PCB Opening Positioning Structure for Central Device Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for centrally positioning electronic devices on circuit boards face challenges due to manufacturing errors, leading to reduced positioning accuracy and soldering quality, as they either require precise matching of device and board sizes or oversized openings that compromise central alignment.
Innovation Solution
A positioning device with sliding blocks, a piston rod, and a ball mechanism that expands the opening to accommodate the device and then centers it using a release mechanism and restoring springs to ensure precise alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the size of the opening is formed to precisely match the size of the main body of the electronic device, then the positioning accuracy is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases sharply and the device may not be accommodated due to manufacturing errors
Solution Approach 1:
The opening is designed to be expandable from an initial state to an expanded state, allowing the opening size to dynamically adapt to accommodate the electronic device main body while maintaining positioning accuracy. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by enabling the opening to be larger than the device during insertion, then converge to precise dimensions for positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning structure performs preliminary positioning action during the expansion process, guiding the electronic device main body into correct alignment before final positioning. This preliminary action ensures that even with manufacturing tolerances, the device is properly aligned as the opening expands, avoiding the need for extremely precise initial dimensions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the size of the opening is formed to be much larger than the size of the main body of the electronic device, then the device can always be accommodated, but the positioning accuracy and soldering quality deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The opening transitions from a larger initial size to a reduced expanded size, dynamically adjusting to provide both accommodation capability and positioning accuracy. The dynamic size change allows the opening to initially accept devices with manufacturing tolerances, then converge to precise dimensions for accurate positioning and soldering.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning structure acts as an intermediary mechanism between the opening and the electronic device main body, facilitating both accommodation and precise positioning. It mediates the transition from loose fit to precise alignment, ensuring both adaptability and positioning accuracy are achieved.
3Manufacturing precision
If a positioning structure is added to centrally position the electronic device in the opening, then the positioning accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning structure serves multiple functions: it expands the opening, positions the electronic device centrally, and ensures proper alignment for soldering. By combining these functions into a single integrated structure, the patent improves positioning accuracy without proportionally increasing complexity, as the same structure accomplishes multiple tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning structure merges the opening expansion mechanism and the positioning function into a single integrated system. This merging reduces overall complexity compared to having separate expansion and positioning mechanisms, while still achieving high positioning accuracy through the coordinated action of the integrated structure.
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
The device effectively reduces positioning errors and improves soldering quality by allowing for precise central alignment of electronic devices within the circuit board opening, enhancing manufacturing efficiency and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
a piston rod pushes the ball upward in a vertical direction
Implementation Method 2
the ball driving the two pairs of sliding blocks to move away from each other in the first horizontal direction and the second horizontal direction
Implementation Method 3
two pairs of sliding blocks slidably mounted in the support table and movable in a first horizontal direction and a second horizontal direction
Data Source
AI summary
A positioning device that has a support table, two pairs of sliding blocks slidably mounted in the support table, a positioning plate extending vertically at the top of each sliding block, a base on which the support table is supported, a cylinder in the base, a ball in the cylinder, a piston rod slidably mounted in the cylinder and pushing the ball to move upward in a vertical direction, so that the ball drives the two pairs of sliding blocks to move away from each other in the first horizontal direction and the second horizontal direction, respectively, until the positioning plates of the two pairs of sliding blocks abut against four inner walls of the opening of the circuit board, respectively, to allow the electronic device to be received in a positioning slot defined by the positioning plates, and a release mechanism that drives the piston rod to move downward in the vertical direction to allow the two pairs of sliding blocks to be moved toward each other in the first horizontal direction and the second horizontal direction, so that the positioning plates drive the electronic device in the positioning slot to move toward a center of the opening.