PCB Spacer Clamp Assembly for Stable Image Forming Equipment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in securely and efficiently attaching printed circuit boards to metal support members, particularly due to issues with spacer attachment stability and increased number of assembly steps.
Innovation Solution
A board support structure with a metal plate member featuring annular protrusions for screw fitting and a spacer with a flexible clamp that engages with an annular protrusion, allowing stable and easy attachment of the printed circuit board.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a spacer with a clamp is used to prevent printed circuit board bending, then the printed circuit board stability is improved, but the assembly complexity increases due to additional engagement structures
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp is designed with elastic deformation capability, allowing it to automatically engage with the clamp hole and clamp the printed circuit board edge without requiring additional fastening operations. The elastic portion naturally deforms during insertion and returns to its original shape to secure the board, making the assembly process self-completing and reducing operational complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp's elastic portion changes its physical state from deformed to restored during the assembly process. By utilizing elastic deformation as a temporary state change, the clamp can pass through the clamp hole in a compressed state and then expand to its original shape to engage with the board edge, providing stable clamping without complex mechanisms
2Reliability
If multiple screws are used to fix the printed circuit board to the board support member, then the attachment reliability is improved, but the number of assembly steps increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer is integrated with the clamp structure, combining the spacing function and the clamping function into a single component. This merger eliminates the need for separate fastening operations and reduces the number of parts to be assembled, while still providing reliable attachment through the clamp's engagement with the printed circuit board edge
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic clamp automatically performs the fastening function through its own elastic deformation and recovery, without requiring external fastening tools or additional assembly steps. The clamp self-secures the printed circuit board by deforming during insertion and returning to its original shape to engage the board edge
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
Enables secure, stable, and efficient attachment of the printed circuit board, reducing bending risks and simplifying the assembly process while maintaining high positional accuracy and reducing the need for additional ground wires.
Implementation Method 1
a clamp (61) having an elastic portion (61a); the elastic portion (61a) is inserted into a clamp hole (84a) formed through the spacer engagement portion (84)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A board support member (8) is a metal plate member to which a printed circuit board (7) is attached. A spacer (60) is arranged between the printed circuit board (7) and the board support member (8). The board support member (8) has a clamp hole (84a) that is a through hole, and has a spacer engagement portion (84) that is an annular protrusion formed by burring. The spacer (60) has a first end formed with a clamp (61) having a flexible portion (61a) capable of being inserted through the clamp hole (84a) and engaging with the spacer engagement portion (4). The spacer (60) further has a second end (6020 opposite the first end (601) and facing the surface of the printed circuit board (7).