Electricity: conductors and insulators – Boxes and housings – Hermetic sealed envelope type
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-28
2001-10-23
Reichard, Dean A. (Department: 2831)
Electricity: conductors and insulators
Boxes and housings
Hermetic sealed envelope type
C361S707000, C257S727000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06307155
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a device for mechanically retaining an electronic component in place with respect to a support.
More particularly the invention relates to devices which are used, especially in the automotive field, for the purpose of retaining in place, on a support such as a metal sole plate, a component which is also welded to a printed circuit board that is attached on the said support.
At the present time, two main types of technique are known for the assembly of such a structure.
A first method consists in putting the component in place on the support, mounting on the support and the component a mechanical device for fixing the position of the said component on the said support, then putting the board in place on the support, and finally soldering the component to the said board.
Another method consists in first soldering the components on the board, then putting the board in place on the support, and then putting in place, on the support and the component, a mechanical device for fixing the position of the component on the support.
However, these two methods both have the disadvantage that they make it necessary to provide large clearances on the board in order to permit either soldering operations or the fitting in place of the mechanical retaining devices.
Such clearances are a disadvantage because they limit the surface area of the board which is able to carry conductors, and this limitation exists in the vicinity of the components, while certain components, such as power transistors, make it necessary to be able to dispose conductive tracks over a substantial width in the vicinity of the points on the board to which they are soldered.
The retaining device and the method which are proposed by the invention enable these disadvantages to be overcome.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
To this end, the retaining device which is proposed by the invention comprises a main wall in engagement against a wall of the support, together with at least one elastic arm defining a U-shaped return with respect to the said main wall, the said main wall and the said elastic arm carrying complementary means which enable the said arm to be maintained in a position in which it is compressed towards the said main wall, the said complementary means being adapted to be disengaged with respect to each other, the said resilient arm being then released so as to come into abutment against the component.
In particular, in one preferred embodiment, the main wall is extended at its end opposite to the resilient arm by a plate portion which is turned back towards the said arm, the complementary means which enable the said arm to be held in a compressed position being carried by the said arm and by the said plate portion, the said means being adapted to be disengaged by exertion of a thrust force exerted on the said plate portion by an operator, by a forming mechanism, by heating, or by cooling on the said plate portion, using a tool such as, for example, a stylus.
As to the method of assembly which is proposed by the invention, this is characterised in that a device of the above type is positioned on the said support in such a way that its main wall is in abutment against a wall of the said support, and in such a way that the arm (or arms) of the said device is (or are) disposed in facing relationship with a housing which is adapted to receive a component to be retained in place, the said arm (or the said arms) being compressed towards the main wall, in that the printed circuit board is placed on the said support, the component having been soldered to the latter beforehand and being then put in place within the said housing, and in that the arm (or arms) of the device are released by means of a tool so that they come into abutment against the component.
In particular, in the case where the retaining device has a return plate portion, in order to disengage the means retaining the arm (or arms) in a compressed position towards the main wall, the operator engages his tool in an aperture of the printed circuit board, and exerts with the said tool a thrust on the return plate portion of the device.
Further features and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly from the following description. This description is purely illustrative and is not limiting. It is to be read with reference to the attached drawings, in which:
REFERENCES:
patent: 4707726 (1987-11-01), Tinder
patent: 4899255 (1990-02-01), Case et al.
patent: 5225965 (1993-07-01), Bailey
patent: 5327324 (1994-07-01), Roth
patent: 5731955 (1998-03-01), Bartanen et al.
patent: 0 788 155 (1997-08-01), None
patent: 2 581 249 (1986-10-01), None
Morgan & Finnegan , LLP
Oliva Carmelo
Reichard Dean A.
Valeo Electronique
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