electronic components

Abstract

The present invention relates to an electronic assembly (1) comprising a carrier (3) for receiving an electronic component (4) and a housing (2) for receiving the carrier (3). The present invention proposes that at least one separation surface (7) of the carrier (3) is formed, separate from the main surface (10) of the carrier (3), by at least one free-cut portion (6) in the carrier (3). The corresponding separation surface (7) of the carrier (3) is connected to the housing (2) at at least one formed portion (8, 9, 14) of the housing (2).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an electronic component. Background Technology

[0002] Components are widely used for various applications and, as electronic components, contain electronic parts that are typically arranged on a carrier designed as a printed circuit board (PCB). Such PCBs with electronic components are usually enclosed in a housing to protect them from external influences; for some applications, the housing must be tightly sealed.

[0003] When a carrier designed as a printed circuit board is mounted in a housing without the use of additional fastening elements (such as screws or rivets), a certain bending force is applied to the printed circuit board due to the necessary force clamping within the housing. Therefore, electronic components applied to the printed circuit board by soldering or bonding may be damaged or their functionality impaired. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide an electronic component in which a carrier, particularly designed as a printed circuit board, is assembled into a housing in a simple and reliable manner in a functionally safe way.

[0005] According to the present invention, in order to reliably and functionally install a carrier into the housing of an electronic component while protecting the electronic components arranged on the carrier from harmful damage, the carrier has at least one separation surface introduced into the carrier by at least one free-cutting portion and separated from the main surface of the carrier. Such a corresponding rigid separation surface of a carrier, particularly designed as a rigid printed circuit board, can be arranged at any location on the carrier (e.g., at the edge region of the carrier) and connected to the housing of the electronic component at at least one formed portion, more specifically, connected to that at least one formed portion of the housing of the electronic component. For this purpose, such a corresponding rigid separation surface of a carrier, particularly designed as a rigid printed circuit board, can be connected to, for example, by force-fitting the at least one formed portion of the housing of the electronic component, or also abut against, or supported on, the at least one formed portion of the housing of the electronic component.

[0006] In an advantageous improvement of the invention, the respective separating surfaces of the carrier are connected to the main surface of the carrier via at least one narrow or thin connecting surface. During the mounting of the carrier, particularly designed as a rigid printed circuit board, into the housing of the electronic component, and during the resulting force-fit connection between the carrier and the housing, the respective narrow or thin connecting surfaces are subjected to targeted pressure; however, such pressure is not transmitted to the main surface of the carrier, particularly designed as a rigid printed circuit board. That is, the respective separating surfaces of the carrier are separated from the rest of the carrier via at least one narrow or thin connecting surface and thus from the main surface of the carrier, thereby enabling bending of the carrier within a defined small bending region. Therefore, when the carrier, particularly designed as a rigid printed circuit board, is assembled into the housing of the electronic component, the electronic components arranged on the carrier and thus on the main surface of the carrier (i.e., the area of ​​the carrier where the electronic components are assembled) are protected from unreliable bending and the resulting bending forces.

[0007] In another advantageous improvement of the invention, the at least one separating surface of the carrier is strip-shaped and thus designed in a curved arm manner. In this preferred embodiment, the corresponding separating surface of the carrier is correspondingly shaped as a tongue-shaped or tab-shaped connecting piece.

[0008] The corresponding separation surface of the carrier (which bends when the carrier is installed into the housing and when the carrier and housing are forcefully connected) must be clamped into the housing to avoid interfering clicking sounds; that is, specific areas of the carrier are separated by simultaneously absorbing forces. For this purpose, the carrier is almost clamped at at least one shaped portion of the housing of the electronic component, and thereby forcefully connected to the housing of the electronic component.

[0009] For example, the formed portion on the housing may have an introduction ramp for the carrier and an inclined abutment surface for the carrier, which enable clamping of the carrier when it is introduced into the housing and also enable tolerance compensation of the carrier in two spatial directions. Here, tolerance compensation in the horizontal and vertical directions can be achieved by the defined abutment of the carrier with the inclined abutment surface.

[0010] Alternatively, the formed portion on the housing may also have a stop surface for the carrier, which enables clamping of the carrier and thereby allows for tolerance compensation of the carrier in a certain spatial direction when the carrier is introduced into the housing. Here, tolerance compensation in the horizontal direction can be achieved by the defined contact between the carrier and the stop surface.

[0011] In an advantageous improvement of the invention, in order to position and thus support the carrier in a defined manner along the vertical direction within the housing, at least one support element is designed on the housing of the electronic component as a support surface for the carrier. These support elements on the housing of the electronic component can be configured to flush-support the main surface of the receiving electronic component of the carrier.

[0012] Furthermore, at least one support element and support surface used as a shaped portion on the electronic component housing can be configured to flush support the corresponding separation surface that is separated from the main surface of the carrier.

[0013] In an advantageous improvement of the invention, the electronic components arranged on the main surface of the carrier are at least partially designed as SMD (Surface Mounted Devices), which are applied to the carrier, preferably designed as a printed circuit board, using SMT (Surface Mount Technology) or by means of SMT methods, particularly by soldering or bonding to the carrier designed as a printed circuit board. By means of SMT methods, SMD components can be automatically and precisely assembled using automated assembly machines, thereby enabling efficient production of carriers preferably designed as printed circuit boards, and thus enabling the realization of electronic assemblies.

[0014] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the carrier is also connected to the housing of the electronic component in a form-fitting manner by fastening elements. For this purpose, hooks formed on the housing of the electronic component can be provided as such fastening elements, which engage with corresponding receiving openings designed into the carrier.

[0015] Advantageously, this allows for a constant, automatic, and repeatable high-quality mechanical connection between the carrier, preferably designed as a printed circuit board, and the electronic component housing during the assembly process of the electronic components of the present invention. In particular, during the assembly process of the electronic components of the present invention, high-quality and reliable protection is also achieved for the electronic components arranged on the carrier.

[0016] Furthermore, the present invention also includes combinations of features of the described embodiments. Attached Figure Description

[0017] The embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

[0018] Figure 1 A schematic perspective view showing a portion of the electronic component;

[0019] Figure 2 A schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of the electronic component is shown;

[0020] Figure 3 A detailed view of the separation surface on the carrier of the electronic component, as shown in the first embodiment, is displayed.

[0021] Figure 4 Two detailed views are shown of a separation surface on a carrier of a printed circuit board in another embodiment.

[0022] Figure 5 Two detailed views are shown of a separate surface on a carrier of a printed circuit board, in another embodiment where the electronic component is designed. Detailed Implementation

[0023] The embodiments described below are preferred embodiments of the present invention. In these embodiments, the components described in these embodiments each demonstrate individual features of the invention that can be considered independently of each other, and these features also independently improve the invention and can therefore be considered as part of the invention individually or in combinations different from those shown. Furthermore, the described embodiments can be supplemented by other features of the invention already described.

[0024] In the accompanying drawings, elements with the same function are given the same reference numerals.

[0025] For example, Figures 1 to 5 The electronic component 1 shown is provided in the vehicle as an antenna unit or antenna module for transmitting and receiving high-frequency signals, and thus for high-speed data transmission. The antenna unit 1 (e.g., having a housing 2 designed as a closed plastic shell) is mounted to a vehicle component by appropriate fasteners. A carrier 3, designed as a printed circuit board, is arranged within the housing 2 of the antenna unit 1 to receive various electronic components or electronic parts 4 of the antenna unit 1, which are at least partially designed as SMD components and applied to the printed circuit board 3 by soldering. Furthermore, a plug-in connector 5 is integrated within the housing 2 of the antenna unit 1, through which the antenna unit 1 can be connected to other components.

[0026] According to Figure 1A partial schematic perspective view of the antenna unit 1 shows that the printed circuit board 3 has a main surface 10 on which the electronic components or electronic parts 4 of the antenna unit 1 are arranged. Furthermore, two tab-shaped or tongue-shaped separation surfaces 7 are provided in the edge region 12 of the printed circuit board 3. These two separation surfaces 7, separating from the main surface 10 of the printed circuit board 3, are designed as strip-shaped curved surfaces by free-cut portions 6 in the printed circuit board 3, and are connected to the main surface 10 of the printed circuit board 3 by their respective narrow connecting surfaces 13, which serve as connecting tabs. During the assembly of the antenna unit 1, the printed circuit board 3 is precisely connected to the housing 2 by corresponding guide ramps 16 formed on the two forming portions 8 on the housing 2, and is vertically supported flush with a plurality of support elements 14 formed on the housing 2. Furthermore, fastening elements 11 designed as hooks are provided on the housing 2, which engage from the bottom side of the printed circuit board 3 with corresponding receiving openings 15 formed in the printed circuit board 3, thereby allowing the printed circuit board 3 to be securely fixed or locked in the housing 2. When the printed circuit board 3 is installed in the housing 2, the separation surface 7, which serves as a bending element, causes: here, only the corresponding separation surface 7 is subjected to pressure and bending, while the main surface 10 of the printed circuit board 3 with the electronic component or electronic part 4 of the antenna unit 1 is not subjected to bending force that would negatively affect the electronic component or electronic part 4 of the antenna unit 1.

[0027] Especially in Figure 2 As can be seen in the cross-sectional view, when the printed circuit board 3 is installed in the housing 2, the printed circuit board 3 is assembled into the housing 2 in a precise matching manner on the introduction slope 16 of the forming part 8 on the housing 2. In addition, the tolerance compensation of the printed circuit board 3 in two spatial directions is also achieved by the inclined contact surface 17 of the forming part 8 on the housing 2. That is to say, the tolerance compensation on the separation surface 7, which is designed as a curved arm, can be achieved in both the horizontal and vertical directions.

[0028] Figure 3 An alternative possibility for connecting the printed circuit board 3 to the housing 2 is demonstrated, wherein the printed circuit board 3 is assembled into the housing 2 in a precise fit via a forming portion 8 having a stop surface 9 on the housing 2. Here, tolerance compensation of the printed circuit board 3 in a certain spatial direction is also achieved by the stop surface 9 of the forming portion 8 on the housing 2.

[0029] Figure 4The possibility of alternatives for forming the separation surface 7 of the printed circuit board 3 is demonstrated. Here, for example, the separation surface 7, which is rectangular in shape and is realized by a corresponding free cutting portion 6 in the printed circuit board 3, is connected to the main surface 10 of the printed circuit board 3 by a thin connecting piece serving as a connecting surface 13. Furthermore, the rectangular separation surface 7 is supported on the support surface 18 of the forming portion 8 formed on the housing 2 with its bottom side.

[0030] Figure 5 This demonstrates another alternative possibility for forming the separation surface 7 of the printed circuit board 3. Here, the separation surface 7 is not formed in the edge region 12 of the printed circuit board 3, but is achieved, for example, in a strip shape via two free-cut portions 6 in the printed circuit board 3. This separation surface is then connected to the main surface 10 of the printed circuit board 3 via a thin connecting piece serving as a connecting surface 13. Furthermore, this strip-shaped separation surface 7 is also supported by its bottom side on the support surface 18 of the formed portion 8 formed on the housing 2.

[0031] In general, these examples demonstrate how the electronic component of the present invention, which serves as antenna unit 1 and has a carrier designed as a printed circuit board 3 and to be incorporated into the housing 2, can provide reliable functionality in a simple manner without affecting the electronic components 4 applied to the printed circuit board 3.

[0032] List of reference numerals

[0033] 1 Electronic Components

[0034] 2. Shell

[0035] 3. Carrier / Printed Circuit Board

[0036] 4 Electronic components

[0037] 5. Plug-in connector

[0038] 6. Free cutting section

[0039] 7. Separation Surface

[0040] 8 Forming section

[0041] 9. Stop surface

[0042] 10. Main surface of the carrier

[0043] 11 Fastening elements / hooks

[0044] 12. Edge area of ​​carrier / printed circuit board

[0045] 13 Connecting surfaces / connecting pieces

[0046] 14 Supporting elements

[0047] 15. Reception openings on printed circuit boards

[0048] 16. Introduce an inclined plane

[0049] 17. Tilt to fit against the surface

[0050] 18. Support surface.

Claims

1. An electronic component (1), the electronic component comprising a carrier (3) for receiving electronic components (4) and a housing (2) for receiving the carrier (3), characterized in that At least one free cutting portion (6) in the carrier (3) is formed with at least one separation surface (7) of the carrier (3) that is separate from the main surface (10) of the carrier (3); and the corresponding separation surface (7) of the carrier (3) is connected to the housing (2) at at least one forming portion (8).

2. The electronic assembly (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The corresponding separation surface (7) of the carrier (3) is connected to the main surface (10) of the carrier (3) through at least one narrower connecting surface (13).

3. The electronic assembly (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that At least one separation surface (7) of the carrier (3) is designed to be strip-shaped.

4. The electronic assembly (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that At least one forming part (8) of the housing (2) has an introduction slope (16) for the carrier (3) and an inclined abutment surface (17) for the corresponding separation surface (7) of the carrier (3).

5. The electronic assembly (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that At least one shaped portion (8) of the housing (2) has a stop surface (9) for the carrier (3).

6. The electronic component (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, At least one shaped portion (8) of the housing (2) has a support surface (18) for flush-supporting the corresponding separation surface (7) of the carrier (3).

7. Electronic assembly (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that The housing (2) has a support element (14) for flush-supporting the main surface (10) of the carrier (3).

8. The electronic assembly (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that The electronic component (4) on the carrier (3) is at least partially formed as an SMD component.

9. Electronic assembly (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that The carrier (3) is connected to the housing (2) in a form-fitting manner by fastening element (11).

10. Electronic assembly (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that The carrier (3) is formed into a rigid printed circuit board.

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