Solderable Circuit Board Module System with Frame-Shaped Contact Region

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing circuit board connection methods, such as plug-in connectors and soldering, face challenges like high costs, construction height, reliability issues, and mechanical stress, particularly in demanding applications like automotive microelectronics, where variations in humidity, temperature, and contamination can cause failures.

Innovation Solution

A solderable circuit board module system with a first module having a frame-shaped contact region on the underside and a second module with additional solder connection contacts arranged as an outer frame, allowing for scalable sizes and standardization, improved stability, and efficient grounding, while using a multi-layer structure with extensive grounding layers for enhanced electromagnetic compatibility and low construction height.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of repair

If plug-in connectors are used for connecting module circuit boards to motherboards, then ease of replacement is improved, but construction height increases and reliability deteriorates under mechanical stress

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of replacementVSAvoidreliability under mechanical stress
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The contact region is segmented into a frame-shaped structure with multiple individual contact points distributed around the perimeter, allowing mechanical stress to be distributed across multiple discrete locations rather than concentrated at single connector points

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connection interface transitions from vertical plug-in connectors to a planar frame-shaped contact region on the circuit board underside, eliminating the need for vertical connector housings and reducing construction height while maintaining connection functionality

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

2Reliability

If solder beads are applied for each contact point, then connection reliability is improved, but construction height increases and manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidconstruction height
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The solder beads are completely removed from the design, replacing them with solder paste applied directly to the frame-shaped contact region, eliminating the need for separate solder bead application steps and reducing construction height

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The contact region and solder application area are merged into a single integrated frame-shaped structure, combining the functions of electrical contact and solder attachment in one planar element

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple different module designs are created for different applications, then adaptability is improved, but development effort increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different applicationsVSAvoiddevelopment effort
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The frame-shaped contact region serves as a universal interface that can accommodate different module sizes and configurations by varying only the number and arrangement of contact points within the same fundamental frame structure, enabling one design to serve multiple applications

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the frame-shaped contact region can be assigned different contact densities or patterns tailored to specific local requirements, while maintaining the overall universal frame structure that enables adaptability across different module types

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS11297715B2Solderable circuit board module system
Publication Date: 2022.04.05 PHYTEC MESSTECHNIK GMBH
  • US11297715B2 patent drawing
  • US11297715B2 patent drawing
  • US11297715B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A solderable circuit board module system includes at least a first solderable circuit board module and a second solderable circuit board module, wherein the first solderable circuit board module has a first module circuit board having a top side and an underside provided for placement on a motherboard, wherein on the underside of the first module circuit board, solder connection contacts are arranged in a first frame-shaped contact region around a central middle section, which is free of connection contacts. The second solderable circuit board module has additional solder connection contacts, which form an outer frame around the first frame-shaped contact region, as a second group.