Patent Publication Number: US-2022216631-A1

Title: Circuit board connector assembly

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present disclosure relates to a circuit board arrangement. 
     TECHNICAL BACKGROUND 
     In the context of preassembling, it is known for connectors to be fixed on printed circuit boards so as to secure a connector in relation to tilting on the printed circuit board. This results in an additional complexity in terms of assembly or in a requirement in terms of additional installation space for envisaged fixing means, respectively. 
     This is a state of affairs that is to be improved. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present disclosure teaches a printed circuit board arrangement having a printed circuit board, a printed circuit board connector which is preassembled or assembled on the printed circuit board, and having a weight which is attached at least to the printed circuit board connector, wherein the printed circuit board connector per se in an assembled position has a center of gravity which is projected into the printed circuit board plane and is situated outside the printed circuit board, and wherein a composite of the printed circuit board connector and the weight in an assembled position has a center of gravity which is projected into the printed circuit board plane and from the printed circuit board has a smaller spacing or no spacing, said spacing being less than that of the projected center of gravity of the printed circuit board connector. 
     The present disclosure recognizes that printed circuit board connectors which are to be assembled on a printed circuit board often have an unfavorable center of gravity in terms of the position of the printed circuit board. Tilting of the printed circuit board connector in relation to the printed circuit board thus arises when a center of gravity of the printed circuit board connector that is projected into the printed circuit board plane is situated outside the printed circuit board. 
     The printed circuit board plane is that plane that is defined by the printed circuit board, or the plane that contains the surface of a printed circuit board, respectively. 
     The preassembled state means that the connector arrangement is only partially assembled. It can be provided, for example, that components in a preassembled state are releasably stuck to one another but not yet finally fastened to one another. The final assembled state means that the assembly of the connector arrangement is completed and the connector arrangement is ready for use. 
     The center of gravity and the projected center of gravity have to be differentiated in this pate-It application. The center of gravity of a body is the weighted mean value of the positions of the mass point geometry thereof. The center of gravity of objects that are assembled on a printed circuit board is typically above the printed circuit board. A projected center of gravity is derived from a vertical projection of the center of gravity into the printed circuit board plane, wherein the straight line between the center of gravity and the projected center of gravity is orthogonal to the printed circuit board plane. 
     The tilting of the printed circuit board connector in relation to the printed circuit board often leads to damage to the electric terminals of the printed circuit board connector and/or of the printed circuit board. 
     The present disclosure teaches a repositioning of the projected center of gravity of the printed circuit board connector towards the printed circuit board such that tilting of the printed circuit board connector in relation to the printed circuit board prior to the printed circuit board connector being fastened to the printed circuit board is prevented. 
     The present disclosure teaches that the printed circuit board connector for repositioning the center of gravity is connected to a weight before the printed circuit board connector is preassembled the printed circuit board, or before the electric terminals of the connector contacts electric terminals of the printed circuit board, respectively. A printed circuit board connector to which a weight is fastened is also referred to as a composite hereunder. 
     It is understood the center of gravity of the composite of the weight and the printed circuit board connector that is projected into the printed circuit board plane is preferably disposed so as to be as close as possible to the printed circuit board, or within the latter, and that the weight by means of which the projected center of gravity is repositioned, can be configured so as to be as small and compact as possible, on the other hand. 
     In order for this compromise to be implemented in practice, it can also be advantageous to take into account adhesive forces and/or frictional forces between the composite and the printed circuit board. This means that a projected center of gravity does not inevitably have to lie within the printed circuit board in order to prevent tilting of the composite of the weight and the printed circuit board connector in relation to the printed circuit board if the adhesive forces and frictional forces between the composite and the printed circuit board, also in a preassembled state, are sufficiently high. 
     The position of the projected center of gravity of a printed circuit board connector preassembled on a printed circuit board in relation to the printed circuit board can be determined or estimated, respectively, by calculation, simulation or by experiments. The same applies in an analogous manner to the composite of the printed circuit board connector and the weight. 
     Advantageous design embodiments and refinements are derived from the further dependent claims as well as from the description with reference to the figures of the drawing. 
     According to some embodiments, the weight contacts the printed circuit board. It can be provided here that the weight is fastened to the printed circuit board. For example, adhesive connections, press-fit connections and the like can be considered as fastening means. This guarantees that the composite of the weight and the printed circuit board connector is sufficiently stabilized in relation to the printed circuit board. 
     According to some embodiments, the weight is supported by the printed circuit board in such a manner that a gap exists between the printed circuit board and the printed circuit board connector. 
     It is thus possible to preclude canting of the printed circuit board connector in relation to the printed circuit board, for example by virtue of manufacturing tolerances. 
     It is understood that the gap between the printed circuit board and the print circuit board connector may be partially configured, meaning that it may be sufficient for a gap to exist in a sub-region of a printed circuit board connector, between the printed circuit board connector and the printed circuit board. It is furthermore understood that the gap does not compromise the contact between electric terminals of the printed circuit board and the printed circuit board connector, i.e, that the gap does not extend to the electric terminals. 
     According to some embodiments, the weight has a coding, means for predefining one or a plurality of assembly positions and/or orientations of the printed circuit board connector on the printed circuit board. A faulty assembly of the printed circuit board connector can thus be prevented when the coding, means are configured in such a manner that a laterally transposed assembly of the printed circuit board connector on the printed circuit board is prevented. 
     According to some embodiments, the weight guarantees only passive electrical functionalities or no electrical functionality of the printed circuit board arrangement. The modularity of the weight is thus guaranteed, meaning that the use of the weight is not mandatory if difficulties in the assembly can also be otherwise alleviated. 
     Passive electrical properties include all electrical properties inherent to electrically conducting components; for example, an electrically conducting weight may improve the electromagnetic shielding of a composite of the weight and the printed circuit board connector. 
     All influences of the weight on the electrical properties of the connector, such as the shielding or the impedance of the latter, are referred to as passive properties unless the latter have to be actively controlled and the latter are the result of the material, the structure and the like of said connector. 
     According to some embodiments, mutually contacting components of the printed circuit board connector and of the weight are produced by means of different manufacturing methods. It can be provided here that a component of the printed circuit board connector that contacts the weight is produced by means of a stamping-and-bending method, and the weight is produced by means of a casting method, for example by means of a die casting method. 
     For example, it often arises that it is advantageous for an outer conductor of a printed circuit board connector to be produced by means of a stamping-and-bending method because a large band width of geometries can thus be produced in a cost-effective manner. However, it may prove disadvantageous to process the workpieces with a great mass by means of a stamping-and bending method. For example, in practice it often proves to be advantageous to produce objects with a high weight by means of a casting method. 
     According to some embodiments, the printed circuit board connector is irreversibly connected to the weight. Irreversibly connected means that a connection between two objects cannot be released in an non-destructive manner, or without damage, respectively, unless a connection is specifically provided for destruction, and/or the components to be connected have been deformed in the context of the connecting process. 
     Materially integral connections such as, for example, soldering or adhesive bonding, form-fitting connections, force-fitting connections, for example bracing, may be considered as irreversible connections. It is in particular conceivable that the weight is fastened to the printed circuit board connector by means of a penetrating joining process, for example by clinching. Durable latching or snap-fit connections are also possible with a view to an irreversible connection between the printed circuit board connector and the weight. 
     Alternatively, it is also conceivable for the weight to be releasably fastened to the printed circuit board connector. It can also be provided here that the weight is removed from the printed circuit board connector once the assembly of the printed circuit board connector on the printed circuit board has been completed. 
     For example, it is conceivable for the weight to be magnetically fastened to the printed circuit board connector by means of easily destructible latching connections or by means of clip connections of insufficient permanence. It is decisive that the printed circuit board connector is not damaged when a reversible connection between a printed circuit board connector and a weight is destroyed. 
     It is understood that connections between a printed circuit board connector and a weight may be specifically configured for temporary fastening and for easy destruction once the assembly process has been completed. To the extent that only the connection but not the printed circuit board connector is damaged by releasing such easily destructible connections of this type, reference is nevertheless made to a reversible connection. 
     According to some embodiments, the weight bears on at least two bearing faces and/or on at least two contact faces on the printed circuit board, wherein the bearing faces and/or the contact faces can be disposed so as to be symmetrical in relation to a symmetry axis of the printed circuit board connector. Modular properties of the weight that guarantee a high degree of flexibility for various combinations of a printed circuit board and a printed circuit board connector are thus possible in that the bearing faces, or contact faces, respectively, are sized and disposed as a function of the position of the printed circuit board in relation to the printed circuit board connector. 
     It is understood that a weight for assembly in a printed circuit board arrangement as described above is advantageous. 
     It is furthermore understood that a set of a printed circuit board connector and a weight is also advantageous when the printed circuit board connector and the weight are specified for being assembled on one another so as to form a composite in the context of preassembling, so as to upon final assembly of the composite of the weight and the printed circuit board connector to be assembled on a printed circuit board during final assembly, so as to form a printed circuit board arrangement as has been described above. 
     It is understood that an assembly method for such a set is also advantageous when said assembly method comprises the following steps: providing a printed circuit board connector and a weight; fastening the weight to the printed circuit board connector, in particular by means of clinching, so as to obtain a composite of a printed circuit board connector and a weight. 
     It is also advantageous here when a printed circuit board arrangement is assembled in that a composite as described above is provided and the composite is assembled on the printed circuit board in such a manner that a current path runs from the printed circuit board into the printed circuit board connector, wherein the position of the center of gravity of the composite of weight and printed circuit board connector lies in such a manner that tilting of the composite while assembling the composite on the printed circuit board is prevented. 
     It is understood that the features mentioned above and yet to be explained hereunder can be used not only in the respective stated combination but also in other combinations, or individually, without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     The above design embodiments and refinements can be combined with one another in an arbitrary manner should this be expedient. Further potential design embodiments, refinements and implementations of the invention comprise also combinations, not explicitly mentioned, of features of the invention that are described above or hereunder in terms of the exemplary embodiments. The person skilled in the art here will, in particular, also add individual aspects as improvements or additions to the respective basic form of the present invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
       The present invention will be explained in more detail hereunder by means of the exemplary embodiments stated in the schematic figures of the drawing in which: 
         FIG. 1  shows a schematic exploded view of a printed circuit board arrangement in accordance with the teaching of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  shows a schematic perspective view of a printed circuit board arrangement in accordance with the teaching of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  shows a schematic sectional view of a printed circuit board arrangement in accordance with the teaching of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 4  shows a schematic sectional view of a composite in accordance with the teaching of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     The appended figures of the drawing are intended to offer an improved understanding of the embodiments of the invention. Said figures visualize exemplary embodiments and in conjunction with the description serve in explaining principles and concepts of the invention. Other embodiments and many of the advantages mentioned are derived with a view to the drawings. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily shown true to scale. 
     Identical and functionally equivalent elements, features and components, and those of equivalent action, arc in each case provided with the same reference signs in the figures unless otherwise stated. 
     The figures hereunder are described in conjunction and combination with one another. 
     DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  shows a printed circuit arrangement  10  in an exploded view. The printed circuit arrangement  10  comprises a printed circuit board  12 , a printed circuit board connector  14  and a weight  16 . Printed circuit board  12  has a major surface  27 . Weight  16  may be termed a counterweight. Weight  16  has a first side wall  46 , a second side wall  47 , an upper wall  48  and a rear wall  49  (shown in  FIG. 3 ). As shown in  FIG. 1  as well as in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , first side wall  46 , second side wall  47 , and upper wall  48  collectively form an arch-like structure that may be at least partially closed on one side by rear wall  49 , e.g. as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     The position in which the printed circuit board connector  14  and the weight  16  are assembled in relation to the printed circuit board  12  is derived from  FIG. 1 . The printed circuit board connector  14  and the weight  16  have in each case connecting means for fastening the weight  16  to the printed circuit board connector  14 . To this end, the weight  16  has pins  32  which are pressed into bores  36  of the printed circuit board connector  14 . As such, bores  36  may constitute engagement structures to which pins  32  constitute counterpart engagement structures. Furthermore, the weight  16  has pins that are configured as coding means  20 ,  21  and pressed into bores  36  in the printed circuit board  12 . The printed circuit board connector  14  has a pair of electric terminals  38  which are inserted in bores  37  of the printed circuit board  12  and electrically contact a conductor path in the inferior of the printed circuit board. Bores  36  and  37  may be termed mounting holes. 
     It can be seen in  FIG. 1  that the printed circuit board connector  14  per se in relation to the printed circuit board  12  has an unfavorable center of gravity when the printed circuit board connector  14  is assembled on the printed circuit board  12 , thus that a center of gravity of the printed circuit board connector  14  that is projected into a printed circuit board plane is situated significantly outside the printed circuit board  12 . 
     In order to prevent tilting of the printed circuit board connector  14  on the printed circuit board, the weight  16  is fastened to the printed circuit board connector  14  before the printed circuit board connector  14  is assembled on the printed circuit board  12 . It can be provided here that the weight  16  has a higher density than the printed circuit board connector  14  so as to displace to a sufficient extent the center of gravity of the composite of the weight  16  and the printed circuit board connector  14  in relation to the center of gravity of the printed circuit board connector  14 . 
       FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of a printed circuit board arrangement having a printed circuit board  12 , a printed circuit board connector  14  and a weight  16 . The projected center of gravity  106  of the composite  11  is situated within the printed circuit board  12 , whereas the projected center of gravity  104  of the printed circuit board connector  14  is situated significantly outside the printed circuit board  12 . As depicted in  FIG. 2 , weight  16  arches over connector  14 . More particularly, weight  16  arches over an outer circumference of connector  14 . In some embodiments, at least 50%, at least 70% or at least 80% of weight  16  by weight may be situated exterior of connector  14 . As depicted in  FIG. 2 , an entirety of weight  16  may be situated exterior of connector  14 . 
       FIG. 3  shows a schematic longitudinal sectional view of a printed circuit arrangement  10 . The position of the projected center of gravity  104  of the printed circuit board connector  14  and of the projected center of gravity  106  of the composite  11  can be seen in  FIG. 3 . It can furthermore be seen that a partial gap  18  exists between the printed circuit board  12  and the printed circuit board connector  14 . With the exception of the electric terminals  38 , the gap  18  extends across the entire region between the printed circuit board connector  14  and the printed circuit board  12 . As depicted in  FIG. 3 , printed circuit board connector  14  has a (lower) major surface  29  that adjacently faces (upper) major surface  27  of printed circuit board  12 . Major surface  29  is separated from printed circuit board  12  by gap  18  and thus does not abut (upper) major surface  27  of printed circuit board  12 . 
     Furthermore, a lateral end  42  of the printed circuit board connector  14  is also spaced apart from an opposite edge of the weight  16 . In other words, as shown, rear wall  49  of weight  16  is separated from printed circuit board connector  14  by a spacing  44 , which spacing  44  may be termed a gap. This spacing  44  has the effect of an increased repositioning of the projected center of gravity  106  in relation to the projected center of gravity  104 , because the lever that acts from the weight on the printed circuit board connector is increased as a result. 
     It is understood that a spacing  44  of this type can be sized as a function of a required displacement of the projected center of gravity  106  in relation to the projected center of gravity  104 , and as a function of an available installation space. 
       FIG. 4  shows a cross-sectional view of a composite  11  of a printed circuit board connector  14  and a weight  16 . Illustrated in  FIG. 4  are a horizontal symmetry axis  110  and a longitudinal symmetry axis  108 . The printed circuit board connector  14  is fastened to bearing faces  22 ,  23  and contact faces  25 ,  26  of the weight that contact the printed circuit board connector on the surface  24  thereof. The bearing faces and contact faces  22 ,  23 ,  25 ,  26  are disposed so as to be symmetrical in relation to the symmetry axes  108  and  110 . 
     While the present invention has been completely described above by means of preferred exemplary embodiments, the present invention is not limited thereto but may be modified in many ways. 
     The present disclosure may be summarized as disclosing, inter alia, the following Embodiments. 
     Embodiment 1 
     
         
         
           
             Printed circuit board arrangement ( 10 )
           having a printed circuit board ( 12 ), a printed circuit board connector ( 14 ) which is preassembled or assembled on the printed circuit board, and having a weight ( 16 ) which is attached at least to the printed circuit board connector ( 14 ),   wherein the printed circuit board connector ( 14 ) per se in terms of the printed circuit board has a center of gravity ( 104 ) which is projected into the printed circuit board plane ( 102 ) and is situated outside the printed circuit board ( 12 ), and   wherein a composite ( 11 ) of the printed circuit board connector ( 14 ) and the weight ( 16 ) has a center of gravity ( 106 ) which is projected into the printed circuit board plane ( 102 ) and from the printed circuit board ( 12 ) has a smaller spacing or no spacing, said spacing being less than that of the projected center of gravity ( 104 ) of the printed circuit board connector ( 14 ).   
         
           
         
       
    
     Embodiment 2 
     
         
         
           
             Printed circuit board arrangement according to Embodiment 1,
           wherein the weight ( 16 ) contacts the printed circuit board ( 12 ) and is in particular fastened to the printed circuit board ( 12 ).   
         
           
         
       
    
     Embodiment 3 
     
         
         
           
             Printed circuit board arrangement according to Embodiment 1 or 2,
           wherein the weight ( 16 ) is supported by the printed circuit board ( 12 ) in such a manner that a gap ( 18 ) exists between the printed circuit board ( 12 ) and the printed circuit board connector ( 14 ).   
         
           
         
       
    
     Embodiment 4 
     
         
         
           
             Printed circuit board arrangement according to any one of Embodiments 1-3,
           wherein the weight ( 16 ) has a coding means ( 20 ,  21 ) for predefining one or a plurality of assembly positions and/or orientations of the printed circuit board connector ( 14 ) on the printed circuit board ( 12 ).   
         
           
         
       
    
     Embodiment 5 
     
         
         
           
             Printed circuit board arrangement according to any one of Embodiments 1-4,
           wherein the weight ( 16 ) guarantees only passive electrical functionalities or no electrical functionality of the printed circuit board arrangement ( 10 ).   
         
           
         
       
    
     Embodiment 6 
     
         
         
           
             Printed circuit board arrangement according to any one of Embodiments 1-5,
           wherein mutually contacting, components ( 22 - 26 ) of the printed circuit board connector and of the weight are produced by means of different manufacturing, methods, wherein in particular a component of the printed circuit board connector ( 14 ) that contacts the weight is produced by means of a stamping-and-bending method, and the weight ( 16 ) is produced by means of a casting method.   
         
           
         
       
    
     Embodiment 7 
     
         
         
           
             Printed circuit board arrangement according to any one of Embodiments 1-6,
           wherein the printed circuit board connector ( 14 ) is irreversibly connected to the weight ( 16 ).   
         
           
         
       
    
     Embodiment 8 
     
         
         
           
             Printed circuit board arrangement according to any one of Embodiments 1-7,
           wherein the weight ( 16 ) has at least two bearing faces ( 22 ,  23 ) and/or at least two contact faces ( 25 ,  26 ) at which the weight ( 16 ) contacts the printed circuit board ( 12 ), wherein the bearing faces and/or the contact races are in particular disposed so as to be symmetrical in relation to a symmetry axis ( 108 ;  110 ) of the printed circuit board connector.   
         
           
         
       
    
     Embodiment 9 
     
         
         
           
             Weight which is specified for assembly in a circuit board arrangement ( 10 ) according to any one of Embodiments 1-8. 
           
         
       
    
     Embodiment 10 
     
         
         
           
             Set of a printed circuit board connector ( 14 ) and a weight ( 16 ), wherein the printed circuit board connector and the weight in the context of preassembling are specified for being assembled on one another so as to form a composite ( 11 ) so as to upon final assembly be assembled on a printed circuit board ( 12 ) so as to form a printed circuit board arrangement ( 10 ) according to any one of Embodiments 1-9. 
           
         
       
    
     Embodiment 11 
     
         
         
           
             Assembly method for a set according to Embodiment 10, comprising the following steps:
           providing a printed circuit board connector ( 14 ) and a weight ( 16 );   fastening the weight ( 16 ) to the printed circuit board connector ( 14 ), in particular by means of clinching, so as to obtain a composite ( 11 ) of a printed circuit board connector and a weight ( 16 ).   
         
           
         
       
    
     Embodiment 12 
     
         
         
           
             Assembly method for a circuit board arrangement according to any one of Embodiments 1-8, comprising the following steps:
           carrying out the method according to Embodiment 11;   assembling the composite ( 11 ) on the printed circuit board ( 12 ) in such a manner that current path runs from the printed circuit board into the printed circuit board connector ( 14 ), wherein the position of the projected center of gravity ( 106 ) of the composite lies in such a manner that tilting of the composite ( 11 ) while assembling the composite on the printed circuit board ( 12 ) is prevented.   
         
           
         
       
    
     LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS 
     
         
         
           
               10  Connector arrangement 
               11  Composite 
               12  Printed circuit board 
               14  Printed circuit board connector 
               16  Weight 
               18  Gap 
               20  Coding means 
               21  Coding means 
               22  Bearing face 
               23  Bearing face 
               24  Surface 
               25  Contact face 
               26  Contact face 
               27  Major surface 
               28  Major surface 
               32  Pin 
               36  Bore 
               37  Bore 
               38  Electric terminals 
               42  Lateral end 
               44  Spacing 
               46  Side wall 
               47  Side wall 
               48  Upper wall 
               49  Rear wall 
               52  Engagement direction 
               54  Engagement direction 
               102  Printed circuit board plane 
               104  Projected center of gravity 
               106  Projected center of gravity 
               108  Symmetry axis 
               110  Symmetry axis