Control unit arrangement and connector alignment device for a control unit arrangement

Abstract

The invention relates to a control unit arrangement (1) comprising a control unit (2) and a connector alignment device (3) for automatically connecting a first electrical connection element (10) to a second electrical connection element (4) encompassed by the control unit (2). The invention also relates to the connector alignment device (3). The connector alignment device (3) comprises the first electrical connection element (10) and an alignment device (11) attached thereto and is configured to be brought into a preparation position in which the alignment device (11) is detachably coupled to the control unit (2), but the first electrical connection element (10) is spaced apart from the second electrical connection element (4).The connector alignment device (3) can be moved automatically from the preparation position to a connection position in which the first electrical connecting element (10) and the second electrical connecting element (4) form an electrical plug connection.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a control unit arrangement comprising a control unit and a connector alignment device for automatically connecting a first electrical connection element to a second electrical connection element encompassed by the control unit. The invention further relates to a connector alignment device for such a control unit arrangement.

[0002] A control unit can have at least one electrical connection element, such as a socket, into which another electrical connection element, such as a plug or a dongle, can be inserted to establish an electrical connection. This other electrical connection element could be, for example, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) connector that can be plugged into a USB socket as the electrical connection element of the control unit.

[0003] Before the control unit is delivered to a customer and / or installed in a device, such as a motor vehicle, software can be installed on the control unit and / or the control unit can be configured. This typically involves loading data into or onto the control unit, for example, by copying it from an electronic device located outside the control unit. The data can be loaded via the electrical connector, if this is how the electronic device is connected to the control unit. The electronic device could be, for example, a USB flash drive, a computer, a mobile device, and / or another computing device.

[0004] In order to load the data onto the control unit with as little time and / or effort as possible, the electrical connection of the two electrical connection elements should be able to be implemented as automatically as possible, in order to avoid the need to manually connect the control unit to the electronic device.

[0005] The object of the invention is to provide a solution by means of which an electrical plug connection between a control unit and an external electronic device can be achieved automatically.

[0006] The problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent patent claims.

[0007] A first aspect of the invention relates to a control unit arrangement. The control unit arrangement comprises a control unit and a connector alignment device for automatically connecting a first electrical connection element to a second electrical connection element encompassed by the control unit. The control unit can, for example, comprise several second electrical connection elements. In a preferred example, the second electrical connection element is a female part of an electrical connector. It is configured, for example, as a socket, in particular a Universal Serial Bus (USB) socket, into which a USB plug and / or a USB flash drive can be inserted. USB is a bit-serial data transmission system via which, for example, data can be exchanged between two control units. According to the invention, in a preferred example, the control unit is configured to receive and / or transmit data via USB.

[0008] The connector alignment device comprises the first electrical connection element and an alignment device attached to the first electrical connection element. In a preferred example, the first electrical connection element is a male part of an electrical connector. It is, for example, a plug, in particular a USB plug, and / or a stick, in particular a USB flash drive or USB memory stick. The USB flash drive or USB memory stick is an electronic device that can be connected to the control unit via USB.

[0009] The connector alignment device is designed to be moved into a preparation position in which the alignment device is detachably coupled to the control unit, but the first electrical connection element is spaced apart from the second electrical connection element. In the preparation position, the first electrical connection element is in a starting position from which it can be directly electrically connected to the second electrical connection element, for example, by inserting it into the second electrical connection element. This is possible because the first electrical connection element is already coupled to the control unit via the alignment device, without an actual electrical plug connection between the first and second electrical connection elements being established.The alignment device, which is detachably coupled to the control unit, positions the first electrical connection element relative to the second electrical connection element without the two elements touching. "Detachably coupled" here means that the alignment device is at least locally connected to the control unit, but this connection is not permanent and can be disconnected without damaging the alignment device or the control unit. Moving the device into the preparation position is performed automatically, for example, by a robot arm, which moves the alignment device with the first electrical connection element into the preparation position.

[0010] The connector alignment device can be automatically moved from the preparation position into a connection position, in which the first and second electrical connectors form an electrical connection. For example, the first electrical connector can be automatically inserted into the second, provided the first is a plug and the second is a socket. When the connector alignment device is in the connection position, at least one data packet can be uploaded to or received from the control unit via the electrical connection. This allows, for example, software to be copied to and then installed on the control unit.The control unit with the software can then be installed in a motor vehicle, for example, and / or used for another purpose.

[0011] The described control unit arrangement, for which the connection position is accessible via the preparation position, is suitable for automatically establishing an electrical connection between a control unit and an external electronic device, such as the first electrical connection element in this case. During a control unit manufacturing process, the control unit arrangement is advantageously suited for uploading software to the control unit if the electrical connection between the two electrical connection elements is required to enable the necessary software transfer.

[0012] One embodiment provides that the movement of the first electrical connector between the preparation position and the connection position is linear. For example, the first electrical connector can be moved straight forward by means of the alignment device to be brought from the preparation position to the connection position. Forward here means from the preparation position towards the second electrical connector. During this movement, the distance between the first and second electrical connectors is reduced. When the first electrical connector is moved, it is moved along a straight line; that is, there is no change in direction and / or orientation between the preparation position and the connection position, as otherwise the movement would not be linear.Therefore, no steering input is required to automatically move the connector alignment device into the connection position after reaching the preparation position. This speeds up at least this part of the automatic connection process.

[0013] Another embodiment provides that the alignment device is detachably coupled to at least one circuit board of the control unit in the preparation position. It is therefore directly connected to the circuit board and not, for example, only to a housing or another component of the control unit. It is possible for the alignment device to be coupled to both the control unit housing and the circuit board in the preparation position. The coupling to the circuit board is based on the understanding that the second electrical connection element is typically located in the vicinity of the circuit board. Thus, the detachable coupling to the circuit board means that the first electrical connection element is already in the vicinity of the second electrical connection element when it is in the preparation position.For example, the first electrical connection element in the preparation position can be located laterally, above, and / or below the second electrical connection element, particularly depending on the relative arrangement of the printed circuit board to the second electrical connection element. Coupling with the printed circuit board is especially useful to ensure that the preparation position is suitable for automatically reaching the connection position from there.

[0014] A first preferred embodiment of the control unit arrangement provides that the alignment device has at least one guide rail with a guide element. The first electrical connection element is attached to the guide element. The guide rail has a retaining element at one end. The retaining element is coupled to the control unit in the preparation position. The retaining element with the guide rail can, for example, be designed as a retaining arm by which the guide element, and ultimately the first electrical connection element attached to the guide element, can be held on the control unit in the preparation position.It may be possible for the coupling to be achieved simply by pressing the retaining element against the control unit, particularly against the circuit board and / or another part of the control unit, and by the force exerted against the control unit creating a detachable coupling. Coupling can thus be achieved by pressing the retaining element against the control unit. Alternatively or additionally, the coupling of the retaining element to the control unit can be accomplished by means of a mechanical coupling mechanism, for example, a clip connection, i.e., a snap-in of the retaining arm into a locking element on the control unit.

[0015] The guide element is designed to move the first electrical connection element along the guide rail towards the retaining element when moving into the connection position. The attachment of the first electrical connection element to the guide element and its movement along the guide rail to the retaining element, which is coupled to the control unit, clearly demonstrates how the connection position can be reliably reached from the preparation position.

[0016] Furthermore, one embodiment provides that the printed circuit board (PCB) has a recess at one edge, and the retaining element is positioned in the recess in the preparation position. For example, the recess can be curved, such as having a semicircular cross-section. The recess creates a local indentation in the PCB that extends at least over a portion of the PCB's edge. The recess can extend transversely with respect to a longitudinal direction along which the guide rail extends in the preparation position. For example, the recess can extend over the entire height of the PCB, with the height being oriented perpendicular to a principal propagation plane of the PCB and to the longitudinal direction of the guide rail.

[0017] The recess is shaped to fit the retaining element, for example, so that the retaining element has a curved surface, particularly one with a semicircular cross-section and / or a hemispherical shape. Alternatively, the recess and retaining element can be angular, for example, triangular, square, and / or polygonal. If, for example, a housing part of the control unit is located directly to the side, above, and / or below the recess in the circuit board, the recess can extend at least partially over this housing part, particularly only if this is necessary to enable the coupling of the retaining element within the recess. The recess allows for reliable positioning of the device, as the preparation position is precisely defined by the recess.

[0018] Furthermore, one embodiment provides that the recess is arranged adjacent to the second electrical connection element of the control unit. In a preferred example, the edge with the recess is located directly above, below, and / or to the side of the printed circuit board where the second electrical connection element of the control unit is located. This allows, for example, the guide rail with the retaining element to be positioned close to the second electrical connection element, thus establishing a suitable preparation position. If, for example, the alignment device has more than one guide rail, such as two or more, these can be arranged on opposite sides of the printed circuit board with respect to the second electrical connection element.

[0019] Another embodiment provides that the guide element has at least one spring which, in the preparation position, is in a partially tensioned state. When the first electrical connector is moved into the connection position, the spring changes from the partially tensioned state to a less tensioned state. In other words, it is designed to change from the partially tensioned state to the less tensioned state when the first electrical connector is moved into the connection position. This allows the alignment device to be moved automatically from the preparation position to the connection position, for example, by releasing a locking mechanism on the tensioned spring while it is in the partially tensioned state, since the spring will change to the less tensioned state without the locking mechanism.The spring, being a robust and reliable mechanical element, is advantageously suited as a guide element. Furthermore, the choice of spring allows for a reversible change between the preparation position and the connection position, for example, by at least partially re-tensioning the spring.

[0020] The alignment device can, for example, include a button, a switch, and / or a key, the operation or activation of which releases the spring from its at least partially tensioned state, causing it to automatically switch to a less tensioned state. Operation or activation is performed, for example, by the robot arm and / or another robot component.

[0021] Furthermore, in one embodiment, the alignment device is designed to be moved from the connection position back to the preparation position by changing the spring tension from a less tensioned state to a partially tensioned state. It can therefore be provided that a return movement to the preparation position is also achieved automatically, for example, by re-tensioning the spring using the alignment device to move the first electrical connection element away from the second electrical connection element. Thus, for example, after the software has been installed on the control unit, a return movement from the connection position to the preparation position can be performed in order to then decouple the alignment device with the first electrical connection element from the control unit and move it to another control unit.This allows multiple control units to be coupled to the first electrical connection element one after the other, without the need for manual movement of the first electrical connection element.

[0022] A second preferred embodiment of the invention provides that the alignment device comprises at least one alignment element. The alignment element is attached to the first electrical connection element. The printed circuit board (PCB) has a slot extending from an edge of the PCB to a region of the PCB where the second electrical connection element is coupled to the PCB. In this embodiment, the second electrical connection element is offset relative to an edge of the PCB, such that a portion of the PCB is located between the second electrical connection element and the edge of the PCB. The slot is located in this portion. The slot is a hole in the PCB. The slot has, for example, a length perpendicular to a surface plane of the edge that is less than the width and / or height of the slot in the surface plane.

[0023] In the preparation position, the alignment element is positioned in the slot. The alignment device is designed to move the alignment element, along with the first electrical connection element, along the slot to the second electrical connection element when moved into the connection position. Thus, the preparation position, and therefore the coupling of the alignment device with the control unit, is achieved by the alignment element being positioned in the slot and subsequently movable, for example, along the slot, which can be considered a kind of guide rail. For this purpose, the alignment element can snap into the slot and / or couple to it in another way. It is possible for the first electrical connection element to be wider than the slot, in which case only the alignment element protrudes into the slot and can be guided along its length.If the slot is located below the first electrical connection element in a vertical direction, the alignment device can be held in the slot by gravity. The coupling is then achieved through gravity. Therefore, no fixed mechanical connection between the alignment element and the circuit board in the area of ​​the slot is necessary.

[0024] In a further embodiment, the alignment element is designed as a rod projecting from a wall of the first electrical connection element. This rod has an end element at one end facing away from the wall of the first electrical connection element, with a cross-sectional area larger than that of the rod. The rod has, for example, a square or oval, and in particular a round, cross-sectional area. The end element has, for example, a radius or diameter that is larger than the radius or diameter of the rod. In the connection position, the rod abuts the printed circuit board. The end element engages the printed circuit board at least partially on a side of the board facing away from the second electrical connection element.In other words, the rod, due to its dimensions, can be guided through the slot. However, the end element is larger than the slot and thus acts as a kind of retaining element on the side facing away from the wall of the first electrical connector. Therefore, on one side, the first electrical connector, and on the other side, the end element, are larger than the rod and the slot. This causes the circuit board to be coupled to the alignment device from both the top and bottom in the vertical direction, as the device clamps the circuit board on both sides. The side of the circuit board facing away from the second electrical connector can be considered the underside of the circuit board, and the side facing the second electrical connector can be considered the top side.In both the preparation and connection positions, the first electrical connector is located on the top side and the end connector on the bottom side. Due to its dimensions, the end connector cannot move upwards through the slot, and the first electrical connector cannot fall downwards through the slot. This illustrates how, in the connection position, the first electrical connector can be held precisely in the desired position along the slot in the printed circuit board.

[0025] Another embodiment provides that a cross-sectional area of ​​the end element is at least partially curved, in particular semicircular. A curved portion of the at least partially curved cross-sectional area faces, for example, the second electrical connecting element. Alternatively or additionally, the end element is wedge-shaped. One tip of the wedge-shaped end element faces away from the rod. The height of the end element in a direction perpendicular to its cross-sectional area is therefore thin at the end facing away from the rod and becomes progressively thicker towards the end where it abuts or merges into the rod. This simplifies, for example, the insertion of the alignment element into the slot, since the curved shape, together with the wedge shape, helps to center the rod relative to the slot.Furthermore, it is achieved that the end element wedges itself onto the side of the circuit board facing away from the first electrical connecting element, thus holding the circuit board firmly in place with respect to relative movements perpendicular to the main propagation plane of the circuit board.

[0026] Another embodiment includes an alignment device with a further alignment element. This is different from the alignment element described above. Alternatively, the alignment element described above can be referred to as the first alignment element and the further alignment element as the second alignment element. The further alignment element is spaced apart from the alignment element that includes the end element. Thus, the distance between the two alignment elements is greater than zero. The further alignment element projects from the wall of the first electrical connection element. Both alignment elements project from the same side of the first electrical connection element. For example, the two alignment elements project parallel to each other from the first electrical connection element.

[0027] The alignment device is designed to move only the alignment element along the slot when moving into the connection position, initially until an intermediate position is reached. Once this intermediate position is reached, the second alignment element is also moved along the slot. In the preparation position, only the alignment element with the end element is located in the slot. It is then moved along the slot towards the second electrical connection element, reaching the intermediate position. Once this position is reached, the second alignment element is also in the slot and is guided along the slot when the alignment device is moved into the connection position.The spaced arrangement of the two alignment elements on the first electrical connector allows for the correction of any lateral misalignment of the first electrical connector relative to the second electrical connector and the slot. This is achieved by positioning both alignment elements sequentially within the slot and moving them along it. This ensures that the first electrical connector is moved directly towards the second electrical connector without the need for further alignment corrections. This makes the alignment device particularly reliable.

[0028] In an additional embodiment, the further alignment element may be designed as a rod. In particular, the further alignment element does not have an end element. The cross-section of the further alignment element may correspond to or differ from the cross-section of the alignment element that has the end element. The cross-section of the respective rod may be oval, in particular round or semicircular, or angular, in particular square. This design of the further alignment element makes it particularly suitable for movement along the slot without the need for an end element.

[0029] An additional embodiment provides that the control unit assembly includes at least one robot element. This robot element is configured to move the connector alignment device into the preparation position and to at least initialize the movement from the preparation position to the connection position. In a preferred example, it can perform the movement from the preparation position to the connection position. The robot element can alternatively be referred to as a robot arm or other type of robot part. The robot element is configured to grasp or hold the connector alignment device and to move it into the preparation position.It can then, for example, release the tensioned spring or move the alignment element along the slot in the circuit board to move the first electrical connector towards the second electrical connector and connect it, in particular by inserting it into the second. Thus, it is not intended that the connector alignment device be moved manually into the preparation position; this step can be automated and therefore performed automatically. The robot element can further move the connector alignment device back from the connection position to the preparation position and from there away from the control unit, for example, to another control unit.

[0030] Another aspect of the invention relates to a connector alignment device for automatically connecting a first electrical connector to a second electrical connector of a control unit. The connector alignment device comprises the first electrical connector and an alignment device attached to the first electrical connector. The connector alignment device is configured to be moved into a preparation position when the control unit is present. In this position, the alignment device is detachably coupled to the control unit, but the first electrical connector is spaced apart from the second electrical connector. The connector alignment device can be automatically moved from the preparation position into a connection position in which the first electrical connector is connected to the second electrical connector.In the connected position, the two electrical connecting elements form an electrical plug connection.

[0031] The embodiments described in connection with the control unit arrangement according to the invention, both individually and in combination with one another, apply accordingly, where applicable, to the connector alignment device according to the invention. The invention comprises combinations of the described embodiments.

[0032] This shows: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a control unit arrangement with an enlarged section of a first electrical connecting element; Fig. 2 a schematic perspective view of a first electrical connecting element and an alignment device; Fig. 3 a schematic representation of a preparatory position of a first embodiment; Fig. 4 a schematic representation of a connection position of a first embodiment; Fig. 5 a schematic top view of an alternative embodiment of a first embodiment; Fig. 6 a schematic top view of a second embodiment; Fig. 7 a schematic representation of a preparatory position of a second embodiment; Fig. 8 a schematic representation of a connection position of a second embodiment; and Fig. 9 a schematic representation of a first electrical connecting element with an alignment device according to a second embodiment.

[0033] In the figures, functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference symbols.

[0034] Fig. Figure 1 shows a control unit arrangement 1 comprising a control unit 2 and a connector alignment device 3. The control unit 2 has a second electrical connection element 4. This can be automatically connected to a first electrical connection element 10. The second electrical connection element 4 is located in the vicinity of a circuit board 5 of the control unit 2. The control unit 2 is enclosed by an upper housing part 6 and a lower housing part 7. The circuit board 5 is located inside the upper housing part 6 and the lower housing part 7. A ventilation opening 8 for the control unit 2 and further electrical connection elements 9 of the control unit 2 are also shown, purely by way of example.

[0035] In a section view in Fig. Figure 1 shows further details of the connector alignment device 3. This device includes the first electrical connection element 10 and an alignment device 11. A fastening element 12 of the connector alignment device 3 is also shown, by means of which the first electrical connection element 10 with the alignment device 11 can be attached to a robot element of a robot for automatically moving the connector alignment device 3. The robot element can, for example, be understood as part of the connector alignment device 3.

[0036] Fig. Figure 2 shows the connector alignment device 3 in detail. It is evident that in a first embodiment, the connector alignment device 3 can have a guide rail 13, a guide element 14, and a retaining element 15. The first electrical connection element 10 can have a main body and a connector or plug that fits into the second electrical connection element 4, for example, a socket of the control unit 2. The two connection elements 4 and 10 can form an electrical plug connection. They can be designed as Universal Serial Bus (USB) connection elements. Other configurations of the first electrical connection element 10 and / or the second electrical connection element 4 are possible.

[0037] The connector alignment device 3 is designed to be moved into a preparation position. In this position, the alignment device 11 is detachably coupled to the control unit 2, with the first electrical connection element 10 arranged at a distance from the second electrical connection element 4. The preparation position is, for example, in Fig. 3 outlined.

[0038] Out of Fig. Figure 3 shows that the printed circuit board 5 can have a recess 18 at an edge 17 into which the alignment device 11 with the retaining element 15 can be pressed, so that the connector alignment device 3 is in the preparation position. The example shown here also illustrates that in the preparation position, the alignment device 11 is at least directly coupled to the printed circuit board 5. The described recess 18 also extends at least partially over the lower housing part 7, so that in the illustrated example, the alignment device 11 can additionally be coupled to the lower housing part 7 in the preparation position.

[0039] Fig. Figure 4 shows a connection position that differs from the preparation position. The connector alignment device 3 can be moved automatically from the preparation position to the connection position, in which the first electrical connection element 10 and the second electrical connection element 4 form an electrical plug connection, for example by being inserted into each other, as sketched here.

[0040] It will also be said that Fig. 3 and Fig. Figure 4 clearly shows that the guide element 14 can include a spring 16. The first electrical connecting element 10 can be attached to the guide element 14, and in the preparation position, the retaining element 15 can be coupled to the control unit 2, in particular to the circuit board 5. The guide element 14 can be configured to move the first electrical connecting element 10 along the guide rail 13 towards the retaining element 15 when moved into the connection position. In this exemplary embodiment, the guide element 14 is configured with the spring 16 such that, in the preparation position, the spring 16 is in a state of at least partial tension, and when the first electrical connecting element 10 is moved into the connection position, the spring 16 changes, or can be changed, from a state of at least partial tension to a state of less tension.

[0041] Fig. Figure 3 shows the spring 16 that is at least partially compressed and Fig. 4 in the connection position, for example, the less tensioned spring 16. It also becomes clear here that the recess 18 can be located adjacent to the second electrical connection element 4 of the control unit 2 and that the recess 18 can be located at the edge 17 of the circuit board 5.

[0042] The alignment device 11 can be configured to move from the connection position back to the preparation position by changing the spring 16 from a less tensioned state to a state that is at least partially tensioned. In a preferred example, this movement occurs automatically. The described movement from the preparation position to the connection position can therefore be reversible.

[0043] In a preferred example, the movement of the first electrical connecting element 10 between the preparation position and the connection position is linear, i.e., without a change in direction or orientation of the first electrical connecting element 10 with respect to the second electrical connecting element 4.

[0044] Fig. Figure 5 shows an embodiment of the alignment device 11, in which it comprises two guide rails 13 and thus also two guide elements 14 and retaining elements 15. Therefore, two spatially separated recesses 18 are provided for coupling the retaining elements 15 to the edge 17 of the circuit board 5. In the sketched example, these are located laterally to the second electrical connecting element 4, and can be positioned, for example, below and / or above the second electrical connecting element 4 when viewed in the z-direction. Alternatively or additionally, embodiments with more than two guide rails 13, guide elements 14, and retaining elements 15 are possible.

[0045] Fig. Figure 6 shows a second embodiment of the alignment device 11 in a top view. The circuit board 5 has a slot 19. The slot 19 extends to a region 20 of the circuit board 5 in which the second electrical connecting element 4 is coupled to the circuit board 5.

[0046] Fig. Figure 7 shows the preparation position for the second embodiment. It is evident that the alignment device 11 has at least one alignment element 21, which is attached to the first electrical connection element 10. Here, it is attached to a wall 26 of the first electrical connection element 10 that faces the circuit board 5. The slot 19 extends from the edge 17 of the circuit board 5 to the described area 20. An opening 25 of the second electrical connection element 4 is also sketched, as this is designed as a terminal socket in the sketched example.

[0047] In the preparation position, the alignment element 21 is positioned in the slot 19. When moving towards the connection position, which is in Fig. As outlined in Figure 8, the alignment element 21 is moved with the first electrical connecting element 10 along the slot 19 to the second electrical connecting element 4.

[0048] The alignment element 21 can be designed as a rod 22 projecting from the wall 26. This rod can have an end element 23 at one end facing away from the wall 26 of the first electrical connection element 10. This end element has a larger cross-sectional area compared to the rod 22.

[0049] In the connection position, the rod 22, for example, abuts the circuit board 5 and the end element 23 engages the circuit board 5 at least partially on a side 27 of the circuit board 5 facing away from the second electrical connection element 4.

[0050] The alignment device 11 can have a further alignment element 24, which can project from the wall 26 of the first electrical connecting element 10 at a distance from the alignment element 21, which has the end element 23. The alignment device 11 can be configured, when moving into the connection position, to initially move only the alignment element 21 along the slot 19 until an intermediate position is reached, and from the point of reaching the intermediate position, to additionally bend the further alignment element 24 along the slot 19. Fig. In section 8, both alignment elements 21 and 24 are located in the slot 19, making it clear that the connection position is only reachable after the intermediate position. The further alignment element 24 can also be designed as a rod 22, in particular as a rod 22 without an end element 23.

[0051] Fig.Figure 9 shows a top view from below of the first electrical connecting element 10 with the alignment device 11. It is evident that a cross-sectional area of ​​the end element 23 can be curved, for example, in particular semicircular. Furthermore, the end element 23 can be wedge-shaped, with one tip of the wedge-shaped end element 23 facing away from the rod 22, i.e., being inserted under the circuit board 5 with the tip of the wedge first. A distance 28 between the alignment elements 21, 24 is also sketched, which illustrates that these can be spaced apart from one another.

[0052] If the robot element is attached to the connector alignment device 3 by means of the fastening element 12, the connector alignment device 3 can be automatically moved into the preparation position, and the movement from the preparation position to the connection position can also be initiated, at least by means of the robot element. The movement can be carried out in particular by means of the robot element, for example by sliding the alignment device 11 along the slot 19.

[0053] Overall, the examples show a connection arrangement aid that fits existing electrical connection elements 4, 10 in order to enable automatic plug-in connections and plug-in connection solutions.

[0054] The first electrical connection element 10 is, for example, a connector. The connector is plugged in and unplugged completely autonomously by a frame used for flashing control unit software. No human intervention is required. Due to the small size of the circuit board 5, the tolerances are very tight and difficult to meet with current designs. The invention therefore provides that a component with a spring 16 is added to an existing wiring harness connector, i.e., to the first electrical connection element. The spring 16 moves when the connector is plugged in and unplugged. The component aligns itself with the second electrical connection element 4 by means of arms (retaining element 15) that are inserted into alignment holes (recess 18) and ensures positioning without pushing the second electrical connection element 4 too far back.

[0055] The first embodiment consists of a part that is attached to an existing cable harness connector (first electrical connector 10). This part is referred to as the guide element 14 and slides when the connector (first electrical connector 10) is inserted into or removed from the socket (second electrical connector 4). The guide element 14 consists of a rectangular body that is connected to the first electrical connector 10 and is held in position by low forces, such as a spring 16 or, alternatively, a pneumatic plunger. The alignment device has at least one, but preferably two, arms (guide rails 13 with retaining element 15) that project beyond the first electrical connector 10. This allows the alignment device to be coupled to the front of the printed circuit board 5.When the contact (the coupling) is established, the first electrical connecting element 10 is positioned on the circuit board 5 using the retaining elements 15, whereby it can engage in one or two alignment holes (recesses 18) on the circuit board 5.

[0056] Furthermore, an alternative solution for improving the alignment of connectors (first electrical connection element 10) to a printed circuit board 5 is presented. The solution consists of modifying the geometry of the printed circuit board 5 to incorporate an alignment feature to achieve a second electrical connection element 4 located further away from the edge 17 of the printed circuit board 5. The corresponding cable harness connector (first electrical connection element 10) is designed and provided with at least two features to restrict its movement in all axes and ensure seamless engagement without risking damage to the printed circuit board 5.

Claims

[1] Control unit arrangement (1) comprising a control unit (2) and a connector alignment device (3) for automatically connecting a first electrical connection element (10) to a second electrical connection element (4) encompassed by the control unit (2), wherein the connector alignment device (3) comprises the first electrical connection element (10) and an alignment device (11) attached thereto and is configured to be brought into a preparation position in which the alignment device (11) is detachably coupled to the control unit (2), but the first electrical connection element (10) is spaced apart from the second electrical connection element (4), wherein the connector alignment device (3) is moved from the preparation position into a connection position in which the first electrical connection element (10) and the second electrical connection element (4) form an electrical plug connection,is automatically movable. [2] Control unit arrangement (1) according to claim 1, wherein the movement of the first electrical connecting element (10) between the preparation position and the connection position is linear. [3] Control unit arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the alignment device (11) is detachably coupled to a circuit board (5) of the control unit (2) in the preparation position. [4] Control unit arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the alignment device (11) has at least one guide rail (13) with a guide element (14), wherein the first electrical connecting element (10) is attached to the guide element (14) and the guide rail (13) has a retaining element (15) at one end which is coupled to the control unit (2) in the preparation position, wherein the guide element (14) is configured to move the first electrical connecting element (10) along the guide rail (13) in the direction of the retaining element (15) when moving into the connection position. [5] Control unit arrangement (1) according to claims 3 and 4, wherein the circuit board (5) has a recess (18) at an edge (17) and the retaining element (15) is positioned in the preparation position in the recess (18). [6] Control unit arrangement (1) according to claim 5, wherein the recess (18) is arranged adjacent to the second electrical connecting element (4) of the control unit (2). [7] Control unit arrangement (1) according to one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the guide element (14) has at least one spring (16) which is in an at least partially tensioned state in the preparation position, wherein the alignment device (11) is configured to bring the spring (16) from the at least partially tensioned state to a less tensioned state when the first electrical connecting element (10) is moved into the connection position. [8] Control unit arrangement (1) according to claim 7, wherein the alignment device (11) is configured to move the alignment device (11) from the connection position back to the preparation position by changing the spring (16) from the less tensioned state to the at least partially tensioned state. [9] Control device arrangement (1) according to claim 3, wherein the alignment device (11) has at least one alignment element (21) attached to the first electrical connecting element (10), and the printed circuit board (5) has a slot (19) extending from an edge (17) of the printed circuit board (5) to a region (20) on the printed circuit board (5) where the second electrical connecting element (4) is coupled to the printed circuit board (5), wherein in the preparation position the alignment element (21) is positioned in the slot (19) and the alignment device (11) is configured to move the alignment element (21) with the first electrical connecting element (10) along the slot (19) to the second electrical connecting element (4) when moving into the connection position. [10] Control device arrangement (1) according to claim 9, wherein the alignment element (21) is designed as a rod (22) projecting from a wall (26) of the first electrical connecting element (10), which has an end element (23) at one end facing away from the wall (26) of the first electrical connecting element (10) with an increased cross-sectional area compared to the rod (22), wherein in the connection position the rod (22) abuts the circuit board (5) and the end element (23) engages the circuit board (5) at least partially on a side (27) of the circuit board (5) facing away from the second electrical connecting element (4). [11] Control unit arrangement (1) according to claim 10, wherein the cross-sectional area of ​​the end element (23) is at least partially curved, in particular semicircular, and / or the end element (23) is wedge-shaped, wherein a tip of the wedge-shaped end element (23) is facing away from the rod (22). [12] Control device arrangement (1) according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the alignment device (11) has a further alignment element (24) which is spaced apart from the alignment element (21) which has the end element (23) and extends from the wall (26) of the first electrical connection element (10), wherein the alignment device (11) is configured to move only the alignment element (21) along the slot (19) when moving into the connection position until an intermediate position is reached, and from the time the intermediate position is reached additionally to move the further alignment element (24) along the slot (19). [13] Control unit arrangement (1) according to claim 12, wherein the further alignment element (24) is designed as a rod (22), in particular without an end element (23). [14] Control unit arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit arrangement (1) comprises at least one robot element configured to move the connector alignment device (3) into the preparation position and to at least initialize, in particular to carry out, the movement from the preparation position to the connection position. [15] Connector alignment device (3) for automatically connecting a first electrical connector (10) to a second electrical connector (4) of a control unit (2), comprising the first electrical connector (10) and an alignment device (11) attached to the first electrical connector (10), wherein the connector alignment device (3) is configured to be brought into a preparation position when the control unit (2) is present, in which the alignment device (11) is detachably coupled to the control unit (2), but the first electrical connector (10) is spaced apart from the second electrical connector (4), wherein the connector alignment device (3) moves from the preparation position into a connection position in which the first electrical connector (10) and the second electrical connector (4) form an electrical plug connection,is automatically movable.

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