Device for attaching and contacting an electrical component and method for manufacturing the device

• US 9,614,299 B2
• Filed: 11/13/2015
• Issued: 04/04/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Ludwig, Matthias, Kurle, Juergen, Haeussermann, Conrad
• Primary Examiner(s): TA, THO DAC
• Application Number:
  US14/940,829
• Publication Number:
  US 20160141769A1
• Time in Patent Office: 508 Days
• Field of Search: 439858, 439907, 439908
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 11/32 End pieces with two or more terminations
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 12/7076 for connection between PCB and component, e.g. display
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 12/721 cooperating directly with the edge of the rigid printed circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/28 Clamped connections, spring connections made by means of terminals specially adapted for contact with, or insertion into, printed circuits H01R12/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/4809 using a leaf spring to bias the conductor toward the busbar
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 43/16 for manufacturing contact members, e.g. by punching and by bending

Abstract

A device for attaching and contacting an electrical component, e.g., a sensor device, includes: at least two contact points which are electrically contactable via associated busbars, a contact point of the component being connected to the associated busbar via a respective connecting element, which at its respective free first end forms a mounting for the component and establishes the electrical connection to the contact point of the component in the mounting, and which at its respective second end is held on the busbar and is electrically connected thereto.

Claims

1. A device for attaching and contacting an electrical component having at least two contact surfaces which are electrically contactable via associated busbars, the device comprising:

at least one connecting element connecting a contact point of the electrical component to an associated busbar, wherein the at least one connecting element has (i) a first end which forms a mounting for the electrical component and establishes an electrical connection to the contact point of the electrical component in the mounting, the mounting including a portion located between the electrical component and the busbar, and (ii) a second end which is held on the busbar and is electrically connected to the busbar.

2. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein the mounting at the free first end of the connecting element has at least one of a clamp-like, fork-like, and bracket-like configuration.

3. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein the electrical connection between the electrical component and the connecting element is established by a clamping contact within the mounting.

5. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one connecting element has a multi-piece design made up of multiple elements.

6. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one connecting element is made of spring steel.

7. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein the second end of the at least one connecting element is connected to the associated busbar with the aid of at least one of clinching, friction welding, and a clamping contact.

15. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein the mounting portion between the electrical component and the busbar physically separates the electrical component from the busbar.

16. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein the free end establishes the electrical connection to the contact point on a surface of the electrical component substantially facing away from the busbar.

17. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein the free end further includes an insertion portion angled to, and extending away from, the mounting.

4. A device for attaching and contacting an electrical component having at least two contact surfaces which are electrically contactable via associated busbars, the device comprising:

at least two connecting elements, each connecting a contact point of the electrical component to an associated busbar and having (i) a first end which forms a mounting for the electrical component and establishes an electrical connection to the contact point of the electrical component in the mounting, and (ii) a second end which is held on the busbar and is electrically connected to the busbar,

wherein the mountings of the at least two connecting elements form a metal cage open at an end face and at least partially surrounding the electrical component.

18. The device as recited in claim 4, wherein the at least two connecting elements include four connecting elements.

19. The device as recited in claim 4, wherein the electrical connections between the electrical component and the connecting elements are established by a clamping contact within the mountings.

20. The device as recited in claim 4, wherein the connecting elements are made of spring steel.

21. The device as recited in claim 4, wherein the second ends of the connecting elements are connected to the associated busbars with the aid of at least one of clinching, friction welding, and a clamping contact.

22. The device as recited in claim 4, wherein the first ends establish the electrical connection to the contact points on a surface of the electrical component substantially facing away from the busbar.

8. A device for attaching and contacting an electrical component having at least two contact points which are electrically contactable via associated busbars, the device comprising:

at least one connecting element configured as a clamp and at least partially surrounding the component in a clamp-like manner, the at least one connecting element being supported on an embedding for the busbars and pressing the contact points of the electrical component against the busbars for the electrical connection.

9. The device as recited in claim 8, wherein the connecting element is made of spring steel.

10. The device as recited in claim 8, wherein the busbars include elevations for contacting the contact points of the component.

11. A method for attaching and contacting an electrical component having at least two contact surfaces which are electrically contactable via associated busbars, using a device including at least two connecting elements each connecting a contact point of the electrical component to an associated busbar, wherein each one of the at least two connecting elements has (i) a first end which forms a shared mounting for the electrical component and establishes an electrical connection to the contact point of the electrical component in the mounting, and (ii) a second end which is held on the busbar and is electrically connected to the busbar, the method comprising:

initially connecting the second ends of the at least two connecting elements to the busbars; and

subsequently inserting the electrical component into the shared mounting formed by the at least two connecting elements so that a portion of the mounting is located between the electrical component and the busbars.

12. The method as recited in claim 11, wherein the second ends of the at least two connecting elements are connected to the busbar with the aid of at least one of clinching, friction welding, and a clamping contact.

13. The method as recited in claim 11, wherein the mounting portion between the electrical component and the busbars physically separates the electrical component from the busbars.

14. The method as recited in claim 11, wherein the free end establishes the electrical connection to the contact point on a surface of the electrical component substantially facing away from the busbars.

23. A method for attaching and contacting an electrical component having at least two contact points which are electrically contactable to associated busbars, the method comprising:

at least partially surrounding the component in a clamp-like manner using at least one connecting element being supported on an embedding for the busbars; and

pressing the contact points of the electrical component against the busbars for the electrical connection.