MOUNTING ARRANGEMENT FOR AN ELECTRONIC COMPONENT

A mounting arrangement for holding an electronic component includes a housing having a housing base and a housing cover configured to be mounted onto the housing base, a receptacle for accommodating an electronic component, such as a PCB, between the housing base and the mounted housing cover, and at least one component fixation member which is elastically deformable and configured to be located in the receptacle for fixating the electronic component in the receptacle. The mounting arrangement is easy to assemble, inexpensive and capable of securely holding an electronic component.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of EP Application Serial No. 23197764.6 filed 15 Sep. 2023, the subject matter of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The subject matter herein relates to a mounting arrangement for holding an electronic component, such as a PCB.

Electronic devices, such as sensors, may consist of or comprise an electronic component e.g. for signal processing, which is mounted on a PCB. In order to ensure the functionality of the device, it must be assured that the electronic component of the electronic device is safely held in place, in particular in environments where shocks and vibrations may act on the device.

The structure and assembly of such devices and components should be as simple as possible, as low production and assembly costs are generally desirable.

There is a need for a mounting arrangement for an electronic component that is easy to assemble, inexpensive, and capable of securely holding the electronic component.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, a mounting arrangement for holding an electronic component is provided including a housing having a housing base and a housing cover configured to be mounted onto the housing base, a receptacle for accommodating an electronic component, such as a PCB, between the housing base and the mounted housing cover, and at least one component fixation member which is elastically deformable and configured to be located in the receptacle for fixating the electronic component in the receptacle.

Such a mounting arrangement makes it possible to securely fixate an electronic component, without the mounting arrangement requiring a complex design or an elaborate assembly process. Only a few components are required, which reduces the design effort, the assembly effort and the production costs. Furthermore, the holding force exerted on the electronic component by the component fixation member can be flexibly adjusted depending on the use case. Since the component fixation member is elastically deformable, the holding force depends on the extent of the deformation of the component fixation member. A certain extent of deformation, and thus a specific holding force can be achieved, for example, by a suitable selection or positioning of the component fixation member in the receptacle.

The above mounting arrangement may be further improved by adding one or more of the features described in the following, whereby each of these features is advantageous in itself, and may be combined independently and/or in any desired manner with any of the other features described herein.

The component fixation member may be configured to press the electronic component that is accommodated in the receptacle, along a pressing direction. The pressing direction may extend along a normal direction of the electronic component, in particular perpendicular to the place of the PCB, and/or the receptacle and/or the housing base and/or the housing cover. In some embodiments, a force may be exerted on the housing base and/or the housing cover along the pressing direction in order to elastically deform the at least one component fixation member and/or to maintain the deflection of the at least one component fixation member.

Further, a restO-ring force of a component fixation member may press the electronic component against the housing base or against the housing cover. The restO-ring force may act along the pressing direction with at least one directional component, and/or along the direction in which a component fixation member is deformable and/or deformed. In particular, the restO-ring force may counteract a deformation direction.

In some embodiments, a component fixation member may also be elastically compressible and/or deflectable, advantageously along the pressing direction.

The housing base and the housing cover may be fixedly attachable and/or attached to each other. When the housing cover is mounted onto the housing base, relative movement between the housing base and the housing cover may be prevented, in particular movement along the pressing direction. A component fixation member may be braced and/or clamped between the housing base and the housing cover opposite to its direction of action. The direction of action of a component fixation member may extend along the direction of the restO-ring force. An elastically deformed component fixation member may push or tend to push the housing base and the housing cover apart from each other, in particular along the direction of the restO-ring force and/or the direction of action of the component fixation member. In case more than one component fixation member is provided, at least two of the component fixation members used may differ in the direction of their restO-ring force and/or their direction of action. It is further possible that all component fixation members have the same direction of the restO-ring force or the same direction of action.

The receptacle, in particular an inner volume of the receptacle, even more particular a contour of the inner volume of the receptacle may be at least sectionally complementary to a volume, an outline or a contour of the electronic component. The electronic component may completely fill the receptacle. In particular, the electronic component, an outline of the electronic component, or a contour of the electronic component may abut the housing base and/or the housing cover. The electronic component may further abut or contact a component fixation member, at least sectionally.

The housing base and/or the housing cover may be part of or completely form a sensor housing. The housing base may beadvantageously monolithically formed-made of a plastic material, and the housing cover may be made of a weldable metallic or plastic material. The housing cover may be monolithically formed.

In one embodiment, the housing base and/or the housing cover may be provided with contact surfaces configured for making contact with the electronic component. The contact surfaces may comprise an electronically conductive or an insulating material.

According to another embodiment, a component fixation member may be monolithically formed with the housing base. This way, the manufacturing costs of the housing base and thus of the mounting arrangement are reduced, in particular due to an automated production. The component fixation member may be integrally and/or materially formed with or joined to the housing base. For example, the component fixation member may be welded, in particular laser-welded with the housing base.

To reduce the production costs of the housing cover, in particular due to an automated production, and thus to lower the total costs of a mounting arrangement, a component fixation member may be monolithically formed with the housing cover. In analogy to the embodiment described above, a component fixation member may be integrally and/or materially formed with or joined to the housing cover. The component fixation member may be welded, particularly laser-welded with the housing cover.

According to a further embodiment, a component fixation member may be formed as a spring latch protruding at least partially towards the receptacle. A spring latch has a simple design and is therefore easy and inexpensive to manufacture.

A component fixation member, e.g. formed as a spring latch, may protrude from the housing base or the housing cover. A component fixation member that protrudes from the housing base may protrude towards the housing cover, and a component fixation member that protrudes from the housing cover may protrude towards the housing base. The spring latch, and additionally or cumulatively another component fixation member, may—regardless of whether it protrudes from the housing base or the housing cover—extend towards the electronic component.

The spring latch, in particular a longitudinal axis of the spring latch and/or a plane of the spring latch, may be oriented in an angle to the pressing direction. The angle may, for example, be acute or obtuse.

In one embodiment, the spring latch may have a base and a free end. The base may be configured to be joined with the housing base or the housing cover. In particular, the base of the spring latch may be monolithically and/or integrally and/or materially formed with the housing base or the housing cover. The free end of the spring latch may be adapted to contact the electronic component, and may comprise an electronically conductive or insulating material. In particular, the spring latch may be completely formed from such material.

In one embodiment, the thickness of the spring latch may be smaller than 1 mm.

According to another embodiment, a component fixation member may comprise a convex section protruding towards the receptacle. If such a component fixation member is elastically deformed, the tension is evenly distributed at the convex section, which results in a lower stress on the material and thus longer durability of the component fixation member.

An apex of the convex section may protrude towards the receptacle. The apex may face in the direction of the receptacle and/or in the pressing direction.

The convex section may have a rotary paraboloid shape that is rotationally symmetrical. The convex section may further be separated into segments, which may be arranged symmetrically, e.g. with respect to the normal direction extending from the apex of the convex section and/or with respect to the pressing direction. During deformation, the convex section may change—in particular flatten—its shape to a rotary paraboloid. In one embodiment, the deformed convex section may be completely flat, so that the contour of the deformed convex section fits into the contour of the housing cover of the housing base, in particular seamlessly and/or without a rounded transition.

A component fixation member may comprise multiple convex sections that may be arranged symmetrically, e.g. with respect to a common axis. The common axis may extend along the pressing direction.

In one embodiment, a component fixation member or the convex section of a component fixation member may be a plate spring.

To reduce the manufacturing costs and the assembly effort, a component fixation member may be an O-ring. The O-ring may be deformable along the pressing direction and/or along the axial direction of the O-ring. Both a toroidal and a hollow cylindrical design of the O-ring are possible. In one embodiment, the O-ring may be a sealing ring.

According to another embodiment, the mounting arrangement may comprise at least one component fixation member of the group of component fixation members including a spring latch; a spring latch being monolithically formed with the housing base; a spring latch being monolithically formed with the housing cover; a component fixation member comprising a convex section; a component fixation member comprising a convex section, the component fixation member being monolithically formed with the housing base; a component fixation member comprising a convex section, the component fixation member being monolithically formed with the housing cover; and an O-ring.

Due to the variety of different component fixation members, the electronic component can be fixated redundantly and thus particularly securely in the receptacle of the mounting arrangement.

If more than one component fixation member is provided in the mounting arrangement, at least two component fixation members may be designed differently from one another. In particular, all component fixation members may differ in what kind of element is used as component fixation member. If more than one component fixation member is provided, at least one component fixation member may, for example, be designed as a spring latch. At the same time, at least one component fixation member not designed as spring latch may be an O-ring, and at least one component fixation member that is not designed as a spring latch or an O-ring can have at least one convex section. Of course, other types of elements that a component fixation member can be designed as are also possible.

All component fixation members may be designed as the same type of element. For example, all component fixation members may be designed as a spring latch, or all component fixation members may be designed as an O-ring, or all component fixation members may be designed with at least one convex section, or all component fixation members may be designed in accordance with another embodiment.

It is further conceivable that a component fixation member of a certain embodiment is not provided at all. For example, at least one component fixation member may be a spring latch, another component fixation member may be an O-ring, but no component fixation member may comprise a convex section. Furthermore, it is also possible that only a single component fixation member is provided, which may be designed either as a spring latch, as an O-ring, with at least one convex section, or in accordance with another embodiment.

Regardless of whether a component fixation member is a spring latch, an O-ring, comprises a convex section, or is designed according to another embodiment, it may be monolithically formed with the housing base or the housing cover. However, not every component fixation member must be connected to the housing base or the housing cover, let alone monolithically. A component fixation member may be separate from the housing base and the housing cover, i.e. it is neither joined with the housing base nor with the housing cover.

According to another embodiment, the housing base and/or the housing cover may comprise at least one engagement protrusion at least partially penetrating the receptacle. Such an engagement protrusion enables the housing base and/or the housing cover to engage with other components of the mounting arrangement, so that the housing base and/or the housing cover can be aligned relative to such components.

The at least one engagement protrusion may penetrate and/or protrude into the receptacle along the pressing direction. In one embodiment, an engagement protrusion may be formed as a collar protruding from the housing base or the housing cover, preferably perpendicularly.

The electronic component may comprise at least one engagement hole complementary to the at least one engagement protrusion of the housing base and/or the housing cover. An engagement hole may be located in the center of the electronic component and may at least partially penetrate the electronic component. In one embodiment, an engagement hole may be a through-hole.

The at least one engagement protrusion and the at least one engagement hole may be engaged to prevent a shearing movement between the electronic component and the housing base and/or between the electronic component and the housing cover. In particular, movement perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the engagement hole may be prevented.

To join the housing base and the housing cover with high accuracy and with low material stress, the housing base and the housing cover may be joined by laser-welding in at least one welding section. At least one welding section may be circular or may be formed as a single point. In one embodiment, all welding sections are circular or formed as a single point.

According to another embodiment, a welding section may be located at an engagement protrusion. The welding section may be positioned at an end face of the engagement protrusion facing towards or protruding into the receptacle. The engagement protrusion of this embodiment serves at least two functions simultaneously, namely, to align multiple components of the mounting arrangement relative to each other, and to materially join the housing base to the housing cover. This functional integration reduces production costs.

In another aspect, the housing base may comprise a collar surrounding the receptacle, and a sealing element may be provided, the sealing element extending around an outer side of the collar, the outer side facing away from the receptacle. Such a collar enables the mounting arrangement to be mated and aligned with a housing arrangement being formed at least partially complementary to the collar.

The collar, in particular a wall of the collar, may be cylindrical or cuboid. The collar or a longitudinal axis of the collar, respectively, may extend along the pressing direction. The sealing element may be a ring such as an O-ring, or may be formed as a sealing block or a sealing strip. In one embodiment, the sealing element may extend along an inner side of the collar, the inner side facing towards the receptacle.

According to a further embodiment, the housing cover may comprise at least one holder adapted for holding the sealing element in position, wherein the at least one holder surpasses the collar perpendicular to the pressing direction. The holder ensures that the sealing element is fixed to the housing base so that the sealing element cannot be lost, which simplifies the assembly of the mounting arrangement. The sealing element may be prevented from moving along the longitudinal axis of the collar and from falling off the collar. Thereby, the sealing element is secure against loss.

A holder may extend from an inner side to an outer side of the collar, the inner side of the collar facing towards the receptacle and the outer side of the collar facing away from the receptacle. A holder may extend around an end face of the collar facing away from the receptacle. Therefore, a holder may comprise a U-shaped, L-shaped, or hook-shaped section. A holder may remain joined with the housing base after the mounting arrangement has been mated with a complimentary housing arrangement. Alternatively or cumulatively, a holder may at least be partially removed from the mounting arrangement.

If more than one holder is provided, at least some of the holders may be arranged symmetrically, e.g. to the longitudinal axis of the collar and/or to the pressing direction.

To lower the manufacturing costs, in particular due to an automated production, a holder may be monolithically formed with the housing cover. In some embodiments, multiple or all holders are monolithically formed with the housing cover. A holder may be welded to the housing cover or otherwise integrally or materially formed with or joined to the housing cover. Laser welding may be used as welding technology.

According to another aspect, the housing may comprise at least one mounting flange, via which the mounting arrangement is connectable to another device. This offers the advantage that the mounting arrangement can be securely and firmly connected to other devices. The device may correspond to a housing or a housing arrangement, e.g. being part of a sensor. The mounting flange may be provided with a through-hole adapted for engaging a fastening means and/or a complementary projection of a housing or housing arrangement. The through-hole of the mounting flange may be threaded.

In the following, the invention is explained exemplarily in more detail with reference to the drawings and in accordance with several embodiments, the different features of which can be combined with one another as desired in accordance with the above general description. Moreover, a feature may be omitted from the below embodiments if its technical effect is not required in a particular application. Likewise, a feature described above that is not present in an embodiment as described below may be added if its technical effect is essential for a particular application.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following, the structure and functionality of the mounting arrangement according to several embodiments is described with reference toFIG.1toFIG.6.

As seen inFIG.1, the mounting arrangement1comprises a housing2, a receptacle4, and at least one component fixation member6. The housing2comprises a housing base8and a housing cover10. The housing cover10is mounted onto the housing base8, such that they are fixedly attached to each other. The receptacle4is located between the housing base8and the housing cover10and is configured to accommodate an electronic component12. In the embodiment shown inFIG.1, the receptacle4is substantially cuboid. The electronic component12, which in this embodiment is a PCB14, is received in the receptacle4, such that the PCB14is enclosed by the housing base8and the housing cover10.

The component fixation member6is elastically deformable and configured to be located in the receptacle4. In the embodiment ofFIG.1, a component fixation member6is exemplary formed as a spring latch16. The spring latch16may be formed monolithically with the housing base8and may protrude towards the receptacle4. In the shown embodiment, the spring latch16comprises a base18and a free end20. The base of the spring latch16may be monolithically formed with the housing base8, and the free end20of the spring latch16contacts the PCB14. The spring latch16is elastically deflectable along a pressing direction22, which in the shown embodiment extends along the normal direction24of the housing base8, the normal direction26of the PCB14and the normal direction28of the housing cover10.

The mounting arrangement1shown inFIG.1is in a mounted state30. The PCB14is received in the receptacle4between the housing base8and the housing cover10and the spring latch16is elastically deflected along a direction of deflection32. In the shown embodiment, the direction of deflection32extends along the pressing direction22. The elastically deflected spring latch16exerts a restO-ring force34, which acts opposite to the direction of deflection32. As the spring latch16, in particular the free end20of the spring latch16, abuts the PCB14, the restO-ring force34of the spring latch16is exerted on the PCB14. As the housing base8and the housing cover10are fixedly connected to each other, relative movement between the housing base8and the housing cover10is prevented. In particular, movement is prevented along the pressing direction22. Thus, the housing cover10cannot escape the restO-ring force34of the spring latch16, which is why the PCB14is pushed against the housing cover10. The PCB14is clamped between the housing base8and the housing cover10and the PCB14is securely fixated in the receptacle4of the mounting arrangement1.

According to another embodiment, a component fixation member6may comprise a convex section36. As shown inFIG.2, the component fixation member6may comprise two convex sections36, which may be monolithically formed with the housing cover10. Each convex section36comprises an apex38that faces towards and/or protrudes into the receptacle4. The convex sections36, in particular the apexes38, are in contact with the PCB14. The mounting arrangement1shown inFIG.2is in the mounted state30. The PCB14is accommodated in the receptacle4between the housing base8and the housing cover10and the convex sections36are elastically deformed along the direction of deflection32extending along the pressing direction22. In analogy to the functionality of the mounting arrangement1according to the embodiment shown inFIG.1, the elastically deformed convex sections36exert the restO-ring force34, which counteracts the direction of deflection32. As a consequence, the PCB14is pressed towards the housing base8and thus clamped between the housing cover10and the housing base8, such that the PCB14is securely fixated in the receptacle4.

As shown in the embodiment ofFIG.3, a component fixation member6may be an O-ring40. The O-ring40may be located in the receptacle4, in particular between the housing cover10and the PCB14, such that the O-ring40abuts the housing cover10and the PCB14. In the mounted state30, the O-ring40is elastically deformed or compressed between the housing cover10and the PCB14. The deformation or compression of the O-ring40causes the restO-ring force34that tends to push the housing cover10and the PCB14apart, in particular along the pressing direction22. As the PCB14abuts the housing base8and the housing cover10, and because the housing base8and the housing cover10are fixedly attached to each other, the PCB14is pressed against the housing base8. The PCB14is thereby fixated in the receptacle4, as the PCB14is clamped between the housing base8and the elastically deflected O-ring40.

In another embodiment, the mounting arrangement1may comprise more than one component fixation member6. The component fixation members6may each be designed differently. As further shown inFIG.3, the mounting arrangement1may comprise, in addition to the O-ring40, another component fixation member6that may be designed as a spring latch16. In the shown embodiment, the spring latch16protrudes from the housing cover10and into the receptacle4. In particular, the base18of the spring latch16may be monolithically formed with the housing cover10and the free end20of the spring latch16may abut the PCB14. The functionality of the spring latch16is similar to the functionality of the spring latch16described before with reference toFIG.1. In the mounted state30, the spring latch16pushes the PCB14against the housing base8. Both component fixation members6shown inFIG.3, namely the spring latch16and the O-ring40, thus push the PCB14against the housing base8, whereby the PCB14is fixated in the receptacle4of the mounting arrangement1.

According to another embodiment, the housing base8and/or the housing cover10may comprise at least one engagement protrusion42. In the embodiment shown inFIG.4, the housing base8is provided with an engagement protrusion42. The engagement protrusion42may protrude perpendicular to a flat portion44of the housing base8and into the receptacle4. In particular, the engagement protrusion42of the housing base8may penetrate a through-hole46in the PCB14, the through-hole46being complementary to the engagement protrusion42of the housing base8. When the engagement protrusion42of the housing base8and the through-hole46of the PCB14are engaged, relative movement perpendicular to the engagement protrusion42between the housing base8and the PCB14may be prevented.

As further shown inFIG.4, in one embodiment, the housing base8and the housing cover10may comprise welding sections48, via which the housing base8and the housing cover10may be connected, e.g. by laser welding. At least one of the welding sections48may—according to yet another embodiment—be located at the engagement protrusion42of the housing base8or the housing cover10. In the embodiment shown inFIG.4, two welding sections48are located at the engagement protrusion42of the housing base8.

As best seen inFIGS.4and5, the housing base8may further comprise a collar50and a sealing element52. In the shown embodiment, the collar50is substantially cylindrical and perpendicularly protrudes from the flat portion44of the housing base8. The collar50may surround the receptacle4that may be formed between the flat portion44of the housing base8and the housing cover10. The sealing element52may circumferentially extend around an outer side54of the collar50, the outer side54of the collar50facing away from the receptacle4and the PCB14received in the receptacle4. InFIGS.4and5, the sealing element52is provided as a sealing ring56concentrically surrounding the collar50.

As shown inFIGS.4and5, the housing cover10may further comprise at least one holder58. In the shown embodiment, the holders58perpendicularly protrude from a substantially flat portion60of the housing cover10and the holders58are monolithically formed with the housing cover10. Each holder58may comprise a U-shaped section62away from the flat portion60of the housing cover10. When the housing cover10is inserted into the collar50of the housing base8, the holders58extend along an inner side64of the collar50and the U-shaped sections62surpass the collar50perpendicular to the pressing direction22. In particular, the U-shaped sections62of the holders58may extend from the inner side64of the collar50to the outer side54of the collar50. A leg66of the U-shaped sections62of the holders58may be located on the outer side54of the collar50, being positioned next to the sealing element52. Thereby, the sealing element52may be prevented from moving along a longitudinal axis68of the collar50and/or along the pressing direction22, such that the sealing element52may be securely retained to the housing base8.

As best seen inFIGS.5and6, the housing2of the mounting arrangement1may comprise mounting flanges70, through which the mounting arrangement1may be connected to another device72. Such a device72may, for example, correspond to another housing or housing arrangement. In the embodiment shown inFIGS.5and6, the mounting flanges70each are provided with a through-hole74adapted for engaging a complementary projection76of the device72. In another embodiment, at least one through-hole74of the mounting flanges70may be threaded.