IP Library Granted Patent US 10,980,104
Granted Patent B1
US 10,980,104 · App. 16/568,601 · Granted Apr 13, 2021

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
H05K1/0204H03F1/30H03F3/20H05K1/181H03F2200/447H05K2201/066
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,980,104
App. No.
16/568,601
Granted
Apr 13, 2021
Kind
B1
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 (35)

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

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

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

a clamping spring supported by the support structure such that the clamping spring is in biased engagement with the first side of the printed circuit board, and such that the electronic component 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 things, the second leaf spring being attached to only the second wall of the four walls and being unattached to all other things.

2. The electronic of claim 1 wherein the clamping spring is supported by the support structure 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 electronic component.

3. The electronic of claim 1 wherein the rectangular frame includes retention features for engaging the support structure.

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

5. The electronic arrangement of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of screws attaching the heat sink to the support structure.

6. The electronic 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. The electronic arrangement of claim 1 wherein the support structure includes a bracket supported by a housing.

8. The electronic arrangement of claim 1 wherein the electronic component comprises a surface-mount technology component.

9. The electronic arrangement of claim 1 wherein the electronic component comprises a power amplifier.

10. An electronic arrangement, the arrangement comprising:

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

an electronic component 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 electronic component 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.

11. The electronic arrangement of claim 10 wherein the frame includes retention features for engaging the support structure.

12. The electronic arrangement of claim 11 wherein the retention features each have a semi-spherical shape.

13. The electronic arrangement of claim 10 further comprising a plurality of screws attaching the heat sink to the support structure.

14. The electronic arrangement of claim 10 wherein the electronic component comprises a power amplifier.

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

a printed circuit board having a first side and a second side, and a heat sink on the second side of the printed circuit board;

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

a spring device exerting 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.

16. The electronic device arrangement of claim 15 wherein 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.

17. The electronic device arrangement of claim 15 wherein the rectangular frame includes retention features for engaging a support structure that supports the spring device.

18. The electronic device arrangement of claim 17 wherein the retention features each have a semi-spherical shape.

19. The electronic device arrangement of claim 15 further comprising a plurality of screws attaching the heat sink to a support structure that supports the spring device.

20. The electronic device arrangement of claim 15 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 Sep 12, 2019
From: TANG-KONG, GERALD A.
To: PANASONIC AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS COMPANY OF AMERICA, DIVISION OF PANASONIC CORPORATION OF NORTH AMERICA
Reel/Frame 050356/0042 →
Continuity (2)
Continuation 15679919 · Aug 17, 2017
Provisional Application 62376939 · Aug 19, 2016