Conductive ESD Connector Layout for Grounding Sensitive Electronics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic devices, such as HVAC controllers and touch screen displays, are susceptible to damage from Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) events, which can occur when users interact with them, causing harm to internal components due to the lack of effective protection mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an electrically conductive connector and a spacer within the device's housing, where the connector is mechanically and electrically connected to a printed wiring assembly (PWA) and extends to make contact with a conductive feature of the electronic component, providing a path for ESD to be grounded and diverted away from sensitive components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If electronic devices include manual controls for user interaction, then ease of operation is improved, but susceptibility to ESD damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a conductive connector as an intermediary element between the housing (and manual controls) and the PWA. This connector provides a dedicated ESD protection path that mediates between the user interaction points and sensitive electronic components, allowing safe discharge of electrostatic energy without affecting operational functionality.
2Reliability
If ESD protection mechanisms are added to protect internal components, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies ESD protection locally at specific strategic points within the device architecture. Rather than implementing comprehensive protection throughout the entire device, the conductive connector is positioned to provide targeted protection at the interface between external interaction points and sensitive PWA components, achieving effective ESD management with minimal added complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive connector serves as a simple intermediary element that provides ESD protection without requiring complex circuitry or multiple protective components. This single-element approach maintains device simplicity while effectively redirecting ESD energy away from sensitive components.
3Volume of stationary object
If electronic components are positioned closer to the PWA to reduce device size, then volume is reduced, but vulnerability to ESD events increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive connector acts as an intermediary protective barrier between the housing/manual controls and the PWA, allowing electronic components to be positioned closer together without increasing ESD vulnerability. The connector provides a dedicated discharge path that protects even closely-spaced components from ESD damage.
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
This solution effectively protects electronic devices from ESD damage by ensuring that electrostatic discharge is safely routed to a grounding feature, reducing the risk of electrical damage to internal components and maintaining the performance of sensitive components like LCDs.
Implementation Method 1
These electronic devices may be particularly susceptible to Electrostatic Discharge (ESDs) events. In some cases, an ESD event can occur when a user or operator is loaded with static electricity and contacts the electronic device, discharging the static electricity to the electronic device.
Implementation Method 2
the electrically conductive connector may be mechanically and electrically connected to the PWA... the electrically conductive connector may extend from the PWA and may make electrical contact with a conductive feature on the electronic component... the resulting ESD event may be transferred to a grounding feature of the PWA
Data Source
AI summary
An illustrative electronic assembly having an electrical connector therein to ground an electronic component of the electronic assembly to a grounding feature of a printed wiring assembly (PWA) of the electronic assembly. The electronic assembly may include a housing, the PWA, the electronic component and the electrical connector. The electrical connector may be a conductive and resilient extender or connector that may have a first portion connected to the PWA and a second portion extending generally away from the PWA toward the electronic component. The second portion of the electrical connector may be in mechanical and electrical contact with the electronic component.