Integrated Pin Holding Body with Suction Surface for PCB Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for assembling pins onto a circuit board are costly and complex, requiring separate components for holding and positioning pins and for handling by automated assembly devices, which increases material requirements and production effort, and results in a higher plug-in connection height.
Innovation Solution
A single plastic part combines the pin-holding and positioning body with a suction surface for automated assembly devices, allowing for axial and force-fitting alignment of pins, which can be easily pulled off after soldering, reducing material usage and space requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate components are used for holding pins and for automated assembly handling, then the assembly process is reliable, but the device complexity and material requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the pin-holding body and the suction plate into a single integrated component. The body (10) is designed with a suction surface (14) on its rear side, eliminating the need for separate holding and handling components. This merger reduces device complexity while maintaining assembly reliability through the unified structure that performs both functions simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The body (10) is designed to serve multiple functions: it holds the pins (12) in place, positions them with predetermined spacing, and provides a suction surface (14) for automated assembly device handling. This multi-functionality reduces the number of components needed while ensuring reliable assembly through integrated design.
2Manufacturing precision
If additional insulating bodies are used to hold pins, then the pins are securely positioned, but the plug-in connection height increases
Solution Approach 1:
The body (10) is designed as a thin, flat insulating component with recesses for holding pins. This thin-film approach provides sufficient pin positioning precision through precisely formed recesses while minimizing the height increase, allowing the body to be pulled off after soldering to achieve a low-profile connection.
3Ease of manufacture
If multiple separate components are used, then each component can be optimized for its specific function, but the production effort and material usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the pin-holding body and suction plate into a single component, the patent reduces material usage and production effort. The integrated design is manufactured as one piece through injection molding, eliminating the need for separate production and assembly of multiple components, thereby reducing both material consumption and manufacturing complexity.
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 simplifies the assembly process, reduces material and production costs, and achieves a lower profile plug-in connection by integrating the pins directly onto the circuit board without additional insulating bodies, enhancing the installation's spatial efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The automated assembly device grasps the pin strip at the small suction plate 14 with its suction head
Data Source
AI summary
For purposes of assembling contact pins (12) disposed in a row onto a circuit board (16), the pins (12) are grasped via a force fit in an insulating body (20) at their ends facing away from the circuit board (16)and are supported to prevent tilting. The body (20) has a suction surface (26) for an automated assembly device. After insertion of the pins (12) into the circuit board (16) and after the soldering process, the body (20) is pulled off the pins (12), so that they sit freely in the circuit board (16).