Security Dome with Overmolded Conductive Assembly for Intrusion Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for installing security domes on electronic cards face challenges such as low precision, high manufacturing costs, and reliability issues due to manual gluing or soldering techniques, which can lead to false intrusion detection and increased costs.

Innovation Solution

A security element comprising a metal dome with a conductive assembly overmolded in plastic, featuring conductive tracks with tabs extending through slots in a non-conductive support, providing robust and reliable connections under the support, and an elastically deformable actuator to absorb mechanical stress, enhancing security and manufacturing efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual gluing technique is used to install security domes, then installation flexibility is improved, but positioning precision deteriorates leading to false intrusion detection

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation flexibilityVSAvoidpositioning precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

A non-conductive support structure is introduced as an intermediary component between the security dome and the electronic card. This support provides precise positioning features and mounting holes that enable accurate alignment, while still allowing manual installation flexibility. The intermediary structure resolves the contradiction by decoupling the positioning function from the bonding function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If manual gluing technique is used, then installation adaptability is improved, but productivity deteriorates increasing manufacturing costs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation adaptabilityVSAvoidinstallation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The non-conductive support acts as a pre-fabricated intermediary component that can be prepared in advance using automated processes. Multiple support structures can be manufactured simultaneously with precise features already formed, then quickly installed manually or semi-automatically. This separates the low-value automated manufacturing from the high-value manual positioning task.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The non-conductive support structures are prepared in advance with all positioning features, mounting holes, and structural elements already formed. This preliminary preparation allows the actual security dome installation to proceed quickly without requiring complex on-site adjustments, thereby improving productivity while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Manufacturing precision

If soldering technique is used to install security domes, then installation precision is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to mechanical stress on brazed joints

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation precisionVSAvoidjoint reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The non-conductive support serves as a mediator that receives the precision soldering connections while providing a compliant mounting structure for the security dome. The support absorbs mechanical stresses through its non-conductive, potentially more compliant material properties, preventing stress transmission to the precision brazed joints. This decouples the precision requirement from the stress-bearing function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The solution employs composite construction by combining the metal security dome with a non-conductive support structure. This composite approach allows each material to perform its optimal function: the metal dome provides electrical connectivity and security function, while the non-conductive support provides mechanical stability and stress absorption, improving overall joint reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

4Measurement precision

If security domes are positioned with high precision requirements, then detection accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional positioning constraints

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintrusion detection accuracyVSAvoidpositioning constraint complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The non-conductive support structure serves as an intermediary that embeds the positioning constraints within its own design rather than requiring external alignment mechanisms. The support includes integrated positioning features and mounting holes that guide correct placement, thereby maintaining high detection accuracy while reducing overall device complexity by consolidating positioning functions into a single component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 offers improved reliability, reduced manufacturing costs, and enhanced security by preventing solder residue migration and external access to connections, while allowing precise and reproducible installation, thus improving the detection of intrusion attempts.

Implementation Method 1

The connections between said outer and central tracks and said electronic card are located under the lower face of said non-conductive assembly

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical containment: Physical Containment

Implementation Method 2

an elastically deformable actuator to absorb mechanical stress, enhancing security and manufacturing efficiency

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4024256B1Security element, electronic card, electronic payment terminal, corresponding method for manufacturing same and assembly method.
Publication Date: 2024.05.29 BANKS & ACQUIRERS INT HLDG SAS
  • EP4024256B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP4024256B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP4024256B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

The invention relates to a safety element (1) intended to be electrically connected to an electronic card (20), comprising: - a metallic part (11), called a dome; - a conductive assembly (12) comprising unconnected conductive tracks, including an outer track (120) and a central track (122), each having a conductive tab (1201, 1221) intended to connect them to said electronic card; - a non-conductive support (13) having lights (130, 132) through which said conductive tabs extend from said conductive tracks to said electronic card; the end of said conductive tabs (1201, 1221) intended to be in contact with said electronic card not extending beyond said non-conductive assembly (13) so that the connections between said tracks and said electronic card are located under the lower face of said non-conductive assembly (13).