Circuit board layout for a vehicle control unit

Abstract

The invention relates to a printed circuit board arrangement (100) for a vehicle control unit, comprising at least one main board (10), at least one additional board (20), and at least one connection unit (30) for electrically and mechanically connecting the at least one additional board (20) to the main board (10). The connection unit (30) is designed to transmit at least electrical communication signals, and / or input / output signals, and / or supply voltages. The at least one additional board (20) has at least two electrical load current connections (22) for transmitting electrical load currents between the main board (10) and the at least one additional board (20). The invention further relates to a method for electrically and mechanically connecting an additional circuit board (20) and a main circuit board (10) in a printed circuit board arrangement (100).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a printed circuit board arrangement for a control unit of a vehicle and to a method for electrically and mechanically connecting an additional circuit board and a main circuit board in a printed circuit board arrangement of a control unit of a vehicle.

[0002] Electronic components such as semiconductors, resistors, capacitors, and inductors are typically soldered onto the mounting pads of a printed circuit board (PCB), either manually or using an automated process. In some cases, a few of these soldered components are mounted on the main board to reduce the number of variants in production and distribution, even if they are not required for the specific customer configuration and function.

[0003] Removable printed circuit boards with standardized interfaces for computers, such as for peripheral components, for example according to the so-called Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) standard, and memory modules such as Dual Inline Memory Modules (DIMM) for memory cards (RAM), are typically connected via slots or sockets, but offer only limited performance stability under heavy mechanical and electrical stress.

[0004] US Patent 2015 / 0373847 A1 discloses a modular add-on board comprising a first printed circuit board module with a first pattern of conductive traces on a layer of the first printed circuit board module. The modular add-on board further comprises a second printed circuit board module with a second pattern of conductive traces on a layer of the second printed circuit board module, which is aligned with the first conductive traces and electrically coupled to the first conductive trace pattern, for example, via vias and connectors on the front and back of the modular add-on board. The connectors are part of a connector assembly.

[0005] One objective of the invention is to create a modular and retrofittable printed circuit board arrangement for a vehicle control unit.

[0006] Another task is to specify a method for electrically and mechanically connecting an additional circuit board and a main circuit board in a modular and retrofittable printed circuit board arrangement of a vehicle control unit.

[0007] The aforementioned tasks are solved using the characteristics of independent claims.

[0008] Favorable embodiments and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the further claims, the description and the drawing.

[0009] According to one aspect of the invention, a printed circuit board arrangement for a vehicle control unit is proposed, comprising at least one main board, at least one additional board, and at least one connection unit for electrically and mechanically connecting the at least one additional board to the main board. The connection unit is designed to transmit at least electrical communication signals, and / or input / output signals, and / or supply voltages. The at least one additional board has at least two electrical load current connections for transmitting electrical load currents between the main board and the at least one additional board.

[0010] The proposed printed circuit board arrangement includes a connection system and an interface that enables a modular and reliable mechanical and electrical connection between a main printed circuit board and a modular and retrofittable add-on board in a control unit for automotive and transportation applications.

[0011] The printed circuit board arrangement enables a combination of high-frequency and load current connection systems on a single circuit board to meet high power and high-frequency requirements and to offer high reliability under mechanical stress, such as vibrations and forces during connector assembly.

[0012] The term load current refers to current values ​​ranging from 2 to 100 amperes. Load current is used, for example, to control and supply loads such as motors, pumps, lighting, or heating elements.

[0013] Based on the type of connections to the mainboard in laptop and desktop computers for high frequency and low contact resistance with high reliability of the connection systems, electronic components can advantageously be placed on a peripheral and optional connection system of the modular printed circuit board arrangement in order to conserve resources and optimize the cost of the product.

[0014] It is an interface for modular add-on boards for connecting hardware components in the form of so-called modular add-on boards to a main circuit board via a special slot.

[0015] The PCB interface supports the typical physical layers for communication protocols (I2C, SPI, UART, etc.) found on a microcontroller, as well as the necessary input / output configurations (ADC, DI, PWM, etc.) and supply voltage (5V, 3.3V, 12V, etc., GND). This interface is designed to allow connection to numerous microcontrollers.

[0016] The modular add-on board takes on the role of an integrated circuit mounted on the main board and represents an expansion card that is plugged into the slot.

[0017] The use of components on a modular printed circuit board can offer flexibility in development and save resources in an environment with high integration, advanced complexity and volatility.

[0018] The modular approach allows the complexity of the printed circuit board arrangement to be advantageously divided into subunits.

[0019] It is advantageous to optimize the printed circuit board assembly based on an original customer order.

[0020] Upgrades and new features can be implemented cost-effectively by adding new components without modifying the mainboard, providing additional flexibility in the development of control units.

[0021] Despite the high level of integration, repairs can be carried out later by replacing individual circuit boards, which can increase the sustainability of the product.

[0022] According to an advantageous embodiment of the printed circuit board arrangement, the connection unit can be designed as a connector, wherein the at least one additional board has a connector strip that is plugged into or pluggable into the connector. Alternatively, the at least one additional board can have a connector, wherein the connection unit is designed as a connector strip that is plugged into or pluggable into the connector. A connector, for example an SO-DIMM socket or similar, is used for the communication interface connections and for the input and output signals (I / O) that are connected to the microcontroller of the main board. Optional control unit functions can be implemented on the additional board, for example, so that the additional board is only plugged into the control unit that actually requires these special functions.

[0023] According to an advantageous embodiment of the printed circuit board arrangement, the at least one connecting unit can have at least one guide element for mechanically guiding the at least one additional circuit board when inserted into the connecting unit. In this way, a mechanically stable fastening of the additional circuit board to the main circuit board can be ensured, which also meets the vibration requirements of a control unit during vehicle operation.

[0024] According to an advantageous embodiment of the printed circuit board arrangement, the at least one additional circuit board can have at least one interface device, in particular a pin header or a connector, for data exchange with other components, especially with other control units, and / or sensors. The connection can be made, for example, via flexible cables, whereby the pin header or connector can be arranged, for example, parallel or perpendicular to the additional circuit board for different insertion directions.

[0025] According to an advantageous embodiment of the printed circuit board arrangement, the insertion direction of the at least one interface device can be aligned parallel or obliquely, in particular perpendicularly, to the at least one additional circuit board. The modular additional circuit board can advantageously be designed such that the integrated PCB pin header connector can be mounted at a 90-degree or 180-degree angle, thus allowing flexibility in connecting external connectors and cables.

[0026] According to an advantageous embodiment of the printed circuit board arrangement, the at least two load current connections can each be configured with a through-hole through the at least one additional circuit board. The screw connection allows the pluggable additional circuit board to be mechanically and electrically connected to the main circuit board, making the connection suitable for higher load applications. For load currents exceeding the current-carrying capacity of the additional circuit board's connector strip, two contact pads, typically for 12V and ground (GND), can be provided. These pads can transmit load currents and an operating voltage (12V, 24V, or 48V).

[0027] According to an advantageous embodiment of the printed circuit board arrangement, the at least one add-on board can have a removable cover. In particular, the removable cover can provide free access to the interface device and / or the at least two load current connections. The cover can, for example, be designed as a removable maintenance hatch that allows easy access with limited tooling to the installation area where the connector and the mounting surface for the modular add-on board are located.

[0028] According to an advantageous embodiment of the circuit board arrangement, the removable cover can be detachably connected to the main board by means of a mechanical connection, in particular via a screw connection. This ensures a stable connection between the cover of the auxiliary board and the main board, which also meets the vibration requirements during vehicle operation.

[0029] According to a further aspect of the invention, a method for electrically and mechanically connecting an additional circuit board and a main circuit board in a printed circuit board arrangement of a control unit of a vehicle is proposed, comprising at least electrically and mechanically connecting the at least one additional circuit board to the main circuit board by means of a connection unit by inserting a connector strip of the at least one additional circuit board into a connection unit of the main circuit board designed as a connector, as well as electrically and mechanically connecting at least two load current connections to the main circuit board.

[0030] According to the proposed method, a printed circuit board arrangement is realized which includes a connection system and an interface that enables a modular and reliable mechanical and electrical connection between a main printed circuit board and a modular additional board in a control unit for automotive and transport applications.

[0031] The printed circuit board arrangement enables a combination of high-frequency and load current connection systems on a single circuit board to meet high power and high-frequency requirements and to offer high reliability under mechanical stress, such as vibrations and forces during connector assembly.

[0032] The method provides an interface for modular add-on boards to connect hardware components in the form of so-called modular add-on boards to a main circuit board via a special slot.

[0033] The PCB interface supports the typical physical layers for communication protocols (I2C, SPI, UART, etc.) found on a microcontroller, as well as the necessary input / output configurations (ADC, DI, PWM, etc.) and supply voltage (5V, 3.3V, 12V, etc., GND). This interface is designed to allow connection to numerous microcontrollers.

[0034] The modular add-on board takes on the role of an integrated circuit mounted on the main board and represents an expansion card that is plugged into the slot.

[0035] According to an advantageous embodiment, the method can further comprise attaching a removable cover over the at least one additional circuit board by means of a mechanical connection, in particular a detachable screw connection. The cover can, for example, be designed as a removable maintenance hatch that allows easy access with limited tooling to the installation area in which the connector and the mounting surface for the modular circuit board are located.

[0036] Further advantages will become apparent from the following description of the drawings. The drawings illustrate an embodiment of the invention. The drawings, the description, and the claims contain numerous features in combination. A person skilled in the art will expediently consider the features individually and combine them into meaningful further combinations.

[0037] This shows: Fig. 1 a schematic isometric representation of a printed circuit board arrangement for a control unit of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 a printed circuit board arrangement according to a further embodiment of the invention; Fig. 3 a printed circuit board arrangement with a removable cover according to a further embodiment of the invention; and Fig. 4 a printed circuit board arrangement with a removable cover according to a further embodiment of the invention.

[0038] In the figures, identical or similar components are numbered with the same reference symbols. The figures merely show examples and are not to be understood as limiting.

[0039] Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic isometric representation of a printed circuit board arrangement 100 for a control unit of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0040] The printed circuit board assembly 100 comprises a main board 10, an add-on board 20, and a connection unit 30 for electrically and mechanically connecting the add-on board 20 to the main board 10. The connection unit 30 serves to transmit electrical communication signals, and / or input / output signals, and / or supply voltages. The add-on board 20 further has two electrical load current connections 22 for transmitting electrical currents between the main board 10 and the add-on board 20.

[0041] The mainboard 10 is shown purely schematically without details. The mainboard 10 and the connection unit 30 are positioned parallel to each other. The additional board 20 is inserted into the connection unit 30 parallel to the mainboard 10 in insertion direction 44.

[0042] In Fig. 1 is included, as shown in the following Fig. 2 to 4, the additional circuit board 20 is shown in the state not yet plugged into the connection unit 30.

[0043] The connection unit 30 is designed as a connector 32. The additional circuit board 20 has a two-part connector strip 26 which can be plugged into the connector 32.

[0044] Connector 32 can, for example, be configured as an SO-DIMM socket or similar and is used for the communication layer connections and for the input and output signals (I / O) connected to the microcontroller of the main board 10. Optional control unit functions can be implemented on the add-on board 20, so that the add-on board 20 is only plugged into the control unit that actually requires these special functions.

[0045] In an alternative embodiment, not shown, it is also possible that the additional circuit board 20 has a connector 32, and the connection unit 30 is designed as a plug strip 26 which is plugged or pluggable into the connector 32.

[0046] The connecting unit 30 further comprises two guide elements 34 for mechanically guiding the additional circuit board 20 when inserting it into the connecting unit 30.

[0047] The additional circuit board 20 also features an interface device 40 in the form of a pin header. A connector (not shown) of a connecting cable for data exchange with other components, in particular with other control units, and / or sensors, can be inserted into the pin header. The connection can be made, for example, via flexible cables. In the case of the Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the plug-in direction 42 of the interface device 40 is aligned perpendicular to the additional circuit board 20.

[0048] The two load current connections 22 are each formed with a through-hole 24 through at least one additional circuit board 20. For load currents that exceed the current carrying capacity of the connector 30 of the additional circuit board 20, two so-called contact pads, typically for 12V and ground (GND), can be provided. Load currents and an operating voltage (12V, 24V or 48V) can be transmitted in this way.

[0049] The mainboard 10 may, for example, have two cylindrical domes (not shown) for screwing and supporting the load current connections 22. Screws can be inserted from above into the through-hole 24 for this purpose. These cylindrical domes are expediently mounted vertically on the mainboard 10.

[0050] According to the proposed method for electrically and mechanically connecting the add-on board 20 and the main board 10 of the printed circuit board assembly 100, the add-on board 20 is connected to the main board 10 by inserting a connector strip 26 of the add-on board 20 into the connection unit 30 of the main board 10, which is designed as a connector 32. Afterwards, the two load current connections 22 can be connected to the main board 10.

[0051] In Fig. Figure 2 shows a printed circuit board arrangement 100 according to a further embodiment of the invention. This embodiment essentially corresponds to the one shown in Figure 2. Fig. 1 illustrated embodiment, however, in Fig. 2 the plug direction 42 of the interface device 40 is aligned parallel to the additional board 20.

[0052] Fig. Figure 3 shows a printed circuit board arrangement 100 according to a further embodiment of the invention with a removable cover 50.

[0053] The additional circuit board 20 has a removable cover 50. The cover 50 encloses the interface device 40, which is designed as a pin tray, in such a way that free access for inserting the pin tray is provided. The cover 50 can be detachably connected to the main circuit board 10 by means of a mechanical connection, in particular by means of a screw connection. For this purpose, the cover 50 has mounting holes in the corners, for example for screws.

[0054] The cover 50 can, for example, be designed as a removable maintenance flap, allowing easy access with limited tooling to the installation area where the connector 30 and the mounting surface for the modular add-on board 20 are located.

[0055] The insertion direction 42 of the interface device 40 is as in the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 aligned perpendicular to the additional circuit board 20.

[0056] In Fig. Figure 4 shows a printed circuit board arrangement 100 according to a further embodiment of the invention with a removable cover 50. As in the embodiment in Fig. 2, the plug direction 42 of the interface device 40 is aligned parallel to the additional board again. List of reference symbols 10 Mainboard 20 Additional circuit boards 22 load current connections 24 through holes 26 power strip 30 connection unit 32 connectors 34 Guide element 40 Interface setup 42 Plug direction 44 Insertion direction 50 Coverage 52 Mounting holes 100 printed circuit board arrangement QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] 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

[0000] US 2015 / 0373847 A1

[0004]

Claims

[1] Printed circuit board arrangement (100) for a control unit of a vehicle, comprising at least - a main board (10), - at least one additional board (20), - at least one connection unit (30) for electrically and mechanically connecting the at least one additional board (20) to the main board (10), wherein the connection unit (30) is designed at least for transmitting electrical communication signals, and / or input / output signals, and / or supply voltages, wherein the at least one additional board (20) has at least two electrical load current connections (22) for transmitting electrical load currents between the main board (10) and the at least one additional board (20). [2] Printed circuit board arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the connecting unit (30) is designed as a plug connector (32), wherein the at least one additional board (20) has a plug strip (26) which is plugged or can be plugged into the plug connector (32) or wherein the at least one additional board (20) has a plug connector (32), wherein the connecting unit (30) is designed as a plug strip (26) which is plugged or can be plugged into the plug connector (32). [3] Printed circuit board arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one connecting unit (30) has at least one guide element (34) for mechanically guiding the at least one additional board (20) during insertion into the connecting unit (30). [4] Printed circuit board arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one additional board (20) has at least one interface device (40), in particular a pin tray or a connector, for data exchange with other components, in particular with other control devices, and / or sensors. [5] Printed circuit board arrangement according to claim 4, wherein a plugging direction (42) of the at least one interface device (40) is aligned parallel or obliquely, in particular perpendicular, to the at least one additional board (20). [6] Printed circuit board arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least two load current terminals (22) are each formed with a through-hole (24) through the at least one additional board (20). [7] Printed circuit board arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one additional board (20) has a removable cover (50), in particular wherein the removable cover (50) has free access to the interface device (40) and / or the at least two load current terminals (22). [8] Printed circuit board arrangement according to claim 7, wherein the removable cover (50) is detachably connected to the main board (10) by means of a mechanical connection, in particular via a screw connection. [9] Method for electrically and mechanically connecting an additional board (20) and a main board (10) in a printed circuit board arrangement (100) of a control unit of a vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, at least comprising - Electrically and mechanically connecting the at least one additional board (20) to the main board (10) by means of a connecting unit (30) by inserting a plug strip (26) of the at least one additional board (20) into a connecting unit (30) of the main board (10) designed as a plug connector (32); - Electrically and mechanically connecting at least two load current terminals (22) to the main board (10). [10] The method of claim 9, further comprising - Attaching a removable cover (50) over the at least one additional board (20) by means of a mechanical connection, in particular a detachable screw connection.

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