Surface Mount Contact Member With Integrated Suction Nozzle Interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surface mount contact members for printed circuit boards, such as those with coil spring connectors, require multiple components and labor-intensive assembly processes, and lack efficient automatic mounting solutions.
Innovation Solution
A surface mount contact member featuring a metal base with a nozzle suction surface and a conductive coil spring, where the coil spring is attached in an electrically conductive manner to the metal base, allowing for automatic mounting via suction nozzle insertion and ensuring reliable contact without plastic deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a coil spring connector with two coil springs and an insulating holder is used, then conduction between the printed circuit board and housing is achieved, but the number of components increases and assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the insulating holder and the coil spring into a single integrated component. The holder body directly supports the coil spring without requiring separate insulating holder parts, thereby reducing the total component count while maintaining the electrical insulation and mechanical support functions. This merging resolves the contradiction by eliminating unnecessary component separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The holder body serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides electrical insulation, mechanical support for the coil spring, structural framework for the contact member, and mounting interface for the printed circuit board. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate insulating holder and spring support components, reducing overall device complexity while ensuring reliable conduction.
2Extent of automation
If a flat surface is formed on the holder between two coil springs for suction nozzle mounting, then automatic mounting is enabled, but the constitution requires multiple components (holder and springs)
Solution Approach 1:
The suction surface is integrated directly into the holder body structure rather than being a separate component feature. The holder body itself forms the suction surface that interfaces with the suction nozzle, eliminating the need for a separate flat surface component while maintaining automatic mounting capability. This merging reduces component count while preserving automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The holder body simultaneously provides structural support, electrical insulation, spring mounting, and suction surface for automatic mounting. This multi-functionality allows a single component to replace what would traditionally require multiple separate parts, enabling automation while reducing overall device complexity.
3Reliability
If the coil spring is made exposed for contact function, then conduction is achieved, but the suction surface accessibility for automatic mounting becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The coil spring is positioned in the vertical dimension extending upward from the holder body, while the suction surface is positioned on the horizontal top surface of the holder body. This spatial separation in different dimensions allows the suction nozzle to access the suction surface horizontally without interfering with the vertically exposed coil spring contact terminal, resolving the accessibility contradiction.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact member is segmented into distinct functional zones: the holder body contains the suction surface for automated mounting, while the coil spring extends separately to provide the contact function. This segmentation allows each component to fulfill its function independently without interfering with the other, enabling both automation and reliable contact.
4Ease of manufacture
If the contact point is made of a rigid material, then manufacturing is simple, but plastic deformation occurs when touched and damage occurs with repetitive use
Solution Approach 1:
The contact point material parameters are changed from rigid to elastic properties. The coil spring is designed with appropriate wire diameter, coil spacing, and tension to provide elastic deformation capability. This parameter change allows the contact point to absorb mechanical stress through elastic deformation rather than plastic deformation, significantly improving durability while remaining manufacturable through standard spring forming processes.
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 enables reduced component count, simplified assembly, and reliable automatic mounting with elastic deformation of the coil spring contact point, preventing damage from repetitive use and ensuring accurate positioning on the printed circuit board.
Implementation Method 1
Since the contact point is made of a coil spring, no plastic deformation but mere elastic deformation occurs even if the contact point is touched by a worker or other members. Also, the contact point made of a coil spring is unlikely to be damaged due to loss of spring elasticity even if repetitively used multiple times.
Implementation Method 2
a metal base provided with a nozzle suction surface to be sucked by a suction nozzle
Data Source
Figure 1A~1F
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A surface mount contact member includes a metal base and a conductive coil spring. The metal base is provided with a nozzle suction surface to be sucked by a suction nozzle and a soldering surface that can be soldered. The soldering surface is faced downward when the nozzle suction surface is faced upward. The conductive coil spring is attached to the metal base in an electrically conductive manner with the nozzle suction surface being exposed to an inner peripheral side of the coil spring.