Spring-Loaded PCB Terminal Connection Without Soldering

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for connecting electronic components to printed boards, such as soldering and welding with electrically conductive adhesives, are costly and labor-intensive, and can be prone to increased load and damage from impacts.

Innovation Solution

An electronic component design featuring a terminal with a retaining part and a coil spring that is externally fitted around the terminal, allowing for electrical contact with a printed board without the need for soldering or welding, with the coil spring being retained by the retaining part and compressed to maintain contact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If soldering is performed to connect terminal and printed board, then electrical connection is achieved, but assembly costs increase and connection part bears heavy load

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidassembly cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional soldering process (thermal/mechanical system) with a spring-based mechanical retention system. The coil spring applies continuous elastic force to maintain electrical contact between the terminal and printed board, eliminating the need for soldering while ensuring reliable connection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The coil spring acts as an intermediary element between the terminal and printed board. It provides both mechanical retention and electrical conduction, mediating the connection function while absorbing mechanical stress and eliminating the need for direct soldering contact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If welding with electrically conductive adhesive is used, then electrical connection is achieved, but assembly costs increase and connection part bears heavy load

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidload on connection part

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The coil spring provides beforehand cushioning by continuously applying elastic force to absorb and mitigate impact loads before they reach the connection point. This pre-loaded spring system acts as a shock absorber, protecting the connection from heavy forces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the connection mechanism from rigid (adhesive bonding) to elastic (spring-based). By introducing elasticity as a new parameter, the system can dynamically adjust to load variations, reducing peak forces on the connection part while maintaining reliable electrical contact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If soldering or welding is performed, then electrical connection is achieved, but assembly time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidassembly speed

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The coil spring is pre-assembled with the terminal in a preliminary action, creating a ready-to-install assembly unit. This pre-assembly eliminates the need for time-consuming soldering or welding operations during final installation, significantly improving assembly speed while maintaining connection reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 reduces assembly costs, lightens the load on connection parts, and allows for easier assembly and impact absorption by eliminating the need for soldering or welding, while providing stable electrical contact.

Implementation Method 1

a coil spring that is externally fitted around the terminal so as to be in electrical contact with the terminal and is retained by the retaining part, in which the coil spring is, in a compressed state, in electrical contact with a printed board

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS12142869B2Electronic component and electronic apparatus

Publication Date: 2024.11.12 TOKYO COSMOS ELECTRIC CO LTD

AI summary

This electronic component can reduce assembly costs and also lighten the load to a connection part, and comprises: an electronic component body; a terminal that extends in a prescribed direction from the electronic component body, and has a retaining unit; and a coil spring that is externally fitted to be in electrical contact with the terminal, and that is retained by the retaining unit, wherein the coil spring is in electrical contact with a printed board in a compressed state. The terminal is fitted loosely in a fitting hole of the printed board, for example. Also, the coil spring comprises an electrically conductive coating, for example.