Deformable printed circuit board, printed circuit board arrangement and household appliance

Abstract

Deformable printed circuit board, characterized in that the printed circuit board (1) comprises a first printed circuit board area (2) and at least one second printed circuit board area (3), wherein the first printed circuit board area (2) is connected to the second printed circuit board area (3) via a weakening of strength (4), so that the first printed circuit board area (2) and the second printed circuit board area (3) can lie in different planes under the influence of an external force, wherein the first printed circuit board area (2), the second printed circuit board area (3) and the weakening of strength (4) are formed in one piece, and that a conductor track for the electrical connection of the first printed circuit board area (2) with the second printed circuit board area (3) is arranged on the weakening of strength (4).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a deformable printed circuit board, a printed circuit board assembly and a household appliance.

[0002] Printed circuit boards are used in a wide variety of technical fields today, particularly in household appliances. However, diverse electronic components on a printed circuit board may have different mounting requirements. For example, LED lighting modules should be spaced away from a panel so that their emitted light is spread across the panel; touch sensors should be positioned as close to the panel as possible to increase sensitivity and minimize interference; and board connectors should be spaced away from the panel to accommodate their sockets or plugs, etc. This makes it difficult for planar printed circuit boards to coordinate these staggered mounting requirements. Furthermore, a planar printed circuit board is also difficult to adapt to a curved panel, which is popular in the household appliance sector.For example, the rotation axis of a knob must be perpendicular to the curved panel, making it difficult to accommodate a large number of other electronic components on the same circuit board.

[0003] To accommodate the aforementioned assembly requirements, prior art often places parts of the electronic components on a separate circuit board and connects them to a main circuit board via a wire harness and connector. This, in turn, results in additional manufacturing costs and labor hours during assembly. Furthermore, such a connection can compromise the reliability of the electrical circuit and increase the likelihood of malfunctions.

[0004] The object of the invention is to provide a deformable printed circuit board that meets the assembly requirements of the various electronic components arranged thereon in a simple and cost-effective manner without additional wiring harnesses or connectors. This reduces manufacturing costs, reduces assembly labor, and increases the reliability of the electrical circuit.

[0005] The first-mentioned object is achieved according to the invention by a deformable printed circuit board, wherein the printed circuit board comprises a first printed circuit board region and at least one second printed circuit board region, wherein the first printed circuit board region is connected to the second printed circuit board region via a strength weakening, so that the first printed circuit board region and the second printed circuit board region can lie in different planes under the action of an external force, wherein the first printed circuit board region, the second printed circuit board region and the strength weakening are formed in one piece, and wherein a conductor track for electrically connecting the first printed circuit board region to the second printed circuit board region is arranged on the strength weakening.

[0006] A printed circuit board (PCB), also called a printed circuit board (PCB), can include a paper-based circuit board, a glass-fiber-based circuit board, particularly an epoxy-fiber-based circuit board, and a composite-based circuit board. The printed circuit board is rigid compared to a flexible printed circuit (FPC).

[0007] The deformable circuit board is divided into a first circuit board region, a second circuit board region, and a strength weakening region connected therebetween. The strength weakening reduces the strength, in particular the bending and / or torsional strength, between the first and second circuit board regions such that the first circuit board region and the second circuit board region are deformable under the action of an external force and can lie in different planes. As a result, the first circuit board region and the second circuit board region can be adapted to the mounting requirements of the various electronic components located thereon; for example, one of them should be located away from the panel in front of the circuit board, and the other should be located close to this panel.Furthermore, in the present utility model, the first circuit board region, the second circuit board region, and the weakened strength portion are integral, i.e., formed as a single piece, and a conductor track for electrically connecting the first circuit board region to the second circuit board region is arranged on the weakened strength portion. This means that the first circuit board region, the second circuit board region, and the weakened strength portion consist of one and the same circuit board substrate, and the conductor track on the same circuit board substrate can electrically connect the first circuit board region to the second circuit board region. It is possible to realize the deformable circuit board with a single circuit board substrate, thus eliminating the need to manufacture separate circuit boards for different electronic components.In addition, no additional wiring harnesses and connectors are required to connect the electronic components on the different circuit board areas, which advantageously reduces manufacturing costs, reduces assembly labor hours and increases circuit reliability.

[0008] In particular, it should be noted that the invention overcomes a technical prejudice for prior art printed circuit boards. Generally, deformation of printed circuit boards is considered unqualified, as a non-flat printed circuit board can lead to inaccurate positioning in automated surface-mount lines or desoldering of electronic components. Therefore, it has always been a technical problem in the field of printed circuit board technology to reduce or eliminate deformation caused by different substrates or processes. The present invention, in contrast to conventional technology, offers deformability for printed circuit boards, thus solving the aforementioned technical problem.

[0009] In an advantageous embodiment, the first circuit board region and the second circuit board region can each lie in two mutually parallel planes or in two planes at an angle to each other under the action of the external force. This means that if the first circuit board region lies in a first plane, the second circuit board region can lie in a second plane that is parallel to or intersects the first plane. In this way, the assembly requirements of the various electronic components on the first circuit board region and the second circuit board region are met.

[0010] In an advantageous development, a height difference, a bending angle, and / or a torsion angle can be formed between the first circuit board region and the second circuit board region. This means that the first circuit board region and the second circuit board region can be offset from one another, bent, or twisted relative to one another.

[0011] In a preferred alternative, the strength reduction is achieved by a specified length, width, thickness, and / or a specified aspect ratio. Since printed circuit boards are standard parts for industrial mass production, whose dimensions and mechanical parameters are generally standardized, it is advantageous to specify the dimensions of the strength reduction for the required degree of deformation, depending on the different assembly requirements for printed circuit boards with different substrates and dimensions.To meet an assembly requirement for a curved panel with a radius of curvature of 4800 mm, it can be provided for an FR4 epoxy resin glass fiber fabric-based circuit board with a thickness of 1.6 mm that the strength weakening has a length in the range between 40 mm and 80 mm, in particular 50 mm, a width in the range between 5 mm and 10 mm, in particular 8 mm, and an aspect ratio of 4:1 to 8:1, in particular 20:3. Furthermore, it can be provided for a paper-based circuit board with a thickness of 1.2 mm that the strength weakening has a total thickness of 0.5 mm to 1.0 mm, in particular 0.8 mm. The specified length, width, thickness and / or the specified aspect ratio of the strength weakening can be achieved by mechanical processing of the circuit board, e.g. by a material removal process such as cutting, punching, milling, etc. before or after the circuit board is populated with electronic components.Alternatively or additionally, the strength reduction is achieved through a design in a board plane and / or in the cross-section of the circuit board. In this case, if the circuit board is not subjected to any external force, a special design can be developed between the first circuit board area and the second circuit board area to reduce the strength, in particular the bending and / or torsional strength, in this area.

[0012] According to a further embodiment, the design in the board plane can be an opening, an L-shaped recess, a meandering shape, a grid hole structure, or a latticework structure. An opening is understood to be a depression machined into an edge of the circuit board. An L-shaped recess is understood to be two grooves machined into a circuit board and perpendicular to each other, with one of the grooves extending to an edge of the circuit board. In particular, the opening or the L-shaped recess can achieve the specified length, width, thickness, and / or the specified aspect ratio of the strength reduction on a single circuit board. In particular, an L-shaped recess can be used so that the largest possible area remains on the circuit board for arranging the electrical circuit. The meandering shape, such as a meander line, a zigzag line, a wave shape, etc., can be retained by removing partial areas at the opposite edges of the circuit board. The grid hole structure refers to circular openings in a matrix-like arrangement on a circuit board, and the latticework structure refers to square openings in a matrix-like arrangement on a circuit board. Alternatively or additionally, the cross-sectional design can be through-holes, blind holes, or grooves. Through-holes are holes that penetrate the circuit board, such as round through-holes, square through-holes, etc. Blind holes are holes that do not penetrate the circuit board, such as round blind holes, square blind holes, etc.Grooves are grooves on the front or back of the circuit board that do not penetrate the circuit board. The grooves may comprise a continuous slot or an open slot, and the grooves may be V-shaped, U-shaped, or square. It is further advantageous that the grid hole structure or latticework structure can be formed in the plane of the board by a plurality of through holes in cross-section.

[0013] It should also be noted that the strength reduction solutions mentioned above can be combined. For example, both a predefined dimension and a specific design of the strength reduction can be used. Furthermore, both a design in the plate plane and a design in the cross-section are possible.

[0014] Advantageously, the design is provided uniformly over the entire area of ​​the weakened strength or only in the area of ​​the weakened strength where the stress is concentrated. For example, a lattice structure can be provided over the entire weakened strength, or grooves can be provided only in the area of ​​the weakened strength where the stress is concentrated.

[0015] Conveniently, one of the first circuit board region and the second circuit board region can be configured to accommodate at least one of an LED lighting module, a power supply module, a touch module, a control module, and a signal processing module, while the other of the first circuit board region and the second circuit board region can be configured to accommodate at least one of a display means, a rotary knob, a button, a toggle lever, a board connector, an infrared operating unit, and a touch sensor. In this case, the first and second circuit board regions can, in particular, have surfaces that differ from one another and, with respect to their functionality, each represent a main and a secondary circuit board region, wherein the power supply and / or signal connection between the two is established via the conductor tracks on the strength weakening.The display means can preferably be a digital tube display or a dot matrix screen, wherein the digital tube display is, for example, a segmented LED digital tube, while the dot matrix screen is, for example, a TFT, OLED, or monochrome LCD screen. Preferably, the LED illumination module is configured to provide a display in cooperation with light-conducting holes in the carrier associated with the printed circuit board. The LED illumination module can also be integrated with other display means, such as the aforementioned digital tube display or dot matrix screen, and can cooperate with a touch module, such as an infrared touch module, a touch foil touch module, or the like.The aforementioned touch sensor may in particular be a capacitive touch sensor in the form of a copper foil on a circuit board, which sensitively detects a touch actuation when the touch sensor is mounted in the immediate vicinity of the panel.

[0016] The second object relates to a printed circuit board assembly, comprising a carrier and a deformable printed circuit board as described above, wherein a first carrier region for the first printed circuit board region of the printed circuit board and a second carrier region for the second printed circuit board region of the printed circuit board are formed in the carrier, wherein the first printed circuit board region and the second printed circuit board region can lie in different planes when the first printed circuit board region is fastened to the first carrier region and the second printed circuit board region is fastened to the second carrier region. The position of the first printed circuit board region and the second printed circuit board region can be defined by the first and second carrier regions in the carrier, respectively, and the fastening forces generated during fastening can exert an external force on the first and second printed circuit board regions, so that they lie in different planes.The support area can include a support beam, a support corner and / or a support flange, etc. to limit the circuit board.

[0017] In an advantageous further development, the circuit board and the carrier can be fastened together by hot rivets, screws, snap hooks, adhesive and / or potting.

[0018] According to a preferred alternative, one or more light-conducting holes and / or a recess(es) for at least one of a display means, a rotary knob, a button, a rocker lever, a circuit board connector, and a touch sensor may be formed in the carrier.

[0019] In a further embodiment, the circuit board assembly may comprise or be engageable with a panel.

[0020] In a further development, the panel is curved. Accordingly, the surface of the support is also curved.

[0021] The third object relates to a household appliance, wherein the household appliance comprises a deformable printed circuit board according to the above description or a printed circuit board assembly according to the above description.

[0022] The functions, effects or advantages described for one aspect also apply accordingly to other aspects and vice versa.

[0023] Further features are evident from the accompanying drawings and detailed embodiments. All features and feature combinations mentioned above in the description, as well as the features and feature combinations mentioned below in the specific embodiment and / or separately illustrated in the accompanying drawings, can be used not only in the respective specified combination, but also in other combinations or individually.

[0024] Several embodiments are explained in more detail with reference to the drawings and the description below. Fig. 1 a plan view of a deformable circuit board according to a first embodiment without exerting an external force, Fig. 2 a perspective view of a deformable circuit board according to the first embodiment when a first external force is applied, Fig. 3 a perspective view of a deformable circuit board according to the first embodiment when a second external force is applied, Fig. 4 a side view of the deformable circuit board according to the first embodiment when a third external force is applied, Fig. 5 a plan view of a deformable circuit board according to a second embodiment without applying an external force, Fig. 6 a plan view of a deformable circuit board according to a third embodiment without applying an external force, Fig. 7 is a plan view of a deformable circuit board according to a fourth embodiment without applying an external force, Fig. 8 is a plan view of a deformable circuit board according to a fifth embodiment without applying an external force, Fig. 9 is a plan view of a deformable circuit board according to a sixth embodiment without applying an external force, Fig. 10 is a plan view of a deformable printed circuit board according to a seventh embodiment without applying an external force, Fig. 11 is a side view of a deformable printed circuit board according to an eighth embodiment without applying an external force, Fig. 12 is a plan view of a deformable circuit board according to a ninth embodiment without applying an external force, Fig. 13 an exploded view of a circuit board assembly, and Fig. 14 a rear view of the circuit board assembly in the assembled state.

[0025] Fig. 1 shows a plan view of a deformable printed circuit board according to a first embodiment without applying an external force. As shown, the printed circuit board shown in Fig. 1, a deformable circuit board 1 has a first circuit board region 2 and at least one second circuit board region 3, wherein the first circuit board region 2 is connected to the second circuit board region via a strength weakening 4, so that the first circuit board region 2 and the second circuit board region 3 can lie in different planes under the action of an external force, wherein the first circuit board region 2, the second circuit board region 3 and the strength weakening 4 are formed in one piece, and wherein a conductor track (not shown) for electrically connecting the first circuit board region 2 to the second circuit board region 3 is arranged on the strength weakening 4.

[0026] According to the first embodiment of the Fig. 1, the strength reduction 4 indicated by dashed lines is created by a design in a plane of the printed circuit board 1. This design in the plane of the printed circuit board 1 is an opening 5. The opening 5 is understood to be a recess machined from the lower edge of the printed circuit board 1. In particular, the specified length L, width W, and / or a specified aspect ratio of the strength reduction 4 can also be realized by the opening 5 on the printed circuit board 1.

[0027] Due to the strength weakening 4 thus realized, the strength, in particular bending and / or torsional strength, between the first circuit board area 2 and the second circuit board area 3 is weakened, so that the first circuit board area 2 and the second circuit board area 3 can lie in different planes under the influence of an external force and thus the first circuit board area 2 and the second circuit board area 3 can be adapted to the assembly requirements of the different electronic components located thereon. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, it is possible to realize the deformable circuit board with a single circuit board substrate, eliminating the need to manufacture separate circuit boards for different electronic components. It is also unnecessary to provide additional wiring harnesses and connectors for the conductor tracks (not shown) between the electronic components on the first circuit board area 2 and the second circuit board area 3, thereby advantageously reducing manufacturing costs, reducing assembly labor hours, and increasing circuit reliability.

[0028] Fig. Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a deformable printed circuit board according to the first embodiment when a first external force is applied. The first external force can be applied from bottom to top onto the second printed circuit board region 3. Under the action of this first external force, the first printed circuit board region 2 and the second printed circuit board region 3 can each lie in two mutually parallel planes, namely a first plane S1 and a second plane S2, which are indicated by a dashed frame. As can be seen from Fig. As can be seen in Figure 2, the second circuit board region 3 can be slightly raised relative to the first plane S1 in which the first circuit board region 2 lies by the first external force exerted from bottom to top on the second circuit board region 3 due to the weakened strength 4. This can create a height difference H between the first circuit board region 2 and the second circuit board region 3. Using this height difference H, electronic components with different mounting requirements can be provided on a circuit board 1.For example, an LED lighting module can be provided on the first circuit board area 2, which is spaced from a panel in front of the circuit board 1, so that the light emitted by it is broadened and radiates onto the panel. While a touch sensor, which is in particular formed as a copper foil on the circuit board, can be provided on the second circuit board area 3, which is positioned as close to the panel as possible, thus increasing sensitivity and reducing interference. Furthermore, in . Fig. 2 also shows the thickness D of the circuit board 1.

[0029] Fig. Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a deformable printed circuit board according to the first embodiment when a second external force is applied. The second external force can be applied from the top right of the figure to the bottom left on the second printed circuit board region 3. Under the action of this second external force, the first printed circuit board region 2 and the second printed circuit board region 3 can each lie in two planes at an angle to one another, namely a first plane S1 and a second plane S2, which are indicated by a dashed frame. As can be seen from Fig. 3, the second circuit board region 3 can bend slightly relative to the first circuit board region 2 due to the strength weakening 4 caused by the second external force exerted on the second circuit board region 3. A bending angle A can thus be formed between the first circuit board region 2 and the second circuit board region 3. Using this bending angle A, electronic components with different assembly requirements can be provided on a circuit board 1. For example, an LED lighting module for one side of the arcuate panel can be provided on the first circuit board region 2, while a rotary knob can be provided on the second circuit board region 3, so that a rotation axis of the rotary knob can be precisely aligned normal to another side of the arcuate panel.

[0030] Fig. Figure 4 shows a side view of the deformable printed circuit board according to the first embodiment when a third external force is applied. A third external force can be applied as a torsional force to the second printed circuit board region 3. For reasons of clarity, the strength weakening 4 is not shown in this figure. Under the influence of this third external force, the first printed circuit board region 2 and the second printed circuit board region 3 can each lie in two planes that are at an angle to each other. As can be seen from Fig. 4, the third external force exerted on the second circuit board region 3 can easily cause a twisting of the second circuit board region 3 relative to the first circuit board region 2 due to the presence of the strength weakening 4. As a result, a torsion angle B can be formed between the first circuit board region 2 and the second circuit board region 3. Using this torsion angle B, electronic components with different assembly requirements can be provided on a circuit board 1.For example, an LED lighting module for one side of the curved panel can be provided on the first circuit board area 2, while an infrared control unit can be provided on the second circuit board area 3 in such a way that the infrared control unit can be oriented diagonally upwards or downwards, thus allowing even more targeted detection of touch and / or gesture operations performed by the user from below or above. For example, the infrared control unit can comprise an infrared transmitter tube and an infrared receiver tube.

[0031] Fig. 5 shows a plan view of a deformable printed circuit board according to a second embodiment without the application of an external force. In this second embodiment, the strength weakening 4 is created by a first opening 6 and a second opening 7 in the plane. The first opening 6 is a recess machined from the lower edge of the printed circuit board 1, and the second opening 7 is a recess machined from the upper edge of the printed circuit board 1. As a result, the strength weakening 4 is located centrally in the width direction of the printed circuit board 1.

[0032] Fig. 6 shows a plan view of a deformable circuit board according to a third embodiment without the application of an external force. In this third embodiment, the strength weakening 4 is achieved by an L-shaped recess 8 in the plane. An L-shaped recess 8 here refers to two grooves machined into the circuit board 1 and arranged perpendicular to one another, wherein the longitudinally oriented groove extends between the first circuit board region 2 and the second circuit board region 3, and the widthwise oriented groove extends from the center of the circuit board 1 to the lower edge of the circuit board 1. By using the L-shaped recess, the largest possible area can remain on the first circuit board region 2 for arranging an electrical circuit.

[0033] Fig. Figure 7 shows a plan view of a deformable printed circuit board according to a fourth embodiment without the application of an external force. In this fourth embodiment, the strength weakening 4 comprises a first meander shape 9 on the right side and a second meander shape 10 on the left side. The first meander shape 9 and the second meander shape 10 achieve an overall strength reduction of the strength weakening 4 indicated by dashed lines. This fourth embodiment is particularly suitable for applications in which the first printed circuit board region 2 and the second printed circuit board region 3 according to Fig. 2 each lie in two mutually parallel planes and form a height difference. With regard to the bending stress occurring on both sides of the strength weakening 4, the first meander shape 9 and the second meander shape 10 are distributed only in the area of ​​the strength weakening where the stress is concentrated. In this way, fractures, damage, etc. caused by exceeding the yield strength on both sides of the strength weakening 4 can be effectively avoided. The first meander shape 9 and the second meander shape 10 can also be designed as square cutouts from the opposite upper and lower edges of the circuit board 1.

[0034] Fig. Figure 8 shows a plan view of a deformable printed circuit board according to a fifth embodiment without the application of an external force. In this fifth embodiment, the strength weakening 4 is achieved by an additional meander shape 11. This additional meander shape 11 is zigzag-shaped and can also be achieved by triangular material removal from the opposite upper and lower edges of the printed circuit board 1.

[0035] Fig. Figure 9 shows a plan view of a deformable printed circuit board according to a sixth embodiment without applying an external force. This sixth embodiment is similar to the first embodiment according to Fig. 1 and differs only in that the width of the first circuit board region 2 is equal to the width W of the strength weakening 4. The outer shapes of the first circuit board region 2 and the strength weakening 4 can be formed simultaneously by machining a third larger opening 12 out of the plane of the circuit board.

[0036] Fig. Figure 10 shows a plan view of a deformable circuit board according to a seventh embodiment without applying an external force. The circuit board 1 of this seventh embodiment is formed as an elongated circuit board with a uniform width W.

[0037] As can be seen from the sixth and seventh exemplary embodiments described above, the design of the strength weakening 4 does not depend on the dimensions of the first circuit board region 2 and the second circuit board region 3, but only on the length, width, thickness, and / or aspect ratio of the strength weakening 4 itself (in the event that no design as described above is provided). Since the dimensions and mechanical parameters of a circuit board are generally standardized, it can be advantageous here to specify the dimensions of the strength weakening 4 for the required degree of deformation for the circuit board 1 with different substrates and dimensions, without having to consider the dimensions of the first circuit board region 2 and the second circuit board region 3.

[0038] Fig. Figure 11 shows a side view of a deformable printed circuit board according to an eighth embodiment without the application of an external force. In the eighth embodiment, the strength weakening 4 of the printed circuit board 1 is achieved by its cross-sectional design, here by a plurality of grooves 13. The grooves 13 run centrally in the center of the strength weakening 4 and are aligned in the width direction. The grooves 13 do not penetrate the thickness D of the printed circuit board 1. This eighth embodiment is particularly suitable for the Fig. 3, thereby avoiding a concentration of bending stress that would lead to breakage, damage, etc. of the printed circuit board 1.

[0039] Fig. 12 shows a plan view of a deformable printed circuit board according to a ninth embodiment without the application of an external force. In the ninth embodiment, the strength weakening 4 of the printed circuit board 1 is formed with through holes 14. The plurality of through holes 14 are combined to form a grid hole structure 15. The strength weakening 4 is achieved both by the design in the cross section, i.e. the through holes 14, and by the design in the plate plane, i.e. the grid hole structure 15. The plurality of through holes 14 are arranged diagonally in the grid hole structure 15 in the center of the strength weakening 4. This ninth embodiment is particularly suitable for the Fig. 4, thereby avoiding a concentration of bending stresses that would lead to the breakage of the circuit board 1.

[0040] Fig. 13 shows an exploded view of a printed circuit board assembly. Fig. The printed circuit board assembly shown in Figure 13 comprises a deformable printed circuit board 1 and a carrier 20. A first carrier region 22 for the first printed circuit board region 2 of the printed circuit board 1 and a second carrier region 23 for the second printed circuit board region 3 of the printed circuit board 1 are formed in the carrier 20. If the first printed circuit board region 2 is attached to the first carrier region 22 and the second printed circuit board region 3 is attached to the second carrier region 23, the first printed circuit board region 2 and the second printed circuit board region 3 can lie in different planes.

[0041] In the present embodiment, the circuit board assembly is designed such that it can be engaged with a not-shown curved panel. An LED lighting module for one side of the curved panel is provided on the first circuit board region 2, and a rotary knob is provided on the second circuit board region 3. For the rotary knob, it is necessary that the axis of rotation 16 of the rotary knob is aligned exactly perpendicular to the other side of the curved panel. With the aid of the weakening 4 between the first circuit board region 2 and the second circuit board region 3, the first circuit board region 2 and the second circuit board region 3 can lie in planes at an angle to one another and form a bending angle to one another, as shown in Fig. 3 is shown. In Fig. 13, however, the deformable circuit board 1 is similar to the one in Fig. 6 shown third embodiment, ie the strength weakening 4 is effected by the L-shaped recess 8 in the plate plane.

[0042] In order to hold the deformable circuit board 1 in the bent state, the position of the first circuit board region 2 or the second circuit board region 3 is defined in the carrier 20 by means of the first carrier region 22 or the second carrier region 23, respectively, and an external force is exerted on the first circuit board region 2 and the second circuit board region 3 by the fastening forces generated during fastening, so that they lie in planes at an angle to one another. To carry out the fastening, the deformable circuit board 1 rests against the inside of the carrier 20 in the assembly direction M. The circuit board 1 is then fastened to the carrier 20 with a screw that penetrates through a pre-made hole 17 in the circuit board 1. The screw generates a screw clamping force that applies an external force to the second circuit board region 3.Alternatively or in addition to the screw, hot rivets, snap hooks, adhesive and / or potting, etc. are also conceivable.

[0043] In Fig. 13, the first circuit board area 2 is designed for arranging an LED lighting module. The LED lighting module comprises a plurality of LEDs 18. Accordingly, a plurality of light-conducting holes 24 are formed in the first support area 22 of the support 20 in order to broaden the area of ​​the light emitted by the LEDs 18 and radiate it onto the panel. Recesses 26 for the rotary axis 16 of the rotary knob are provided in the second support area 23 of the support 20. When the support 20 is engaged with the curved panel, the rotary axis 16 of the rotary knob is aligned perpendicularly to the surface of the curved panel through the recesses 26. A rotary knob cover can be attached to the rotary axis 16 from outside the panel. Furthermore, a power supply module, a touch module, a control module, and / or a signal processing module, etc., can also be provided in the first circuit board area 2.In the second circuit board area 3, a display means, a button, a toggle lever, a board connector, an infrared operating unit and / or a touch sensor, etc. can be provided.

[0044] In Fig. 13 also shows an upper surface 25 of the support 20, which is designed to bear against the curved panel. The upper surface 25 can have the same radius of curvature as the curved panel to achieve a tight fit. To keep the knob stable during operation, a foam 27 is provided on both sides of the recess 26 for the knob's rotation axis.

[0045] Fig. Figure 14 shows a rear view of the printed circuit board assembly in the assembled state. The rear view shows the side of the assembled printed circuit board assembly facing away from the panel. A sensor component 19 associated with the rotary knob is provided on the rear side of the printed circuit board 1.

[0046] From this rear view, it can be seen that the printed circuit board 1, in particular its first printed circuit board region 2, rests against the support beam 28 that defines the printed circuit board. The support beam 28 is formed between two adjacent light-conducting holes 24.

[0047] From the Fig. 14 further shows that a ramp 29 is present between the first support region 22 and the second support region 23. The ramp 29 clearly shows that the support and fixation provided by the first support region 22 and the second support region 23 results in the first circuit board region 2 and the second circuit board region 23 being located in different planes.

[0048] The invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments, but encompasses or extends to all technical equivalents that may fall within the scope of the appended claims. The positional references chosen in the description, such as top, bottom, left, right, etc., also refer to the directly described and illustrated figure and are to be applied analogously to the new position in the event of a change in position.

[0049] The features disclosed in the present application documents may be important and implementable not only individually but also in any combination for the realization of the embodiments in the sense of different design possibilities.

[0050] Although the invention has been described above in terms of preferred embodiments, this is not intended to limit the invention. Any changes and modifications to the technical solutions can be made by those skilled in the art using the methods and techniques described above without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, any simple changes, equivalents, and modifications that can be made to the above embodiments fall within the scope of the technical solutions of the invention without departing from the technical solutions of the invention.

Claims

[1] Deformable circuit board, characterized by in that the printed circuit board (1) comprises a first printed circuit board region (2) and at least one second printed circuit board region (3), wherein the first printed circuit board region (2) is connected to the second printed circuit board region (3) via a strength weakening (4) so ​​that the first printed circuit board region (2) and the second printed circuit board region (3) can lie in different planes under the action of an external force, wherein the first printed circuit board region (2), the second printed circuit board region (3) and the strength weakening (4) are formed in one piece, and in that a conductor track for electrically connecting the first printed circuit board region (2) to the second printed circuit board region (3) is arranged on the strength weakening (4). [2] Deformable printed circuit board according to claim 1, characterized bythat the first circuit board area (2) and the second circuit board area (3) can each lie in two mutually parallel planes or in two planes at an angle to one another under the action of the external force. [3] Deformable printed circuit board according to claim 2, characterized by that a height difference, a bending angle and / or a torsion angle can be formed between the first circuit board area (2) and the second circuit board area (3). [4] Deformable printed circuit board according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by , that - the strength weakening (4) has been achieved by a predetermined length, width, thickness and / or a predetermined aspect ratio, and / or - the strength weakening (4) is achieved by a design in a plate plane and / or in the cross-section of the printed circuit board. [5] Deformable printed circuit board according to claim 4, characterized by , that - the design in the plate plane is an opening, an L-shaped recess (8), a meander shape, a grid hole structure (15) or a latticework structure, and / or - the cross-sectional design is through holes (14), blind holes or grooves (13). [6] Deformable printed circuit board according to claim 4, characterized by that the design is distributed evenly over the entire area of ​​the strength weakening (4), or that the design is distributed only in one area of ​​the strength weakening (4) in which the stress is concentrated. [7] Deformable printed circuit board according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized byin that one of the first circuit board area (2) and the second circuit board area (3) is designed to arrange at least one of an LED lighting module, a power supply module, a touch module, a control module and a signal processing module, while the other of the first circuit board area (2) and the second circuit board area (3) is designed to arrange at least one of a display means, a rotary knob, a button, a rocker lever, a board connector, an infrared operating unit and a touch sensor. [8] Printed circuit board arrangement, characterized bythat the printed circuit board arrangement comprises a carrier (20) and a deformable printed circuit board according to one of claims 1 to 7, and that a first carrier region (22) for the first printed circuit board region (2) of the printed circuit board (1) and a second carrier region (23) for the second printed circuit board region (3) of the printed circuit board (1) are formed in the carrier, wherein the first printed circuit board region (2) and the second printed circuit board region (3) can lie in different planes when the first printed circuit board region (2) is fastened to the first carrier region (22) and the second printed circuit board region (3) is fastened to the second carrier region (23). [9] Printed circuit board arrangement according to claim 8, characterized by that the circuit board (1) and the carrier (20) are fastened to one another by hot riveting, screws, snap hooks, adhesive and / or potting. [10] Printed circuit board arrangement according to claim 8 or 9, characterized bythat one or more light-conducting holes (24) and / or a recess(es) (26) for at least one of a display means, a rotary knob, a button, a rocker lever, a circuit board connector, and a touch sensor is / are formed in the carrier (20). [11] Printed circuit board arrangement according to claim 8 or 9, characterized by that the printed circuit board assembly includes or is engageable with a panel. [12] Printed circuit board arrangement according to claim 11, characterized by that the panel is arched. [13] Household appliance, characterized by a deformable printed circuit board according to one of claims 1 to 7 or a printed circuit board assembly according to one of claims 8 to 12.

Images