CN220874799U - Support device for electronic component - Google Patents

Abstract

A support device for an electronic component has a base, at least one pin hole, and at least one pair of vibratory support elements. The base has an upper face and a lower face, the vibration supporting element protrudes outward from the upper face of the base in a first direction, and the pin hole extends through the entire base from the upper face of the base to the lower face of the base.

Description

Support device for electronic component

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a supporting device for an electronic component, and in particular, to a supporting device for mounting an electronic component to a printed circuit board.

Background

Typically, electronic components may be mounted to a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) via wire leads. For example, pins of such electronic components are passed through holes in the PCB and then glued and/or soldered to the PCB. However, some electronic components, such as metal oxide piezoresistors (hereinafter MOVs), require support to withstand moderately high vibration levels and avoid solder joint cracking and/or pin cracking. In particular, heavy and high components, which are typically mounted with long pins, tend to break due to vibration.

Furthermore, it is important that the body of the electronic component is mounted at a correct distance from the PCB. For this purpose, the pins are often kinked and thus weakened. Furthermore, the location of the pins is often undefined due to kinking and component manufacturing. Thus, especially for automated assembly, the mounting holes in the PCB need to have a larger diameter than desired.

Another disadvantage of the usual mounting methods is that the current way of supporting the components is by means of glue. However, glues are expensive. Its application is time consuming and has limitations on design when automated.

Disclosure of utility model

In view of all of these, it is an object of the present invention to provide a device for fast, easy and accurate mounting of electronic components to a PCB. Furthermore, the mounted component should be less sensitive to vibrations. Such a device should be able to support the components in a better, cheaper way. Automatic installation should be possible.

There is proposed (A1) a support device for an electronic component, in particular for mounting an electronic component to a printed circuit board, wherein the support device has a base, at least one pin hole and at least one pair of vibration support elements, wherein the base has an upper face and a lower face, wherein the vibration support elements protrude outwardly from the upper face of the base in a first direction, and wherein the pin hole extends through the entire base from the upper face of the base to the lower face of the base.

Such a support device enables a quick and easy automatic installation in a two-step process. In a first step, the support device is mounted on the PCB using a standard component mounting automation or standard component mounting automaton. In a second step, the desired electronic component is mounted in the support means. The support means are designed to ensure the correct distance from the PCB to the body of the component to support the component against vibrations and to guide the pins of the component into the mounting holes in the PCB.

For this purpose, the following are particularly advantageous: first, the supporting device has a base. The base is the body of the support device. It may have a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape with a lower face and an upper face. If the support means is mounted to the PCB, the lower face faces the surface of the PCB and the upper face faces the electronic component to be mounted.

The second, support means has at least one pin hole protruding through the base to the PCB. If the support device is installed correctly, the pin holes are positioned directly opposite the mounting holes in the PCB. Such mounting holes in the PCB are used to receive wire pins of the electronic component. For this purpose, during the second step of the mounting process, the wire leads of the electronic component may be passed through the lead holes. The pin holes are designed to guide wire pins of the electronic component into mounting holes of the PCB. In other words, the wire pins of the electronic component are put into the pin holes at the upper side of the base of the supporting device and leave the base at the lower side of the base. In this way, they are placed directly into the mounting holes of the PCB. This is particularly preferred if the support means has at least two pin holes.

Furthermore, it is advantageous that the support means provide at least one pair of vibrating support elements. The vibration supporting member protrudes from the base in a direction away from the PCB. In particular they protrude from the upper face of the base. They are elongated elements that do form a kind of guide rail for the body of the electronic component. During the mounting process, the electronic component is pushed between the two elements of such a pair of vibration supporting elements. Once the electronic components have reached their final mounted position they provide lateral stability to the electronic components.

In summary, the support device presented herein enables the use of electronic components with straight pins in automated assembly. This provides a great additional robustness against vibrations. In addition, the installation is very simple and quick. No or little additional time is spent compared to the usual mounting methods. The support means is also cost effective, as there is no cost for bonding. Furthermore, it enables the use of smaller and/or optimal apertures in the PCB. Thus, better welding, higher quality and reliability can be achieved.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if (A2) the support device has a stop element. The stop element is formed as a solid-shaped element on the upper face of the base. If the electronic component is mounted to the support device, the stop element becomes automatically arranged between the electronic component and the base of the support device. The stop element limits movement of the electronic component in a direction towards the PCB when the electronic component is inserted into the support device. Preferably, the support device has at least two stop elements. In a second function, the stop element also provides additional stability to the body of the mounted electronic component. It is therefore advantageous if the stop element is formed at least partly in a manner similar to the outer shape of the electronic component.

In a preferred embodiment, (A3) the pin hole is arranged in or immediately adjacent to the stop element. The stop element may be used as an additional guide element.

In another embodiment, the (A4) support device further has at least one support pin. The support pins protrude from the base in a direction toward the PCB. It may engage with a mounting hole provided in the PCB. Because the support pins are relatively strong, the mounting holes in the PCB need not be larger than desired. Preferably, (A5) the support pins protrude outwardly from the underside of the base in a second direction, wherein the second direction is opposite to the first direction. The support device may be quickly, accurately and easily mounted to the PCB in an automated manner.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the (A6) pin holes are at least partially chamfered. In any case and embodiment, the entrance to such chamfered pin holes is located on the upper face of the base of the support device. The outlets of the pin holes are located below the base of the support device. If the pin hole is chamfered, the inlet of the pin hole has a larger opening as the outlet of the pin hole. The outlet of the pin hole may substantially correspond to the outer diameter of the wire pin of the electronic component, while the inlet is preferably substantially larger. Furthermore, in one particular embodiment, the form of the outlet of the pin hole is more or less similar to the form of the outer diameter of the wire pin of the electronic component, while the inlet may have a different form. For example, the inlet may have an elongated oval shape, while the outlet has a more or less or about circular shape. Other shapes of pin holes are conceivable, as also described below.

In another embodiment, (A7) the stop element is shaped to at least partially conform to the external shape of the electronic component. For example, the stop element is also chamfered, at least partially. It is also conceivable that the stop element has a curved outer shape.

In a preferred embodiment, (A8) the support means has at least two pairs of vibratory support elements. This provides even better stability for the mounted electronic components.

In any case 1/2, it is advantageous if (A9) each vibration supporting element has a trunk portion and a locking portion. The backbone portion extends from the base in a first direction, i.e. away from the PCB. This direction forms the longitudinal direction of the trunk portion. Thus, the trunk portion has a proximal end proximal to the base and a distal end distal to the base. The locking portion is located at the distal end. The trunk portion has a more or less or about constant diameter along its longitudinal direction. The locking portion is characterized in that it enlarges the diameter of the trunk portion at the distal end. Wherein the enlarged portion is asymmetric with respect to the longitudinal axis of the backbone and the vibratory support element. In particular, the enlargement points only to one side, i.e. if the electronic component is mounted to the support means, the enlargement is aligned only to the side facing the electronic component. In other words, the electronic component is sandwiched between the two elements of each pair of vibration supporting elements. It is therefore particularly advantageous if (a 10) the locking portions face in an inward direction, such that the locking portions of a pair of vibration supporting elements do face each other. An opening is formed between the two elements of the pair of vibration supporting elements. Preferably, the opening spans a distance less than the width of the electronic component that should be mounted to the PCB by means of the component support. This may have additional advantages if the trunk portion is slightly curved inwardly and/or if the trunk portion is slightly flexible.

On the other hand, it is advantageous if (a 11) each support pin has a backbone element and a locking portion. As with the vibration support element, the support pins do have a substantially longitudinal shape protruding in the second direction, i.e. from the base towards the PCB. Furthermore, as with the vibrating support elements, the backbone element of each support pin has a diameter that is more or less or about constant along the backbone element. In contrast, the locking portion has a larger diameter. As with the vibration supporting element, the diameter of the locking portion is formed asymmetrically. The diameter of the locking portion extends in an outward direction, opposite the vibration supporting element. Furthermore, the locking portion may be wedge-shaped. The wedge-shaped portion forming the locking portion has a tip and a base. Preferably, the tip of the locking portion is located at the most distal end seen from the base, and the base is located towards the base and directly connected to the backbone element. Thus, the locking portion may be used to retain the support pins in the holes of the PCB. For example, once the base of the locking portion passes through the hole and is at the back of the PCB, the support pins may be pushed through the hole and snap-in. It is therefore advantageous if the support pins, in particular the backbone elements of the support pins, are at least partially flexible. This may be particularly effective if the support means has at least two support pins, wherein (a 12) the locking portions of the support pins face in an outward direction, such that the locking portions of a pair of support pins do face in directions away from each other.

In another embodiment, (a 13) at least one pin hole has a multi-round shape. Such a shape may be a combination of two or more, for example three or four overlapping circles. For example, the pin hole may have a double-round shape. For example, a double circle shape looks like the outline of the numeral 8. The circles may have different diameters, but may also have the same diameter. Such multiple round shapes provide the advantage that the pin holes can accommodate wire pins of different electronic components. Thus, the support device is not limited to use with a particular single type of electronic component, but may be used to mount different electronic components. Depending on the electronic components, one or the other or both of the pin holes may be arranged corresponding to the mounting holes of the PCB.

Drawings

Further features, details and advantages of the invention are apparent from the wording of the claims and the following description of embodiments based on the drawings. The drawings show:

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a support device;

FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the support device;

FIG. 3 is another side view schematic of the support device;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the underside of the support device;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the upper side of the support device;

Fig. 6a shows the support device and electronic components before installation;

fig. 6b shows the support device and the electronic component after mounting.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 and all other figures show a support device 10 with a base 1, a vibration support element 4, a support pin 5, a stop element 3 and at least one pin hole 2.

The base 1 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape having an upper face 11, a lower face 12, a first side face 13 and a second side face 14. The first side 13 and the second side 14 appear twice according to the nature of the cuboid shape. Starting from the upper face 11 of the base 1, the vibration supporting element 4 protrudes in a first direction R1. The support pins 5 protrude in the second direction R2. The second direction R2 is opposite to the first direction R1, or in other words, if the first direction R1 is upward, the second direction R1 is downward. Upward and downward are of course relative terms in the context, referring only to directions relative to each other.

It can further be seen in all figures that the vibration supporting element 4 and the supporting pins 5 are arranged in pairs 43, 43', 53, and in the example shown, there are two pairs 43, 43' of vibration supporting elements 4 and a pair 53 of supporting pins 5. Two pairs 43, 43' of vibratory support elements 4 are arranged at opposite ends of the base 1, close to the shorter of the sides 14. Each vibration supporting member 4 has a trunk member 41 and a locking portion 42. The locking portion 42 has a larger diameter than the backbone element 41. Furthermore, the locking portions 42 are asymmetrically arranged at the backbone element 41. Furthermore, the trunk portion 42 is arranged at an end of the trunk element 41, i.e., positioned at a point farthest from the base 1 as seen in the direction R1.

Furthermore, the support pin 5 does have a backbone element 51 and a locking portion 52. The locking portion 52 has a larger diameter than the body member 51. Furthermore, the locking portion 52 is asymmetrically arranged at the backbone element 51. Further, the trunk portion 52 is arranged at an end of the trunk element 51, i.e., at a point farthest from the base 1 as seen in the direction R2.

It can be seen from all figures, but in particular from fig. 3, that the locking portions 42 of each pair 43, 43' of vibratory support elements 4 do face each other in an inward direction I. Furthermore, the backbone element 41 is slightly curved in the inward direction I. However, since the backbone elements 41 have a certain flexibility, when the bodies 130 of the electronic compounds 100 are pushed between them, they can be pushed back in the outward direction O to a certain extent, as can be seen in fig. 6 b.

Conversely, the locking portions 52 of the pair 53 of support pins 5 do face away from each other in the outward direction O. If the support means 10 are pushed into a hole in a PCB (not shown) they snap behind the hole, thereby holding the support means 10 in place at the PCB.

The stop element 3 is arranged at the upper face 11 of the base 1. As with the vibration supporting elements 4, they protrude in the direction R1. As can be seen from all the figures, each stop element 3 is arranged between a pair 43, 43' of oscillating support elements 4. At least one of the stop elements 3 does have a chamfer portion 31. The chamfer portion 31 is adapted to the external shape of the body 130 of the electronic component 100 to be mounted to the support device 10. Thus, the stop element 3 has two functions. First, it restricts movement of the electronic component 100 in the direction R2. Second, it provides additional stability to the mounted electronic component 100.

The pin holes 2 extend from an upper face 11 of the base 1 to a lower face 12 of the base 1. As can be seen in particular from fig. 4 and 5, there are two pin holes 2. In other figures, the second pin hole 2 may be present but not visible due to perspective. However, it is of course also possible to have only one pin hole 2 or more than two pin holes 2 in such a support device 10.

The pin hole 2 may have a circular shape, but may also have a double circular shape, as shown in the examples of fig. 4 and 5. The double circular shape is similar to 8 and may be particularly useful if the support device 10 is designed for several different electronic components 100 at the same time. Further, the pin hole 2 has a chamfer portion 21. Due to the chamfer 21, the pin hole 2 functions as a funnel guiding the wire pin 110 of the electronic component 100 to the lower face 12 of the base 1. Where they leave the support means 10 in the correct position so that they can slide directly in the mounting holes of the PCB (not shown). Furthermore, fig. 1 and 5 show that the pin hole 2 is located next to the stop element 3, in particular next to the chamfer portion 31 of the stop element. This supports and enhances the guiding effect of the stopper element 3 and the pin hole 2 for the wire pins 110 of the electronic component 100.

Fig. 6a and 6b show the mounting of the electronic component 100 to the support device 10. The electronic component 100 has a component body 130 and a wire pin 110. The wire leads 110 do have heads 120 near the body 130 of the electronic component 10. The header 120 may be of an insulating material and provide additional stability to the wire leads 110. In order to mount the electronic component 100 to the supporting device 10, the electronic component 100 is inserted into the supporting device 10 in the mounting direction L1. The mounting direction L1 corresponds to the above-described second direction R2.

As can be seen in fig. 6b, if the electronic component 100 is mounted to the supporting device 10, the lead pins 110 of the electronic component 100 extend through the entire base 1 of the supporting device 10. Meanwhile, the main body 130 of the electronic component 100 is held and supported by the vibration supporting member 4 and the stopper member 3. In particular, the body 130 is sandwiched between the locking portions 42 of the vibration supporting element 4, which limits the lateral movement. The stop element 3 limits the movement in the mounting direction L1 and ensures that the body 130 is positioned at the correct distance from the base 1. This is also supported by the head 120 of the wire pin 110.

The present invention is not limited to any of the above embodiments, but may be modified in various ways.

In any case, the support device 10 for mounting an electronic component 100 to a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) has a base 1, at least one pin hole 2, at least one stop element 3, at least one pair of vibration supporting elements 4 and at least one supporting pin 5, wherein the base has an upper face 11 and a lower face 12, wherein the vibration supporting elements 4 protrude outwardly from the upper face of the base in a first direction R1, and wherein the supporting pins protrude outwardly from the lower face 12 of the base in a second direction R2, wherein the second direction R1 is opposite to the first direction R2, wherein the pin hole 2 extends throughout the base from the upper face of the base to the lower face of the base. Preferably, the pin hole 2 is arranged within the stop element 3 or in close proximity to the stop element 3. Furthermore, it is advantageous if the pin hole 2 is at least partially chamfered.

In a preferred embodiment, the stop element 3 is shaped to at least partially fit the outer shape of the electronic component. Furthermore, the support device 10 has at least two pairs of vibrating support elements 4. Each vibration supporting member 4 has a trunk portion 41 and a locking portion 42. The locking portions 42 face in the inward direction I so that the locking portions 42 of the pair of vibration supporting elements 4 do face each other. Further, each support pin 5 has a trunk element 51 and a locking portion 52. The locking portions 52 of the support pins 5 face in an outward direction such that the locking portions 52 of a pair of support pins 5 do face in a direction away from each other.

In one embodiment, at least one pin hole 2 has a multi-round shape.

All features and advantages (including structural details, spatial arrangements and process steps) from the claims, the description and the drawings may be essential to the invention, both individually and in a wide variety of combinations.

List of reference numerals

I inward direction

O outward direction

R1 direction

R2 direction

L1 mounting direction

10 Support device

1. Base seat

11. Above it

12. The following

13. Side surface

14. Side surface

2. Pin hole

21. Chamfer portion

3. Stop element

31 Chamfer portion

4. Vibration support element

41 Backbone element

42. Locking part

43. For a pair of

43' Pair of

5. Support pin

51. Backbone element

52. Locking part

53. For a pair of

100. Electronic component

110. Lead pin

120. Lead pin head

130. A body of the electronic component.

Claims (13)

1. Support device (10) for an electronic component, the support device (10) being used for mounting an electronic component (100) to a printed circuit board, characterized in that the support device (10) has a base (1), at least one pin hole (2) and at least one pair of vibration support elements (4), wherein the base (1) has an upper face (11) and a lower face (12), wherein the vibration support elements (4) protrude outwards in a first direction (R1) from the upper face (11) of the base (1), wherein the pin hole (2) extends throughout the base (1) from the upper face (11) of the base to the lower face (12) of the base.

2. Support device according to claim 1, characterized in that the support device has at least one stop element (3).

3. Support device according to claim 2, characterized in that the pin hole (2) is arranged within the stop element (3) or in the immediate vicinity of the stop element (3).

4. Support device according to claim 2, characterized in that the support device has at least one support pin (5).

5. Support device according to claim 4, characterized in that the support pins (5) protrude outwards from the underside (12) of the base (1) in a second direction (R2), wherein the second direction (R2) is opposite to the first direction (R1).

6. Support device according to claim 2, characterized in that the pin hole (2) is at least partially chamfered.

7. Support device according to claim 2, characterized in that the stop element (3) is shaped to at least partially fit the outer shape of the electronic component.

8. Support device according to claim 2, characterized in that the support device (10) has at least two pairs of vibrating support elements (4).

9. Support device according to claim 8, wherein each vibration support element (4) has a backbone portion (41) and a first locking portion (42).

10. Support device according to claim 9, wherein the first locking portions (42) face in an inward direction (I) such that the first locking portions (42) of a pair of vibratory support elements (4) do face each other.

11. Support device according to claim 4, characterized in that each support pin (5) has a backbone element (51) and a second locking portion (52).

12. Support device according to claim 11, characterized in that the second locking portions (52) of the support pins (5) face in an outward direction, such that the second locking portions (52) of a pair of support pins (5) do face in a direction facing away from each other.

13. Support device according to claim 2, characterized in that at least one pin hole (2) has a multi-round shape.