Board-to-Board Connector Bracket Assembly With Fewer PCB Screw Holes

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Solution Overview

Problem

The insecure connection between board-to-board connectors and circuit boards in electronic devices, caused by screw-fastened connections, leads to insecure connections and excessive screw holes, affecting trace layout and utilization.

Innovation Solution

A circuit board assembly design using first and second brackets with escape holes and a fixing member with a slot, allowing snap-fitting of tongue inserts to secure the brackets to the circuit board, reducing the need for screw connections and minimizing screw holes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If screw-fastened connections are used to secure board-to-board connectors to the circuit board, then the connection reliability is improved, but the number of screw holes increases, affecting trace layout and board utilization

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidnumber of screw holes
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connection structure is segmented into multiple functional parts: brackets (first and second) that mount the connectors, a fixing member that secures the brackets to the circuit board, and tongue inserts that provide the fastening mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while reducing the overall number of screw holes needed in the circuit board.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The fixing member acts as an intermediary component between the circuit board and the brackets. Instead of directly fastening brackets to the circuit board with multiple screws, the fixing member with its slot and tongue insert mechanism provides a simplified connection interface that reduces the number of screw holes while maintaining connection reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Strength

If multiple screw holes are provided for fastening board-to-board connectors, then the connection firmness is improved, but the trace layout flexibility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection firmnessVSAvoidtrace layout flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The connection mechanism transitions from a two-dimensional screw hole pattern on the circuit board to a three-dimensional assembly using brackets that extend above the board surface. The tongue insert engages with the slot in the fixing member, creating a vertical fastening dimension that reduces the need for multiple screw holes in the board plane, thereby preserving trace layout flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Area of stationary object

If a compact fastening structure is used to reduce screw holes, then the board utilization is improved, but the connection reliability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveboard utilizationVSAvoidconnection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening system uses a composite structure combining the fixing member (with slot), tongue insert (with engagement features), and brackets to create a reliable connection. This composite mechanism distributes mechanical stresses across multiple components rather than relying on a single screw connection, maintaining connection reliability while using fewer screw holes in the circuit board.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentEP4191799B1Circuit board assembly and electronic device
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 VIVO MOBILE COMM CO LTD
  • EP4191799B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4191799B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4191799B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

This application provides a circuit board assembly and an electronic device. The circuit board assembly includes: a circuit board to which a first board-to-board connector and a second board-to-board connector are mounted; a first bracket, where the first bracket is mounted on the circuit board, the first bracket is located on a side of the first board-to-board connector away from the circuit board, the first bracket is configured to fasten the first board-to-board connector and the first bracket is provided with an escape hole; a second bracket, where the second bracket is mounted on the circuit board, and the second bracket is located on a side of the second board-to-board connector away from the circuit board, the second bracket is configured to fasten the second board-to-board connector, and the second bracket is disposed neighboring to the first bracket and the second bracket is provided with a tongue insert, the tongue insert being located on a side of the second bracket facing toward the first bracket; and a fixing member, where the fixing member is connected to the circuit board and the fixing member is provided with a slot, the slot extending out from the escape hole and at least part of the tongue insert being inserted into the slot.