Stacked Control Module Bracket for PCB Contamination Isolation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Contamination from screws can lead to short circuit failures between terminals on stacked boards in electronic control modules, particularly when electronic components have narrow intervals.

Innovation Solution

An electronic control module design featuring a tubular bracket that creates a closed space between stacked boards, preventing contamination from adhering to components, and using insulating coatings on certain components to prevent short circuits, with a thermally conductive plate to manage heat.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If boards are stacked to reduce space, then space utilization is improved, but contamination risk increases leading to short circuit failures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespace utilizationVSAvoidshort circuit failure risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The internal space between stacked boards is segmented into a closed contamination-preventive space using the tubular bracket, separating the contamination-prone screwing area from the contamination-sensitive electronic component area

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The tubular bracket acts as an intermediary structure that defines a closed space, preventing direct contact between contamination sources (screws) and vulnerable targets (electronic components with narrow terminal intervals)

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If insulating coatings are applied to prevent short circuits, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshort circuit preventionVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The tubular bracket is installed beforehand to define the closed space, preventing contamination before assembly is complete, thereby eliminating the need for subsequent insulating coating operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The solution extracts the contamination prevention function from the electronic components themselves (by providing a protective closed space) rather than requiring the components to be coated, simplifying the overall manufacturing process

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

Prevents contamination and reduces costs by eliminating the need for coatings on certain components, while effectively managing heat through thermal conductivity, thereby reducing the risk of failures.

Implementation Method 1

a tubular bracket provided between the first board and the second board and defining a closed space between the first board and the second board

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical containment: Physical Containment

Implementation Method 2

with a thermally conductive plate to manage heat

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP4141929B1Electronic control module

Publication Date: 2025.11.05 NISSAN MOTOR CO LTD

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AI summary

An electronic control module includes: a first board having an upper surface on which electronic components are mounted; a second board disposed on an upper surface side of the first board with an interval therebetween and having an upper surface on which electronic components are mounted; and a tubular bracket provided between the first board and the second board and defining a closed space between the first board and the second board.