Integrated Surface Mount Standoff and LED for Lightpipe Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
In space-constrained computing and networking hardware, the dense arrangement of components on Printed Circuit Board Assemblies (PCBAs) makes it challenging to manage physical space for lightpipe mounting, leading to increased complexity and errors in Computer Aided Design (CAD) placement due to the need for separate threaded solder standoffs and screws.
Innovation Solution
A combined surface mount standoff and LED that integrates a solder standoff with a centrally positioned LED, allowing direct securing of a lightpipe without additional mechanical space, thereby simplifying PCBA layout and reducing CAD errors by acting as a single piece of hardware.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate threaded solder standoffs and screws are used for lightpipe mounting, then reliable lightpipe attachment is achieved, but physical space requirements increase and CAD placement complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the threaded standoff and LED into a single integrated component. The standoff includes an integrated cavity for receiving the lightpipe and an integrated LED positioned centrally, eliminating the need for separate components. This merging reduces the number of parts and the space required on the PCBA while maintaining reliable lightpipe attachment through the threaded portion.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated standoff component performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical support as a standoff, enables lightpipe attachment through its threaded cavity, and serves as the light source through the integrated LED. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components and reduces overall space requirements.
2Reliability
If separate threaded solder standoffs and screws are used for lightpipe mounting, then secure lightpipe attachment is achieved, but design time increases due to multiple components
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the standoff and LED into a single integrated component, the design process is simplified. Engineers no longer need to separately design, place, and connect multiple components (standoff, LED, screws), reducing design time while maintaining secure lightpipe attachment through the integrated threaded structure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate components are placed together manually in CAD, then component flexibility is maintained, but placement errors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated standoff-LED component is designed as a single unit with precise geometric relationships built into the component itself. The LED is positioned centrally within the standoff structure, ensuring accurate alignment. This eliminates placement errors that occur when manually positioning separate components, as the precise spatial relationship is preserved in the integrated design.
4Productivity
If dense component arrangement is implemented on PCBA, then space efficiency improves, but lightpipe mounting space becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The integration of the lightpipe mounting function into the LED component itself eliminates the need for dedicated lightpipe mounting space. The threaded cavity within the standoff structure provides the mounting function, allowing dense component arrangement without sacrificing lightpipe mounting capability.
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 solution reduces physical space requirements on the PCBAs, increases module density, and decreases design time by eliminating the need for separate components and additional mechanical space, while ensuring accurate light transmission from the LED to the outside of the module.
Implementation Method 1
an LED disposed on the surface of the PCBA and in the center of the base of the surface mount standoff and aligned centrally under the cavity
Implementation Method 2
a lightpipe adapted to optically couple a light emitting diode (LED) disposed on the PCBA and the faceplate of the enclosure
Data Source
AI summary
A combination standoff and LED includes a surface mount solder standoff which can be either threaded or unthreaded, and a surface mount LED disposed and fixed in the center of the base of the standoff. The combination standoff and LED is adapted to receive a lightpipe via the either threaded or unthreaded portion of the surface mount solder standoff. This combination standoff and LED results in a single piece of hardware which simplifies the physical PCBA layout design and removes any Computer Aided Design (CAD) placement errors that would normally be present if two separate hardware components were placed together manually.