Functional Contactor with Dielectric for Static Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Portable electronic devices face issues with static electricity damage due to metal housings, leakage currents from non-genuine chargers, and signal attenuation, requiring a functional contactor that protects users and circuits while maintaining miniaturization and reliability.

Innovation Solution

A functional contactor with a conductive elastic part and a dielectric element, featuring a ceramic material and a higher melting point bonding member, is used to provide electrical contact and prevent misalignment, ensuring reliable electrical connection and protection against static electricity and leakage currents.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conductive gasket or conductive contactor is used to connect the metal housing and the circuit board, then electrical contact is provided, but static electricity with high voltage may be instantaneously input through the conductor, damaging the circuit

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecircuit protectionVSAvoidstatic electricity damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A functional contactor is introduced as an intermediary component between the metal housing and the circuit board. This contactor includes a conductive part for electrical contact and a functional part with protective elements (such as varistors, TVS diodes, or capacitors) that mediate the electrical connection while protecting against static electricity and leakage currents.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The functional contactor converts harmful static electricity and leakage currents into beneficial protective actions. Protective elements within the contactor detect and neutralize these harmful electrical phenomena, transforming potential damage into a protective mechanism that safeguards the circuit board and connected components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Reliability

If additional protective elements are added to the conductive contactor to protect against leakage current and static electricity, then user and circuit protection is improved, but additional space is required on the circuit board, adversely affecting miniaturization

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser and circuit protectionVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The functional contactor merges multiple functions into a single integrated component. The conductive part for electrical contact and the functional part with protective elements are combined into one unit that is directly mounted on the circuit board, eliminating the need for separate protective components and reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The functional contactor serves multiple purposes simultaneously: it provides electrical contact between the metal housing and circuit board, protects against static electricity, blocks leakage currents, and can function as an antenna. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of components needed in the device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If the contactor and functional element are bonded through soldering, then electrical connection is established, but the bonding part may be melted due to heat generated through secondary soldering, causing adhesive failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical connectionVSAvoidadhesive strength

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The bonding method is changed from soldering to non-soldering techniques such as conductive adhesive or mechanical fastening. This parameter change in the bonding process eliminates the high-temperature heat generation that causes solder melting, while still establishing reliable electrical and mechanical connections between the contactor and circuit board.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 functional contactor effectively prevents user injury and circuit damage, maintains reliability through the use of a higher melting point bonding member, and miniaturizes the device without additional components, reducing manufacturing costs and resource usage.

Implementation Method 1

a conductive elastic part having elasticity and brought into electrical contact with a conductor of an electronic device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a functional element having a first electrode mounted on a circuit board of the electronic device, a second electrode electrically connected to a lower side of the conductive elastic part, and a dielectric formed between the first electrode and the second electrode

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDielectric: Dielectric

Data Source

PatentUS10650945B2Functional contactor and portable electronic device having same

Publication Date: 2020.05.12 AMOTECH CO LTD

AI summary

A functional contactor and a portable electronic device having same. The functional contactor includes a conductive elastic part having elasticity and electrically connected to a conductor of an electronic device; and a functional element including a first electrode mounted on a circuit board of the electronic device, a second electrode electrically connected to the underside of the conductive elastic part, and a dielectric formed between the first electrode and the second electrode.