Power Socket Grounding Structure with Bent Connecting Section
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current grounding structures for power sockets, such as those using green yellow grounding wires or copper-clad circuit boards, face issues with fixed wire lengths, potential disconnection, increased costs, and safety risks due to melted solder balls during high current events, failing to provide reliable and cost-effective grounding.
Innovation Solution
An integrally-formed large-area grounding main body with a basic section, connecting sections, a contact section, and a grounding section that can withstand high currents, allowing convenient mounting and effective grounding at reduced costs, featuring a design that includes a receiving space, a grounding opening, and a fastening mechanism for secure connection to the electronic apparatus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a green yellow grounding wire is used to ensure safe grounding, then grounding effect is achieved, but the fixed wire length is not suitable for all electronic apparatuses and disconnection may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The grounding structure is divided into multiple sections: a basic section, a first connecting section, a second connecting section, a grounding section, and a contact section. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function while maintaining overall adaptability and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The first connecting section is outward bent at its lower end to form the grounding section, creating a flexible, adjustable structure that can adapt to different mounting positions and electronic apparatus configurations, eliminating the fixed length limitation of traditional grounding wires.
2Reliability
If a copper-clad circuit board is used to withstand increased instantaneous big current, then grounding capacity is improved, but the large-area copper grounding foil prevents reduced cost manufacturing
Solution Approach 1:
The grounding main body is divided into functional sections (basic section, connecting sections, grounding section, contact section), allowing optimized material usage and simplified manufacturing processes compared to large-area copper cladding.
Solution Approach 2:
Copper or conductive material is applied locally only where needed for electrical connection and grounding function, rather than covering large areas of the circuit board, thereby reducing material costs while maintaining grounding capacity.
3Reliability
If a copper-clad circuit board is used to meet IEC standards, then grounding effect is achieved, but the solder ball may fully melt during instantaneous big current, causing failed grounding
Solution Approach 1:
The grounding structure separates the grounding function from the solder joint by using an integrally-formed grounding main body with dedicated grounding and connecting sections, reducing stress concentration on any single solder joint.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrally-formed grounding main body with its distributed structure provides inherent mechanical strength and current distribution capability that cushions against the thermal and mechanical stress of instantaneous big currents, preventing solder ball melting before the grounding function is needed.
4Reliability
If a green yellow grounding wire is used, then grounding is achieved, but the wire length is fixed and not suitable for all electronic apparatuses
Solution Approach 1:
The first connecting section is outward bent at its lower end to form the grounding section, creating a flexible, adjustable structure that can adapt to different mounting positions and electronic apparatus configurations, eliminating the fixed length limitation of traditional grounding wires.
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 effectively withstands instantaneous high currents, ensures secure grounding, and reduces manufacturing and operational costs while preventing electric shocks by providing a clear and secure locking mechanism for the grounding section, meeting IEC 62368-1 standards.
Implementation Method 1
an instantaneous big current or short-circuit current resulting from the short circuit will be guided by the third one of the second terminals (i.e. the ground terminal) from the grounding layer of the circuit board to the green yellow grounding wire
Data Source
AI summary
A grounding structure for power socket includes a grounding main body, which consists of a basic section, a first connecting section, a second connecting section, a grounding section and a contact section. The first and the second connecting section are separately downward extended from two opposite ends of the basic section, such that the basic section and the first and second connecting sections together define a receiving space in between them. The contact section is downward extended from a side edge of the basic section into the receiving space; and the first connecting section is outward bent at its lower end to form the grounding section. And, the grounding section is provided at an outer end with a grounding opening.