Pressed Electronic Component Stack with Ball Joints for Buckling Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing pressed stacks of electronic components in high-power installations face limitations in length due to buckling phenomena, leading to poor pressure distribution and increased weight, volume, and cost, especially in complex polyphase current circuits.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating ball joints between elementary stacks and intermediate flanges, using elastic members for expansion absorption, and slidably mounting intermediate flanges relative to tie rods, along with insulating elements to separate components into sub-circuits, promotes homogeneous pressure distribution and reduces buckling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the number of stacked components is increased to reduce weight and volume, then the installation becomes more compact, but buckling phenomenon appears leading to poor pressure distribution

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevolume of installationVSAvoidstack stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the stack into multiple elementary stacks, each limited to a maximum of 12 components to prevent buckling. Intermediate flanges with ball joints segment the long stack into shorter stable sections, allowing the overall installation to achieve compactness without sacrificing individual stack stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Intermediate flanges act as mediators between elementary stacks, providing structural support and pressure distribution at regular intervals. These flanges with ball joints prevent buckling by creating multiple short stable segments rather than one long unstable stack.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If one battery per sub-circuit is used for complex polyphase current circuits, then circuit functionality is achieved, but weight and volume increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecircuit configuration capabilityVSAvoidinstallation weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple sub-circuits into a single integrated battery structure with multiple elementary stacks arranged in series. This consolidation achieves the required circuit functionality for complex polyphase current circuits while reducing overall weight and volume compared to separate batteries for each sub-circuit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The intermediate flanges serve multiple functions: they provide structural support to prevent buckling, distribute pressure uniformly across components, and enable the stack to accommodate complex polyphase current circuits. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional supporting structures that would increase weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Strength

If intermediate flanges are rigidly fixed to tie rods, then structural rigidity is improved, but ability to absorb expansion effects is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural rigidityVSAvoidexpansion compensation capability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from rigid fixed connections to dynamic connections using ball joints between intermediate flanges and tie rods. This allows the structure to adapt to thermal expansion and contraction while maintaining sufficient rigidity for mechanical support, improving reliability without sacrificing necessary structural strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The ball joint connection changes the mechanical parameter from rigid fixed positioning to controlled rotational freedom. This allows the intermediate flanges to accommodate dimensional changes due to thermal expansion while maintaining structural integrity and pressure distribution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 configuration allows for a larger number of electronic components to be stacked without buckling, reducing weight and volume while maintaining efficient pressure distribution across the stack, enabling more complex circuit configurations with reduced costs.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic member for absorbing the effects of expansion arranged along the length of the stack between the two end flanges

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Implementation Method 2

at least one intermediate flange for absorbing transverse forces arranged in the main part of the stack of components

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBall joint force absorption: Ball

Data Source

PatentEP2533285B1Stack of electronic components held in a pressed stack

Publication Date: 2019.01.23 GE ENERGY POWER CONVERSION TECHNOLOGY LTD(GB)

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AI summary

The stack has electronic components stacked along a stacking axis, and end flanges (42, 44) connected with each other by tie rods (46) that are extended parallel to the axis. Rigid intermediate flanges (50, 52) are arranged in a current part of the stack for resuming transverse forces and defining elementary stacks formed of switching branches in the stack. Each intermediate flange includes holes for passage of the tie rods to assure recovery of the efforts. Ball joints (82, 92) are interposed between each intermediate flange and an end of the elementary stack.