Circuit Housing Positioning Elements for PCB Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing circuit housing designs face challenges in achieving precise positioning of printed circuit boards due to high tolerance requirements, which are costly and difficult to manufacture, especially for large dimensions, as the alignment of electrical plug contacts with openings on the circuit board is critical but often not met, leading to misalignment and manufacturing complexities.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates positioning elements with expanding fingers that provide tolerance compensation by allowing movement within bores, where one element has a press fit without play and the other has play on both sides, enabling precise alignment and reducing rotational freedom to ensure accurate positioning and fastening of the printed circuit board.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If high tolerance requirements are imposed on the printed circuit board and positioning elements, then precise positioning is achieved, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning element changes its geometric parameters dynamically during assembly. The initially larger cross-section allows easy insertion with tolerance compensation, then transforms to a smaller cross-section that provides precise positioning and rotational blocking, eliminating the need for high manufacturing precision throughout the entire process
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning element transitions from a static design to a dynamic two-stage system. In the first stage, the element accommodates tolerance variations during insertion. In the second stage, it locks into a precise position that blocks rotational freedom, providing both ease of assembly and precise positioning without requiring high manufacturing tolerances
2Measurement precision
If the printed circuit board is mounted with high precision, then alignment of electrical plug contacts is improved, but the complexity of machining increases
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning element performs self-alignment during the assembly process. The transforming cross-section automatically compensates for tolerance variations and finds the correct position, eliminating the need for complex pre-machining of slotted holes or other precision features in the printed circuit board
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 allows for precise mounting of the printed circuit board with reduced tolerance issues, enabling accurate alignment of electrical plug contacts without the need for complex machining, such as milling slotted holes, and provides a cost-effective method for achieving high precision in assembly.
Implementation Method 1
the further positioning element has a possibility of movement relative to the further bore seen under elastic deformation of the spreading fingers
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
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AI summary
The invention relates to a circuit housing (1) having at least one printed circuit board (8) which is arranged in said circuit housing and has an electrical circuit and at least two holes (14, 16) in which peg-like positioning elements (18, 20) which project away from the circuit housing (1) engage at least for the purpose of positioning the printed circuit board (8) relative to the circuit housing (1), wherein at least one positioning element (18, 20) from amongst the positioning elements (18, 20) projects without play into one circular hole from amongst the holes. The invention makes provision for a further positioning element (20), which is accommodated in a further hole (16) from amongst the holes (14, 16), to have spreading fingers (40) which are separated from one another by at least one recess (36), project into or through the further hole (16), are designed to be elastic transverse to the direction of an imaginary connecting line (38) of the holes (14, 16) and have a cross section such that a), as viewed in the direction of the imaginary connecting line (38), there is play between said spreading fingers and a radially inner circumferential surface of the further hole (16) on both sides, but b) said spreading fingers make contact by means of their diametrically opposite side faces (42) with the radially inner circumferential surface of the further hole (16) perpendicular to the imaginary connecting line (38) without play only along a contact line (44) or a contact point in each case.