Operating Panel Body Stepped Portion Grounding
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Solution Overview
Problem
In operating panel bodies of automobiles, plated components that are partly exposed and fixed to the case can discharge static electricity to electronic components on the substrate, causing damage, especially when a light guide body is present, and existing solutions fail to ensure reliable connection and assembly due to insufficient creepage distance and unreliable spring body fixation.
Innovation Solution
The operating panel body design includes a plated component with an extending portion that has a stepped portion at a predetermined position, holding an electrically conductive spring body between the stepped portion and the substrate's ground connecting portion, ensuring static electricity is directed to the ground and preventing discharge to other electronic components, while allowing for easy assembly and reliable connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If the plated component is disposed close to the operating portion to improve design, then the aesthetic appearance is improved, but the creepage distance to the substrate becomes insufficient and static electricity may damage electronic components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a resin component as an intermediary substance between the plated component and the substrate. This resin component fills the space and provides electrical insulation, preventing static electricity discharge while allowing the plated component to be positioned close to the operating portion for aesthetic purposes. The resin acts as a mediator that resolves the conflict between design requirements and electrical safety.
2Ease of manufacture
If the projecting portion of the plated component is formed long to improve workability and positioning, then the assembly workability is improved, but the plated component may directly face the substrate and discharge static electricity
Solution Approach 1:
The resin component serves as an intermediary that fills the gap between the plated component's projecting portion and the substrate. This allows the projecting portion to maintain its length for positioning and assembly purposes while the resin prevents direct electrical contact, thus maintaining both workability and electrical safety.
3Ease of operation
If the prevention of rotation is performed at a separate position from the fixing position to improve ease of assembly, then the assembly process is simplified, but the plated component and substrate are close and static electricity may discharge
Solution Approach 1:
The resin component is applied as an intermediary substance at the fixing position where the plated component contacts the case. This allows the rotation prevention to be performed separately while the resin ensures that even when the plated component's back portion is close to the substrate, electrical discharge is prevented through the insulating resin layer.
4Shape
If a light guide body is provided inside the plated component to improve design, then the aesthetic appearance is improved, but the case cannot be formed to extend beyond the plated component and sufficient creepage distance cannot be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The resin component acts as an intermediary that compensates for the inability to form the case extending beyond the plated component. When a light guide body is provided inside the plated component, the resin fills the necessary space and provides the required creepage distance and electrical insulation, maintaining both the improved design and electrical safety.
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 design effectively prevents static electricity from damaging electronic components by ensuring reliable discharge to the ground, maintaining assembly ease, and ensuring the spring body is securely attached, even when a light guide body is integrated, thus enhancing the safety and functionality of the operating panel.
Implementation Method 1
an electrically conductive spring body is held between the stepped portion and the ground connecting portion
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A plated component (12) has an exposed portion (30) exposed from a case (1) and a back portion (31) extending from the exposed portion (30) toward a substrate (4). The substrate (4) has a ground connecting portion (41) on a surface thereof facing the plated component (12). The back portion (31) of the plated component (12) has an extending portion (33) extending toward the ground connecting portion (41) of the substrate (4). The extending portion (33) has a stepped portion (33a) in a part thereof located at a predetermined position in the longitudinal direction and projecting from the case (1). An electrically conductive spring body (34) is held between the stepped portion (33a) and the ground connecting portion (41).