Controller

Abstract

The subject matter of the present disclosure is a controller. There is provided a controller (100) comprising a base (10), an upper housing (20), a printed circuit board (30), a connector (40), a guide (50) comprising a cavity (53) and an end portion (54), the cavity (53) penetrating the guide (50) in a first direction (X), the end portion (54) being located at an end of the cavity, the end portion (54) passing through a corresponding aperture (33) of the printed circuit board (30), and a plug member (60), the plug member (60) being configured to plug the printed circuit board (30) into the cavity (53). The plug member (60) passes through the cavity (53) and presses the tip portion (54) towards the aperture (33).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of electronic devices, and more particularly, to a controller. Background Art

[0002] The airbag controller (also known as the airbag electronic control unit) is an important control component on the vehicle. The airbag controller is usually installed under the center console. The airbag controller can be used to collect, analyze, judge and process the collision signals captured by the sensor, and can further be used to issue an ignition command to drive the gas generator to ignite, thereby detonating the airbag to deal with collisions that may affect the safety of the driver and passengers.

[0003] The airbag controller usually includes a connector and a printed circuit board. A processor for processing and outputting ignition commands and a sensor for collecting collision signals may be integrated on the printed circuit board. Collision signals captured by other sensors on the vehicle may also be output to the processor via the connector. Due to the state of the vehicle or the road, the airbag controller may experience bumps, which in turn generates noise in the electrical connection lines of the airbag controller. This noise may be caused by insufficient mechanical connection stability of the device. Summary of the invention

[0004] The purpose of this application is to solve or at least alleviate the problems existing in the prior art.

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an airbag controller, comprising:

[0006] Pedestal;

[0007] an upper shell connected to the base and comprising an opening;

[0008] a printed circuit board, the printed circuit board being arranged between the base and the upper housing;

[0009] one or more connectors extending through the opening and including a plurality of pins connected to the printed circuit board;

[0010] a guide member positioned on a first side of the printed circuit board and configured to guide the plurality of pins of the one or more connectors, the guide member comprising a cavity and an end portion, the cavity extending through the guide member in a first direction, the end portion being located at an end of the cavity, the end portion passing through a corresponding aperture of the printed circuit board; and

[0011] A plug is inserted through the cavity and presses the end portion toward the orifice.

[0012] According to the present invention, the arrangement of multiple pins is promoted by applying a guide for guiding multiple pins of a connector, and the connection stability between the multiple pins and the printed circuit board can be enhanced. In particular, the inventors recognize that in the case of using a guide for guiding the pins of the connector of the airbag controller, if there is a gap at the connection between the guide and the airbag controller, when experiencing bumps, the connection between the guide and other components of the airbag controller (such as a printed circuit board) may be deformed or vibrated, resulting in collisions between the components and a "click" sound. This collision may generate harmonic signals that propagate to the inertial sensor on the PCB. When the frequency of the wave overlaps with the normal operating frequency of the inertial sensor, the signal received by the inertial sensor will be amplified. This means that the sensor will mistakenly capture external signals and send the mistakenly captured signals to the relevant processor. This may cause serious traffic accidents because the airbag may be triggered by mistake.

[0013] The technical solution provided by the first aspect can also overcome the above shortcomings. In particular, the cooperation between the guide and the plug in the present disclosure can prevent the guide itself from vibrating relative to the printed circuit board, because the guide can always fit the hole on the printed circuit board and be firmly connected to the printed circuit board during use. Specifically, most of the guide contacts the printed circuit board at the first side of the printed circuit board, and the end portion of the guide abuts against the second side of the printed circuit board during use. In this way, the vibration of the guide relative to the printed circuit board and the deformation of the multiple pins guided by the guide due to vibration can be prevented or reduced. In addition, by utilizing the technical solution provided by the first aspect, the possibility of noise affecting the sensor to incorrectly capture the signal can be reduced or eliminated by preventing the displacement of the guide relative to the printed circuit board and the collision between the guide and the printed circuit board. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The disclosure of the present application will become more easily understood with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is easy for those skilled in the art to understand that these drawings are only for illustrative purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present application. In addition, similar numbers in the figures are used to represent similar components, among which:

[0015] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an airbag controller according to one embodiment;

[0016] Figure 2 shows an exploded view of an airbag controller according to one embodiment;

[0017] Figure 3 shows a top view of an airbag controller according to one embodiment after removing the upper housing;

[0018] Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a guide according to one embodiment;

[0019] Figure 5 shows a top view of a guide according to one embodiment;

[0020] Figure 6 Shows Figure 4 An enlarged view of a support portion of the guide member;

[0021] Figure 7 shows a perspective view of a plug according to one embodiment; and

[0022] Figure 8 and Fig. 9 A plan view for explaining cooperation between a plug and a guide according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] refer to Figure 1-Figure 2 The airbag controller 100 provided by the present disclosure as part of the airbag control system may include a base 10, an upper housing 20, a printed circuit board 30, and one or more connectors 40. The base 10 may include a plurality of mounting holes 11. The plurality of mounting holes 11 are configured to cooperate with fasteners for mounting the airbag controller 100 on a vehicle. The upper housing 20 may be configured to be connected to the base 10 and include an opening 21. The printed circuit board 30 is arranged between the base 10 and the upper housing 20. The printed circuit board 30 may include an inertial sensor (e.g., an accelerometer, a gyroscope, etc.) and a processor. The processor may be configured to be communicatively connected to the inertial sensor, and may optionally be configured to be communicatively connected to other sensors or control devices on the vehicle. The connector 40 may be configured to extend through the opening 21 and be connected to the printed circuit board 30. The number of connectors 40 may be two, such as a connector 40-1 and a connector 40-2. The connector 40 may be used to connect to a corresponding line and to serve as an input / output I / O interface. The number of connectors 40 may also be at least three to meet the needs of more line connections. Screws 70 may be used to fix the base 10, the upper housing 20 and the printed circuit board 30 together. As shown in the figure, the base 10 may be provided with four holes, and the positions of these holes may be aligned with the corresponding holes of the printed circuit board 30 and the upper housing 20, respectively. Figure 2 As shown by the dotted lines in FIG. After alignment, the screws 70 corresponding to the number of holes can be used for fixing. Figure 2 In the embodiment, screws 70 - 1 , 70 - 2 , 70 - 3 , 70 - 4 are used to fix the base 10 , the upper housing 20 , and the printed circuit board 30 relative to each other.

[0024] refer to Figure 3-7 And still available for reference Figure 2 , the airbag controller 100 may further include a guide member 50 and a plug member 60. The guide member 50 is arranged on the first side 31 of the printed circuit board 30. The guide member 50 includes a plurality of guide holes 51. The plurality of guide holes 51 are configured to guide a plurality of pins 41 included in the connector 40, wherein the plurality of pins 41 are also connected to the printed circuit board 30. Specifically, each of the plurality of pins 41 may be configured to pass through a corresponding one of the plurality of guide holes 51. The aperture of the guide hole 51 may be configured to match the size or diameter of the pin. The shape of the guide hole 51 may match the shape profile of the pin. In some embodiments, the shape of the guide hole is square and the shape profile of the pin is square. In other embodiments, the shape of the guide hole is circular and the shape profile of the pin is circular.

[0025] The guide member 50 includes a cavity 53 extending along the first direction X and an end portion 54 located at the end of the cavity. The end portion 54 can pass through the corresponding hole 33 of the printed circuit board 30 (at Figure 8 ). The length of the end portion 54 is greater than the thickness of the printed circuit board 30, and may be a multiple of the thickness of the printed circuit board 30. In some embodiments, the length of the end portion 54 may be 2 or 3 times the thickness of the printed circuit board 30. Other designs of the length of the end portion 54 are also possible.

[0026] In some embodiments, the cavity 53 is defined by a support portion 52. The support portion 52 is used to contact the first side 31 of the printed circuit board 30, so as to support the guide member 50. In some embodiments, the support portion 52 may include a first support portion 52-1 and a second support portion 52-2. The first support portion 52-1 is positioned at a first end portion 55 of the guide member 50, and the second support portion 52-2 is positioned at a second end portion 56 of the guide member 50 opposite to the first end portion 55. With the first support portion 52-1 and the second support portion 52-2 arranged at both ends of the guide member 50, the guide member 50 can be more effectively fixed to the printed circuit board 30.

[0027] refer to Figure 8-Figure 9 The plug 60 may be configured to be received by the cavity 53 and to press the end portion 54 toward the orifice 33 so that the end portion 54 moves from the initial position to contact the second side 32 of the printed circuit board 30 opposite to the first side 31, for example, along Fig. 9 In some embodiments, the end portion 54 may be made of a flexible or elastic material. After the plug 60 is removed from the cavity 53, the end portion 54 may be out of contact with the second side 32 of the printed circuit board 30 and return to the initial position. In some embodiments, the initial position may be, for example, Figure 8 The end portion 54 shown in FIG. 1 is substantially parallel to the first direction X. In some embodiments, the initial position may be defined as relative to Figure 8 In the position of the end portion 54 shown, the end portion 54 can be further gathered toward the cavity 53, like a cone, and in this initial position, the end portion 54 can be used to partially close the cavity 53. Such an initial position arrangement can make it easier for the end portion 54 to pass through the hole 33 of the printed circuit board 30.

[0028] In some embodiments, Figure 7-Figure 9 As shown, the plug 60 may include a cylindrical body 61 and a cover 62 connected to the cylindrical body 61. The size of the cylindrical body 61 is smaller than the cavity 53 so that the cylindrical body 61 can be inserted into the cavity 53. The size of the cover 62 is larger than the cavity 53 so that the plug 60 can be prevented from further moving along the first direction X.

[0029] In some embodiments, Figure 7-Figure 9 As shown, a positioning portion 63 is provided on the outer circumference of the cylindrical body 61. The positioning portion 63 is close to the cover 62 and is interference fit with the cavity 53. The positioning portion 63 can be positioned at a position of the cylindrical body 61 adjacent to the cover 62. The positioning portion 63 can include a continuous portion around the entire outer circumference of the cylindrical body 61 or a plurality of discontinuous portions arranged along the outer circumference of the cylindrical body 61.

[0030] In some embodiments, the positioning portion 63 may include a plurality of ribs arranged around the outer circumference of the cylindrical body 61. Each rib includes a transition portion. The radial dimension of the transition portion gradually increases toward the cover 62 along the first direction (X). The plurality of ribs may be configured to be received by the groove of the guide 50. The ribs in the plurality of ribs may be configured to extend continuously or discontinuously along the length direction of the cylindrical body 61.

[0031] In some embodiments, Figure 4 , Figure 6 and Figure 8-Figure 9As shown, the end portion 54 may include a plurality of arms 541. The plug 60 is inserted between the plurality of arms 541. The number of arms 541 may be two. The arms in the plurality of arms 541 may be configured to be deformed outward, such as bent, by being squeezed by the plug 60. When squeezed, the deformation (bending) direction of the arm is related to the direction of the squeezing force from the plug 60 to which the arm is subjected. In some embodiments, the number of arms may be at least three and may be positioned to be evenly distributed or unevenly distributed around the plug 60. The sizes of the arms in the plurality of arms 541 may be the same or different from each other. The plug 60 may also include a slide groove corresponding to the arms in the plurality of arms 541, so that the arms are also guided by the slide groove during the deformation (bending) of the arms. The arrangement of the slide grooves corresponding to the arms of the plug may be different, so that at the same time, the deformation (bending) degree of at least one arm in the plurality of arms 541 is different from that of the other arms. Such a slide groove arrangement design may enable the arms in the plurality of arms 541 to successively contact the second side 3 of the printed circuit board 30 in batches or in groups.

[0032] In some embodiments, Figure 6 and Figure 8 As shown, the inner side of an arm of the plurality of arms 541 may include a first protrusion 542. The plug 60 can press the first protrusion 542 outward. The size of the first protrusion 542 can be determined so that when the top end of the first protrusion 542 contacts the plug 60, the end of the arm of the plurality of arms 541 abuts against the second side 32 of the printed circuit board 30.

[0033] In some embodiments, Figure 6 and Figure 8 As shown, the first protrusion 542 may include a ramp 543. The ramp 543 is configured to increase the deformation (bending) amplitude of the arm in the plurality of arms 541 as the plug 60 contacts the ramp 543 of the first protrusion 542 during insertion. The ramp 543 may be a linear ramp. Alternatively, the ramp 543 may have a curvature for accelerating or decelerating the change in the deformation (bending) amplitude of the arm. The curvature may be defined by a function such as a trigonometric function. The first ramp for decelerating the change in the deformation (bending) amplitude of the arm may reduce the impact of the deformation (bending) of the arm on the second side 32 of the printed circuit board 30. The second ramp for accelerating the change in the deformation (bending) amplitude of the arm may accelerate the contact of the arm with the second side 32 of the printed circuit board 30. The ramp 543 may be arranged according to the design of the printed circuit board 30. In some embodiments, the ramp 543 may include the aforementioned first ramp and second ramp.

[0034] In some embodiments, Figure 6 and Figure 8As shown, the outer side of the arm of the plurality of arms 541 includes a second protrusion 544. The second protrusion 544 can form a step surface with the arm. The step surface is suitable for contacting the second side 32 of the printed circuit board 30 opposite to the first side 31 near the hole 33. The step surface is conducive to clamping the arm near the hole 33 of the printed circuit board 30. In this way, the guide member 50 can be more effectively prevented from moving or vibrating relative to the printed circuit board 30. In some embodiments, the slope 543 of the first protrusion 542 extends below the step surface.

[0035] The specific embodiments described above in this application are only for more clearly describing the principles of this application, wherein each component is clearly shown or described to make the principles of the present invention easier to understand. Without departing from the scope of this application, those skilled in the art can easily make various modifications or changes to this application. Therefore, it should be understood that these modifications or changes should be included in the scope of patent protection of this application.

Claims

1. A controller (100), comprising: Base (10); An upper shell (20), the upper shell being connected to the base (10) and comprising an opening (21); a printed circuit board (30), the printed circuit board (30) being arranged between the base (10) and the upper housing (20); one or more connectors (40) extending through the opening (21) and comprising a plurality of pins (41) connected to the printed circuit board (30); a guide member (50), the guide member (50) being positioned on a first side (31) of the printed circuit board (30) and being configured to guide the plurality of pins (41) of the one or more connectors (40), the guide member (50) comprising a cavity (53) and an end portion (54), the cavity (53) penetrating the guide member (50) along a first direction (X), the end portion (54) being located at an end of the cavity, and the end portion (54) passing through a corresponding opening (33) of the printed circuit board (30); as well as A plug (60) passes through the cavity (53) and presses the end portion (54) toward the orifice (33).

2. The controller (100) according to claim 1, wherein the guide member (50) includes a support portion (52), the cavity (53) is defined by the support portion (52), and the support portion (52) contacts the first side (31) of the printed circuit board (30) to support the guide member (50).

3. The controller (100) according to claim 1, wherein the end portion (54) includes a plurality of arms (541), the plug (60) is inserted between the plurality of arms (541), and the arms among the plurality of arms (541) are configured to be deformed outward by being squeezed by the plug (60).

4. The controller (100) according to claim 3, wherein an inner side of an arm among the plurality of arms (541) comprises a first protrusion (542), and the plug (60) presses the first protrusion (542) outward.

5. The controller (100) according to claim 4, wherein the first protrusion (542) includes a slope (543), and the slope (543) is configured to increase the deformation amplitude of the arm among the multiple arms (541) as the plug (60) contacts the slope (543) of the first protrusion (542) during insertion.

6. A controller (100) according to claim 5, wherein the outer side of an arm among the plurality of arms (541) includes a second protrusion (544), the second protrusion (544) forming a step surface with the arm, the step surface being suitable for contacting a second side (32) of the printed circuit board (30) opposite to the first side (31) near the opening (33), and wherein the slope (543) of the first protrusion (542) extends below the step surface.

7. The controller (100) of claim 1, wherein the printed circuit board (30) includes an inertial sensor.

8. A controller (100) according to any one of claims 1-7, wherein the plug (60) comprises a cylindrical body (61) and a cover (62) connected to the cylindrical body (61), the size of the cylindrical body (61) is smaller than the cavity (53) so that the cylindrical body (61) can be inserted into the cavity (53), and the size of the cover (62) is larger than the cavity (53) so that the plug (60) can be prevented from further entering the cavity (53) along the first direction (X).

9. The controller (100) according to claim 8, wherein a positioning portion (63) is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical body (61), and the positioning portion (63) is close to the cover (62) and is interference fit with the cavity (53).

10. A controller (100) according to claim 9, wherein the positioning portion (63) includes a plurality of ribs arranged around the outer circumference of the cylindrical body (61), each rib including a transition portion, the radial dimension of the transition portion gradually increasing along the first direction (X) toward the cover (62), wherein the ribs among the plurality of ribs are configured to extend continuously or discontinuously along the length direction of the cylindrical body (61).

11. A controller (100) according to claim 2, wherein the support portion (52) includes a first support portion (52-1) and a second support portion (52-2), the first support portion being positioned at a first end portion (55) of the guide member (50), and the second support portion being positioned at a second end portion (56) of the guide member (50) opposite to the first end portion (55).

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