Mechanical Clip Lock for PCB Device Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for removably coupling devices to printed circuit boards (PCBs) are labor-intensive and costly due to the need for custom-made metal brackets and screws, which vary in dimensions for different devices, leading to inefficiencies in installation and removal processes.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical clip lock system comprising a rigid substrate with a clip lock pin and semi-rigid arm, featuring clipping pegs and fastening wedges, which applies a compression force to secure devices to a PCB, utilizing a two-shot molding process with PC/ABS and TPE materials for standardized compatibility across various devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional methods use custom-made metal brackets and screws for each device, then secure attachment is achieved, but labor intensity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal clip lock mechanism that can securely attach multiple different devices (WWAN cards, WLAN cards, WWAN antennas) to a PCB using the same standardized clip lock structure. The clip lock includes a rigid substrate with a clip lock pin and a semi-rigid arm with a clip lock socket that can accommodate various device types without requiring custom brackets or screws for each device, thereby reducing labor intensity and installation time while maintaining secure attachment.
2Reliability
If conventional methods use custom-made metal brackets for each device, then device-specific security is achieved, but material usage and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The clip lock mechanism serves as a universal attachment solution that replaces multiple custom-made metal brackets with a single standardized design. The rigid substrate and semi-rigid arm structure can securely hold different device types using the same materials and components, significantly reducing material diversity and overall material consumption while maintaining device-specific security requirements through proper positioning and compression force application.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional methods use varied dimensions for different devices, then device compatibility is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a standardized clip lock structure with consistent dimensions and geometry that can accommodate multiple device types. The rigid substrate width is designed to match device widths, and the clip lock pin and socket are positioned to provide universal compatibility. This standardized approach reduces structural variation and simplifies the overall system while maintaining adaptability to different devices through the interlocking mechanism and compression force application.
4Strength
If conventional methods use metal brackets and screws, then strong mechanical coupling is achieved, but ease of manufacture decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the clip lock pin, rigid substrate, and clipping pegs into a single integrated component that can be manufactured as one piece using injection molding. The semi-rigid arm with the clip lock socket is also molded as a single component. This merging of multiple parts into fewer molded components simplifies the manufacturing process, reduces assembly steps, and maintains strong mechanical coupling through the interlocking pin-socket mechanism and compression force applied by the clipping pegs.
Solution Approach 2:
The clip lock mechanism utilizes composite material construction with the rigid substrate providing structural strength and the semi-rigid arm providing flexible coupling. The combination of rigid and semi-rigid materials allows the structure to maintain strong mechanical coupling while being easier to manufacture through injection molding processes, avoiding the need for metal bracket fabrication and assembly.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are disclosed for a mechanical clip lock that may include a rigid substrate; a clip lock pin extending vertically from a surface of the rigid substrate; a semi-rigid arm having a first end coupled to the rigid substrate, the semi-rigid arm extending orthogonally from the rigid substrate; a clip lock socket disposed at a second end of the semi-rigid arm opposite the first end, the clip lock socket configured to releasably engage the clip lock pin; and a plurality of clipping pegs extending vertically from the surface of the rigid substrate, each of the plurality of clipping pegs disposed on an exterior portion of the clip lock pin, the plurality of clipping pegs configured to apply a compression force on a device when the clip lock socket and clip lock pin are releasably engaged, the compression force removably coupling the device to a printed circuit board.