Supporting Member for Stacked Circuit Boards

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The increasing number of circuit boards in electronic devices, stacked to minimize size, often leads to bending deformation during locking, causing breakage and poor heat dissipation due to accumulated tolerances, resulting in inadequate contact between circuit boards and heat dissipating components.

Innovation Solution

A supporting member with a body portion, first and second fixing portions, and feet is used to reinforce the structural strength of circuit boards, preventing bending by fixing multiple boards together and enhancing assembly flexibility through adjustable fixing holes and surfaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If circuit boards are stacked and screwed together to simplify device size, then device compactness is improved, but circuit board bending deformation occurs during locking

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidcircuit board structural strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

A supporting member is introduced as an intermediary component between stacked circuit boards. This supporting member includes a body portion with first and second fixing portions that extend in opposite directions, allowing it to connect multiple circuit boards together while providing structural support that prevents bending deformation during the locking process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The supporting member is constructed as a composite structure combining a body portion with extending fixing portions, creating a multi-component assembly that integrates both support and fastening functions. This composite design provides enhanced structural strength compared to using单一 fastening components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If locking force is applied to secure circuit boards, then assembly strength is improved, but circuit board bending and component damage occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly strengthVSAvoidcircuit board integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The supporting member is segmented into distinct functional portions: a body portion and multiple extending fixing portions. This segmentation allows the locking force to be distributed across multiple attachment points rather than concentrated at a single location, reducing the risk of localized bending and component damage while maintaining overall assembly strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The fixing portions of the supporting member are designed to extend and provide flexible attachment points. This dynamic structure allows the supporting member to adapt to slight variations in circuit board positioning while distributing mechanical stresses, thereby preventing rigid force transmission that could cause bending or component damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Volume of moving object

If multiple circuit boards are stacked to reduce device size, then device compactness is improved, but tolerance accumulation causes poor contact with heat dissipating components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidcontact precision between circuit board and heat dissipating component

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The supporting member acts as a precision intermediary between stacked circuit boards and heat dissipating components. By providing a stable, rigid support structure, it compensates for accumulated tolerances from multiple circuit board layers, ensuring that the contact interface between circuit boards and heat dissipating components maintains precise alignment and effective thermal contact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Strength

If circuit boards are fixed together with locking accessories, then assembly strength is improved, but bending deformation occurs during the locking process

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly strengthVSAvoidcircuit board flatness

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The supporting member serves as a mediator that maintains circuit board flatness during the locking process. Its rigid body portion with extending fixing portions provides a stable reference structure that prevents bending deformation, allowing locking accessories to secure the assembly without causing shape distortion to the circuit boards.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS10999948B2Electronic device and supporting member thereof

Publication Date: 2021.05.04 INVENTEC PUDONG TECH CORPOARTION

AI summary

A supporting member includes a body portion, at least one first fixing portion, and at least one second fixing portion. The first fixing portion is connected to a side of the body portion and bends relative to the body portion. The first fixing portion is configured to be fixed to a first circuit board. The second fixing portion is connected to another side of the body portion and bends relative to the body portion. The second fixing portion is configured to be fixed to a second circuit board.