EP2870838A2

EP2870838A2 - Motor vehicle component support and method for the production thereof

Info

Publication number: EP2870838A2
Application number: EP13745567.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Christian Barmscheidt; Carsten Fuchs
Original assignee: Kiekert AG
Current assignee: Kiekert AG
Priority date: 2012-05-30
Filing date: 2013-05-25
Publication date: 2015-05-13
Also published as: RU2014151604A3; US20150145327A1; JP2015519496A; CN104509224A; CN104509224B; BR112014029895A2; MX2014014508A; RU2014151604A; DE102012010722A1; WO2013178212A2; US9849848B2; KR20150023488A; RU2668503C2; KR102005605B1; IN2014DN10292A; WO2013178212A3; JP6379405B2; CA2875180A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a motor vehicle component support, in particular a motor vehicle door lock (1), and to a method for the production thereof. Said motor vehicle component support is equipped with a strip conductor structure (3) composed of several strip conductors (7). According to the invention, the strip conductor structure (3) comprises at least two conductor strip sub-structures (3a, 3b) which are electrically interconnected by means of at least one connecting element (8) which is applied later.

Description

Automotive component carrier and method for its manufacture

Description:

The invention relates to a motor vehicle component carrier, in particular a motor vehicle door lock housing, with a conductor track structure composed of a plurality of conductor tracks.

Motor vehicle component carriers and in particular motor vehicle door lock housings with conductor track structures accommodated therein are typically used when one or more electrical / electronic components are to be picked up by the motor vehicle component carrier in question and contacted with the aid of the conductor track structure. As electrical or electronic components are usually referred to such components, by means of which, for example, the position of the lever located in the lock can be queried. In addition, this includes electromechanical components such as microswitches, friction contacts and / or electric motors.

The relevant motor vehicle component carrier can be inserted into the housing of a motor vehicle door lock, contacted with the described components and finally encapsulated with an electrically insulating mass. This may be a cast resin. Alternatively or additionally, however, the motor vehicle component carrier can also be a component of the motor vehicle door lock housing.

In the context of DE 10 2009 002 902 A1, a lock housing part with a punched grid inserted therein is described as a conductor track structure. The tracks are equipped with connecting pins, which lead into the interior of the lock housing part. In this way, a lock housing can be provided with a relatively large structural clearance, which can also be made inexpensively.

In a method for producing a support for electrical components in accordance with DE 102 47 567 A1, a sheet is selected from a sheet metal.

die-cut conductor tracks in the production of the carrier in the plastic injection molding process encapsulated and equipped with electronic components. The assembly takes place before the encapsulation.

The teaching according to EP 1 527 967 B1 likewise relates to a method for producing a carrier body of the lock of a motor vehicle. The interconnects of different layers are connected to each other via connecting portions so that they form a single body. The connecting portions are then subjected to the attachment of the individual layers of the conductor tracks to an intermediate element of a punching operation. D. h., The connecting sections ultimately act as a mechanical stabilizing webs for the interconnect structure, but must be severed for the subsequent function, however, to prevent short circuits, unwanted electrical connections, etc.

In a method for embedding at least one flexible strip conductor in plastic according to EP 1 231 824 A2, the flexible strip conductor in question is attached to or in a prefabricated stiffening element securing it against bending. Subsequently, the conductor foil is molded with plastic together with this stiffening element.

Finally, the document DE 10 2005 049 975 B4, which is still to be considered as state of the art, deals with a component carrier with a strip conductor structure. The strip conductor comprises tinplate.

The previous approaches to the realization of a motor vehicle component carrier with a composite of a plurality of tracks interconnects then encounter limits when complex interconnects are to be realized and / or different interconnects for one and the same

Type of vehicle component carrier or motor vehicle door lock housing are required so that various expansion / expansion stages can be realized. In fact, such different embodiments can be implemented so far only with a relatively high cost. This is where the invention starts.

The invention is based on the technical problem of further developing such a motor vehicle component carrier in such a way that the production, in particular of the printed circuit board structure, is simplified and different versions of the printed circuit board structure can be implemented without difficulty taking into account different expansion stages.

To solve this technical problem, a generic motor vehicle component carrier and in particular a motor vehicle door lock housing in the invention is characterized in that the conductor track structure consists of at least two by at least one subsequently attached connecting element electrically interconnected interconnect sub-structures.

In other words, in the context of the invention, the conductor track structure, which is more or less complex depending on the functionality and configuration level, is deliberately subdivided into at least two conductor track substructures. These printed circuit sub-structures are constructed in a simplified manner. In the context of the invention, such a simplified construction means, for example, that the printed conductor sub-structure is constructed only from interconnects lying in one plane.

In order to be able to realize even in the context of the invention, even complex circuit traces, for example, those that describe two or more levels, the individual each spanning only one level interconnect sub-structure over the one or more subsequently attached connection

electrically conductive elements contacted with each other. D. h., The subsequently attached fasteners only ensure that even complex three-dimensional configurations of the conductor track structure can be made and not from the outset in the sense of a punched grid must be implemented.

A further possibility of simplifying the printed circuit board structure by means of the at least two interconnect sub-structures is that, for example, one interconnect sub-structure has a certain areal extent, whereas the other second interconnect sub-structure is equipped with a subsequent areal extent. In this way, the interconnect structure assembled by the interconnect sub-structure can also be adapted to complex geometries of the motor vehicle component carrier or motor vehicle door lock housing with, for example, different chambers for accommodating the interconnect structure. In this case, the individual trace sub-structures do not necessarily span different levels but are connected together in a plane. However, a simplification is achieved in that the respective simplified printed conductor sub-structure is accommodated in, for example, a separate chamber of the motor vehicle door lock housing and undergoes a placement here.

In any case, it becomes clear that within the scope of the invention, as a rule, turns on and in a conductor track are not required, because expansions of the conductor track structure in different planes are realized in such a way that for each level, for example, a conductor track subassembly belongs and these laterally with a plurality of conductor track substructures Help the one or more connecting elements are electrically conductively connected to each other to the complex interconnect structure. This gives the

individual interconnect sub-structures mostly on a trivial geometry, for example in the form of a defined flat surface, can therefore be easily, quickly and inexpensively by u. a. Create punching.

In addition, it is possible by the design according to the invention that, for example, a first interconnect formation is designed as a main interconnect structure, while the second or each second interconnect formation may be designed as an extension interconnect structure. The main track structure is used regularly in all versions of the motor vehicle door lock to be realized. On the other hand, the second or each second printed circuit board structure or extension printed circuit board structure is only and only used when the door lock to be produced has optional additional functions.

For example, it is conceivable to realize a motor vehicle door lock with a central locking function and in this connection to equip it with a correspondingly designed main track structure. If this motor vehicle door lock is to be equipped, for example, with a "closing function" or the "electrical opening" function, then the electrical / electronic components required for these additional functions can be contacted by means of a respective extension conductor track structure and electrically connected to the main track structure. In this way, an at the same time cost-effective and flexible production of motor vehicle component carrier or motor vehicle door lock housing is provided, which can be adapted to the specific circumstances accurately. Here are the main benefits.

In order to realize in detail the electrical connection of the two printed conductor part formations, the connecting element is advantageous than with a first conductor element.

web parts connected or connectable pin formed. This pin can then be mechanically coupled with a second conductor track subassembly for producing the electrical connection. The pin can be connected to the first interconnect sub-structure. This (permanent) connection can be realized in various ways as a mechanical connection. Conceivable here are a welded joint, a cutting / Klemmver- connection, a solder joint, a clamp / crimp, a cold weld or comparable mechanical connection, which also make the necessary electrical contact between the respective trace and the pin. Alternatively or additionally, however, the pin can also be designed as a formed forming part of the relevant strip conductor. In this case, the pin is formed on the relevant strip conductor such that the strip conductor is, for example, bent off or bent over at the ends.

In any case, the pin connected to the first printed conductor sub-structure then makes use of the described mechanical coupling with the second printed-wire circuit in order to provide the desired electrical connection between the two printed circuit trace sub-structures. The mechanical coupling between the pin and the second trace sub-assembly can be realized again by a weld joint, a cutting / clamping connection, a solder joint, a crimp / crimp connection, a cold weld connection or similar connections. In all these cases, the pin is connected by the described mechanical connection with the first interconnect sub-structure and / or integral part of a conductor track of the first interconnect sub-image. The assembly of the first trace subassembly and the one or more pins is then coupled mechanically and subsequently to the second trace subassembly for establishing its electrical connection as described.

Alternatively or additionally, however, the pin can also be designed so as to be connectable to the first printed conductor sub-structure. In this case, the connecting element or the pin in the realization of the entire interconnect structure is mechanically connected to both the first interconnect sub-structure and with the second interconnect sub-structure. D. h., The connecting element is designed as connectable to both the first and with the second conductor track part pen. For this purpose, the pin can be connected to the respective printed conductor sub-structure by means of a fit, in particular a press fit. The fit or press fit can be realized in detail so that the relevant pin is inserted up to a stop in an associated recess or bore of the relevant trace. This can be done with the help of a press stamp.

In this way the greatest possible flexibility is achieved. Because the connecting element can be firmly attached to the first printed circuit board sub-structure and only subsequently connected to the second printed conductor sub-structure, as well as the possibility exists to mechanically couple both conductor track sub-assemblies at their union to the conductor track structure at the same time with the connecting element. As a result, it is also possible to realize complex strip formations having practically any desired three-dimensional structure, by separating this three-dimensional structure into its various levels in the example case and separating it into correspondingly simplified strip conductor part formations. These interconnect sub-structures are then electrically combined to the complex interconnect formation with the aid of the one or more interconnection elements and then further processed.

In this case, the invention generally proceeds in such a way that the complex strip conductor structure produced from the strip conductor sub-structures is cut into a recess of an electrically insulating carrier body and / or a mold for producing the strip

Carrier body inserted, equipped with electrical / electronic components and then cast with an electrically insulating mass. In this context, it is possible to proceed in such a way that the electrically insulating carrier body has been manufactured in advance with the recess and is subsequently equipped and cast with the strip conductor structure and the components. But it is also possible to produce the carrier body together with the casting in one go. Then, the printed circuit board structure equipped with the electrical / electronic components is placed in a mold which at the same time serves for the production of the carrier body, such as the encapsulation.

As a suitable electrically insulating material for the carrier body, a thermoplastic material has proven to be particularly favorable. This may preferably be polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) and / or a plastic reinforced with glass fibers. For the electrically insulating mass during the Vergießvorganges the invention recommends a thermoplastic material such as polyethylene (PE).

In any case, the conductor track structure consists of the at least two conductor track sub-structures, which are connected by the at least one subsequently attached connecting element electrically conductive with each other. The realized in this way complex trace structure is then equipped with the electrical / electronic components. In addition, the complex circuit trace formation and, consequently, the one or more connection elements together with the electrical / electronic components with the electrically insulating material is finally shed. As a result, not only the components in question are protected from environmental influences, but also the conductor track parts as well as they electrically

contacting with each other connecting elements. Here are the main benefits.

In the following the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to a drawing showing only one exemplary embodiment; show it:

1 shows a motor vehicle component carrier according to the invention in the form of a motor vehicle door lock housing schematically,

Fig. 2 in the motor vehicle door lock housing after

Fig. 1 recorded conductor track formation in a perspective section and

FIGS. 3A, 3B and 4A, 4B show details of the electrical contacting of the individual interconnect subassemblies with one another.

In the figures, a motor vehicle component carrier is shown, which is in the context of the embodiment is a motor vehicle Türschlossge- housing 1. The motor vehicle door lock housing 1 is equipped with an indicated recess 2 in a carrier body T, which receives a conductor track formation 3 in its interior. The conductor track structure 3 is equipped with in Fig. 1 only indicated electrical / electronic components 4. In addition, a connection socket 5 is still realized, with the help of which the conductor track structure 3 is electrically connected to, for example, a control unit (not shown and shown) in the interior of a motor vehicle body. Finally, an electrically insulating compound 6 is indicated in FIG. 1, with the aid of which the printed conductor structure 3 together with the electrical or electrical contacts received thereon are connected.

trisch / electronic components 4 is potted in order to protect the entire described elements from harmful environmental influences.

The interconnect structure 3 is composed of a plurality of interconnects 7, which can be seen schematically in FIG. 1 and enlarged in the detail section of FIG. 2. 2, it is additionally clear that the strip conductor structure 3 according to the invention consists of at least two strip conductor parts 3a, 3b. Comparable indicates the Fig. 1.

It can be seen that the two interconnect sub-structures 3a, 3b are subsequently connected to one another in an electrically conductive manner by two connecting elements 8. In this way, the conductor track subassemblies 3a, 3b can be designed in each case in a simplified manner in comparison with the complex track subassembly 3. This simplified design means in the illustrated example case that the individual printed conductor sub-structures 3a, 3b are arranged plane-different from each other. In other words, in the exemplary embodiment, the first interconnect subassembly 3a and the second interconnect substructure 3b respectively span different and spaced-apart planes. Both conductor tracks 3a, 3b each describe a defined flat surface and not, for example, a three-dimensional structure.

With reference to FIGS. 2 to 4 it can be seen that the respective connecting element 8 is a pin 8. The pin 8 may be fixedly connected to the first interconnect subassembly 3a. In this case, the structural unit 3a, 8 of the first interconnect subassembly 3a and the connecting pin 8 for producing the complex and composite (three-dimensional) interconnect 3 subsequently with the second interconnect subassembly 3b mechanically to the composite interconnect 3 and 3a, 8; 3b united. This mechanical coupling can by conventional mechanical

Connection measures such as a welded joint, soldered connection, etc. take place, as already described.

The connecting element or the pin 8 can also be firmly connected to the first printed conductor sub-structure 3a or the local printed conductor 7 in such a way that the relevant pencil 8 is, so to speak, integrated into the printed conductor 7. This can be achieved in that, according to the variant according to FIG. 3B, the pin 8 is formed or formed by bending or reshaping, for example, one end of the conductor track 7 of the first conductor track subassembly 3a. In all these cases described, the connecting element or the pin 8 is thus firmly connected to the respective conductor track 7 of the first conductor track subassembly 3a before the unit in question 3a, 8 of the first conductor track subassembly 8 and the one or more pins 8 with the second conductor track part 3b is coupled mechanically and electrically.

Alternatively, it is also possible that the two interconnect sub-structures 3a, 3b with each other and with the respective connecting element 8 are coupled together only in the composite production of the interconnect structure 3. In this case, the connecting element 8 is designed to be connectable both to the first printed circuit board formation 3a and to the second printed wiring board structure 3b and not already connected to one of the two printed conductor structures 3a, 3b from the outset.

The connectable design of the connecting element or pin 8 with the respective strip conductor formation 3a, 3b is usually carried out by a fit and in particular a press fit. Such a fit or press fit will become apparent from the illustration in FIGS. 3A and 4A. For the realization of such a fit or press fit, namely, the pin 8 can be equipped with at least one tip 9, which is used to manufacture the

Connection in a hole or recess 10 is inserted. This bore or recess 10 is formed in a conductor track 7.

To connect the individual printed conductor sub-structures 3a, 3b, the pin 8 with its associated tip 9 can now dip into the bore or recess 10. In this case, the bore or recess 10 is widened, so that the desired interference fit and thus a solid mechanical connection is available. In this case, the pin 8 as shown in FIG. 3A with one end, for example, be firmly connected to the conductor 7 of the first printed conductor part 3a. The other end of the pin 8 has the tip 9, so that in this way the desired and described connection with the second conductor track part 3b and / or a bridge element 12 for bridging a web S in the housing can be produced. But it is also possible to equip the pin 8 on both sides with an associated tip 9. In this case, the respective conductor tracks 7 of the associated conductor track subassemblies 3a, 3b each have the bore or recess 10 (compare FIGS. 3A, 4A).

Another variant is shown in FIG. 4B. Here you can see a pin 8, with a cutting terminal 11 into which a conductor 7 can be inserted in order to provide the desired mechanical and electrical connection of the pin 8 with the associated conductor track part 3a, 3b. The first printed conductor sub-structure 3a may be a main printed-wire formation 3a, which is used in each variant of the motor vehicle door lock housing 1 shown in FIG. In contrast, the second printed conductor sub-structure 3b is designed as an extension printed-wire formation 3b, which is inserted into the recess 2 only as required and equipped with associated components 4.

Such an additional function may be designed, for example, as a closing aid, as has already been described in the introduction.

In the manufacture of the motor vehicle component carrier or the motor vehicle door lock housing 1, first the conductor track substructures 3a, 3b are subsequently electrically coupled to one another by the two connecting elements 8, namely to the complex composite conductor track structure 3 or 3a, 8; 3b or 3a; 8th; 3b. Subsequently, this complex composite conductor track structure 3 is equipped with the electrical / electronic components 4. Finally, the encapsulation takes place with the aid of the electrically insulating mass 6 as shown in FIG. 1. Before that, the printed conductor structure 3 is inserted into the recess 2 of the electrically insulating carrier body T. The casting and the production of the carrier body T or the component carrier can be made in one go. For this purpose, the printed circuit board structure 3 equipped with the components 4 is introduced into a correspondingly designed injection molding tool.

In the Vergussvorgang not only the electrical / electronic components 4 are sealed as it were by means of the electrically insulating mass 6, but this also applies to the one or more connecting elements 8. This provides optimum protection against any environmental influences. - It is understood that the distinction between the first interconnect subassembly 3a and the second interconnect subassembly 3b was made in the context of the embodiment, for purposes of clarity and both conductor track structures 3a, 3b can of course also change their design and functionality.

Claims

claims:

1. motor vehicle component carrier, in particular motor vehicle door lock housing (1), with one of a plurality of interconnects (7) composite interconnect formation (3), characterized in that the interconnect structure (3) of at least two by at least one subsequently attached connecting element (8) electrically conductive interconnected interconnect sub-assemblies (3a, 3b) consists.

2. motor vehicle component carrier according to claim 1, characterized in that the connecting element (8) as a first conductor track subassembly (3a) connected or connectable pin (8) is formed, which subsequently with a second conductor track subassembly (3b) for producing the electrical connection is mechanically coupled.

3. motor vehicle component carrier according to claim 2, characterized in that the mechanical coupling is realized by a welding, cutting / clamping, soldering, KlemnWQuetsch-, cold welding or similar mechanical connection.

4. Motor vehicle component carrier according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the connecting element (8) is formed as both with the first interconnect sub-structure (3a) and with the second interconnect sub-structure (3b) connectable pin (8).

5. Motor vehicle component carrier according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the connecting element (8) with the respective conductor track part structure (3a, 3b) by a fit, in particular interference fit, is connectable.

6. Motor vehicle component carrier according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the connecting element (8) by a welding, cutting / clamping, soldering, clamping / squeezing, cold welding

or a comparable mechanical connection and / or as a formed forming part of the relevant conductor track (7) with the respective conductor track formation (3a, 3b) is connected.

7. Motor vehicle component carrier according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the first conductor track formation (3 a) as a main track formation (3 a) and the second or each second track formation (3 b) as an extension track formation (3 b) is formed.

8. Motor vehicle component carrier according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the two conductor track part formations (3a, 3b) are arranged level and / or plane different.

9. A method for producing a motor vehicle component carrier, in particular a motor vehicle door lock housing (1), according to which a conductor track formation (3) in a recess (2) of an electrically insulating carrier body (T) and / or a mold for producing the carrier body (T) inserted, with electrical / electronic components (4) equipped and then encapsulated with an electrically insulating mass (6), characterized in that the conductor track formation (3) consists of at least two conductor track subassemblies (3a, 3b) by at least one subsequently attached connecting element (8) are electrically connected to each other.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that the connecting element (8) is cast together with the electrical / electronic components (4) with the electrically insulating mass (6).