ELECTRONIC BOX DISASSEMBLY DEVICE

Abstract

A device (DD) is used to disassemble an electronic housing (BE) comprising a lower housing (BI) having a lower wall provided with a clipping tab and housing a lower electronic card coupled to this lower wall by this clipping tab and to an upper electronic card (CES). This device (DD) comprises a frame (CD) suitable for surrounding the lower housing (BI) and provided with at least one lever (L1, L2) comprising an end (EL) suitable for coupling to an element (E1, E2) of the lower electronic card and suitable for being driven in rotation to tilt the latter by a predefined angle relative to the lower wall, and a tool (OD) suitable for being introduced between the lower and upper electronic cards (CES) to push the clipping tab in order to cause decoupling of the lower electronic card from the lower wall. Figure 4

Description

Title of the invention: DEVICE FOR DISASSEMBLING ELECTRONIC CASES Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to electronic housings housing lower and upper electronic cards coupled together, and more precisely to the disassembly of these lower and upper electronic cards from their electronic housing. State of the art

[0002] In certain technical fields, such as for example that of vehicles (possibly automobiles), electronic boxes are used comprising an upper box (or cover) coupled to a lower box comprising a lower wall provided with a clipping tab and housing a lower electronic card coupled to this lower wall by this clipping tab and to an upper electronic card.

[0003] In this type of electronic housing, the lower and upper electronic boards are first coupled together by pins before being inserted into the lower housing, and then the lower electronic board is coupled to the lower wall of the lower housing by the latter's clipping tab. Once assembly is complete, this clipping tab is therefore completely hidden by the upper electronic board. As a result, when one wants to manually disassemble the assembly consisting of the lower and upper electronic boards from the lower housing, the probability of breaking the clipping tab and / or damaging part of this assembly is very high.However, in the event of breakage or damage to a component of an electronic box, this component can no longer be reused as part of "remanufacturing", and must therefore be scrapped, which greatly limits the implementation of a circular economy for electronic boxes, but also leads to expensive recycling operations and increases the costs for people who have to repair or replace an electronic box.

[0004] The invention therefore aims in particular to improve the situation. Presentation of the invention

[0005] For this purpose, it proposes in particular a disassembly device capable of allowing the disassembly of an electronic housing comprising a lower housing having a lower wall provided with a clipping tab and housing a lower electronic card coupled to this lower wall by this clipping tab and to an upper electronic card.

[0006] This disassembly device is characterized by the fact that it comprises:

[0007] - a frame suitable for surrounding the lower housing and provided with at least one lever comprising an end suitable for coupling to an element of the lower electronic card and suitable for being driven in rotation to tilt the latter by a predefined angle relative to the lower wall of the lower housing, and

[0008] - a tool suitable for being inserted between the lower and upper electronic cards to push the clipping tab to cause decoupling of the lower electronic board from the lower wall of the lower housing.

[0009] Thus, there is no longer any risk of breaking or damaging a component of an electronic box during disassembly, which makes it possible to reuse each component in working order within the framework of remanufacturing, and therefore greatly facilitates the implementation of a circular economy for electronic boxes, while very significantly reducing recycling operations and costs for people who have to repair or replace an electronic box.

[0010] The disassembly device according to the invention may include other characteristics which may be taken separately or in combination, and in particular:

[0011] - its frame can be provided on first and second opposite parts with two levers respectively comprising ends suitable for coupling to two different elements of the lower electronic card and suitable for being driven in rotation to tilt the latter by the predefined angle relative to the lower wall of the lower housing;

[0012] - each lever can be associated with an immobilizing element equipping the frame and suitable for immobilizing it, after it has been rotated, in a position in which it tilts the lower electronic card by the predefined angle relative to the lower wall of the lower housing;

[0013] - its frame may comprise at least one blocking element suitable for being placed in an immobilization position in which it prevents translation of the lower housing in a first direction relative to the frame;

[0014] - in the presence of the last option, each first blocking element can be a stop mounted in translation on a third part of the frame;

[0015] - its frame may comprise at least one first coupling element specific to cooperate with a second coupling element of the lower housing to prevent translations of the latter in second and third directions relative to the frame;

[0016] - in the presence of the last option, each first coupling element can be defined on a fourth part of the frame and may comprise a stud suitable for being housed in a dedicated housing of a second coupling element of the lower housing;

[0017] - it may include a positioning part suitable for supporting the housing lower in a predefined position, and comprising first and second edges opposite in front of which the third and fourth parts of the frame are suitable for being placed respectively;

[0018] - in the presence of the last option, the positioning part may comprise a upper face suitable for supporting the lower housing and comprising, on the one hand, at least two first holes suitable for receiving two first pins defined on a lower face of the lower wall of the lower housing and, on the other hand, at least one second pin suitable for being housed in a second hole defined in the lower face of the lower wall of the lower housing;

[0019] - its tool may comprise a gripping part to which is secured a rod suitable for being introduced and translated between the lower and upper electronic cards to push the clipping tab. Brief description of the figures

[0020] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on examining the detailed description below, and the appended drawings (obtained for the most part in CAD / CAM (“Computer Aided Design / Computer Aided Drawing”)), in which:

[0021] [Fig-1] schematically illustrates, in a perspective view, an example of a rea use of a disassembly device according to the invention, without its dedicated tool,

[0022] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates, in a perspective view, an example of a tool dedicated to the disassembly device of [Fig.l],

[0023] [Fig.3] schematically illustrates, in a perspective view, an example of a housing electronics without its upper casing but with its lower casing placed on the positioning part of the disassembly device of [Fig.l], for disassembly, and

[0024] [Fig.4] schematically illustrates, in a perspective view, the electronic box of [Fig.3] coupled with the disassembly device of [Fig.l], with the latter's dedicated tool inserted between the lower and upper electronic boards. Detailed description of the invention

[0025] The invention aims in particular to propose a disassembly device DD intended to allow the disassembly of a set of lower electronic cards CEI and upper electronic cards CES coupled from an electronic box BE.

[0026] In the following, it is considered, by way of non-limiting example, that the electronic box BE, to be disassembled by means of a disassembly device DD according to the invention, is an intelligent service box (or BSI - electronic management box) of a vehicle, possibly of the automobile type. But the invention is not limited to this type of electronic box. It relates in fact to any electronic box comprising a lower box housing a set of lower and upper electronic cards coupled. Therefore, it concerns vehicles (land, sea (or river), or air), as well as electronic devices, electrified buildings, and installations (possibly industrial).

[0027] In Figures 1 to 4, the Y direction is a first direction called transverse, the X direction is a second direction called longitudinal, which is perpendicular to the transverse direction Y, and the Z direction is a third direction called vertical, which is perpendicular to the transverse Y and longitudinal X directions.

[0028] Figures 1 to 4 schematically illustrate, at least partially, an example of a disassembly device DD intended to allow the disassembly of a set of lower electronic cards CEI and upper electronic cards CES coupled from a lower housing BI of an electronic housing BE.

[0029] Although this does not appear in Figures 3 and 4, the electronic housing BE also comprises an upper housing (or cover) which is intended to be coupled to the lower housing BI, and the latter (BI) comprises a lower wall provided, on its upper face, with a clipping tab ensuring the coupling of the assembly of lower electronic cards CEI and upper CES to this lower wall. In fact, the lower electronic card CEI comprises a clipping hole which is crossed, during the installation of the CEI-CES assembly in the lower housing BI, by the clipping head of the clipping tab. This clipping head is therefore located between the lower electronic cards CEI and upper CES, and the CEI-CES assembly is coupled to the lower wall of the lower housing BI via the lower electronic card CEI.

[0030] As illustrated at least partially in Figures 1 to 4, a disassembly device DD, according to the invention, comprises at least one frame CD and a dedicated tool OD.

[0031] The frame CD is suitable for surrounding the lower housing BI, and therefore defines (here by means of first PI, second P2, third P3 and fourth p4 parts) an empty central space which is intended to allow the passage of the lower housing BI to be disassembled.

[0032] This frame CD is provided with at least one lever Lj comprising an end EL which is suitable for coupling to an element Ej of the lower electronic card CEI, as illustrated in [Fig.4]. This (each) lever Lj is suitable for being rotated (manually) to tilt the lower electronic card CEI by a predefined angle relative to the lower wall of the lower housing BI. It will be understood that this inclination is intended to facilitate the final decoupling of the clipping tab from the lower electronic card CEI as will be understood later.

[0033] For example, the angle of inclination may be between 10° and 15°. As as an illustrative example, this angle of inclination can be equal to 13°.

[0034] Also for example, and as illustrated non-limitingly in Figures 3 and 4, each element Ej of the lower electronic card CEI, on which the end EL of a lever Lj couples (or engages) to lift the CELCES assembly, can be an electrical connector. But this is not obligatory. Indeed other types of element of the lower electronic card CEI can be used for coupling an end EL.

[0035] As partially illustrated in [Fig.4], the dedicated tool OD is suitable for being introduced between the lower electronic cards CEI and upper CES to push (the clipping head) of the clipping tab. This introduction is intended to cause the decoupling of the lower electronic card CEI from the lower wall of the lower housing BI, and therefore the decoupling of the CELCES assembly.

[0036] It will be understood that once the CELCES assembly is tilted, pushing on the clipping head with the dedicated tool OD immediately causes the decoupling of this CELCES assembly from the lower wall of the lower housing BI. The CELCES assembly can then be manually extracted from the lower housing BI. The lower electronic card CEI can then be manually decoupled from the upper electronic card CES. Thus, no component of the electronic housing BE is broken or damaged by the disassembly, which makes it possible to reuse each component in working order in the context of a remanufacturing, and each component not in working order can either be repaired and then reused, or scrapped.This greatly facilitates the implementation of a circular economy for electronic boxes, significantly reduces recycling operations, and reduces costs for people who have to repair or replace an electronic box.

[0037] For example, and as illustrated non-limitingly in Figures 1 and 4, the frame CD can be provided on first PI and second P2 parts, opposite each other, with two levers L1 and L2 (j = 1 or 2) respectively comprising ends EL which are suitable for coupling to two different elements El and E2 of the lower electronic card CEI. These two levers L1 and L2 are then suitable for being rotated manually, for example one after the other, to tilt the lower electronic card CEI by the predefined angle relative to the lower wall of the lower housing BI.

[0038] This arrangement with two levers L1 and L2 makes it possible to properly stabilize the CEL CES assembly in its inclined position before using the dedicated OD tool, and therefore to promote final automatic decoupling.

[0039] Also for example, and as illustrated non-limitingly in Figures 1 and 4, each lever Lj can be associated with an immobilizing element Elj which equips the frame CD. Each immobilizing element Elj is capable of immobilizing the lever Lj associated, after it has been rotated, in the tilting position in which it tilts the lower electronic board IEC by the predefined angle relative to the lower wall of the lower housing BI.

[0040] Thanks to each immobilizing element Elj, the person carrying out the disassembly can actuate the first lever L1, then lock it in its tilting position by actuating the first immobilizing element EU, then can actuate the possible second lever L2, then lock it in its tilting position by actuating the possible second immobilizing element EI2, before using the dedicated tool OD to carry out the decoupling.

[0041] Also for example, and as illustrated non-limitingly in Figures 1 and 4, each immobilizing element Elj can be arranged in the form of a rotatably mounted tab and comprising a housing intended to house a part of the associated lever Lj when the latter (Lj) is in its tilted position, in order to lock the latter.

[0042] Also for example, and as illustrated non-limitingly in Figures 1 and 4, each lever Lj and the associated immobilizing element Elj can be rotatably mounted on a foot PDj which is fixedly secured to the first PI or second P2 part of the frame CD. Each foot PDj can be an integral part of the frame CD when the latter (CD) is made by molding a rigid, plastic or synthetic material. In this case, the levers Lj and associated immobilizing elements Elj are attached, for example by clipping, to the feet PDj. But in an alternative embodiment the feet PDj could be components attached, for example by gluing, clipping or screwing, respectively to the first PI and second P2 parts of the frame CD.

[0043] Also for example, and as illustrated non-limitingly in Figures 1 and 4, the frame CD may comprise at least one blocking element EB suitable for being placed in an immobilization position in which it prevents the translation of the lower housing BI in the second transverse direction Y relative to the frame CD. This prevention is obtained by placing the blocking element EB in front of a wall of the lower housing BI which is perpendicular to the second transverse direction Y.

[0044] It will be noted that in the example illustrated non-limitingly in Figures 1 and 4, the frame CD comprises two locking elements EB. This makes it possible to adapt to the shape of the external face of the aforementioned wall of the lower housing BI. But the frame CD could comprise a single locking element EB.

[0045] Also for example, and as illustrated non-limitingly in Figures 1 and 4, each blocking element EB can be a stop (such as for example a parallelepiped type part) which is mounted in translation on the third part P3 of the frame CD. For this purpose, the third part P3 can, for example and as illustrated non-limitingly, comprise as many rectilinear slots (or through holes) as of EB blocking elements, each light allowing the translation of an associated EB blocking element.

[0046] Also for example, and as illustrated non-limitingly in Figures 1 and 4, the frame CD may comprise at least a first coupling element EC1 capable of cooperating with a second coupling element EC2 of the lower housing BI to prevent translations of the latter (BI) in the first longitudinal direction X and third vertical direction Z relative to the frame CD.

[0047] It will be noted that in the example illustrated non-limitingly in Figures 1 and 4, the frame CD comprises two first coupling elements EC1, right and left. This makes it possible to properly stabilize the frame CD relative to the lower housing BI. But the frame CD could comprise a single first coupling element EC1, preferably installed in a transverse and vertical median plane YZ.

[0048] Also for example, and as illustrated non-limitingly in Figures 1 and 4, each first coupling element EC1 can be defined on the fourth part P4 of the frame CD (opposite the third part P3), and can comprise a pad PL which is suitable for being housed in a dedicated housing LD of a second coupling element EC2 of the lower housing BI.

[0049] Also for example, and as illustrated non-limitingly in Figures 1 and 4, each first coupling element EC1 may comprise a support (such as for example a parallelepiped) fixedly secured to the fourth part P4 by extending mainly in the third vertical direction Z and on a face XZ from which projects, substantially perpendicularly and therefore parallel to the second transverse direction Y, a stud PL.

[0050] Each first coupling element EC1 can be an integral part of the frame CD when the latter (CD) is produced by molding a rigid, plastic or synthetic material.

[0051] Also for example, and as illustrated non-limitingly in Figures 1 and 4, each second coupling element EC2 may comprise a support (such as for example a parallelepiped) fixedly secured to a wall of the lower housing BI, extending mainly in the third vertical direction Z and at the upper end of which a dedicated housing LD is defined (for example in the form of a generally U- or V-shaped notch).

[0052] Also for example, and as illustrated non-limitingly in Figures 1, 2 and 4, the disassembly device DD may also comprise a positioning part PP1 intended to be preferably placed on a flat and horizontal surface (such as for example a table), and suitable for supporting the lower housing BI in a predefined position. This positioning part PP1 (visible in its entirety in [Fig.l]), comprises first B1 and second B2 edges, opposite each other, and in front which are suitable for placing respectively the third P3 and fourth P4 parts of the CD frame.

[0053] The lower housing BI (to be disassembled) is therefore initially placed on the positioning part PP1 in the predefined position, then the frame CD is moved vertically (along the third vertical direction Z and from top to bottom) so that the lower housing BI crosses its empty central space, and until it (CD) rests on the support on which the positioning part PP1 rests, framing the positioning part PPL. The latter (PP1) is then wedged between the third P3 and fourth P4 parts of the frame CD and immobilized along the second longitudinal direction X and third vertical direction Z relative to the frame CD due to the cooperation of the first coupling elements EC1 with the corresponding second coupling elements EC2. The lower housing BI can then be immobilized along the first transverse direction Y relative to the frame CD by translating each locking element EB.Thus, the lower case BI is precisely immobilized relative to the frame CD in the three directions X, Y and Z.

[0054] Also for example, and as illustrated non-limitingly and at least partially in Figures 1, 3 and 4, the positioning part PP1 may comprise an upper face FS which is suitable for supporting the lower housing BI, and which comprises at least two first holes T1 and at least one second pin PC2. The first holes T1 are suitable for receiving two first pins (not visible) which are defined on a lower face of the lower wall of the lower housing BI by extending mainly in the third vertical direction Z. The (each) second pin PC2 extends mainly in the third vertical direction Z and is suitable for being housed in a second hole (not visible) which is defined in the lower face of the lower wall of the lower housing BI.

[0055] The cooperation between the first holes and the first pins and between the second pin PC2 and the second hole defines the predefined position of the lower housing BI on the positioning part PPL

[0056] Also for example, and as illustrated non-limitingly in [Fig. 1], the positioning part PP1 may comprise two first holes T1 spaced apart and defined in its second edge B2, and two other first holes T1 spaced apart and defined in the vicinity of its first edge BI. Also for example, and as illustrated non-limitingly in [Fig. 1], the positioning part PP1 may comprise a second pin PC2 on its first edge BI.

[0057] Also for example, and as illustrated non-limitingly and at least partially in Figures 2 and 4, the dedicated tool OD may comprise a gripping part PP2 to which is secured a rod TO which is suitable for being introduced and translated between the lower electronic cards CEI and upper electronic cards CES to push the clipping tab, as explained previously. To this end, one can take advantage of a free space existing between the two elements El and E2 of the lower IEC electronic card to introduce the rod TO (after tilting the IEC-CES assembly) then translate it between the lower IEC and upper CES electronic cards until its free end pushes the clipping head and causes the decoupling of the IEC-CES assembly.

[0058] With the arrangement illustrated in the figures, the decoupled CEI-CES assembly can then be extracted from the lower housing BI, then the two levers Lj can be unlocked by rotating the associated immobilizing elements and each locking element EB can be translated to release the frame CD, then the frame CD can be removed by translating it upwards, then the lower housing BI, which is now empty, can be removed from the positioning part PP1.

Claims

Claims

1. Disassembly device (DD) for disassembling an electronic housing (BE) comprising a lower housing (BI) having a lower wall provided with a clipping tab and housing a lower electronic card (CEI) coupled to said lower wall by said clipping tab and to an upper electronic card (CES), characterized in that it comprises i) a frame (CD) suitable for surrounding said lower housing (BI) and provided with at least one lever (Lj) comprising an end (EL) suitable for coupling to an element (Ej) of said lower electronic card (CEI) and suitable for being driven in rotation to tilt the latter (CEI) by a predefined angle relative to said lower wall, and ii) a tool (OD) suitable for being introduced between said lower (CEI) and upper (CES) electronic cards to push said clipping tab in order to cause decoupling of said lower electronic card (CEI) from said lower wall.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said frame (CD) is provided on first (PI) and second (P2) opposite parts with two levers (Lj) respectively comprising ends (EL) suitable for coupling to two different elements (Ej) of said lower electronic card (CEI) and suitable for being driven in rotation to tilt the latter (CEI) by said predefined angle relative to said lower wall.

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each lever (Lj) is associated with an immobilizing element (Elj) equipping said frame (CD) and capable of immobilizing it, after it has been rotated, in a position in which it tilts said lower electronic card (CEI) by said predefined angle relative to said lower wall.

4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said frame (CD) comprises at least one locking element (EB) capable of being placed in an immobilization position in which it prevents a translation of said lower housing (BI) in a first direction relative to said frame (CD).

5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that each locking element (EB) is a stop mounted in translation on a third part (P3) of said frame (CD).

6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said frame (CD) comprises at least one first coupling element (EC1) capable of cooperating with a second coupling element (EC2) of said lower housing (BI) to prevent translations of the latter (BI) in second and third directions relative to said frame (CD).

7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that each first coupling element (EC1) is defined on a fourth part (P4) of said frame (CD) and comprises a pad suitable for being housed in a dedicated housing of a second coupling element (EC2) of said lower housing (BI).

8. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises a positioning part (PP1) suitable for supporting said lower housing (BI) in a predefined position, and comprising first (B1) and second (B2) opposite edges in front of which third (P3) and fourth (P4) parts of said frame (CD) are suitable for being placed respectively.

9. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that said positioning part (PP1) comprises an upper face (FS) suitable for supporting said lower housing (BI) and comprising i) at least two first holes (Tl) suitable for receiving two first pins defined on a lower face of said lower wall of the lower housing (BI) and ii) at least one second pin (PC2) suitable for being housed in a second hole defined in said lower face of the lower wall of said lower housing (BI).

10. Device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that said tool (OD) comprises a gripping part (PP2) to which is secured a rod (TO) suitable for being introduced and translated between said lower (CEI) and upper (CES) electronic cards to push said clipping tab.

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