Capacitor Assembly with Dual Annular Retainers for Vibration Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Capacitors installed in vehicles or off-road equipment are susceptible to damage from mechanical stress, vibration, and thermal stress, leading to electrical or mechanical connection failures and potential shorts due to deteriorating dielectric packaging.
Innovation Solution
A capacitor assembly design featuring dual annular retainers with radially extending tabs and protrusions, respectively, that compress against the capacitor to secure it within a housing, providing mechanical and thermal stress resistance without the need for fasteners, and incorporating resilient materials for shock dampening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the capacitor body is rigidly mounted to the circuit board or enclosure, then mechanical strength and stability are improved, but mechanical stress and vibration damage to connection points increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a compliant mounting structure with elastomeric material that allows the capacitor body to be securely held while accommodating thermal expansion and vibration without transmitting excessive mechanical stress to connection points, thus maintaining both strength and connection reliability
2Stability of the object's composition
If the capacitor is securely fastened using traditional fastening methods, then mechanical stability is improved, but device complexity and sealing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the fastening function from traditional screw or clip-based systems and integrates it directly into the mounting structure through molded elastomeric features that provide secure retention without requiring separate fastening components, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining stability
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting structure is designed to be self-retaining through the elastic deformation and recovery of the elastomeric material, which automatically secures the capacitor in place without requiring external fastening mechanisms, simplifying the overall device design
3Volume of moving object
If the dielectric packaging is thin-walled to reduce size, then compactness is improved, but resistance to thermal stress and mechanical damage deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite mounting structure combining rigid support elements with elastomeric damping material, where the elastomeric portion provides shock absorption and thermal stress relief that protects thin-walled capacitors from damage while maintaining compact form factor
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design effectively secures capacitors against vibration and thermal stress, maintains electrical isolation, and prevents shorts, even when dielectric sheathing deteriorates, while eliminating the need for fasteners and reducing environmental sealing complexities.
Implementation Method 1
incorporating resilient materials for shock dampening
Implementation Method 2
Each of the tabs has a sloped surface or a peaked surface for compression of the first annular retainer against the capacitor
Implementation Method 3
Each of the protrusions has a slit for receiving a wedge, such that if the protrusions engage the wedge the second annular retainer is compressed against the capacitor
Data Source
Figure 1~4
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Figure 7~8
AI summary
A lower enclosure has a first recess. A first annular retainer is adapted for engaging a lower portion of a capacitor and the first recess. The first annular retainer has a plurality of tabs that extend radially outward from an outer diameter surface of the first annular retainer. Each of the tabs has a sloped surface ora peaked surface for compression of the first annular retainer against the capacitor. An upper enclosure has a plurality of second recesses. A second annular retainer is adapted for engaging an. upper portion of the capacitor and the second recesses. The second annular retainer has a plurality of protrusions that extend upward from the second annular retainer. Each of the protrusions has a slit for receiving a wedge, such that if the protrusions engage the wedge the second annular retainer is compressed against the capacitor.