ELECTRONIC ENCLOSURE DISASSEMBLY DEVICE

Abstract

A device (DD) is used to disassemble an electronic enclosure (BE) comprising a lower enclosure (BI) having a lower wall equipped with a clipping tab and housing a lower electronic board coupled to this lower wall by this clipping tab and to an upper electronic board (CES). This device (DD) comprises a frame (CD) adapted to surround the lower enclosure (BI) and equipped with at least one lever (L1, L2) having an end (EL) adapted to couple to an element (E1, E2) of the lower electronic board and adapted to be rotated to tilt the latter at a predefined angle relative to the lower wall, and a tool (OD) adapted to be inserted between the lower and upper electronic boards (CES) to push the clipping tab in order to decouple the lower electronic board from the lower wall. Figure 4

Description

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

[0001] The invention relates to electronic boxes housing lower and upper electronic boards coupled together, and more specifically the disassembly of these lower and upper electronic boards from their electronic box. 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 hood) coupled to a lower box having a lower wall equipped with a clipping tab and housing a lower electronic board coupled to this lower wall by this clipping tab and to an upper electronic board.

[0003] In this type of electronic enclosure, the upper and lower circuit boards are pre-connected by pins before being inserted into the lower enclosure. The lower circuit board is then attached to the lower wall of the lower enclosure by its clipping tab. Once assembly is complete, this clipping tab is entirely hidden by the upper circuit board. Consequently, when manually disassembling the lower and upper circuit boards from the lower enclosure, the probability of breaking the clipping tab and / or damaging part of the assembly is very high.However, if a component of an electronic enclosure breaks or is damaged, that component can no longer be reused in the context of "remanufacturing", and therefore must be discarded, which severely limits the implementation of a circular economy for electronic enclosures, but also leads to costly recycling operations and increases costs for people who have to repair or replace an electronic enclosure.

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

[0005] In particular, it proposes for this purpose a disassembly device suitable for allowing the disassembly of an electronic housing comprising a lower housing having a lower wall equipped with a clipping tab and housing a lower electronic board coupled to this lower wall by this clipping tab and to an upper electronic board.

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

[0007] - a frame suitable for surrounding the lower housing and equipped with at least one lever comprising an end adapted to couple to an element of the lower electronic board and adapted to be rotated to tilt the latter at 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 boards to push the clipping tab in order to cause a decoupling of the lower electronic board from the lower wall of the lower case.

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

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

[0011] - its frame can be provided on the first and second opposite parts with two levers comprising respectively ends suitable for coupling to two different elements of the lower electronic board 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 a locking element fitted to the frame and designed to immobilize it, after it has been rotated, in a position in which it tilts the lower electronic board at the predefined angle relative to the lower wall of the lower housing;

[0013] - its frame may include at least one blocking element suitable for being placed in a locking position in which it prevents translation of the lower housing along 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 include at least one first coupling element specific to cooperate with a second coupling element of the lower housing to prevent translations of the latter along 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 include 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 piece suitable for supporting the housing lower in a predefined position, and comprising first and second edges opposites in front of which are suitable to be placed respectively the third and fourth parts of the frame;

[0018] - in the presence of the last option, the positioning piece may include 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 pegs defined on an underside of the lower wall of the lower housing and, on the other hand, at least one second peg suitable for being housed in a second hole defined in the underside of the lower wall of the lower housing;

[0019] - its tool may include a gripping part to which is attached a A rod designed to be inserted and translated between the lower and upper electronic boards to push the clipping tab. Brief description of the figures

[0020] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from an examination of the detailed description below, and the accompanying drawings (mostly obtained using CAD / CAM (“Computer-Aided Design / Computer-Aided Manufacturing”)), in which:

[0021] [Fig-1] schematically illustrates, in a perspective view, an example of a realization implementation 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 the [Fig.1],

[0023] [Fig.3] schematically illustrates, in a perspective view, an example of a housing electronic device without its upper casing but with its lower casing placed on the positioning piece of the disassembly device of [Fig. 1], for the purpose of disassembly, and

[0024] [Fig.4] schematically illustrates, in a perspective view, the electronic housing of the [Fig.3] coupled to the disassembly device of the [Fig.1], with the dedicated tool of the latter introduced between the lower and upper electronic boards. Detailed description of the invention

[0025] The invention aims in particular to provide a DD disassembly device intended to allow the disassembly of a set of lower IEC and upper CES electronic boards coupled with an electronic BE box.

[0026] In what follows, by way of non-limiting example, the electronic control unit BE, which is to be disassembled using a disassembly device DD according to the invention, is considered to be an intelligent control unit (or BSI - electronic management unit) of a vehicle, possibly a car. However, the invention is not limited to this type of electronic control unit. It relates to any electronic control unit comprising a lower housing containing a set of lower and upper electronic boards 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 direction Y is a first direction called transverse, the direction X is a second direction called longitudinal, which is perpendicular to the transverse direction Y, and the direction Z is a third direction called vertical, which is perpendicular to the transverse direction Y and longitudinal direction X.

[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 IEC and upper CES electronic boards coupled from a lower BI housing of an electronic BE housing.

[0029] Although not shown in Figures 3 and 4, the electronic housing BE also includes an upper housing (or cover) intended to be coupled to the lower housing BI. The latter (BI) includes a lower wall with a clipping tab on its upper face that secures the lower IEC and upper CES electronic board assembly to this lower wall. In fact, the lower IEC electronic board includes a clipping hole through which the clipping head of the clipping tab passes during the installation of the IEC-CES assembly in the lower housing BI. This clipping head is thus located between the lower IEC and upper CES electronic boards, and the IEC-CES assembly is coupled to the lower wall of the lower housing BI via the lower IEC electronic board.

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

[0031] The CD frame is designed to surround 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 passage of the lower housing BI to be disassembled.

[0032] This CD frame is equipped with at least one lever Lj comprising an end EL which is adapted to couple to an element Ej of the lower IEC electronic board, as illustrated in [Fig. 4]. This (each) lever Lj is adapted to be rotated (manually) to tilt the lower IEC electronic board at a predefined angle relative to the lower wall of the lower housing BI. It will be understood that this tilt is intended to facilitate the final decoupling of the clipping tab of the lower IEC electronic board, as will be explained later.

[0033] For example, the angle of inclination can 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 without limitation in Figures 3 and 4, each element Ej of the lower IEC electronic board, to which the end EL of a lever Lj is coupled (or engaged) to lift the CELCES assembly, can be an electrical connector. However, this is not mandatory. Indeed, other types of elements of the lower IEC electronic board can be used for coupling an end EL.

[0035] As partially illustrated in [Fig. 4], the dedicated tool OD is designed to be inserted between the lower IEC and upper CES electronic boards to push (the clipping head) from the clipping tab. This insertion is intended to decouple the lower IEC electronic board from the lower wall of the lower BI housing, and thus decouple the entire CES assembly.

[0036] It will be understood that once the CELCES assembly is tilted, pushing on the clipping head with the dedicated tool OD immediately decouples this CELCES assembly from the lower wall of the lower housing BI. The CELCES assembly can then be manually removed from the lower housing BI. The lower IEC electronic board can then be manually decoupled from the upper CES electronic board. Thus, no component of the BE electronic housing is broken or damaged by the disassembly, which allows each component in working order to be reused in a remanufacturing process, and each component not in working order can either be repaired and reused, or discarded.This greatly facilitates the implementation of a circular economy for electronic enclosures, significantly reduces recycling operations, and lowers costs for those needing to repair or replace an electronic enclosure.

[0037] For example, and as illustrated, but not limited to, in Figures 1 and 4, the CD frame can be equipped on opposing first parts PI and second P2 with two levers L1 and L2 (j = 1 or 2) comprising ends EL respectively, which are adapted to couple to two different elements E1 and E2 of the lower IEC electronic board. These two levers L1 and L2 are then adapted to be rotated manually, for example one after the other, to tilt the lower IEC electronic board 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 stabilize the CEL CES assembly in its inclined position before using the dedicated tool OD, and thus to promote the final automatic decoupling.

[0039] Also, for example, and as illustrated without limitation in Figures 1 and 4, each lever Lj can be associated with a locking element Elj which is fitted to the frame CD. Each locking element Elj is designed to immobilize the lever Lj. associated, after it has been rotated, into the tilted position in which it tilts the lower IEC electronic board by the predefined angle relative to the lower wall of the lower BI housing.

[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 proceed with 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 rotationally mounted tab and including 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, but not limited to, in Figures 1 and 4, each lever Lj and its associated locking element Elj can be rotationally mounted on a foot PDj which is fixedly attached 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 their associated locking elements Elj are attached, for example, by clipping, to the feet PDj. However, 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 without limitation in Figures 1 and 4, the frame CD may include at least one locking element EB suitable for being placed in a locking position in which it prevents the translation of the lower housing BI along the second transverse direction Y relative to the frame CD. This prevention is achieved by placing the locking element EB in front of a wall of the lower housing BI that is perpendicular to the second transverse direction Y.

[0044] It should be noted that in the example illustrated, but not limited to, in Figures 1 and 4, the frame CD comprises two locking elements EB. This allows it to adapt to the shape of the outer face of the aforementioned wall of the lower housing BI. However, the frame CD could comprise only one locking element EB.

[0045] Also, for example, and as illustrated without limitation in Figures 1 and 4, each locking element EB can be a stop (such as, for example, a parallelepiped-type piece) 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 without limitation, comprise as many straight 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 CD frame may include at least a first coupling element EC1 suitable for cooperating with a second coupling element EC2 of the lower housing BI to prevent translations of the latter (BI) along the first longitudinal direction X and third vertical direction Z relative to the CD frame.

[0047] It should be noted that in the example illustrated, but not limited to, in Figures 1 and 4, the CD frame comprises two first coupling elements EC1, right and left. This allows for good stabilization of the CD frame relative to the lower housing BI. However, the CD frame could comprise only one 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 to the third part P3), and can include a pad PL which is suitable to be 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 can include a support (such as a parallelepiped) fixedly attached to the fourth part P4 extending mainly along the third vertical direction Z and on a face XZ of which protrudes, 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 CD frame when the latter (CD) is made 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 include a support (such as a parallelepiped) fixedly attached to a wall of the lower housing BI extending mainly along the third vertical direction Z and at the upper end of which is defined a dedicated housing LD (for example in the form of a notch in the general shape of a U or a V).

[0052] Also, for example, and as illustrated without limitation in Figures 1, 2 and 4, the disassembly device DD may also include a positioning piece PP1 intended to be preferably placed on a flat, horizontal surface (such as a table), and designed to support the lower housing BI in a predefined position. This positioning piece PP1 (visible in its entirety in [Fig. 1]) comprises first edges B1 and second edges B2, opposite each other, and in front which are suitable to be placed respectively in 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 piece 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 passes through its central empty space, and until it (CD) rests on the support on which the positioning piece PP1 rests, framing the positioning piece PPL. The latter (PP1) is then wedged between the third P3 and fourth P4 sections of the frame CD and immobilized along the second longitudinal direction X and the 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 BI casing is precisely immobilized relative to the CD frame along the three directions X, Y and Z.

[0054] Also, for example, and as illustrated, without limitation and at least partially, in Figures 1, 3, and 4, the positioning piece PP1 may include an upper face FS which is adapted to support the lower housing BI, and which includes at least two first holes T1 and at least one second pin PC2. The first holes T1 are adapted to receive two first pins (not visible) which are defined on a lower face of the lower wall of the lower housing BI, extending mainly along the third vertical direction Z. The (each) second pin PC2 extends mainly along the third vertical direction Z and is adapted to be 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 piece PPL

[0056] Also, for example, and as illustrated non-limitingly in [Fig. 1], the positioning piece PP1 may include 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 piece PP1 may include a second pin PC2 on its first edge BI.

[0057] Also, for example, and as illustrated, without limitation and at least partially, in Figures 2 and 4, the dedicated tool OD may include a gripping part PP2 to which is attached a rod TO which is adapted to be inserted and translated between the lower IEC and upper CES electronic boards to push the clipping tab, as explained previously. For this purpose, we can take advantage of a free space existing between the two elements El and E2 of the lower IEC electronic board to introduce the rod TO (after tilting the IEC-CES assembly) and then translate it between the lower IEC and upper CES electronic boards 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 locking 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 piece PP1.

Claims

Demands

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 board (IEC) coupled to said lower wall by said clipping tab and to an upper electronic board (CES), characterized in that it comprises i) a frame (CD) adapted to surround said lower housing (BI) and provided with at least one lever (Lj) comprising an end (EL) adapted to couple to an element (Ej) of said lower electronic board (IEC) and adapted to be driven in rotation to tilt the latter (IEC) at a predefined angle with respect to said lower wall, and ii) a tool (OD) adapted to be inserted between said lower electronic board (IEC) and upper electronic board (CES) to push said clipping tab in order to cause a decoupling of said lower electronic board (IEC) 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) comprising respectively ends (EL) adapted to couple to two different elements (Ej) of said lower electronic board (IEC) and adapted to be driven in rotation to tilt the latter (IEC) of said predefined angle with respect to said lower wall.

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each lever (Lj) is associated with a locking element (Elj) equipping said frame (CD) and suitable for locking it, after it has been driven into rotation, in a position in which it inclines said lower electronic board (IEC) of said predefined angle with respect to said lower wall.

4. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said frame (CD) comprises at least one locking element (EB) adapted to be placed in a locking position in which it prevents a translation of said lower housing (BI) along 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 any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said frame (CD) includes at least a first coupling element (EC1) suitable for cooperating with a second coupling element (EC2) of said lower housing (BI) to prevent translations of the latter (BI) along second and third directions with respect 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 includes a stud suitable for being housed in a dedicated housing of a second coupling element (EC2) of said lower housing (BI).

8. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises a positioning piece (PP1) adapted to support 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 adapted to be placed respectively.

9. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that said positioning piece (PP1) comprises an upper face (FS) adapted to support said lower housing (BI) and comprising i) at least two first holes (T1) adapted to receive two first pins defined on an under face of said lower wall of the lower housing (BI) and ii) at least one second pin (PC2) adapted to be housed in a second hole defined in said under face of the lower wall of said lower housing (BI).

10. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that said tool (OD) comprises a gripping part (PP2) to which is attached a rod (TO) adapted to be inserted and translated between said lower (CEI) and upper (CES) electronic boards to push said clipping tab.

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