LED Module Shared Connector Footprint with Breakaway PCB
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing use of chip scale packaged LEDs on printed circuit boards (PCBs) limits accessibility for connectors, leading to inefficient use of board space due to the need for both front and through-board connectors, which can be addressed by providing a PCB with a breakaway structure and dual connector configurations.
Innovation Solution
A printed circuit board (PCB) design featuring a breakaway structure and dual connector configurations, allowing for either front-facing or back-facing connector units, optimizing board space utilization and enabling flexible assembly based on space availability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If both front-facing and through-board connectors are provided on the PCB, then connector accessibility is improved, but board space is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The PCB is divided into a main part and an auxiliary part that can be separated via a breakaway structure. The auxiliary part contains the through-hole connector, which can be detached after the front-facing connector is assembled, allowing the PCB to be produced with both connector types while enabling space optimization by removing the through-hole connector in final assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The breakaway structure is pre-formed during PCB manufacturing, allowing the auxiliary part to be easily separated later. This preliminary preparation enables flexible assembly configurations where the through-hole connector can be removed if not needed, optimizing board space in the final product
2Area of stationary object
If the PCB size is reduced to optimize space, then space for routing and thermal spreading is improved, but connector accessibility may be limited
Solution Approach 1:
The connector configuration is made dynamic through the breakaway structure, allowing the PCB to transition between having both front-facing and through-hole connectors during manufacturing, and having only the front-facing connector in the final compact product. This enables small PCB sizes while maintaining manufacturing flexibility
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a system (1000) comprising a printed circuit board (500), wherein: (a) the printed circuit board (500) comprises one or more electrically conductive tracks (200); the printed circuit board (500) comprises a first side (501) and a second side (502); wherein the printed circuit board (500) comprises a main part (510) and an auxiliary part (520); wherein the main part (510) is configured to host one or more electrical components (100), functionally coupled to at least one of the one or more electrically conductive tracks (200); wherein the main part (510) comprises a through hole (550), wherein the through hole (550) at least partially encloses the auxiliary part (520); (b) the printed circuit board (500) comprises a breakaway structure (530) configured between the auxiliary part (520) and the main part (510); wherein the breakaway structure (530) is configured to facilitate disconnection of the auxiliary part (520) from the main part (510); (c) the main part (510) comprises a first connecting hub (251) and a second connecting hub (252), both configured at the first side (501), and configured at opposite sides of the through hole (550); wherein at least one of the first connecting hub (251) and the second connecting hub (252) is electrically connected to at least one of the one or more electrically conductive tracks (200); (d) the auxiliary part (520) comprises a third connecting hub (253), configured at the first side (501), and configured between the first connecting hub (251) and the second connecting hub (252); (e) the printed circuit board (500) is functionally connectable to (i) a front-facing connector unit (610) in a front-facing connector configuration (600), wherein the front-facing connector unit (610) is connected to (a) the first connecting hub (251) or second connecting hub (252) and (b) the third connecting hub (253), and (ii) a back-facing connector unit (710) in a back-facing connector configuration (700), wherein the auxiliary part (520) is absent, and wherein the back-facing connector unit (710) is partly configured in the through hole (550) and connected to the first connecting hub (251) and the second connecting hub (252).