Inter-component connection structure, power conversion device, and inter-component connection method

Abstract

To provide a component connection structure capable of suppressing electrical connection failures in mating components that electrically connect the components.SOLUTION: A disclosed component connection structure includes a male mating member and a female mating member. The male mating member has an insertion part. The female mating member has a first clamping part and a second clamping part which are placed opposite each other, and the insertion part of the male mating member which is inserted between the first clamping part and the second clamping part is pinched. The pair of the male mating member and the female mating member are placed on different parts. Each of the first clamping part and the second clamping part bends to form a convex portion toward the surfaces facing each other. At the tip of each of the first clamping part and the second clamping part, a gap is provided. At least one of a pair of the male mating member and the female mating member, an insulating portion is provided in a region that does not come into contact with the other during fitting.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a component connection structure, a power conversion device, and a component connection method. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, power conversion devices mounted on electric vehicles and the like are provided with multiple circuit boards on which circuit configurations such as DC / DC converters and inverters are mounted. For such power conversion devices, there is a demand for miniaturization from the viewpoint of, for example, mountability in a vehicle.

[0003] In this situation, a technology is known in which a power converter is miniaturized while maintaining the mounting area on the multiple circuit boards by stacking multiple circuit boards. In such a power converter, electrical connection between components may be achieved by fitting fittings such as connectors provided on the components such as the circuit boards. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2012-151226 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, when the board sizes are the same, for example, if the line of sight is blocked by the circuit board during assembly, visual confirmation is difficult and it may not be possible to properly fit the mating parts. In such a case, if the mating parts are in contact with each other after assembly, there is a problem that mis-fitted products where the mating parts are not properly mated cannot be detected in an electrical inspection, and poor electrical connections between the parts cannot be prevented. Conventional techniques include attaching plastic parts to each mating part, but this requires attaching a plastic part to each mating part one by one, which increases costs and increases the work time.

[0006] The present disclosure provides a component connection structure, a power conversion device, and a component connection method that can suppress electrical connection failures at fitting portions that electrically connect the components. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The component connection structure according to the present disclosure comprises a male fitting member and a female fitting member. The male fitting member has an insertion portion. The female fitting member has a first clamping portion and a second clamping portion arranged opposite each other, and clamps the insertion portion of the male fitting member inserted between the first clamping portion and the second clamping portion. The pair of male fitting members and the female fitting member are arranged on different components. Each of the first clamping portion and the second clamping portion is bent so as to form a convex portion toward the opposing surface of the other. A gap is provided at the tip of each of the first clamping portion and the second clamping portion. In at least one of the pair of male fitting members and the female fitting member, a region that does not contact the other when mated is provided with a protrusion. , which is formed of an insulating material having heat dissipation properties An insulation portion is provided. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the component connection structure, power conversion device, and component connection method disclosed herein, it is possible to suppress electrical connection failures at fitting portions that electrically connect components to each other. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a layered structure of a plurality of printed circuit boards in a power converter according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of the pair of fitting members shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a fitted state of the pair of fitting members shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the configuration of the male fitting member of FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the configuration of the female fitting member of FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a flow of inter-component connection according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view showing another example of the configuration of the female fitting member of FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view showing another example of the configuration of the female fitting member of FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view showing another example of the configuration of the male fitting member of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of a component connection structure, a power conversion device, and a component connection method according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0011] In the description of the present disclosure, components having the same or substantially the same functions as those described above with respect to the previously-mentioned drawings may be given the same reference numerals, and the description may be omitted as appropriate. In addition, even when the same or substantially the same parts are shown, the dimensions and ratios of the components may be different depending on the drawing. In addition, for example, from the viewpoint of ensuring the visibility of the drawings, reference numerals may be given only to the main components in the description of each drawing, and reference numerals may not be given to components having the same or substantially the same functions as those described above with respect to the previously-mentioned drawings.

[0012] The inter-component connection structure according to the present disclosure is a structure for connecting between any components to be connected, such as electronic components, circuit boards, and board units. These components to be connected are, for example, components constituting a power conversion device such as a charger. As an example, the inter-component connection structure is a connection structure between circuit boards. As another example, the inter-component connection structure is a connection structure between an electronic component and a circuit board or board unit. As another example, the inter-component connection structure is a connection structure between a circuit board and a board unit. As another example, the inter-component connection structure is a connection structure between electronic components. As another example, the inter-component connection structure is a connection structure between board units. A cooling plate may be used as the component to be connected.

[0013] For example, the electronic components are components such as semiconductor elements, semiconductor modules, magnetic bodies, capacitors, and circuit breakers. The semiconductor modules are, for example, composed of multiple semiconductor elements. Here, the magnetic bodies are transformers, transformer-integrated printed circuit boards, transformers, reactors, and chokes. The circuit breakers are relays and fuses.

[0014] For example, the circuit board is a printed circuit board (PCB). As an example, the printed circuit board is a glass epoxy board formed with an aluminum alloy or a copper alloy as a base material. The circuit board may be a circuit board of a magnetic component such as a transformer, a transformer, a reactor, or a choke. This magnetic component has a substrate on which a conductor pattern forms a winding, and a magnetic core is passed through the inside and outside of the winding formed on the substrate to form a closed magnetic circuit, thereby functioning as a magnetic component. In this case, the electronic component can be expressed as a printed circuit board transformer or a transformer-integrated printed circuit board.

[0015] For example, the board unit is a plurality of circuit boards that are joined together. In the board unit, the plurality of circuit boards may be joined together by the inter-component connection structure according to the present disclosure, or may be joined together by adhesive, screws, bolts, or the like. The joined circuit boards may be electrically connected or insulated from each other. The board unit may be a circuit board on which electronic components are mounted. In this case, the electronic components and the circuit boards may be electrically connected or insulated from each other, or may be only thermally connected.

[0016] In the following description, the inter-component connection according to the present disclosure will be described using an example of board-to-board connection that electrically connects a plurality of printed circuit boards.

[0017] An example of a power conversion device according to the embodiment is an on-board charger that is mounted on an electric vehicle or the like, converts AC power supplied from a power source (external power source) into DC power of a predetermined voltage, and outputs the converted DC power to a battery such as a lithium-ion battery. Such a power conversion device is equipped with a plurality of circuit boards on which circuit configurations such as DC / DC converters and inverters are mounted. Note that the component connection structure according to the present disclosure may be applied to the connection between the DC / DC converter module or inverter module and the circuit board.

[0018] Fig. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a layered structure of a plurality of printed circuit boards in a power conversion device 1 according to an embodiment. Fig. 1 illustrates a first circuit board PCB1, a second circuit board PCB2, a third circuit board PCB3, and a fourth circuit board PCB4 among the plurality of circuit boards included in the power conversion device 1.

[0019] The first circuit board PCB1, the second circuit board PCB2, the third circuit board PCB3, and the fourth circuit board PCB4 are each a printed circuit board. In the following description, a plurality of pairs of fitting members B may be referred to as a plurality of pairs of fitting members B. A pair of fitting members B may also be referred to as a fitting portion.

[0020] The first circuit board PCB1 is coupled to the second circuit board PCB2 by multiple pairs of mating members B. The second circuit board PCB2 is coupled to each of the first circuit board PCB1 and the third circuit board PCB3 by multiple pairs of mating members B. The third circuit board PCB3 is coupled to the second circuit board PCB2 and the fourth circuit board PCB4 by multiple pairs of mating members B. The fourth circuit board PCB4 is coupled to the third circuit board PCB3 by multiple pairs of mating members B. As a result, each board is electrically connected via each of the multiple pairs of mating members B.

[0021] It is also possible that only some of the multiple circuit boards included in the power conversion device 1 are printed circuit boards. For example, at least one of the first circuit board PCB1, the second circuit board PCB2, the third circuit board PCB3, and the fourth circuit board PCB4 can be a printed circuit board. Also, the connection between the circuit boards by a pair of fitting members B does not necessarily have to be an electrical connection. However, the embodiment mainly illustrates a case where two circuit boards are electrically coupled by multiple pairs of fitting members B.

[0022] In this manner, in the power conversion device 1 according to the embodiment, two adjacent circuit boards among at least two stacked circuit boards are coupled by a plurality of pairs of fitting members B. Each of the plurality of pairs of fitting members B includes a male fitting member Bm and a female fitting member Bf. That is, the plurality of pairs of fitting members B are a plurality of pairs of fitting members B. Also, each of the plurality of pairs of fitting members B, i.e., a pair of fitting members B, is a set of a male fitting member Bm and a female fitting member Bf. Here, one of the plurality of pairs of fitting members B is disposed on each of the opposing main surfaces of the two stacked circuit boards.

[0023] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, in each of the multiple pairs of mating members B, the male mating member Bm is disposed on one of the two stacked circuit boards, and the female mating member Bf is disposed on the other of the two stacked circuit boards.

[0024] It is possible to arbitrarily determine whether a male fitting member Bm or a female fitting member Bf is to be disposed on each of the multiple circuit boards. As an example, as shown in FIG. 1, only one of a male fitting member Bm and a female fitting member Bf is disposed on each of the two circuit boards that are coupled together by engaging the multiple pairs of fitting members B. As another example, at least one male fitting member Bm and at least one female fitting member Bf are disposed on each of the two circuit boards that are coupled together by engaging the multiple pairs of fitting members B. In this case, the male fitting member Bm can be disposed on one main surface of each circuit board, and the female fitting member Bf can be disposed on the other main surface. Alternatively, both the male fitting member Bm and the female fitting member Bf can be disposed on one main surface of each circuit board.

[0025] Furthermore, two or more circuit boards may be bonded to one main surface of each circuit board.

[0026] The male fitting member Bm is a blade-shaped connector (plug) that is inserted. The male fitting member Bm can also be expressed as a flat plug blade. The female fitting member Bf is a connector (receptacle) that is inserted. The female fitting member Bf can also be expressed as a blade receiving spring.

[0027] Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of the pair of fitting members B in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the fitted state of the pair of fitting members B in Fig. 1. Fig. 2(a) and Fig. 3 show an example of the fitted state of the pair of fitting members B. Fig. 2(b) shows each of the male fitting member Bm and the female fitting member Bf in a simplified manner similar to Fig. 1. Fig. 2(c) and Fig. 3 show each of the male fitting member Bm and the female fitting member Bf in detail.

[0028] The insertion portion 11 of the male fitting member Bm mounted on the circuit board PCB is inserted into the receiving portion 20 of the female fitting member Bf. Specifically, the insertion portion 11 is inserted so as to expand the gap between the first clamping portion 21 and the second clamping portion 22 while contacting the first clamping portion 21 and the second clamping portion 22. As shown in FIG. 2(a) and FIG. 3, the female fitting member Bf clamps the insertion portion 11 of the male fitting member Bm inserted between the first clamping portion 21 and the second clamping portion 22, thereby coupling the circuit board PCB on which the female fitting member Bf is arranged and the circuit board PCB on which the male fitting member Bm is arranged. The length of insertion of the male fitting member Bm into the female fitting member Bf, i.e., the insertion height, can be appropriately set according to the distance between the boards to be coupled, etc.

[0029] FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the configuration of the male fitting member Bm in FIG. 1. The insertion portion 11 of the male fitting member Bm has a generally flat plate shape. The tip portion 13 of the insertion portion 11 is chamfered, and the thickness decreases toward the tip side. This makes it easier to insert the insertion portion 11 into the receiving portion 20 of the female fitting member Bf. The connection portions 15 of the insertion portion 11 are each of the rear end sides of the insertion portion 11 divided into three by the gap 17. The connection portions 15, i.e., each of the rear end sides of the divided insertion portion 11, are bent in a direction generally perpendicular to the insertion portion 11. The connection portions 15 are soldered to a predetermined position on the PCB board and electrically connect between the insertion portion 11 and the wiring on the PCB board. The insertion portion 11 and the connection portions 15 can be formed, for example, by bending a single metal plate.

[0030] The number of divisions on the rear end side of the insertion portion 11 of the male fitting member Bm can be designed to be any number equal to or greater than 2. As an example, the number of divisions is increased as the length of the insertion portion 11 increases.

[0031] Fig. 5 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the configuration of the female fitting member Bf in Fig. 1. The female fitting member Bf holds the insertion portion 11 of the male fitting member Bm inserted into the receiving portion 20. The female fitting member Bf is formed, for example, by bending a single metal plate. The female fitting member Bf has a roughly Y- or X-shape with an open tip side when viewed from the side, i.e., the first base portion 26a or the second base portion 26b side.

[0032] Specifically, the female fitting member Bf has a first clamping portion 21 and a second clamping portion 22. The first clamping portion 21 and the second clamping portion 22 are disposed opposite to each other. The surface of the first clamping portion 21 facing the second clamping portion 22 and the surface of the second clamping portion 22 facing the first clamping portion 21 form the receiving portion 20. That is, the first clamping portion 21 and the second clamping portion 22 face each other through the receiving portion 20. The female fitting member Bf clamps the insertion portion 11 of the male fitting member Bm inserted into the receiving portion 20 between the first clamping portion 21 and the second clamping portion 22. The first clamping portion 21 is bent at the first bending portion 23a into a shape that is convex toward the opposing second clamping portion 22. Similarly, the second clamping portion 22 is bent at the first bent portion 23a into a shape that is convex toward the opposing first clamping portion 21. In other words, each of the first clamping portion 21 and the second clamping portion 22 is bent at the first bent portion 23a so as to form a convex portion toward the opposing surface of each other. The first bent portion 23a of the first clamping portion 21 and the first bent portion 23a of the second clamping portion 22 are separated from each other via the receiving portion 20. The distance between the first bent portion 23a of the first clamping portion 21 and the first bent portion 23a of the second clamping portion 22 is smaller than the thickness of the insertion portion 11 of the male fitting member Bm.

[0033] Each of the first clamping portion 21 and the second clamping portion 22 has a gap 27 from the front end side to the rear end side. That is, each of the first clamping portion 21 and the second clamping portion 22 is divided into two by the gap 27. In other words, the front end of the female fitting member Bf is divided into four by the gap 27. Specifically, the first clamping portion 21 includes a first elastic portion 21a and a second elastic portion 21b divided by the gap 27. Similarly, the second clamping portion 22 includes a third elastic portion 22a and a fourth elastic portion 22b divided by the gap 27. Here, the first elastic portion 21a and the second elastic portion 21b can also be expressed as being separated by the gap 27. Similarly, the third elastic portion 22a and the fourth elastic portion 22b can also be expressed as being separated by the gap 27.

[0034] 5 illustrates a female fitting member Bf divided into four by the gap 27, but the number of divisions by the gap 27 may be five or more. However, it is preferable that the number of divisions of the first clamping portion 21 and the number of divisions of the second clamping portion 22 are equal, and the number of divisions by the gap 27 is, for example, an even number of six or more. A relative rotational position shift between a pair of fitting members B, which will be described later, may occur in either direction. Therefore, by making the number of divisions of the first clamping portion 21 and the number of divisions of the second clamping portion 22 equal, the geometric tolerance of the fitting portion can be expanded regardless of the direction of the rotational position shift.

[0035] Each of the first elastic portion 21a and the third elastic portion 22a extends from the first base portion 26a. In other words, each of the first elastic portion 21a and the third elastic portion 22a is connected to the first base portion 26a in a continuous and integral manner via the second bent portion 23b. In addition, each of the second elastic portion 21b and the fourth elastic portion 22b extends from the second base portion 26b. In other words, each of the second elastic portion 21b and the fourth elastic portion 22b is connected to the second base portion 26b in a continuous and integral manner via the second bent portion 23b. In addition, each of the first base portion 26a and the second base portion 26b extends from the connection portion 25 to the printed circuit board. In other words, each of the first base portion 26a and the second base portion 26b is continuously and integrally connected to the connecting portion 25 via the third bent portion 23c.

[0036] Therefore, each of the first elastic portion 21a, the second elastic portion 21b, the third elastic portion 22a and the fourth elastic portion 22b corresponds to a divided shape of the first clamping portion 21 or the second clamping portion 22, and can deform independently depending on the contact state with the insertion portion 11.

[0037] The insertion portion 11 of the male fitting member Bm according to the embodiment has a substantially flat plate shape. The female fitting member Bf according to the embodiment is configured to fit with the male fitting member Bm by clamping the inserted substantially flat plate-shaped insertion portion 11. As a result, the board-to-board connection structure according to the embodiment can increase the contact area between the pair of fitting members B compared to a board-to-board connection structure realized using a male fitting member having a pin-shaped insertion portion, for example, and therefore can reduce the contact resistance. The reduction in contact resistance between the pair of fitting members B contributes to suppression of heat generation and power loss in the pair of fitting members B, improvement of the degree of freedom regarding the shape and material of the female fitting member Bf, and simplification of the determination of the connection state.

[0038] For example, when the diameter of the pin shape and the thickness of the flat plate shape are the same, the width of the flat plate shape can be set arbitrarily, so that the flat plate-shaped male fitting member Bm can have a larger contact area with the female fitting member Bf than a pin-shaped male fitting member of the same length. Also, when the cross-sectional areas of the pin shape and the flat plate shape in a cross section parallel to the substrate are the same, the area of ​​the main surface of the flat plate shape can be made larger than the surface area of ​​a pin shape of the same length by appropriately setting the thickness and width of the flat plate shape. In other words, the flat plate-shaped male fitting member Bm can have a larger contact area with the female fitting member Bf than a pin-shaped male fitting member of the same length.

[0039] Here, the thickness of the insertion portion 11 refers to the size of the insertion portion 11 in the left-right direction in the state shown in Fig. 1. The length of the insertion portion 11 refers to the size of the insertion portion 11 in the up-down direction in the state shown in Fig. 1. The width of the insertion portion 11 refers to the size of the insertion portion 11 in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper in the state shown in Fig. 1.

[0040] In addition, the present disclosure illustrates a male fitting member Bm having a substantially flat insert portion 11, but is not limited thereto. For example, the male fitting member Bm may have a substantially cylindrical insert portion 11, such as a pin shape. Even in this case, the multiple elastic parts of the female fitting member Bf according to the embodiment can be deformed independently according to the contact state with the substantially cylindrical insert portion 11. In addition, the multiple elastic parts of the female fitting member Bf can be arranged, for example, in a ring shape so as to fit with the male fitting member Bm by clamping the inserted substantially cylindrical insert portion 11.

[0041] The male fitting member Bm and the female fitting member Bf are each made of a metal material, such as copper, a copper alloy including brass, aluminum, or an aluminum alloy.

[0042] In addition, a conductor plating is applied to a part or the whole of the surface area of ​​the male fitting member Bm and the female fitting member Bf. For example, the conductor plating is applied to the area where the male fitting member Bm and the female fitting member Bf come into contact with each other when normally fitted together. As the conductor plating, for example, tin plating, silver plating, or gold plating can be appropriately used.

[0043] Here, tin has a property of being easily alloyed with nickel used as the base of the male fitting member Bm and the female fitting member Bf. When the ambient temperature becomes high, the alloying of tin and nickel progresses, and the resistance value becomes 1 [mΩ] or more. On the other hand, silver and gold do not easily alloy with nickel, but are expensive to use. If the contact resistance between the male fitting member Bm and the female fitting member Bf is large, a temperature rise occurs at the contact portion between the male fitting member Bm and the female fitting member Bf. Therefore, in the power conversion device 1 according to the embodiment, the contact resistance at the contact portion between the male fitting member Bm and the female fitting member Bf is set to 1 [mΩ] or less. In other words, the contact resistance between the insertion portion 11 of the male fitting member Bm and the convex portion of the first clamping portion 21 or the second clamping portion 22 in the state in which the pair of fitting members B are fitted is set to 1 [mΩ] or less.

[0044] The magnitude of the contact resistance is determined by the "contact pressure," "material (such as tin on the surface)," and "contact area." In the power conversion device 1 according to the embodiment, the contact resistance is adjusted to 1 [mΩ] or less by adjusting the elastic forces of the four elastic parts of the female fitting member Bf, for example. In other words, the elastic forces of the four elastic parts of the female fitting member Bf according to the embodiment are designed so that the contact resistance is 1 [mΩ] or less. The elastic forces of the four elastic parts depend on, for example, the material (base material) of the female fitting member Bf and its shape.

[0045] Moreover, the female fitting member Bf according to this embodiment is provided with an insulating portion 31. The insulating portion 31 is provided in an area of ​​the female fitting member Bf that does not come into contact with the male fitting member Bm and the female fitting member Bf when they are properly fitted together. Alternatively, the insulating portion 31 is provided in an area that is not conductively plated.

[0046] 5, the insulating portion 31 is provided on the mutually opposing surfaces of the first clamping portion 21 and the second clamping portion 22 of the female fitting member Bf and on the surface opposite thereto. On the other hand, the insulating portion 31 is not provided on the convexly bulging region of the first bent portion 23a, i.e., the region that contacts the male fitting member Bm in the fitted state.

[0047] As an example, the insulating portion 31 is formed by surface treatment of the female fitting member Bf. For example, the insulating portion 31 is a layer (coating) of an insulator formed on the surface of the female fitting member Bf. The surface treatment may be a coating or painting of an insulator on the surface of the female fitting member Bf. As an example, the insulator is a resin. Preferably, the insulator is a heat dissipation insulating type resin. The heat dissipation insulating type resin is, for example, a black resin that has high heat dissipation properties, i.e., is easy to radiate radiant heat. Alternatively, the surface treatment may be a heat dissipation insulating type plating treatment on the surface of the female fitting member Bf, such as anodizing. In this case, the insulator is a plating formed on the surface of the female fitting member Bf. Also, as the surface treatment, an insulating film formed of an insulator may be attached to the surface of the female fitting member Bf. The heat dissipation properties of the insulator may be given by the surface properties of the insulator layer or insulating film.

[0048] The surface treatment applied to the insulating part 31 is preferably a surface treatment that reduces the frictional resistance between the pair of fitting members B. As an example, the insulating part 31 is formed by a glossy coating. Here, the glossy coating is a coating that has a smooth coating surface and reduces the frictional resistance of the coating surface. The surface treatment applied to the insulating part 31 is preferably a surface treatment that increases the wear resistance between the pair of fitting members B. Here, the surface treatment that increases the wear resistance is a surface treatment that reduces wear when the male fitting member Bm and the female fitting member Bf rub against each other and suppresses the occurrence of metal contamination. Note that the surface treatment that reduces the frictional resistance between the pair of fitting members B and the surface treatment that increases the wear resistance may be realized by a common surface treatment, such as a glossy coating.

[0049] The female fitting member Bf may be made of an insulator, or the insulating portion 31 may be provided on the entire female fitting member Bf made of a conductor, and conductor plating (conductive portion) may be provided only on the region that contacts the male fitting member Bm in the engaged state. In other words, the insulating portion 31 may be provided on the region that is not conductor plated. Alternatively, the female fitting member Bf made of a conductor may be provided on the entire female fitting member Bf, and surface treatment may be performed to remove the insulator only on the region that contacts the male fitting member Bm in the engaged state. Alternatively, the female fitting member Bf may be made of a conductor, or the female fitting member Bf made of an insulator may be provided with conductor plating on the entire female fitting member Bf, and the insulating portion 31 may be provided only on the region that does not contact the male fitting member Bm in the engaged state. Alternatively, the female fitting member Bf may be provided with a conductor on the entire female fitting member Bf made of an insulator, and surface treatment may be performed to remove the conductor only on the region that does not contact the male fitting member Bm in the engaged state. In this way, the insulating portion 31 may not be formed as an insulating layer, and may be formed as a separate portion of the conductive portion formed by surface treatment for forming the conductive portion.

[0050] This allows the connection state between the components to be determined in the flow of connecting the components according to the embodiment described below. Specifically, when a problem occurs in the fitting of a pair of male fitting members Bm and female fitting members Bf due to misalignment between the inserting portion 11 and the receiving portion 20, the connection failure can be detected by an electrical test. Here, the electrical test is the measurement of the resistance value through the contact portion between the male fitting member Bm and the female fitting member Bf.

[0051] Hereinafter, an example of a flow of component-to-component connection according to the embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a flow of component-to-component connection according to the embodiment. Here, an example will be described in which a first circuit board PCB1 provided with a male fitting member Bm is joined to a second circuit board PCB2 provided with a female fitting member Bf.

[0052] First, a male fitting member Bm is placed on the main surface of the first substrate PCB1 facing the second substrate PCB2 (S101). A female fitting member Bf is placed on the main surface of the second substrate PCB2 facing the first substrate PCB1 (S102). After each of the pair of fitting members B is placed on the printed circuit board, the mounting state of each of the pair of fitting members B on the printed circuit board is inspected using, for example, an automated optical inspection (AOI) device. If a defect is detected in the mounting state of each of the pair of fitting members B on the printed circuit board by this inspection, the subsequent flow is not carried out for the printed circuit board in which the defect is detected.

[0053] Thereafter, the first board PCB1 and the second board PCB2 are joined by engaging the pair of engaging members B (S103). In this step, after the contact between the male engaging member Bm and the female engaging member Bf is detected by a sensor, one printed circuit board is pushed into the other printed circuit board to form a fixed state of the layered structure. The female engaging member Bf has elastic force (spring force) in the opposite direction to the insertion direction of the insertion portion 11 of the male engaging member Bm. Therefore, if multiple male engaging members Bm are simultaneously pushed into multiple female engaging members Bf, some of the male engaging members Bm may come off from the receiving portion 20 of the female engaging member Bf. Therefore, in this step, after a reliable engagement state is created once, one printed circuit board is further pushed into the other printed circuit board to achieve good engagement. Here, the reliable engagement state refers to a stationary state in which the insertion portion 11 is pushed into the receiving portion 20 by, for example, about 1 mm.

[0054] Thereafter, the electrical resistance is measured through the mating portion (S104). The measurement of the electrical resistance through the mating portion is, for example, the measurement of the electrical resistance between an arbitrary position of the circuit configuration on the first substrate PCB1 electrically connected to the male mating member Bm and an arbitrary position of the circuit configuration on the second substrate PCB2 electrically connected to the female mating member Bf.

[0055] When the electrical resistance through the fitting portion indicates an insulating state (S105: Yes), the fitting portion is determined to have a connection failure (S106). For example, when the male fitting member Bm is in contact with the female fitting member Bf through the insulating portion 31, the electrical resistance through the fitting portion indicates an insulating state.

[0056] On the other hand, if the electrical resistance through the fitting portion does not indicate an insulated state (S105: No), the fitting portion is determined to be in a good connection (S107). For example, when the male fitting member Bm is in contact with the female fitting member Bf at the convex region of the first bent portion 23a, the electrical resistance through the fitting portion does not indicate an insulated state. After S106 or S107, the flow of FIG. 6 ends.

[0057] In this way, according to the method for connecting boards using the pair of fitting members B according to this embodiment, it is possible to prevent poor electrical connection in the fitting portion that electrically connects the components.

[0058] As described above, the two circuit boards are joined by fitting the male fitting member Bm and the female fitting member Bf mounted on each board. However, when the boards are the same size, for example, when the line of sight is blocked by the circuit board during assembly, it is difficult to visually check, and the fitting parts may not be properly fitted. In such a case, when the fitting parts are in contact with each other after assembly, there is a problem that a misfit product in which the fitting parts are not properly fitted cannot be detected in an electrical inspection, and poor electrical connection between the parts cannot be suppressed. Conventional techniques include attaching resin parts to each fitting part, but this requires attaching a resin part to each fitting part, which increases costs and increases work time.

[0059] In the inter-component connection structure according to the embodiment, an insulating portion 31 is provided in an area of ​​the female fitting member Bf that does not come into contact with the male fitting member Bm during fitting. This allows insulation in the fitting member B during erroneous fitting, and allows erroneous fitting to be detected by electrical inspection, thereby preventing electrical connection failures in the fitting portion that electrically connects the components.

[0060] Furthermore, in the inter-component connection structure according to the embodiment, the insulating portion 31 provided on the female fitting member Bf has high heat dissipation properties in addition to insulation properties, and therefore can improve heat dissipation from the fitting member B. As a result, even when a large current is passed through the fitting member B, it is possible to prevent the fitting member B from generating heat and becoming too hot.

[0061] In addition, in the inter-component connection structure according to the embodiment, the receiving portion 20 into which the inserting portion 11 of the female fitting member Bf is inserted has a shape in which the first clamping portion 21 and the second clamping portion 22 are spaced apart toward the tip side, and an insulating portion 31 formed by gloss coating is provided. This allows the inserting portion 11 of the male fitting member Bm inserted into the receiving portion 20 to slide and be guided between the first clamping portion 21 and the second clamping portion 22. This prevents the male fitting member Bm from being unable to be inserted between the first clamping portion 21 and the second clamping portion 22 during fitting and crushing the female fitting member Bf. In addition, since the insulating portion 31 is provided from the receiving portion 20 to the vicinity of the area (contact point) that comes into contact with the male fitting member Bm during fitting, it is also possible to prevent metal contamination caused by rubbing between the male fitting member Bm and the female fitting member Bf during insertion.

[0062] In addition, it is also possible to provide a configuration in which the opposing surfaces of the first clamping portion 21 and the second clamping portion 22, i.e., the surfaces that may come into contact with the inserted male fitting member Bm, are coated with a gloss paint, and the outer peripheral surface on the opposite side is coated with a gloss unpainted paint that enhances heat dissipation.

[0063] Hereinafter, each modified example of the inter-component connection structure, the power conversion device, and the inter-component connection method according to the embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that in the following description, differences from the above-mentioned embodiment or each modified example will be mainly described, and overlapping descriptions will be omitted as appropriate.

[0064] (First Modification) Fig. 7 is a schematic perspective view showing another example of the configuration of the female fitting member Bf in Fig. 1. It is preferable that the tip of the female fitting member Bf has its edge removed as shown in Fig. 7. The edge removal can be performed, for example, by hitting the edge of the receiving portion 20 of the female fitting member Bf to round it off or by scraping off the edge.

[0065] In this way, in the inter-component connection structure according to this modified example, the receiving portion 20 of the female fitting member Bf, i.e., the end face at the tip side where the inserting portion 11 of the male fitting member Bm is inserted, is subjected to edge removal processing as an end face processing to remove the edge of the end face. In other words, the edge of the end face at the tip side of the female fitting member Bf, which may come into contact with the inserting portion 11 of the male fitting member Bm when a misfit occurs, is removed by the end face processing. This makes it possible to prevent the male fitting member Bm from being scraped by the edge of the tip of the female fitting member Bf, causing metal contamination. In addition, when the male fitting member Bm is painted, it is possible to prevent the paint of the male fitting member Bm from being scraped.

[0066] (Second Modification) FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view showing another example of the configuration of the female fitting member Bf in FIG. 1. The end surface treatment of the tip of the female fitting member Bf can also be realized by curling the tip, as shown in FIG. 8. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the first clamping portion 21 and the second clamping portion 22 are each subjected to a curling process as an end surface treatment in which the opposing surfaces are bent outward so that they face in opposite directions at the tip side where the insertion portion 11 is inserted. In other words, the edge of the end surface on the tip side of the female fitting member Bf is not exposed to the outside of the female fitting member Bf, where the insertion portion 11 of the male fitting member Bm may come into contact when erroneous fitting occurs. Even with this configuration, the same effect as the first modified example can be obtained. Furthermore, by curling the tip of the female fitting member Bf, the receiving portion 20 can be formed so that the first clamping portion 21 and the second clamping portion 22 move further apart as they approach the tip, thereby reducing wear caused by the receiving portion 20 guiding the insertion portion 11 and making it easier for the surface treatment to be applied to the contact area with the inserted male fitting member Bm.

[0067] The above-mentioned modified examples are applicable not only to the receiving portion 20 but also to other edges that may come into contact with the male fitting member Bm during fitting. The above-mentioned modified examples are also applicable not only to the female fitting member Bf but also to edges of the male fitting member Bm, such as the tip portion 13, that may come into contact with the female fitting member Bf during fitting.

[0068] (Third Modification) Fig. 9 is a schematic perspective view showing another example of the configuration of the male fitting member Bm in Fig. 1. Fig. 9 also shows a female fitting member Bf in order to illustrate the positional relationship during fitting.

[0069] 9, the insulating portion 32 may be provided not only on the female fitting member Bf but also on the male fitting member Bm. The insulating portion 32 is realized by, for example, an insulating layer or an insulating film, similar to the insulating portion 31. The insulator of the insulating portion 32 is, for example, the same as the insulator of the insulating portion 31, but may be different. The insulating portion 32 provided on the tip portion 13 is realized by, for example, a glossy paint.

[0070] The insulating portion 32 of the male fitting member Bm is provided in a region of the male fitting member Bm that does not come into contact with each other when the male fitting member Bm and the female fitting member Bf are normally fitted together. As an example, as shown in Fig. 9, the insulating portion 32 is provided in a region of the male fitting member Bm that does not come into contact with the convexly bulged region of the first bent portion 23a of the female fitting member Bf when fitted together. On the other hand, a conductive portion 12 is provided in a region that comes into contact with the convexly bulged region of the first bent portion 23a of the female fitting member Bf when fitted together.

[0071] For example, the conductive portion 12 and the insulating portion 32 can be realized by forming the male fitting member Bm from an insulator, or by providing the insulating portion 32 on the entire male fitting member Bm made of a conductor, and by providing conductor plating only on the area that will contact the female fitting member Bf when mated. Alternatively, the conductive portion 12 and the insulating portion 32 can be realized by forming the male fitting member Bm from a conductor, or by providing conductor plating on the entire male fitting member Bm made of an insulator, and by providing insulating portion 32 only on the area that will not contact the female fitting member Bf when mated.

[0072] In this way, in the component connection structure according to this modification, the insulating portion 32 is provided in the area of ​​the male fitting member Bm that does not come into contact with the female fitting member Bf during fitting. Even with this configuration, the same effects as those of the above-mentioned embodiment and each modification can be obtained. In addition, since the insertion depth of the insertion portion 11 during fitting is determined by the position of the conductive portion 12, inappropriate fitting states such as partial fitting can be suppressed.

[0073] The male fitting member Bm and the female fitting member Bf according to the above-mentioned embodiment and each modified example can be combined in any manner. For example, the female fitting member Bf according to the first modified example or the second modified example and the male fitting member Bm according to the third modified example can be used as a pair of fitting members B.

[0074] As described above, the component connection structure, power conversion device 1, and component connection method according to the present disclosure can prevent electrical connection failures at fitting portions that electrically connect components to each other.

[0075] Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims, as well as in the scope and spirit of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0076] 1 Power conversion device 11 Insertion part 12 Conductive part 13 Tip 15 Connection 17 Gap 20 Reception Department 21 First clamping part 21a First elastic portion 21b Second elastic portion 22 Second clamping part 22a Third elastic part 22b Fourth elastic part 23a First bend 23b Second bend 23c Third bend 26a First base 26b Second base 25 Connection 27 Gap 31,32 Insulation section B A pair of fitting members Bf female fitting Bm Male Mating Part PCB1 First circuit board PCB2 Second circuit board PCB3 Third circuit board PCB4 The fourth circuit board

Claims

1. A male fitting member having a plug portion; a female fitting member having a first clamping portion and a second clamping portion arranged opposite to each other, the female fitting member clamping an insertion portion of the male fitting member inserted between the first clamping portion and the second clamping portion; Equipped with The pair of male and female fitting members are disposed on different components, each of the first clamping portion and the second clamping portion is bent so as to form a convex portion toward a surface facing each other; A gap is provided at a tip end of each of the first clamping portion and the second clamping portion, At least one of the pair of male fitting members and the pair of female fitting members is provided with an insulating portion made of an insulator having heat dissipation properties in an area that does not contact the other when fitted. Inter-component connection structure.

2. the first clamping portion and the second clamping portion are spaced apart from each other toward a tip end side into which the insertion portion is inserted, The insulating portion provided on the tip side into which the insertion portion is inserted is surface-treated. The component connection structure according to claim 1 .

3. 3. The component connection structure according to claim 1, wherein the insulating portion provided on the tip side of the insertion portion is surface-treated.

4. 4. The component-to-component connection structure according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the surface treatment is at least one of a surface treatment that reduces frictional resistance between the pair of the male fitting member and the female fitting member and a surface treatment that increases wear resistance.

5. 5. The component connection structure according to claim 1, wherein an end face of the female fitting member at a tip end side into which the insertion portion is inserted is subjected to an end face treatment to remove an edge of the end face.

6. The component-to-component connection structure according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein each of the first clamping portion and the second clamping portion has end surface treatment in which the opposing surfaces at the tip side where the insertion portion is inserted are bent outward so that they face in opposite directions.

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