PCB Housing Connection Structure for High-Frequency Grounding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electronic devices with high-frequency antennas face challenges in providing sufficient grounding when using cable connections to connect printed circuit boards to metal housing portions, leading to potential electrical connectivity issues.

Innovation Solution

A connection structure that electrically connects printed circuit boards to the metal portion of the housing, ensuring both boards share a common ground area through conductive members and wiring, providing stable and uniform earth resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If cable connection method is used to connect printed circuit board with high-frequency antenna to metal housing, then device structure flexibility is improved, but grounding sufficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice structure flexibilityVSAvoidgrounding sufficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A conductive member is introduced as an intermediary element between the printed circuit board and the metal housing. This conductive member includes a first contact portion that contacts the ground pad on the printed circuit board and a second contact portion that contacts the metal housing, thereby establishing an effective electrical connection path for grounding the high-frequency antenna system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The connection structure transitions from a planar cable connection to a three-dimensional conductive path that extends vertically between the printed circuit board and the metal housing. This dimensional change allows the conductive member to bridge the gap between components at different heights, providing both mechanical support and electrical grounding.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Volume of moving object

If multiple printed circuit boards are connected through cables, then mounting space efficiency is improved, but electrical connection stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting space efficiencyVSAvoidelectrical connection stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple printed circuit boards are electrically connected to each other and to the metal housing through a common conductive member structure. This merging approach consolidates multiple electrical connection paths into a unified grounding system, improving overall electrical connection stability while maintaining compact mounting space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If printed circuit board is directly connected to metal housing, then grounding effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrounding effectivenessVSAvoidconnection structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The conductive member serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical support for the printed circuit board, establishes electrical grounding connection, and acts as a structural element connecting different components. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated grounding components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 ensures stable electrical connections and uniform earth resistance between the printed circuit boards and the metal housing, addressing grounding challenges in high-frequency antenna systems.

Implementation Method 1

A connection structure that electrically connects printed circuit boards to the metal portion of the housing, ensuring both boards share a common ground area through conductive members and wiring

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentEP3751385B1Electronic device including connection structure for electrically connecting printed circuit board and housing

Publication Date: 2023.04.12 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

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AI summary

Disclosed is an electronic device that includes a first cover, a second cover opposite the first cover, a side housing disposed between the first cover and the second cover and including a plate disposed between the first cover and the second cover and a frame surrounding the plate and connected with the first cover and the second cover, a display disposed between the plate and the first cover, and a printed circuit board disposed between the plate and the second cover and including a first surface facing the plate, a second surface facing the second cover, and side surfaces provided between the first surface and the second surface, at least some of the side surfaces including plated areas. The plate includes a connection structure to which the printed circuit board is electrically connected, the connection structure includes a recess, the recess including a first sidewall, a second sidewall facing the first sidewall, a first conductive structure comprising a conductive material disposed on the first sidewall, and a second conductive structure comprising a conductive material disposed on the second sidewall, and at least part of the printed circuit board is disposed in the recess such that the plated areas contact the first conductive structure and the second conductive structure.