SSD Case Contact Gasket Structure for Tolerance Gaps and ESD

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Solution Overview

Problem

In SSD cases, manufacturing tolerances and thermal interface materials can create gaps between the upper and lower cases, leading to incomplete contact and unsatisfactory electrostatic discharge (ESD) levels.

Innovation Solution

A contact gasket made of a conductive, elastic material is provided between the upper and lower cases of the SSD case, featuring a lower case contact part, an upper case contact part, and a contact protrusion to ensure stable contact and enhanced ESD performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If fastening means such as bolts are used to fixedly install the substrate in upper and lower cases, then the substrate is securely fixed, but gaps may be generated between the upper case and lower case due to manufacturing tolerance and thermal interface materials overlap

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefixing strengthVSAvoidcontact precision between cases
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

A contact gasket made of conductive elastic material is introduced as an intermediary component between the upper case and lower case. The gasket includes a lower case contact part that contacts the lower case and an upper case contact part that contacts the upper case, filling the gap created by manufacturing tolerances and thermal interface materials while maintaining electrical contact for ESD protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The contact gasket utilizes elastic deformation to adapt to dimensional variations. The elastic material can deform to accommodate gaps of varying sizes due to manufacturing tolerances and thermal expansion, maintaining continuous contact between the upper and lower cases across different operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If gaps are generated between upper case and lower case, then assembly is easier to accommodate tolerances, but the cases may not be completely brought into contact leading to unsatisfactory ESD level

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetolerance accommodationVSAvoidESD protection level
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The conductive contact gasket serves as a mediator that bridges the gap between upper and lower cases. It maintains mechanical contact to ensure structural integrity while simultaneously providing a conductive path for electrostatic discharge, thus protecting electronic components without requiring tight tolerances.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The contact gasket is made of composite material combining conductivity and elasticity. This allows it to simultaneously provide mechanical compliance for tolerance accommodation and electrical conductivity for ESD protection, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Temperature

If thermal interface materials are overlapped for enhancement of thermal properties, then heat dissipation is improved, but gaps between upper and lower cases increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal dissipationVSAvoidgap distance between cases
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The contact gasket acts as an intermediary component that compensates for the space occupied by thermal interface materials. It maintains electrical contact across the gap created by the thermal materials while the thermal materials themselves continue to perform their heat dissipation function independently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 contact gasket effectively maintains stable contact between the upper and lower cases, thereby improving the ESD level of the SSD case and ensuring reliable operation.

Implementation Method 1

a contact gasket formed of a conductive material having elasticity and provided in the space so as to be brought into contact with the upper case and the lower case

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a contact gasket formed of a conductive material having elasticity and provided in the space so as to be brought into contact with the upper case and the lower case

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentEP4307853B1Contact gasket and SSD case including the same
Publication Date: 2025.02.19 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP4307853B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4307853B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4307853B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed is a contact gasket (1300) configured to be provided in a receiving space for an SSD substrate (100) so as to be brought into contact with a lower case (1100) and an upper case (1200), wherein the lower case includes a bottom wall (1110) and an open upper portion and the upper case is fastened with the lower case to cover the open upper portion and forms the receiving space in which the SSD substrate is accommodated. The contact gasket includes a lower case contact part (1310) that makes contact with the lower case and an upper case contact part (1320) that extends from the lower case contact part and makes contact with the upper case. One of the lower case contact part and the upper case contact part is configured to be fixedly fastened to the lower case or the upper case in contact therewith, and a contact protrusion (1330) that protrudes toward the lower case or the upper case such that an end is brought into contact with the lower case or the upper case is formed on the other one of the lower case contact part and the upper case contact part.