IP Library Granted Patent US 10,455,686
Granted Patent B2
US 10,455,686 · App. 15/679,919 · Granted Oct 22, 2019

Clamping spring design to apply clamping force to SMT power amplifier device

Inventor: Gerald A. Tang-Kong (Newnan, GA)
Assignee: Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America, Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America
H05K1/0204H03F1/30H03F3/20H05K1/181H05K5/0008H05K7/2049H03F2200/447H05K2201/066
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,455,686
App. No.
15/679,919
Granted
Oct 22, 2019
Kind
B2
Abstract

A power amplifier arrangement for a motor vehicle includes a printed circuit board disposed between a housing on a first side of the printed circuit board and a heat sink on a second side of the printed circuit board. A power amplifier is mounted on the second side of the printed circuit board. A bracket is supported by the housing. A clamping spring is supported by the bracket such that the clamping spring is in biased engagement with the first side of the printed circuit board, and such that the power amplifier is pressed into engagement with the heat sink.

Claims (33)

1. A power amplifier arrangement for a motor vehicle, the arrangement comprising:

a printed circuit board disposed between a housing on a first side of the printed circuit board and a heat sink on a second side of the printed circuit board;

a power amplifier mounted on the second side of the printed circuit board;

a bracket supported by the housing; and

a clamping spring supported by the bracket such that the clamping spring is in biased engagement with the first side of the printed circuit board, and such that the power amplifier is pressed into engagement with the heat sink, the clamping spring including:

a first leaf spring and a second leaf spring, the first and second leaf springs having substantially opposite orientations; and

a rectangular frame having four walls including a first wall and a second wall, the first wall being opposite from the second wall, the first leaf spring being attached to only the first wall of the four walls and being unattached to all other structures, the second leaf spring being attached to only the second wall of the four walls and being unattached to all other structures.

2. The power amplifier arrangement of claim 1 wherein the clamping spring is supported by the bracket such that the clamping spring is in biased engagement with an area of the first side of the printed circuit board that is opposite the power amplifier.

3. The power amplifier arrangement of claim 1 wherein the rectangular frame includes retention features for engaging the bracket.

4. The power amplifier arrangement of claim 3 , wherein the retention features each have a semi-spherical shape.

5. The power amplifier arrangement of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of screws attaching the heat sink to the housing.

6. The power amplifier arrangement of claim 1 wherein the first leaf spring cantilevers from the first wall of the frame, and the second leaf spring cantilevers from the second wall of the frame.

7. A power amplifier arrangement, the arrangement comprising:

a printed circuit board disposed between a housing on a first side of the printed circuit board and a heat sink on a second side of the printed circuit board;

a power amplifier mounted on the second side of the printed circuit board; and

a clamping spring in biased engagement with the first side of the printed circuit board such that the power amplifier is pressed into engagement with the heat sink, the clamping spring including:

a first leaf spring and a second leaf spring, the first and second leaf springs having substantially opposite orientations; and

a rectangular frame having four walls including a first wall and a second wall, the first wall being opposite from the second wall, the first leaf spring cantilevering from the first wall of the four walls, the second leaf spring cantilevering from the second wall of the four walls.

8. The power amplifier arrangement of claim 7 wherein the frame includes retention features for engaging a supporting structure.

9. The power amplifier arrangement of claim 8 wherein the retention features each have a semi-spherical shape.

10. The power amplifier arrangement of claim 7 , further comprising a plurality of screws attaching the heat sink to the housing.

11. An electronic device arrangement for a motor vehicle, the arrangement comprising:

a printed circuit board disposed between a housing on a first side of the printed circuit board and a heat sink on a second side of the printed circuit board;

an electronic device mounted on the second side of the printed circuit board;

a bracket supported by the housing; and

a spring device supported by the bracket such that the spring device exerts a force on an area of the first side of the printed circuit board that is opposite a location of the electronic device, the spring device exerting the force such that the electronic device is pressed into engagement with the heat sink, the spring device including:

a first leaf spring and a second leaf spring, the first and second leaf springs having substantially opposite orientations; and

a rectangular frame having four walls including a first wall and a second wall, the first wall being opposite from the second wall, the first leaf spring being attached to only the first wall of the four walls, the second leaf spring being attached to only the second wall of the four walls.

12. The electronic device arrangement of claim 11 wherein the spring device is supported by the bracket such that the spring device is in biased engagement with an area of the first side of the printed circuit board that is opposite the electronic device.

13. The electronic device arrangement of claim 11 wherein the rectangular frame includes retention features for engaging the bracket.

14. The electronic device arrangement of claim 13 wherein the retention features each have a semi-spherical shape.

15. The electronic device arrangement of claim 11 further comprising a plurality of screws attaching the heat sink to the housing.

16. The electronic device arrangement of claim 11 wherein the first leaf spring cantilevers from the first wall of the frame, and the second leaf spring cantilevers from the second wall of the frame.

Assignments (3)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE SUPPORTIVE DOCUMENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 72222 FRAME 267. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Sep 23, 2025
From: PANASONIC CORPORATION OF NORTH AMERICA
To: PANASONIC AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS AMERICA, LLC.
Reel/Frame 072930/0871 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 31, 2025
From: PANASONIC CORPORATION OF NORTH AMERICA
To: PANASONIC AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS AMERICA, LLC
Reel/Frame 072222/0267 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 17, 2017
From: TANG-KONG, GERALD A.
To: PANASONIC AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS COMPANY OF AMERICA, DIVISION OF PANASONIC CORPORATION OF NORTH AMERICA
Reel/Frame 043323/0657 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 62376939 · Aug 19, 2016
Related Publication 20180054882A1 · Feb 22, 2018