Stacked Circuit Board Interconnect Without Bulky Connectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional stacked circuit boards use male/female electrical connectors, which occupy space, increase material costs, and require labor-intensive manual assembly.
Innovation Solution
A stacked circuit board assembly with a third circuit board positioned between two main boards, featuring electrical contacts on both sides connected by a conductive structure, replacing traditional connectors, allowing for automated assembly and reduced size and material cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If male/female electrical connectors are used to connect stacked circuit boards, then electrical connection is achieved, but the overall size increases and material cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the connection function into the circuit board structure itself by integrating electrical contacts and conductive pathways directly into the substrate. The third circuit board acts as an intermediary that electrically connects the first and second circuit boards through its substrate, eliminating the need for separate male/female electrical connectors and reducing overall assembly size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the electrical connection function from separate connector components and integrates it directly into the circuit board substrate. By removing the need for external electrical connectors and using the substrate itself as the connection medium, the design reduces material usage and overall size while maintaining reliable electrical connectivity.
2Reliability
If male/female electrical connectors are used to connect stacked circuit boards, then electrical connection is achieved, but material cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the electrical connection function with the circuit board substrate itself, eliminating the need for separate connector materials. The third circuit board's substrate serves as the connection medium, reducing material quantity and cost while maintaining reliable electrical connection between the first and second circuit boards.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent removes the need for expensive external electrical connector materials by extracting the connection function into the substrate. This reduction in material quantity directly lowers material cost while preserving the essential electrical connection capability.
3Reliability
If male/female electrical connectors are used to connect stacked circuit boards, then electrical connection is achieved, but manual assembly is required making production time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the electrical connection function into the circuit board assembly structure, allowing for automated assembly processes. The integrated substrate-based connections can be formed using automated PCB manufacturing techniques rather than requiring manual connector installation, significantly improving production speed and productivity.
4Reliability
If electrical connectors are used to connect stacked circuit boards, then connection is achieved, but the connectors occupy considerable space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the connection function with the circuit board substrate, eliminating the need for separate connector components that occupy space. The electrical contacts are integrated directly into the substrate structure, minimizing the area required for connections and allowing for more compact stacked circuit board assembly.
Data Source
AI summary
A stacked circuit board assembly includes a first circuit board, a second circuit board alongside the first circuit board, and a third circuit board disposed between the first and second circuit boards. The first circuit board includes a first electrical contact, and the second circuit board includes a second electrical contact. The third circuit board includes a substrate, a third electrical contact, a fourth electrical contact and a conductive connection structure. The third and fourth electrical contacts are disposed on two opposite surfaces of the substrate, respectively, and are attached to the first and second electrical contacts, respectively. The conductive connection structure connects the third electrical contact to the fourth electrical contact.