Control unit housing comprising a cover with centering and positioning rods

Abstract

The invention relates to a housing (1) for a control unit of a lighting projector, the housing comprising a cover (2), a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) (4) and a male portion (21) of an SMT connector, the pins (22) of which project beyond the PCBA by a height hb. The receiving interface (26) is integrated into the cover and comprises a receiving region (27) for receiving a female connector portion, the receiving region passing through the cover and projecting beneath the main wall (16) of the cover by a height hi greater than or equal to 0, and into which the pins are inserted when the housing is assembled. The cover also comprises at least two rods (29, 30), which project beneath the main wall toward the PCBA over a length greater than hb+hi ,, and which pass through corresponding holes (35, 36) in the PCBA when the housing is assembled. These rods preferably comprise a pointed distal end (31).

Description

CONTROL UNIT HOUSING WITH A CENTERING AND POSITIONING ROD COVER TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a control unit housing for the functions of a motor vehicle headlight.

[0002] More specifically, the invention relates to the component parts of this housing and in particular its cover which includes centering and positioning rods for mounting the shield and the printed circuit board. TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] In the automotive field, control unit boxes (called "drivers" in English) are used to electronically control the various functions of the headlights, for example high beams, low beams, position lights, hazard lights, fog lights…

[0004] Control unit housings typically consist of a metal cover, a printed circuit board (PCB) on which electronic components are assembled (the board is then designated by the acronym PCBA, meaning Printed Circuit Board Assembly), and an aluminum heat sink that dissipates the heat generated by the electronic components using fins extending along its underside. In this case, the metal cover acts as a shield against electromagnetic interference that could affect the electronic components (electromagnetic compatibility).

[0005] This type of housing is typically equipped with the male part of a connector whose pins pass through the PCBA board. These connection pins are surrounded by a plastic sleeve, directly overmolded around the pins, and whose upper part is shaped into a receiving interface for the female part of the connector. This interface passes through an opening in the central part of the cover and is thus accessible for inserting the female part of the connector, which is connected to the lighting projector. This allows the lighting projector to be connected to the electronic components of the PCBA board and thus controlled electronically.

[0006] However, when space is limited, it is sometimes necessary to reduce the size of the control unit enclosure and, consequently, the size of the PCB on which the electronic components are mounted. In such cases, it is essential to use both sides of the PCB to accommodate all the necessary electronic components. The use of conventional connectors, whose through-hole pins occupy the underside of the PCB, is no longer feasible. They must be replaced by SMT (Surface Mount Technology) connectors, whose non-through-hole pins are soldered to the top side of the PCB.

[0007] Performing such a precise and delicate soldering operation at the base of each pin is incompatible with the presence of a plastic casing overmolded around the pins at that point. This complexly shaped plastic component, which serves as a receiving interface for the female part of the connector to ensure a proper connection with the pins, must therefore be relocated to the cover. It is thus independent and initially detached from the pins.

[0008] The invention relates to this type of control box in which the receiving interface of the female part of the connector is located at the level of the cover and is independent of the pins soldered on the PCBA board.

[0009] To simplify manufacturing, the cover can be made entirely of plastic, with the receiving interface of the female part of the connector then being directly integrated into the rest of the cover.

[0010] Generally, the female connector's receiving interface is positioned on a section called a "chimney" within the cover. This chimney is designed to be inserted into a recess on the projector side, allowing the control unit housing to be attached to the projector. Another advantage of this type of plastic cover is its ability to accommodate constraints regarding the placement of the receiving interface and the chimney. For example, in a specific constraint, the chimney and the receiving interface may be offset from each other. In this case, the plastic molding allows for this positioning while still incorporating both the chimney and the receiving interface into the cover.

[0011] An independent shield, in the form of an additional metal plate inserted between the cover and the PCBA board, is then added to protect the electronic components from electromagnetic interference.

[0012] During the assembly of the various components of the control unit housing, the cover is placed over the PCBA board and any shield. The pins, which are soldered to the top surface of the PCBA board, must then be engaged in the receiving interface located on the cover in order to recreate the male part of the connector.

[0013] For this to work, the pins must be correctly positioned opposite the opening of the receiving interface. If the relative positioning of the PCBA board to the cover is not perfect, the pins will be misaligned with the opening and cannot engage. Worse, when the cover is closed, they can hit the interface wall or the cover and / or shield and be damaged, or even torn off.

[0014] Assembling the control unit housing is therefore a delicate operation, often leading to defects or damage.

[0015] There is therefore an unmet need for an improved device that would simplify the assembly of the control unit housing components and eliminate the risk of damage to the SMT connector pins during this assembly.

[0016] The invention aims to solve this problem by proposing a control unit housing that does not present these disadvantages.

[0017] For this purpose, the invention teaches a control unit housing for a lighting projector comprising a cover with a main wall, an assembled printed circuit board (PCBA) and a male connector part.

[0018] The male connector portion includes pins, fixed to the assembled printed circuit board and extending towards the cover to a maximum height h b above the assembled printed circuit board.

[0019] Furthermore, the cover includes a receiving interface, passing through the main wall of the cover and comprising a receiving area for a female connector portion which is through-hole and into which the pins are engaged when the housing is assembled, said receiving area extending below said main wall towards the assembled printed circuit board by a height h i greater than or equal to 0.

[0020] According to the invention, the cover further comprises at least a first rod and a second rod, each having a free end and extending below said main wall towards the assembled printed circuit board by a length l1 and l2 respectively, with l1 and l2 each greater than h b +h i .

[0021] In addition, the assembled printed circuit board has at least a first hole and a second hole, which are passed through respectively by the first rod and the second rod when the housing is assembled.

[0022] Finally, at least the first stem or the second stem has a section whose size decreases, in a progressively regular or stepped manner, towards its distal end.

[0023] During the assembly of the various components of the enclosure, the tabs on the cover engage with and pass through corresponding holes in the PCBA board. This allows for simple and easy guidance and centering of the PCBA board, ensuring its correct positioning relative to the cover and that the connector pins, which are attached to the PCBA board, are perfectly aligned with the receiving area on the cover into which they must engage.

[0024] Because the protrusion length of the cover's stems is greater than the sum of the pin height and any downward protrusion of the cover's receiving area, the stems begin to engage in the PCBA holes while the pin tips are still some distance from the receiving interface's receiving area. This allows the PCBA to be advantageously guided and centered before the pin tips reach the receiving area's entry opening. This ensures that the relative position of the pins and the receiving interface's receiving area is corrected before the pins reach the receiving area's entry point. They can then engage without risk of damage or of obstructing the cover's closure. This also eliminates the risk of damaging the connector pins during housing assembly.

[0025] Furthermore, the distal end is thinner (preferably pointed), allowing for easier insertion into the corresponding hole in the PCBA board. Additionally, progressive guidance of the board to its final positioning is ensured as the stem is pushed into this hole during package assembly.

[0026] Finally, this positioning guidance is quick and easy, achieved by simply engaging two rods on the cover into two holes on the PCBA board. This presents no difficulty and requires no special attention or precise handling from the operator. The assembly of the various components of the control unit housing is thus greatly simplified.

[0027] The receiving interface is preferably integrated into the lid, that is, made as a single piece with the lid if the latter is entirely or at least partially made of plastic. However, a separate receiving interface, attached to the lid, is also possible.

[0028] Similarly, depending on the variant, the receiving area of ​​the receiving interface may extend below the main wall (height h). i greater than 0) or not (height h i equal to 0).

[0029] Finally, although two rods are sufficient to achieve the objectives of the invention, the cover can, depending on the variants, include more than two rods to obtain even more precise relative positioning.

[0030] Advantageously, at least the first or second rod may include a retaining portion which is a portion of length located between a distance h iand a distance x1 or x2 respectively from the main wall, with x1 and x2 ≥ h i +h b , which has a section whose area is greater than or equal to 90%, preferably greater than or equal to 95%, and less than 100% of the area respectively of the first hole or the second hole through which said rod passes when the housing is assembled.

[0031] During the gradual insertion of the rod into the corresponding hole in the PCBA board, this retaining portion, which corresponds at least to the portion of length between h i and h i +h bRelative to the main wall, the pin reaches and is positioned at the hole when the pins are engaged in the receiving area of ​​the receiving interface, that is, at the point where the relative positioning between the cover and the PCBA is most critical. Since, in this length, the cross-section of the pin is almost the same size as the hole in which it is engaged, it almost completely fills the hole, and the relative movement between the cover and the PCBA is extremely limited. Perfect relative positioning of the PCBA is thus advantageously guaranteed.

[0032] According to one embodiment of the invention, at least the first rod or the second rod has, from the main wall and towards its distal end, a first portion corresponding to said retaining portion followed by a second portion whose cross-section decreases progressively or in stages up to said distal end, the cross-section of said second portion being less than that of said retaining portion.

[0033] The specific arrangement of the rods, comprising a first section corresponding to the support portion followed by a second section whose cross-section gradually decreases or tapers in stages towards the distal end, offers a significant technical advantage. This configuration allows for an optimized assembly process in three distinct phases.

[0034] Initially, the thinner distal end facilitates initial insertion into the corresponding hole in the PCBA, even in the event of slight misalignment. This is because the second portion preceding the first portion, or the retaining portion, has a smaller cross-section than the corresponding hole. Thus, during initial engagement, this second portion, thanks to its reduced cross-section, provides functional clearance between the stem and the hole. This clearance allows for a certain degree of relative movement, thereby offering tolerance for any initial misalignment between the cover and the printed circuit board. This pre-centering phase takes place while the pins are still at a safe distance from the receiving area, the length of this first portion being greater than or equal to the critical height.Therefore, the operator benefits from greater ease of assembly without risk of jamming or damage, the final high-precision positioning being ensured only in a second step by the engagement of the first portion in the hole.

[0035] Next, the second portion, whose cross-section increases towards the main wall, performs a first centering effect which gradually corrects the relative position of the PCBA board with respect to the cover as it is pushed in.

[0036] Finally, when the first portion, corresponding to the retaining portion, engages in the hole, it ensures precise and stable relative positioning between the PCBA board and the cover, effectively limiting lateral movement during the critical phase when the pins enter the receiving area. This sequential design thus guarantees progressive and secure guidance, preventing any risk of pin damage, while significantly simplifying the assembly operation for the operator.

[0037] Advantageously, at least the first hole or the second hole can be round or oblong in shape.

[0038] The round shape allows for precise relative positioning of the rod with respect to the hole in which it is engaged, while the oblong shape allows for a slight displacement of the rod in the elongated direction of the oblong hole to compensate for manufacturing tolerances.

[0039] According to a preferred variant, one of the holes is round while the other is oblong. The round hole is then preferably the one located closest to the pins fixed to the PCBA board, because this is where the most precise relative positioning is required.

[0040] Advantageously, at least the first or second rod can have a conical, frustoconical, cylindrical, or multi-tiered cylindrical shape, this shape having a round or oblong cross-section. These shapes are simple to produce by molding and allow the invention to be implemented economically and efficiently.

[0041] Furthermore, conical, truncated conical, and multi-stage cylindrical shapes advantageously allow for progressive guidance of the card to its final positioning as the stem is inserted into the corresponding hole during enclosure assembly. Moreover, this guidance is consistent with conical and truncated conical shapes.

[0042] According to one embodiment, at least the first rod or the second rod comprises at least two successive cylindrical stages separated by a frustoconical portion, the upper cylindrical stage corresponding to said retaining portion, and the lower cylindrical stage having a smaller cross-sectional diameter than that of the upper cylindrical stage and ending with said distal end.

[0043] The arrangement of the rods, comprising at least two successive cylindrical stages separated by a truncated conical section, offers a particular technical advantage during enclosure assembly. The lower cylindrical stage, with its smaller diameter and pointed end, provides an initial centering effect that corrects the relative position of the PCBA board to the cover from the outset. Then, as the truncated conical section, whose diameter increases progressively and evenly, passes through, a second centering effect is achieved, further improving the relative position. Finally, when the upper cylindrical stage, corresponding to the retaining section, engages with the holes in the PCBA board, lateral movement between the board and the cover is virtually impossible, as the diameter of this stage is almost equal to that of the holes.This precise positioning is maintained as the pins enter the receiving zone, ensuring their engagement without risk of damage. This multi-stage design therefore provides smooth and secure guidance throughout the assembly process.

[0044] Advantageously, the first stem is preferentially located near the receiving area of ​​the receiving interface.

[0045] This arrangement of the first rod advantageously allows for positioning guidance as close as possible to the receiving area and the pins that must engage there, that is to say, as close as possible to the critical point where the most precise relative positioning is required.

[0046] Advantageously, the second rod can be located on the periphery of the main wall and preferably in a corner of the main wall.

[0047] This arrangement of the second rod advantageously allows the second corresponding hole to be made on the periphery and preferably in a corner area of ​​the PCBA board, which are generally uncluttered areas of the PCBA board often free of electronic components.

[0048] Advantageously, the first rod and the second rod preferably have a position that is not symmetrical to each other with respect to at least one of the main axes and / or the center of the main wall.

[0049] The rods can also serve as a keying device when mounting the PCBA board and as a possible shield on the cover.

[0050] Indeed, there is only one orientation (right / left and / or top / bottom) for the card and shield in which the rods can be inserted into the corresponding holes. This ensures that the different elements are assembled correctly, quickly and easily.

[0051] The case may also include a shield, inserted between the cover and the assembled printed circuit board, which also includes a first hole and a second hole, through which the first rod and the second rod pass respectively when the case is assembled.

[0052] The shield advantageously protects the electronic components of the PCBA board from electromagnetic interference, when the cover is made entirely or partially of plastic.

[0053] The holes in the shield allow the first and second rods from the cover to pass through the shield, which is sandwiched between the cover and the PCBA board, in order to reach the holes in the PCBA board to guide it into position.

[0054] When the housing includes a shield, the cover may advantageously also include a set of pins, which protrude below the main wall towards the shield by a length p less than l1 and l2 ; and the shield may include a set of cross-shaped openings, each of which is passed through and deformed by one of said pawns when the case is assembled.

[0055] These pins and openings allow the shield to be mounted on the lid and temporarily held in place when the assembly is inverted. This is achieved by deforming the cross-shaped openings, whose folded edges press against and rub against the pins that pass through them. During assembly of the enclosure, it is therefore possible to invert the lid / shield assembly, position it above the PCBA board to engage the lid's pins in the board's holes, and then bring the two parts together until the pins are fully engaged in the receiving area of ​​the receiver interface, without the shield falling.

[0056] The invention and its various variants will be better understood by reading the following description and examining the accompanying figures. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0057] The figures are presented for illustrative purposes only and are in no way limiting to the invention.

[0058] is a schematic perspective view of an example control unit housing in the assembled state.

[0059] is a schematic exploded perspective view of the casing in which the main components of the casing have been shown disassembled and separated from each other.

[0060] is a schematic perspective view from below of the lid of the.

[0061] is a schematic perspective view from below of the lid and shield assembled with each other.

[0062] is a schematic bottom view of the assembled cover and shield of another example control unit housing.

[0063] is an enlargement of the framed area of ​​the.

[0064] is an enlargement of the enclosed area of ​​the.

[0065] ,ets are schematic side views of three examples of stem emerging from the lid.

[0066] ,ets are schematic views of the cover and PCBA board of another example of a control unit housing, in section at the second rod from the cover, the cover and PCBA board being respectively completely disassembled on the, being assembled on the and assembled on the. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0067] Unless otherwise specified, the same element appearing on different figures has a unique reference.

[0068] For the purposes of this application, the terms "top," "bottom," "upper," and "lower" will be defined according to the orientation of the components on the control unit housing, with the cover being the "highest" part and the heat sink the "lowest" part. It is understood that this orientation will not necessarily be maintained during operation.

[0069] Similarly, we will define a "horizontal" plane as a plane parallel to the general plane of a part (general plane of the cover, shield or PCBA board for example), a "horizontal" direction as a direction included in this horizontal plane and a "vertical" direction as being perpendicular to this horizontal plane.

[0070] Figures 1 and 2 show an example of a control unit housing 1, in the assembled state on the and disassembled state on the.

[0071] As shown, this case 1 includes a cover 2, a shield 3, an assembled printed circuit board 4 (also called PCBA board 4) and a heat sink 5.

[0072] The various components of the housing 1 are shown schematically in the figures. Certain parts, unrelated to the invention, have been omitted for the sake of simplicity. This is the case, for example, with the electronic components mounted on the PCB (PCBA 4), which are not shown.

[0073] When the case 1 is assembled, the cover 2 and the heat sink 5 form the outer casing of the case 1, in which the shield 3 and the PCBA board 4 are housed.

[0074] The housing 1 also includes a perimeter seal 6 (which can also be called a peripheral seal 6), shown between the PCBA board 4 and the heat sink 5 in the figure. This seal 6 is designed to be housed in a peripheral groove 7 of the heat sink 5, and to be interposed between the peripheral rim 8 of the heat sink 5 and the peripheral rim 9 of the cover 2 to ensure the sealing of the housing 1.

[0075] To close the housing 1 and keep it in the assembled state, external clipping devices, called assembly clips 10, are provided on all the lateral faces 11 of the housing 1. In the example shown, there are two of these assembly clips 10 per lateral face 11 and they include a female part 12 carried by the cover 2 which cooperates with a male part 13 carried by the heat sink 5.

[0076] The female part 12 of the assembly clips 10 shown is in the form of a U-shaped loop 14 which originates from the rim 9 of the cover 2 and extends downwards towards the heat sink 5. The male part 13 includes a projecting wedge 15 with a triangular cross-section which extends over the lateral face of the rim 8 of the heat sink 5 and forms a progressive engagement ramp for the loop 14.

[0077] Advantageously, the cover 2 is made from a single piece of plastic. The loop 14 of the assembly clips 10 is thus slightly deformable, allowing it to be engaged on the triangular protruding wedge 15 of the heat sink 5.

[0078] The cover 2 shown has a main wall 16, substantially flat and rectangular, which forms the upper face of the case 1. At the periphery, this wall 16 is surrounded by an edge 17 which extends downwards and is extended laterally outwards by the rim 9.

[0079] A cylindrical chimney 18, having a top opening 19, rises from the main wall 16 and extends upwards. This chimney 18, preferably surrounded by an annular seal 20, is intended to engage in a complementary opening of a lighting projector (not shown), in order to connect with it for the purpose of controlling its functions.

[0080] To achieve this control, a connector is used to connect the electronic components of PCBA 4 to the lighting projector. This connector comprises a female connector portion (not shown) connected to the lighting projector and a male connector portion 21 belonging to housing 1, which is complementary and designed to cooperate with the female connector portion.

[0081] The male part of connector 21 is made in two parts independent of each other when the different elements of the housing are disassembled as shown in the figure, but which engage with each other when the housing 1 is assembled as shown in the figure.

[0082] The first part is a set of pins 22 which are fixed to the central part of the upper face 23 of the PCBA 4 board. For this purpose, each of the pins 22 has a horizontal foot 24, soldered to the PCBA 4 board according to the SMT technique, and a vertical body 25 which rises above the PCBA 4 board towards the cover 2.

[0083] Pins 22 thus protrude above the PCBA board by a maximum height h b which has been represented on the lapour for more clarity.

[0084] The second part of the male connector part 21 is a receiving interface 26 which is a complex-shaped piece of plastic material integrated into the cover 2 and which extends into the chimney 18 and through the main wall 16.

[0085] It includes a receiving area 27 for the female part of the connector, which is through-hole and extends from the upper opening 19 to a lower opening 28 that opens below or at the level of the main wall 16 of the cover 2. The receiving area 27 thus protrudes below the main wall 16 towards the PCBA 4 by a height h i (represented on the) which can be, depending on the variants, greater than 0 as in the embodiment of figures 11 to 13 or zero as on the variants of figures 1 to 5 (reception area 27 flush with the main wall 16).

[0086] The receiving area 27 is intended to receive on the one hand the pins 22 of the PCBA 4 card, which are engaged there by passing through the lower opening 28 during the assembly of the housing 1, and on the other hand the female part of the connector which enters it by passing through the upper opening 19 to connect with the pins 22.

[0087] The lid 2, which has been represented alone and seen from below on the, also includes at least a first rod 29 and a second rod 30. By convention, the first rod 29 is the rod which is located closest to the receiving area 27 when the two rods 29, 30 are not equidistant from it.

[0088] These rods 29, 30 extend under the main wall 16 towards the PCBA board 4 and terminate in a free distal end 31, preferably pointed. These rods 29, 30 can, for example, originate on the underside of the main wall 16 like the second rod 30 in Figures 1 to 3 or in the chimney 18 like the first rod 29 in Figures 1 to 3.

[0089] These rods 29, 30 protrude below the main wall 16 by a length l1 for the first rod 29 and l2 for the second rod 30 shown in the figure, each of which is greater than h b +h iin order to be able to properly fulfill their guiding function as will be explained with reference to figures 11 to 13.

[0090] Depending on the variant, these rods 29, 30 can have different shapes, some examples of which are shown in the figures. In figure 1, the rod 29, 30 is cylindrical. In figures 6 and 8, it is conical with a pointed end 31, and also has longitudinal grooves 32, as in figure 1. In figure 1, it has several successive cylindrical tiers 33 whose diameter gradually decreases from its base to its tip 31. Similarly, the variant in figures 3 and 11 to 13 has two cylindrical tiers 33, whose diameter decreases towards the tip 31, separated by a frustoconical portion 34.

[0091] Similarly, the cross-sectional shape of these rods 29, 30 can be any shape and for example round as shown, oval or oblong.

[0092] This first rod 29 and this second rod 30 cooperate respectively with a first hole 35 and a second hole 36 which are located opposite each other on the PCBA 4 so that these rods 29 and 30 can pass through them when the housing 1 is assembled. These holes 35 and 36 have been shown as round in the various figures, but may have a different shape, for example oblong.

[0093] The position of these rods 29, 30 and of these holes 35, 36 was chosen so that in the assembled state of the housing 1, the holes 35, 36 are crossed by the rods 29, 30 and the pins 22 are engaged in the receiving area 27 of the receiving interface 26.

[0094] As shown in Figures 11 to 13, the rods 29, 30 shown have a lengthwise portion called the retaining portion 37, the cross-sectional area of ​​which is within the range [90%; 100%[, and preferably within the range [95%; 100%[, of the area of ​​the corresponding hole 35, 36 of PCBA 4. In this lengthwise portion, the cross-sectional area of ​​the rods 29, 30 is approximately equal to, but less than, that of the corresponding hole 35, 36, with the rods 29, 30 almost completely filling the corresponding hole 35, 36. In the example shown, this retaining portion 37 corresponds to the entire upper (proximal) cylindrical stage 33 and has a length under the main wall 16 equal to x1 or x2 respectively, with x1 and x2 each greater than h i +h b It therefore encompasses the portion of length located between the distance h i and the distance h i +h brelative to the main wall 16.

[0095] The lid 2 shown also includes a set of pegs 38, which extend under the main wall 16 towards the shield 3 and thus towards the PCBA board 4. These pegs 38 are smaller than the rods 29 and 30. They protrude from the main wall 16 by a length p, less than l1 and l2, which has been shown for clarity. For example, there are four of them, preferentially distributed in each corner area of ​​the main wall 16.

[0096] These pins 38 cooperate with openings 39 located opposite each other on the shield 3 so that these pins 38 can pass through them when the shield 3 is mounted on the cover 2. These openings 39 are preferably cross-shaped with a central part slightly smaller than the diameter of the pins 38. They are thus deformed when the pins 38 are engaged. The folded edges of these openings 39 then come into tight contact with the pins 38 and ensure support at this point, allowing the shield 3 to be held onto the cover 2 when the assembly is turned over.

[0097] The shield 3 is a metal piece, inserted between the cover 2 and the PCBA board 4, which protects the electronic components of the board 4 from electromagnetic interference. It is preferably made from a single piece of sheet metal, preferably stainless steel, cut and bent.

[0098] It comprises a main wall 40, substantially flat and rectangular, surrounded by a peripheral edge 41 extending downwards and preferably formed of a set of juxtaposed and downwardly folded metal returns 42.

[0099] As seen in the example above, a set of bosses 51 can optionally be provided in the main wall 40 in order to stiffen the shield 3 and to ensure a flat support against the cover 2.

[0100] It also includes a central opening 43, for example rectangular, cut into the main wall 40 which allows the pins 22 to pass through the shield 3 to reach the receiving area 27 of the cover 2.

[0101] The shield 3 also has a first hole 44 and a second hole 45 located opposite the first rod 29 and the second rod 30 of the cover 2 respectively. These holes 44 and 45 allow the first rod 29 and the second rod 30 to pass through them in order to reach the first hole 35 and the second hole 36 of the PCBA 4.

[0102] As can be seen on the figure, the heat sink 5 may also include housings 46 and 47, open on top and located opposite respectively the first rod 29 and the second rod 30 of the cover 2, into which the distal end 31 of these rods 29, 30 engages after passing through the holes 35, 36 of the PCBA 4 when the housing 1 is assembled.

[0103] In order to be able to serve as a keying device when mounting the shield 3 and the PCBA card 4 on the cover 2, the rods 29 and 30 preferably have a non-symmetrical position relative to each other with respect to at least one of the main axes 48 and 49 and / or the center 50 formed by the intersection of the main axes 48 and 49 of the cover 2, the shield 3 and the PCBA card 4.

[0104] Two examples of layout have thus been shown in figures 4 and 5.

[0105] On the, the position of the rods 29 and 30 is neither symmetrical with respect to the axis 48, nor with respect to the axis 49, nor with respect to the center 50. A wrong mounting direction (pivoting up / down) or a wrong horizontal orientation (rotating right / left) of the shield 3 or the PCBA board 4 is thus avoided, because the engagement of the rods 39, 40 in the holes 44, 45 and / or 35, 36 is then impossible.

[0106] On the, the position of rods 29 and 30 is symmetrical with respect to axis 48, but not with respect to axis 49, nor with respect to center 50. A bad horizontal orientation (right / left rotation) of shield 3 or PCBA card 4 is then impossible.

[0107] The centering and positioning effect of the PCBA 4 board relative to the cover 2 results from the advantageous means described above. For a clear illustration of the invention, this effect has been schematically represented in Figures 11 to 13.

[0108] As illustrated in the figure, when assembling the case 1, we start by placing the cover 2 on top of the PCBA 4 board with the rods 29, 30 opposite the holes 35 and 36 of the PCBA 4 board.

[0109] As shown in the figure, the cover 2 is then brought closer to the PCBA 4 board, and the ends 31 of the rods 29, 30 are inserted into the holes 35, 36. By doing this, it is ensured that the pins 22 of the PCBA 4 board are located substantially below the opening 28 of the receiving area 27. The cover 2 is then brought closer to the PCBA 4 board by engaging the lower cylindrical stage 33 of the rods 29, 30 in the holes 35, 36. By moving from the tip 31 to this first cylindrical stage 33 of the rods 29, 30, which has a larger cross-sectional diameter, an initial centering effect is achieved, correcting the relative position of the PCBA 4 board with respect to the cover 2.

[0110] As shown in the figure, we continue to bring the cover 2 closer to the PCBA 4 board, until the upper cylindrical stage 33 of the rods 29, 30 is engaged in the holes 35, 36. The passage of the frustoconical portion 34, whose cross-section diameter increases progressively and regularly, allows a second centering action to be carried out which further improves the relative position of the PCBA 4 board with respect to the cover 2.

[0111] Throughout this centering process, the pins 22 are at a distance from the opening 28 of the receiving area 27 and are therefore not at risk of being damaged.

[0112] When holes 35, 36 reach the upper cylindrical stage 33 of rods 29, 30, lateral movement of the PCBA 4 relative to the cover 2 is virtually impossible, since this upper cylindrical stage corresponds to a length 37 whose cross-sectional diameter is substantially equal to that of holes 35, 36. Precise positioning of the PCBA 4 relative to the cover 2 is achieved. In this position, the pins 22 are perfectly aligned below the opening 28, and only when this position is obtained and guaranteed can further movement be achieved, allowing the pins 22 to enter the receiving area 27 without any risk of damage.

Claims

A lighting projector control unit housing (1) comprising a cover (2) with a main wall (16), an assembled printed circuit board (4), and a male connector portion (21), wherein said male connector portion (21) comprises pins (22), fixed to the assembled printed circuit board (4) and extending towards the cover (2) to a maximum height h b above the assembled printed circuit board (4); said cover includes a receiving interface (26), passing through the main wall (16) of the cover (2) and having a receiving area (27) for a through-hole female connector portion into which the pins (22) are engaged when the housing (1) is assembled, said receiving area (27) extending below said main wall (16) towards the assembled printed circuit board (4) by a height h igreater than or equal to 0; characterized in that: the cover (2) further comprises at least a first rod (29) and a second rod (30), which have a free distal end (31) and which protrude below said main wall (16) in the direction of the assembled printed circuit board (4) by a length l1 and l2 respectively, with l1 and l2 each greater than h b +h i ;the assembled printed circuit board (4) has at least a first hole (35) and a second hole (36), which are traversed respectively by the first rod (29) and by the second rod (30) when the housing (1) is assembled; and at least the first rod (29) or the second rod (30) has a section whose size decreases, in a progressively regular or stepped manner, towards its distal end (31). Housing (1) according to claim 1 characterized in that at least the first rod (29) or the second rod (30) comprises a retaining portion (37), which is a portion of length located between a distance h i and a distance x1 or x2 respectively from the main wall (16), with x1 and x2 ≥ h i +h b , which has a section whose area is greater than or equal to 90%, preferably greater than or equal to 95%, and less than 100% of the area respectively of the first hole (35) or the second hole (36) through which said rod (29, 30) passes when the housing (1) is assembled. Housing (1) according to claim 2 characterized in that at least the first rod (29) or the second rod (30) has, from the main wall (16) and towards its distal end (31), a first portion corresponding to said retaining portion (37) followed by a second portion whose cross-section decreases progressively or in stages up to said distal end (31), the cross-section of said second portion being less than that of said retaining portion (37). Housing (1) according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that said at least the first hole (35) or the second hole (36) is round or oblong in shape. Housing (1) according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that said at least the first rod (29) or the second rod (30) has a conical, frustoconical, cylindrical or several successive cylindrical stages shape, this shape having a round or oblong section. Housing (1) according to claim 5 in combination with claim 2, characterized in that said at least the first rod (29) or the second rod (30) comprises at least two successive cylindrical stages (33) separated by a frustoconical portion (34), the upper cylindrical stage (33) corresponding to said retaining portion (37), and the lower cylindrical stage (33) having a smaller cross-sectional diameter than that of the upper cylindrical stage (33) and terminating with said distal end (31). Housing (1) according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the first rod (29) is located near the receiving area (27) of the receiving interface (26). Housing (1) according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the second rod (30) is located on the periphery of the main wall (16) and preferably in a corner of the main wall (16). Housing (1) according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the first rod (29) and the second rod (30) have a non-symmetrical position with respect to at least one of the main axes (48, 49) and / or the center (50) of the main wall (16). Housing (1) according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that it further comprises a shield (3), interposed between the cover (2) and the assembled printed circuit board (4), which also comprises a first hole (44) and a second hole (45), through which respectively the first rod (29) and the second rod (30) pass when the housing (1) is assembled. A housing (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the cover (2) further comprises a set of pins (38) which protrude below the main wall (16) towards the shield (3) by a length p less than l1 and l2; and in that the shield (3) comprises a set of cross-shaped openings (39), each of which is passed through and deformed by one of said pins (38) when the housing (1) is assembled

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