阅读说明：本技术 外壳组件及外壳组装方法 (Shell assembly and shell assembly method ) 是由 C.克雷默 G.里德尔 B.盖塞尔曼 于 2021-04-28 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及用于至少一个部件的外壳组件和用于组装至少一个部件的方法。用于至少一个部件的外壳组件(100)包括具有至少一个保持元件(112)的基部(102)、具有至少一个致动元件(120)的盖部(104)和用于承载至少一个部件的载体元件(106)。通过与至少一个致动元件(120)接合,至少一个保持元件(112)保持载体元件(106),其中至少一个致动元件(120)将接触力施加在至少一个保持元件(112)上。由此,当至少一个保持元件(112)与至少一个致动元件(120)接合时,至少一个致动元件(120)相对于至少一个保持元件(112)在至少一个方向(244)上是可调节的。(The present invention relates to an enclosure assembly for at least one component and a method for assembling at least one component. A housing assembly (100) for at least one component comprises a base part (102) with at least one holding element (112), a cover part (104) with at least one actuating element (120) and a carrier element (106) for carrying at least one component. The at least one retaining element (112) retains the carrier element (106) by engaging with the at least one actuating element (120), wherein the at least one actuating element (120) exerts a contact force on the at least one retaining element (112). Whereby, when the at least one retaining element (112) is engaged with the at least one actuating element (120), the at least one actuating element (120) is adjustable in at least one direction (244) relative to the at least one retaining element (112).)

1. An enclosure assembly (100) for at least one component, the enclosure assembly comprising:

a base (102) having at least one retaining element (112);

a cover (104) having at least one actuating element (120); and

a carrier element (106) for carrying the at least one component,

wherein the at least one retaining element (112) retains the carrier element (106) by engaging with the at least one actuating element (120);

wherein the at least one actuation element (120) exerts a contact force on the at least one holding element (112); and is

Wherein the at least one actuation element (120) is adjustable relative to the at least one holding element (112) in at least one direction (244) when the at least one holding element (112) is engaged with the at least one actuation element (120).

2. The enclosure assembly of claim 1, wherein the base (102) has at least one support element (114), the support element (114) being arranged separately from the at least one holding element (112), and

wherein a contact force exerted by the at least one actuation element (120) forces the at least one holding element (112), pressing the carrier element (106) against the at least one support element (114).

3. The enclosure assembly of claim 2, wherein the first support element comprises a first support section (114) and a second support section (116), the at least one retaining element (112) being arranged between the first support section (114) and the second support section (116).

4. The housing assembly of claim 3, wherein the at least one actuation element (120) is press-fit against the at least one retaining element (112).

5. The housing assembly of claim 4, wherein the cover portion (104) comprises a cover element (122), the cover element (122) exerting a pre-stress on at least one actuation element (120).

6. The housing assembly according to claim 5, wherein the at least one actuation element (120) is a pin and/or the at least one actuation element (120) tapers towards the peripheral region (124).

7. Housing assembly according to claim 6, wherein the carrier element (106) comprises at least one opening (107) through which the at least one holding element (112) protrudes.

8. The enclosure assembly of claim 7, wherein the at least one opening (107) is an elongated cut-out, the at least one retaining element (112) extending along an elongated side of the elongated cut-out.

9. The housing assembly of claim 8, wherein the at least one holding element (112) comprises a first clip element (113) and a second clip element (115), and wherein the first clip element (113) and the second clip element (115) are arranged on opposite sides of the at least one actuating element (120).

10. The housing assembly of claim 9, wherein the first clip element (113) and the second clip element (115) exert a first force component (128) in a horizontal direction and a second force component (130) in a vertical direction with respect to the carrier element, respectively.

11. The enclosure assembly of claim 10, wherein the base (102) comprises at least two support elements extending from the base at different heights.

12. The enclosure assembly of claim 11, wherein the holding element comprises a first holding section (513) and a second holding section (515), and the carrier element (106) is arranged between the first holding section (513) and the second holding section (515), and/or

Wherein the actuation element comprises a first actuation portion (520) and a second actuation portion (521), and wherein the first actuation portion (520) exerts a contact force on the first retaining portion (513) and the second actuation portion (521) exerts a contact force on the second retaining portion (515).

13. The enclosure assembly of claim 12, wherein a peripheral region (146) of the at least one retaining element (112) is fixed to the cover portion (104).

14. A method for assembling at least one component, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a base (102) with at least one holding element (112), a cover (104) with at least one actuating element (120) and a carrier element (106) for carrying the at least one component;

-arranging the carrier element (106) in the base (102);

engaging the at least one retaining element (112) with the at least one actuating element (120) such that the at least one retaining element (112) retains the carrier element (106); and

securing the cover (104) to the base (102) such that the at least one actuation element (120) exerts a contact force on the at least one retaining element (112),

wherein the at least one actuation element (120) is adjustable relative to the at least one holding element (112) in at least one direction (244) when the at least one holding element (112) is engaged with the at least one actuation element (120).

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the at least one retaining element (112) is adjustable relative to the carrier element (106) when the at least one retaining element (112) is engaged with the at least one actuating element (120).

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an enclosure assembly for at least one component and a method for assembling at least one component.

Background

In electromechanical systems, for example in automotive sensor technology, technical components such as sensors or plugs are used to detect environmental conditions. For example, such a technical assembly comprises a plurality of electronic components, such as resistors, integrated circuits and connectors for performing the intended circuit functions. By attaching and conductively coupling an electronic component to a carrier element, such as a Printed Circuit Board (PCB), the electronic component is referred to as a technical assembly. In addition to providing interconnection between electronic components, the carrier element should also provide a secure hold so that the operation of the electronic components is not disturbed by externally induced shocks and vibrations.

In order to prevent external influences of other disturbances, it is necessary to integrate the technical components stably into the housing assembly. In addition, as the size and dimensions of electronic components are reduced more and more to achieve a higher functional density of the technical assembly, it is an important issue that the carrier element and the holding mechanism for holding the carrier element also take up less space, thereby providing a higher density of electronic connections for each housing assembly. On the other hand, the carrier element should also provide high mechanical integrity and durability to withstand thermal or vibrational loads and to prevent electromagnetic interference (EMI).

Therefore, it is an important problem to stably mount the carrier element in the housing assembly so as to protect the electronic or other technical components mounted on the carrier element from the environment and to absorb shock and vibration introduced from the outside of the housing assembly. Otherwise, these vibrations or shocks easily cause deformations of the carrier material or the interconnections between the attached components, resulting in a reduction of the durability of the technical assembly.

A method for fixing a perforated plate in a plastic housing is known, for example, from EP 0984527 a 2. The perforated plate is thereby fixed by an expansion rivet comprising two segments acting in the radial direction and two segments acting in the axial direction. The rivet joint between the perforated plate and the expansion rivet is actuated by inserting a corresponding expansion mandrel into the expansion rivet.

Furthermore, EP 3609305 a1 discloses a housing assembly and a method for fixing a printed circuit board in a housing. Thus, the assembly comprises a first housing portion having a first securing element extending upwardly from a base of the first housing portion; and a second housing portion having a second securing element extending downwardly from a cover of the second housing portion. When the first housing part is fixed with the second housing part, the open end of the first fixing element receives the distal end of the second fixing element, exerting a force in a radial direction on the segmented end of the first fixing element. As a result, the segmented end of the first fixing element is caused to creep (cross) onto the PCB, thereby fixing the PCB in the housing.

However, the inventors of the present invention have realized that there is still a need for an improved fixation of the carrier element in the housing assembly, in particular for tolerance compensation between the carrier element, the holding element for holding the carrier element and the actuating element for activating the holding element.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved housing assembly and a corresponding method for at least one component, which provides a permanent secure holding of the carrier element during the assembly phase and a high tolerance compensation between the component parts of the housing assembly. In addition, it is an object of the invention to provide a simple and economical solution.

Disclosure of Invention

At least one of these objects is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

In particular, the present invention provides an enclosure assembly for at least one component. The housing assembly comprises a base part having at least one holding element, a cover part having at least one actuating element and a carrier element for carrying at least one component.

The invention is based on the idea that at least one holding element holds the carrier element by engaging with at least one actuating element, wherein the at least one actuating element exerts a contact force on the at least one holding element, and the at least one actuating element is adjustable in at least one direction relative to the at least one holding element when the at least one holding element is engaged with the at least one actuating element.

This arrangement has the following advantages: as long as the at least one actuating element engages with the at least one holding element by means of a contact force exerted on the at least one holding element which forces the at least one holding element to hold the carrier element, a secure holding of the carrier element is provided. By allowing the at least one actuating element to be adjustable relative to the at least one retaining element, the present invention provides for tolerance compensation between the cover portion of the housing and the base portion of the housing, thereby compensating for tolerances introduced during the manufacturing process of the housing elements.

Preferably, the base has at least one support element which is arranged separately from the at least one retaining element and the contact force exerted by the at least one actuating element forces the at least one retaining element to press the carrier element against the at least one support element.

This arrangement has the following additional advantages: the carrier element is sandwiched between the holding element and the support element such that the carrier element is securely held within the housing assembly and has a high resistance against external vibrations and shocks. In addition, the arrangement of the carrier element in the base is simplified, since the carrier element is prearranged by the at least one holding element and the at least one supporting element. However, the at least one support element may be provided only during the arranging of the carrier element, and may be removed as long as the actuation element is engaged with the holding element and the carrier element is securely held within the housing assembly. For example, the removable support element may be provided by a mounting machine which arranges the carrier elements in the base when assembling the casing assembly.

In order to enhance the support of the carrier element, the first support element may comprise a first support portion and a second support portion, and the at least one holding element is arranged between the first support portion and the second support portion.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the at least one actuating element is press-fitted against the at least one retaining element. In this way, the at least one holding element may be forced to creep onto the carrier element, thereby improving the grip between the holding element and the carrier element.

In order to enhance the contact force that the at least one actuating element exerts on the at least one holding element, the cover part may comprise a cover element, which exerts a prestress force on the at least one actuating element. The prestressing may be provided by suitable fixing means for fixing the cover to the base, which transmit the fixing force from the fixing area through the cover element to the actuating element.

Preferably, the at least one actuating element is a pin. However, it is obvious to a person skilled in the art that any other suitable geometry may be used for the at least one actuation element according to the principles of the present invention.

Advantageously, the at least one actuating element tapers towards the peripheral region such that the at least one actuating element can easily engage with the at least one retaining element. In addition, the cone angle of the actuating element can be controlled in order to vary the clamping force between the at least one holding element and the at least one support element.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the carrier element comprises at least one opening and at least one retaining element projecting through the at least one opening. Preferably, the at least one opening is an elongated cut and the at least one retaining element extends along an elongated side of the elongated cut. In this way, tolerances between the carrier element and the at least one holding element can be compensated when the carrier element is prearranged in the housing. Thus, the assembly of the housing assembly is further simplified.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the at least one retaining element comprises a first clip element and a second clip element, wherein the first clip element and the second clip element are arranged on opposite sides of the at least one actuating element. Preferably, the first and second clip elements exert a first force component in a horizontal direction and a second force component in a vertical direction with respect to the carrier element, respectively. The stability of the carrier element is further enhanced in that the radial force components exerted on the carrier element by the first and second clip elements act in opposite directions.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the base comprises at least two support elements, wherein the at least two support elements extend from the base at different heights. The housing assembly may thus provide various assembly heights for different carrier elements, and the assembly heights may be adapted to the function of the components mounted on the carrier elements. For example, the magnetic sensor may be assembled near the surface of the base to reduce the size of the magnet included in the magnetic sensor. In addition, a plurality of carrier elements can be held with the same holding element.

However, it is also possible to arrange the carrier element at an adjustable height by providing at least one adjustable support element having an adjustable height during the arrangement of the carrier element in the base. Then, once the actuating element is engaged with the retaining element and the carrier element is securely held at the foreseen height within the housing assembly, the at least one adjustable support element may be removed. For example, the at least one adjustable support element may be provided by a mounting machine which during assembly of the casing assembly arranges the carrier elements in the base.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the holding element comprises a first holding section and a second holding section, and the carrier element is arranged between the first holding section and the second holding section. Thereby, the actuation element preferably comprises a first actuation portion and a second actuation portion, and the first actuation portion exerts a contact force on the first holding portion and the second actuation portion exerts a contact force on the second holding portion. Thus, the two holding portions exert holding forces on the carrier element in two directions, thereby enhancing the stability of the assembly. Furthermore, this arrangement eliminates the need to drill a cut in the carrier element, thereby avoiding the introduction of micro-cracks or other damage during the drilling process.

According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the peripheral region of the at least one holding element is fixed to the cover part. In this way, the prestress is exerted directly on the at least one actuating element by the fixing force formed at the peripheral region of the retaining element. Therefore, the stress applied to the cover member can be reduced.

The invention also provides a method for assembling at least one component. In particular, the method comprises the steps of:

providing a base part having at least one retaining element, a cover part having at least one actuating element and a carrier element for carrying at least one component;

arranging a carrier element in the base;

engaging the at least one retaining element with the at least one actuating element such that the at least one retaining element retains the carrier element; and

securing the cover to the base such that the at least one actuating element exerts a contact force on the at least one retaining element, which forces the at least one retaining element to press the carrier element against the at least one support element,

wherein the at least one actuation element is adjustable relative to the at least one retaining element in at least one direction when the at least one retaining element is engaged with the at least one actuation element.

The method has the following advantages: as long as the at least one actuating element is engaged with the at least one holding element and a contact force is exerted on the at least one holding element, which forces the at least one holding element to hold the carrier element, a secure holding of the carrier element is provided. In addition, the method provides tolerance compensation between the cover portion of the housing and the base portion of the housing, thus simplifying the assembly process of the housing and allowing compensation for tolerances introduced between the housing elements during the manufacturing process.

Advantageously, the at least one retaining element may be adjustable relative to the carrier element when the at least one retaining element is engaged with the at least one actuating element. In this way, tolerances between the carrier element and the at least one holding element can be compensated when the carrier element is prearranged in the housing assembly.

Drawings

Hereinafter, the present invention is described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Similar or corresponding details in the figures are denoted by the same reference numerals.

The accompanying drawings are incorporated in and form a part of the specification to illustrate several embodiments of the present invention. Together with the description, the drawings serve to explain the principles of the invention. The drawings are only for purposes of illustrating preferred and alternative examples of how the invention may be made and used and are not to be construed as limiting the invention to only the embodiments shown and described. Furthermore, several aspects of the embodiments can be combined individually or in different combinations to form a solution according to the invention. The embodiments described below can therefore be considered individually or in any combination thereof. The described embodiments are only possible configurations and it should be remembered that the various features described above may be provided independently of one another or may be omitted entirely in the practice of the invention. Further features and advantages will become apparent from the following more particular description of various embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to the same elements, and in which:

fig. 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a housing assembly according to a first embodiment of the invention;

fig. 2 shows a schematic sectional top view of the retaining element and the actuating element before assembly;

FIG. 3 shows a schematic cross-sectional top view of the actuating element and retaining element of FIG. 2 engaged with one another;

FIG. 4 shows another schematic cross-sectional top view of the retaining element and the actuating element before assembly;

FIG. 5 shows a schematic cross-sectional top view of the actuating element and retaining element of FIG. 4 engaged with one another;

FIG. 6 shows another schematic cross-sectional top view of the retaining element and the actuating element before assembly;

FIG. 7 shows a schematic cross-sectional top view of the actuating element and retaining element of FIG. 6 engaged with one another;

fig. 8 shows another schematic cross-sectional view of a housing assembly according to a first embodiment of the invention;

fig. 9 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a housing assembly according to a second embodiment of the invention;

fig. 10 shows another schematic cross-sectional view of a housing assembly according to a first embodiment of the invention;

fig. 11 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a housing assembly according to a third embodiment of the invention;

fig. 12 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a housing assembly according to a fourth embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description

The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the drawings and first to fig. 1.

Fig. 1 shows a housing assembly 100 according to a first embodiment of the invention. It must be noted that in all the figures the dimensions are for illustrative purposes only and are not drawn to scale in order to illustrate the concept according to the invention. The housing assembly 100 includes a base 102, a cover 104, and a carrier element 106. The carrier element 106 carries at least one technical component, for example an electronic component, which is integrated in the housing assembly 100 in order to protect the technical component from environmental conditions. For example, the carrier element 106 may carry a plurality of technical components, which form technical assemblies, such as sensors, integrated circuits, controllers, motors and connectors.

The carrier element 106 may be, for example, a printed circuit board to which at least one electronic component is attached, or a leadframe to which at least one electronic component or at least one other technical component is attached. However, it is obvious to the person skilled in the art that any other flat carrier, which is also suitable for carrying at least one electrical or other technical component, can also be used as carrier element 106. To arrange the carrier element 106 in the base 102, the carrier element 106 may comprise an opening 107.

The base 102 includes a base member 108 and a sidewall 110. To hold the carrier element 106, the base portion includes a holding element 112 that extends upwardly from the base portion 102 toward the cover portion 104. When arranging the carrier element 106 in the base 102, the holding element 112 is inserted through the opening 107 of the carrier element 106 and the holding element 112 protrudes through the opening 107. For example, the holding element 112 comprises a first clip element 113 and a second clip element 115, which in the assembled state project through the openings 107, respectively.

Stabilization of the support element 106 is provided by the support element comprising a first support portion 114 and a second support portion 116. Each of the support portions 114 and 116 provides a support region 118 at the peripheral end, the support region 118 being in contact with the carrier element 106. The first support portion 116 and the second support portion 118 extend from the base element towards the cover 104 and are arranged separately from the holding element 112.

The cover 104 includes an actuating element 120 and a cover element 122. The actuating element 120 extends downwardly from the cover element 122 towards the base 102. The actuating element 120 serves as a counterpart of the retaining element 112, such that the retaining element 112 retains the carrier element 106 when the retaining element 112 is engaged with the actuating element 106.

The actuating element 120 may for example be formed as a pin, preferably in the form of a cone, such that the actuating element 120 tapers towards the peripheral region 124. However, consistent with principles in accordance with the present invention, the actuation element 106 may also have other geometries, as will be described later.

As shown in fig. 1, the housing assembly is assembled by engaging the actuating element 120 with the retaining element 112. Thus, the actuating element 120 deforms the retaining element 112 and forces the retaining element 112 to exert the retaining force 126 on the carrier element 106.

To this end, it is preferable to make the diameter or width of the actuating member 120 larger than the gap between the first and second clip members 113 and 115 of the holding member 112 so that the actuating member 120 displaces the clip members 113 and 115 when the housing assembly is closed. Thus, when the actuating element 120 is engaged with the retaining element 112, the actuating element 120 exerts a permanent contact force on the first clip element 113 and the second clip element 115 of the retaining element 112. Due to this contact force, the first clip element 113 and the second clip element 115 are radially pressed away from the actuating element 120 in a direction towards the first support portion 114 and the second support portion 116.

In other words, the actuating element 120 exerts a contact force on the clip elements 113 and 115 of the holding element 112, which forces the holding element 112 to press the carrier element 106 against the support region 118 of the support element. In this way, the carrier element 106 is securely attached between the holding element 112 and the support portions 114 and 116 of the support portion, so that it can withstand vibrations and shocks introduced from outside the housing assembly 100. Press fitting the actuating element 120 against the retaining element 112 may further enhance the retaining force between the retaining element 112 and each of the support portions 114 and 116.

The retaining mechanism will now be explained in more detail. When engaged with the holding element 112, the actuating element 120 bends the first clip element 113 and the second clip element 115 of the holding element 112 at least in the contact region with the carrier element 106. Since the retaining force 126 acts in a direction perpendicular to the outer surfaces of the clip elements 113 and 115 (as indicated by arrows 126), the retaining force 126 has a horizontal force component 128 (radial force component) in a horizontal direction relative to the carrier element 106 and a vertical force component 130 (axial force component) in a vertical direction relative to the carrier element 106. When the horizontal force component 128 is directed in a radial direction away from the actuation element (as indicated by arrow 128), the vertical force component 130 is directed in an axial direction of the actuation element 120 toward the support region 118 (as indicated by arrow 130). The support regions 118 of the support portions 114 and 116 provide a reaction force 132, which reaction force 132 opposes the vertical force component 130 of the holding force 126, thus tightly clamping the carrier element 106 between the holding element 112 and the support element.

The ratio between the axial force component 130 and the radial force component 128 depends on the degree of tilting of the clip elements 113 and 115 in the contact area with the carrier element 106. Thus, for example, when greater clamping strength is desired, the geometry of the actuating element can be controlled to vary the strength of the vertical force component 130. In this case, for example, the radius or width of the actuating element 120 may be made larger than the gap between the first clip element 113 and the second clip element 115. Thus, in the unassembled state, the overlap or interference between the actuating element 120 and each of the elements of the retaining element 112 may be adjusted not only to control the tightness of the fit between the actuating element 120 and the retaining element 112, but also to control the degree of clamping between the retaining element 112 and the support element.

Alternatively, the cone angle of the actuating element may be used for this purpose. The actuation element 120, which tapers towards the peripheral region 124, applies a contact force to the holding element 112, which is directed in a direction perpendicular to the tapering surface. This force forces the first clip element 113 and the second clip element 115 of the retaining element 112 to follow the shape of the outer surface 134 of the actuating element 120. Thus, the degree of tilt of each of the clip elements 113 and 115 can be controlled by the taper angle of the actuating element 120. Thus, the vertical force component 130 of the retaining force may be increased by increasing the taper angle of the actuating element 120, thereby increasing the clamping strength between the retaining element 112 and the support element.

To secure the cover 104 to the base 102, securing regions 136 and 138 are provided in respective portions of the side walls 110 of the base 102 and the exterior of the cover 104. Various securing means may be used. Fig. 1 shows an example of a fixing region 138, for example by means of a locking latch, or of a fixing region 136 by means of a screw. However, alternative fastening techniques, such as gluing, laser welding, ultrasonic welding, infrared welding, hot plate welding, punching or embossing, may also be used.

Instead, each fixing means generates a fixing force acting in a direction pointing from the cover 104 towards the base 102. When the actuating element 120 is connected to the fastening areas 136 and 138 by the cover element 122, the fastening force is transmitted to the actuating element 120 by the cover element 122. For example, the securing force applied at securing regions 136 and 138, as well as the push-back force resulting from the engagement of actuating element 120 with retaining element 112, may produce a protrusion of cap element 122. Due to the elasticity of the cover element 122, a spring force is generated which counteracts the bulge of the cover element 122, thereby generating a prestress force exerted on the actuating element 120.

Thus, when securing the cover 104 to the base 102, the cover element 122 exerts a permanent pre-stress on the actuating element 120, which presses the actuating element into the gap between the first clip element 113 and the second clip element 115. Thereby, the contact force between the actuating element 120 and the clip elements 113 and 115 is enhanced, which results in a higher holding force 126 between the clip elements 113 and 115 and the support element. Preferably, the securing force is made sufficiently large that the pre-stress applied to the actuating element forces the clamping elements 113 and 115 of the holding element 112 to mechanically bite (claw) into the carrier element or to climb onto the carrier element 106, thereby providing additional securing of the carrier element 106.

Fig. 2 shows a schematic sectional top view of a first example of the retaining element 112 and the actuating element 120 between the assembly housing assemblies 100. In the example of fig. 2, the first retaining element 112 comprises a first clip element 113 and a second clip element 115, each having a rectangular cross section. The actuating element 120 is, for example, a conical pin with a circular cross section and may be solid or hollow. As shown in fig. 2, the actuating element 120 may also diverge at least toward the peripheral region 124.

The carrier element is arranged in the base 102 before the retaining element 112 is engaged with the actuating element 116. For this purpose, the clip elements 113 and 115 of the holding element 112 are fed through the opening 107 of the carrier element 106. As shown in fig. 2, the opening 107 may have the form of an elongated cut, and the clip elements 113 and 115 may have a rectangular sectional shape and may be arranged to extend along an extended side of the elongated cut. Preferably, the elongate side of the elongate cut-out is made longer than the contact side 142 of the clip elements 113 and 115 with the carrier element. In this way, tolerances between the opening 107 and the holding element 112 introduced in the production step can be compensated by adjusting the holding element 112 relative to the carrier element 116.

Fig. 3 shows a schematic cross-sectional top view of the retaining element 112 and the actuating element 120 shown in fig. 2 engaged with each other. As shown in fig. 3, the actuating element 120 is made larger in diameter than the gap between the first clip element 113 and the second clip element 115. Thus, the actuating element 120 exerts a contact force on the clip elements 113 and 115, which is directed radially away from the actuating element 120. In the example of fig. 3, the spring force, which results from the elasticity of the separate actuating element 120, generates the contact force. When the actuation element 120 is deformed by engagement with the retaining element 112, the internal resistance to deformation in the actuation element 120 resists the deformation, thereby generating a contact force.

By the resulting contact force, the clip elements 113 and 115 of the holding element 112 are pressed against the elongated sides of the opening 107, thus being forced to exert a holding force 126 on the carrier element 106. Preferably, the clip elements 113 and 115 are arranged on opposite sides of the actuating element 120 such that the horizontal force components of the retaining force 126 are directed in opposite directions for each of the clip elements 113 and 115, as schematically shown in fig. 3.

As can be further seen from fig. 3, the actuating element 120 is not completely enclosed by the retaining element 112, but only on the side on which the clip elements 113 and 115 are arranged. Thus, the actuating element 120 is adjustable relative to the retaining element 112 in a direction that is different from each direction in which a contact force is applied to the retaining element 112. In this manner, for example, tolerances introduced during manufacturing may be compensated for by adjusting the actuating element 120 relative to the retaining element 112 when the retaining element 112 and the actuating element 120 are engaged.

Preferably, the direction of the adjustable actuation element 120 is perpendicular to the horizontal force component of the retaining force 120 exerted on the carrier element 106 from the clip elements 113 and 115. In this way, it is provided that the adjustment of the actuating element 120 does not affect the holding force 126 applied from the holding element 110 to the carrier element 106.

Fig. 4 shows a schematic cross-sectional top view of a second example of the holding element 212 and the actuating element 220 before assembling the housing assembly 100. The second example differs from the first example mainly in that the clip elements 213 and 215 have a curved shape and are curved toward the inside of the opening 207. In addition, the actuating element 220 has a rectangular cross-sectional shape. Similar to that described for the first example of fig. 2, the carrier element 206 may be adjusted relative to the retaining element 212 along the elongate side 240 when the carrier element 206 is arranged in the base 102.

Fig. 5 shows a schematic cross-sectional top view of the retaining element 212 and the actuating element 220 of the second example shown in fig. 4, which engage one another. As shown in fig. 5, the width of the actuating element 220 is made larger than the gap between the clip elements 213 and 215 of the holding element 212. Thus, the actuating element 220 exerts a contact force on the clip elements 213 and 215, which presses the clip elements 213 and 215 against the carrier element 206 towards the support element. Notably, the contact force applied by the rectangular actuation element 220 deforms the curved clip elements 213 and 215 such that the outer surface of each clip element 213 and 215 is pressed against the elongated side 240 of the opening 207. The deformation of the clip elements 213 and 215 results in a spring force resulting from the elasticity of the clip elements 213 and 215, which enhances the retaining force 226 exerted on the retaining element 206. When the clip elements 213 and 215 are deformed by the elongated sides 240 of the opening 207 due to the contact force applied by the actuating element 220, the internal deformation resistance in the retaining element 206 resists the deformation, thereby enhancing the retaining force 226.

The arrow 244 in fig. 5 indicates the adjustable orientation of the actuating element 220 relative to the clip elements 213 and 215 of the retaining element 212 when the actuating element 220 is engaged with the retaining element 212. Thus, the direction 244 is preferably perpendicular to the horizontal force component of the retaining force 226 exerted on the carrier element 206 from the clip elements 213 and 215 on the clip element 206, so that the adjustment of the actuating element 220 does not affect the retaining force exerted on the carrier element 206 from the retaining element 212.

Fig. 6 shows a schematic cross-sectional top view of a third example of the holding element 212 and the actuating element 320 before assembling the housing assembly 200. The main difference between the third example and the first example is that the opening 307 of the carrier element 306 is a cut-out having a circular shape. The actuating element 320 has a circular cross-sectional shape in fig. 6. However, the outer diameter of the actuating element 320 is smaller than the radius of the circular opening 307, so that the actuating element 320 is adjustable in at least one direction within the opening 307. As shown in fig. 6, the contact sides 342 of the clip elements 313 and 315 may only partially contact the carrier element 306 when the carrier element 306 is disposed in the base 102.

Fig. 7 shows a schematic cross-sectional top view of the retaining element 312 and the actuating element 320 with a circular cross-section shown in fig. 6, which engage one another. As shown in fig. 7, the contact sides 342 of the clip elements 313 and 315 may only partially contact the carrier element 306 when the actuating element 320 is engaged with the retaining element 312. The contact force applied to the clip elements 313 and 315 from the actuating element 320 is transferred to the contact area between the clip elements 313 and 315 and the carrier element 306. The elastic force resulting from the elasticity of clip elements 313 and 315 resists deformation of clip elements 313 and 315, thereby generating retention force 326.

Fig. 8 shows another cross-sectional view of the housing assembly 100. It is noted that the introduced deformation of the clip elements 113 and 115 is not fully shown in fig. 8. In a practical embodiment, the clip elements 113 and 115 are bent in the contact area 145 with the carrier element 106, so that the holding force applied to the carrier element 106 has a vertical force component and a horizontal force component.

Fig. 9 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a housing assembly 400 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The housing assembly 400 includes a base 402 and a cover 404. As schematically shown in fig. 9, the height at which the carrier element 406 or 406' is arranged at the holding element 412 is not limited by the holding element 412, but may be determined by the height of the support element extending from the base 402 towards the cover 404.

Advantageously, the base 402 may provide several support elements, each having a different height extending from the base 402 towards the cover 404. Thus, carrier elements having different shapes may be arranged at different heights in the housing assembly 400. For example, the carrier element 406, which corresponds in shape to the first support element, may be arranged at a height h₁Which corresponds to the height of the first support element extending from the base. A further carrier element 406 (indicated by the circumference of the dashed line) shaped corresponding to the second support element may be arranged at a different height h₂Which corresponds to the height of the second support element extending from the base. The carrier element 406 may be held by a holding force that presses the carrier element 406 against the first support element. The carrier element 406 'may be held by a holding force which presses the carrier element 406' against the first support element.

Alternatively, each carrier component 406 and 406' may be provided and held in the base 402 by the mounting machine, for example by adjustable support elements of the mounting machine, during arrangement of the carrier component in the base 402. Then, once the actuating member 420 is engaged with the retaining member 412 and each carrier member 406 and 406 is securely held at the foreseen height within the housing assembly, the adjustable support member may be removed

Thus, not only a single carrier element may be arranged at different heights in the housing assembly 400, but also a plurality of carrier elements may be arranged at different heights simultaneously in the housing assembly 400. It is noted that the deformations introduced into the clip elements 413 and 415 are not fully shown in fig. 9. In a practical embodiment, the clip elements 413 and 415 are bent by the introduced deformation in the contact regions with the carrier elements 406 and 406 'such that the holding force applied to the carrier elements 406 and 406' has a vertical force component and a horizontal force component.

As shown in fig. 10, the clamping elements 113 and 115 of the retaining element 112 may be in contact with the lid portion 122 when the lid 104 is secured to the base 102. Thus, additional fixing zones may be formed at the peripheral region 146 of the holding element in contact with the cover portion 122 (or at the peripheral region 146 of the clamping elements 113 and 115). Preferably, the holding element is fixed to the cover part by laser welding. However, alternative fastening techniques, such as gluing, ultrasonic welding, infrared welding, hot plate welding, punching or embossing, may also be used. The additional securement at the peripheral region 146 directly resists the push-back force generated by the engagement of the actuating element 120 with the retaining element 112. Thus, the need to transmit the securing force through the cover member 122 to the actuating member 120 is eliminated, thereby reducing the stress applied to the cover member 122. In other words, the prestress applied to the actuating element 120 is directly generated by the fixing force at the peripheral region 146 of the retaining element.

Fig. 11 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a housing assembly 500 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. According to the third embodiment, the base 502 comprises a support element 514, which is arranged between a first clamp element 513 (which is also denoted as first holding portion) and a second clamp element 515 (which is also denoted as second holding portion) of the holding element. The cover 504 includes an actuating element having a first actuating portion 520 and a second actuating portion 521. Each of the first and second actuating portions 520 and 521 may taper toward the peripheral region. However, other geometries are possible consistent with the principles of the invention. For example, each of the actuating portions 520 and 521 may have a rectangular cross-sectional shape comparable to the actuating element 220 in fig. 5. Alternatively, an asymmetrical configuration with only a single actuating element engaging one of the first and second clip elements 513, 515 is also possible.

When the cover portion 504 is secured to the base portion 502, the first actuating portion 520 engages with the first clip element 513 and the second actuating portion 520 engages with the second clip element 515. The actuating portions 520 and 521 have a misalignment with respect to the clip elements 513 and 515, respectively, in a direction towards the support element 514. However, when the cover 504 is fixed to the base 502, the actuation portions 520 and 521 exert a contact force on the clamping elements 513 and 515, which forces the clamping elements 513 and 515 to bend in a direction towards the support element 514, at least in the contact area with the carrier element 506.

In this way, each of the clamping elements 513 and 515 is forced to press the carrier element 506 against the support element 514. Thus, the holding force exerted by the actuating portions 520 and 521 has a vertical force component and a horizontal force component due to the bending of the clamping elements 513 and 515. The support region 518 of the support element provides a reaction force to the vertical force component of the holding force 526, thus firmly clamping the carrier element 506 between the clamping elements 513 and 515 of the holding element and the support element 514. Since the carrier element 506 is arranged between the first clamping element 513 and the second clamping element 515, no cut-outs need to be provided in the carrier element in the third embodiment. Preferably, the clamping elements 513 and 515 are arranged on opposite sides of the carrier element 506 such that the horizontal force components of the holding force 526 applied by each of the clamping elements 513 and 515 oppose each other. In this way, the stability of the carrier element 506 in the horizontal direction may be enhanced.

In addition, when the retaining element is engaged with the actuating element, the actuating portions 520 and 521 are adjustable in at least one direction relative to the corresponding clamping elements 513 and 515, such that tolerances between the actuating and clamping portions can be compensated for. Preferably, this direction is perpendicular to the direction of the holding force 526, so that adjustment of the actuating portion has little effect on the strength of the holding force. Preferably, the clamping elements 513 and 515 are also adjustable relative to the holding element 506 when the holding element 506 is arranged in the base 502, in order to enhance the tolerance compensation effect. The contact force exerted by each of the actuating portions 520 and 521 may be further enhanced by the pre-stress exerted by the cover element 522 or by the fixation of the clamping elements 513 and 515 to the cover 504, as described above. For example, the pre-stress may be increased by securing means provided in the securing regions 536 and 538 of the exterior of the cover 504 that secure the cover 504 to the base 502.

Fig. 12 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a housing assembly 600 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. As schematically shown in fig. 12, the carrier element 606 may be, for example, a lead frame, which carries technical components, such as sensors, sockets or pins of a connector, or motors. For example, the technical assembly may include at least one electronic component that is bonded to the lead frame by an overmold 609. As with other embodiments, the lead frame 606 may be retained by a retaining element 612 that engages a corresponding actuating element 620. The base 602 may optionally include a support element for sandwiching the carrier element between the retaining element 612 and the support element. The support element may be disposed, for example, below the overmold 609.

Alternatively, during the placement of the lead frame 606 in the base 602, the lead frame 606 may be positioned and held by a mounting machine, for example, by a support element of the mounting machine. Then, once the holding elements 612 are engaged with the corresponding actuating elements 620, the support elements of the mounting machine may be removed, so that the lead frame 606 is securely held within the housing assembly. In this way, an accurate height positioning of the leadframe 606, the overmold 609 and the at least one electronic component carried by the leadframe 606 may be achieved.

The dimensions, types of materials, orientations of the various components, and numbers and positions of the various components described herein are intended to define the parameters of certain embodiments, and are by no means limiting and are merely exemplary embodiments. For example, a housing assembly according to the invention may comprise a plurality of holding elements, a plurality of corresponding actuating elements and a plurality of support elements in order to enhance the stability of the carrier element.

It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described embodiments (and/or aspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from its scope. The dimensions, types of materials, orientations of the various components, and numbers and positions of the various components described herein are intended to define the parameters of certain embodiments, and are by no means limiting and are merely exemplary embodiments.

For example, as an alternative to the described embodiment, the base part may comprise the actuating element and the cover part may comprise the holding element and the support element. The assembly of the housing can then be carried out in the same way as described so far, but before the cover part is fixed to the base part, the carrier element is arranged in the cover part.

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