Flat Elastic Conduction Structure for Sheet Metal Shielding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing conduction structures between sheet metals, such as those with wave-shaped elastic members, suffer from instability due to shape variations and deformations, leading to unreliable contact between substrate contact portions and conductors, which affects the stable conduction between sheet metals.

Innovation Solution

A conduction structure featuring flat elastic pieces on a first sheet metal with slits and protrusions on a second sheet metal, where the elastic pieces and protrusions are designed to maintain stable contact without the need for adhesives, with the protrusions being hemispherical or columnar to prevent metal powder generation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If wave-shaped elastic members are used for conduction structure, then flexibility and contact capability are improved, but shape stability and manufacturing precision deteriorate due to shape variations and deformations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontact capabilityVSAvoidshape stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic member is divided into multiple flat elastic pieces (first through fourth elastic pieces) arranged in a specific pattern, rather than using a single wave-shaped member. This segmentation maintains flexibility while improving shape stability and manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses flat elastic pieces instead of wave-shaped (curved) members. The flat geometry eliminates the shape variations and deformations inherent in curved wave-shaped structures, while still providing the necessary elasticity through the arrangement and connection of multiple flat pieces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Productivity

If multiple small sheet metals are arranged to overlap instead of using a large sheet metal, then production cost and productivity are improved, but conduction stability deteriorates due to unstable contact between sheet metals

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction efficiencyVSAvoidconduction stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic pieces are designed to be deformable and adaptable, allowing them to maintain stable contact between overlapping sheet metals even under varying conditions such as vibration or impact. This dynamic capability ensures reliable conduction while enabling the use of multiple smaller sheet metals.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic pieces act as intermediary elements between the overlapping sheet metals, providing a stable conductive path. These elastic pieces ensure reliable electrical contact between the sheet metals while allowing for misalignments and maintaining contact stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Manufacturing precision

If elastic pieces with flat shapes are used instead of wave-shaped members, then manufacturing precision and shape stability are improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for multiple elastic pieces and slits

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshape consistencyVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple elastic pieces are arranged and connected to form an integrated elastic structure. The first and second elastic pieces are connected, as are the third and fourth elastic pieces, creating a unified structure that provides both stability and flexibility while maintaining relatively simple individual components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The flat elastic pieces serve multiple functions: they provide electrical conduction, maintain mechanical contact between sheet metals, absorb position variations, and resist deformation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, offsetting the apparent complexity with functional integration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Ensures stable conduction between sheet metals with reduced shape variation and deformation, preventing metal powder generation and maintaining contact even under vibration or impact, making it suitable for electronic devices requiring electromagnetic compatibility.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of elastic pieces having flat shapes provided for a first sheet metal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11228122B2Electrical conduction structure for shielding and an electronic device using the same

Publication Date: 2022.01.18 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC MOBILITY CORP

AI summary

A first sheet metal is provided with slits. Elastic pieces having flat shapes are each formed between the slits adjacent to each other, and both ends of each of the elastic pieces are connected with both ends of an adjacent one of the elastic pieces. A second sheet metal is provided with protrusions each of which is protruded toward a corresponding one of the elastic pieces.