DE102016209495A1 - Carrier for electrical components, electrical arrangement and method for producing an electrical arrangement - Google Patents

Abstract

The application shows a support (1) for electrical components (2), wherein the support (1) is strip-shaped and folded and extends in a support plane (4), wherein the folded support (1, 1Z) in a in the support plane ( 4) extending dimension (5, 5A, 5B, 6A, 6B) has a larger dimension (7A, 7B) than the unfolded carrier (1, 1A). Furthermore, an electrical arrangement (18) with our carrier (1) and a method for producing an electrical arrangement (18) are shown.

Description

The invention relates to a support for electrical components, an electrical arrangement comprising a support and a method for producing an electrical arrangement with a support.

In the manufacture of electrical assemblies, the machining length or width is often limited by the machines used for machining. For example, many lithography systems allow a maximum length of the processed elements of about 0.5 m. A preparation of longer electrical arrangements, as they are to be used, for example, for an interior lighting of an automobile, then, for example, only possible by the fact that several separate smaller electrical arrangements are assembled.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a solution in which the preparation of longer or wider electrical arrangements is possible in a simple manner. Another object of the invention is to utilize the carrier and thus reduce costs.

In a method according to the invention for producing an electrical arrangement comprising a strip-shaped carrier, the carrier is folded and a dimension in a dimension extending in the carrier plane is increased compared to the unfolded state.

An electrical component carrier according to the invention is strip-shaped and folded and extends in a carrier plane, the folded carrier having a larger dimension than the unfolded carrier in a dimension extending in the carrier plane.

An electrical arrangement according to the invention comprises a carrier according to the invention.

The inventive solution makes it possible in a simple manner to produce electrical arrangements which are longer or wider than the processing length in the processing machines. In particular, if a folding takes place to one side, thereby wide carriers can be replaced with many empty spaces and the carrier can be better utilized.

The inventive solution can be further improved with the following developments and advantageous embodiments, each of which is independent of each other and can be combined with each other.

The carrier may have a fold portion configured to perform folding to make folding particularly easy.

Such a folding area may in particular be an area in which no or a few electrical components are arranged. Electrical components may alternatively or additionally be arranged so that they do not lie between the folded regions after folding. For example, they can be arranged on a lower side when a folded part rests against the corresponding position on the upper side.

The fold area may have one or more fold lines on which the fold is to take place. The fold lines can be formed only by markings. At such mark, a user or a machine may perform a folding.

To facilitate folding, structural changes can also be made that define the fold lines. For example, areas at the fold lines may be removed to facilitate folding or to perform the folding well defined at the fold line. For example, the fold lines can be incised or formed by grinding, sawing or laser ablation. A weakening in the area of the fold lines can facilitate the folding process. Material may be either along the entire fold line or even only on parts of the fold line, for example in the manner of a dashed line or a perforation removed.

The wearer may be weakened or softer at the fold lines to allow easy folding with a low risk of damaging the material. Such a weakening can be made possible, for example, by treatment with radiation, in particular laser radiation, or heating.

The dimension in which an enlargement of the dimension takes place can in particular be a length. The length can run along a strip direction. A strip direction may be a direction in which a plurality of electrical arrangements are arranged one behind the other. In particular, prior to separation of the individual arrangements, the electrical arrangements can all be arranged on a single carrier which is strip-shaped.

The wearer can be flexible. For example, it can be like a foil. In particular, it may be a Flexible Printed Circuit (FPC). A flexible carrier may be wound on a roll in unfolded and unprocessed condition. For processing, for example, for a fitting or a Processing by lithography, the carrier can be unwound from the roll. After processing, then the folding can take place. Alternatively, a first processing step, allowing only a certain maximum processing length or width, may take place prior to convolution, and another processing step, where a longer processing length is possible, may take place after convolution. After folding, the carrier and / or the electrical arrangement with the carrier can be rewound onto a roll. As a result, a simple further processing and / or a simple transport is possible.

The carrier may be made of an insulating material or may include an insulating material to prevent an electrical short between the electrical elements mounted thereon. For contacting line elements such as traces or wires may be present on the carrier. For example, these may be arranged on an upper or lower side or incorporated in the carrier.

The carrier may have holes to accommodate, for example, electrical elements (Through Hole Technology, THT). Alternatively, it can also be equipped on the surface (Surface Mounted Technology, SMT).

The increase in size may be at least 20%, preferably at least 50%. For a fold with a single fold area, the magnification can be up to 80% or more. The total dimension after folding is then 180% of the original dimension or more. If folded at multiple fold areas, the magnification may be more than 100% of the original length. For example, if the carrier comprises two fold areas, the resulting overall dimension after folding may be about 250% of the original length or more.

The fold may comprise a single folding step, that is to say a single fold in which folding is effected on only a single folding line. Such a configuration has the advantage that the method is simple and the resulting carrier is comparatively flat. Further, in a single fold, regions that are opposite to a fold region and, prior to folding, may be on the same side of the backing, such as an upper surface, after folding on two different sides, i. be arranged for example a top and a bottom.

A folding can comprise two folding steps, that is to say a double folding. Such a design may allow better shaping than single folding. Furthermore, after a double folding, electrical elements that are opposite one another with respect to a folding area and are arranged on one side of the carrier, for example an upper side, prior to folding, can be arranged on a single side, for example the upper side, even after folding. In a double folding, the fold lines may intersect, for example on the wearer or in a virtual point lying outside the wearer.

In a double folding, the two folds can be made along the same folding or turning direction. Such a double folding can be carried out particularly easily. Alternatively, the two advances may be in opposite directions in a double fold. This can, for example, reduce the space requirement in an apparatus that performs the folding. Further, in opposite rotational or folding directions compressions and strains caused by the folding, can be compensated respectively at the two fold lines, since then a compression and once an extension takes place, whereas in a double folding with the same rotational or folding direction in the fold lines either two compressions or two dilations occur.

The folded carrier may have two areas located one behind the other in the carrier plane, which lie next to one another in the unfolded state. From a strip-shaped carrier so again a strip-shaped carrier.

The two areas can be exactly behind each other to allow a narrow design. The two areas can be aligned after folding. The fold area may lie between the two areas after folding. One of the areas may be rotated 180 ° from the unfolded state. Such a rotation can already be taken into account in the assembly. A 180 ° rotation can be done in particular by a double folding, especially if this is done on two fold lines, which have a 90 ° angle to each other. For example, in the unfolded state, a fold line perpendicular to a strip direction and a second fold line parallel to the strip direction. It can be folded forward in a processing direction or strip direction rear part.

The folded carrier can have two regions which run obliquely in the carrier plane to each other and lie next to each other in the unfolded state in the carrier plane. As in the case of a fold in which the areas after folding lie one behind the other, the areas in front of the fold can also lie parallel to one another and be separated by a gap. At a junction between the two areas, a folding area may be present. By a single or multiple folding The two areas can be arranged obliquely to each other. A part of the carrier is thus folded outwards transversely to the processing direction.

The carrier may be flat, planar and substantially two-dimensional before and after folding. This makes a simple processing possible.

A folded carrier may have a region in which two, three or more layers are folded over one another. The parts can in particular rest against one another. The folded-together regions can be fixed to one another, for example by gluing, melting, riveting or similar joining techniques.

The carrier may have convex or concave edges in areas where folding occurs. This has the advantage that after folding, especially when the fold is oblique to the edge, no sharp corners or bulges arise that either survive or allow tearing at a recess with a sharp notch. Areas that would survive after a folding step may already be removed in the unfolded carrier. The configuration of the unfolded carrier may be such that after folding in the region of fold lines no parts survive, in particular not project laterally.

The unfolded carrier may comprise a plurality of contact elements which abut each other in the folded state and thereby allow transmission of electrical energy or signals. For example, the contact elements may be provided as contact surfaces, which abut each other by the folding and thereby an electrical contact is made. In the unfolded state, the contact elements may be spaced from each other.

The carrier may have a repetitive pattern along a strip direction. Such a pattern may comprise a plurality of electrical arrangements arranged one behind the other. The electrical arrangements can each be separated from the strips, for example after they have been unrolled from a roll. The repetitive pattern may include a geometric structure. The geometry of the carrier and / or the electrical assembly may repeat after a predetermined strip length. For example, the assembly pattern of the electrical components can be repeated. As a result, separate electrical arrangements can be formed which lie one behind the other along the strip direction. Even within a single electrical arrangement, a repetitive pattern may be present. For example, a plurality of LEDs may be arranged one behind the other at equal distances from one another in order to allow uniform illumination.

In an advantageous embodiment, two of a plurality of similar elements within a unit over the folding area after folding have the same distance as two of the elements in front of or behind the folding area. This achieves, for example, that even after folding a uniform illumination is achieved by uniformly arranged LEDs.

In the following, the solution according to the invention will be explained in more detail on the basis of advantageous refinements and further developments with reference to the drawings. The solutions shown are each independent of each other and can be combined with each other.

Show it:

1 a schematic plan view of a first embodiment of a support for an electrical arrangement during a first processing step in an unfolded state;

2 a schematic plan view of the carrier 1 during a second processing step in a partially folded state;

3 a schematic plan view of the carrier 1 and 2 during a third processing step in a folded state;

4 a schematic plan view of a second embodiment of a support for an electrical arrangement during a first advertising step in an unfolded state;

5 a schematic plan view of the carrier 4 during a second processing step in a partially folded state;

6 a schematic plan view of the carrier 4 and 5 during a third processing step in a folded state;

7 a schematic perspective view of a third embodiment of a support for an electrical arrangement in an unfolded state;

8A , B, C three steps of a folding operation on a first part of the third embodiment 7 ;

9A , B, C three steps of a folding operation on a second part of the third embodiment 7 ;

10 a schematic cross section through a fourth embodiment of an electric carrier with a double folding;

11 a schematic cross section through a fifth embodiment of an electric carrier with a single fold;

12 a schematic perspective view of a roll with a carrier.

In the 1 to 3 are three steps of a method of making an electrical assembly 18 comprising a strip-shaped carrier 1 shown.

In 1 The first step is shown in which the wearer 1 still unfolded, the carrier 1 So an unfolded carrier 1 . 1A is. On the carrier 1 are already electrical components 2 , especially LEDs 2A arranged to illuminate an interior of an automobile. The carrier 1 is only partially shown and continues outside the area shown.

The carrier 1 is strip-shaped and extends in a strip direction 10 , It extends both before a convolution and after a convolution in a carrier plane 4 , He has a width 7B in a width direction 6B on, which is essentially the width of a first part 11 and a second part 12 plus an intermediate gap 22 equivalent. Im in 1 shown unfolded state are the first part 11 and the second part 12 parallel to each other next to each other. They can thus be processed simultaneously in a processing machine. Such a machine can have a maximum processing length in a length direction 6A exhibit. To an electrical arrangement 18 with a carrier 1 longer than such a maximum processing length becomes the carrier 1 in a folding area 20 folded.

In the 2 is shown a second step of a process in which the wearer 1 partially folded. Shown are two folding lines 16 . 16A . 16B where a folding takes place. The two fold lines 16 . 16A . 16B enclose an angle of 90 ° so that the carrier 1 in the folding area 20 folded after folding by 180 °.

In the 3 is such a completely folded carrier 1 . 1Z shown. The previously juxtaposed parts 11 . 12 are now with respect to the stripe direction 10 , at the same time a processing direction 26 a machine can be arranged one behind the other and aligned with each other. The length 7A in the length direction 6A has been enlarged by the folding. At the same time in this case a dimension in one dimension 5 in the form of the width direction 6B reduced. The carrier 1 has essentially two dimensions, namely the length direction 6A and the width direction 6B , Due to the double folding at the two fold lines 16 . 16A . 16B show both parts after folding 11 . 12 up. The components 2 So on the first part are like the components 2 on the second part 12 in a top 8th of the carrier 1 arranged.

edge 21 . 21A . 21B of the carrier 1 They are rounded off to save weight and material and to tear them down 1 inside edge 21A to avoid.

As by comparing the 3 and 1 can be seen, the folding is the orientation of the assembly with the components 2 turned on the second part opposite the first part by 180 °.

At the carrier 1 may in particular be a flexible printed circuit board (PC). An embodiment with a printed circuit board (PCB) is possible.

In the 4 to 6 is a second embodiment of the method and the carrier 1 shown. In this embodiment, the dimensions in two dimensions, namely in a length direction 6A and a width direction 6B enlarged by the folding. After folding are two previously juxtaposed parts 11 . 12 at an angle to each other. They close an angle 23 one another. Also in this embodiment, a double folding is used, in which twice at two fold lines 16 . 16A . 16B is folded. The folds are made in opposite directions. A middle part of the between the first part 11 and the second part 12 is located, is folded in a Z-shape, ie this center part is relative to the first part 11 folded up and the second part 12 is folded down. The at the two fold lines 16A . 16B occurring compressions and strains balance out in this form of folding. In an alternative embodiment, the folding could be at the two fold lines 16 . 16A . 16B always be done in the same direction, which can be easier to implement processing technology.

Also in the embodiment shown here are edges 21 rounded out. In particular, an edge is a convex edge 21B designed to avoid that after folding parts of the carrier 1 survive.

In the 7 is a carrier 1 , the part of an electrical arrangement 18 is presented, layed out. At this carrier find in the 1 to 3 and 4 to 6 shown folding steps on different parts of the carrier 1 instead of. The folding steps are in the 8A to 8C and 9A to 9C shown. In particular, in the 9A to 9C a modified embodiment shown in which the edges 21 in the folding area are not rounded. Such a configuration may be easier to manufacture, as a rounding of the edges 21 not performed. An additional step can thereby be saved. This is particularly possible when altogether a folding by 180 ° takes place, because then no parts can survive.

It is further shown that the distances 14 between two similar electrical components 2 after folding over the fold area 20 are as big as in the areas in front of and behind the folding area 20 , please refer 7 and 9C , This allows for uniform illumination with the LEDs in this example 2A respectively.

In the 10 is shown a double folding, in the folding area 20 after folding three layers 25 lie one above the other. The layers 25 are directly adjacent to each other. In a circulation area 24 between two layers 25 An adhesive may be present to the layers 25 to connect with each other and to fix each other. To make a contact, can be on two layers 25 contact elements 15 be present, which abut each other in the folded state and so an electrical contact between two layers 25 enable. In the double folding shown have electrical components 2 , which before folding on the same side of the carrier 1 are arranged, again in the same direction.

In 11 is a simple folding shown. This simple folding becomes electrical components 2 , which are arranged on the same side before folding, now arranged opposite each other, so that some electrical components 2 at the top 8th and other components 2 on the bottom 9 are arranged.

In 12 is a possible application with a role 17 shown. The strip-shaped carrier 1 has a repetitive pattern 13 along a strip direction 10 on. The same geometric arrangements and geometries of components are arranged one behind the other. The strip-shaped carrier 1 is on a roll 17 attached and can be unrolled from this and then processed. As a carrier 1 In particular, flexible printed circuit boards come into question here.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

carrier

1A

unfolded carrier

1B

partially folded carrier

1Z

folded carrier

2

electrical component

2A

LED

3

strip

4

carrier plane

5

dimension

5A

first dimension

5B

second dimension

6A

length direction

6B

width direction

7A

length

7B

width

8th

top

9

bottom

10

strip direction

11

first area

12

second area

13

template

14

distance

15

contact element

16

fold line

16A

first fold line

16B

second fold line

17

role

18

electrical arrangement

19

processing direction

20

fold area

21

edge

21A

concave edge

21B

convex edge

22

gap

23

angle

24

support area

25

location

26

processing direction

Claims (12)

Carrier ( 1 ) for electrical components ( 2 ), the carrier ( 1 ) is strip-shaped and folded and in a carrier plane ( 4 ), wherein the folded support ( 1 . 1Z ) in one at the carrier level ( 4 ) extending dimension ( 5 . 5A . 5B . 6A . 6B ) a larger dimension ( 7A . 7B ) than the unfolded carrier ( 1 . 1A ). Carrier ( 1 ) according to claim 1, wherein the folded support ( 1 . 1Z ) two in the carrier plane ( 4 ) consecutive areas ( 11 . 12 ), which lie next to each other in the unfolded state. Carrier ( 1 ) according to one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the folded support ( 1 . 1Z ) two areas ( 11 . 12 ), which in the carrier plane ( 4 ) obliquely to each other and in the unfolded state ( 1 . 1A ) at the carrier level ( 4 ) are next to each other. Carrier ( 1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein on the folded support ( 1 . 1Z ) arranged electrical components ( 2 ) all on the same page ( 8th ) are arranged. Carrier ( 1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the carrier ( 1 ) along a strip direction ( 10 ) a repetitive pattern ( 13 ) having. Carrier ( 1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein after folding two of a plurality of similar elements ( 2 ) over the folding area ( 20 ) the same distance ( 14 ) like two of the elements ( 2 ) in front of or behind the folding area ( 20 ). Carrier ( 1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the folded support ( 1 . 1Z ) Contact elements ( 15 ) which abut each other. Carrier ( 1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a folding area ( 20 ) a prefabricated fold line ( 16 ) having. Electrical arrangement ( 18 ) comprising a carrier according to one of claims 1 to 8. Method for producing an electrical arrangement ( 18 ) comprising a strip-shaped carrier ( 1 ), the carrier ( 1 ) and a dimension ( 7A . 7B ), which are at one in the carrier level ( 4 ) extending dimension ( 5 . 5A . 5B . 6A . 6B ) is increased relative to the unfolded state. A method according to claim 10, wherein one in a processing direction ( 26 ) rear part ( 11 ) is folded forward. Method according to one of claims 10 or 11, wherein a part ( 12 ) of the carrier ( 1 ) across the processing direction ( 26 ) is folded outwards.

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