Electrical connection module and automotive lighting device

Abstract

The present invention provides an electrical connection module (100) for a motor vehicle, comprising a printed circuit board (1) having a retainer portion (2) and an edge connector configured to be connected to the printed circuit board. The retainer portion (2) has an electrical connection portion (5) located in a recess (4) of the printed circuit board (1), and the edge connector (3) has jaws (6, 7) adapted to mate with the electrical connection portion when it enters the recess (4). The edge connector (3) further comprises a rear portion (8) from which an electrical arm (6) and a support arm (7) protrude. The retainer portion (2) has two retention arms (9), each of which protrudes from the printed circuit board (1) toward the electrical connection portion (5) in a protruding direction that is at an angle of 5 to 40 degrees relative to a connection direction (d), leaving a space between the retention arms that is smaller than the width of the rear portion (8) of the edge connector (3).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of automotive lighting devices, and more particularly to the manufacture and assembly of these devices. [Background technology]

[0002] Automotive lighting systems require an increasing amount of electrical connections to control and power the light sources contained within the system.

[0003] These electrical connections are typically managed by a harness of wiring coming from the control unit, which typically terminates in a connector that mates with a local connector within the device.

[0004] There is a particular type of connector known as a "card edge" connector. These connectors feature a body for connecting wires of a wire harness. A pair of opposing jaws extend from the body and are configured to receive between the jaws connections of a printed circuit board that supports electronic circuitry. At least one of the jaws includes electrical contacts that are electrically connected to the wire harness through the body of the connector. This configuration is such that the electrical contacts located on the jaws establish contact with corresponding connections of a PCB sandwiched between the jaws.

[0005] However, if the PCB is not properly inserted between the jaws of the card edge connector, or if either or both of the PCB and the connector are subjected to vibration or shock during use, the connector may become disconnected from the PCB. Such an event can only be addressed by manual intervention. This situation is particularly critical when card edge connectors, which have the advantage of a small footprint, are used in lighting modules for automobiles. In general, the use of card edge connectors is interesting because physical space is a major constraint in such environments. However, the automobile is subject to vibration and shock, which makes the connector prone to become disconnected during use. Furthermore, the manual intervention required to secure the connection is often not only costly but also labor intensive. This is because many components of the automobile, if accessible at all, may have to be removed before the connector and PCB are accessible.

[0006] Additionally, there are additional constraints regarding the force required to mate the card edge connector to the printed circuit board. This connection is sometimes performed manually to ensure success. If the system has retention elements that require high forces to overcome and conform, the manual process becomes difficult and exhausting. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT It is an object of the present invention to alleviate at least some of the drawbacks found in the prior art. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The invention provides an alternative solution for improving the assembly of these devices by means of an electrical connection module and a vehicle lighting device according to the invention. Preferred embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

[0009] Unless otherwise specified, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein should be interpreted as being conventional in the art. It can be further understood that terms in common usage are conventional in the relevant art and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

[0010] In this specification, the term "comprises" and its derivatives (e.g., "comprising") should not be understood in an exclusive sense, i.e., these terms should not be interpreted as excluding the possibility that what is described and defined may include additional elements, steps, etc.

[0011] In a first inventive aspect, the present invention provides an electrical connection module for a motor vehicle, comprising: a printed circuit board having a retainer portion; and an edge connector configured to be connected to the printed circuit board at the retainer portion according to a connection direction, the retainer part comprises an electrical connection part located in a recess of the printed circuit board; the edge connector comprises an electrical jaw having an electrical terminal adapted to be mated with an electrical connection when received within the recess; the edge connector further comprises a support jaw adapted to contact the retainer portion opposite the electrical connection portion; the edge connector further comprising a rear portion from which the electrical arm and the support arm protrude; The retainer portion includes two retention arms, each of which projects from the printed circuit board toward the electrical connection portion with a projection direction that is at an angle of 5 degrees to 40 degrees with respect to the connection direction, and which leaves a space between the retention arms that is smaller than the width of the rear portion of the edge connector; An electrical connection module is provided.

[0012] The edge connector, as all edge connectors normally do, has two jaws that are adapted to mate with a printed circuit board, leaving an electrical connection between them. To do so, the edge connector is introduced between the retention arms, which form a path for the edge connector to be coupled to the electrical connection of the printed circuit board. Furthermore, because the space is smaller than the width of the edge connector, the arms bend to allow the edge connector to enter between them, and then return to their original position to provide an abutment to hold the edge connector in place.

[0013] In some specific embodiments, each retention arm has a first end that is connected to the printed circuit board and a second end that is free and faces the electrical connection, thereby allowing each retention arm to be bent in a cantilever manner relative to the first end.

[0014] This bending action is intended to create the least amount of effort possible for the manufacturer so that the edge connector can be placed and secured in place with only slight pressure.

[0015] In some specific embodiments, the electrical connection module further comprises a circular recess at the first end of each retaining arm, hi some specific embodiments, the circular recess has a diameter at least twice the width of the retaining arm.

[0016] This circular recess improves the flexibility of the holding arm in its bending motion.

[0017] In some particular embodiments, the two holding arms are arranged symmetrically with respect to a plane perpendicular to the printed circuit board surface and containing the connection direction.

[0018] This symmetrical arrangement provides optimal distribution of assembly operations.

[0019] In some particular embodiments, each retention arm projects from the printed circuit board towards the electrical connection with a projection direction that forms an angle of 10 degrees to 30 degrees with respect to the connection direction.

[0020] This particular angle range reduces the effort required to assemble the edge connector into the printed circuit board to approximately 15 N, which can be accomplished with a single finger.

[0021] In some particular embodiments, each retaining arm has a length and a width, the length being comprised between 5 and 15 times the width.

[0022] This ratio is advantageous as it allows for optimal durability of the retaining arms against breakage.

[0023] In some particular embodiments, the retainer portion is reinforced relative to the remainder of the printed circuit board.

[0024] In a second inventive aspect, the present invention provides a method for producing a method for treating a cancer cell comprising: an electrical connection module according to a first aspect of the invention; a plurality of solid state light sources disposed within a printed circuit board; The present invention provides an automotive lighting device comprising:

[0025] The term "solid state" refers to light emitted by solid-state electroluminescence, which uses semiconductors to convert electricity into light. Compared to incandescent lighting, solid-state lighting produces visible light that generates less heat and dissipates less energy. The typically small mass of solid-state electronic lighting devices results in greater resistance to shock and vibration compared to fragile glass tubes / bulbs and long, thin filament wires. They also eliminate filament evaporation, potentially extending the life of the lighting device. Some examples of these types of lighting include semiconductor light-emitting diodes (LEDs), organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), or polymer light-emitting diodes (PLEDs) as the illumination source, rather than electric filaments, plasmas, or gases. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1] 1 is an overall perspective view of an electrical connection module according to the present invention; [Diagram 2] 2 illustrates the electrical connection module of FIG. 1 when the card edge connector is connected to a printed circuit board. [Diagram 3] 1 shows a lighting device according to the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0027] In these figures the following reference numbers are used:

[0028] 1 Printed Circuit Board 2 Retainer part 3 Card Edge Connector 4 Recess 5 Electrical Connections 6. The First Joe 7. The Second Joe 8 Rear 9 Holding Arm 91 first end of holding arm 92 second end of the holding arm 10. Lighting Equipment 11 Circular recess 100 Motor Vehicles

[0029] Exemplary embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to embody and practice the systems and processes described herein, it is important to understand that the embodiments can be provided in many alternative forms and should not be construed as being limited to the examples set forth herein.

[0030] Thus, while the embodiments can be modified in various ways and can take various alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown in the drawings and will be described in detail below by way of example. There is no intention to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the appended claims.

[0031] FIG. 1 shows an overall perspective view of an electrical connection module according to the present invention.

[0032] This module: a printed circuit board 1 provided with a retainer part 2; a card edge connector 3 adapted to be connected to a printed circuit board by a retainer part 2; Equipped with.

[0033] The retainer part 2 is a reinforcement part of the printed circuit board 1. The retainer part comprises a recess 4 in which an electrical connection part 5 is located. This electrical connection part 5 is adapted to receive an edge connector 3 and to carry out an electrical connection between the harness of wiring managed by the edge connector 3 and the lighting element mounted on the printed circuit board 1. The connection between the edge connector 3 and the printed circuit board 1 is achieved due to the shape of the edge connector 3, which comprises two jaws 6, 7 protruding from a rear part 8. The two jaws 6, 7 are adapted to be arranged on either side of the electrical connection part 5 of the printed circuit board 1. The jaws 6, 7 comprise electrical terminals and are therefore adapted to be coupled with the electrical connection part 5, thus establishing the continuity between the wiring harness and the lighting element of the printed circuit board 1.

[0034] The retainer part comprises two retention arms 9. Each retention arm projects from the printed circuit board towards the electrical connection with a projection direction at 20 degrees to the connection direction d, leaving a space between the retention arms smaller than the width of the rear of the edge connector.

[0035] As can be seen in this figure, each holding arm has a first end 91 that lies within the printed circuit board 1. The arms then project towards the electrical connection to a free second end 92 such that each holding arm can be bent in a cantilever-like manner relative to the first end. The two holding arms are arranged symmetrically with respect to a plane perpendicular to the printed circuit board surface and containing the connection direction.

[0036] There is a space between the second ends of each of the retention arms, which is smaller than the rear of the edge connector, so that the retention arms must bend when the edge connector is introduced into the space.

[0037] Each retaining arm is provided with a circular recess 11 intended to improve the flexibility of the retaining arm by reducing the material of the printed circuit board located around its first end, the diameter of the circular recess being 3.5 mm.

[0038] Each arm has a width of 1.5 mm and a length of 10 mm, which is a good ratio to ensure flexibility and durability.

[0039] 2 shows the card edge connector 3 when it is connected to the printed circuit board 1. The retention arms 9 have returned to their original position where they were bent when the card edge connector was introduced. Because the space between the retention arms is less than the width of the rear portion 8 of the edge connector, when the retention arms return to their original position they act as abutments against the rear portion 8 of the edge connector, thus preventing the edge connector from disengaging from the printed circuit board 1.

[0040] The arms protrude towards the electrical connection at an angle of 20 degrees to the connection direction d so that the force bending the retention arms is very low and the arms form a channel to guide the introduction of the edge connector towards the electrical connection of the printed circuit board.

[0041] This connection therefore provides easy assembly and secure positioning.

[0042] FIG. 3 shows an automotive lighting device 10 comprising such an electrical module installed in a motor vehicle 100 .

Claims

1. An electrical connection module (100) for a motor vehicle, comprising: a printed circuit board (1) having a retainer portion (2); and an edge connector configured to be connected to the printed circuit board at the retainer portion according to a connection direction (d), - said retainer part (2) comprises an electrical connection part (5) located in a recess (4) of said printed circuit board (1); - the edge connector (3) comprises an electrical jaw (6) having an electrical terminal adapted to be coupled with said electrical connection when it enters said recess (4); - said edge connector (3) further comprises a support jaw (7) adapted to come into contact with said retainer part (2) opposite said electrical connection part (5); - said edge connector (3) further comprises a rear part (8) from which said electrical jaw (6) and said support jaw (7) protrude; - the retainer part (2) comprises two retention arms (9), each of which projects from the printed circuit board (1) towards the electrical connection part (5) in a projection direction which is at an angle of 5 degrees to 40 degrees with respect to the connection direction (d) and leaves a space between the retention arms which is smaller than the width of the rear part (8) of the edge connector (3); An electrical connection module (100) for a motor vehicle.

2. 2. The electrical connection module according to claim 1, wherein each holding arm (9) has a first end (91) connected to the printed circuit board (1) and a second end (92) which is a free end and faces the electrical connection portion (5), thereby allowing each holding arm (9) to be bent like a cantilever beam relative to the first end (91).

3. 3. The electrical connection module of claim 2, further comprising a circular recess (11) at the first end (91) of each retaining arm (9).

4. 4. An electrical connection module according to claim 3, wherein the circular recess (11) has a diameter at least twice the width of the retaining arm (9).

5. 5. An electrical connection module according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the two holding arms (9) are arranged symmetrically with respect to a plane perpendicular to the printed circuit board surface and containing the connection direction (d).

6. The electrical connection module according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein each retaining arm (9) protrudes from the printed circuit board (1) towards the electrical connection portion in a protruding direction that is at an angle of 10 degrees to 30 degrees with respect to the connection direction (d).

7. An electrical connection module according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each retaining arm has a length and a width, said length being comprised between 5 and 15 times said width.

8. 8. The electrical connection module of claim 1, wherein the retainer portion is reinforced relative to the remainder of the printed circuit board.

9. - an electrical connection module according to any one of claims 1 to 8, - a plurality of solid-state light sources mounted within said printed circuit board; An automotive lighting device (10) comprising:

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