DE102021206763A1 - Printed circuit board holder with locking device, use of a printed circuit board holder for fixing a printed circuit board to a base printed circuit board, system comprising a plurality of printed circuit board holders and a plurality of printed circuit boards, and method for locking or unlocking a printed circuit board in a printed circuit board holder - Google Patents

Abstract

A circuit board holder (10) for receiving a circuit board (50), comprising:- an elongate receiving body (20), -- the elongate receiving body (20) having a receptacle (22) for locating a contact portion of the circuit board (50) therein; and- at least one locking device (30),-- wherein the at least one locking device (30) has a locking element (32) which is configured to engage in a locking recess (52) of the circuit board (50), and-- wherein the locking device ( and wherein the locking direction (VER) is substantially perpendicular to a removal direction (EN) of the printed circuit board (50).

Description

The present invention relates to a printed circuit board holder with a locking device, a use of a printed circuit board holder for fixing a printed circuit board to a base printed circuit board, a system comprising a plurality of printed circuit board holders and a plurality of printed circuit boards, and a method for locking or unlocking a printed circuit board in a printed circuit board holder.

Conventional circuit board mounts are known as hardware of computer systems. Exemplary conventional circuit board mounts are used as sockets for connecting main memory modules for motherboards.

Printed circuit board holders for accommodating printed circuit boards in vehicles are subject to certain requirements that conventional printed circuit board holders, such as those known from computer systems, do not meet.

Printed circuit board holders for accommodating printed circuit boards in vehicles are subject in particular to assembly requirements to ensure simple and safe assembly and disassembly of printed circuit boards, for example in a production line for vehicle production, or during maintenance work and inspections. In addition, the individual vehicle development places different, often conflicting requirements on the hardware that is to be installed in a vehicle.

It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a printed circuit board holder which enables a printed circuit board to be locked in a printed circuit board holder in a vehicle in a manner which is easy to assemble, facilitates the replacement of printed circuit boards and, moreover, meets the requirements of vehicle development.

The object described above is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims, preferred embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

• - einen langgestreckten Aufnahmekörper,
  • -- wobei der langgestreckte Aufnahmekörper eine Aufnahme zur Anordnung eines Kontaktabschnitts der Leiterplatte darin aufweist; und
• - zumindest eine Verriegelungsvorrichtung,
  • -- wobei die zumindest eine Verriegelungsvorrichtung ein Verriegelungselement aufweist, das konfiguriert ist, in eine Verriegelungsausnehmung der Leiterplatte einzugreifen, und
  • -- wobei die Verriegelungsvorrichtung entlang einer Verriegelungsrichtung relativ zum Aufnahmekörper verschiebbar ist,
  • -- wobei durch Verschiebung der Verriegelungsvorrichtung relativ zum Aufnahmekörper die Leiterplatte in einen verriegelten oder entriegelten Zustand bringbar ist, und
  • -- wobei die Verriegelungsrichtung im Wesentlichen senkrecht zu einer Entnahmerichtung der Leiterplatte ist.

One aspect of the invention relates to a printed circuit board holder for holding a printed circuit board, comprising:

• - an elongate receiving body,
  • -- the elongate receptacle body having a receptacle for locating a contact portion of the circuit board therein; and
• - at least one locking device,
  • -- wherein the at least one locking device has a locking element that is configured to engage in a locking recess of the printed circuit board, and
  • -- the locking device being displaceable along a locking direction relative to the receiving body,
  • -- wherein the printed circuit board can be brought into a locked or unlocked state by moving the locking device relative to the receiving body, and
  • -- wherein the locking direction is substantially perpendicular to a removal direction of the circuit board.

Advantageously, the printed circuit board holder allows the locking process to be designed independently of the removal process. In particular, this is possible in that the locking device can be displaced along the locking direction, which is essentially perpendicular to the removal direction of the printed circuit board, in order in particular to bring the printed circuit board into the locked state. This makes it possible, in a particularly advantageous manner, for the locking process to be carried out with predetermined, comparatively low forces, without impairing protection against removal of the printed circuit board. As a result, a predetermined minimum holding force can be ensured, for example, up to which removal can be prevented.

In other words, the circuit board holder described above advantageously enables the circuit board to be locked in a state that can be achieved or configured by the locking device, for example with little effort, while at the same time a particularly strong safeguard against removal of the circuit board can be provided in the locked state. This ensures an advantageous assembly and locking of the circuit board in the circuit board holder and enables the circuit board to be firmly secured against removal. For example, the printed circuit board can thus be secured particularly firmly against removal in a locked state, while only a small amount of force is required for the locking process itself.

In addition, with the present circuit board holder, the unlocking process in particular can also be configured independently of the removal process. Thus, for example, the unlocked state of the printed circuit board can also be reached or configured with little effort, while the locked state can at the same time provide a particularly strong safeguard against removal of the printed circuit board. This can be achieved in particular by the removal in the locked state of the printed circuit board direction or the direction of the force for removing the printed circuit board is configured such that the application of a force for removal does not cause any displacement of the locking device in the opposite direction to the locking direction or in the unlocking direction.

The displacement of the locking device relative to the receiving body can in particular be a displacement of the locking device along the receiving body or a displacement of the locking device along a section of the receiving body.

In exemplary embodiments, the circuit board holder can be configured to fix or fasten a circuit board to a base circuit board, in particular to fix a circuit board to a base circuit board in a vehicle. However, the present circuit board holder is not limited to this and can be used in any fields of application for simple locking and unlocking, but at the same time secure fixing of circuit boards.

Furthermore, in exemplary embodiments, the locking device can be designed as a locking device that is elastically deformable at least in sections. In other words, the locking device can be resiliently deformable, in particular at least in sections.

For example, the locking device can deform elastically by a predetermined amount during the displacement in order to bring the locking device into a locked state, with the elastic deformation of the locking device itself being at least partially or completely returned in the locked state. In particular, a predetermined locking force can be predetermined, which must be applied in order to bring the locking device from the unlocked state of the printed circuit board to the locked state of the printed circuit board. The locking force can be, for example, a force that is to be applied essentially in the locking direction or parallel to the locking direction.

The application of the locking force can be necessary or has to be applied in particular to overcome an elastic deformation of an elastically deformable section of the locking device, in particular to displace the locking device in such a way that the printed circuit board reaches the locked state.

Furthermore, the locking device can, for example, also deform elastically by a predetermined amount during the shifting in order to shift the locking device in such a way that the printed circuit board reaches the unlocked state. In particular, a predetermined unlocking force can be predetermined, which must be applied in order to displace the locking device in such a way that the circuit board arrives or is brought from the locked state into the unlocked state. The unlocking force can, for example, be a force which is to be applied essentially counter to the locking direction or parallel and counter to the locking direction.

The application of the unlocking force can be necessary or has to be applied in particular to overcome an elastic deformation of an elastically deformable section of the locking device, in particular to displace the locking device in such a way that the printed circuit board reaches the unlocked state.

In exemplary embodiments, the locking force can be approximately equal to the unlocking force. In alternative embodiments, the absolute value of the locking force can be greater than the unlocking force or it can be less than the unlocking force.

In exemplary embodiments, mutually touching surfaces of the locking device and the receiving body can be configured to one another during the displacement of the locking device such that the locking force and the unlocking force are each perpendicular to the removal direction of the printed circuit board. This advantageously enables the locking and unlocking process to be configured independently of the removal process, so that, for example, a small locking and unlocking force must be applied in order to achieve the locked or unlocked state, while at the same time a high removal force can be provided, which the printed circuit board secured against removal when locked. The removal force, which must be applied to the printed circuit board essentially perpendicularly to the locking direction in order to remove the printed circuit board, must be many times higher than the locking force. In particular, the locking device can be designed in such a way that a printed circuit board locked by means of the locking device cannot be removed without being damaged. This will damage the circuit board and/or the circuit board holder.

Furthermore, the surfaces of the locking device and the receiving body that touch each other during the displacement of the locking device can be parallel to the removal direction of the printed circuit board. Through this is also advantageously made possible that in a locked state of the printed circuit board, in particular the application of a force in the removal direction does not cause any displacement of the locking device opposite to the locking direction.

In addition, the surfaces of the locking recess of the printed circuit board and of the locking element that face one another when the printed circuit board is in the locked state can be, in particular, essentially perpendicular to the removal direction of the printed circuit board. This also advantageously makes it possible that in a locked state of the printed circuit board, in particular the application of a force in the removal direction does not cause any displacement of the locking device in the opposite direction to the locking direction.

As described above, the present circuit board holder enables a particularly advantageous separation of the locking and unlocking of the circuit board compared to the removal of the circuit board from the circuit board holder. In this way, particularly targeted characteristics for force curves and force applications for locking and unlocking the printed circuit board, as well as for protection against removal of the printed circuit board, can be configured.

In the further course, various terms are used repeatedly, the understanding of which is to be made easier by the following definitions.

Elongated: In the present case, the term elongate is mostly used with the term receiving body and indicates that the element referred to therein, in particular the receiving body, has an extent in the longitudinal direction which is significantly greater than its extent in the width and/or height direction. With respect to the elongate containment body, it may have a length of about 20 to about 60 times a width of the elongate containment body or a length of about 5 to about 40 times a height of the elongate recording body.

Longitudinal direction: The longitudinal direction describes a direction in which the printed circuit board holder or the elongated receiving body has its longest extent. Furthermore, the longitudinal direction is substantially parallel to a long edge of a contact portion of a printed circuit board that can be placed in the receptacle of the elongate receptacle body, such as in a main memory module.

Height direction: The height direction is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and essentially corresponds to a normal to a base circuit board, in particular a normal to a base circuit board extending over a surface area. Furthermore, the height direction can essentially correspond to a direction in which the printed circuit board is pushed or plugged into the receptacle of the elongated receptacle body.

Width direction: The width direction is generally substantially perpendicular to the length direction and the height direction. In the present application, the width direction is used in particular to describe elastic deformations of elastically restorable sections of the locking device. The width direction may further correspond to an edge of a contact portion of a circuit board that extends along the short side of the circuit board.

The longitudinal direction, the height direction and the width direction in particular do not have to correspond to a longitudinal direction, a height direction and a width direction of a vehicle, but rather can be independent of them.

The height direction, the width direction and the longitudinal direction can form a coordinate system, in particular a legal system.

Locking direction: The locking direction describes a direction along which the locking device can in particular be moved or displaced. In this case, the locking device can in particular correspond to a direction vector which the locking device describes when it is moved in such a way that the printed circuit board is brought from an unlocked state into a locked state.

Unlocking direction: The unlocking direction also describes a direction along which the locking device can be moved or slid in particular. The unlocking device can in particular correspond to a directional vector that the locking device describes when it is moved in such a way that the printed circuit board is brought from a locked state into an unlocked state. The unlocking direction can in particular point or run essentially parallel to the locking direction. Furthermore, the unlocking direction can point or run, in particular, essentially parallel and opposite to the locking direction.

Removal direction: The removal direction describes an exemplary direction along which the printed circuit board can be moved, in particular a direction around the contact section of the printed circuit board to remove or move from the recording of the circuit board holder.

Base circuit board: Base circuit board means a printed circuit board or PCB (printed circuit board) that serves as the basis for connection or fixation. The base circuit board can be any circuit board. Alternatively, the base circuit board can also describe a base module, which is used, among other things, for connecting or fixing further circuit boards.

Elastically deformable/elastic deformation: Elastic deformability describes that an element or section designated by it can be elastically deformed, in other words it can be deformed in particular in such a way that the element or section after the deformation essentially completely or completely regains its geometry before deformation. An elastic deformation is limited in that it describes a deformation in which essentially no or no plastic deformation occurs. An elastically deformed element can be essentially completely restored to an initial state.

If a direction or an angle is reproduced with the suffix “essentially” or “roughly”, this suffix means or is to be understood as meaning a deviation from the direction or angle in question in the range from 0° to 5°.

If a spatial dimension or ratio is reproduced with the suffix “essentially” or “roughly”, this suffix means or is to be understood as meaning a deviation from the relevant dimension or the relevant ratio in the range of 0% to 10%.

In preferred embodiments of the printed circuit board holder, the locking direction can be essentially parallel to a longitudinal direction of the elongate receiving body, and the removal direction can be essentially parallel to a height direction of the elongate receiving body.

Since the locking direction is essentially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the elongated receiving body and the removal direction is essentially parallel to the height direction of the elongated receiving body, a particularly advantageous separation of the locking and unlocking process from the removal process and a simple design of the circuit board holder are made possible, with the different processes with different and in particular independent force curves can be designed or are configurable.

In preferred embodiments of the circuit board holder, the locking device can be arranged captively on the circuit board holder.

Advantageously, the captive arrangement of the locking device on the printed circuit board holder allows a defined unlocked state to be achieved without the locking device being lost or moving away from the printed circuit board holder. This advantageously enables a particularly simple replacement or maintenance of a circuit board by bringing the locking device into the unlocked state, removing the circuit board from the circuit board holder receptacle, inserting a serviced or replaced circuit board into the circuit board holder or the receptacle of the circuit board holder , and the locking device, which has not moved away from the board holder, can be restored to the locked state.

Furthermore, the captive arrangement of the locking device on the circuit board holder enables the unlocking process in particular to be carried out automatically, for example by means of a robot or a robot-guided tool, in which the robot moves the locking element in the opposite direction parallel to the locking direction, i.e. pulls or pushes it, whereby losing the Locking device can be advantageously prevented. This also advantageously enables the locking process in particular to be carried out automatically, for example by means of a robot, with the robot being able to grasp or grip the locking device to be moved, e.g. on a robot contact element, in order to move or displace the locking device. The robotic contact element may comprise or be a predetermined area of the locking device. The robot may grasp the locking device at the predetermined area in order to move the locking device. In other words, it is not necessary for the robot to first search for the locking device.

By way of example, the removal force for removing the printed circuit board from the receptacle can be configured essentially along a height direction. To secure the circuit board against removal in the locked state, the Verriege development element engage behind the locking recess of the printed circuit board, in particular in the vertical direction, or form an undercut in the vertical direction with the locking recess.

In preferred embodiments of the circuit board holder, the circuit board holder can have a pull-out limiting element and the locking device can have a complementary captive element, wherein the pull-out limiting element and the captive element are configured to interact in such a way that the displacement of the locking device against the locking direction is limited.

In particular, the displacement of the locking device can be limited in parallel opposite to the locking direction, ie it can be limited in the unlocking direction, for example.

Limiting the displacement of the locking device against the locking direction advantageously allows the unlocking process to be carried out automatically, for example by means of a robot, by preventing the locking device from becoming detached from the printed circuit board holder. This also advantageously enables the locking process to be carried out automatically, for example by means of a robot, in which case the locking device can be made available to the robot in a predetermined area for carrying out the locking process.

Furthermore, limiting the displacement of the locking device in the unlocking direction advantageously allows a particularly space-saving circuit board holder to be provided. In particular, even removing a printed circuit board for maintenance or the like can be carried out in a space-saving manner, so that efficient use of the available area of the base printed circuit board is also made possible, on which as many printed circuit board holders and thus printed circuit boards as possible can be arranged.

In preferred embodiments of the printed circuit board holder, the locking device can be guided in a displaceable manner through the printed circuit board holder in the locking direction.

In other words, the locking device can be guided during a displacement process of the locking device, in particular parallel to the locking direction.

The guidance of the locking device initially enables a targeted movement of the locking device, so that a locking force and an unlocking force can be set in a targeted and repeatable manner. This in turn enables the advantageous suitability for an automated displacement of the locking device by means of a robot, so that repeatable results can be achieved in order to get into the locked and the unlocked state.

In exemplary embodiments, the guidance of the locking device can in particular limit or prevent a movement of the locking device in the vertical direction and/or in the width direction.

Furthermore, by way of example, the locking device can be guided in particular by means of one or more guide recesses and one or more corresponding guide elements, which can be arranged alternately on the locking device and the receiving body. In other words, one of the locking device and the receiving body can have one or more guide recesses, and the other of the locking device and the receiving body can have one or more corresponding guide elements.

Automated displacement of the locking device by means of a robot is also supported by guiding the locking device by ensuring a predetermined movement or displacement of the locking device, regardless of the exact force vector with which the robot acts on the locking device.

In preferred embodiments of the printed circuit board holder, when the printed circuit board is in a locked state, at least one resilient locking hook of the locking device can engage behind at least one locking lug of the printed circuit board holder in the longitudinal direction of the elongated receiving body.

By reaching behind the at least one latching lug of the circuit board holder or the latching lug of the elongated receiving body by means of the at least one resilient latching hook in the locked state of the circuit board, the locked state can advantageously be configured to be reversible, so that in a reversible and, in particular, repeatable manner, by application a locking force in the unlocked state, the locked state is achievable, while by applying an unlocking force in the locked state, the unlocked state is achievable.

Furthermore, the locking force can be set or predetermined in a targeted manner by means of the resilience of the at least one latching hook.

For example, the locking force may be necessary in particular in order to elastically deform the at least one resilient latching hook in relation to the latching lug when the displacement device is displaced in the displacement direction into the locked state. Equally, the unlocking force may be necessary in particular in order to elastically deform the at least one resilient latching hook in relation to the latching lug when the displacement device is displaced in the opposite direction parallel to the displacement direction in the unlocked state. The detent can be contoured on both sides in such a way that the locking force is approximately equal to the unlocking force, or that one of the locking force and the unlocking force is greater than the other of the locking force and the unlocking force.

In exemplary embodiments, in particular two or exactly two resilient latching hooks can be arranged or designed on the locking device in order to engage behind a latching lug of the circuit board holder or a latching lug of the elongated receiving body. The resilient latching hooks can, for example, be designed symmetrically to one another, in particular symmetrically to one another in a width direction of the printed circuit board holder. In this way, in particular, a particularly uniform displacement of the displacement device along the displacement direction can be ensured.

In further exemplary embodiments, any number of resilient latching hooks can be arranged or formed on one of the locking device and the elongate receiving body, and a corresponding arbitrary number of latching lugs can be arranged or formed on the other of the locking device and the elongate receiving body.

In preferred embodiments of the circuit board holder, the locking device can have a gripping portion which is configured to be gripped by a tool of a robot in order to slide the locking device relative to the receiving body.

By arranging a gripping section on the locking device, a targeted gripping of the locking device by means of a robot can advantageously be ensured in order to move or displace the locking device.

In exemplary embodiments, the gripping portion may be formed with a tool guide to facilitate gripping by the robot using the tool. The gripping section can in particular be configured to accommodate a robot-guided tool at least in sections.

Furthermore, in exemplary embodiments, the gripping portion may be formed as a gripping protrusion that has a front surface that faces the board to be locked and that is shaped parallel to a width direction of the board holder. Alternatively or additionally, the gripping section can be formed as a gripping projection which has a rear side which faces away from the printed circuit board to be locked and which is shaped parallel to a width direction of the printed circuit board holder. As a result, the printed circuit board holder is particularly advantageously suitable for a tool that extends essentially in the width direction, in order to move or displace the locking device relative to the receiving body. Furthermore, the printed circuit board holder is particularly advantageously suitable for arranging a plurality of printed circuit board holders next to one another, which can be brought into a locked or unlocked state simultaneously or in parallel using a single tool.

In alternative embodiments, the front of a gripping projection and/or the rear of the gripping projection can be inclined or contoured with respect to the width direction of the circuit board holder in order to allow a latching or clamping with a contoured shaped tool during a sliding movement of the robot by means of the tool. This advantageously allows the tool to be independently aligned along a possible multiplicity of printed circuit board holders arranged next to one another.

In preferred embodiments of the circuit board holder, the locking device can have at least one locking bevel, the at least one locking bevel being configured to bring the circuit board into a predetermined receiving position when the locking device is displaced in the locking direction.

Advantageously, the locking slope of the locking device allows the printed circuit board, regardless of its exact position before the unlocked state, during the movement or shifting of the locking device from the unlocked state of the printed circuit board to the locked state th state of the circuit board, can be brought into the specific recording position. The predetermined receiving position can in particular be a position on the printed circuit board, with the contact section of the printed circuit board reliably contacting contact elements arranged in the area of the mounting of the printed circuit board holder.

In addition, the at least one locking bevel allows the printed circuit board to be brought into the locked state in a particularly gentle manner and with a predeterminable force.

In preferred embodiments of the circuit board holder, the circuit board holder can be fixed to a base circuit board.

In particular, the circuit board holder can be fixed to a base circuit board in a vehicle.

Because the circuit board holder can be fixed to a base circuit board, a desired main memory or working memory can advantageously be provided for a computing unit connected to the base circuit board, in particular also for vehicles.

A further aspect of the invention relates to the use of a printed circuit board holder according to the above aspect or according to one of the above preferred, exemplary and alternative embodiments for fixing a printed circuit board to a base printed circuit board.

In other words, a further aspect of the invention relates to the use of a circuit board holder, according to the above aspect or according to one of the above preferred, exemplary and alternative embodiments, for locking a circuit board in the receptacle of a circuit board holder, i.e. for locking a circuit board on a base circuit board.

The preferred, exemplary and alternative embodiments of the circuit board holder described above and their effects relate equally to the use of a circuit board to fix or lock the circuit board to a base circuit board, in particular to lock the circuit board in a receptacle of the circuit board holder.

• - eine Mehrzahl von Leiterplattenhalterungen gemäß des vorstehenden Aspekts betreffend eine Leiterplattenhalterung bzw. gemäß eines der vorstehenden bevorzugten, beispielhaften und alternativen Ausführungsformen betreffend eine Leiterplattenhalterung; und
• - eine Mehrzahl von Leiterplatten,
  • -- wobei jede Leiterplatte der Mehrzahl von Leiterplatten zumindest bereichsweise in der Aufnahme einer zugeordneten Leiterplattenhalterung der Mehrzahl von Leiterplattenhalterungen angeordnet ist; und
• - wobei das System konfiguriert ist, dass eine Mehrzahl von Verriegelungsvorrichtungen mittels eines Roboters gleichzeitig in der Ver- bzw.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a system comprising:

• - a plurality of printed circuit board holders according to the above aspect relating to a printed circuit board holder or according to one of the above preferred, exemplary and alternative embodiments relating to a printed circuit board holder; and
• - a plurality of printed circuit boards,
  • -- wherein each printed circuit board of the plurality of printed circuit boards is at least partially arranged in the receptacle of an associated printed circuit board holder of the plurality of printed circuit board holders; and
• - wherein the system is configured such that a plurality of locking devices can be locked or unlocked simultaneously by means of a robot.

Unlocking direction is displaceable, so that the plurality of printed circuit boards in the plurality of circuit board holders can be locked or unlocked at the same time.

The preferred, exemplary and alternative embodiments of the circuit board holder described above and their effects relate equally to the system comprising, in particular, a plurality of circuit board holders.

• - Bereitstellen einer Leiterplattenhalterung gemäß des vorstehenden Aspekts betreffend eine Leiterplattenhalterung bzw. gemäß eines der vorstehenden bevorzugten, beispielhaften und alternativen Ausführungsformen betreffend eine Leiterplattenhalterung, wobei ein Kontaktbereich einer Leiterplatte in der Aufnahme angeordnet ist;
• - Greifen der Verriegelungsvorrichtung mittels eines Roboter geführten Werkzeugs; und
• - Verschieben der Verriegelungsvorrichtung mittels des Werkzeugs in einer Verriegelungsrichtung oder einer der Verriegelungsrichtung entgegengesetzten Entriegelungsrichtung, so dass die Leiterplatte in einen verriegelten Zustand oder einen entriegelten Zustand bringbar ist,
• - wobei im verriegelten Zustand ein Verriegelungselement der Verriegelungsvorrichtung in eine Verriegelungsausnehmung der Leiterplatte eingreift, oder im entriegelten Zustand das Verriegelungselement der Verriegelungsvorrichtung nicht in die Verriegelungsausnehmung der Leiterplatte eingreift,
  • -- wobei die Verriegelungsrichtung im Wesentlichen senkrecht zu einer Entnahmerichtung der Leiterplatte ist.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a method for locking or unlocking a printed circuit board in a printed circuit board holder, comprising the steps:

• - Providing a printed circuit board holder according to the above aspect relating to a printed circuit board holder or according to one of the above preferred, exemplary and alternative embodiments relating to a printed circuit board holder, wherein a contact area of a printed circuit board is arranged in the receptacle;
• - Gripping the locking device using a robot-guided tool; and
• - Displacing the locking device by means of the tool in a locking direction or in an unlocking direction opposite to the locking direction, so that the printed circuit board can be brought into a locked state or an unlocked state,
• - wherein in the locked state a locking element of the locking device engages in a locking recess in the circuit board, or in the unlocked state the locking element of the locking device does not engage in the locking recess in the circuit board,
  • -- wherein the locking direction is substantially perpendicular to a removal direction of the circuit board.

The preferred, exemplary and alternative embodiments of the circuit board holder and their effects described above relate equally to the method for locking or unlocking a circuit board in a circuit board holder.

• - Einführen der Leiterplatte in die Aufnahme der Leiterplattenhalterung mittels eines Roboters, oder
• - Entnehmen der Leiterplatte aus der Aufnahme der Leiterplattenhalterung mittels eines Roboters.

In preferred embodiments of the method of locking or unlocking a printed circuit board, the method further comprises:

• - Insertion of the printed circuit board into the receptacle of the printed circuit board holder by means of a robot, or
• - Removal of the printed circuit board from the recording of the printed circuit board holder by means of a robot.

The step of inserting the printed circuit board into the receptacle of the printed circuit board holder by means of a robot can be carried out or carried out in particular before the step of moving the locking device in the locking direction by means of the tool.

The step of removing the printed circuit board from the receptacle of the printed circuit board holder by means of a robot can be carried out or executed in particular after the step of moving the locking device in the unlocking direction by means of the tool.

In exemplary embodiments of the circuit board holder, the locking device can in particular have an insertion bevel so that the circuit board can also be inserted into the receptacle when the locking device is between a maximum position in the locking direction and a maximum position in the unlocking direction.

Embodiments of the invention are described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying figures. It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and that individual features of the embodiments can be combined to form further embodiments within the scope of the appended claims.

• 1 eine perspektivische Ansicht einer Leiterplattenhalterung, wobei eine Leiterplatte unverriegelt in einer Aufnahme angeordnet ist;
• 2a eine Verriegelungsvorrichtung einer Leiterplattenhalterung;
• 2b einen Teilbereich einer Leiterplattenhalterung, wobei eine Verriegelungsvorrichtung nicht dargestellt ist;
• 3a einen Teilbereich einer Leiterplattenhalterung in perspektivischer Darstellung, wobei die Verriegelungsvorrichtung in einer verriegelnden Position dargestellt ist, wobei keine Leiterplatte dargestellt ist;
• 3b einen Teilbereich einer Leiterplattenhalterung in einer weiteren perspektivischen Darstellung, wobei die Verriegelungsvorrichtung in einer verriegelnden Position dargestellt ist, wobei keine Leiterplatte dargestellt ist;
• 3c einen Teilbereich einer Leiterplattenhalterung, wobei die Verriegelungsvorrichtung in einer entriegelnden Position dargestellt ist, und eine Leiterplatte zumindest abschnittsweise in der Aufnahme angeordnet ist;
• 4 eine Mehrzahl von Leiterplattenhalterungen, angeordnet an einer Basisleiterplatte;
• 5 ein Flussdiagramm zur Aufnahme und Verriegelung einer Leiterplatte in einer Leiterplattenhalterung; und
• 6 ein Flussdiagramm zur Entriegelung und Entnahme einer in einer Leiterplattenhalterung angeordneten Leiterplatte.

It shows:

• 1 a perspective view of a circuit board holder, wherein a circuit board is arranged unlocked in a receptacle;
• 2a a locking device of a circuit board holder;
• 2 B a portion of a circuit board holder, wherein a locking device is not shown;
• 3a a partial area of a printed circuit board holder in a perspective view, with the locking device being shown in a locking position, with no printed circuit board being shown;
• 3b a portion of a printed circuit board holder in a further perspective view, wherein the locking device is shown in a locking position, wherein no printed circuit board is shown;
• 3c a portion of a printed circuit board holder, wherein the locking device is shown in an unlocking position, and a printed circuit board is at least partially arranged in the receptacle;
• 4 a plurality of circuit board holders arranged on a base circuit board;
• 5 a flowchart for receiving and locking a circuit board in a circuit board holder; and
• 6 a flowchart for unlocking and removing a circuit board arranged in a circuit board holder.

1 shows a perspective representation of a printed circuit board holder 10, which is arranged on a base printed circuit board 100 sketched as an example. are in 1 three spatial directions defined, namely the longitudinal direction I, the height direction h and the width direction b, which have no fixed origin on the circuit board holder 10. The longitudinal direction I runs essentially parallel to an elongated extension of an elongated receiving body 20 of the circuit board holder 10. The height direction h runs essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction I and is also essentially perpendicular to a base circuit board 100 on which the circuit board holder 10 is configured fixed to become. The width direction b runs essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction I and to the vertical direction b, so that in particular a right-handed directional system consists of the longitudinal direction I, vertical direction h and width direction b.

As in 1 shown, the elongate receiving body 20 has a receptacle 22 which is configured to arrange or receive a printed circuit board 50, in particular a contact section of a printed circuit board 50, therein.

How further in 1 shown, the circuit board holder 10 can have a locking device 30 on opposite sides or ends of the circuit board holder 10 in the longitudinal direction I. In alternate embodiments, the circuit board mount 10 may have only one latch have device 30, or have a plurality of locking devices 30.

As in 1 shown, each locking device 30 can be provided with two locking elements 32 or have two locking elements 32 in preferred embodiments. In alternative embodiments, each locking device 30 may have only one locking element 32 or may have a plurality of locking elements 32 . In this case, each locking element 32 is preferably configured to engage in a respective locking recess 52 of a printed circuit board 50 to be locked or fixed in the printed circuit board holder 10 .

In 1 the circuit board 50 is shown in an unlocked state. None of the in 1 shown locking elements 32 in a locking recess 52 of the circuit board 50 a.

The circuit board 50 can have, for example, one or more locking recesses 52 , in particular one or more locking recesses 52 each having opposite ends or sides of the circuit board 50 in the longitudinal direction I.

As in 1 shown, the locking recesses 52 can each be formed as recesses, which form essentially in the longitudinal direction I. Consequently, the locking elements 32 can each be designed as projections extending essentially in the longitudinal direction I.

As continues in 1 indicated, the respective locking device 30 can each be displaceable in the locking direction VER in order to bring or move the printed circuit board 50 in particular from an unlocked state into a locked state. In addition, the respective locking device 30 can be displaceable in the unlocking direction ER in order to bring or move the printed circuit board 50 in particular from a locked state into an unlocked state.

The locked state of the printed circuit board 50 is reached in particular when at least one locking element 32 of the locking device 30 engages in a locking recess 52 in the printed circuit board 50 . In other words, a locked state of the printed circuit board 50 is reached in particular when, viewed along a removal direction EN, at least one locking element 32 of the locking device forms an undercut with a locking recess 52 in the printed circuit board 50 .

For example, in a locked state, a locking element 32 can form a form fit with at least one locking recess 52, so that removal of the printed circuit board 50 is made more difficult or prevented.

The unlocked state of the printed circuit board 50 is reached in particular when no locking element 32 of the locking device 30 engages in a locking recess 52 in the printed circuit board 50 . In other words, an unlocked state of the printed circuit board 50 is reached in particular when viewed along a removal direction EN, no locking element 32 of the locking device forms an undercut with a locking recess 52 in the printed circuit board 50 .

Furthermore, and as already mentioned above, in 1 the locking direction VER, the unlocking direction ER and the removal direction EN, each shown for a locking device 30 with. The locking direction VER indicates the essential direction in which the locking device 30 can be displaced towards the printed circuit board 50 to be arranged in the receptacle 22 . The unlocking direction ER indicates the essential direction in which the locking device 30 can be displaced away from the printed circuit board 50 to be arranged in the receptacle 22 . As in 1 indicated, the unlocking direction ER can be opposite to the locking direction VER. In particular, the unlocking direction ER can run in the opposite direction parallel to the locking direction VER.

How further in 1 indicated, the locking direction VER and/or the unlocking direction ER can run or be configured essentially parallel to the longitudinal direction I of the elongated receiving body 20 .

The removal direction EN can, for example, run essentially parallel to the height direction h of the circuit board holder 10 and essentially indicates the direction along which a circuit board 50 can be removed from the receptacle 22 of the elongated receptacle body 20 .

How further in 1 shown, a mounting element 70 can be arranged or formed on opposite sides or ends of the circuit board holder 10 in the longitudinal direction I, or of the elongated receiving body 20 of the circuit board holder 10, which is configured to be connected to a base circuit board 100.

The base circuit board 100 is in 1 only schematically outlined and can be any base printed circuit board 100 with any geometry or contour.

The printed circuit board 50 can be part of a DDR5 main memory module, for example. Furthermore, in exemplary embodiments, the circuit board 50 can also be any other main memory module, or any other circuit board.

The elongate receiving body 20 and the locking device 30 can together have a length in the longitudinal direction I and, for example for the locked state, in the range from about 80 mm to about 260 mm, preferably a length in the range from about 120 mm to about 200 mm, and particularly preferably have a length of about 170 mm. The elongated receiving body 20 can, for example, have a width in the range from about 2.6 mm to about 10 mm, preferably a width in the range from about 3.4 mm to about 6 mm, and particularly preferably a width of about 4.5 mm . In alternative embodiments, the printed circuit board holder 10, in particular the elongate receiving body 20 and the locking devices 30 adjoining it in the longitudinal direction I, can have dimensions which are tailored in particular to the printed circuit board 50 to be arranged in the printed circuit board holder 10 and deviate from the above-mentioned values or value ranges.

In example embodiments, such as not shown in 1 shown, the elongate receiving body 20 can optionally have a coding which is arranged in the receptacle 22 of the elongate receiving body 20 . In this case, the coding can be configured to engage in a coding recess of a circuit board 50 when the circuit board 50 is arranged in the recess 22 . The circuit board holder 10 can be designed or restricted to accommodate a specific type of circuit board 50 on the basis of the coding of the elongated receiving body 20 . In alternative embodiments of the circuit board holder 10, the elongate receiving body 20 has no coding and can therefore be used for arranging a large number of different circuit boards.

Based on 2a and 2 B In particular, exemplary features of the locking device 30 and the printed circuit board holder 10 or the elongated receiving body 20 of the printed circuit board holder 10, as well as their interaction, are further illustrated.

2a shows a locking device 30 of a circuit board holder 10, wherein in particular the elongated receiving body 20 of the circuit board holder 10 is not shown. The locking device 30 can in particular be manufactured or manufactured separately from the elongated receiving body 20 of the circuit board holder 10 .

As in 2a shown, the locking device 30 can have a rib structure, whereby the locking device 30 can be rigid, and at the same time, by avoiding a consistently large cross section, can be manufactured particularly light and true to shape, such as by injection molding. Faithful to form means that the item described can be manufactured with only a slight delay or no delay at all.

How further in 2a As shown, the locking device 30 may include a gripping portion 40 . The gripping section 40 can be designed, for example, as a projection on an upper end of the locking device 30 in the vertical direction h and can also be designed flush with the outer side of the locking projection 30 with respect to the longitudinal direction I. In other words, the gripping section 40 can be designed in particular as a projection extending in the vertical direction h, and can also be designed or arranged on a side of the locking device 30 facing away from the receptacle 20 of the circuit board holder 10 in the longitudinal direction I. The configuration of the gripping section 40 as described above makes it possible on the one hand to advantageously provide a circuit board holder 10 that is particularly short in the longitudinal direction I, so that a large number of circuit board holders 10, and thus also a large number of circuit boards 50, can be arranged on a base circuit board 100. At the same time, the gripping section 40 as described above ensures advantageous accessibility for a robot and provides a suitable element for shifting or moving the locking device 30 in order to be able to shift or move the locking device 30 in the shifting direction VER and in the unlocking direction ER.

As in 2a shown, the locking device 30 can have, in particular, two locking elements 32 which are formed on the locking device 30 at a distance from one another, for example in the vertical direction h.

On a side of the locking device 30 facing the receptacle 22 of the circuit board holder 10 in the longitudinal direction I, a locking bevel 42 and/or an insertion bevel 44 can be formed on the locking element(s) 32 .

The insertion bevel 44 is advantageously provided or formed on an upper edge of the locking element 32 in the height direction h and facilitates the insertion of a printed circuit board 50 or a contact section of a printed circuit board 50 into the receptacle 22. The insertion bevel 44 is advantageously formed in such a way that the Locking device 30, during a process of inserting the printed circuit board 50, if the locking device 30 and the printed circuit board 50 touch, the locking device 30 dodges against the locking direction VER or moves in the unlocking direction ER. The insertion bevel 44 can be delimited in the width direction b, in particular be delimited on both sides in the width direction b, so that the insertion bevel 44 also serves in particular as a guide aid for inserting the circuit board 50 into the receptacle 22 .

In other words, the insertion bevel 44 can have a decreasing height in the vertical direction h following the locking direction VER of the respective locking device 30 .

The locking bevel 42 is advantageously provided or formed on a lower edge of the locking element 32 in the height direction h and ensures a predetermined arrangement or a predetermined insertion depth of the printed circuit board 50 in the receptacle 22 . The locking bevel 42 is advantageously designed such that when the locking device 30 is displaced in the locking direction VER, if the locking device 30 and the printed circuit board 50 touch, the printed circuit board 50 moves further into the receptacle 22 counter to the removal direction EN or is pressed . A predetermined insertion depth of the printed circuit board 50 can thus advantageously be ensured even before the printed circuit board 50 reaches the locked state.

In other words, the locking bevel 42 can have an increasing height in the height direction h following the locking direction VER of the respective locking device 30 .

As continues in 2a shown, the locking device 30 can have one or more latching hooks 34 . The one or more latching hooks 34 can be configured, latching lugs 24, which, as in 2 B shown, are arranged or formed on the elongated receiving body 20, in particular in a locked state of the printed circuit board 50 to engage behind.

In example embodiments and as in 2a shown, the latching hooks 34 can be embodied symmetrically to one another, in particular in the width direction b, or can be arranged on the locking device 30 . The latching hooks 34 can also be configured in particular to be resilient. In other words, the latching hooks 34 can be elastically deformable. A predetermined locking force can be defined by the resilient latching hooks 34 when the locking device 30 is displaced in the locking direction VER, which force must be applied for the resilient deformation or elastic deformation of the latching hooks 34 in order to achieve the locked state of the printed circuit board 50 . This is particularly the case because the latching hooks 34 have to be moved past latching lugs 24 which are arranged on the elongated receiving body 20 .

Each latching hook 34 can also be configured, in particular, to interact with a latching lug 24 in such a way that when the locking device 30 is displaced in the locking direction VER, with the latching hook 34 passing the latching lug 24, the latching hook 34 essentially faces away from the latching lug 24 in the width direction b elastically deformed.

The predetermined locking force that has to be applied in order to move the latching lug 24 relative to the latching hook 34 can be set or specified in particular by means of the geometries of the contacting surfaces of the latching hook 34 and the latching lug 24 .

Furthermore, a predetermined unlocking force can be defined by the resilient latching hooks 34 when the locking device 30 is displaced in the unlocking direction ER, which force must be applied for the resilient deformation or elastic deformation of the latching hooks 34 in order to achieve the unlocked state of the printed circuit board 50 . This applies in particular to latching hooks 34 which are guided past latching lugs 24 which are arranged on the elongated receiving body 20 .

The predetermined unlocking force in order to guide or move the latching lug 24 and the latching hook 34 past one another can be set in particular by means of the geometries of the contacting surfaces of the latching hook 34 and the latching lug 24 .

As in 2 B shown, the latching lugs 24 can, for example, have a locking resistance surface 25 on a side which faces the locking device 30 when the locking device 30 is moved from an unlocked state of the circuit board 50 to a locked state of the circuit board 50 . The locking resistance surface 25 of the locking lug 24 can be inclined, for example, in particular be inclined in such a way that the locking direction VER following that Locking resistance surface 25 of the locking lug 24 has an increasing width in the width direction b.

The locking resistance surface 25 of the detent 24 can, for example, be provided with any inclination in a range from approximately 0° to approximately 90°, preferably provided with an inclination in the range from approximately 5° to approximately 60°. On the one hand, this can ensure that the locking device 30 in the circuit board holder 10 does not move by itself into a position that corresponds to a position for locking the circuit board 50, while at the same time a comparatively low locking force VER is ensured, so that an energetically inexpensive locking of the Circuit board 50 is ensured.

As continues in 2 B shown, the latching lugs 24 can, for example, have an unlocking resistance surface 26 on a side that faces away from the locking device 30 when the locking direction 30 is moved from an unlocked state of the circuit board 50 into a locked state of the circuit board 50 . The unlocking resistance surface 26 of the latching lug 24 can, for example, be inclined or, in particular, also be perpendicular to the unlocking direction ER. For example, the unlocking resistance surface 26 can be inclined in such a way that, following the unlocking direction ER, the unlocking resistance surface 26 of the latching lug 24 has an increasing width in the width direction b.

The unlocking resistance surface 26 of the latching lug 24 can, for example, be provided with any inclination relative to the unlocking direction ER in a range from approximately 0° to approximately 90°, preferably with an inclination in the range from approximately 40° to approximately 90°. In this way it can be ensured in particular that the locking device 30 of the circuit board holder 10 does not move by itself from a position of a locked state of the circuit board 50 to a position of an unlocked state of the circuit board 50 . In particular, a predetermined locking force and a predetermined unlocking force can advantageously be defined independently by the respective configuration of the unlocking resistance surface 26 and the locking resistance surface 25 .

As continues in 2a shown, the locking device 30 can have one or more loss-prevention elements 36, which can be configured, in particular, each with a pull-out limiting element 28 of the printed circuit board holder 10, as in FIG 2 B shown to form a captive device for the locking device 30.

The captive element 36 can have a rounded edge or bevel on a front edge in the displacement direction VER in order to enable or facilitate elastic deformation of the captive element 36 when the locking device 30 is captively attached to the circuit board holder 10 or to the elongated receiving body 20 of the circuit board holder 10 is arranged.

For example, the anti-loss element 36 can be moved or shifted through an opening or recess in the area of a pull-out limiting element 28 in order to arrange the locking device 30 in a captive manner on the elongated receiving body 20 of the printed circuit board holder 10 .

If the locking device 30 is in a captive arrangement with the circuit board holder 10 or with the elongate receiving body 20 of the circuit board holder 10, the loss-prevention element 36 of the locking device 30 and the anti-extraction element 28 of the elongate receiving body 20 can each be configured with opposite surfaces perpendicular to the unlocking direction ER, to provide the highest possible security against loss. The loss-prevention force is a force that must be applied in order to release the locking device 30 from the circuit board holder 10 or from the elongated receiving body 20 of the circuit board holder 10, in particular to overcome the loss-preventing effect of the loss-prevention element 36 with the pull-out safeguard element 28.

In preferred embodiments, the loss-prevention force can in particular be configured to be greater in absolute terms than the unlocking force. Consequently, even if the locking device 30 is displaced with a constant unlocking force, even after the circuit board 50 has reached the unlocked state, the locking device 30 is advantageously prevented from becoming detached from the elongated receiving body 20 of the circuit board holder 10 .

Furthermore, the captive element 36 can be formed with a certain extension in the longitudinal direction I, so that the extent of the captive element 36 in the longitudinal direction I advantageously limits a displacement of the locking device 30 in particular in the unlocking direction ER. As a result, the space required for servicing or the possible replacement of a printed circuit board 50 can advantageously be limited be, so that an optimal use of space and accessibility of a base circuit board 100 is still possible.

How further in 2 B shown, a first guide element 29a and/or one or more second guide elements 29b can be arranged or formed on the circuit board holder 10 or on the elongated receiving body 20 of the circuit board holder 10 .

The first guide element 29a can be embodied, for example, as a projection that extends essentially parallel to the locking direction, in particular as a projection that extends away from the elongated receiving body 20 . The first guide element 29a can furthermore be designed in particular as a projection extending in the width direction b in the middle of the elongate receiving body 20 . The second guide element 29b can be embodied, for example, as a projection that extends essentially parallel to the locking direction, in particular as a projection that extends away from the elongated receiving body 20 . The second guide element 29a can also be configured in particular as a projection that extends eccentrically from the elongated receiving body 20 in the width direction b. In other words, the second guide element 29b can be embodied as a projection which extends offset in the width direction b with respect to the first guide element 29a.

The locking device 30 can, for example, have a first guide recess 39a that is complementary to the first guide element 29a. The guide recess 39a can in particular be configured to form a sliding fit or loose fit with the guide element 29a, form a transition fit, or form an interference fit or press fit in order to ensure correspondingly precise guidance of the locking device 30.

In addition, the locking device 30 can, for example, also have one or more second guide recesses 39b or guide recesses 39b that are complementary to a respective second guide element 29b. The guide recess 39b can in particular be configured to form a sliding fit or loose fit with the guide element 29b, form a transition fit, or form an interference fit or press fit in order to ensure correspondingly precise guidance of the locking device 30.

Based on 3a , 3b and 3c and will in particular be based on the 2a and 2 B highlighted features further clarified.

3a shows a section of the printed circuit board holder 10, which in particular includes a locking device 30 and a section of the elongated receiving body 20. The representation of 3a refers to a locked state of the circuit board 50, the circuit board 50 not being shown.

As in 3a shown, in the locked state the locking hooks 34 of the locking device 30 engage behind the locking lugs 24 of the elongated receiving body 20.

As continues in 3a shown, the locking device 30 is arranged captively on the elongated receiving body 20 of the circuit board holder 10 by means of the one captive element 36 or the plurality of captive elements 36 . At the same time, the one captive element 36 or the several captive elements 36 form a limitation of the displacement in the unlocking direction ER. The captive element 36 has a captive projection protruding outwards in the width direction b, which is configured to adjoin or abut the pull-out limiting element 28 in a limit position of the locking device 30 .

3b further clarifies the above-described mechanism for securing the locking device against loss. 3b also refers to the same excerpt as 3a and represents the locked state of the circuit board 50, the circuit board 50 itself not being shown.

In addition, shows 3b that in a locked state in particular the first guide element 29a can be accommodated or arranged at least in sections in the first guide recess 39a.

Furthermore shows 3b that in a locked state, in particular the second guide elements 29b can be accommodated or arranged at least in sections in the second guide recesses 39b.

In exemplary embodiments, the first guide element 29a and/or the at least one second guide element 29b can also be accommodated or arranged at least in sections in the first guide recess 39a or the second guide recess 39b in an unlocked state.

As continues in 3b emphasized, the locking device 30 can have a rib structure and also be provided in sections with cavities. As a result, the locking device 30 is particularly suitable for manufacture or production using the injection molding process.

In exemplary embodiments, the elongate receiving body 20 and/or the locking device 30 can be produced in an injection molding process, as a result of which the elongate receiving body 20 and/or the locking device 30 can have or consist of a plastic. For example, the elongated receiving body 20 and/or the locking device 30 can have or consist of PA, PP, PE, EP resins, PMMA, PEEK or PUR, or optionally, in particular, a fiber-reinforced plastic such as PA, PP, PE, EP resins , PMMA, PEEK, PUR with a glass fiber content in the range of 5% to 40% or consist of such as PA6GF30, PA66GF30, PA6GF15 or PA66GF15.

In particular, by manufacturing the circuit board holder 10 or the elongated receiving body 20 from fiber-reinforced plastic, it is possible to increase the strength or stability of the circuit board holder 10 in a targeted manner and to increase the thermal conductivity in a targeted manner in order to transport or remove heat between the circuit board 50 and the base circuit board 100 to improve.

In further exemplary embodiments, the elongate receiving body 20 and/or the locking device 30 can be produced in a multi-component injection molding process, as a result of which the elongate receiving body 20 and/or the locking device 30 can have or consist of different plastics or fiber-reinforced plastics, resulting in targeted material properties for the printed circuit board holder 10, and in particular to define the force characteristics for locking, unlocking and removal.

The rib structure of the locking device 30 provides, on the one hand, a vibration-resistant and rigid design and, on the other hand, a design of the locking device 30 that is particularly suitable for injection molding. In particular, the rib structure and the arrangement of cavities in sections on or in the locking device make it possible to avoid accumulations of injection-molded material, which in turn can reduce or avoid possible warping.

In further exemplary embodiments, the elongate receiving body 20 can have or consist of a plastic with a heat resistance for temperatures T in the range from about 100° C. to about 300° C., preferably a plastic with a heat resistance for temperatures T in the range of about 150° C to about 290° C. or consist of it, and particularly preferably have or consist of a plastic with a heat resistance for temperatures T in the range of about 180° C. to about 280° C.

If the elongate receiving body 20 and in particular the plastic of the elongate receiving body 20 is exposed to temperatures in the ranges mentioned, the plastic withstands these temperature loads and is not adversely affected. Advantageously, the heat resistance of the plastic results in improved heat resistance and improved mechanical properties at high temperatures. Furthermore, the elongate receiving body 20 is therefore suitable for temperature loads that occur in reflow soldering processes. In exemplary embodiments, the locking device can also have a plastic with the heat resistance described for the elongated receiving body 20 . Advantageously, the locking device 30 can first be captively mounted on the elongated receiving body 20 and then run through a reflow soldering process without the plastic being adversely affected by the temperatures occurring in a reflow soldering process. In particular, the elongated receiving body 20 and/or the locking device 30 can have a plastic such as polyamide, PA, polyphenylene sulfide, or a liquid-crystalline polymer, LCP, in order to be suitable, for example, for a reflow soldering process.

3c shows a similar excerpt as 3a , wherein a detail of the circuit board 50 is also shown, and wherein the circuit board 50 is in an unlocked state.

As in 3c shown, the locking elements 32 of the locking device 30 do not engage in the locking recesses 52 of the printed circuit board 50 in an unlocked state of the printed circuit board 50 .

As in 3c illustrated by the locking bevels 42, if the circuit board 50 is not completely arranged with its contact section in the receptacle 22 of the elongated receiving body 20, the circuit board 50 by means of the locking bevels 42, with a displacement of the locking device 30 in the locking direction tion VER, advantageously a predetermined position and contacting of the contact portion of the circuit board 50 in the receptacle 22 can be ensured.

How further in 3c clarifies that the loss-prevention element 36 of the locking device 30 and the extension-limiting element 28 of the elongated receiving body 20 can advantageously limit a displacement of the locking device 30 in the unlocking direction ER, as a result of which a particularly compact construction and assembly space, in particular in the longitudinal direction I of the circuit board holder 10, can be ensured.

4 shows an example of a system in which a plurality of printed circuit board holders 10 are arranged on a base printed circuit board 100, and in each printed circuit board holder 10 a printed circuit board 50 is arranged at least in sections in a receptacle 22 of the respective printed circuit board holder 10.

As in 4 As illustrated, the gripping sections 40 of the locking devices 30 can simultaneously move or shift a plurality of circuit board holders 10 during a locking process and/or an unlocking process, for example by means of a tool of a robot.

At the same time, the above-described features of the locking device 30 in cooperation with a printed circuit board 50 to be locked or unlocked and the elongated receiving body 20 ensure a particularly space-saving possibility for arranging a large number of printed circuit boards 50 on a base printed circuit board 100 .

• S10: Bereitstellen einer Leiterplattenhalterung 10;
• S20: Einführen der Leiterplatte 50 in die Aufnahme 22 der Leiterplattenhalterung 10 mittels eines Roboters;
• S30: Greifen der Verriegelungsvorrichtung 30 mittels eines Roboter geführten Werkzeugs;
• S40: Verschieben der Verriegelungsvorrichtung 30 mittels des Werkzeugs in einer Verriegelungsrichtung VER, so dass die Leiterplatte 50 in einen verriegelten Zustand gelangt.

5 shows an exemplary flowchart for receiving and locking a printed circuit board 50 in a printed circuit board holder 10, in particular comprising the steps:

• S10: providing a circuit board holder 10;
• S20: inserting the circuit board 50 into the receptacle 22 of the circuit board holder 10 by means of a robot;
• S30: gripping the locking device 30 by means of a robot-guided tool;
• S40: Displacement of the locking device 30 by means of the tool in a locking direction VER, so that the circuit board 50 reaches a locked state.

The aforementioned steps are not limited to the sequence mentioned, it being possible in particular for steps S20 and S30 to be interchanged in the course of the sequence.

• S60: Bereitstellen einer Leiterplattenhalterung 10;
• S70: Greifen der Verriegelungsvorrichtung 30 mittels eines Roboter geführten Werkzeugs;
• S80: Verschieben der Verriegelungsvorrichtung 30 mittels des Werkzeugs in einer der Verriegelungsrichtung VER entgegengesetzten Entriegelungsrichtung ER, so dass die Leiterplatte 50 in einen entriegelten Zustand gelangt;
• S90: Entnehmen der Leiterplatte 50 aus der Aufnahme 22 der Leiterplattenhalterung 10 mittels eines Roboters.

6 shows an exemplary flow chart for unlocking and removing a printed circuit board 50 from a printed circuit board holder 10, in particular comprising the steps:

• S60: providing a circuit board holder 10;
• S70: gripping the locking device 30 by means of a robot-guided tool;
• S80: Displacing the locking device 30 by means of the tool in an unlocking direction ER opposite the locking direction VER, so that the printed circuit board 50 reaches an unlocked state;
• S90: Removing the printed circuit board 50 from the receptacle 22 of the printed circuit board holder 10 using a robot.

The above steps are not limited to the order mentioned.

It goes without saying that step S60 includes in particular the provision of a circuit board holder 10, it being possible for a circuit board 50 to be arranged in a locked state in the circuit board holder 10.

It should also be emphasized that the 1 , 2a , 2 B , 3a , 3b , 3c and 4 described properties and features relating to the locking device 30, the elongated receiving body 20, and the circuit board holder 10 in general, corresponding to the aforementioned steps for locking and unlocking a circuit board 50 in a circuit board holder 10, or possible intermediate steps.

Reference List

10

PCB mount

20

elongated receiving body

22

Recording

24

detents

25

locking resistance area

26

unlocking resistance surface

28

extension limiter

29a

first guiding element

29b

second guiding element

30

locking device

32

locking element

34

latch hook

36

anti-loss element

39a

first guiding recess

39b

second guide hole

40

gripping section

42

locking bevel

44

lead-in bevel

50

circuit board

52

locking recess

70

mounting element

100

base circuit board

b

latitude direction

H

height direction

I

longitudinal direction

EN

removal direction

HE

unlocking direction

VER

locking direction

S10-S40

Process steps for picking up and locking a printed circuit board

S50-S90

Process steps for unlocking and removing a printed circuit board

Claims (13)

Circuit board holder (10) for receiving a circuit board (50), comprising: - an elongate receiving body (20), -- the elongate receptacle body (20) having a receptacle (22) for locating a contact portion of the circuit board (50) therein; and - at least one locking device (30), -- wherein the at least one locking device (30) has a locking element (32) which is configured to engage in a locking recess (52) of the printed circuit board (50), and -- wherein the locking device (30) along a locking direction (VER) relative to the receiving body (20) is displaceable, -- wherein by moving the locking device (VER) relative to the receiving body (20), the printed circuit board (50) can be brought into a locked or unlocked state, and -- wherein the locking direction (VER) is substantially perpendicular to a removal direction (EN) of the printed circuit board (50). circuit board holder (10). claim 1 , wherein the locking direction (VER) is essentially parallel to a longitudinal direction (I) of the elongate receiving body (20), and the removal direction (EN) is essentially parallel to a height direction (h) of the elongate receiving body (20). circuit board holder (10). claim 1 or 2 , The locking device (30) being captively arranged on the circuit board holder (10). Circuit board holder (10) according to one of Claims 1 until 3 , wherein the circuit board holder (10) has a pull-out limiting element (28) and the locking device (30) has a complementary captive element (36), wherein the pull-out limiting element (28) and the captive element (36) are configured to cooperate in such a way that the displacement of the locking device (30) against the locking direction (VER) is limited. Circuit board holder (10) according to one of Claims 1 until 4 , wherein the locking device (30) through the circuit board holder (10) in the locking direction (VER) is slidably guided. Circuit board holder (10) according to one of Claims 1 until 5 , wherein when the circuit board (50) is in a locked state, at least one resilient latching hook (34) of the locking device (30) engages behind at least one latching lug (30) of the circuit board holder (10) in the longitudinal direction (I) of the elongated receiving body (20). Circuit board holder (10) according to one of Claims 1 until 6 , wherein the locking device (30) has a gripping portion (40) which is configured to be gripped by a tool of a robot to move the locking device (30) relative to the receiving body (20). Circuit board holder (10) according to one of Claims 1 until 7 , wherein the locking device (30) has at least one locking bevel (42), wherein the at least one locking bevel (42) is configured to bring the printed circuit board (50) into a predetermined receiving position when the locking device (30) is displaced in the locking direction (VER). . Circuit board holder (10) according to one of Claims 1 until 8th , wherein the circuit board holder (10) on a base circuit board (100) can be fixed. Use of a printed circuit board holder (10) according to one of Claims 1 until 9 for fixing a circuit board (50) to a base circuit board (100). A system comprising: - a plurality of circuit board mounts (10) according to any one of Claims 1 until 9 ; and - a plurality of printed circuit boards (50), -- wherein each printed circuit board (50) of the plurality of printed circuit boards (50) is arranged at least in regions in the receptacle (22) of an associated printed circuit board holder (10) of the plurality of printed circuit board holders (10); and - wherein the system is configured such that a plurality of locking devices (30) can be displaced simultaneously in the locking or unlocking direction (VER; ER) by means of a robot, so that the plurality of printed circuit boards (50) are held in the plurality of printed circuit board holders ( 10) can be locked or unlocked at the same time. Method for locking or unlocking a printed circuit board (50) in a printed circuit board holder (10), comprising the steps of: - providing a printed circuit board holder (10) according to one of Claims 1 until 9 , wherein a contact area of a printed circuit board (50) is arranged in the receptacle (22); - Gripping the locking device (30) by means of a robot-guided tool; and - moving the locking device (30) by means of the tool in a locking direction (VER) or in an unlocking direction (ER) opposite the locking direction (VER), so that the printed circuit board (50) can be brought into a locked state or an unlocked state, - wherein in the locked state a locking element (32) of the locking device (30) engages in a locking recess (52) of the circuit board (50), or in the unlocked state the locking element (32) of the locking device (30) does not engage in the locking recess (50) of the circuit board ( 50) engages, -- wherein the locking direction (VER) is essentially perpendicular to a removal direction (EN) of the printed circuit board (50). Method for locking or unlocking a printed circuit board (50). claim 12 , further comprising: - introducing the circuit board (50) into the receptacle (22) of the circuit board holder (10) by means of a robot, or - removing the circuit board (50) from the receptacle (22) of the circuit board holder (10) by means of a robot.

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