Board coupling structure with separate power supply circuit board

Provided is a board coupling structure in which a power supply circuit board is formed as a separate board, more specifically, to a board coupling structure in which a signal processing circuit board for processing signals such as image signals, voice signals, and the like and a power supply circuit board are formed as different types of boards and the different types of boards are laterally coupled to each other. The board coupling structure includes a first circuit board, a second circuit board formed of a smaller number of layers than the number of layers of the first circuit board, and a fastening unit configured to laterally fasten a contact edge of the first circuit board to a contact edge of the second circuit board which are facing each other.

BACKGROUND

Field

Embodiments of the inventive concept relate to a board coupling structure in which a power supply circuit board is formed as a separate board. More specifically, embodiments of the inventive concept relate to a board coupling structure in which a signal processing circuit board for processing signals such as image signals, voice signals, or the like and a power supply circuit board are formed as different types of boards and the different types of boards are laterally coupled to each other.

Description of Related Art

Conventionally, a signal processing circuit for processing image signals and/or voice signals and a power supply circuit for supplying necessary power are divided and disposed in separate regions on a single board.

FIG. 1is a view illustrating a conventional printed circuit board (PCB) structure. A single board10is divided into a signal processing circuit region11and a power supply circuit region12and necessary circuits and elements are disposed in each of the regions. Generally, a board has a multi-layer structure of three or more layers in order to reduce an area of a circuit region.

However, forming a circuit board including a signal processing circuit and a power supply circuit as a board having a multi-layer structure causes an increase in cost of the board. In addition, depending on product specifications for the signal processing circuit portion or the power supply circuit portion, a change inevitably occurs in an area occupied by the corresponding circuit or in circuit arrangement. In this case, there is a problem in that an area change in the entire board or a change in circuit layout is caused so that an increase in cost occurs.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the inventive concept provide a board coupling structure in which a signal processing circuit board and a power supply circuit board are formed as different types of boards and the boards are coupled to each other to operate as a single board, thereby reducing board production cost and preventing or minimizing a change in circuit layout or a change in area of one board according to a change in circuit layout or a change in area of the other board.

The technical objectives of the inventive concept are not limited to the above disclosure; other objectives may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art based on the following descriptions.

In accordance with an aspect of the inventive concept, a board coupling structure includes a first circuit board, a second circuit board formed of a smaller number of layers than the number of layers of the first circuit board, and a fastening unit configured to laterally fasten a contact edge of the first circuit board to a contact edge of the second circuit board which are facing each other.

In an embodiment, the fastening unit may be provided with two or more fasteners spaced apart from each other.

In an embodiment, each of the two or more fasteners may include an upper piece configured to cross an upper or lower boundary between the first circuit board and the second circuit board, and two insertion pieces which are bent and extend from opposite sides of the upper piece toward the boards and are inserted into a first fastener insertion hole formed in the first circuit board and into a second fastener insertion hole formed in the second circuit board.

In an embodiment, of the two or more fasteners, two fasteners may be formed as a pair of fasteners and may be supported by one support that crosses the upper or the lower boundary between the first circuit board and the second circuit board.

In an embodiment, the board coupling structure may further include at least one electrical connector configured to electrically connect the first circuit board to the second circuit board.

In an embodiment, the electrical connector may be disposed between the fasteners, pins located at one side of the electrical connector may be inserted into first insertion holes formed in the first circuit board, pins located at the other side of the electrical connector may be inserted into second insertion holes formed in the second circuit board, and the pins located at the one side may be electrically connected to the pins located at the other side which correspond to the pins located at the one side.

In an embodiment, the electrical connector may be disposed between the pair of fasteners, pins located at one side of the electrical connector may be inserted into first insertion holes formed in the first circuit board, pins located at the other side of the electrical connector may be inserted into second insertion holes formed in the second circuit board, and the pins located at the one side may be electrically connected to the pins located at the other side which correspond to the pins located at the one side.

In an embodiment, the first circuit board may be a circuit board of three or more layers, and the second circuit board may be a single-layer circuit board or a two-layer circuit board.

In an embodiment, the first circuit board may be a signal processing circuit board for processing an image signal and/or a voice signal, and the second circuit board may be a power supply circuit board for supplying power to the first circuit board.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, configurations and operations of embodiments of the inventive concept will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 2shows views for describing a board coupling structure in accordance with an embodiment of the inventive concept.

FIG. 2Ashows an overall appearance of the board coupling structure,FIG. 2Bis a side view of coupling components,FIG. 2Cis an exploded perspective view of the coupling components, andFIG. 2Dis a perspective view of the coupling components.

Referring toFIG. 2, a board coupling structure100may include a first circuit board110, which is a signal processing circuit board, for processing image signals and/or voice signals, a second circuit board120which is a power supply circuit board, fasteners130for physically coupling the two boards, and electrical connectors140for electrically connecting the two boards.

Elements or modules for processing image signals and/or voice signals are disposed on the first circuit board110and the elements or modules are omitted for convenience of description.

The first circuit board110may be a printed circuit board (PCB) of three or more layers. In some cases, the first circuit board110may be a two-layer PCB.

First fastener insertion holes112for inserting the fasteners130may be formed in an edge, which faces the second circuit board120, of the first circuit board110.

First socket insertion holes1142for inserting pins1422of a socket142may be formed in the edge, which faces the second circuit board120, of the first circuit board110.

First connector insertion holes1122for inserting pins1442, which are located at the first circuit board, of a connector header144may be formed in the edge, which faces the second circuit board120, of the first circuit board110.

Elements or modules for providing necessary power to the first circuit board110are disposed on the second circuit board120and the elements or modules are omitted for convenience of description.

The second circuit board120may be a single-layer PCB or a two-layer PCB.

Second fastener insertion holes122for inserting the fasteners130may be formed in an edge, which faces the first circuit board110, of the second circuit board120.

Second socket insertion holes1242for inserting pins1422of socket142may be formed in the edge, which faces the first circuit board110, of the second circuit board120.

Second connector insertion holes1222for inserting pins1442, which are located at the second circuit board, of the connector header144may be formed in the edge, which faces the first circuit board110, of the second circuit board120.

The fastener130may include an upper piece132crossing a boundary between the first circuit board110and the second circuit board120, and two insertion pieces134which are bent and extend from opposite sides of the upper piece132and are inserted into the first fastener insertion hole112and the second fastener insertion hole122.

Locking steps136locking on one side of the first fastener insertion hole112and one side of the second fastener insertion hole122may be formed at ends of the insertion pieces134.

The fastener130laterally fastens the first circuit board110to the second circuit board120to be pressed against each other from edge to edge.

The fastener130may be made of an elastic metal material or a synthetic resin material.

The electrical connector140may include two sockets142, which are inserted and coupled to respective upper surfaces of the circuit boards, and a connector header144which is inserted and coupled to upper sides of the two sockets142facing each other.

The pins1422of one socket142may be inserted into the first socket insertion holes1142. Pin through-holes1444may be formed in an upper surface of the socket142, wherein the pins1442, which are located at the first circuit board, of the connector header144are inserted into and pass through the pin through-holes1444. The pins1422of the socket may be electrically connected to the pins1442, which are located at the first circuit board, of the connector header in the pin through-holes1444.

The pins1422of the other socket142may be inserted into the second socket insertion holes1242. Pin through-holes1444may be formed in an upper surface of the other socket142, wherein the pins1442, which are located at the second circuit board, of the connector header144are inserted into and pass through the pin through-holes1444. The pins1422of the other socket may be electrically connected to the pins1442, which are located at the second circuit board, of the connector header in the pin through-holes1444.

The pins1442, which are located at the first circuit board, of the connector header144are electrically connected to the pins1442, which are located at the second circuit board, of the connector header144.

The pins1442, which are located at the first circuit board, of the connector header144are inserted into and pass through the pin through-holes1444of one socket142and are inserted into the first connector insertion holes1122. The pins1442, which are located at the second circuit board, of the connector header144are inserted into and pass through the pin through-holes1444of the other socket142and are inserted into the second connector insertion holes1222.

The first circuit board110and the second circuit board120are electrically connected to each other through the connector header144.

An assembly process of the board coupling structure in accordance with the present embodiment is as follows.

First, after the socket142is mounted on the first circuit board, reflow soldering is performed on an upper surface of the first circuit board, and after the socket142is mounted on the second circuit board, reflow soldering is performed on an upper surface of the second circuit board.

Next, after insertion components are mounted on each of the circuit boards on which the reflow soldering is performed, flow soldering is performed.

Next, after the first circuit board and the second circuit board are fixed on a jig, the fasteners and the connector header are assembled on each circuit board so that the boards are coupled to each other.

FIG. 3shows views for describing a board coupling structure in accordance with another embodiment of the inventive concept.

FIG. 3Ashows an overall appearance of the board coupling structure,FIG. 3Bis a plan view of coupling components,FIG. 3Cis a side view of the coupling components,FIG. 3Dis a front view of the coupling components, andFIG. 3Eis an exploded perspective view of the coupling components.

Referring toFIG. 3, a board coupling structure100may include a first circuit board110, which is a signal processing circuit board, for processing image signals and/or voice signals, a second circuit board120, which is a power supply circuit board, fasteners230for physically coupling the two boards, and electrical connectors240(which may be formed as connector headers in the present embodiment) for electrically connecting the two boards.

Elements or modules for processing image signals and/or voice signals are disposed on the first circuit board110and the elements or modules are omitted for convenience of description.

The first circuit board110may be a PCB of three or more layers. In some cases, the first circuit board110may be a two-layer PCB.

First fastener insertion holes112for inserting the fasteners230may be formed in an edge, which faces the second circuit board, of the first circuit board110.

Third connector insertion holes1124for inserting pins242, which are located at the first circuit board, of the connector header240may be formed in the edge, which faces the second circuit board120, of the first circuit board110.

Elements or modules for providing necessary power to the first circuit board110are disposed on the second circuit board120and the elements or modules are omitted for convenience of description.

The second circuit board120may be a single-layer PCB or a two-layer PCB.

Second fastener insertion holes122for inserting the fasteners230may be formed in an edge, which faces the first circuit board110, of the second circuit board120.

Fourth connector insertion holes1224for inserting pins242, which are located at the second circuit board, of the connector header240may be formed in the edge, which faces the first circuit board110, of the second circuit board120.

The fastener230may include an upper piece232crossing a boundary between the first circuit board110and the second circuit board120, and two insertion pieces234which are bent and extend from opposite sides of the upper piece232and are inserted into the first fastener insertion hole112and the second fastener insertion hole122.

The insertion piece234may be formed to have two legs in which an incised groove is formed at a central portion thereof, and locking steps236locking on one side of the first fastener insertion hole112and one side of the second fastener insertion hole122may be formed at ends of the insertion pieces234.

The fastener230laterally fastens the first circuit board110to the second circuit board120to be pressed against each other from edge to edge.

The fastener230may be made of an elastic metal material.

The electrical connector240may be formed as a connector header which is inserted into and coupled to the third connector insertion holes1124and the fourth connector insertion holes1224facing each other.

The pins242, which are located at the first circuit board, of the connector header240are electrically connected to the pins242, which are located at the second circuit board, of the connector header240.

The first circuit board110and the second circuit board120are electrically connected to each other through the connector header240.

An assembly process of the board coupling structure in accordance with the present embodiment is as follows.

First, reflow soldering is performed on an upper surface of the first circuit board and reflow soldering is performed on an upper surface of the second circuit board.

Next, the circuit boards on which the reflow soldering is performed are mounted on a pallet, the fasteners and the connector header are assembled on each circuit board, and then flow soldering is performed.

Another assembly process of the board coupling structure in accordance with the present embodiment is as follows.

First, the first circuit board and the second circuit board are mounted on a pallet and then reflow soldering is performed.

Next, insertion components for the second circuit board are assembled, the fasteners and the connector header are assembled on each circuit board, and then flow soldering is performed.

FIG. 4shows views for describing a board coupling structure in accordance with still another embodiment of the inventive concept.

FIG. 4Ashows an overall appearance of the board coupling structure,FIG. 4Bis an exploded perspective view of coupling components,FIG. 4Cis a layout comparison view of the coupling components, andFIG. 4Dis a perspective view of the coupling components.

Referring toFIG. 4, a board coupling structure100may include a first circuit board110, which is a signal processing circuit board, for processing image signals and/or voice signals, a second circuit board120, which is a power supply circuit board, fasteners330for physically coupling the two boards, and supports340for supporting the fasteners.

Elements or modules for processing image signals and/or voice signals are disposed on the first circuit board110and the elements or modules are omitted for convenience of description.

The first circuit board110may be a PCB of three or more layers. In some cases, the first circuit board110may be a two-layer PCB.

First fastener insertion holes112for inserting the fasteners330may be formed in an edge, which faces the second circuit board120, of the first circuit board110.

Elements or modules for providing necessary power to the first circuit board110are disposed on the second circuit board120and the elements or modules are omitted for convenience of description.

The second circuit board120may be a single-layer PCB or a two-layer PCB.

Second fastener insertion holes122for inserting the fasteners330may be formed in an edge, which faces the first circuit board110, of the second circuit board120.

The fastener330may include an upper piece332crossing a boundary between the first circuit board110and the second circuit board120, and two insertion pieces334which are bent and extend from opposite sides of the upper piece332, are inserted into the first fastener insertion hole112and the second fastener insertion hole122, and are inserted into fastening holes342of the support.

The insertion piece334may be formed to have a detaching groove formed in a central portion thereof, and a locking bar336for being locked to a locking step344of the support may be formed below the detaching groove to extend upward.

The fastener330may be made of an elastic metal material or a synthetic resin material.

The support340may be formed to have a total of four fastening holes342so as to correspond to two fastening holes342per one fastener330in order to support the two fasteners330on lower surfaces of the first and second circuit boards.

The locking step344may be formed on one side of the fastening holes342to extend downward.

The fasteners330and the support340laterally fasten the first circuit board110to the second circuit board120to be pressed against each other.

The two fasteners330and one support340corresponding thereto may be referred to as a pair of fasteners.

Although an electrical connector is not shown in the embodiment ofFIG. 4, components associated with the electrical connector140ofFIG. 2and/or components associated with the electrical connector240ofFIG. 3may be applied without changing.

The first circuit board110and the second circuit board120may also be electrically connected to each other through the electrical connector.

In the present embodiment, the electrical connector may be formed between a pair of fasteners.

Alternatively, the first circuit board and the second circuit board may be electrically connected through a general cable connection connector.

An assembly process of the board coupling structure in accordance with the present embodiment is as follows. This assembly process is a process for an example using a general cable connection connector.

First, reflow soldering is performed on an upper surface of the first circuit board and then reflow soldering is performed on an upper surface of the second circuit board.

Next, after insertion components are assembled on each of the circuit boards on which the reflow soldering is performed, flow soldering is performed.

Next, after the first circuit board and the second circuit board are fixed on a jig, the fasteners330and the support340are fixedly assembled on each circuit board.

Next, the first circuit board and the second circuit board are connected through a cable connection connector.

Another assembly process of the board coupling structure in accordance with the present embodiment is as follows. This assembly process is a process for an example using the electrical connector inFIG. 2.

First, after the socket142is mounted on the first circuit board, reflow soldering is performed on an upper surface of the first circuit board, and after the socket142is mounted on the second circuit board, reflow soldering is performed on an upper surface of the second circuit board.

Next, after insertion components are mounted on each of the circuit boards on which the reflow soldering is performed, flow soldering is performed.

Next, after the first circuit board and the second circuit board are fixed on a jig, the connector header, the fasteners330, and the support340are assembled on each circuit board and fixed.

Still another assembly process of the board coupling structure in accordance with the present embodiment is as follows. This assembly process is a process for an example using the electrical connector inFIG. 3.

First, reflow soldering is performed on an upper surface of the first circuit board and reflow soldering is performed on an upper surface of the second circuit board.

Next, the circuit boards on which the reflow soldering is performed are mounted on a pallet, the connector header is assembled on each circuit board, and then flow soldering is performed.

Next, after the first circuit board and the second circuit board are fixed on a jig, the fasteners330and the support340are fixedly assembled on each circuit board.

In accordance with the present embodiment, yet another assembly process for an example using the electrical connector ofFIG. 3is as follows.

First, the first circuit board and the second circuit board are mounted on a pallet, and reflow soldering is performed.

Next, insertion components for the second circuit board are assembled, the connector headers for the two circuit boards are assembled, and then flow soldering is performed.

Next, after the first circuit board and the second circuit board are fixed on a jig, the fasteners330and the support340are fixedly assembled on each circuit board.

FIG. 5shows views for describing a board coupling structure in accordance with yet another embodiment of the inventive concept.

FIGS. 5A to 5Dshow examples of different sizes and different coupling contact edge lines of a first circuit board110serving as a signal processing circuit board and a second circuit board120serving as a power supply circuit board.

FIG. 5Ashows a general harness connection using an electrical connector440, andFIG. 5Bshows a general cable connection using an electrical connector450.

InFIGS. 5A to 5D, an adhesive430, such as epoxy or silicone, is used as a fastening unit for each circuit board at contact edge lines facing each other between the circuit boards so that the respective circuit boards may be laterally fastened to be pressed against each other.

The example ofFIG. 5may further include the fasteners described inFIGS. 2 and 3so that fastening force between the boards may be improved, and the adhesive may be used for the contact edge lines of the boards with respect to the embodiments described with reference toFIGS. 2 to 4so that fastening force between the boards may be further improved.

In the inventive concept, the first circuit board and the second circuit board are fastened laterally and tightly using the fasteners and the electrical connector to be pressed against each other from edge to edge. Therefore, there is an advantage in that it is possible to provide convenience in use that allows two boards to be treated as one board.

In the inventive concept, the electrical connector is disposed between the fasteners or between the pair of fasteners. Therefore, it is possible to further improve fastening force between two boards by not only the fasteners but also the electrical connector.

While the embodiments of the inventive concept has been described above. The scope of the inventive concept is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it may be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications and alterations may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventive concept described in the appended claims.

For example, inFIGS. 2 to 4, although the upper pieces of the fastener are described as being formed to cross the upper surface of the first circuit board and cross the upper surface of the second circuit board, the disposed fasteners are alternately disposed so that the upper pieces of the fastener may be formed to cross the upper surfaces of the boards and the upper pieces of the other fastener adjacent thereto may be formed to cross lower surfaces of the boards.

Further, instead of the electrical connectors described inFIGS. 2 and 3, through a general harness connection or a general cable connection, the boards may be electrically connected.

According to the inventive concept, the signal processing circuit board and the power supply circuit board are formed as different types of boards and the boards are coupled to each other to operate as a single board, and thus board production cost can be reduced and the boards can be easily installed and managed.

Further, a change in circuit layout or a change in area of one board according to a change in a circuit layout or a change in area of the other board can be unnecessary or can be minimized.