Standoff for circuit board having temperature-variable electrical element

An electronics assembly comprising:

• a printed circuit board that supports an electrical device and an electrical trace of a power supply circuit;
• a standoff that includes a support body, a temperature-variable electrical element, and an electrical connector;
• the temperature-variable electrical element selectively varying in temperature based on an electrical input thereto via the power supply circuit;
• the support body supporting the temperature-variable electrical element, the support body retaining the printed circuit board separated at a distance from another component of the electronics assembly, the support body having a first end and a second end, the support body attached to the circuit board projecting away from the circuit board with the first end proximate the circuit board and the second end spaced away from the circuit board;
• and
• the electrical connector supported proximate the first end and electrically coupled to the temperature-variable electrical element, the electrical connector electrically connected to the electrical trace of the printed circuit board to provide the electrical input to the temperature-variable electrical element for selectively varying the temperature thereof and for selectively adjusting a temperature condition in an area of the electronics area proximate the electrical device.

A method of operating an electronics assembly that includes a printed circuit board and a standoff that retains the printed circuit board separated at a distance from another component of the electronics assembly, the method comprising:

• detecting, with a sensor, a temperature proximate an electrical device supported on a printed circuit board of the electronics assembly, the printed circuit board supporting an electrical trace of a power supply circuit;
• receiving, by a processor of a control system, an input corresponding to the detected temperature;
• and
• generating, by the processor, a command based on the received input for providing an electrical input via the electrical trace to a temperature-variable electrical element of the standoff for selectively varying the temperature of the standoff and for selectively adjusting a temperature condition in the area proximate the electrical device.