Patent Publication Number: US-6986667-B2

Title: Inset mechanism for electronic assemblies

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The invention relates generally to a method and an apparatus for maintaining and releasing an interconnection between an electronic device and mechanical assembly to which it attaches. More specifically the invention applies to an electronic device for driving illumination means within a liquid crystal display or LCD panel. 
   2. Description of Related Art 
   As the demand for smaller, more powerful electronic systems increase, system manufacturers require better methods of efficient assembly while decreasing the size of the electronic components within the electronic system. An areas which has cause printed circuit board (PCB) designers problems concerns ways of mounting and servicing LCD assemblies. 
   There are but a few ways of mounting electronic components such as LCD modules and inverters to such assemblies as liquid crystal displays. For example, inverters can be joined to frames using adhesives. In other instances, the devices are joined to frames fixed by a self taping screw or a screw and associated nut. The options in mounting are even fewer when the modules must be removable for accomplishing the initial assembly operations and thereafter repair operations. 
   Existing methods, designs and materials exhibit poor long term reliability and the later because it utilizes fastening hardware, such as screws, consume excessive package volume. Either solution typically results in higher assembly costs. In many instances the time expended in module removal does not justify the repair and the item is scrapped. The electronics industry, notably the LCD industry would benefit from a method of assembly and disassembly that would be quick and reliable and also allow for the reuse of the major portion of the electronic device. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Electronic components, such as semiconductors and LCD devices are rigidly maintained in a mechanical assembly through an interconnection formed by a tongue-and-groove securing structure. 
   A holder with electronic components mounted thereon is formed from a tongue-and-groove mounting device, which couples into a bisected frame section having two opposing grooves in a horizontal direction. The holder is comprised of two opposing tongues, a first upper tongue portion and a second lower tongue portion, the total length of which, is less than an opening provided by the total length of the two opposing grooves in a horizontal direction. 
   The invention herein also comprises a method of assembly whereby interfitting a tongue having a lower tongue and an upper tongue, upon which is mounted an electronic device, into a grooved frame having a lower side and an upper side, such that sliding the lower tongue into a groove frame on a lower side situates the tongue and subsequent sliding of the tongue in the direction of the groove frame on the upper side, causes the groove to receive the upper tongue, thereby locking the tongue into the assembly. 
   The electronic component module generally requires considerable assembly time and thereafter requires a high degree of mechanical integrity when connected. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an inset mechanism for an electronic device such as an inverter or LCD module that is focused on saving assembly cost and on providing a high level of mechanical durability. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention is best understood from the following detailed description when read in connection with the accompanying drawing. The various features of the drawings are not exhaustively specified. On the contrary, the various features may arbitrarily be expanded or reduced for clarity. Included in the drawing are the following figures: 
       FIG. 1   a  is a plan view of the invention illustrating the insertion position of the electronic module. 
       FIG. 1   b  is a plan view of the invention illustrating the first position of the insertion of the electronic module. 
       FIG. 1   c  is a plan view of the invention illustrating the final position of the insertion of the electronic module. 
     “ FIG. 2  is a side view of an alternative embodiment of a tongue portion of the device of FIG.  1 ;” 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Electronic components, such as semiconductors and LCD devices are rigidly maintained in a mechanical assembly through an interconnection formed by a tongue-and-groove securing structure. 
   A holder with electronic components mounted thereon is formed from a tongue-and-groove mounting device, which couples into a bisected frame section having two opposing grooves in a horizontal direction. The holder is comprised of two opposing tongues, a first upper tongue portion and a second lower tongue portion, the total length of which, is less than an opening provided by the total length of the two opposing grooves. 
   As shown on  FIG. 1   a ,  FIG. 1   b  and  FIG. 1   c , a tongue-and-groove assembly  100  couples an electronic module  105  and a holder  180  into a bisected grooved frame  160  composed of two sections  170   a  and  170   b . As shown on  FIG. 1   a , the bisected groove frame sections  170   a  and  170   b  include, an upper groove portion  130  and a lower groove portion  190 . 
   The total length of the holder  180  containing the upper tongue portion  114  and a lower tongue portion  116 , is less than the opening provided by the total length of the groove portion  130  and  190  extended in a horizontal direction. 
   The electronic module  105  may be, by way of example, a semiconductor device or LCD, which is mounted on the holder  180  and typically bonded by a bonding material  150 , such as a suitable adhesive. 
   The assembly  100  comprises: the frame  160  configured with the grooved frame members  170   a  and  170   b,  wherein the member  170   b  forms the upper side, which in  FIG. 1   a  is to the right side, and wherein the member  170   a  forms the lower side, which in  FIG. 1   a  is to the left side of the grooved frame respectively; and a holder having a lower tongue  116  fit into a lower channel such as a groove  190  and an upper tongue  114  fit into a upper channel or groove  130 , respectively. The upper tongue  114  top surface  122  has mounted thereon an electronic device  105 . The lower tongue  116  is inserted into the lower groove  190  of the frame,  160  on the lower side  170   a  and the opposing upper tongue  114  is brought into contact with the right side of the frame  160  on the upper side  170   b,  top surface  140 . Thereafter holder  180  is slid in a rightward horizontal direction into the lower groove  190  thereby interfitting the tongues  116  and  114  respectively into the frame members  170   a  and  170   b  respectively. 
   The assembly of the holder  180  into the groove frame sections  170   a  and  170   b  requires that the holder  180  edge  118 , of the lower tongue portion  116  be inserted into the lower grove  190  and set onto the upper groove surface  140 . In a next step as shown in  FIG. 1   b . the holder  180  lower tongue  116  is inserted into the lower groove position abutting a vertical wall  175 . This situates the tongue at one end such that in a final step shown in  FIG. 1   c  the holder  180  is then slide into the direction of the groove connector portion  170   b,  until the electronic module  105  abuts a vertical wall  115 . 
   Additionally, the holder  180  lower tongue portion  116  has a top surface  125  which fits securely into the lower grove  190 . The lower tongue top surface  125  is in the same plane as the upper groove surface  140 . Once the device  105  abuts the wall  175  or in a proximate position within 0.5 mm to 1.0 mm, the device  105  is essentially locked into place. 
   In a reversible operation, the holder  180  as inserted may be removed by sliding the holder  180  in the direction of the groove  170   a  towards the wall  175 . When a space  110  discloses the edge of the upper tongue  114  then the holder  180  can be releasably detached from the bisected groove frame  170   a – 170   b.    
   As indicated the assembly of the holder  180  into the groove frame sections  170   a  and  170   b  requires that the holder  180  edge  118 , of the lower tongue portion  116  be inserted into the lower groove  190  and set onto the upper groove surface  140 . However, the lower tongue portion  116  and corresponding edge  118  may be substantially rectangular in cross section or alternatively beveled or in a conical section (see  FIG. 2 ) for ease of insertion. Likewise, the upper tongue portion  114  and its edge may be substantially rectangular in cross section or alternatively beveled or in a conical section (see FIG. ) for ease of insertion. To further assist in the ease of insertion, the vertical wall  115  may be substantially rectangular in cross section or alternatively beveled or in a conic section for ease of insertion. 
   The invention herein also comprises a method of assembly whereby interfitting the holder  180  having a lower tongue  116  and an upper tongue  114 , upon which is mounted the electronic device  105 , into the grooved frame  160  such that sliding the lower tongue  116  into a groove frame  160  on a lower side situates the tongue  116  and subsequent sliding of the tongue  114  in the direction of the groove frame  160  on the upper side  170   b,  causes the groove frame  160  to receive the upper tongue  114 , thereby locking the holder into the assembly. 
   More particularly the method of assembly comprises the steps of: mounting the device  105  onto the surf ace  122  holder  180 ; interfitting holder  180 , having the lower tongue  116  and the upper tongue  114 , into the grooved frame  160  composed of two sections  170   a  and  170   b,  having a lower side and an upper side, sliding the lower tongue  116  into the groove frame  160  section  170   a  on the lower side, situating the lower tongue  116  at one end  175 , and sliding the upper tongue  114  in the direction of the groove frame  160  section  170   b  on the upper side, so as to receive the upper tongue  114  thereby locking the surface into position. 
   To disengage the device, employs the steps of: sliding of the insertion means  180  in the direction of a groove frame  170   a  on the lower side, and lifting the insertion means  180  in a direction away from the grove frame  170   a – 170   b , causing the device  105  to disengage from the assembly. 
   It is to be understood that the form of this invention as shown is merely a preferred embodiment. Various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of parts; equivalent means may be substituted for those illustrated and described; and certain features may be used independently from others without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.