Board Unit Locking Structure Eliminates Screw Fastening
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for holding a circuit assembly in a board unit at a predetermined position are complicated and time-consuming, requiring multiple screw fastenings through holes in both the circuit assembly and the case, which hinders productivity.
Innovation Solution
A board unit design featuring a circuit assembly with a bus bar and a frame-like case that incorporates a locking structure, where the bus bar's facing portions interlock with the case's protruding pieces, eliminating the need for additional fastening members and allowing the circuit assembly to be securely positioned without screws.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If screws are used to fasten the circuit assembly to the case, then the circuit assembly can be held at a predetermined position, but the assembly process becomes complicated and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The locking protruding pieces are integrated into the case structure, merging the positioning and fastening functions into a single structural element. This eliminates the need for separate screws and fastening operations, thereby simplifying the assembly process while maintaining secure positioning of the circuit assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The locking protruding pieces automatically engage with the circuit assembly when it is placed in the case, providing self-positioning and self-fastening functionality. This eliminates the need for manual screw fastening operations, significantly improving assembly efficiency while ensuring reliable positioning
2Strength
If multiple screw fastenings are required, then the circuit assembly can be securely fixed, but the number of operations increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple locking protruding pieces are integrated into the case structure, combining multiple fastening points into a single structural element. This allows the circuit assembly to be securely fixed at multiple positions simultaneously without requiring multiple separate fastening operations, thereby reducing assembly time while maintaining fixing strength
3Reliability
If through holes are provided in both the circuit assembly and case for screw fastening, then secure positioning is achieved, but the structure becomes more complex and assembly more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening function is extracted from the circuit assembly and implemented solely through the case structure via locking protruding pieces. This eliminates the need for corresponding through holes and fastening features in the circuit assembly, thereby simplifying the overall structure while maintaining positioning stability
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning and fastening features are merged into the case structure through the locking protruding pieces, which provide both positioning guidance and secure fastening in a single integrated feature. This reduces the total number of structural elements required compared to separate screw holes and fastening features
Data Source
AI summary
A board unit including: a circuit assembly including a circuit board and a bus bar disposed on one side of the circuit board; a frame-like case that forms a housing space for housing the circuit board, and the bus bar includes: a main body to which the circuit board is joined; a plurality of facing portions that protrude from opposite sides of the main body, and that face a surface of the frame-like case, the facing portions and the frame-like case include a locking structure for interlocking the facing portions and the frame-like case with each other to hold the circuit assembly at the predetermined position in the frame-like case.