Connection element for electrically connecting electronic elements

Abstract

The invention relates to a connection element (10) for electrically connecting electronic elements (11, 12), comprising a first connection region (1), which is designed for connection to a first electronic element (11), and a second connection region (2), which is designed for connection to a second electronic element (12), wherein each connection region (1, 2) is in the form of a sheet, wherein the first connection region (1) is in a first connection plane (21), and wherein the second connection region (2) is located at a distance from the first connection plane (21).

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] title

[0003] Connecting element for the electrical connection of electronic elements

[0004] State of the art

[0005] The present invention relates to a connecting element for electrically connecting electronic elements, an electronic arrangement, and an inverter.

[0006] Electronic assemblies, for example, in inverters, are known in which conductive elements are used to transmit electrical energy, especially current. Sheets made of a conductive material are often used as connectors between two elements. The sheet metal can be connected to the elements by welding, for example. Thermal and mechanical stress on the electronic assembly can often cause damage to the electrical connections.

[0007] Disclosure of the invention

[0008] The connecting element according to the invention with the features of claim 1 is distinguished in that, with high electrical conductivity, a particularly high level of robustness and durability of an electrical connection between electronic elements can be provided. In particular, thermal and mechanical stresses and deformations can be compensated particularly well in order to avoid damage to the electrical connection. This is achieved according to the invention by a connecting element for the electrical connection of electronic elements, comprising a first connection region, which is configured for connection to a first electronic element, and a second connection region, which is configured for connection to a second electronic element. Each of the two connection regions is sheet-metal-shaped.The first connection area is located in a first connection plane and the second connection area is arranged at a distance from the first connection plane.

[0009] In other words, a connecting element is provided which has two separate connecting regions, each of which can be connected to an electronic element, such as a respective electronic component, or separate sub-regions of a single electronic component. The second connecting region is arranged at a distance from a first connecting plane in which the first connecting region lies. The two connecting regions are therefore preferably arranged on different planes. Preferably, at least one deflection region, which brings about at least one change in direction of the connecting element, which is preferably completely formed in sheet metal, is thus located between the two connecting regions. This provides mechanical flexibility of the connecting element. In particular, this provides flexibility in a direction orthogonal to the first connecting plane and parallel to the first connecting plane.

[0010] This allows the connecting element to compensate for thermally and mechanically induced stresses particularly easily and reliably, reducing or avoiding high mechanical loads on the connections between the connecting element and the electronic components. This enables particularly long-lasting electrical connections. Another advantage is that a high degree of flexibility in the geometric design of the connecting element can be easily achieved. For example, the geometry of the connecting element can be adapted to various geometric properties of the electronic components using simple and cost-effective means.

[0011] The connecting element is preferably made of an electrically conductive material, preferably copper or aluminum or a copper alloy or an aluminum alloy. The subclaims contain preferred developments of the invention.

[0012] Preferably, the second connection area is located in a second connection plane. The first connection plane and the second connection plane are arranged at a predetermined distance from each other. For example, the distance can be in the range of several millimeters to reliably ensure sufficient flexibility. This enables high flexibility and ease of manufacture in a particularly simple and cost-effective manner.

[0013] Particularly preferably, the connecting element further comprises a transition region that connects the first connecting region and the second connecting region to one another. The transition region lies in a transition plane that is spaced apart from the first connecting plane and the second connecting plane. This means that the two connecting regions and the transition region lie on a total of three different planes. In particular, this provides several, preferably at least four, changes in direction of the sheet-metal connecting element between the first connecting region and the second connecting region. This allows for particularly high mechanical flexibility to be provided in a simple manner.

[0014] Preferably, the first connecting plane is located between the transition plane and the second connecting plane. In particular, the two connecting planes and the transition plane are arranged parallel to each other. This allows for a particularly large amount of space to be provided for electronic components or the like, for example, on a side of the two connecting planes opposite the transition region.

[0015] Further preferably, the transition region, the first connecting region, and the second connecting region are jointly formed as a one-piece, preferably sheet-metal-shaped, component. This enables particularly simple and cost-effective production. Furthermore, a particularly reliable, high electrical conductivity of the connecting element can be provided. Preferably, at least one of the two connecting regions has a slot. In particular, the slot completely penetrates at least a partial region of the connecting region, preferably in a direction orthogonal to the respective connecting plane. This provides additional mechanical flexibility of the connecting element, in particular in a direction parallel to the first connecting plane.A slotted connection area can be used to particularly effectively prevent thermally induced stresses in the connecting element and in the area of ​​the connection between the connecting element and the electronic element.

[0016] Particularly preferably, the slot extends into the transition area. In other words, the connecting element is completely separated by the slot into at least two separate sub-areas. This allows for a particularly effective and reliable reduction of stresses in the connection area.

[0017] The slot preferably ends in a relief recess. This means that the slot preferably extends from the relief recess to the edge of the sheet-metal connecting region. The relief recess has a minimum opening diameter that is greater than a width of the slot. The relief recess preferably has a circular cross-section, with a diameter that is particularly greater than the width of the slot. The diameter is preferably at least 1.5 times, more preferably at least twice, the width of the slot. The relief recess can, for example, provide enlarged radii at end regions of the slot, whereby mechanical stresses in this region can be reduced simply and effectively. This enables a particularly robust and durable design of the connecting elements.

[0018] Particularly preferably, the connecting element comprises a plurality of slots in each of the connecting regions. For example, the slots can extend parallel to one another and preferably be arranged at equal distances from one another. A plurality of slots can provide particularly effective mechanical relief for the electrical connections. Further preferably, the connecting element comprises a plurality of first connecting regions and / or a plurality of second connecting regions. For example, this allows a plurality of first electronic elements and / or a plurality of second electronic elements to be connected to one another. Alternatively, a single electronic element can also be electrically connected by means of a plurality of first or second connecting regions.

[0019] Preferably, the multiple connecting regions are formed as separate components and connected to one another by means of an electrically conductive connection. For example, the electrically conductive connection can be established by laser welding, soldering, or the like. For example, the multiple connecting elements can be connected to one another by a suitable connecting means that remains after assembly or can be removed. This allows for a particularly high degree of flexibility of the connecting element for various applications.

[0020] Particularly preferably, the electrically conductive connection of the connecting regions formed as separate components is arranged, in particular exclusively, at the transition region, thus enabling a particularly simple and cost-effective production of the connecting element, wherein, in addition, optimal mechanical flexibility can be ensured.

[0021] Furthermore, the invention leads to an electronic arrangement comprising a first electronic element, a second electronic element, and a connecting element as described above. The electronic elements can, for example, be electronic components or parts thereof. The electronic elements can preferably be power electronic components. For example, the electronic elements can be arranged on a common circuit board and / or on separate circuit boards.

[0022] Furthermore, the invention relates to an inverter comprising the described electronic arrangement.

[0023] Brief Description of the Drawings The invention is described below using exemplary embodiments in conjunction with the figures. In the figures, functionally identical components are identified by the same reference numerals. Here:

[0024] Figure 1 is a simplified schematic view of an electronic arrangement with a connecting element according to a first embodiment of the invention,

[0025] Figure 2 is a side view of the electronic arrangement of Figure 1, and

[0026] Figure 3 is a simplified schematic view of a connecting element according to a second embodiment of the invention.

[0027] Preferred embodiments of the invention

[0028] Figure 1 shows a simplified schematic view of an electronic assembly 50 comprising a connecting element 10 according to a first exemplary embodiment of the invention. The electronic assembly 50 can, for example, be part of an inverter (not shown). The electronic assembly 50 is shown in a perspective view. Figure 2 shows the electronic assembly 50 of Figure 1 in a side view.

[0029] The electronics arrangement 50 comprises a plurality of electronic elements 11, 12, which may, for example, be electronic components. By way of example, the electronics arrangement 50 of the first exemplary embodiment in Figure 1 comprises precisely one first electronic element 11 and two second electronic elements 12. The second electronic elements 12 can, as shown by way of example, be arranged on a common printed circuit board 13. Alternatively, any other arrangements with printed circuit boards or partial areas of printed circuit boards as electronic elements 11, 12 can also be provided.

[0030] In the illustrated embodiment, the connecting element 10 is provided to electrically connect all electronic elements 11, 12 to one another. For this purpose, the connecting element 10 is formed as a sheet made of an electrically conductive material, such as copper. The connecting element 50 comprises a plurality of connecting regions 1, 2, each of which is directly electrically connected to one of the electronic elements 11, 12. This electrically conductive connection can be established, for example, by means of a laser weld or a soldered connection or the like.

[0031] In order to provide high resistance to thermomechanical loads and thus high durability, the connecting element 10 has a special construction, which is described in detail below.

[0032] The first connection region 1 of the connection element 10 is electrically conductively connected to the first electronic element 11 and lies in a first connection plane 21. The two second connection regions 2 of the connection element 10 are each electrically conductively connected to one of the two second electronic elements 12 and lie in a common second connection plane 22.

[0033] In addition, the connecting element 10 comprises a transition region 3 that connects the first connecting region 1 and the second connecting regions 2. The transition region 3, the first connecting region 1, and the second connecting regions 2 are formed together as a single-piece component. Angled regions of the connecting element 10 can be provided between the transition region 3 and the respective connecting regions 1, 2.

[0034] The connecting element 10 is designed as a bent sheet metal such that the first connecting region 1, the second connecting regions 2, and the transition region 3 lie on different planes 21, 22, 23 (see in particular Figure 2). In particular, the respective planes 21, 22, 23 are parallel to one another. In detail, the first connecting plane 21, which is defined by an upper side of the first connecting region 1, is arranged at a predetermined first distance 25 from a second connecting plane 22, which is defined by an upper side of the second connecting region 2. In addition, the first connecting plane 21 is arranged at a predetermined second distance 26 from a transition plane 23, which is defined by an upper side of the transition region 3.

[0035] The first connecting region 1 lies along a direction orthogonal to the planes 21, 22, 23 between the transition region 3 and the second connecting regions 2. This means that the connecting element 10 has a stepped geometry, with the connecting regions 1, 2 lying on different planes 21, 22. In addition, the transition region 3 is provided, which also lies on a further additional plane 23.

[0036] This special geometry is achieved by the connecting element 10 having a plurality of bending points 7 (see Figure 2). At the bending points 7, the connecting element 10 is bent around a bending axis, which lies in the respective adjacent plane 21, 22, 23 and is parallel to a main axis 15 along which the entire connecting element 10 extends (see Figure 1).

[0037] This results in the advantage of particularly high mechanical flexibility of the connecting element 10. The bends and the arrangement of the connecting regions 1, 2 on different levels 21, 22, 23 provide particularly high flexibility in the directions 51 and 52 indicated in Figures 1 and 2. For example, the connecting element 10 can deform slightly elastically in order to compensate for thermal and mechanical stresses that can occur, for example, during operation or due to ambient conditions of the electronic arrangement 50. This relieves the load, in particular, on the electrical connections between the connecting regions 1, 2 and the electronic elements 11, 12, so that they can achieve a particularly long service life with particular reliability.

[0038] Further additional relief of the electrical connection points is achieved by slitting the connection areas 1, 2. Each connection area 1, 2 has at least one slot 4 that extends completely through the respective connection area 1, 2. In detail, each slot 4 extends orthogonally to the main axis 15 from an outer edge of the respective connection area 1, 2 to the transition area 3. This divides each connection area 1, 2 into several connecting tabs 1a, 2a.

[0039] In detail, in the illustrated first embodiment, the first connecting region 1 is divided into a total of four first connecting tabs 1a by a total of three slots 4. Each second connecting region 2 is also divided into two connecting tabs 2a by exactly one slot 4. Each connecting tab 1a, 2a is separately electrically connected to the corresponding electronic element 11, 12.

[0040] Through the slots 4, an additional mechanical relief can be achieved in a further direction, shown in Figure 1 by the direction 53, which is parallel to the main axis 15.

[0041] In addition, it is provided that at least some of the slots 4, as shown in Figure 1, end in a relief recess 40 which has a circular opening diameter 42 which is larger than a width 41 of the slot 4. This makes it possible to provide an enlarged radius at the end region of the slot 4, whereby mechanical stresses in this region can be reduced.

[0042] Figure 3 shows a simplified schematic view of a connecting element 10 according to a second exemplary embodiment of the invention. The second exemplary embodiment essentially corresponds to the first exemplary embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, with the difference that the connecting element 10 is designed in several parts. In detail, the connecting element 10 comprises a plurality of connecting regions 1, 2, wherein the plurality of connecting regions 1, 2 are each designed as separate components. In detail, exactly one first connecting region 1 and exactly one second connecting region 2 are each designed as a common, one-piece component. These individual components are each connected to one another by means of an electrically conductive connection 6.

[0043] The individual parts of the connecting element 10 of the second embodiment can, for example, be connected to one another in such a way that gaps 4' are present between the individual connecting regions 1, 2, which can essentially correspond to the slots 4 of the first embodiment of Figures 1 and 2. The electrically conductive connections 6 can be arranged, preferably exclusively, in the transition region 3 and lie essentially in an extension of the gap 4'.

Claims

Claims 1. Connecting element for electrically connecting electronic elements (11, 12), comprising: - a first connection area (1) which is arranged for connection to a first electronic element (11), and - a second connection area (2) which is arranged for connection to a second electronic element (12), - wherein each connecting region (1, 2) is sheet-shaped, - wherein the first connection region (1) lies in a first connection plane (21), and - wherein the second connecting region (2) is arranged at a distance from the first connecting plane (21).

2. Connecting element according to claim 1, wherein the second connecting region (2) lies in a second connecting plane (22), and wherein the first connecting plane (21) and the second connecting plane (22) are arranged parallel to one another and at a predetermined distance (25) from one another.

3. Connecting element according to claim 2, further comprising a transition region (3) which connects the first connecting region (1) and the second connecting region (2) to one another, wherein the transition region (3) lies in a transition plane (23) which is spaced from the first connecting plane (21) and from the second connecting plane (22).

4. Connecting element according to claim 3, wherein the first connecting plane (21) lies between the transition plane (23) and the second connecting plane (22). Connecting element according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the transition region (23), the first connecting region (1), and the second connecting region (2) are formed together as a one-piece component. Connecting element according to one of claims 3 to 5, wherein at least one of the connecting regions (1, 2) has a slot (4). Connecting element according to claim 6, wherein the slot (4) extends into the transition region (3). Connecting element according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the slot (4) ends in a relief recess (40), wherein the relief recess (40) has a minimum opening diameter (42) that is greater than a width (41) of the slot (4). Connecting element according to one of claims 6 to 8, comprising a plurality of slots (4) in each of the connecting regions (1, 2). Connecting element according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a plurality of first connecting regions (1) and / or a plurality of second connecting regions (2).Connecting element according to claim 10, wherein the plurality of connecting regions (1, 2) are formed as separate components and are connected to one another by means of an electrically conductive connection (6). Connecting element according to claim 11 and one of claims 3 to 10, wherein the electrically conductive connection (6) is arranged, in particular exclusively, at the transition region (3). Electronic arrangement comprising a first electronic element (11), a second electronic element (12), and a connecting element (10) according to one of the preceding claims. Inverter comprising an electronic arrangement (50) according to claim 13.

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