WO2011073257A1

WO2011073257A1 - Mounting assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2011073257A1
Application number: PCT/EP2010/069759
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jeroen De Bruijn; Gert Droesbeke
Original assignee: Fci
Priority date: 2009-12-18
Filing date: 2010-12-15
Publication date: 2011-06-23
Also published as: CN102714368A

Abstract

An assembly comprises a first device and a mating second device. The first device comprises an aperture defined by one or more interior wall portions. The second device comprises a mounting peg (3) configured to be received in the aperture of the first device in a mated state of the first and second devices. The mounting peg comprises a main body portion (4) extending in a first direction (z), a plurality of first portions (5) and at least one second portion (6). Each first portion extends in a direction (r, φ (5,,j)) substantially perpendicular to the first direction to at least abut one or more of the interior wall portions of the aperture of the first device in the mated state of the first and second devices. The at least one second portion is configured to at least abut at least a portion of the first device to define an insertion depth in the first direction of the peg into the aperture in the mated state of the first and second devices. The at least one second portion extends from the peg in a direction (r, φ (6,,j)) substantially perpendicular to the first direction different from the directions of extension (φ (5,,j)) of the first portions.

Description

Mounting assembly

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to an assembly for accurately connecting plural devices together and in particular to an assembly for connecting devices together with an interference fit.

BACKGROUND

In manufacturing devices, in particular electronic apparatus, there is an ongoing strive towards miniaturisation and cost efficiency. Thus, there is a strong demand for devices such as connectors which require less surface area when mounted to another device such as a circuit board. A further desire is rapid assembly of plural devices while meeting high tolerances in the position of the assembled devices with respect to each other. Strength and robustness of the device (s) and/or of the assembly of the devices are further concerns.

SUMMARY

To address one or more of the above sketched desires, in a first aspect of the present disclosure an assembly according to claim 1 is provided.

The assembly facilitates reliably aligned assembly of the first device to the second device by inserting the mounting peg into the aperture, with the first portions of the mounting peg allowing to define a relative position of the mounting peg with respect to (one or more interior wall portions of) the aperture by a first portion abutting an interior wall. The second portions defining an insertion depth of the peg into the aperture allow to provide a predetermined relative position of the first device with respect to the second device, e.g. a separation between portions of the devices.

During insertion of the peg into the aperture the first portion may scrape against one or more interior walls of the aperture, in particular at an entrance of the aperture. This may cause material displacement, such as burrs. The first and second portions extending in different directions reduces or even prevents the amassing of such displaced material between the second portion and the first device, preventing interference with the intended abutment contact between the second portion and the first device. Thus, by separating the first and second portions such as by preventing an overlap in an angular direction with respect to the first direction, the insertion depth of the peg into the aperture is accurately definable, and an intended position of the first and second devices with respect to each other may be reliably reached and meeting tight tolerances is facilitated.

With the assembly of claim 2 a tight fit, in particular an interference fit, is achievable to attach and fix the first and second devices, whilst a predetermined relative position between the first and second devices may accurately be achieved. In case of an interference fit additional fastening methods such as gluing, screwing, welding, riveting, etc. may be obviated. The assembly allows configuring the first portions to be subject to quite large amounts of scraped-off material or general deformation of the first portions without affecting the predetermined position of the first and second devices determined by the second portion abutting the first device. Thus a strong interference fit caused by a relatively large engagement force against the interior wall portion (s) concerned of the aperture may be achieved without little or no loss of meeting positioning tolerances.

Further, the second portion being a portion of the mounting peg allows exerting significant pressure on the device when inserting the mounting peg into the aperture friction between one or more first portions and interior walls of the aperture for mounting the first and second devices together, without affecting the determination of the insertion depth. In case of a separated abutment portion any deformation of the first and/or second device under an applied mounting pressure might otherwise lead to a different relative position determination .

The assembly of claim 3 facilitates configuring the contact surface and/or contact force between first portions and interior walls of the aperture by appropriately forming the protruding portions, e.g. with one or more portions of predetermined widths, extension and/or length in the first direction. One or more lead-in portions may be provided as well.

Similar holds for the one or more second portions, identified in claim 4. Besides, the configuration of the second portion (s) may more easily be adapted to conform one or more portions of the first device, e.g. circuits on a circuit board.

The assembly of claim 5 provides increased robustness. It may further facilitate manufacturing of the mounting peg and therewith of the assembly. In addition, the space required for accommodating the mounting peg, also commonly known as real estate, is reduced both on the first and second devices, facilitating miniaturization.

The assembly of claim 6 further provides increased robustness and manufacturing efficiency, in that the size of the mounting peg effectively is reduced in the first direction and away from the second device, having a relatively stronger basis at the second device and a relatively weaker portion away from it. Thus, the peg allows accommodating for a certain mis^¬ alignment of the mounting peg and the aperture with reduced risk of it bending excessively and/or even breaking off.

In the assembly of claim 7 interference of debris or other material with the main body portion of the mounting peg is prevented. Thus reliability of the insertion depth of the peg into the aperture is improved.

The assembly is very well suited for assembly of a connector and a circuit board; manufacture and assembly are facilitated if the first device is the circuit board and the second device is the connector, since circuit boards are generally provided with apertures and holes. Connectors, in particular insulating housings, may readily be manufactured, in particular moulded, with portions extending from a, possibly substantially plane, surface whereas providing apertures and in particular holes may complicate a moulding processes.

Further aspects are presented in claims 9-12. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will hereafter be more fully explained with reference to the drawings showing embodiments by way of example. It should be noted that elements and aspects discussed for or in relation to a particular embodiment may be suitably combined with elements and aspects of other embodiments, unless explicitly stated otherwise.

In the drawings like elements are indicated with like reference signs.

Figs. 1A-1C are different views of a mounting peg of a device, in Fig. 1C a further device in cross-section view is indicated;

Figs. 2-5 are plan views of alternative mounting pegs. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Fig. 1A is a perspective view of a portion of a device 1 having a surface 2 from which a mounting peg 3 protrudes along a first direction of extension z. Fig. IB is a plan view, taken along the first direction of extension z, of the portion of the device 1 with the mounting peg 3. With respect to the first direction z a reference system with cylindrical coordinate axes (r, ([), z ) is defined, as indicated in the inset of Fig. 1A. It should be noted that references to radial or tangential directions are for purposes of referencing and clarification and do not necessarily impose or imply a cylindrical geometry, unless explicitly mentioned otherwise.

The mounting peg 3 comprises a main body portion 4, a plurality of first portions 5 and a plurality of second portions 6.

The first portions 5 are formed as first ribs 5 extending in the direction z along the main body portion 4 and protruding from the main body portion 4 in a substantially radial direction r at angles (p(5,j) from a reference angle φθ with j labelling each individual first portion 5. Each first portion extends in the angular direction for an amount A(p(5,j) (not indicated) such that adjacent first portions 5 are separated in the angular (or tangential) direction ([), here by open portions 5A. In the shown embodiment, the ribs 5 are tapered in radial direction, being relatively wide (A(p(5,j) relatively large) nearer the main body portion 4 and being relatively narrow (A(p(5,j) relatively small) further from the main body portion 4. In other embodiments ribs 5 may have constant width in radial direction or may be flaring out with A(p(5,j) constant or increasing with increasing radial distance from the main body portion 4, still being separated in the angular (or tangential) direction ([).

The second portions 6 are formed as second ribs 6 extending in the direction z along the main body portion 4 and protruding from the main body portion 4 in a substantially radial direction r at angles (p(6,j) from the reference angle φθ with j labelling each individual second portion 6. Each second portion extends in the angular direction for an amount A(p(6,j) (not indicated) such that adjacent second portions 6 are separated in the angular (or tangential) direction ([), here by open portions 6A. In the shown embodiment the ribs 6 are shaped to conform to the device 1, or rather the portion of the device 1 from which the peg 3 protrudes. However, the first and second portions 5 and 6 may have substantially identical shapes, just being arranged differently with respect to the peg 3.

As most clearly visible in Fig. IB, each (p(5,j) differs from each (p(6,j), such that each second portion 6 extends from the peg in a direction different from the directions of extension of the first portions 5 and into the portions 5A separating adjacent first portions 5. Further, the angular extension A(p(5,j), A(p(6,j) of each first and second rib 5, 6 are arranged such that the first ribs 5 and the second ribs 6 are separate from each other in the angular direction ([) without overlap in the angular direction ([). Thus, empty portions X are defined in between the first and second portions 5, 6, which further facilitates ensuring that displaced material does not accidentally amass between one or more second portions 6 and (surface 2 of) the first device 1.

The main body portion 4 has a chamfer 4A arranged at an oblique angle to the first direction of extension z, the first ribs 5 likewise have chamfers 5B. The second ribs 6 have upper surfaces 6B which are arranged substantially perpendicular to the direction of extension z to define an abutment level. Here, all upper surfaces 6B are arranged substantially in one plane, corresponding to the plane surface 2 of the first device 1. For abutment to uneven surfaces of a first device, different second portions of the second device may have correspondingly different dimensions. The shape of the second portions 6 conforming to the device 1 optimizes the use of the available real estate for abutment surface area (here the sum of upper surfaces 6B) .

Fig. 1C is a side view of the portion of the device 1 with the mounting peg 3, further schematically indicating a portion of a device 7 in cross-section. The shown device 7 is a circuit board. The device 7 has a first surface 8 and an aperture 9 defined by an interior wall portion 10 in which aperture 9 the mounting peg 3 is received. The interior wall portion 10 is indicated in Fig. IB in a broken line. The shown aperture 9 is a through hole.

As best seen in Figs 1A and 1C, the main body portion 4 of the peg 3 extends in the first direction z for a first length LI, the ribs 5 extend in the first direction z for a second length L2, less than LI, and the second ribs 6 extend in the first direction z for a third length L3, less than L2.

In Figs. IB and 1C is visible that the ribs 5 engage the interior walls 10 of the aperture 9 to provide an interference fit of the peg 3 into the aperture 9 so as to attach the first device 1 to the second device 7. The peg 3 is inserted into the aperture 9 and protrudes through it up to a depth defined by the upper surfaces 6B of the ribs 6 abutting the surface 8 of the board 7 outside of the aperture 9. Thus, (the surfaces 2 and 8 of) the first and second devices 1 and 7 are separated by a distance H corresponding to the length L3 of the ribs 6. The peg 3 thus is a mounting peg 3 with integrated interference ribs 5 and stand-offs 6.

The ribs 5 and 6 have no overlap along the circumference of the aperture 9 defined by the interior wall 10. Hence, material displaced from the ribs 5 during insertion of the peg 3 into the aperture 9 is prevented to amass between the surfaces 6B and 8. Thus interference with the exact determination of the distance H between the first and second devices 1 and 7 is prevented.

Figs 2-5 schematically indicate different embodiments of mounting pegs 3 in a plan view like Fig. IB.

In the embodiment of Fig. 2, the main body portion 4 of the peg 3 is substantially cylindrical with a substantial constant circular cross-sectional shape. The first and second portions 5, 6, are rib-shaped and are arranged separate from each other in the angular direction ([) about the main body portion 4 to provide a three-fold rotational symmetry.

In the embodiment of Fig. 3, the main body portion 4 of the peg 3 is substantially cylindrical, having a constant polygonal - here square - cross-sectional shape. In this embodiment, the first portions 5 are formed by the edges of the main body portion 4. A second portion 6 is formed by a rib 6 protruding from the main body portion 4 in between the first portions 5.

In the embodiment of Fig. 4, the main body portion 4 is conical having a substantially circular cross-sectional shape, the diameter of which decreases with increasing distance from the remainder of the first device 1. Here, the aperture 9 is substantially rectangular, being defined by four internal wall portion 10. In this embodiment, the first portions 5 extend in radial directions r opposite to each other less than a size of the aperture 9, so as to allow the portions 5 to remain free from contact with the wall portions 10 and to abut a wall portion 10 upon a relative displacement of the first and second devices from the shown situation. Second portions 6 protrude from the main body portion 4 in between and separated from the first portions 5.

In the embodiment of Fig. 5 the main body portion 4 of the peg 3 is polygonal, here being hexagonal. Two first portions 5 extend from the main body portion 4 in opposite radial directions. Four second portions 6 extend substantially symmetrically from the first portions 5, such that there is no overlap in the angular direction ([) between the second portions 6 at the position where they abut the first device the first portions 5 at the position where the first portions 5 (are configured to) abut the interior wall portions 10.

The invention is not restricted to the above described embodiments which can be varied in a number of ways within the scope of the claims. For instance, the first and/or second portions may comprise or be formed as a series of one or more protrusions instead as ribs, e.g. a row of bumps on the main body portion 4.

The first and/or second device may comprise a plurality of apertures and pegs.

The aperture may take any suitable form such as a recess, a slot, a blind hole, a through hole, etc.

The peg may comprise a plurality of first portions, of which some provide an interference fit to the aperture in one direction and others provide a loose fit, e.g. in another direction which may be perpendicular to the one direction, such arrangement may allow adapting to different manufacturing tolerances in different directions.

Different first portions may have different strengths, e.g. to adapt to different manufacturing tolerances in different directions and/or with a portion in one direction resisting forces stronger than a portion in another direction.

The mounting peg may be provided with one or more further portions configured to at least abut at least a portion of a further device to define an insertion depth of the peg into an aperture into the further device, e.g. for stacking plural devices with predefined mutual separation. The peg may have a general "christmas-tree" shape, wherein different levels are defined by different (sets of) portions. Portions at one level may be configured to abut and/or engage interior walls of an aperture in one device on one level and abut another device at another level, combining the functions of the first and second portions 5, 6, as explained above. In such case portions at different levels extend in mutually different directions to provide reliable determination of relative positions of devices at different levels.

Claims

1. An assembly comprising a first device (7) and a mating second device (1),

wherein the first device comprises an aperture (9) defined by one or more interior wall portions (10) and

the second device comprises a mounting peg (3) configured to be received in the aperture of the first device in a mated state of the first and second devices,

wherein the mounting peg comprises a main body portion (4) extending in a first direction (z), a plurality of first portions (5) and at least one second portion (6),

wherein each first portion extends in a direction (r, (p(5,j)) substantially perpendicular to the first direction to at least abut one or more of the interior wall portions of the aperture of the first device in the mated state of the first and second devices and

wherein the at least one second portion

is configured to at least abut at least a portion (8) of the first device to define an insertion depth in the first direction of the peg into the aperture in the mated state of the first and second devices and

extends from the peg in a direction (r, (p(6,j)) substantially perpendicular to the first direction different from the directions of extension ( <p(5,j)) of the first portions .

2. The mounting assembly of claim 1, wherein the first portions (5) are configured to engage one or more interior wall portions (10) of the aperture (9), in particular so as to provide an interference fit.

3. The mounting assembly of claim 1 or 2, wherein the first portions (5) comprise portions protruding from the main body portion (4) of the mounting peg (3), e.g. ribs.

4. The mounting assembly of any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one second portion (6) comprises a portion protruding from the main body portion (4) of the mounting peg (3), e.g. a rib.

5. The mounting assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mounting peg (3) , the first portions (5) and the one or more second portions (6) are formed as an integrated whole.

6. The mounting assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mounting peg (3) extends from the second device (1) in the first direction (z) for a first distance (LI) ,

the first portions (5) extend from the second device in the first direction for a second distance (L2), shorter than the first distance,

the at least one second portion (6) extends from the second device in the first direction for a third distance (L3) , shorter than the second distance.

7. The mounting assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the aperture (9) is a hole through a portion of the first device (7) .

8. The mounting assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first device (7) is a circuit board and the second device (1) is a connector.

9. An assembly comprising a first device (7) and a mating second device (1), wherein the first device comprises an aperture (9) defined by one or more interior wall portions (10) and the second device comprises a mounting peg (3) configured to be received in the aperture of the first device in a mated state of the first and second devices,

wherein each first portion protrudes from the main body portion in a direction (r, (p(5,j)) substantially perpendicular to the first direction to engage one or more of the interior wall portions of the aperture of the first device in the mated state of the first and second devices and

wherein the at least one second portion

protrudes from the main body portion of the peg in a direction (r, (p(6,j)) substantially perpendicular to the first direction different from the directions of extension ( cp(5,j)) of the first portions.

10. An assembly comprising a first device (7) and a mating second device (1), wherein the first device comprises an aperture (9) defined by one or more interior wall portions (10) and the second device comprises a mounting peg (3) configured to be received in the aperture of the first device in a mated state of the first and second devices,

wherein the mounting peg comprises a main body portion (4) extending from the second device in the first direction (z) for a first distance (LI), a plurality of first portions (5) and at least one second portion (6),

wherein each first portion extends from the second device in the first direction for a second distance (L2), shorter than the first distance and protrudes from the main body portion in a direction substantially perpendicular (r, (p(5,j)) to the first direction to engage one or more of the interior wall portions of the aperture of the first device in the mated state of the first and second devices and

wherein the at least one second portion (6) extends from the second device in the first direction for a third distance (L3) , shorter than the second distance, being configured to at least abut at least a portion of the first device to define an insertion depth in the first direction of the peg into the aperture in the mated state of the first and second devices and wherein the at least one second portion protrudes from the main body portion of the peg in a direction (r, (p(6,j)) substantially perpendicular to the first direction different from the directions of extension ((p(5,j)) of the first portions.

11. Second device (1) of a mounting assembly according to any one of the claims 1-10, the second device being a connector.