Claims:We Claim:
1. An electronic device (100) comprising:
a circuit board (101);
said plurality of electronic components (102) operatively disposed on said circuit board (101); and
a conductive outer casing (103) enclosing said plurality of electronic components (102) disposed on said circuit board (101) along with a heat exchange member (104), wherein one or more electronic components of said plurality of electronic components (102) are secured to said heat exchange member (104) by a mounting assembly;
said mounting assembly comprising:
one or more torsional clip members (300), wherein
each unit of said one or more torsional clip members (300) positioned in a holding channel (106) of said heat exchange member (104) and held to be in contact with each unit of said electronic components (102) exerts compressive forces on said electronic components (102).
2. The electronic device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each unit of said one or more torsional clip members (300) is formed integrally with an extended L-shaped arm portion (301) to be held to be in contact with said electronic components (102), and with a torsional spring portion (302) held to be in contact with a portion of the holding channel (106) of the heat exchange member (104).
3. The electronic device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said one or more torsional clip members (300) exert torsional forces on said electronic components (102) due to a turning moment induced directly or indirectly on the holding channel (106) of the heat exchange member (104).
4. The electronic device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the holding channel (106) includes a barrel member (207).
5. The electronic device (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the barrel member (207) comprises an elongated longitudinal slot (207a) extending along a length of the barrel member (207).
6. The electronic device (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the barrel member (207) comprises two or more lateral slots (207b) along a width of the barrel member (207) and intersecting the elongated longitudinal slot (207a) at regular intervals.
7. The electronic device (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein said torsional spring portion (302) of each unit of said two or more torsional clip members (300) is disposed in said elongated longitudinal slot (207a).
8. The electronic device (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein said extended L-shaped arm portion (301) is disposed in said two or more lateral slots (207b).
9. The electronic device (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the barrel member (207) integrally comprises on its front-end surface (208) a central recess (208a) and plurality of semi-circular slots (208b) surrounding the central recess (208a).
10. The electronic device (100) as claimed in claim 9, wherein said central recess (208a) includes a hex cavity to receive an Allen key (400) for rotation of the barrel member (207) and generating the turning moment on the barrel member (207).
11. The electronic device (100) as claimed in claim 10, wherein a stopper pin (500) is mounted to lock the barrel member (207) together with the heat exchange member (104).
12. The electronic device (100) as claimed in claim 11, wherein the stopper pin (500) is inserted into an orifice formed by one of said semi-circular slots (208b) matching with a corresponding semi-circular slot (210) formed on a surface of the heat exchange member (104).
13. The electronic device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the holding channel (106) is formed along a length of the heat exchange member (104).
14. A method of assembly of an electronic device (100), said electronic device (100) comprising:
a circuit board (101);
a plurality of electronic components (102) operatively disposed on said circuit board (101); and
a conductive casing (103) enclosing said plurality of electronic components disposed on said circuit board (101) along with a heat exchange member (104);
said electronic components (102) being secured to said heat exchange member (104) by said method comprising steps of:
locating one or more torsional clip members (300) in a holding channel (106) of the heat exchange member (104);
positioning each unit of the one or more torsional clip members (300) in a holding channel (106) of the heat exchange member (104), to hold each unit of the two or more torsional clip members (300) to be in contact with each unit of said electronic components (102).
15. A torsional clip member (300) for securing one or more electronic components of a plurality of electronic components (102) of electronic device (100) to a heat exchange member (104), wherein
said torsional clip member (300) is integrally formed with:
an extended L-shaped arm portion (301) to be held to be in contact with said electronic components (102); and
a torsional spring portion (302), a portion of which remains in contact with a portion of a holding channel (106) of the heat exchange member (104).
16. The torsional clip member (300) as claimed in claim 17, wherein the holding channel (106) includes a barrel member (207).
, Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present subject matter generally relates to an electronic device and particularly but not exclusively relates to a method securing the electronic components of the electronic device.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Typically, electronic devices, electrical systems such as control systems, power controls, switches etc. generate lot of heat during operation. To avoid damage to the device as a whole or to any of the components of such devices/systems, heat must be dissipated. Commonly, a component made of metal or a highly conductive thermal material, in the form of a heat exchange member is placed in thermal contact with at least a portion of the electronic device for dissipating heat transferred by the device to the surrounding environment.
[0003] In order to ensure that heat is effectively dissipated from the electronic device, it is essential to ensure that the heat generating electronic component is reliably secured to be in thermal contact with the heat exchange member. Various techniques have been used to secure at least a portion of the electronic device including heat generating electronic components thereof to said heat exchange member. A known technique involves the use of fasteners in the form of screws and bolts to secure said heat generating components to said heat exchange member. However, use of screws proves to be cumbersome as accessing the screws for fastening is difficult due to interference of other neighboring components within the electronic device. Moreover, using screws for securing said heat generating electronic components to said heat exchange member proves to be a time-consuming process and also affects serviceability of the electronic components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] The detailed description described with reference to the accompanying figures. The same numbers have been used throughout the drawings to reference like features and components.
[0005] Fig.1 is an exploded view depicting parts of an electronic device in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0006] Fig.2a is a front perspective view depicting a barrel member designed to be accommodated in a portion of the electronic device in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0007] Fig.2b is a rear perspective view depicting a barrel member designed to be accommodated in a portion of the electronic device in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0008] Fig.3a is a perspective view of a single unit of a torsional clip member in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0009] Fig.3b is an enlarged view of the barrel member depicting the two or more torsional clip members assembled in the barrel member in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[00010] Fig.4a is a perspective view of the electronic device depicting a first position of a single unit of the one or more torsional clip members to be assembled on one of the plurality of electronic components of the electronic device as per an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[00011] Fig.4b is a perspective view of the electronic device depicting a second position of a single unit of the one or more torsional clip members loosely assembled on one of the plurality of electronic components of the electronic device as per an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[00012] Fig.5a is a perspective view of the electronic device depicting a first position of an alley key before the tightening of the torsional clip member over the corresponding electronic component of the electronic device as per an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[00013] Fig.5b is a perspective view of the electronic device depicting a second position of Allen key after the tightening of one of the one or more torsional clip members over one of the electronic components of the electronic device as per an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[00014] Fig.6a is a perspective view of the electronic device depicting the assembly of a stopper pin for locking the barrel member in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[00015] Fig.6b is a perspective view of the electronic device depicting the disassembly of the stopper pin for unlocking the barrel member in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[00016] Typically, electronic devices are designed to conduct heat from a circuit board holding a plurality of electronic components to an external surface portion thereof. Such electronic devices may be designed to be connected to heat exchange members which act as a heat transfer medium to conduct heat from body of said devices to the surrounding environment through external surface of said devices. Said heat exchange member must be held in thermal contact with constituent electronic components of the electronic device, such constituent electronic components being heat generating components such as transistors disposed in the circuit board of the electronic devices. A reliable securing means has to be provided for securing a plurality of heat generating electronic components to said heat exchange member.
[00017] A known technique for securing said heat generating electronic components to said heat exchange member involves the use of a clip member formed with a dimple. Provision of a dimple in said clip member enables in ensuring that each unit of said electronic components is secured through interference fit with a groove formed in said heat exchange member. Also, provision of said dimple enables in ensuring that said clip member enters straight into said groove without undergoing any deformation. However, use of said clip members provided with a dimple results in exertion of excessive compressive forces on each unit of said heat generating electronic components being secured to said heat exchange member. Moreover, the above-described drawback of said clip member prevents usage of multiple number of such clips over multiple number of units of said electronic components, as the overall compressive forces exerted would be too high, causing damage to said components during assembly as well as over a period of time. Additionally, each unit of said clip member is subjected to movements due to vibrations. Therefore, it is desirable that said clip members are not subjected to movements due to vibrations.
[00018] Another known art involves the use of strip clip members for permanently securing the electronic components to the heat exchange member. However, securing the electronic components permanently to the heat exchange member renders it difficult to service the electronic components. For example, if a single electronic component has failed, it is not possible for one to remove the strip clip member and replace the failed electronic component. Therefore, it is required that the entire printed circuit board containing the failed electronic component be changed, which proves to be cost intensive.
[00019] Besides providing a reliable means for securing said electronic components to said heat exchange member, there is also a need for providing a simple, an inexpensive and user-friendly means for securing said electronic components to said heat exchange member, so that the electronic components can be easily replaced.
[00020] With the above objectives in view, the present subject matter, provides an electronic device manufactured involving a mounting assembly for securing one or more electronic components of an electronic device with a heat exchange member. Particularly, as per one embodiment, the present subject matter seeks to provide a means for detachably securing one or more electronic components to the heat exchange member of said electronic device using a simple and user-friendly mounting assembly.
[00021] According to one embodiment of the present subject matter, the electronic device as described herein comprises a circuit board, a plurality of electronic components such as transistors disposed on said circuit board, a heat exchange member held to be in thermal contact with said plurality of electronic components and a conductive outer casing made of highly conductive material for enclosing said circuit board along with said plurality of electronic components disposed therein and said heat exchange member. Particularly, while the provision of the heat exchange member held to be in thermal contact with said plurality of electronic components ensures that heat is transferred from said plurality of electronic components to the heat exchange member; the provision of the heat exchange member in thermal contact with said outer casing ensures that heat transferred to the heat exchange member is dissipated to the surroundings through said outer casing.
[00022] As per an aspect of the present subject matter, a mounting assembly involving the use of one or more torsional clip members is configured for securing one or more electronic components of said plurality of electronic components to said heat exchange member. Each unit of said torsional clip members is assembled over each unit of the electronic component to be held in thermal contact with at least a portion of said heat exchange member by being subjected to torsional compression. Particularly, each unit of said torsional clip members integrally comprises an extended L-shaped arm portion and a torsional spring portion. Each unit of said torsional clip members is assembled over each unit of said electronic components, wherein the extended L-shaped arm portion presses against a front surface of each unit of said electronic components and exerts torsional compressive forces thereon.
[00023] As per an aspect of the invention, each unit of the torsional clip members is designed to be accommodated in a barrel member accommodated in a holding channel of the heat exchange member of the electronic component. As per an embodiment, the barrel member is provided with an elongated longitudinal slot extending along a length of the barrel member and two or more lateral slots formed along a width of the barrel member and intersecting said elongated longitudinal slot at regular intervals. While the elongated longitudinal slot accommodates the torsional spring portion including a spring arm of each unit of the one or more torsional clip members, each lateral slot of the two or more lateral slots accommodates a portion of the extended L-shaped arm portion of each unit of said torsional clip members. In an unloaded condition of each unit of said torsional clip members, while a longitudinal section of the L-shaped arm portion is capable of pivotal movement across length of each of said lateral slots; a lateral section of the extended L-shaped arm portion rests against a central surface of each unit of said plurality of electronic components. Thus, the barrel member comprising the elongated longitudinal slot and the two or more lateral slots is designed to accommodate each unit of the torsional clip members.
[00024] According to another aspect of the present subject matter, the barrel member containing the one or more torsional clip members is designed to be subjected to turning moment so that each unit of the one or more torsional clip members exerts torsional compression at the lateral section of the extended L-shaped arm portion which remains in contact with a front surface of each unit of the plurality of electronic components. The turning moment induces force on each of the electronic components, wherein the induced force is transferred to the surface of electronic components from the extended L-shaped arm portion, which in turn receives force transferred from the torsional spring of each unit of the one or more torsional clip members. Particularly, a front-end surface of the barrel member integrally comprises a central recess and plurality of semi-circular slots surrounding the central recess, wherein the central recess is designed to receive an Allen key for enabling rotation of the barrel member. Once the barrel member is rotated to the required rated torque, the positon of the barrel member is arrested using a stopper pin. The stopper pin is unfastened and the Allen key is unwound slowly, in order to release the torque exerted on the electronic components through the torsional clip members.
[00025] Thus, the design of each unit of torsional said clip members accommodated in the barrel member enables in ensuring that only adequate amount of compressive forces are exerted on each unit of said electronic components, while also ensuring that said torsional clip members are removably secured to at least a portion of the heat exchange member. Moreover, the design of each unit of said clip members also ensures that the amount of force required to assemble each unit of said clip members over each unit of said electronic components is very less. Thus, the process of assembly of said electronic components with the heat exchange member is made easy and convenient, while also reducing the time required for assembly. Further, since each unit of the torsional clip members exerts only adequate amount of compressive forces, multiple number of said clip members can be disposed over multiple units of said electronic components, disposed one next to the other to secure said multiple units of said electronic components to the heat exchange member without causing any damage to said electronic components.
[00026] As per an aspect of the present subject matter, the heat exchange member is formed with a holding channel to receive the barrel member, which in turn receives said torsional clip members used to secure said electronic components to the heat exchange member. Based on the number of electronic components arranged on the circuit board, an equivalent number of torsional clip members can be inserted into the barrel member and subsequently be tightened over each electronic component of the electronic device.
[00027] Various other features and advantages of the invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers generally indicate identical, functionally similar, and/or structurally similar elements.
[00028] Fig.1 is an exploded view depicting parts of the electronic device 100 as per an embodiment of the present subject matter. In the present embodiment, said electronic device 100 is a control device, used for controlling various vehicle subsystems or parts based on vehicle operating conditions. The electronic device 100 as per the present embodiment comprises a circuit board 101, a plurality of electronic components 102 operatively disposed on said circuit board 101, and a conductive outer casing 103 enclosing said plurality of electronic components 102 disposed on said circuit board 101 along with a heat exchange member 104. The circuit board 101 together with said plurality of electronic components 102 functionally contribute to the operation of said electronic device 100. In the present embodiment, said electronic components 102 include transistors, capacitors and the like, which are heat generating components. It is important that the heat generated by said components 102 is dissipated to the surroundings, in order to ensure efficient performance of the electronic device 100. The heat exchange member 104 and said outer casing 103 together contribute in dissipation of heat to the outside. Whereas, said heat exchange member 104 transfers heat from said electronic components 102 to said outer casing 103, said outer casing 103 dissipates heat received from the heat exchange member 104 to the outside. In the present embodiment, said outer casing 103 is provided with cooling fins 103a, which facilitate heat dissipation. In order to ensure heat dissipation, said electronic components 102 are held in thermal contact with the heat exchange member 104, and the heat exchange member 104 is held in direct thermal contact with said outer casing 103. Both, the heat exchange member 104 and said outer casing 103 are made of thermally conductive material. In the present embodiment, the heat exchange member 104 and said outer casing 103 are made up of a highly conductive material such as a metal. Whereas in one embodiment, the heat exchange member 104 is integrally formed with said outer casing 103, in another embodiment the heat exchange member 104 is attached to said outer casing 103. Thus, direct thermal contact is established between said outer casing 103 and the heat exchange member 104. In the present embodiment, the heat exchange member 104 is formed with a holding channel 106 that enables the assembly of certain holding members for holding the electronic components 102 in thermal contact with the heat exchange member 104.
[00029] For example, as per an aspect of the present subject matter and as may be seen in Figs.2a-2b, the holding channel 106 (shown in Fig.1) is designed to accommodate a barrel member 207. In particular, the barrel member 207 is designed to hold/accommodate one or more torsional clip members 300 (shown in Fig.3a) that enable in holding one or more electronic components of said plurality of electronic components 102 in thermal contact with the heat exchange member 104. The barrel member 207 comprises an elongated longitudinal slot 207a extending along a length of the barrel member 207. The barrel member 207 also comprises two or more lateral slots 207b on right and left side portions of the barrel member 207. In particular, said lateral slots 207b are formed in a manner such that they are formed along a width of the barrel member and intersecting said elongated longitudinal slot 207a at regular intervals. Whereas a portion of each unit of the one or more torsional clip members 300 is accommodated in the elongated longitudinal slot 207a, another portion of each unit of the one or more torsional clip members 300 is accommodated in said lateral slots 207b. The barrel member 207 containing the one or more torsional clip members 300 is designed to be rotated along its axis in the holding channel 106 (shown in Fig.1) of the heat exchange member 104. In order to enable rotation of the barrel member 207, a front end surface 208 thereof is formed with a central recess 208c and plurality of semi-circular slots 208b surrounding the central recess 208c. A rear end surface 209 (shown in Fig.2b) of the barrel member 207 is formed as a plain circular one, with an opening formed at a top portion of said rear end surface 209, wherein the opening forms a part of the elongated longitudinal slot 207a.
[00030] Fig.3a illustrates the construction of a single unit of said torsional clip members 300 in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. As shown in Fig.3a, each unit of said torsional clip members 300 comprises an extended L-shaped arm portion 301 and a torsional spring portion 302, the extended L-shaped arm portion 301 and the torsional spring portion 302 are integrally formed with one another to form a single unit of the torsional clip member 300.
[00031] Fig.3b illustrates an enlarged view of a portion of the barrel member 207 depicting the one or more torsional clip members assembled in the barrel member 207 in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. As may be seen, the torsional spring portion 302 of the torsional clip member 300 is accommodated in the elongated longitudinal slot 207a of the barrel member 207. Further, the extended L-shaped arm portion 301 is accommodated in said lateral slots 207b of the barrel member 207. Thus, a series of torsional clip members 300 can be accommodated along a length of the barrel member 207.
[00032] Fig.4a illustrates the barrel member 207 as assembled in the holding channel 106 (shown in Fig.1) of the heat exchange member 104 in an electronic device 100. As may be seen in Fig.4a, the electronic device 100 comprises the circuit board 101 having a plurality of electronic components 102 such as transistors. In the present embodiment, the circuit board 101 is assembled below the heat exchange member 104, the heat exchange member 104 accommodating the barrel member 207. Once the barrel member 207 is positioned in the holding channel 106 of the heat exchange member 104, one or more torsional clip members 300 are assembled in the barrel member 207. For example, a plurality of torsional clip members 300 may be pushed through the elongated longitudinal slot 207a (shown in Fig.3b) formed in the barrel member 207, before finally being positioned corresponding to the position of each unit of the electronic components 102.
[00033] Fig.4a and Fig.4b illustrate a first position and a second position respectively of each unit of the torsional clip member 300 before the same is finally compressively secured against each unit of electronic component of the electronic device. For example.as seen in Fig.4a, the extended L-shaped arm portion 301 of the torsional clip member can be moved back and forth about each lateral slot 207 of the barrel member 207 to allow correct positioning of the torsional clip member 300 before being loosely positioned against a front surface of each electronic component 102. Particularly, while a longitudinal section 301a of the extended L-shaped arm portion 301 is designed to be moved back and forth across the length of each lateral slot 207a in the barrel member 207, a lateral section 301b of the extended L-shaped arm portion 301 is designed to rest against the front surface of each unit of the electronic components 102. Once each unit of the torsional clip member 300 including the torsional spring portion 302 is positioned correctly in the barrel member 207, the longitudinal section 301a of the extended L-shaped arm portion (which is previously in a lifted condition, see Fig.4a) is tapped downwards so that the lateral section 301b of the extended L-shaped arm portion 301b rests (see Fig.4b) against the front surface of each electronic component 102.
[00034] As per an embodiment of the present subject matter and as may be seen in Fig.4a, each unit of the electronic component is separated from another by a spacer member 107 extending along a longitudinal side wall of each unit of the electronic components 102. Presence of the spacer member 107 between the plurality of electronic components 102 enables in preventing off-setting of the lateral section 301b of the extended L-shaped arm portion 301 with respect to the front surface of each unit of the electronic components.
[00035] In order to exert torsional compressive forces on each electronic component 102 of the electronic device through the one or more torsional clip members 300, the barrel member 207 is provided with an Allen key 400 which can be rotated.
[00036] Fig.5a illustrates a position of the Allen key before rotation. The Allen key 400 is to be inserted in a hex cavity (not shown) of the central recess 208c (shown in Fig.2a) of the barrel member 207. Further, the Allen key 400 can be rotated in either the clockwise direction or the anti-clockwise direction for inducing turning moment on the barrel member 207. In the present embodiment, the Allen key 400 is given a 360° rotation in the clockwise direction in order to induce the required turning moment on the barrel member 207. For example, Fig.5a illustrates a first position of the Allen key 400 before rotation and Fig.5b illustrates a second position of the Allen key 400 after rotation.
[00037] Fig.5a and Fig.5b also depict a plurality of semi-circular slots 208b formed around the central recess 208a holding the Allen key 400. A corresponding semi-circular slot 210 is formed in a side surface of the heat exchange member 104, just below the holding channel 106 of the heat exchange member 104. As the Allen key 400 is rotated in steps, the barrel member 207 also rotates along its axis, resulting in change in position of each of said plurality of semi-circular slots 208b with respect to each of their initial positions before the Allen key 400 was rotated and also with respect to the corresponding semi-circular slot 210 formed on the side surface of the heat exchange member 104. Once the Allen key 400 is given a complete 360° rotation, one of said plurality of semi-circular slots 208b matches with the corresponding semi-circular slot 210 formed in the heat exchange member 104. In the present embodiment, a plurality of markers 212 is also made on the front-end surface 208 of the barrel member 207 in order to indicate the position of said plurality of semi-circular slots 208b.
[00038] When the Allen key 400 is rotated, turning moment is induced on the barrel member 207. The turning moment induced on the barrel member 207 is transferred to each unit of the torsional clip member 300 through a spring arm section 303 (shown in Fig.3b) of the torsional spring portion 302 of the torsional clip member 300, wherein the spring arm section 303 remains in contact with a side wall surface of the barrel member 207 adjacent to the lateral slots 207b. Further, the turning moment is transferred from the torsional spring portion 302 to the extended L-shaped arm portion 301 of the torsional clip member 300, and from the extended L-shaped arm portion 301 to each unit of the electronic component whose front surface is in contact with the extended L-shaped arm portion 301.
[00039] It is essential to ensure that the Allen key 400 is locked in one position as soon as the required turning moment is provided so that the torsional compressive forces on each of the units of the electronic components 102 is retained through the torsional clip members 300. In order to achieve the same and as may be seen in Fig.6a and Fig.6b, a stopper pin 500 is provided which is fastened to an orifice created together by one of the semi-circular slots 208b matching with the corresponding semi-circular slot 210 in the heat exchange member 104. A fastener 501 is used to fasten the stopper pin 500. In order to release the torsional compressive forces from the torsional clip members 300, so that the electronic components can be detached from the heat exchange member 104, the stopper pin 500 is unfastened. By locking the barrel member 207 containing the torsional clip members 300, it is also ensured that the torsional clip members 300 do not vibrate due to movement of the electronic device. Therefore, it is ensured that the electronic components are reliably and detachably secured to the heat exchange member through the torsional clip members.
[00040] Thus, if one of the electronic components fails and needs to be replaced, it can be easily achieved by unfastening the stopper pin 500 so that the barrel member 207 holding the torsional clip members 300 can be unloaded and the torsional clip member 300 securing the concerned unit of the electronic component can be taken out. Once the stopper pin is unfastened, the load on the barrel member 207 is released, causing the torsional spring portion 302 of each unit of the torsional clip members 300 to unwind, thereby releasing the tension also from the extended L-shaped arm portion 301 of the torsional clip members. Thus, the present subject matter involving the use of torsional clip members and a corresponding barrel member holding said clip members, for securing the electronic components to the heat exchange member enables easy and convenient servicing of the electronic components as and when required.
[00041] As can be made out from the teachings of the present subject matter, the design of said clip members used in the mounting assembly used for detachably securing said electronic components to the heat exchange member of an electronic device is unique and offers several advantages during assembly of said electronic components to the heat exchange member as no additional complex parts/equipments are required to load sad clip members. While the present subject matter has been exemplified for an electronic device used in a vehicle, the present subject matter is also applicable to electronic devices having heat generating electronic components and wherein the electronic device is used in electronic products such as mobile phones, washing machines etc.
[00042] Improvements and modifications may be incorporated herein without deviating from the scope of the invention.