SMD LED Positioning on PCB Using Adhesive Bonding

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for mounting SMD semiconductor light sources in motor vehicle headlights result in undesirably large positional inaccuracies due to blurring and tilting in the liquid solder, which affects the photometric requirements for light distribution.

Innovation Solution

Applying adhesive to predetermined points on the printed circuit board or the SMD semiconductor light source before positioning, and bonding it to the board before melting the solder, thereby preventing unwanted changes in position during the soldering process, using a handling system with camera and image-processing control for precise alignment relative to defined reference marks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If solder is applied and melted to attach the SMD semiconductor light source to the circuit board, then electrical and mechanical connection is achieved, but positional inaccuracies increase due to blurring and tilting in the liquid solder

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidpositioning accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Adhesive is applied to predetermined locations on the circuit board and/or SMD semiconductor light source before the soldering step, and the SMD semiconductor light source is bonded to the circuit board in the desired position before the solder is melted. This preliminary bonding action prevents positional changes during the subsequent solder melting process, thereby maintaining positioning accuracy while achieving reliable connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Manufacturing precision

If the SMD semiconductor light source is positioned precisely on the circuit board, then photometric requirements are met, but positional tolerances increase during the soldering process due to buoyancy forces in liquid solder

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidposition stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The SMD semiconductor light source is bonded to the circuit board using adhesive before the solder is melted, establishing a stable position that prevents blurring and tilting caused by buoyancy forces in the liquid solder during the soldering process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Adhesive is introduced as an intermediary substance between the SMD semiconductor light source and the circuit board, providing temporary mechanical support and position stability during the soldering process before the solder solidifies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Manufacturing precision

If adhesive is applied and bonding is performed before solder melting, then positional inaccuracies are reduced, but process complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidprocess complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The adhesive bonding step and soldering step are merged into a single integrated process where both operations are performed in sequence without removing the workpiece from the fixture, thereby reducing handling complexity despite adding a bonding step.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The process utilizes temperature parameter changes during soldering to control the state of materials (adhesive curing and solder melting) in a controlled sequence, enabling the multi-step process to be executed automatically without manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This approach significantly reduces positional inaccuracies, improves compliance with photometric requirements, and decreases the reject rate during manufacturing, leading to more efficient and accurate headlight production.

Implementation Method 1

adhesive is applied to predetermined locations on the circuit board and/or the SMD semiconductor light source before the solder is melted, and the SMD semiconductor light source is bonded to the circuit board in the position achieved by the positioning step

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesive bonding: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

an adhesive that cures by ultraviolet radiation is used, which is irradiated with ultraviolet light before the solder is melted

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUltraviolet curing: Photopolymerisation

Implementation Method 3

a solder joint is created by temporarily melting the solder in a soldering oven and then allowing it to cool

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMelting and solidification: Melting

Implementation Method 4

at least one camera and an image processing control of a handling system that grips and positions the SMD semiconductor light source

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectImage processing: Image Processing

Data Source

PatentEP2983458B1Method for fixing a SMD semiconductor light source on a circuit board of a headlight of a vehicle
Publication Date: 2023.07.12 MARELLI GERMANY GMBH
  • EP2983458B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2983458B1 patent drawingFigure 4
  • EP2983458B1 patent drawingFigure 5a

AI summary

A method for attaching a semiconductor light source (12) to a printed circuit board (10) of a motor vehicle headlight is presented, comprising the following steps: applying solder (54) to predetermined locations on the printed circuit board and/or at predetermined locations on the SMD semiconductor light source; positioning the SMD semiconductor light source on the printed circuit board in a position where a solder joint is subsequently made; and temporarily melting the solder in a soldering oven and cooling the solder. The method is characterized by the fact that, prior to melting the solder, adhesive (104, 106) is applied to predetermined locations on the printed circuit board and/or the SMD semiconductor light source, and that the SMD semiconductor light source is bonded to the printed circuit board in the position achieved by the positioning step.