Flexible Shielding Film for PCB Electromagnetic Interference

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electronic devices face issues with electromagnetic interference and noise interference due to increased clock frequencies and data transfer rates, leading to malfunction and degradation in wireless connectivity, and existing shielding solutions like metal shields can be heavy and lose contact with printed circuit boards, compromising shielding performance.

Innovation Solution

A lightweight shielding film is developed that can be closely attached to printed circuit boards, featuring a conductive layer and a three-dimensional shaping layer to deform and conform to the board's shape, ensuring effective electromagnetic wave blocking without the need for a sidewall structure or increased weight.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If traditional metal shield cans are used for electromagnetic shielding, then shielding performance is improved, but weight increases and contact stability with the printed circuit board deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectromagnetic interferenceVSAvoidshielding structure weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces rigid metal shield cans with a flexible shielding film comprising a resin adhesive layer, a shielding layer, and an insulating layer. This thin film structure achieves effective electromagnetic shielding while dramatically reducing weight and eliminating contact stability issues associated with rigid shield cans.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The shielding film employs a composite multi-layer structure combining resin adhesive material, conductive shielding material (such as metal foil or conductive polymer), and insulating material. This composite approach integrates the benefits of each material to achieve lightweight construction with effective electromagnetic interference protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If traditional metal shield cans are used for electromagnetic shielding, then shielding performance is improved, but contact stability with the printed circuit board deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectromagnetic interferenceVSAvoidcontact stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible shielding film can conform to the printed circuit board surface and maintain reliable contact through its adaptability, unlike rigid shield cans that may lose contact due to thermal expansion, vibration, or board deformation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The resin adhesive layer undergoes phase transition from uncured to cured state, changing from a flexible, conformable state to a stable, bonded state. This parameter change enables the film to adapt to the board surface during application and then maintain stable contact during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If shielding structures with sidewall are used to protect electronic parts, then electromagnetic shielding is improved, but device complexity and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectromagnetic interferenceVSAvoidshielding structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flat shielding film eliminates the need for complex sidewall structures by providing a conformable surface-mounted solution that achieves shielding effectiveness through its conductive layer and proper grounding, simplifying the overall device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts only the essential shielding function from the complex shield can structure, using a simplified flat film configuration that provides electromagnetic protection without requiring three-dimensional enclosures or sidewalls.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

The shielding film provides a wide shielding area while maintaining close contact with the printed circuit board, effectively blocking electromagnetic waves and improving connectivity by being lighter and more adaptable than traditional shield cans.

Implementation Method 1

a shielding film that is disposed on a printed circuit board... effectively blocking electromagnetic waves

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic shielding: Faraday Cage

Implementation Method 2

a three-dimensional shaping layer... to deform and conform to the board's shape

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

The resin adhesive layer may include a thermoplastic resin adhesive... stably maintains connection with the ground after curing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP3837933B1Shielding film including plurality of layers and electronic device using the same
Publication Date: 2024.06.19 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3837933B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3837933B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3837933B1 patent drawingFigure 4a~4b

AI summary

An electronic device and a shielding film are disclosed herein. The electronic device includes a printed circuit board and at least one electrical component mounted on the printed circuit board. The shielding film is disposed on at least a part of the printed circuit board to block electromagnetic waves generated by the printed circuit board and/or the electronic component. The shielding film includes a plurality of layers, and is attached to at least part of the printed circuit board and contacting an upper side surface of the electronic component, wherein at least part of the shielding film includes a nano-conductive fiber and is electrically connected with a ground part of the printed circuit board through the nano-conductive fiber.