Spring Steel Connecting Elements for LGA Electrical Contacting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for attaching and contacting electrical components, such as sensor devices, often require complex soldering and high mechanical loads, which can be costly and difficult to manage, especially when using smaller and more sensitive components like land grid arrays (LGAs) in mass manufacturing.
Innovation Solution
A device and method utilizing clamp-shaped, fork-shaped, or bracket-shaped connecting elements made of spring steel, which provide reliable electrical contacting and shielding through clamping or friction welding, allowing for precise positioning and attachment of LGAs within a metal cage structure, eliminating the need for soldering and reducing manufacturing complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If soldering is used for electromechanical joint, then reliable electrical connection is achieved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the thermal-mechanical soldering process with a purely mechanical pressing/insertion mechanism. The connecting element is inserted into the sensor housing through a pressing operation that creates both the mechanical joint and electrical contact simultaneously, eliminating the need for soldering equipment and processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting element serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical support for the circuit board, creates the electromechanical joint through the pressing operation, and establishes electrical contact with the sensor housing. This multi-functionality consolidates multiple manufacturing steps into one operation.
2Device complexity
If pressfit technology is used for electromechanical contact, then manufacturing is simplified, but mechanical load on circuit board increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent distributes the mechanical load locally through multiple connecting elements positioned at different locations on the circuit board. Each connecting element bears a portion of the total mechanical load, preventing concentration of stress at single points and reducing the risk of circuit board damage.
3Volume of moving object
If smaller LGA components are used, then device miniaturization is achieved, but positioning precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates positioning elements and guiding features in advance during the design of the sensor housing and connecting elements. These preliminary structural features ensure that the LGA component is automatically positioned correctly during the insertion operation, eliminating the need for post-assembly positioning adjustments and ensuring precision even with miniaturized components.
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 approach simplifies the attachment and contacting process, reduces manufacturing costs, and ensures tight tolerance chains, enabling the use of smaller components while providing reliable electrical connections and shielding, even in mass production scenarios.
Implementation Method 1
the connecting element is made of spring steel
Implementation Method 2
the second end of the connecting element is connected to the busbar with the aid of clinching
Implementation Method 3
with the aid of friction welding
Data Source
AI summary
A device for attaching and contacting an electrical component, e.g., a sensor device, includes: at least two contact points which are electrically contactable via associated busbars, a contact point of the component being connected to the associated busbar via a respective connecting element, which at its respective free first end forms a mounting for the component and establishes the electrical connection to the contact point of the component in the mounting, and which at its respective second end is held on the busbar and is electrically connected thereto.