Classifications

• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
  • H05K5/00—Casings, cabinets or drawers for electric apparatus
  • H05K5/0026—Casings, cabinets or drawers for electric apparatus provided with connectors and printed circuit boards [PCB], e.g. automotive electronic control units
  • H05K5/0069—Casings, cabinets or drawers for electric apparatus provided with connectors and printed circuit boards [PCB], e.g. automotive electronic control units having connector relating features for connecting the connector pins with the PCB or for mounting the connector body with the housing
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
  • H01R12/00—Structural associations of a plurality of mutually-insulated electrical connecting elements, specially adapted for printed circuits, e.g. printed circuit boards [PCB], flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures, e.g. terminal strips, terminal blocks; Coupling devices specially adapted for printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures; Terminals specially adapted for contact with, or insertion into, printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures
  • H01R12/70—Coupling devices
  • H01R12/7005—Guiding, mounting, polarizing or locking means; Extractors
  • H01R12/7011—Locking or fixing a connector to a PCB
  • H01R12/7017—Snap means
  • H01R12/7023—Snap means integral with the coupling device
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
  • H01R12/00—Structural associations of a plurality of mutually-insulated electrical connecting elements, specially adapted for printed circuits, e.g. printed circuit boards [PCB], flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures, e.g. terminal strips, terminal blocks; Coupling devices specially adapted for printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures; Terminals specially adapted for contact with, or insertion into, printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures
  • H01R12/70—Coupling devices
  • H01R12/71—Coupling devices for rigid printing circuits or like structures
  • H01R12/72—Coupling devices for rigid printing circuits or like structures coupling with the edge of the rigid printed circuits or like structures
  • H01R12/722—Coupling devices for rigid printing circuits or like structures coupling with the edge of the rigid printed circuits or like structures coupling devices mounted on the edge of the printed circuits
  • H01R12/724—Coupling devices for rigid printing circuits or like structures coupling with the edge of the rigid printed circuits or like structures coupling devices mounted on the edge of the printed circuits containing contact members forming a right angle

Definitions

• the present invention relates to an Electronic Control Module (ECM) and arrangement of a guide plate in the ECM.
• ECM Electronic Control Module
• a patent literature JPH10340764 discloses attaching a structure of connector.
• This structure having insertion holes into which terminal pins of a connector can be press-fitted, an intermediate plate material made of a material having a coefficient of thermal expansion identical to or equal to that of a printed circuit board is used.
• This intermediate plate material is interposed between a connector housing and the printed circuit board, and the tip sides of the terminal pins projecting from these insertion holes are soldered/connected to the printed circuit board with the terminal pins which are press-fitted in the insertion holes.
• FIG. 1 illustrates a mounting arrangement of a guide plate in the ECM, according to an embodiment of the present invention
• Fig. 2 illustrates an arrangement of a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) in the ECM, according to an embodiment of the present invention
• FIG. 3 illustrates an enlarged view of the mounting arrangement, according to an embodiment of the present invention
• FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded view of the mounting arrangement using friction-lock mechanism, according to an embodiment of the present invention
• Fig. 5 illustrates the mounting arrangement using snap-lock mechnism, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed description of the embodiments:
• Fig. 1 illustrates a mounting arrangement of a guide plate in the ECM, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
• the ECM 100 comprises the PCB 202 (shown in Fig. 2) mounted on a connector 104 through at least two attachment elements 102.
• the guide plate 108 is located/positioned between the connector 104 and the PCB 202 to align plurality of connecting pins 106 from the connector 104 to the PCB 202, characterized in that, the guide plate 108 positioned on the at least two attachment elements 102 on which the PCB 202 is mounted.
• the at least two attachment elements 102 are common for mounting of the PCB 202 and the guide plate 108.
• an ECM 100 with the mounting arrangement 110 comprises the connector 104 having plurality of connecting pins 106, and at least two attachment elements 102.
• the PCB 202 of the ECM 100 comprises plurality of components connected thereto.
• the PCB 202 is mounted to the connector 104 via the at least two attachment elements 102.
• the ECM 100 further comprises the guide plate 108 positioned between the connector 104 and the PCB 202.
• the guide plate 108 comprises plurality of holes 116 to guide the plurality of connecting pins 106 there-through.
• the plurality of connecting pins 106 then pass through the respective holes 116 in the PCB 202 to make a connection with the circuits in the PCB 202.
• the ECM 100 is characterized by, the guide plate 108 positioned on the at least two attachment elements 102 on which the PCB 202 is mounted. Alternatively, the guide plate 108 and the PCB 202 are mounted to the same two attachment elements 102.
• FIG. 1 A body/housing 114 of the ECM 100 is shown.
• the housing 114 together with the connector 104, encloses/covers the PCB 202, with only the plurality of connecting pins 106 exposed within the connector 104 for connection with a wiring harness (not shown).
• the guide plate 108 is positioned over the at least two attachment elements 102 with the two mounting holes 118 at two ends. At least two posts 112 are provided to provide support for the PCB 202.
• Fig. 2 illustrates an arrangement of the Printed Circuit Board (PCB) in the ECM, according to an embodiment of the present invention. With reference to Fig. 1, the Fig. 2 illustrates the PCB 202 mounted over the guide plate 108.
• PCB Printed Circuit Board
• the guide plate 108 is below the PCB 202, and hence not visible.
• the plurality of connecting pins 106, shown protruding out of the PCB 202, are appropriately soldered thereon for making a respective electrical connection.
• other technique known in art is used to make the connection with the PCB 202.
• Fig. 3 illustrates an enlarged view of the mounting arrangement, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
• the at least two attachment elements 102 are provided on any one of the housing 114 of the ECM 100 and the connector 104, and a corresponding cavity in another.
• the at least two attachment elements 102 are inserted into the corresponding cavity for firm mounting.
• the at least two attachment elements 102 are provided on the housing 114, then the cavities are provided on the connector 104.
• the at least two attachment elements 102 are integral to any one of the housing 114 and the connector 104, i.e.
• the attachment elements 102 and the housing 114 or the attach ement elements 102 and the connector 104 are made as a single component.
• the at least two attachment elements 102 are provided on a flange (not shown) of the connector 104.
• the at least two attachment elements 102 are provided on arms 302 extending away from the connector 104.
• the guide plate 108 spreads across a width of any one of the connector 104 and the PCB 202.
• Each of the at least two attachment elements 102 is a projection for insertion into corresponding cavity.
• the guide plate 108 is positioend on the at least two attachment elements 102 with any one of a friction-lock mechanism and a snap- lock mechanism.
• each of the at least two attachment elements 102 comprises a profile 304 on the lateral surface to engage with mounting holes 118 of the guide plates 108. The mounting holes 118 and the profile 304 from the lateral surface of the at least two attachment elements 102 are shown.
• Fig. 4 illustrates an exploded view of the mounting arrangement using friction lock mechanism, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
• the plurality of connecting pins 106 are bent at an angle to make connection with the PCB 202.
• the plurality of connecting pins 106 are bent at right angle.
• the bent portion of the plurality of connecting pins 106 is passed through the plurality of holes 116 of the guide plate 108.
• the ends of the plurality of connecting pins 106 are then electically connected to the PCB 202.
• the guide plate 108 aligns the plurality of connecting pins 106 for connecting at the appropriate place on the PCB 202.
• the plurality of connecting pins 106 are straight (not bent) and directly makes a connection with the PCB 202, without any bends.
• Each of the at least two attachment elements 102 comprises a projection for insertion into corresponding cavity.
• guide plate 108 are mounted to the at least two attachment elements 102 through friction-lock mechanism or interference-fit mechanism.
• the at least two attachment elements 102 further comprises profile 304 from the lateral surface. The profile 304 on the lateral surface enables a tight fit with the mounting holes 118 and provide secured connection.
• Fig. 5 illustrates the mounting arrangement using snap-lock mechnism, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
• the guide plate 108 is positioned on the at least two attachment elements 102 with snap-lock mechnism.
• the mounting holes 118 of the guide plate 108 are provided with a feature comprising lock member 502.
• the lock member 502 are flexible and latches on a recess 504 of the profile 304, when pressed. Only one side of the mounting arrangement 110 is shown for simplicity in understanding.
• the ECM 100 in an non limiting manner, is adapted to be used in a vehicle comprising a two-wheeler, a three-wheeler, a four-wheeler and other multi-wheeler vehicles.
• the ECM 100 is also adapted to other applications such as home applainces, machines and the like.
• a method for assembling the ECM 100 comprises a step for inserting the plurality of connecting pins 106 through the plurality of holes 116 of the guide plate 108.
• a next step comprises, positioning the guide plate 108 on the at least two attachment elements 102.
• a next step comprises, mounting the PCB 202 on the same at least two attachment elements 102 over the guide plate 108.
• the plurality of connecting pins 106 which protrudes through the guide plate 108, now passes through the corresponding plurality of vias provided in the PCB 202.
• the plurality of connecting pins 106 are soldered to make electrical connection.
• a simple mounting arrangement 110 for guide plate 108 and PCB 202 using the attachment elements 102 is provided.
• the present invention eliminates the need for two different sets of attachment elements 102, one for the mounting of the PCB 202 and the other for the mounting of the guide plate 108, whether in the form of latches or projections. Further, the resulting complex process and designing is eliminated.
• the at least two attachment elements 102 enables centering/aligning and as well as prevention of tolerances mismatch for welding the plurality of connecting pins 106 on to the PCB 202 at the required location. The cost is reduced and the production of ECMs 100 is increased due to reduction in faulty production.
• the at least two attachment elements 102 are integrally formed on the connector 104 and hence provides advancement over the existing mounting arrangement 110. Ease of assembling and faster manufacturing of the ECMs 100 is achieved.
• the ECM 100 is also referred to as Electronic Control Unit (ECU) or a controller.
• the guide plate 108 is also referred to as grid plate.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
• Mounting Of Printed Circuit Boards And The Like (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=69582122

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (2)

Family Cites Families (4)

• 2020
  • 2020-02-13 EP EP20705182.2A patent/EP3932155A1/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2020-02-13 WO PCT/EP2020/053703 patent/WO2020173713A1/en unknown

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events