Printed circuit board device and electronic device

Abstract

The invention relates to a printed circuit board device (10) comprising a connector socket (16) attached to the printed circuit board (14) and a battery holder (18) for vertically holding a button cell battery (20) with respect to a main extension plane of the printed circuit board (14). The invention is characterized in that the battery holder (18) comprises a base plate (19) attached to the connector socket (16); the battery holder (18) comprises a first metal sheet (30) for contacting a first pole of the button cell battery (20) and a second metal sheet (30) for contacting a second pole of the button cell battery (20), wherein the metal sheets (30) at least partially enclose a holding volume (44) for holding the button cell battery; and the metal sheets (30) comprise mounting sections by means of which they are mounted to corresponding mounting elements (24) of the base plate (19).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a printed circuit board device and an electronic device.

[0002] For electronic vehicle installation devices such as digital tachographs, vehicle data recorders or on-board units, it is necessary to provide battery cell holder systems to ensure that the batteries remain in their intended final mounting position even in the event of vibrations and shocks, thus ensuring a reliable power supply for the vehicle installation device.

[0003] Button cell battery holders designed to hold button cells are often configured for horizontal placement of the button cells. Horizontal placement refers to the orientation of a major surface of the button cell parallel to a major surface of a printed circuit board to which the button cell battery holder is attached. This results in the button cell battery holder occupying significant space on the circuit board, which is therefore unavailable for other components on the circuit board.

[0004] Providing a button cell battery holder, even if it holds the button cell vertically, requires additional installation space because it must be securely mounted to the circuit board.

[0005] A common battery holder is described in DE 103 21 250 A1 in combination with a housing for a tachograph. The housing comprises a battery holder and at least one fastening element arranged to secure the battery holder to the housing. The housing allows for the replaceable mounting of a battery while simultaneously preventing the possibility of tampering with components inside the housing during a battery change. When the battery holder is mounted to the housing, the fastening element can only be accessed from inside the housing.

[0006] Digital tachographs also include a power connector. An example of this power connector is described in document DE 102 18 891 A1.

[0007] KR100465993B1 discloses a PCB assembly comprising a battery housing with an opening for inserting the battery and a housing cover for closing the opening. The battery housing is coupled to a printed circuit board to support the battery. A battery mounting hole is provided on the printed circuit board for this purpose.

[0008] US6429547B1 discloses a time relay having a circuit board arranged in a housing comprising a time relay circuit which is operated by a power source and a battery board for a backup battery which is separate or separable from the circuit board.

[0009] From US6087037A, a vertical battery holder has become known, which has a parallelepiped container and metal contact terminals.

[0010] It is an object of the present invention to provide a battery holder that requires less installation space and ensures stable holding of the battery.

[0011] This object is achieved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous further developments with useful and not insignificant further embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims, the following description, and the drawings.

[0012] A first aspect of the present invention relates to a printed circuit board device. The printed circuit board device comprises a printed circuit board and a female connector mounted on the printed circuit board. The printed circuit board device further comprises a battery holder for holding a button cell battery vertically to a main extension plane of the printed circuit board. In other words, the battery holder is configured to hold the button cell battery in a so-called vertical position, wherein the button cell battery is arranged perpendicular to the main extension plane of the printed circuit board. By holding the button cell battery in the vertical position, a required space on the main extension plane of the printed circuit board is reduced compared to holding the button cell battery in a horizontal position.

[0013] The battery holder includes a base plate attached to the connector socket. A main extension plane of the base plate is parallel to a main extension plane of the circuit board. The base plate can extend a bottom surface of the connector socket, which faces the circuit board, along the circuit board.

[0014] The battery holder comprises a first metal sheet for contacting a first pole of the button cell battery and a second metal sheet for contacting a second pole of the button cell battery. One of the poles is a positive pole, and the other of the poles is a negative pole. The main extension planes of the metal sheets are aligned parallel to one another. In other words, each of the metal sheets comprises a respective main extension plane, wherein the main extension planes of the metal sheets are parallel. The main extension planes of the metal sheets are also aligned perpendicular to the main extension plane of the circuit board. One of the metal sheets can face a bottom side of the button cell battery, and the other of the metal sheets can face a top side of the button cell battery.

[0015] The laminations at least partially enclose a holding volume for holding the button cell battery. In other words, the battery holder is designed to hold the button cell battery in the holding volume, wherein the holding volume is at least partially defined by the laminations. Therefore, the holding volume is arranged between the laminations. A lateral surface of the button cell battery can rest on the base plate at a lower point of the button cell battery when placed in the holding volume.

[0016] The sheets include mounting sections through which they are mounted to corresponding mounting elements of the base plate. In other words, the base plate provides the mounting elements designed to receive the respective mounting sections of the sheets. The mounting sections of the sheets can have a shape that corresponds to the corresponding mounting elements of the base plate. To mount the sheets in the base plate in the position described above, the mounting sections are inserted into the mounting elements in an installation process.

[0017] The invention has the advantage that the metal sheets of the battery holder are securely attached to the base plate of the connector socket. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a separate battery holder with mounting elements to ensure stable attachment of the battery holder to the circuit board. Instead, the provided connector socket is used to secure the battery holder and provide the necessary stability.

[0018] The invention also includes embodiments that provide additional technical advantages.

[0019] According to a further embodiment of the present invention, each of the mounting elements of the base plate comprises a respective through-hole opening that extends through the base plate perpendicular to the main extension plane of the base plate. Each of the sheets comprises the respective mounting section, wherein the mounting section is at least partially guided through the respective through-hole opening of the base plate. In other words, the base plate comprises the mounting elements that form the through-holes that extend perpendicularly through the main extension plane of the base plate. Each sheet comprises the mounting section that fits partially or completely through the corresponding through-hole in the base plate. This configuration allows the positive attachment of the mounting sections of the sheets to the mounting elements on the base plate.

[0020] According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the mounting portion of each sheet includes a snap-in tab configured to bend as the snap-in tab passes through the through-hole and to snap into place on a lower side of the base plate as it exits the through-hole. In other words, each sheet includes the respective mounting portion including the snap-in tab configured to bend as the snap-in tab passes through the through-hole in the base plate. Once the snap-in tab exits the through-hole, it snaps into place on the lower side of the base plate. In other words, the snap-in tab is designed with a special shape and flexibility that allows it to bend as it passes through the through-hole in the base plate and then return to its original shape once it has exited the through-hole.This design ensures that the snap-in tab remains securely attached to the base plate, providing a stable and reliable connection between the sheet and the base plate. By snapping into place at the bottom of the base plate, the tab helps prevent any movement or displacement of the sheet during operation, while still allowing for easy installation of the sheet into the base plate.

[0021] According to a further embodiment of the present invention, each of the laminations in the assembly comprises at least one retaining tab extending from the main extension plane of the respective lamination toward the opposite lamination. The at least one retaining tab is configured to flex when the button cell battery is inserted into the holding volume between the laminations. The at least one retaining tab is configured to press against the top or bottom of the button cell battery within the holding volume, thus holding the button cell battery in place and providing electrical contact with the button cell battery. The at least one retaining tab, also known as a retention tab, securely holds the button cell battery in place within the intended holding volume between the laminations while allowing easy insertion and removal of the button cell battery.

[0022] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the bottom plate comprises a pair of intermediate stop walls. Each of the intermediate stop walls protrudes perpendicularly from the bottom plate and extends perpendicular to the sheets. A distance between the intermediate stop walls is smaller than a diameter of the button cell battery. The intermediate stop walls can have a height such that the side surface of the button cell battery is adjacent to the top surfaces of the intermediate stop walls when the button cell battery is located in the holding volume. The height can be such that a gap exists between the side surface of the button cell battery and the top surfaces when the button cell battery is centered between the intermediate stop walls.One of the intermediate stop walls may contact the lateral surface of the button cell battery if the button cell battery moves from the center in a direction parallel to the main extension plane of the laminations. The pair of intermediate stop walls is designed to prevent movement of the button cell battery from the previously defined position in a direction parallel to the main extension planes of the laminations. In other words, the base plate includes intermediate stop walls that protrude perpendicularly from the surface of the base plate. These intermediate stop walls are placed closer to each other than the diameter of the button cell battery, so that when the button cell battery is inserted into the designated holding volume between the laminations, the movement of the button cell battery in a direction parallel to the main extension planes of the laminations is restricted due to the intermediate stop walls.The pair of intermediate stop walls acts as a barrier that prevents the battery from moving or shifting from its previously defined position once it is inserted into the holding volume between the sheets.

[0023] According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the base plate comprises at least one end stop wall that protrudes vertically from the base plate and is configured to restrict movement of the button cell battery out of the previously defined position in a direction parallel to the main extension planes of the laminations. In other words, the base plate comprises at least one end stop wall that extends vertically from the surface of the base plate. This end stop wall is positioned to prevent the button cell battery from moving in a direction parallel to the main extension planes of the laminations when inserted into the intended holding volume between them. The end stop wall acts as a barrier that restricts movement of the button cell battery out of the holding volume and ensures that the button cell battery remains securely in place.

[0024] According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the mounting portion of the respective sheet is directly connected to the circuit board. In other words, a connection is created between the mounting portion of the respective sheet and the circuit board. The connection can be established by a variety of methods, such as soldering or connecting elements. By connecting the sheets to the circuit board, electrical current is conducted directly to the circuit board.

[0025] According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the base plate is integrally connected to a housing of the terminal receptacle. In other words, the base plate in the assembly is integrally and permanently attached to the housing of the terminal receptacle. This attachment can be achieved by welding, soldering, or gluing. By integrally connecting the base plate to the housing of the terminal receptacle, a stable and reliable connection is created between the two components. The attachment between the base plate and the housing of the terminal receptacle provides structural support for the battery holder and ensures that it remains stable and secure during operation. This connection helps prevent damage or failure caused by vibration or mechanical shock.

[0026] According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the connector socket is designed according to ISO 16844-1. In other words, the connector socket is designed as a connector socket of a digital tachograph as defined in ISO 16844-1.

[0027] A second aspect of the present invention relates to an electronic device comprising a housing and a printed circuit board device according to the first aspect of the present invention. The printed circuit board device is arranged by the housing in a final installation position. The housing can at least partially enclose the printed circuit board device.

[0028] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a top wall of the housing is arranged above the battery holder, wherein the movement of the button cell battery out of the holding volume of the battery holder is restricted by the top wall. The top wall can be a plate or a top wall of the housing. A distance between the circuit board and the top wall is selected to prevent the button cell battery from leaving the holding volume of the battery holder.

[0029] According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the electronic device is configured as an electronic vehicle installation device. The device can be configured as a digital tachograph, vehicle data recorder, toll device, and / or on-board unit.

[0030] The invention also includes combinations of the features of the described embodiments.

[0031] An exemplary implementation of the invention is described below. The drawings show: Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a printed circuit board device; Fig. 2 a schematic representation of the battery holder and the connector socket without the button cell battery; Fig. 3 a schematic representation of the base plate without the sheets; Fig. 4 is a schematic representation of a bottom side of the connector socket, which includes the base plate; and Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of an electronic device including the circuit board device and a housing.

[0032] The embodiment explained below is a preferred embodiment of the invention. However, in this embodiment, the described components of the embodiment each represent individual features of the invention, which are to be considered independently of one another. Furthermore, they each further develop the invention independently of one another and are thus also to be considered as components of the invention, either individually or in a combination other than that shown. Furthermore, the described embodiment can also be supplemented by further features of the invention that have already been described.

[0033] In the figures, elements that provide the same function are marked with identical reference numerals.

[0034] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a printed circuit board device.

[0035] The printed circuit board device 10 may be designed for an electronic device 12, which may be configured as a digital tachograph. The printed circuit board device 10 may include a printed circuit board 14. A connector socket 16 may be attached to the printed circuit board 14. The connector socket 16 may be designed as a connector socket 16 according to ISO 16844-1.

[0036] The printed circuit board device 10 may include a battery holder 18 for holding a button cell battery 20. The button cell battery 20 in the battery holder 18 may be configured to supply power to the components of the printed circuit board device 10. To save space on the printed circuit board 14, the battery holder 18 may be configured as a vertical battery holder 18 configured to hold the button cell battery 20 vertically relative to a main extension plane of the printed circuit board 14.

[0037] To ensure the secure retention of the button cell battery 20 in the battery holder 18, the battery holder 18 must be securely mounted to the circuit board 14. The secure mounting of the battery holder 18 to the circuit board 14 can be provided via the connector socket 16. The battery holder 18 can include a base plate 19 extending from a housing of the connector socket 16. The base plate 19 can be adhesively bonded to the housing.

[0038] The battery holder 18 is therefore mounted to the circuit board 14 via the connector socket 16. The battery holder 18 can comprise two of the sheets 30. The sheets 30 can be arranged such that their main extension planes are perpendicular to the main extension plane of the circuit board 14. The sheets 30 can be mounted to the base plate 19 by the respective mounting portions 22 on a lower side of the respective sheet 30. The respective mounting portion 22 can comprise a snap-in tab 26 that is snapped into a lower side of the base plate 19. The mounting portion 22 can be at least partially arranged in a respective through-hole 28 extending through the base plate 19. The mounting portion 22 can further be arranged on the circuit board 14 to provide a direct electrical and mechanical connection to the circuit board 14.

[0039] The sheets 30 may include retaining tabs 32 that extend into a retaining volume 44 between the sheets 30 for receiving the button cell battery 20. The planes of the retaining tabs 32 may be arranged at an angle to the main extension plane of the respective sheet 30. The angle of the retaining tab 32 may allow it to bend into its predefined position in the retaining volume 44 during insertion of the button cell battery 20. The bending causes the retaining tab 32 to press against an upper surface 34 or a lower surface 36 of the button cell battery 20 in the retaining volume 44. The retaining tabs 32 of one of the sheets 30 may contact the upper surface 34 of the button cell battery 20, and the retaining tabs 32 of the other sheets 30 may contact the lower surface 36 of the button cell battery 20.The sheets 30 can limit tilting of the button cell battery 20 or movement of the button cell battery 20 perpendicular to the main extension planes of the sheets 30.

[0040] To limit the movement of the button cell battery 20 in a direction parallel to the main extension planes of the laminations 30, the battery holder 18 may include a pair of intermediate stop walls 38 and at least one end stop wall 40. The pair of intermediate stop walls 38 may include two of the intermediate stop walls 38 that protrude perpendicularly from the base plate 19 and extend perpendicularly to the main extension planes of the laminations 30. A distance between the intermediate stop walls 38 may be smaller than a diameter of the button cell battery 20. An upper surface 34 at a free end of the respective intermediate stop wall 54 may face a lateral surface 42 of the button cell battery 20 in the previously defined position.The upper surfaces 34 of the intermediate stop walls 38 may be in contact with the lateral surface 42 of the button cell battery 20 when the button cell battery 20 is in the previously defined position. It may also be possible for the upper surfaces 34 of the intermediate stop walls 38 to be arranged at a distance from the lateral surface 42 of the button cell battery 20.

[0041] The lateral surface 42 of the button cell battery 20 may be in contact with the base plate 19 at its lowest point. Additionally or alternatively, the lateral surface 42 may be in contact with the upper surfaces 34 of the intermediate stop walls 38. The upper surfaces 34 of the intermediate stop walls 38 may be angled to have the same angle as the lateral surface 42 at the respective position. The intermediate stop walls 38 may limit the movement of the button cell battery 20 in a direction parallel to the main extension planes of the sheets 30.

[0042] As further protection against movement of the button cell battery 20 in the direction parallel to the main extension planes of the laminations 30, an end stop wall 40 may be provided, protruding perpendicularly from the base plate 19. The end stop wall 40 may be higher than the two intermediate stop walls 38. The end stop wall 40 may be configured such that its upper surface 34 contacts an outer point on the lateral surface 42 of the button cell battery 20 when the button cell battery 20 moves in the direction parallel to the main extension planes of the laminations 30, thereby limiting the movement of the button cell battery 20 from the previously defined position in the holding volume 44.

[0043] Fig. Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of the battery holder and the connector socket without the button cell battery.

[0044] Fig. 2 shows the battery holder 18 of Fig. 1 without the button cell battery 20 in the holding volume 44. The figure shows that the holding volume 44 is at least partially delimited in the transverse direction 46 by the sheets 30. The holding volume 44 is at least partially delimited in a longitudinal direction 48 by the end stop wall 40. The opposite longitudinal direction 48 may not be delimited by an end stop wall 40, since the holding volume 44 may be delimited in the longitudinal direction 48 by a side wall 56 of a housing of the electronic device 12.

[0045] Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of the base plate without the sheets.

[0046] Fig. 3 shows the through holes of the mounting elements of the base plate.

[0047] The through holes 28 can run through the base plate 19 and be dimensioned so that they correspond to the mounting sections 22 of the sheets 30.

[0048] Fig. 4 shows a schematic representation of a bottom side of the connector socket, which includes the base plate.

[0049] Fig. 4 shows the through holes 28 on the underside 52. The snap-in tabs 26 of the mounting sections 22 of the sheets 30 can snap into place on the underside 52 of the base plate 19.

[0050] Fig. 5 shows a schematic representation of an electronic device comprising the printed circuit board device and a housing.

[0051] A top wall 54 of the housing at least partially defines the holding volume 44 for holding the button cell battery 20 and thus restricts its movement in a direction away from the base plate 19. The top wall 54 of the housing can be arranged above the sheets 30 at a height that restricts the movement of the button cell battery 20 from its previously defined position. A side wall 56 of the housing can be arranged opposite the end stop wall 40 in the longitudinal direction 48 and restrict the movement of the button cell battery 20 in a longitudinal direction 48 away from the end stop wall 40.

[0052] Overall, the example shows how a connector socket comprising a battery holder is provided by the invention. Reference symbol 10 PCB fixture 12 electronic device 14 circuit board 16 connector socket 18 battery holders 19 Base plate 20 button cell batteries 22 Assembly section 24 Mounting element 26 Snap tab 28 through hole 30 sheets 32 retaining tab 34 upper surface 36 lower surface 38 intermediate stop walls 40 End stop wall 42 lateral surface 44 holding volume 46 Transverse direction 48 Longitudinal direction 52 bottom 54 upper wall 56 side wall

Claims

[1] Printed circuit board device (10) comprising a connector socket (16) attached to the printed circuit board (14) and a battery holder (18) for vertically holding a button cell battery (20) in relation to a main extension plane of the printed circuit board (14), characterized by , that - the battery holder (18) comprises a base plate (19) attached to the connector socket (16), wherein a main extension plane of the base plate (19) is parallel to the main extension plane of the circuit board (14); - the battery holder (18) comprises a first sheet (30) for contacting a first pole of the button cell battery (20) and a second sheet (30) for contacting a second pole of the button cell battery (20), wherein the main extension planes of the sheets (30) are aligned parallel to each other and perpendicular to the main extension plane of the circuit board (14); - the metal sheets (30) at least partially enclose a holding volume (44) for holding the button cell battery (20); and - the sheets (30) comprise assembly sections (22) by which they are mounted to corresponding mounting elements (24) of the base plate (19). [2] Printed circuit board device (10) according to claim 1, characterized by , that - each of the mounting elements (24) of the base plate (19) comprises a respective through-hole opening (28) extending through the base plate (19) perpendicular to the main extension plane of the base plate (19); and - each assembly section (22) of the sheets (30) is guided at least partially through the respective through-hole opening (28) of the base plate (19). [3] Printed circuit board device (10) according to claim 2, characterized by, that the mounting section (22) of the respective sheet (30) includes a snap-in tab (26) which protrudes from the mounting section (22) of the respective sheet (30) and which is designed to bend when the snap-in tab (26) passes through the through hole (28) and to snap into place on a lower side of the base plate (19) when it exits the through hole (28). [4] Printed circuit board device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that - each of the sheets (30) comprises at least one retaining tab (32) which projects from the main extension plane of the respective sheet (30) in the direction of the opposite sheet (30). [5] Printed circuit board device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that - the base plate (19) comprises a pair of intermediate stop walls (38), each of the intermediate stop walls (38) projecting perpendicularly from the base plate (19) and extending perpendicularly to the principal extension planes of the sheets (30), wherein a distance between the intermediate stop walls (38) is less than a diameter of the button cell battery (20); and - the pair of intermediate stop walls (38) is designed to restrict movement of the button cell battery (20) from the previously defined position in a direction parallel to the main extension planes of the sheets (30). [6] Printed circuit board device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that - the base plate (19) comprises at least one end stop wall (40) which projects perpendicularly from the base plate (19) and which is designed to restrict movement of the button cell battery (20) from the previously defined position in a direction parallel to the main extension planes of the sheets (30). [7] Printed circuit board device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the assembly section (22) of the respective sheet is directly connected to the circuit board (14). [8] Printed circuit board device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the base plate (19) is materially connected to a housing of the connector socket (16). [9] Electronic device (12) comprising a housing and a printed circuit board device (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the printed circuit board device (10) is arranged by the housing in a final installation position. [10] Electronic device (12) according to claim 9, characterized by , that an upper wall (54) of the housing is arranged above the battery holder (18), wherein a movement of the button cell battery (20) out of the holding volume (44) of the battery holder (18) is restricted by the upper wall (54). [11] Electronic device (12) according to claim 9 or 10, characterized by , that the electronic device (12) is designed as an electronic vehicle installation device for a vehicle.

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