Spring Clip Pressing Device for Heatsink Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pressing devices for electronic components against heatsinks in power applications are prone to assembly defects and increased material and labor costs due to the use of insertable fasteners, and they fail to maintain secure fixation under mechanical and thermal variations, as well as vibrations.
Innovation Solution
A pressing device utilizing a spring clip with top and side retaining elements, which applies a force to press the component against the heatsink, ensuring secure contact while accounting for mechanical tolerances and thermal variations, and allowing for efficient assembly and resistance to vibrations, using a spring steel sheet metal for the spring clip and a plate to distribute pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If insertable fasteners (screws, rivets) are used to fasten the electronic device package to the heatsink, then the component can be securely attached, but the assembly defects increase and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the fastening function from traditional insertable fasteners (screws, rivets) and implements it through a spring clip mechanism with retaining elements that engage with complementary features on the heatsink, eliminating the need for threaded fasteners while maintaining secure attachment
Solution Approach 2:
The spring clip mechanism is designed to be self-retaining through its elastic properties, where the spring force automatically maintains engagement between the retaining elements and complementary features, eliminating the need for additional fastening operations or tools during assembly
2Reliability
If insertable fasteners are used to fasten the electronic device package to the heatsink, then the component can be securely attached, but the labor cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring clip is pre-formed with its elastic properties and retaining elements configured to automatically engage with the heatsink features, so that the fastening action is built into the component itself rather than requiring separate fastening operations
Solution Approach 2:
The spring clip mechanism is designed to be self-retaining through its elastic properties, where the spring force automatically maintains engagement between the retaining elements and complementary features, eliminating the need for additional fastening operations or tools during assembly
3Device complexity
If traditional pressing devices are used without spring mechanism, then the structure is simpler, but the fixation is lost under vibrations and mechanical variations
Solution Approach 1:
The spring clip introduces dynamic elasticity to the pressing device, allowing it to adapt its pressing force in response to vibrations and mechanical variations, thereby maintaining reliable fixation without requiring complex active control systems
Solution Approach 2:
The spring mechanism allows the pressing force parameter to vary dynamically in response to external conditions such as vibrations and thermal expansion, maintaining optimal contact pressure between the component and heatsink under varying operational conditions
4Reliability
If screws are used for fastening, then the component can be attached, but multiple parameters must be checked and assembly time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring clip is pre-formed with its elastic properties and retaining elements configured to automatically engage with the heatsink features, so that the fastening action is built into the component itself rather than requiring separate fastening operations
Solution Approach 2:
The spring clip mechanism is designed to be self-retaining through its elastic properties, where the spring force automatically maintains engagement between the retaining elements and complementary features, eliminating the need for additional fastening operations or tools during assembly
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 provides a reliable, compact, and efficient assembly process with reduced assembly time and increased resistance to vibrations, enabling secure contact between the electronic component and the heatsink, while minimizing material and labor costs.
Implementation Method 1
the spring clip is configured to exert a force to press the component against the side wall of the element
Data Source
Figure 1~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a pressing device (10) of an element (12) for pressing a component (16) against the element, the element (12) comprises a top wall (24) and a side wall (26) extending perpendicular to the top wall, the pressing device (10) comprising a spring clip (30), a top retaining element (32) and a side retaining element (34), wherein the top retaining element and the side retaining element are arranged respectively on the top wall and on the side wall and configured respectively to cooperate with a first and a second complementary retaining elements (44, 46) arranged on the spring clip (30), and wherein the spring clip is configured to exert a force to press the component against the side wall of the element in a lock position when the component is positioned against the element.