Motor Vehicle Computer Casing Metal Element With Deformation for PCB Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing attachment methods for printed circuit boards in motor vehicle computer casings, such as riveting and insert-based systems, are prone to cracks and chip formation, leading to insecure attachment and potential sealing defects that allow dust and water ingress.
Innovation Solution
A metal element with protruding deformations on its exterior face, designed to receive self-tapping screws for secure attachment to the printed circuit board, ensuring a robust and sealed connection by using stamped deformations and stainless steel components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If rivets are used to attach the printed circuit board to the sheet metalwork, then the attachment is straightforward, but cracks may appear at the flattened portion of the rivet and chips may be produced causing short circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional rivet-based mechanical attachment system with a self-tapping screw system. The self-tapping screw is inserted through the printed circuit board and directly engages with the deformation protrusion on the sheet metalwork, eliminating the need for separate rivets and flattening operations. This substitution removes the source of cracks and chips while maintaining attachment functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The deformation protrusion is pre-formed on the sheet metalwork during the stamping process, creating a dedicated receptacle for the self-tapping screw. This preliminary action ensures that the attachment feature is already in place before assembly, allowing the self-tapping screw to be directly inserted and secured without requiring additional processing steps that could generate defects.
2Ease of manufacture
If inserts are used to attach the printed circuit board, then attachment is achieved, but sealing defects may occur allowing dust and water to penetrate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the attachment function and sealing function into a single integrated solution. The deformation protrusion on the sheet metalwork serves dual purposes: it provides the mechanical engagement point for the self-tapping screw and simultaneously creates a sealed interface with the printed circuit board. This eliminates the need for separate insert components that could create sealing defects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent removes the intermediate insert component from the attachment system. By directly engaging the self-tapping screw with the deformation protrusion on the sheet metalwork, the design eliminates the potential sealing failure points associated with inserts while maintaining attachment functionality.
3Reliability
If the shaft length of the deformation is shorter than the under-head length of the self-tapping screw, then secure attachment is achieved, but the deformation occupies more space
Solution Approach 1:
The deformation protrusion features a rounded head portion that conforms to the geometry of the self-tapping screw head. This curved geometry allows the screw to be inserted and secured effectively while minimizing the overall volume occupied by the deformation, as the rounded shape fits within the contours of the sheet metalwork more efficiently than a rectangular or cylindrical shape.
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
The solution provides a secure and reliable attachment of the printed circuit board to the casing, preventing cracks and chip formation, while ensuring excellent sealing against environmental elements like dust and water, thus enhancing the mechanical integrity and reliability of the computer casing.
Implementation Method 1
said printed circuit board being attached to said second face by way of a self-tapping screw implanted in said deformation
Implementation Method 2
The deformation (32) is produced by stamping
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a metal element, such as a structural support or a cover, of a protective casing of a computer for a motor vehicle, which metal element has a first face, which is intended to be oriented toward the exterior of the protective casing, and a second face, which is intended to be oriented toward the interior of the protective casing, the element including a printed circuit board, characterized in that the element includes at least one deformation that protrudes with respect to the first face, the printed circuit board being attached to the second face by way of a self-tapping screw implanted in the deformation.