Metal Sheet Fastening Structure for Stable Electrical Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing structures using screws to fasten metal sheets for electronic device housings risk losing electrical connection due to screw loosening, leading to potential noise and leakage currents.
Innovation Solution
A structure with protrusions and elastically deformable portions on adjacent metal sheets ensures electrical connection by allowing elastic deformation to maintain contact even if the fastening member loosens, eliminating the need for special screws or washers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a screw is used to fasten the metal sheets together, then the metal sheets can be securely fastened, but the electrical connection between the base materials may be lost if the screw loosens
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs elastic deformation of the protrusions to create a dynamic fastening mechanism. The protrusions are designed to elastically deform during assembly and maintain continuous contact pressure between metal sheets, allowing the electrical connection to be maintained without requiring specialized fastening components. This dynamic elastic behavior replaces the need for complex specialized screws or washers.
2Reliability
If protrusions are made to contact and crush each other to peel insulating coatings, then electrical connection is achieved, but additional fastening components may be needed to maintain contact
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the electrical connection function and the fastening function into a single integrated structure. The protrusions serve dual purposes: they crush the insulating coatings to establish electrical contact and simultaneously provide the fastening force through their elastic deformation. This eliminates the need for separate specialized fastening components while maintaining reliable electrical connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The protrusions are designed to automatically maintain electrical contact through their own elastic deformation properties. When the metal sheets are assembled, the protrusions elastically deform to crush the insulating coatings and establish contact. The elastic recovery force continuously maintains this contact, allowing the structure to self-maintain the electrical connection without requiring additional components or active control.
3Device complexity
If ordinary fastening members are used, then the structure is simple, but electrical connection cannot be ensured when the fastening member loosens
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical state and mechanical properties of the protrusions by designing them with specific elastic deformation characteristics. The protrusions are engineered to have controlled elasticity that allows them to deform during assembly and maintain continuous contact pressure. This parameter change in the mechanical behavior of the protrusions enables ordinary fastening members to reliably maintain electrical connection without loosening.
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 reliable electrical connectivity between metal sheets by maintaining contact through elastic deformation, preventing noise and leakage currents, and eliminating the need for additional fastening components.
Implementation Method 1
a first elastically deformable portion provided on the first metal sheet in such a manner that the first elastically deformable portion surrounds a periphery of the first protrusion, the first elastically deformable portion being elastically deformable at the time of the fastening with the fastening member
Data Source
AI summary
A structure formed by placing a metal sheets one on another in a sheet-thickness direction, the metal sheets each having an electrically conductive base material covered with an insulating coating, the structure including: a protrusion provided on a first metal sheet of the metal sheets that are adjacent to each other and are fastened together with a screw, the protrusion protruding toward a second metal sheet; an elastically deformable portion provided on the metal sheet in such a manner that the elastically deformable portion surrounds the protrusion, the elastically deformable portion being elastically deformable at the time of the fastening with the screw; a protrusion disposed on the metal sheet in such a manner that the protrusion protrudes toward the metal sheet, and crosses the protrusion; and an elastically deformable portion provided on the metal sheet in such a manner that the elastically deformable portion surrounds the protrusion.