Printed Circuit Board Slotted Area Creepage Path Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional printed circuit boards face challenges in maintaining adequate creepage distances due to miniaturization and increased component density, leading to weakened structures and compromised solder joints, which can result in flexing and cracking, and insufficient electrical isolation against voltage surges.
Innovation Solution
A printed circuit board design featuring a slotted area with alternating rows of slots of different lengths and spacings, which increases the creepage path while maintaining structural rigidity by forming air spaces that direct the creepage path around the slots, thereby enhancing electrical isolation and protecting against voltage surges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional slots are used to increase creepage distance, then electrical isolation is improved, but structural strength deteriorates leading to flexing and cracking
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the slot structure into multiple segments arranged in alternating rows. Instead of using single large slots that compromise structural integrity, the creepage path is segmented into multiple smaller slot sections. This segmentation allows the electrical isolation function to be maintained while distributing the structural stress across multiple smaller features, preventing board flexing and cracking.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies different slot characteristics (lengths and spacings) in different local areas of the circuit board. The alternating rows feature slots of varying dimensions, creating localized variations in the creepage path. This local quality approach allows adequate creepage distance to be achieved in critical areas while maintaining structural strength in other regions through optimized slot placement and sizing.
2Volume of moving object
If component density is increased for miniaturization, then device size is reduced, but creepage distance decreases compromising electrical safety
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from a single-row slot arrangement to a two-dimensional alternating row structure. By arranging slots in multiple alternating rows with varying lengths and spacings, the creepage path is extended in the lateral dimension without increasing the overall board footprint. This dimensional approach allows adequate creepage distance to be achieved while maintaining compact device size and high component density.
Solution Approach 2:
The alternating slot patterns create a serpentine or curved creepage path rather than a straight line. The varying slot lengths and spacings in alternating rows force the creepage trajectory to follow a more complex, extended route between conductive parts. This curved path approach increases the effective creepage distance within a smaller spatial envelope, enabling miniaturization while maintaining electrical safety.
Data Source
AI summary
A printed circuit board is provided. The printed circuit board includes a base having a top and a bottom. The top has a first circuit area, a second circuit area and a slotted area disposed between the first circuit area and the second circuit area. The slotted area includes a first row of a plurality of first slots, each first slot of the plurality of first slots has a first length and is separated from an adjacent first slot by a first space. The slotted area includes a second row of a plurality of second slots that is positioned parallel with respect to the first row. Each second slot of the plurality of second slots has a second length that is different than the first length and is separated from an adjacent second slot by a second space. The second space includes a different length than the first space.