PCB Plug Assembly with Independent Side-Panel Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plug devices for attaching electronic components to circuit boards face challenges in achieving precise positioning and attachment due to manufacturing tolerances and the need for force-transmitting couplings, which complicates automated assembly and alignment.
Innovation Solution
A plug device design featuring a base portion with protruding side panels and an attachment element that allows for independent bending and positioning of the side panels, eliminating the need for force-transmitting couplings with the attachment element, enabling precise alignment and attachment to circuit boards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the attachment element is carried by the side panels, then the coupling element can be held by the side panels, but the positioning precision of the side panels deteriorates due to manufacturing tolerances and force transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the plug device into functionally independent parts: the base portion with attachment element, and the side panels with press-in pins. The attachment element is carried by the base portion rather than the side panels, separating the positioning function (side panels) from the attachment function (attachment element), thereby eliminating mutual interference and improving positioning precision
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment element is extracted from the side panels and relocated to the base portion. This extraction removes the force transmission path from the attachment element through the side panels, eliminating the negative influence of manufacturing tolerances on positioning precision while maintaining assembly simplicity
2Ease of manufacture
If the screw head is used as a coupling element, then the coupling can be achieved, but the box dimension and angularity precision deteriorate due to large tolerances of the screw head
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a dedicated attachment element as an intermediary between the base portion and the coupling element. This attachment element provides a precise reference surface on the base portion, mediating the connection and enabling accurate representation of the box dimension and angularity, while the coupling element (such as a screw) can still be used for achieving the coupling
3Ease of manufacture
If the side panels are bent using a simple bending tool, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the position precision of the side panels deteriorates making automated assembly difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies preliminary action by pre-attaching the attachment element to the base portion before bending the side panels. This preliminary attachment establishes a stable reference framework that guides the subsequent bending process, ensuring that the side panels achieve precise positions relative to the base portion even when using simple bending tools
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention relate to a plug device for attaching electronic components on a circuit board. The plug device comprises a base portion which is present in a base plane, and at least two side panels which are attached to corresponding edge regions of the base portion and protrude from the base plane, wherein at at least one side panel, press-in pins for pressing in a circuit board are provided. Furthermore, the plug device comprises an attachment element which is formed at the base portion, and a coupling element which is attached to the attachment element, wherein the electronic component is couplable to the coupling element.