PCB Mounting Frame with Resilient Latching Hooks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solutions fail to accommodate printed circuit boards of different geometries within a single housing pattern and provide a resilient mounting mechanism that is cost-effective and adaptable.

Innovation Solution

A holding frame with support shoulders and latching hooks, made of plastic or fiber-reinforced plastic, that can be individually manufactured to fit various circuit board sizes, featuring rails, struts, and resilient support elements for secure and easy connection to a housing, allowing for different circuit board geometries to be accommodated.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a fixed housing pattern is used, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but adaptability to different circuit board geometries deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehousing manufacturing costVSAvoidadaptability to different circuit board geometries
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting system is divided into two independent segments: a standardized housing with fixed opening positions, and interchangeable holding frames adapted to different circuit board geometries. This segmentation allows the housing to remain simple and cost-effective while the holding frames provide the necessary adaptability for various board sizes and shapes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The holding frame serves as an intermediary component between the standardized housing and the diverse circuit boards. It translates the fixed housing pattern into adaptable mounting configurations by providing geometry-specific frame designs that can be snapped into the universal housing openings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If resilient mounting is implemented, then ease of assembly is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of assemblyVSAvoidmounting mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The resilient support elements are designed to automatically engage with the housing openings through elastic deformation and snap-action mounting. The resilient nature of these elements enables self-aligning and self-latching behavior, eliminating the need for complex adjustment mechanisms or precision alignment procedures during assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If individual holding frames are manufactured for different circuit boards, then circuit board retention is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecircuit board retentionVSAvoidholding frame variety
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Despite manufacturing different holding frame geometries, the system achieves universality through standardized connection interfaces. All holding frames share identical mounting features that correspond to the fixed housing opening pattern, enabling a finite set of frame designs to serve multiple circuit board configurations while maintaining consistent assembly procedures.

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

Enables the use of the same housing pattern for diverse printed circuit boards, providing a cost-effective and secure mounting solution that can be easily adapted to different sizes without requiring changes in the housing mold, ensuring high contact pressure and efficient board retention.

Implementation Method 1

The support element is designed as a resilient latching element, with the support element being designed to snap into the opening in a resilient manner

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2814309B1Mounting frame for a printed circuit board
Publication Date: 2018.12.26 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP2814309B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2814309B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a holding frame for a printed circuit board. The holding frame has a support structure and at least two support shoulders. The support shoulders are each connected to the support structure and are designed and arranged to support a surface area of ​​the printed circuit board in the region of a circuit board edge. The holding frame has a locking hook, in particular a bayonet hook, wherein the locking hook is designed and arranged to engage a circuit board edge and to hold the circuit board positively between the at least one support shoulder and the locking hook.