Clip mounting arrangement for printed circuit boards

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a mounting arrangement (20), comprising a mounting plate (1) comprising an insertion opening (2) and a first alignment feature (3) associated with the upper main surface (1b), a PCB (10) comprising a notch (11) in an edge thereof, and a resilient clip (4) comprising a base portion (5) and a first and second leg portion (6, 7) each extending from the base portion (5). Wherein the second leg portion (7) comprises a second alignment feature (8) configured to engage the first alignment feature (3) through the notch (11) thereby counteracting the PCB (10) from moving in a first direction (x) and counteracting the PCB from moving in any second direction (y), perpendicular to the first direction (x), when the first and second alignment feature (61, 71) engage through the notch (11).

Description

[0001] CLIP MOUNTING ARRANGEMENT FOR PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARDS

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention generally relates to a mounting arrangement for mounting an LED PCB to a mounting structure.

[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] In the field of illumination the light emitting diode, LED, has become the most popular light emitting element and has replaced incandescent and fluorescent light emitting elements in many implementations. LEDs are very power efficient and can be configured to emit light of varying colors and intensity making them highly suitable for a wide range of use cases, from decorative illumination to general illumination. Commonly, one or more LEDs are arranged on a printed circuit board, PCB, carrying the LEDs alongside various connections and other circuits (e.g. an LED driver and / or LED controller). The LED PCB can be of varying shapes and sizes depending on the application carrying only a single LED or tens, or even hundreds, of individual LEDs.

[0006] A LED PCB is typically attached to some type of luminaire structure and arranged behind a transparent cover layer to hide and protect the LED PCB while still allowing the light emitted by the LEDs to pass through the transparent cover layer. In many applications, the luminaire structure is realized as a thin sheet of metal or plastic and the LED PCB is attached to the luminaire structure using adhesive tape, rivets or screws. However, a drawback with adhesive tape or rivets is that when the LED PCB is removed the rivets or tape is destroyed such that the rivets or tape cannot be reused and / or leaves residue, or otherwise damages, the luminaire structure or the LED PCB upon removal. A drawback with using screws is that the screws require a special tool to be fastened or removed and that in some cases the threads in the luminaire structure and / or the threads on the screw are destroyed so that they cannot be reused.

[0007] In view of drawbacks of fastening using adhesive tape, rivets and screws various resilient devices for snap fastening have been proposed. For example, in WO2021228692 an edge fastening element having two resilient prongs is proposed which can be used to mount LED PCBs to a sheet material. This edge fastening device can be reused and does not leave any residue. However, a drawback with this the edge fastening device is that the fastening of the LED PCB is less precise compared to adhesive tape, rivets or screws as the edge fastening device only fastens the LED PCB in two directions, meaning that the LED PCB must be fastened with multiple edge fastening devices to prohibit the LED PCB from sliding. Additionally, removal of the edge fastening devices is difficult as e.g. it is necessary to access the bottom side of the sheet material to compress one prong during removal.

[0008] Accordingly, in view of the drawbacks of traditional fastening devices for LED PCBs, as well as more recent fastening devices, there is a need for a new and improved fastening arrangement for mounting LED PCBs.

[0009] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved mounting arrangement for removable attachment of PCBs that overcomes at least some of the drawbacks mentioned in the above. These and other objects are achieved by a lighting arrangement in accordance with the independent claim. Embodiments of the present invention are defined in the dependent claims.

[0011] Hence, according to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mounting arrangement, comprising a mounting plate having a lower main surface and an upper main surface, wherein the mounting plate further comprises an insertion opening and a first alignment feature associated with the upper main surface. The mounting arrangement further comprises a PCB comprising a notch, and a resilient clip comprising a base portion and a first and second leg portion each extending from the base portion, wherein the first and second leg portion comprises a respective retention portion . Wherein the retention portions are configured to clamp the PCB and the mounting plate therebetween when the resilient clip, by being inserted into the insertion opening, is arranged with the base extending through the insertion opening of the mounting plate and the PCB is arranged on the upper main surface. Wherein the second leg portion further comprises a second alignment feature configured to engage the first alignment feature through the notch of the PCB, while contacting a portion of a perimeter of the notch, thereby counteracting the PCB from moving in a first direction from the first alignment feature towards the insertion opening and counteracting the PCB from moving in any second direction, perpendicular to the first direction, when the first and second alignment feature engage through the notch. The PCB comprises two main surfaces and an edge. The notch is arranged in an edge of the PCB.

[0012] The mounting plate is substantially flat, at least in the vicinity of the first alignment feature and the insertion opening. However, the mounting plate may comprise additional elements or features configured to enable the mounting plate to be mounted against a separate entity, such as a luminaire. The mounting plate is typically made of metal but may also be made of other materials, such as plastic or even renewable materials such as wood or cardboard.

[0013] With the term “PCB” it is meant any type of PCB with or without electronic components arranged thereon. In general, the term Printed Circuit Board Assembly, PCBA, is used to refer to a PCB populated with the electronic components that allow it to function as desired whereas the term PCB refers to a “blank” circuit board. In this disclose, the term PCB will be used consistently to refer to any type of PCB or PCBA with or without electronic components installed thereon. The PCB may comprise one or more LEDs mounted thereon and optionally connections for connecting the PCB to an external power supply and / or LED controller. Alternatively, the LED driver and / or controller may be mounted on the PCB alongside the LEDs.

[0014] The at least one notch formed in the edge of the PCB may for example be a regular notch used for holding the PCB using screws as is known from other mounting arrangements.

[0015] With a resilient clip that engages the first alignment feature through the notch of the PCB the resilient clip will prevent the PCB from moving in a first direction from the first alignment feature towards the insertion opening and counteract the PCB from moving in any second direction, perpendicular to the first direction. Additionally, the first and second retention portions will clamp the PCB and mounting plate together. Consequently, the resilient clip enables reliable holding of the PCB and mounting plate while being easily removable without damaging the PCB or mounting plate.

[0016] A further advantage with mounting arrangement is that the resilient clip can easily be installed and removed without access to the lower main surface of the mounting plate. This is due to the second alignment feature being associated with the second leg portion which remains above the upper surface of both the PCB and mounting plate in the assembled state. In embodiments, a first separation distance, Di, between the first and second retention portion is smaller than a total combined thickness of the mounting plate and PCB, when the PCB is arranged on the mounting plate.

[0017] With a first separation distance that is smaller than the combined thickness of the mounting plate and PCB, when the PCB is arranged on the mounting plate, the resilient clip will be stretched from the relaxed state when the clip is in the assembled state. That is, the clip will exert a resilient clamping force on the PCB and mounting plate to hold them together in the assembled state. The combined thickness of the mounting plate and PCB is at least the sum the PCB thickness and mounting plate thickness but may further comprise the thickness of any spacing elements located between the PCB and mounting plate.

[0018] In embodiments, the first alignment feature comprises an opening or a recess and the second alignment feature comprises a corresponding protrusion.

[0019] A recess or throughgoing opening in the mounting plate may be easy to realize using for example etching, drilling, or stamping. At the same time, a recess or throughgoing opening can serve as an effective alignment feature. The protrusion can be of any suitable shape and may be formed integrally or formed separately and then attached to the second leg portion.

[0020] In embodiments, the second alignment feature comprises an opening or a recess and the first alignment feature comprises a corresponding protrusion.

[0021] The opening or recess in the second leg portion may be formed by drilling, stamping, etching or injection molding. The protrusion on the mounting plate may be integrally formed with the mounting plate or attached to the mounting plate using e.g. welding or an adhesive.

[0022] It is understood that if the first alignment feature comprises an opening or recess and the second alignment feature comprises a corresponding protrusion this does not rule out the first alignment feature also comprising an additional protrusion and the second alignment feature comprising an addition recess or opening corresponding to the additional protrusion. As an example, the first and second alignment feature may define a plurality of protrusion - opening / recess pairs that are configured to engage in the assembled state. All protrusions may be provided to form the same alignment feature with all openings / recesses forming the other alignment feature or the protrusions and openings / recesses may be distributed between both alignment features.

[0023] In embodiments, the first alignment feature comprises a protrusion and the second alignment feature comprises a corresponding protrusion, wherein the protrusion of one alignment feature has a concave surface configured to engage a convex surface of the protrusion of the other alignment feature. Accordingly, while a protrusion - opening / recess pair may be preferred since an opening or recess may be easier to realize, engagement of the alignment features can also be achieved using two protrusions configured to engage each other.

[0024] In the above, various examples of alignment features are provided. Each alignment feature comprises at least one of a recess, opening and protrusion such that the alignment features together form at least one of a recess / opening - protrusion pair, a protrusion - recess / opening pair and protrusion - protrusion pair wherein each pair is configured to engage in the assembled state.

[0025] In embodiments, the first alignment feature comprises an opening and the second alignment feature comprises a protrusion.

[0026] Since the mounting plate often is made from a thin material, it may be beneficial in terms of manufacturing complexity to provide an opening in the mounting plate and protrusion on the second leg portion to form the alignment features. The opening may e.g. be formed by stamping or drilling and the protrusion may be formed as a single piece with the resilient clip using e.g. injection molding. Nevertheless, it is by no means essential to use this arrangement and it is also envisaged that a protrusion can be formed in the mounting plate, e.g. by attaching the protrusion to the mounting plate using an adhesive or welding. Additionally, a protrusion on the mounting plate can be formed by e.g. bending or otherwise deforming the mounting plate to form a local protrusion.

[0027] In embodiments, a second separation distance, D2, between an innermost boundary surface of the second alignment feature and an innermost boundary surface of the first leg portion is smaller than the thickness of the mounting plate.

[0028] With a second separation distance that is below the thickness of the mounting plate the resilient clip will resiliently resist removal from the assembled state which will mitigate the risk of the resilient clip becoming dislodged by accident. The inner boundary surface can be defined for a protrusion as well as for an opening or recess, as is described in the below.

[0029] In embodiments, the notch is formed as a semicircle.

[0030] A semi-circle notch is commonly provided on already existing PCBs to e.g. allow mounting using screws. Accordingly, the mounting arrangement can be used to mount conventional PCBs to the mounting plate without requiring any modification of the PCBs. In embodiments, the insertion opening has a first width, Wi, in the first direction and a first height, Hi in the second direction, wherein a cross-section of the base, at the insertion opening, when arranged with the base extending through the insertion opening, has a second width, W2, in the first direction and a second height, H2, in the second direction, and wherein a height ratio TH = H2 / H1 is larger than a width ratio rw= W2 / W1.

[0031] With this relationship between the height ratio and width ratio there is more play for the resilient clip along the first direction, between the first alignment feature and the insertion opening, compared to along the second direction, perpendicular to the first direction. This prevents the resilient clip from rotating around the axis of the alignment features while still providing sufficient space for easy installation / removal of the resilient clip.

[0032] It is also envisaged that that to prohibit rotation around the alignment features alignment features adapted to engage so as to prohibit rotation can be used. For example, if one of the alignment features comprises a slit-shaped opening and the other alignment feature comprises corresponding wall-shaped protrusion interlocking of these alignment features may prohibit rotation. Nevertheless, by configuring the base of the resilient clip and insertion opening to fulfill the above mentioned properties rotation prevention irrespective of the shape of alignment features can be achieved, which allows use of very simple alignment feature geometries, such as a pin engaging a circular opening, that does not inherently prohibit rotation. Preferably, the height ratio TH is two times the width ratio rw, preferably the height ratio TH is three times the width ratio rw, and most preferably the height ratio TH is four times the width ratio rw.

[0033] In general, prohibiting rotation is desirable since this may ensure proper engagement of the retention portions against the PCB and mounting plate.

[0034] In embodiments, the base, the first leg portion and the second leg portion have a same material thickness.

[0035] An approximately constant material thickness may facilitate efficient manufacturing of the resilient clip. The resilient clip may be made of a metal material, a plastic material, or even wood, and with a constant material thickness the resilient clip can e.g. be manufactured using a press brake or by injection molding or by 3D-printing.

[0036] In embodiments, the first and / or second alignment feature comprises at least one protruding wall section, wherein the at least one protruding wall section form a protruding I-, Y-, X- or V-shape. Other shapes of the protrusion forming the protrusion are also possible. For example, the protrusion may have a circular, rectangular, triangular or polygonal crosssection. However, there are some benefits associated with having protrusion in the form of wall sections. Firstly, the wall sections can be arranged so as to engage the notch of the PCB at locations that prohibit the PCB from sliding relative the mounting plate while using less material than if the protrusion is formed form a solid slab of a material. Secondly, in some embodiments each protruding wall section has a thickness equal to the material thickness meaning that the entire resilient clip is made from elements having the same thickness, which facilitates manufacturing using e.g. injection molding.

[0037] In embodiments, the second alignment feature is offset from an outer edge of the second leg portion, leaving a lip of the second leg portion that forms the clamping portion.

[0038] Accordingly, the retention portion may surround the first and second alignment feature to exert an even pressure on the PCB in the vicinity of the notch. The fastening will in this way closely resemble fastening using a screw in terms of how the pressure of the resilient clip is distributed over the PCB in vicinity of the notch.

[0039] In embodiments, the resilient clip is integrally formed.

[0040] The term integrally formed it is meant that the resilient clip is formed as a single piece. That is, the resilient clip is made a single piece which has advantages in reducing the risk for breakage at joints that otherwise would be provided if the resilient clip was made from multiple pieces.

[0041] In embodiments, the resilient clip is translucent or transparent. Hence, in embodiments, the resilient clip is made of a resilient clip material, wherein the resilient clip material is translucent or transparent. Such an embodiment may be advantageous, because the mounting arrangement, and the PCB in particular, may be part of a lighting device or luminaire that comprises light sources (such as Light Emitting Diodes).

[0042] It is further an object of the invention to provide an improved lighting device which at least alleviates the problems and disadvantages mentioned above. Thereto, the invention provides a lighting device comprising a housing and the mounting arrangement according to the present invention, wherein the PCB of the mounting arrangement comprises a plurality of light sources, wherein the mounting arrangement is mounted in the housing of the lighting device. Thereby, advantages and / or embodiments applying to the mounting arrangement according to the invention may mutatis mutandis apply to said lighting device according to the invention. In embodiments, the mounting plate may be part of the housing. In embodiments, said lighting device may be a LED panel. LED panels are typically planar and relatively thin, i.e. the aspect ratio heightwidth is for example at least 1 :25.

[0043] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0044] This and other aspects of the present invention will now be described in more detail, with reference to the appended drawings showing embodiments of the present invention.

[0045] Fig. 1 shows a cross sectional view of a mounting arrangement according to some implementations.

[0046] Fig. 2 shows a top view of a section of a mounting plate according to some implementations.

[0047] Fig. 3 shows a top view of a PCB carrying a plurality of LEDs.

[0048] Fig. 4 shows a top-down view of a cross-sectional cut of the mounting arrangement.

[0049] Fig. 5a shows a side view of a resilient clip being inserted through the insertion opening of a mounting plate.

[0050] Fig. 5b shows a side view of a resilient clip engaging an alignment feature of the mounting plate.

[0051] Fig. 5c shows a side view of a resilient clip clamping a PCB and a mounting plate between its two leg portions.

[0052] Fig. 5d shows a side view of a resilient clip being removed from engagement with the mounting plate and PCB to release the PCB from the mounting plate.

[0053] Fig. 6 is a detailed view of the resilient clip according to some implementations.

[0054] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0055] Fig. 1 shows a cross sectional view of a mounting arrangement 20 comprising a mounting plate 1, a PCB 10 and a resilient clip 4. Fig. 1 shows the mounting arrangement 20 in an assembled state wherein the mounting plate 1, PCB 10 and resilient clip 4 are assembled such that the resilient clip 4 retains the PCB 10 and mounting plate 1 from moving relative each other in at least one direction. In aspects, the mounting arrangement may be a lighting device or luminaire.

[0056] The mounting plate 1 has a lower main surface la and an upper main surface lb opposite the lower main surface la. The mounting plate further comprises one or more minor edge surfaces defining the perimeter of the mounting plate 1. While directional terms such as “upper” or “lower” are used in accordance with how these are oriented in fig. 1 it is understood that these directions are arbitrary, and the mounting plate 1 can be arranged in any orientation. For example, the mounting plate 1 can be installed to a ceiling with the lower surface la facing the ceiling and the upper surface lb facing the floor.

[0057] The mounting plate 1 may be a part of, or connected to, a luminaire housing of e.g. a wall mounted luminaire, ceiling mounted luminaire, floor mounted luminaire, hanging luminaire or self-supporting standing luminaire.

[0058] The mounting plate 1 comprises at least one insertion opening 2 configured to allow a first leg portion 6 of the resilient clip 4 to pass therethrough. The mounting plate 2 further comprises a first alignment feature 3 associated with the upper main surface lb. In general, there may be more than one insertion opening 2 and more than one first alignment feature 3 provided in the mounting plate 1 with each insertion opening 2 being associated with a corresponding first alignment feature 3 arranged in the vicinity (e.g. within the length of a leg portion) of the insertion opening 2. This allows multiple resilient clips 4 to be used to form multiple points of attachment for a single PCB 10.

[0059] With further reference to fig. 2 it is seen that the first alignment feature 3 in the embodiment of fig. 1 and fig. 2 is in the form of a circular throughgoing opening in the mounting plate 1. While a circular throughgoing opening is associated with some benefits, like being easy to realize (e.g. by means of drilling or stamping), it is understood that the first alignment feature 3 can be a through hole of other shapes as well, e.g. triangular, rectangular, polygonal or elliptical. In addition, the first alignment feature 3 may comprise a recess and / or protrusion in addition to, or instead of, a throughgoing opening. The recess and / or protrusion is formed in the upper main surface lb of the mounting plate 1 and is configured to engage the second alignment feature arranged on the second leg portion 7 of the resilient clip 4.

[0060] Fig. 2 also shows that the first alignment feature 3 and the insertion opening 2 of the mounting plate 1 are separated in at least a first direction, along principal axis x, and overlap at least partially in a height direction, along principal axis y. However, this arrangement is merely exemplary, and the first alignment feature 3 and insertion opening 2 may be arranged differently, or the principal axes defined differently.

[0061] Turing back to fig. 1 it is shown that the mounting arrangement 20 further comprises a PCB 10 configured to be arranged on the upper main surface lb of the mounting plate 1. The PCB 10 can be arranged directly on the mounting plate 1, however it is also envisaged that the PCB 10 is arranged on the mounting plate 1 with one or more spacing elements arranged between these two components. With further reference to fig. 3, it is understood that the PCB 10 comprises one or more LEDs 13a, 13b, 13c that are arranged on an upper main surface 10b of the PCB 10 and configured to emit a light away from the upper main surface 10b of the PCB 10. Optionally, the PCB 10 further comprises other electronics or connectors such as one or more of an LED controller, an LED driver and a power source (e.g. a battery). The PCB 10 is configured to be mounted on top of (e.g. directly on top of or with one or more spacer elements) the upper main surface lb of the mounting plate 1.

[0062] The PCB 10 also comprises an edge notch 11 being formed as a recess in an edge of the PCB 10. The perimeter 12 of the notch 11 may form any suitable geometric shape, such as a semicircle, part of a stadium shape, part of a triangular shape, part of a rectangular shape or part of a polygonal shape. Typically, PCBs 10 are provided with notches 11 having a semicircle shaped perimeter 12 for receiving screws or rivets and this type of notches 11 can be used as the notches 11. Accordingly, many already existing PCBs 10 can be used without modification in the present mounting arrangement 20 meaning that no modification or specifically adapted PCBs 10 are necessary.

[0063] Fig. 1 further shows the details of a resilient clip 4 according to some implementations. The resilient clip 4 comprises a base 5 and a first and second leg portion 6, 7 extending away from the base 5 so as to form a resilient clip that is generally C-shaped or concave having a space 9 between the leg portions 6, 7 for holing the PCB 10 and mounting plate 1 therebetween. When the resilient clip 4 is in the assembled state, the first leg portion 6 extends below the lower main surface la of the mounting plate 1 and at least a retention portion 71 of the second leg portion 7 extends above the upper surface 10b of the PCB 10 which is arranged on top of the upper surface lb of the mounting plate 1. In this way, the resilient clip 4 clamps the PCB 10 and mounting plate 1 together along the height direction, along principal axis z that is perpendicular to principal axes x and y.

[0064] To further restrain the PCB 10 relative the mounting plate 1, the resilient clip 4 comprises a second alignment feature 8 associated with the second leg portion 7. In the depicted embodiment, the second alignment feature 8 is a protrusion configured to engage the first alignment feature 3 (implemented as circular hole through the mounting plate 1). In other envisioned embodiments, the second alignment feature 8 comprises at least one of an opening through the second leg portion 7 and / or a recess formed in a surface of the second leg potion 7 facing the upper surface of the mounting plate 1 wherein the opening and / or recess is configured to engage a protrusion of the first alignment feature 3. In general, the first alignment feature 3 comprises one or more of a protrusion, a recess and an opening and the second alignment feature 8 comprises one more of a protrusion, a recess and an opening configured to engage the first alignment feature 3 through the notch 11.

[0065] In fig. 4 a down-up view of an xy-plane cut of the mounting arrangement 20 is shown when the mounting arrangement 20 is in the assembled state. In the assembled state, the base portion 4 is arranged in the insertion opening 2 and the first leg portion 6 extends below the mounting plate 1. The second leg portion 7 extends above the PCB 10 and the mounting plate 1 with the second alignment feature 8 (here realized as an X-shaped protrusion) engaging the first alignment feature 3 (here realized as a circular opening) of the mounting plate 1 through the notch 11 of the PCB 10. This engagement of the first and second alignment feature 3, 8 at least partially through the notch 11 will prevent the PCB 10 from sliding relative the mounting plate 1 at least along the x-axis towards the insertion opening 2. The engagement of the first and second alignment feature 3, 8 further prevents the PCB 10 form sliding relative the mounting plate 1 along the positive and negative y-axis.

[0066] At the same time, the retention portion 71 (outlined with dashed lines in fig. 4) of the second leg portion 7 engages the upper surface of the PCB 10 to also restrain the PCB 10 in the height direction along principal axis z that is perpendicular to principal axes x and y-

[0067] Fig. 4 further shows the relative size of the height Hi and width Wi of the insertion opening 2 relative the height H2 and width W2 of the cross-sectional shape of the part of the base 5 which is arranged inside the insertion opening 2 in the assembled state. A height ratio TH between the base height H2 and the insertion opening height Hi defined as TH = H2 / H1 is larger than a width ratio rw between the base width W2 and the insertion opening width Wi defined as rw= W2 / W 1. That is, the two heights Hi, H2 have relatively closer lengths compared to the two widths Wi, W2.

[0068] With these properties for the insertion opening 2 and base 5, the resilient clip 4 is easy to insert through the insertion opening 2 since there is much play between the base 5 and the insertion opening 2 in the first direction, x, while at the same time the resilient clip 4 is prohibited from rotating around the first and second alignment features 3, 8 to any large extent since there is less play along the second direction, y. This enables very simple geometries for the alignment features 3, 8 to be used (e.g. a pin and a corresponding hole), despite these geometries allowing the resilient clip 4 rotating around the height axis z relative the PCB 10 and the mounting plate 1, since the insertion opening 2 geometry will prohibit such rotation. In fig. 4 the cross-sectional shape of a protrusion forming the second alignment feature 8 is also shown. In this example, the second alignment feature 8 comprises two protruding wall sections forming an X-shape. However, this protrusion is merely an example and generally the protrusion may comprise one or more protruding wall sections forming an I, Y-, X- or V-shape. Each protruding wall section has the same thickness and, preferably the wall thickness is equal to a material thickness of the base 5, first leg portion 6 and second leg portion 7 as this facilitates efficient manufacturing of the resilient clip 4 in a single piece, for example using injection molding.

[0069] With reference to fig. 5a-5d the interaction between the components of the mounting arrangement 20 will be shown in further detail, during insertion and removal of the resilient clip 4 with respect to the mounting plate 1 and PCB 10.

[0070] In fig. 5a the PCB 10 has been arranged on the mounting plate 1 with the notch 11 of the PCB 11 aligned with the first alignment feature 3 on the mounting plate 1. As mentioned above, the PCB 10 rests directly on the mounting plate 1 or there is one or more spacer elements between the PCB 10 and mounting plate 1. A resilient clip 4 is then introduced from above the upper main surface of the mounting plate 1 whereby the resilient clip 4 is inserted with the first leg portion 6 going through the insertion opening 2 and the second leg portion 7, with the second alignment portion 8, remaining above the mounting plate 1.

[0071] Between the state shown in fig. 5a and the state shown in fig. 5b the resilient clip 4 has been slid over mounting plate 1, in a direction from the insertion opening 2 towards the first alignment feature 3, such that the second alignment feature 8 approaches and engages the first alignment feature 3. The first leg portion 6 travels below lower surface of the mounting plate along the negative x-axis. Comparing the shape of the resilient clip 4 in fig. 5a with the shape of the resilient clip 4 in fig. 5b reveals that the resilient clip 4 has been slightly deformed in fig. 5b. This deformation is caused by the mounting plate 1 forcing the two leg portions 6, 7 away from each other as the mounting plate 1 enters the space between the second alignment feature 8 and the first leg portion 6 (see D2 in fig. 6). The contour of the first leg portion 6 in the relaxes state is marked with dashed lines 6’.

[0072] In fig. 5c the resilient clip 4 has reached the assembled state with the second alignment feature 8 engaging the first alignment feature 3 through the notch 11 in the PCB 10. The retention portions 61, 71 of the leg portions 6, 7 clamp the mounting plate 1 and PCB 10 together along the vertical direction along the z-axis and the engagement of the first and second alignment feature 3, 8 prohibits the PCB 10 from sliding relative the mounting plate 1 in along the positive x direction and positive as well as negative y axis. In the assembled state, the resilient clip 4 may still be slightly deformed compared to in the relaxed state shown in fig. 5a. Specifically, the leg portions 6, 7 may be shaped such that in the assembled state, the leg portions 6, 7 are pushed apart by the PCB 10 and mounting plate 1. This causes a tension which holds the resilient clip 4 in place. This is schematically shown in fig. 5c with the dashed outline 6’ of the first leg portion 6 in the relaxed state being expanded outwardly by the PCB 10 and mounting plate 1.

[0073] Preferably, the deformation of the resilient clip 4 in the assembled state is smaller than the deformation of the resilient at some instant when the resilient clip 4 is moved to the assembled state (i.e. travels from the position in fig. 5a to the position in fig 5c). In other words, the deformation force acting on the resilient clip 4 is zero in the relaxed state, equal to a first maximum force during assembly and equal to a second force in the assembled state wherein the first maximum force during assembly is greater than the second force. This enables the resilient clip 4 to securely stay in place in the assembled state as an external force is necessary to dislodge it from the assembled state.

[0074] Fig. 5d shows the resilient clip 4 as it is being removed from the assembled state. To remove the resilient clip 4 a vertical force Fi is first exerted on the second leg portion 7 of the resilient clip 4 along the z-axis. This vertical force Fl increases the separation distance between leg portions 6, 7 and at least partially dislodges the second alignment feature 8 from the first alignment feature 3. A horizontal force F2 along the x-axis is simultaneously or subsequently exerted on the resilient clip 4 to move the resilient clip 4 along the mounting plate 1 and enable removal of the first leg portion 6 through the insertion opening 2.

[0075] It is understood that depending on the specific layout of the first and second alignment feature 3, 8 the forces needed to insert / remove the resilient clip may vary or be approximately the same. For example, if the second alignment feature 8 (realized as a protrusion in the examples shown in the figures) comprises an opening or indentation and the first alignment feature 3 (realized as an opening in the examples shown in the figures) comprises a protrusion a vertical force and sub sequent / simultaneous horizontal force will also enable removal.

[0076] Fig. 6 shows an enlarged side view of the resilient clip 4 according to some implementations. The first separation distance Di, defined as the smallest separation distance between the retention portions 61, 71 of the two leg portions 6, 7 when the resilient clip 4 is in the relaxed state is smaller than total thickness of the PCB and mounting plate, when the PCB is arranged on the mounting plate (optionally with spacer elements therebetween). With this first separation distance DI, the resilient clip 4 will exert a clamping force on the PCB and mounting plate when the resilient clip 4 is arranged in the assembled state.

[0077] A second separation distance D2 is also defined as the distance between an innermost boundary surface of the second alignment feature 8 and an innermost boundary surface of the first leg portion 6. With an innermost boundary surface of the first leg portion 6 it is meant the surface of a portion of the first leg portion 6 that is closest to the second alignment feature 8 on the second leg portion 7. The innermost surface of the second alignment feature 8 may be located at the tip of the second alignment feature 8 in embodiments wherein the second alignment feature 8 is a protrusion. In embodiments wherein the second alignment feature 8 comprises a recess or opening the innermost boundary surface of the second alignment feature 8 may be defined as an imaginary surface closing the second alignment feature 8 being a smooth continuation of the inner surface of the second leg portion 7.

[0078] The second separation distance D2 is preferably smaller than a thickness of the mounting plate. The thickness of the mounting plate being the larger one of the plate thickness of the mounting plate and the local thickness at the first alignment feature. In embodiments wherein the first alignment feature is an opening or a recess the mounting plate thickness is therefore equal to the plate thickness and in embodiments wherein the first alignment feature comprises a protrusion the plate thickness is equal to the distance from the tip of the protrusion to the lower main surface of the mounting plate.

[0079] The person skilled in the art realizes that the present invention by no means is limited to the preferred embodiments described above. On the contrary, many modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the appended claims. For example, while the embodiments of the resilient clip 4 shown in fig. 1, fig. 4, fig. 5a-d and fig. 6 comprise a second alignment feature 8 in the form of a protrusion it is envisaged that the first alignment feature 3 and second alignment feature 8 may respectively comprise one or more of a protrusion, a recess and an opening. Many different combinations and designs of protrusions, openings and recesses are envisaged and can be used.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A mounting arrangement (20), comprising: a mounting plate (1) comprising a lower main surface (la) and an upper main surface (lb), wherein the mounting plate (1) further comprises an insertion opening (2) and a first alignment feature (3) associated with the upper main surface (lb), a PCB (10) comprising a notch (11), and a resilient clip (4) comprising a base portion (5) and a first and second leg portion (6, 7) each extending from the base portion (5), wherein the first and second leg portion (6, 7) comprises a respective retention portion (61, 71), wherein the retention portions (61, 71) are configured to clamp the PCB and the mounting plate (1) therebetween when the resilient clip (4), by being inserted into the insertion opening, is arranged with the base (5) extending through the insertion opening (2) of the mounting plate (1) and the PCB is arranged on the upper main surface (lb), wherein the second leg portion (7) further comprises a second alignment feature (8) configured to engage the first alignment feature (3) through the notch (11) of the PCB (10), while contacting a portion of a perimeter (12) of the notch (11), thereby counteracting the PCB (10) from moving in a first direction (x) from the first alignment feature (3) towards the insertion opening (2) and counteracting the PCB from moving in any second direction (y), perpendicular to the first direction (x), when the first and second alignment feature (3, 8) engage through the notch (11).

2. The mounting arrangement (20) according to claim 1, wherein a first separation distance, Di, between the first and second retention portion (61, 71) is smaller than a total combined thickness of the mounting plate (1) and PCB (10), when the PCB (10) is arranged on the mounting plate (1).

3. The mounting arrangement (20) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first alignment feature (3) comprises an opening or a recess and the second alignment feature (8) comprises a corresponding protrusion.

4. The mounting arrangement (20) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the second alignment feature (8) comprises an opening or a recess and the first alignment feature (3) comprises a corresponding protrusion.

5. The mounting arrangement (20) according any of the preceding claims, wherein the first alignment feature (3) comprises a protrusion and the second alignment feature (8) comprises a corresponding protrusion wherein the protrusion of one alignment feature (3, 8) has a concave surface configured to engage a convex surface of the protrusion of the other alignment feature (3, 8).

6. The mounting arrangement (20) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first alignment feature (3) comprises an opening and the second alignment feature (8) comprises a protrusion.

7. The mounting arrangement (20) according to claim 6, wherein a second separation distance, D2, between an innermost boundary surface of the second alignment feature (8) and an innermost boundary surface of the first leg portion (6) is smaller than the thickness of the mounting plate (1).

8. The mounting arrangement (20) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the notch (11) is formed as a semicircle.

9. The mounting arrangement (20) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the insertion opening (2) has a first width, Wi, in the first direction (x) and a first height, Hi in the second direction (y), wherein a cross-section of the base (5), at the insertion opening (2), when arranged with the base (5) extending through the insertion opening (2), has a second width, W2, in the first direction (x) and a second height, H2, in the second direction (y), and wherein a height ratio TH = H2 / H1 is larger than a width ratio rw= W2 / W 1.

10. The mounting arrangement (20) according to claim 8, wherein the height ratio rn is two times the width ratio rw, preferably the height ratio TH is three times the width ratio rw, and most preferably the height ratio TH is four times the width ratio rw.

11. The mounting arrangement (20) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the base (5), the first leg portion (6) and the second leg portion (7) have a same material thickness.

12. The mounting arrangement (20) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first and / or second alignment feature (3, 8) comprises at least one protruding wall section, wherein the at least one protruding wall section form a protruding I-, Y-, X- or V-shape.

13. The mounting arrangement (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the resilient clip is translucent or transparent.

14. The mounting arrangement (20) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the second alignment feature (8) is offset from an outer edge of the second leg portion (7), leaving a lip of the second leg portion (7) that forms the clamping portion (71).

15. The mounting arrangement (20) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the resilient clip (4) is integrally formed.

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