IP Library Granted Patent US 12,463,494
Granted Patent B2
US 12,463,494 · App. 18/201,413 · Granted Nov 4, 2025

Controller and circuit board support

Inventor: Craig Hooker (Indian Land, SC)
Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
H02G15/046F16H1/10F16H19/08F16H55/0833F16H55/17F16H57/02F16H57/023F16H57/029H02G3/0675H02G15/013B63B39/06F16H49/001F16H2055/176F16H2057/02008F16H2057/02034F16H2057/02082G01D5/245H02K5/10H05K7/1427
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,463,494
App. No.
18/201,413
Granted
Nov 4, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A controller includes a plurality of circuit boards and a support configured to support each circuit board. The support includes a plurality of loading surfaces axially spaced from each other and a plurality of fingers extending obliquely relative to the loading surfaces. Each circuit board is disposed between one respective loading surface and one respective finger.

Claims (31)

1 . A controller, comprising:

a plurality of circuit boards; and

a support configured to support each circuit board, the support including a plurality of loading surfaces axially spaced from each other and a plurality of fingers extending obliquely relative to the plurality of loading surfaces;

the each circuit board disposed between one respective loading surface and one respective finger;

the plurality of circuit boards including a circuit board supporting a sensor and a power electronics circuit board spaced from the circuit board;

the plurality of loading surfaces including a first loading surface configured to support the circuit board and a second loading surface axially spaced from the first loading surface and configured to support the power electronics circuit board; and

the plurality of fingers includes a first finger disposed between the first and second loading surfaces and extending towards the first loading surface and a second finger spaced from the second loading surface and extending towards the second loading surface;

the first finger configured to axially bias the circuit board against the first loading surface;

the first finger configured to elastically deform during installation of the circuit board between the first finger and the first loading surface.

2 . The controller of claim 1 , wherein the second finger is configured to prevent installation of the power electronics circuit board when components of the circuit board are not seated with mating components of the power electronics circuit board.

3 . The controller of claim 2 , wherein the second finger is configured to permit installation of the other circuit board of the plurality of circuit boards when the components of the one circuit board of the plurality of circuit boards are seated with mating components of the other circuit board.

4 . The controller of claim 1 , wherein the second finger is configured to permit axial movement of the power electronics circuit board relative to the second loading surface.

5 . The controller of claim 1 , wherein: the plurality of circuit boards includes a further circuit board supporting a further sensor; the plurality of loading surfaces includes a third loading surface configured to support the further circuit board, the second loading surface being disposed between the first and third loading surfaces; and the plurality of fingers includes a third finger spaced from the third loading surface and extending towards the third loading surface.

6 . The controller of claim 5 , wherein the third finger is configured to axially bias the further circuit board against the third loading surface.

7 . The controller of claim 6 , wherein the third finger is configured to elastically deform during installation of the further circuit board between the third finger and the third loading surface.

8 . The controller of claim 5 , wherein the second finger is disposed between the second and third loading surfaces.

9 . The controller of claim 5 , wherein the third finger is disposed at an end of the support.

10 . A circuit board support, comprising:

a first loading surface configured to support one circuit board;

a second loading surface axially spaced from the first loading surface and configured to support another circuit board;

a first finger disposed between the first and second loading surfaces and extending towards the first loading surface, the first finger being configured to axially bias the one circuit board against the first loading surface; and

a second finger spaced from the second loading surface and extending towards the second loading surface, the second finger being configured to prevent installation of the other circuit board when components of the one circuit board are not seated with mating components of the other circuit board.

11 . The circuit board support of claim 10 , wherein the first finger is configured to elastically deform during installation of the one circuit board between the first finger and the first loading surface.

12 . The circuit board support of claim 10 , wherein the second finger is configured to permit axial movement of the other circuit board relative to the second loading surface.

13 . The circuit board support of claim 10 , further comprising:

a third loading surface configured to support a further circuit board; and

a third finger spaced from the third loading surface and extending towards the third loading surface, the third finger being configured to axially bias the further circuit board against the third loading surface.

14 . The circuit board support of claim 13 , wherein the second loading surface is disposed between the first and third loading surfaces.

15 . The circuit board support of claim 13 , wherein the second finger is disposed between the second and third loading surfaces.

16 . The circuit board support of claim 13 , wherein the third finger is configured to elastically deform during installation of the further circuit board between the third finger and the third loading surface.

17 . The circuit board support of claim 13 , wherein the third finger is disposed at an end of the support.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 24, 2023
From: HOOKER, CRAIG
To: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
Reel/Frame 063748/0723 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 63346356 · May 27, 2022
Related Publication 20230389212A1 · Nov 30, 2023
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