Flexible Grounding Clip Assembly for Stress-Free PCB Attachment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrical connection technologies in avionics bays are not compatible with deformations, causing internal stresses and require numerous small components, making maintenance difficult, and need anticorrosion protection for environmental resistance.

Innovation Solution

A reference electrical potential setting and fixing assembly using an electrically conductive flexible fastener with a conductive clamp, electrical contact heel, and fixing tongue that combines mechanical retention and electrical continuity, allowing relative movement without inducing stresses, and eliminating the need for chemical protection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of repair

If traditional wired connection with two connection terminals is used for electrical connection to reference potential, then electrical connection is established, but numerous small components are required making maintenance difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemaintenance difficultyVSAvoidnumber of small components

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the electrical connection function and mechanical retention function into a single integrated assembly. The conductive clamp with integrated fixing mechanism eliminates the need for separate wired connections, terminals, and multiple small components, thereby simplifying maintenance while establishing electrical connection to reference potential.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If rigid wired connection is used for electrical connection, then electrical continuity is ensured, but deformations cause internal stresses in the circuit

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical continuityVSAvoidinternal stresses

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a flexible conductive clamp that can deform elastically to accommodate thermal expansion, mechanical movements, and vibrations. This dynamic flexibility maintains reliable electrical continuity while preventing internal stresses in the circuit, unlike rigid wired connections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The conductive clamp is designed as a flexible component that can bend and deform without compromising electrical contact. This flexibility allows the clamp to adapt to circuit deformations while maintaining stable electrical connection and avoiding stress concentration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Strength

If conventional fixing method with screw, washer, spacer and nut is used, then mechanical retention is achieved, but assembly requires numerous components increasing complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical retentionVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the mechanical retention function directly into the conductive clamp assembly. The fixing mechanism is incorporated as part of the clamp structure itself, eliminating the need for separate screws, washers, spacers, and nuts, thereby reducing component count while maintaining retention strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Reliability

If electrical contact surface is exposed to aircraft environment, then electrical connection is established, but corrosion protection is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical connectionVSAvoidenvironmental attacks

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The conductive clamp is made from corrosion-resistant conductive material that inherently resists environmental attacks. This material composition provides both electrical conductivity and corrosion protection, eliminating the need for additional varnish or chemical protection layers while maintaining reliable electrical connection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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

Simplifies and makes maintenance of electrical systems more reliable by combining mechanical retention and electrical continuity in a single subassembly, allowing for movement due to temperature or mechanical changes without stress, and eliminating the need for anticorrosion protection.

Implementation Method 1

This mounting makes it possible to allow the electrical circuit a certain relative movement, for example in response to changes of temperature, mechanical movements, or vibrations, without inducing stresses in the electrical circuit.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Data Source

PatentUS12256513B2Reference electrical potential assembly and attachment assembly for printed circuit

Publication Date: 2025.03.18 LATELEC

AI summary

An assembly and an attachment assembly for an electrical circuit. The assembly having an electrically conductive flexible clip (30) which includes: an electrical circuit clamping conductor clamp; an electrical contact stub (42); an attachment (43) adapted to clamp the electrical contact stub (42) against an electrical contact surface.