Battery Management PCB Card Edge Lock Against Board Separation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current battery management systems with separate modules connected via cables are costly and large in size, necessitating a more efficient and miniaturized structure for connecting control units directly to a card edge connector.

Innovation Solution

A battery management unit with a main circuit board and sub-circuit board assembly, featuring a slot block, pivoting members, and a catching protrusion mechanism that securely attaches and detaches the sub-circuit board, preventing separation and allowing for direct connection without cables.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If separate modules (BSM, BDU, BMM) are connected to mother boards through cables, then communication and control functions are achieved, but manufacturing costs increase and component sizes increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidcomponent structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the BSM, BDU, and BMM modules into an integrated circuit board structure with a card edge connector, eliminating the need for separate cable connections. The card edge connector integrates multiple connection functions into a single component that directly interfaces with the mother board, thereby reducing manufacturing costs and simplifying the overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the cable and intermediate connector components from the system by implementing a direct card edge connector interface. This extraction eliminates unnecessary components, reduces manufacturing complexity, and lowers costs while maintaining all required communication and control functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Volume of moving object

If separate modules are connected through cables, then communication functions are achieved, but the overall system size increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent sizeVSAvoidconnection stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple connection functions into a single card edge connector that provides both electrical connection and mechanical support. This integration eliminates the need for separate cables and connectors, significantly reducing the overall system volume while maintaining reliable communication between modules and the mother board.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The card edge connector is designed to nest within the circuit board structure, with the connector edges directly interfacing with the mother board. This nested arrangement minimizes the space required for connections while ensuring stable electrical and mechanical coupling, thereby reducing system size without compromising reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Device complexity

If a card edge connector is used for direct connection, then manufacturing cost is reduced and size is minimized, but the connector may separate from the circuit board

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidconnector attachment stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates a pivoting member that can rotate between a locked position (where it engages the preventing separation protrusion) and an unlocked position. This dynamic mechanism allows the connector to be easily installed and removed while ensuring stable attachment during operation, balancing structural simplicity with connection reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The preventing separation protrusion is designed to engage with the pivoting member before any separation force can act on the card edge connector. This preliminary engagement creates a mechanical interlock that prevents separation, while the pivoting mechanism allows for controlled installation and removal when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

4Stability of the object's composition

If a securing mechanism is added to the card edge connector, then separation is prevented, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnector attachment stabilityVSAvoidconnector structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pivoting member provides a dynamic securing mechanism that appears simple in its locked state but offers robust prevention against separation. The pivoting action allows the same component to serve both as a connector and a locking mechanism, avoiding the need for additional separate securing parts and thus limiting the increase in structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The pivoting member serves multiple functions: it provides electrical connection, mechanical support, and separation prevention through its engagement with the preventing separation protrusion. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated securing components, thereby limiting the increase in overall structural complexity while achieving stable attachment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4440264A1Battery management unit provided with structure for preventing separation of card edge connector and the structure for preventing separation of card edge connector
Publication Date: 2024.10.02 SAMSUNG SDI CO LTD
  • EP4440264A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4440264A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4440264A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A battery management unit provided with a structure for preventing separation of a card edge connector and a structure for preventing separation of a card edge connector are provided. A battery management unit provided with a structure for preventing separation of a card edge connector includes a main circuit board and a sub-circuit board assembled to the main circuit board in an upright position, in which the main circuit board includes a slot block configured for insertion of the sub-circuit board, a first pivoting member including a first pivoting lever pivotably arranged around the slot block, a catching protrusion at a side of the first pivoting lever and insertable into a recess in the sub-circuit board, and a stepped portion at another side of the first pivoting lever, and a second pivoting member pivotably arranged around the slot block to press-contact the stepped portion.