Solder Spacer With Capillary Peg For Electronic Module Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spacers for assembling electronics cards require multiple components (bolts, nuts, and washers), increasing complexity and cost, and suffer from poor mechanical strength and reproducibility due to inadequate solder grip on threads during wave soldering.
Innovation Solution
A spacer with a tapped hole and a transverse bearing surface featuring a smooth centering peg with a longitudinal outer passage for capillary penetration of solder, eliminating the need for washers and nuts, allowing for stronger and more reproducible fastening by increasing the solder contact area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional spacers with bolt and nut assembly are used, then mechanical strength is ensured, but device complexity and cost increase due to multiple components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the spacer body, centering peg, and solder reception area into a single integrated component. The centering peg is formed as one piece with the spacer body, eliminating the need for separate bolts, nuts, and washers. This merging reduces component count while maintaining mechanical strength through the integrated design that directs solder flow to the bearing surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical fastening system (bolt-nut assembly) with a solder-based fastening system. The centering peg includes a longitudinal passage that directs molten solder to the transverse bearing surface, creating a solder joint that eliminates the need for mechanical fasteners while providing sufficient holding strength.
2Device complexity
If solder-based fastening is used without centering peg, then device complexity is reduced, but mechanical strength and reproducibility are poor
Solution Approach 1:
The centering peg acts as an intermediary element that facilitates reliable solder fastening. It provides a dedicated pathway (longitudinal passage) for solder to reach the bearing surface, ensuring consistent solder distribution and reproducible bond strength. The peg's geometry controls solder flow and creates a reliable joint.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating a specific longitudinal passage in the centering peg that directs solder to a specific location (transverse bearing surface). This localized solder delivery system ensures that solder is concentrated where it is most needed for fastening, rather than being distributed uniformly or requiring complex multi-point soldering.
3Ease of operation
If wave soldering is used to fasten spacer, then assembly simplicity is improved, but reproducibility of mechanical strength is poor making automation difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The centering peg with its longitudinal passage is designed to automatically guide and distribute solder during the wave soldering process. The passage acts as a self-regulating channel that ensures consistent solder flow to the bearing surface, making the soldering process reproducible and suitable for automation without requiring complex control systems.
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 enhances the tightening torque and mechanical strength of the fastening, enabling automatic assembly with consistent torque application across spacers.
Implementation Method 1
the peg has a longitudinal outer passage extending over at least a fraction of its length as far as the transverse bearing surface so as to enable molten solder to penetrate by capillarity as far as the transverse bearing surface
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a spacer for soldering comprising an elongate body having one end provided with a tapped hole and an opposite end provided with a transverse bearing surface having a smooth centering peg projecting therefrom, the peg has a longitudinal outer passage extending over at least a fraction of its length as far as the transverse bearing surface to enable molten solder to penetrate by capillarity as far as the transverse bearing surface. The invention also provides a module including such a spacer.