WO2016055051A1

WO2016055051A1 - Component carrier

Info

Publication number: WO2016055051A1
Application number: PCT/DE2015/100370
Authority: WO
Inventors: Marek Dragon; Alexander Grossmann
Original assignee: Kiekert Ag
Priority date: 2014-10-08
Filing date: 2015-09-04
Publication date: 2016-04-14
Also published as: DE102014114579A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a component carrier, in particular a lock housing (1, 2) of a motor vehicle door lock. Said component carrier is equipped with at least one base carrier (1) and a connection carrier (2) which can be connected thereto. The invention also relates to a connecting element (3, 4, 5, 6). Said connecting element (3, 4, 5, 6) is, according to the invention, designed as a guide element (3, 4) on one side and as a fixing element (5, 6) on the other side.

Description

component support

Description:

The invention relates to a component carrier, in particular a lock housing of a motor vehicle door lock, with at least one base carrier and a connection carrier connectable therewith, and with at least one connecting element. The component carrier is used regularly for automotive applications.

Component carriers for automotive applications are typically used to accommodate electrical and / or electronic components such as connectors, microswitches, sensors, motors, etc. For this purpose, such component carriers are usually equipped with embedded or applied electrical conductor tracks. Nowadays, such component carriers are used as components of lock housings of a motor vehicle door lock or can also define the entire lock housing.

The lock housing is typically a lock cover or a plastic cover or a plastic component, with the aid of which a motor vehicle door lock is closed in conjunction with an additional metallic lock case and covered to the outside. In the context of the invention, the lock housing or the lock cover now assumes additional functions, namely, for example, as said component carrier.

Since motor vehicle door locks and consequently also their lock housings have a much different design, in particular with respect to various embodiments such as electrically opening lock, door lock with central locking, door lock with personal identification unit, with and without anti-theft device, with Zuziehhilfe and the like to the component carrier strongly divergent requirements posed. As a result, the Component carrier equipped with different components and are to provide appropriate electrical connections.

For this purpose, it has already been proposed in the generic state of the art according to DE 10 2006 017 830 A1 to realize a first component carrier and a second component carrier, wherein the component carrier in each case at least one component from the group of electrical component, electromechanical component and electronic component with respect of the motor vehicle door lock. In addition, the two component carriers can be interconnected. For this purpose, the known teaching proposes, inter alia, that the two component carriers form a common contact surface by partially overlapping each other.

In addition, a pin is provided which ensures the penetration of this contact surface and protrudes from the first component carrier through a corresponding opening of the second component carrier and thus forms a positive connection.

In further state of the art according to DE 203 07 1 1 1 U1, a component carrier is described, which is equipped with a connection element and a flat conductor track structure with electrical components arranged thereon. The connection element and the conductor track structure define a prefabricated unit which is inserted into the component carrier. In this way, the production of a Vergusseinheit should be simplified as a whole. In fact, such component carriers are usually designed in the manner of a trough, in which the casting compound in question can be poured in and ensures the entire sealing of the printed circuit board structure and the electrical / electronic components located thereon and contacted. This has proven itself in principle.

However, the prior art then reaches its limits when individual components of the component carrier or the first component carrier and the second component carrier according to the teaching of DE 10 2006 017 830 A1 should be coupled quickly and securely with each other. Because the mechanical connection of the known component carrier can be realized only relatively expensive by the already mentioned pin is inserted through an associated opening. In addition, there is a risk that bend to contact each other contact elements and mating contact elements, at least a secure electrical connection of the individual component carrier can not be made permanently available. This is where the invention starts.

The invention is based on the technical problem of further developing such a component carrier in such a way that a mechanical connection is observed which can be produced easily and in particular also opens up the possibility of ensuring a functionally reliable electrical connection of individual printed conductors.

To solve this technical problem, a generic component carrier in the invention is characterized in that the connecting element is designed as a guide element on the one hand and on the other fixing element. D. h., The connecting element is composed according to the invention and finally from the guide element and the fixing element.

Consequently, in the context of the invention, the coupling of the two carrier components, namely the base carrier and the connection carrier, made as it were two stages. First, the guide element ensures that the connection carrier is aligned with respect to the base support, or vice versa. As a result, according to the invention, for example, any protruding contact pins, contact lugs, etc., are prevented from being bent when connecting the connection carrier to the base carrier. The guide element itself does not provide for a firm (or releasable) connection between the base support and the connection carrier (alone). Rather, this is primarily responsible for the fixing. The guide element can be any elements which allow mutual guidance of the connection carrier relative to the base carrier. Conceivable is the design of the guide element as a guide rail or guide rails, guide pin and guide or guide bushing, guide rail and guide, etc. In any case, the guide element as part of the connecting element ensures that the connection carrier and the base support are aligned against each other and consequently in this alignment process a perfect alignment and contacting of any electrical contact elements is made possible at the same time. In contrast, the fixing element as a further component of the connecting element is primarily a fixing function, usually in the sense of a releasable fixation. The fixing element is thus aligned for mutual fixation of the two (previously with the help of the guide member) aligned carrier components.

As a rule, a component of the guide element is provided on the connection carrier for this purpose and may interact with a counterpart component on the base carrier for the mutual alignment of the two carrier components. But it can also be reversed. In contrast, the fixing element is designed for the mutual fixation of the two carrier components, namely the base carrier and the connection carrier.

As already explained, the base support and the connection carrier are usually detachably connected to one another. As a result, within the scope of the invention it is possible, starting from, for example, the base support, to detachably connect the respective variable connection carrier to the base support. An exchange or a change of the connection carrier is possible in this way, for example, if it was found during assembly of the connection carrier that this does not have the desired specifications, so in the end for the realizable lock housing of the motor vehicle door lock not suitable or simply "wrong In this case, the It is easy to replace the connection carrier with the "correct" connection carrier without fear of any functional problems.

Of course, the invention includes not only embodiments in which a base support is combined with a (single) connection carrier or can be combined. Rather, variants are also covered, in which a base support is combined with two or more connection carriers. This makes it possible on the whole to tailor a lock housing for a motor vehicle door lock to the actual requirements, in particular with regard to the electrical / electronic equipment.

This is of particular importance in view of the fact that the component carrier according to the invention is typically equipped with a printed circuit board structure. As a rule, the conductor track structure is embedded in or applied to the component carrier in question. Of course, this applies both to the base carrier and the connection carrier. Since the connection carrier is dispensable in some applications and a component carrier equipped with a strip conductor system entails considerable costs, overall the production and production costs of the lock housing and consequently of the motor vehicle door lock as a whole can be reduced.

Here, the invention is based on the recognition that the base support together with its base conductor structure in conjunction with the associated electrical / electronic components covers or can cover the basic functions, which are fulfilled by all motor vehicle door locks this series or must be met. This may include, for example, a central locking and child safety. If the motor vehicle door lock in question is then to be equipped, for example, with a closing aid, the associated connection carrier with connection conductor track structure is connected to the base support as described, so that the thus upgraded motor vehicle door lock has the optional additional function described above.

In most cases, this will be done in such a way that the base carrier and the connection carrier are connected to each other at an angle and, in particular, at right angles. In addition, the base support is usually advantageous via a connecting web for the connection carrier.

The guide member may be formed as a guide pin and as the guide pin receiving guide bushing. In addition, protruding contact means, for example, contact webs, contact lugs, etc., are usually provided, which engage in counter-contact means, which may be, for example, contact sockets. The above

Contact means can be provided and realized on the connection carrier, whereas the base carrier is equipped with the associated counter-contact means. Of course, a reverse interpretation is conceivable and is encompassed by the invention.

Thus, in the above-mentioned electrical contact between the protruding contact means and the mating contact means, for example, contact flags or contact webs do not bend, in any case, a perfect electrical contact is guaranteed, further and provided according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention that the guide pin and the guide bush adjacent to the contact means and Counter contact means are arranged. Moreover, it has proved to be particularly favorable in this context if the guide pin and the guide bush extend in the same longitudinal extent and with a substantially matching connection path in comparison to the contact means and counter contact means.

That is, the connection path between the guide pin and the guide bushing approximately corresponds to the connection path which the has to complete the above contact means until it has been coupled with perfect mating electrical contact with the mating contact means. By adapting the connection paths to each other and the additional alignment of the guide pin and the guide bushing in the same longitudinal extent with the contact means and mating contact means ensures that in the union of the connection carrier and the base support first a perfect electrical contact is made, through the mutual alignment of the basic carrier compared to the connection carrier.

After this process of mutual alignment and leadership of one hand connection carrier and on the other hand, base support, it then comes to releasable fixation. This detachable fixation is generally followed by the previously described connection path, in that after the completion of this connection path the fixation element has an effect. This is typically at least one locking means on the base support, which cooperates with at least one counter-locking means on the connection carrier. The reverse can also be done at this point. In this case, the latching means is provided on the connection carrier, whereas the counter-latching means has the base carrier.

Either way, the unification process between the connection carrier and the base carrier according to the invention is divided into two, namely spatially and temporally. First of all, the guide element ensures that the connection carrier and the base support are aligned with each other and guided to each other. This serves to properly electrically interconnect the protruding contact means and associated mating contact means of, on the one hand, the lead trace formation and, on the other hand, the base trace formation. The made and proper electrical connection corresponds to a connection path, which has completed the connection carrier relative to the base support for this purpose. The same applies to the guide element or its dipping into the guide bush guide pin. After the connection has been completed, the fixing element unfolds effect or the locking means in conjunction with the counter-locking means. As a result, in each case a perfect electrical contacting of the interconnect structure is made available on the one hand to the connection carrier and on the other hand to the base carrier and at the same time combined with a detachable mechanical coupling. 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. The single figure shows the component carrier according to the invention in perspective.

In the figure, a component carrier is shown, which is composed of a base support 1 and a connection carrier 2 connectable therewith. In the exemplary embodiment, the base support 1 and the connection carrier 2 form a lock housing 1, 2 of a motor vehicle door lock or a part of this lock housing 1, 2. For the mechanical coupling of the base support 1 with the connection support 2 connectable therewith, in the example a connecting element 3,

4, 5, 6 provided.

The connecting element 3, 4, 5, 6 is composed according to the invention, on the one hand, of a guide element 3, 4 and, on the other hand, of a fixing element 5, 6. In this case, the design is additionally made such that in the illustrated example, first the guide element 3, 4 provides for a guide of the trailer-2 against the base support 1 and then the fixing

5, 6 ensures the mechanical coupling between the base support 1 and the connection carrier 2.

It can be seen that the guide element 3, 4 is designed as a guide pin 3 on the connection carrier 2, which interacts with a guide bush 3 accommodating the guide bush 4 on the base support 1. The mechanical interaction between the guide pin 3 and the guide bush 4 ensures that the base support 1 and the connection carrier 2 are mutually aligned become. For this purpose, the guide pin 3 on the one hand and the guide bush 4 on the other hand adapted to each other from their cross-section ago. In addition, the guide pin 3 completed in the described alignment process a connection path W.

In contrast to the guide element 3, 4, which exclusively takes over alignment and guiding functions between the connection carrier 2 and the base support 1, the additionally provided fixing element 5, 6 as a further component of the connecting element 3, 4, 5, 6 for mutual fixation of the two Carrier components 1, 2 set up. The fixing element 5, 6 is typically used only after completion of the previously discussed connection path W. The fixing element 5, 6 is composed of a rust agent 6 on the base support 1 and a cooperating counter-rust means 5 on the connection support 2. This will be explained in more detail below.

It can be seen that the base support 1 and the connection carrier 2 are releasably connected to each other. In addition, in the embodiment according to the single figure, an angled connection of on the one hand the base support 1 and on the other hand, the connection carrier 2 propagated. In the exemplary embodiment, the connection carrier 2 is connected at right angles to the base support 1 and connected thereto. Of course this is not mandatory. For this purpose, the base support 1 has an additional connecting web 7, which provides for the mechanical and in the exemplary embodiment electrical coupling of the trailer-2 with the base support 1.

In fact, it is in the connecting web 7 is integrally formed on the base support 1 plastic web. Also, the base support 1 is made of plastic. In addition, both the base support 1 and the connection carrier 2 have an associated conductor track formation 8, 9. The strip conductor structure 8 of the base carrier 1 is designed as a base strip structure 8 and is electrically coupled within the scope of the invention to the further strip formation 9 of the connection carrier 2 designed as connection strip structure 9. For this purpose, the connecting conductor track formation 9 opens into protruding contact means 10, which in the exemplary embodiment are contact webs or contact lugs 10. These contact lugs 10 of the connection conductor track formation 9 are electrically connected to the base conductor track formation 8 via counter contact means 1 1 on the base support 1. In the counter-contact means 1 1 on the base support 1 is in the exemplary embodiment to the contact lugs 10 receiving female contact 1 1.

Thus, in the coupling of the connection carrier 2 to the base support 1, the protruding tabs 10 can be properly accommodated in the corresponding contact bushes 1 1, the base support 1 and the connection carrier 2 are aligned with each other and initially performed against each other and thereby electrically connected. In fact, in this process, the electrical connection of the contact lugs 10 with the associated contact bushings 1 1 of the guide pin 3 in fact dips into the associated guide bushing 4.

After completion of the connection path W, the contact lugs 10 are properly received in the associated contact sockets 1 1. This is achieved by the invention in that the guide pin 3 and the guide bushing 4 extend in the same longitudinal extension as the contact means 10 and countercontact means 11. In addition, the design is such that the connection path W between the guide pin 3 and the guide bushing 4 approximately corresponds to the connection path W, which is required so that the contact means or tabs 10 properly contacted against the mating contact means 1 1 and female contacts 1 1 electrically are.

Incidentally, this electrical connection process between the connection carrier 2 and the base support 1 favors that the guide pin 3 and the guide bush 4 adjacent to the contact means 10 and the Counter contact means 1 1 are arranged. It can be seen in the illustrated example case that in the direction of the connection path W or in the insertion direction of the connection carrier 2 relative to the connecting web 7 respectively the base support 1, the guide element 3, 4 on the one hand and the protruding contact means 10 and counter contact means 1 1 on the other hand on each longitudinal edge of the connection support. 2 are provided.

As a result, the alignment is favored because the provided on both longitudinal edges guide means, namely the guide element 3, 4 on the one hand and the projecting contact means 10 in conjunction with the mating contact means 1 1 on the other hand by their mutual engagement any inclinations, jams, etc. between the connection carrier 2 and the Prevent base support 1 in the described unification and alignment process. In addition, the two thus realized guide means on the two longitudinal edges ensure that the alignment plane of the connection carrier 2 is clearly defined with respect to the base support 1 and the connecting web 7.

After completion of the connection path W, the desired perfect electrical connection between the connection conductor track formation 9 and the base conductor structure 8 is present. In addition, after completing this connection path W, the locking means 6 on the base support 1 come into contact with the counter-locking means 5 on the connection carrier 2 and can mechanically interact in such a way that the connection support 2 is held detachably on the base support 1, namely by latching or clipping.

In order to facilitate the handling and coupling of the connection carrier 2 with the base support 1 yet, the connection carrier 2 is equipped with a handle 12, which is a connector 12 in the embodiment. This plug 12 can serve to receive a socket with the associated electrical leads, which connects the two conductor tracks 8, 9 with the periphery, for example, a control unit.

Claims

Claims:

1 . Component carrier, in particular lock housing (1, 2) of a motor vehicle door lock, with at least one base support (1) and a connection carrier (2) connectable therewith, and with at least one connecting element (3, 4, 5, 6), characterized in that the connecting element (3 , 4, 5, 6) on the one hand guide element (3, 4) and the other fixing element (5, 6) is formed, wherein the guide element (3, 4) for mutual alignment of the two carrier components (1, 2) and wherein the fixing element ( 5, 6) for mutual fixation of the two mutually aligned support components (1, 2) is set up.

2. Component carrier according to claim 1, characterized in that the base carrier (1) and the connection carrier (2) are releasably connected to each other.

3. Component carrier according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the base support (1) and the connection carrier (2) are connected to each other at an angle, in particular at right angles.

4. Component carrier according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the base support (1) is equipped with a connecting web (7) for the connection carrier (2).

5. component carrier according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the guide element (3) as a guide pin (3) and as the

Guide pin (3) receiving guide bush (4) is formed.

6. Component carrier according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the fixing element (5, 6) as at least one latching means (6) on the base support (1) is designed, which with at least one counter-locking means (5) on the connection carrier (2). interacts, or vice versa.

7. component carrier according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the above contact means (10), for example contact webs, tabs (10), etc. are realized, which engage in counter contact means (1 1), for example, contact sockets (1 1), or the other way around.

8. component carrier according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the guide pin (3) and the guide bush (4) adjacent to the contact means (10) and mating contact means (1 1) are arranged.

9. component carrier according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the guide pin (3) and the guide bush (4) in the same longitudinal extent and with substantially matching connecting path (W) in comparison to the contact means (10) and counter contact means (1 1 ).

10. Component carrier according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the connection carrier (2) as with a handle (12) equipped connector is formed.