Device for positioning integrated circuit components that require specific spatial orientation

• US 6,195,261 B1
• Filed: 05/13/1998
• Issued: 02/27/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 05/16/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Temic Telefunken Microelectronic GmbH (Continental AG)
• Original Assignee: Temic Telefunken Microelectronic GmbH (Continental AG)
• Inventors: Ohgke, Thomas, Bunz, Oliver, Babutzka, Wilfried
• Primary Examiner(s): Gaffin, Jeffrey
• Assistant Examiner(s): Vigushin, John B.
• Application Number:
  US09/076,727
• Time in Patent Office: 1,021 Days
• Field of Search: 174/254, 174/261, 257/678, 257/679, 257/700, 257/723, 257/724, 257/747, 361/736, 361/749, 361/784, 361/789, 361/803, 361/826, 361/827, 439/67, 439/77, 439/76.1, 439/76.2, 365/51, 365/52, 365/63, 362/3, 359/FOR.124, 359/FOR.125, 396/542, 396/535, 348/373, 348/374, 235/462.11, 235/462.43, 250/239, 734/93, 735/140.1, 735/143.3
• US Class Current: 361/752
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2665 on rear-view mirrors lighting devices for vehicle interior on or for rear-view mirrors B60Q3/258
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/0239 Electronic boxes
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 1/023 for acceleration measuring devices
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/189 characterised by the use of a flexible or folded printed circuit H05K3/326 takes precedence

Abstract

Various devices are known for positioning and aligning direction-sensitive components. It is a disadvantage with these devices that either additional mechanical aids are required or in each case only one component is aligned and positioned in the housing. In the device according to the invention, a movable or elastic printed circuit board is attached to a housing which is shaped in such a way that the direction-sensitive components, modules or function groups affixed to the printed circuit board are positioned and aligned. With this device, even more than one direction-dependent component can be positioned in a housing by simple means and at low cost.

Claims

1. A device for mounting electrical components that require a particular spatial orientation, comprising:

a carrier that is at least one of partially movable and partially flexible;

at least one electrical component that requires a specific spatial orientation and is mounted on the carrier; and

a housing including a plurality of mounting surfaces, the mounting surfaces shaped and oriented such that when the carrier bearing the electrical component is joined to the mounting surfaces, then the electrical components will be located in the required spatial orientation.

2. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the component is mounted as one of a single component, as a function group and as a module on the carrier.

3. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the carrier that is at least one of partially movable and partially flexible is made of at least one of:

a thin, flexible polymer or another flexible material;

a rigid material with flying leads; and

a rigid-flexible-rigid connection in which a rigid carrier part is connected to another rigid part through a flexible or hinged-type connection.

4. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein a plurality of direction-dependent components are mounted on the carrier and positioned in various orientations.

5. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the electrical component that requires a specific spatial orientation is an acceleration meter mounted in a specific location in a motor vehicle and measures a kinetic variable in a preferred plane.

6. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the electrical component is an acceleration sensor and is mounted as one of:

(1) a single component, (2) a function group and (3) a module on the carrier.

7. A device for mounting electrical components that require a particular spatial orientation, comprising:

a carrier that is at least one of partially movable and partially flexible;

at least one electrical component that requires a specific spatial orientation and is mounted on the carrier;

a housing including a plurality of mounting surfaces; and

means for mounting the carrier to the mounting surfaces such that the electrical components located on the carrier are in the required spatial orientation.

8. A device in accordance with claim 7, wherein the component is mounted as one of:

(1) a single component, (2) a function group and (3) a module on the carrier.

9. A device in accordance with claim 7, wherein the electrical component is an acceleration sensor and is mounted as one of:

(1) a single component, (2) a function group and (3) a module on the carrier.

10. A device in accordance with claim 7, wherein the carrier that is at least one of partially movable and partially flexible is made of at least one of:

a thin, flexible polymer or another flexible material;

a rigid material with flying leads; and

a rigid-flexible-rigid connection in which a rigid carrier part is connected to another rigid part through a flexible or hinged-type connection.

11. A device in accordance with claim 7, wherein a plurality of direction-dependent components are mounted on the carrier and positioned in various orientations.

12. A device in accordance with claim 7, wherein the electrical component that requires a specific spatial orientation is an acceleration meter mounted in a specific location in a motor vehicle and measures a kinetic variable in a preferred plane.