Manufacturing method of electronic product

Abstract

To provide an electronic product in which a first device and a second device are electrically connected to each other, capable of improving connection reliability between the first device and the second device.SOLUTION: A manufacturing method of an electronic product according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes steps of: performing an inspection of a first device by connecting each of a plurality of connectors C1 provided in an inspection device to each of a plurality of terminals provided in the first device; and connecting each of a plurality of connectors C2 provided in a second device to each of the plurality of terminals after removing the plurality of connectors C1 from the plurality of terminals. A connection point P2 of each connector C2 to the terminal is different from a connection point P1 of each connector C1 to the terminal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This application discloses a method for manufacturing an electronic product. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a connector that allows for narrow pitch while arranging multiple female contacts and multiple male contacts alternately. By using such a connector, for example, a first device and a second device can be electrically connected to obtain an electronic product. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-010681 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the prior art, there is room for improvement in connection reliability between the first device and the second device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The present application discloses the following aspects as means for solving the above problems. <Aspect 1> 1. A method for manufacturing an electronic product in which a first device and a second device are electrically connected, comprising: Connecting each of a plurality of connectors C1 provided in an inspection device to each of a plurality of terminals provided in the first device, and inspecting the first device; and After disconnecting the plurality of connectors C1 from the plurality of terminals, connecting each of the plurality of connectors C2 provided on the second device to each of the plurality of terminals; Including, a connection point P2 of the connector C2 to the terminal is different from a connection point P1 of the connector C1 to the terminal; Manufacturing methods for electronic products. <Aspect 2> A method for manufacturing the electronic product of aspect 1, comprising: The first device is a battery module. Manufacturing methods for electronic products. <Aspect 3> A method for manufacturing an electronic product according to aspect 1 or 2, comprising: The pitch of the plurality of terminals is 4 mm or more and 20 mm or less. Manufacturing methods for electronic products. <Aspect 4> A method for manufacturing an electronic product according to any one of aspects 1 to 3, comprising: the connector C1 is connected to the terminal by sandwiching the terminal at the connection point P1, The connector C2 is connected to the terminal by sandwiching the terminal at the connection point P2. Manufacturing methods for electronic products. <Aspect 5> A method for manufacturing an electronic product according to any one of aspects 1 to 4, comprising: The connection point P1 is located between the connection point P2 and the tip of the terminal. Manufacturing methods for electronic products. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the method for manufacturing an electronic product of the present disclosure, it is possible to improve the reliability of the connection between the first device and the second device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 2 shows an example of a connection between a first device and an inspection device in an inspection process. [Figure 2] 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a connection configuration between a first device and a second device in a device connection step. [Figure 3] 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a configuration around a terminal of the first device. [Figure 4] 4 is a schematic diagram showing a cross section taken along the line IV-IV in FIG. 3. [Figure 5] 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a configuration around a connector of an inspection device. [Figure 6] 6 is a schematic diagram showing a cross section taken along the line VI-VI in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a configuration around a connector of a second device. [Figure 8] 8 is a schematic diagram showing a cross section taken along the line VIII-VIII in FIG. 7. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, one embodiment of the method for manufacturing an electronic product according to the present disclosure will be described, but the method for manufacturing an electronic product according to the present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiment.

[0009] 1 and 2, a method for manufacturing an electronic product 100 in which a first device 10 and a second device 20 are electrically connected includes: connecting a plurality of connectors C1 provided in an inspection device 30 to a plurality of terminals 11 provided in the first device 10, respectively, to inspect the first device 10 (inspection step, FIG. 1); and, after disconnecting the plurality of connectors C1 from the plurality of terminals 11, connecting a plurality of connectors C2 provided in the second device 20 to each of the plurality of terminals 11 (device connection step, FIG. 2). As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a connection point P2 of the connector C2 to the terminal 11 is different from a connection point P1 of the connector C1 to the terminal 11.

[0010] 1. Inspection process In the inspection process, a plurality of connectors C1 provided in the inspection device 30 are connected to a plurality of terminals 11 provided in the first device 10, respectively, and the first device 10 is inspected.

[0011] 1.1 First device As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 , the first device 10 has a plurality of terminals 11. The first device 10 may be electrically connected to the inspection device 30 for inspection, and then electrically connected to the second device 20 to form the electronic product 100. The first device 10 may be, for example, a battery module. The battery module includes a plurality of batteries. When the first device 10 is a battery module, terminals 11 protrude from each battery, and information regarding the battery status (cell voltage, cell temperature, etc.) can be supplied to the second device 20 via the terminals 11.

[0012] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , the first device 10 may have a plurality of terminals 11 arranged at a predetermined pitch X. The pitch X of the plurality of terminals 11 is not particularly limited. The technology of the present disclosure is also applicable to cases where the pitch X of the plurality of terminals 11 is narrow. In one embodiment, the pitch X of the plurality of terminals 11 may be 4 mm or more and 20 mm or less. Note that, in the first device 10, one pitch X and another pitch X may be the same.

[0013] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the plurality of terminals 11 of the first device 10 may protrude toward the second device 20 or the inspection device 30. In other words, the plurality of terminals 11 may protrude in the same direction. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the plurality of terminals 11 may protrude from the housing 13 of the first device 10 toward the second device 20 or the inspection device 30. As shown in FIG. 4, the terminals 11 have a protrusion length L T The protrusion length L T is not particularly limited as long as the connectors C1 and C2 can be connected.

[0014] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the first device 10 may have a guide 12. The guide 12 may be provided around the terminal 11. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the guide 12 may protrude toward the second device 20 or the inspection device 30. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the guide 12 may protrude from the housing 13 of the first device 10 toward the second device 20 or the inspection device 30. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the tip 12x of the guide 12 may be configured to come into contact with the inspection device 30 during inspection, or may be configured to come into contact with the second device 20 in the electronic product 100. As shown in FIG. 4, the guide 12 has a protruding length L G1 The protrusion length L G1 is the protrusion length L of terminal 11 T The guide 12 may be longer than the length . Such guide 12 makes it easy to position the terminal 11 of the first device 10 with the connector C1 of the inspection device 30, and to position the terminal 11 of the first device 10 with the connector C2 of the second device 20, making it easier to connect the connectors C1 and C2 to the terminal 11. The guide 12 also makes it easy to position the connection position P1 and the connection position P2, making it easier to further improve the reliability of the connection between the first device 10 and the second device 20.

[0015] The terminal 11 may be any conductive material. The terminal 11 may be made of metal. The terminal 11 may have a metal plating on its surface. The terminal 11 may have a copper base material with a metal plating on its surface. The metal plating may be, for example, a transition metal plating such as Ni plating, or a precious metal plating such as gold plating. If the terminal 11 has a metal plating on its surface, the plating is likely to be worn or damaged when the connector C1 is connected to the terminal 11 during the inspection process. In this embodiment, even if the plating of the terminal 11 is worn or damaged due to the connection of the connector C1, the connection point P1 of the connector C1 and the connection point P2 of the connector C2 are separated, so that the connector C2 can be connected to a portion of the plating that is not worn or damaged or a portion with relatively little worn or damaged plating. In other words, even if the surface (e.g., plating) of the terminal 11 is worn or damaged during the inspection process, the reliability of the connection between the first device 10 and the second device 20 is likely to be ensured.

[0016] 1.2 Inspection equipment 1, 5, and 6, the inspection device 30 has a plurality of connectors C1. The inspection device 30 may be electrically connected to the first device 10 and inspect the first device 10. That is, before the first device 10 and the second device 20 are connected to obtain the electronic product 100, the inspection device 30 may inspect the first device 10 for abnormalities. For example, if the first device 10 is a battery module, the inspection device 30 may be electrically connected to each battery constituting the battery module and inspect each battery for abnormalities by detecting the voltage of each battery, passing current through each battery, or receiving power from each battery.

[0017] 5 and 6, the inspection device 30 may be provided with a plurality of connectors C1 at a predetermined pitch. The pitch of the plurality of connectors C1 may correspond to the pitch X of the terminals 11. For example, in one embodiment, the pitch of the plurality of connectors C1 may be 4 mm or more and 20 mm or less.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, the connector C1 may be connected to the terminal 11 by sandwiching the terminal 11 at the connection point P1. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the connector C1 may have a first portion 31a that contacts one surface (front surface) of the terminal 11 and a second portion 31b that contacts the other surface (back surface) of the terminal 11. Furthermore, the multiple connectors C1 may protrude toward the first device 10. In other words, the multiple connectors C1 may protrude in the same direction. As shown in FIGS. 1, 5, and 6, the multiple connectors C1 may protrude from the housing 33 of the inspection device 30 toward the first device 10. As shown in FIG. 6, the connector C1 has a protrusion length L C1 The protrusion length L C1 is the protrusion length L of terminal 11 T and the protrusion length L of the connector C2 described later. C2 It is sufficient to set an appropriate length while taking into consideration the above.

[0019] As shown in FIGS. 1, 5, and 6, the inspection device 30 may have a guide 32. The guide 32 may be provided around the connector C1. As shown in FIGS. 1, 5, and 6, the guide 32 may protrude toward the first device 10. As shown in FIGS. 1, 5, and 6, the guide 32 may protrude from a housing 33 of the inspection device 30 toward the first device 10. As shown in FIGS. 1, 5, and 6, a tip 32x of the guide 32 may be configured to contact the first device 10 during inspection. As shown in FIGS. 1, 5, and 6, the guide 32 of the inspection device 30 may be fitted into the guide 12 of the first device 10. Alternatively, the guide 12 of the first device 10 may be fitted into the guide 32 of the inspection device 30. As shown in FIG. 6, the guide 32 has a protruding length L G3 The protrusion length L G3 is the protrusion length L of connector C1 C1Such guide 32 makes it easy to position the terminal 11 of the first device 10 and the connector C1 of the inspection device 30, and makes it easier to connect the connector C1 to the terminal 11. Furthermore, the guide 32 also makes it easy to position the connection position P1, which results in easier improvement of the connection reliability between the first device 10 and the second device 20.

[0020] The connector C1 may be any material as long as it is conductive. The connector C1 may be made of metal. The connector C1 may have metal plating on its surface. The connector C1 may have metal plating on the surface of a copper base material. The metal plating may be, for example, transition metal plating such as Ni plating, or precious metal plating such as gold plating.

[0021] 1.3 Connection between the first device and the inspection device The first device 10 and the inspection device 30 may be electrically connected to each other via the terminal 11 and the connector C1. For example, the connector C1 of the inspection device 30 may be connected to the terminal 11 of the first device 10 by sandwiching the connection point P1 of the terminal 11 therebetween.

[0022] 2. Device connection process In the device connection process, after the above inspection is completed and the connector C1 of the inspection device 30 is disconnected from the terminals 11 of the first device 10, each of the multiple connectors C2 provided on the second device 20 is connected to each of the multiple terminals 11 of the first device 10.

[0023] 2.1 Second device As shown in FIGS. 2, 7, and 8, the second device 20 has a plurality of connectors C2. The second device 20 may be electrically connected to the first device 10 to constitute the electronic product 100. The second device 20 may operate based on information about the battery status (cell voltage, cell temperature, etc.) from the battery module serving as the first device 10, for example. For example, the second device 20 may be electrically connected to the first device 10 to monitor or detect the status of the first device 10. Specifically, the second device 20 may be a detection device in the electronic product 100 that detects an abnormality or the like in the battery module serving as the first device 10.

[0024] 7 and 8, the second device 20 may be provided with a plurality of connectors C2 at a predetermined pitch. The pitch of the plurality of connectors C2 may correspond to the pitch X of the terminals 11. For example, in one embodiment, the pitch of the plurality of connectors C2 may be 4 mm or more and 20 mm or less.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 2, the connector C2 may be connected to the terminal 11 by sandwiching the terminal 11 at the connection point P2. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the connector C2 may have a first portion 21a that contacts one surface (front surface) of the terminal 11 and a second portion 21b that contacts the other surface (back surface) of the terminal 11. Furthermore, the multiple connectors C2 may protrude toward the first device 10. In other words, the multiple connectors C2 may protrude in the same direction. As shown in FIGS. 2, 7, and 8, the multiple connectors C2 may protrude from the housing 23 of the second device 20 toward the first device 10. As shown in FIG. 8, the connector C2 has a protrusion length L C2 The protrusion length L C2 is the protrusion length L of terminal 11 T and the protruding length L of connector C1 C1 It is sufficient to set an appropriate length while taking into consideration the above.

[0026] As shown in FIGS. 2, 7, and 8, the second device 20 may have a guide 22. The guide 22 may be provided around the connector C2. As shown in FIGS. 2, 7, and 8, the guide 22 may protrude toward the first device 10. As shown in FIGS. 2, 7, and 8, the guide 22 may protrude from the housing 23 of the second device 20 toward the first device 10. As shown in FIGS. 2, 7, and 8, the tip 22x of the guide 22 may be configured to contact the first device 10 in the electronic product 100. As shown in FIGS. 2, 7, and 8, the guide 22 of the second device 20 may be fitted into the guide 12 of the first device 10. Alternatively, the guide 12 of the first device 10 may be fitted into the guide 22 of the second device 20. As shown in FIG. 8, the guide 22 has a protruding length L G2 The protrusion length L G2 is the protrusion length L of connector C2 C2 Such guide 22 makes it easy to position terminal 11 of first device 10 and connector C2 of second device 20, and makes it easier to connect connector C2 to terminal 11. Guide 22 also makes it easy to position connection position P2, which results in easier improvement of the reliability of the connection between first device 10 and second device 20.

[0027] The connector C2 may be any material as long as it is conductive. The connector C2 may be made of metal. The connector C2 may have metal plating on its surface. The connector C2 may have metal plating on the surface of a copper base material. The metal plating may be, for example, transition metal plating such as Ni plating, or precious metal plating such as gold plating.

[0028] 2.2 Connecting the first device to the second device The first device 10 and the second device 20 may be electrically connected to each other via the terminal 11 and the connector C2. For example, the connector C2 of the second device 20 may be connected to the terminal 11 of the first device 10 by sandwiching the connection point P2 of the terminal 11 therebetween.

[0029] 3.Connector connection point at the terminal As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in this embodiment, it is important that the connection point P2 of the connector C2 to the terminal 11 is different from the connection point P1 of the connector C1 to the terminal 11. This allows the connector C2 to be connected to a portion of the surface of the terminal 11 that is less susceptible to wear or damage due to connection with the connector C1. As a result, the reliability of the connection between the first device 10 and the second device 20 is improved. Note that the "connection point P1" refers to the connection point in a fixed state when an inspection is performed with the terminal and connector C1 relatively fixed in position. Furthermore, the "connection point P2" refers to the connection point in a fixed state between the terminal and connector C2 after the electronic product is completed.

[0030] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 to 6, in the inspection step, for example, the terminal 11 is inserted between the first portion 31a and the second portion 31b of the connector C1, and the inspection is performed in a state in which the connection point P1 of the terminal 11 is sandwiched by the connector C1. Also, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, 7, and 8, in the device connecting step, for example, the terminal 11 is inserted between the first portion 21a and the second portion 21b of the connector C2, and the connection point P2 of the terminal 11 is sandwiched by the connector C2, and the terminal 11 and the connector C2 are fixed to each other, thereby obtaining the electronic product 100. As shown in FIG. 2, in this embodiment, the connection point P1 may be located between the connection point P2 and the tip 11x of the terminal 11. That is, the connection point P1 may be located closer to the tip 11x of the terminal 11 than the connection point P2. This further reduces wear and damage caused by contact with the connector C1 at the connection point P2 where the connector C2 is connected, and allows the connector C2 to be connected to a portion that is less susceptible to wear and damage caused by the connector C1, thereby further improving the reliability of the connection between the first device 10 and the second device 20.

[0031] It should be noted that wear and scratches on the surface of the terminal 11 caused by connection with the connector C1 can be confirmed, for example, using a microscope, etc. In this regard, in the present embodiment, after the above-described inspection step, a portion of the surface of the terminal 11 that has not been worn or scratched due to connection with the connector C1, or a portion with relatively little wear or scratches, may be identified, and then the connector C2 may be connected to the identified portion in the above-described device connecting step.

[0032] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the shape of the connector C2 of the second device 20 may be designed in consideration of the shape of the connector C1 of the inspection device 30, so that the connector C2 may be connected to a portion of the surface of the terminal 11 that has not been worn or scratched due to connection with the connector C1, or a portion that has relatively little wear or scratching. Alternatively, in this embodiment, the shape of the connector C1 of the inspection device 30 may be designed in consideration of the shape of the connector C2 of the second device 20, so that the connector C2 may be connected to a portion of the surface of the terminal 11 that has not been worn or scratched due to connection with the connector C1, or a portion that has relatively little wear or scratching.

[0033] 4. Supplementary Information When inspecting an electronic product via terminals or connectors, it is common to perform the inspection by pressing a contact probe against the terminal or connector. However, for electronic products having multiple terminals or connectors, inspection using a contact probe may not be possible. For example, this may occur when the multiple terminals or connectors are arranged at a narrow pitch, making it difficult to press a probe against each terminal or connector. In contrast, in this embodiment, inspection of the first device 10 is performed while connecting multiple connectors of the inspection device 30 to the multiple terminals of the first device 10. For example, as shown in FIG. 1 , by connecting a connector C1 so as to sandwich the terminal 11, inspection by the inspection device 30 can be performed appropriately even when the multiple terminals or connectors are arranged at a narrow pitch.

[0034] According to the technology of the present disclosure, in an electronic product 100 in which a first device 10 and a second device 20 are electrically connected, it is possible to improve the connection reliability between the terminal 11 of the first device 10 and the connector C2 of the second device 20. The electronic product 100 may be, for example, a vehicle equipped with a battery module. [Example]

[0035] The technology of the present disclosure will be further described below with reference to examples, but the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to the following examples.

[0036] 1. Fabrication of Terminals and Connectors A copper substrate was plated with Ni and then gold to reduce contact resistance, resulting in a male terminal as shown in Figure 1. A first copper member and a second copper member were plated with Ni and then gold to reduce contact resistance, and these two members were then combined to produce a female connector as shown in Figure 1.

[0037] 2. Check the terminal and connector for insertion and removal and for scratches In the inspection process of electronic products, connectors are sometimes inserted and removed from terminals. In this case, repeated insertion and removal can cause scratches on the surface of the terminal. In this example, the terminal was repeatedly inserted and removed from the connector, and the presence or absence of scratches on the terminal surface was evaluated. Specifically, the connection points on the terminal surface were observed with a laser microscope (manufactured by Keyence Corporation) and the surface roughness was measured for each of the following cases: when the connector was not inserted or removed from the terminal (no contact), when it was inserted and removed once, when it was inserted and removed five times, and when it was inserted and removed ten times. The results are shown in Table 1 below.

[0038] [Table 1]

[0039] As is clear from the results shown in Table 1, the surface roughness of the terminal changes and scratches are formed on the terminal surface when the terminal is inserted into or removed from the connector. Such scratches are thought to have a negative effect on the reliability of the connection between the terminal and the connector. From the above, for example, in the case where an electronic product is obtained by connecting another connector C2 to the terminal after inserting or removing the terminal into or from the connector C1 in the inspection process, it can be said that the reliability of the connection between the terminal and the connector C2 in the electronic product can be improved by connecting the terminal and the connector C2 at a connection point P2 different from the connection point P1 between the terminal and the connector C1. [Explanation of symbols]

[0040] 100 electronic products 10 1st device 11 terminals 11x Tip 12 Guide 13. Housing 20 Second device C2 Connector 21a Part 1 21b Part 2 22 Guide 23 Housing 30 Inspection equipment C1 Connector 31a Part 1 31b Part 2 32 Guide 33 Housing

Claims

1. 1. A method for manufacturing an electronic product in which a first device and a second device are electrically connected, comprising: A plurality of connectors C provided in the inspection device are connected to a plurality of terminals provided in the first device, respectively. １ and testing the first device; and The plurality of terminals to the plurality of connectors C １ After that, a plurality of connectors C provided on the second device are connected to each of the plurality of terminals. ２ connecting each of the Including, The connector C for the terminal ２ Connection point P ２ The connector C for the terminal １ Connection point P １ Different from Manufacturing methods for electronic products.

2. 2. A method for manufacturing an electronic product according to claim 1, comprising: the first device is a battery module; Manufacturing methods for electronic products.

3. 2. A method for manufacturing an electronic product according to claim 1, comprising: The pitch of the plurality of terminals is 4 mm or more and 20 mm or less. Manufacturing methods for electronic products.

4. 2. A method for manufacturing an electronic product according to claim 1, comprising: The connector C １ However, the connection point P １ and connected to the terminal by sandwiching the terminal therebetween, The connector C ２ However, the connection point P ２ and connected to the terminal by sandwiching the terminal therebetween. Manufacturing methods for electronic products.

5. A method for manufacturing an electronic product according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising: The connection point P １ However, the connection point P ２ and the tip of the terminal, Manufacturing methods for electronic products.

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