Lens Holder Heating Strip With Flexible PCB Electrical Connection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current solutions for electrical connections in vehicle-mounted electronic components, such as heating elements, are bulky, expensive, and heavy, making them inefficient for withstanding environmental constraints like cold and ice.

Innovation Solution

A flexible printed circuit board is used as both the heating strip and electrical connection means, with a thinned portion for substrate continuity, allowing for a compact and adaptable electrical connection system that includes an elastic attachment mechanism to fit the lens support's profile, reducing bulk and weight.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional electrical harnesses and connectors are used for heating elements, then reliable electrical connection is achieved, but the device becomes bulky, heavy, and expensive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connection reliabilityVSAvoiddevice weight
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the heating element and electrical connection functions into a single integrated flexible printed circuit board structure. The FPCB serves both as the heating element carrier and as the electrical connection medium, eliminating the need for separate electrical harnesses and connectors. This merging of functions directly reduces device weight while maintaining reliable electrical connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible printed circuit board performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support for the heating element, serves as the electrical connection pathway, and acts as the heating element itself when conductive traces are formed on it. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate specialized components, reducing overall device weight and complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If traditional electrical harnesses and connectors are used for heating elements, then reliable electrical connection is achieved, but the device becomes bulky and complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connection reliabilityVSAvoidelectrical connection system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the heating element and electrical connection system into a single integrated flexible printed circuit board structure. The FPCB serves both as the heating element carrier and as the electrical connection medium, eliminating the need for separate electrical harnesses and connectors. This merging of functions directly reduces device weight while maintaining reliable electrical connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible printed circuit board performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support for the heating element, serves as the electrical connection pathway, and acts as the heating element itself when conductive traces are formed on it. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate specialized components, reducing overall device weight and complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Stability of the object's composition

If rigid printed circuit board substrate is used for heating element connection, then structural stability is achieved, but adaptability to different profiles is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidprofile adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a rigid printed circuit board substrate to a flexible printed circuit board that can dynamically adapt its shape. The FPCB can bend and conform to different lens holder profiles while maintaining structural integrity and electrical connection reliability. This dynamic flexibility allows the same component to adapt to various geometric configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a flexible printed circuit board instead of a rigid substrate. The FPCB's flexible nature allows it to conform to the specific profile of the lens holder while maintaining electrical connection stability. This flexible film approach provides both the needed adaptability to different profiles and sufficient structural stability for reliable operation.

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

This solution provides a lightweight, efficient, and cost-effective electrical connection system that effectively addresses the challenges of environmental constraints, enhancing the performance and reliability of vehicle-mounted electronic components.

Implementation Method 1

some electronic components may include heating elements to combat freezing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentEP3584633B1Optical device for vehicle comprising a heating element
Publication Date: 2024.09.11 APTIV TECHNOLOGIES LTD
  • EP3584633B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3584633B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3584633B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5

AI summary

An optical device (10) comprises at least one rigid printed circuit board (32), said printed circuit board (32) having an image capture electronic circuit (36), a lens holder (14) comprising at least one optical lens (22), the lens holder (14) comprising a wall (31) forming a cavity (21) extending along the optical axis (O) of the device (10) from its upper end (19) to its lower end (30), the lower end (30) being mounted on the rigid printed circuit board (32) so as to align, along the optical axis (O) of the device (10), the image capture electronic circuit (36) and the optical lens (22), a flexible heating strip (50) arranged in contact with the wall (31) of the lens holder (14) and around the wall (31) of the lens holder (14), the heating strip (50) comprising a connection interface electrical (52) electrically connected to at least one printed circuit board (32,34) rigid of the optical device (10).,