Modules for increasing useable space on circuit boards
First Claim
1. A three dimensional module configured to mount electronic components to a circuit board, the module comprising:
- a first printed circuit board (PCB) comprising circuit traces;
a second PCB comprising circuit traces and connected to the first PCB at a first angle;
a third PCB comprising circuit traces and connected to the first PCB at a second angle and connected to the second PCB at a third angle, the third PCB comprising a communication interface configured to interconnect circuit traces of the first and second PCBs to associated circuit paths on the circuit board;
a fourth PCB opposite the third PCB, the fourth PCB defining an aperture disposed therethrough; and
a core surrounded by the first, second, third, and fourth PCBs, the core defining a channel having a metal insert positioned therein, wherein the metal insert is accessible through the aperture and includes threading for receiving and securing a threaded end of a fastener.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
The described embodiments relate generally to electronic devices and to three dimensional modules for increasing useable space on a circuit board associated therewith. In some embodiments, the modules can have a cuboid geometry, and can include a number of surfaces having embedded circuit traces configured to interconnect electronic components arranged on various surfaces of the module. One of the surfaces of module can include at least one communication interface configured to interconnect the circuit traces on the module to associated circuit paths on a circuit board to which the module is coupled. In some embodiments the module can be operative as a standoff between the circuit board and another component of the electronic device.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A three dimensional module configured to mount electronic components to a circuit board, the module comprising:
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a first printed circuit board (PCB) comprising circuit traces; a second PCB comprising circuit traces and connected to the first PCB at a first angle; a third PCB comprising circuit traces and connected to the first PCB at a second angle and connected to the second PCB at a third angle, the third PCB comprising a communication interface configured to interconnect circuit traces of the first and second PCBs to associated circuit paths on the circuit board; a fourth PCB opposite the third PCB, the fourth PCB defining an aperture disposed therethrough; and a core surrounded by the first, second, third, and fourth PCBs, the core defining a channel having a metal insert positioned therein, wherein the metal insert is accessible through the aperture and includes threading for receiving and securing a threaded end of a fastener. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A cuboid module configured to mount electronic components to a circuit board, the module comprising:
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a core defining a channel therein, one or more lateral walls surrounding the core, each of the one or more lateral walls being configured to mount at a non-zero angle with respect to the circuit board, wherein each of the one or more lateral walls includes a printed circuit board (PCB) having circuit traces, and edge connectors configured to electrically couple at least one of the circuit traces to a corresponding electrical trace disposed on the circuit board; a top wall adjacent to the one or more lateral walls, wherein the top wall includes a PCB and an aperture therethrough; and a metal insert disposed within the channel and aligned with the aperture, wherein the metal inert includes threads for retaining a threaded end of a fastener when the fastener is received through the aperture. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A three dimensional module configured to increase useable space on a circuit board, the module comprising:
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a central core formed from a solid material; one or more side surfaces arranged about and surrounding the central core, each of the one or more side surfaces comprising a printed circuit board (PCB) having circuit traces embedded therein and configured to interconnect electronic components arranged thereon; a base surface connected to the one or more side surfaces and configured to mount the three dimensional module to the circuit board, the base surface comprising at least one communication interface configured to interconnect the circuit traces to associated circuit paths on the circuit board; a threaded securing feature located within the central core and configured to secure a threaded end of a fastener within the central core; and an upper surface opposite the base surface and connected to the one or more side surfaces, the upper surface comprising a PCB and defining an aperture permitting access to the threaded securing feature. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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Specification