Circuit Board Groove Design for Moistureproof Agent Flow Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional circuit boards with grooves to prevent moistureproof agent spread still experience the agent leaking into coating prohibited regions due to pressure and flow mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

A circuit board design featuring a groove with guiding parts and storage areas to manage the flow of the moistureproof agent, directing it away from prohibited regions by using protrusions and recesses to control pressure and flow direction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a groove is formed in the periphery of a via hole to prevent moistureproof agent spread, then the moistureproof agent can be kept away from the via hole, but the moistureproof agent may still spread into the coating prohibited region due to pressure and flow mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection of coating prohibited regionVSAvoidspreading of moistureproof agent

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The groove is divided into different functional segments: a first groove portion extending from the via hole toward the edge, and a second groove portion extending from the first groove portion to the edge. This segmentation creates distinct flow control zones that manage the moistureproof agent at different stages of its potential spread path.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The groove structure acts as an intermediary barrier between the via hole (coating prohibited region) and the edge of the substrate. By positioning the groove between these regions and designing it with specific geometry, the moistureproof agent flow is intercepted and redirected before it can reach the prohibited region.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the groove extends to the edge of the substrate to contain the moistureproof agent, then the agent is prevented from spreading further, but the groove may still allow agent to flow into the coating prohibited region due to pressure differentials

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainment of moistureproof agentVSAvoidcontrol of agent flow direction

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Different portions of the groove are designed with different geometries to perform different functions. The first groove portion has specific dimensions to manage flow near the via hole, while the second groove portion has different dimensions to control flow toward the edge. This local variation in groove geometry enables precise control of the moistureproof agent flow direction and pressure distribution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of manufacture

If a simple groove structure is used to prevent agent spread, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the groove cannot effectively guide the agent away from the coating prohibited region

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegroove structure simplicityVSAvoideffectiveness of agent guidance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The groove design takes into account the dynamic flow behavior of the moistureproof agent under pressure. The groove geometry is optimized to interact with the flowing agent, using the agent's own flow dynamics to guide it away from the via hole and toward the edge, where it can safely discharge. This dynamic approach maintains manufacturing simplicity while achieving effective flow control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

Effectively reduces the overflow and spreading of the moistureproof agent into prohibited regions by guiding and storing excess agent within the groove, preventing it from entering prohibited areas.

Implementation Method 1

the groove includes a guiding part, configured to guide the moistureproof agent overflowing from the first region into the groove

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow guidance:

Implementation Method 2

the groove having two ends, formed in the principal surface, between the first region and the second region, wherein the two ends of the groove reach the end surface of the substrate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid accumulation:

Data Source

PatentUS11696408B2Circuit board

Publication Date: 2023.07.04 SHINKO ELECTRIC IND CO LTD

AI summary

A circuit board includes a substrate having an end surface, and a principal surface on which an electronic component is mounted, a first region, provided on the principal surface, and coated with a moistureproof agent, a second region, provided on the principal surface, and prohibited from being coated with the moistureproof agent, and a groove having two ends, formed in the principal surface, between the first region and the second region. The two ends of the groove reach the end surface of the substrate. The groove includes a guiding part, configured to guide the moistureproof agent overflowing from the first region into the groove, provided at a portion of the groove farthest away from the end surface.