Spring Heat Sink Fastener for Reliable PCB Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pushpins used to attach heat sinks to circuit boards suffer from reliability issues due to creep and aging in plastic pushpins, and lack of springiness and potential damage to circuit boards during installation in brass pushpins, especially on boards with many components.
Innovation Solution
A spring fastener comprising a spring and a flexible member with legs and a retention feature, such as barbs, that secures to a component or circuit board through apertures, providing both spring properties and secure attachment without damaging the board.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If plastic pushpins are used to attach heat sinks to circuit boards, then they are easy to manufacture and install, but they suffer from long-term reliability issues due to creep and aging
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener combines a flexible member (plastic or polymer) with a metal spring, creating a composite structure that leverages the ease of manufacture and corrosion resistance of plastics while adding the elasticity and reliability of metal springs to prevent creep and aging failures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and mechanical properties of the fastener by introducing a spring element that provides elastic deformation capability, transforming the fastener from a rigid plastic component to a flexible, resilient composite structure that maintains reliability over time
2Reliability
If brass pushpins are used to attach heat sinks to circuit boards, then they are resistant to creep and aging, but they lack springiness and can damage circuit boards during installation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the mechanical properties of the fastener by introducing a flexible member and spring mechanism, transforming the rigid brass pushpin into a compliant fastener that can deform elastically during installation, thereby reducing damage to circuit boards while maintaining resistance to creep and aging
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible member (plastic or polymer) acts as a compliant shell that allows the fastener to deform during installation, reducing the impact force on the circuit board while the metal spring provides the necessary structural integrity and resistance to creep
3Strength
If multiple pushpins are used on expensive circuit boards with large numbers of components, then the heat sink can be securely attached, but the risk of damage and reliability issues increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the mechanical behavior of each fastener from rigid to elastic-compliant, allowing multiple fasteners to be used without increasing cumulative damage risk, as each fastener can independently deform to accommodate variations in board thickness and component positioning
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 spring fastener offers reliable and damage-free attachment of heat sinks to circuit boards, maintaining integrity over time and reducing installation stress on the board.
Implementation Method 1
a spring compresses as a result of contact with the component or the circuit board
Data Source
AI summary
A spring fastener is provided. The spring fastener includes a spring and a flexible member having a shoulder, a first leg and a second leg. The first leg and the second leg are inserted through the spring along a longitudinal axis of the spring. The spring is retained to the flexible member by the shoulder and at least a portion of the first leg or the second leg. The first leg and the second leg have a retention feature to retain the spring fastener when the first leg and the second leg are inserted through an aperture in a component or a surface. A method of utilizing a spring fastener is also provided.