Assembly for reversibly attaching a printed circuit to a mounting base and a heating cartridge for a continuous flow heater
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for attaching printed circuit boards to mounting bases often require additional components or tools, making them cumbersome and difficult to assemble and disassemble tool-free.
Innovation Solution
A mounting base with a receiving element and a printed circuit board featuring a spring-movable locking element, where the circuit board has a recess that forms a latching mechanism allowing for tool-free attachment and detachment without separate fasteners, using a geometry that aligns with the receiving element for secure locking and easy release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If screws or plastic clips are used to attach printed circuit boards to mounting bases, then the connection is secure, but additional components and tools are required making assembly and disassembly cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the fastening function directly into the printed circuit board by forming a locking element as an integral part of the board structure. The locking element includes a locking bead that engages with the mounting base, eliminating the need for separate screws or clips. This merging of the circuit board and fastening components reduces the total number of parts while maintaining secure connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking element is designed to automatically engage with the mounting base when the circuit board is inserted. The locking bead flexes and snaps into place on its own without requiring external tools or additional fastening operations. Similarly, the circuit board can be released by applying pressure to the locking element, enabling tool-free disassembly.
2Reliability
If additional fastening components are used to secure circuit boards, then the attachment is reliable, but tool-free assembly and disassembly becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The locking element is designed with flexible properties, allowing it to deform during assembly and disassembly operations. The locking bead can flex outward to disengage from the mounting base when pressure is applied, and flex inward to snap into the locked position during insertion. This dynamic behavior enables tool-free operation while maintaining secure attachment during normal use.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism operates autonomously without requiring external tools. During assembly, the locking bead automatically snaps into place as the circuit board is inserted. During disassembly, applying pressure to the locking element causes the bead to flex and release from the mounting base, enabling easy removal by hand.
3Reliability
If snap-lock devices are used on the mounting base to engage over circuit board edges, then the circuit board is locked in position, but separate fastening devices are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the locking function directly into the printed circuit board structure by forming a locking element with a locking bead that engages with the mounting base. This eliminates the need for separate snap-lock devices on the mounting base, as the locking capability is built into the circuit board itself, reducing the total number of components.
4Strength
If connecting hooks or clips are attached to circuit boards to withstand mechanical stress, then the connection strength increases, but additional components are required
Solution Approach 1:
The locking element is formed as an integral part of the printed circuit board structure, eliminating the need for separately attached connecting hooks or clips. The locking bead is molded directly into the circuit board, providing mechanical strength to withstand stress while reducing the total number of components.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking element is formed from the same material as the printed circuit board, creating a composite structure that combines the electrical circuitry with the mechanical fastening function in a single integrated component. This ensures both electrical and mechanical integrity without requiring additional materials or components.
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
Enables simple, one-handed attachment and detachment of the circuit board without tools or additional fasteners, ensuring secure locking and easy release, enhancing convenience and reducing the risk of unintentional loosening.
Implementation Method 1
the printed circuit board (11) has at least one recess (14) open towards at least one of its end faces (12, 13), forming a spring-movable locking element (15)
Implementation Method 2
forming a spring-movable locking element (15) configured to resiliently lock the printed circuit board (11) in a locking position on the receiving element (10)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The present invention relates to an arrangement for the releasable fastening of a printed circuit to a mounting base, comprising the mounting base with a receiving element (10) configured to receive the printed circuit, and the printed circuit with a printed circuit board (11), wherein the printed circuit board (11) has at least one recess (14) open towards at least one of its end faces (12) forming a spring-loaded locking element (15), and wherein the locking element (15) is configured to releasably lock the printed circuit board (11) in a locking position on the receiving element (10). The invention further relates to a heating cartridge for an instantaneous water heater.