DE102004041169B3 - Earthing system for linking an earth connection on an electric circuit carrier (ECC) to an earth conductor (EC) has a connection structure to make an electric connection between the ECC and the EC - Google Patents

Abstract

A connection structure is designed as a plug-in connection. A first plug connector element (3) is designed as a pin. A second plug connector element forms a recess (5) and the plug-in connection forms a press-fit between the first and second plug connector elements. An independent claim is also included for a method for linking an earth connection on an electric circuit carrier to an earth conductor.

Description

The The invention relates to an arrangement and a method for ground connection an electrical circuit carrier to a ground conductor. A specific application of the invention relates circuit support for vehicles with such a mass leader.

One such ground conductor can, for example, as a metallic conductor or formed as a metallic housing be. From the prior art are various possibilities for ground connection of an electrical circuit substrate a ground conductor known, which are briefly described below.

So is for example in Japanese Patent Application JP 2003 015 150 A, a ground contact of a circuit board to connect a metallized hole and this with a screw to connect with a ground conductor. The ground connection will be there So made by a screw connection and it is one of the rest Components separate ground connection required.

In the GB 23 71 419 A It is described to connect a flexible ground connector to a ground contact of the circuit carrier and to press this ground connector in the context of mounting the circuit carrier to a ground conductor. The ground connection is thus produced there by an elastic deformation of the ground connector. It is also here one of the other components separate ground connection required.

Out WO 93/17471 discloses a card-receiving electronic device, a board with several tracks and a ground plane having. The electronic device in the form of a laptop computer has a slot for card recording on which receives an IC card. The memory card has a Card frame with front and back ends and opposite Pages up. A connector is located at the front end of the Card and has multiple socket contacts, which in several pin contacts engage on a frame connector, which at the front the slot lies when the card is in its fully inserted position located. The board of the electronic device is located under the Device for card recording. The pin contacts of the frame connector grab in the tracks on the board.

The EP 0 881 718 A2 describes a high density connector used as a connector between two parallel printed circuit boards. The connector has a plug and a female connector. Within the socket numerous socket-like slots are arranged with contact elements that receive the pin-like contact elements of the plug.

From the EP 1 120 867 A2 a cable assembly comprising a cable connector, a grounding member, a connector body, at least two conductive signal terminals, and at least one conductive ground terminal, the connector body portion enclosing the end portions of the signal terminals and the end portion of the ground terminal, and wherein a connector extension portion is connected to the connector body portion; a conductive shield enclosing the body and extension portions of the connector and wherein the cable connector engages a mating connector via latch means.

From the US 6,361,365 B1 a grounding contact is known, which is soldered after insertion into the ground conductor.

Generally It is also known, a ground connection between a ground contact a circuit carrier and produce a ground conductor by so-called wire bonding. In this process, for example, a wire connects to aluminum or gold two contact points. The wire is for example by means of Ultrasonic friction welding attached to the contact point. This procedure works though only satisfactory if material and surface of the contact point for this Are suitable methods, that is free of oils and Greases, oxide layers, etc. are. Furthermore, the bonding is relative high demands on the surface roughness the contact points.

All in all It should be noted that ground connections so far by means of screw, Clamp or solder connections or by means of elastic connections deformable elements made.

In front It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide this background underlying, one possible simple ground connection of an electrical circuit substrate To provide a ground conductor, in the durable and reliable contact is made without for the installation requires a lot of installation space.

These The object is achieved by a Arrangement with the features of claim 1 and by a Method solved with the features of claim 6.

• – Eine Anordnung zur Masseanbindung eines elektrischen Schaltungsträgers an einen Masseleiter, mit einer Verbindungsanordnung, welche zur Herstellung einer elektrischen Verbindung zwischen dem Schaltungsträger und dem Masselei ter angeordnet ist, wobei die Verbindungsanordnung als Steckverbindung ausgebildet ist und wobei das erste Steckerelement als Pin ausgebildet ist, das zweite Steckerelement als Ausnehmung ausgebildet ist und die Steckverbindung als Presspassung des ersten Steckerelements mit dem zweiten Steckerelement ausgebildet ist. (Patentanspruch 1)
• – Ein Verfahren zur Masseanbindung eines elektrischen Schaltungsträgers an einen Masseleiter, insbesondere mittels einer Anordnung nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, wobei ein erstes Steckerelement als Pin ausgebildet wird und ein zweites Steckerelement durch Einbringen einer Ausnehmung in den Masseleiter derart ausgebildet wird, dass die Ausnehmung zumindest in einer Raumrichtung einen geringeren Durchmesser aufweist, als das erste Steckerelement in einem Kontaktbereich (Patentanspruch 5)

Accordingly, it is provided:

• - An arrangement for ground connection of an electrical circuit substrate to a ground conductor, with a connection arrangement, which is arranged for producing an electrical connection between the circuit carrier and the Masselei ter, wherein the connection arrangement is designed as a plug connection and wherein the first plug element is designed as a pin second plug element is designed as a recess and the plug connection is formed as a press fit of the first plug element with the second plug element. (Claim 1)
• - A method for ground connection of an electrical circuit substrate to a ground conductor, in particular by means of an arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a first plug element is formed as a pin and a second plug element is formed by introducing a recess in the ground conductor such that the recess at least in a spatial direction has a smaller diameter than the first plug element in a contact region (claim 5)

The The idea underlying the present invention initially consists in a ground connection of an electrical circuit substrate to realize a ground conductor in general by means of a plug connection. The invention thus realizes the principle of a plug connection as an alternative to screw, clamp or soldered connections or connections via elastic deformable elements, as known from the aforementioned state of Technics are known. Such use of connectors especially for the ground connection is not known yet.

Of the circuit support can basically only from an electrical or electronic circuit arrangement consist. But it can also consist of a support element on which again at least one electrical or electronic circuit is arranged. An advantage of the invention over known solutions exists in that no separate arrangements are provided for a ground connection Need to become. Have circuit carrier usually plug-in connections to electrical contacts anyway between electrical or electronic circuits on one circuit support and external electrical or electronic components. The mass connection according to the invention can without big Effort to be integrated into such a connector. The special The advantage here is that the assembly times kept very low which significantly reduces manufacturing costs.

advantageous Embodiments and developments of the invention are the subject the further subclaims and the description with reference to the drawing.

The inventive method provides that a first connector element with the circuit carrier mechanically is connected, the plug element with a ground contact of the circuit substrate electrically is connected and complementary to the first connector element second Plug element is formed in the ground conductor. The plug connection is thus realized by two mutually complementary plug elements, one of which with the circuit board not only electric, but also mechanically connected. This can basically be a fixed or a detachable Act connection.

The first plug element can be formed in particular as a pin and the second connector element can then by introducing a recess be formed in the ground conductor such that the recess has a smaller diameter at least in one spatial direction as the first plug element in a contact area. Pin and recess Form in this case, the mutually complementary structures of the connector. The shape, in particular the cross section of the pin and the recess, can basically chosen arbitrarily become. To have to but at least in a spatial direction complementary structures present, which is a positive Allow plug connection. Since the recess at least in one Direction has a smaller extent or a smaller diameter as the pin in at least one defined contact area of his Longitudinal extension the plug connection is made by a press fit of the pin in the Recess made. This will cause an electrical contact between Pin and recess permanently guaranteed.

Basically the ground conductor of any suitable, metallically conductive material getting produced. Also, the second connector element, in particular The recess, in principle, can Any suitable method can be produced. production engineering It is particularly advantageous if the ground conductor is made of sheet metal becomes. The second connector element can then preferably in the form of a Durchzuges be formed in the sheet.

Additionally or alternatively, however, it can also be provided that the ground conductor is made of die-cast. To produce the second plug element, two opposite recesses with more or less oblique side walls are preferably provided in the ground conductor. Then the ground conductor in egg pierced punching process at the location of the wells. In this case, in particular, a part of the oblique side walls can be removed, so that there is a bare metal surface at least at these points after the punching process.

The Both of the above methods are particularly simple options to produce the second connector elements, wherein at the same time a good electrically conductive contact with the first plug element is guaranteed.

A Further development of the arrangement according to the invention provides that a first plug element, which for the production a positive connection with a complementary one second plug element is formed with the circuit carrier mechanically is connected and electrically connected to a ground contact of the circuit substrate connected is. Here the same explanations apply as for further education of the above method.

The first plug element may in particular be part of a plug arrangement be formed, which has a plurality of connector elements. On This way, the first plug element can be realized particularly easily be integrated by being integrated into an already existing connector assembly. It can easily one of the plug elements of the connector assembly for the Mass connection can be used.

The first plug element can also be designed as a pin, that is as a component, its longitudinal extent is significantly larger as its extension in the spatial directions in the plane transverse to Longitudinal extent. The second connector element is then formed as a recess. The Plug connection is preferred by a press fit between made the first and second connector element. Also for this is to the above statements in the context of the explanation the method according to the invention directed.

The first plug element can either have a rigid contact area or a flexible contact area, for example, as part of his longitudinal extension have, which serves to form the press fit.

The Invention will be described below with reference to the schematic figures The drawings specified embodiments explained in more detail. Show it attended:

1 schematic representation of a plug connection for ground connection between a circuit carrier and a housing;

2 a detailed view of a massive connector pin;

3 a detailed view of a flexible connector pins;

4 a sheet metal housing with a draft before inserting a pin after 3 ;

5 a housing after 4 after inserting the pin;

6 a section of a die-cast housing with recesses before punching out a recess;

7 a housing after 6 after punching out the recess;

8th a housing after 7 before inserting a pin after 3 ;

9 a housing after 8th after inserting the pin.

In the figures of the drawing are identical or functionally identical elements Unless otherwise indicated - provided with the same reference numerals Service.

The Figures refer to a specific example of the present Invention, the ground connection of an electrical circuit substrate for vehicles to a metallic housing concerns. Especially controllers in the automotive industry usually have a circuit carrier with a standard board, such as FR4 material or a circuit support on ceramic base or ceramic material on which an electric or electronic circuit is arranged. To have a good EMC behavior of the control unit To achieve this, it must be between the circuit carrier and the existing metal casing one or more electrically conductive connections exist. The Previously known from the prior art solutions to this problem differ due to the differentiated technologies used for circuit boards or ceramic circuits are used.

Ceramic circuits:

The usual method to make electrical connections on and between and of electrical circuits on ceramic circuit boards, the so-called wire bonding. This method and its basic disadvantages have already been described. In the case of a bonding of a ceramic circuit substrate to a housing, which consists predominantly of aluminum, especially the contact point machine, For example, be reworked by milling, which leads above all to additional costs in the production.

PCBs:

Also In the case of printed circuit boards or circuit boards, it is customary to make an electrical connection the ground contact to a housing manufacture. The most common here Joining technology is a screw connection or alternatively one Rivet connection to either a ground contact on the lateral surface or the top of the circuit board with a metallic housing electrically connect to. One more way is one or more arranged on the circuit board bare metal surfaces over the Mounting process of the circuit board to press on the housing.

1 shows the solution according to the invention of a ground connection of an electrical circuit substrate 1 to a metallic housing 2 with the help of a plug connection. The circuit carrier 1 may be formed here, for example, as a FR4 circuit board or as a ceramic circuit carrier. The circuit carrier 1 to 1 consists of a carrier element 17 and an electrical or electronic circuit arrangement 6 on the support element 17 is arranged. Furthermore, the circuit carrier 1 mechanically - directly or indirectly - with a plug arrangement 8th connected. This plug arrangement 8th in particular, can be fixed on the circuit carrier 1 be arranged and be designed for example as a common connector for printed circuit boards or as a stamped grid.

The plug arrangement 8th includes a plurality 9 of connector elements formed in the form of pins. The number of pins can be variable, for example in the range of 10 to 100 pins. The pins typically have a greater extension in the case of sheet punched pins in the longitudinal direction than transverse to the longitudinal direction. They may in principle have any suitable shape, for example straight or angled, and for example have a round or angular cross-section transverse to the longitudinal extent, wherein the cross-section along the longitudinal extent may also vary. A first pin 3 this plurality 9 of connector pins is via an electrically conductive connection 7 with a ground contact 4 the circuit arrangement 6 connected. This conductive connection 7 can be realized with any suitable, known technique, for example by soldering, bonding or press-fitting. It is preferred to use the same technique as for making a conductive connection to the remaining pins of the plug assembly 8th ,

In the case of soldering, a round or square pin is preferred by a pad on the circuit carrier 1 guided and with common soldering methods such as wave soldering, piston soldering, IR soldering or the like electrically and mechanically with the circuit board 1 or the circuit arrangement 6 connected. If the press-fit technique is used then the first pin will be used 3 preferably designed as a standard press-in pin and in the same assembly operation as the remaining press-fit pins in standard holes of the circuit substrate 1 pressed.

Subsequently, the circuit carrier 1 in an electrically conductive housing 2 mounted in which 1 only partially shown. This case 2 can in particular a recess 10 by which the majority 9 the pins of the connector assembly 8th can be contacted from the outside. To a good EMC behavior of the circuit board 1 To guarantee, there will be an electrically conductive connection between the first pin 3 and the housing 2 made by making the first pin 3 in one to the shape of the first pin 3 complementary recess 5 is introduced and thereby an electrically conductive plug connection between the circuit carrier 1 or its ground contact 4 and the electrically conductive housing 2 will be produced. So it's a round pin 3 provided so is the recess 5 typically also round. Analog is the recess 5 angular, if the first pin 3 is formed angular.

In 1 So it's a ground pin 3 as part of a connector assembly 8th is designed in the form of a plug or other stamped grid. Each electrical control unit which is used in vehicles has a connector or electrical contacts in the form of a stamped grid in order to carry out a communication with other vehicle components. At this part, according to the invention, an additional electrical connection between the circuit carrier 1 and the metal housing. The detailed design can be designed differently depending on the type of connector, wherein the housing contacting side can always be the same design.

The shape of the pin 3 may be formed in particular similar to the outer contour of a needle with Nadelöhr, that is with a thickening at the free end of the pins 3 , where the pin 3 solid (rigid) or elastically deformable (flexible) may be formed, as will be explained with reference to the following figures. When mounting the connector assembly 8th becomes the pin 3 in the round or angular recess 5 (Breakthrough) of the metal housing 2 , which may consist of die-cast, sheet metal, extruded profile or the like, pressed. Due to the excess of the ground pin 3 with respect to the recess 5 creates a defined, conductive metallic Contact between housing 2 and ground pin 3 , The pin 3 can, as explained above, either directly with the circuit carrier 1 be connected or with the connector assembly 8th be connected in a suitable manner, for example by soldering, plugging or the like.

2 shows a first embodiment of a ground pin 3 , This pin has a cuboid shaft 13 on, which is a thickened contact area 11 connected with an enlarged cross-section transverse to the longitudinal extent. This pin 3 is designed as a rigid, solid pin. The cross section of the contact area 11 is dimensioned larger than the cross-section of the recess at least in one spatial direction 5 of the housing 2 ,

3 shows an alternative embodiment of the pin 3 to 2 , This pin 3 has a cuboid shaft 13 on, with the thickened contact area 12 of the pin 3 a Nadelöhr similar recess 18 having. As a result, the electrical contact region is flexible, that is elastically deformable or resilient. Again, the cross section of the contact area 12 at least in a spatial direction dimensioned larger than the cross section of the recess 5 of the housing 2 ,

The contact area 11 . 12 the pins 3 in the 2 and 3 is used to form a press fit into the recess 5 pressed so that a defined electrical contact is formed, with only the ground pin 3 such a press fit to the housing 2 having.

In the following, the design of the metallic housing 2 here, a distinction between a sheet metal housing and a housing made of die-cast is to be made, since these two housing forms are used most often, especially in applications in vehicles.

The 4 and 5 show the connection of the ground pin 3 to a sheet metal housing 2 , which can be relatively easily realized by the fact that the formation of the recess 5 a passage in the sheet is provided. It will be a short collar 19 pulled, whose inner diameter is smaller than the extent of the ground pin 3 in the contact area 12 , If there is a problem here that some burr stops in the area of the passage, a common cutting tool, such as a punch for deburring, is used after the punching of the passage. The diameter of this punch is only slightly smaller than the recess 5 of the sheet. This will be a defined fit of the ground pin 3 into the recess 5 and thus ensures a defined electrical contact.

In a die-cast housing, For example, made of aluminum, the ground contact according to the invention something else. It should be noted that after production the die casting a non-metallic oxide layer an electrical connection can prevent. For the process-reliable function of the arrangement over its Lifespan must therefore first a shiny, metallic surface be generated.

In a die-cast housing costly and quality reasons, a complex mechanical rework is not desirable. However, as part of the production of such parts regularly a punching process is provided to separate the parts and deburr. This stamping process usually follows the casting process directly. The 6 to 9 show the realization of the invention taking advantage of this stamping process.

6 shows a section of a die-cast housing 2 with opposite recesses 14 . 15 after the casting process and before punching out a recess 5 , The wells 14 . 15 were in the context of the casting process in the housing 2 introduced and have beveled side walls 16 on. As part of the punching process is now using a stamp 20 whose diameter is smaller than the diameter of the recesses 14 . 15 at the surface and slightly larger than the diameter of the wells 14 . 15 at the bottom of the wells 14 . 15 , the housing in the place of the recesses 14 . 15 punctured. 7 shows the situation after piercing the housing 2 , The Stamp 20 has a continuous recess in the housing 5 created and at the same time a part of the oblique side walls 16 eroded. In the wall area 21 the recess 5 is thus a bare, metallic surface, which is free of oxide layers and other deposits, which usually form during the casting process.

Well, as in the 8th and 9 shown, the ground pin 3 into the recess 5 be introduced, analogous to the 4 and 5 , Once again the recess 5 has a smaller diameter than the ground pin 3 in his contact area 12 , is between the ground pin 3 and the housing 2 formed a press fit. The contact area 12 of the ground pin 3 is in mechanically and electrically good conductive con tact with the bare wall area 21 the recess 5 educated.

The described invention has the advantage that only standard components are used for ground connection and no additional parts such as screws, elastic elements, or the like are needed more. This is characteristic Partial in terms of manufacturing costs and increases process reliability, since small parts can be easily forgotten during assembly. Particularly in the case of die-cast housings, there is the further advantage in the above-mentioned method of eliminating a milling process.

Although the present invention above based on a preferred embodiment It is not limited to this, but in many ways and modifiable. Of course, the invention can also outside find the vehicle technology application. Also the number and shape the ground pins and the rest Pins can be changed without departing from the scope of the invention. Furthermore, can also provided an indirect connection of the connector assembly to the circuit carrier be, for example, over Intermediate elements or intermediate layers which are rigid, movable or can be flexible. It can also be provided that the complementary plug element provided recess the housing is not completely penetrates, but has only one opening, so only is designed as a recess.

Claims (6)

Arrangement for ground connection of an electrical circuit carrier ( 1 ) to a ground conductor ( 2 ), with a connection arrangement, which is used to establish an electrical connection between the circuit carrier ( 1 ) and the ground conductor ( 2 ), wherein the connection arrangement is designed as a plug connection, and wherein a first plug element ( 3 ) is designed as a pin, a second plug element as a recess ( 5 ) is formed and the connector as a press fit of the first connector element ( 3 ) is formed with the second connector element. Arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that a first plug element ( 3 ), which is designed for producing a positive connection with a complementary second plug element, on the one hand with the circuit carrier ( 1 ) is mechanically connected and on the other hand with a ground contact ( 4 ) of the circuit carrier ( 1 ) is electrically connected. Arrangement according to claim 2, characterized in that the first plug element ( 3 ) as part of a connector assembly ( 8th ) is formed, a plurality ( 9 ) of plug elements. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first plug element ( 3 ) a rigid contact area ( 11 ) or a flexible contact area ( 12 ), which serves to form the press fit. Method for ground connection of an electrical circuit carrier ( 1 ) to a ground conductor ( 2 ), in particular by means of an arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a first plug element ( 3 ) is formed as a pin and a second plug element by introducing a recess ( 5 ) in the ground conductor ( 2 ) is formed such that the recess ( 5 ) has a smaller diameter than the first plug element at least in one spatial direction ( 3 ) in a contact area ( 11 . 12 ). Method according to claim 5, characterized in that the ground conductor ( 2 ) is produced from die-cast, wherein for the production of the second plug element ( 5 ) first two opposite recesses ( 14 . 15 ) with sloping side walls ( 16 ) in the ground conductor ( 2 ) and then the ground conductor ( 2 ) in a punching process at the location of the depressions ( 14 . 15 ) is pierced.