DE102005033109A1 - Circuit board arrangement e.g. for dishwashing machine sensor, uses hinge elements to joined individual circuit boards to one another - Google Patents

Abstract

A circuit board arrangement for mounting electrical and/or electronic components (33) has several electrically contacted discrete circuit boards. The circuit boards (22-24) are joined to one another by hinges, and a flexible ribbon cable is specifically arranged centrally between the circuit boards. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) an electrical appliance with circuit board arrangement; and (2) ahinge element especially for circuit board arrangement.

Description

The The present invention relates to a circuit board assembly for receiving of electrical and / or electronic components, which consists of several individual, electrically interconnected printed circuit boards consists. About that In addition, the invention relates to an electrical device with a such circuit board assembly, in particular a dishwasher with a sensor device for monitoring the Sprüharmrotation. The invention also relates a hinge element, in particular for a printed circuit board assembly.

PCB assemblies for receiving electrical and / or electronic components are well known.

From the DE 37 32 451 a sensor device for a dishwasher is known with which it can be detected whether a spray arm performs a correct rotational movement during the flushing process. For this purpose, a permanent magnet is attached to the spray arm, which cooperates with a reed switch, which is attached to a housing outside of the washing compartment. Each time the permanent magnet passes through adjacent to the reed switch, a signal is generated which indicates the rotational movement of the spray arm. Especially in dishwashers for the medical sector, such a detection of the flushing process is necessary. In such a device are used as Spülgutträger emergency vehicles, which are adapted for the particular application or the recorded items to be washed. In this case, rotating spray arms of different numbers and heights can be arranged for rinsing fluid distribution to the emergency vehicle. In addition, an upper and lower Maschinensprüharm can be permanently installed in the unit. Therefore, over the entire length of the washing compartment, the rotation of the individual spray arms must be detected and there is the requirement that for such a sensor device, for example, Hall sensors and the necessary components for signal processing on a length of about one meter must be arranged. In addition, it must be ensured that the entire sensor device can be taken out of the device in the event of a fault, because the dishwasher due to their size or installation situation can not be moved nor are accessible from the side or from behind. Since corresponding printed circuit boards are difficult and costly to produce and also bad to replace, if the ceiling height does not allow the pulling up, must be remedied here.

It is known, printed circuit boards over flexible cables by soldering or to contact by means of plug connections. Such compounds can however, when removing the entire assembly damaged or even solved become.

It is therefore an object of the present invention, a circuit board assembly of the type mentioned above, which on the one hand via a size Length extends and on the other hand, easily and without damage from their installation position can be pulled out. It is also an object of the present Invention, an electrical device to create with such a circuit board order. Furthermore It is an object of the invention to disclose a hinge element, which in particular for connecting the circuit boards of such PCB assembly is suitable.

These The object is achieved by corresponding objects with the features of the independent claims.

According to the invention the circuit board assembly several individual, each other electrically contacted printed circuit boards, which are pivotable by hinges connected to each other. It is convenient and easy to handle, if the circuit boards at their connected end faces by two hinge elements interconnected and centrally a flexible ribbon cable is arranged.

The electrical device according to the invention comprises a receiving channel for receiving the hinge plates interconnected by hinges. As a result, the circuit board assembly is held securely and protected from damage, also prevents the withdrawal with other components when pulling out. In an advantageous embodiment, the receiving channel is arranged on a machine frame and pivotable relative thereto. As a result, the extraction of the circuit board assembly is facilitated. So that cables for connecting the circuit board assembly with other electrical or electronic components of the device need not be solved or at least easy to solve, it makes sense to arrange them on the top circuit board. In an advantageous embodiment, the printed circuit boards in the receiving channel are determined by the fact that the width of the hinge parts corresponds approximately to the width of the receiving channel in an extension direction perpendicular to the extension direction and / or that the width of the circuit boards corresponds approximately to the width of the receiving channel in the other direction of extension perpendicular to the extension direction , Particularly when using the printed circuit board assembly in a sensor device in which the signal strength is dependent on the distance of the sensor to the monitored component, the sensors must assume defined positions and thereby emit uniform, evaluable signals. This is due to their exact positioning tion achieved by means of the hinge parts.

According to the invention the hinge element two hinge parts, each having a holding device for attachment to the component to be hinged, a curved slot and one in the arched one Slot of the other hinge part usable and therein pivotable durable guide element exhibit. Such a hinge element is simple and advantageous in handling, because the two hinge parts first can be attached to the component to be hinged and only later a hinge element can be assembled. In addition, there is a special exact guidance the hinge parts together, the combined rotary and sliding movement enable. In addition is because of the use of oblong holes as a guide also the hinge of thick components and especially of stocked PCBs possible. According to one preferred embodiment of the invention extends through the arched one Long hole clamped plane perpendicular to the plane of the hinged Component. Thereby can the printed circuit boards optionally clamped in a common plane be folded up and if necessary. Thus an accidental release of the both hinge parts is avoided from each other, is the guide element preferably each hook-shaped trained and surrounds an edge of the slot. In addition, to ensure that a hook neither in the outstretched nor in the folded one State of the circuit boards triggers out of the slot, the hook extends of the guide element in the direction of the holding device.

According to one Another advantageous embodiment is at the slot in one central area provided a recess into which a nose the guide element intervenes. The fixation of the guide element made possible in this way at least for a certain swivel range centering and exact positioning the two hinge parts to each other. At a certain angle of rotation then passes the nose with the saving disengaged, so in addition to the rotation also a displacement of the guide element within the Long hole possible becomes.

A inexpensive Production of the hinge element is through the use of two identical hinge parts to form a hinge element reached. To one as possible flexible handling of the PCBs are the hinge parts preferably approximately relative to 360 ° pivoted to each other. For easy installation of the hinge element is the holding device as a bridge with at least one locking pin designed for insertion in holes of the component to be hinged. This allows the hinge parts in a simple way with a Lock printed circuit board.

The Inventions will be described below with reference to exemplary embodiments on the attached Drawings closer explained. Show it:

1 a perspective view of two inventive hinge elements 1 on two printed circuit boards 4 and 5 in the assembled state;

2 a perspective view of the embodiment of 1 with unfolded printed circuit boards 4 and 5 ;

3 the two hinge parts 2 and 3 a hinge element 1 in joining position;

4 a perspective view of the embodiment of 1 with mounted track 17 ;

5a , b the machine frame of a dishwasher with sensor device

6 a detailed view of the sensor device;

7 and 8th several views of interconnected printed circuit boards of a sensor device in the unfolded and in the folded state.

An in 1 illustrated hinge element 1 includes a first hinge part 2 and a second hinge part 3 Both are made of plastic and for connecting two circuit boards 4 and 5 serve. For this, the two hinge parts 2 and 3 each as a holding device a bridge 6 , the locking or clamping elements with the respective circuit board 4 respectively. 5 is connectable.

As in 2 can be seen, reaches through each hinge part 2 respectively. 3 with two locking pins 7 the circuit boards 4 and 5 , The locking pin 7 have a slot in the middle 11 on (see also 3 ), so it has a certain restoring force and a mushroom-like section 12 with a not visible in the drawings hole in the circuit board 4 respectively. 5 are latched.

In the 3 shown hinge parts 2 and 3 include a curved slot 8th that on the side facing away from the web an arcuate edge 9 having. Into the arched slot 8th engages a guide element 10 one, leaving the hinge parts 2 and 3 are mutually pivotable. The guide element 10 includes a substantially cylindrical portion 13 in the slot 8th of the adjacent hinge part 2 respectively. 3 to be led. At this cylindrical section 13 is a nose 14 formed in a recess 15 at the slot 8th intervenes. By the snapping of the nose 14 in the recess 13 the guide element is fixed in position in the slot 8th held as soon as the circuit boards 4 and 5 are in a stretched position, as in 2 is shown. Through the nose 14 and the recess 15 In addition, a rotation axis is formed when the circuit boards 4 and 5 be rotated only slightly from this stretched position. Only with a further turning and shifting of the printed circuit boards 4 and 5 relative to each other reaches the nose 14 out of engagement with the recess 15 and the cylindrical section 13 can then be rotated by a further pivoting on the one hand and on the other hand along the slot 8th be moved, whereby here by the positive reception of the cylindrical portion 13 a defined pivoting movement is ensured. To avoid inadvertent release of the first hinge part of the second hinge part, is on the guide element 10 a catch 16 formed, which is the arcuate edge 9 adjacent to the slot 8th partially encompasses (see 2 ). As a result, an axial movement to a rotational axis of the two hinge parts and each other is prevented. The hook 16 points in the direction of the footbridge 6 ,

The hinge parts 2 and 3 are identical, so that only two identical parts must be mounted together for the production of the hinge element. 3 shows the hinge parts 2 and 3 in the joining position, in which they can be assembled to the hinge element. For this purpose, the two hinge parts 2 and 3 aligned so that each of the hook 16 of a hinge element in the slot 8th the other hinge element can be inserted. By subsequently twisting the two elements 2 and 3 in another angle, the above-described protection against unintentional release occurs.

In 5 are two printed circuit boards 4 and 5 folded on each other. For the electrical connection of the printed circuit boards 4 and 5 is a ribbon cable 17 provided in the middle between two hinge elements 1 is relocated. The hinge elements 1 are at the edge on one end face 18 the circuit boards 4 and 5 attached.

With reference to the 5 to 8th subsequently becomes a dishwasher 26 described with a sensor device for monitoring the Sprüharmrotation, in which the sensors and components for signal processing are applied to a plurality of circuit boards and the above-described hinge elements are used to connect these circuit boards.

The sensor device is in one in the 5a and 5b arranged housing shown, which is strip-shaped and a receiving channel 21 for printed circuit boards 22 to 24 (please refer 7 and 8th ). The receiving channel 21 is on a machine frame 25 the dishwasher 26 mounted from a central position ( 5a ), in which he talks about the height of a dishwasher 27 (please refer 6 ), in a pivoted position ( 5b ) is movable. For this are articulated arms 28 and 29 on the machine frame 25 and the channel 21 attached. In the pivoted position ( 5b ) can the printed circuit boards 22 to 24 a sensor device from the receiving channel 21 be pulled upwards.

In 7 the sensor device is shown in detail, wherein the receiving channel 21 adjacent to a laundry room 27 is arranged. In the dishwasher 27 is a supply line 28 provided, over which several spray arms 29 and 30 can be supplied with a fluid. The spray arms 29 and 30 extend essentially over the height of the washing compartment 27 that is about the height of the receiving channel 21 has. Every spray arm 29 and 30 carries a magnet on its outside 31 , so that a correct rotational movement of the spray arms 29 . 30 or jamming can be detected. On the machine frame 25 is in the receiving channel 21 an arrangement of several printed circuit boards 22 to 24 inserted, which has hinge elements 32 connected to each other. The circuit boards 22 to 24 are in the deployed position, with the hinge elements 32 due to its width, the width of the receiving channel 21 corresponds to an exact positioning within the recording channel 21 and thus for a defined distance to the passing magnets 31 to care. Another fixation of the printed circuit boards 22 to 24 in the receiving channel 21 can be done by the plate width of the channel width corresponds in this direction. On the circuit boards 22 to 24 are Hall sensors 33 provided, which are each arranged at a height in which they are adjacent to a magnet 31 a spray arm lie. About the Hall sensors 33 can in a conventional manner, the movement of the spray arm 29 respectively. 30 be recorded.

In 7 is the strip of circuit boards 22 to 24 shown in the stretched state, as in the canal 21 is inserted. The circuit boards 22 to 24 are contacted via ribbon cable (not shown here) electrically to each other, as in 4 is shown.

For disassembly, the receiving channel 21 be pivoted so that after removing the lid 34 (please refer 6 ) the circuit board assembly is accessible from above. Also on the top PCB 22 are hinge at their free end parts 35 arranged. At this, the entire, coherent arrangement of the channel 21 be pulled out, the hinge elements 33 to provide a guide. Since the space is limited to the top, usually by a ceiling or other components, each circuit board can 22 to 24 coming out of the canal 21 is pulled out, then be pivoted about the hinge elements. When pulled out, the circuit boards can 22 to 24 folded on each other as in the 8th is shown. Through the hinge elements 33 and 35 becomes an immediate contact of the printed circuit boards 22 to 24 avoided in order not to damage there applied assemblies. In the folded state are the guide elements 36 in the slot 37 moved and arranged at the edge to provide a certain distance in the end of two circuit boards.

Claims (15)

Printed circuit board arrangement for receiving electrical and / or electronic components ( 33 ), which consist of a plurality of individual printed circuit boards ( 4 . 5 . 22 . 23 . 24 ), characterized in that the printed circuit boards ( 4 . 5 . 22 . 23 . 24 ) are pivotally connected to each other by hinges. Circuit board arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the circuit boards ( 4 . 5 . 22 . 23 . 24 ) at their end faces ( 18 ) each by two hinge elements ( 1 . 32 ) are connected to each other and that in the middle of a flexible ribbon cable ( 17 ) is arranged. Electrical device with a printed circuit board arrangement according to one of claims 1 or 2, in particular dishwasher ( 26 ) with a sensor device for monitoring the spray arm rotation, characterized by a receiving channel ( 21 ) for receiving interconnected by hinges circuit boards ( 4 . 5 . 22 . 23 . 24 ). Electrical device according to claim 3, characterized in that the receiving channel ( 21 ) on a machine frame ( 25 ) and is arranged pivotable relative thereto Electrical device according to one of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that a cable for connecting the printed circuit board assembly with other electrical or electronic components of the device to the top circuit board ( 22 ) is arranged. Electrical device according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the width of the hinge parts about the width of the receiving channel ( 21 ) in an expansion direction perpendicular to the extension direction and thus the hinge parts the position of the circuit boards ( 22 . 23 . 24 ) in the receiving channel ( 21 ) with respect to this direction. Electrical device according to Claim 6, characterized in that the width of the printed circuit boards is approximately equal to the width of the receiving channel ( 21 ) in the other direction of expansion perpendicular to the extension direction and thus the printed circuit boards ( 22 . 23 . 24 ) even their position in the receiving channel ( 21 ) with respect to this direction. Hinge element ( 1 ), in particular for a printed circuit board arrangement according to one of claims 1 or 2 and / or for use in electrical appliances according to one of claims 3 to 7, characterized by two hinge parts ( 2 . 3 ), each of which • a holding device for attachment to the component to be hinged ( 4 ; 5 ); • a curved slot ( 8th ); and • one in the arcuate slot ( 8th ) of the respective other hinge part insertable and pivotally durable guide element ( 10 ) exhibit. Hinge element ( 1 ) according to claim 8, characterized in that through the arcuate slot ( 8th ) plane perpendicular to the plane of the component to be hinged ( 4 ; 5 ). Hinge element ( 1 ) according to one of claims 8 or 9, characterized in that the guide element ( 10 ) is hook-shaped in each case and an edge ( 9 ) of the slot ( 8th ) surrounds. Hinge element ( 1 ) according to claim 10, characterized in that the hook ( 13 ) of the guide element ( 10 ) extends in the direction of the holding device. Hinge element ( 1 ) according to one of claims 9 or 10, characterized in that in a slot ( 8th ) in a central area a recess ( 15 ), into which a nose ( 14 ) on the guide element ( 10 ) engages to form a rotation axis. Hinge element ( 1 ) according to at least one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that the two hinge parts ( 2 . 3 ) are formed identically. Hinge element ( 1 ) according to at least one of claims 9 to 13, characterized in that the hinge parts ( 2 . 3 ) are pivoted approximately 360 ° relative to each other. Hinge element according to at least one of claims 9 to 14, characterized in that the holding device as a web ( 6 ) with at least one latching pin ( 7 ) for insertion in bores of the component to be hinged ( 4 . 5 ) is trained.