Electricity: electrical systems and devices – Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical... – For electronic systems and devices
Reexamination Certificate
1998-05-13
2001-02-27
Gaffin, Jeffrey (Department: 2841)
Electricity: electrical systems and devices
Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical...
For electronic systems and devices
C361S749000, C361S767000, C361S784000, C361S789000, C361S796000, C361S803000, C174S254000, C439S067000, C073S493000, C073S514330
Reexamination Certificate
active
06195261
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a device for mounting at least one electronic component, which requires a specific spatial orientation, in a required plane and/or orientation.
In many applications, the correct and spatially accurate mounting of components in a housing is of great significance. The functioning and characteristics of such components, which consist of a single component or, with several components, make up function groups or modules, are direction-dependent. This is true, for example, in the case of acceleration sensors which must register an acceleration signal in a specific spatial direction or plane. Acceleration sensors of this kind must therefore be aligned in such a way that they register the acceleration signal in the desired direction. The location in the housing is also of great significance in the case of other components such as, for example, optoelectronic receivers or transmitters that receive a signal from or send a signal in a defined direction or that are to display something at a specific place. If the place required for this purpose is not situated directly on the printed circuit board that acts as carrier for the electrical and electronic components, then additional mechanical and electrical devices are required which then position the direction-dependent component in the preferred plane and/or direction.
Various devices are known that accurately position and align the components. One device comprises a printed circuit board with additional mechanical carriers in the form of spacers, angle elements, etc. The components are positioned and aligned on the printed circuit board using these auxiliary means. Another method positions the entire housing with the carrier in the desired position on a unit, in particular a motor vehicle.
These devices have disadvantages, however. On the one hand they are very elaborate and on the other hand they permit positioning in one direction only. Also, in the devices of a previously conventional kind, additional carriers are required. Furthermore, the components in one and the same housing can be aligned on a single plane only with these devices.
In addition, movable or elastic carrier materials are known, in particular printed circuit boards. These flexible printed circuit boards are used wherever a space-saving construction is needed or the elastic printed circuit board must be adapted to the circumstances relating to the housing.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the invention is to provide a device of the kind mentioned at the outset which permits simple and various positioning of components and which requires no auxiliary means.
According to the invention the component is placed on a carrier which is at least partially movable and/or flexible and which at the same time serves as printed circuit board. This carrier is then placed directly on a mounting surface of the housing, this mounting surface being so formed that the direction-dependent component is positioned and aligned on it and the carrier consequently projects into several planes.
The advantages provided by the invention are that the component is always put into the precise position on account of the carrier that fits snugly on the housing. The requirements for doing this are very few and call only for a printed circuit board that is at least partially movable and a housing that has been adapted to suit the needs. Since the housing parts are generally made by a casting process, the shape of the wall or another mounting surface is irrelevant. Furthermore, various acceleration sensors, for example, can be fitted with identical carriers mounted in housings of different shape.
Additional advantageous further developments are covered by the Subclaims. The method is described here with different materials that allow a particularly simple embodiment. It is furthermore possible in this device to put several direction-dependent components into the correct position in a housing in one operation.
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Babutzka Wilfried
Bunz Oliver
Ohgke Thomas
Gaffin Jeffrey
Kunitz Norman N.
TEMIC Telefunken microelectronic GmbH
Venable
Vigushin John B.
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