Vehicle control apparatus

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle control apparatus. The vehicle control apparatus includes: a housing including a base portion, a side wall configured to extend from the base portion at one lateral side of the base portion and have a predetermined height with respect to the base portion, and a first assembly hole vertically formed at one end of an upper edge of the side wall; a circuit board, which is held in the housing; a cover configured to be vertically disposed above the circuit board and attached to the housing, and a second assembly hole formed at a position corresponding to the first assembly hole; a coupling member for coupling the housing and the cover together by vertically passing through the first assembly hole and the second assembly hole at the same time; and a first protector formed so as to surround at least a portion of one end of the coupling member when the housing and the cover are coupled together.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a vehicle control apparatus. BACKGROUND

[0002] The following description is provided merely to assist in understanding the present disclosure and should not be taken as relevant technology.

[0003] A vehicle is equipped with a vehicle control apparatus that controls various systems and functions. For example, the vehicle control apparatus can control an engine, a brake system, a transmission, a steering system, a safety system, and an entertainment and convenience feature.

[0004] An engine control apparatus contributes to maintaining an optimal air / fuel ratio and vehicle performance by adjusting the amount of fuel and air drawn into the engine. A brake system control apparatus allows a vehicle to be stably decelerated by appropriately distributing brake force in accordance with the speed of the vehicle, ground conditions, etc. A transmission control apparatus provides smooth acceleration and optimal transmission by adjusting the operation of the transmission in accordance with the number of revolutions of the engine and driving conditions. A steering control apparatus controls the direction of the vehicle by adjusting the steering angle and torque in accordance with steering input from the driver. A safety system control apparatus protects vehicle passengers by controlling a safety system such as an airbag system, a lane keeping assist system (LKAS), or an advanced emergency braking system (AEBS). An entertainment and convenience feature control apparatus facilitates the convenience of passengers by controlling an entertainment system, a navigation device, or an air conditioner.

[0005] A vehicle control apparatus is assembled in such a way that a jig pin of an assembly jig is temporarily inserted into an assembly jig hole formed in one surface of a housing of the vehicle control apparatus in the process of assembly. The assembly jig functions to fix and align the product in the process of assembling the product. The jig pin is a small pin for holding the product in a precise position and direction, and the jig hole is a through hole that can be inserted through the jig pin. The jig hole contributes to improving the accuracy and efficiency of the manufacturing process and maintaining the quality of the product.

[0006] A vehicle control apparatus has a plurality of components. In order to meet the conditions of the automobile vibration durability test and the BSR (buzz squeak rattle) test, it is necessary to collectively fix a plurality of components applied to the vehicle control apparatus. In the collective fixing of the plurality of components, in order to prevent the squeak, the rattle, the sway between the components, to achieve good vibration performance, to ensure the durability of the control apparatus, a screw is used as a fixing member.

[0007] The existing control apparatus generates foreign matter such as debris, debris powder, etc. in the assembly of the screw. The foreign matter such as debris or debris powder generated in the assembly of the screw enters the circuit board inside the vehicle control apparatus, causing problems such as causing a short circuit of a circuit element.

[0008] Further, moisture such as condensate and condensed water generated from a vehicle can enter the inside of the vehicle control apparatus via the jig hole, which can cause elements of a circuit board to burn out. SUMMARY

[0009] A main aspect of the vehicle control apparatus according to the embodiments of the present disclosure is to prevent short circuit of circuit elements by preventing foreign matter such as chippings or chipping powder generated in screw assembly from entering a circuit board inside the vehicle control apparatus in the process of collectively fixing a plurality of components within the vehicle control apparatus.

[0010] Another aspect is to prevent burnout of circuit board elements caused when moisture such as condensate and condensed water generated from a vehicle enters the inside of the vehicle control apparatus via the jig hole.

[0011] The problems to be solved by the present disclosure are not limited to the above-mentioned problems, and other problems not mentioned herein can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

[0012] The present disclosure relates to a vehicle control apparatus including a housing including a base, a side wall configured to extend from the base at one lateral side of the base and having a predetermined height with respect to the base, and a first assembly hole formed vertically at one end of an upper edge of the side wall, a circuit board held in the housing, a cover configured to be disposed vertically above the circuit board and attached to the housing, and a second assembly hole formed at a position corresponding to the first assembly hole, a coupling member for coupling the housing and the cover together by passing vertically through the first assembly hole and the second assembly hole at the same time, and a first protector formed in a manner of surrounding at least a portion of one end of the coupling member when the housing and the cover are coupled together.

[0013] Advantageous Effects

[0014] The vehicle control apparatus according to the embodiments of the present disclosure has the following effects: to prevent short circuit of circuit elements by preventing foreign matter such as chippings or chipping powder generated in screw assembly from entering a circuit board inside the vehicle control apparatus in the process of collectively fixing a plurality of components within the vehicle control apparatus.

[0015] Another effect is to prevent burnout of circuit board elements caused when moisture such as condensate and condensed water generated from a vehicle enters the inside of the vehicle control apparatus via the jig hole. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a vehicle control apparatus according to a first embodiment and a second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0017] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a vehicle control apparatus according to the present disclosure.

[0018] Figure 3 is a partial enlarged view of a vehicle control apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0019] Figure 4 is an assembled sectional view of a vehicle control apparatus according to the first and second embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0020] Figure 5 is a view showing an assembling method of a vehicle control apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Hereinafter, some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, the same drawing reference numerals are primarily used to designate the same elements (although these elements are shown in different drawings), throughout the specification. Furthermore, in the following description of some embodiments, detailed descriptions of known functions and configurations incorporated herein will be omitted for clarity and conciseness.

[0022] In addition, various terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b), etc. are used only to distinguish one component from another component, and do not imply or imply the substantial, order or sequence of the components. Throughout the specification, when a part "includes" or "comprises" a component, unless there is a specific description to the contrary, the part means that it further includes other components, rather than excluding other components. Terms such as "unit", "module" and the like refer to one or more units for processing at least one function or operation, which can be implemented by hardware, software or a combination thereof.

[0023] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a vehicle control apparatus according to the first and second embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0024] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a vehicle control apparatus according to the present disclosure.

[0025] Figure 3 is a partial enlarged view of a vehicle control apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0026] Figure 4 is an assembled sectional view of a vehicle control apparatus according to the first and second embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0027] REFERENCE Figures 1 to 4The vehicle control apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure can include all or some of the housing 10, the circuit board 30, the cover 20, the coupling member 40, and the first protectors 51a and 51b.

[0028] The housing 10 can include all or some of the base 12, the side wall 13, and the first assembly hole 11.

[0029] The base 12 corresponds to a lower surface of the housing 10. The circuit board 30 can be mounted on at least a portion of a surface above the base 12. Components, cables, and the like, as well as the circuit board 30, can be mounted on the surface above the base 12. The overall shape and size of the base 12 can correspond to components mounted thereon, such as the circuit board 30.

[0030] The side wall 13 is configured to have a predetermined height with respect to the base 12 at one lateral side of the base 12. The height of the side wall 13 can correspond to the configuration of components mounted within the housing 10, such as the circuit board 30. The side wall 13 can include an area that is bent and extends from one end of an upper edge of the side wall 13 in a direction perpendicular to a height direction, the height direction being perpendicular to one surface of the circuit board 30.

[0031] The first assembly hole 11 is a through hole through which the coupling member 40 passes. The first assembly hole 11 can be formed at one end of the upper edge of the side wall 13 in the height direction. The first assembly hole 11 can be included in an area that is bent and extends from one end of the upper edge of the side wall 13 in a direction perpendicular to the height direction. The position, shape, and size of the first assembly hole 11 can correspond to the second assembly hole 21 and the coupling member 40, which will be described later. Although Figure 1 Two first assembly holes 11 are shown, but the present disclosure is not limited to Figure 1 the case shown in FIG. 1.

[0032] The controller (not shown) can include the circuit board 30 and various electronic components disposed on the circuit board 30. The controller can receive and process information from sensors or switches mounted on each portion of the vehicle by using the various electronic components mounted on the circuit board 30, and can control various electrical functions of the vehicle.

[0033] The circuit board 30 is mounted within the housing 10. Electronic components such as diodes can be mounted on the circuit board 30. For example, the circuit board 30 can be a printed circuit board (PCB).

[0034] The controller can perform functions such as power management, signal processing, control signal generation, diagnosis, and error handling. The controller can perform a power management function of the vehicle by monitoring a voltage of a vehicle battery and adjusting a power supply to a vehicle electrical system. Various electronic components can process various signals received from inside and outside the vehicle related to engine conditions, vehicle speed, etc. The controller can control various features such as an engine, a brake, an air conditioner, and a window based on the processed information. The controller can perform a function of monitoring an operating state of a vehicle system, diagnosing an error, and taking appropriate measures to correct the error in order to maintain safety and performance of the vehicle. Although a description of exemplary functions of the controller is given above, the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0035] Various components can be disposed on the circuit board 30. The various components can perform different functions and control vehicle systems by interacting with each other. In the circuit board 30, a central processing unit CPU, a graphic processing unit GPU, various sensors, a microcontroller, a microprocessor, a memory, an analog-to-digital converter ADC, a digital-to-analog converter DAC, a power management integrated circuit PMIC, a signal processing circuit, and / or a protection circuit can be integrated. This is an exemplary configuration, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0036] As described above, it is important to prevent foreign substances from entering the circuit board, since various electronic components are mounted on the circuit board 30 of the controller.

[0037] The cover 20 can be disposed vertically above the circuit board 30 and attached to the housing 10. Since the cover 20 disposed vertically above the circuit board 30 held in the housing 10 is attached to the housing 10, the circuit board 30 can be protected.

[0038] The second assembly hole 21 can be formed vertically at a position on one surface of the cover 20 corresponding to the first assembly hole 11. The second assembly hole 21 is a through hole through which the coupling member 40, which will be described later, passes.

[0039] The second assembly hole 21 has a narrower cross-section from one side to the other side in the height direction, and can be formed in a recess in which a lateral surface of the cover 20 is cut. Here, one side of the cover 20 in the height direction refers to the upper side of the cover 20, and the other side of the cover 20 in the height direction refers to the opposite side of the one side of the cover 20 in the height direction. The formation of the recess can reduce the length of the coupling member 40, and can allow easy access from the coupling member 40 during assembly. Although Figure 1 Two second assembly holes 21 are shown, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0040] The vehicle control apparatus according to the first embodiment can include a guide protrusion 15 formed adjacent to the first assembly hole 11 and a guide hole 22 formed adjacent to the second assembly hole 21 and corresponding to the guide protrusion 15. The guide protrusion 15 can be configured to have a predetermined height with respect to an area curved and extended in a direction perpendicular to the height direction from one end of the upper edge of the side wall 13. By further including the guide protrusion 15 and the guide hole 22, the housing 10 and the cover 20 can be pre-assembled quickly and accurately before the coupling member 40 is attached to the housing 10 and the cover 20. That is, the efficiency of the assembly process can be improved, and the assembly quality can be maintained.

[0041] The other side of the guide protrusion 15 along the height direction can have the same circular cross section, and the side of the guide protrusion 15 along the height direction can be tapered at one end. Here, the side of the guide protrusion 15 along the height direction refers to the frontmost side of the guide protrusion 15 that is first coupled to the guide hole 22. The other side of the guide protrusion 15 along the height direction refers to the opposite side of the side of the guide protrusion 15 along the height direction. Since the side of the guide protrusion 15 along the height direction is tapered at one end, the housing 10 and the cover 20 can be easily pre-assembled together.

[0042] The coupling member 40 can couple the housing 10 and the cover 20 together by passing through the first assembly hole 11 and the second assembly hole 21 vertically at the same time. The coupling member 40 can be, but is not limited to, a machine-type screw or a tapped-type screw.

[0043] The first protectors 51a and 51b can prevent debris or debris powder from the rack from entering the circuit board 30 when the housing 10 and the cover 20 are coupled together by the coupling member 40 passing through the first assembly hole 11 and the second assembly hole 21 vertically at the same time. The first protectors 51a and 51b can be formed in a manner of surrounding at least a portion of one end of the coupling member 40 when the housing 10 and the cover 20 are coupled together. The first protectors 51a and 51b can be assembled below the area curved and extended in a direction perpendicular to the height direction from one end of the upper edge of the side wall 13 to surround the first assembly hole 11 corresponding to the first assembly hole 11. The assembly method can be, but is not limited to, brazing, heat fusion, etc.

[0044] The first protectors 51a and 51b can have various shapes in order to function to prevent foreign matter such as debris or debris powder from entering the circuit board 30.

[0045] The first protectors 51a and 51b include a flange portion and a receiving portion. The flange portion includes a surface attached to one area surrounding the first assembly hole 11.

[0046] In the present specification, the first protectors 51a and 51b are labeled as 51a or 51b in the drawing according to the shape of the end on the other side in the height direction. The shapes of the first protectors 51a and 51b are not limited to the drawing, but can correspond to the shape of the end of the coupling member 40.

[0047] First, the first protector 51a whose receiving portion is cylindrical will be described, and then the first protector 51b whose at least a portion of the end of the receiving portion is tapered will be described.

[0048] Figures 1 to 4 The receiving portion of the first protector 51a disclosed in the present embodiment can have the same circular cross section from the end on the one side in the height direction of the first protector 51a to the other side. Here, the one side in the height direction of the first protector 51a refers to the side adjacent to the flange portion. The other side in the height direction of the first protector 51a refers to the opposite side of the one side in the height direction of the first protector 51a.

[0049] Figure 3 The first protector 51b disclosed in the present embodiment can be tapered at the end on the other side in the height direction of the first protector 51b.

[0050] The tapered shape of the end on the other side of the first protector 51b gives the housing 10 more internal space compared to the case where the first protector 51b has the same circular cross section from the one side in the height direction of the first protector 51b to the other side. The shapes of the first protectors 51a and 51b are not limited to these two examples. The first protectors 51a and 51b can be formed to correspond in shape to the end of the coupling member 40.

[0051] With reference to Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 4 , the vehicle control apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure can include all or some of the housing 10, the circuit board 30, the cover 20, and the second protector 52. The components according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure can be the same as those according to the first embodiment except for the components to be described specifically below, and thus the detailed description of the same will be omitted.

[0052] The side wall 13 can include a jig hole 14 through which a jig pin can be inserted on one surface. The number and arrangement of the jig holes 14 formed in the side wall 13 are not limited to those shown in the drawing, but can correspond to the number and arrangement of the jig pins of the assembly jig.

[0053] The second protector 52 can prevent burnout of elements of the circuit board 30 caused when moisture such as condensate and condensed water generated from the vehicle enters the inside of the vehicle control device via the jig hole 14 of the control device. In the process of manufacturing the vehicle control device, the second protector 52 can be formed in a manner of surrounding at least a portion of one end of the jig pin when the jig pin of the jig is coupled to the jig hole 14. That is, the second protector 52 can be assembled to one region of the side wall 13 corresponding to the jig hole 14, which is the inner surface of the side wall 13 surrounding the jig hole 14. The assembly method can be, but is not limited to, brazing, heat fusion, or the like.

[0054] Figure 1 and Figure 4 The disclosed second protector 52 includes a flange portion and a receiving portion. The flange portion includes a surface attached to one region surrounding the jig hole 14. The receiving portion can be tapered at one end on the horizontal inner side perpendicular to the height direction. Here, the horizontal inner side refers to the side opposite to the flange portion attached to the side wall 13. Figure 1 and Figure 4 The shape of the second protector 52 disclosed in the above is merely illustrative and is not limited thereto. The second protector 52 can be formed to correspond in shape to one end of the jig pin.

[0055] Figure 5 is a view showing an assembly method of a vehicle control device according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0056] Referring to Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 5 , the vehicle control device according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure can include all or some of the housing 10, the circuit board 30, the cover 20, and the third protector 53. The components according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure can be the same as those according to the first and second embodiments except for the components to be described in detail below, and thus detailed description of the same will be omitted.

[0057] The side wall 13 can include a plurality of jig holes 14.

[0058] The third protector 53 can be composed of a single plate including a plurality of dome structures corresponding in number and configuration to the plurality of jig holes 14. With the single plate, the assembly process can be simplified compared to engaging the protector to each of the plurality of jig holes 14 on the inner side of the side wall 13, thereby improving the efficiency of the manufacturing process. The side wall 13 and the third protector 53 can be engaged together by brazing, heat fusion, or the like, but are not limited thereto.

[0059] The vehicle control device according to the third embodiment can further include the assembly protrusion 16 and a third assembly hole 54.

[0060] An assembly protrusion 16 can be formed on the inner side of the side wall 13 to be adjacent to the plurality of jig holes 14. The assembly protrusion 16 can pass through and be coupled to a third assembly hole 54 formed on one surface of a third protector 53, which will be described below.

[0061] The third assembly hole 54 can be formed on one surface of the third protector 53, corresponding to the assembly protrusion 16. The side wall 13 and the third protector 53 can be joined together by passing the assembly protrusion 16 through the third assembly hole 54. By doing so, it is possible to more easily perform the joining than by performing the joining through heat fusion.

[0062] Although exemplary embodiments of the disclosure have been described for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the idea and scope of the claimed invention. Therefore, for the sake of brevity and clarity, exemplary embodiments of the disclosure have been described. The scope of the technical idea of the present embodiment is not limited by the illustration. Therefore, those of ordinary skill will appreciate that the scope of the claimed invention is not limited by the above explicitly described embodiments, but is limited by the claims and their equivalents.

[0063] Cross Reference to Related Applications

[0064] This application claims the benefit of priority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0059557, filed on May 7, 2024, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

Claims

1. A vehicle control apparatus comprising: a housing including a base, a side wall configured to extend from the base at one lateral side thereof and having a predetermined height with respect to the base, and a first set of assembly holes formed vertically at one end of an upper edge of the side wall; a circuit board positioned in the housing; a cover configured to be disposed vertically above the circuit board and attached to the housing, and second assembly holes formed at positions corresponding to the first assembly holes; a coupling member for coupling the housing and the cover together by passing vertically through the first assembly holes and the second assembly holes; and a first protector configured to surround at least a portion of one end of the coupling member when the housing and the cover are coupled together. The first protector is assembled under a region that is bent and extends in a direction perpendicular to a height direction from one end of the upper edge of the side wall corresponding to the first assembly holes.

2. The vehicle control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a guide protrusion positioned adjacent to the first assembly holes; and 3. The vehicle control apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a guide hole positioned adjacent to the second assembly holes and corresponding to the guide protrusion. The first protector has the same circular cross section from one side toward the other side along the height direction.

4. The vehicle control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein The first protector is tapered on opposite sides at one end along the height direction.

5. The vehicle control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein 6.A vehicle control apparatus comprising: a housing including a base, a side wall configured to extend from the base at one lateral side thereof and having a predetermined height with respect to the base, and a clamp hole formed on one surface of the side wall; a circuit board positioned in the housing; a cover disposed above the circuit board and attached to the housing; and a second protector configured to surround at least a portion of a clamp pin passing through the clamp hole. The second protector is shaped to correspond to one end of the clamp pin. The second protector is joined to an inner surface of the side wall surrounding the clamp hole by heat fusion.

7. The vehicle control apparatus according to claim 6, wherein 9.A vehicle control apparatus comprising:

8. The vehicle control apparatus according to claim 6, wherein a housing including a base, a side wall configured to extend from the base at one lateral side thereof and having a predetermined height with respect to the base, and a plurality of clamp holes formed on one surface of the side wall; a circuit board positioned in the housing; a cover disposed above the circuit board and attached to the housing; and a third protector including a plurality of vault structures respectively corresponding in position to a plurality of clamp pins passing through the plurality of clamp holes, respectively, wherein the third protector is constituted by a single plate, and each of the plurality of vault structures is configured to surround at least a portion of each of the plurality of clamp pins. ​ ​ ​ 10. The vehicle control apparatus according to claim 9, wherein The side wall includes an assembly protrusion on an inner side of the side wall adjacent to the plurality of clamp holes, the third protector includes a third assembly hole configured to receive the assembly protrusion, and the side wall and the third protector are joined together by passing the assembly protrusion through the third assembly hole.

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