Electronic box comprising an electronic card carrying connectors

Abstract

Electronic housing (1) comprising: - an electronic card (4) carrying at least two connectors (6); - two half-shells (2, 3), configured to be assembled together to form said housing, one of the half-shells comprising at least two openings (33), said electronic card (4) being arranged in the housing so that said end (61) of the body of each connector is oriented towards the outside of the housing through a corresponding opening (33); - an anti-intrusion device (5) comprising at least two frames (51), each frame (51) being configured to surround the body (62) of a corresponding connector (6) to close the passage formed between the end (61) of the body and the edge (34) of the opening (33), - a flexible connecting piece (52) attaching two adjacent frames together to absorb the positioning tolerances of the connectors (6) relative to each other on the electronic card (4). [Fig. 1]

Description

Title of the invention: Electronic housing comprising an electronic card carrying connectors Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of electronic cards carrying connectors and mounted in an electronic housing for applications implemented for example in the automotive field. Prior art

[0002] It is known to place an electronic card in a rigid housing to provide electromagnetic protection and mechanical protection.

[0003] Such an electronic housing generally comprises a chassis and a cover assembled together to form a housing in which the card is received.

[0004] The electronic card comprises electronic components connected to conductive tracks extending on the card to the connection connectors making it possible to connect the electronic card to a connector of the electronic circuit of the motor vehicle.

[0005] The connector is fixed near an edge of the electronic card. It comprises a body defining an open housing in which conductors, generally pins, extend, having one end connected to the conductive tracks extending on the card and an opposite end oriented towards the outside of the housing through an opening located on a side wall of the housing. Generally, the pins are arranged in rows and columns so as to allow a correct connection between the card and the external circuit of the card, for example a circuit of a motor vehicle.

[0006] The cover, the chassis and the printed circuit board are then fixed together so as to hold the board in the electronic housing by fixing elements, such as screws. In order to be able to fix the cover and the chassis on the board to hold the board in the housing, an opening which has a shape complementary to that of the connector body is provided in the chassis for example. When the cover and the chassis are fixed on the board, the peripheral edge of the opening surrounds the connector body so that their respective contours are opposite and correspond.

[0007] Electronic housings must have a certain degree of resistance to the introduction of solid bodies and liquids depending on the environment in which they are used and their application. In the case where the housings must be protected against solid bodies, the degree of protection ranges from 1 to 6, the number one (1) cor corresponding to solid bodies greater than 50 mm and the number six (6) corresponding to total protection against microscopic dust particles. For example, the IP4X standard requires protection against the intrusion of foreign solid bodies with a diameter greater than 1 mm. However, in the case of an electronic card carrying connectors and enclosed in a housing, due to the sum of the geometric tolerances and positioning of the various elements, this necessarily results in a residual play of up to 1.2 mm (0.6 + 0.6) at the interfaces between the connectors and the edge of the openings. Thus, housings comprising an electronic card carrying connectors are not guaranteed to be protected against solid bodies with dimensions less than 1.2 mm and cannot comply with the IP4X standard.

[0008] A known solution consists of manufacturing suitable connectors incorporating an anti-intrusion collar around the connector or the very costly creation of a specific connector at the supplier. However, such a solution is not very satisfactory in terms of manufacturing cost because it requires a systematic and very costly adaptation step of all the connectors by specific molding to integrate this anti-intrusion collar. Summary

[0009] The object of the present invention is to provide effective protection of the interior of the housing against the intrusion of solid bodies, while limiting production costs and guaranteeing demonstrability of the housing.

[0010] To this end, the invention relates to an electronic box comprising: - an electronic card carrying at least two connectors, each connector comprising a body having one end opening at the edge of the electronic card; - two rigid half-shells configured to be assembled together to form said housing, the two half-shells delimiting between them a hollow volume suitable for accommodating the electronic card, one of the half-shells comprising at least two openings, said electronic card being arranged in the housing so that said end of the body of each connector is oriented towards the outside of the housing through a corresponding opening; - an anti-intrusion device comprising at least two frames, each frame being configured to surround the body of a corresponding connector at a distance from the end of the body so as to close the passage formed between the end of the body and the edge of the opening when the electronic card is mounted in the housing; - a flexible connecting piece interposed between two adjacent frames to attach them together so as to allow relative movement of the frames between them to absorb the positioning tolerances of the connectors relative to each other others on the electronic card.

[0011] The features set out in the following paragraphs may, optionally, be implemented, independently of one another or in combination with one another:

[0012] The frames are formed from elastomeric material.

[0013] The connecting piece is formed from elastomeric material.

[0014] The frames and the flexible connecting piece are made in one piece.

[0015] Each frame is sized to fit onto the body of the corresponding connector.

[0016] The frames have a material thickness of between 0.3 mm and 5 mm, preferably between 1 mm and 2.5 mm.

[0017] The edge of the electronic card is provided with two notches each arranged on either side of the end of each body of the connector and configured to allow the frame to pass when it is fitted onto the body of the connector.

[0018] The depth of the notch corresponds to the distance between the end of the body and the positioning of the frame on the body of the connector.

[0019] The body of the connector defines an open housing in which conductors extend, said conductors having one end oriented towards the outside of the housing.

[0020] According to another aspect, there is provided a method of mounting an electronic housing comprising an electronic card carrying connectors, said method comprising the following steps: a. provide said electronic card carrying at least two connectors, each connector comprising a body having one end opening at the edge of the electronic board; b. providing two rigid half-shells configured to be assembled together to form said housing, the half-shells delimiting between them a hollow volume suitable for accommodating the electronic card, one of the half-shells comprising at least two openings; c. providing an anti-intrusion device comprising at least two frames, each frame being configured to surround the body of a corresponding connector at a distance from the end of the body so as to close the passage formed between the end of the body and the edge of the opening when the electronic card is mounted in the housing; e. fit each of the frames onto the body of a corresponding connector; f. place one side of the electronic card on one of the two half-shells; g. place the other half-shell provided with openings opposite the electronic card so that said end of the body is oriented towards the outside of the housing through a corresponding opening; h. fix the electronic card and the two half-shells together. Brief description of the drawings

[0021] Other characteristics, details and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description below, and on analyzing the appended drawings, in which: Fig.l

[0022] [Fig.l] [Fig.l] schematically illustrates an exploded perspective view of an electronic housing according to one embodiment; Fig. 2

[0023] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates a perspective view of the electronic card electronics carrying two connectors of [Fig.l], with an anti-intrusion frame fitted onto the body of each connector so as to surround the body at a distance from the end of the body; Fig. 3

[0024] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] schematically illustrates a front view of the electronic box of [Fig.l] at an angle of view from the connectors and in an assembled configuration. Fig. 4

[0025] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] schematically illustrates a sectional view along section BB defined in [Fig.3]. Description of the embodiments

[0026] The drawings and the description below contain, for the most part, elements of a certain character. They may therefore not only serve to better understand the present invention, but also contribute to its definition, if necessary.

[0027] Reference is now made to Figures 1 to 4 which illustrate an electronic box 1 comprising a card carrying connectors according to one embodiment.

[0028] The electronic box 1 comprises a rigid chassis 3, a rigid cover 2, an electronic card 4 on which are mounted connectors 6 having an end 61 opening at the edge 42 of the electronic card 4 through openings 33 present on one of the side walls of the box.

[0029] The electronic housing 1, depending on its application and the external environment in which it is used, must meet the IP4X standard which requires protection against the intrusion of foreign solid bodies having a diameter greater than 1 mm. However, as described above, on an electronic card carrying connectors and enclosed in a housing, it is difficult to comply with the IP4x standard. Indeed, the sum of the geometric and positioning tolerances of the various elements means that a passage of up to 1.2 mm is possibly formed between the connectors and the edge 34 of the openings 33 of the housing into which one end of the connectors opens. To close this passage and prevent the intrusion of solid foreign bodies into the housing, the electronic housing of the present disclosure further comprises an anti-intrusion device 5 comprising frames 51 which are configured to fit around the connectors to close the passage formed between the connectors 6 and the edge 34 of the openings. The frames 51 are further attached to each other by a flexible connecting piece 52 so as to allow relative movement between frames to absorb the positioning tolerances of the connectors 6 on the electronic card 4.

[0030] Thanks to the use of frames and flexible connecting parts, it is possible to comply with the IP4x standard based on standard connectors. In addition, it makes it possible to avoid a specific molding step to integrate an anti-intrusion collar for each connector or to create a specific reference at the supplier, which reduces manufacturing costs.

[0031] The chassis 3 and the cover 2 are two paired half-shells. They are configured to be assembled with each other to form a housing 1. Each of the half-shells 2, 3 has an edge 22, 32 which have shapes adapted to be able to be assembled to form a housing. The housing can then be held closed by assembly screws, distributed along the peripheral edge of the two half-shells.

[0032] One of the half-shells is hollow. In the example of [Fig.l], the chassis 3 forms a hollow half-shell. Thus, when the chassis 3 and the cover 2 are assembled together, they delimit a hollow interior volume suitable for accommodating the electronic card 4.

[0033] The chassis 3 and the cover 2 are both rigid in order to guarantee good mechanical protection of the electronic card 4. They also have the function of dissipating the heat generated by the electronic components carried by the card to the outside. A third function of the housing is to serve as electromagnetic shielding. Depending on the functions envisaged, it may be envisaged to produce the housing in different materials and according to various manufacturing methods.

[0034] The electronic card 4 is arranged inside the housing. As illustrated in [Fig. 4], the electronic card 4 is placed inside the peripheral edges 32, 22 of the chassis 3 and the cover 2. The card 4 is kept fixed to the chassis and / or to the cover. For example, the cover 2 and the electronic card 4 comprise a plurality of fixing holes intended to receive screws for fixing the electronic card and the cover to the chassis.

[0035] In the case where the housing 1 is intended to receive an electronic card with connectors, one of the side walls of one of the half-shells is provided openings 33 allowing the connectors to be connected to an external connector of the electrical circuit. In the exemplary embodiment, the chassis 3 which forms a hollow half-shell is provided with openings 33 on one of the side walls 35.

[0036] The electronic card 4 comprises a plate 44 which carries, in a known manner, electronic components connected to conductive tracks extending over the plate and a peripheral edge 42. The electronic components are not shown in the figures. The plate also carries connectors 6 fixed to the plate, near an edge of the plate, which make it possible to connect the electronic card to a connector of the vehicle's electrical circuit.

[0037] The number of connectors carried by an electronic card varies depending on the intended applications. In the case of the example illustrated in Figures 1 to 4, the card comprises two connectors 6, fixed to the plate of the card. In a known manner, the connector 6 comprises a body 62, for example made of plastic. By way of example, the body has a parallelepiped shape and delimits an open housing 63 in which a plurality of conductors 64 are received. One end 61 of the body opens out at the edge 42 of the plate 44 of the card. Generally and as illustrated in [Fig. 4], the conductors 64 are pins, having one end connected to the conductive tracks 45 extending on the plate 44 of the card 4 and one end extending into the open housing 63 of the body, oriented towards the outside of the housing, through the openings 33.

[0038] The pins 64 are for example organized in rows and columns according to an arrangement which allows the connection of the electronic components inside the housing to the external circuit.

[0039] In order to allow the pins of the connector to be electrically connected to the connector of the external circuit, the card is mounted in the housing so that the end 61 of the body of each connector opens through an opening 33 of the chassis 3.

[0040] It can be seen in [Fig. 4] that when the electronic card 4, the cover 2 and the chassis 3 are assembled together, a passage 46 is formed between the edge 34 of the opening of the chassis and the end 61 of the body 62 of the connector 6 which opens into the opening. In order to prevent the intrusion of solid foreign bodies into the housing via this passage, the housing 1 comprises frames 51 configured to fit onto the body of the connector to block the passage.

[0041] Each frame 51 is sized to fit onto the body of the corresponding connector so that the inner surface of the frame 51 matches the outer surface of the connector body.

[0042] The frame is mounted on the connector by fitting it onto the latter in the direction of the arrows F in [Fig.l].

[0043] It can be seen in [Fig.l] and [Fig.2] that the edge 42 of the electronic card comprises two notches 43 located on either side of each body 62 of the connector. The two notches have a U shape. The distance between the two branches of the notch is adapted to the thickness of the frame to allow its passage when it fits onto the end of the connector. It can be seen in [Fig.2] that when the frame 51 is engaged on the body of the connector, it surrounds the body of the connector by passing through the two notches. Preferably, the frame is inserted into the notches to be held fixed on the connector. The notches 43 also have the function of indicating the positioning of the frame on the body of the connector. The depth of the notches corresponds to the distance which separates the end 61 of the body of the connector 6 and the positioning of the frame on the body of the connector.

[0044] The frames have a material thickness of between 0.3 mm and 5 mm, preferably between 1 mm and 2.5 mm to close the passage formed between the connectors and the edge of the opening.

[0045] The frame can adopt different geometric shapes depending on the geometric shape of the connector. The example illustrated in Figures 1 to 4 shows a frame with a substantially rectangular shape.

[0046] The frames are attached to each other by a flexible connecting piece 52 which allows the frames to be moved relative to each other to absorb the positioning tolerances of the connectors 6 on the electronic card 4.

[0047] By way of example, it is possible to adjust the spacing L1 between the frames 51 by modifying the length of the flexible connecting piece 52 so as to correspond to the spacing L2 between the two connectors.

[0048] According to one embodiment, the frames 51 and the connecting piece 52 are formed from elastomeric material or any other material allowing the connection 52 to have the flexibility necessary to fulfill its function.

[0049] Preferably, the frames and the flexible connecting piece are made in one piece.

[0050] We see in [Fig.4] that when the electronic card 4, the cover 2 and the chassis 3 are assembled together, the frame 51 makes it possible to obstruct the passage 46 formed between the edge 34 of the opening of the chassis and the end 61 of the connector 6. The thickness of the frame e being greater than the width of the passage el, the passage 46 is obstructed by preventing the intrusion of solid bodies having a diameter of 1 mm, or even less than 1 mm. The frames thus form a protective barrier to prevent the intrusion of solid foreign bodies into the openings. Thanks to the presence of the frames surrounding the connectors, the electronic box carrying connectors is thus guaranteed to be protected against solid bodies having dimensions greater than 1 mm and thus complies with the IP4X standard.

[0051] It is no longer necessary to manufacture an anti-intrusion collar by molding specific for each connector before assembly or to create a specific reference at the supplier. This can reduce manufacturing costs. In addition, the frames can be easily disassembled when the electronic board is defective and reused to fit onto connectors carried by a new electronic board. The disassembly of the anti-intrusion frames also simplifies the recycling process for electronic boxes.

[0052] The method of mounting the various elements of the electronic box 1 of [Fig.l] is described below and comprises the following steps.

[0053] An electronic card 4 is provided comprising a plate 44 on which are mounted two connectors 6 which make it possible to connect the electronic components of the housing to an electronic unit external to the housing. The connectors 6 are mounted on the electronic card 4 near an edge of the card. Each connector 6 comprises a body having an end 61 which opens at the edge of the plate 44. The body 61 delimits an open housing 63 in which conductors 64, for example pins, extend.

[0054] Two rigid half-shells 2, 3 are provided, configured to be assembled together to form the housing 1. One of the two half-shells is hollow, forming a chassis 3 and the other half-shell a cover 2. The half-shells delimit between them a hollow volume adapted to accommodate the electronic card 4. The chassis 3 comprises openings 33 present on one of the side walls 35.

[0055] An anti-intrusion device 5 is provided comprising two frames 51 connected together by a flexible connecting piece 52 which has the function of absorbing the positioning tolerances of the two connectors 6 relative to each other on the electronic card. Thus, thanks to the flexible connecting piece 52, it is possible to move the two frames 51 relative to each other so as to place them opposite the connectors and to fit each of them onto a corresponding connector. The frames here have a substantially rectangular geometric shape but they can have other geometric shapes adapted to that of the connectors. The frames are sized relative to the dimension of the connectors so as to allow assembly without constraint.

[0056] Each of the two closing frames 51 is fitted onto an area of ​​the connector body at a distance from the end 61 of the connector 6 in the direction indicated by the arrow F shown in [Fig.l]. Each frame 51 surrounds an outer surface of the peripheral area of ​​the connector and an outer surface of the peripheral area of ​​the plate so as to close the passage 46 formed between the end 61 of the connector 6 and the edge 34 of the opening of the chassis when the electronic card is received in the housing. During this fitting movement, the frame 51 is slid onto the connector body while being inserted into two notches 43 made on the edge of the plate 44 of the electronic card 4 and positioned on either side of each connector 6, thus allowing the frame to completely surround an outer surface of the connector body and an outer surface of the plate near the edge.

[0057] The electronic card 4 carrying the connectors 6 and the components is placed on the bottom 21 of the cover 2.

[0058] The chassis 3 is placed opposite the electronic card 4 and the cover 2 so that one end 61 of each connector opens out at the edge of the card plate through an opening 33 in the chassis.

[0059] The electronic card 4, the cover 2 and the chassis 3 are fixed together with assembly screws.

[0060] The various steps may be carried out in the order described here or, for some, in a different order. Similarly, the steps may be carried out sequentially or, for some, simultaneously.

[0061] The solution of the present disclosure makes it possible to respond to problems of compliance with the IP4x standard of electronic boxes when the electronic card carries connectors.

[0062] The anti-intrusion frames are easily adapted for standard connectors.

[0063] The use of frames makes it possible to avoid a specific molding step in the connector manufacturing process in order to integrate an anti-intrusion collar or to create a specific reference at the supplier, thus reducing production time and cost. Industrial application

[0064] The electronic box according to the invention is particularly suitable for equipping the electronic units of a motor vehicle.

[0065] The present disclosure is not limited to the example of electronic box described above but it encompasses all the variants that a person skilled in the art may envisage within the framework of the protection sought.

Claims

Claims

1. Electronic housing (1) comprising: - an electronic card (4) carrying at least two connectors (6), each connector (6) comprising a body (62) having one end (61) opening at the edge of the electronic card (4); - two rigid half-shells (2, 3) configured to be assembled together to form said housing, the two half-shells delimiting between them a hollow volume adapted to accommodate the electronic card (4), one of the half-shells comprising at least two openings (33), said electronic card (4) being arranged in the housing so that said end (61) of the body of each connector is oriented towards the outside of the housing through a corresponding opening (33);- an anti-intrusion device (5) comprising at least two frames (51), each frame (51) being configured to surround the body (62) of a corresponding connector (6) at a distance from the end (61) of the body so as to close the passage formed between the end (61) of the body and the edge (34) of the opening (33) when the electronic card (4) is mounted in the housing (1); - a flexible connecting piece (52) interposed between two adjacent frames to attach them together so as to allow relative movement of the frames (51) between them to absorb the positioning tolerances of the connectors (6) relative to each other on the electronic card (4).;

2. A housing according to claim 1, wherein the frames (51) are formed from an elastomeric material.

3. A housing according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the connecting piece (52) is formed from an elastomeric material.

4. Housing according to one of claims 1 to 3, in which the frames (51) and the flexible connecting piece (52) are made in a single piece.

5. Housing according to one of claims 1 to 4, in which each frame (51) is sized to fit onto the body (62) of the corresponding connector (6).

6. Housing according to one of the preceding claims, in which the frames have a material thickness of between 0.3 mm and 5 mm, preferably between 1 mm and 2.5 mm.

7. Housing according to one of claims 1 to 6, in which the edge (42) of the electronic card is provided with two notches (43) arranged each on either side of the end (61) of each body (62) of the connector (6) and configured to allow the passage of the frame (51) when it is fitted onto the body (62) of the connector (6).

8. Housing according to claim 7, in which the depth of the notch (43) corresponds to the distance between the end (61) of the body and the positioning of the frame on the body of the connector.

9. Housing according to one of claims 1 to 8, in which the body (62) of the connector (6) delimits an open housing (63) in which conductors (64) extend, said conductors (64) having one end oriented towards the outside of the housing.

10. Method for mounting an electronic housing (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, said housing comprising an electronic card (4) carrying connectors (6), said method comprising the following steps: a. providing said electronic card (4) carrying at least two connectors (6), each connector (6) comprising a body (62) having one end (61) opening at the edge (42) of the electronic plate (4); b. providing two rigid half-shells (2, 3) configured to be assembled together to form said housing, the half-shells delimiting between them a hollow volume adapted to accommodate the electronic card (4), one of the half-shells (3) comprising at least two openings (33); c.providing an anti-intrusion device (5) comprising at least two frames (5), each frame being configured to surround the body (62) of a corresponding connector at a distance from the end (61) of the body so as to close the passage formed between the end (61) of the body and the edge (34) of the opening (33) when the electronic card is mounted in the housing; e. fitting each of the frames (51) onto the body of a corresponding connector; f. placing one face of the electronic card (4) on one of the two half-shells (2, 3); g. placing the other half-shell (2, 3) provided with openings opposite the electronic card so that said end (61) of the body (62) is oriented towards the outside of the housing through a corresponding opening (33); h. fixing the electronic card and the two half-shells together. 12

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