Nested Circuit Board Assembly for Reduced Z-Height

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing circuit board structures have an increased size in the Z-direction, which is undesirable for compact designs.

Innovation Solution

The assembly incorporates a main circuit board with a recessed accommodating portion that houses a supplemental circuit board, reducing the overall height by accommodating the supplemental board within this recess.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a supplemental circuit board is added to the circuit board structure, then functionality is improved, but the size in the Z-direction (height) increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidheight
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The supplemental circuit board is nested within a recessed portion formed in the main circuit board. This allows the supplemental board to be housed inside the main board's structure rather than being stacked externally, thereby adding functionality while minimizing increase in overall height

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of stacking the supplemental circuit board in the Z-direction (height), the invention utilizes the X-Y plane by creating a recessed portion in the main circuit board. This dimensional shift allows the supplemental board to be accommodated laterally within the main board's footprint, reducing height while maintaining functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP4207954B1Assembly and harness assembly
Publication Date: 2025.12.10 JAPAN AVIATION ELECTRONICS IND LTD
  • EP4207954B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4207954B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4207954B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

An assembly comprises a circuit board structure and a plurality of connection portions. The circuit board structure has a main circuit board and a supplemental circuit board. The main circuit board is formed with an accommodating portion. The accommodating portion is recessed downward in an up-down direction from an upper surface of the main circuit board. The main circuit board has a plurality of upper main conductive portions which are formed on the upper surface of the main circuit board. The supplemental circuit board has a plurality of upper supplemental conductive portions which are formed on an upper surface of the supplemental circuit board. The supplemental circuit board is, at least in part, accommodated in the accommodating portion. Each of ones of the connection portions connects a respective one of the upper main conductive portions and a respective one of the upper supplemental conductive portions with each other.