An electric control unit connector waterproof structure, an electric control unit and a vehicle

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of sealing waterproof, especially to a kind of waterproof structure of electric control unit connector, electric control unit and vehicle.The waterproof structure includes: upper shell, elastic sealing layer, wire, plug connector;Through the notched opening is set in the upper shell, the elastic sealing layer is located the lower side of the upper shell, and sealing hole is set in the elastic sealing layer, and the wire passes through the notched opening of the upper shell and the sealing hole of the elastic sealing layer and is connected with the plug connector;The cross section of the notched opening is greater than the cross section of the wire, and the area outside the wire in the notched opening is filled with fixed block, and the fixed block can solidify when being lower than set temperature, and soften when being higher than the set temperature.The utility model solves the problem of rubber pad sealing due to wire tensioning or dynamic condition under sealing failure.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of sealing and waterproofing technology, and in particular to a waterproof structure for an electronic control unit connector, an electronic control unit, and a vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] The Electronic Control Unit (ECU) is the core electronic control unit that controls the normal operation of critical systems such as the automotive engine. The ECU connects to external wiring harnesses via connectors for signal and power transmission. The waterproof structure of the connectors is a crucial component that protects the internal electronic components of the ECU (especially the pins) from corrosion caused by environmental moisture and rain. Its waterproof performance directly affects the reliability and lifespan of the ECU.

[0003] Currently, a mainstream waterproofing method widely used in commercial vehicle ECU connectors is rubber gasket sealing. The principle of rubber gasket sealing is to achieve waterproofing by relying on the interference fit between the hole on the rubber gasket and the wire. Its advantage is that it can maintain good waterproofing performance even after repeated insertion and removal of the wire from the connector.

[0004] However, this sealing method has the following problems:

[0005] Risk of seal failure due to wire tension: Because rubber gasket seals rely on an interference fit, once the connector is assembled and the wires are tensioned (which is difficult to completely avoid during vehicle wiring harness installation or use), the relative position between the wires and the rubber gasket sealing hole will change. This tension will disrupt the original interference fit, causing gaps between the sealing hole and the wires. Moisture can then seep into the ECU cavity through these gaps, eventually corroding the internal pins and causing ECU malfunction. Furthermore, the sealing performance of the rubber gasket seal may decrease under dynamic conditions: Continuous vibrations and other dynamic factors during vehicle operation may gradually weaken the tightness of the interference fit, affecting long-term seal reliability. Utility Model Content

[0006] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, the purpose of this utility model embodiment is to provide a waterproof structure for electrical control unit connectors, thereby solving the problem of seal failure of rubber gaskets due to wire tension and dynamic operating conditions.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solutions:

[0008] A waterproof structure for an electronic control unit connector includes: an upper housing, an elastic sealing layer, a wire, and a connector; the upper housing has a through slot, the elastic sealing layer is located on the lower side of the upper housing and has a sealing hole, the wire passes through the slot of the upper housing and the sealing hole of the elastic sealing layer and connects to the connector; the cross-section of the slot is larger than the cross-section of the wire, and the area outside the wire in the slot is filled with a fixing block, the fixing block can solidify below a set temperature and soften above the set temperature.

[0009] Optionally, the fixing block is made of wax or adhesive material.

[0010] Optionally, the cross-sectional shape of the slot in the upper housing is the same as the shape of the wire.

[0011] Optionally, the cross-sectional shape of the upper housing slot can be rectangular, circular, elliptical, triangular, trapezoidal, or irregular.

[0012] Optionally, the elastic sealing layer is a rubber pad.

[0013] Optionally, the wire and the sealing hole of the rubber pad are interference fit.

[0014] Optionally, the waterproof structure also includes a gel layer arranged parallel to the rubber pad, through which the wire passes.

[0015] Optionally, the gel layer is located on the underside of the rubber pad.

[0016] This utility model embodiment also provides an electronic control unit, including a housing and a waterproof structure for the electronic control unit connector as described above, wherein the connector is installed inside the housing and the upper housing is installed on the housing.

[0017] This utility model embodiment also provides a vehicle, including the electronic control unit as described above.

[0018] One or more technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this utility model have at least the following technical effects or advantages:

[0019] 1. In the waterproof structure of the electrical control unit connector of this utility model, the upper shell is provided with a through slot, and an elastic sealing layer (rubber pad) is located on its lower side with a sealing hole. The wire is connected to the connector through the slot and the sealing hole. The cross-section of the slot is larger than the cross-section of the wire, and the area outside the wire is filled with a fixing block that can solidify and soften. The phase change characteristics of the fixing block take into account both the flexibility of installation and maintenance and the stability of use. When the wire harness is assembled, heating and softening the fixing block facilitates the positioning of the wire. After cooling and solidification, it forms a rigid constraint to prevent gaps from forming between the wire and the sealing hole after being tightened. High-temperature softening facilitates the insertion and removal of the wire, meets the needs of manufacturing and maintenance, and improves the reliability of waterproofing. Moreover, the elastic limit of the sealing layer is compensated by mechanical fixing, so that the structure still maintains the sealing pressure under dynamic vibration conditions, reducing the risk of water infiltration. This waterproof structure effectively solves the problem of reduced waterproof performance caused by wire tightening or insertion and removal in the prior art, and is suitable for dynamic working conditions, ensuring the stable operation of the electrical control unit.

[0020] 2. The use of a variable-hardness and variable-softness fixing block facilitates the matching of the wire position in the groove with the position of the bottom sealing hole, ensuring that there is no positional deviation between the wire and the sealing hole in the radial direction of the sealing hole, further ensuring the sealing effect of the wire and the rubber gasket.

[0021] 3. Wax-based fixing blocks are low-cost, readily available, and have a melting point range that matches the vehicle's working environment. Their phase change process is highly reversible, and their performance remains stable after repeated heating and cooling. They are also low-cost and offer excellent insulation. Adhesive-based fixing blocks have high adhesion to enhance wire fixing strength, high elastic modulus after solidification, and excellent vibration resistance. Their softened fluidity ensures precise wire positioning.

[0022] 4. The interference fit fixing block between the wire and the sealing hole eliminates the radial displacement of the wire, so that the sealing performance of the interference fit is fully released and it is not easy to loosen under vibration conditions.

[0023] 5. Combining rubber gaskets and gel as two waterproof materials into a double-layer waterproof structure solves the problem of rubber gasket seal failure due to wire tension, while also solving the problem of gel seal not being resistant to repeated insertion and removal, and improving the waterproof reliability of connectors under dynamic working conditions.

[0024] Additional advantages of this invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description or may be learned by practice of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0025] The accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification, are used to provide a further understanding of this utility model. The illustrative embodiments and descriptions of this utility model are used to explain this utility model and do not constitute an undue limitation thereof. Furthermore, the spacing or dimensions between components are exaggerated to show their positions; the schematic diagrams are for illustrative purposes only.

[0026] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a waterproof structure based on existing technology;

[0027] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of a waterproof structure based on existing technology;

[0028] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram showing the gap that forms between the wire and the sealing hole after the wire is stretched taut.

[0029] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of the waterproof structure provided in an embodiment of this utility model;

[0030] Figure 5 This is a rendering of the wire and fixing block provided in an embodiment of this utility model;

[0031] Figure 6 This is an illustration of the wire, rubber pad, and gel layer provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] In the diagram: 1. Box body; 2. Rubber gasket; 21. Sealing hole; 3. Wire; 4. Upper shell; 41. Groove; 5. Connector; 6. Fixing block; 7. Gel layer; Detailed Implementation

[0033] It should be noted that the following detailed description is illustrative and intended to provide further explanation of the present invention. Unless otherwise specified, all technical and scientific terms used in this invention have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. Furthermore, it should be understood that when the terms "comprising" and / or "including" are used in this specification, they indicate the presence of features, steps, operations, devices, components, and / or combinations thereof.

[0034] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 As shown, the existing waterproof structure mainly includes an upper housing 4 (usually a hard plastic pressure plate with holes or slots 41), a rubber pad 2 (elastic sealing layer) located below it, a wire 3, and a connector 5 inside the ECU. The wire 3 passes through the slot 41 of the upper housing 4 and the sealing hole 21 on the rubber pad 2 in sequence, and finally connects to the connector 5. The sealing hole 21 on the rubber pad 2 is designed to have an interference fit with the diameter of the wire 3 (meaning the size of the hole is slightly smaller than the diameter of the wire 3, and the two are tightly fitted without gaps by the elastic deformation of the rubber). The compression contact formed by this interference fit is the main waterproof sealing mechanism of the rubber pad 2: when the wire 3 is inserted, the sealing hole 21 of the rubber pad 2 expands elastically under the compression of the wire 3, and relies on its rebound force to tightly wrap the outer insulation layer of the wire 3, forming a seal.

[0035] The upper housing 4 of the connector is the top pressure plate (a hard plastic plate with square holes). Its main function is to fix the sealing layer (rubber gasket 2) below. Because the square size on the upper housing 4 is much larger than the diameter of the wire 3, the wire 3 can move freely. Therefore, when the wire 3 is tightened, a gap will appear between the wire 3 and the rubber gasket 2 (e.g., Figure 3 As shown, when conductor 3 is pulled taut to the right, a gap is created on the left side of conductor 3, which reduces the waterproof performance and also reduces the sealing performance under dynamic conditions.

[0036] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this embodiment proposes a waterproof structure for the electronic control unit connector, such as... Figure 4 As shown, it includes an upper housing 4, an elastic sealing layer, a wire 3, and a connector 5. The upper housing 4 has a through slot 41. The elastic sealing layer is located on the lower side of the upper housing 4 and has a sealing hole 21. The wire 3 passes through the slot 41 of the upper housing 4 and the sealing hole 21 of the elastic sealing layer and is connected to the connector 5. The cross-section of the slot 41 is larger than the cross-section of the wire 3. The area in the slot 41 other than the wire 3 is filled with a fixing block 6. The fixing block 6 can solidify when the temperature is below the set temperature and soften when the temperature is above the set temperature.

[0037] The cross-section of the slot 41 in the upper shell 4 is larger than that of the wire 3, forming a filling space; the filling fixing block 6 locks the position of the wire 3 when it solidifies at low temperature, and allows the wire 3 to adjust when it softens at high temperature. This design directly solves the problem of seal failure caused by the wire 3 being tightened: the solidified fixing block 6 eliminates the displacement of the wire 3, ensuring that the sealing hole 21 of the elastic sealing layer (such as the rubber gasket 2) maintains an interference fit with the wire 3, and avoiding gaps.

[0038] During the actual wire harness manufacturing process (before the wire 3 is inserted into the connector) or when the wire 3 needs to be inserted or removed during subsequent maintenance, it is only necessary to heat the upper housing 4 of the connector. After the fixing block 6 hardens, the wire 3 will be firmly fixed to the upper housing 4. At this time, even if the wire 3 is pulled taut, there will be no gap between the wire 3 and the sealing hole 21 on the rubber pad 2, which improves the waterproof reliability of the connector.

[0039] In addition, the use of a variable-hardness and variable-softness fixing block 6 facilitates the matching of the position of the wire 3 within the slot 41 with the position of the bottom sealing hole 21 (e.g., Figure 5 As shown, in each slot 41, the relative positions of the holes formed in the fixing block 6 and the slot 41 are different, ensuring that the wire 3 and the sealing hole 21 have no positional deviation along the radial direction of the sealing hole 21, further ensuring the sealing effect of the wire 3 and the rubber gasket 2.

[0040] In this embodiment, the fixing block 6 is made of wax or adhesive material:

[0041] Wax-based materials (such as paraffin): Wax-based materials are low in cost and easy to obtain. Their melting point range (typically 50℃±10℃) matches the working environment of vehicles. They have strong reversibility in phase change processes, stable performance after repeated heating and cooling, low cost, and good insulation.

[0042] Adhesive materials (such as hot melt adhesive): High adhesion enhances the fixing strength of wire 3, high elastic modulus after solidification, and excellent vibration resistance; softened fluidity ensures the precision of fine-tuning the position of wire 3.

[0043] Furthermore, the insulation properties of the wax / glue prevent interference with electrical signals; its temperature response threshold is compatible with the temperature resistance of the rubber pad 2 (typically >100℃), preventing overheating damage to the sealing layer.

[0044] Of course, it is understandable. Fixing block 6 can also be made of other materials with phase change properties, such as bio-wax (beeswax), which is relatively environmentally friendly and can be quickly solidified by UV curing.

[0045] In one embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the slot 41 in the upper housing 4 is the same as the shape of the wire 3. For example, a circular wire 3 is fitted with a circular slot 41, and a square wire 3 is fitted with a square slot 41. The shape of the slot 41 matches the outer contour of the wire 3, so that the fixing block 6 forms a uniform wrapping layer after filling, eliminating stress concentration points and preventing the wire 3 from being skewed, which would cause local deformation of the sealing hole 21. Moreover, it reduces ineffective filling space and improves the gripping force of the fixing block 6 on the wire 3, which is especially suitable for high-density wire harness layouts.

[0046] It is understandable that the cross-sectional shape of the slot 41 in the upper housing 4 can also be rectangular, circular, triangular, trapezoidal, or irregular. A rectangular slot 41 provides a larger contact area, enhancing the fixing effect; a circular slot 41 is easier to process; elliptical, triangular, and trapezoidal shapes can be applied to wires with special shapes 3 or specific stress scenarios; irregular shapes can address complex wire shapes or space constraints, ensuring a sealing effect. Different shaped slots 41, combined with corresponding fixing blocks 6 and elastic sealing layers, achieve good waterproof performance, ensuring stable operation of the electronic control unit.

[0047] In this embodiment, the elastic sealing layer is a rubber pad 2, such as natural rubber, silicone rubber, or EPDM rubber. The rubber elasticity compensates for thermal expansion and contraction of the lead wire 3, maintaining a constant contact pressure; its resilience withstands repeated insertion and removal. The rubber pad 2 provides the main seal, and the fixing block 6 eliminates mechanical displacement; together, they achieve a waterproof seal.

[0048] The conductor 3 and the sealing hole 21 of the rubber pad 2 are interference-fitted. The outer diameter of the conductor 3 is slightly larger than the inner diameter of the sealing hole 21. The interference fit generates radial compressive stress, causing the rubber pad 2 to fit tightly against the surface of the conductor 3, blocking the penetration path of water molecules. After the fixing block 6 eliminates the radial displacement of the conductor 3, the sealing effect of the interference fit is fully released, and it is not easy to loosen under vibration conditions.

[0049] In another embodiment, the waterproof structure further includes a gel layer 7, which is arranged parallel to the rubber pad 2, and the wire 3 passes through the gel layer 7.

[0050] Two layers of rubber pads resist repeated insertion and removal, blocking external water flow. A gel layer 7 fills the microscopic unevenness of the wire 3 surface, blocking capillary water seepage; it also absorbs vibration energy and prevents fretting wear at the sealing interface.

[0051] If the rubber pad 2 fails, the gel layer 7 still provides a backup seal, and the gel repair properties can compensate for minor damage.

[0052] Furthermore, the gel layer 7 is located on the underside of the rubber pad 2 (e.g., Figure 6 (As shown). The double-layer sealing structure allows water flow to be initially blocked by the rubber pad 2, and residual moisture is then absorbed and blocked by the gel, optimizing the waterproof path and reducing the risk of moisture intrusion. In addition, the upper rubber pad 2 protects the gel layer 7 from mechanical scratches during insertion and removal.

[0053] This embodiment also provides an electronic control unit (ECU), including a housing 1 and a waterproof connector structure as described above. The connector 5 is installed inside the housing 1, and the upper housing 4 is installed on the housing 1, effectively preventing moisture from entering the housing 1, protecting the internal components of the ECU, reducing the failure rate, and improving reliability and stability. The ECU can be selected according to vehicle type and functional requirements; the material and structure of the housing 1 are also designed according to actual needs to ensure sealing and guarantee stable operation of the ECU.

[0054] This embodiment also provides a vehicle including the electronic control unit (ECU) as described above. Utilizing the waterproof structure of the ECU, water is prevented from entering the ECU cavity through the connectors during vehicle operation, ensuring stable operation of the vehicle control system, reducing the risk caused by ECU malfunctions, and improving safety and reliability. It is suitable for various commercial vehicles, such as buses, trucks, and special-purpose vehicles. Appropriate ECUs can be configured according to the different vehicle's ECU system requirements to ensure stable vehicle operation under various operating conditions.

[0055] Although the specific embodiments of the present utility model have been described above in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, this is not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present utility model. Those skilled in the art should understand that various modifications or variations that can be made by those skilled in the art without creative effort based on the technical solution of the present utility model are still within the scope of protection of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A waterproof structure for an electronic control unit connector, characterized in that, include: Upper housing, elastic sealing layer, wires, connectors; The upper housing has a through slot, the elastic sealing layer is located on the lower side of the upper housing, and the elastic sealing layer has a sealing hole. The wire passes through the slot of the upper housing and the sealing hole of the elastic sealing layer and is connected to the connector. The cross-section of the slot is larger than the cross-section of the wire. The area outside the wire in the slot is filled with a fixing block that can solidify below a set temperature and soften above the set temperature.

2. The waterproof structure for the electrical control unit connector as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The fixing block is made of wax or adhesive material.

3. The waterproof structure for the electrical control unit connector as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The cross-sectional shape of the slot in the upper housing is the same as the shape of the wire.

4. The waterproof structure for the electrical control unit connector as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The cross-sectional shape of the upper shell groove is rectangular, circular, elliptical, triangular, trapezoidal, or irregular.

5. The waterproof structure for the electrical control unit connector as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The elastic sealing layer is a rubber pad.

6. The waterproof structure for the electrical control unit connector as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The wire and the sealing hole of the rubber pad are interference fit.

7. The waterproof structure for the electrical control unit connector as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The waterproof structure also includes a gel layer arranged parallel to the rubber pad, through which the wire passes.

8. The waterproof structure for the electrical control unit connector as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The gel layer is located on the underside of the rubber pad.

9. An electronic control unit, characterized in that, It includes a housing and a waterproof structure for the electrical control unit connector as described in any one of claims 1-8, wherein the connector is installed inside the housing and the upper housing is installed on the housing.

10. A vehicle, characterized in that, Includes the electronic control unit as described in claim 9.

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