Portable Device Circuit Board Fastening Hook

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing portable devices for vehicle operation face a trade-off between miniaturization and the size of the circuit area, as the engagement hooks and guard plates occupy space, limiting the reduction in size without compromising the circuit area.

Innovation Solution

A portable device design where the circuit board is held between a protection cover and a battery holder, with engaging portions and hooks that project along the end surfaces of the circuit board, allowing for a compact structure without reducing the circuit area, by optimizing the placement and configuration of engaging hooks and walls to prevent them from occupying the circuit space.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the engagement hook and guard plate are positioned to secure the circuit board, then the structural integrity and protection are improved, but the circuit area is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidcircuit area
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The engagement hook is repositioned to engage with the end surface of the circuit board rather than projecting into the circuit area. This dimensional repositioning allows the hook to maintain structural integrity while eliminating its intrusion into the circuit space, effectively resolving the contradiction between protection and circuit area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Volume of moving object

If the protection cover and battery holder are miniaturized, then the overall device size is reduced, but the circuit area is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidcircuit area
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The engagement structure is redesigned to engage along the end surface of the circuit board rather than projecting into the planar circuit area. This allows the protection cover and battery holder to be miniaturized while maintaining both the circuit area and structural integrity, as the engagement hook operates in a different spatial dimension.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Strength

If the engagement hook projects toward the circuit board, then the fastening strength is improved, but the circuit area is occupied and reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefastening strengthVSAvoidcircuit area
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The engagement hook is repositioned to engage with the end surface of the circuit board rather than projecting toward the circuit elements. This maintains fastening strength through proper engagement while eliminating the occupation of circuit area, as the hook operates along the edge rather than over the circuit plane.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Reliability

If the guard plate covers the engagement hook, then the aesthetic appearance and protection are improved, but the device size is enlarged

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveprotectionVSAvoiddevice size
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The guard plate is removed entirely from the design. The engagement hook is repositioned to engage with the end surface of the circuit board, which inherently provides protection without requiring an additional guard plate structure. This extraction eliminates the extra volume while maintaining both protection and aesthetic appearance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP3163756B1Portable device
Publication Date: 2018.09.12 KK TOKAI RIKA DENKI SEISAKUSHO
  • EP3163756B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3163756B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2D
  • EP3163756B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3E

AI summary

A portable device includes a circuit board (20), a first member (40), and a second member (30). The circuit board (20) is held and fastened between the first member (40) and the second member (30). The first member (40) includes a wall (42) that extends toward the second member (30) from the first member (40). The second member (30) includes an engaging portion (32). The engaging portion (32) includes an extension (32a), which extends toward the first member (40) from the second member (30), and a hook (32b), which projects from the extension (32a) in a direction extending along an end surface (20a) of the circuit board (20). The portable device further includes an engaged portion (45) located along an inner side of the wall (42). Engagement of the engaged portion (45) with the hook (32b) of the engaging portion (32) fastens the first member (40) to the second member (30).