Device for forming a non-rigid connection by means of a flexible printed circuit board

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device (1) for forming a flexible connection between a first electrical sub-assembly (30) and a second electrical sub-assembly by means of a flexible printed circuit board (2). The device comprises a holder (20) which is designed to be fastened to the first electrical sub-assembly, and a centring element (10) which is designed to partially surround the flexible printed circuit board and to be fastened to the holder. The centring element can be detached from the holder such that the centring element can be fixed to the second electrical sub-assembly, in particular in an opening of the second electrical sub-assembly, after a movement in the direction of the second electrical sub-assembly.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Device for forming a flexible connection using a flexible printed circuit board

[0003] State of the art

[0004] The present invention relates to a device for forming a flexible connection between a first electrical sub-assembly and a second electrical sub-assembly by means of a flexible printed circuit board, an electrical assembly and a method for manufacturing an electrical assembly.

[0005] The use of a flexible printed circuit board (PCB) enables contact between two adjacent electrical assemblies. However, the flexibility of the PCB can cause problems during assembly. For the insertion process of the flexible PCB into a terminal block on a circuit board, a stiffer and more reproducible behavior of the flexible PCB is necessary. Furthermore, distortion of the flexible PCB due to handling or prior thermal influences can lead to faulty insertion attempts and thus to scrap.

[0006] It would be desirable to have a device for creating a flexible connection using a flexible printed circuit board (PCB), which would make the assembly of the flexible connection and the mating process of the PCB more robust and reduce scrap. Furthermore, an easy-to-manufacture electrical assembly would be desirable in which two electrical subassemblies to be connected are mechanically decoupled from each other by the flexible PCB, thus reducing problems caused by vibration.

[0007] Disclosure of the Invention: The inventive method for forming a flexible connection with the features of claim 1 has the advantage that a flexible, in particular flexible, connection between a first electrical subassembly and a second electrical subassembly can be reliably formed by means of a flexible printed circuit board. The resulting connection remains flexible, thus preventing problems caused by vibration. This is achieved according to the invention by the device comprising a holder which is configured to be attached to the first electrical subassembly. Furthermore, the device comprises a centering element which is configured to partially enclose the flexible printed circuit board and to be attached to the holder.The centering element is detachable from the holder, allowing it to be fixed to the second electrical subassembly after being moved towards it. Specifically, the centering element can be fixed in an opening of the second electrical subassembly. The centering element, mounted on the holder, thus enables a robust and reliable connection between the flexible printed circuit board and the second electrical subassembly. The centering element is preferably configured to center the flexible printed circuit board relative to the second electrical subassembly and to compensate for tolerances. By subsequently detaching the centering element from the holder and attaching it to the second electrical subassembly, the connection can be mechanically decoupled, thereby increasing its resistance to vibration.

[0008] The flexible printed circuit board is preferably already attached to the first electrical subassembly or is part of the first electrical subassembly. Alternatively, the flexible printed circuit board can also be subsequently connected to the first electrical subassembly. The first electrical subassembly and the second electrical subassembly are preferably assemblies comprising at least one electrical or electronic component. The centering element is preferably movable relative to the partially enclosed flexible printed circuit board, particularly in the longitudinal direction of the flexible printed circuit board.

[0009] The dependent claims describe preferred embodiments of the invention. Preferably, a detachable plug connection is formed between the centering element and the holder. This enables simple and cost-effective manufacturing of the detachable connection and easy handling for forming the flexible connection.

[0010] Preferably, the centering element comprises a receiving area configured to receive a fastening element of the holder in order to form the detachable plug connection. Using the detachable plug connection consisting of the receiving area and the fastening element, the centering element can be easily aligned with the holder and attached to it, subsequently forming a flexible connection with the second electrical subassembly.

[0011] The centering element preferably comprises a snap hook configured to form a snap connection with the second electrical subassembly. Preferably, the snap hook forms a snap connection with a housing component of the second electrical subassembly, in particular with an EMC shield. A snap connection can be formed quickly and easily and enables a reliable connection between the centering element and the second electrical subassembly. The snap connection can be detachable or permanent. An EMC shield is understood to be a shield for improving electromagnetic compatibility. By incorporating an EMC shield into the snap connection, the electromagnetic compatibility of the resulting flexible connection can be improved. The EMC shield is preferably integrated into a housing component.Furthermore, the centering of the centering element in the EMC shield and the flexible connection enable tolerance compensation between the first and the second electrical sub-assembly, so that a flexible connection over a large tolerance chain is also feasible.

[0012] Preferably, the centering element comprises a first half and a second half, which are connected at a first end by means of a fastening element or a hinge joint and can be connected to each other at a second end to partially enclose the flexible printed circuit board (PCB). The hinge joint is particularly designed as a film hinge, which allows for simple and cost-effective manufacturing in an injection molding process. The first half and the second half are preferably connectable to each other at the second end by means of a snap-fit ​​connection. Thus, the flexible PCB can be easily inserted between the two halves of the centering element and quickly and reliably enclosed by them. Preferably, the first half or the second half has a receiving area so that the flexible PCB can be partially enclosed while the centering element is mounted on the holder.

[0013] Preferably, the centering element comprises an interaction area at an end facing away from the holder, which in particular enables movement of the centering element through the opening in the second electrical subassembly. The interaction area allows manual or machine gripping of the centering element, so that the centering element can be reliably moved towards the second electrical subassembly.

[0014] The centering element preferably includes a guide element designed to align the centering element with the second electrical subassembly. This allows positional tolerances between the first and second electrical subassemblies to be compensated for, ensuring a reliable, flexible connection via the flexible circuit board.

[0015] The invention further relates to an electrical assembly comprising the first electrical subassembly, the second electrical subassembly, and the flexible printed circuit board. The electrical subassembly further includes the previously described device with the holder and the centering element for forming a flexible connection. The first electrical subassembly and the second electrical subassembly are flexibly connected to each other by means of the flexible printed circuit board. In the electrical assembly, the holder is attached to the first electrical subassembly and the centering element is attached to the second electrical subassembly, with the holder being detached from the centering element.Thus, an electrical assembly can be reliably and cost-effectively provided, in which two electrical subassemblies are flexibly connected to each other, thereby mechanically decoupling them and reducing problems caused by vibration. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for manufacturing such an electrical assembly. According to the method, in a first step, the centering element is attached to the holder, the holder being attached to the first electrical subassembly with the flexible circuit board. In a next step, the centering element partially encloses the flexible circuit board. Subsequently, the centering element with the flexible circuit board is positioned on the second electrical subassembly. In particular, the centering element with the flexible circuit board is positioned in the opening of the second electrical subassembly.After the centering element with the flexible circuit board is positioned on the second electrical subassembly, the centering element is moved towards the second electrical subassembly, first releasing it from the holder and then fixing it to the second electrical subassembly. This allows for the simple and reliable production of the electrical assembly, which features a flexible connection between the first and second electrical subassemblies.

[0016] Preferably, after moving the centering element, the flexible printed circuit board is electrically contacted with the second electrical subassembly. The mechanical stabilization and centering of the flexible printed circuit board by means of the centering element, which is attached to the second electrical subassembly, ensures reliable electrical contact between the flexible printed circuit board and the second electrical subassembly.

[0017] Preferably, the centering element comprises a first half and a second half, which are connected at the first end by means of a hinge joint. The flexible printed circuit board (PCB) is moved between the first and second halves, which are then connected at a second end to partially enclose the PCB. This allows the centering element to be easily and reliably attached to the flexible PCB.

[0018] Brief description of the drawings A preferred embodiment of the invention is described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawing shows:

[0019] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the device for forming a flexible connection with a holder and a centering element according to a preferred embodiment of the invention in the initial state.

[0020] Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the device for forming a flexible connection according to the preferred embodiment, after the centering element has partially enclosed a flexible printed circuit board.

[0021] Figure 3 shows a perspective partial view of an electrical assembly with the device according to the preferred embodiment, after the centering element with the flexible circuit board has been positioned on a second electrical sub-assembly.

[0022] Figure 4 shows a sectional view of the preferred embodiment.

[0023] Figure 3,

[0024] Figure 5 shows a perspective partial view of the electrical assembly with the device according to the preferred embodiment, after the centering element has been fixed to the second electrical sub-assembly.

[0025] Figure 6 shows a sectional view of the preferred embodiment.

[0026] Figure 5,

[0027] Figure 7 shows a perspective partial view of the electrical assembly with the device according to the preferred embodiment, after the flexible printed circuit board has been electrically contacted with a connector strip, and Figure 8 shows a perspective view of the electrical assembly according to the preferred embodiment.

[0028] Embodiments of the invention

[0029] Preferably, all identical components, elements and / or units in all figures are provided with the same reference numerals.

[0030] With reference to Figures 1 to 8, a device 1 for forming a flexible connection between a first electrical sub-assembly 30 and a second electrical sub-assembly 40 by means of a flexible printed circuit board 2, an electrical assembly 100 and a method for manufacturing the electrical assembly 100 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention are described in detail below.

[0031] Figure 1 shows the device 1 for forming a flexible connection, which comprises a holder 20 and a centering element 10. The holder 20 is attached to a housing of a first electrical subassembly 30 by means of a snap connection.

[0032] The flexible circuit board 2 is partially arranged between the holder 20 and the second electrical subassembly 30. The flexible circuit board 2 is preferably electrically connected to the first electrical subassembly 30. A portion of the flexible circuit board 2 is freely arranged outside the first electrical subassembly 30 and the holder 20 and is configured to be connected to a second electrical subassembly 40 (shown in Figures 3 to 8).

[0033] The centering element 10 has a first half 13 and a second half 14. The first half 13 and the second half 14 are connected to each other at a first end 15 by means of a film hinge 17. A second end 16 of the first half 13 has a connecting element 3 for connecting the first half 13 to the second half 14 at the second end 16. In the illustrated embodiment, the connecting element 3 is designed as a snap hook. A receiving area 11 is arranged on the second half 14, which receives a fastening element 21 of the holder 20 to form a detachable plug connection with the holder 20.

[0034] The centering element 10 comprises an interaction area 18 at its first end 15 and at its second end 16 on a side facing away from the holder 20. The centering element 10 can be contacted manually or mechanically at the interaction area 18 in order to move the centering element 10.

[0035] The centering element 10 has a snap hook 12 on both its first half 13 and second half 14 in the region of its first end 15 and second end 16, respectively, which enable tolerance compensation between the centering element 10 and the second electrical subassembly 40. Furthermore, a snap connection between the centering element 10 and the second electrical subassembly 40 can be formed by means of the snap hooks 12.

[0036] A guide element 19 is arranged on the first half 13 of the centering element 10. The centering element 10 can be aligned with the second electrical sub-assembly 14 by means of the guide element 19. The centering element 19 is positioned centrally between the first end 15 and the second end 16 and has a chamfer in the direction of the second electrical sub-assembly 40.

[0037] A stop 22 is arranged on the holder 20, which is configured to contact the second electrical sub-assembly 40. This ensures a defined distance between the second electrical sub-assembly 40 and the first electrical sub-assembly 10.

[0038] Figure 2 shows the preferred embodiment on Figure 1, after the flexible printed circuit board 2 has been arranged between the first half 13 and the second half 14 of the centering element 10 and the latter has been closed to partially enclose the flexible printed circuit board 2.

[0039] The centering element 10 is closed by means of the connecting element 3, which is designed as a snap hook and is arranged at the second end 16 of the centering element. The centering element 10 is also attached to the holder 20.

[0040] To be positioned between the first half 13 and the second half 14 of the centering element 10, the flexible circuit board 2 has been bent by 90° in the direction of the second electrical subassembly 40. The first half 13 and the second half 14 of the centering element 10 preferably make light contact with the flexible circuit board 2, so that the flexible circuit board 2 is fixed, but the centering element 10 remains movable along the flexible circuit board 2.

[0041] Figure 3 shows a partial view of the electrical assembly 100 with the device 1 for forming a flexible connection from Figure 2, after the centering element 10 with the flexible circuit board 2 has been positioned in an opening 41 in a housing component 42 of the second electrical subassembly 40. The centering element 10 remains attached to the holder 20. Thus, the flexible circuit board 2 can be reliably positioned in the opening 41 of the electrical subassembly 40 by means of the centering element 10. The centering element 10 enables tolerance compensation between the first electrical subassembly 30 and the second electrical subassembly 40. The centering element 10 is positioned in the opening 41 without contact with the second electrical subassembly 40.

[0042] The centering element 10 is arranged in the opening 41 only by means of the interaction area 18, so that the centering element 10 can be grasped from the second electrical sub-assembly 40 and moved further in the direction of the opening 41 of the second electrical sub-assembly 40, whereby the centering element 10 detaches from the holder 20.

[0043] An EMC shield 43 is integrated into the housing component 42, which is designed to improve the electromagnetic compatibility of the second electrical subassembly 40.

[0044] Figure 4 shows a sectional view of the representation from Figure 3. The snap hooks 12 are arranged on the first half 13 and the second half 14 of the centering element 10 and are aligned in the direction of the second electrical subassembly 40.

[0045] Figure 5 shows the device 1 for forming a flexible connection after the centering element 10 has been moved towards the second electrical sub-assembly 40, wherein the centering element 10 was first released from the holder 20 and then fixed to the opening 41 of the second electrical sub-assembly 40. The snap hooks engage for this purpose.

[0046] 12 of the centering element 10 engages in the second electrical subassembly 40 to form a positive fit between the second electrical subassembly 40 and the centering element 10. The position of the flexible circuit board 2 in the opening 41 of the second electrical subassembly 40 preferably remains unchanged during the movement of the centering element 10.

[0047] Midway between the first end 15 and the second end 16 of the first half

[0048] The guide element 19 is arranged in 13, which is designed to engage in a recess 46 in the housing component 42 of the second electrical sub-assembly 40 and to align the centering element 10 to the second electrical sub-assembly 40.

[0049] The centering element 10 was preferably moved in the direction of the second electrical subassembly 40 by contacting the centering element 10 at the interaction areas 18 and then moving it.

[0050] Figure 6 shows a sectional view of the representation from Figure 5. It can be seen that the centering element 10 is completely detached from the holder 20. Thus, the electrical assembly 100 is formed from the first electrical sub-assembly 30 and the second electrical sub-assembly 40, the two sub-assemblies being flexibly connected to each other by means of the flexible circuit board 2.

[0051] Figure 7 shows a perspective view of the electrical assembly 100, in which the flexible printed circuit board 2 is electrically connected to a connector 44 located on a printed circuit board. The centering element 10 secures and positions the flexible printed circuit board 2, ensuring reliable and robust contact with the printed circuit board. Furthermore, the flexible printed circuit board 2 has sword-shaped contacts that are not connected to the connector 44. By pulling on these sword-shaped contacts, the flexible printed circuit board 2 can be inserted securely and without obstruction into the connector 44.

[0052] Figure 8 shows another perspective view of the electrical assembly 100 from below. A flexible connection is formed between the first electrical sub-assembly 30 and the second electrical sub-assembly 40 by means of the flexible circuit board 2. The reliable formation of this flexible connection is ensured by the device 1. In the finished electrical assembly 100, the holder 20 is attached to the first electrical sub-assembly 30 and the centering element 10 is attached to the second electrical sub-assembly 40. Thus, the first electrical sub-assembly 30 is mechanically coupled to the second electrical sub-assembly 40 only by means of the flexible circuit board 2.

[0053] Figure 8 shows a printed circuit board 45. The printed circuit board 45 is mechanically connected to the housing component 42 and the connector strip 44. Furthermore, the printed circuit board 45 has two openings in which the sword-shaped contacts of the flexible printed circuit board 2 are arranged in order to connect the flexible printed circuit board 2 to the connector strip from above the printed circuit board 45.

[0054] The first electrical subassembly 30 is preferably a power module.

Claims

Claims 1. Device for forming a flexible connection between a first electrical sub-assembly (30) and a second electrical sub-assembly (40) by means of a flexible printed circuit board (2), comprising a holder (20) which is configured to be attached to the first electrical sub-assembly (30) and a centering element (10) which is configured to partially enclose the flexible printed circuit board (2) and to be attached to the holder (20), wherein the centering element (10) is detachable from the holder (20) so that the centering element (10) can be fixed to the second electrical sub-assembly (40) after a movement in the direction of the second electrical sub-assembly (40), in particular in an opening (41) of the second electrical sub-assembly (40).

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein a detachable plug connection is formed between the centering element (10) and the holder (20).

3. Device according to claim 2, wherein the centering element (10) comprises a receiving area (11) which is configured to receive a fastening element (21) of the holder (20) in order to form the detachable plug connection.

4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the centering element (10) is configured to form a positive-locking connection with the second electrical sub-assembly (40).

5. Device according to claim 4, wherein the centering element (10) comprises a snap hook (12) which is configured to form a snap connection with the second electrical sub-assembly (40), in particular with a housing component (42) of the second electrical sub-assembly, especially preferably with an EMC shield (43).

6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the centering element (10) comprises a first half (13) and a second half (14) which are connected at a first end (15) by means of a fastening element or a hinge joint, in particular a film hinge (17) and can be connected at a second end (16) to partially enclose the flexible circuit board (2).

7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the centering element (10) comprises an interaction area (18) at an end facing away from the holder (20), which in particular enables the centering element (10) to be moved through the opening (41) in the second electrical sub-assembly (40).

8. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the centering element (10) has a guide element (19) which is configured to align the centering element (10) to the second electrical sub-assembly (40).

9. Electrical assembly comprising a device (1) according to one of the preceding claims with the holder (20) and the centering element (10), the first electrical sub-assembly (30), the second electrical sub-assembly (40) and the flexible printed circuit board (2), wherein the first electrical sub-assembly (30) and the second electrical sub-assembly (40) are flexibly connected to each other by means of the flexible printed circuit board (2) and wherein the holder (20) is attached to the first electrical sub-assembly (30) and the centering element (10) is attached to the second electrical sub-assembly (40) and the holder (10) is detached from the centering element (10).

10. Method for manufacturing an electrical assembly (100) according to claim 9, comprising the steps: Attaching the centering element (10) to the holder (20), which is attached to the first electrical subassembly (30) by means of the flexible printed circuit board (2), partially enclosing the flexible printed circuit board (2) with the centering element Positioning the centering element (10) with the flexible circuit board (2) on the second electrical subassembly (40), in particular in the opening (41) of the second electrical subassembly (40), Moving the centering element (10) towards the second electrical subassembly (40), wherein the centering element (10) is first released from the holder (20) and then fixed to the second electrical subassembly (40).

11. Method according to claim 10, wherein after moving the centering element (10) the flexible circuit board (2) is electrically contacted with the second electrical subassembly (40).

12. Method according to one of claims 10 or 11, wherein the centering element (10) comprises the first half (13) and second half (14) which are connected to each other at the first end (15) by means of a hinge joint or a fastening element, wherein the flexible printed circuit board (2) is placed between the first half (13) and the second half (14), which are subsequently connected to each other at a second end (16) to enclose the flexible printed circuit board (2).

Images