Capacitor unit

Abstract

The present invention relates to a capacitor unit (10) comprising at least one first contacting element (12) which is designed to form a first signal- and / or energy-conducting connection between the capacitor unit (10), a printed circuit board unit (14) and a busbar unit (16).

Description

State of the art

[0001] The present invention relates to a capacitor unit, an electronic unit, a method for assembling an electronic unit and a vehicle.

[0002] There are currently a multitude of different solutions for contacting components in electronic units. Due to the increasing number of contact points and the increased quality and efficiency requirements, the need for innovative and robust contacting methods is continuously growing.

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

[0004] The capacitor unit according to the invention with the features of claim 1 has the advantage over known devices that the printed circuit board unit can be contacted with the busbar unit by means of a capacitor leg or the like, thus eliminating the need for screw contacts or the like. This allows for a particularly short and low-inductance connection between the busbar unit and the printed circuit board unit. Furthermore, this allows for weight, installation space, and costs to be saved, since screws or similar connecting means can be dispensed with.

[0005] This is achieved according to the invention in that the capacitor unit has at least one first contacting element which is designed to form a first signal and / or energy-conducting connection between the capacitor unit, a printed circuit board unit and a busbar unit.

[0006] In other words, a power and / or signal-conducting connection can be provided between the printed circuit board unit, the busbar unit, and the capacitor unit by means of the first contacting element, such as a capacitor leg. This eliminates the need for additional elements or similar devices for contacting these components. For example, a capacitor unit can be plugged or soldered onto a printed circuit board unit using the first contacting element. The printed circuit board unit and the capacitor unit can then be plugged onto a busbar, thus connecting the first contacting element to the busbar unit. Preferably, the contacting element or the capacitor leg can be connected to the busbar by means of soldering, stamping, brazing, mortising, insulation displacement, and / or press-fitting. Further preferably, the busbar unit can be overmolded using a plastic or similar material.Further preferably, at least one screw can secure the printed circuit board unit to the busbar unit.

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

[0008] Preferably, the capacitor unit has a second contacting element, wherein the second contacting element is configured to form a second signal and / or energy-conducting connection between the capacitor unit and the printed circuit board unit.

[0009] An advantage of this design is that the capacitor unit can be specifically adapted to a specific application scenario.

[0010] Further preferably, the capacitor unit comprises at least one element selected from the group comprising: a capacitor, a resistor and / or a choke, wherein the first contacting element is configured to form the first signal- and / or energy-conducting connection with the element from the group.

[0011] An advantage of this embodiment is that a corresponding performance profile of an electronic unit can be adapted to the capacitor unit, wherein the first contacting element can be connected to the respective configuration. For example, the first contacting element can be contacted to a capacitor, a resistor, and / or a choke. Thus, the first contacting element can preferably form, in particular, a power- and / or signal-conducting connection between the capacitor, a resistor, and / or a choke, the printed circuit board unit, and the busbar unit. Further preferably, the list of electronic components is not exhaustive, so that any further electronic component that can typically be used in a capacitor is also included in the group.

[0012] A further aspect of the invention relates to an electronic unit which has a busbar unit, a printed circuit board unit and a capacitor unit as above and below, wherein the capacitor unit has a first contacting element which is configured to form a first signal- and / or energy-conducting connection between the capacitor unit, the printed circuit board unit and the busbar unit.

[0013] An advantage of this embodiment is that the manufacturing costs as well as the inductance of the contact between the individual components of the electronic unit can be significantly reduced. For example, the electronic unit can be an inverter unit or the like. More preferably, the electronic unit can also comprise a plurality of capacitor units with a plurality of first contact elements.

[0014] Further preferably, the first contacting element is connected to the busbar unit by means of a material connection.

[0015] An advantage of this embodiment is that the integral connection allows for a reduction in resistance between the first contact element and the busbar unit. Further preferably, the integral connection between the first contact element and the busbar unit can be formed, in particular, by means of a laser welding process or the like.

[0016] Further preferably, the first contacting element is connected to the busbar unit by means of a force-locking and / or form-locking connection.

[0017] An advantage of this embodiment is that if the capacitor unit is defective, it can be replaced without having to replace or modify the busbar unit. For example, the first contact element can be clamped and / or pressed onto the busbar unit to form a force-locking and / or positive-locking connection.

[0018] Preferably, the printed circuit board unit is arranged at a predetermined distance from the busbar unit, wherein the first contacting element has a first extension line which is at least greater than the predetermined distance.

[0019] An advantage of this embodiment is that the flexibility of the arrangement of the capacitor unit can be increased by the first extension element if the first contacting element has a greater extension length than the predetermined distance.

[0020] Further preferably, the first contacting element is substantially free of insulation at least over the predetermined distance.

[0021] An advantage of this embodiment is that assembling the capacitor unit on the circuit board is significantly easier if the circuit board has no insulation for the predetermined area. In this context, "essentially free of insulation" means, in particular, that no insulation is applied to the surface of the first contacting element, thereby excluding, in particular, production-related contamination or the like.

[0022] A further aspect of the invention relates to a method for assembling an electronic unit, comprising the steps: - Equipping a printed circuit board unit with a capacitor unit as described above and below, - Positioning the assembled circuit board unit with the capacitor unit to a busbar unit, - Forming a signal and / or energy-conducting connection between the capacitor unit, the printed circuit board unit and the busbar unit by means of a first contacting element of the capacitor unit.

[0023] A further aspect of the invention relates to a vehicle having a capacitor unit as described above and below, and / or an electronic unit as described above and below, and / or an electronic unit which was manufactured by means of a method as described above and below. Short description of the drawings

[0024] Embodiments of the invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawing: Fig. 1 to 4 a capacitor unit according to an embodiment, Fig. 5 an electronic unit according to an embodiment, Fig. 6 is a flowchart illustrating steps of the method according to an embodiment, and Fig. 7 a vehicle according to an embodiment. Embodiments of the invention

[0025] Preferably, all identical components, elements and / or units in all figures are provided with the same reference numerals.

[0026] Fig. 1 shows a capacitor unit 10 according to one embodiment. The capacitor unit 10 preferably has at least a first contacting element 12, which is configured to form a first signal- and / or energy-conducting connection between the capacitor unit 10, a printed circuit board unit 14, and a busbar unit 16. More preferably, the capacitor unit 10 can be arranged on an electronics unit 100. The capacitor unit 10 can preferably have a second contacting element 18, which forms a signal- and / or energy-conducting connection between the capacitor unit 10 and the printed circuit board unit 14. For example, the capacitor unit 10 can be arranged on a printed circuit board unit 14, wherein the printed circuit board unit 14 is positioned on a busbar unit 16. For this purpose, a screw 19 can be used, in particular, to secure the printed circuit board unit 14 and the busbar unit 16 to a housing 21.

[0027] Fig. Figure 2 shows a capacitor unit 10 according to one embodiment. The capacitor unit 10 has a first contacting element 12, which preferably forms a first signal- and / or energy-conducting connection between the capacitor unit 10, a printed circuit board unit 14, and a busbar unit 16. As shown in Fig. 2, a plurality of capacitor units 10 can be used in an electronic unit 100. Further preferably, a gap 15 can be created between the printed circuit board unit 14 and the busbar unit 16. In this case, the first contacting element 12 can in particular be substantially free of insulation, for at least the gap 15. Further preferably, the first contacting element 12 has a first extension length 20 which is at least greater than a predetermined distance between the printed circuit board unit 14 and the busbar unit 16. Further preferably, the printed circuit board unit 16 can be fastened to a housing 21 by means of a screw 19. As shown in the Fig. 2, the printed circuit board unit 14 can be pressed or fixed against an overmolding of the busbar unit 16, in particular by means of the screw 19.

[0028] Fig. Figure 3 shows a capacitor unit according to one embodiment. The capacitor unit 10 preferably forms a signal- and / or energy-conducting connection between the capacitor unit 10, a printed circuit board unit 14, and a busbar unit 16 by means of the first contacting element 12, as shown in Figure 1. Fig. 3. The printed circuit board unit 14 can be aligned with a housing 21 by means of a pin 23.

[0029] Fig. 4 shows a capacitor unit 10 according to one embodiment. The capacitor unit 10 can comprise a first contacting element 12, which is contacted to the busbar unit 16, in particular by means of a laser welding process. The busbar unit 16 can preferably be overmolded, in particular be part of a housing 21. Further preferably, the first contacting element 12 can have a predetermined length 20, which is configured to connect the capacitor unit 10 to the printed circuit board unit 14 and the busbar unit 16 in a signal- and / or energy-conducting manner. Further preferably, the capacitor unit 10 can have a second contacting element 18, which is configured to form a second signal- and / or energy-conducting connection to the capacitor unit 10 and the printed circuit board unit 14.More preferably, a plurality of capacitor units with a plurality of contacting elements can be used in an electronic unit 100.

[0030] Fig. 5 shows an electronics unit 100 according to one embodiment. The electronics unit 100 preferably comprises a busbar unit 16, a printed circuit board unit 14, and a capacitor unit 10, as described above and below. The capacitor unit 10 preferably comprises a first contacting element 12, which is configured to form a first signal- and / or energy-conducting connection between the capacitor unit 10, the printed circuit board unit 14, and the busbar unit 16.

[0031] Fig. Figure 6 shows a flowchart illustrating steps of the method 200 according to one embodiment. The method 200 for assembling an electronic unit 100 preferably comprises the following steps: - Equipping S1 a printed circuit board unit 14 with a capacitor unit 10, as described above and below, - Positioning S2 of the assembled circuit board unit 14 with the capacitor unit 10 to a busbar unit 16, - Forming a signal and / or energy-conducting connection between the capacitor unit 10, the printed circuit board unit 14 and the busbar unit 16 by means of a first contacting element 12 of the capacitor unit 10.

[0032] Fig. 7 shows a vehicle 300 according to one embodiment. The vehicle 300 preferably includes a capacitor unit 10, as described above and below, and / or an electronics unit 100, as described above and below, and / or an electronics unit manufactured by a method 200, as described above and below.

Claims

[1] Capacitor unit (10), comprising at least one first contacting element (12) which is designed to form a first signal- and / or energy-conducting connection between the capacitor unit (10), a printed circuit board unit (14) and a busbar unit (16). [2] Capacitor unit (10) according to claim 1, wherein the capacitor unit (10) has a second contacting element (18), wherein the second contacting element (18) is configured to form a second signal- and / or energy-conducting connection between the capacitor unit (10) and the printed circuit board unit (14). [3] Capacitor unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the capacitor unit (10) comprises at least one element selected from the group comprising: a capacitor, a resistor and / or a choke, wherein the first contacting element (12) is configured to form the first signal- and / or energy-conducting connection with the element from the group. [4] Electronic unit (100) comprising: - a printed circuit board unit (14), - a busbar unit (16), - a capacitor unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the capacitor unit (10) has a first contacting element (12) which is designed to form a first signal- and / or energy-conducting connection between the capacitor unit (10), the printed circuit board unit (14) and the busbar unit (16). [5] Electronic unit (100) according to claim 4, wherein the first contacting element (120) is connected to the busbar unit (16) by means of a material connection. [6] Electronic unit (100) according to claim 4, wherein the first contacting element (12) is connected to the busbar unit (16) by means of a force-fitting and / or form-fitting connection. [7] Electronic unit (100) according to one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the printed circuit board unit (14) is arranged at a predetermined distance from the busbar unit (16), wherein the first contacting element (12) has a first extension length (20) which is at least greater than the predetermined distance. [8] Electronic unit (100) according to claim 7, wherein the first contacting element (12) is substantially free of insulation at least over the predetermined distance. [9] Method (200) for assembling an electronic unit (200), comprising the steps: - Equipping (S1) a printed circuit board unit (14) with a capacitor unit (10) according to one of claims 1 to 3, - positioning (S2) the assembled printed circuit board unit (14) with the capacitor unit (10) to a busbar unit (16), - Forming (S3) a signal and / or energy-conducting connection between the capacitor unit (10), the printed circuit board unit (14) and the busbar unit (16) by means of a first contacting element (12) of the capacitor unit (10). [10] Vehicle (300) comprising a capacitor unit (10) according to one of claims 1 to 3 and / or an electronic unit (100) according to one of claims 4 to 8 and / or an electronic unit (100) which was manufactured by means of the method (200) according to claim 9.

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