Nonlinear dynamic response of a flexible printed circuit board to a shock load applied to its support contour

The dynamic response of a flexible printed circuit board (PCB) to suddenly applied constant acceleration and periodic instantaneous impacts acting on its support contour is evaluated. The purpose of the analysis is to determine the maximum accelerations experienced by the electronic components and devices surface mounted on the board. It is shown that when the support contour is immovable (nondeformable) and the deflections are large it is important to account for the nonlinear effects. These are due to the in-plane (membrane) forces in the PCB and result in substantially higher accelerations than a linear theory. The obtained formulas are easy-to-use and enable one to evaluate the maximum displacements (amplitudes), velocities, and accelerations of the surface-mounted devices, as well as the maximum dynamic stresses in the board. These formulas can be helpful when choosing the appropriate PCB type and dimensions, and the most feasible layout of the components on the board