Spring Pin Grounding for PCB Mechanical Stress Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric devices with printed circuit boards and connectors to ground face challenges in achieving enhanced electrical and mechanical connections, which are often compromised by space constraints and mechanical stress, particularly when using screws or rivets.
Innovation Solution
The use of coiled spring pins for electrical and mechanical connections between printed circuit boards and connectors to ground, allowing for improved contact and reduced mechanical stress, while also enabling efficient use of board surface area and potential integration into EMC protection systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If screws or rivets are used for connecting printed circuit board to connector to ground, then mechanical strength is improved, but space consumption increases and mechanical stress on board surface increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical fastening elements (screws, rivets) with spring pins that combine mechanical retention and electrical connection functions. The spring pins are inserted through aligned holes in the printed circuit board and connector housing, providing both mechanical anchoring and electrical grounding without requiring additional fastening hardware or occupying excessive board surface area.
2Strength
If screws or rivets are used for connecting printed circuit board to connector to ground, then mechanical strength is improved, but mechanical stress on board surface increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical fastening elements (screws, rivets) with spring pins that combine mechanical retention and electrical connection functions. The spring pins are inserted through aligned holes in the printed circuit board and connector housing, providing both mechanical anchoring and electrical grounding without requiring additional fastening hardware or occupying excessive board surface area.
3Reliability
If spring pins are used for electrical and mechanical connection, then electrical contact is enhanced and space efficiency is improved, but connection complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the electrical connection function and mechanical retention function into a single integrated component - the spring pin. Each spring pin simultaneously provides electrical grounding contact and mechanical anchoring through its insertion into aligned holes, eliminating the need for separate electrical connectors and mechanical fasteners, thereby reducing overall connection complexity despite the enhanced functionality.
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 coiled spring pins provide a reliable, space-efficient, and stress-reduced connection that enhances both electrical and mechanical links, ensuring effective EMC protection and durability even under harsh conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one connecting element is designed as a spring pin, in particular as a coiled spring pin
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to an electric device (2), comprising a printed circuit board (4) with an electric circuit with at least one electric component and a connector to ground (6), whereat said printed circuit board (4) and said connector to ground (6) are electrically and mechanically connected to each other via at least one connecting element (8). In order to provide an electric device (2) with an enhanced electrical contact between a printed circuit board (4) and a connector to ground (6) of said electric device (2), at least one of said at least one connecting element (8) is designed as a spring pin (8), whereat said at least one spring pin (8) is inserted concurrently into a pin hole (10) of said printed circuit board (4) and into a pin hole (12) of said connector to ground (6) each corresponding to said spring pin (8).