Clip Terminal for EMI Shield Case with Integrated PCB Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing clip terminals for EMI shield cases have difficulties in alignment, low coupling force, and increased manufacturing complexity due to L-shaped bent parts, which complicates reflow soldering and occupies excessive space on circuit boards, especially in high-density mounting applications.

Innovation Solution

A clip terminal with a connection part bent at an angle corresponding to the case corner, featuring symmetrical clips and an integrated structure with a width matching the solder pattern, including auxiliary fixing parts and elastic pieces for improved alignment and reduced shake during reflow soldering, manufactured by pressing a metal sheet.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If L-shaped bent parts are used in clip terminals to fix EMI shield cases, then the fitting capability is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases and reflow soldering becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefitting capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The clip terminal is divided into distinct functional segments: a connection part for PCB mounting and clip parts for case fixation. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized independently - the connection part for easy soldering and the clip parts for effective case holding, resolving the contradiction between fitting capability and manufacturing complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of bending the entire clip terminal at L-shapes as in prior art, this invention inverts the approach by keeping the connection part flat for easy soldering and creating the necessary angles only in the clip parts that contact the case. This inversion resolves the manufacturing complexity issue while maintaining fitting capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Reliability

If L-shaped bent parts are used in clip terminals, then corner fitting is improved, but the absorption surface width increases occupying excessive PCB area

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecorner fittingVSAvoidPCB mounting area

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The clip terminal applies local quality by concentrating the angular/bent structure only where needed - in the clip parts that contact the case corners - while keeping the connection part on the PCB flat and minimal in width. This localized application of geometric complexity achieves corner fitting without excessive PCB area occupation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The solution moves the geometric complexity from the PCB plane (2D) to the vertical dimension (3D) by creating angled clip parts that extend upward from the connection part. This dimensional transition allows corner fitting functionality without increasing the absorption surface width on the PCB

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If clip terminals have different shapes and sizes due to L-shaped bent parts, then case corner fitting is achieved, but alignment precision during reflow soldering deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecase corner fittingVSAvoidalignment precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The clip terminal deliberately uses asymmetry in the clip parts (different angles and orientations to match different case corners) while maintaining symmetry and uniformity in the connection part. This selective asymmetry achieves case corner fitting precision without compromising alignment precision during reflow soldering of the connection part

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

4Strength

If multiple metal clips are used to reinforce coupling force, then coupling strength is improved, but device complexity and mounting area increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoupling forceVSAvoidnumber of clips

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges multiple functional elements into a single integrated clip terminal structure. The connection part and multiple clip parts are combined into one piece that can be soldered as a single component, providing reinforced coupling force through the integrated clip structure without requiring multiple separate metal clips

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated clip terminal serves multiple functions simultaneously: the connection part provides PCB mounting while the integrated clip parts provide case fixation and coupling. This multi-functionality in a single component achieves reinforced coupling force without increasing device complexity or requiring multiple separate clips

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9055666B2Clip terminal for fixing case and shield apparatus using the same

Publication Date: 2015.06.09 JOINSET

AI summary

A clip terminal soldered to and mounted on a circuit board, includes a connection part bent at an angle corresponding to that of a corner of a case and at least a pair of clips connected to each other by the connection part. The connection part and the clips are integrated with each other. The connection part has a width less than or equal to that of a solder pattern of the circuit board on which the clip terminal is soldered. A lower end of the corner of a sidewall of the case is fitted into the clips.