Power conversion device, inter-component connection system, and inter-component connection method

Abstract

To improve a fitting position accuracy between fitting members in a fitting part that electrically connects between components.SOLUTION: A power conversion device according to the present disclosure, comprises: first and second components; and a plurality of a pair of fitting members containing male and female type fitting members. In each of the first and second components, a pair of alignment keys is formed. The male type fitting member includes: an insertion part; and a connection part. The connection part is divided by a gap, and is bent to a vertical direction to the insertion part. The female type fitting member includes first and second nipping parts that are oppositely arranged each other. In each of the plurality of the pair of fitting members, the male type and female type fitting members are arranged to each of the first and second components by using each of the pair of alignment keys as a reference position. Both of the first and second components are bonded by nipping each insertion part by the first and second nipping parts in a state where a positional matching of the pair of alignment keys is provided.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, power conversion devices mounted in electric vehicles and the like are provided with a plurality of circuit boards on which circuit configurations such as DC / DC converters and inverters are mounted. Such power conversion devices are required to be miniaturized, for example, from the viewpoint of mounting on a vehicle.

[0003] Among these, a technique for miniaturizing a power conversion device while maintaining the mounting area on a plurality of circuit boards by laminating the plurality of circuit boards is known. In such a power conversion device, electrical connection between components may be performed by fitting fitting portions such as connectors provided on components such as each circuit board.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in the assembly process of the power conversion device, if the fitting position accuracy between the fitting members at each fitting portion is low, the fitting portion may not be properly fitted, and there is a risk of poor electrical connection between components.

[0006] The present disclosure provides a power conversion device, a component connection system, and a component connection method capable of improving the fitting position accuracy between fitting members at a fitting portion for electrically connecting components.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The power converter according to this disclosure comprises a first component, a second component, and a plurality of pairs of mating members. One alignment key of a pair of first alignment keys is formed on the first component. The other alignment key of the pair of first alignment keys is formed on the second component. The plurality of pairs of mating members each include a male mating member and a female mating member. The male mating member has an insertion portion and a connecting portion that is divided by a gap and bent perpendicular to the insertion portion. The female mating member has a first clamping portion and a second clamping portion that are arranged facing each other. In each of the plurality of pairs of mating members, the male mating member is positioned on one of the first component and the second component with the first alignment key as the reference position, and the female mating member is positioned on the other of the first component and the second component with the first alignment key as the reference position. The first and second parts are joined in each of the plurality of pairs of mating members by the female mating member clamping the insertion portion of the male mating member inserted between the first and second clamping portions, with the positional alignment of the pair of first alignment keys. Each of the first and second clamping portions is bent to form a convex portion toward the opposing surfaces. A gap is provided at the tip of each of the first and second clamping portions. The first clamping portion includes a first elastic portion and a second elastic portion divided by the gap. The second clamping portion includes a third elastic portion and a fourth elastic portion divided by the gap. Each of the first and third elastic portions extends from a first base provided on the female mating member. Each of the second and fourth elastic portions extends from a second base provided on the female-type fitting member. One of the pair of first alignment keys is a pattern shape formed on the surface of each of the at least two positioning pins provided on the first part that faces the second part. The other of the pair of first alignment keys is a pattern shape formed near each of the at least two holes provided on the second part. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the power conversion device, component connection system, and component connection method described herein, the accuracy of the mating position between mating members in a mating portion that electrically connects components can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a layered structure of multiple printed circuit boards in a power conversion device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of the pair of fitting members in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the fitted state of the pair of fitting members in Figure 1. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the configuration of the male fitting member in Figure 1. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the configuration of the female-type fitting member in Figure 1. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of multiple printed circuit boards from Figure 1, each equipped with an alignment key. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an inter-component connection system according to an embodiment. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of an inter-component connection system according to an embodiment. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of the positional relationship of alignment keys before and after alignment between parts in a part-to-part connection according to the embodiment. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the fitting process between parts in a part connection according to the embodiment. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of inter-component connections according to an embodiment. [Figure 12] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram showing another example of the configuration of the inter-component connection system according to the embodiment. [Figure 13] Figure 13 is a diagram illustrating another example of the fitting process between parts in the inter-parts connection according to the embodiment. [Figure 14]FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing another example of the configuration of the component connection system according to the embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing another example of the configuration of the component connection system according to the embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing another example of the alignment key according to the embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram showing another example of the component connection according to the embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram showing another example of the component connection according to the embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a diagram for explaining an example of the arrangement of the fitting member B in the component connection according to the embodiment. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a diagram for explaining another example of the arrangement of the fitting member B in the component connection according to the embodiment. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram showing another example of the component connection according to the embodiment. [Figure 22] FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram showing another example of the component connection according to the embodiment. [Figure 23] FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram showing another example of the component connection according to the embodiment. [Figure 24] FIG. 24 is a diagram for explaining an example of the positional relationship of the alignment key before and after the alignment of components in the component connection according to the embodiment. [Figure 25] FIG. 25 is a schematic diagram showing another example of the component connection according to the embodiment.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

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

[0011] In this disclosure, components having the same or substantially the same function as those described above in previously shown drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals, and explanations may be omitted as appropriate. Furthermore, even when representing the same or substantially the same parts, the dimensions and proportions may be shown differently in different drawings. In addition, for example, from the viewpoint of ensuring the readability of the drawings, reference numerals may be assigned only to the main components in the explanation of each drawing, and reference numerals may not be assigned to components having the same or substantially the same function as those described above in previously shown drawings.

[0012] The component connection structure described herein is a structure for connecting any components to be connected, such as electronic components, circuit boards, and board units. These components to be connected are, for example, components that make up a power conversion device such as a charger. As one example, the component connection structure is a connection structure between circuit boards. As another example, the component connection structure is a connection structure between an electronic component and a circuit board or board unit. As yet another example, the component connection structure is a connection structure between a circuit board and a board unit. As yet another example, the component connection structure is a connection structure between electronic components. As yet another example, the component connection structure is a connection structure between board units. Cooling plates may be used as the components to be connected.

[0013] For example, electronic components include semiconductor elements, semiconductor modules, magnetic materials, capacitors, and circuit breakers. A semiconductor module is composed of multiple semiconductor elements, for example. Magnetic materials include transformers, transformer-integrated printed circuit boards, transformers, reactors, and chokes. Circuit breakers include relays and fuses.

[0014] For example, a circuit board is a printed circuit board (PCB). A printed circuit board is, as an example, a glass epoxy substrate formed from an aluminum alloy or copper alloy as the base material. The circuit board may also include magnetic components such as transformers, reactors, or chokes. This magnetic component functions as a magnetic component by having, for example, a substrate on which a conductor pattern forms a winding, and by forming a closed magnetic path by passing a magnetic core through the inside and outside of the winding formed on the substrate. In this case, the electronic component can be described as a printed circuit board transformer, or a transformer-integrated printed circuit board.

[0015] For example, a substrate unit is a plurality of connected circuit boards. In a substrate unit, the plurality of circuit boards may be connected by the inter-component connection structure described herein, or they may be connected by adhesive, screws, bolts, etc. Furthermore, the connected circuit boards may be electrically connected or insulated from each other. In addition, a substrate 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, insulated from each other, or only thermally connected.

[0016] In the following explanation, we will describe component connections related to this disclosure using board-to-board connections, which electrically connect multiple printed circuit boards, as an example.

[0017] An example of a power conversion device according to this embodiment is an on-board charger mounted on an electric vehicle or the like, which 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 multiple circuit boards on which circuit configurations such as DC / DC converters and inverters are implemented. The inter-component connection structure according to this disclosure may be applied to the connection between the DC / DC converter module or inverter module and the circuit board.

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

[0019] The first circuit board PCB1, the second circuit board PCB2, the third circuit board PCB3, and the fourth circuit board PCB4 are all printed circuit boards. In the following description, multiple pairs of mating members B may also be referred to as multiple pairs of mating members B. Furthermore, a pair of mating members B may also be referred to as a mating 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 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. In this way, each board is electrically connected via each of the multiple pairs of mating members B.

[0021] Furthermore, it is possible to make only some of the circuit boards among the multiple circuit boards of the power converter 1 into 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 circuit boards by a pair of mating members B does not necessarily have to be an electrical connection. However, the embodiment mainly illustrates a case in which two circuit boards are electrically coupled by a plurality of pairs of mating members B.

[0022] Thus, in the power converter 1 according to this embodiment, two adjacent circuit boards among the at least two stacked circuit boards are connected by a plurality of pairs of mating members B. Each of the plurality of pairs of mating members B includes a male mating member Bm and a female mating member Bf. In other words, the plurality of pairs of mating members B are multiple pairs of mating members B. Furthermore, each of the plurality of pairs of mating members B, that is, each pair of mating members B, is a set of a male mating member Bm and a female mating member Bf. Here, one of the plurality of pairs of mating members B is arranged on each of the two main surfaces of the stacked circuit boards that face each other.

[0023] The male mating member Bm or the female mating member Bf is positioned on each circuit board with the alignment keys 31 and 32 (see Figure 6) as the geometric reference position, with the alignment keys 31 and 32 serving as the origin.

[0024] Specifically, as shown in Figure 1, in each of the multiple pairs of mating members B, the male mating member Bm is placed on one of the two stacked circuit boards, and the female mating member Bf is placed on the other of the two stacked circuit boards.

[0025] The placement of either a male mating member Bm or a female mating member Bf on each of the multiple circuit boards can be arbitrarily determined. For example, in each of two circuit boards joined by the mating of multiple pairs of mating members B, only one of either a male mating member Bm or a female mating member Bf is placed, as shown in Figure 1. In another example, in each of two circuit boards joined by the mating of multiple pairs of mating members B, at least one male mating member Bm and at least one female mating member Bf are placed. In this case, on each circuit board, a male mating member Bm can be placed on one main surface and a female mating member Bf on the other main surface. Alternatively, both a male mating member Bm and a female mating member Bf can be placed on one main surface of each circuit board.

[0026] Furthermore, in each circuit board, two or more circuit boards may be bonded to a single main surface.

[0027] The male mating member Bm is a blade-shaped connector (plug) that is inserted. The male mating member Bm can also be described as a flat plug blade. The female mating member Bf is a connector (receptacle) that is inserted. The female mating member Bf can also be described as a blade receiving spring.

[0028] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of the pair of fitting members B in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the fitted state of the pair of fitting members B in Figure 1. Figures 2(a) and 3 show an example of the fitted state of the pair of fitting members B. Figure 2(b) shows the male fitting member Bm and the female fitting member Bf in a simplified manner, similar to Figure 1. Figures 2(c) and 3 show the male fitting member Bm and the female fitting member Bf in detail.

[0029] The insertion portion 11 of the male mating member Bm mounted on the circuit board PCB is inserted into the receiving portion 20 of the female mating member Bf. Specifically, the insertion portion 11 is inserted while contacting the first clamping portion 21 and the second clamping portion 22, thereby widening the gap between the first clamping portion 21 and the second clamping portion 22. As shown in Figures 2(a) and 3, the female mating member Bf clamps the insertion portion 11 of the male mating member Bm inserted between the first clamping portion 21 and the second clamping portion 22, thereby joining the circuit board PCB on which the female mating member Bf is located to the circuit board PCB on which the male mating member Bm is located. The length of insertion of the male mating member Bm into the female mating member Bf, i.e., the insertion height, can be appropriately set according to the distance between the boards to be joined.

[0030] Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the configuration of the male mating member Bm in Figure 1. The insertion portion 11 of the male mating member Bm has a generally flat shape. The tip portion 13 of the insertion portion 11 is chamfered, and the thickness decreases towards the tip. This makes it easier to insert the insertion portion 11 into the receiving portion 20 of the female mating member Bf. The connecting portions 15 of the insertion portion 11 are each of the rear end sides of the insertion portion 11, which is divided into three parts by a gap 17. Each of the connecting portions 15, i.e., the rear end sides of the divided insertion portion 11, is bent in a direction generally perpendicular to the insertion portion 11. The connecting portions 15 are soldered to a predetermined position on the PCB substrate and electrically connect the insertion portion 11 to the wiring on the PCB substrate. The insertion portion 11 and the connecting portions 15 can be formed, for example, by bending a single sheet of metal.

[0031] Furthermore, the number of divisions on the rear end side of the insertion portion 11 of the male fitting member Bm can be arbitrarily designed to be two or more divisions. For example, the number of divisions should be increased as the length of the insertion portion 11 increases.

[0032] Figure 5 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the configuration of the female fitting member Bf in Figure 1. The female fitting member Bf clamps the insertion portion 11 of the male fitting member Bm, which is inserted into the receiving portion 20. The female fitting member Bf is formed, for example, by bending a single sheet of metal. When viewed from the side, i.e., from the side of the first base portion 26a or the second base portion 26b, the female fitting member Bf has a roughly Y-shape or X-shape with an open tip.

[0033] 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 arranged facing 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 a receiving portion 20. In other words, the first clamping portion 21 and the second clamping portion 22 face each other via the receiving portion 20. The female fitting member Bf clamps the insertion portion 11 of the male fitting member Bm, which is 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 bent 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 bending portion 23a in 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 bending portion 23a in such a way that it forms a convex portion toward the opposing surfaces. The first bending portion 23a of the first clamping portion 21 and the first bending portion 23a of the second clamping portion 22 are separated by the receiving portion 20. The distance between the first bending portion 23a of the first clamping portion 21 and the first bending portion 23a of the second clamping portion 22 is less than the thickness of the insertion portion 11 of the male fitting member Bm.

[0034] Each of the first clamping portion 21 and the second clamping portion 22 is provided with a gap 27 from the front end to the rear end. In other words, each of the first clamping portion 21 and the second clamping portion 22 is divided into two by the gap 27. To put it another way, 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, which are divided by the gap 27. Similarly, the second clamping portion 22 includes a third elastic portion 22a and a fourth elastic portion 22b, which are divided by the gap 27. Here, the first elastic portion 21a and the second elastic portion 21b can also be described as being separated by the gap 27. Similarly, the third elastic portion 22a and the fourth elastic portion 22b can also be described as being separated by the gap 27.

[0035] Figure 5 illustrates a female-type fitting member Bf divided into four sections by a gap 27, but is not limited to this. 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 section 21 is equal to the number of divisions of the second clamping section 22, and the number of divisions by the gap 27 is an even number of six or more. Relative rotational misalignment between the pair of fitting members B, which will be described later, can occur in any direction. Therefore, by making the number of divisions of the first clamping section 21 equal to the number of divisions of the second clamping section 22, the geometric tolerance range of the fitting section can be expanded regardless of the direction of rotational misalignment.

[0036] 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 continuously and integrally connected to the first base portion 26a via the second bending portion 23b. Furthermore, 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 continuously and integrally connected to the second base portion 26b via the second bending portion 23b. Furthermore, 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, the first base portion 26a and the second base portion 26b are each continuously and integrally connected to the connecting portion 25 via the third bent portion 23c.

[0037] Therefore, since 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 shape obtained by dividing the first clamping portion 21 or the second clamping portion 22, they can be deformed independently according to the contact state with the insertion portion 11.

[0038] The male fitting member Bm and the female fitting member Bf are each made of a metal material. For example, the male fitting member Bm and the female fitting member Bf are made of copper, a copper alloy including brass, aluminum, or an aluminum alloy.

[0039] Furthermore, a conductive plating is applied to some or all of the surface areas of the male mating member Bm and the female mating member Bf. Suitable conductive platings include, for example, tin plating, silver plating, or gold plating.

[0040] Here, tin has a property of readily alloying with nickel, which is used as the base material for the male fitting member Bm and the female fitting member Bf. When the ambient temperature rises, alloying of tin and nickel progresses, and the resistance value becomes 1 [mΩ] or more. On the other hand, silver and gold do not readily alloy with nickel, but their use is costly. If the contact resistance between the male fitting member Bm and the female fitting member Bf is high, a temperature rise will occur at the contact area between the male fitting member Bm and the female fitting member Bf. Therefore, in the power conversion device 1 according to this embodiment, the contact resistance at the contact area between the male fitting member Bm and the female fitting member Bf is set to 1 [mΩ] or less. In other words, when the pair of fitting members B are fitted together, the contact resistance between the insertion portion 11 of the male fitting member Bm and the protrusion of the first clamping portion 21 or the second clamping portion 22 is set to 1 [mΩ] or less.

[0041] The magnitude of contact resistance is determined by the "contact pressure," "material (such as tin on the surface)," and "contact area." Therefore, in the power conversion device 1 according to this embodiment, as an example, the contact resistance is adjusted to 1 [mΩ] or less by adjusting the elastic force of the four elastic parts of the female-type fitting member Bf. In other words, the elastic force of the four elastic parts of the female-type fitting member Bf according to this embodiment is designed so that the contact resistance is 1 [mΩ] or less. The elastic force of the four elastic parts depends, for example, on the material (base material) and shape of the female-type fitting member Bf.

[0042] The insertion portion 11 of the male fitting member Bm according to this embodiment has a substantially flat plate shape. The female fitting member Bf according to this 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 substrate connection structure according to this embodiment can increase the contact area between the pair of fitting members B compared to a substrate connection structure realized using, for example, a male fitting member having a pin-shaped insertion portion, thereby reducing contact resistance. Reducing contact resistance between the pair of fitting members B contributes to suppressing heat generation and power loss in the pair of fitting members B, improving the degree of freedom regarding the shape and material of the female fitting member Bf, and simplifying the determination of the connection state.

[0043] 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 the male fitting member Bm of the flat plate shape can have a larger contact area with the female fitting member Bf than a male fitting member of the pin shape of the same length. Also, for example, when the cross-sectional area of ​​the pin shape and the flat plate shape in a section parallel to the substrate is the same, by appropriately setting the thickness and width of the flat plate shape, the main surface area of ​​the flat plate shape can be made larger than the surface area of ​​a pin shape of the same length. In other words, the male fitting member Bm of the flat plate shape can have a larger contact area with the female fitting member Bf than a male fitting member of the pin shape of the same length.

[0044] Here, the thickness of the insertion part 11 is defined as the size of the insertion part 11 in the left-right direction in the state shown in Figure 1. The length of the insertion part 11 is defined as the size of the insertion part 11 in the up-down direction in the state shown in Figure 1. The width of the insertion part 11 is defined as the size of the insertion part 11 in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper in the state shown in Figure 1.

[0045] This disclosure exemplifies 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 portions 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. The multiple elastic portions of the female fitting member Bf may be arranged, for example, in a ring shape to fit with the male fitting member Bm by clamping the inserted substantially cylindrical insert portion 11.

[0046] Furthermore, an insulating portion is provided on the outer periphery of the female-type mating member Bf. For example, the insulating portion is a layer of insulating material formed on the outer periphery of the female-type mating member Bf. The insulating layer may be formed by applying an insulating material to the outer periphery of the female-type mating member Bf, or by attaching an insulating film made of insulating material to the outer periphery of the female-type mating member Bf. For example, the insulating material is resin. Here, the outer periphery of the female-type mating member Bf is the surface area of ​​the female-type mating member Bf excluding the area of ​​the first clamping portion 21 facing the second clamping portion 22, the area of ​​the second clamping portion 22 facing the first clamping portion 21, and the area of ​​the connecting portion 25 that contacts the printed circuit board. This allows for the detection of connection failures by electrical inspection when a misalignment between the insertion portion 11 and the receiving portion 20 causes a malfunction in the mating of the pair of male-type mating members Bm and female-type mating members Bf. Here, the electrical test refers to the measurement of the resistance value through the contact area between the male mating member Bm and the female mating member Bf.

[0047] Figure 6 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of multiple circuit boards of Figure 1, each of which is provided with alignment keys. As shown in Figure 6, each of the multiple circuit boards according to this embodiment is provided with alignment keys 31 and 32 on its main surface. For example, each circuit board has alignment keys 31 on its front side and alignment keys 32 on its back side. For example, in the example shown in Figure 6, alignment keys 31 are provided on the main surface of the first circuit board PCB1 that faces the second circuit board PCB2. Also, alignment keys 32 are provided on the main surface of the second circuit board PCB2 that faces the first circuit board PCB1. In other words, the pair of alignment keys 31 and 32 are formed on the mutually opposing surfaces of the first circuit board PCB1 and the second circuit board PCB2. Furthermore, the pair of alignment keys 31 and 32 are each provided on the two circuit boards to be joined, at positions that face each other when the two circuit boards are joined together.

[0048] Alignment keys 31 and 32 may or may not be provided on the main surface of the first circuit board PCB1 opposite to the second circuit board PCB2, and on the main surface of the fourth circuit board PCB4 opposite to the third circuit board PCB3. In other words, each of the multiple circuit boards is provided with alignment keys 31 and 32 on at least the main surface facing the other circuit boards it is coupled to.

[0049] Alignment keys 31 and 32 are markers used as geometric reference positions, such as the origin position, when placing the male mating member Bm or female mating member Bf on each circuit board.

[0050] Furthermore, alignment keys 31 and 32 are position adjustment markers used during alignment in the process of joining the circuit boards. Alignment keys 31 and 32 may also be referred to as alignment marks. Alignment keys 31 and 32 are pattern shapes formed on each of the two circuit boards to be joined. Here, each of the pair of alignment keys 31 and 32 used for aligning the two circuit boards to be joined is an example of a first alignment key.

[0051] Here, alignment, as will be explained in detail later, refers to the positioning and aligning of each circuit board in the process of joining the circuit boards based on alignment keys 31 and 32. Positioning and aligning each circuit board means moving the stage 62 (see Figure 9) that grips each circuit board, thereby moving it vertically upward relative to the other circuit board to be joined.

[0052] Figure 7 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the inter-parts connection system 4 according to the embodiment. Figure 8 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of the inter-parts connection system according to the embodiment. Figure 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of the positional relationship of the alignment keys 31 and 32 before and after alignment of parts in the inter-parts connection according to the embodiment. Figure 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the process of fitting parts together in the inter-parts connection according to the embodiment.

[0053] The inter-component connection system 4 is a system that connects components of a power conversion device 1, such as an on-board charger. In other words, the inter-component connection system 4 can be used in the assembly process of the power conversion device 1. As shown in Figure 7, the inter-component connection system 4 includes a control device 40, an alignment key recognition device 50, and a substrate moving device 60.

[0054] The control device 40 includes a processor 41 and a memory 43.

[0055] The processor 41 controls the overall operation of the control unit 40. Various types of processors such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), and FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) can be used as the processor 41 as appropriate.

[0056] Memory 43 stores various data and programs used by the control device 40. Various storage media and devices such as ROM (Read Only Memory), HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid State Drive), and Flash memory can be used as appropriate for memory 43. Furthermore, memory 43 is also provided with RAM (Random Access Memory) for temporarily storing data being worked on. Note that an external storage device connected to the control device 40 via a telecommunications line may also be used as memory 43.

[0057] The control device 40 has the functions of a recognition control unit 411 and a movement control unit 413. The control device 40 realizes the functions of the recognition control unit 411 and the movement control unit 413 by having the processor 41 execute an inter-component connection program loaded into the memory 43, for example.

[0058] The recognition control unit 411 controls the operation of the alignment key recognition device 50. For example, the recognition control unit 411 moves a support member 51 on which multiple cameras 53 are mounted and inserts it between two circuit boards to be joined. The recognition control unit 411 also uses the multiple cameras 53 to recognize the alignment keys 31 and 32 provided on each of the two circuit boards to be joined. The recognition control unit 411 outputs the recognition results of the alignment keys 31 and 32 to the movement control unit 413.

[0059] Based on the recognition results of the alignment keys 31 and 32 by the recognition control unit 411, the movement control unit 413 calculates the amount of movement of the stage 62, which mounts the other of the two circuit boards to be coupled, relative to the stage 61, which mounts one of the two circuit boards to be coupled. If the recognized alignment keys 31 and 32 are not in a positional alignment, as shown in Figure 9(a), for example, the movement control unit 413 calculates the amount of movement of the stage 62 based on the direction and amount of displacement of the recognized alignment keys 31 and 32. In other words, as shown in Figure 9(b), the movement control unit 413 calculates the amount of movement of the stage 62 using the state in which the alignment keys 31 and 32 are in a positional alignment as the target position.

[0060] Furthermore, the movement control unit 413 moves the stage 62 based on the calculated amount of movement to achieve positional alignment between the two circuit boards to be joined and complete the alignment. Subsequently, as shown in Figure 11, the movement control unit 413 moves the stage 62 in the vertical direction D1 so that it is closer to the stage 61, and joins the two circuit boards by fitting multiple pairs of mating members B together.

[0061] Furthermore, achieving positional alignment between two circuit boards means, for example, changing the relative position so that alignment key 31 fits into the gap of alignment key 32, but is not limited to this. For example, adjusting the relative position so that alignment keys 31 and 32 are separated by a predetermined distance and their orientations match may also be considered achieving positional alignment between two circuit boards.

[0062] The alignment key recognition device 50 is a device that recognizes alignment keys 31 and 32 provided on each of two circuit boards to be joined during the circuit board assembly process. As shown in Figure 8, the alignment key recognition device 50 has a support member 51 and a plurality of cameras 53. The plurality of cameras 53 are provided on the support member 51. The plurality of cameras 53 have at least two cameras 53 each positioned opposite each of the two circuit boards when the support member 51 is inserted between the two circuit boards. These cameras 53 are configured to photograph the alignment keys 31 and 32 provided on the opposing circuit boards. The positions of the plurality of cameras 53 on the support member 51 are pre-stored in a memory 43 or the like. The number and arrangement of the plurality of cameras 53 can be appropriately determined according to the circuit boards on which the alignment keys 31 and 32 are provided.

[0063] Furthermore, the arrangement of alignment keys 31 and 32 may differ between the first circuit board PCB1 and the second circuit board PCB2, and between the second circuit board PCB2 and the third circuit board PCB3. In this case, different alignment key recognition devices 50 may be used depending on the arrangement of alignment keys 31 and 32 on the two circuit boards being joined. Also, the positions of multiple cameras 53 may be changeable depending on the arrangement of alignment keys 31 and 32 on the two circuit boards being joined.

[0064] In the example shown in Figure 8, multiple cameras 53 recognize alignment keys 31 provided on the second circuit board PCB2 side of the first circuit board PCB1 and alignment keys 32 provided on the first circuit board PCB1 side of the second circuit board PCB2. In the example shown in Figure 8, the camera 53 that recognizes the alignment keys 31 provided on the second circuit board PCB2 side of the first circuit board PCB1 and the camera 53 that recognizes the alignment keys 32 provided on the first circuit board PCB1 side of the second circuit board PCB2 are arranged so that their respective imaging axes are coaxial.

[0065] The substrate moving device 60 is a device that performs alignment of two circuit boards to be joined during the circuit board assembly process. As shown in Figure 8, the substrate moving device 60 has stages 61 and 62 that grip each of the two circuit boards to be joined. The stages 61 and 62 are configured so that their opposing surfaces are parallel to each other. Stage 61 is, for example, a fixed stage. Stage 62 is, for example, a movable stage. Stage 62 is, for example, a three-axis stage that can move in the up, down, left, and right directions. Stage 62 may also be configured to allow the circuit boards it grips to tilt.

[0066] In the example shown in Figure 8, the stage 61 of the substrate moving device 60 grips the first circuit board PCB1. The stage 62 grips the second circuit board PCB2 so that it can move in the horizontal direction D. The substrate moving device 60 aligns the second circuit board PCB2 with the first circuit board PCB1 by moving the stage 62 in parallel with the stage 61. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 10, the substrate moving device 60 connects the second circuit board PCB2 to the first circuit board PCB1 by moving the stage 62 vertically with respect to the stage 61.

[0067] The substrate moving device 60 does not necessarily have a stage 61 configured as a fixed stage. In this case, the substrate moving device 60 may use the housing of the power converter 1, such as an aluminum die-cast or stainless steel plate, instead of the stage 61. Alternatively, the substrate moving device 60 can be implemented as a device for aligning a second circuit board PCB 2 with a first circuit board PCB 1 coupled to the housing. In other words, in this disclosure, the stage 61 can be appropriately reinterpreted as one of a pair of components to be connected in the assembly process of the power converter 1. The fact that the other of the pair of components to be connected is moved by the stage 62 is the same whether the stage 61 is used or whether a component such as the housing of the power converter 1 is used instead of the stage 61.

[0068] The following describes an example of the flow of inter-component connections according to the embodiment, with reference to the drawings. Figure 11 is a flowchart of an example of the flow of inter-component connections according to the embodiment. Here, we will explain using the case where a second circuit board PCB2 is connected to a first circuit board PCB1 as shown in Figures 8 and 10.

[0069] First, using alignment key 31 as a reference, a male mating member Bm is placed on the main surface of the first circuit board PCB1 on the side facing the second circuit board PCB2 (S101). Then, using alignment key 32 as a reference, a female mating member Bf is placed on the main surface of the second circuit board PCB2 on the side facing the first circuit board PCB1 (S102). In this way, by placing the male mating member Bm or the female mating member Bf with alignment keys 31 and 32 as reference positions, the positional alignment of each circuit board can be achieved by performing alignment using alignment keys 31 and 32.

[0070] Next, each circuit board is set in the board moving device 60 so that the main surfaces on the coupling side of each circuit board face each other (S103). Specifically, the first circuit board PCB1 is gripped by the stage 61. The second circuit board PCB2 is then gripped by the stage 62.

[0071] Subsequently, the recognition control unit 411 inserts a support member 51 between the two circuit boards to be joined and uses multiple cameras 53 to recognize the alignment keys 31 and 32 provided on each of the two circuit boards to be joined (S104). After recognizing the alignment keys 31 and 32, the recognition control unit 411 removes the support member 51 from between the two circuit boards to be joined.

[0072] After the support member 51 is moved from between the two circuit boards to be joined, the movement control unit 413 moves the stage 62 relative to the stage 61 based on the recognition results of the alignment keys 31 and 32 by the recognition control unit 411 to join the first circuit board PCB1 and the second circuit board PCB2 (S203). Specifically, the movement control unit 413 calculates the amount of movement of the stage 62 related to alignment based on the recognition results of the alignment keys 31 and 32 by the recognition control unit 411. The movement control unit 413 then moves the stage 62 in parallel based on the calculated amount of movement to complete the alignment. After the alignment is completed, the movement control unit 413 moves the stage 62 closer to the stage 61 to fit each of the multiple pairs of fitting members B.

[0073] In step S203, after the contact between the male mating member Bm and the female mating member Bf is detected by the sensor, the movement control unit 413 pushes one printed circuit board against the other printed circuit board to form a fixed state of the layered structure. As the sensor, a sensor that measures the resistance value through the contact area between the male mating member Bm and the female mating member Bf can be used. The female mating member Bf has elastic force (spring force) on the opposite side of the insertion direction of the insertion portion 11 of the male mating member Bm. Therefore, if multiple male mating members Bm are pushed into multiple female mating members Bf at the same time, some of the male mating members Bm may come out of the receiving portion 20 of the female mating member Bf. Therefore, in this step, after a secure mating state is created once, one printed circuit board is further pushed into the other printed circuit board to achieve good mating. Here, a secure fit refers to a steady state in which the insertion part 11 is pushed into the receiving part 20 by, for example, about 1 mm.

[0074] As described above, the two circuit boards are joined by the mating of the male mating member Bm and the female mating member Bf, which are mounted on each board. However, when mounting the male mating member Bm or the female mating member Bf on the circuit board, they may be positioned off-center from the intended location. In such cases, the pair of mating members B may not properly mate, potentially resulting in a faulty connection between the boards. Furthermore, even if the male mating member Bm and the female mating member Bf are mounted in their respective predetermined positions, depending on the positional accuracy during assembly, the pair of mating members B may not properly mate, potentially resulting in a faulty connection between the boards.

[0075] In this embodiment, the component connection structure is configured such that the male mating member Bm and the female mating member Bf are positioned using alignment keys 31 and 32 provided on the circuit board as reference positions. Furthermore, the alignment of the two circuit boards to be joined is performed based on the recognition results of the alignment keys 31 and 32. By providing the alignment keys 31 and 32 on the circuit board in this way, multiple pairs of mating members B can be properly mated by aligning the circuit board based on the recognition results of the alignment keys 31 and 32. In addition, the alignment key recognition device 50 is configured to recognize the alignment keys 31 and 32 provided at predetermined positions on the circuit board using multiple cameras 53 arranged so that their imaging axes are coaxial with the positions corresponding to the arrangement of the alignment keys 31 and 32. With this configuration, even if the two circuit boards to be joined are of different sizes, the alignment of the two circuit boards to be joined can be performed using the alignment keys 31 and 32.

[0076] As described above, the component connection method according to the embodiment makes it possible to improve the positional accuracy of the mating between mating members in the mating portion that electrically connects components. As a result, multiple circuit boards can be properly stacked, and thus miniaturization of the power conversion device 1 can be achieved.

[0077] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, modified examples of the inter-component connection structure, power conversion device, inter-component connection system, and inter-component connection method according to the embodiment will be described. In the following description, the differences from the above-described embodiment or each modified example will be explained, and redundant explanations will be omitted as appropriate.

[0078] (First variation) In the above-described embodiment, the example given is that the imaging axes of the camera 53 that recognizes the alignment keys of the circuit board on stage 61 and the camera 53 that recognizes the alignment keys of the circuit board on stage 62 are coaxial, but the invention is not limited to this.

[0079] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram showing another example of the configuration of the inter-component connection system 4 according to the first modified example. Figure 13 is a diagram illustrating another example of the inter-component fitting process in the inter-component connection according to the first modified example.

[0080] As shown in Figure 12, in the alignment key recognition device 50 according to this modified example, the imaging axis of the camera 53 that recognizes the alignment keys of the circuit board on the stage 61 and the imaging axis of the camera 53 that recognizes the alignment keys of the circuit board on the stage 62 are not located coaxially. Here, the distance L1 between the imaging axes of the two cameras 53 that recognize the alignment keys of the circuit board on the stage 61 and the distance L2 between the imaging axes of the two cameras 53 that recognize the alignment keys of the circuit board on the stage 62 are assumed to be equal. As a result, even if the imaging axes of the multiple cameras 53 facing the stages 61 and 62 are not coaxially aligned, the corresponding alignment keys 31 and 32 can be recognized.

[0081] As with the embodiments described above, it is sufficient that the positions of the alignment keys correspond between the two circuit boards to be joined, and the two circuit boards to be joined may be of different sizes, as shown in Figures 12 and 13.

[0082] As shown in Figure 13, the substrate moving device 60 according to this modified example, under the control of the control device 40 as in the embodiment described above, moves the stage 62 in the horizontal direction D11 based on the recognition result of the alignment key recognition device 50 to complete the alignment. Furthermore, under the control of the control device 40, the substrate moving device 60 moves the stage 62 in the vertical direction D12 to combine the first circuit board PCB1 and the second circuit board PCB2.

[0083] Even with this configuration, the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

[0084] (Second variation) In the embodiments described above and the first modified example, an example was given in which a single alignment key recognition device 50 recognizes the alignment keys of the circuit board on stage 61 and the alignment keys of the circuit board on stage 62, respectively, but the invention is not limited to this.

[0085] Figure 14 is a schematic diagram showing another example of the configuration of the component connection system 4 according to the embodiment. As shown in Figure 14, the component connection system 4 according to this modified example has an alignment key recognition device 50a and an alignment key recognition device 50b. The alignment key recognition device 50a recognizes the alignment keys of the circuit board on the stage 61. The alignment key recognition device 50b recognizes the alignment keys of the circuit board on the stage 62.

[0086] The number of alignment key recognition devices 50 may be three or more. For example, a second circuit board PCB2 and a third circuit board PCB3 may be bonded to one main surface of a first circuit board PCB1. In such a case, three alignment key recognition devices 50 may be used to recognize the alignment keys of the first circuit board PCB1, the second circuit board PCB2, and the third circuit board PCB3, respectively.

[0087] Even with these configurations, the same effects as those of the embodiments described above can be obtained.

[0088] (Third variation) The embodiments and their respective modifications described above illustrate cases where multiple cameras 53 are inserted between two coupled circuit boards, but the invention is not limited to these cases.

[0089] Figure 15 is a schematic diagram showing another example of the configuration of the component connection system 4 according to the embodiment. As shown in Figure 15, in the component connection system 4 according to this modified example, the stage 62 has a transparent portion 621. The transparent portion 621 is provided at a position opposite to the alignment key 31 of the circuit board gripped by the stage 62. The transparent portion 621 only needs to be configured so that the alignment key 31 can be recognized by the camera 53 through the stage 62, and may be made of a through hole or a transparent material such as glass.

[0090] Furthermore, the stage 62 according to this modified example has a recess 623 on the side of the circuit board to be gripped. The recess 623 is provided at a position facing a male fitting member Bm or a female fitting member Bf provided on the circuit board to be gripped by the stage 62.

[0091] The movement control unit 413 in this modified example calculates the amount of movement of the stage 62 based on the alignment key 31 of the first circuit board PCB1 and the alignment key 31 of the second circuit board PCB2. Here, the alignment key 31 of the first circuit board PCB1 and the alignment key 31 of the second circuit board PCB2 have the same pattern shape and are an example of a pair of alignment keys formed on the same side of the first circuit board PCB1 and the second circuit board PCB2, respectively. Similarly, alignment can also be performed using two alignment keys 32.

[0092] This configuration provides the same effects as the above-described embodiment, plus the following advantages. For example, when stacking multiple circuit boards, the circuit board forming the intermediate layer is provided with at least one of a male-type fitting member Bm and a female-type fitting member Bf on both main surfaces. In this modified configuration, the alignment key 31 can be recognized without inserting the support member 51 of the alignment key recognition device 50 between the two circuit boards that connect them, thus suppressing interference between the fitting member B provided on the circuit board and the support member 51.

[0093] (Fourth variation) In the embodiments and modifications described above, examples were given of using a pair of alignment keys consisting of a cross-shaped alignment key 31 and four rectangular alignment keys 32 having a cross-shaped gap, or using two cross-shaped alignment keys 31 together, but the invention is not limited to these examples.

[0094] Figure 16 shows another example of an alignment key according to the embodiment. As shown in Figure 16, various shapes can be used for the alignment key. For example, as shown in Figure 16(a), the alignment key may have a shape obtained by rotating alignment keys 31 and 32, respectively. For example, as shown in Figure 16(b), the alignment key may be a combination of an asterisk-shaped shape and six triangular shapes having the asterisk-shaped gap. For example, as shown in Figure 16(c), the alignment key may be a combination of a circular or elliptical shape and a ring-shaped shape having the circular or elliptical gap. For example, as shown in Figure 16(d), the alignment key may be a combination of a shape formed by combining two rectangles and a shape having the gap between the two combined rectangles. Note that the shape of the alignment key is not limited to the shapes shown in Figure 16, but any polygonal shape such as a triangle or quadrilateral can also be used.

[0095] Furthermore, through-holes, such as through-holes in which a conductive plating film is formed on the circuit board, may be used as alignment keys. For example, one or both of the alignment key shapes shown in Figure 16(c) can be formed as through-holes on the printed circuit board.

[0096] Furthermore, the alignment key may be the male mating member Bm or the female mating member itself provided on the circuit board. For example, alignment can be performed so as to align the alignment key 31 with the four elastic parts of the female mating member Bf.

[0097] Even with these configurations, the same effects as those of the embodiments described above can be obtained.

[0098] (Fifth variation) The embodiments and their variations described above focused on the coupling of two circuit boards, but are not limited to this.

[0099] Figure 17 is a schematic diagram showing another example of inter-component connection according to the embodiment. As shown in Figure 17, the technologies relating to the above-described embodiment and each modified example can also be applied when multiple circuit boards are joined to a single circuit board. In the example shown in Figure 17, a second circuit board PCB2 is laminated to a first circuit board PCB1. A third circuit board PCB3 and a fourth circuit board PCB4 are laminated to the second circuit board PCB2. The joining of the third circuit board PCB3 to the second circuit board PCB2 and the joining of the fourth circuit board PCB4 to the second circuit board PCB2 can be performed in the same manner as the inter-component connection described above. Note that when multiple circuit boards are joined to a single circuit board, the size of each circuit board may be different.

[0100] Furthermore, the shape of the alignment key may differ for each of the two circuit boards being joined. For example, when joining multiple circuit boards to a single circuit board, the shape of the alignment key can be used to recognize which circuit boards are being joined.

[0101] Even with these configurations, the same effects as those of the embodiments described above can be obtained. Furthermore, when different alignment keys are used for each circuit board to be coupled, they can be distinguished from the alignment keys provided for coupling with other circuit boards, thereby further improving the accuracy of the mating position between mating members in the mating portion that electrically connects components.

[0102] (Sixth variation) Figure 18 is a schematic diagram showing another example of inter-component connection according to the embodiment. Figure 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of the arrangement of fitting member B in inter-component connection according to the embodiment.

[0103] Each circuit board may be provided with alignment keys 33 for aligning the mating members B on the circuit board, as shown in Figure 18. The alignment keys 33 for arranging the mating members B are provided with the alignment keys 31 and 32 of the circuit board as reference positions, such as the origin. Here, each of the multiple alignment keys 37 for aligning multiple pairs of mating members B is an example of a second alignment key. Each mating member B is moved while confirming its relative position to the alignment key 33 with a camera or the like, and is soldered to a predetermined position relative to the alignment key 33, as shown in Figure 19, for example. Figures 18 and 19 illustrate a case in which female mating members Bf are aligned so that the four elastic parts and the alignment key 33 are spaced a predetermined distance apart and their inclinations match.

[0104] Figure 19 illustrates a predetermined position relative to the alignment key 33, which is spaced a predetermined distance from the alignment key 33 and whose inclination matches, but is not limited to this. Figure 20 is a diagram illustrating another example of the arrangement of the mating member B in the inter-parts connection according to the embodiment. As shown in Figure 20, the mating member B can also be arranged so that the four elastic parts and the alignment key 33 are aligned in the same way as the alignment by the alignment keys 31 and 32.

[0105] Furthermore, a configuration in which an alignment key corresponding to the alignment key 33 is provided on the mating member B itself is also feasible. In this case, alignment is performed between the alignment key 33 and the alignment key provided on the mating member B, and the mating member B is positioned at a predetermined location on the circuit board.

[0106] In this modified example, the female fitting member Bf was used as an example, but the male fitting member Bm can also be positioned similarly using the alignment key 33.

[0107] With these configurations, in addition to the effects obtained in the embodiments described above, it is possible to obtain the effect of improving the positional accuracy related to the arrangement of the fitting member B.

[0108] (Seventh variation) Figures 21 and 22 are schematic diagrams showing another example of component connections according to the embodiment. Figure 21 schematically shows the state of the circuit board before joining. Figure 22 schematically shows the state of the circuit board after joining.

[0109] In this modified example, stage 61 is considered to be part of the housing of the power converter 1. The housing is provided with positioning pins 625a and 625b, such as dowel pins, knock pins, or parallel pins. The positioning pins 625a and 625b are used as position adjustment markers during alignment in the process of connecting each circuit board, and can therefore be described as an example of a first alignment key. In this modified example, each circuit board is provided with holes 35a and 35b instead of alignment keys 31 and 32. The holes 35a and 35b are used as position adjustment markers during alignment in the process of connecting each circuit board, and can therefore be described as an example of a first alignment key. The holes 35a and 35b on each circuit board are provided at positions corresponding to the positioning pins 625a and 625b on the housing, respectively. The holes 35a and 35b on each circuit board have a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the positioning pins 625a and 625b. On each circuit board, the mating member B is positioned with the holes 35a and 35b as the reference position.

[0110] In this modified example, the recognition control unit 411 recognizes the positioning pins 625a, 625b and the holes 35a, 35b using the alignment key recognition device 50. Based on the recognition results of the positioning pins 625a, 625b and the holes 35a, 35b, the movement control unit 413 moves each substrate horizontally to complete the alignment. After the alignment is complete, as shown in Figure 22, the movement control unit 413 moves each substrate vertically, aligning the holes 35a, 35b of each substrate with the positioning pins 625a, 625b, and connects the substrates in order.

[0111] Thus, even with a configuration in which positioning pins 625a, 625b and holes 35a, 35b are used instead of alignment keys 31, 32, good fitting of the fitting member B can be achieved in the same way as in the above-described embodiment. In other words, according to the configuration of this modified example, the effect of improving the positional accuracy of the fitting member B can be obtained, similar to the above-described embodiment.

[0112] (Variation 8) Figure 23 is a schematic diagram showing another example of component connection according to the embodiment. Figure 23 schematically shows the state of the circuit board before coupling. Figure 24 is a diagram illustrating an example of the positional relationship of alignment keys before and after component alignment in component connection according to the embodiment.

[0113] The stage 61 in this modified example is generally the same as that in the seventh modified example. The stage 61 is part of the housing of the power converter 1 and has positioning pins 625a, 625b such as dowel pins, knock pins, or parallel pins. Unlike the seventh modified example, alignment keys 37 are provided on the upper surfaces of each of the positioning pins 625a, 625b in this modified example. Here, each of the pair of alignment keys 37 for aligning the two circuit boards to be coupled is an example of a first alignment key. Unlike the seventh modified example, each circuit board in this modified example is provided with holes 35a, 35b in addition to the alignment keys 32. The holes 35a, 35b of each circuit board are provided at positions corresponding to the positioning pins 625a, 625b of the housing, respectively. In each circuit board, the mating member B is positioned with the holes 35a, 35b or the alignment keys 32 as the reference position.

[0114] In this modified example, the recognition control unit 411 recognizes the alignment key 32 provided on the circuit board and the alignment key 37 provided on the positioning pins 625a and 625b using the alignment key recognition device 50. Based on the recognition results of the alignment keys 32 and 37, the movement control unit 413 moves each board horizontally to complete the alignment. After the alignment is completed, the movement control unit 413 moves each board vertically to connect them in order, in the same manner as in the embodiment described above.

[0115] In this modified configuration, the alignment key 32 may be replaced with other alignment key shapes, such as the alignment key 31, as appropriate.

[0116] In the seventh modification, holes 35a and 35b having a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the positioning pins 625a and 625b were exemplified in order to move each substrate vertically while aligning the holes 35a and 35b with the positioning pins 625a and 625b. On the other hand, in this modification, since alignment keys 37 are provided on the upper surfaces of the positioning pins 625a and 625b, it is not necessary to move each substrate vertically while aligning the holes 35a and 35b with the positioning pins 625a and 625b. Therefore, according to the configuration of this modification, the dimensional constraints of the holes 35a and 35b and the positioning pins 625a and 625b can be loosened compared to the configuration of the seventh modification.

[0117] (9th variation) Figure 25 is a schematic diagram showing another example of inter-component connections according to the embodiment. As shown in Figure 25, in the configuration according to the eighth modified example, the stage 61, which is part of the housing of the power converter 1, does not need to be provided with positioning pins 625a and 625b. In this case, as shown in Figure 25, an alignment key 37 is provided at the position on the stage 61 where the positioning pins 625a and 625b were provided in the configuration according to the eighth modified example.

[0118] With this configuration, the circuit board can be aligned based on the alignment keys 33 and 37, and unlike the configuration relating to the eighth modified example, the positioning pins 625a and 625b can be eliminated. Omitting the positioning pins 625a and 625b reduces the number of components in the power converter 1 and contributes to cost reduction.

[0119] As described above, the inter-component connection structure, power converter 1, inter-component connection system 4, and inter-component connection method according to this disclosure can improve the accuracy of the mating position between mating members in the mating portion that electrically connects components.

[0120] While several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be carried out in a variety of other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0121] 1. Power converter 4. Inter-component connection system 11 Insertion part 13 Tip 15 Connection part 17 Gap 20 Reception Department 21 First clamping part 21a First elastic part 21b Second elastic part 22 Second clamping section 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 part 27 Gap 31, 32, 33, 37 Alignment Keys 35a,35b Hole 40 Control device 41 processors 411 Recognition Control Unit 413 Movement Control Unit 43 memory 50, 50a, 50b Alignment Key Recognition Device 51 Support member 53 Cameras 60. Substrate moving device Stages 61 and 62 621 Transparent part 623 recess 625a, 625b Positioning pins B A pair of fitting members Bf Female-type fitting member Bm Male fitting member PCB1 First Circuit Board PCB2 Second Circuit Board PCB3 Third Circuit Board PCB4, the fourth circuit board

Claims

1. A first component on which one of a pair of first alignment keys is formed, A second component on which the other alignment key of the pair of first alignment keys is formed, A male fitting member having an insertion portion and a connecting portion that is divided by a gap and bent perpendicular to the insertion portion, A female-type fitting member having a first clamping portion and a second clamping portion arranged opposite to each other. Multiple pairs of fitting members, each containing It is equipped with, In each of the aforementioned pairs of fitting members, The male fitting member has the first alignment key positioned as the reference position on one of the first and second parts. The female-type fitting member is positioned on the other of the first and second parts with the first alignment key as the reference position. The first and second parts are connected in such a state that the pair of first alignment keys are in position, by the female fitting member gripping the insertion portion of the male fitting member inserted between the first and second clamping portions in each of the plurality of pairs of fitting members. Each of the first clamping portion and the second clamping portion is bent to form a convex portion toward the opposing surfaces of each other. A gap is provided at the tip of each of the first clamping portion and the second clamping portion. The first clamping portion includes a first elastic portion and a second elastic portion divided by the gap, The second clamping portion includes a third elastic portion and a fourth elastic portion separated by the gap, Each of the first elastic portion and the third elastic portion extends from the first base portion provided on the female fitting member, Each of the second elastic portion and the fourth elastic portion extends from the second base portion provided on the female fitting member, One of the pair of first alignment keys is a pattern shape formed on the surface facing the second part at each of the at least two positioning pins provided on the first part, The other of the pair of first alignment keys is a pattern shape formed near at least two holes provided in the second component. Power converter.

2. The power conversion device according to claim 1, wherein the pair of first alignment keys are formed on the mutually opposing surfaces of the first component and the second component.

3. The power conversion device according to claim 1, wherein the pair of first alignment keys are formed on the same side surfaces of the first and second components.

4. The power conversion device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the pair of first alignment keys have the same pattern shape.

5. Each of the first and second parts is further formed with a plurality of second alignment keys, which are formed with the first alignment key as the reference position. Each of the male and female fitting members is positioned to correspond to each of the plurality of second alignment keys. A power conversion device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The present invention further comprises a third component which is coupled to the second component, Each of the pair of first alignment keys is further formed on the second or third part, The aforementioned multiple pairs of fitting members are further arranged between the second part and the third part. In each of the plurality of pairs of fitting members arranged between the second part and the third part, The male fitting member is positioned such that the first alignment key is positioned as the reference point on one of the second and third components. The female fitting member is positioned on the other of the second and third parts, with the first alignment key as the reference position. A power conversion device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The power conversion device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the insertion portion of the male fitting member has a substantially flat plate shape.

8. The connecting portion of the male fitting member is soldered to a predetermined position on the substrate of one of the first and second components, and is in contact with the surface of the substrate. A power conversion device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The connecting portion provided on the rear end side of the female-type fitting member is soldered to a predetermined position on the substrate of the other of the first and second components, and is in contact with the surface of the substrate. Each of the first base and the second base extends from the connecting portion of the female fitting member, A power conversion device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. A system for connecting components of a power converter according to any one of claims 1 to 9, Multiple cameras for photographing the first part and the second part, A moving device for changing the relative position of the second part with respect to the first part, A recognition control unit that controls the plurality of cameras and recognizes each of the pair of first alignment keys, A movement control unit controls the moving device and, based on the recognition result of the pair of first alignment keys by the recognition control unit, changes the relative position of the second part with respect to the first part until the positional alignment of the pair of first alignment keys is achieved. A component connection system including the above.

11. The steps include forming a pair of alignment keys on each of the first and second parts, A male fitting member having an insertion portion and a connecting portion that is divided by a gap and bent perpendicular to the insertion portion, A female-type fitting member having a first clamping portion and a second clamping portion arranged opposite to each other. The steps of arranging a plurality of pairs of mating members, each containing a certain, on the first and second parts, with each of the pair of alignment keys as the reference position, such that in each of the plurality of pairs of mating members, the male mating member and the female mating member are positioned on different parts from each other, A step of recognizing each of the pair of alignment keys, Based on the recognition results of the pair of alignment keys, the relative position of the second part with respect to the first part is changed until the positional alignment of the pair of alignment keys is achieved. In each of the plurality of pairs of fitting members, with the positional alignment of the pair of alignment keys achieved, the female fitting member clamps the insertion portion of the male fitting member inserted between the first clamping portion and the second clamping portion, thereby joining the first and second parts. It is equipped with, Each of the first clamping portion and the second clamping portion is bent to form a convex portion toward the opposing surfaces of each other. A gap is provided at the tip of each of the first clamping portion and the second clamping portion. The first clamping portion includes a first elastic portion and a second elastic portion divided by the gap, The second clamping portion includes a third elastic portion and a fourth elastic portion separated by the gap, Each of the first elastic portion and the third elastic portion extends from the first base portion provided on the female fitting member, Each of the second elastic portion and the fourth elastic portion extends from the second base portion provided on the female fitting member, One of the pair of first alignment keys is a pattern shape formed on the surface facing the second part at each of the at least two positioning pins provided on the first part, The other of the pair of first alignment keys is a pattern shape formed near at least two holes provided in the second component. Method of connecting components.

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