Method for assembling a mechatronics sensor

• US 6,739,042 B2
• Filed: 08/23/2001
• Issued: 05/25/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH (Continental AG)
• Original Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Thorum, Michael D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Arbes, Carl J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): TRINH, MINH N
• Application Number:
  US09/935,953
• Publication Number:
  US 20020073538A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,006 Days
• Field of Search: 298/32, 298/34, 298/35, 298/29, 298/30, 295/93, 298/46, 298/43, 298/40, 298/42, 257/668, 257/723, 746/06.R, 737/56
• US Class Current: 29/832
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 25/12 Details not specific to one of the before-mentioned types
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 61/0006 Electronic control units for transmission control, e.g. connectors, casings or circuit boards
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 3/326 the printed circuit having integral resilient or deformable parts, e.g. tabs or parts of flexible circuits H05K3/365 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87885 Sectional block structure
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49004 including measuring or testing of device or component part
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49126 Assembling bases
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4913 Assembling to base an electrical component, e.g., capacitor, etc.
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49135 and shaping, e.g., cutting or bending, etc.
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49147 Assembling terminal to base
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49149 by metal fusion bonding
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/2186 Gear casings

Abstract

A method of mounting a mechatronics control module (14) includes an electronic control unit (16) having a flex foil circuit (34) with a multiple of mounted electronic components including sensors (24) which sense the hydraulic state of the transmission clutch or other frictional engagement elements within the transmission system. The sensor is mounted to a base plate (82) which is mounted to a fixture (88) which folds the flap (84.) When the base plate (82) and mounted sensor are removed from the fixture (88), the flap (84) unfolds so that the circuit traces of the flex foil (34) are adjacent the contacts (94.) In a final step, the circuit traces (81) are electrically connected to the contacts (94.)

Claims

1. A method of mounting an electrical component comprising the steps of:

(1) attaching a flex foil to a base plate such that a flex foil flap comprising a circuit trace adjacent to a base plate opening in said base plate;

(2) deflecting the flex foil flap in a first direction substantially perpendicular to said base plate;

(3) passing an electrical contact of the electrical component into the opening in a second direction different than the first direction;

(4) releasing said flex foil flap; and

(5) electrically connecting said comprising a circuit trace upon said flex foil flap to said electrical contact.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said step (1) includes bonding the flex foil to the base plate.

3. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said step (3) includes mounting a component having the electrical contact to the base plate.

4. The method as recited in claim 3, wherein said step (3) includes riveting the component to the base plate.

5. The method as recited in claim 3, wherein said step (3) includes snapping the component to the base plate.

6. The method as recited in claim 3, wherein said step (3) includes mounting the component to the base plate on a side of the base plate opposite the flex foil.

7. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said step (2) includes folding the flex foil flap opposite a direction from which the electrical component is mounted.

8. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said step (1) includes locating the flex foil flap in a cantilever manner over the base plate opening.

9. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said step (1) includes locating the flex foil flap in a cantilever manner over an edge of the base plate opening.

10. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said step (1) includes facing the circuit trace flex foil flap toward the base plate.

11. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said step (1) includes facing the circuit trace flex foil flap away from the base plate.