Hollow Rivet Fixation for PCB Vibration in Vehicle Electronics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic control apparatuses with one-piece slot type housings experience vibration-induced damage due to the lack of effective fixation of printed circuit boards (PCBs) within the housing, leading to potential mechanical failure.
Innovation Solution
The use of hollow or solid rivets with O-rings and a specific structural design that includes housing-holes and through-holes in the PCB, allowing the rivets to penetrate and physically deform to securely fix the PCB within the housing, eliminating the need for sealing agents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a one-piece slot type housing is used without additional fastening components, then the assembly process is simplified and manufacturing efficiency is improved, but the PCB cannot be effectively fixed and may vibrate or move due to vehicle vibrations
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling member integrates multiple functions into a single component: it serves as both a fastening element (with head and shaft structure) and a sealing element (with integrated sealing ring). This merging eliminates the need for separate fasteners and sealing agents, achieving simplified assembly while ensuring reliable PCB fixation against vibrations
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing ring is nested within the coupling member's shaft structure, forming an integrated assembly. The sealing ring is inserted into the shaft and then both are inserted together through the PCB and housing, creating a compact nested structure that combines fastening and sealing functions in one operational step
2Reliability
If traditional sealing agents are used to seal gaps between components, then sealing performance is improved, but the assembly process becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the chemical sealing method (sealing agents) with a mechanical sealing solution. The sealing ring made of elastic material provides sealing through mechanical contact and deformation, eliminating the need for chemical sealants and their associated application, curing, and quality control processes
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing ring automatically adapts to the gap between the housing and PCB through its elastic deformation when compressed by the coupling member. This self-adjusting mechanism eliminates the need for precise gap control or additional sealing operations, achieving reliable sealing through the component's own elastic properties
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
This solution effectively secures the PCB within the housing, preventing vibration-induced damage and allowing for efficient heat dissipation while simplifying the assembly process by eliminating the need for additional fastening components.
Implementation Method 1
one end surface of the hollow rivet is physically deformed, such that the PCB adheres to an inside of the housing
Implementation Method 2
Both ends of the hollow rivet are inserted with O-rings and a gap of a coupled portion between the housing and the hollow rivet is sealed by the O-rings
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an electronic control apparatus comprises: a PCB configured to electrically control each part of the vehicle and have at least one through-hole in a side; a connector cover includes a connector part electrically connected and coupled with the PCB and a coupling part; a housing configured of a one-piece slot type to receive the PCB inserted in a slide form and provided with at least one housing-hole penetrating through the through-hole of the inserted PCB; and a hollow rivet configured to penetratively fix the PCB to the housing through the through-hole of the PCB and the housing-hole of the housing, wherein the hollow rivet is penetratively inserted into the housing-hole through which the PCB is inserted into the housing and then one end surface of the hollow rivet is physically deformed, such that the PCB adheres to an inside of the housing.