Support Member for Printed Circuit Board Fixing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional liquid crystal display apparatuses face inefficiencies in the operation and fixing of printed circuit boards due to difficulties in aligning screws, deformation of components, and poor grounding, leading to reduced operation efficiency and potential electrical discontinuity.

Innovation Solution

A support member with a groove-like first support part and a projection-like second support part is used to securely attach the printed circuit board, ensuring electrical continuity through a plate spring-like ground member, and strategically placing the second support part between flexible printed wiring boards to prevent deformation and improve assembly workability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the printed circuit board is fixed to the side surface of the frame member using screws, then the printed circuit board can be securely attached, but the operation efficiency of the fixing operation deteriorates due to difficulty in aligning screws and poor accessibility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixing strengthVSAvoidoperation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

A support member is introduced as an intermediary component between the frame member and the printed circuit board. The support member includes a support surface that contacts the printed circuit board and a contact surface that contacts the frame member, thereby mediating the connection and eliminating the need for direct screw fixation to the frame member's side surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The fixing function is segmented into two separate components: the support member that provides the support surface for the printed circuit board, and the frame member that provides the contact surface. This segmentation allows the printed circuit board to be fixed from below rather than from the side, improving accessibility and operation efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of manufacture

If the printed circuit board is fixed from the side surface of the frame member, then the printed circuit board can be attached, but deformation of the printed circuit board occurs during the fixing operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of attachmentVSAvoiddeformation control

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of fixing the printed circuit board from the side surface of the frame member, the support member inverts the fixing direction by providing a support surface from below. This allows the printed circuit board to be fixed from its rear surface side, preventing deformation during the attachment process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Ease of manufacture

If the printed circuit board is fixed to the side surface of the frame member, then the printed circuit board can be attached, but adjustment of the fastening force becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of attachmentVSAvoidfastening force adjustment

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The support member acts as an intermediary that provides a dedicated contact surface for the printed circuit board. This intermediary structure allows for easier adjustment of fastening force compared to direct side-surface fixation to the frame member.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Ease of manufacture

If the printed circuit board is fixed from the side surface, then the printed circuit board can be attached, but the grounding reliability deteriorates due to poor contact between the ground member and frame member

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of attachmentVSAvoidgrounding reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The support member serves as an intermediary that improves grounding reliability. The contact surface of the support member contacts both the frame member and the ground member on the printed circuit board, ensuring reliable electrical continuity for grounding purposes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The support member is prepared in advance with both a support surface for the printed circuit board and a contact surface for the frame member. This preliminary preparation ensures that grounding contact is established before the actual attachment process, improving grounding reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS7891985B2Display apparatus

Publication Date: 2011.02.22 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORP OF AMERICA

AI summary

A display apparatus includes a display panel, a flexible printed wiring board, a printed circuit board, a support member to support the display panel and the printed circuit board, and a frame member to cover the printed circuit board and to assist support of the display panel. The printed circuit board is supported at a side surface of the support member by bending the flexible printed wiring board, and the support member includes, at the side surface for supporting the printed circuit board, a first support part to support one end side of the printed circuit board which is opposite to another end side to which the flexible printed wiring board is connected, and a second support part to support the another end side of the printed circuit board. The frame member has a contact portion for contacting the printed circuit board.