Electromechanical Assembly and Control Device

Abstract

The invention relates to an electromechanical assembly (10) for a control device (100) comprising a plug connector strip (12) made of plastic and a receiving opening (22) formed in the plug connector strip (12) for receiving a plug module (20), the plug module (20) having a module housing (24) that fits in the receiving opening (22) of the plug connector strip (12) in the direction of a longitudinal axis (28) of the module housing (24). The plug-in module (20) can be introduced to an end position, the plug-in module (20) has at least one connecting pin (14) formed for contact connection with a printed circuit board (104) of the control device (100), and the module housing (24) has a guide section (30) having at least two side surfaces (36-39) that are opposite to each other with respect to a longitudinal axis (28) and cooperate in a form-locking manner with opposing surfaces (41-44) formed in the receiving opening (22) of the plug connector strip (12).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electromechanical assembly for a control device, which is characterized in particular by a particularly advantageous arrangement of plug-in modules in the form of high-frequency interfaces in the region of the plug connector strips of the assembly.Furthermore, the present invention relates to a control device equipped with an electromechanical assembly constructed according to the invention. [Background technology]

[0002] German Patent No. DE 102 56 374 C1 discloses arranging a plug module in the region of a connector strip, the plug module having a two-part module housing, the two parts of which are inserted into receiving openings in the connector strip from opposite sides thereof and locked together in order to fasten the plug module to the connector strip.

[0003] Furthermore, DE 10 2017 113 415 A1 discloses arranging a press-fit socket and a support sleeve in the adapter housing of the plug-in module, which can be press-fitted into the adapter housing.

[0004] Furthermore, from DE 10 2009 023 292 A1 it is known that in an electrical connector with a contact carrier, the contact carrier is formed from two contact carrier units, which can be connected to one another and positioned relative to one another via guide surfaces. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] German Patent No. 10256374 [Patent Document 2] German Patent Application Publication No. 102017113415 [Patent Document 3] German Patent Invention No. 102009023292 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Disclosure of the Invention The electromechanical assembly according to the invention for a control device having the features of claim 1 has the advantage that the electromechanical assembly is particularly reliably or firmly arranged in the receiving opening of the plug connector strip, whereby a relatively simple mounting process for forming the assembly is possible and the assembly has only a few components. Furthermore, a high degree of precision in positioning of the plug module is possible both with respect to the receiving opening in the plug connector strip and with respect to at least one connecting pin of the plug module on the printed circuit board arranged in the control device, in order to ensure a simple mounting or connection between the connecting pin of the plug module and the printed circuit board. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] Therefore, based on the above explanation, an electromechanical assembly for a control device having the features of claim 1 can be envisaged, which comprises a plug connector strip made of plastic and a receiving opening formed in the plug connector strip for receiving a plug module, the plug module having a module housing which can be inserted in the longitudinal axis direction of the module housing into the receiving opening of the plug connector strip up to an end position, the plug module having at least one connection pin which is designed for contact-connecting with a printed circuit board of the control device, the module housing having a guide section with at least two side surfaces which are opposite in relation to the longitudinal axis and which cooperate in a form-locking manner with opposite surfaces formed in the receiving opening of the plug connector strip, and the module housing having, in the region of the guide section, on opposite outer side surfaces of the side surfaces, locking sections with raised portions and / or recesses which cooperate with the recesses and / or raised portions formed in the receiving opening on the opposite outer side to form a friction-locking connection in the end position of the module housing in the receiving opening of the plug connector strip.

[0008] Advantageous developments of the electromechanical assembly for a control device according to the invention are set forth in the dependent claims.

[0009] In a preferred structural configuration of the locking section for minimizing the cross section of the guide section, the locking section is formed in the area of ​​a corner area of ​​the module housing extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis, arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and to the plane of the side surface, and it is assumed that the cross section of the module housing is rectangular in the area of ​​the guide section, except for the corner area.

[0010] A particularly secure and reliable locking or a particularly high pull-out force is possible if four locking sections are formed in the four corner regions of the guide section.

[0011] Furthermore, the plug connector strip preferably has at least one projection protruding from the receiving opening on the side opposite the plug flange in order to form an axial stop for the end position of the module housing in the receiving opening, so that when the module housing is mechanically inserted or pressed into the receiving opening, the insertion path of the module housing is reliably defined and thus the at least one connection pin on the printed circuit board is accurately positioned in the longitudinal direction.

[0012] The process of pressing the module housing into the receiving opening can be optimized if the module housing and / or the receiving opening are at least partially conically shaped when viewed in the direction of the longitudinal axis.

[0013] The module housing preferably has an opening extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis for receiving the socket insert, in which at least one connecting pin is received in a frictionally fixed manner and the socket insert is press-fit into the opening. Furthermore, the socket insert and / or the module housing can have an electromagnetic shield in a known manner, especially if the plug-in module is configured as an Ethernet connection.

[0014] In order to optimize the module housing with respect to easy insertion into the receiving opening and obtaining a terminal position relative to the plug connector strip, it is envisaged that the module housing has two additional sections on both sides of the guide section as viewed in the direction of the longitudinal axis, the additional section facing the plug connector strip having a smaller cross section than the guide section and the other additional section having a larger cross section than the guide section.

[0015] Furthermore, the present invention also includes a control device, particularly for automotive applications, having an electromechanical assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention as hereinbefore described.

[0016] Further advantages, features and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention and on the basis of the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. [Figure 2] 2 shows a perspective view of a partial area of ​​the control device of FIG. 1 in the region of the plug connector strip, on the side facing the interior space of the control device; [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the module housing of the plug-in module. [Figure 4] 4 shows a cross-sectional view of a section of a plug connector strip with a plug module inserted into the receiving opening; FIG. [Figure 5] 3 shows a longitudinal section in the region of the receiving opening in the plug connector strip with the plug module arranged therein; FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] Embodiments of the invention In the drawings, identical elements or elements with equivalent functions are provided with the same reference numerals.

[0019] 1 shows a control device 100 that can be used particularly, but not exclusively, in automotive applications. For example, when used in a partially autonomous or autonomously driven vehicle, the control device 100 is used to capture sensor data and process that data for driving control of components such as drive elements of the vehicle.

[0020] The control device 100 has a housing 102, which is typically made of at least two parts and made of plastic and / or metal, for example, a formed and machined sheet metal part or an aluminum die-cast part. A plug connector strip 12 is arranged on an end face of the housing 102 together with the housing 102 as a component of an electromechanical assembly 10. Via the electromechanical assembly 10, the control device 100 is electrically connected, in particular, to a wiring harness of the motor vehicle (not shown).

[0021] Furthermore, a circuit carrier, such as at least one printed circuit board 104, only partially shown, is arranged inside the housing 102, which carries electronic components or circuits in a known manner. The printed circuit board 104 is in electrical contact with the electromechanical assembly 10, in that a number of connection pins 14, arranged in the region of the plug connector strips 12, are electrically connected to the printed circuit board 104, for example by soldering or press-fitting.

[0022] The plug connector strip 12 is made as an injection-molded part made of plastic and includes, for example, two annular plug flanges 16, via which a plug (not shown, on the wiring harness side) can be connected to the control device 100. Furthermore, contact pins 14 are arranged in a known manner within the cross section of the plug flanges 16 for contacting with the plug on the wiring harness side. Furthermore, within the cross section of one of the plug flanges 16, a plug module 20 is arranged in the plug connector strip 12 and is connected to it. This plug module 20 is used for data transmission and is configured as a high-frequency interface in the form of an Ethernet connection 21.

[0023] For receiving the plug module 20, the plug connector strip 12 has a receiving opening 22, as can best be seen in Figures 2 and 4. The plug module 20 comprises a module housing 24 made of plastic with an opening 25 into which a socket insert 26 is inserted or press-fitted, which in turn surrounds in a friction-locking manner two connection pins 14, which are typically bent at a right angle in the region of the interior space of the housing 102 and connected to a printed circuit board 104.

[0024] 3 has a longitudinal axis 28 along which the module housing 24 or the plug-in module 20 can be inserted, in particular pressed, until an end position is reached in the receiving opening 22 of the plug connector strip 12. Furthermore, the module housing 24 has a guide section 30 in its approximately central area, as viewed in the direction of the longitudinal axis 28, with two additional sections 32, 34 arranged on opposite sides of the guide section 30 in the direction of the longitudinal axis 28. One additional section 32 is arranged oriented in a direction toward the interior space of the housing 102 and has a larger cross-section or cross-sectional area than the guide section 30, while the other additional section 34 is arranged in the interior region of the insertion flange 16, i.e., on the opposite side from the interior space of the housing 102, and has a smaller cross-section or cross-sectional area than the guide section 30 and the receiving opening 22, thereby allowing the module housing 24 to be pushed into the receiving opening 22 by inserting the other additional section 34.

[0025] The guide section 30 is formed approximately rectangular or square in a cross section extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 28 and has four side surfaces 36-39 that cooperate in a form-fitting manner with partial sections having opposing surfaces 41-44 formed in the receiving opening 22 (FIG. 4). In four corner regions 46 of the cross section of the guide section 30, rectangular cutouts 48 are respectively arranged in a cross section extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis 28. The cutouts 48 have side wall sections 50 that extend parallel to the side surfaces 36, 38 and that are at least partially formed as locking sections 52 (FIGS. 3 and 5).

[0026] 3 and 5, the locking section 52 includes a plurality of raised portions 54 and / or recessed portions 56 arranged one after the other in the direction of the longitudinal axis 28. In the assembled state of the module housing 24, these raised portions 54 and / or recessed portions 56 cooperate with corresponding recessed portions 58 and / or raised portions 60 formed in the receiving opening 22 (FIG. 5), thereby forming a friction-locking connection. Furthermore, as can be seen from FIG. 5, the side surfaces 36-39 of the module housing 24 have a width B that is greater than the width b of the opposing surfaces 41-44 in the region of the receiving opening 22.

[0027] It should be mentioned additionally that the protuberances 54 and / or recesses 56 on the module housing 24 or the recesses 58 and / or protuberances 60 in the receiving opening 22 may be formed in the form of spurs or other geometric shapes. Furthermore, the plastic materials of the module housing 24 and the plug connector strip 12 may be different, in particular have different hardnesses, so that, for example, the module housing 24 is less or not deformable than the plug connector strip 12 when forming a friction-locking connection therewith. Furthermore, it may be envisaged that the receiving opening 22 and / or the module housing 24, at least in the region of the locking section 52 as viewed in the direction of the longitudinal axis 28, are conically formed in such a way that the cross section of the element in question tapers in the direction towards the plug flange 16. This makes it possible to influence the required press-fit force of the module housing 24 into the receiving opening 22, in particular in such a way that the (full) press-fit force only has to be applied shortly before the module housing 24 reaches its axial end position in the receiving opening 22. Furthermore, a conical shape of this kind also makes it easier to release the plug connector strip 12 or the module housing from the injection molding tool.

[0028] 2 and 5, it can also be seen that in the region of the receiving opening 22, on the side opposite the plug flange 16, four projections 62 project from the receiving opening 22. These projections 62, which are formed in continuation of the recesses 58 and the raised portions 60 of the receiving opening 22, form axial stops for achieving an (axial) end position of the module housing 24 on the plug connector strip 12 when the module housing 24 is pressed into the receiving opening 22, with their end faces 64 extending perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis 28 of the section 32 abutting against the projections 62 (FIG. 5).

[0029] To mount the plug-in module 20 or the module housing 24, the module housing 24 is pushed or pressed into the receiving opening 22 of the plug connector strip 12 in the direction of the longitudinal axis 28 up to the end position visible in Figure 5, whereby the raised portions 54 and / or recesses 56 of the locking sections 52 engage with the recesses 58 and / or raised portions 60 in the receiving opening 22.

[0030] The electromechanical assembly 10 thus far described may be changed or modified in a variety of ways without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. a plug connector strip (12) made of plastic; a receiving opening (22) formed in said plug connector strip (12) for receiving a plug-in module (20); An electromechanical assembly (10) for a control device (100), comprising: The plug-in module (20) has a module housing (24) that can be inserted into the receiving opening (22) of the plug connector strip (12) in the direction of a longitudinal axis (28) of the module housing (24) up to an end position, The plug-in module (20) has at least one contact pin (14) configured for contact connection with a printed circuit board (104) of the control device (100), the module housing (24) has a guide section (30) having at least two side surfaces (36-39) that are opposite to each other with respect to the longitudinal axis (28) and that cooperate in a form-fitting manner with opposing surfaces (41-44) formed in the receiving opening (22) of the plug connector strip (12); the module housing (24) has, in the region of the guide section (30), on the outer, opposite side of the side surfaces (36-39), locking sections (52) with raised portions (54) and / or recessed portions (56), which cooperate with recessed portions (58) and / or raised portions (60) formed in the receiving openings (22) on the outer sides of the opposite surfaces (41-44) to form a friction-locking connection in the receiving openings (22) of the plug connector strips (12) at the end position of the module housing (24). An electromechanical assembly (10) for a control device (100).

2. 2. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the locking section (52) is formed in the region of a corner region (46) of the module housing (24) extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis (28) and arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (28) and to the plane of the side surfaces (36-39), and the cross section of the module housing (24) is rectangular in the region of the guide section (30) except for the corner region (46).

3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein four locking sections (52) are formed in four corner regions (46) of the guide section (30).

4. 4. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the plug connector strip (12) has at least one projection (62) projecting from the receiving opening (22) on the side opposite the insertion flange (16) to form an axial stop for obtaining an end position of the module housing (24) in the receiving opening (22).

5. 5. The assembly of claim 4, wherein the at least one protrusion (62) is formed on an extension of the recess (58) and / or the ridge (60) within the receiving opening (22).

6. 6. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the module housing (24) and / or the receiving opening (22) are at least partially conically shaped when viewed in the direction of the longitudinal axis (28).

7. 7. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the module housing (24) has an opening (25) extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis (28) for receiving a socket insert (26) in which the at least one connection pin (14) is received in a fixed manner in a frictional engagement, the socket insert (26) being press-fit into the opening (25).

8. 8. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the module housing (24) has two additional sections (32, 34) on either side of the guide section (30) as viewed in the direction of the longitudinal axis (28), the additional section (34) facing the plug connector strip (12) having a smaller cross section than the guide section (30), and the other additional section (32) having a larger cross section than the guide section (30).

9. 9. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plug-in module (20) is configured as an Ethernet connection (21).

10. A control device (100) comprising an electromechanical assembly (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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