Interlocking Printed Circuit Board Composite for Sensor Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing printed circuit board assembly methods lack an efficient and stable connection mechanism that ensures precise positioning and secure attachment of sensor components during the assembly and encapsulation processes, particularly in applications like vehicle transmission control units.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a two-groove connection between printed circuit boards, where one board supports another, allowing for both positive and non-positive engagement, and subsequent plastic encapsulation, with additional latching mechanisms and positioning formations to maintain stability and precision.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If traditional connection methods are used for printed circuit boards, then the assembly process is simpler, but positioning accuracy and stability of sensor components deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidconnection mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connection mechanism is segmented into multiple functional elements: grooves in the circuit boards for basic alignment, positioning formations for precise location, and latching mechanisms for secure attachment. This segmentation allows each element to perform a specific function, achieving high positioning accuracy while maintaining a systematic approach to the overall connection process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The grooves and positioning formations are pre-formed in the circuit boards before assembly. This preliminary action ensures that when the boards are brought together, the positioning accuracy is automatically achieved without requiring complex real-time adjustment mechanisms during the assembly process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If sensor components are attached directly to the main circuit board, then the assembly process is shorter, but stability and positioning accuracy during encapsulation deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestabilityVSAvoidassembly efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

A first circuit board is introduced as an intermediary carrier between the sensor components and the main circuit board. This intermediary board provides a stable mounting surface with specialized grooves and positioning formations that secure sensor components during encapsulation, while still enabling efficient assembly through the standardized connection mechanism

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The first circuit board with sensor components is nested onto the main circuit board through the groove connection mechanism. This nesting arrangement allows the sensor assembly to be securely held in position during encapsulation while maintaining a compact overall structure, achieving both stability and assembly efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Stability of the object's composition

If latching mechanisms are added to secure circuit boards, then connection stability improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoidmechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The latching mechanism is designed to automatically engage when the first circuit board is inserted into the groove of the main circuit board. The latching elements self-activate through the insertion motion itself, providing secure connection stability without requiring additional actuators, motors, or complex control systems, thus minimizing the increase in device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3552463B1Printed circuit board composite and method for producing same
Publication Date: 2023.07.26 VITESCO TECH GERMANY GMBH
  • EP3552463B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3552463B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3552463B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for producing a printed circuit composite (V), wherein a first printed circuit board (1), in particular a sensor carrier printed circuit board, is interlockingly engaged with a second printed circuit board (2), in particular a support circuit board. The invention also relates to a printed circuit board composite (V).