Clip With Extended Guiding Portions For Shielding Case Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing clips soldered to printed wiring boards for fixing shielding cases have a limited guiding function, making it difficult to insert the shielding case due to a small range of guiding functionality, which complicates the assembly process.

Innovation Solution

A clip design featuring a base portion with holding and guiding portions, where the guiding portions include a contact surface that expands the guidable range, allowing easy insertion of the insert between the spring pieces, and a convex portion for feedback during assembly, which helps in aligning the insert correctly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the holding spring portions are designed with bent leading edges to provide guiding function, then the insert can be guided to center during insertion, but the range of guiding function is small relative to the size of the clip, making insertion difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsertion easeVSAvoidguiding range
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extends the guiding portions horizontally outward from the holding spring portions in addition to the vertical bending. This adds a horizontal dimension to the guiding function, significantly expanding the guiding range while maintaining the centering capability. The guiding portions now provide guidance both vertically (through bending) and horizontally (through extension), resolving the contradiction between limited guiding range and insertion ease.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If the leading edge is bent inward to guide the insert, then centering is achieved, but the guiding portion occupies space that could be used for other functions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsert alignmentVSAvoidclip size
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the guiding function into two distinct segments: the holding spring portions provide vertical guidance through bending, while the separately extended guiding portions provide horizontal guidance. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in a specific guidance direction, achieving comprehensive centering without requiring one bulky structure to perform all guiding functions simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Area of stationary object

If the contact surface is positioned closer to the base portion, then the structure is more compact, but the guidable range is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontact surface positionVSAvoidinsertion guidance range
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent positions the contact surface on horizontally extended guiding portions that protrude outward from the holding spring portions. By extending in the horizontal dimension rather than only vertically, the contact surface achieves a large guidable range while maintaining a compact vertical profile, thus resolving the contradiction between compactness and guidance range.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 expanded guidable range facilitates easier insertion and assembly of the shielding case, while the convex portion provides tactile feedback for proper alignment, enhancing the assembly process and ensuring secure fixation without increasing the clip's size.

Implementation Method 1

The first spring piece and the second spring piece are each configured to be elastically displaceable in a facing direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The base portion includes a joining portion to be soldered to the conductive portion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSoldering: Soldering

Data Source

PatentEP3396178B1Clip and fixing mechanism
Publication Date: 2022.04.27 KITAGAWA INDS
  • EP3396178B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3396178B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2D
  • EP3396178B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A clip provided with a base portion, at least one holding portion, and a guiding portion. The holding portion includes a pair of spring pieces including a first spring piece and a second spring piece connected to the base portion and facing each other, and sandwiches an insert inserted between these spring pieces. The guiding portion includes a contact surface that guides the insert toward a position between the first spring piece and the second spring piece when the insert moves in an insertion direction and the guide portion comes into contact with the insert. The contact surface is at least partially, in relation to the insertion direction, in a position farther away from the base portion than the second portion of at least one of the first spring piece and the second spring piece. The contact surface is at least partially, in relation to a facing direction, in a position farther away from the corresponding spring piece than the second portion of the one spring piece.