Power Supply Grounding Module Shared Fastener

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Solution Overview

Problem

Power supply devices with surge protectors on the secondary side require additional grounding structures, increasing material and cost, and pose challenges during high potential tests as the surge protector must be disconnected to prevent activation.

Innovation Solution

A power supply device design featuring a grounding module with a single fastening element that connects the conductive housing, first, and second surge protection modules, allowing shared grounding and temporary disconnection during high potential tests, reducing the need for multiple fastening elements and saving space.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a surge protector is equipped on the secondary side of the power supply device, then protection against lightning surges is improved, but additional grounding structures are required which increase material cost and occupy space

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection against lightning surgesVSAvoidgrounding structure configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the grounding functions of the first and second surge protection modules into a single shared grounding structure. The conductive housing serves as a common ground for both modules, eliminating the need for separate grounding structures and reducing material cost while maintaining protection effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The conductive housing performs multiple functions: it serves as the enclosure for the power supply device, provides electromagnetic shielding, and acts as the grounding structure for both surge protection modules. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional grounding components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If surge protectors are connected to ground during high potential test, then surge protection function is maintained, but the surge protector activates during testing causing test failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurge protection functionVSAvoidhigh potential test process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The grounding connection is made dynamic through a removable fastening element. During high potential testing, the fastening element can be removed to disconnect the surge protectors from ground, allowing successful testing. After testing, the fastening element is reinstalled to restore the grounding connection and surge protection function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The design prepares for testing by using a fastening element that can be easily removed before high potential testing and reinstalled afterward. This preliminary configuration allows the surge protectors to be temporarily disconnected without permanent modification to the circuit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If multiple separate fastening elements are used to ground the surge protection modules, then reliable grounding is achieved, but the number of components increases and space is occupied

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrounding connectionVSAvoidnumber of fastening elements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using separate fastening elements for each surge protection module, the patent merges the grounding connections by using a single fastening element that electrically connects both modules to the conductive housing simultaneously. This reduces the number of components while maintaining reliable grounding.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 reduces the number of fastening elements needed, conserves space, and simplifies the high potential testing process by allowing the surge protectors to be temporarily disconnected, thereby reducing production costs and complexity.

Implementation Method 1

the fastening element passes through the conductive housing, the circuit board, the first grounding element, and the second grounding element so that the conductive housing, the first grounding element, and the second grounding element are electrically connected to one another

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical Conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS9812854B2Power supply device and high potential test method thereof

Publication Date: 2017.11.07 DELTA ELECTRONICS INC(CN)

AI summary

A power supply device is disclosed. A circuit board is disposed inside a conductive housing. A rectifying module is disposed on the circuit board and has primary and secondary sides. The grounding module includes a first grounding element, a second grounding element, and a fastening element. Two terminals of the first surge protection module are respectively electrically connected to the primary side and the first grounding element. Two terminals of the second surge protection module are respectively electrically connected to the secondary side and the second grounding element. The second grounding element and the first grounding element are not directly connected. The fastening element passes through the conductive housing, the circuit board, the first grounding element, and the second grounding element so that the conductive housing, the first grounding element, and the second grounding element are electrically connected to one another.