A method for joining a set of printed circuit boards using a centering element.

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for assembling at least two printed circuit boards (14, 16) intended to be electrically interconnected in the axial direction (A1) of the connection. The method includes step A) assembling at least one centering portion (36) on at least one connection pin (26). The centering portion (36) is provided to interact with at least one centering pin supported by a support element (78) so as to guide the printed circuit board (16) relative to the other printed circuit board (14) in the radial plane.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] More particularly, the present invention relates to an assembly and electrical connection method for a set of electrical circuits comprising several printed circuit boards stacked on top of each other.

Background Art

[0003] The process of automatically assembling automotive parts involves stacking printed circuit boards within a casing and electrically interconnecting them using a solution for connecting the printed circuit boards to each other without using flexible wires.

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

[0005] Centering solutions are implemented to correctly insert male connector pins or blades into female contacts during the automatic assembly of printed circuits.

[0006] However, existing centering solutions are particularly bulky, which is not entirely satisfactory as it is incompatible with the need for component miniaturization and increased density of printed circuit boards.

[0007] Furthermore, existing centering solutions often require customizing components according to the type of electrical assembly being manufactured, which increases the number of reference parts required for assembly.

Summary of the Invention

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] The present invention relates to a method for assembling at least two printed circuit boards intended to be electrically interconnected in the axial direction of the connection, wherein the method comprises the following steps: a) A step of mounting at least one male interconnection element onto a first interconnection surface of a first printed circuit board, wherein the male interconnection element comprises at least one connecting pin extending parallel to the axial direction of the connection, b) A step of mounting at least one female interconnection element onto a second interconnection surface of a second printed circuit board, wherein the female interconnection element comprises a housing adapted to receive the connecting pins of a male interconnection element by insertion, c) Positioning the second printed circuit board so that it faces the first printed circuit board axially, by a first support element supporting the first printed circuit board and by a second support element supporting the second printed circuit board, such that the male interconnect element is axially aligned with the female interconnect element to which it is associated; d) The step of electrically connecting two printed circuit boards by bringing the two printed circuit boards close together until each connection pin is received within the housing of the associated female interconnect element in order to establish an electrical interconnect, This provides a method that includes [something].

[0009] The method further includes step A) before step d), which involves assembling at least one centering portion onto at least one connecting pin. Furthermore, in step d), the centering portion interacts with at least one centering pin supported by a second support element to guide the second printed circuit board relative to the first printed circuit board in the radial plane.

[0010] The method according to the present invention makes it possible to determine whether interconnections are complete without relying on complex sensors, while also enabling the blind assembly and interconnection of printed circuit boards.

[0011] The method according to the present invention makes it possible to reduce the size of the components that form a set of printed circuit boards by reducing the size of the components required for centering when interconnecting multiple printed circuit boards.

[0012] This eliminates the need for permanent centering pins on printed circuit boards, reducing integration constraints caused by the length of previously used centering pins.

[0013] The present invention makes it possible to reduce the number of reference components when a set of printed circuit boards includes boards arranged at different heights.

[0014] The centering function is achieved with greater precision, which improves assembly quality and reduces defects that affect assembled parts.

[0015] According to other features of the present invention, - The centering section comprises a centering pin and a complementary centering orifice, the entrance to the centering orifice comprising a first frustoconical portion adapted in step d) to guide the free end of the centering pin toward the center of the centering orifice, -In step A), the centering portion is positioned near the free end of the connecting pin by passing the centering portion over the connecting pin via an associated mounting orifice located on the centering portion. -Step a) is the following substep, namely a1) A substep of mounting at least one female interconnection element onto a first interconnection surface of a first printed circuit board, wherein the female interconnection element comprises at least one housing adapted to receive the connection pins of a male interconnection element, a2) A substep of inserting the connecting pin into the housing of the associated female interconnect element, Includes, -Step a) is performed before substep a2), the following a1.1) A substep of assembling at least one stabilizer, wherein the stabilizer is provided such that it contacts the first printed circuit board and holds the connection pins axially when the male interconnect element is attached to the first printed circuit board. Includes, -Step a) is performed after substep a1.1) and before substep a2), the following a1.2) A substep of positioning a male interconnect element with a stabilizer attached on an intermediate support element adapted to support at least one male interconnect element in the axial direction of the connection. Includes, Step a2) is performed by moving the first printed circuit board relative to the intermediate support element in the axial direction of the connection until the connection pins are inserted into the housing of the female interconnect element and the stabilizer contacts the first interconnect surface of the first printed circuit board.

[0016] The present invention also provides a set of interconnected printed circuit boards comprising at least first and second printed circuit boards that are at least partially overlapped in the axial direction of the electrical connections, wherein the first printed circuit board comprises at least one male interconnect element having at least one connecting pin inserted into a housing belonging to a female interconnect element that extends parallel to the axial direction of the electrical connections on the first interconnect surface and is mounted on the second interconnect surface of the second printed circuit board.

[0017] In this set of interconnected printed circuit boards, the connection pins are equipped with at least one centering portion having a centering orifice that passes over the connection pin and is adapted to interact with a centering pin when the connection pin is inserted into a female interconnect element.

[0018] According to other features of this set, - The male interconnect element has two connection pins, the centering part has two mounting orifices arranged on both sides of the centering orifice, and the centering part is passed over the two connection pins via the mounting orifices. - The male interconnect element has several groups of connection pins, the centering part is passed over several groups of connection pins via the associated mounting orifices, and the groups of connection pins are inserted into a group of housings of the associated female interconnect element. - The centering part has two centering orifices arranged on both sides of a group of connection pins, and these centering orifices are adapted to interact with two associated centering pins when the group of connection pins is inserted into the associated female interconnect element. - The male interconnect element is equipped with a stabilizer that abuts against the first printed circuit board so as to hold the connection pins in the axial direction. - The stabilizer has at least one mounting stud inserted into an associated mounting hole in the first printed circuit board. - The stabilizer has at least one lug that abuts against the first interconnect surface of the first printed circuit board. - The stabilizer has a body provided with a mounting hole, and the stabilizer can be passed over the connection pins via the mounting hole.

[0019] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, which is to be understood in reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0020] [Figure 1] It is a diagram showing an electronic unit equipped with a solution for electrical interconnection between the first and second printed circuit boards according to the present invention. [Figure 2]Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a first embodiment of an interconnect assembly intended to be equipped with the electronic unit shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] This figure is similar to Figure 2, schematically showing a second embodiment of an interconnect assembly intended to be equipped with the electronic unit shown in Figure 1. [Figure 4] This is a schematic side view illustrating an intermediate step in a method for assembling and connecting male interconnect elements on the first printed circuit board shown in Figure 1. [Figure 5] This is a schematic side view illustrating another intermediate step for interconnecting the first printed circuit board and the second printed circuit board. [Figure 6] This figure shows the first and second printed circuit boards before centering. [Figure 7] This figure shows the first and second printed circuit boards after centering. [Figure 8] This figure is similar to Figures 6 and 7, showing the assembly step and interconnection step, as well as means for detecting the axial position of the centering pin at the end of the interconnection step. [Figure 9] This figure is similar to Figures 6 and 7, showing the assembly step and interconnection step, as well as means for detecting the axial position of the centering pin at the end of the interconnection step. [Figure 10] This figure is similar to Figures 6 and 7, showing the assembly step and interconnection step, as well as means for detecting the axial position of the centering pin at the end of the interconnection step. [Figure 11] This figure is similar to Figures 6 and 7, showing the assembly step and interconnection step, as well as means for detecting the axial position of the centering pin at the end of the interconnection step. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0021] In the following explanation, identical, similar, or analogous elements are indicated by the same symbol.

[0022] Figure 1 schematically shows an electronic unit 10 comprising a casing 12, within which several printed circuit boards 14, 16 are arranged interconnected to one another. Each printed circuit board 14, 16 comprises a series of electronic components 18 intended to be electrically powered and controlled by printed circuits (not shown) and electrical interconnection elements 20, 22 described later.

[0023] In the simplified example shown in Figure 1, the electronic unit 10 forms a set including a first printed circuit board 14 located at the top of the casing 12 and a second printed circuit board 16 located at the bottom of the casing 12. Thus, the two printed circuit boards 14 and 16 are superimposed in the axial direction A1 of the electrical connections, which in this case corresponds to a vertical orientation.

[0024] The first printed circuit board 14 includes at least one male interconnection element 20 on its first interconnection surface 24, each having at least one connecting pin 26 extending parallel to the axial direction A1 of the electrical connection. In the illustrated example, the male interconnection element 20 has two parallel connecting pins 26.

[0025] In this case, each connection pin 26 is inserted into a housing 28 belonging to an associated female interconnection element 22 mounted on the second interconnection surface 30 of the second printed circuit board 16.

[0026] In the illustrated example, the female interconnection element 22 consists of two female connectors 32, each having two housings 28 provided to receive the free ends of each connection pin 26, mounted on the second interconnection surface 30 of the second printed circuit board 16.

[0027] In the illustrated example, the male interconnection element 20 is similar to that of the female interconnection element 22 and consists of two female connectors 32 mounted on the first interconnection surface 24 of the first printed circuit board 16, and two connecting pins 26.

[0028] Advantageously, the two connecting pins 26 are equipped with a centering portion 36 having a centering orifice 38 that passes over the connecting pins 26 and is adapted to interact with the centering pin 40 when the connecting pins 26 are inserted into the female interconnecting element 22. This step of the assembly method will be described below, in particular with reference to Figures 6 and 7.

[0029] In this case, the centering orifice 38 includes a first frustoconical portion 39 or chamfered portion at its inlet 41, and a second cylindrical portion 43 that is complementary to the cylindrical end portion 45 of the centering pin 40.

[0030] A first embodiment of the interconnection assembly 34 according to the present invention is shown in detail with reference to Figure 2. This first embodiment relates to an interconnection assembly 34 for a power supply line that uses two connecting pins 26 in the form of flat blades, in this case, to carry power supply current from a first printed circuit board 14 to a second printed circuit board 16.

[0031] In this case, note that the interconnection assembly 34 is shown upside down compared to the configuration shown in Figure 1, with the male interconnection element 20 located at the bottom and the female interconnection element 22 located at the top.

[0032] In this case, the interconnection assembly 34 is shown together with the associated female connector 32, and it should be noted that each free end of the connection pins 26 is inserted into the associated female connector 32. Naturally, it will be understood that these female connectors 32 are pre-mounted on the printed circuit boards 14, 16 before the connection pins 26 are inserted into these female connectors 32.

[0033] According to this first embodiment, the centering section 36 comprises two mounting orifices 42, each having a section complementary to the section of the connecting pins 26, i.e., a rectangular section in this case. These two mounting orifices 42 are positioned at the radial ends of the centering section 36 on both sides of the centering orifice 38. Thus, the centering orifice 38 is positioned at the center of the centering section 36 between the two connecting pins 26.

[0034] Advantageously, the male interconnect element 20 is equipped with a stabilizer 44 that contacts the first printed circuit board 14 to hold the connecting pins 26 in the axial direction. The axial holding of the connecting pins 26 by the stabilizer 44 is particularly useful when mounting the male interconnect element 20 onto the first printed circuit board 14, as will be described below.

[0035] Advantageously, the stabilizer 44 in this case comprises two mounting studs 46, each of which is inserted into an associated mounting hole 48 provided within the first interconnection surface 24 of the first printed circuit board 14. Each mounting stud 46 in this case is connected to the body 50 of the stabilizer 44 by a radial arm 52 and comprises a radial collar 54 that abuts against the first interconnection surface 24 of the first printed circuit board 14.

[0036] In the illustrated example, the two mounting studs 46 of the stabilizer 44 are located on opposite sides of the main body 50.

[0037] Advantageously, the stabilizer 44 also includes lugs 56 that abut against the first interconnection surface 24 of the first printed circuit board 14. There are two lugs 56 in this case, positioned directly opposite each other with respect to the body 50. In this case, the lugs 56 are substantially aligned in the axial plane through the two connection pins 26.

[0038] In this case, the main body 50 of the stabilizer 44 is provided with two mounting holes 58 used to pass the stabilizer 44 over the two connecting pins 26.

[0039] According to the first embodiment shown in the figure, each connecting pin 26 includes a first stopping element 60 that enables the centering portion 36 to be maintained axially at a predetermined axial position on the connecting pin 26, and a second stopping element 62 that enables the stabilizer 44 to be maintained axially at a predetermined axial position. When each connecting pin 26 is formed from a metal blade, as in Figure 2, the stopping elements 60 and 62 consist of bumps generated by stamping.

[0040] Next, a second embodiment of the interconnection assembly 34 according to the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 3. This second embodiment relates to an interconnection assembly 34 intended for transmitting data. In this case, a series of eight connecting pins 26 in the form of an elongated rod is used to allow data signals to pass from a first printed circuit board 14 to a second printed circuit board 16.

[0041] This second embodiment differs from the first embodiment primarily in that the centering portion 36 comprises a body 64 having a series of eight mounting orifices 42 that allow the centering portion 36 to pass over eight connecting pins 26. In this case, the centering portion 36 comprises two centering orifices 38 located on either side of the body 64. These two centering orifices 38 are configured to interact with two centering pins 40, as will be described later.

[0042] In this case, the second embodiment also differs from the first embodiment by having a stabilizer 44 that has a series of eight mounting holes 58 that allow the stabilizer 44 to be passed over eight connection pins 26. In all other respects, the stabilizer 44 is substantially the same as the stabilizer 44 of the first embodiment.

[0043] Next, a method for assembly and electrical connection according to the present invention will be described with particular reference to Figures 4 to 7. The method will be described in the context of assembling two printed circuit boards 14, 16, which include several interconnection assemblies 34 provided for interconnecting the two printed circuit boards 14, 16.

[0044] Naturally, this method can be used to assemble three or more printed circuit boards, especially when the three or more printed circuit boards are integrated into a casing 12 that is relatively compact compared to the number of electronic components 18 housed within it, such as in the case of a composite electronic unit 10 having three or more printed circuit boards arranged vertically and interconnected.

[0045] Figure 4 shows the first step a) of mounting the male interconnection element 20 onto the first interconnection surface 24 of the first printed circuit board 14.

[0046] Step a) aims to enable mounting the male interconnect element 20 onto the first interconnect surface 24 such that, when the first printed circuit board 14 is oriented vertically, the connecting pins 26 extend parallel to the axial direction A1 of the connection, in this case downward.

[0047] Step a) includes a first substep a1) of mounting the female connector 32 onto the first interconnect surface 24 of the first printed circuit board 14. Each female connector 32 has a housing 28 adapted to receive associated connecting pins 26 in order to form a male interconnect element 20.

[0048] To insert the connecting pins 26 into the female connector 32, the method proposes a substep a1.1) in which stabilizers 44 are mounted on the connecting pins 26 by passing them over the connecting pins 26 through the mounting orifice 42 of the stabilizers 44. Each stabilizer 44 is positioned near the first free end 66 of the connecting pins 26 so as to be mounted on the first interconnection surface 24 of the first printed circuit board 14.

[0049] The method includes step A) in which the centering portion 36 is assembled onto the connecting pin 26 by passing it onto the connecting pin 26 through the mounting orifice 42 of the centering portion 36. Each centering portion 36 is positioned on the second free end 68 of the connecting pin 26, opposite to the stabilizer 44.

[0050] Advantageously, the method includes substep a1.2) in which the connecting pins 26, equipped with stabilizers 44 and centering portions 36, are positioned on an intermediate support element 70 adapted to support these connecting pins 26.

[0051] As shown in Figure 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 connecting pins 26 of different lengths. The plate 72 allows the connecting pins 26 to be kept within the axial position A1, so that all of the connecting pins 26 extend in a direction parallel to the axial direction A1 of the electrical connections, and as a result the first free ends 66 of the connecting pins 26 supporting the stabilizer 44 are positioned at the same or a preferred height so that the free ends 66 can be inserted into female connectors 32 mounted on the first interconnection surface 24 of the first printed circuit board 14.

[0052] In the illustrated example, all female connectors 32 are mounted directly onto the first interconnection surface 24 of the first printed circuit board 14 so as to be at the same height, with no difference in height, so that the first free ends 66 of the connecting pins 26 are all at the same height.

[0053] In substep a2), the first printed circuit board 14 and the intermediate support element 70 are brought closer together. For example, as shown in Figure 4, the first support element 76 supports the first printed circuit board 14 such that the first interconnection surface 24 of the first printed circuit board 14 faces the intermediate support element 70, and allows the first printed circuit board 14 to be moved toward the intermediate support element 70 in the axial direction A1 of the electrical connections until all the connection pins 26 supported by the intermediate support element 70 are inserted into the associated female interconnection element 22.

[0054] After these are brought closer together, the stabilizer 44 contacts the first interconnection surface 24 of the first printed circuit board 14 via the lugs 56 of the stabilizer 44, and the mounting studs 46 are received in the associated mounting holes 48, as shown in the upper part of Figure 5.

[0055] Figure 5 shows a first printed circuit board 14 equipped with male interconnect elements 20, ready to be interconnected with a second printed circuit board 16 already assembled inside the casing 12 of the electronic unit 10. Note that in this case, the connecting pins 26 extend downward in the axial direction A1, with the centering portion 36 of the connecting pins 26 on the same side as the second free end 68.

[0056] In step b), the female interconnection element 22 is mounted on the second interconnection surface 30 of the second printed circuit board 16, in which case the second interconnection surface 30 faces upward in the axial direction A1 of the electrical connection.

[0057] In this case, the female interconnection element 22 takes the form of a female connector 32 similar to that used on the first printed circuit board 14 and is intended to be received by inserting the connecting pins 26 of the male interconnection element 20.

[0058] In step c), the first printed circuit board 14 is positioned opposite, and in this case above, the second printed circuit board 16 by the first support element 76 supporting the first printed circuit board 14 and the second support element 78 supporting the second printed circuit board 16, so that the male interconnect element is aligned in the axial direction A1 with respect to the female interconnect element to which it is associated.

[0059] In the example shown in Figure 5, the second support element 78 supports the casing 12, on which the printed circuit board and electronic components 18 are already pre-assembled.

[0060] In step d), the two printed circuit boards 14 and 16 are brought closer together until each connection pin 26 is received within the housing of the associated female connector 32, thereby electrically connecting the two printed circuit boards 14 and 16 through interconnection.

[0061] In step d), the centering portion 36 interacts with a centering pin 40 supported by the second support element 78 to guide the second printed circuit board 16 relative to the first printed circuit board 14 in the radial plane.

[0062] The guidance during step d) will be better understood by referring to Figures 6 and 7, which schematically show the assembly steps for interconnecting the printed circuit boards 14 and 16. In Figures 6 and 7, various elements are shown in a simplified manner for ease of understanding.

[0063] Figure 6 schematically shows a first support element 76 supporting a first printed circuit board 14, which in this case is provided with a male interconnect element 20 formed by two female connectors 32 equipped with two connecting pins 26 each. The male interconnect element 20 is equipped with a stabilizer 44 mounted within the first interconnect surface 24, which provides some rigidity to the assembly in particular so that the connecting pins 26 are held in the axial direction A1. The male interconnect element 20 is also equipped with a centering portion 36, in this case the centering portion 36 has a centering orifice 38 at its center, in other words, between the two connecting pins 26.

[0064] Also shown is a second support element 78 supporting a second printed circuit board 16, which is provided with two female connectors 32 adapted to receive the second free ends 68 of two associated connection pins 26. The second support element 78 is provided with a centering pin 40 that extends axially, in this case upward, through the second printed circuit board 16 toward the first printed circuit board 14.

[0065] In this case, the second printed circuit board 16 has a window 80 that allows the centering pin 40 to pass through.

[0066] In Figure 6, the two printed circuit boards 14 and 16 are axially aligned such that the free ends of each connection pin 26 face the associated female connector 32 of the second printed circuit board 16.

[0067] To achieve electrical connection through the interconnection of the two printed circuit boards 14 and 16, the two support elements 76 and 78 are gradually moved closer to each other. For example, the first support element 76 is moved axially toward the second support element 78. When this happens, the centering pin 40 moves closer to the centering orifice 38.

[0068] When centering is perfect, that is, when the two printed circuit boards 14 and 16 are perfectly aligned with respect to each other in the radial plane, the centering pin 40 enters the center of the centering orifice 38 and passes through the centering orifice 38 to an axial position where the connecting pin 26 is received in the female connector 32 of the second printed circuit board 16, as shown in Figure 7.

[0069] If centering is not perfect, i.e., if the two printed circuit boards 14, 16 are slightly offset radially from each other to the desired position for interconnection, the centering pin 40 contacts a first frustoconical portion 39 formed at the entrance of the centering orifice 38 and then slides across this first frustoconical portion 39 until it guides the centering pin 40 toward the center of the centering orifice 38 and the second cylindrical portion 43 of the centering orifice 38. The free end of the centering pin 40 has a suitable shape, for example, a substantially hemispherical or rounded end, to ensure sliding across the first frustoconical portion 39.

[0070] If the two printed circuit boards 14 and 16 are radially offset from each other, and the centering pin 40 comes into contact with the centering portion 36 adjacent to the entrance to the centering orifice 38, a signal is emitted indicating that the relative movement between the first support element 76 and the second support element 78 is stopped or that there is a misalignment that prevents interconnection.

[0071] Naturally, the axial direction A1 of the connection can be oriented in different ways, for example, it can extend horizontally instead of vertically. The printed circuit boards 14 and 16 can be oriented in different ways, for example, the first printed circuit board 14 can be placed below the second printed circuit board 16.

[0072] Next, with reference to Figures 8 to 11, another embodiment of the assembly and interconnection method will be described, which is intended to allow checking the correct electrical connection between the two printed circuit boards 14 and 16 in verification step e).

[0073] In Figures 8 to 11, the printed circuit boards 14 and 16 are shown upside down compared to the previous figure, with the first printed circuit board 14 at the bottom and the second printed circuit board 16 at the top.

[0074] According to an advantageous embodiment, the centering pin 40 is mounted to slide axially on the second support element 78, allowing it to occupy multiple axial positions relative to the support element 78 and providing an indication of the state of the electrical connection between the male interconnect element 20 and the female interconnect element 22.

[0075] In this case, the centering pin 40 is connected to the second support element 78 by an elastic return element 82, which pushes the centering pin 40 toward the stationary axial position shown in Figure 8. The elastic return element 82 is mounted, for example, on one side on the support element 78 and on the other side on a mounting member 84 that slides axially with the centering pin 40, which defines the initial distance d0 between the second support element 78 and the mounting member 84.

[0076] Advantageously, the centering pin 40 is provided with several axial markers R0, R1, R2 distributed axially along the length of the centering pin 40, so as to enable 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 moves axially, for example, in conjunction with the second support element 78.

[0077] Before interconnection, as shown in Figure 8, the initial position marker R0 is identified by the sensor 88.

[0078] At the end of step d) of the electrical connection, if the two printed circuit boards 14 and 16 are precisely aligned with respect to each other, as shown in Figure 9, the centering pin 40 is received in the centering orifice 38 of the centering section 36.

[0079] Advantageously, as shown in Figure 9, the centering pin 40 has a contact surface 86 that contacts the first frustoconical portion 39 or chamfered portion so that the axial position of the centering pin 40, or the axial connection position, when the two printed circuit boards 14 and 16 are interconnected corresponds to a connection distance d1 between the second support element 78 and the mounting member 84 that is different from the initial distance d0, and in this case pushes the elastic return element in the extension direction.

[0080] At this interconnection point, the interconnection marker R1 is positioned opposite the sensor 88, making it possible to visually confirm the completion of the interconnection.

[0081] At the end of connection step d), as shown in Figure 10, if the centering pin 40 has passed next to the centering portion 36, the centering pin 40 is not in axial contact with the second support element 78 during its downward movement, so that it is in the same initial axial position as in Figure 8. The distance between the second support element 78 and the mounting member 84 is still the initial distance d0, and the sensor 88 detects the initial position marker R0.

[0082] If, at the end of connection step d), the centering pin 40 is eccentric and in contact with the centering portion 36, then, as shown in Figure 11, the centering pin 40 is in an axially eccentric position where the distance d2 between the second support element 78 and the mounting member 84 is greater because the mounting member 84 has moved away from the rear surface of the second support element 78. The mounting member 84 pulls the elastic return element 82. The sensor 88 then detects a second marker R2 indicating the eccentric position of the centering member 40 and the lack of connection of the associated interconnecting elements. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0083] 10 Electronic Units 12 Casing 14. First printed circuit board 16. Second printed circuit board 18 Electronic Components 20 Male interconnection elements 22 Female interconnection element 24 First interconnection surface 26 connection pins 28 Housing 30 Second interconnection surface 32 Female connectors 34 Interconnection Assembly 36 Centering section 38 Centering orifice 39 The first frustum of a cone 40 Centering pins 41 Entrance 42 Mounting orifice 43 Second cylindrical section 44 Stabilizer 45 Cylindrical end portion 46 Mounting studs 48 mounting holes 50 Stabilizer body 52 Radial Arm 54 Radial Color 56 rugs 58 mounting holes 60 First stopping element 62 Second stopping element 64 Main body of the centering section 66 First free end 68 Second free end 70 Intermediate support element 72 plates 74 platforms 76. First supporting element 78. Second supporting element 80 windows 82 Elastic return element 84 Mounting components 86 Contact surface 88 sensors Axial direction of A1 connection

Claims

1. A method for assembling at least two printed circuit boards (14, 16) intended to be electrically interconnected in the axial direction (A1) of the connection, wherein the method comprises the following steps: a) A step of mounting at least one male interconnection element (20) onto a first interconnection surface (24) of a first printed circuit board (14), wherein the male interconnection element (20) comprises at least one connecting pin (26) extending parallel to the axial direction (A1) of the connection, b) A step of mounting at least one female interconnect element (22) onto a second interconnect surface (30) of a second printed circuit board (16), wherein the female interconnect element (22) comprises a housing (28) adapted to receive the connecting pins (26) of the male interconnect element (20) by insertion, c) Positioning the second printed circuit board (16) so that it faces the first printed circuit board (14) in the axial direction, by the first support element (76) supporting the first printed circuit board (14) and by the second support element (78) supporting the second printed circuit board (16), such that the male interconnect element (20) is aligned in the axial direction with the female interconnect element (22) to which it is associated; d) The step of electrically connecting the two printed circuit boards (14, 16) by bringing them close 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, In a method including, The method further includes step A) before step d), which involves assembling at least one centering portion (36) onto at least one connecting pin (26), In step d), the centering portion (36) interacts with at least one centering pin (40) supported by the second support element (78) so as to guide the second printed circuit board (16) relative to the first printed circuit board (14) in the radial plane. A method characterized by the following features.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the centering portion (36) comprises a centering orifice (38) complementary to the centering pin (40), and the entrance to the centering orifice (38) comprises a first frustoconical portion (39) adapted to guide the free end of the centering pin (40) toward the center of the centering orifice (38) in step d).

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that in step A), the centering portion (36) is positioned near the free end of the connecting pin (26) by passing the centering portion (36) onto the connecting pin (26) via an associated mounting orifice (42) disposed on the centering portion (36).

4. Step a) is the following substep, namely a1) A substep of mounting at least one female interconnect element (22) onto the first interconnect surface (24) of the first printed circuit board (14), wherein the female interconnect element (22) comprises at least one housing (28) adapted to receive the connecting pins (26) of the male interconnect element (20), a2) A substep of inserting the connecting pin (26) into the housing (28) of the associated female interconnection element (22), The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by including

5. Step a) is performed before substep a2), the following a1.1) A substep of assembling at least one stabilizer (44), wherein the stabilizer (44) is provided such that when the male interconnect element (20) is attached to the first printed circuit board (14), it abuts against the first printed circuit board (14) and holds the connecting pin (26) in the axial direction. The method according to claim 4, characterized by including

6. Step a) is performed after substep a1.1) and before substep a2), the following a1.2) The substep includes positioning the male interconnect element (20) to which the stabilizer (44) is attached on an intermediate support element (70) which is adapted to support at least one male interconnect element (20) in the axial direction (A1) of the connection, Step a2) is performed by moving the first printed circuit board (14) relative to the intermediate support element (70) in the axial direction (A1) of the connection until the connecting pin (26) is inserted into the housing (28) of the associated female interconnection element (22) and the stabilizer (44) contacts the first interconnection surface (24) of the first printed circuit board (14). The method according to claim 5, characterized in that

7. It comprises at least first and second printed circuit boards (14, 16) that are at least partially overlapped in the axial direction (A1) of the electrical connections, In a set of interconnected printed circuit boards (14, 16), the first printed circuit board (14) has a first interconnection surface (24) that extends parallel to the axial direction (A1) of the electrical connection and includes at least one male interconnection element (20) that is inserted into a housing (28) belonging to a female interconnection element (22) mounted on the second interconnection surface (30) of the second printed circuit board (16), and is provided with at least one connecting pin (26), The connecting pin (26) is equipped with at least one centering portion (36) having a centering orifice (38) that passes over the connecting pin (26) and is adapted to interact with the centering pin (40) when the connecting pin (26) is inserted into the female interconnecting element (22). A set of interconnected printed circuit boards (14, 16) characterized by the following features.

8. The set according to claim 7, characterized in that the male interconnecting element (20) has two connecting pins (26), the centering portion (36) has two mounting orifices (42) arranged on both sides of the centering orifice (38), and the centering portion (36) passes over the two connecting pins (26) via the mounting orifices (42).

9. The set according to claim 8, characterized in that the male interconnect element (20) comprises several groups of connecting pins (26), the centering portion (36) passes over the several groups of connecting pins (26) via an associated mounting orifice (42), and the groups of connecting pins (26) are inserted into a group of housings (28) of an associated female interconnect element (22).

10. The set according to claim 9, characterized in that the centering portion (36) comprises two centering orifices (38) positioned on both sides of the group of connecting pins (26), wherein the centering orifices (38) are adapted to interact with two associated centering pins (40) when the group of connecting pins (26) is inserted into the associated female interconnection element (22).

11. The set according to any one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the male interconnection element (20) is equipped with a stabilizer (44) that contacts the first printed circuit board (14) so ​​as to hold the connecting pin (26) in the axial direction.

12. The set according to claim 11, characterized in that the stabilizer (44) comprises at least one mounting stud (46) inserted into associated mounting holes (48) in the first printed circuit board (14).

13. The set according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the stabilizer (44) has at least one lug (56) that contacts the first interconnection surface (24) of the first printed circuit board (14).

14. The set according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the stabilizer (44) comprises a main body (50) provided with a mounting hole (58), and the stabilizer (44) can be passed over the connecting pin (26) through the mounting hole (58).

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