Power Supply Substrate Insulation via Segmented Ground Patterns

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing power supply substrates require large ground (GND) patterns for protective earth, leading to increased substrate size due to the need for minimal conductor dimensions, which complicates insulation between primary and secondary circuits.

Innovation Solution

The substrate design includes separate GND patterns for primary and secondary circuits with reinforced insulation between them, allowing for double insulation configurations that exclude the GND pattern from the protective bonding conductor, thereby reducing the need for enlarged GND patterns and preventing substrate size increase.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If large GND patterns are provided for protective earth, then insulation between primary and secondary circuits is improved, but substrate size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsulation between primary and secondary circuitsVSAvoidsubstrate size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The substrate is divided into distinct first and second regions separated by a partition wall, with the primary circuit in the first region and the secondary circuit in the second region. This segmentation provides electrical insulation between the circuits without requiring enlarged GND patterns, thereby maintaining reliability while preventing substrate size increase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A partition wall is introduced as an intermediary structure between the primary and secondary circuits. This partition wall provides the necessary insulation and electrical separation, replacing the need for large GND patterns while maintaining the protective insulation function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If minimal conductor dimensions are required for protective earth, then insulation distance is maintained, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotective earth insulationVSAvoidinsulation configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the substrate into separate regions for primary and secondary circuits with a partition wall, the design simplifies the insulation configuration. The partition wall clearly defines the boundaries and insulation requirements, making the protective earth arrangement less complex while maintaining minimal conductor dimensions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11406009B2Substrate, power supply device, and substrate insulation method

Publication Date: 2022.08.02 RICOH CO LTD

AI summary

A substrate includes a primary circuit; a secondary circuit; and a ground (GND) patterns. In a path between the primary circuit and the secondary circuit without passing through the GND pattern, reinforced insulation is provided between the primary circuit and the secondary circuit. In a path between the primary circuit and the secondary circuit through the GND pattern, one of 1) a combination of reinforced insulation and functional insulation and 2) a combination of basic insulation, additional insulation, and functional insulation is provided between the primary circuit and the secondary circuit.