Plug Contact Connecting Pin as Fuse Element for ESD Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic devices are vulnerable to electrostatic discharges, which can damage circuits and require additional protection elements that occupy space and incur extra costs, such as springs or spark routes, necessitating a more efficient and cost-effective solution.
Innovation Solution
The use of a plug contact with at least one connecting pin acting as a fuse element, connected to a ground line, provides a compact and cost-effective electrostatic discharge path by forming a preferred discharge path between the housing and ground, leveraging existing components to eliminate the need for additional space or costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an additional protection element (spring) is provided to protect against electrostatic discharge, then the circuit is protected, but installation space is occupied and the device becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the electrostatic protection function with an existing connecting pin of the plug contact. The connecting pin is extended to serve dual purposes: electrical connection and electrostatic discharge protection. This eliminates the need for separate protection elements like springs, reducing device complexity while maintaining protection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting pin is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides electrical connection for signal/power transmission and acts as a fuse element for electrostatic discharge protection. This multi-functionality approach eliminates the need for dedicated protection components, thereby reducing overall device complexity.
2Reliability
If an additional protection element (spring) is provided to protect against electrostatic discharge, then the circuit is protected, but installation space is occupied
Solution Approach 1:
The protection function is merged into the existing plug contact structure. The connecting pin of the plug contact is extended beyond the circuit carrier to act as a fuse element, eliminating the need for separate protection elements that would occupy additional space on the circuit carrier.
Solution Approach 2:
The existing connecting pin serves its own electrical connection function while simultaneously providing electrostatic protection. The plug contact structure essentially protects itself by utilizing its own components (the connecting pin) for dual purposes, eliminating the need for external protection elements.
3Reliability
If a spring is used as protection element, then direct contact for electrostatic discharge is ensured, but the metallic cover must be mechanically fixed during installation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical spring-based protection system with an electrical/conductive solution. Instead of using a physical spring that requires mechanical fixation, the connecting pin is extended to make direct contact with the housing, providing both electrical connection and electrostatic protection without complex mechanical assembly requirements.
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 effectively protects electronic circuits against electrostatic discharges without increasing the device's size or cost, utilizing an existing connecting pin as a fuse element to divert discharges through a ground line, ensuring the circuit's integrity and compactness.
Implementation Method 1
protect the electric and/or electronic circuit against electrostatic discharges... in the event of an electrostatic discharge, a preferred discharge path is formed between the housing and the ground line
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an electronic device, in particular a control device, having a housing. The housing has a cavity, in which there is arranged a circuit carrier fitted with electric and/or electronic components, forming an electric and/or electronic circuit. Furthermore, the electronic device has a fuse element making contact with the circuit carrier in order to protect the electric and/or electronic circuit against electrostatic discharges. In addition, the electric and/or electronic circuit comprises a plug contact which has connecting pins, and the connecting pins make contact with the circuit carrier. Here, the at least one connecting pin is formed as the fuse element, in that the at least one connecting pin is connected to a ground line. Furthermore, an extremely small distance of the housing from an electrically conductive region of the electronic and/or electronic circuit is provided at a point of the at least one connecting pin formed as a fuse element, by which means, in the event of an electrostatic discharge, a preferred discharge path is formed between the housing and the ground line.