Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   This invention generally relates to a configurable printed circuit board and, more particularly, to a printed circuit board having separable portions for supporting a desired number of modules that interface with the printed circuit board. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   For many applications, it is desired to have a printed circuit board (PCB) interface with another device. For example, it is increasingly common to connect fiber optic networks to PCBs. The fiber optic connection is established by an optical port, or small form-factor physical interface (SFP), capable of converting optical signals to electrical signals and vice versa. Conventionally, PCBs have been provided with support portions, extending from the edge of the main body of the PCB, on which optical ports are mounted. 
   Different applications require PCBs to have connections with different numbers of optical ports. Accordingly, PCBs having different numbers of support portions are required. Conventionally, PCBs have been custom made for a particular application, that is, custom made to have the proper number of support portions for the required application. 
   Such customized production of PCBs requires increasing and/or complicating the manufacturing equipment and procedures, thus increasing the cost, time and difficulty of production. In addition, it reduces the extent to which the produced PCBs are adaptable to different applications. 
   Accordingly, it would be useful to be able to produce PCBs that are adaptable to different applications (e.g., PCBs capable of having a variable number of support portions) without having to resort to such a customized production method. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention addresses the limitations discussed above. 
   According to an example aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printed circuit board including one or more separable portions of the printed circuit board. 
   According to an example embodiment of the present invention, the separable portions may, for example, extend from an edge portion of a main body of the printed circuit board, and be disposed between a main body of the printed circuit board and a protective portion. 
   According to an example embodiment of the present invention, the printed circuit board may include a scored portion at a boundary between a main body of the printed circuit board and the separable portions, the separable portions being separable by being broken off or otherwise detached from the main body of the printed circuit board at the scored portion. 
   According to an example embodiment of the present invention, the separable portions can support or have mounted thereon modules that can interface with the printed circuit board. 
   According to another example aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of configuring a printed circuit board having one or more separable portions of the printed circuit board. The method includes securing a printed circuit board, and separating one or more separable portions of the printed circuit board from another portion of the printed circuit board. The method may also include providing a printed circuit board having separable portions of the printed circuit board, and providing a scored portion at which the one or more separable portions can be separated from the other portion of the printed circuit board. 
   A better understanding of these and other aspects, features, and advantages of the invention may be had by reference to the drawings and to the accompanying description, in which example embodiments of the invention are illustrated and described. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a plan view of a configurable PCB according to an example embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing a portion of the PCB of  FIG. 1  including a separable portion and a score line between the separable portion and a main body of the PCB. 
       FIG. 3  is identical to  FIG. 2 , except that  FIG. 3  shows the main body of the PCB after the separable portion has been separated. 
       FIG. 4  is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the PCB of  FIG. 1  taken along the line  4 - 4  in  FIG. 1 , showing a score line between a separable portion and a main body of the PCB. 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view showing a portion of the PCB of  FIG. 1  including four separable portions, interface modules mounted on the separable portions, and a cover covering the separable portions, portions of the interface modules, and an edge portion of a main body of the PCB. 
       FIG. 6  is identical to  FIG. 2 , except that  FIG. 6  shows the separable portion in the process of being separated from the main body of the PCB by use of a tool. 
   

   Throughout the figures, like or corresponding reference numerals are used to identify like or corresponding parts. 
   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   An example embodiment of the present invention will be discussed with reference to the accompanying figures.  FIG. 1  is a plan view of a configurable PCB  100  according to an example embodiment of the present invention. For purposes of simplification, PCB  100  is shown throughout the figures as a bare board, i.e., without any components thereon. PCB  100  has a main body  106  surrounded by a perimeter or edge (these terms being used interchangeably herein)  102  . At the left side of edge  102  as shown in  FIG. 1 , five triangular-shaped break-away tabs  104  are provided on a portion of edge  102 , the tabs  104  extending outward from main body  106  of PCB  100 . Break-away tabs  104  may also be referred to as separable portions, removable portions, support portions, or any combination of such terms. 
   In example embodiments of the invention, the number, shape and location of tabs  104  may be varied. For example, the number of tabs  104  may range from one to as many as desired, as limited by the length of edge  102 . The shape of tabs  104  may be other than triangular, e.g., the shape may be rectangular, square, trapezoidal, semi-circular, or other shapes, and not all tabs  104  need be the same shape. Tabs  104  may be located at other locations on edge  102 . In addition, tabs  104  may be located adjoining one another, as is the case for the lower four tabs  104  as shown in  FIG. 1 , or as separated from one another, as is the case for the uppermost tab  104  with respect to the lower four tabs  104 . Tabs  104  may be provided in any combination of adjoining tabs and separated tabs. Where tabs  104  are separated from each other, the spacing between tabs need not be in the amount as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing a portion of PCB  100  of  FIG. 1  including a single removable portion or tab  104  and a scored portion  108  between removable portion  104  and main body  106  of PCB  100 .  FIG. 2  provides a close-up view of tab  104  and an adjacent portion of scored portion  108  to facilitate understanding of these aspects of the invention. (Scored portion  108  is shown schematically in  FIG. 1 .) 
   Tabs  104  may be formed as integral portions of PCB  100 . (Thus, PCB  100  may be deemed to include both main body  106  and tabs  104 .) As shown, e.g., in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , scored portion  108  (described in more detail below) is provided at boundary  110  between main body  106  and tabs  104  and extends the length of tabs  104 . Scored portion  108  permits one to easily break tab  104  off from main body  106  of PCB  100  if desired, but is provided with a sufficient thickness to prevent tab  104  from being broken off, e.g., inadvertently, when it is desired to retain tab  104 . According to an example embodiment of the invention, scored portion  108  may be designed so that tab  104  is easily broken off from main body  106  by use of a hand tool, such as by twisting tab  104  off with a pliers  109 , as illustrated in  FIG. 6 .  FIG. 6  is identical to  FIG. 2 , except that  FIG. 6  shows removable portion  104  in the process of being removed from main body  106  of PCB  100  by use of pliers  109 . Since removable portion  104  is in the process of being twisted off by pliers  109 , removable portion  104  is shown as being bent downward in  FIG. 6 , in contrast to  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 3  shows main body  106  of PCB  100  at a time after removable portion  104  has been removed. ( FIG. 3  is also identical to  FIG. 2 , then, except that  FIG. 3  shows main body  106  of PCB  100  after removable portion  104  has been removed.) According to another example embodiment of the invention, scored portion  108  may be designed such that tabs  104  are easily broken off by using a thumb and forefinger. 
     FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of a portion of PCB  100  of  FIG. 1 , showing scored portion  108  between removable portion  104  and main body  106  of PCB  100 .  FIG. 4  presents a more close-up view of scored portion  108  than does  FIG. 2 . According to an example embodiment of the invention, as shown in  FIG. 4 , scored portion  108  may be constituted by two score lines, which may be formed by making two V-shaped grooves  111 , respectively, in PCB  100 , one on an upper surface  112  of PCB  100  and one on a lower surface  114  of PCB  100 . The thickness t and the width w of the scored portion may be adjusted so that an appropriate amount of force is required to break tab  104  off of main body  106 . The amount of force should be sufficiently small so that when desired tab  104  can be broken off using a tool intended for that purpose without undue effort. The amount of force should be sufficiently large so that when it is desired to retain tab  104 , tab  104  will not break off by force applied thereto, e.g., unintentionally, accidentally, etc. An example value of t is 0.010 inches ±0.2%. That is to say, the thickness of PCB  100  at scored portion (score lines)  108 , i.e., the thickness of PCB  100  after the score lines are made therein, would be 0.010 inches ±0.2%. An example maximum value of w is 0.030 inches. That is to say, the width of scored portion (score line)  108  would be 0.030 inches at maximum. 
   The details of scored portion  108 , such as its measurements, quantity, structure, the degree of strength with which it holds tabs  104  to main body  106  of PCB  100 , and the intended mechanism for removing tab  104 , may be varied, as will be appreciated by one of skill in the art in view of this description. Furthermore, it is not required to employ scored portion  108  as the mechanism for retaining and permitting removal of tabs  104 . Rather, it is possible to employ other mechanisms to affix tabs  104  to main body  106  of PCB  100  and to remove tabs  104  from main body  106  of PCB  100 , as will be appreciated by one of skill in the art in view of this description. For example, according to an example embodiment of the invention, one such alternative mechanism would be to affix tabs  104  to main body  106  of PCB  100  by simply forming main body  106  and tabs  104  as a single integral piece without providing a scored portion  108  and to remove tabs  104  from main body  106  by using a PCB cutting tool to cut tabs  104  off of main body  106  of PCB  100 . According to another example embodiment of the invention, another alternative mechanism would be to use a perforated line instead of scored portion  108 . 
   By virtue of the removability of tabs  104 , PCB  100  is rendered adaptable or configurable for various different applications, i.e., applications requiring different numbers of interface modules  116  (see  FIG. 5 ). PCB  100  may be manufactured so as to include a number of tabs  104  sufficient to accommodate as many interface modules  116  as are required for a range of possible applications. After manufacture of a PCB  100 , tabs  104  provided thereon that are not needed for the particular application for which the given PCB  100  is dedicated may be removed. Accordingly, the manufacturing operations can be simplified since it is now possible to manufacture PCBs  100  destined for different applications using the same standard manufacturing operation rather than employing different customized manufacturing operations for the PCBs  100  destined for different applications. In addition, it now becomes possible to assign a PCB  100  to an application other than the application that was originally intended for it at the time of manufacture, thus adding flexibility and potentially reducing cost to the larger manufacturing operation of which manufacture of PCB  100  is a part. 
   When a PCB  100  is to be used for an application requiring fewer tabs than the number of tabs with which the PCB  100  is provided, the unneeded tabs  104  may be removed, as opposed to leaving them on the PCB  100  unused. Removing the unused tabs  104  would result in minimizing the space taken up by the PCB  100 , which may reduce the cost of manufacturing the device of which the PCB  100  is a part. 
     FIG. 5  is a perspective view showing a portion of PCB  100  of  FIG. 1  including four removable portions  104 , interface modules  116  mounted on the removable portions  104 , and a cover  118  covering the removable portions  104 , portions of the interface modules  116 , and a portion of edge  102  of main body  106  of PCB  100 . Tabs  104  are used to support interface modules  116  that interface with PCB  100 . The term “interface module” is to be understood in the broadest possible sense. According to an example embodiment of the invention, interface module  116  is a fiber optical port which may be used, e.g., to connect a fiber optic network or device to PCB  100 . According to other example embodiments of the invention, interface module  116  may be any kind of connector, such as a mechanical connector or an electrical port. As shown in  FIG. 5 , interface module  116  may include a cage  120  or the like for housing its functional components. Interface module  116  may be physically mounted on tab  104  and extend from tab  104  onto main body  106  of PCB  100 . For the physical mounting, holes  121  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 2 ) may be provided on tabs  104  for insertion therein of legs (not shown) of interface module  116 . Appropriate connections, e.g., traces, pads, etc. may be provided on tab  104  and/or main body  106  for establishing an interface between interface module  116  and PCB  100 . Details of interface module  116  and the manner in which it is supported by tab  104  and connected to main body  106  may be varied, as will be appreciated by those of skill in the art. 
   As described above, a cover  118  may be provided to cover edge  102  or a portion thereof, tabs  104  or portions thereof, and portions of interface modules  116  that are on tabs  104 . (In  FIG. 5 , cover  118  extends substantially horizontally along the entire length of the illustrated portions of edge  102  and tabs  104 .) Cover  118  may be attached to these covered portions by sealing it in the manner of a gasket. Cover  118  may serve, e.g., as a shield to reduce or prevent electromagnetic radiation exiting PCB  100  and/or interface modules  116 , so as to reduce or eliminate electromagnetic interference. Additional shielding of this type may be provided, e.g., along the length of cover  118  on or above upper surface  112  of main body  106  of PCB  100 . Cover  118  may also facilitate handling of PCB  100 , e.g., cover  118  may be used as a grasping portion for the purpose of holding PCB  100  in place for performing procedures for mounting components on PCB  100 . Cover  118  may also provide additional rigidity to PCB  100  and help hold it securely in place in the device of which it is a part. Details of cover  118 , e.g., what portions are covered by it, the manner of attaching it to the covered portions, the functions it serves, and the manner and level of its performance of those functions, are variable, as will be understood by one of skill in the art in view of this description. 
   Returning to  FIG. 1 , shown to the left of tabs  104  in that figure, running along the left side of PCB  100 , is protective portion  122 . Protective portion  122  is commonly referred to as a break-away (portion). Protective portion  122  protects PCB  100 , e.g., in shipping, and may also be used as a grasping portion for the purpose of holding PCB  100  for performing procedures for mounting components on PCB  100 . Protective portion  122  is removably affixed to PCB  100  by means of perforated portions  124  (shown also in  FIGS. 2 and 3 ). Reference numeral  126  represents a gap (open space) separating protective portion  122  and PCB  100  (as noted, PCB  100  includes both main body  106  and tabs  104 ; reference numeral  126  is shown at two different locations in  FIG. 5  as a reminder of this point). Gap  126  extends along the left side, as shown in  FIG. 1 , of main body  106  of PCB  100 , being interrupted at perforated portions  124 , and changing its course at tabs  104  so as to extend along the left side of tabs  104 , i.e., along the portion of the perimeter of tabs  104  that does not border main body  106  or, in other words, along the two shorter sides of each of the triangle-shaped tabs  104 . After use, protective portion  122  is removed from PCB  100  by breaking the points of connection therebetween constituted by perforated portions  124 . The configuration and design of protective portion  122 , including the mechanism by which protective portion  122  is attached to and removed from PCB  100 , may be varied as will be understood by those of skill in the art in view of this description. 
   Tabs  104  may be formed of the same material as that used for forming main body  106  of PCB  100 , or from different materials. Where tabs  104  are formed integrally with main body  106 , it may be convenient and cost efficient to form both of the same material. 
   The details of the present invention as described above and illustrated in the accompanying figures are to be taken as examples and not as limiting. It is understood that to the extent any details pertinent to the invention are omitted herein, they are known to those of skill in the art. 
   One of ordinary skill in the art will realize that modifications and variations, including but not limited to those discussed above, are possible within the spirit and scope of the present invention. The invention is intended to be limited in scope only by the accompanying claims, which should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications, equivalent structures and functions.

Technology Category: 5