Circuit Board Connection Layout for Compact Electronic Control Units

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The conventional electronic control device requires notching the second board to avoid interference with bosses, leading to a reduced mounting area and potential upsizing of the device.

Innovation Solution

The first and second boards are connected using connection members between them, ensuring a sufficient mounting area without upsizing the device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the second board is notched to avoid interference with bosses, then the board can be fixed to the housing, but the mounting area of the second board is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixation of second boardVSAvoidmounting area of second board

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The circuit board set is divided into a first board and a second board that are connected via connection members. This segmentation allows each board to be optimized independently - the second board can maintain its full mounting area without notching, while the connection members handle the fixation function separately.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Connection members are introduced as intermediary elements between the first board and second board. These connection members serve as the fixing mechanism, eliminating the need to notch the second board itself, thereby preserving its full mounting area while still achieving secure fixation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Area of stationary object

If the second board is upsized to ensure sufficient mounting area, then the mounting area is increased, but the electronic control device becomes upsized

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting area of second boardVSAvoidsize of electronic control device

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The connection between boards is achieved by utilizing the vertical dimension (thickness direction) with connection members positioned between the first and second boards. This allows the second board to maintain a compact planar size while still providing sufficient mounting area through optimized layout, preventing the need to increase the overall device volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of manufacture

If the second board is notched to avoid boss interference, then fixation is achieved, but the device size may increase to compensate for lost mounting area

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixation structureVSAvoidsize of electronic control device

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the fixation function from the second board itself and implementing it through separate connection members, the second board maintains its full area without notching. This prevents the need to increase device size to compensate for mounting area loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Connection members act as intermediaries that provide the fixation function without requiring modifications to the second board's mounting area, thus avoiding the trade-off between fixation and device size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12562613B2Electronic control device

Publication Date: 2026.02.24 ASTEMO LTD

AI summary

In an electronic control device E1 according to the present invention, a first board 50 and a second board 60 are connected to each other via connection members 801, 802. Thus, with the connection members 801, 801, it is possible to fix the first board 50 and the second board 60 without sacrificing areas for mounting electronic components on the first board 50 and the second board 60. Accordingly, it is possible to ensure sufficient mounting areas on the first board 50 and the second board 60, which contributes to downsizing the electronic control device E1.