System and method for providing an electrical grounding connection for a circuit arrangement

Abstract

System for providing an electrical earthing connection for a circuit arrangement (20), the system comprising: a housing for the circuit arrangement (20), wherein the housing has an electrically conductive mounting component (24) comprising a first section (34) configured to extend inside the housing and a second section (46), wherein at least one section of the second section (46) extends outside the housing, such that at least the section of the second section (46) is configured for attachment to an electrically conductive element (12') outside the housing; and an electrically conductive feature (28) having a first end (30) and a second end (32), wherein the first end is configured to interact with the first section (34) of the electrically conductive fastening component (24) within the housing, wherein the first section (34) has a threaded recess (36) and the first end (30) has an opening (40), and wherein the threaded recess (36) and the opening (40) are configured to receive a screw (38) for connecting the electrically conductive fastening component (24) to the electrically conductive feature (28), and the second end (32) is configured for attachment to the circuit assembly (20), wherein the attachment of the electrically conductive fastening component (24) to the electrically conductive element (12') outside the housing enables the electrical grounding connection for the circuit arrangement (20) via the electrically conductive feature (28).

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

[0001] The following relates to a system and a method for providing an electrical grounding connection for a circuit arrangement. BACKGROUND

[0002] Vehicles with high-voltage (HV) batteries, such as electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), may feature battery management systems (BMS) to monitor and / or improve the performance of the HV batteries. In this context, a BMS is an electronic unit installed by the automotive original equipment manufacturer (OEM) in a housing for an EV or HEV HV battery as part of the vehicle's HV battery system, which may include battery cells, a cooling system, and battery cell monitoring electronics.

[0003] DE 10 2018 210 892 A1 discloses a plug connector element with an electrical conductor element insulated by a sheathing element. The electrical conductor element is connected to a grounding point by a fastening element.

[0004] From US patent 2020 / 0112108A1, an electrical junction box with a grounding connection is known. The junction box comprises a main body in which a circuit body is arranged. A grounding element extends from the circuit body in an arm-shaped mounting bracket integrally connected to the main body of the junction box. The grounding element and the mounting bracket are connected to the vehicle body.

[0005] DE 10 2010 003 117 A1 discloses a connection arrangement for coupling an electric motor to a power source. DE 20 2015 106 468 U1 discloses an electrical grounding arrangement for a vehicle. DE 10 2010 041 918 A1 discloses a stator arrangement with a terminal block for an electric machine.

[0006] The BMS of a high-voltage battery system requires a good connection to the vehicle ground (GND), for example, to the vehicle chassis. Such a grounding connection may be required by various electronic assemblies or devices used in all types of vehicles, and these electronic assemblies or devices may include and / or comprise circuit boards, printed circuit boards (PCBs), fuse boxes, controllers, modules, units, systems, or any other type of electronic assembly or device.

[0007] In this respect, compact and / or restrictive requirements can determine the placement of a high-voltage (HV) battery system in an electric vehicle (EV) or hybrid electric vehicle (HEV). Such compact and / or restrictive placement requirements for an HV battery system may include and / or affect the grounding connection to the vehicle required by a battery management system (BMS). Similar design constraints and / or requirements may also include and / or affect the grounding connection required by any other type of electronic assembly or device in a vehicle. Consequently, there is a need for an improved system and method for providing an electrical grounding connection for a circuitry such as that which may be included in a BMS for an HV battery system in an EV or HEV. SUMMARY

[0008] According to a non-limiting exemplary embodiment described herein, a system for providing an electrical grounding connection for a circuit arrangement is provided. The system may include an enclosure for the circuit arrangement, the enclosure having an electrically conductive mounting component configured for attachment to an electrically conductive element outside the enclosure. The system may further include an electrically conductive feature with a first end and a second end, the first end being configured to interact with the electrically conductive mounting component inside the enclosure, and the second end being configured for attachment to the circuit arrangement.The attachment of the electrically conductive mounting feature to the electrically conductive element outside the housing enables an electrical grounding connection for the circuit assembly via the electrically conductive feature.

[0009] According to another non-limiting exemplary embodiment described herein, a system for providing an electrical grounding connection for a circuit arrangement is provided. The system may comprise an electrically conductive fastening component having a first section configured to extend within an enclosure for the circuit arrangement and a second section configured to extend outside the enclosure, the second section further being configured for attachment to an electrically conductive element.The system may further include an electrically conductive feature having a first and a second end, the first end being configured to interact with the first section of the electrically conductive mounting component inside the housing, and the second end being configured for attachment to the circuit assembly. Attaching the second section of the electrically conductive mounting component to the electrically conductive element outside the housing provides an electrical ground connection for the circuit assembly via the electrically conductive feature.

[0010] According to a further non-limiting exemplary embodiment described herein, a method for providing an electrical grounding connection for a circuit assembly is provided. The method may include attaching a first end of an electrically conductive feature to a first section of an electrically conductive mounting component, wherein the first section of the electrically conductive mounting component is configured to extend within an enclosure for the circuit assembly, and wherein the electrically conductive feature comprises (i) conductive paint on a surface of the enclosure for the circuit assembly, (ii) a busbar, (iii) a wire, or (iii) a conductive mesh. The method may further include installing the circuit assembly in the enclosure and attaching a second end of the electrically conductive feature to the circuit assembly.

[0011] A detailed description of this and other non-restrictive embodiments of a system and method for providing an electrical grounding connection for a circuit arrangement is set forth below together with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. Figures 1A-1C are perspective views of a battery monitoring system module for use in a high-voltage battery housing of an electric or hybrid electric vehicle; Fig. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the battery monitoring system module of Fig. 1A, taken along line 2-2; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of an alternative battery monitoring system module comprising a system and a method for providing a grounding connection for a circuit arrangement according to a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. 4A and Fig. Figure 4B shows side cross-sectional views of the alternative battery monitoring system module. Fig. 3 along line 4-4, comprising a system and method for providing an earthing connection for a circuit arrangement according to a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. 5A and Fig. Figure 5B shows perspective views of exemplary electrically conductive features for the alternative battery monitoring system module of the Fig. 3, comprising a system and method for providing an earthing connection for a circuit arrangement according to a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; and Fig. 6A and Fig. Figure 6B shows cross-sectional and perspective views of exemplary electrically conductive fastening components for the alternative battery monitoring system module of Fig. 3, comprising a system and method for providing an earthing connection for a circuit arrangement according to a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] As required, detailed, non-limiting embodiments are disclosed here. However, it should be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary and may take various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale, and features may be exaggerated or reduced in size to show details of certain components, elements, features, objects, elements, parts, sections, or the like. Therefore, the specific structural and functional details disclosed here are not to be understood as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for the instruction of a person skilled in the art.

[0013] With reference to the figures, a more detailed description of non-restrictive embodiments of a system and method for providing an electrical grounding connection for a circuit arrangement is given. For the sake of clarity and to facilitate understanding, the same reference symbols may be used for identical components and features in the drawings.

[0014] As previously described, the requirements for a compact and / or restrictive placement of a high-voltage battery system in an electric vehicle (EV) or hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) can include and / or affect the vehicle's grounding connection required by a battery management system (BMS). Similar design constraints and / or requirements can also include and / or affect the grounding connection required by any other type of electronic assembly or device in a vehicle. Consequently, there is a need for an improved system and method for providing an electrical grounding connection for a circuit arrangement such as that included in a BMS for an HV battery system in an EV or HEV.

[0015] In this context, the Fig. Figures 1A-1C show perspective views of a battery management system (BMS) module for use in a high-voltage battery enclosure of an electric vehicle (EV) or hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), where the HV battery enclosure has no size limitation. As shown, the BMS module 10 can be installed in an HV battery enclosure 12 according to the configuration and / or design shown. The BMS module 10 may include mounting or fastening features 14, which may have electrically conductive tabs with formed plates. The mounting / fastening features 14 are accessible after the BMS module 10 has been inserted into the HV battery enclosure 12. Consequently, the BMS module 10 can be screwed into the lower chassis plate of the HV battery enclosure 12 using the fastening features 14.The BMS module 10 can also be provided with a horizontally oriented electrical connector 16 on one side or side surface thereof, and the HV battery housing 12 can be provided with a lateral opening 18 through which the electrical connector 16 can extend when the BMS module 10 is mounted on the HV battery housing 12.

[0016] Fig. Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the BMS module 10. Fig. 1A, which was recorded along line 2-2. As can be seen therein, the electrically conductive mounting / fixing features 14 of the BMS module 10 can be connected to or attached to a circuit board (PCB) of the BMS module 10. Consequently, the fastening or attachment of the BMS module 10 to the HV battery housing 12 (see Fig. 1B) by means of screws (not shown) inserted through the covers formed in the mounting / fixing features 14, a robust electrical grounding connection for the BMS module 10 is also provided, since the HV battery housing 12 (see Fig. 1B) is electrically conductive.

[0017] Fig. Figure 3 shows a perspective view of an alternative design for a BMS module 10', which includes a system and a method for providing a ground connection for a circuit arrangement according to a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. As can be seen therein, the alternative embodiment for the BMS module 10' may include one or more fastening features 22 provided on a bottom or side of the BMS module 10'. Such fastening features 22 may be configured to interact with features provided on a lower chassis surface of an HV battery housing 12', for example by a snap-in or snap-in-like operation, to efficiently and effectively mount or fasten the BMS module 10' to the HV battery housing 12'.Such features 22 are used because there is no space (in the OEM's arrangement) for a tool with which screws could be tightened. Alternatively, an operation such as snapping or latching may not be required, but only centering, in which case the BMS is only attached to the top cover. Such features 22 and the fastening are described in the jointly filed US patent application serial number 16 / 674,593 entitled "System and Method for Mounting an Electronics Arrangement," filed on November 5, 2019, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated in full by reference.

[0018] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the alternative embodiment of the BMS module 10' can include a vertically oriented electrical connector 16' provided on a top or upper surface thereof. The previously described attachment of the BMS module 10' to the HV battery housing 12' can be concealed, and the BMS module 10' can also be provided with one or more fastening components 24 on a top or upper surface thereof. In this respect, the fastening components 24, which may include threaded studs or screws, can be configured to attach or secure the BMS module 10' to a top cover of the HV battery housing 12' (see Figure 3). Fig. 4B).

[0019] This indicates that in the Fig. The BMS module 10 shown in sections 1A-1C and 2 establishes a physical and electrical connection to a base plate or surface of the HV battery housing 12. The BMS module 10 can be attached to the HV battery housing 12 because the mounting points are accessible for screwing after the BMS module 10 has been inserted into the HV battery housing 12.

[0020] In contrast, the in Fig. Figure 3 shows a blind mechanical fastening or position or initial placement of the BMS module 10' on an inner surface of the HV battery housing 12' via the non-conductive (e.g., made of plastic) fastening features (or position or initial placement) 22 of the housing of the BMS module 10'. Since the housing of the BMS module 10', comprising the fastening features 22, is non-conductive (e.g., made of plastic), only the external fastening components 24 (e.g., threaded bolts or screws) are available for establishing a grounding connection for the BMS module 10', which are configured for fastening the BMS module 10' to a top surface or cover of the HV battery housing 12'.In this respect, one or more of the fastening components 24 may be electrically conductive and may therefore also be used to connect the BMS module 10' to an electrically conductive element outside the housing of the BMS module 10' and thereby establish, enable, create, provide or complete an electrical grounding connection or path either directly or indirectly through the HV battery housing 12', as further described herein.

[0021] The Fig. 4A and Fig. 4B are side cross-sectional views of the alternative BMS module 10' of the Fig. Figure 3 along line 4-4 illustrates a system and method for establishing a ground connection for a circuit arrangement according to a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. As can be seen therein, the electrical connector 16' of the BMS module 10' may comprise or have a pin header 26 with a plurality of pins. The pin header 26 may be configured for attachment to a circuit board (PCB) 20' of the BMS module 10', wherein the PCB 20' may comprise, or be mounted on or in it, any type or number of electrical or electronic components for use in monitoring a high-voltage battery for an EV or HEV.In this respect, the electrical connector 16', the pin header 26, the printed circuit board 20' and each of the electrical or electronic components described above may comprise, be described as, or constitute or comprise an electrical, electrical or electronic circuit arrangement.

[0022] The BMS module 10' can also include an electrically conductive feature that can comprise one or more busbars 28. Fig. 5A and Fig. Figure 5B shows perspective views of exemplary electrically conductive features 28 for the alternative battery monitoring system module of the Fig. 3, comprising a system and a method for establishing an earthing connection for a circuit arrangement according to a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. As can be seen therein, and with further reference to the Fig. 4A and Fig. 4B, each busbar 28 can extend in a multitude of planes and have a first end, such as a tongue 30, which can be configured for attachment to the electrically conductive mounting component 24 within the housing of the BMS module 10'. The housing of the BMS module 10' can also include positioning or placement elements or features (not shown) to facilitate the correct positioning of the busbar 28 in its place.

[0023] In this regard, the Fig. 6A and Fig. 6B Cross-sectional and perspective views of exemplary electrically conductive fastening components 24 for the alternative battery monitoring system module of the Fig. 3, comprising a system and a method for providing a grounding connection for a circuit arrangement according to a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. As therein and by further reference to the Fig. 4A, Fig. 4B, Fig. 5A and Fig. As shown in Figure 5B, the electrically conductive mounting component 24 can comprise a first section 34 configured to extend within the housing of the BMS module 10'. The first section 34 of the electrically conductive mounting component 24 and the first tongue 30 of the busbar 28 can be configured for fastening by adhesive bonding or welding. Alternatively, the first section 34 of the electrically conductive mounting component 24 can have a threaded recess 36 designed to receive a screw 38, and the first tongue 30 of the busbar 28 can have an opening 40 designed to receive the screw 38.The housing of the BMS module 10' may also include positioning or placement elements or features (not shown) to facilitate correct positioning or placement of the busbar and to prevent rotation of the busbar while the screw 38 is secured in the recess 36 of the fastening component 24.

[0024] As from the Fig. 4A, Fig. 4B, Fig. 5A and Fig. As shown in Figure 5B, each busbar 28 can also have a second end, for example, a tongue 32, which may be configured for attachment to the circuit assembly or the printed circuit board 20'. More precisely, the second tongue 32 of the busbar 28 can have an opening 42 formed therein, which is configured to receive a screw 44, and the circuit assembly or PCB 20' can have an opening formed therein (not shown) which is configured to receive the screw 44 for attaching the second tongue 32 of the busbar 28 to the PCB 20'. In this respect, the busbar 28 can thus be attached or mounted to an electrical ground of the printed circuit board 20', which may be in the form of, or comprise, an island, a conductor, a point, a layer, or a component of the printed circuit board 20'.It should also be noted that screw 44 can also be used to fix the printed circuit board 20', thus avoiding the need for an additional screw for this connection to ground. Alternatively, the second end or tongue 32 of the busbar 28 can be shaped or configured, or incorporate functionality (not shown) for direct attachment to the printed circuit board, for example by surface or through soldering, or as a press-fit functionality.

[0025] According to the system and method of the present disclosure, the busbar(s) 28 can be used to establish, enable, generate, provide, or complete an earthing connection from a vehicle chassis (not shown) to an electrical ground of the printed circuit board 20' via the electrically conductive mounting components 24. As shown in the Fig. 4A, Fig. 4B, Fig. 6A and Fig. As shown in Figure 6B, the fastening components 24 can be overmolded into the non-conductive housing (e.g., made of plastic) of the BMS module 10'. A section 46 of the fastening component(s) 24 can extend outside the housing of the BMS module 10', thereby providing or enabling both electrical and mechanical fastening of the BMS module 10' to an electrically conductive element, terminal, or grounding path outside the housing of the BMS module 10', such as the electrically conductive cover of the HV battery housing 12'. By overmolding the fastening components 24 into the plastic housing of the BMS module 10' in this way, section 34 of the fastening components 24 can remain accessible for contact with or fastening to the busbar 28.As shown, each of the fastening components 24 can have a first section 34 configured to project into and / or be exposed within the housing of the BMS module 10' and, as previously described, to be configured for fastening to the busbar 28.

[0026] The upper section or cover of the HV battery housing 12' may have a formed aperture configured to receive the vertically oriented electrical connector 16' of the BMS module 10'. The cover of the HV battery housing 12' may also have formed apertures 56 configured to receive the second section 46 of the mounting components 24, the second section 46 being configured to extend outside the housing of the BMS module 10'. The electrically conductive mounting components 24 may also be provided with a surface or step configured to contact the electrically conductive HV battery housing 12', thereby ensuring robust electrical contact and conductivity between the mounting component 24 and the HV battery housing 12'.

[0027] As previously described, the fastening components 24 may include a bolt or screw having a threaded section 48. One or more threaded nuts (not shown) may be provided and / or configured for the mechanical (e.g., screwed) and / or electrical fixing or fastening of the HV battery housing 12' to the fastening components 24. The electrical grounding connection made (see Fig. 4B) can be described as follows: GND of the circuit board 20' → busbar 28 → fixing element 24 → cover of the HV battery housing 12' → vehicle chassis (GND) (not shown). A waterproof element 50, for example a rubber or silicone seal, can also be provided between a cover of the HV battery housing 12' and an upper cover of the housing of the BMS module 10'. The purpose of such a seal is to prevent the ingress of water (liquid) into the HV battery system. The sealing element 50 can be provided with a "lip" to close the cover of the HV battery housing 12' with the outer surface of the cover of the BMS module 10'. The sealing element 50 can also be provided with an additional “lip” that surrounds each of the fastening components 24 to prevent the ingress of water (liquid) into the BMS module 10’ through a protruding fastening component 24 (i.e.between the bolts 24 and the surrounding plastic) to prevent. The screw-bolt fastening also compresses the sealing element 50 to ensure a proper seal. To guarantee the mechanical torque of the connection and electrical contact, no seal is provided between the screw, cover, and nut. Since the nut (not shown) is made of metal, it is also in electrical contact.

[0028] It should also be noted that the fastening components 24 can also be provided or configured with an extension 52, which can serve or act as an aid for centering the apertures 56 formed in the HV battery housing 12' with the fastening components 24. As already described, the electrically conductive fastening component 24 can be overmolded into the housing of the BMS module 10'. In this respect, the electrically conductive fastening component 24 can have an anti-rotation feature 54 configured to prevent rotation of the electrically conductive fastening component 24 within the housing of the BMS module 10' during rotation of the nut (not shown) on the threaded shaft 48 of the electrically conductive fastening component 24. As described in Fig.As can be seen in Figure 6B, such an antirotation feature 54 of the fastening component 24 can have the form of a head with a multi-surface or multi-sided (i.e., non-circular) perimeter, although alternatively any known type of antirotation feature can be provided.

[0029] The system and method of the present disclosure thus provide the fastening of the second section 46 of the electrically conductive fastening component 24 to the electrically conductive element 12' outside the housing of the BMS module 10', thereby enabling an electrical grounding connection for the circuit arrangement 20' via the electrically conductive feature comprising the busbar 28. The system and method of the present disclosure thus efficiently provide a direct connection of an electronic circuit to a vehicle chassis (GND), thereby simplifying installation, arrangement, and / or manufacturing, as well as minimizing costs.

[0030] Thus, the present disclosure provides a system and method for establishing an electrical grounding connection for a circuit arrangement. According to the system and method of the present disclosure, the first tongue 30 of the electrically conductive feature 28 can be attached to the first section 34 of the electrically conductive mounting component 24. In this respect, the electrically conductive feature 28 can comprise a busbar extending in a plurality of planes, and the first section 34 of the electrically conductive mounting component 24 can be configured to extend within the housing of the BMS module 10' for the circuit arrangement or the printed circuit board 20'.According to the system and method of the present disclosure, the circuit arrangement or printed circuit board 20' can be installed in the housing of the BMS module 10', and the second tongue 32 of the electrically conductive feature, which includes the busbar 28, can be attached to the circuit arrangement or printed circuit board 20'. The printed circuit board 20' can then be enclosed with a lower section of the housing of the BMS module 10'.

[0031] As previously described, the electrically conductive mounting component 24 can include a second section 46 configured to extend outside the housing of the BMS module 10' for attachment to the electrically conductive element 12'. In this respect, the second section 46 of the electrically conductive mounting component 24 can be attached to the electrically conductive element 12' outside the housing of the BMS module 10' to provide an electrical grounding connection for the circuit assembly or printed circuit board 20' via the electrically conductive feature comprising the busbar 28.

[0032] As previously described, the first section 34 of the electrically conductive fastening component 24 can have a threaded recess 36 configured to receive a screw 38, and the first tongue 30 of the busbar 28 can have an opening 40 configured to receive the screw 38. Attaching the first tongue 30 of the electrically conductive fastening feature, which includes the busbar 28, to the first section 34 of the electrically conductive fastening component 24 can therefore involve screwing the first tongue 30 of the busbar 28 to the first section 34 of the electrically conductive fastening component 24. Furthermore, the electrically conductive fastening component 24 can be overmolded within the housing of the BMS module 10'.As an alternative to the previously described connection of the busbar 28 to the mounting component 24, the busbar 28 can also be overmolded into the housing of the BMS module 10'. In such an embodiment, since the robustness can be provided by the housing plastic, the electrically conductive feature 28 can alternatively comprise a thinner connecting element, such as a wire, a conductive mesh, or a conductive painted strip (or the like), instead of a busbar. It should also be noted that the busbar 28 can have the form of a component that extends from (and can be connected to) the mounting component 24.The first end 30 of the busbar 28 can be configured to interact with the first section 34 of the mounting component 24, for example, by extending integrally from the first section 34 of the mounting component 24 or by being configured to be attached to, connected with, or joined to the first section 34 of the mounting component 24, as previously described. The busbar 28 can also have an extension (not shown) at its second end 32, which may be rod-shaped, extending downwards and configured to fit into or otherwise interact with a hole formed in the printed circuit board 20' to provide for the fastening of the busbar 28 to the printed circuit board 20', for example, by a screw or by a soldered or press-fit connection.

[0033] After assembly, the BMS module 10' can be inserted into and secured to the lower or base section of the HV battery housing 12', for example, by means of fastening features 22. The upper section or cover of the HV battery housing 12' can be attached to the BMS module 10' in a single closing operation using fastening components 24, which are formed within and extend outside the housing of the BMS module 10'. The fastening components 24 can be received by interacting plates 56 formed in the cover of the HV battery housing 12', which can be fastened to the BMS module 10' with one or more nuts (not shown). An earth connection to the circuit assembly can be completed, established, enabled, or provided by integrating the HV battery housing 12' into a vehicle, such as an EV or HEV.

[0034] The present disclosure therefore describes an improved system and method for providing an electrical grounding connection for a circuit arrangement such as may be included in a BMS for a high-voltage battery system for an EV or HEV. In this respect, the high-voltage battery system environment or application described in connection with the system and method for providing an electrical grounding connection for a circuit arrangement of the present disclosure is only exemplary, and the system and method of the present disclosure may also be used in other environments or applications.The system and method described herein for providing an electrical ground connection for a circuit assembly overcomes, resolves, or mitigates compact and / or restrictive placement requirements for a high-voltage battery system in an electric vehicle (EV) or high-efficiency electric vehicle (HEV) that may include and / or affect the vehicle's ground connection required by a battery management system (BMS). The system and method described herein for providing an electrical ground connection for a circuit assembly also overcomes, resolves, or mitigates similar design constraints and / or requirements that may also include and / or affect the ground connection required by any other type of electronic assembly or device in a vehicle.

[0035] As is evident from the foregoing, various non-limiting embodiments of a system and method for providing an electrical grounding connection for a circuit arrangement have been described. Although various embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, they are only exemplary, and it is not intended that these embodiments illustrate and describe all possible embodiments. Instead, the words used here are descriptive rather than limiting, and it is understood that various modifications may be made to these embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the following claims.

Claims

[1] System for providing an electrical earthing connection for a circuit arrangement (20), the system comprising: a housing for the circuit arrangement (20), wherein the housing has an electrically conductive mounting component (24) comprising a first section (34) configured to extend inside the housing and a second section (46), wherein at least one section of the second section (46) extends outside the housing, such that at least the section of the second section (46) is configured for attachment to an electrically conductive element (12') outside the housing; and an electrically conductive feature (28) having a first end (30) and a second end (32), wherein the first end is configured to interact with the first section (34) of the electrically conductive fastening component (24) within the housing, wherein the first section (34) has a threaded recess (36) and the first end (30) has an opening (40), and wherein the threaded recess (36) and the opening (40) are configured to receive a screw (38) for connecting the electrically conductive fastening component (24) to the electrically conductive feature (28), and the second end (32) is configured for attachment to the circuit assembly (20), wherein the attachment of the electrically conductive fastening component (24) to the electrically conductive element (12') outside the housing enables the electrical grounding connection for the circuit arrangement (20) via the electrically conductive feature (28). [2] System according to claim 1, wherein the electrically conductive feature (28) comprises a busbar (28) extending in a plurality of planes and having a first end (30), and wherein the first section (34) of the electrically conductive fastening component (24) and the first end (30) of the busbar (28) are configured for fastening by an adhesive or welding. [3] System according to claim 1, wherein the electrically conductive feature (28) comprises a busbar (28) extending in a plurality of planes. [4] System according to claim 1, wherein the second section has a threaded shaft (48) adapted to accommodate a nut for fastening the electrically conductive fastening component (24) to the electrically conductive element (12'). [5] System according to claim 4, wherein the electrically conductive fastening component (24) is overmolded into the housing. [6] System according to claim 5, wherein the electrically conductive fastening component (24) comprises an anti-rotation feature (54) configured to prevent rotation of the electrically conductive fastening component (24) in the housing during rotation of the nut on the threaded shaft (48) of the electrically conductive fastening component (24). [7] System according to claim 1, wherein the electrically conductive feature (28) comprises a busbar (28) extending in a plurality of planes, wherein the second end (32) of the busbar (28) has an opening (42) formed therein which is configured to receive a screw, and the circuit arrangement (20) comprises a printed circuit board (PCB) having an opening formed therein which is configured to receive the screw for fastening the second end (32) of the busbar (28) to the PCB. [8] System according to claim 1, wherein the electrically conductive feature (28) comprises a busbar (28), a wire, a conductive mesh or a conductive paint on a surface of the housing. [9] System for providing an electrical earthing connection for a circuit arrangement (20), the system comprising: an electrically conductive fastening component (24) having a first section (34) configured to extend within a housing for the circuit arrangement (20), and a second section (46) configured to extend outside the housing, the second section (46) further configured for attachment to an electrically conductive element (12'); and an electrically conductive feature (28) having a first and a second end (30, 32), wherein the first end (30) is configured to interact with the first section (34) of the electrically conductive mounting component (24) inside the housing, and the second end (32) is configured for attachment to the circuit assembly (20); wherein the attachment of the second section (46) of the electrically conductive fastening component (24) to the electrically conductive element (12') outside the housing enables an electrical grounding connection for the circuit arrangement (20) via the electrically conductive feature (28). [10] System according to claim 9, wherein the electrically conductive feature (28) comprises a busbar (28) extending in a plurality of planes and having a first end (30), and wherein the first section of the electrically conductive fastening component (24) and the first end (30) of the busbar (28) are configured for fastening by an adhesive or welding. [11] System according to claim 9, wherein the electrically conductive feature (28) comprises a busbar (28) extending in a plurality of planes and having the first end (30), wherein the first section (34) of the electrically conductive fastening component (24) has a threaded recess (36) formed therein configured to receive a screw (38), and wherein the first end (30) of the busbar (28) has an opening (40) formed therein configured to receive the screw (38). [12] System according to claim 9, wherein the second section (46) of the electrically conductive fastening component (24), which is configured to extend outside the housing, comprises a threaded shaft (48) adapted to accommodate a nut for fastening the electrically conductive fastening component (24) to the electrically conductive element (12'). [13] System according to claim 12, wherein the electrically conductive fastening component (24) is overmolded in the housing. [14] System according to claim 13, wherein the electrically conductive fastening component (24) has an anti-rotation feature (54) configured to prevent rotation of the electrically conductive fastening component (24) in the housing during rotation of the nut on the threaded shaft (48) of the electrically conductive fastening component (24). [15] System according to claim 9, wherein the electrically conductive feature comprises a busbar (28) extending in a plurality of planes and having the second end (32), wherein the second end of the busbar (28) has an opening (42) formed therein which is configured to receive a screw, and the circuit arrangement (20) comprises a printed circuit board (PCB) having an opening formed therein which is configured to receive the screw for fastening the second end (32) of the busbar (28) to the PCB. [16] System according to claim 9, wherein the electrically conductive feature (28) comprises a busbar (28), a wire, a conductive mesh or a conductive paint on a surface of the housing. [17] Method for providing an electrical earthing connection for a circuit arrangement (20), the method comprising: Attaching a first end (30) of an electrically conductive feature (28) to a first section (34) of an electrically conductive fastening component (24), wherein the first section (34) of the electrically conductive fastening component (24) is configured to extend within a housing for the circuit arrangement (20), and wherein the electrically conductive feature (28) comprises (i) a conductive paint on a surface of the housing for the circuit arrangement, (ii) a busbar (28), (iii) a wire or (iv) a conductive mesh; Installing the circuit assembly (20) into the housing; and Attaching a second end (32) of the electrically conductive feature (28) to the circuit arrangement (20). [18] Method according to claim 17, wherein the electrically conductive fastening component (24) comprises a second section (46) configured to extend outside the housing for attachment to an electrically conductive element (12'), the method further comprising attaching the second section (46) of the electrically conductive fastening component (24) to the electrically conductive element (12') outside the housing to provide an electrical grounding connection for the circuit arrangement (20) via the electrically conductive feature (28). [19] Method according to claim 17, wherein the first section (34) of the electrically conductive fastening component (24) has a threaded recess (36) formed therein, which is designed to receive a screw (38), wherein the electrically conductive feature (28) comprises a busbar (28), wherein the busbar (28) comprises the first end (30) with an opening (40) formed therein, which is designed to receive the screw (38), and wherein attaching the first end (30) of the electrically conductive feature (28) to the first section (34) of the electrically conductive fastening component (24) comprises screwing the first end (30) of the busbar (28) to the first section (34) of the electrically conductive fastening component (24). [20] Method according to claim 17, which further comprises overmolding the electrically conductive fastening component (24) in the housing.

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