Light module for motor vehicle and method for producing light module
By setting up spacer element receiving openings on the circuit board and inserting the spacer element, the problems of temperature increase and optical instability under high power density of the optical module are solved, and more stable optical performance and reduced temperature are achieved.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202510055686.2
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2024-01-18
- Filing Date
- 2025-01-14
- Publication Date
- 2025-07-18
AI Technical Summary
When existing optical modules achieve high power density, the temperature of the component increases, affecting the durability of the electronic components, and the air gap between the optical conductor and the optical unit leads to unstable optical performance.
A spacer element receiving opening is provided on the circuit board, and the spacer element is inserted to maintain a defined distance between the light conductor and the light unit. The light conductor is fixed by the support section and the holding section of the spacer element to ensure stable alignment of the light incident surface with the light unit.
The operating temperature of the optical unit is reduced by about 3°C to 4°C, the protrusions of the optical conductor are reduced, and the mechanical stability and optical performance of the optical module are improved.
Smart Images
Figure CN120332698A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to an optical module for a motor vehicle, in particular for a motor vehicle headlamp, wherein the optical module comprises: a circuit board, at least one light conductor, and at least one light unit arranged flat on one side of the circuit board, the light unit having a light-emitting surface for emitting light, wherein the light unit preferably comprises at least one LED light source, and wherein the circuit board plane is constituted by the said one side of the circuit board. Background Art
[0002] The light conductor can be used to guide the light emitted by the light unit from the circuit board to a desired radiation range and generate a desired light distribution within the radiation range. For this purpose, the light conductor is usually supported directly on the light unit at the circuit board in such a way that the light-incident surface of the light conductor is associated with the light unit.
[0003] An air gap is created between the light-incident surface and the light unit by this construction. In practice, the task of creating an optical module with a higher power density and thus usually lower cost is partly distinct from the technical task of achieving high durability of the light unit. That is to say, a higher power density usually results in an increase in the component temperature, which has a negative impact on the durability of the electronic components. Therefore, in order to achieve a higher power density under a constant temperature load, a carefully designed cooling system is used in practice. In addition, continuous efforts are being made to improve the efficiency of the light sources used in the light unit. Summary of the Invention
[0004] It is an object of the invention to provide an optical module that achieves an increase in power density.
[0005] This object is achieved by an optical module of the above type, wherein according to the invention, the circuit board has at least one spacer element receiving opening, which is arranged around at least one optical unit, wherein at least one spacer element receiving opening penetrates the circuit board and is provided for receiving a spacer element, wherein the optical module further has at least one spacer element, which is arranged in at least one spacer element receiving opening, wherein the at least one spacer element has at least two sections, namely a holding section penetrating the spacer element receiving opening and at least one support section arranged at one end of the holding section, the support section being widened compared to the holding section and preventing the spacer element from passing through the spacer element receiving opening, wherein the support section is arranged on the same side of the circuit board as the at least one optical unit, and the support section is bounded at its end remote from the circuit board by a flat support surface, wherein the support surface is oriented substantially parallel to the circuit board plane, wherein the optical conductor has a light incident surface facing the optical unit for receiving light, and wherein the light incident surface of the optical conductor is at least partially surrounded by at least one support region of the optical conductor, and the support region of the optical conductor is supported at the support surface of the spacer element to determine a defined normal spacing of the light incident surface of the optical conductor relative to the optical unit.
[0006] By inserting the spacer element, a defined minimum spacing to the optical conductor can be specified, which is maintained independently of the manufacturing accuracy and positioning accuracy of the optical conductor. In this way, the temperature of the optical unit during normal operation can be reduced by about 3 °C to 4 °C compared to a variant in which the optical conductor is directly supported on the circuit board. Specifically, the size of the air gap can be influenced in a targeted manner by selecting the construction of the spacer element. In addition, protrusions at the optical conductor can be reduced or even omitted.
[0007] In particular, it can be provided that the support section of the spacer element protrudes further from the circuit board in the normal direction of the circuit board plane compared to the light exit surface of the optical unit, such that the support surface exceeds the light exit surface in the normal direction. Thus, even if no protrusions are arranged at the corresponding optical conductor and the incident surface just extends over the entire cross-section of the optical conductor, the optical conductor in this variant does not contact the optical unit.
[0008] In addition, it can be provided that at least one protrusion, preferably two protrusions, are formed in the support region of the optical conductor, which protrude from the optical conductor in the direction towards the support surface of the spacer element and are supported at the support surface.
[0009] In particular, it can be provided that the holding section of the spacer element is configured such that the holding section fills the spacer element receiving opening in a form-fitting manner. Thereby, a particularly good holding of the spacer element can be achieved.
[0010] Furthermore, it can be stipulated that at least one optical unit is surrounded by at least two, preferably exactly two, spacer element receiving openings, wherein the spacer element receiving openings are arranged spatially around the optical unit such that: in the case where there are exactly two spacer element receiving openings around the optical unit, the center of the imaginary connecting line between the spacer element receiving openings approximately coincides with the geometric centroid of the light-emitting surface of the optical unit, and / or in the case where there are three or more spacer element receiving openings around the optical unit, the centroid of the imaginary polygon approximately coincides with the geometric centroid of the light-emitting surface of the optical unit, wherein the imaginary polygon is formed such that each spacer element receiving opening located around the optical unit forms a vertex of the polygon, and each vertex is connected to the two nearest vertices by straight lines. In this way, a mechanically particularly stable mounting is created. In the case where there are three spacer element receiving openings around the optical unit, a triangle is formed thereby, and a quadrilateral in the case of four openings, etc. The advantage here is that the geometric figure formed in this way surrounds the light-emitting surface of the optical unit. Therefore, in the case of a circular or square light-radiating surface, a uniform spacing between the openings is advantageous.
[0011] "Around the optical unit" can be understood as a spacing of at most 3 mm measured between the optical unit (i.e., the boundary point of the optical unit closest to the opening) and the spacer element receiving opening (also the boundary point closest to the optical unit).
[0012] In particular, it can be stipulated that the optical module has two or more optical units, wherein at least one spacer element receiving opening and a light conductor are respectively assigned to the two or more optical units, and the spacer element receiving openings respectively receive a spacer element therein.
[0013] Furthermore, it can be stipulated that the support section and the holding section of the spacer element are respectively configured as substantially cylindrical with a common longitudinal axis.
[0014] In particular, it can be stipulated that the spacing between the spacer element receiving opening and the nearest point of the associated optical unit is at most 3 mm, especially between 1.5 mm and 3 mm. Usually, this spacing can be, for example, 2 mm.
[0015] Furthermore, it should be noted that any technical feature mentioned for a single element can also be applicable to multiple or all elements of the same element type. That is, the mentioned spacings, geometric arrangements, etc. between each other can be applied to one element, two or more elements, or even all elements.
[0016] Furthermore, it can be stipulated that the spacer element receiving opening is configured as a hole with a circular hole diameter between 1 mm and 2 mm. Usually, the diameter can be, for example, 1.2 mm.
[0017] In particular, it can be provided that the cross-sectional area of the support section is at least four times the cross-sectional area of the holding section of the spacer element.
[0018] Furthermore, it can be provided that the holding section of the spacer element is fixed in the spacer element receiving opening.
[0019] In particular, it can be provided that the spacer element further has a securing section which is arranged at the end of the holding section opposite the support section, wherein the securing section is widened relative to the holding section. This can be achieved, for example, by spreading or hot riveting.
[0020] Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for manufacturing an optical module according to the invention, wherein the method comprises the following steps:
[0021] a) Providing a circuit board which is equipped with at least one optical unit, wherein the circuit board has at least one spacer element receiving opening which passes through the circuit board and is provided for receiving a spacer element,
[0022] b) Providing at least one spacer element, wherein the at least one spacer element has at least two sections, namely a holding section which passes through the spacer element receiving opening and at least one support section which is arranged at one end of the holding section and is widened compared to the holding section,
[0023] c) Inserting the at least one spacer element into the at least one spacer element receiving opening,
[0024] d) Establishing a connection between the at least one spacer element and the at least one spacer element receiving opening, the connection preventing displacement of the at least one spacer element in the normal direction of the circuit board,
[0025] e) Positioning an optical conductor having a light incident surface at the circuit board such that the optical unit faces the light incident surface for receiving light, wherein the light incident surface of the optical conductor is surrounded by at least one support region of the optical conductor, and the support region of the optical conductor bears against the support surface of the spacer element in order to define a defined normal spacing of the light incident surface of the optical conductor relative to the optical unit.
[0026] The connection according to step d) can be accomplished, for example, by gluing, hot riveting or mechanical spreading.
[0027] In particular, it can be provided that the optical conductor is spatially fixed relative to the circuit board in the position according to step e). This can be achieved, for example, by a firm connection in a common housing, at the circuit board and / or other components, the other components being connected to it in a position-fixed manner relative to the circuit board.
[0028] Furthermore, it can be stipulated that the insertion of at least one spacer element in step c) is automatically completed by optically detecting the use of the receiving opening of at least one spacer element. Thus, for example, a specifiable geometry and dimensions of the opening (excluding the spacer element receiving opening) can be provided at the circuit board, for example in the form of a round hole with a specific diameter, which diameter can thus be automatically recognized and assigned.
[0029] The support section of the spacer element can also be configured in the form of an ellipse or a shape whose cross-section corresponds to a slot (that is, the support section can form-fit into the slot). The elliptical or slot-shaped design has the following advantages: in the longitudinal direction of the geometry of the support section, a larger tolerance is created in terms of positioning, while in the narrow direction, the spacer element requires less space. The particular advantage of this is that there are different precisions / tolerances in two different directions in the circuit board plane during the assembly or production process, and this can be addressed by the corresponding shape design and positioning of the support section. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0030] The present invention will be further explained below with reference to the exemplary and non-limiting embodiments shown in the drawings.
[0031] The drawings are:
[0032] Figure 1a is a schematic view of the optical module according to the present invention without an optical conductor,
[0033] Figure 1b is a view of the optical module according to Figure 1a seen from obliquely below,
[0034] Figure 1c is according to Figure 1a and Figure 1b a top view of the optical module,
[0035] Figure 2a is according to Figures 1a to 1c a perspective view of the optical module including an optical conductor,
[0036] Figure 2b is according to Figure 2a a cross-sectional view of the optical module,
[0037] Figure 3 is according to Figure 2a a perspective view of the optical module including a heat sink,
[0038] Figure 4 is according to Figure 3 a perspective view of the optical module including a part of the frame structure,
[0039] Figure 5ais a schematic view of an exemplary assembly process, and
[0040] Figure 5b is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary connection process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0041] In the following figures, unless otherwise stated, the same reference numerals denote the same features.
[0042] Figure 1a shows a schematic view of the optical module 1 according to the invention without the optical conductor 6 (as Figure 2a shown). The optical module 1 is suitable for use at / in a motor vehicle and can be used in particular in a motor vehicle headlamp. The optical module 1 includes a circuit board 2 and at least one optical unit 3 arranged flatly on one side of the circuit board 2, the optical unit having a light-emitting surface 3a for emitting light. In the present application, the optical unit 3 exemplarily has an LED light source 3b, where Figure 1a two quadruples are shown in the upper left region of, and two individual LEDs 3b are shown on its right side. The side of the circuit board 2 on which the light source 3b is arranged constitutes the circuit board plane yz. Orthogonally oriented thereto is the axis x, which thus extends perpendicular to the circuit board plane yz.
[0043] In Figure 1a and Figure 1b , it can be seen that in this example one of the four spacer elements 5 that are generally provided is not shown to show that the circuit board 2 has a plurality of spacer element receiving openings 4, i.e., each spacer element 5 has an associated opening 4. These openings 4 are arranged around the associated optical unit 3, and at least one spacer element receiving opening 4 penetrates the circuit board 2 and is provided for receiving the spacer element 5.
[0044] As previously mentioned, the optical module 1 also has spacer elements 5, each of which is arranged in a spacer element receiving opening 4. At least one spacer element 5 has at least two sections, namely a holding section 5b that penetrates the spacer element receiving opening 4 (see Figure 2b ), and at least one support section 5a arranged at one end of the holding section 5b. The support section 5a is widened compared to the holding section 5b and prevents the spacer element 5 from passing through the spacer element receiving opening 4. The support section 5a is arranged on the same side of the circuit board 2 as at least one optical unit 3. At its end remote from the circuit board 2, it is bounded by a flat support surface 5a'. The support surface 5a' is oriented generally parallel to the circuit board plane yz. The optical module 1 can have two or more optical units 3, where at least one spacer element receiving opening 4 and one optical conductor 6 are respectively assigned to two or more optical units 3, and each spacer element receiving opening 4 has a spacer element 5 received therein.
[0045] In Figure 1b it can also be seen that the spacer element 5 also has a safety section 5c which is arranged at the end of the holding section 5b opposite the support section 5a, and the safety section 5c is widened relative to the holding section 5b. The widening can be achieved, for example, by spreading or hot riveting.
[0046] Figure 2a A perspective view of the optical module 1 according to Figures 1a to 1c is shown in the case of including an optical conductor 6. Here, as an example, the optical module 1 has three optical conductors 6. Each optical conductor has a light incident surface 6a for receiving light facing the associated optical unit 3 (see Figure 2b ). The light incident surface 6a of the optical conductor 6 is at least partially surrounded by at least one support region 6b of the optical conductor 6. The support region 6b of the optical conductor 6 is supported at the support surface 5a' of the spacer element 5 to determine a defined normal spacing d of the light incident surface 6a of the optical conductor 6 relative to the optical unit 3.
[0047] Figure 2b A sectional view of the optical module 1 according to Figure 2a is shown. In Figure 2a and Figure 2b it can be seen that, compared with the light exit surface 3a of the optical unit 3, the support section 5a of the spacer element 5 projects farther from the circuit board 2 in the normal direction of the circuit board plane yz, such that the support surface 5a' exceeds the light exit surface 3a in the -x normal direction. Furthermore, it can be seen by way of example that at least one protrusion 6b', preferably two protrusions 6b', can be arranged in the support region 6b of the optical conductor 6, and the protrusion projects from the optical conductor 6 in the direction towards the support surface 5a' of the spacer element 5 and is supported at the support surface 5a'. The holding section 5b of the spacer element 5 is preferably configured such that the holding section fills the spacer element receiving opening 4 in a form-fitting manner.
[0048] At least one optical unit 3 can be surrounded by at least two, preferably exactly two, spacer element receiving openings 4, wherein the spacer element receiving openings 4 are arranged spatially around the optical unit 3 such that, in the case where there are exactly two spacer element receiving openings 4 around the optical unit 3, the center of the imaginary connecting line between the spacer element receiving openings 4 coincides approximately with the geometric centroid of the light-emitting surface 3a of the optical unit 3, and / or in the case where there are three or more spacer element receiving openings 4 around the optical unit 3, the centroid of the imaginary polygon coincides approximately with the geometric centroid of the light-emitting surface 3a of the optical unit 3, wherein the imaginary polygon is formed such that each spacer element receiving opening 4 located around the optical unit 3 forms a vertex of the polygon, and each vertex is connected by a straight line to the two nearest vertices. In addition, the holding section 5b of the spacer element 5 can be fixed in the spacer element receiving opening 4.
[0049] Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the optical module 1 according to Figure 2a in the case of including the heat sink 7, which is provided for dissipating the loss heat generated at the circuit board 2 and / or at the electronic components arranged at the circuit board 2.
[0050] Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the optical module according to Figure 3 in the case of including a part of the frame structure 8. The frame structure 8 is provided for guiding and at least partially fastening the optical conductor and can also form a visible part of the vehicle headlamp design.
[0051] Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for manufacturing the optical module 1 according to the invention, comprising the following steps:
[0052] a) Providing a circuit board 2, which is equipped with at least one optical unit 3, wherein the circuit board 2 has at least one spacer element receiving opening 4, which penetrates the circuit board 2 and is provided for receiving a spacer element 5,
[0053] b) Providing at least one spacer element 5, wherein the at least one spacer element 5 has at least two sections, namely a holding section 5b that penetrates the spacer element receiving opening 4 and at least one support section 5a arranged at one end of the holding section 5b, and the support section 5a is widened compared to the holding section 5b,
[0054] c) Inserting at least one spacer element 5 into at least one spacer element receiving opening 4,
[0055] d) Establishing a connection between at least one spacer element 5 and at least one spacer element receiving opening 4, which prevents displacement of the at least one spacer element 5 in the normal direction x of the circuit board 2.
[0056] e) Position the light conductor 6 having a light-incident surface 6a at the circuit board 2 such that the light unit faces the light-incident surface for receiving light, wherein the light-incident surface 6a of the light conductor 6 is surrounded by at least one support region 6b of the light conductor 6, and the support region 6b of the light conductor 6 is supported at the support surface 5a' of the spacer element 5 to define a defined normal spacing d of the light-incident surface 6a of the light conductor 6 relative to the light unit 3.
[0057] In Figure 5b and Figure 1b In the illustrated embodiment, the connection according to step d) is carried out, for example, by thermal riveting. Furthermore, it can be provided that the light conductor 6 is spatially fixed relative to the circuit board 2 in the position according to step e). This fixing can be achieved by a firm connection to various components that are connected to the circuit board 2 in a position-fixed manner. Thus, the connection can be accomplished directly at the circuit board and / or other components (such as the frame element 8) via a common housing.
[0058] Figure 5a The figure shows a schematic view of an exemplary assembly process, namely the process of inserting the spacer element 5 into the circuit board 2. It can be provided that the support section 5a and the holding section 5b of the spacer element 5 are each configured to be substantially cylindrical with a common longitudinal axis x1. Preferably, it is provided that the insertion of at least one spacer element 5 in step c) is automatically completed using an optical detection of at least one spacer element receiving opening 4. Figure 5a The figure shows the spacer element 5 in two positions - one above the circuit board 2 and one in the inserted but not yet fixed state. Figure 5b The figure shows a cross-sectional view of an exemplary connection process that can then be completed by thermal riveting.
[0059] Looking Figure 5a , it can also be noted the exemplary dimensions related to the spacer element 5 (in the unriveted state).
[0060] It can be provided that the spacer element receiving opening 4 is configured as a circular hole with a diameter between 1 mm and 2 mm, and the cross-sectional area of the support section 5a is at least four times the cross-sectional area of the holding section 5b of the spacer element 5. It can be provided that the spacer element 5 has a diameter d1 between 2.5 mm and 6 mm in the region of the support section 5a, where the diameter is typically about 2.5 mm. It can be provided that the spacer element 5 has a diameter d2 between 0.8 mm and 1.5 mm in the region of the holding section 5b, where the diameter is typically about 1 mm. The length l1 of the support section 5a can be, for example, between 1.4 mm and 2.5 mm, typically about 1.5 mm. The length l2 of the holding section 5a can be, for example, between 3.5 mm and 5 mm, typically about 4.5 mm.
[0061] It can also be stipulated that the spacing between the receiving opening 4 of the spacer element and the closest point of the associated optical unit 6 is at most 3 mm, in particular between 1.5 mm and 3 mm.
[0062] The invention is not limited to the embodiments shown. In addition, the various aspects of the invention and the embodiments can be adopted and combined with each other.
Claims
1. An optical module (1) for a motor vehicle, wherein the optical module (1) comprises: - a circuit board (2); - at least one optical unit (3) arranged flat on one side of the circuit board (2), the optical unit (3) having a light-emitting surface (3a) for emitting light, wherein the one side of the circuit board (2) forms a circuit board plane (yz); and - at least one optical conductor (6), characterized in that the circuit board (2) has at least one spacer element receiving opening (4), the spacer element receiving opening (4) being arranged around at least one of the optical units (3), wherein at least one of the spacer element receiving openings (4) penetrates the circuit board (2) and is provided for receiving a spacer element (5), wherein the optical module (1) further has at least one spacer element (5), the spacer element (5) being arranged in at least one of the spacer element receiving openings (4), wherein at least one of the spacer elements (5) has at least a holding section (5b) penetrating the spacer element receiving opening (4) and at least one support section (5a) arranged at one end of the holding section (5b), the support section (5a) being widened compared to the holding section (5b) and preventing the spacer element (5) from passing through the spacer element receiving opening (4), wherein the support section (5a) is arranged on the same side of the circuit board (2) as at least one of the optical units (3), and the support section (5a) is bounded at the end of the support section (5a) remote from the circuit board (2) by a flat support surface (5a'), wherein the support surface (5a') is oriented parallel to the circuit board plane (yz), wherein the optical conductor (6) has a light-incident surface (6a), the light-incident surface (6a) facing the optical unit (3) for receiving light, wherein the light-incident surface (6a) of the optical conductor (6) is at least partially surrounded by at least one support area (6b) of the optical conductor (6), the support area (6b) of the optical conductor (6) being supported at the support surface (5a') of the spacer element (5) for determining a defined normal spacing (d) of the light-incident surface (6a) of the optical conductor (6) relative to the optical unit (3).
2. The optical module (1) according to claim 1, wherein, The optical module (1) is configured for a motor vehicle headlamp.
3. The optical module (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The optical unit (3) comprises at least one LED light source (3b).
4. The optical module (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, Compared to the light-emitting surface (3a) of the optical unit (3), the support section (5a) of the spacer element (5) projects further from the circuit board (2) in the normal direction (-x) of the circuit board plane (yz), such that the support surface (5a') exceeds the light-emitting surface (3a) in the normal direction (-x).
5. The optical module (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, At least one projection (6b′) is formed in the support region (6b) of the light conductor (6), which projects from the light conductor (6) in the direction of the support surface (5a′) of the spacer element (5) and is supported at the support surface (5a′).
6. The optical module (1) according to claim 5, wherein, Two projections (6b′) are formed in the support region (6b) of the light conductor (6).
7. The optical module (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The holding section (5b) of the spacer element (5) is configured such that the holding section (5b) fills the spacer element receiving opening (4) in a form-fitting manner.
8. The optical module (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, At least one of the light units (3) is surrounded by two spacer element receiving openings (4), wherein the spacer element receiving openings (4) are arranged spatially around the light unit (3) such that the center of the imaginary connecting line between the spacer element receiving openings (4) coincides with the geometric centroid of the light-emitting surface (3a) of the light unit (3).
9. The optical module (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, At least one of the light units (3) is surrounded by three or more spacer element receiving openings (4), wherein the spacer element receiving openings (4) are arranged spatially around the light unit (3) such that the centroid of the imaginary polygon coincides with the geometric centroid of the light-emitting surface (3a) of the light unit (3), wherein the imaginary polygon is configured such that each spacer element receiving opening (4) located around the light unit (3) forms a vertex of the polygon, and each vertex is connected to the two nearest vertices by a straight line.
10. The optical module (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The optical module (1) has two or more of the light units (3), wherein for the two or more light units (3) at least one of the spacer element receiving openings (4) is respectively assigned, and one of the light conductors (6) is respectively assigned.
11. The optical module (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The support section (5a) and the holding section (5b) of the spacer element (5) are each configured as a cylinder having a common longitudinal axis (x1).
12. The optical module (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The distance between the spacer element receiving opening (4) and the nearest point of the associated light unit (3) is at most 3 mm.
13. The optical module (1) according to claim 12, wherein, The distance is between 1.5 mm and 3 mm.
14. The optical module (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The spacer element receiving opening (4) is configured as a hole having a circular hole diameter between 1 mm and 2 mm.
15. The optical module (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The cross-sectional area of the support section (5a) is at least four times the cross-sectional area of the holding section (5b) of the spacer element (5).
16. The optical module (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The holding section (5b) of the spacer element (5) is fixed in the spacer element receiving opening (4).
17. The optical module (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The spacer element (5) further has a securing section (5c), which is arranged at the end of the holding section (5b) opposite the support section (5a), wherein the securing section (5c) is widened relative to the holding section (5b).
18. A method for manufacturing an optical module (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising the following steps: a) Provide a circuit board (2) equipped with at least one optical unit (3), wherein the circuit board (2) has at least one spacer element receiving opening (4), and at least one of the spacer element receiving openings (4) penetrates the circuit board (2) and is configured to receive a spacer element (5). b) Provide at least one spacer element (5), wherein at least one of the spacer elements (5) has at least a holding section (5b) penetrating the spacer element receiving opening (4) and at least one support section (5a) arranged at one end of the holding section (5b), and the support section (5a) is widened compared to the holding section (5b). c) Insert at least one of the spacer elements (5) into at least one of the spacer element receiving openings (4). d) Establish a connection between at least one of the spacer elements (5) and at least one of the spacer element receiving openings (4), the connection preventing displacement of at least one of the spacer elements (5) in the normal direction (x) of the circuit board (2). e) Position an optical conductor (6) having a light incident surface (6a) at the circuit board (2) such that the optical unit (3) faces the light incident surface (6a) for receiving light, wherein the light incident surface (6a) of the optical conductor (6) is surrounded by at least one support area (6b) of the optical conductor (6), and the support area (6b) of the optical conductor (6) is supported at the support surface (5a') of the spacer element (5) to determine a defined normal spacing (d) of the light incident surface (6a) of the optical conductor (6) relative to the optical unit (3).
19. The method according to claim 18, wherein, Fix the optical conductor (6) spatially relative to the circuit board (2) in the position according to step e).
20. The method according to claim 18 or 19, wherein Automatically complete the insertion of at least one of the spacer elements (5) in step c) using optical detection of at least one of the spacer element receiving openings (4).