Enhanced PCB and PCB housing

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a printed circuit board (100, 300, 400, 500), PCB, adapted to be mounted in a housing (101) that comprises a first housing part (102A), a second housing part (102B) and at least one electrically conducting part (104A, 104B). The PCB (100, 300) comprises an outer frame (100A, 300A) and an inner board (100B, 300B), where the outer frame (100A, 300A) is formed integrally with the inner board (100B). The outer frame (100A, 300A) and the inner board (100B, 300B) are separated by a plurality of apertures (210) running through the PCB (100, 300) along a border line (106). The outer frame (100A, 300A) comprises electrical grounding connections (212, 312) that are adapted to make electrical contact with the electrically conducting part (104A, 104B) when the PCB (100, 300, 400, 500) is mounted in the housing (101).

Description

[0001] TITLE

[0002] Enhanced PCB and PCB housing

[0003] DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0004] The present invention relates to a circuit board ( PCB ) adapted to be mounted in a housing . The hous ing comprises a first housing part , a second housing part , and at least one electrically conducting part where one housing part may constitute a lid .

[0005] In several technical fields , for instance control of safety systems on board a motor vehicle , it is desirable to provide a sealed housing, including a cover, containing a PCB ( Printed Circuit Board) , onto which are mounted several electronic components . The housing with its cover protects the PCB and its components against mechanical damage and various environmental influences . Such PCBs can for example be used in sensor systems and control systems , where the sensor systems include radar sensors and camera sensors .

[0006] It is also desirable to obtain electromagnetic shielding or to improve EMC (Electromagnetic Compatibility) for the PCB . For example , the PCB is normally provided with one or more ground connections , for example comprised in EMC areas , for making electrical contact between the PCB and an electrical ly conducting part of the housing when mounted, for example one or more electrically conducting inner walls .

[0007] Such connections can, however, be a cause of mechanic strain for the PCB since movements of the housing are trans ferred to the PCB via the connections . Such movements can be caused by for example vibration and thermal expansion / contraction during the li fetime of the PCB . Components close to screw holes , and bend lines experience excess strain, with solder cracks as an undesired outcome . It is therefore an obj ect of the present disclosure to provide a PCB that is adapted to be mounted in a housing such that an increased EMC can be provided while mechanical strain is alleviated . It is also an obj ect of the present disclosure to provide a corresponding PCB hous ing and a corresponding electronic assembly .

[0008] This obj ect is achieved by means of a PCB adapted to be mounted in a housing that comprises a first housing part , a second housing part and at least one electrically conducting part . The PCB comprises an outer frame and an inner board, where the outer frame is formed integrally with the inner board . The outer frame and the inner board are separated by a plurality of apertures running through the PCB along a border line . Furthermore , the outer frame comprises electrical grounding connections that are adapted to make electrical contact with the electrically conducting part when the PCB is mounted in the housing .

[0009] In this manner, the PCB ground connection and a housing ground connection can be electrically connected is a secure and rel iable manner, such that EMC is improved, and electromagnetic interference (EMI ) is minimized, by means of the conferred electromagnetic shielding provided .

[0010] Furthermore , by moving the PCB ground connection to the outer frame , more mounting surface is provided for components .

[0011] According to some aspects , the apertures are formed by slots that are separated by PCB tongues that connect the outer frame and the inner board . By means of the apertures running through the PCB along the border line , the mechanical strain can be relived .

[0012] According to some aspects , the slots have longitudinal extensions , and the PCB tongues present an angle a in the span 40°-50° to at least one of the longitudinal extensions . The angled PCB tongues provide further flexibility between the outer frame and the inner board .

[0013] According to some aspects , each electrical grounding connection comprises an elongated via aperture with a corresponding electrically conductive plating that is electrically connected to a ground connection comprised in the PCB . This provides an electrical grounding connection that is easily accessible .

[0014] According to some aspects , at least one elongated via aperture is surrounded by a plurality of via holes that circumscribe the elongated via aperture . The via holes add flex and an increased connection regarding thermal and mechanical strain .

[0015] According to some aspects , the inner board comprises at least one screw attachment part , where each screw attachment part comprises a screw receiving part with a screw receiving aperture , and plurality of spokes that connect the screw receiving part to the inner board . The screw attachment parts provide a certain degree of flexibility i f the inner board moves relative the screw receiving part .

[0016] This obj ect is al so achieved by means of a PCB assembly, a PCB housing and an electronic assembly .

[0017] In particular, this obj ect is al so achieved by means of a PCB housing that comprises a first housing part , a second housing part and at least one electrically conducting part . The housing comprises protruding connectors that partly comprise said electrically conducting part and are adapted to make electrical contact with electrical grounding connections comprised in a PCB according to the above when the PCB is mounted in the housing . In this manner, a housing is provided that of fers environmental protection as well as a secure and reliable EMI grounding for a PCB .

[0018] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] The present disclosure will now be described more in detail with reference to the appended drawings , where :

[0020] Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a PCB and a housing;

[0021] Figure 2 shows a schematic top view of a PCB according to a first example ;

[0022] Figure 3 shows a schematic top view of a PCB according to a second example ;

[0023] Figure 4 shows a schematic top view of a PCB assembly;

[0024] Figure 5 shows a schematic detai led top view of an example electrical grounding connection;

[0025] Figure 6A shows a schematic detailed top view of a screw attachment part according to a first example ;

[0026] Figure 6B shows a schematic detailed top view of a screw attachment part according to a second example ; Figure 7 shows a schematic detailed side section view of an example electrical grounding connection engaged by protruding housing connectors according to a first example ;

[0027] Figure 8 shows a schematic side section view of a PCB mounting alternative in a housing;

[0028] Figure 9 shows a detail of Figure 8 ;

[0029] Figure 10 shows a schematic side section view of an alternative PCB mounting alternative in a housing;

[0030] Figure 11 shows a schematic detailed side section view of an example electrical grounding connection engaged by protruding housing connectors according to a second example ;

[0031] Figure 12 shows a section view of Figure 11 ;

[0032] Figure 13 shows an exploded view of a housing and a PCB according to the second example ;

[0033] Figure 14 shows a mounted version of Figure 13 ;

[0034] Figure 15 shows a top view of Figure 14 ; and

[0035] Figure 16 shows a section view of Figure 15 , showing a further alternative PCB mounting alternative in a housing .

[0036] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] The inventive concept will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings , in which certain embodiments of the inventive concept are shown . This inventive concept may, however, be embodied in many di f ferent forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of example so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete , and will fully convey the scope of the inventive concept to those skilled in the art . Like numbers refer to like elements throughout the description . Any step or feature illustrated by dashed lines should be regarded as optional .

[0038] With reference to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , where Figure 2 illustrates a first example , there is a printed circuit board ( PCB ) 100 that is adapted to be mounted in a PCB housing 101 that comprises a first housing part 102A, a second housing part 102B and at least one electrically conducting part 104A, 104B . Such an electrically conducting part may according to some aspects comprise an electrically conductive layer at least partly covering the inner sides of at least one of the first housing part 102A and the second housing part 102B .

[0039] The PCB 100 comprises an outer frame 100A and an inner board 100B, where the outer frame 100A is formed integrally with the inner board 100B . The outer frame 100A and the inner board 100B are separated by a plurality of apertures 210 running through the PCB 100 along a border line 106 .

[0040] In many cases , the outer frame 100A is a remain from the PCB manufacture process , where the outer frame 100A is removed from the PCB 100 such that only the inner board 100B remains . The outer frame 100A is then only used for transportation, guide holes , marking and fiducials . Having the outer frame 100A removed often results in undesired issues and create dust and particles , and adds no value to the design . According to the present disclosure , the outer frame 100A comprises electrical grounding connections 212 ( only a few indicated for reasons of clarity) that are adapted to make electrical contact with the electrically conducting part 104A, 104B when the PCB 100 is mounted in the housing 101 .

[0041] As mentioned above , the outer frame 100A and the inner board 100B are separated by a plurality of apertures 210 ( only a few indicated for reasons of clarity) running through the PCB 100 along the border line 106 . Normally, this facilitates the separation of the outer frame 100A from the inner board 100B .

[0042] The inventor has reali zed that the properties of the outer frame 100A makes it suitable for making electrical contact with the electrically conducting part 104A, 104B of the housing via the electrical grounding connections 212 in the outer frame 100A. In this manner, the outer frame 100A is retained, not being discarded, and instead used such that the PCB ground connection and a housing ground connection can be electrically connected is a secure and reliable manner, such that EMC is improved, and electromagnetic interference (EMI ) is minimi zed, by means of the conferred electromagnetic shielding provided in this manner .

[0043] Furthermore , by moving the PCB ground connection to the outer frame 100A, more mounting surface is provided for components . According to some aspect , the outer frame 100A comprises two or more copper or plated areas or layers . Also , by keeping the outer frame 100A, the step of removing it is eliminated, as well as the dust and particles accompanying the removal procedure .

[0044] By means of the apertures 210 running through the PCB 100 along the border line 106 , the mechanical strain can be relived . In particular, and according to some aspects , the apertures 210 are formed by slots 210 that are separated by PCB tongues 211 that connect the outer frame 100A and the inner board 100B .

[0045] By means of the elongated slots 210 , the PCB tongues 211 form the only mechanical connection between the outer frame 100A and the inner board 100B, where these PCB tongues 211 provide a relief for mechanical strain between the outer frame 100A and the inner board 100B . The PCB tongues 211 also provide electrical connection between the outer frame 100A and the inner board 100B, such that a PCB ground connection can be trans ferred between the outer frame 100A and the inner board 100B .

[0046] According to some aspects , with reference to Figure 3 that shows an alternative PCB 300 according to a second example , the PCB 300 comprises an outer frame 300A and an inner board 300B which are separated by a plurality of apertures 310 running through the PCB 300 along the border line 106 where the outer frame 300A comprises electrical grounding connections 312 as in the first example . Here , the apertures 310 are also formed by slots 310 that are separated by PCB tongues 311 that connect the outer frame 300A and the inner board 300B . Furthermore , the slots 210 have longitudinal extensions El , E2 , and the PCB tongues 311 present an angle a in the span 40°-50° to at least one of the longitudinal extensions El , E2 . The angled PCB tongues 311 provide further flexibility between the outer frame 300A and the inner board 300B .

[0047] According to some aspects , with reference to Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 7 , each electrical grounding connection 212 , 312 comprises an elongated via aperture 212 , 312 with a corresponding electrically conductive plating 713 that is electrically connected to a ground connection 714 comprised in the PCB 100 , 300 , 400 . For example , the ground connection 712 is a ground plane comprised in the outer frame 100A, 300A. Figure 7 shows a schematic detailed side section view of an electrical grounding connection 212 engaged by protruding housing connectors 725A, 725B as will be described more in detail later .

[0048] This provides an electrical grounding connection 212 , 312 that is easily accessible .

[0049] Figure 5 shows a schematic detailed top view of an example electrical grounding connection 512 at a PCB 500 . According to some aspects , the PCB 500 comprises at least one electrical grounding connection 512 in the form of an elongated via aperture 512 that is surrounded by a plurality of via holes 515 ( only a few indicated for reasons of clarity) that circumscribe the elongated via aperture 512 .

[0050] The via holes 515 appear in a single row or in multiple rows and can be filled or open, such that a desired flexible resilient functionality is conferred . The via holes 515 add flex and an increased connection regarding thermal and mechanical strain . The via holes 515 can be appl ied for any type of suitable electrical grounding connection, and thus for al l examples provided here .

[0051] According to some aspects , with reference to Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 6A, the inner board 100B, 300B comprises at least one screw attachment part 116A, 116B, in the example there is a first screw attachment part 116A and a second screw attachment part 116B . As illustrated in the detailed Figure 6A, each screw attachment part 116A, 116B comprises a screw receiving part 617 with a screw receiving aperture 618 , and plurality of spokes 619 ( only a few indicated for reasons of clarity) that connect the screw receiving part 617 to the inner board 100B, 300B . The spokes can be straight , angled or arcuate as shown in Figure 6A, and are intended to provide a certain degree of flexibility i f the inner board moves relative the screw receiving part 617 . The width and shape of the spokes 619 should be chosen such a desired degree of flexibility is obtained .

[0052] To be able to attach and fix the PCB 100 internally in the housing 101 , and still partly isolate the PCB from vibrations housing, this special screw attachment part design is preferably used . The spokes 619 take up and isolate and protect the PCB 100 from strain in a manner similar to that of the previously described PCB tongues 211 , 311 .

[0053] According to some aspects , each screw attachment part 116A, 116B is formed integrally with the inner board 100B . This means that the spokes 619 and the screw receiving part 617 are formed in the PCB 100 , and have the same thickness and metal layers as the PCB 100 . By having the screw receiving part 617 comprise a metal layer, suitably a ground plane , where a screw makes contact , a further ground connection between the PCB 10 and the housing 101 is provided for each screw attachment part 116A, 116B .

[0054] An example is illustrated in Figure 8 and Figure 9 , where there is a housing 101 that comprises a first housing part 102A and a second housing part 102B . The second housing part 102B comprises at least one support member 117A, 117B that extends from one inner wall 118 and is adapted to support the PCB 100 . In this example there is a first support member 117A that engages the first screw attachment part 116A and a second support member 117A that engages the second screw attachment part 116B . As illustrated for the first support member 117A and the first screw attachment part 116A in Figure 11B, the support members 117A, 117B thus serve as support for the PCB 100 as well as screw receiving means that suitably comprise a corresponding threaded inner bore 619 adapted to engage a corresponding fastening screw 620 that is mounted via the screw receiving aperture 618 . As mentioned above , the spokes can be formed in many ways , Figure 6A discussed above relates to a screw attachment part according to a first example , and Figure 6B relates to a screw attachment part according to a second example . In Figure 6B, each screw attachment part 116 ' A comprises a screw receiving part 617 ' with a screw receiving aperture 618 ' , and plurality of spokes 619 ' ( only a few indicated for reasons of clarity) that connect the screw receiving part 617 ' to the inner board 100 ' B . The spokes are in this example formed integrally with the inner board 100B where material has been removed in angled grooves 620 ( only a few indicated for reasons of clarity) . Other types of screw attachment parts of this types are possible , where material can be removed in di f ferent number, inclinations and shapes such that for example an increased strain relief can be provided in directions where there are more sensitive parts and solder connections .

[0055] As shown in Figure 4 , the present disclosure also relates to a PCB assembly 420 comprising a plurality of PCBs 300 , 400 as described herein, where the PCBs 300 , 400 are interconnected by means of PCB tabs 421 , 422 . In this particular illustration, two di f ferent types of PCBs are shown, a first type PCB 300 that corresponds to the PCB according to the second example , and a second type PCB 400 having an inner board 400B and an outer frame 400A with electrical grounding connections 412 that comprise an elongated via apertures 412 , where each side of the outer frame 400A comprises one such elongated via aperture 412 . The second type PCB is suitable for relatively small PCBs such as for example camera PCBs , where optical strain isolation can be provided for an imager .

[0056] In this way, a set of PCBs in the PCB assembly 420 can be manufactured and then separated by removing the PCB tabs 421 , 422. Suitable the PCB assembly 420 comprises one type of PCBs, the two types in Figure 4 are shown only for illustrative purposes .

[0057] With reference to Figure 1, the present disclosure also relates to a PCB housing 101 such as the PCB housing that has been described herein in the above description of the PCB 100, 300, 400, 500. With reference also to Figure 7, 8, 10 and 16, the housing 101 comprises a first housing part 102A, a second housing part 102B and at least one electrically conducting part 104A, 104B, as mentioned in the previous examples. According to some aspects, as mentioned above, the electrically conducting part 104A, 104B comprises an electrically conductive layer at least partly covering the inner sides of at least one of the first housing part 102A and the second housing part 102B.

[0058] Furthermore, with reference also to Figure 9 and 11-15, the housing 101 comprises protruding connectors 725A, 725B; 825, 826 that partly comprise said electrically conducting part 104A, 104B and are adapted to make electrical contact with electrical grounding connections 212, 312 comprised in a PCB 100, 300, 400, 500 as described herein when the PCB 100, 300, 400, 500 is mounted in the housing 101. In this manner, a housing is provided that offers environmental protection as well as a secure and reliable EMI grounding for a PCB.

[0059] It is of course conceivable that the housing parts 102A, 102B are made in a conducting material such as metal, such that the first housing part 102A constitutes a first electrically conducting part 104A and such that the second housing part 102B constitutes a second electrically conducting part 104B. The protruding connectors 725A, 725B; 825, 826 are then suitably also formed in metal, in the same piece of material as the corresponding housing part 102A, 102B. Irrespective of materials used for the housing parts , it is also conceivable that the protruding connectors 725A, 725B ; 825 , 826 are not formed in the same piece of material as the rest of the corresponding housing part 102A, 102B, but are formed separately and attached to the respective part .

[0060] In the examples provided, the hous ing parts are formed in a nonconducting material , such as a plastic material , where the electrically conducting part 104A, 104B comprises an electrically conductive layer at least partly covering the inner sides of at least one of the first housing part 102A and the second housing part 102B . The electrically conductive layer is for example constituted by a depos ited electrically conductive coating or by a metal foil or film .

[0061] The protruding connectors 725A, 725B ; 825 , 826 can be of di f ferent types . Figure 7 illustrates a first example where protruding connectors 725A, 725B engage a PCB electrical grounding connection 212 , 312 , 512 as described above . Here there is a first protruding connector 725A that extends from the first housing part 102A towards the PCB 100 and the second housing part 102B through the electrical grounding connection 212 , 312 , 512 , and a second protruding connector 725B that extends from the second housing part 102B towards first the PCB 100 and the first housing part 102A through the electrical grounding connection 212 , 312 , 512 .

[0062] The protruding connectors 725A, 725B are thus adapted to extend through the same electrical grounding connection 212 , 312 , 512 from opposite directions and make a tight fit in the electrical grounding connection 212 , 312 , 512 . For facilitated mounting, an end part of each protruding connectors 725A, 725B is tapered or arrow-shaped . This provides a stable EMC connection and PCB fixation in the housing .

[0063] As illustrated in Figure 1 , Figure 8 and Figure 10 , according to some aspects , the first housing part 102A comprises an inner flange part 1103 , 1203A that comprises first protruding connectors 725A. The inner flange part 1103 may be slightly distanced from a mounted PCB 100 as illustrated in Figure 7 and Figure 8 , alternatively the inner flange part 1203A may be in contact with a mounted PCB as shown in Figure 10 . The first protruding connectors 725A thus protrude away from the inner flange part 1103 , 1203A, towards a mounted PCB 100 .

[0064] As illustrated in Figure 1 and Figure 8 , according to some aspects , the second housing part 102B comprises an inner rim 103 that comprises second protruding connectors 725B and which inner rim 103 is adapted to support a PCB 100 according to the above . The inner rim 103 is at least partly circumferentially running and provides a secure circumferential support for the PCB 100 . In this way the PCB 100 is reliably supported and completely enclosed in the housing 100 . The inner flange part may be in contact with a mounted PCB, or positioned at a slight distance from the mounted PCB . The term slight here means a distance that enables the first protruding connectors 725A to engage PCB electrical grounding connections 212 .

[0065] According to some aspects , as shown in Figure 10 , the first housing part 102A' comprises a first flange part 1203A and the second housing part 102B' comprises a second flange part 1203B . At least one of the flange parts 1203A, 1203B comprises protruding connectors as described herein, where the flange parts 1203A, 1203B are adapted to receive a PCB 100 as described herein, such that the PCB 100 is sandwiched between the flange parts 1203A, 1203B . In this way the edges of the PCB 100 are not enclosed by the housing 101 ' , but form part of the housing' s outer enclosure . The flange parts may extend away from the housing' s main outer enclosure as illustrated in Figure 14- 16 .

[0066] For the examples above , the housing parts 102A, 102B ; 102A' , 102B' can be attached to each other in any desired manner, suitably by means of screws or similar . In the example of Figure 10 , the screws would have to penetrate the PCB 100 , while that is not necessary in the example of Figure 8 .

[0067] According to some aspects , as shown in Figure 8 and Figure 9 , the second housing part 102B comprises at least one support member 117A, 117B that extends from one inner wal l 118 and i s adapted to support a PCB 100 as described herein .

[0068] In this example , there is a first support member 117A and a second support member 117A, which support members 117A, 117B also serve as support for the PCB 100 as well as screw receiving means that suitably comprise a corresponding threaded inner bore 619 adapted to engage a corresponding fastening screw 620 that is mounted via the screw receiving aperture 618 .

[0069] As illustrated in Figure 8 , the housing parts 102A, 102B may be of di f ferent si zes , where these si zes may be adapted for accommodation of relatively large electronic components Cl , C2 that are mounted to the PCB 100 . In this example , this means that the second housing part 102B provides a larger inner space than the first housing parts 102A, such that larger components Cl , C2 are mounted on the side of the PCB 100 that is adapted to face the second housing part 102B .

[0070] According to some aspects , with reference to Figure 11- 16 that illustrate a second example for protruding connectors 825 , 826 , the housing 101 comprises a fastening frame 831 that in turn comprises fastening protrusions 830 . At least one fastening protrusion 830 is adapted to protrude between two adj acent protruding connectors 825 , 826 that are adapted to protrude through an electrical grounding connection 812 . The electrical grounding connection 812 is suitable of a similar type as the previously described electrical grounding connections and comprises an elongated via aperture 812 with a corresponding electrically conductive plating 713 that is electrically connected to a ground connection 714 comprised in the PCB 100 . Such a ground connections can be in the form of one or more PCB ground planes .

[0071] Figure 13 shows an exploded view of a PCB 100 that is to be mounted in a housing 101 ' ' . A first housing part 102A' ' comprises a first flange part 802A and a second housing part 102B' ' comprises a second flange part 802B, where the PCB 100 is intended to be sandwiched between the flange parts 802A, 802B as shown in Figure 14 . Figure 15 shows a top view of Figure 14 and Figure 16 shows a section view of Figure 15 . The flange parts 802A, 802B extend away from the housings ' respective main outer enclosure such that each flange part 802A, 802B forms a circumferentially running outer rim .

[0072] Figure 11 shows a section detail of a PCB 100 mounted between the flange parts 802A, 802B, where a fastening protrusion 830 extends from the fastening frame 831 through apertures 870A, 870B in the flange parts 802A, 802B, and through an electrical grounding connection 812 in the form of a via aperture 812 as mentioned above , being one of several such via apertures 812 as depicted in Figure 15 . At least one of the flange parts 802A, 802B, in this example the second flange part 802B, comprises protruding connectors 825 , 826 . According to some aspects , there is an electrically conducting part 104A, 104B that comprises an electrically conductive layer that at least partly covers the inner sides of the housing parts 102A' ' , 102B' ' . A first electrically conductive layer 104A at least partly covers the inner sides of the first housing part 102A' ' , and a second electrically conductive layer 104B at least partly covers the inner sides of the second housing part 102B' ' . The electrically conducting part 104A, 104B and the housing parts 102A' ' , 102B' ' can be formed in many ways , as exempli fied above . Since , in this example , the second housing part 102B' ' comprises the protruding connectors 825 , 826 , the second electrically conductive layer 104B covers the protruding connectors 825 , 826 .

[0073] When the fastening protrusion 830 protrudes between two adj acent protruding connectors 825 , 826 , the protruding connectors 825 , 826 are pushed away from each other, towards the electrical grounding connection 812 , by the fastening protrusion 830 , such that electrical contact is establi shed between the PCB ground connection 714 and the second electrically conductive layer 104B as illustrated in Figure 11 and Figure 12 that is a section view of Figure 11 . For reasons of clarity, although they may be present , no electrically conducting layers and the like are indicated in Figure 12 .

[0074] In other words , the protruding connectors 825 , 826 that partly comprise the second electrically conductive layer 104B are thus adapted to make electrical contact with electrical grounding connections 812 comprised in the PCB 100 described herein when the PCB 100 is mounted in the hous ing 101 ' ' . This contact is established by the fastening protrusion 830 pushing the protruding connectors 825 , 826 apart when the fastening frame 831 is attached to the housing 101 ' ' as illustrated with arrows in Figure 11 and Figure 12 . When mounted, each fastening protrusion 830 is guided through a first aperture 870A in the first flange part 802A, between the protruding connectors 825 , 826 in the electrical grounding connections 812 , and through a second aperture 870B in the second flange parts 802B .

[0075] For facilitated mounting, an end part 832 of each fastening protrusion 830 is tapered or arrow-shaped . Each end part 832 penetrates a corresponding second aperture 870B and then acts as a stop that prevents the fastening frame 831 and its fastening protrusions 830 to be removed . In order to enable this , each end part 832 has a larger maximum cross-section area than the rest of the fastening protrusion 830 and the second aperture 870B, and is preferably deformable . Alternatively, each end part 832 is enlarged after mounting by means of a heat stake process such that a reliable attachment is obtained .

[0076] This means that the fastening frame 831 and its fastening protrusions 830 ensures EMC, and may also be used as securing means that holds the housing parts 102A' ' , 102B' ' and the PCB 100 together .

[0077] Additional securing means such as screws or bolts can also be used i f necessary .

[0078] Each fastening protrusion 830 may have an electrically conductive layer or coating 833 . Thi s is , however, not necessary . The fastening frame 831 and its fastening protrusions 830 may for example be made in a plastic material . The fastening protrusions 830 may be made in another material than the rest o f the fastening frame 831 .

[0079] In this manner, a housing is provided that of fers environmental protection as well as a secure and reliable EMI grounding for a

[0080] PCB . The present disclosure also relates to an electronic assembly 150 comprising the PCB 100, 300, 400, 500 as described herein, and the housing 101, 101' , 101' ' as described herein, where the PCB 100 is mounted in the housing 101. The PCB 100 comprises a first outer layer 1150, 1250 and a second outer layer 1151, 1251, where the first outer layer 1150, 1250 mainly faces the first housing part 102A, 102A' and the second outer layer 1151, 1251 mainly faces the second housing part 102B, 102B' .

[0081] Above, different types of PCBs and different types of housings have been described. Of course, any type of PCB can be used for any type of housing.

[0082] The present disclosure is not limited to the above, but may vary freely within the scope of the appended claims. Suitably, the electrically conductive layers 104A, 104B mainly, or completely, covers the inner sides of the respective housing part.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A printed circuit board (100, 300, 400, 500) , PCB, adapted to be mounted in a housing (101) that comprises a first housing part (102A) , a second housing part (102B) and at least one electrically conducting part (104A, 104B) , where the PCB (100, 300) comprises an outer frame (100A, 300A) and an inner board (100B, 300B) , where the outer frame (100A, 300A) is formed integrally with the inner board (100B) , where the outer frame (100A, 300A) and the inner board (100B, 300B) are separated by a plurality of apertures (210) running through the PCB (100, 300) along a border line (106) , characterized in that the outer frame (100A, 300A) comprises electrical grounding connections (212, 312) that are adapted to make electrical contact with the electrically conducting part (104A, 104B) when the PCB (100, 300, 400, 500) is mounted in the housing (101) .

2. The PCB (100) according to claim 1, wherein the apertures (210, 310) are formed by slots (210, 310) that are separated by PCB tongues (211, 311) that connect the outer frame (100A, 300A) and the inner board (100B, 300B) .

3. The PCB (300) according to claim 2, wherein the slots (310) have longitudinal extensions (El, E2) , and where the PCB tongues (311) present an angle (a) in the span 40°-50° to at least one of the longitudinal extensions (El, E2) .

4. The PCB (100, 300) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein each electrical grounding connection (212, 312, 412, 512) comprises an elongated via aperture (212, 312, 412, 512) with a corresponding electrically conductive plating (713) that is electrically connected to a ground connection (714) comprised in the PCB (100, 300, 400) .

5. The PCB (500) according to claim 4, wherein at least one elongated via aperture (512) is surrounded by a plurality of via holes (515) that circumscribe the elongated via aperture (512) .

6. The PCB (100, 300) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the inner board (100B, 300B) comprises at least one screw attachment part (116A, 116B) , where each screw attachment part (116A, 116B) comprises a screw receiving part (617) with a screw receiving aperture (618) , and plurality of spokes (619) that connect the screw receiving part (617) to the inner board (100B, 300B) .

7. A PCB assembly (420) comprising a plurality of PCBs (300, 400) according to any one of the previous claims, where the PCBs (300, 400) are interconnected by means of PCB tabs (421, 422) .

8. A printed circuit board, PCB, housing (101) that comprises a first housing part (102A) , a second housing part (102B) and at least one electrically conducting part (104A, 104B) , where the housing (101) comprises protruding connectors (725A, 725B; 825, 826) that partly comprise said electrically conducting part (104A, 104B) and are adapted to make electrical contact with electrical grounding connections (212, 312) comprised in a PCB (100, 300, 400, 500) according to any one of the claims 1-6 when the PCB (100, 300, 400, 500) is mounted in the housing (101) .

9. The housing (101) according to claim 8, wherein the electrically conducting part (104A, 104B) comprises an electrically conductive layer at least partly covering the inner sides of at least one of the first housing part (102A) and the second housing part (102B) .

10. The housing ( 101 ' ' ) according to any one of the claims 8 or 9, wherein the housing ( 101 ' ' ) comprises a fastening frame (831) that in turn comprises fastening protrusions (830) , where at least one fastening protrusion (830) is adapted to protrude between two adjacent protruding connectors (825, 826) that are adapted to protrude through an electrical grounding connection (812) that comprises an elongated via aperture (812) with a corresponding electrically conductive plating (713) that is electrically connected to a ground connection (714) comprised in the PCB (100) .

11. The housing (101) according to any one of the claims 8-10, wherein the first housing part (102A) comprises an inner flange part (1103, 1203A) that comprises first protruding connectors (725A) .

12. The housing (101) according to any one of the claims 8-11, wherein the second housing part (102B) comprises an inner rim (103) that comprises second protruding connectors (725B; 825, 826) and which inner rim (103) is adapted to support a PCB (10) according to any one of the claims 1-6.

13. The housing (101' ) according to any one of the claims 8-10, wherein the first housing part (102A' ) comprises a first flange part (1203A) and where the second housing part (102B' ) comprises a second flange part (1203B) , at least one of the flange parts (1203A, 1203B) comprising protruding connectors, where the flange parts (1203A, 1203B) are adapted to receive a PCB (100) according to any one of the claims 1-6, such that the PCB (100) is sandwiched between the flange parts (1203A, 1203B) .

14. The housing (101) according to any one of the claims8-13, wherein the second housing part (102B) comprises at leastone support member (117A, 117B) that extends from one inner wall (118) and is adapted to support a PCB (100) according to any one of the claims 1-6.

15. An electronic assembly (150) comprising the PCB (100) according to any one of the claims 1-6 and the housing (101) according to any one of the claims 8-14, where the PCB (100) is mounted in the housing (101) , where the PCB (100) comprises a first outer layer (1150, 1250) and a second outer layer (1151, 1251) , where the first outer layer (1150, 1250) mainly faces the first housing part (102A, 102A' ) and the second outer layer (1151, 1251) mainly faces the second housing part (102B, 102B' ) .

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