Motor Contact Spring Assembly for SMD Housing Grounding

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electric motor designs face complexity in simply and effectively connecting Surface Mounted Device (SMD) components to the motor housing, requiring cumbersome assembly methods and materials.

Innovation Solution

A contact spring with multiple contact fingers and a resilient, conductive material, such as steel, is used to connect SMD components to the electric motor's housing, providing a straightforward and robust electrical connection by clamping or soldering, with additional fixation through inwardly protruding clamps and optional insulating protection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional through-hole components and multiple connecting cables are used to connect electronic components to the motor housing, then reliable electrical connection is achieved, but device complexity and assembly difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connection reliabilityVSAvoidconnection structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connection structure is segmented into multiple contact fingers integrated into a single contact spring component, allowing each finger to independently contact separate SMD components while maintaining a unified resilient structure that provides reliable electrical connection without complex assembly

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple contact fingers are merged into a single integrated contact spring component, combining the functions of multiple connecting cables and contacts into one element that simultaneously provides electrical connection and mechanical resilience

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If multiple separate connecting cables are used to connect each SMD component to the housing, then individual component connections are secure, but manufacturing and assembly time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent connection securityVSAvoidassembly speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple connecting functions are merged into a single contact spring component with multiple contact fingers, allowing all SMD components to be connected simultaneously in one assembly operation rather than requiring separate cable connections for each component

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The contact spring serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical support, electrical connection, and resilient contact force to multiple SMD components through its integrated contact fingers, eliminating the need for separate connecting cables

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of manufacture

If leadframe material is used for contact springs, then manufacturing is simple, but the material lacks sufficient resilience and conductivity at the contact ends

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontact spring manufacturing simplicityVSAvoidcontact end resilience and conductivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The contact spring is made from phosphor bronze, a composite material that combines the advantages of brass (good conductivity and ease of manufacture) with phosphor additives that enhance resilience and maintain conductivity at the contact ends, overcoming the limitations of simple leadframe material

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

This solution enables a simple, reliable, and efficient electrical connection of multiple SMD components to the motor housing, ensuring grounding and protection against moisture, while preventing short circuits through insulating barriers, thus enhancing the motor's assembly and operational reliability.

Implementation Method 1

The contact spring is made of a resilient material, such as steel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The contact spring is made of electrically conductive material and grounds the SMD components by connecting them to the electrically conductive housing part

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 3

the central section of the contact spring has at least one retaining clip on the side of the contact fingers for the SMD components and/or on the side of the at least one contact section for the housing part

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical interlocking: Mechanical Fastener

Data Source

PatentEP3192155B1Electric motor having SMD components and associated connection component
Publication Date: 2023.08.23 VITESCO TECHNOLOGIES GMBH

AI summary

The invention relates to an electric motor having a plurality of SMD components (5) arranged on a carrier (6) of the motor, and a connection part for the SMD components (5) together with an electrically conductive housing part (8) of the motor. A contact spring (10) is used as a connection part, electrically connecting a plurality of SMD components (5) to the housing part (8). The contact spring (10) has a main section (1), a spring-type connection section that extends outwards from one side of the main section, and at least one spring-type contact section that extends outwards from the other side of the main section (1), wherein the spring-type connection section of the contact spring (10) comprises a plurality of contact fingers (2) for the SMD components (5). In this way, the connection is formed via a single component that is simple to produce.