Angled Circuit Board Assembly with Detent Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing circuit boards with lateral plug outputs are prone to angle changes due to external or restoring forces, limiting their structural and functional reliability and manufacturing simplicity.
Innovation Solution
A multi-layer circuit board assembly with a flexible section and angled side elements, including detent elements to lock the housing faceplate, allowing for adjustable angles between sections while preventing rotation-induced changes, enabling secure and space-efficient mounting of surface-mounted components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a flexible third section is used to connect the first and second sections at an angle, then adaptability to housing inner surfaces is improved, but angle stability deteriorates due to external forces and restoring forces changing the angle φ
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies detent elements that change the stiffness parameter of the flexible third section by providing discrete angular positions where the section is locked, preventing angle changes while maintaining flexibility for adaptation to housing surfaces
Solution Approach 2:
The detent elements act as intermediary components between the flexible third section and the housing faceplate, mediating the conflict between flexibility and stability by providing discrete angular locking positions
2Stability of the object's composition
If detent elements are added to lock the housing faceplate, then angle stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detent mechanism is segmented into discrete elements distributed along the flexible third section, allowing stability to be provided only where needed rather than requiring a complex continuous locking mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The detent elements are designed to automatically engage with the housing faceplate at predetermined angular positions, providing self-locking functionality without requiring additional actuators or complex control mechanisms
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a structurally and functionally improved circuit board assembly that maintains angle stability and allows for simpler manufacturing, accommodating various orientations and enabling the integration of surface-mounted components without restrictions.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible third section (230) which is formed between the first section (210) and the second section (220) and which has a lower stiffness than the first section (210) and the second section (220)
Implementation Method 2
at least one of the two side elements (325, 327) has at least one first detent element (326), wherein the first detent element (326) is designed to lock the housing faceplate (320) on the first section (210) of the circuit board
Data Source
AI summary
A circuit board assembly for a control unit of a motor vehicle has a multi-layer circuit board and a plug connector with a housing faceplate. The circuit board, which includes conductor paths for conducting signals, has a first section, a second section, and a flexible third section with a lower stiffness between the first and second sections. The first section encloses an angle φ with the second section. The plug connector has a multiplicity of connection elements, each with an attachment part and a contact pin. The housing faceplate has first and second side panels each enclosing an angle β with the first panel central plane and an angle γ with the second panel central plane. A first detent element prevents a change in the angle φ in a first direction of rotation. A second detent element prevents a change in the angle φ in a second direction of rotation.