Method for joining kit of printed circuit boards using centering element

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for joining at least two printed circuit boards (14, 16) intended to be electrically interconnected in an axial direction (A1) of the connection. The method comprises a step A) of joining at least one centering part (36) to at least one connection pin (26). The centering part (36) is intended to cooperate with at least one centering pin carried by the support element (78) in order to guide the printed circuit board (16) in a radial plane relative to the other printed circuit board (14).

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] The present invention more particularly relates to a method of assembly and electrical connection of a kit for an electrical circuit, the kit comprising several printed circuit boards stacked one on top of the other. BACKGROUND

[0003] The process of assembling automotive parts automatically involves stacking printed circuit boards in a housing and electrically interconnecting them using a solution that connects the printed circuit boards together without using flexible electrical wires.

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

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

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

[0007] Furthermore, the existing centring solutions generally require components to be customised according to the type of electrical assembly to be manufactured, which increases the number of reference parts required for assembly. SUMMARY

[0008] The present invention provides a method for assembling at least two printed circuit boards intended to be electrically interconnected in an axial direction of connection, the method comprising the steps of: a) mounting at least one male interconnection element on a first interconnection face of a first printed circuit board, the male interconnection element comprising at least one connection pin extending parallel to the axial direction of connection, b) mounting at least one female interconnection element on a second interconnection face of a second printed circuit board, the female interconnection element comprising a housing adapted to receive the connection pin of the male interconnection element by insertion, c) positioning the second printed circuit board axially opposite the first printed circuit board by means of a first support element carrying the first printed circuit board and by means of a second support element carrying 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 them 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 also comprises a step A) of assembling at least one centering part on the at least one connecting pin, before step d). Furthermore, in step d), the centering part interacts with at least one centering pin carried by the second support element in such a way as to guide the second printed circuit board in relation to the first printed circuit board in a radial plane.

[0010] The method according to the application makes it possible to assemble and interconnect printed circuit boards without supervision, while being able to determine whether the interconnection is complete, without having to resort to complex sensors.

[0011] The method according to the application makes it possible to reduce the size of the parts forming the kit of printed circuit boards by reducing the size of the parts needed for centering when interconnecting a plurality of printed circuit boards.

[0012] There is no longer any need to provide permanent centering pins on the printed circuit boards, which reduces the integration constraints resulting from the length of the centering pins used previously.

[0013] With the application, it is possible to reduce the number of reference parts when the kit of printed circuit boards comprises boards arranged at different heights.

[0014] The centering function is achieved with greater precision, which improves the quality of the assembly and reduces defects affecting the parts after assembly.

[0015] According to other features of the application: - the centering part comprises a centering orifice complementary to the centering pin, the entrance of the centering orifice comprising a first frustoconical portion adapted to guide the free end of the centering pin towards the center of the centering orifice in step d), - in step A), the centering part is positioned near the free end of the connecting pin by threading the centering part onto the connecting pin via an associated mounting orifice arranged on the centering part, - step a) comprises the following sub-steps: a1) 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 adapted to receive the connecting pin of the male interconnection element, a2) inserting the connecting pin into the housing of the associated female interconnection element; - step a) comprises the following sub-step implemented before sub-step a2): a1.1) assembling at least one stabilizer arranged to bear on the first printed circuit board when the male interconnection element is attached to the first printed circuit board and to hold the connecting pin in the axial direction; - 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 equipped with a stabilizer on an intermediate support element adapted to carry at least one male interconnection element in the axial direction of the electrical connection, and step a2) is achieved by relative movement of the first printed circuit board with respect to the intermediate support element in the axial direction of the electrical connection until the connection pin is inserted into the housing of the associated female interconnection element and the stabilizer bears against the first interconnection face of the first printed circuit board.

[0016] The invention also provides a kit of interconnected printed circuit boards comprising at least a first and a second printed circuit board at least partially overlapping in the axial direction of the 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 extending parallel to the axial direction of the electrical connection and inserted into a housing belonging to a female interconnection element mounted on a second interconnection face of the second printed circuit board.

[0017] In this kit of interconnected printed circuit boards, the connection pin is equipped with at least one centering piece which is threaded onto the connection pin and has a centering aperture adapted to interact with a centering pin when the connection pin is plugged into the female interconnection element.

[0018] According to other features of this kit: - the male interconnection element comprises two connection pins and the centering piece comprises two mounting apertures arranged on either side of the centering aperture, the centering piece being threaded onto the two connection pins via the mounting apertures; - the male interconnection element comprises a set of several connection pins, the centering piece being threaded onto the set of several connection pins via associated mounting apertures, said set of connection pins being inserted into a set of housings of the associated female interconnection element; - the centering piece comprises two centering apertures arranged on either side of the set of connection pins, these centering apertures being adapted to interact with two associated centering pins when the set of connection pins is plugged into the associated female interconnection element; - the male interconnection element is equipped with a stabilizer which bears on the first printed circuit board in such a way as to retain the connection pin in the axial direction; - the stabilizer comprises at least one attachment pin which is inserted into an associated attachment hole in the first printed circuit board; - the stabilizer comprises at least one lug which bears on the first interconnection face of the first printed circuit board; - the stabilizer comprises a main body provided with a mounting hole which allows the stabilizer to be threaded onto the connection pin(s) via said mounting hole. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0019] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, which is understood with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating an electronic unit equipped with a solution for electrical interconnection between first and second printed circuit boards according to the present invention; Figure 2 It is schematically shown that it is intended to be equipped with Figure 1 A perspective view of a first embodiment of the interconnection components of the electronic units; Figure 3 It is similar to Figure 2 The view schematically illustrates the design intended to equip... Figure 1 A second embodiment of the interconnection components of the electronic units; Figure 4 This is a side view, schematically showing the use of... Figure 1 An intermediate step in a method of assembling and connecting public interconnect components on a first printed circuit board; Figure 5 This is a side view, schematically illustrating another intermediate step for interconnecting the first printed circuit board to the second printed circuit board; Figure 6 This is a diagram showing the first and second printed circuit boards before centering; Figure 7 This is a diagram showing the first and second printed circuit boards after centering; Figure 8 , Figure 9 , Figure 10 , Figure 11 It is similar to Figure 6 and Figure 7 The figure shows the assembly and interconnection steps, as well as the means for detecting the axial position of the centering pin at the end of the interconnection step. Detailed Implementation

[0020] In the following description, the same, similar or analogous elements will be indicated by the same reference numerals.

[0021] Figure 1 An electronic unit 10 comprising a housing 12 is schematically depicted, in which a plurality of printed circuit boards 14, 16 are arranged to interconnect with each other. Each printed circuit board 14, 16 includes a series of electronic components 18 designed to be powered and electrically controlled by means of printed circuits (not shown) and electrical interconnecting elements 20, 22 (described below).

[0022] according to Figure 1In the simplified example shown, the electronic unit 10 forms a kit including a first printed circuit board 14 and a second printed circuit board 16, wherein the first printed circuit board 14 is located in the upper part of the housing 12 and the second printed circuit board 16 is located in the lower part of the housing 12. Thus, the two printed circuit boards 14, 16 overlap in the axial direction A1 of electrical connection, which in this case corresponds to a vertical orientation.

[0023] The first printed circuit board 14 includes at least one public interconnect element 20 on its first interconnect surface 24, the public interconnect element 20 having at least one connection pin 26 extending parallel to the axial direction A1 of the electrical connection. In the example shown, the public interconnect element 20 includes two parallel connection pins 26.

[0024] Each connection pin 26 is inserted into the housing 28 of the associated female interconnect element 22, which is mounted on the second interconnect surface 30 of the second printed circuit board 16.

[0025] According to the example shown, the female interconnect element 22 includes two female connectors 32 mounted on the second interconnect surface 30 of the second printed circuit board 16, and each includes two housings 28 configured to receive the free ends of each connection pin 26.

[0026] According to the example shown, the male interconnect element 20 includes two female connectors 32 and two connection pins 26. The female connectors 32 are similar to the female connectors of the female interconnect element 22 and are mounted on the first interconnect surface 24 of the first printed circuit board 16.

[0027] Advantageously, both connection pins 26 are equipped with centering parts 36, which are inserted into the connection pins 26 and have centering orifices 38 adapted to interact with centering pins 40 when the connection pins 26 are inserted into the female interconnect element 22. This will be discussed in detail below. Figure 6 and Figure 7 This step describes the assembly method.

[0028] The centering orifice 38 in this case includes a first truncated cone portion 39 or chamfer at its entrance 41, and a second cylindrical portion 43 that complements the cylindrical end portion 45 of the centering pin 40.

[0029] exist Figure 2 A first embodiment of the interconnect component 34 according to the invention is shown in more detail below. This first embodiment relates to an interconnect component 34 for power lines, which uses two connection pins 26 (in the form of flat blades in this case) to transfer power current from a first printed circuit board 14 to a second printed circuit board 16.

[0030] It should be noted that, in this case, interconnect component 34 is relative to Figure 1 The configuration shown is inverted, with the male interconnect element 20 located in the lower part and the female interconnect element 22 located in the upper part.

[0031] It should be noted that the interconnect component 34 is shown in this case as having an associated female connector 32, in which each free end of the connection pin 26 is inserted. Of course, it should be appreciated that these female connectors 32 are pre-installed on the printed circuit boards 14, 16 before the connection pins 26 are inserted into them.

[0032] According to this first embodiment, the centering component 36 includes two mounting holes 42, each having a cross-section complementary to the cross-section of the connecting pin 26, i.e., a rectangular cross-section in this case. The two mounting holes 42 are arranged on either side of the centering hole 38 at each radial end of the centering component 36. Therefore, the centering hole 38 is arranged at the center of the centering component 36 between the two connecting pins 26.

[0033] Advantageously, the male interconnect element 20 is equipped with a stabilizer 44, which is supported on the first printed circuit board 14 in such a way that the connection pin 26 is held in the axial direction. The axial holding of the connection pin 26 by the stabilizer 44 is particularly useful when the male interconnect element 20 is mounted on the first printed circuit board 14, as will be explained below.

[0034] Advantageously, the stabilizer 44 includes two attachment pins 46, each of which is inserted into an associated attachment hole 48 disposed in the first interconnect surface 24 of the first printed circuit board 14. Each attachment pin 46 is connected to the body 50 of the stabilizer 44 via a radial arm 52 and includes a radial protrusion 54 abutting against the first interconnect surface 24 of the first printed circuit board 14.

[0035] In the example shown, the two attachment pins 46 of the stabilizer 44 are diametrically opposed to each other on either side of the body 50.

[0036] Advantageously, the stabilizer 44 also includes lugs 56 supported on the first interconnect surface 24 of the first printed circuit board 14. There are two lugs 56 in this case, and they are diametrically opposed to each other relative to the body 50. The lugs 56 are generally aligned in an axial plane passing through the two connecting pins 26.

[0037] In this case, the body 50 of the stabilizer 44 is provided with two mounting holes 58, which are used to mount the stabilizer 44 onto the two connection pins 26.

[0038] According to the first embodiment shown, each connection pin 26 includes a first stop element 60 and a second stop element 62. The first stop element 60 makes it possible to axially hold the centering part 36 in a predetermined axial position on the connection pin 26, and the second stop element 62 makes it possible to axially hold the stabilizer 44 in a predetermined axial position. In the case where each connection pin 26 is formed of a metal blade, such as... Figure 2 In the case of the stop elements 60 and 62, the stop elements are composed of protrusions produced by stamping.

[0039] Now combine Figure 3 A second embodiment of the interconnect component 34 according to the present invention is described. This second embodiment relates to an interconnect component 34 designed for transmitting data. In this case, it uses a series of eight connection pins 26 in the form of elongated rods to allow data signals to be transmitted from a first printed circuit board 14 to a second printed circuit board 16.

[0040] The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment primarily in the centering component 36, which includes a body 64 having a series of eight mounting holes 42 allowing the centering component 36 to be fitted onto eight connecting pins 26. In this embodiment, the centering component 36 includes two centering holes 38 located on either side of the body 64. These two centering holes 38 are configured to interact with two centering pins 40, as described below.

[0041] The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the stabilizer 44 includes a series of eight mounting holes 58, allowing the stabilizer 44 to be mounted onto eight connection pins 26. In all other respects, the stabilizer 44 is generally similar to the stabilizer 44 in the first embodiment.

[0042] Now we will refer specifically to Figure 4 to Figure 7 A method for assembly and electrical connection according to the present invention is described. The method is described in the context of an assembly of two printed circuit boards 14, 16, which include a plurality of interconnect components 34 provided for interconnecting the two printed circuit boards 14, 16.

[0043] Of course, this method can be used to assemble more than two printed circuit boards, as in the case of complex electronic unit 10, which includes more than two printed circuit boards, one arranged on top of the other and interconnected, especially when they are integrated in a relatively compact housing 12 relative to the number of electronic components 18 to be housed.

[0044] Figure 4 The first step a) of mounting the public interconnect component 20 on the first interconnect surface 24 of the first printed circuit board 14 is described.

[0045] Step a) is intended to allow the public interconnect element 20 to be mounted on the first interconnect surface 24 such that when the first printed circuit board 14 is oriented vertically, the connection pin 26 extends parallel to the axial direction A1 of the connection (in this case downwards).

[0046] Step a) includes a first sub-step a1) of mounting the female connector 32 on the first interconnect surface 24 of the first printed circuit board 14. Each female connector 32 includes a housing 28 adapted to receive associated connection pins 26 to form a male interconnect element 20.

[0047] To insert the connection pin 26 into the female connector 32, the method proposes a sub-step a1.1), in which the stabilizers 44 are assembled onto the connection pin 26 by passing them through their mounting holes 42. Each stabilizer 44 is positioned near a first free end 66 of the connection pin 26 for mounting on a first interconnect surface 24 of the first printed circuit board 14.

[0048] The method includes step A), in which the centering parts 36 are assembled onto the connecting pin 26 by passing the centering parts 36 through their mounting holes 42. Each centering part 36 is positioned on the second free end 68 of the connecting pin 26, on the opposite side of the stabilizer 44.

[0049] Advantageously, the method includes a sub-step (a1.2) in which the connection pins 26, on which the stabilizers 44 and their centering parts 36 are equipped, are positioned on an intermediate support element 70 adapted to carry the connection pins 26.

[0050] like Figure 4 As shown, the intermediate support element 70 may be in the form of a plate 72, which includes several platforms 74 at different heights designed to receive connection pins 26 of different lengths. The plate 72 makes it possible to hold the connection pins 26 in an axial position A1 such that they all extend in a direction parallel to the axial direction A1 of the electrical connection, and to position the first free ends 66 of the connection pins 26 carrying the stabilizer 44 at the same or suitable height to allow them to be inserted into the female connector 32 mounted on the first interconnect surface 24 of the first printed circuit board 14.

[0051] In the example shown, all female connectors 32 are directly mounted on the first interconnect surface 24 of the first printed circuit board 14 without any height difference, so that the first free ends 66 of the connection pins 26 are all at the same height.

[0052] In sub-step a2), the first printed circuit board 14 and the intermediate support element 70 are brought close to each other. For example, as... Figure 4 As shown, the first support element 76 carries the first printed circuit board 14 (whose first interconnect surface 24 faces the intermediate support element 70) and allows the first printed circuit board 14 to move toward the intermediate support element 70 in the axial direction A1 of the electrical connection until all the connection pins 26 carried by the intermediate support element 70 are inserted into the associated female interconnect element 22.

[0053] After these have been brought closer together, the stabilizers 44 abut against the first interconnect surface 24 of the first printed circuit board 14 via their lugs 56, and the attachment pins 46 are received in the associated attachment holes 48, as... Figure 5 As shown in the upper part.

[0054] Figure 5 A first printed circuit board 14 equipped with its public interconnect element 20 is shown, which is prepared to interconnect with a second printed circuit board 16 already assembled in the housing 12 of the electronic unit 10. Note that the connection pin 26 extends axially downward A1 in this case, and its centering part 36 is on the same side as the second free end 68.

[0055] In step b), the female interconnect element 22 is mounted on the second interconnect surface 30 of the second printed circuit board 16, which in this case faces upward on the axial direction A1 of the electrical connection.

[0056] The female interconnect element 22 in this case takes the form of a female connector 32 similar to those used on the first printed circuit board 14, and the female connector 32 is designed to receive the connection pin 26 of the male interconnect element 20 by insertion.

[0057] In step c), the first printed circuit board 14 is positioned relative to the second printed circuit board 16 in the above case by means of a first support element 76 carrying the first printed circuit board 14 and a second support element 78 carrying the second printed circuit board 16, such that the male interconnect element is axially A1 aligned with the associated female interconnect element.

[0058] exist Figure 5 In the example shown, the second support element 78 carries the housing 12, which has been pre-assembled with the printed circuit board and electronic components 18.

[0059] In step d), the two printed circuit boards 14, 16 are electrically connected by interconnection by bringing the two printed circuit boards 14, 16 close to each other until each connection pin 26 is received in the housing of the associated female connector 32.

[0060] In step d), the centering component 36 interacts with the centering pin 40 carried by the second support element 78 in such a way that it guides the second printed circuit board 16 relative to the first printed circuit board 14 in a radial plane.

[0061] By reference Figure 6 and Figure 7 This will provide a clearer understanding of the guidance during step d). Figure 6 and Figure 7 The assembly steps for the interconnection of printed circuit boards 14 and 16 are schematically illustrated. Figure 6 and Figure 7 In order to facilitate understanding, the various components have been depicted in a simplified manner.

[0062] Figure 6 A first support element 76 is schematically shown, supporting a first printed circuit board 14 on which a male interconnect element 20 is disposed. The male interconnect element 20 is formed in this case by two female connectors 32 equipped with two connection pins 26. The male interconnect element 20 is equipped with its stabilizer 44, which is mounted in the first interconnect surface 24 and provides a degree of rigidity to the assembly, specifically holding the connection pins 26 in the axial direction A1. The male interconnect element 20 is also equipped with its centering part 36, which in this case includes a centering aperture 38 at its center (in other words, between the two connection pins 26).

[0063] A second support element 78 is also shown, which carries a second printed circuit board 16 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 toward the first printed circuit board 14 (upward in this case) through the second printed circuit board 16.

[0064] The second printed circuit board 16 in this case has a window 80 that allows the centering pin 40 to pass through.

[0065] exist Figure 6 In this configuration, the two printed circuit boards 14 and 16 are axially aligned such that the free end of each connection pin 26 faces the associated female connector 32 of the second printed circuit board 16.

[0066] To achieve electrical connection via the interconnection between the two printed circuit boards 14 and 16, the two support elements 76 and 78 gradually move closer to each other. For example, the first support element 76 moves axially toward the second support element 78. When this happens, the centering pin 40 gradually approaches the centering orifice 38.

[0067] If the centering is perfect, that is, if the two printed circuit boards 14, 16 are perfectly positioned relative to each other in the radial plane, then the centering pin 40 enters the center of the centering orifice 38 and passes through it to reach the axial position, in which the connecting pin 26 is received in the female connector 32 of the second printed circuit board 16, as shown. Figure 7 As shown in the image.

[0068] If the centering is not perfect, i.e., if the two printed circuit boards 14, 16 are slightly radially offset relative to each other from their desired interconnection positions, the centering pin 40 contacts the first truncated cone portion 39 formed at the entrance of the centering aperture 38, and then slides on the first truncated cone portion 39 until it guides the centering pin 40 toward the center of the centering aperture 38 and its second cylindrical portion 43. The free end of the centering pin 40 has a suitable shape, such as substantially hemispherical or rounded, to ensure sliding on the first truncated cone portion 39.

[0069] If the two printed circuit boards 14, 16 are radially offset from each other, such that the centering pin 40 contacts the centering part 36 near the entrance of the centering orifice 38, the relative movement of the first support element 76 and the second support element 78 stops, or a signal indicating the presence of misalignment that prevents interconnection is issued.

[0070] Of course, the axial direction A1 of the connection can be oriented differently, for example, extending horizontally instead of vertically. It should be appreciated that the printed circuit boards 14 and 16 can be oriented differently, for example, the first printed circuit board 14 can be arranged below the second printed circuit board 16.

[0071] Now refer to Figure 8 to Figure 11 Another aspect of the assembly and interconnection method is described, the purpose of which is to allow the correct electrical connection between the two printed circuit boards 14, 16 to be checked in the verification step e).

[0072] exist Figure 8 to Figure 11 In the diagram, the assembly of printed circuit boards 14 and 16 is shown upside down relative to the previous diagram, with the first printed circuit board 14 at the bottom and the second printed circuit board 16 at the top.

[0073] According to an advantageous embodiment, the centering pin 40 is mounted to slide axially on the second support element 78 to allow it to take multiple axial positions relative to the support element 78, thereby providing an indication of the state of the electrical connection between the male interconnect element 20 and the female interconnect element 22.

[0074] In this case, the centering pin 40 is connected to the second support element 78 by means of an elastic return element 82, which directs the centering pin 40 toward... Figure 8The axial static position is shown as a push. The elastic return element 82 is attached to the support element 78 on one side and to the attachment member 84 on the other side, which slides axially as a whole with the centering pin 40, defining an initial distance d0 between the second support element 78 and the attachment member 84.

[0075] Advantageously, the centering pin 40 includes a number of axial markings R0, R1, R2 distributed along its length axis 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 moves axially, for example, as a whole with the second support element 78.

[0076] Before interconnection, the initial position marker R0 is identified by sensor 88, such as Figure 8 As shown in the image.

[0077] At the end of step d) of the electrical connection, when the two printed circuit boards 14 and 16 are correctly aligned relative to each other, as follows: Figure 9 As shown, the centering pin 40 is received in the centering orifice 38 of the centering part 36.

[0078] Advantageously, the centering pin 40 includes a support surface 86 that abuts against the first truncated cone portion 39 or chamfer, such that when the two printed circuit boards 14, 16 are interconnected, the axial position or axial connection position of the centering pin 40 corresponds to a connection distance d1 between the second support element 78 and the attachment member 84, which is different from the initial distance d0, thereby pushing the resilient return element, in this case, to extend, as... Figure 9 As shown in the image.

[0079] In this interconnection location, the interconnection mark R1 is located opposite the sensor 88, making it possible to visually verify the completion of the interconnection.

[0080] At the end of connection step d), if the centering pin 40 has already passed beside the centering part 36, such as Figure 10 As shown, the centering pin 40 does not axially abut during its downward stroke, such that it is in a position relative to the second support element 78. Figure 8 The initial axial position is the same. The distance between the second support element 78 and the attachment member 84 remains the initial distance d0, and the sensor 88 detects the initial position mark R0.

[0081] At the end of connection step d), if the centering pin 40 is eccentric and abuts against the centering part 36, as Figure 11As shown, the centering pin 40 is in an axially eccentric position, at which point the distance d2 between the second support element 78 and the attachment member 84 is greater because the attachment member 84 has moved away from behind the second support element 78. The attachment member 84 pulls the elastic return element 82. The sensor 88 then detects a second mark R2, which indicates the eccentric position of the centering member 40 and that the associated interconnecting element is not connected.

[0082] List of reference numerals in the attached diagram: 10: Electronic Unit 12: Outer shell 14: First Printed Circuit Board 16: Second Printed Circuit Board 18: Electronic components 20: Public interconnect components 22: Female interconnect element 24: First interconnect surface 26: Connecting pins 28: Shell 30: Second interconnect surface 32: Female connector 34: Interconnect components 36: Centering components 38: Centering orifice 39: First truncated cone section 40: Reassuring Sales 41: Entrance 42: Mounting hole 43: Second cylindrical section 44: Stabilizer 45: Cylindrical end portion 46: Attached connecting pin 48: Attachment hole 50: The main body of the stabilizer 52: Radial arm 54: Radial convex ring 56: Protruding ears 58: Mounting hole 60: First stop element 62: Second stop element 64: The main body of the centering component 66: First free end 68: Second free end 70: Intermediate support element 72: Board 74: Platform 76: First support element 78: Second support element 80: Window 82: Elastic return element 84: Attachment components 86: Support surface 88: Sensors A1: Axial direction of connection

Claims

1. A method for assembling at least two printed circuit boards (14, 16) intended to be electrically interconnected in a connected axial direction (A1), the method comprising the steps of: a) At least one male interconnect element (20) is mounted on a first interconnect surface (24) of a first printed circuit board (14), the male interconnect element (20) including at least one connection pin (26) extending parallel to the axial direction (A1) of the connection. b) Mount at least one female interconnect element (22) on the second interconnect surface (30) of the second printed circuit board (16), the female interconnect element (22) including a housing (28) adapted to receive the connection pin (26) of the male interconnect element (20) by insertion. c) The second printed circuit board (16) is positioned axially opposite to the first printed circuit board (14) by means of a first support element (76) carrying the first printed circuit board (14) and a second support element (78) carrying the second printed circuit board (16), such that the male interconnect element (20) is axially aligned with the associated female interconnect element (22). d) Electrically connect the two printed circuit boards (14, 16) by placing them together until each connection pin (26) is received in the housing (28) of the associated female interconnect element (22) to establish an electrical interconnect. The method is characterized by further comprising step A) of assembling at least one centering component (36) onto at least one connection pin (26) prior to step d). And characterized in that, in step d), the centering component (36) interacts with at least one centering pin (40) carried by the second support element (78) in such a way that it guides the second printed circuit board (16) relative to the first printed circuit board (14) in a radial plane.

2. The method according to the preceding claims, characterized in that, The centering component (36) includes a centering orifice (38) complementary to the centering pin (40), the inlet of the centering orifice (38) including a first truncated cone 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 the preceding claims, characterized in that, In step A), the centering part (36) is positioned near the free end of the connection pin (26) by inserting the centering part (36) onto the connection pin (26) via an associated mounting hole (42) arranged on the centering part (36).

4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, Step a) includes the following sub-steps: a1) At least one female interconnect element (22) is mounted on the first interconnect surface (24) of the first printed circuit board (14), the female interconnect element (22) including at least one housing (28) adapted to receive the connection pin (26) of the male interconnect element (20), a2) Insert the connection pin (26) into the housing (28) of the associated female interconnect element (22).

5. The method according to the preceding claims, characterized in that, Step a) includes the following sub-steps implemented prior to sub-step a2): a1.1) Assemble at least one stabilizer (44) configured to be supported on the first printed circuit board (14) when the male interconnect element (20) is attached to the first printed circuit board (14) and to hold the connection pin (26) in the axial direction.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that, Step a) includes the following sub-steps implemented after sub-step a1.1) and before sub-step a2): a1.2) Position the male interconnect element (20) equipped with the stabilizer (44) on the intermediate support element (70), the intermediate support element (70) being adapted to carry at least one male interconnect element (20) in the axial direction (A1) of the connection. And characterized in that step a2 is achieved 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 connection pin (26) is inserted into the housing (28) of the associated female interconnect element (22) and the stabilizer (44) abuts against the first interconnect surface (24) of the first printed circuit board (14).

7. A kit of interconnected printed circuit boards (14, 16) comprising at least first and second printed circuit boards (14, 16) that at least partially overlap in an axial direction (A1) of an electrical connection, the first printed circuit board (14) including at least one male interconnect element (20) on a first interconnect surface (24), the male interconnect element (20) being provided with at least one connection pin (26) extending parallel to the axial direction (A1) of the electrical connection, and the male interconnect element (20) being inserted into a housing (28) of a female interconnect element (22) mounted on a second interconnect surface (30) of the second printed circuit board (16). Its features are, The connection pin (26) is equipped with at least one centering part (36), which is inserted into the connection pin (26) and has a centering aperture (38) adapted to interact with a centering pin (40) when the connection pin (26) is inserted into the female interconnect element (22).

8. The kit according to the preceding claims, characterized in that, The public interconnect element (20) includes two connection pins (26), and is characterized in that the centering component (36) includes two mounting holes (42) arranged on either side of the centering hole (38), the centering component (36) being mounted to the two connection pins (26) via the mounting holes (42).

9. The kit according to claim 8, characterized in that, The male interconnect element (20) includes a set of several connection pins (26), and the centering part (36) is inserted into the set of several connection pins (26) via an associated mounting hole (42), and the set of connection pins (26) is inserted into a set of housings (28) of the associated female interconnect element (22).

10. The kit according to the preceding claim, characterized in that, The centering component (36) includes two centering apertures (38) arranged on either side of the set of connection pins (26), which are adapted to interact with two associated centering pins (40) when the set of connection pins (26) is inserted into the associated female interconnect element (22).

11. The kit according to any one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that, The public interconnect element (20) is equipped with a stabilizer (44) which is supported on the first printed circuit board (14) in such a way as to hold the connection pin (26) in the axial direction.

12. The kit according to the preceding claims, characterized in that, The stabilizer (44) includes at least one attachment pin (46) which is inserted into an associated attachment hole (48) in the first printed circuit board (14).

13. The kit according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that, The stabilizer (44) includes at least one lug (56) supported on the first interconnect surface (24) of the first printed circuit board (14).

14. The kit according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that, The stabilizer (44) includes a body (50) having a mounting hole (58) that allows the stabilizer (44) to be mounted onto the connection pin (26) via the mounting hole (58).

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