Mounting hardware for an electrolytic capacitor

Abstract

The present invention relates to a fastening means (10) for an electrolytic capacitor (12) comprising: - a first layer (14), - a recess (16) in the layer (14), wherein the recess (16) is configured to accommodate an electrolytic capacitor (12) at least temporarily, wherein the recess (16) has a surface (18) wherein the surface (18) has a predetermined electrical conductivity, wherein the surface (18) is configured to discharge the capacitor (12) when a first contact area (20) exists between a part of the capacitor (12) and the surface (18).

Description

State of the art

[0001] The present invention relates to a fastening means for an electrolytic capacitor, a fastening unit and a method for producing a fastening means.

[0002] Currently, there are a variety of different solutions for storing and transporting capacitors. Due to the increasing number of capacitors being installed in vehicles and the increasing demands on manufacturing quality, the need for innovative and robust methods for capacitor assembly is continuously growing.

[0003] The constant weight reduction in the vehicle sector to reduce fuel consumption and increasing competition are creating cost pressure, resulting in greater demand for cheaper and more efficient components for vehicles. Disclosure of the invention

[0004] The fastening means according to the invention for an electrolytic capacitor with the features of claim 1 has the advantage over the known means that the capacitor is discharged in the fastening means for the duration of transport until assembly, so that no short circuits, unwanted or uncontrolled discharges or the like can occur during assembly of the electrolytic capacitor, which could damage a component onto which the electrolytic capacitor can be mounted if the capacitor still has a residual voltage. For example, the capacitor may have a residual voltage or the like, which can arise as an incalculable risk in the production of electronic components. In this case, the capacitor may be provided with a voltage, particularly during production, or may become at least partially charged due to transport.Thus, residual voltages may be present in the capacitor before it is mounted, which could, for example, damage a voltage circuit or similar device on a component if the residual voltage is not discharged beforehand. The capacitor can be discharged using the fastening means, which forms at least part of the transport and / or storage container for the electrolytic capacitor.

[0005] This is achieved according to the invention in that the fastening means for an electrolytic capacitor comprises a first layer and a recess in the first layer. The recess is configured to at least temporarily accommodate an electrolytic capacitor, wherein the recess has a surface, wherein the surface has a predetermined electrical conductivity, wherein the surface is configured to discharge the capacitor when a first contact area exists between at least a portion of the capacitor and the surface.

[0006] In other words, the surface can divert currents and / or voltages from the capacitor, causing it to discharge. The first layer can be made of a statically dissipative ESD plastic with a surface resistance of approximately 10 6Ω. Further preferably, the terminals or contact points of the capacitor can rest on recesses provided for this purpose, such as contact blocks, in order to be able to discharge the capacitor even better. Further preferably, the capacitor can form a contact surface with the recess or the surface of the recess in order to thus free itself from the residual voltage. In this way, the capacitor can be completely discharged after a predetermined time. In particular, the recess and the contact blocks can be designed such that they are adapted to an individual capacitor. Because the electrolytic capacitor has been completely discharged by means of the fastening means, it can be safely removed from the fastening means in order to then be able to be mounted on a component without running the risk of damaging the component.

[0007] The subclaims show preferred developments of the invention.

[0008] More preferably, the first layer comprises a conductive plastic.

[0009] The advantage of this design is that no additional materials need to be included in the fastening element to discharge the capacitor, thus significantly reducing manufacturing costs. The conductive plastic can, in particular, be an electrically conductive plastic with defined electrically conductive properties, thus enabling controlled and permanent dissipation of electrostatic charges.

[0010] More preferably, the conductive plastic is an electrostatically dissipative plastic.

[0011] An advantage of this embodiment is that the electrostatically dissipative plastic can be specifically designed to dissipate the electrostatic voltages that occur, in particular voltages that typically occur when using electrolytic capacitors.

[0012] More preferably, the electrostatically dissipative plastic forms at least partially the first layer and at least partially the surface, wherein the surface has a specific surface resistance of between 10 6 Ω and 10 12 Ω.

[0013] An advantage of this embodiment is that the layer and the surface of the recess can be made of a single material, thus further reducing the manufacturing costs of the fastening device. Furthermore, the electrostatic voltages can be dissipated, in particular, across the entire fastening device.

[0014] Preferably, the fastening means comprises a contact block, in particular in an edge region of the recess, wherein the contact block is configured to form a second contact surface with a contact point of the capacitor.

[0015] An advantage of this embodiment is that the contact block can be adapted in particular to a specific contact point, so that the largest possible second contact surface is created in order to be able to discharge the capacitor. The first contact surface and the second contact surface can preferably be formed in one piece. For example, the capacitor has a terminal or the like which serves as a contact point. The contact point or the terminal of the capacitor can be electrically conductively connected to the contact block, in particular by the capacitor being pushed into the recess. Further preferably, the contact block is arranged in an edge region of the recess, wherein the position can be arranged inside the recess as well as outside the recess.

[0016] Preferably, the contact block is manufactured by thermal deep drawing.

[0017] An advantage of this embodiment is that the contact block can be formed in the fastening means using a simple punching tool that is thermally heated, so that the manufacturing costs can be further reduced.

[0018] Further preferably, the surface is configured to discharge the capacitor at a predetermined discharge rate.

[0019] An advantage of this embodiment is that the surface can be adapted such that the capacitor is fully discharged within a predetermined period of time. For example, the capacitor can have a predetermined capacitance, which is fully discharged within a predetermined period of time by means of the discharge rate. Thus, the capacitor can be stored in the fastening means for the predetermined period of time, thus ensuring that the capacitor is fully discharged.

[0020] A further aspect of the invention relates to a fastening unit comprising a fastening means, as described above and below, and a cover element. The cover element is arranged over a recess of the fastening means and on the fastening means. Furthermore, the cover element is configured to exert a predetermined force on a capacitor in the recess in order to establish and / or enlarge a first contact area between the capacitor and a surface of the recess.

[0021] An advantage of this embodiment is that when the recess is closed with a cover element such as an adhesive strip or the like, the recess of the fastening means and the cover element interact such that the capacitor is pressed onto the surface to form and / or enlarge the first contact point. For example, the capacitor can be inserted into the recess so that a first contact surface for a first region can be created. More preferably, the cover element can be applied to the fastening means so that a force acts on the capacitor, so that the first contact surface is enlarged because the capacitor can be pressed onto the surface or into the recess.

[0022] A further aspect of the invention relates to a method for producing a fastening means as described above and below, which comprises the steps: - detecting and / or receiving a first contour of an electrolytic capacitor, - Adapting a second contour of a recess of the fastener based on the first contour.

[0023] An advantage of this embodiment is that the fastening means can be adapted to the respective contour of the capacitor in order to form a first contact surface or to achieve the discharges of the capacitor. The electrolytic capacitor can have a first contour, such as a cross-sectional area or height. Based on the first contour, the recess can be adapted so that it is large enough for the capacitor to be inserted into the recess, yet small enough to form a contact surface.

[0024] The method further preferably comprises the step of: - Thermal deep drawing of a contact block depending on the first contour into the fastening element.

[0025] An advantage of this embodiment is that the contact blocks can be positioned and dimensioned based on the contour in order to create the largest possible contact surface between the fastening means and the capacitor. Short description of the drawings

[0026] Embodiments of the invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawing: Fig. 1a a fastening means according to an embodiment. Fig. 1b a fastening means according to an embodiment. Fig. 2 a flowchart illustrating steps of the method according to an embodiment. Fig. 3 a flowchart illustrating steps of the method according to an embodiment. Fig. 4 a fastening unit according to an embodiment of the invention. Embodiments of the invention

[0027] Preferably, all identical components, elements and / or units in all figures are provided with the same reference numerals.

[0028] Fig. 1a shows a fastening means 10 according to one embodiment. The fastening means 10 has a first layer 14. A recess 16 is arranged in the first layer 14, which is configured to accommodate a capacitor 12. The capacitor 12 has, in particular, a contact point 26. More preferably, the recess 16 has a surface 18, which is configured to form a first contact surface 20 with the capacitor 12 for discharging the capacitor 12.

[0029] Fig. 1b shows a fastening means 10 according to one embodiment. A capacitor 12 is arranged in the fastening means 10, which has two contact points 26. The capacitor 12 is arranged in the first layer 14 or in the first extension 16 in the first layer 14. The recess 16 has a surface 18. The surface 18 forms a first contact surface 20 between the surface 18 and the capacitor 12. The capacitor 12 can be discharged through the contact surface 20. More preferably, the fastening means 10 has a contact block 22, which in the Fig. 1b is arranged on both sides of the capacitor 12. The contact block 22 forms, in particular, a second contact surface 24 between the capacitor 12 and the surface 18. Further preferably, the first contact surface 20 and the second contact surface 24 can also be formed as a single piece. Further preferably, the contact points 26 of the capacitor 12 rest against the contact block 22 in order to thus form the second contact surface 24. The contact block 22 can be produced, in particular, by means of thermal deep drawing.

[0030] Fig. Figure 2 shows a flowchart illustrating steps of the method 200 for producing a fastening means 10, as described above and below, according to one embodiment. The method 200 comprises the following steps: - detecting and / or receiving S1 of a first contour of an electrolytic capacitor 12, -Adapting S2 a second contour of a recess 16 of the fastening means 10 based on the detected first contour.

[0031] Fig. Figure 3 shows a flowchart illustrating steps of the method 200 according to an embodiment. Fig. 3 the same steps S1 and S2 as already described with regard to the Fig. 2. Further preferably, the method 200 comprises the step of thermally deep-drawing S3 a contact block 22 into the fastening means 10 depending on the first contour.

[0032] Fig.4 shows a fastening unit 100 according to one embodiment. The fastening unit 100 has a fastening means 10, as described above and below. More preferably, the fastening unit 100 comprises a cover element 102. The cover element 102 is arranged above the recess 16 of the fastening element 10. More preferably, the cover element 102 is arranged on the first layer 14 of the fastening means 10. Thus, the cover element 102 can exert a force on a capacitor 12 located within the recess 16. Thus, a contact area 20 between the capacitor 12 and the surface 18 can be formed or enlarged.

Claims

[1] Fastening means (10) for an electrolytic capacitor (12) comprising: - a first layer (14), - a recess (16) in the layer (14), - wherein the recess (16) is designed to accommodate an electrolytic capacitor (12) at least temporarily, - wherein the recess (16) has a surface (18), - wherein the surface (18) has a predetermined electrical conductivity, - wherein the surface (18) is configured to discharge the capacitor (12) when a first contact area (20) exists between a part of the capacitor (12) and the surface (18). [2] Fastening means (10) according to claim 1, wherein the first layer (14) comprises a conductive plastic. [3] Fastening means (10) according to claim 2, wherein the conductive plastic is an electrostatically dissipative plastic. [4] Fastening means (10) according to claim 3, wherein the electrostatically dissipative plastic at least partially forms the first layer (14) and at least partially forms the surface (18), wherein the surface (18) has a specific surface resistance of between 10 6 Ω and 10 12 Ω. [5] Fastening means (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the fastening means (10) has a contact block (22), in particular in an edge region (23) of the recess (16), wherein the contact block (22) is adapted to form a second contact surface (24) with a contact point (26) of the capacitor (12). [6] Fastening means (10) according to claim 5, wherein the contact block (22) is manufactured by means of thermal deep drawing. [7] Fastening means (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the surface (18) is adapted to discharge the capacitor (12) at a predetermined discharge rate. [8] Fastening unit (100), comprising: - a fastening means (10) according to one of the preceding claims, - a cover element (102), - wherein the cover element (102) is arranged over a recess (16) of the fastening element (10) and on the fastening means (10), - wherein the cover element (102) is configured to exert a predetermined force on a capacitor (12) in the recess (16) in order to establish and / or enlarge a first contact area (20) between the capacitor (12) and a surface (18) of the recess (16). [9] Method (200) for producing a fastening means (10) according to one of claims 1 to 7, comprising the steps: - detecting and / or receiving (S1) a first contour of an electrolytic capacitor (12), - adapting (S2) a second contour of a recess (16) of the fastening means (10) based on the detected first contour. [10] The method (200) of claim 9, further comprising the step: - Thermally deep drawing a contact block (22) in the fastening means (10).

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