PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD ASSEMBLY AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD ASSEMBLY

A printed circuit board assembly includes a printed circuit board including a plurality of support holes, a metal frame on which the printed circuit board is supported, and a plurality of bonding portions between the metal frame and the printed circuit board that bond the metal frame and the printed circuit board. The metal frame includes a plate portion opposite the printed circuit board, and a plurality of supports integral with the plate portion, bent and protruding from the plate portion and extending to the printed circuit board, each of the plurality of supports being inserted into each of the plurality of support holes and supporting the printed circuit board.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0075711 filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Jun. 13, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Embodiments relate to a printed circuit board assembly and a method for manufacturing a printed circuit board assembly.

2. Description of the Related Art

A printed circuit board (PCB) is used for mounting electronic components.

SUMMARY

Embodiments are directed to a printed circuit board assembly, including a printed circuit board having a plurality of support holes, a metal frame supporting the printed circuit board, and a plurality of bonding portions between the metal frame and the printed circuit board bonding the metal frame and the printed circuit board, wherein the metal frame includes a plate portion opposite the printed circuit board, and a plurality of supports that is integral with the plate portion, bent and extending from the plate portion to the printed circuit board, inserted into the plurality of support holes, and supporting the printed circuit board.

Accordingly to embodiments, the metal frame may further include a plurality of through-holes adjacent to the plurality of supports and penetrating the plate portion.

Accordingly to embodiments, a planar shape of the plurality of through-holes is the same as a side shape of the plurality of supports.

Accordingly to embodiments, the number of the plurality of through-holes is the same as the number of the plurality of supports.

Accordingly to embodiments, the plurality of supports are separated from the plurality of through-holes and bent from the plate portion to protrude from the plate portion.

Accordingly to embodiments, the metal frame further includes a plurality of through-hinges penetrating between the plurality of supports and the plate portion.

Accordingly to embodiments, the metal frame further comprises a plurality of connecting hinges that curve and connect between each of the plurality of supports and the plate portion with each of the plurality of through-hinges interposed therebetween.

Accordingly to embodiments, the plurality of through-hinges are linear.

Accordingly to embodiments, each of the plurality of supports includes an insertion portion inserted into each of the plurality of support holes, and a support portion extending from the insertion portion to the plate portion and supporting the printed circuit board.

Accordingly to embodiments, the support portion includes a side portion extending at an incline from the plate portion toward the printed circuit board, and an upper portion positioned between the side portion and the insertion portion and contacting the printed circuit board.

Accordingly to embodiments, each of the plurality of bonding portions has a different thickness.

Accordingly to embodiments, each of the plurality of bonding portions has a different area.

Accordingly to embodiments, each of the plurality of bonding portions includes older.

Accordingly to embodiments, the plurality of supports are closer to a corner of the plate portion than to a center of the plate portion.

Accordingly to embodiments, a method for manufacturing a printed circuit board assembly, includes separating a plurality of supports from a plate portion of a metal frame and bending the plurality of supports from the plate portion to protrude from the plate portion, supporting the printed circuit board on the metal frame by inserting the plurality of supports into a plurality of support holes of the printed circuit board, and bonding the metal frame and the printed circuit board using a plurality of bonding portions between the metal frame and the printed circuit board.

Accordingly to embodiments, the separating of the plurality of supports from the plate portion of the metal frame and bending the plurality of supports from the plate portion to protrude from the plate portion includes forming a plurality of through-holes adjacent to the plurality of supports and penetrating the plate portion on the metal frame.

Accordingly to embodiments, the separating of the plurality of supports from the plate portion of the metal frame and bending the plurality of supports from the plate portion to protrude from the plate portion is performed by separating the plurality of supports from the plurality of through-holes along a plurality of through-hinges penetrating between the plurality of supports and the plate portion, and bending the plurality of supports from the plate portion.

Accordingly to embodiments, the plurality of through-hinges are linear.

Accordingly to embodiments, the bonding of the metal frame and the printed circuit board by positioning the plurality of bonding portions between the metal frame and the printed circuit board is performed by soldering the plurality of bonding portions between the metal frame and the printed circuit board.

Accordingly to embodiments, each of the plurality of bonding portions has a different thickness.

According to embodiments, a printed circuit board assembly and a method for manufacturing the printed circuit board assembly in which a short circuit between the metal frame and the printed circuit board is suppressed by maintaining a constant distance between the metal frame and the printed circuit board, even if no separate structure is added between the metal frame and the printed circuit board, are provided.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The terminology used herein is used to describe embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the present disclosure. The singular expression includes the plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

In addition, unless explicitly described to the contrary, the word “comprises”, “includes”, or “have” and variations thereof are intended to designate the presence of an embodied feature, number, step, element, or a combination thereof, and will be understood to imply the inclusion of stated elements but it does not preclude the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more features, number, step, element, or a combination thereof.

Hereinafter, a printed circuit board assembly according to embodiments will be described with reference toFIGS.1to4.

In an implementation, the printed circuit board assembly according to embodiments may be a printed circuit board assembly included in a protective circuit module of a secondary battery, but is not limited thereto, and may be a printed circuit board assembly including a printed circuit board assembly and a metal frame included in various known electronic devices.

FIG.1is a cross-sectional view illustrating a printed circuit board assembly according to an embodiment.

Referring toFIG.1, a printed circuit board assembly1000according to embodiments may include a printed circuit board100, a metal frame200, and a plurality of bonding portions300.

The printed circuit board100may include a plurality of support holes110positioned on the outside and a plurality of chips120mounted on the printed circuit board100.

The plurality of support holes110may be positioned at corners of the printed circuit board100in a plan view, but are not limited thereto. A plurality of support holes110may penetrate the printed circuit board100. A plurality of supports220of the metal frame200may be inserted into the plurality of support holes110. By inserting the plurality of supports220into the plurality of support holes110, the printed circuit board100may be supported by the metal frame200while maintaining a constant distance from the metal frame200. The plurality of support holes110may have various planar shapes corresponding to the shapes of the plurality of supports220. In an implementation, the plurality of support holes110may have various planar shapes such as polygons, including triangles, quadrangles, pentagons, and hexagons, as well as circular shapes, oval shapes, and irregular shapes.

The plurality of chips120may be mounted on the printed circuit board100. The plurality of chips120may include various known electronic chips included in various known protective circuit modules of secondary batteries, but are not limited thereto, and may include electronic chips included in various known electronic devices.

The metal frame200may be bonded to the printed circuit board100using a plurality of bonding portions300therebetween. The metal frame200supports the printed circuit board100. The metal frame200may have an area corresponding to the area of the printed circuit board100, but is not limited thereto. The metal frame200may have an area and a structure corresponding to a region inside a case of the secondary battery on which the printed circuit board assembly included in the protective circuit module of the secondary battery is mounted. In some embodiments, the metal frame200may have an area and structure corresponding to a region of various known electronic devices.

FIG.2is a top plan view illustrating a metal frame of a printed circuit board assembly according to an embodiment.FIG.3is a side view illustrating a metal frame of a printed circuit board assembly according to an embodiment.FIG.4is a cross-sectional view along IV-IV line ofFIG.2.

Referring toFIGS.2to4, the metal frame200includes a plate portion210, a plurality of supports220, a plurality of through-holes230, a plurality of through-hinges240, and a plurality of connecting hinges250.

The plate portion210may be opposite to or face-to-face with the printed circuit board100.

The plate portion210may include a metal containing nickel (Ni), but is not limited thereto. In an implementation, the plate portion210may include various known metals such as aluminum (Al) and stainless steel. The plate portion210may have a plate shape extending in a first direction X and in a second direction Y intersecting with the first direction X, but is not limited thereto. The plate portion210may be opposite to or face-to-face with the printed circuit board100in a third direction Z intersecting with the first and second directions X and Y. The plate portion210may be integral with the plurality of supports220.

The plurality of supports220, integral with the plate portion210, may be bent and extend from the plate portion210to the printed circuit board100and inserted into the plurality of support holes110of the printed circuit board100, to support the printed circuit board100. The plurality of supports220support the printed circuit board100, so that the printed circuit board100is supported on the metal frame200while maintaining a certain distance from the metal frame200.

As described, the plurality of supports220may be bent and extend in the third direction Z from the plate portion210and inserted into the plurality of support holes110of the printed circuit board100. The plurality of supports220may extend in the first direction X and the second direction Y inside the plurality of through-holes230of the plate portion210, and are separated from the plurality of through-holes230, bent in the third direction Z from the plate portion210, and may protrude and extend from the plate portion210in the third direction Z. The plurality of supports220may be positioned closer to the corners of the first direction X and the second direction Y of the plate portion210than to the center of the first direction X and the second direction Y of the plate portion210, and may be positioned at the corners of the plate portion210. Each of the plurality of supports220may include an insertion portion221and a support portion222.

The insertion portion221may be inserted into each of the plurality of support holes110of the printed circuit board100. The insertion portion221may protrude from the support portion222in the third direction Z. A planar shape of the insertion portion221may have the same shape as that of the support hole110, but is not limited thereto.

The support portion222may extend from the insertion portion221to the plate portion210. The support portion222may be positioned between the plate portion210and the insertion portion221and may contact the rear surface of the printed circuit board100in the third direction Z to support the printed circuit board100.

The support portion222may include a side portion222aand an upper portion222b.

The side portion222amay extend at an incline from the plate portion210toward the printed circuit board100. The side portion222amay extend at an incline from the front surface of the plate portion210based on the third direction Z.

The upper portion222bmay be positioned between the side portion222aand the insertion portion221and may contact the rear surface of the printed circuit board100in the third direction Z.

The side portion222aof the support portion222extends inclined from the upper portion222bcontacting the rear surface of the printed circuit board100to the front surface of the plate portion210, so that the printed circuit board100is firmly supported to the support220.

The plurality of through-holes230may be positioned adjacent to the plurality of supports220. The plurality of through-holes230may penetrate the plate portion210in the third direction Z. The planar shape of the plurality of through-holes230may be the same as the side shape of the plurality of supports220. The number of the plurality of through-holes230may be the same as the number of the plurality of supports220. The plurality of supports220may be separated from the plurality of through-holes230and may be bent and may be extended in the third direction Z from the plate portion210, so that the planar shape of the plurality of through-holes230is the same as the side shape of the plurality of supports220, and the number of the plurality of through-holes230is the same as the number of the plurality of supports220.

The plurality of through-hinges240are shown inFIG.4andFIGS.6and7to be described later. The plurality of through-hinges240may penetrate between the plurality of supports220and the plate portion210in the third direction Z. The plurality of through-hinges240may extend linearly in the first direction X. Each of the plurality of through-hinges240may extend linearly to correspond to a partial region of the plurality of supports220in the first direction X.

The plurality of connecting hinges250are shown inFIG.4andFIGS.6and7to be described later. The plurality of connecting hinges250may connect between the plurality of supports220and the plate portion210. Each of the plurality of connecting hinges250may connect in a curved manner each of the plurality of supports220and the plate portion210with each of the plurality of through-hinges240therebetween.

The plurality of supporters220may be separated from the plurality of through-holes230by the plurality of connecting hinges250and the plurality of through-hinges240so as to be easily bent and extended from the plate portion210in the third direction Z. The metal frame200and the printed circuit board100may be bonded by the plurality of bonding portions300.

Referring toFIG.1, the plurality of bonding portions300may be positioned between the metal frame200and the printed circuit board100. The plurality of bonding portions300may bond between the metal frame200and the printed circuit board100. Each of the plurality of bonding portions300may include solder. Each of the plurality of bonding portions300may have a different thickness due to inherent characteristics of solder formed by a soldering process. Each of the plurality of bonding portions300may have different an area due to inherent characteristics of solder formed by a soldering process.

As such, the printed circuit board assembly1000according to embodiments may include a metal frame200, including a plurality of supports220that may be integral with the metal frame200and that may be bent and extend toward the printed circuit board100and that may be inserted into the plurality of support holes110of the printed circuit board100to support the printed circuit board100. Accordingly, the printed circuit board100may be supported on the metal frame200while maintaining a constant distance from the metal frame200, even if deviation occurs in the thickness and area of each of the plurality of bonding portions300bonding between the metal frame200and the printed circuit board100.

In addition, in the printed circuit board assembly1000in accordance with embodiments, a short circuit between the metal frame200and the printed circuit board100may be suppressed by maintaining a constant distance between the metal frame200and the printed circuit board100, even if deviation occurs in the thickness and area of each of the plurality of bonding portion portions300because the plurality of bonding portions300include solder.

In an implementation, in accordance with embodiments, there is provided a printed circuit board assembly1000in which the plurality of supports220integral with the metal frame200bend and extend from the metal frame200toward the printed circuit board100to support the printed circuit board100, such that a short circuit between the metal frame200and the printed circuit board100are suppressed by maintaining a constant distance between the metal frame200and the printed circuit board100, even if no separate structure is added between the metal frame200and the printed circuit board100.

Hereinafter, a method for manufacturing a printed circuit board assembly according to an embodiment will be described with reference toFIGS.5to9. The printed circuit board assembly according to the above-described embodiment may be manufactured using a method for manufacturing a printed circuit board assembly according to another embodiment, but is not limited thereto.

FIG.5is a flowchart illustrating a method for manufacturing a printed circuit board assembly according to an embodiment.FIGS.6and7are plan views of a metal frame for explaining or describing a method for manufacturing a printed circuit board assembly according to an embodiment.

Referring toFIGS.5to7, the plurality of supports220may be separated from the plate portion210of the metal frame200and may be bent from the plate portion210so as to protrude (S100) from the plate portion210.

Referring toFIG.6, the plurality of through-holes230that may be adjacent to the plurality of supports220and that may penetrate the plate portion210are formed on the metal frame200. The plurality of through-holes230may be formed along the edges of the plurality of supports220, and the plurality of supports220may be integrally formed with the metal frame200in the same shape as the plurality of through-holes230. The plurality of through-hinges240may be formed to linearly penetrate between the plurality of supports220and the plate portion210in the first direction X. The plurality of connecting hinges250may be formed to be spaced apart in the first direction X with the through-hinge240therebetween according to the formation of the plurality of through hinges240to connect the plate portion210and the plurality of supports220.

Referring toFIG.7, the plurality of supports220may be separated from the plurality of through-holes230based on a bending line CL, that may be in an extending direction of the plurality of through-hinges240penetrating between the plurality of supports220and the plate portion210, and bent CU in the third direction Z that intersects with the first direction X from and at the plate portion210.

Between the plurality of supports220, bent CU in the third direction Z and the plate portion210may be connected by a plurality of curved or bent connecting hinges250.

FIGS.8and9are cross-sectional views of a printed circuit board assembly for explaining and describing a method for manufacturing a printed circuit board assembly according to an embodiment.

Referring toFIG.8, the plurality of supports220may be inserted into the plurality of support holes110of the printed circuit board100to support the printed circuit board100on the metal frame200(S200).

In an implementation, the printed circuit board100may be positioned on the metal frame200, and the plurality of supports220of the metal frame200may be inserted into the plurality of supports220of the printed circuit board100to support the printed circuit board100on the plurality of supports220of the metal frame200. As a result, the printed circuit board100may be supported on the metal frame200while maintaining a constant distance from the metal frame200.

Referring toFIG.9, the plurality of bonding portions300may be positioned between the metal frame200and the printed circuit board100to bond between the metal frame200and the printed circuit board100(S300).

In an implementation, the metal frame200and the printed circuit board100may be bonded by soldering a plurality of joints300between the metal frame200and the printed circuit board100.

Each of the plurality of bonding portions300may have a different thickness and area due to the inherent characteristics of solder formed by a soldering process, but regardless of the thickness and area of the plurality of bonding portions300, a constant distance is maintained between the printed circuit board100and the metal frame200by the plurality of supports220.

A printed circuit board included in a protective circuit module of a secondary battery may have the form of a printed circuit board assembly bonded to a metal frame supported inside the case of the secondary battery. A conventional printed circuit board assembly may include a metal frame, a printed circuit board bonded to the metal frame, and a plurality of bonding agents bonded between the metal frame and the printed circuit board. The conventional printed circuit board assembly, however, has an issue where deviations and variations occur in the distance between the metal frame and the printed circuit board, depending on the difference in thickness of each of a plurality of adhesives positioned therebetween, and various problems and shortcomings of the conventional printed circuit board assembly are avoided by the present printed circuit board assembly that may be made and manufactured as described above.

According to an implementation of embodiments, in a method for manufacturing a printed circuit board assembly, the plurality of supports220integral with the metal frame200may be bent to extend from the metal frame200toward the printed circuit board100to support the printed circuit board100, such that a short circuit between the metal frame200and the printed circuit board100may be suppressed by maintaining a constant distance between the metal frame200and the printed circuit board100, even if no separate structure is added between the metal frame200and the printed circuit board100.

In an implementation, there is provided a method for manufacturing a printed circuit board assembly in which a short circuit between the metal frame200and the printed circuit board100may be suppressed by maintaining a constant distance between the metal frame200and the printed circuit board100, even if no separate structure is added between the metal frame200and the printed circuit board100.