Upright Sub-Board Edge Connector for Compact Circuit Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing circuit board assemblies face challenges in miniaturization and weight reduction due to the large area occupied by connection terminals, and high manufacturing costs associated with these terminals.

Innovation Solution

The circuit board assembly comprises a main circuit board and at least one sub-circuit board that stands upright on the main board, with an edge connector on the free edge of the sub-circuit board, allowing for electrical connection to external devices without the need for costly connection terminals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If connection terminals are used to connect the circuit board with external equipment, then the electrical connection reliability is improved, but the area occupied on the circuit board increases and manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connection reliabilityVSAvoidarea occupied on circuit board
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from traditional connection terminals that occupy board surface area to edge connectors located on the perimeter edge of the circuit board. This dimensional repositioning allows electrical connections to be made at the board's edge rather than consuming valuable surface area, effectively resolving the contradiction between connection reliability and area occupation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs edge connectors that replicate the electrical connection function of traditional connection terminals but with a different structural implementation. The edge connector serves as a functional copy that achieves the same electrical connection purpose while occupying minimal board area and reducing manufacturing costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Reliability

If connection terminals are used to connect the circuit board with external equipment, then the electrical connection reliability is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connection reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive connection terminals with more cost-effective edge connectors. The edge connector implementation uses simpler manufacturing processes and materials, significantly reducing the production cost while maintaining adequate electrical connection reliability for the application requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Adaptability or versatility

If complex circuits are arranged on the main circuit board, then the functional capability is improved, but the area occupied increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional capabilityVSAvoidarea occupied on main circuit board
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the circuit board system into a main circuit board and separate sub-circuit boards that connect via edge connectors. This segmentation allows complex circuit functionality to be distributed across multiple smaller boards, maintaining high functional capability while reducing the area occupied on any single board and enabling better space utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4531506A1Circuit board assembly and household appliance
Publication Date: 2025.04.02 DIEHL AKO STIFTUNG & CO KG
  • EP4531506A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4531506A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4531506A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The present invention relates to a circuit board assembly, wherein the circuit board assembly comprises a main circuit board and at least one sub-circuit board, wherein the main circuit board and the at least one sub-circuit board are electrically and mechanically connected to each other, the sub-circuit board can stand upright on the main circuit board, and wherein an edge connector is provided on the free edge of the sub-circuit board. The circuit board assembly has a more compact configuration on one hand, which helps the circuit board assembly to develop towards miniaturization and weight reduction; on the other hand, the circuit board assembly can use the edge connector constructed on the sub-circuit board instead of the connection terminal as the interface for electrical connection with external devices, thereby having a lower production cost. The present invention also relates to a household appliance.