Patent ID: 12200856

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The figures contain partially simplified, schematic representations. Identical reference numbers are, in part, used for the same but possibly not identical elements. Different views of the same elements could be scaled differently. Directional information such as “left”, “right”, “above” and “below”, for example, are intended to be understood with reference to the respective figure and may vary in the individual representations compared to the object represented.

FIG.1shows the upper side2of a circuit board1with a particularly space-saving arrangement of the electronic elements6,6′,6″. The insulating unit8is used according to the invention in order to enable such a compact arrangement on the printed board1. The insulating unit8separates the first circuit4at least for the most part from the second circuit5. In this case, it becomes clear that the insulating unit8projects through a through opening7in the circuit board1. The electronic elements6,6′ and6″ are represented and numbered on the circuit board1by way of example. The electronic element6shown is an integrated circuit module (IC module). The electronic elements6′ and6″ can be different surface mount components, also referred to as SMD (surface-mounted device/s). Electronic elements such as6′ are usually SMD resistors. The electronic element6″ is an SMD capacitor. Further electronic elements can be designed in an optically similar manner and can be used instead of the designated electronic elements. In this case, it should be recognized that the insulating unit8reaches or projects beyond the height of the electronic elements6,6′ and6″ used. In the case represented, the first circuit4is part of a switching circuit which is spatially interrupted by the electronic element6and is continued at the electronic element6opposite the circuit4as a second circuit5.

InFIG.2, the insulating unit8according to the invention used inFIG.1is represented in a perspective manner. In this case, a possible molding of an insulating unit8according to the invention is shown. The embodiment represented is composed of an insulating plate13and insulating elements12and12′ which project out of the insulating plate13. In principle, a design consisting of merely one of the insulating elements12or12′ is conceivable. However, in the case of the represented embodiment of the insulating unit8, a comprehensive insulation of the circuits to be shielded can be achieved. For this purpose, the insulating unit8with the insulating element12is fed through a through opening7in the circuit board1. At the same time, the insulating element12′ is fed along an edge at a peripheral region of the circuit board. In this case, the insulating unit8is provided with latching elements9. The latching elements9latch on an edge of the peripheral region of the circuit board1. The insulating unit8is thus connected to the circuit board1in a secure but releasable manner. Moreover, it is also conceivable to provide the insulating element12with at least one latching element9. Depending on the design of the circuit board1and the insulating unit8, thought can be given to the arrangement and dimensioning, and/or to the use of latching elements similar to the latching elements9. It may be useful to possibly use alternatives, for example a ridge on the insulating elements12and/or12′. Moreover, further latching elements which have an opposite orientation to the latching elements9can be used along an at least in principle parallel plane to the insulating plate13. This makes it possible to create stops in a simple manner and without any particular effort for attaching an insulating unit8to the circuit board1. Furthermore,FIG.2indicates that the insulating plate13can in principle also be molded from plate sections13.1and13.2located on two or more planes. Electronic elements, such as the elements6,6′ and6″ shown previously or equivalent electronic elements, can therefore be bordered and/or enclosed in a precise manner.

FIG.3shows by way of example how an embodiment of this type of an insulating unit8can be used. In this case, a plate section13.1of the insulating plate13nestles against the lower side3of the circuit board1. A further plate section13.2runs basically parallel to the plate section13.1and to the lower side3of the circuit board1. However, electronic components6′ and6″ are arranged under the plate section13.2. The plate section13.2is therefore designed to be further spaced apart from the lower side3of the circuit board1. Furthermore, it becomes clear that the insulating unit8can in principle be connected to the circuit board1directly during an assembly process of a circuit board1, after assembly of the circuit board1with electronic elements. Sealing the circuit board1with insulating lacquers and/or plastics materials can therefore initially be dispensed with. The production process can thus be temporally optimized. However, insulating the circuit board1with insulating lacquers and/or plastics materials is not prevented by the insulating unit.

One possibility for further increasing the clearances and creepage distances is illustrated inFIG.4. In this case, a circuit board1is assembled with an insulating unit8and inserted into a housing10which has insulating elements12″ on the inside wall11. This insulating element12″ can be brought into engagement with the insulating elements12and/or12′ of the insulating unit8. For this purpose, it is useful for the housing10to be made of a plastics material. Alternatively, the housing10, or rather at least the inside wall11of the housing10, can be covered with insulating materials, for example a plastics material on its inside wall11, in order to achieve an insulating effect. This procedure can be useful in particular in the case of housings which in principle have electrically conductive properties. The represented combing of the insulating elements12and12″, which resembles a labyrinth seal, enables further enlargement of the clearances and creepage distances. Moreover, the combing enables secured positioning of the circuit board1in a housing10.FIG.4further indicates that the region of the insulating element12which projects through the through opening7beyond the upper side2of the circuit board1at least in principle reaches the height of the electronic element6. In this case, the insulating unit8encloses a partial region of the lower side3of the circuit board1. Moreover, the combing of the insulating unit8and the inside wall11of the housing10virtually form a partial housing which in principle surrounds at least one partial region of the circuit board1.

It is clear to the person skilled in the art—unless otherwise specified—that the combinations represented and discussed are not the only possible combinations, even if different aspects or features of the invention are in each case shown in combination in the figures. In particular, mutually corresponding units or feature complexes from different exemplary embodiments can be exchanged with one another.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1circuit board2upper side3lower side4first circuit5second circuit6,6′,6″ electronic element7through opening8insulating unit9latching element10housing11inside wall12,12′,12″ insulating element13insulating plate13.1,13.2plate section