PCB Support Members for Impact Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic devices face challenges in protecting printed circuit boards from external impacts, as current supporting structures are inadequate in preventing damage to both the first and second printed circuit boards when subjected to external forces.
Innovation Solution
The electronic device incorporates a first and second support member on each printed circuit board, with an interposer between them, where the support members are designed to come into contact upon external force application, thereby reducing the risk of damage by spacing and supporting each other.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a supporting structure is added to protect printed circuit boards from external impact, then the reliability of the printed circuit boards is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support members are disposed within the spaces between electronic components on the printed circuit boards, nesting the protective structure within the existing device architecture rather than adding external structures. This allows the support members to protect the PCBs without significantly increasing overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The support members act as intermediary elements between the electronic components and the external impact forces. These intermediaries absorb and distribute impact forces, protecting the vulnerable PCBs while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure
2Reliability
If support members are disposed close to electronic components to maximize protection, then the protection effectiveness is improved, but the risk of contact between support members and electronic components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support members are positioned at specific locations between electronic components rather than uniformly distributed. This local positioning strategy provides targeted protection in areas most vulnerable to impact while maintaining sufficient spacing to avoid contact with electronic components during normal operation
Solution Approach 2:
The support members are designed to contact each other only when necessary (under external impact), rather than maintaining constant contact. This partial action approach provides protection exactly when needed while avoiding interference with electronic components during normal device operation
3Reliability
If the length of support members is increased to improve spacing and protection, then the protection capability is improved, but the device volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support members are nested within the existing space between the first and second printed circuit boards, utilizing unused volume in the device architecture. This allows increased support member length for better protection without proportionally increasing the overall device volume
Solution Approach 2:
The support members extend in the vertical dimension between the two PCBs rather than expanding the horizontal footprint of the device. This dimensional approach provides enhanced protection capability while maintaining a compact device form factor
Data Source
AI summary
According to an embodiment, an electronic device includes a first printed circuit board and a second printed circuit board, facing the first printed circuit board, disposed over the first printed circuit board. The electronic device includes a first support member disposed on a first surface of the first printed circuit board. The electronic device includes a second support member, disposed on a second surface of the second printed circuit board, facing the first printed circuit board and configured to come into contact with the first support member by an external force applied to the electronic device. The electronic device includes an interposer between the first printed circuit board and the second printed circuit board, surrounding an area between the first surface and the second surface.