Capacitor Holder Proximity Suppressor for PCB Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing capacitor holders with hooked engaging portions do not provide sufficient holding force, especially when a capacitor is inserted into a holder already mounted on a printed circuit board, as the legs can easily disengage due to deformation, leading to instability and potential disconnection.

Innovation Solution

A capacitor holder design featuring a resin-based cylindrical inner wall surface with a fixed portion and fitting grooves that engage with the printed circuit board, along with a proximity suppressor to prevent the grooves from approaching each other, ensuring secure mounting and enhanced holding force, while allowing the capacitor to be laid on its side for reduced height on the board.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If a capacitor holder with hooked engaging portions is used to hold a capacitor on a printed circuit board, then the capacitor can be mounted with reduced height, but the holding force is insufficient and the legs can easily disengage from the holes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheight of capacitor assemblyVSAvoidholding force
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The capacitor holder is divided into multiple functional segments: a holding portion with hooked legs for engagement, a fixed portion for stability, and a proximity suppressor for preventing disengagement. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function optimally, with the hooked legs providing initial engagement and the proximity suppressor ensuring continuous contact with the printed circuit board to prevent disengagement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The proximity suppressor is designed to prevent the holding portion from moving away from the printed circuit board before the capacitor is even inserted. By maintaining continuous contact between the fixed portion and the board surface, it counteracts any forces that might cause the hooked legs to disengage, thereby preventing the reliability problem before it occurs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

2Ease of operation

If the capacitor is inserted into a preliminarily mounted holder, then the holding portion must be forcefully opened, but this causes the legs to approach each other in reaction and easily disengage from the holes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecapacitor insertionVSAvoidengagement stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The proximity suppressor is pre-configured to maintain continuous contact with the printed circuit board surface. This preliminary action ensures that when the holding portion is opened to insert the capacitor, the fixed portion remains anchored to the board, preventing the legs from disengaging even during the forceful opening required for capacitor insertion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The proximity suppressor acts as a cushioning element that absorbs the reactive forces generated when the holding portion is forcefully opened. By maintaining continuous contact with the board, it cushions the impact and prevents the legs from moving away from their engaged positions, ensuring stability throughout the insertion process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 enhances the holding force of the capacitor, prevents disengagement, and reduces the overall height of the capacitor assembly on the printed circuit board by allowing the capacitor to be held securely without chattering due to vibrations, while maintaining thermal insulation.

Implementation Method 1

the holding portion being configured to hold a capacitor inserted through the opening into an inside of the inner wall surface while elastically deforming the resin

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2919565B1Capacitor holder and capacitor holding structure
Publication Date: 2020.02.12 KITAGAWA INDS
  • EP2919565B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1G
  • EP2919565B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2919565B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3E

AI summary

A capacitor holder comprises: a holding portion made of a resin to have a cylindrical inner wall surface, at least an outer peripheral portion of the inner wall surface being open, the holding portion being configured to hold a capacitor inserted through the opening into an inside of the inner wall surface while elastically deforming the resin; a fixed portion formed of the resin integrally with the holding portion and positioned opposite to the opening of the holding portion; a pair of fitting grooves formed at a pair of end surfaces of the fixed portion opposed to each other adjacent to the holding portion, the fitting grooves being configured to fittably engage with end edges of a printed circuit board to extend along a surface of the printed circuit board; and a proximity suppressor formed of the resin as a part of the fixed portion and configured to suppress portions of the fixed portion where the fitting grooves are formed from being brought into proximity each other.