes a pair of first edges and a pair of second edges extending transverse to one another and a strain relief arrangement that includes a plurality of slots. Each slot is defined by a first end, a second end, and a connecting portion therebetween. The diameters of the first and second ends are larger than a width of the connecting portion. The strain relief element is provided in the printed circuit board so as to redistribute strain away from the sensor.

[0010] In one exemplary arrangement, a plurality of openings extend through the printed circuit board. The openings are each configured to receive a fastener to secure the printed circuit board to an electronic component. In one exemplary arrangement, one of the slots are positioned between each one of the openings and the sensor. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure relates upon reading the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0012] FIG.1 is a schematic plan view illustration of an example electronic device having a strain relief arrangement in accordance with an exemplary arrangement; and

[0013] FIG.2 is an exemplary arrangement of a schematic plan view illustration of an example electronic device having a strain relief arrangement in accordance with a second exemplary arrangement. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] Referring now to the discussion that follows, and to the drawings, illustrative approaches to the disclosed systems and methods are shown in detail. Although the drawings represent some possible approaches, the drawings are not necessarily to scale and certain features may be exaggerated, removed, or partially sectioned to better illustrate and explain the present disclosure. Further, the descriptions set forth herein are not intended to be exhaustive or otherwise limit or restrict the claims to the precise forms and configurations shown in the drawings and disclosed in the following detailed description.

[0015] The present disclosure relates generally to electronics, and more specifically, to a strain relief arrangement for an electronic device. FIG.1 illustrates one example electronic device 10. The electronic device 10 includes a printed circuit board (“PCB”) 12 having a first surface 14 and a second surface (not visible), opposite the first surface 14. The PCB 12 can be polygonal (square, rectangular, etc.) or round (not shown). As shown in the exemplary arrangement of FIG.1, the PCB 12 is rectangular and includes a pair of first edges 16 extending perpendicular to a centerline 18. A pair of second edges 20 extend parallel to the centerline 18 and interconnects the first edges 16. The first and second edges 16, 20 collectively define the perimeter of the PCB 12.

[0016] A sensor 22 is secured to the first side 14 of the PCB 12. The sensor 22 can be, for example, an image sensor, rain sensor, proximity sensor, light sensor or pressure senor. Alternatively, the sensor 22 can be omitted. The sensor 22 can be secured to the PCB 12 by, for example, solder formed as a ball grid array (BGA) or a pin grid array (not shown) that is heated to undergo reflow in order to secure the sensor 22 to the PCB 12. The solder is formed from an electrically conductive material.

[0017] One or more openings 24 extend through the PCB 12 from the first side 14 tothe second side. As shown in the exemplary arrangement in FIG.1, four openings 24 extend through the PCB 12 at each corner thereof. In the arrangement shown, the openings 24 are symmetrically arranged about the centerline 18 although other configurations are contemplated. In one exemplary arrangement, each opening 24 is circular, though other shapes are contemplated.

[0018] A strain relief element 26 is associated with each opening 24 for helping to reduce or alleviate strain on the PCB 12 during / when connected to another component. Each opening 24 is configured to receive a fastener to secure the PCB 12 to an electronic component. In the exemplary arrangement shown in FIG.1, there is four strain relief elements 26. The strain relief elements 26 are positioned inboard of the first and second edges 16, 20 of the PCB 12.

[0019] Each strain relief element 26 is formed as slot. In one exemplary arrangement, each strain relief element 26 is formed as a dog-bone shaped slot, defined by a first end 28 and a second end 30 with a connector portion 32 therebetween. In one exemplary arrangement, a diameter of the first end 28 is larger than a diameter of the second end 30. A width of the connector portion 32 is smaller than the respective diameters of the first and second ends 28, 30.

[0020] While the strain relief elements 26 each are shown as generally linear, it will be appreciated that the slots may be curved. In one exemplary arrangement, the strain relief elements 26 are positioned between each corner of the sensors 22 and an opening 24.

[0021] Referring to FIG.2, a second exemplary arrangement of an electronic device 10’ is illustrated. The electronic device 10’ is similar to that shown in FIG.1, except that instead of four openings 24, there are two openings 24. In one exemplary arrangement, the two openings 24 are arranged at diametrically opposed corners of the PCB 12. Similarly, there are only two strain relief elements 26 provided.

[0022] What have been described above are examples of the present disclosure. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the present invention, but one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the present invention are possible. While certain novel features of this disclosure shown and described below are pointed out in the annexed claims, the disclosure is not intended to be limited to the details specified, since a person of ordinary skill in the relevant art will understand that various omissions,modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the disclosure illustrated and in its operation may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the present disclosure is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications, and variations that fall within the scope of the appended claims. As used herein, the term "includes" means includes but not limited to, the term "including" means including but not limited to. The term "based on" means based at least in part on. Additionally, where the disclosure or claims recite "a," "an," "a first," or "another" element, or the equivalent thereof, it should be interpreted to include one or more than one such element, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements. No feature of the disclosure is critical or essential unless it is expressly stated as being “critical” or “essential.”

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. An electronic device, comprising: a printed circuit board including at least one edge and at least one strain relief element positioned inboard of the at least one edge to redistribute strain induced in the printed circuit board.

2. The electronic device recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one edge includes first and second edges extending transverse to one another.

3. The electronic device recited in claims 1 or 2, wherein each strain relief element comprises a first end, a second end and a connecting portion therebetween, wherein the first and second ends are larger than a width of the connecting portion.

4. The electronic device recited in claim 3, wherein the first end has a diameter that is larger than a diameter of the second end.

5. The electronic device recited in claim 3, further comprising at least one opening extending through the printed circuit board, the opening being configured for receiving a fastener to secure the printed circuit board to an electronic component.

6. The electronic device recited in claim 5, wherein each strain relief element is positioned between one of the at least one openings and a sensor secured to the printed circuit board.

7. The electronic device recited in any of the preceding claims, further comprising a sensor provided on the printed circuit board such that the strain relief element redistributes strain away from the sensor.

8. The electronic device recited in any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one edge of the printed circuit board further comprises a pair of first edges arranged parallel to one another, and a pair of second edges arranged parallel to one another.

9. An electronic device, comprising: a printed circuit board including a pair of first edges and a pair of second edges extending transverse to one another, and a strain relief arrangement that includes a plurality of slots, with each slot defined by a first end, a second end and a connecting portion therebetween, wherein diameters of the first and second end are larger than a width of the connecting portion; and a sensor provided on the printed circuit board such that the strain relief arrangement redistributes strain away from the sensor.

10. The electronic device of claim 9, further comprising a plurality of openings extending through the printed circuit board, the openings each configured to receive a fastener to secure the printed circuit board to an electronic component.

11. The electronic device of claim 9, wherein one of the slots are positioned between one of the openings and the sensor.

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