Area control device for vehicle and vehicle

Abstract

The invention provides an area control device for a vehicle and the vehicle. The area control device comprises: a housing (1) in which a circuit board (2) is arranged; the metal connecting piece (3) and the shell (1) are formed into a whole, a first end (31) of the metal connecting piece (3) is electrically connected to an external circuit, and a second end (32) of the metal connecting piece (3) is electrically connected to the circuit board (2).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a zone control device for a vehicle and the vehicle. Background Art

[0002] The regional architecture enables efficient electrical and data distribution around the car, while saving wiring costs, improving weight and production processes. A key component in this architecture is the regional controller, which is responsible for connecting a large number of actuators and sensors to the central control device, providing power distribution, data connection and I / O acquisition and drive requirements for various sensors, actuators and other devices in a physical area of ​​the car.

[0003] Typically, a zone controller includes a circuit board and a shell that encapsulates the circuit board. Various sensors, actuators and other devices are provided on the circuit board, and these devices are electrically connected to various external devices through electrical connectors that pass through the shell. The zone controller includes a front cabin zone controller and a cockpit zone controller. For example, the front cabin zone controller is generally installed at the bottom of the car, and will be exposed to dust and water when the car is running, so better sealing is required to have a sufficient dust and water resistance level. A known solution is to place a silicone gasket between the electrical connector and the shell to seal the shell, but this solution is not effective. Considering the electrical function, the zone controller also needs to meet a certain high conductivity and ensure reliable electrical connection. A known solution uses welding to achieve electrical connection, but this method is prone to failure due to high temperature. Summary of the invention

[0004] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a zone control device for a vehicle and a vehicle, wherein the zone controller has good sealing performance, has a high dustproof and waterproof effect, and achieves high conductivity and reliable electrical connection.

[0005] The above-mentioned object is achieved by a zone control device for a vehicle and a vehicle as described below.

[0006] The present disclosure provides a zone control device for a vehicle, the zone control device comprising: a shell in which a circuit board is arranged; and a metal connector formed as a whole with the shell, wherein a first end of the metal connector is electrically connected to an external circuit, and a second end is electrically connected to the circuit board.

[0007] In one embodiment, the metal connector is at least partially enclosed in the housing.

[0008] In one embodiment, at least one circumferential groove independent of each other is provided on the first end of the metal connector, and the shell fills the circumferential groove.

[0009] In one embodiment, the second end of the metal connector has a flat top surface, and the second end is electrically connected to the circuit board through the top surface.

[0010] In one embodiment, a mounting hole is provided on the second end of the metal connector, the mounting hole is open on the top surface, and the circuit board is fixed to the metal connector by a fastener matching the mounting hole.

[0011] In one embodiment, the metal connecting member has a columnar form, and its extending direction is perpendicular to the side wall of the housing.

[0012] In one embodiment, an external connector is disposed on an end surface of the first end of the metal connector, and the external circuit is electrically connected to the metal connector through the external connector.

[0013] In one embodiment, the external connector is fixed to the end surface of the first end of the metal connector by another fastener.

[0014] In one embodiment, the housing comprises a main body made of plastic and a cover made of metal, and the metal connector is at least partially enclosed in the main body.

[0015] The present disclosure also provides a vehicle, comprising the zone control device as described above.

[0016] The embodiments of the present disclosure have the following advantages: by forming the metal connector and the shell as one body, not only can a better sealing effect be achieved, so that the zone control device has a higher dust and water resistance level, but also the use of additional components can be reduced, so that the structure is simple, the manufacturing is easy, and the cost is low; by using a metal connector in the form of a copper column with a large conductive area, the zone control device can achieve a higher conductivity; by using a threaded connection instead of conventional welding to achieve electrical connection, a more reliable electrical connection can be achieved, and the electrical connection is detachable and more flexible. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The advantages and purposes of the present disclosure can be better understood from the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In order to better show the relationship between the various components in the accompanying drawings, the accompanying drawings are not drawn to scale. In the accompanying drawings:

[0018] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a zone control device for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0019] Figure 2 Shows Figure 1 An exploded schematic diagram of a regional control device;

[0020] Figure 3 A partial schematic diagram of a zone control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0021] Figure 4 A partial schematic diagram of a zone control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0022] Figure 5 A partial schematic diagram of a zone control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0023] Figure 6 A schematic diagram showing a metal connector and an external connector of a zone control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0024] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of a metal connector of a zone control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] In order to make the purpose, technical solution and advantages of the technical solution of the present disclosure clearer, the technical solution of the embodiment of the present disclosure will be clearly and completely described in combination with the drawings of the specific embodiments of the present disclosure. The same figure marks in the drawings represent the same parts. It should be noted that the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of the present disclosure, not all of the embodiments. Based on the described embodiments of the present disclosure, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present disclosure.

[0026] Unless otherwise defined, the technical terms or scientific terms used herein shall have the usual meanings understood by persons with ordinary skills in the field to which the present disclosure belongs. The words "first", "second" and similar words used in the patent application specification and claims of the present disclosure do not indicate any order, quantity or importance, but are only used to distinguish different components. Similarly, words such as "one" or "one" do not necessarily indicate a quantity limitation. Words such as "include", "comprise" or "have" mean that the elements or objects appearing before the word include the elements or objects listed after the word and their equivalents, without excluding other elements or objects. Words such as "connect" or "connected" are not limited to the physical or mechanical connections or connections shown in the drawings, but may include connections or connections equivalent thereto, whether direct or indirect. "Up", "down", "left", "right" and the like are only used to indicate relative positional relationships. When the absolute position of the described object changes, the relative positional relationship may also change accordingly.

[0027] Below, see Figures 1 to 7 Various embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail.

[0028] like Figure 1 As shown, the zone control device for a vehicle disclosed in the present invention comprises a housing 1 and a metal connector 3. The metal connector 3 may be made of copper.

[0029] like Figure 2 As shown, a circuit board 2 is arranged in the shell 1, on which various sensors, actuators and other equipment are installed. In addition, the shell 1 includes a main body 11 made of plastic and a cover 12 made of metal. The cover 12 can be made of aluminum. The main body 11 can be made of PBT, glass fiber or a high-temperature resistant plastic material. The circuit board 2 is mounted on the main body 11 by a threaded fastener 14, and the cover 12 is mounted on the main body 11 by another threaded fastener 15. A sealant, such as a sealant, etc., can be arranged at the contact position between the main body 11 and the cover 12, which will not be repeated here. In addition, a heat-conducting element, such as a heat-conducting glue, can be arranged between the cover 12 made of metal and the circuit board 2. The shell 1 also includes a valve 13, which can specifically be a waterproof and breathable valve, which is used to achieve waterproofing and maintain the air pressure balance inside and outside the zone controller.

[0030] like Figures 1 to 7 As shown, the metal connector 3 is formed as a whole with the housing 1, the first end 31 of the metal connector 3 is electrically connected to the external circuit, and the second end 32 is electrically connected to the circuit board 2. The external circuit can be a circuit on the vehicle outside the regional controller, such as the main power supply of the regional control device.

[0031] like Figure 4 As shown, the metal connector 3 is at least partially enclosed in the housing 1. Specifically, the metal connector 3 is at least partially enclosed in the main body 11 of the housing 1 made of plastic. For example, the metal connector 3 is enclosed in the main body 11 by injection molding.

[0032] like Figure 6-7 As shown, at least one circumferential groove 33 is provided on the first end 31 of the metal connector 3, and the housing 1 fills the circumferential groove 33. Specifically, the main body 11 made of plastic fills the circumferential groove 33 by injection molding. The number of the circumferential grooves 33 can be two, three, or preferably four. In addition, the multiple circumferential grooves 33 are independent of each other and are not connected to each other.

[0033] like Figure 6-7 As shown, the metal connecting member 3 has a columnar form. Figure 1-4 As shown, the extending direction of the metal connecting member 3 is perpendicular to the side wall 16 of the housing 1 , and the metal connecting member 3 extends through the side wall 16 .

[0034] By forming the metal connector 3 and the housing 1 as one, not only can a good sealing effect be achieved, so that the regional control device has a high dust and water resistance level, but also the use of additional components can be reduced, so that the structure is simple, easy to manufacture, and low cost. For example, the regional control device of the present disclosure can achieve an IP67 dust and water resistance level. In addition, by using a metal connector in the form of a copper column with a large conductive area, the regional control device of the present disclosure can achieve a higher conductivity. For example, the regional control device of the present disclosure can achieve a large current conduction of 80A.

[0035] like Figure 4 and 6 As shown in FIGS. 7 to 7 , the second end 32 of the metal connector 3 has a flat top surface 34. Figure 3 and 5 As shown, the second end 32 is electrically connected to the circuit board 2 via the top surface 34. In this way, the metal connector 3 of the present disclosure and the circuit board 2 are in surface contact.

[0036] See again Figure 4 and 6 7, the second end 32 of the metal connector 3 is provided with a mounting hole 35, and the mounting hole 35 is open on the top surface 34. Figure 3 and 5 As shown, the circuit board 2 is fixed to the metal connector 3 by a fastener 4 that cooperates with the mounting hole 35. For example, the fastener 4 is a screw, a bolt, etc.

[0037] Compared with the conventional connection method using welding, the present invention will not damage the surrounding circuit connection due to the high temperature of welding, so a more reliable electrical connection can be achieved, and the electrical connection of the present invention is detachable and more flexible.

[0038] like Figure 3 and 6 As shown, an external connector 5 is provided on the end surface of the first end 31 of the metal connector 3, and the external circuit mentioned above is electrically connected to the metal connector 3 through the external connector 5. The external connector 5 can have a shape matching the cable, such as a claw-shaped clamping member. The external connector 5 can clamp the cable.

[0039] like Figure 3 and 6As shown, the external connector 5 is fixed to the end surface of the first end 31 of the metal connector 3 by another fastener 6. Another mounting hole 36 extending into the interior of the metal connector 31 is provided at the end surface of the first end 31 of the metal connector 3. The other fastener 6 is a screw, a bolt, etc., and the other mounting hole 36 is a threaded hole. By using a threaded connection, the problems caused by high-temperature welding can be avoided, as described above, making the electrical connection more reliable, and the electrical connection is detachable and more flexible.

[0040] The present disclosure also provides a vehicle, the vehicle comprising the zone control device as described above. The vehicle may be an electrified vehicle, such as a battery electric vehicle (BEV), a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), an extended range electric vehicle (Range extended EV), or a fuel cell vehicle (FCEV). The vehicle may also be a hydrogen energy vehicle. The vehicle of the present disclosure therefore has various advantages as described above with respect to the zone controller.

[0041] In addition, the technical features disclosed above are not limited to the disclosed combinations with other features. Those skilled in the art may also make other combinations between the technical features according to the purpose of the invention to achieve the purpose of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A zone control device for a vehicle, characterized in that: The area control device comprises: A housing (1) in which a circuit board (2) is arranged; and The metal connecting piece (3) is formed integrally with the housing (1). The first end (31) of the metal connector (3) is electrically connected to an external circuit, and the second end (32) is electrically connected to the circuit board (2).

2. The area control device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The metal connecting piece (3) is at least partially enclosed in the shell (1).

3. The area control device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: At least one circumferential groove (33) independent of each other is provided on the first end (31) of the metal connector, and the housing (1) fills the circumferential groove (33).

4. The area control device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The second end (32) of the metal connector (3) has a flat top surface (34), and the second end (32) is electrically connected to the circuit board (2) via the top surface (34).

5. The area control device according to claim 4, characterized in that: A mounting hole (35) is provided on the second end (32) of the metal connector (3), the mounting hole opening on the top surface (34), and the circuit board (2) is fixed to the metal connector (3) by a fastener (4) matching the mounting hole.

6. The area control device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The metal connecting piece (3) has a columnar form, and its extending direction is perpendicular to the side wall (16) of the housing (1).

7. The area control device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: An external connector (5) is provided on the end surface of the first end (31) of the metal connector (3), and the external circuit is electrically connected to the metal connector (3) via the external connector.

8. The area control device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The external connecting piece (5) is fixed to the end surface of the first end (31) of the metal connecting piece by another fastener (6).

9. The area control device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The housing (1) comprises a main body (11) made of plastic and a cover (12) made of metal, and the metal connecting piece (3) is at least partially enclosed in the main body (11).

10. A vehicle, characterized in that: The vehicle comprises a zone control device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9.

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