Housing and method for closing housing
By designing low-strength connection points and embedded detectors within the housing, the problem of identifying and preventing unauthorized housing opening is solved, enabling reliable identification and recording of unauthorized access and ensuring security.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202511172662.1
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2024-08-22
- Filing Date
- 2025-08-21
- Publication Date
- 2026-03-03
AI Technical Summary
Existing technologies are insufficient to effectively identify and prevent unauthorized access to or tampering with electronic casings. Conventional devices are easily circumvented and unauthorized opening cannot be identified afterward.
A second connection with lower strength is used, designed as the expected damage area, to connect the shell part through mechanical components, and equipped with a detector to indicate the opening of the shell by means of electrical or electromagnetic signals. The detector can be embedded in the shell material or invisible, and non-destructive inspection methods are used to identify unauthorized opening.
It enables reliable identification and recording of changes in the shell's state after unauthorized opening, preventing tampering without affecting the shell's normal use, and providing reliable evidence afterward.
Smart Images
Figure CN121604314A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a housing and a method for closing the housing, to a commercial vehicle having the housing, and more particularly to the identification of an open housing by means of an exemplary spring contact, wire or similar component. Background Technology
[0002] Cybersecurity is increasingly important, especially in the automotive sector, requiring high security standards. This includes protecting electronic components or systems from tampering. This should be ensured by ensuring that the housing containing electronic components cannot be easily opened, or at least that unauthorized opening can be detected. Therefore, it should be possible to determine, at the very least, after an incident that a potential attacker has breached or attempted to breach the housing. An attacker's purpose in breaching the housing could be, for example, to alter the function of the electronic system without authorization. These unauthorized alterations include, for example, tweaking, installing malware, or other unauthorized changes to how the vehicle operates.
[0003] Conventional devices used to detect opening of the housing include seals or adhesive parts installed on the equipment housing, which may break upon opening. If this is discovered afterward, it voids the warranty or guarantee. However, this does not prevent misuse or the aforementioned adjustments. Furthermore, these seals / adhesive parts can likely be repaired afterward.
[0004] Other conventional solutions use so-called door contacts (e.g., in the cover) that electronically report access. However, potential attackers may also learn to circumvent these obvious measures.
[0005] Therefore, additional measures are needed to at least identify unwanted or unauthorized access to the electronic casing—even if such access cannot be fundamentally ruled out. Summary of the Invention
[0006] At least the housing portion of the aforementioned problem is solved by the housing according to claim 1 and the method for closing the housing according to claim 13. The dependent claims define other advantageous embodiments of the subject matter of the independent claims.
[0007] This invention relates to a housing for at least one component. The housing includes a first housing portion and a second housing portion, which are connectable to each other to close the housing. The housing also includes a mechanical member having a first connecting portion and a second connecting portion for connecting the mechanical member internally to the first and second housing portions of the housing. The second connecting portion is configured to be weaker than the first connecting portion. Furthermore, the damage / breakage of the second connection indicates that the housing is open.
[0008] It should be understood that the first and / or second connection portions can be constructed directly or indirectly (e.g., via a circuit board) to connect the two housing portions (directly or indirectly) via mechanical components. Furthermore, the second connection portion, constructed with lower strength, can be formed as a desired breakage point and designed to be as inconspicuous as possible. The component may, for example, have at least one electronic component. This electronic component may be, for example, a circuit board with electrical components.
[0009] Optionally, the mechanical component is a spring contact portion between the second housing portion and the at least one component. The second connection portion may be or include at least one of the following: a fusion weld connection, a brazed connection, or an adhesive connection. The first connection portion may, for example, contact or be fastened to the component.
[0010] Optionally, the housing includes a detector configured to transmit an electrical signal via a mechanical component and to signal the opening of the housing by a change in the electrical signal. For example, the mechanical component may be metal and part of a signal line securely connected to a first housing portion on one side and a second housing portion on the other, such that the signal line is interrupted when the housing is opened. The detector can transmit a signal via the signal line and infer the opening of the housing from the broken signal line.
[0011] The embodiments also relate to an additional housing for at least one component, having a first housing portion and a second housing portion, the first housing portion and the second housing portion being connectable to each other to close the housing. The additional housing has a detector for electromagnetic signals inside the housing, wherein the detector is configured to signal the opening of the housing by a change in the electromagnetic signal.
[0012] Optionally, the electromagnetic signal is at least one of the following: visible light, infrared signal, voltage, electrical signal, magnetic signal, capacitance (the change in spacing causes a change in capacitance), or electromagnetic wave (e.g., radio signal).
[0013] Optionally, the detector includes a first detector component and a second detector component, with electromagnetic signals propagating between the first and second detector components. One of these detector components is securely connected to a first housing portion, while the other detector component is securely connected to a second housing portion. The first detector component and / or the second detector component includes or has at least one of the following combinations:
[0014] - Radiation source and photodiode (e.g., for receiving signals from the radiation source, so that the detector can infer the opening of the housing from the change in the received signal);
[0015] - High-frequency identification RFID transponders and RFID readers (e.g., one may be formed on or in a first housing portion, and the other may be formed on or in a second housing portion or on a component, such that relative movement between the two initiates the transponder's reading process, and the detector thereby infers that the housing is open);
[0016] - Hall sensor and magnet (e.g., one of which may be formed on or in a first housing portion, and the other on or in a second housing portion or on a component, such that the detector infers the opening of the housing from the change in the sensor signal of the Hall sensor).
[0017] Optionally, the detector includes (only one) a photodiode for receiving signals (e.g., light) from the surrounding environment when the housing is opened. Similarly, the detector can infer the opening of the (additional) housing from changes in the sensor signal of the photodiode.
[0018] Optionally, the detector includes a data memory, and the detector is configured to issue a warning or store information about the opening in the data memory when it detects that the housing is open (e.g., a flag may be set).
[0019] Optionally, the component includes a functional component for a predetermined function, wherein the predetermined function may be changed (or become unavailable) based on a warning or stored information.
[0020] Alternatively, the detector may be formed invisibly within the housing (e.g., in the material of the housing and / or in the material of the components within the housing).
[0021] Optionally, the first housing portion is a bottom element having a circuit board, which is fastened to the bottom element as a component. Optionally, the second housing portion is a cover element for closing the bottom element.
[0022] The embodiments also relate to a commercial vehicle (e.g., a truck or bus) having a housing as defined above. This housing may house the vehicle controller.
[0023] The embodiments also relate to a method for enclosing a housing for at least one component. The method includes:
[0024] - Provide a first housing portion and a second housing portion;
[0025] - The housing is closed by joining the first housing portion and the second housing portion together; and
[0026] - The mechanical components are fixed to the first housing portion inside the housing and to the second housing portion via the desired breakage point, such that opening the housing causes the desired breakage point to break.
[0027] Optionally, the fixing steps include at least one of the following fastening methods: fusion welding, brazing, bonding, wherein, for example, the following can be performed: ultrasonic welding, electric heating, spot heating, application of adhesive, and curing of adhesive after sealing the housing.
[0028] It should be understood that all the previously described optional components of the housing may be implemented as additional optional method steps in the manufacture of the enclosed housing. Furthermore, it should be understood that the mentioned order does not necessarily imply a mandatory sequence of method steps. The steps may also be implemented in a different order, or only some of the method steps may be implemented.
[0029] The embodiments offer several advantages. Therefore, at least some of the aforementioned problems are solved by components (e.g., mechanical parts or detectors) or portions thereof being constructed to be virtually invisible, allowing them to detect opening of the housing and issue a corresponding report. Thus, while the mechanical parts may be identifiable after opening, damage to the secure connections of these mechanical parts on the first and / or second housing portions is undetectable.
[0030] The embodiments may use various types of sensors based on different technical solutions. These sensors can be categorized as active sensors (e.g., powered) and passive sensors (not powered), or electronic and non-electronic sensors. Non-electronic sensors include, for example, mechanical prevention devices that detect the opening of a housing. Active electronic sensors include, for example, sensors that transmit electrical signals and detect the opening of a housing based on changes in the electrical signals. Passive electronic sensors include, for example, sensors that detect incident light after the housing has been opened and detect the opening of the housing based on this light.
[0031] The embodiments particularly utilize detection devices or detectors that can not only indicate the opening of the housing, but also prevent or limit operation or trigger monitoring in the event of unauthorized opening or possible modification. For example, highly sensitive functions (such as autonomous driving) can be suspended upon detection of unauthorized opening of the associated control device. The driver can only reactivate the mode after a proper check. Attached Figure Description
[0032] The embodiments of the present invention can be better understood through the following detailed description of different embodiments and accompanying drawings. However, it should not be construed as limiting the present disclosure to the specific implementation, but is only for explanation and understanding.
[0033] Figure 1A housing according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.
[0034] Figure 2 Another housing according to a different embodiment is shown.
[0035] Figure 3 A schematic flowchart of a method for enclosing a housing according to an embodiment is shown. Specific Implementation
[0036] Figure 1 An embodiment of a housing for component 115 is shown. The housing includes a first housing portion 110 and a second housing portion 120, which are connectable to each other to enclose the housing as shown. The housing also includes a mechanical component 130 that establishes a connection between the first housing portion 110 and the second housing portion 120. Component 115 may be a circuit board or electronic component, or have a circuit board or electronic component. Component 115 may be securely connected to the first housing portion 110. Thus, the mechanical component 130 indirectly (through component 115) connects the first housing portion 110 to the second housing portion 120. Component 115 may in particular include components for controlling specific functions in a vehicle (e.g., as a vehicle controller).
[0037] According to an embodiment, the mechanical component 130 is a spring or has spring action, which presses the exemplary component 115 vertically against the first housing portion 110. This ensures the secure retention of the component 115. The mechanical component 130 may have a first connecting portion 131 and a second connecting portion 132, wherein the second connecting portion 132 provides a secure connection to the second housing portion 120 (e.g., by spot welding, brazing, or bonding), and the first connecting portion 131 securely couples the mechanical component 130 to the component 115 or the first housing portion 110.
[0038] According to an embodiment, the second connection 132 can provide the desired damaged area. To ensure this, the first connection 131 can be securely connected to or hooked into the component 115, wherein the connection to the component 115 can be configured to be stronger / more robust than the second connection 132 to the second housing portion 120. Therefore, when the housing is opened, the second connection 132 to the second housing portion 120 will break—but the first connection 131 to the component 115 (or to the first housing portion 110) will not break. The breakage of the desired location 132 can be identified later, even if the housing has been resealed during this period. Thus, unauthorized access to the component 115 present in the housing can be identified retrospectively. This identification can also be performed without reopening the housing. Therefore, for example, imaging methods such as X-ray or ultrasound examination can be used to identify the desired location of the breakage without opening the housing.
[0039] Advantageously, the damage to the desired breakage point 132 will not be immediately detected. For this purpose, the second connection 132 between the mechanical component 130 and the second housing portion 120 can be correspondingly constructed to be small (e.g., having an area with a diameter less than 1 mm), making microscopic examination, for example, necessary to identify the presence of the desired breakage point 132. A potential attacker cannot easily ascertain whether a secure connection 132 existed between the mechanical component 130 and the second housing portion 120 (e.g., a cover). On the other hand, before the housing is opened, it can be determined whether the second connection 132 between the mechanical component 130 and the second housing portion 120 has been damaged (e.g., due to unauthorized opening) by ultrasonic inspection, X-ray, or electrical measurement.
[0040] According to another embodiment, the housing can be energized. The energized housing can be connected to an external power source (via optional connection contacts or connectors). Figure 1 (Not shown) or has its own battery. If the housing is energized, current can be fed through mechanical component 130, which is interrupted and signals accordingly when the housing is opened. Therefore, embodiments include optional detectors configured to detect signals through mechanical component 130 and (e.g., upon interruption) issue a warning or store them as information in memory (e.g., setting a flag or indicator). This can cause functional components in part 115 or the housing to behave differently than previously thought. For example, unauthorized opening can cause specific functions to be disabled, thus reliably ruling out tampering / manipulation. For example, if the possibility of a potential attacker accessing the control electronics cannot be ruled out, autonomous driving can become difficult or impossible.
[0041] The first housing portion 110 may be made of metal (e.g., an aluminum casting). In this case, an optional grounding contact 117 may be provided, which connects the back side of component 115 to the first housing portion 110, for example. The second housing portion 120 may be formed as a cover and may also be made of metal. However, the second housing portion may also be made of a plastic material (e.g., polyamide).
[0042] Figure 2 Further details of the electrically powered housing according to an embodiment are shown. The electrically powered housing either has its own voltage source (e.g., a battery, accumulator) or is connected to an external voltage source via an attachment terminal. This external voltage source could, for example, be the battery of an exemplary vehicle (e.g., a commercial vehicle or truck).
[0043] According to this embodiment, the housing further includes a first housing portion 110, a second housing portion 120, and a detector 230. The detector 230 may be exemplarily arranged on or therein in the component 115. In particular, the detector 230 may also be completely embedded in the component 115 (e.g., injection molded into a circuit board) so that the presence of the detector is not visible after the housing is opened.
[0044] Optionally, the detector includes a first detector component 231, a second detector component 232, and an optional data storage device 233. The first detector component 231 and / or the second detector component may include or be at least one of the following: a light-emitting diode, a photodiode, a radiation source, an RFID chip, a Hall sensor, a mirror, or a magnet. The first or second detector component 231, 232 may be an active component, and the corresponding other may be a passive component. For example, the second detector component 232 may be embedded or injection-molded as a passive component into the second housing portion 120 (e.g., if it is made of plastic), such that the second detector component is not visible after the housing is opened. One or more detection results may be recorded in the data storage device 233.
[0045] According to an embodiment, an electromagnetic signal 237 is exchanged between the first detector component 231 and the second detector component 232. The electromagnetic signal 237 may include, for example, an optical signal, an infrared signal, a magnetic signal, a radio frequency signal (radio signal), or other electromagnetic signals that allow the detector 230 to determine the opening of the housing based on signal changes.
[0046] According to an embodiment, the first detector component 231 and the second detector component 232 may each include an RFID chip, one of which is embedded in the second housing portion 120 (cover), and the other RFID chip is mounted in or on the first housing portion 110 or component 115 (this chip may also be integrated there invisibly). The housing may, for example, have a dielectric material to allow for unobstructed signal propagation between the two RFID chips. One of the RFID chips may be a transponder, and the other may be an associated reader. In this case, the electromagnetic signal 237 is the transponder signal.
[0047] According to an embodiment, the first detector component 231 is a radiation source, and the second detector component 232 is a photodiode. The second detector component 232 may also be a mirror, wherein a photodiode is additionally constructed on component 115. Detector 230 can infer the opening of the housing from changes in the received signal.
[0048] According to an embodiment, detector 230 includes (only one) photodiode for receiving signals (e.g., light) from the surrounding environment of the housing when the housing is opened. Similarly, detector 230 can infer the opening of (another) housing from changes in the sensor signal of the photodiode.
[0049] According to an embodiment, detector 230 includes a Hall sensor as a first detector component 231 and a magnet as a second detector component 232. In this case, detector 230 can infer the opening of the housing from a change in the sensor signal of the Hall sensor. In this case, electromagnetic signal 237 is a change in the magnetic field of magnet 232 in the exemplary cover 120.
[0050] According to an embodiment, detector 230 can form a capacitor, the capacitance of which changes when the detector is turned on. Therefore, the first detector component 231 can be a first capacitor electrode, and the second detector component 232 can be a second capacitor electrode; when turned on, they move away from each other, thereby triggering a detection signal.
[0051] Advantageously, the detector 230, or its various components 231, 232, is arranged such that they are not easily identifiable to intruders or potential attackers after the housing is opened. This can be achieved, for example, by embedding the detector components 231, 232 into the material of the housing portions 110, 120 or component 115 (e.g., by fusing them into a polymer material).
[0052] According to an embodiment, opening the housing can cause a change in the performance of related devices (e.g., functional components within the housing). Alternatively or additionally, a warning may be issued (e.g., sent to an external device in real time) or recorded in data storage 233 and retrieved later (e.g., in the workshop). This allows it to be determined whether tampering has occurred.
[0053] Figure 3 A schematic flowchart of a method for enclosing a housing according to an embodiment is shown. The method includes the following steps:
[0054] - Provides a first housing portion 110 and a second housing portion 120 for S110;
[0055] -The housing S120 is closed by engaging the first housing portion 110 and the second housing portion 120 with each other; and
[0056] - The mechanical component 130 is fixed to the first housing portion 110 inside the housing and to the second housing portion 120 via the desired breakage portion 132, such that opening the housing causes the desired breakage portion 132 to break.
[0057] Fixing can include welding, brazing, or bonding. In particular, this step can be performed after the housing is closed. On the other hand, if the mechanical component 130 is also securely fixed to the first housing portion 110 (e.g., also by welding, brazing, or bonding), the housing can only be opened if at least one of these connections 131, 132 is damaged. Preferably, this can be the connection 132 to the second housing portion 120. This can be achieved by configuring the second connection 132 as a desired point of failure (e.g., configured to be less or smaller than the first connection 131). This provides the advantage that optional inspections can be performed before opening the housing. For this purpose, non-destructive material inspections (e.g., ultrasonic, X-ray, electrical measurements) can be performed to identify any damage to the second connection 132 on the exemplary cover (second housing portion).
[0058] The main aspects of the embodiments can be summarized as follows. The embodiments can be divided into two groups:
[0059] (1) An electrically powered housing (e.g., including a battery or connected to a vehicle battery);
[0060] (2) The casing is not powered on.
[0061] Group (1) includes, for example, embodiments in which the opening of the housing is detected by means of a photoelectric sensor in order to identify external light (outside the housing) when the housing is open. Another possibility for the powered device is the presence of a photodiode and a light-emitting diode that transmits a specific spectrum, thereby allowing external light to be identified as interference with the transmitted spectrum. Another possibility in this group is the use of a Hall sensor and a magnet, which may be soldered onto a circuit board, for example, and the magnet may be invisibly injection molded into the second housing portion 120 (e.g., in a removable cover). When the cover 120 is opened, the change in the magnetic field causes a change in the Hall sensor signal, which can then be detected as the opening of the housing. The evaluation of the powered housing group can be performed by an existing microcontroller.
[0062] The second group of embodiments includes housings that do not have a path to a power source or generate the required power themselves. This includes, for example, the aforementioned RFID chip (e.g., transponder, reader), which may be invisibly incorporated (e.g., injection-molded) into the circuit board 115 and / or invisibly arranged in the cover (second housing portion 120). The relative movement of the two detector components 131, 132 generates their own current (e.g., through induction) to trigger a detection signal. Advantageously, potential attackers (intruders) will not recognize the protective measures in place and will therefore not take or learn countermeasures. Another embodiment for protecting a non-powered housing involves arranging a mechanical component 130 with a desired breakage point 132 within the housing. Here, the desired breakage point 132 itself may also be unidentifiable (e.g., constructed to be very small). Thus, a spring contact (Federkontakt), which appears at first glance to be a clamping device for the exemplary circuit board 115, may be securely attached to the cover, for example by means of ultrasonic welding. This can be done after the housing is closed. When the housing is opened later, the (small) welded contacts will tear, and this will not be immediately noticeable. The spring contacts can be disguised as preload devices, and they will continue to function normally after unauthorized opening and closing.
[0063] The features of the invention disclosed in the specification, claims and drawings are important for implementing the invention, either individually or in any combination.
[0064] List of reference numerals
[0065] 110 First shell section
[0066] 115 At least one component (e.g., circuit board, functional component)
[0067] 117 Grounding attachment terminal
[0068] 120 Second shell section
[0069] 130 Mechanical components
[0070] 131 First connecting part
[0071] 132 Second connection part (e.g., the part expected to break)
[0072] Detector 230
[0073] 231 First Detector Component
[0074] 232 Second Detector Component
[0075] 237 Electromagnetic signal (detection signal)
[0076] 233 Data storage.
Claims
1. A housing for at least one component (115), the housing having a first housing portion (110) and a second housing portion (120), the first housing portion and the second housing portion being connectable to each other to close the housing. Its features are, A mechanical component (130) is provided, the mechanical component having a first connecting portion (131) and a second connecting portion (132) for connecting the mechanical component (130) inside the housing to the first housing portion (110) and the second housing portion (120) of the housing, wherein the second connecting portion (132) is configured to be less strong than the first connecting portion (131), and damage to the second connecting portion (132) indicates that the housing has been opened.
2. The housing according to claim 1, wherein, The mechanical component (130) is a spring contact portion between the second housing portion (120) and the component (115), and the second connection portion (132) is at least one of the following: a fusion welded connection portion, a brazed connection portion, or an adhesive connection portion.
3. The housing according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the housing further comprises a detector (230) configured to transmit an electrical signal via the mechanical component (130) and to indicate the opening of the housing by means of a change in the electrical signal.
4. A housing for at least one component (115), the housing having a first housing portion (110) and a second housing portion (120), the first housing portion and the second housing portion being connectable to each other to close the housing. Its features are, Inside the housing is a detector (230) for an electromagnetic signal (237), wherein the detector (230) is configured to signal the opening of the housing by a change in the electromagnetic signal (237).
5. The housing according to claim 4, wherein, The electromagnetic signal (237) is at least one of the following: visible light, infrared signal, voltage, electrical signal, magnetic signal, capacitance, electromagnetic wave.
6. The housing according to claim 4 or 5, wherein, The detector (230) has a first detector component (231) and a second detector component (232), the electromagnetic signal (237) propagates between the first detector component and the second detector component, and one of the first detector component and the second detector component is firmly connected to the first housing portion (110), while the other detector component is firmly connected to the second housing portion (120), wherein the first detector component (231) and the second detector component (232) have at least one of the following combinations: -Radiation source and photodiode; - High-frequency identification RFID transponders and RFID readers; - Hall effect sensors and magnets.
7. The housing according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein, The detector (230) has a photodiode for receiving signals from the surrounding environment of the housing when the housing is opened.
8. The housing according to any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein, The detector (230) has a data memory (233) and is configured to issue a warning or store information about the opening in the data memory when the opening of the housing is detected.
9. The housing according to claim 8, wherein, The component (115) has a functional component for a predetermined function, the functional component being configured to change the predetermined function based on the warning or the stored information.
10. The housing according to any one of claims 3 to 9, wherein, The detector (230) is constructed invisibly within the housing.
11. The housing according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The first housing portion (110) is a bottom element having a circuit board (115) fastened to the bottom element, and the second housing portion (120) is a cover element for closing the bottom element (110).
12. A commercial vehicle having a housing according to any one of the preceding claims.
13. A method for closing a housing for at least one component (115), the method comprising the steps of: - Provide (S110) a first housing portion (110) and a second housing portion (120); -The housing is closed (S120) by engaging the first housing portion (110) and the second housing portion (120) with each other; as well as - A mechanical component (130) is fixed (S130) inside the housing to the first housing portion (110) and fixed to the second housing portion (120) via the desired breakage portion (132) such that opening the housing causes the desired breakage portion (132) to break.
14. The method according to claim 13, wherein, The fixing steps include at least one of the following fastening methods: fusion welding, brazing, and bonding.