PCB Busbar Layout for External Current Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current printed circuit boards face a challenge in accurately measuring current while maintaining cost-effectiveness, as tapering current conducting layers for measurement reduces their carrying capacity and increasing layer thickness is costly.
Innovation Solution
A printed circuit board arrangement featuring a busbar on its lateral surface that branches off current from all conducting layers, allowing external current measurement without tapering, thus maintaining thinner layers and enhancing cost-effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If current conducting layers are tapered at a point for current measurement, then current measurement is enabled, but current-carrying capacity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The current measurement function is segmented from the current conducting layers and transferred to a separate busbar structure. The busbar is divided into a first portion connected to current conducting layers and a second portion extending beyond the board, enabling current measurement at the extended portion without affecting the integrity of the original current conducting layers.
Solution Approach 2:
The current measurement is moved from the planar dimension of the printed circuit board to an extended spatial dimension through the busbar's second portion that protrudes beyond the board edges. This dimensional extension allows current sensing without compromising the board's current-carrying pathways.
2Reliability
If current conducting layers are made thicker to increase current-carrying capacity, then current-carrying capacity is increased, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The current conduction function is segmented between the standard-thickness current conducting layers on the board and the separate busbar structure. This allows the use of cost-effective standard thickness layers while the busbar handles additional current measurement and conduction requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The busbar acts as an intermediary element that connects to the current conducting layers and provides both current conduction and measurement capabilities. This intermediary structure eliminates the need to increase the thickness of the original current conducting layers, thereby reducing manufacturing costs.
3Reliability
If current measurement is performed outside the printed circuit board using a busbar, then current-carrying capacity is maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The busbar combines multiple functions into a single structure: it serves as both a current conduction path connected to the current conducting layers and as a current measurement element with its extended second portion. This merging reduces the need for separate components and simplifies the overall device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The busbar is designed as a multi-functional element that performs current conduction, current measurement, and provides structural support. The first portion integrates with the circuit board for current conduction while the second portion extends for measurement purposes, making the single busbar structure universally functional.
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 accurate current measurement without reducing the circuit board's current-carrying capacity, maintaining thinner layers and reducing manufacturing costs by allowing current measurement outside the board, with the busbar's design optimizing magnetic field detection for sensors.
Implementation Method 1
a busbar (7) which is arranged on one of a lateral surface of a printed circuit board (6) and is in contact with all current conducting layers (10) of the printed circuit board
Implementation Method 2
The constriction is used, as described for the current conducting layers, in order to increase the magnetic field which is generated by the current flowing through the busbar and thereby to enable a current measurement by the magnetic field
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a printed circuit board arrangement with a printed circuit board with at least two current conducting layers. The current conducting layers extend in an axial direction of the printed circuit board and are arranged in succession in a thickness direction of the printed circuit board. The printed circuit board arrangement has a busbar which is arranged on a lateral surface of the printed circuit board and is in contact with at least one part of the current conducting layers of the printed circuit board.