Method for assembling a set of printed circuit boards using centering elements

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for assembling at least two printed circuit boards (14, 16) intended to be electrically interconnected along an axial connection direction (A1). The method comprises a step A) of assembling at least one centering piece (36) onto at least one connecting pin (26). The centering piece (36) is designed to cooperate with at least one centering pin carried by a support element (78) so as to guide one printed circuit board (16) relative to another printed circuit board (14) along a radial plane. Figure for the abstract: 1

Description

Title of the invention: Method for assembling a set of printed circuit boards using centering elements Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to the assembly of printed circuit boards and the electrical connection of these boards to each other.

[0002] The invention relates more particularly to an assembly and electrical connection method for an electrical circuit assembly comprising several printed circuit boards stacked on top of each other. Technical background

[0003] The automatic assembly process of automotive parts involves stacking printed circuit boards in housings and making the electrical interconnection using solutions that connect the printed circuit boards together without using flexible electrical wires.

[0004] Existing solutions generally use connecting blades / pins to interconnect two printed circuit boards in a single assembly step.

[0005] To correctly insert a male connection pin, or blade, into a female contact during automatic assembly of printed circuits, centering solutions are implemented.

[0006] However, existing centering solutions are not entirely satisfactory because they are particularly bulky, which is incompatible with the need to miniaturize components and increase the density of printed circuit boards.

[0007] In addition, existing centering solutions often require customizing components based on the type of electrical assembly to be manufactured, which increases the number of part references required for assembly. Summary of the invention

[0008] The invention proposes a method for assembling at least two printed circuit boards intended to be electrically interconnected in an axial connection direction, the method comprising the following steps: a) mounting at least one male interconnection element on the first interconnection face of a first printed circuit board, the male interconnection element comprising at least one connection pin which extends parallel to the axial connection direction, b) mounting at least one female interconnection element on the second interconnection face of a second printed circuit board, the female interconnection element comprising a housing capable of receiving the connection pin by insertion of the male interconnecting element, c) positioning the second printed circuit board axially opposite the first printed circuit board, by means of a first support element which carries the first printed circuit board and by means of a second support element which carries the second printed circuit board, so that the male interconnection element is axially aligned with the associated female interconnection element, (d) electrically connecting the two printed circuit boards by bringing the two printed circuit boards together until each connection pin is received in the housing of the associated female interconnection element in order to establish an electrical interconnection,

[0009] The method further comprises a step A) of assembling at least one centering part on at least one connection pin, before step d). In addition, during step d), the centering part cooperates with at least one centering pin carried by the second support element so as to guide the second printed circuit board relative to the first printed circuit board along a radial plane.

[0010] The method according to the invention makes it possible to assemble and interconnect printed circuit boards blindly while being able to determine whether the interconnections are complete, without resorting to complex sensors.

[0011] The method according to the invention makes it possible to reduce the size of the parts forming the set of printed circuit boards by reducing the size of the parts necessary for centering when interconnecting several printed circuit boards.

[0012] It is no longer necessary to provide permanent centering pins on the printed circuit boards, which reduces integration constraints due to the length of the centering pins previously used.

[0013] Thanks to the invention it is possible to reduce the number of part references when the set of printed circuit boards comprises boards arranged at different heights.

[0014] The centering function is obtained with greater precision which improves the quality of the assemblies and reduces defects on the assembled parts.

[0015] According to other characteristics of the invention:

[0016] - the centering part has a centering hole complementary to the spindle centering, the entrance of the centering orifice comprising a first frustoconical section capable of guiding the free end of the centering pin towards the center of the centering orifice during step d);

[0017] - during step A), the centering part is positioned in the vicinity of a free end of the connecting pin by threading the centering piece onto the connecting pin through an associated mounting hole arranged on the part of centering;

[0018] - step a) comprises the following sub-steps: al) mounting at least one female interconnection element on the first interconnection face of the first printed circuit board, the female interconnection element comprising at least one housing capable of receiving the connection pin of the male interconnection element, a2) inserting the connection pin into the housing of the associated female interconnection element;

[0019] - step a) comprises the following sub-step, implemented before sub-step a2): al.l) assembly of at least one stabilizer, the stabilizer being provided to rest on the first printed circuit board and hold the connection pin in the axial direction when the male interconnection element is fixed on the first printed circuit board;

[0020] - step a) comprises the following sub-step, implemented after sub-step al.l) and before sub-step a2): al.2) positioning of the male interconnection element, equipped with the stabilizer, on an intermediate support element capable of carrying at least one male interconnection element in the axial direction of connection, and step a2) is implemented by relative displacement of the first printed circuit board with respect to the intermediate support element in the axial direction of connection until the connection pin is inserted into the housing of the associated female interconnection element and the stabilizer is in abutment against the first interconnection face of the first printed circuit board;

[0021] The invention also proposes a set of interconnected printed circuit boards comprising at least a first and a second printed circuit board at least partially superimposed in an axial direction of electrical connection, the first printed circuit board comprising on a first interconnection face at least one male interconnection element provided with at least one connection pin which extends parallel to the axial direction of electrical connection, and which is inserted into a housing belonging to a female interconnection element mounted on a second interconnection face of the second printed circuit board.

[0022] In this set of interconnected printed circuit boards, the connection pin is equipped with at least one centering piece which is threaded onto the connection pin and which comprises a centering orifice capable of cooperating with a centering pin when connecting the connection pin into the female interconnection element.

[0023] According to other characteristics of this set:

[0024] - the male interconnection element comprises two connection pins and the part centering part has two mounting holes arranged on either side of the centering hole, the centering part being threaded onto the two connecting pins through the mounting holes;

[0025] - the male interconnection element comprises a group of several pins of connection on which the centering piece is threaded through associated mounting holes, said group of connection pins being inserted into a group of housings of the associated female interconnection element;

[0026] - the centering piece has two centering holes arranged on either side of the group of connection pins, these centering holes being able to cooperate with two associated centering pins when connecting the group of connection pins into the associated female interconnection element;

[0027] - the male interconnection element is equipped with a stabilizer which rests on the first printed circuit board so as to hold the connection pin in the axial direction;

[0028] - the stabilizer comprises at least one fixing stud which is inserted into a hole in associated fixing of the first printed circuit board;

[0029] - the stabilizer comprises at least one foot which rests on the first face interconnection of the first printed circuit board;

[0030] - the stabilizer comprises a main body provided with mounting holes allowing the stabilizer to be threaded onto the connecting pin(s) through said mounting holes. Brief description of the figures

[0031] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear during the reading of the detailed description which follows for the understanding of which reference will be made to the appended drawings in which:

[0032] [Fig.l] is a diagram which represents an electronic unit equipped with an electrical interconnection solution between a first and a second printed circuit board according to the invention;

[0033] [Fig.2] is a perspective view which schematically represents a first embodiment of an interconnection assembly intended to equip the electronic unit of [Fig.l];

[0034] [Fig.3] is a similar one to that of [Fig.2] which schematically represents a second embodiment of an interconnection assembly intended to equip the electronic unit of [Fig.l];

[0035] [Fig.4] is a side view which schematically represents an intermediate step in the method of assembling and connecting the male interconnection elements on the first printed circuit board of [Fig.l];

[0036] [Fig.5] is a side view which schematically represents another intermediate step for the interconnection of the first printed circuit board on the second printed circuit board;

[0037] [Fig.6] is a diagram showing the first printed circuit board and the second printed circuit board before centering;

[0038] [Fig.7] is a diagram showing the first printed circuit board and the second printed circuit board after centering;

[0039] [Fig.8], [Fig.9], [Fig.10], [Fig.1 1] are diagrams similar to those of Figures 6 and 7 which represent assembly and interconnection steps and means for detecting the axial position of a centering pin at the end of the interconnection step. Detailed description of the invention

[0040] In the following description, identical, similar or analogous elements will be designated by the same reference numbers.

[0041] [Fig.l] schematically illustrates an electronic unit 10 comprising a housing 12 in which several printed circuit boards 14, 16 are arranged interconnected to each other. Each printed circuit board 14, 16 comprises a series of electronic components 18 which are intended to be electrically powered and controlled through printed circuits (not shown) and electrical interconnection elements 20, 22 which will be described later.

[0042] According to the simplified example shown in [Fig.l], the electronic unit 10 forms an assembly comprising a first printed circuit board 14, here located in the upper part of the housing 12, and a second printed circuit board 16, here located in the lower part of the housing 12. The two printed circuit boards 14, 16 are therefore superimposed in an axial direction of electrical connection A1 which here corresponds to a vertical orientation.

[0043] The first printed circuit board 14 comprises on its first interconnection face 24 at least one male interconnection element 20 provided with at least one connection pin 26 which extends parallel to the axial direction of electrical connection AL. In the example shown, the male interconnection element 20 comprises two parallel connection pins 26.

[0044] Each connection pin 26 is here inserted into a housing 28 belonging to an associated female interconnection element 22, mounted on a second interconnection face 30 of the second printed circuit board 16.

[0045] According to the example shown, the female interconnection element 22 consists of two female connectors 32 which are mounted on the second interconnection face 30 of the second printed circuit board 16 and which respectively comprise two housings 28 provided to receive the free end of each connection pin 26.

[0046] According to the example shown, the male interconnection element 20 consists of two female connectors 32, similar to those of the female interconnection element 22 and mounted on the first interconnection face 24 of the first printed circuit board 16, and the two connection pins 26.

[0047] Advantageously, the two connection pins 26 are equipped with a centering piece 36 which is threaded onto the connection pins 26 and which comprises a centering orifice 38 capable of cooperating with a centering pin 40 when connecting the connection pins 26 into the female interconnection element 22. This step of the assembly method will be described subsequently, in particular in relation to FIGS. 6 and 7.

[0048] The centering orifice 38 here comprises a first frustoconical section 39, or chamfer, at its entrance 41 and a second cylindrical section 43 complementary to a cylindrical end section 45 of the centering pin 40.

[0049] In [Fig. 2], a first embodiment of an interconnection assembly 34 according to the invention is shown in more detail. This first embodiment relates to an interconnection assembly 34 for an electrical supply line using two connection pins 26, here in the form of flat blades, to pass a supply current from the first printed circuit board 14 to the second printed circuit board 16.

[0050] It is noted that the interconnection assembly 34 is here represented in an inverted manner with respect to the configuration represented in [Fig.l], the male interconnection element 20 being located in the lower part and the female interconnection element 22 being located in the upper part.

[0051] It is noted that the interconnection assembly 34 is here represented with the associated female connectors 32, plugged into each free end of the connection pins 26. It is of course understood that these female connectors 32 are previously mounted on the printed circuit boards 14, 16 before the connection pins 26 are plugged into these female connectors 32.

[0052] According to this first embodiment, the centering part 36 comprises two mounting orifices 42, each of a cross-section complementary to the cross-section of the connection pins 26, i.e. here of rectangular cross-section. These two mounting orifices 42 are arranged at each radial end of the centering part 36, on either side of the centering orifice 38. The centering orifice 38 is therefore arranged in the center of the centering part 36, between the two connection pins 26.

[0053] Advantageously, the male interconnection element 20 is equipped with a stabilizer 44 which rests on the first printed circuit board 14 so as to maintain the connecting pins 26 in the axial direction. The axial retention of the connecting pins 26 by the stabilizer 44 is especially useful when mounting the male interconnection element 20 on the first printed circuit board 14, as will be explained later.

[0054] Advantageously, the stabilizer 44 comprises fixing studs 46, here two in number, which are each inserted into an associated fixing hole 48 arranged in the first interconnection face 24 of the first printed circuit board 14. Each fixing stud 46 is here connected to the main body 50 of the stabilizer 44 by a radial arm 52 and it comprises a radial collar 54 which abuts against the first interconnection face 24 of the first printed circuit board 14.

[0055] In the example shown, the two fixing studs 46 of the stabilizer 44 are diametrically opposed, on either side of the main body 50.

[0056] Advantageously, the stabilizer 44 also comprises feet 56 which come to bear on the first interconnection face 24 of the first printed circuit board 14. The feet 56 are here two in number and are diametrically opposed relative to the main body 50. The feet 56 are here generally aligned along an axial plane passing through the two connection pins 26.

[0057] The main body 50 of the stabilizer 44 is provided here with two mounting holes 58 which are used to thread the stabilizer 44 onto the two connection pins 26.

[0058] According to the first embodiment shown, each connection pin 26 comprises a first stop element 60 which makes it possible to axially retain the centering part 36 in a determined axial position on the connection pin 26 and a second stop element 62 which makes it possible to axially retain the stabilizer 44 in a determined axial position. In the case where each connection pin 26 is formed from a metal blade, as is the case in [Fig. 2], the stop elements 60, 62 consist of bosses produced by stamping.

[0059] A second embodiment of an interconnection assembly 34 according to the invention will now be described in relation to [Fig. 3]. This second embodiment relates to an interconnection assembly 34 intended to transmit data. Here, it uses a series of eight connection pins 26 in the form of elongated rods which allow data signals to be passed from the first printed circuit board 14 to the second printed circuit board 16.

[0060] This second embodiment is distinguished from the first embodiment mainly by the centering part 36 which comprises a main body 64 provided with a series of eight mounting holes 42 allowing the centering part 36 to be threaded onto the eight connection pins 26. The centering part 36 here comprises two centering holes 38 arranged on either side of the main body 64. These two centering holes 38 are provided to cooperate with two centering pins 40 as follows: will be described later.

[0061] The second embodiment is also distinguished from the first embodiment by the stabilizer 44 which here comprises a series of eight mounting holes 58 allowing the stabilizer 44 to be threaded onto the eight connection pins 26. For the rest, the stabilizer 44 is generally similar to the stabilizer 44 of the first embodiment.

[0062] The method of assembly and electrical connection according to the invention will now be described with particular reference to FIGS. 4 to 7. The method is described in the context of the assembly of two printed circuit boards 14, 16 comprising several interconnection assemblies 34 provided for interconnecting the two printed circuit boards 14, 16.

[0063] Of course, this method can be implemented to assemble more than two printed circuit boards, as is the case in a complex electronic unit 10 comprising more than two printed circuit boards arranged one above the other and interconnected, in particular when they are integrated into a housing 12 that is relatively compact compared to the number of electronic components 18 to be housed.

[0064] [Fig.4] illustrates a first step a) of mounting the male interconnection elements 20 on the first interconnection face 24 of the first printed circuit board 14.

[0065] This step a) aims to allow the mounting of the male interconnection elements 20 on the first interconnection face 24 in such a way that the connection pins 26 extend parallel to the axial connection direction A1, here downwards, when the first printed circuit board 14 is oriented vertically.

[0066] Step a) comprises a first sub-step a1) of mounting the female connectors 32 on the first interconnection face 24 of the first printed circuit board 14. Each female connector 32 comprises a housing 28 capable of receiving an associated connection pin 26 in order to form the male interconnection element 20.

[0067] In order to insert the connection pins 26 into the female connectors 32, the method proposes a sub-step a1.l) during which the stabilizers 44 are assembled on the connection pins 26 by threading them onto the connection pins 26 via their mounting holes 42. Each stabilizer 44 is positioned in the vicinity of a first free end 66 of the connection pins 26 in order to be mounted on the first interconnection face 24 of the first printed circuit board 14.

[0068] The method comprises a step A) during which the centering pieces 36 are assembled on the connection pins 26 by threading them onto the connection pins 26 through their mounting holes 42. Each centering piece 36 is positioned on a second free end 68 of the connection pins 26, on the side opposite the stabi- lizer 44.

[0069] Advantageously, the method comprises a sub-step al.2) during which the connection pins 26, equipped with their stabilizers 44 and their centering parts 36, are positioned on an intermediate support element 70 capable of carrying these connection pins 26.

[0070] As illustrated in [Fig. 4], the intermediate support element 70 may be in the form of a plate 72 comprising several platforms 74 of different heights intended to receive connection pins 26 of different lengths. This plate 72 makes it possible to retain the connection pins 26 in an axial position A1, so that they all extend in a direction parallel to the axial direction of electrical connection A1 and so that the first free ends 66 of the connection pins 26, which carry the stabilizers 44, are positioned at the same height, or at an adequate height, to allow their insertion into the female connectors 32 installed on the first interconnection face 24 of the first printed circuit board 14.

[0071] In the example illustrated, all the female connectors 32 are mounted directly on the first interconnection face 24 of the first printed circuit board 14, without height differences, so that the first free ends 66 of the connection pins 26 are all at the same height.

[0072] During a sub-step a2), the first printed circuit board 14 and the intermediate support element 70 are brought closer to each other. For example, as illustrated in [Fig. 4], a first support element 76 carries the first printed circuit board 14 with its first interconnection face 24 facing the intermediate support element 70 and allows the movement of the first printed circuit board 14 towards the intermediate support element 70, along the axial electrical connection direction A1, until all the connection pins 26 carried by the intermediate support element 70 are inserted into the associated female interconnection elements 22.

[0073] At the end of the bringing together operation, the stabilizers 44 are supported against the first interconnection face 24 of the first printed circuit board 14 by their feet 56 and the fixing pads 46 are received in the associated fixing holes 48, as illustrated in the upper part of [Fig.5].

[0074] [Fig. 5] represents the first printed circuit board 14 equipped with its male interconnection elements 20, ready to be interconnected with the second printed circuit board 16 already assembled in the housing 12 of the electronic unit 10. It is noted that the connection pins 26 here extend axially A1 downwards with their centering parts 36 on the side of the second free end 68.

[0075] During a step b), the female interconnection elements 22 are mounted on the second interconnection face 30 of the second printed circuit board 16, this second interconnection face 30 here being turned upwards in the axial direction of electrical connection Al.

[0076] The female interconnection elements 22 are here in the form of female connectors 32 similar to those used on the first printed circuit board 14 and provided to receive by insertion the connection pins 26 of the male interconnection elements 20.

[0077] During a step c), the first printed circuit board 14 is positioned opposite the second printed circuit board 16, here above, by means of a first support element 76 which carries the first printed circuit board 14 and a second support element 78 which carries the second printed circuit board 16 so that the male interconnection elements are axially aligned A1 with the associated female interconnection elements.

[0078] In the example shown in [Fig.5], the second support element 78 carries the housing 12 already pre-assembled with printed circuit boards and electronic components 18.

[0079] During a step d), the two printed circuit boards 14, 16 are electrically connected by interconnection by bringing the two printed circuit boards 14, 16 closer to each other until each connection pin 26 is received in the housing of the associated female connector 32.

[0080] During step d), the centering pieces 36 cooperate with centering pins 40 carried by the second support element 78 so as to guide the second printed circuit board 16 relative to the first printed circuit board 14 along a radial plane.

[0081] The guidance during step d) will be better understood by referring to Figures 6 and 7 which schematically represent assembly steps for the interconnection of the printed circuit boards 14, 16. In Figures 6 and 7, the different elements have been represented in a simplified manner to facilitate understanding.

[0082] In [Fig. 6] there is shown schematically the first support element 76 which carries the first printed circuit board 14 provided with a male interconnection element 20 formed here by two female connectors 32 equipped with two connection pins 26. The male interconnection element 20 is equipped with its stabilizer 44 which is mounted in the first interconnection face 24 and which provides a certain rigidity to the assembly, in particular so that the connection pins 26 are held in the axial direction AL. The male interconnection element 20 is also equipped with its centering part 36 which here comprises the centering orifice 38 in its center, that is to say between the two connection pins 26.

[0083] Also shown is the second support element 78 which carries the second plate to printed circuit board 16 provided with two female connectors 32 capable of receiving the second free end 68 of the two associated connection pins 26. The second support element 78 is provided with a centering pin 40 which extends axially towards the first printed circuit board 14, here upwards, through the second printed circuit board 16.

[0084] The second printed circuit board 16 here comprises a window 80 which allows the passage of the centering pin 40.

[0085] In [Fig.6], the two printed circuit boards 14, 16 are axially aligned so that the free end of each connection pin 26 is located opposite the associated female connector 32 of the second printed circuit board 16.

[0086] To make the electrical connection by interconnection between the two printed circuit boards 14, 16, the two support elements 76, 78 are gradually brought closer to each other. For example, the first support element 76 is moved axially towards the second support element 78. During this approach, the centering pin 40 is brought close to the centering orifice 38.

[0087] If the centering is perfect, that is to say that the two printed circuit boards 14, 16 are perfectly positioned relative to each other in a radial plane, then the centering pin 40 penetrates the center of the centering hole 38 and passes through it to an axial position in which the connection pins 26 are received in the female connectors 32 of the second printed circuit board 16, as illustrated in [Fig.7].

[0088] If the centering is imperfect, that is to say that the two printed circuit boards 14, 16 are slightly offset radially relative to each other, relative to the desired position for the interconnection, then the centering pin 40 comes into contact with the first frustoconical section 39, formed at the entrance of the centering orifice 38, then slides on this first frustoconical section 39 until guiding the centering pin 40 towards the center of the centering orifice 38 and its second cylindrical section 43. The free end of the centering pin 40 has a suitable shape, for example a substantially hemispherical or rounded tip, in order to ensure sliding on the first frustoconical section 39.

[0089] In the event that the two printed circuit boards 14, 16 are so radially offset from each other that the centering pin 40 comes into contact with the centering piece 36 next to the entrance of the centering hole 38, then the relative movement of the first support element 76 and the second support element 78 is stopped, or a signal representative of a misalignment preventing interconnection is emitted.

[0090] Of course, the axial direction of connection Al could be oriented differently, for example extending in a horizontal direction instead of a vertical direction. It is understood that the printed circuit boards 14, 16 could be oriented differently, for example the first printed circuit board 14 could be arranged under the second printed circuit board 16.

[0091] Another aspect of the assembly and interconnection method is now described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 11, aimed at enabling monitoring of the correct electrical connection between the two printed circuit boards 14, 16 during a verification step e).

[0092] In Figures 8 to 11, the set of printed circuit boards 14, 16 is shown in reverse with respect to the previous figures, the first printed circuit board 14 being at the bottom and the second printed circuit board 16 being at the top.

[0093] According to an advantageous embodiment, the centering pin 40 is mounted to slide axially on the second support element 78 to allow it to occupy several axial positions relative to the support element 78 providing an indication of the state of the electrical connection between the male 20 and female 22 interconnection elements.

[0094] The centering pin 40 is here connected to the second support element 78 by means of an elastic return element 82 which urges the centering pin 40 towards an axial rest position illustrated by [Fig.8]. The elastic return element 82 is for example fixed on one side to the support element 78 and on the other to a fixing member 84 secured to the centering pin 40 in axial sliding, which defines an initial distance dO between the second support element 78 and the fixing member 84.

[0095] Advantageously, the centering pin 40 comprises several axial markers R0, RI, R2 distributed axially along its length so as to allow a sensor 88, such as a camera, to easily determine the axial position of the centering pin 40 relative to the second support element 78. The sensor 88 is for example integral in axial displacement with the second support element 78.

[0096] Before interconnection, it is the initial position mark R0 which is identified by the sensor 88, as illustrated by [Fig.8].

[0097] At the end of the electrical connection step d), when the two printed circuit boards 14, 16 have been correctly aligned with each other, as illustrated by [Fig. 9], the centering pin 40 is received in the centering orifice 38 of the centering part 36.

[0098] Advantageously, the centering pin 40 comprises a bearing surface 86 which bears against the first frustoconical section 39, or chamfer, so that the axial position of the centering pin 40, or axial connection position, when the two printed circuit boards 14, 16 are interconnected, corresponds to a connection distance d1, between the second support element 78 and the fixing member 84, distinct from the initial distance dO, by stressing the elastic return element, here in extension, as illustrated by [Fig.9].

[0099] In this interconnection position, an interconnection marker RI is located opposite the sensor 88, which makes it possible to validate the creation of the interconnection visually.

[0100] At the end of the connection step d), if the centering pin 40 has passed by the centering part 36, as shown in [Fig. 10], the centering pin 40 has not encountered axial support in its downward stroke so that it is in the same starting axial position as in [Fig. 8], relative to the second support element 78. The distance between the second support element 78 and the fixing member 84 is always the initial distance dO and the sensor 88 detects the initial position mark R0.

[0101] At the end of the connection step d), if the centering pin 40 is off-center and resting against the centering part 36, as shown in [Fig. 1 1], the centering pin 40 occupies an axial off-center position in which the distance d2 between the second support element 78 and the fixing member 84 is greater since the fixing member 84 has moved away from the rear face of the second support element 78. The fixing member 84 pulls on the elastic return element 82. The sensor 88 then detects a second mark R2 representative of an off-center position of the centering member 40 and an absence of connection for the associated interconnection elements.

[0102]

[0103] LEGEND 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 39 40 electronic unit housing first printed circuit board second printed circuit board electronic components male interconnection element female interconnection element first interconnection face connection pin housing second interconnection face female connector interconnecting assembly centering piece centering hole first truncated section centering pin entrance mounting hole second cylindrical stabilizing section cylindrical end section fixing stud fixing hole main body of the stabilizer radial arm radial collar foot mounting hole first stop element second stop element main body of the centering piece first free end second free end intermediate support element platinum platform first support element second support element window elastic return element fixing organ sensor range : axial direction of connection

Claims

Claims

1. Method for assembling at least two printed circuit boards (14, 16) intended to be electrically interconnected in an axial connection direction (Al), the method comprising the following steps: a) mounting at least one male interconnection element (20) on the first interconnection face (24) of a first printed circuit board (14), the male interconnection element (20) comprising at least one connection pin (26) which extends parallel to the axial connection direction (Al), b) mounting at least one female interconnection element (22) on the second interconnection face (30) of a second printed circuit board (16), the female interconnection element (22) comprising a housing (28) capable of receiving by insertion the connection pin (26) of the male interconnection element (20), c) positioning the second printed circuit board (16) axially opposite the first printed circuit board (14), by means of a first support element (76) which carries the first printed circuit board (14) and by means of a second support element (78) which carries the second printed circuit board (16), so that the male interconnection element (20) is axially aligned with the associated female interconnection element (22), d) electrically connecting the two printed circuit boards (14, 16) by bringing the two printed circuit boards (14, 16) together until each connection pin (26) is received in the housing (28) of the associated female interconnection element (22) in order to establish an electrical interconnection, characterized in that it further comprises a step A) of assembling at least one centering part (36) on at least one connection pin (26), before step d), and in that, during step d),the centering part (36) cooperates with at least one centering pin (40) carried by the second support element (78) so as to guide the second printed circuit board (16) relative to the first printed circuit board (14) along a radial plane.,

2. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the centering part (36) comprises a complementary centering orifice (38). of the centering pin (40), the inlet of the centering orifice (38) comprising a first frustoconical section (39) capable of guiding the free end of the centering pin (40) towards the center of the centering orifice (38) during step d).

3. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that during step A), the centering piece (36) is positioned in the vicinity of a free end of the connection pin (26) by threading the centering piece (36) onto the connection pin (26) through an associated mounting orifice (42) arranged on the centering piece (36).

4. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that step a) comprises the following sub-steps: a1) mounting at least one female interconnection element (22) on the first interconnection face (24) of the first printed circuit board (14), the female interconnection element (22) comprising at least one housing (28) capable of receiving the connection pin (26) of the male interconnection element (20), a2) inserting the connection pin (26) into the housing (28) of the associated female interconnection element (22).

5. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that step a) comprises the following sub-step, implemented before sub-step a2): al.l) assembly of at least one stabilizer (44), the stabilizer (44) being provided to rest on the first printed circuit board (14) and hold the connection pin (26) in the axial direction when the male interconnection element (20) is fixed on the first printed circuit board (14).

6. Method according to claim 5, characterized in that step a) comprises the following sub-step, implemented after sub-step a1.1) and before sub-step a2): a1.2) positioning the male interconnection element (20), equipped with the stabilizer (44), on an intermediate support element (70) capable of carrying at least one male interconnection element (20) in the axial connection direction (A1), and in that step a2) is implemented by relative displacement of the first printed circuit board (14) with respect to the intermediate support element (70) in the axial connection direction (A1) until the connection pin (26) is inserted into the housing (28) of the associated female interconnection element (22) and the stabi- lizer (44) is in abutment against the first interconnection face (24) of the first printed circuit board (14).

7. Set of interconnected printed circuit boards (14, 16) comprising at least a first and a second printed circuit board (14, 16) at least partially superimposed in an axial direction of electrical connection (Al), the first printed circuit board (14) comprising on a first interconnection face (24) at least one male interconnection element (20) provided with at least one connection pin (26) which extends parallel to the axial direction of electrical connection (Al), and which is inserted into a housing (28) belonging to a female interconnection element (22) mounted on a second interconnection face (30) of the second printed circuit board (16),characterized in that the connection pin (26) is equipped with at least one centering piece (36) which is threaded onto the connection pin (26) and which comprises a centering orifice (38) capable of cooperating with a centering pin (40) when connecting the connection pin (26) into the female interconnection element (22).,

8. Assembly according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the male interconnection element (20) comprises two connection pins (26) and in that the centering piece (36) comprises two mounting holes (42) arranged on either side of the centering hole (38), the centering piece (36) being threaded onto the two connection pins (26) via the mounting holes (42).

9. An assembly according to claim 8, characterized in that the male interconnection element (20) comprises a group of several connection pins (26) onto which the centering piece (36) is threaded through associated mounting holes (42), said group of connection pins (26) being inserted into a group of housings (28) of the associated female interconnection element (22).

10. Assembly according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the centering part (36) comprises two centering orifices (38) arranged on either side of the group of connection pins (26), these centering orifices (38) being capable of cooperating with two associated centering pins (40) when connecting the group of connection pins (26) into the associated female interconnection element (22).

11. An assembly according to any one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the male interconnection element (20) is equipped with a stabi- lizer (44) which rests on the first printed circuit board (14) so ​​as to hold the connection pin (26) in the axial direction.

12. Assembly according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the stabilizer (44) comprises at least one fixing stud (46) which is inserted into an associated fixing hole (48) of the first printed circuit board (14).

13. Assembly according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the stabilizer (44) comprises at least one foot (56) which rests on the first interconnection face (24) of the first printed circuit board (14).

14. An assembly according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the stabilizer (44) comprises a main body (50) provided with mounting holes (58) allowing the stabilizer (44) to be threaded onto the connection pin(s) (26) through said mounting holes (58).

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