Method for fastening a contact element in an electrical component, and electrical component having a contact element

Abstract

In a method for fastening a contact element (5, 6) in an electrical component (1), a contact element (5, 6) is arranged on a contact surface (3, 4) of a base body (2) of the component (1) and a laser beam (18) is directed onto a region (16, 17) of the contact element (5, 6) in such a way that the base body (2) is not located in the beam direction (24) of the laser beam (18). The contact element (5, 6) is partially melted by the laser beam (18), so that the molten material (7, 8) wets the contact surface (3, 4) and produces fastening of the contact element (5, 6) on the contact surface (3, 4).

Claims

1. A method of fastening a contact element in an electrical component, comprising: A) providing a base body comprising a contact surface and providing a contact element, B) arranging the contact element on the contact surface, C) directing a laser beam onto a region of the contact element and thus partially melting the contact element so that the molten material wets the contact surface, wherein the laser beam is directed such that the base body is not struck by the laser beam after the partial melting of the contact element, and the laser beam is directed onto the contact element until enough material of the contact element moves out of the laser beam so that heating of the contact element by the laser beam automatically stops.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the contact element is formed as a wire.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the region protrudes beyond the base body in a top view of the contact surface.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the region leads away from the contact surface in a direction perpendicular to the contact surface.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein, before the melting of the region, the region abuts the contact surface.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the beam direction does not overlap with the base body in a top view of the contact surface.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the beam direction extends at a distance in parallel to the contact surface.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein a first and a second contact element are provided and arranged on the base body, and the laser beam is directed in such a way that both contact elements are located in the beam direction.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein, before the partial melting of the first contact element, the second contact element is shaded and after the partial melting of the first contact element, the second contact element is struck by the laser beam and melted off.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein a first and a second contact element are provided and arranged on the base body, and the laser beam is directed such that only the first contact element is located in the beam direction of the laser beam.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein, after the partial melting of the first contact element, the laser beam and/or the component is reoriented such that the other contact element is struck by the laser beam or in which a further laser beam is used to partially melt the second contact element.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the base body comprises a cutout, the contact element is arranged before the melting such that the region is arranged on the cutout in a top view of the contact surface, and the beam direction leads through the cutout.

13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the contact element is divided into two separated contact elements during the partial melting.

14. The method according to claim 1, wherein the base body comprises a ceramic material as a base material, and the contact surface is a metallization.

15. A method of fastening a contact element in an electrical component, comprising: A) providing a base body comprising a contact surface and providing a contact element, B) arranging the contact element on the contact surface, and C) directing a laser beam onto a region of the contact element and thus partially melting the contact element so that the molten material wets the contact surface, wherein the laser beam is directed such that the base body is not struck by the laser beam after the partial melting of the contact element, a first and a second contact element are provided and arranged on the base body, and the laser beam is directed such that both contact elements are located in the beam direction in which, before the partial melting of the first contact element, the second contact element is shaded and after the partial melting of the first contact element, the second contact element is struck by the laser beam and melted off.

16. A method of fastening a contact element in an electrical component, comprising: A) providing a base body comprising a contact surface and providing a contact element, B) arranging the contact element on the contact surface, and C) directing a laser beam onto a region of the contact element and thus partially melting the contact element so that the molten material wets the contact surface, wherein the laser beam is directed such that the base body is not struck by the laser beam after the partial melting of the contact element, and a first and a second contact element are provided and arranged on the base body, and the laser beam is directed such that only the first contact element is located in the beam direction of the laser beam.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein, after the partial melting of the first contact element, the laser beam and/or the component is reoriented such that the other contact element is struck by the laser beam or a further laser beam is used to partially melt the second contact element.

18. A method of fastening a contact element in an electrical component, comprising: A) providing a base body comprising a contact surface and providing a contact element, B) arranging the contact element on the contact surface, and C) directing a laser beam onto a region of the contact element and thus partially melting the contact element so that the molten material wets the contact surface, wherein the laser beam is directed such that no further parts of the electrical component are located in a beam direction of the laser beam in an area shaded by the contact element before partial melting of the contact element such that the electrical component is not struck by the laser beam after the partial melting of the contact element.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1A shows an embodiment of a component in a lateral view,

(2) FIG. 1B shows the component from FIG. 1A in a rotated lateral view,

(3) FIG. 1C shows the component from FIG. 1A in a cross-sectional view,

(4) FIG. 2A shows a contact element for contacting a component in a sectional view,

(5) FIG. 2B shows the contact element from FIG. 2A in a lateral view,

(6) FIG. 3A shows a base body of a component in a sectional view,

(7) FIG. 3B shows the base body from FIG. 3A in a lateral view,

(8) FIGS. 4A-4E show method steps during the production of a contact of a component,

(9) FIG. 5 shows a base body having a multilayered contact surface,

(10) FIGS. 6A-6E show a further embodiment of the method for producing a contact,

(11) FIGS. 7A-7E show a further embodiment of the method for producing a contact,

(12) FIGS. 8A and 8B show a further embodiment of the method for producing a contact,

(13) FIGS. 9A and 9B show a further embodiment of the method for producing a contact,

(14) FIGS. 10A and 10B show a further embodiment of the method for producing a contact.

(15) In the following figures, identical reference signs can refer to functionally or structurally corresponding parts of the various embodiments.

DESCRIPTION OF ONE OR MORE EMBODIMENTS

(16) FIG. 1A shows an embodiment of a component 1 in a lateral view. The component 1 is designed, for example, as a temperature sensor. The structure is also suitable in principle, however, for other electrical components.

(17) The component 1 comprises a base body 2. The base body 2 comprises in particular a ceramic material as a base material 19. For example, the ceramic material is based on a spinel structure or perovskite structure. It can be a thermistor, in particular an NTC sensor, i.e., an NTC component. In particular, it is an NTC thermistor chip. The base body can also be a carrier, in particular a printed circuit board.

(18) The base body 2 comprises two contact surfaces 3, 4 for electrical contacting. The contact surfaces 3, 4 are arranged on opposing sides of the base body 2. In particular, the contact surfaces 3, 4 are in direct contact with the base material 19 of the base body 2. The contact surfaces 3, 4 are in particular metallizations. The contact surfaces 3, 4 can each be constructed in multiple layers. The contact surfaces 3, 4 can comprise nickel as a material. In particular, nickel can be a base material of the contact surfaces 3, 4.

(19) According to specific embodiments of the component 1, in this case this can be a platinum-containing metallization on an aluminum oxide ceramic, a silver-containing metallization on a PTC ceramic, or a nickel-containing or gold-containing metallization on an NTC ceramic.

(20) The component 1 comprises two contact elements 5, 6, in particular metallic contact elements 5, 6, for electrical contacting. The contact elements 5, 6 can be formed as connecting wires. However, other forms of contact elements also come into consideration, for example, plates or grating-shaped contact elements, in particular stamped gratings. It can also be a stranded wire.

(21) The contact elements 5, 6 are each fastened on one of the contact surfaces 3, 4 and electrically contact it. The contact elements 5, 6 are formed stably, for example, so that they can support the base body 2, in particular can hold it stably in the position shown. For example, the contact elements 5, 6 comprise nickel as a material. In particular, nickel can be a base material of the contact elements 5, 6. The contact elements 5, 6 can alternatively, for example, comprise an iron alloy or copper.

(22) The contact elements 5, 6 are each fastened on a contact surface 3, 4 by means of a melted and subsequently solidified material 7, 8. The melting off of the material 7, 8 is performed, for example, by a laser beam. In particular, the fastening is produced by a welding method. The solidified molten material 7, 8 is formed in this case by partial melting off of the contact elements 5, 6. The solidified molten material 7, 8 comprises the same material composition as the contact elements 5, 6. Before the melting off, the regions of the contact elements 5, 6 protrude beyond the base body 2, for example.

(23) The contact elements 5, 6 each extend along a lateral surface 23 of the base body 2 over a first edge 9 of the base body in the direction of a second edge 10 of the base body 2. The sections arranged on the contact surfaces 3, 4 are referred to in the present case as contact sections 11, 12. The contact sections 11, 12 are arranged on the lateral surface 23 in a top view of the lateral surface 23. The contact elements 5, 6 each protrude beyond the first edge 9, so that they are suitable in this section for installation of the component 1 in a housing or a sensor device. These sections are referred to in the present case as freestanding sections 13, 14. The freestanding sections 13, 14 can also not be provided.

(24) The contact elements 5, 6 do not protrude beyond the second edge 10. The connecting wires 3, 4 can be melted partially or melted off in the vicinity of the second edge 10. The total material thickness d.sub.3 of intact and molten contact element, i.e., the material also including the solidified molten material 7, 8, in the vicinity of the second edge 10 is less than the thickness d.sub.1 of the contact element in the freestanding section 13, 14. The maximum total material thickness d.sub.2 in the contact section 13, 14 is, for example, greater than or equal to the thickness d.sub.1 in the freestanding section.

(25) The connecting material 7, 8 is formed as a welding bead having a dome-shaped surface. The connecting material 7, 8 can have the shape of a spherical segment. It can be seen in FIG. 1A that the connecting material 7, 8 extends up to the second edge 10. The maximum total material thickness d.sub.2 in the contact section 11, 12 is provided, for example, at the vertex of a welding bead. The welding bead does not necessarily have to be arranged centrally on the base body 2.

(26) This geometry is created, for example, by the fastening method described hereafter by melting off protruding wire ends. Similar fastenings can be formed by melting off other regions of the contact elements. One advantage of this geometry is that the contact elements 3, 4 each extend only up to the second edge 10 of the base body 2, but because of the reduced diameter there, they have less attack area for mechanical damage, in particular tearing off of the contact elements 5, 6 in the vicinity of the second edge 10.

(27) In addition, it is possible due to the self-stopping process that the connecting material 7, 8 extends up to the second edge 10 and does not completely flow further in the direction of the first edge 9. Moreover, such fastenings of the contact elements 5, 6 can be produced cost-effectively and offer a high stability. Moreover, thermal damage of the base body 2 and the contact surfaces 3, 4 can be avoided, since direct heating of the base body 2 and in particular of the contact surfaces 3, 4 does not take place in the method.

(28) Due to the partial melting off of the contact elements 5, 6 in the contact section 11, 12 in the region of the first edge 10, a part of the connecting material 7, 8 is also formed by the melted-off material in the contact section 11, 12. However, the quantity of the connecting material 7, 8 is greater than the quantity of the melted-off material of the contact elements 5, 6 in the contact section 11, 12, so that it is apparent that the connecting material 7, 8 is also formed by melted-off protruding ends of the contact elements 7, 8. No material other than the molten material of the contact elements 7, 8 is required for connecting the contact elements 7, 8 to the base body 2.

(29) FIG. 1B shows the component 1 from FIG. 1A in a lateral view rotated by 90°. FIG. 1C shows the component 1 in a cross section in a region of the contact section 11, 12 having maximum material thickness d.sub.2. The plane of section is indicated in FIG. 1B by the identification A-A.

(30) The freestanding sections 13, 14 of the contact elements 5, 6 each have, for example, a significantly greater length l.sub.1 than the length L of the base body 2. The contact sections have, for example, lengths l.sub.2 which correspond to the length L of the base body 2 or have somewhat shorter lengths 12.

(31) The base body 2 has, for example, a length L up to a few millimeters. In particular, the length L can be between 0.35 and 2.50 mm. The base body 2 has, for example, a square lateral surface, so that the length L corresponds to the width B of the base body 2. The thickness D of the base body 2 is, for example, in the range of up to 1 mm. In particular, the thickness D can be in the range of 0.2 mm to 0.8 mm.

(32) FIGS. 2A, 2B show a contact element 5 in the form of a connecting wire before its fastening on the base body 2 in cross section and in a lateral view, respectively.

(33) The contact element 5 has a cross section in the form of a circular surface having a diameter d. The contact element can also have another cross-sectional shape. For example, it can also be a rectangular wire. The diameter d of the wire is uniform before the fastening on the base body 2 in the entire length of the wire. The diameter d corresponds to the diameter d.sub.1 of the freestanding section 13 from FIG. 1A.

(34) The contact element 5 has a length l.sub.0. The length l.sub.0 is in particular substantially longer than the length L of the base body 2. Moreover, the length l.sub.0 is longer than the total length l of the contact element 5 in the fastened state. This is because the contact element 5 is partially melted off in its length for the fastening on the base body 2.

(35) The base body 2 is shown before its contacting with the contact elements 5, 6 in FIGS. 3A and 3B.

(36) The thickness D is in this case the length of the connection between the contact surfaces 3, 4. The length L is the extension of the base body in a direction defined by the length l of the contact element attached later. The width B is the extension perpendicular to the thickness D and perpendicular to the length L. The base body 2 comprises, for example, square lateral surfaces, so that B=L. The base body can also have a different shape.

(37) The contact surfaces 3, 4 each cover the entire lateral surface. It is also possible that the contact surfaces 3, 4 each only cover a part of the lateral surface.

(38) A method for producing a fastening of contact elements 5, 6 on a base body 2 of an electrical component 1 is explained in greater detail hereafter on the basis of FIGS. 4A to 4E. In each of these figures, the respective method step is illustrated in a view from above of the component to be manufactured (top partial figure), in a lateral view (left partial figure), and in a lateral view rotated by 90° (right partial figure). The component 1 shown can comprise all structural and functional properties of the above-described component 1.

(39) At the beginning of the method, two contact elements 5, 6 and one base body 2 are provided, for example, as shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B. In particular, the contact elements 5, 6 can be connecting wires. However, these can also be other contact elements, for example, a stamped grating. The base body 2 can comprise a ceramic as a base material. The base body 2 can also be formed as a type of printed circuit board.

(40) The contact elements 5, 6 are then arranged on contact surfaces 3, 4 of the base body 2, as shown in FIG. 4A.

(41) In this method step, the contact elements 5, 6 still have a uniform diameter d. The contact elements 5, 6 are only arranged on the base body 1, for example, by means of a gripper, but are not yet permanently fastened.

(42) The arrangement 15 is positioned, for example, in such a way that the protruding ends which form the regions 16, 17 to be melted off are oriented upward. This ensures that during the following method steps, the molten material of the regions 16, 17 flows in the direction of the base body 2 because of the force of gravity. An orientation upward does not necessarily have to be provided, in particular if the favorable wetting properties of the contact surfaces 3, 4 ensure the automatic wetting with the molten material.

(43) The regions 16, 17 extend beyond the second edge 10 of the base body 2. For example, the length l.sub.3 of a protruding end is at least half as large as the length L of the base body 2. For example, the length l.sub.3 of a protruding end is at most twice as large as the length L of the base body 2. The solidified molten material 7, 8 for fastening the connecting wires 5, 6 on the base body 2 is formed from the material of the protruding ends, i.e., the regions 16, 17.

(44) For example, the length l.sub.3 of a protruding end is at most three times as large as the shortest extent of the lateral surface, for example, the width B of the lateral surface 23 of the base body (see FIG. 1B). For example, the length l.sub.3 of the protruding region 16, 17 before the melting procedure is greater than the thickness d of the contact elements 5, 6, for example, at least three times as long as the thickness d of the contact element 5, 6. This enables a stable fastening of the contact element with the narrowest possible shape of the component 1.

(45) Preheating of the base body 2 can optionally be performed in this method step to avoid damage due to heat shock. For this purpose, for example, the base body 2 can be heated by a holder, in particular also by heating the contact elements 5, 6. Alternatively or additionally thereto, the base body 2 can be heated by laser action. This is performed by gentle heating before the subsequent laser welding method.

(46) FIG. 4B shows the beginning of the actual melting method. In this case, a laser beam 18 is directed onto the regions 16, 17. The laser beam 18 is directed here so that direct heating of the base body 2 and in particular the contact surfaces 3, 4 does not occur, so that the base body 2 and in particular the contact surfaces 3, 4 are not damaged by heat. In particular, the contact surfaces 3, 4 are not located in the beam direction 24 of the laser beam 18. The laser beam 18 runs past completely above the base body 2.

(47) Here, the laser beam 18 is directed in the present case so that both protruding regions 16, 17 are located in its beam direction 24. This enables melting off of both protruding regions 16, 17 without repositioning of the laser beam 18. Alternatively, the laser beam 18 can be directed so that only one protruding region 16 is located in the beam direction 24. In this case, a repositioning of the laser beam 18 or incident radiation of a further laser beam can be required, which processes the further region 17.

(48) Due to the heat impact of the laser beam 18, initially the region 16 is melted off, which is first struck by the laser beam 18. The second region 17 is still shaded by the first region 16.

(49) In FIG. 4C it is shown how one protruding end, i.e., the region 16, is completely melted off, while the other protruding end, i.e., the region 17, is still present.

(50) The molten material spreads along the contact element 5 in the direction of the base body 2 and wets the contact surface 3 and the contact section 11 of the contact element 5 there. Due to the melting off of the region 16, the laser beam 18 no longer acts on the first contact element 5, so that no or only minor energy absorption and thus no significant heating of the contact element 5 is still provided. The material thus solidifies and forms the connecting material 7, which permanently electrically and mechanically connects the contact element 5 to the contact surface 3 of the base body 2.

(51) The further protruding section, i.e., the region 17, is now struck directly by the laser beam 18, heated, and melted off.

(52) FIG. 4D shows how the further region 17 is also completely melted off.

(53) Similarly to the first protruding region 16, the molten material 8 runs along the connecting wire 6 in the direction of the base body 2 and wets the further contact surface 4 and the further contact section 12 there. Due to the melting off of the further protruding region 17, the laser beam 18 no longer strikes on the connecting wire 6, so that energy absorption and thus heating of the connecting wire 6 is no longer provided. The material 8 thus solidifies and results in the electrical and mechanical connection of the contact element 6 to the contact surface 4 of the base body 2.

(54) The laser beam 18 now leads completely past the component 1, so that heat impact no longer takes place and it can now be switched off.

(55) FIG. 4E shows the component 1 having contact elements 5, 6 fastened on both sides. The contact elements 5, 6 are now permanently electrically and mechanically fastened by the connecting material 7, 8 on the contact surfaces 3, 4 of the base body 2.

(56) The component 1 can now be further processed, for example, by coating using a polymer, glass, or application of other jackets. In dependence on the material combination and requirements from the final application, the described method can implement sufficient mechanical stability, which makes a further mechanical protection of the connecting point in the form of a jacket superfluous. The stability of the connecting point in such methods with respect to environmental influences, for example, moisture, can also be sufficiently high that a further protection in the form of a jacket is not necessary.

(57) The component 1 can be formed in particular as in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C. Reference is made to the description of these figures for the properties of the component 1.

(58) Various embodiments of single-layer or multilayered contact surfaces 3, 4 for a base body 2 of a component 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 5. The described embodiments of the contact surfaces 3, 4 are particularly suitable for the above-described laser welding method, but can also be advantageous in other methods for fastening a contact element. These are in particular welding methods such as deep welding, arc welding, thermal compression welding, or resistance welding, or also soldering methods.

(59) The contact surfaces 3, 4 each comprise, for example, at least one nickel layer. Moreover, the connecting wires 5, 6 can also each comprise nickel.

(60) In a first embodiment, the contact surfaces 3, 4 are each embodied as single-layer. In particular, the contact surfaces 3, 4 each consist of a nickel layer. The nickel layer is thus in direct contact with the base material 19 of the base body 2. Moreover, the nickel layer is in direct contact with the material of the connecting wire 5, 6. In this case, this can be an un-melted section of the connecting wire 5, 6 and/or the solidified molten material 7, 8.

(61) In further embodiments, the contact surface 3, 4 has a multilayered structure. The layers of the contact surface can be applied to the base body 2 by sputtering, for example.

(62) In this case, a lowermost layer is applied directly to the base material 19 of the base body 2. An upper layer is arranged above the lowermost layer and can in particular be in direct contact with the connecting wire 5, 6 and/or the connecting material 7, 8 as the uppermost layer.

(63) The upper layer is used, for example, for oxidation protection. Moreover, the upper layer can promote the welding procedure by inhibiting crystal growth and by possibly absorbing thermal energy. For example, the upper layer is a gold or silver layer.

(64) The contact surface 3, 4 can in this case comprise a two-layered structure, in particular a structure consisting of a nickel layer as the lowermost layer and a gold or silver layer as the upper or uppermost layer.

(65) In a further embodiment, the contact surface 3, 4 comprises a lower layer, which is used as an adhesion promoter for a further layer applied thereon. Moreover, the lower layer can be used to prevent complete melting of the contact surface 3, 4 during the welding procedure and detachment of the electrode from the ceramic.

(66) For example, the lower layer is a chromium layer. The upper layer is, for example, a nickel layer.

(67) The contact surface 3, 4 can in this case comprise a two-layered structure, in particular a structure consisting of a chromium layer as the lowermost layer and a nickel layer as the upper layer. In addition, a gold or silver layer can be applied to the nickel layer, so that the nickel layer forms a middle layer and the gold or silver layer forms an upper layer.

(68) FIG. 5 shows in this case an embodiment of the contact surfaces 3, 4 each having at least three layers 20, 21, 22. For example, the contact surfaces each comprise at least two nickel layers 20, 22. In this case, the layer structure can be as described above, wherein a further layer 21 formed as a protective layer, in particular a chromium layer, is arranged below an upper nickel layer 22. A lowermost nickel layer 20 can now be arranged between the protective layer 21 and the base material 19. The protective layer 21 prevents melting of the underlying nickel layer 20 here due to a significantly higher melting point.

(69) A temperature-dependent and time-dependent resistance drift can be reduced by the lower nickel layer 20. Alternatively or additionally thereto, the adhesion of the electrode can be improved by minimizing the thermomechanical strain.

(70) For example, the contact surface 3, 4 can comprise a layer sequence of nickel layer, chromium layer, and nickel layer and in particular can be formed three-layered here. The contact surface 3, 4 can in a further embodiment also comprise an uppermost layer, for example, a gold or silver layer, and in particular can be formed four-layered here. The uppermost layer can be used in this case for oxidation protection and can promote the welding procedure.

(71) Instead of the above-mentioned metals, other metals or alloys can also be used which have a comparable technical effect.

(72) FIGS. 6A to 6E show method steps of a further embodiment of a method for producing a contact in an electrical component 1. In each of these figures, the respective method step is illustrated in a view from above of the component to be manufactured (top partial figure), in a lateral view (left partial figure), and in a lateral view rotated by 90° (right partial figure).

(73) The component 1 is designed, for example, as a temperature sensor. The base body 2 comprises, for example, a ceramic or another insulating material. The base body 2 comprises two contact surfaces 3, 4 in the form of two metallic contact surfaces. The contact surfaces 3, 4 are used for contacting a temperature-dependent resistor, which is provided here in meandering form. However, this can also be a different component 1.

(74) In contrast to the method and component 1 of FIGS. 4A to 4E, the contact surfaces 3, 4 are arranged on the same lateral surface 23 of the base body 1. Two contact elements 5, 6 are provided and are respectively arranged on one of the contact surfaces 3, 4. The contact elements 5, 6 are formed as wires as in FIGS. 4A to 4E, however, it can also be another form, for example, a grating.

(75) In contrast to FIGS. 4A to 4D, the contact elements 5, 6 do not protrude beyond the base body 1 in a top view of the lateral surface 23. The contact elements 5, 6 each comprise a region 16, 17, which leads away from the plane of the lateral surface 23. This can be seen in particular in a viewing direction parallel to the lateral surface as in the illustration on the bottom right in FIG. 6A. The region 16, 17 is in particular bent away from the contact surface 3, 4. The contact elements 5, 6 thus each comprise a region 16, 17 which is arranged at a greater distance from the contact surface 3, 4 than a region of the contact element 5, 6 adjoining thereon. In a top view of the contact surface 3, 4, the region 16, 17 is arranged on the contact surface 3, 4.

(76) According to FIG. 6B, a laser beam 18 is directed onto the regions 16, 17 of the contact elements 5, 6 in such a way that the base body 2 and in particular the contact surfaces 3, 4 are not located in the beam direction 24 of the laser beam 18. The beam direction 24 extends here at a distance to the lateral surface 23 in parallel to the lateral surface 23. The laser beam 18 in this case first strikes the region 16 of the first contact element 5, so that this region 16 is melted off and withdraws from the laser beam 18 and the molten material 7 wets the first contact surface 3.

(77) As shown in FIG. 6C, the laser beam 18, after the melting off of the region 16 of the first contact element 5, strikes directly on the region 17 of the second contact element and melts off this region 17, so that the region 17 withdraws from the laser beam 18 and the molten material 8 wets the second contact surface 4.

(78) As shown in FIG. 6D, the laser beam 18 extends past the base body 2 and the contact elements 5, 6 after melting off of the second region 17 and no or only minor energy absorption occurs, so that the process is self-stopping and damage to the base body 2 is avoided. The molten material 7, 8 solidifies and results in fastening of the contact elements 5, 6 on the contact surfaces 3, 4 of the base body 2.

(79) FIG. 6E shows the component 1 having the fastened contact elements 5, 6.

(80) The method shown in FIGS. 6A to 6E can also be modified. For example, the contact elements 5, 6 can also be arranged on different sides of the base body 2. In this case, two different laser beams 18 can be used for melting off the contact elements 5, 6 or the base body 2 or the laser beam 18 can be repositioned.

(81) Furthermore, it is also conceivable that the region 16 to be melted off is not formed as an end of a contact element 5, but rather is arranged in a middle section of the contact element 5. In this case, a contact element 5 can also be separated into two contact elements by melting the region 16, which are each fastened in a single method step by the molten material on different contact surfaces.

(82) FIGS. 7A to 7E show method steps of a further embodiment of a method for producing a contact in an electrical component 1.

(83) According to FIG. 7A, contact elements 5, 6 are arranged on contact surfaces 3, 4 of a base body 2. In contrast to the method and component 1 according to FIGS. 6A to 6E, the contact elements 5, 6 do not protrude from the contact surfaces 3, 4.

(84) As shown in FIG. 7B, the laser beam 18 is directed onto regions 16, 17 of the contact elements 5, 6, so that the base body 2 and in particular the contact surfaces 3, 4 are not located in the beam direction 24 of the laser beam 18. The laser beam 24 extends in parallel to the lateral surface 23, similarly to FIG. 6C, but closer to the lateral surface than in FIG. 6C. The laser beam strikes the region 16 of the first contact element 3 and melts off the region 16, so that the molten material 7 withdraws from the laser beam 18 and wets the first contact surface 3.

(85) The region 17 of the second contact element 4 is also subsequently melted off, as shown in FIG. 7C.

(86) After melting off of the regions 16, 17, as shown in FIG. 7D, the contact elements 5, 6 have withdrawn from the laser beam 18 and the process stops on its own. The hardened material 7, 8 connects the contact elements 5, 6 to the contact surfaces 3, 4.

(87) FIG. 7E shows the component 1 having the fastened contact elements 5, 6. The component 1 does not differ in the present case from the component 1 of FIGS. 6A to 6E. This is because in the method according to FIG. 7A, the contact elements 5, 6 are arranged with a larger proportion on the contact surface 3, 4 before the melting procedure than in the method according to FIG. 6A.

(88) Modifications are also possible in the method according to FIGS. 7A to 7E. For example, a contact element 5 can be severed in the middle.

(89) FIGS. 8A to 8B show method steps of a further embodiment of a method for producing a contact in an electrical component 1, wherein only top views of the lateral surfaces, on which a contact element 5 is arranged, are shown here in each case.

(90) In contrast to the preceding embodiments, a contact element 5 is severed here by the melting of a region 16, so that two separated contact elements 5a, 5b are formed.

(91) According to FIG. 8A, the contact element 5 is arranged on a lateral surface 23 of a base body 2. The contact element 5 is formed, for example, as a wire. The base body 2 comprises two contact surfaces 3, 4 separate from one another, on which the contact element 5 rests.

(92) A laser beam 18 is directed onto a region 16 of the contact element 5. The region 16 is not arranged, for example, on one of the contact surfaces 3, 4. The laser beam 18 extends past the base body 2 in parallel to the contact surfaces 3, 4, corresponding to the embodiment from FIG. 7B. The region 16 melts and withdraws from the laser beam 18. In this case, a part of the material 7 wets the first contact surface 3 and a part of the material 8 wets the second contact surface 4.

(93) FIG. 8B shows the component 1 having the separated contact elements 5a, 5b, which are respectively fastened on the contact surfaces 3, 4. The contact elements 5a, 5b can be connected to different electrical poles.

(94) FIGS. 9A and 9B show method steps of a further embodiment of a method for producing a contact in an electrical component 1, wherein only top views of the lateral surfaces, on which a contact element 5 is arranged, are shown here in each case.

(95) In contrast to the preceding embodiments, the laser beam 18 leads through a cutout 25 in the base body 2.

(96) According to FIG. 9A, a contact element 5 is arranged on a lateral surface 23 of a base body 2. In particular, the contact element 5 rests on two separate contact surfaces 3, 4. The base body 2 comprises a cutout 25, which leads completely through the base body 2, between the contact surfaces 3, 4.

(97) A laser beam 18 is oriented in such a way that the beam direction 24 leads through the cutout 25 of the base body 2. The base body 2 is not located in the beam direction 24 in this case, so that the laser beam 18 also does not strike the base body 2 directly after the melting of a region 16 of the contact element 5. The laser beam 18 in particular extends perpendicularly to the contact surfaces 3, 4.

(98) The region 16 melts and withdraws from the laser beam 18. In this case, a part of the material 7 wets the first contact surface 3 and a part of the material 8 wets the second contact surface 4.

(99) FIG. 9B shows the component 1 having the separate contact elements 5a, 5b, which are respectively fastened by the molten material 7, 8 on the contact surfaces 3, 4. The contact elements 5a, 5b can be connected to different poles.

(100) FIGS. 10A and 10B show method steps of a further embodiment of a method for producing a contact in an electrical component 1.

(101) Similarly to FIGS. 9A and 9B, as shown in FIG. 10A, the laser beam 18 leads through a cutout 25 in the base body 2 here. In contrast to FIGS. 9A and 9B, the contact element 5 ends here above the cutout 25. The region 16 is melted off, so that the molten material 7 wets the contact surface 3 and fastens the contact element 5 on the base body 2. This method variant is thus similar to the variant of FIGS. 4A to 4D with respect to the beam direction 24 of the laser 18 and the arrangement of the contact element 5, but differs in that the region 16 to be melted off is arranged above a cutout 25 and the laser beam 18 extends through the cutout 25.

(102) FIG. 10B shows the component 1 having the contact element 5, which is fastened on the contact surface 3 of the base body 1. The contact surface 3 directly adjoins, for example, the cutout 25.

(103) Further embodiments result from a combination of the embodiments described here. For example, in the embodiments of FIGS. 9A to 10B, the regions 16 can protrude from the base body similarly to FIG. 6A.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

(104) 1 component 2 base body 3 contact surface 4 contact surface 5 contact element 5a separated contact element 5b separated contact element 6 contact element 7 molten material 8 molten material 9 first edge 10 second edge 11 contact section 12 contact section 13 freestanding section 14 freestanding section 15 arrangement 16 region 17 region 18 laser beam 19 base material 20 lowermost layer of the contact surface 21 middle layer of the contact surface 22 upper layer of the contact surface 23 lateral surface 24 beam direction 25 cutout d.sub.1 material thickness in the freestanding section d.sub.2 maximum material thickness in the contact section d.sub.3 material thickness at second edge d.sub.0 diameter of contact element before fastening on the base body l.sub.1 length in freestanding section l.sub.2 length in contact section l.sub.3 length of the protruding end l length after fastening on the base body l.sub.0 length before fastening on the base body L length of the base body B width of the base body D thickness of the base body