Electronic Power Module With Through-Board Grip Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic modules in hybrid and electric vehicles face challenges in easily and efficiently connecting circuit boards to electronics units due to obstructive components, leading to complex assembly processes and potential space constraints.
Innovation Solution
A design featuring a flexible second circuit board with a plug-in region and gripping regions that can be plugged into a connector on the underside of a first circuit board, facilitated by a centering device and holding device, allowing for blind joining and compact module design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the plug-in connector is arranged on the underside of the first circuit board to enable compact design, then the module achieves compact design and space conservation, but the plug-in region becomes difficult or impossible to access and see for assembly operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a third dimension by having the gripping region protrude through the first circuit board from the underside to the upper side. This allows operators to access and manipulate the plug-in region (located on the underside) from the upper side of the circuit board, effectively solving the accessibility problem while maintaining the compact underside arrangement of the connector
Solution Approach 2:
The gripping region acts as an intermediary element that bridges the gap between the operator's access point (upper side) and the target component (plug-in region on underside). By protruding through the circuit board, it enables blind joining operations without requiring direct visual or physical access to the plug-in region itself
2Volume of moving object
If the plug-in region is arranged on the underside of the first circuit board to conserve space, then the module maintains compact design, but the assembly process becomes complex and difficult to perform
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping region extends in the vertical dimension through the circuit board thickness, enabling assembly operations to be performed from the accessible upper side while connecting to components on the underside. This dimensional transition simplifies the assembly process by eliminating the need for complex underside access mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The gripping region's protruding design allows the assembly process to be self-guiding - the operator can naturally grasp and manipulate the gripping region to perform the plugging operation, without requiring additional tools or complex positioning mechanisms. The design itself facilitates the assembly action
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an electronic module (1), in particular an electronic power module for hybrid vehicles or electric vehicles, said module comprising a first circuit board (10) with an upper side (11) and an underside (12) facing away from the upper side (11), wherein a plug-in connector (40) for making electrical contact with the first circuit board (10) is arranged on the first circuit board (10), further comprising an electronics unit (20), in particular a power electronics unit, wherein the electronics unit (20) is arranged on the underside (12) of the first circuit board (10), wherein the electronics unit (20) is electrically contacted by means of a flexible second circuit board (30), wherein the flexible second circuit board (30) comprises a connection region (31) with a plug-in region (32), wherein the plug-in region (32) of the flexible second circuit board (30) is plugged into the plug-in connector (40) of the first circuit board (10) in a plug-in direction (R), and the electronics unit (20) is thereby electrically contacted by the first circuit board (10). It is proposed that the plug-in connector (40) of the first circuit board (10) is arranged on the underside (12) of the first circuit board (10), wherein the connection region (31) of the flexible second circuit board (30) comprises at least one gripping region (33), wherein the gripping region (33) projects beyond the plug-in region (32) in the plug-in direction (R), wherein the gripping region (33) protrudes through a recess (13) in the first circuit board, (10) from the underside (12) of the first circuit board (10) to the upper side (11) of the first circuit board (10).