Interconnectable Circuit Boards with Elastic Lateral Conductors for Bending

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Solution Overview

Problem

Rigid circuit boards and connectors hinder the ability to bend circuit boards in a lateral plane, making it difficult to form non-linear configurations, such as rings, and can result in twisting and bunching when attempting to bend, which complicates installation in various lighting applications.

Innovation Solution

An interconnectable circuit board array with board-to-board connectors featuring elastic lateral side conductors that allow for bending in a lateral plane, maintaining electrical connectivity while allowing the boards to form angles up to 50 degrees or more, and a method of configuring these boards by adjusting the position of adjacent circuit boards using expandable and contractable connectors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If rigid circuit boards and connectors are used, then structural stability and electrical connectivity are maintained, but the ability to bend in a lateral plane is lost, making non-linear configurations difficult to achieve

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to bend in lateral planeVSAvoidstructural rigidity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies this principle by using flexible printed circuit board materials that can bend in the lateral plane while maintaining electrical connectivity. The circuit boards are designed with flexible substrates that allow deformation without breaking electrical traces, enabling non-linear configurations while preserving structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamics by making the circuit board array configurable and adaptable. The system transitions from a fixed rigid structure to a dynamic flexible structure that can be bent into various shapes. The flexible connectors and circuit boards allow the system to change its configuration dynamically to suit different installation requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Shape

If rigid circuit boards are forced to bend, then non-linear configurations can be achieved, but twisting and bunching occur, complicating installation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenon-linear configurationVSAvoidinstallation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible circuit boards are designed with appropriate flexibility to bend smoothly into non-linear configurations without twisting or bunching. The flexible substrates and connectors are engineered to accommodate lateral bending while maintaining proper alignment and electrical connectivity, significantly simplifying installation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Adaptability or versatility

If flexible connectors are used to enable bending, then lateral plane configuration is improved, but electrical connectivity reliability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebending capabilityVSAvoidelectrical connectivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses flexible printed circuit board technology that maintains reliable electrical connectivity while enabling bending. The flexible substrates are designed with robust electrical traces that remain intact during lateral bending, ensuring continuous and reliable electrical connection between circuit boards in non-linear configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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

Enables flexible configuration of circuit boards into various shapes, including rings, without twisting or bunching, ensuring reliable electrical connectivity and ease of installation in applications like lighting systems.

Implementation Method 1

The board to board connectors are configured such that when the first circuit board and the second circuit board are bent in a lateral plane with respect to one another to form an angle, and one of the lateral side conductors is contracted, one of the lateral side conductors is expanded

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS10811799B2Interconnectable circuit boards adapted for lateral in-plane bending

Publication Date: 2020.10.20 METROSPEC TECHNOLOGY LLC

AI summary

Embodiments include an interconnectable circuit board array. The interconnectable circuit board array includes a plurality of interconnectable circuit boards coupled together with a plurality of board to board connectors. The board to board connectors include a first lateral side conductor and a second lateral side conductor to provide electrical communication between the connect circuit boards. The board to board connectors are configured such that when two adjacent circuit boards are bent in a lateral plane with respect to one another to form an angle, one of the lateral side conductors is contracted, one of the lateral side conductors is expanded, or one of the lateral side conductors is contracted and the other lateral side conductor is expanded. Other embodiments are also included herein.