Gearbox control housing and manufacturing process

Abstract

Housing (200) for a circuit board, in particular for controlling a transmission of a vehicle, wherein the housing has the following features: a housing lower part (210) with a base plate (315) and with at least one bushing (220) formed in one piece in a mounting area (325) which projects from the base plate (315);and a housing upper part (230) with at least one housing connection area in which an opening is provided, wherein the socket (220) of the housing lower part (210) can be inserted into the opening of the housing upper part (230) when the housing lower part (210) and the housing upper part (230) are joined together to create a receiving space for the circuit board, wherein the housing upper part (230) has at least one projection (240) which is arranged in the area of ​​the at least one opening on a surface of the housing upper part facing away from the housing lower part, wherein the at least one projection (240) projects further from the surface of the housing upper part facing away from the housing lower part than the socket (220) when the housing lower part and the housing upper part are joined together.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a housing for a circuit board, in particular for controlling a transmission of a vehicle, and to a method for manufacturing such a housing.

[0002] Generally, a housing for a printed circuit board (PCB) used to control a gearbox consists of several housing parts. These housing parts are often made of plastic. A PCB is positioned inside the housing to form a control unit. The control unit is then mounted, for example, on a gearbox plate, another plate, or another component. The control unit is typically attached to a gearbox plate using screws. It is essential to ensure that the control unit remains firmly connected to the gearbox plate throughout its service life. Since plastic can relax over time, the screw may loosen at such a relaxed point. To prevent this, metal bushings, such as those made of threaded rods, are conventionally used in the housing.Aluminum or brass bushings are used to ensure that the housing remains firmly fixed in its designated position throughout the control unit's lifespan. The bushings are either injection-molded into an existing plastic housing or subsequently pressed into the housing as a separate component.

[0003] DE 10 2007 006 445 A1 discloses a transmission control unit comprising an electronic control unit, at least one mechatronic component and a multi-part housing with a housing top part, housing bottom part and housing middle part, and a method for assembling such a transmission control unit.

[0004] Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic partial sectional view of a section of a housing. 100 Shown is a lower housing part. 110 , a socket 120 , a case top 130 and two projections 140 for tolerance compensation. The bushing 120is with the lower part of the housing 110 connected. Such a housing 100 exhibits the aforementioned disadvantages of the state of the art.

[0005] Against this background, the present invention provides an improved housing for a circuit board, in particular for controlling a vehicle transmission, and an improved method for manufacturing a housing for a circuit board, in particular for controlling a vehicle transmission, according to the main claims. Advantageous embodiments are described in the dependent claims and the following description.

[0006] The present invention provides a housing for a circuit board, in particular for controlling a transmission of a vehicle, wherein the housing has the following features: a housing lower part with a base plate and with at least one bushing formed integrally in a mounting area, which projects from the base plate; and A housing top with at least one housing connection area in which an opening is provided, wherein the socket of the housing bottom can be inserted into the opening of the housing top when the housing bottom and housing top are joined together to create a receiving space for the circuit board.

[0007] In vehicles equipped with a transmission, this is controlled by a transmission control unit. The control unit comprises an electronic component and a protective mechanical component in the form of a housing. The control unit is typically mounted directly on or near the transmission. The housing can be attached, for example, to a transmission plate, another plate, or some other supporting structure. The housing is attached to the supporting structure using suitable fasteners, such as screws. Vehicles that can be used include land vehicles, aircraft, and watercraft powered by engines. The housing for the electronic component, such as a printed circuit board or circuit board for controlling a transmission, consists of two housing halves or parts: the lower housing half and the upper housing half.When the housing components are assembled, an internal space is formed in which a circuit board is located, serving to implement control functions for the gearbox. The base plate of the lower housing is defined by a principal plane of extension of the lower housing or a plane parallel to it. A mounting area, with the exception of the bushing located within it, forms part of the base plate. This mounting area may be located in an edge region of the lower housing, particularly in a corner region. The bushing, which projects beyond the base plate in at least one direction and may, for example, be approximately hollow-cylindrical, may be designed with a simple through-hole and optionally with an internal thread. A housing connection area of ​​the upper housing surrounds an opening that serves to join the two housing parts.An opening is arranged and dimensioned such that a bushing can be inserted into it when the two housing parts are joined. The joining of the lower and upper housing parts may include a crimping of a mounting area and a housing connection area.

[0008] The present invention further provides a method for manufacturing a housing for a circuit board, in particular for controlling a transmission of a vehicle, wherein the method comprises the following steps: Providing a housing base with a base plate and with at least one socket formed in one piece in a mounting area, which protrudes from the base plate; Providing a housing top with at least one housing connection area in which an opening is provided; Inserting the socket of the lower housing part into the opening of the upper housing part; and Assembling the lower and upper housing parts to create a space for the circuit board.

[0009] A housing according to the invention can be advantageously produced using the above method.

[0010] The present invention is based on the understanding that a bushing formed integrally with the lower housing part offers significant advantages. Thus, instead of simply using a plastic base or a basic aluminum plate, a complex lower housing part, for example made of aluminum with integrated heat sinks, is used, which can be manufactured using a die-casting or milling process. In this design, the bushings, for example, and the heat sinks are manufactured directly as a single unit with the lower housing part. The upper housing part, made of plastic, is then simply placed onto the lower housing part with the integrated bushing and pressed together to complete the housing.

[0011] An advantage of the invention is that the design and manufacturing process of the housing can be simplified, as, for example, the cumbersome pressing in of a separately manufactured bushing is eliminated. This process would require clamping the entire housing in a separate step before the bushing could be pressed in. Direct injection molding of a bushing into the plastic housing is also eliminated, thus saving a process step—feeding the bushing into the mold—and therefore reducing manufacturing effort. The separate bushing component can be dispensed with because the bushing is manufactured as an integrated part of the lower housing section, which greatly simplifies the manufacturing process of the housing and thus of the control unit. This eliminates either the injection molding of the bushing or the pressing in of a separately manufactured bushing, both of which would otherwise require an additional process step.Inserting the bushing into the mold would be disadvantageous. The additional integrated manufacturing of the bushing on the lower housing part is significantly simpler and more cost-effective than, for example, inserting the bushing into the injection mold followed by overmolding it with plastic. When the housing is later screwed to a support structure, such as a gearbox base plate, this ensures that the screw has a tight fit within the bushing, thus guaranteeing that the housing can be securely attached to the support structure.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the lower housing part can be made of metal and the upper housing part can be made of plastic. Such an embodiment of the present invention offers the advantage that the lower and upper housing parts can be joined easily and with minimal effort, for example by crimping.

[0013] It is particularly advantageous if the lower part of the housing is made of aluminum. Such an embodiment of the present invention offers the advantage of good thermal conductivity. This improves the dissipation of heat from a circuit board out of the housing.

[0014] The lower housing part can be formed using a die-casting process and / or a milling process. It is advantageous that a single-piece formation of the lower housing part, even in complex shapes, is possible with a minimum of steps.

[0015] The lower housing part can also include at least one heat sink formed integrally with it. The heat sink can be any suitable heat dissipation structure. It can include cooling fins or the like. For example, the circuit board or a heat-generating component on the circuit board can be thermally coupled to the heat sink. Such an embodiment of the present invention offers the advantage of improved heat dissipation from the housing, particularly when the heat sink is arranged on a side of the lower housing part opposite the upper housing part.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the bushing can extend through the opening at least as far as a surface of the upper housing facing away from the lower housing part when the lower and upper housing parts are joined. Such an embodiment of the present invention offers the advantage of permanently dimensionally stable attachment of the finished housing to a support structure. This is because a fastening element that can be received in the bushing is held in the metallic bushing, thus preventing deformation-causing contact between the fastening element and the upper housing part.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the upper housing part can have at least one projection located in the area of ​​the at least one opening on a surface of the upper housing part facing away from the lower housing part. This projection can be understood as a knob-shaped elevation for compensating for tolerances when attaching the housing to a plate with a screw. When the screw is tightened, these knobs, formed integrally with the plastic upper housing part, can be deformed to compensate for any tolerances between the screw and the surface of the upper housing part. The advantage here is that this tolerance compensation enables a more precise and secure attachment of the housing.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the at least one projection on the surface of the upper housing facing away from the lower housing part can project further than the bushing when the lower and upper housing parts are joined. Such an embodiment of the present invention offers the advantage that the tolerance compensation function of the projection is not impaired by the bushing.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the lower housing part can have four integrally formed bushings in four mounting areas, arranged in four different corner sections of the lower housing part, and at least one heat sink arranged more centrally than the mounting areas, with the bushings and the heat sink projecting from the base plate. The upper housing part can have four openings in four housing connection areas. Such an embodiment of the present invention offers the advantage of a secure attachment of a housing with a rectangular footprint to a support structure and a stable connection between the housing parts.

[0020] The invention is explained in more detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0021] They show:

[0022] Fig. 1 a schematic partial sectional view of a section of a housing;

[0023] Fig. 2 a schematic partial sectional view of a section of a housing according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Fig. 3 a perspective view of a housing lower part according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Fig. 4 a slanted perspective top view of a section of a housing according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Fig. 5 a top view of a section of a housing according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0027] Fig. 6 a flowchart of a method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] In the following description of preferred embodiments of the present invention, the same or similar reference numerals are used for the elements shown in the various figures and having a similar effect, without repeating these elements.

[0029] Fig. Figure 2 shows a schematic partial sectional view of a section of a housing. 200 for a circuit board, in particular for controlling a vehicle transmission, according to an embodiment of the present invention. A lower housing part is shown. 210 , a socket 220 , a case top 230 and two projections 240 The socket 220 is one piece with the lower housing part 210 formed and is therefore part of the lower part of the housing 210 The two protrusions 240 are on the upper part of the housing 230 appropriate. Although it is made of Fig. 2. If it is not explicitly stated, the advantages can 240 also as a single piece with the upper part of the housing 230 be educated. In Fig. 2 is simply the section of the housing. 200 depicted, the socket 220 as well as these surrounding areas of the housing 200 includes. It should be clear that the case 200 at least one more socket 220 can exhibit.

[0030] The lower part of the housing 210 features a base plate with two main surfaces, wherein the socket 220 protrudes from one of these main surfaces. In this embodiment, the lower part of the housing is 210 Made from a metal, especially aluminum, using a die-casting or milling process. In Fig. 2 shows that the socket 220 from an upper main surface of the base plate of the lower housing part 210This upper main surface is the one that forms the top of the housing. 230 Facing main surface of the base plate of the lower housing 210 In Fig. However, figure 2 only shows a section of the base plate, with most of this section representing a mounting area around the socket. 220 is arranged around it.

[0031] The socket 220 is, even if it is in Fig. 2, which is not explicitly shown, is in this embodiment cylindrical and can have a through-hole with or without an internal thread. The through-hole extends from one side of the lower housing part. 230 opposite main surface of the base plate of the lower housing 210 along the entire longitudinal extent of the socket 220 to the upper end of the socket 220 In Fig. 2 shows that the upper end of the socket220 extends so far that the upper end of the socket 220 from one of the lower housing parts 210 opposite main surface of the upper part of the case 230 protrudes. Since the socket 220 one piece with the lower housing part 210 formed, also includes the socket 220 a metal, especially aluminium, or is made entirely of metal.

[0032] The upper part of the case 230 The upper part of the housing is made of plastic. 230 has an opening (in Fig. 2 not explicitly shown) in which the part of the socket protruding from the base plate 220 is recorded. At the opening in the upper part of the housing. 230 It is a through-opening from one of the lower housing parts. 210 facing main surface up to one of the lower housing parts 210 opposite main surface of the upper part of the case 230That the opening itself in Fig. The fact that 2 is not recognizable results from the fact that the lower part of the housing is 210 and upper case 230 in which Fig. The sections shown in section 2 are pressed together, with the surfaces of the bushing in contact with each other. 220 and fit snugly together at the opening, thus ensuring a secure and durable connection between the upper and lower parts of the housing.

[0033] The protrusions 240 are made of a deformable material, such as plastic, rubber, or the like. The material from which the protrusions are made. 240 It can consist of the same material as the upper part of the case. 230 exists. Regarding the protrusions. 240 It could, for example, be bumps or something similar. It is also conceivable that the in Fig. 2 shown projections 240 Part of a single lead 240are, which opens the top of the housing 230 surrounds in a ring shape. The protrusions 240 stand from the lower part of the housing 210 opposite main surface of the upper part of the case 230 before. In Fig. 2 shows that the projections 240 from this, from the lower part of the housing 210 The main surface facing away from the main surface protrudes further than the upper end of the socket. 220 .

[0034] Fig. Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a lower housing part. 210 According to an embodiment of the present invention. Four bushings are shown. 220 , a base plate 315 , four fastening areas 325 and a heat sink 350 The lower part of the housing 210 can be part of the housing Fig. 2 be, therefore features and aspects relating to Fig. 2 were described, in the description to Fig. 3 not explained again. Accordingly, in Fig. 2 of the lower housing part 210 Only a section is shown, which includes one of the sockets. 220 in one of the fastening areas 325 contains. In Fig. Figure 3 indicates the viewing direction in the illustration towards a main surface of the lower part of the housing. 210 , which faces a suitably designed upper housing part when the lower housing part 210 is assembled with the upper part of the housing to form a finished housing.

[0035] The lower part of the housing 210 It has a rounded rectangular base with four indentations. The base plate... 315 a large part of the floor plan, with the four fastening areas 325 are located in the area of ​​the bulges in the floor plan. Thus, the four fastening areas 325 also part of the base plate 315Each of the four protrusions is located near a respective corner of the rectangular base plate. 315 of the lower part of the housing 210 arranged. The protrusions form circumferential projections of the base plate. 315 in the floor plan of the lower part of the housing 210 In each of the fastening areas 325 is a socket 220 arranged, which are separated from the base plate 315 presides over.

[0036] The heat sink 350 It has a generally cuboid shape, with rounded corners on its sides. The heat sink 350 stands from the base plate 315 in the same direction as the sockets 220 before. Regarding the heat sink 350 It is a one-piece unit with the lower part of the housing. 210 formed structure. In other words, the heat sink 350 from part of the base plate 315 of the lower part of the housing 210shaped.

[0037] Fig. Figure 4 shows an oblique top view of a section of a housing. 200 According to an embodiment of the present invention. The lower part of the housing is shown. 210 , the socket 220 , the upper part of the case 230 and the lead 240 The section of the housing shown here in an oblique top view 200 can the in Fig. 2 shown section of the housing or a partial area of ​​a bulge in the lower part of the housing Fig. 3. Therefore, for a description of the elements shown, reference is made to the explanations regarding Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 referred.

[0038] Fig. Figure 5 shows a top view of a section of a housing. 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Except for the fact that it is in Fig. 5 is a top view and not an oblique top view, and therefore only the socket is visible from the lower part of the housing. 220 As can be seen, the present representation corresponds to this from Fig. 4. Therefore, a repeated description is omitted.

[0039] Fig. Figure 6 shows a flowchart of a process. 600 for manufacturing a housing for a circuit board, in particular for controlling a vehicle's transmission, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The method 600 includes one step of provisioning 610 a housing lower part with a base plate and with at least one bushing formed integrally in a mounting area, which projects from the base plate. The method 600 It also includes a step of provisioning 620a housing top with at least one housing connection area in which an opening is provided. The method also features 600 a step in the introduction 630 the socket of the lower housing part into the opening of the upper housing part. Finally, the method has 600 one step of the process of assembling 640 the lower and upper housing parts are opened to create a receiving space for the circuit board. It is apparent to a person skilled in the art that a circuit board for implementing control functions must be opened before the steps of insertion. 630 and / or the joining 640 can be attached to the lower or upper part of the housing and connections to the circuit board can be provided.

[0040] The embodiments described and shown in the figures are only examples. Different embodiments can be combined completely or with respect to individual features. An embodiment can also be supplemented by features from another embodiment.

[0041] Furthermore, the process steps according to the invention can be repeated and carried out in a different order than described. Reference symbol list 100 cases 110 Housing base 120 socket 130 Housing top 140 lead 200 cases 210 Lower housing part 220 socket 230 Housing top 240 lead 315 Base plate 325 Mounting area 350 heat sinks 600 manufacturing processes Step 610 of providing the lower housing part Step 620 of providing the upper housing part Step 630 of the introduction Step 640 of the assembly process QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0042] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0043] DE 102007006445 A1

[0003]

Claims

[1] Housing ( 200 ) for a circuit board, in particular for controlling a vehicle's transmission, wherein the housing has the following features: a housing lower part ( 210 ) with a base plate ( 315 ) and with at least one in a mounting area ( 325 ) one-piece formed bushing ( 220 ), which are from the base plate ( 315 ) presides; and a housing top ( 230 ) with at least one housing connection area in which an opening is provided, wherein the socket ( 220 ) of the lower part of the housing ( 210 ) into the opening of the upper part of the housing ( 230 ) can be inserted if the lower part of the housing ( 210 ) and the upper part of the housing ( 230 ) are joined together to create a mounting space for the circuit board. [2] Housing ( 200 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that the lower part of the housing ( 210) is made of a metal and the upper part of the housing ( 230 ) is made of a plastic. [3] Housing ( 200 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lower part of the housing ( 210 ) is made of aluminum. [4] Housing ( 200 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lower part of the housing ( 210 ) is formed by means of a die-casting process and / or a milling process. [5] Housing ( 200 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lower part of the housing ( 210 ) at least one integrally with the lower part of the housing ( 210 ) formed heat sink ( 350 ) exhibits. [6] Housing ( 200 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bushing ( 220 ) through the opening at least to one of the lower housing parts (210 ) opposite surface of the upper part of the housing ( 230 ) extends when the lower and upper parts of the housing are joined together. [7] Housing ( 200 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing upper part ( 230 ) at least a lead ( 240 ) has a feature which is located in the area of ​​at least one opening on a surface of the upper part of the housing that faces away from the lower part of the housing. [8] Housing ( 200 ) according to claim 7, characterized in that the at least one projection ( 240 ) protrudes further from the surface of the upper housing part facing away from the lower housing part than the socket ( 220 ), when the lower and upper parts of the housing are joined together. [9] Housing ( 200 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lower part of the housing ( 210) four one-piece formed bushings ( 220 ) in four fastening areas ( 225 ), which are arranged in four corner sections of the lower part of the housing, and at least one heat sink arranged more centrally than the mounting areas ( 350 ) has the sockets and the heat sink separated from the base plate ( 315 ) protrude, and that the upper part of the housing ( 230 ) has four openings in four housing connection areas. [10] Procedure ( 600 ) for manufacturing a housing for a circuit board, in particular for controlling a transmission of a vehicle, wherein the method comprises the following steps: Provide ( 610 ) a housing lower part with a base plate and with at least one bushing formed in one piece in a fastening area that protrudes from the base plate; Provide ( 620) a housing top with at least one housing connection area in which an opening is provided; Introduce ( 630 ) the socket of the lower housing part into the opening of the upper housing part; and Assemble ( 640 ) of the lower and upper parts of the housing to create a space for the circuit board.

Images