Control Circuit Board Coating Layout for Exposed Edge Contacts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Household appliances like washing machines and dryers face challenges in protecting control circuit boards from moisture and contaminants, leading to potential short circuits and safety hazards, while existing solutions are costly and restrictive in design.
Innovation Solution
A control circuit board with peripheral contacts is protected by a separating element that prevents the protective layer from covering the contacts, allowing for a barrier between the protective layer and the contacts, enabling effective protection against moisture and contaminants while maintaining accessibility for connectors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a protective layer is applied to cover the control circuit board, then protection against moisture and contaminants is improved, but the peripheral contacts become covered and inaccessible
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuit board is divided into two functional zones: a protected zone with the protective layer covering the circuit components, and an unprotected zone with peripheral contacts that remain accessible. This segmentation allows simultaneous achievement of protection and accessibility by spatially separating the functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective layer is applied selectively only to specific regions of the control circuit board where circuit components are located, while leaving the peripheral contact regions exposed. This local application of protection ensures that contacts remain accessible while still protecting the vulnerable circuit areas.
2Reliability
If dedicated covers are constructed to protect the circuit board, then protection is improved, but production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The protective layer is integrated directly into the control circuit board structure, eliminating the need for separate dedicated covers. This merging of the protective function into the board itself reduces manufacturing steps, eliminates additional components, and lowers production costs while maintaining effective protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The control circuit board provides its own protection through the integrated protective layer, eliminating the need for external protective covers. The board becomes self-protecting, which simplifies the overall structure and reduces manufacturing complexity and costs.
3Reliability
If the control circuit board is fully protected with a protective layer, then reliability is improved, but design constraints increase
Solution Approach 1:
The board layout is segmented into protected and unprotected regions, allowing flexible placement of peripheral contacts along the board edges while the central circuit areas receive protective coverage. This segmentation enables design flexibility without compromising protection where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the board have different protection characteristics: circuit areas have protective coverage for reliability, while peripheral contact areas remain exposed for accessibility. This local differentiation of quality allows the design to meet multiple requirements simultaneously without rigid constraints.
Data Source
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AI summary
Household appliance (2) with at least one control circuit board (150) , said control circuit board (150) comprising at least one contact (180, 184) provided at the periphery (182) of said board (150), and further comprising a protective layer (220, 226), said layer (220, 226) covering said board (150) at least partially, wherein a separating element (52) is provided on said board (150), said separating element (52) being configured and positioned to separate said at least one contact (180, 184) from said protective layer (220, 226).