Resilient Clip for MRT Pluggable Electronics

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Solution Overview

Problem

In magnetic resonance tomography (MRT) systems, the pluggable electronics components in local coils are prone to faults and dislodgment due to mechanical forces, leading to insufficient mechanical fastening and frequent replacements, which complicates the secure anchoring of printed circuit boards (PCBs) and affects the stability of the signal processing.

Innovation Solution

A resilient clip is designed to securely join the mainboard and plug-in modules with a pretensioning force, using solder pins and a curved clip design that allows tolerance compensation and permanent clamping, preventing rocking and damage, and enabling easy release with a flat-blade screwdriver.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of repair

If pluggable components are used for electronics modules, then ease of replacement and maintenance is improved, but mechanical stability and resistance to dislodgment under operational forces deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of replacementVSAvoidmechanical stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The retaining clip is divided into distinct functional segments: resilient arms for clamping, curved portions for tolerance compensation, and flat-blade screwdriver access points. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function optimally while maintaining overall system reliability and ease of replacement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The retaining clip incorporates resilient (flexible) arms that can dynamically adapt to insertion forces and operational vibrations. The curved portions provide dynamic tolerance compensation, allowing the clip to maintain stable clamping despite manufacturing variations or thermal expansion, thus preventing dislodgment while preserving pluggable connectivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If standard insertion force connectors are used, then ease of operation is improved, but mechanical fastening strength under operational forces deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of insertionVSAvoidmechanical fastening strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges multiple functions into a single retaining clip component: electrical connection retention, mechanical clamping force application, tolerance compensation, and tool-based release mechanism. This integration provides both easy insertion through standard pluggable interfaces and strong mechanical fastening under operational forces without requiring separate fastening mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If screwed anchorage is used for PCBs, then mechanical stability is improved, but ease of manufacture and assembly deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical stabilityVSAvoidease of assembly

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the complex screwed anchorage requirement and replaces it with a simpler snap-fit retaining clip mechanism. The clip can be easily snapped onto the PCB during assembly and provides adequate mechanical stability, eliminating the need for threading screws and complex fastening procedures while maintaining reliability under operational forces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Ease of manufacture

If non-secured pluggable components are used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but reliability under operational forces deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of assemblyVSAvoidresistance to dislodgment

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The retaining clip is designed to be self-installing through a simple snap-fit action during assembly, requiring no additional fastening steps. During operation, the resilient arms continuously apply clamping force to prevent dislodgment, and the curved portions automatically compensate for any dimensional variations, providing self-adjusting security without complex assembly procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 solution provides a stable and secure attachment of pluggable components, reducing faults and replacements, ensuring reliable signal processing and image quality in MRT systems by maintaining the integrity of the electronics under operational forces.

Implementation Method 1

A resilient clip (6) is designed to securely join the mainboard (1) and plug-in modules (2) with a pretensioning force

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

using solder pins and a curved clip design that allows tolerance compensation and permanent clamping

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS9144170B2Retaining clip for pluggable electronics components

Publication Date: 2015.09.22 SIEMENS HEALTHINEERS AG

AI summary

A local coil for a magnetic resonance tomography system includes a mainboard, at least one plug-in module that is connectable to the mainboard, and a clip engaging with the plug-in module and the mainboard. The clip is arranged at least partially at a side of the mainboard.