PCB Pin Layout for First-Ground Contact and ESD Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printed circuit boards (PCBs) are prone to damage of relatively weak signal pins during mounting and suffer from inadequate resistance to electro-static discharge (ESD), which can lead to functional failures.
Innovation Solution
The PCB design incorporates a main body with specific pin configurations, including signal pins with shorter tie-bars and ground pins with longer tie-bars, positioned at varying distances from the edge of the PCB. This configuration ensures that the ground pin contacts the socket first, thereby discharging static electricity and reducing the risk of signal pin damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the PCB is mounted in a slot with conventional pin configurations, then the mounting process is simple, but the signal pins are prone to damage and the resistance to electro-static discharge (ESD) is inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by configuring ground pins with longer tie-bars extending beyond the signal pins' tie-bars. This asymmetric arrangement ensures that ground pins make contact with the slot first during insertion, providing a preferential discharge path for electro-static discharge (ESD) before signal pins are contacted, thereby protecting signal pins from damage while maintaining a relatively simple overall pin configuration structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by designing the ground pin tie-bars to extend longer than signal pin tie-bars, so that the ground pins make contact with the slot first during the mounting process. This preliminary contact establishes a safe discharge path for ESD before signal pins are contacted, proactively preventing potential damage to signal pins without requiring additional protective components or complex configurations
2Reliability
If the tie-bar lengths of all pins are made equal, then the manufacturing process is simpler, but the signal pins lack protection from ESD damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the tie-bar lengths specifically for ground pins versus signal pins, while maintaining uniformity in other aspects. The ground pins are given longer tie-bars that extend beyond those of signal pins, creating a localized structural difference that provides ESD protection functionality without requiring complete redesign of all pin structures, thus balancing manufacturing simplicity with protective functionality
Data Source
AI summary
A printed circuit board (PCB) may include a main body having an edge and a first surface on which a semiconductor chip is provided, a first pin including a first tab extending in a first direction parallel to the first surface toward the edge of the main body and configured to receive a first signal corresponding to communication between the outside and the semiconductor chip and a first tie-bar protruding from an end of the first tab toward the edge of the main body, the first tie-bar having a first length along the first direction, and a second pin adjacent to the first pin, the second pin including a second tab extending in the first direction toward the edge of the main body and configured to receive an applied a ground voltage of a ground, and a second tie-bar protruding from an end of the second tab toward the edge of the main body, the second tie-bar having a second length that is greater than the first length.