Electronic assembly and method for manufacturing an electronic assembly

The method simplifies the production of electronic assemblies by using a composite structural unit with crescent-shaped pins and thermoplastic encapsulation, addressing complexity and cost issues in existing methods, and enhancing sealing and mechanical stability.

DE102023117285A1Pending Publication Date: 2025-01-02TURCK HOLDING GMBH

Patent Information

Application Number
DE102023117285
Authority / Receiving Office
DE · DE
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2023-06-30
Publication Date
2025-01-02

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing methods for producing electronic assemblies, such as proximity switches, are complex and costly, often requiring manual soldering and materials like epoxy resin that do not provide a favorable seal.

Method used

A method involving a composite structural unit of a plug, electronic board, and sensor board connected via soldering, encapsulated in a thermoplastic shell using low-pressure injection molding, allowing automated assembly and simplified production with crescent-shaped pins for easy soldering, and a grounding element for conductive housing connection.

Benefits of technology

Enables efficient, automated production of electronic assemblies with improved sealing and mechanical stability, facilitating easy replacement and recycling of components while reducing production costs and time.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

The present invention relates to an electronic assembly comprising a housing (100), a connector (107), an electronic circuit board (108), a sensor board (109), and a front cap (106). The housing (100) accommodates the connector (107), the electronic circuit board (108), the sensor board (109), and the front cap (106) successively from a rear to a front. A collar (102) is provided on the rear of the housing (100) against which an axial end face of the connector (107) is supported, preventing the connector (107) from being pulled out of the rear of the housing (100). The connector (107), the electronic circuit board (108), and the sensor board (109) form a single, integrated assembly. The front of the housing (100) secures the component within the housing (100) by means of crimping around the front cap (106) and presses the component against the collar (102). Furthermore, a method for manufacturing an electronic assembly is described.
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Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic assembly and a method for manufacturing such an electronic assembly. An example of such an electronic assembly could be a proximity switch or any other electronic switching device.

[0002] An electronic switching device from the prior art, as disclosed in DE 10 2017 201 320 B3, is in Fig. Figure 5 shows a housing with a cylindrical section 5. This cylindrical section 5 houses a circuit carrier 2 and a sensor unit 1. In this prior art application example, the sensor unit 1 is designed as a wound front coil. The sensor unit defines a front side of the electronic switching device, while the connector 3 defines a rear side of the electronic switching device.

[0003] To achieve a seal for the electronic components inside the housing, DE 10 2017 201 320 B3 describes a situation in which the connector 3 is inserted into the housing from the rear and the threaded tube 6 is crimped to a perforated washer 7 and the cylindrical section 5. A soft polyurethane foam 4 is provided inside the electronic switching device to ensure a seal. DE 10 2017 201 320 B3 differs from the prior art in that this soft foam is used instead of an epoxy resin, which allegedly results in an unfavorable seal.

[0004] Further relevant prior art is described in DE 10 2017 129 687 B4 and EP 1 695 037 B1. EP 1 695 037 B1 describes an example of a switching device with a shielding sleeve for shielding electromagnetic radiation.

[0005] Based on the aforementioned prior art, the object of the present invention is to provide a simplified method, in particular for the automated production of an electronic assembly or for the cost-effective production of an electronic assembly.

[0006] To solve the problem, an electronic assembly and a method for manufacturing an electronic assembly are proposed in accordance with the attached independent claims.

[0007] The electronic assembly comprises a housing, a connector, a circuit board, a sensor board, and a front cap. The housing can be cylindrical or, in particular, tubular. Any other housing shape is also possible. The housing typically extends axially along a direction from a front to a rear. The housing successively accommodates the connector, the circuit board, the sensor board, and the front cap, moving from the rear to the front.

[0008] The connector can be manufactured as a separate element and, for example, has a connector housing in which one or more pins are provided to ensure the connector functionality.

[0009] The connector, for example, makes contact with one end of the circuit board. The circuit board can be, for example, a planar element with electronic components mounted on it. At a second end of the circuit board, a sensor board can then be connected to the circuit board.

[0010] The connector, the electronic circuit board, and the sensor board together form a single, integrated assembly. An integrated assembly is one in which the electronic circuit board and the sensor board are joined together, for example, by soldering and / or additional overmolding, such as using a hot melt process, thus forming a single, integrated unit. This assembly can then be inserted into the housing as a whole from the front.

[0011] After this assembled unit is inserted, for example an axial end surface of the connector interacts with a collar provided on the back of the housing, so that the connector cannot be pulled out of the back of the housing.

[0012] The front of the housing is closed and / or sealed, for example, by means of crimping around the front flap, so that the assembly is fixed in the housing and pressed against the flange.

[0013] This allows for easy manufacturing of the electronic assembly and also ensures the replacement of individual parts.

[0014] According to a further development of the invention, the connector comprises a connector housing and connector pins. The connector pins are held in the connector housing. The rear end of the pins, by means of which contact is made with the first end of the electronic circuit board, is preferably crescent-shaped. Although the plural "pins" is described here, only a single pin can also be provided, which constitutes the connector functionality.

[0015] The crescent-shaped or banana-shaped design, in conjunction with the contact pads on the circuit board where the pins make contact with the electronic circuit board, is particularly advantageous for enabling easy contacting and fixing.

[0016] In particular, the pins are arranged in the connector housing in such a way that the crescent-shaped elements are opposite each other, so that they, like claws, place the electronic circuit board between them on the corresponding contact pads and pre-fix them before they are then connected to the contact pads by soldering, especially in a selective soldering process, as described later.

[0017] The pins can be drawn from a solid material. This allows for a more stable design and a mechanically less fragile connection.

[0018] In particular, the pins are made of brass, for example. However, any other conductive material, especially metal, can also be used.

[0019] According to a further development of the invention, a grounding element can be provided between the circuit board and the housing at the circuit board-side end of the connector housing. The grounding element is preferably made of metal. However, any other electrically conductive material can also be used. The housing is preferably also made of an electrically conductive material, e.g., metal.

[0020] The grounding element can be formed by a metal ring that has at least one solder lug for contacting a ground pad on the circuit board, which in turn is connected to a capacitor on the circuit board. Additionally, the metal ring can have at least one protruding press-fit lug that establishes an electrically conductive contact with the housing. Specifically, exactly two solder lugs are provided, which hold the circuit board between them. It is advantageous if four press-fit lugs are also provided on the metal ring. The press-fit lug is, for example, a local radial widening of the ring.

[0021] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the assembled component is surrounded by an injection-molded shell. This injection-molded shell can be produced using a low-pressure injection molding process, and thus the component forms a captive and integral unit, which is then inserted into the housing.

[0022] To ensure the functionality of sensitive electronic components such as circuit boards, sensors, or other electronic parts, it is crucial that they are protected from negative environmental influences. Low-pressure injection molding, for example, is used for this purpose, enabling effective sealing of electronic components.

[0023] The use of different materials allows for the consideration of individual requirements regarding flexibility, impact resistance, shock absorption, moisture resistance, sealing, UV protection, chemical resistance, and color. This ensures optimal adaptation to the specific requirements of the respective components.

[0024] In the low-pressure injection molding process, the components are placed in a mold and directly coated with hot melt adhesive. This process uses an injection pressure of 1.5 to 40 bar and an operating temperature range of -50°C to +200°C. This potting technique not only protects the components from corrosion and environmental influences, but also allows for the integration of bores and screw threads to ensure further improved functionality.

[0025] The contour of the injection-molded shell can correspond to the inner contour of the housing; therefore, if the housing has a tubular cross-section, this injection-molded shell will also have a tubular shape. However, the contour of the injection-molded shell takes into account factors such as the coefficient of thermal expansion of the thermoplastic material and leaves a defined buffer zone for thermal expansion relative to the housing. The assembly with the injection-molded shell is thus held in place only by the flanged edge of the housing at the front and the collar at the rear, making it easier to disassemble the electronic assembly.The use of thermoplastic material, due to its low adhesion strength compared to typical potting compounds, especially those based on thermosetting or elastomeric plastics such as epoxy resins or thermosetting plastics or silicone compounds or elastomeric plastics, allows for subsequent mechanical removal of the plastic, thus enabling repair work on the circuit board or recycling of the individual components.

[0026] The injected shell can have an integral sealing lip; for example, if the injected shell is tubular, the sealing lip can be circumferential around the tube to ensure a watertight seal to the inner wall of the housing.

[0027] The electronic assembly described above in very general terms can, for example, be formed by or include a proximity switch or any other electronic switch. Other sensor types include: inductive sensor, capacitive sensor, pressure sensor, gas sensor, temperature sensor, humidity sensor, ultrasonic sensor, vibration detection sensor, and UV sensor.

[0028] Furthermore, a method for manufacturing an electronic assembly is described. The assembly can be a previously mentioned assembly.

[0029] The process characteristics specified below for the process can also be provided in device form in the electronic assembly.

[0030] In this process, the rear ends of the connector pins are first contacted with the first end of the electronic circuit board. Then, the contacts of the sensor board are contacted with the corresponding contacts of the electronic circuit board at the second end of the electronic circuit board. Thus, the connector of the electronic circuit board forms the sensor board as a single, integrated unit. The two contacting steps described above can also be performed in reverse order.

[0031] The assembled component can then advantageously include the injection-molded shell as an integral part, which is produced in particular by means of the low-pressure injection molding process.

[0032] The assembly is then inserted into the housing from the front to the back until an axial end face of the connector rests against the collar on the back of the housing. The housing is then closed at the front with the cap, and the back of the housing is crimped around the front cap, thus securing the assembly within the housing and pressing it against the collar.

[0033] The cap can also be provided or mounted on the front of the component before it is inserted into the housing and therefore does not need to be attached after the component has been inserted.

[0034] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the method can further include the steps of overmolding at least parts of the assembly, so that the assembly is surrounded by an injection-molded shell.

[0035] The injection-molded shell is advantageously made of a thermoplastic material. The contour of the injection-molded shell takes into account, for example, the coefficient of thermal expansion of the thermoplastic material and leaves a defined buffer zone for thermal expansion relative to the housing. The injection-molded shell can be manufactured using the aforementioned low-pressure injection molding process.

[0036] The contacting of the back ends of the pins of the connector with the first ends of the circuit board and alternatively or additionally the contacting of the contacts of the sensor plate with the corresponding contacts of the electronic circuit board and the second end of the electronic circuit board can be done by means of a selective soldering process.

[0037] Selective soldering, in simplified terms, replaces manual soldering in electronic assembly manufacturing. It's an automated 3D soldering process controlled by software. X, Y, and Z coordinates are defined on the circuit board. These coordinates indicate the precise locations on the board where hot solder is applied to solder specific components. For example, a conical nozzle moves up to the board and precisely applies the solder point. The selective soldering process is also recorded, for instance, as a video.

[0038] Selective soldering can also be performed using a mini-wave. This method is particularly advantageous when dealing with a large number of solder joints. Mini-waves can be used with a clearance of just 2 mm around the soldering area. Quick-change nozzle sets make the process flexible and suitable for a wide variety of solder joints.

[0039] Selective soldering processes are derived from wave soldering, in which the soldering area was restricted by reducing the size of the soldering wave or the solder bath to small soldering nozzles.

[0040] In this process, the workpiece is immersed in a stationary miniature wave. To remove the oxide layer that forms on the surface, the solder wave flows internally within the nozzle. To reduce oxide formation at the nozzle exit and improve the soldering process, the nozzle is, for example, purged with nitrogen.

[0041] For example, a single wave can be used to create the contacts at the first and / or second end of the electronic circuit board. All contacts between the sensor board and the electronic circuit board, or between pins and the electronic circuit board, can thus be made in one process pass or two selective soldering steps – one for the sensor end and one for the connector end – if, for example, the wave is passed over the contact area in a single pass.

[0042] The procedure described above can be automated, and the individual steps are not performed manually.

[0043] Further advantageous embodiments are discussed with reference to the embodiment described below in conjunction with the figures.

[0044] This shows: Fig. 1a an embodiment of an electronic assembly according to the invention in its joining direction, in which the individual parts are joined; Fig. 1b a side view showing a unit consisting of a connector, electronic circuit board and sensor board, with the front cap already provided on the front side; Fig. 1c a component unit inserted into the housing made of Fig. 1b in their cross-sectional view; Fig. 2a a side view of the connector housing and the electronic circuit board connected to it, Fig. 2b the corresponding side view of the connector housing Fig. 2a without the mounted electronic circuit board (see view in the direction of arrow B in Fig. 2c), Fig. 2c a slanted view of the connector housing, Fig. 3a compared to the view from Fig. 2b Another side view of the connector housing, offset by 90 degrees (see view in the direction of arrow D in Fig. 2c), Fig. 3b a view from the side of the connector housing facing the electronic circuit board, Fig. 3c a schematic view of how the connector housing with the attached electronic circuit board is held in the housing 100, Fig. 4a a view from the direction of arrow D in Fig. 2c on the arrangement of connector housing and the associated electronic circuit board, Fig. 4b a section of the electronic circuit board with its end which is connected to the sensor board, Fig. 4c an oblique view of the connection area between the electronics board and the sensor board, Fig. 4d a side view of the arrangement made of Fig. 4b, Fig. 4e a sketch of the connection between the contacts of the sensor board and the corresponding contacts of the electronics board, as well as Fig. 5 a construction unit as described in DE 10 2017 201 320 B3.

[0045] Fig. Figure 1a shows a housing with reference numeral 100.

[0046] In this case, it is cylindrical, namely tubular. The housing 100 thus has an axial direction.

[0047] The housing 100 has a front opening 101 on its front side.

[0048] On the back of the case, 100, as in Fig. As can be seen in 1c, a collar 102 is provided, which is formed by an inwardly bent end of the housing 100.

[0049] The housing 100 also has a rear opening 103 on the back, the cross-section of which is smaller than the front opening 101.

[0050] As can be seen from the cross-sectional view in Fig. As can be seen in Figure 1c, the housing has a cylindrical inner circumferential surface 104.

[0051] A component unit 105, which is described below, is inserted into the front opening 101 in the housing.

[0052] Then what is shown in the cross-sectional view in Fig. 1c is not visible, the housing is crimped at its front end and thus at least partially folded around the edge of a front cap 106, so that the assembly 105 is held fixed in the housing and an axial end surface of the connector 107 interacts with the collar 102. In particular, an axial end surface of the connector 107 is supported against the collar 102 in the axial direction.

[0053] In Fig. 1a shows further parts of the electronic assembly.

[0054] These are the connector 107, the electronics board 108 and the sensor board 109.

[0055] In this example, the front cap 106 is not seen as part of the assembly unit 105, but as a separate element.

[0056] The connector 107, the electronic circuit board 108 and the sensor board 109 are connected to each other by subsequent soldering, for example in the present case by selective soldering.

[0057] The elements provided in the example – connector 107, electronic circuit board 108, and sensor board 109 – form the assembly 105. This is in Fig. 1b shown in a side view.

[0058] Construction unit 105 will be what is in Fig. 1a is not visible, surrounded by an injection-molded shell 110. This injection-molded shell 110 can be produced using a low-pressure injection molding process.

[0059] In the present embodiment, the injection-molded shell 110 has a thickening on a second side, which lies on the front of the housing 100, and on a first side, which lies on a rear side of the housing 100. A so-called sealing lip is formed there, for example.

[0060] These sealing lips are supported in particular by the inner wall of the housing 100 in order to seal it.

[0061] In the area of ​​the electronic circuit board, where a diode not shown in detail in the figures may be provided, the injection-molded casing 110 may be thinner and / or have an opening.

[0062] By overmolding, especially in the low-pressure injection molding process, a captive assembly can be produced which can then be inserted precisely into the interior of the housing 100.

[0063] The connector has a connector housing 112 and pins 113 contained therein.

[0064] The pins 113 each have a crescent-shaped design on the side that contacts the electronic circuit board 108 and, in this example, are drawn from a solid material. As in the Fig. 2c and Fig. As can be seen in 3b, four such pins 113 are provided here.

[0065] In addition to the 4-pin connector specified in the present embodiment, 3-pin connectors or connectors with more than four pins are of course also conceivable in an analogous manner.

[0066] The cross-section of pins 113 is essentially round or oval, at least on the side where the circuit board 108 is located. In this case, the pins are round in cross-section along their entire length.

[0067] Viewed from a front end, the pins 113 are curved in a rear section. Each pair of opposing pins 113, as shown in Fig. 2a and Fig. 3c can be seen, the electronic circuit board between them and contact the in Fig. 4 connector-side contact pads 116 are provided on the electronic circuit board 108. The pins are banana-shaped, with the circuit board-side ends of the pins 113 pointing slightly radially away from the circuit board 108. Two opposing curves of the banana-shaped bend of the pins 113 form the shortest possible gap between the two opposing pins and accommodate, for example, the circuit board 108 between them, particularly with preload.

[0068] In addition to the pins 113, the connector also has a metal ring 117 with two solder lugs 118 (see figure). Fig. 2c, Fig. 3b and c). The sheet metal ring 117 also has press-fit tabs 119 projecting radially from it. The sheet metal ring 117 is mounted on the connector housing 112 at the circuit board-side end of the connector housing 112 in the axial direction of the assembly 105. The connector housing 112 with the pins 113 and the sheet metal ring can thus form a unit in itself, which can then be used, for example, prefabricated in the automated production of the assembly 105 or the entire electronic assembly.

[0069] The solder lugs 118 and the press-fit lugs 119 are integrally provided on the sheet metal ring 117, which can be manufactured as a stamped part. Even though two solder lugs 118 and four press-fit lugs 119 are provided in this case, the grounding of the electronic circuit board 108 via the housing 100 does not require a specific design and / or number of solder lugs 118 and press-fit lugs 119. The sheet metal ring 117 is an example of a grounding element that is provided between the electronic circuit board 108 and the housing 100 at the circuit board-side end of the connector housing 112.

[0070] In this case, the solder lugs 118 are designed as plate-like tabs whose surface is perpendicular to the circuit board 108. In addition to the connector-side contact pads 116, the circuit board 108 also has further ground contact pads 120, which establish a contact with a capacitor 121 mounted on the circuit board (see figure). Fig. 4a, Fig. 3c). In this case, the electronic circuit board 108 has a single ground contact pad 120 and two connector-side contact pads 116 on each of its bottom and top surfaces, corresponding to the number and position of the pins 113 and solder lugs 118. The side edges of the two solder lugs 118 hold the electronic circuit board 108 between them and stabilize the arrangement.

[0071] The shielding sleeve described in the aforementioned EP 1 695 037 B1 is, for example, implemented here by capacitive connection via the metal plate (sheet ring 117) on the connector, which establishes a conductive connection to the housing and is soldered to the circuit board. This allows AC interference to be dissipated via the housing through a capacitor connected to circuit ground (GND). The advantage of this is that no additional shielding sleeve is required, nor is an additional contacting process (soldering) necessary.

[0072] The solder lugs 118 are soldered simultaneously with the pins 113 using the selective soldering method. The shape of the crescent-shaped or banana-shaped connector pins is again advantageous for the selective soldering method, which allows the pins to be reproducibly wetted simultaneously with the soldering finger, thus achieving a very short soldering time, in particular less than 5 seconds.

[0073] The electronic circuit board 108 contains in Fig. 1a Individual contact pads (connector-side contact pads 116) are shown on the right side. These provide contact with pins 113.

[0074] On the electronic circuit board 108, there are also [unclear] on the left side. Fig. 1a Three contact pads (sensor-side contact pads 122) are shown, which are in contact with, for example, pins of the sensor board 109 that are not shown.

[0075] The contact is made by soldering, in particular selective soldering.

[0076] For example, the contacting of the connector pins with the contact pads of the electronic circuit board 108, and also the contacting of the sensor board pins 109 with the contact pads of the electronic circuit board 108, can each be carried out in a single soldering step, for example, using a mini-wave that is passed over or through the area to be soldered, so that the individual pins are soldered selectively at the same time. During this selective soldering step of the pins 113, the solder lugs 118 can also be soldered to the ground contact pads 120 at the same time.

[0077] A selective soldering process is characterized by the fact that individual pins are soldered selectively, rather than the connection on the entire circuit board being soldered simultaneously.

[0078] The connection of the contacts of the sensor board 109 with the sensor-side contact pads 122 can also be carried out in a single selective soldering step, which is performed in addition to the selective soldering step for contacting the connector.

[0079] Fig. Figures 4b to e show details of the connection between sensor board 109 and electronics board 108. In the Fig. 4b to d shows only a section of the electronic circuit board 108, so that the ones in the Fig. 3c and Fig. The connection to the plug shown in 4a is not visible. Fig. Figure 4e schematically shows the contact pads on the sensor board 109, which are designated there with reference numeral 122. A total of six such contact pads 123 are provided. These are arranged such that, when the sensor board 109 is positioned perpendicular to the electronics board 108, they are directly opposite the corresponding sensor-side contact pads 122 on the electronics board 108.

[0080] The solder joints designated with reference numeral 124 in the figures can then also be produced in the manner of a fillet solder joint. All six fillet solder joints connecting the sensor board 109 to the electronics board are advantageously produced in a single selective soldering step.

[0081] In particular, it can be provided that three solder pads are arranged on each side, i.e., on the top and bottom sides of the electronic circuit board. These three solder pads can advantageously be produced in a single selective soldering step, for example, by simultaneously wetting the three pads with the soldering finger. The other side with the three solder pads can then be soldered in a second step after turning the circuit board over. Specifically, the soldering finger can only approach the solder pads from the "bottom" to wet them.

[0082] However, a further embodiment may be provided in which two soldering fingers are used simultaneously to solder one side of the circuit board with three solder points of the sensor board 109 to the electronics board 108 and the contacting of the connector pins 113 and the solder tab 118 to the electronics board 108 at the same time.

[0083] After joining by soldering and connecting the elements and then overmolding with the molded shell 110, the front cap 109 is then placed over the sensor board 108 and the entire assembly 105 and the cap 109 are inserted into the housing 100 from the front.

[0084] Then the case is attached to the back at the tapered end, which is in Fig. 1c is marked with reference number 114, crimped to achieve a secure fixation.

[0085] Insofar as individual features are shown in the specific embodiment, these should also be able to be protected separately and constitute an invention in themselves.

[0086] In particular, the crescent-shaped or banana-shaped contacts, and / or the arrangement of the pins 113, which form the electronic circuit board 108, may in themselves constitute an invention.

[0087] In particular, selective soldering and / or soldering using a mini-wave, especially in one step, may in itself constitute an invention.

[0088] The present assembly is manufactured, for example, fully automatically by first prefabricating the component 105 from the electronic circuit board 108, sensor board 109, and connector from the corresponding individual parts. For instance, only two selective soldering steps are required, since both sides of the electronic circuit board 108 have three solder pads for contacting the sensor board 109 (front area) and three solder pads for contacting the connector and solder lug (rear area of ​​the board). This automated process can also constitute an invention in itself. Reference symbol list 1 sensor unit 2 circuit carriers 3 plugs 4 PU soft foam 5 cylindrical section 6 threaded pipe 7 perforated disc 100 cases 101 Front opening 102 Bund 103 Back opening 104 Inner circumference area 105 building units 106 Front cap 107 plugs 108 Electronic circuit board 109 Sensor board 110 injected shell 112 connector housings 113 Pin 114 rejuvenated ending 116 connector-side contact pad 117 sheet metal ring 118 solder lugs 119 press-fit tabs 120 ground contact pads 121 Capacitor 122 sensor-side contact pad 123 Contact pad of the sensor board 124 solder points QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 10 2017 201 320 B3 [0002, 0003, 0044] DE 10 2017 129 687 B4

[0004] EP 1 695 037 B1 [0004, 0071]

Claims

[1] Electronic assembly comprising a housing (100), a connector (107), an electronic board (108), a sensor board (109) and a front cap (106); wherein the housing (100) accommodates the plug (107), the electronic board (108), the sensor board (109) and the front cap (106) in succession from a rear side to a front side; wherein a collar (102) is provided on the rear side of the housing (100), against which an axial end face of the plug (107) is supported, so that the plug (107) cannot be pulled out of the rear side of the housing (100); wherein the plug (107), the electronics board (108), and the sensor board (109) form a composite unit; and wherein the front of the housing (100) fixes the unit in the housing (100) by flanging around the front cap (106) and presses it against the collar (102). [2] Electronic assembly according to claim 1, characterized byin that the plug (107) has a plug housing (112) and plug pins (113) which are held in the plug housing (112), and the rear end of the pins (113), by means of which contact is made with a first end of the electronic circuit board (108), is crescent-shaped, wherein in particular the plug pins (113) are each arranged in the plug housing (112) in such a way that the crescent-shaped ends lie opposite one another and their bulges place the electronic circuit board between them on the corresponding contact pads and pre-fix them. [3] Electronic assembly according to claim 2, characterized by that a grounding element is provided which is provided between the electronics board (108) and the housing (100) at an electronics board-side end of the plug housing (112). [4] Electronic assembly according to claim 3, characterized bythat the grounding element is formed by a sheet metal ring (117) which has at least one soldering lug (118) for contacting a ground contact pad (120) of the electronic circuit board (108), which contact pad is connected to a capacitor (121) on the electronic circuit board (108), and wherein the sheet metal ring (117) has at least one press-in lug (119) projecting therefrom, which establishes an electrically conductive contact with the housing (100), [5] Electronic assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the assembly is surrounded by an injection-molded shell (110) made of thermoplastic material, the contour of which leaves a radial buffer area for the thermal expansion to the housing, wherein in particular the injection-molded shell (110) is produced by means of a low-pressure injection molding process, wherein the assembly forms a unit with the injection-molded shell (110) which is held only by the flanged front side of the housing (100) and the collar (102) on the rear side of the housing (100). [6] Electronic assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the electronic component is one of the following sensor types: proximity switch, inductive sensor, capacitive sensor, pressure sensor, gas sensor, temperature sensor, humidity sensor, ultrasonic sensor, vibration detection sensor, UV sensor. [7] Method for producing an electronic assembly, comprising a housing (100), a connector (107), an electronic board (108), a sensor board (109) and a front cap (106), the method comprising the following steps: Contacting rear ends of pins (113) of the connector (107) with a first end of the electronic board (108); Contacting contacts of the sensor board (109) with corresponding contacts of the electronic board (108) at a second end of the electronic board (108); so that the plug (107), the electronic board (108), and the sensor board (109) form a composite unit; Inserting the assembly into the housing (100) from a front side to a rear side thereof until an axial end face of the plug (107) is supported on a collar (102) on the rear side of the housing (100); Closing the housing (100) at the front with the front cap (106); and Crimping the back of the housing (100) around the front cap (106) so that the assembly is fixed in the housing (100) and pressed against the collar (102). [8] Method according to claim 7, characterized by that the method further comprises a step of overmolding at least parts of the assembly so that the assembly is surrounded by an injection-molded shell (110). [9] Method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized bythat the contacting of the rear ends of the pins (113) of the connector (107) with the first end of the electronic board (108); and / or the contacting of the contacts of the sensor board (109) with the corresponding contacts of the electronics board (108) at the second end of the electronics board (108) is carried out by means of a selective soldering process and / or wave soldering process, wherein in particular all contacts between the plug (108) and the electronics board (108) are carried out in a single uninterrupted soldering step, and / or all contacts between the sensor board (109) and the electronics board (108) are carried out in a single further uninterrupted soldering step, wherein in particular with two soldering fingers used simultaneously one side of the board with the soldering points of the sensor board (109) with the electronics board (108) and the contacting of the plug pins (113) as well as the soldering lug (118) with the electronics board (108) are soldered simultaneously. [10] Method according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized by that the process is carried out automatically and, in particular, that the individual steps are not carried out manually.

Citation Information

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