Integrated Electronic Assembly with Coil Receptacle for PCB Space Conservation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electronic components, such as coil components like inductors, are limited in size reduction due to performance and structural integrity constraints, making it difficult to miniaturize circuits without compromising their functionality, especially in applications like mobile devices where space is a premium.
Innovation Solution
An integrated electronic assembly is proposed, where a first electronic component with a defined receptacle houses additional components, such as ICs or discrete components, allowing for a single assembly to be mounted on a substrate, thereby conserving space and maintaining performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If electronic components are made smaller, then space on PCB is reduced, but performance and structural integrity are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent embeds additional electronic components within the interior space of a coil component's magnetic core. The magnetic core contains a receptacle that houses ICs or discrete components, allowing nested arrangement where smaller components are placed inside the larger coil component structure. This nesting approach reduces overall PCB footprint while maintaining the performance of each individual component.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from two-dimensional PCB surface mounting to three-dimensional space utilization by placing components inside the coil component's internal volume. The magnetic core's interior space, previously unused, is converted into functional component housing, effectively adding a vertical/z-axis dimension to component arrangement and reducing the horizontal footprint on the PCB.
2Productivity
If multiple individual components are mounted on PCB, then circuit functionality is achieved, but PCB space and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple electronic components (coil component serving as housing, ICs, discrete components) into a single integrated assembly that functions as one unified circuit module. This merging reduces the number of separate components that need to be individually mounted on the PCB, simplifying manufacturing processes and reducing overall PCB space requirements while maintaining complete circuit functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The coil component serves multiple functions: it provides electromagnetic functionality as an inductor/coil, acts as a structural housing with a magnetic core, and serves as a mounting platform for additional components. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated housing and mounting structures, thereby reducing PCB space and manufacturing steps.
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated electronic assembly including a first electronic component defining a receptacle and at least a second electronic component wherein at least a portion of the second electronic component is disposed in the receptacle of the first electronic component, and a method for conserving space in a circuit or on a printed circuit board by integrating a plurality of electronic components so that the plurality of electronic components collectively take up a smaller amount of space on a substrate than the plurality of electronic components would if the plurality of electronic components were not integrated.