Spring Screw EMI Shielding and Sealing for Thermal Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern electronic component assemblies, particularly spring screw mounted assemblies, face challenges in efficiently managing heat and are susceptible to electromagnetic interference (EMI) and fluid/particulate leakage through screw holes, leading to premature failures and reduced component lifespan.
Innovation Solution
A spring screw mounted assembly that includes an electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding element and a seal positioned between the screw head and the enclosure, along with a washer to distribute force, preventing EMI and fluid/particulate ingress while ensuring thermal contact between processing units and heatsinks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If spring-loaded screws are used to apply force to processing units, then thermal contact between processing units and heatsink is improved, but electromagnetic interference and fluid leakage through screw holes occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary component (EMI shield with integrated seal) that is positioned between the screw head and the enclosure. This intermediary element simultaneously provides EMI shielding and fluid sealing without interfering with the thermal management function of the spring-loaded screw assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The EMI shield and seal are nested within the screw head structure, with the seal positioned inside a recess of the screw head and the EMI shield covering the seal. This nested arrangement allows multiple protective functions to be integrated into a compact configuration that does not compromise thermal contact.
2Ease of manufacture
If screw holes are created in the enclosure for mounting, then assembly installation is enabled, but electromagnetic interference and fluid/particulate leakage occur through these holes
Solution Approach 1:
The screw head is designed with a recess that accommodates the seal and EMI shield, creating a localized protective structure at the specific location of the screw hole. This local modification allows the enclosure to maintain its protective properties at the mounting location while still enabling assembly installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution employs composite functionality where the screw assembly incorporates multiple materials and functions: the screw provides mechanical fastening, the seal provides fluid/particulate barrier, and the EMI shield provides electromagnetic protection. This composite approach enables the single component assembly to address multiple requirements simultaneously.
3Volume of moving object
If the screw and spring are positioned outside the enclosure, then device size constraints are met, but susceptibility to electromagnetic interference and leakage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The screw head acts as an intermediary protective element that extends from the enclosure exterior to the interior, providing EMI shielding and fluid sealing at the interface where the screw passes through the enclosure. This allows the screw and spring to remain outside the enclosure for space efficiency while maintaining protection.
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 effectively shields against EMI and prevents fluid/particulate leakage, ensuring reliable thermal management and extended component lifespan by maintaining accurate controllable loads and minimizing strain on processing units.
Implementation Method 1
an electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding element positioned between the head of the screw and the enclosure... The EMI shielding element is operable to prevent electromagnetic interference from passing through the bore of the enclosure to a processing unit housed within the enclosure
Implementation Method 2
a seal positioned between the head of the screw and the enclosure... The seal is operable to prevent at least one of a fluid or particulates from passing through the bore of the enclosure to the processing unit housed within the enclosure
Implementation Method 3
the spring-loaded screws may provide a force that ensures contact between processing components and a heatsink/coldplate or between a processing component and an enclosure
Implementation Method 4
a washer positioned between the head of the screw and the enclosure... The washer is operable to transmit the force applied by the spring against at least a portion of the enclosure
Data Source
AI summary
An electronics package includes a spring screw mounted assembly with a screw, a spring, a washer, electromagnetic shielding, and a seal. The seal is operable to prevent fluids or particulates from entering into the electronics package at the location where the screw engages with an enclosure forming the exterior of the electronics package. The electromagnetic shielding is operable to prevent electromagnetic interference or emission through the bore opening on the enclosure. The spring is operable to provide a controllable accurate load between processing units and the enclosure, to ensure sufficient or minimum thermal contact between components of the electronics package including the enclosure and processing units housed within the enclosure. The electronics package can include a stiffener that is operable to engage with the screw, where the stiffener is positioned proximate to the processing units.