Electronic Assembly Stacked Circuit Boards Space Utilization

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Solution Overview

Problem

The limited space utilization in existing mobile phones hinders the integration of additional devices, restricting the diversification of mobile phone functions due to low space efficiency.

Innovation Solution

An electronic assembly is designed with a compact arrangement of components such as a receiver, flashlight, first circuit board, second circuit board, and sensor, stacked in the thickness direction, utilizing flexible circuit boards and a support frame to minimize space occupancy, allowing for higher space utilization and reduced size, enabling more devices to be integrated within the same space.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional device arrangement is used in mobile phones, then device functionality can be maintained, but space utilization is low and available space is wasted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice functionalityVSAvoidspace utilization
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from traditional planar arrangement of electronic components to a three-dimensional stacked configuration. Multiple circuit boards (first circuit board, second circuit board) and components (receiver, flashlight, sensor) are arranged vertically in the thickness direction, utilizing the Z-dimension to increase space utilization while maintaining all necessary device functions.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a nested arrangement where components are stacked within each other's spatial footprint. The receiver, flashlight, and sensor are positioned on different circuit boards at different heights, with each component's projection overlapping others in the planar view, effectively nesting multiple functional elements within a compact vertical space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Adaptability or versatility

If more devices are integrated into mobile phones to achieve diversified functions, then functionality diversification is improved, but the small available space makes it difficult to add new devices

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctionality diversificationVSAvoidavailable space
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

By arranging multiple functional devices (receiver, flashlight, sensor, circuit boards) in the vertical thickness direction rather than spreading them out horizontally, the patent enables integration of more devices within the same device envelope, directly addressing the space constraint while achieving functionality diversification.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent divides the electronic device into multiple discrete functional modules mounted on separate circuit boards (first circuit board with receiver, second circuit board with flashlight and sensor). This segmentation allows each module to be independently positioned in the vertical stack, optimizing space utilization while maintaining all functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3734939B1Electronic assembly and electronic device
Publication Date: 2021.12.29 GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP LTD
  • EP3734939B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3734939B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3734939B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An electronic assembly and an electronic device are provided. The electronic assembly includes a receiver, a first circuit board, a flashlight, a second circuit board, and a sensor. The first circuit board has a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, the receiver is disposed on the first surface and electrically connected to the first circuit board, the flashlight is disposed on the second surface and electrically connected to the first circuit board, the second circuit board is disposed on one side of the receiver away from the first circuit board, the sensor is disposed on one side of the second circuit board away from the receiver and is electrically connected to the second circuit board. The electronic assembly has a high space utilization.