Wrap-around Overmold for Electronic Assembly Delamination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electronic assemblies experience delamination issues at the interface between the backplate and overmolding material due to thermal cycling, attributed to differences in the coefficient of thermal expansion between the backplate and overmold material.

Innovation Solution

The overmold body is configured to wrap around the sides and partially around the backside of the backplate, ensuring adhesive contact along both sides and part of the backside, thereby preventing delamination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If adhesive bonding is used between backplate and overmolding material, then mechanical resistance to shock and vibration is improved, but delamination occurs during thermal cycling due to coefficient of thermal expansion difference

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical resistance to shock and vibrationVSAvoidadhesion integrity during thermal cycling
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The overmold body is configured to wrap around the backplate in a three-dimensional manner, extending over the front surface and around the sides. This dimensional extension transforms the bonding interface from a simple planar contact to a multi-surface configuration, increasing the effective bonding area and distributing thermal stress across multiple surfaces, thereby preventing delamination during thermal cycling while maintaining mechanical strength

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

2Reliability

If overmold body wraps around sides and backside of backplate, then delamination is prevented, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedelamination preventionVSAvoidovermold body configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The overmold body is designed as an integrated, monolithic structure that combines multiple protective functions into a single component. By merging the sealing function, the structural support function, and the delamination prevention function into one wrap-around overmold body, the design achieves reliability without proportionally increasing complexity, as the unified structure is manufactured as a single piece rather than multiple assembled components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 configuration effectively prevents delamination, enhances corrosion resistance, and secures the printed circuit board assembly and electrical connector within the electronic assembly.

Implementation Method 1

an adhesive bond between the backplate and the overmolding material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesive bonding: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

a substantial difference between the coefficient of thermal expansion of the backplate and the overmold material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal expansion difference: Thermal Expansion

Data Source

PatentEP2191506B1Wrap-around overmold for electronic assembly
Publication Date: 2011.11.09 DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES INC
  • EP2191506B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3

AI summary

An improved overmolded electronic assembly includes a backplate provided with a recessed edge, a circuit substrate on the backplate, at least one electronic component mounted on the circuit substrate, conductive traces on the circuit substrate which together with the electronic component(s) defines a circuit device, an electrical connector, and an overmold body that has peripheral edges that wrap around sides of the backplate and onto the edge recesses. The resulting over wrap feature eliminates delamination problems that would otherwise occur during thermal cycling of the electronic assembly, improves corrosion resistance at connector-to-backplate interfaces, and enhances securement of the printed circuit board assembly and electrical connector to the assembly.