METAL COMPONENT OF A PROTECTIVE HOUSING FOR AN AUTOMOBILE COMPUTER

Abstract

The invention relates to a metallic element (10), such as a structural support (10) or a cover, for a protective housing of a motor vehicle computer, having a first face (11), intended to be oriented outwards from said protective housing, and a second face (12), intended to be oriented inwards from said protective housing, said element (10) comprising a printed circuit board (13), characterized in that said element (10) has at least one deformation (32) projecting from said first face (11), said printed circuit board (13) being fixed to said second face (12) by a self-tapping screw (31) embedded in said deformation (32). Abstract figure: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: METAL ELEMENT OF A PROTECTIVE HOUSING FOR A AUTOMOBILE COMPUTER Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to a metallic element of a protective housing for a computer for a motor vehicle comprising a printed circuit board. State of the art

[0002] It is known from the prior art that a motor vehicle includes one or more control units whose role is to manage various pieces of equipment installed in the motor vehicle, such as electronic fuel injection or the power steering system. A control unit, also called an ECU (Engine Control Unit), is housed in a protective casing comprising a cover and a support structure. It includes, in particular, a printed circuit board, commonly called a PCB. The printed circuit board is attached to the sheet metal of the protective casing by means of one or more rivets. The rivets are obtained directly by stamping the sheet metal. The rivets are then inserted into the holes in the printed circuit board designed to receive them. Finally, the rivets are flattened to fix the printed circuit board to the sheet metal of the protective casing.The disadvantage of riveting is the risk of cracking at the point where the rivet has been crushed. Consequently, the printed circuit board's attachment to the protective housing is not guaranteed. Furthermore, chips can be produced during rivet crushing, potentially creating short circuits within the printed circuit board.

[0003] Prior art also includes a fastening system comprising an insert into which a screw is assembled. The insert is crimped to the protective housing, thus constituting an added component. The insert may also be welded or riveted. The connection between the insert and the protective housing may have defects, thereby creating a lack of sealing between the inside of the protective housing and its external environment. Consequently, external elements, such as dust or water, may penetrate the protective housing and cause various types of damage to the printed circuit board.

[0004] The aim of the present invention is therefore to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art by providing a simple-to-implement fastening device that allows the printed circuit board to be firmly fixed to the protective housing and offers a seal increased. Description of the invention

[0005] To this end, the invention relates, in its broadest sense, to a metallic element, such as a structural support or a cover, of a protective housing for a motor vehicle computer having a first face, intended to be oriented towards the outside of said protective housing, and a second face, intended to be oriented towards the inside of said protective housing, said element comprising a printed circuit board, notable in that said element has at least one deformation extending in projection relative to said first face, said printed circuit board being fixed to said second face by a self-tapping screw implanted in said deformation.

[0006] Advantageously, said deformation comprises a bottom, said bottom being rounded or flat.

[0007] According to an advantageous feature, said deformation includes an opening, said element comprising a flat surface arranged around said opening.

[0008] Preferably, said self-tapping screw has a hexagonal recess.

[0009] Preferably, the material of said element is an aluminum alloy or steel, preferably stainless steel, and the material of said self-tapping screw is steel, preferably stainless steel.

[0010] Preferably, said self-tapping screw has a length under head and said deformation has a shank having a length less than the length under head of said self-tapping screw.

[0011] Preferably, said element comprises at least three deformations, each comprising a self-tapping screw.

[0012] The invention also relates to a computer protection box for a motor vehicle comprising at least one element as described above.

[0013] Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for assembling a metallic element of a protective housing for a computer for a motor vehicle having a first face, intended to be oriented towards the outside of said protective housing, and a second face, intended to be oriented towards the inside of said protective housing, said element comprising a printed circuit notable in that it comprises the following steps:

[0014] - a step of carrying out a deformation on said element extending in projection by in relation to the said first face;

[0015] - a step of positioning said printed circuit on said second face;

[0016] - a step of screwing a self-tapping screw into said deformation in order to to assemble said printed circuit board to said element.

[0017] Advantageously, the step of carrying out said deformation is obtained by stamping. Brief description of the drawings

[0018] Several embodiments of the present invention will be described below by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the accompanying figures in which:

[0019] [Fig-1] schematically represents an isometric view of a support structure, comprising various components, of a protective housing according to a first embodiment of the invention;

[0020] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of a fastening means visible on [Fig.1];

[0021] [Fig.3] schematically represents an isometric view of a cover, comprising various components, of a protective housing according to a second embodiment of the invention;

[0022] Detailed description of embodiments of the invention

[0023] With reference to [Fig. 1], a structural support 10 for a protective housing for an automotive computer is schematically represented according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The structural support 10 has a first face 11, intended to be oriented towards the outside of the protective housing, and a second face 12, intended to be oriented towards the inside of the protective housing. The protective support 10 is made of a metallic material, such as an aluminum alloy or stainless steel. A printed circuit board 13, connected to a set of connectors 14, is attached to the structural support 10. The structural support 10 is intended to be assembled with a cover to form a protective housing for the computer. The printed circuit board 13 has an opening 30, more clearly visible in [Fig. 2], through which a self-tapping screw 31 passes.Alternatively, the printed circuit board 13 has several holes 30 through which several self-tapping screws 31 pass. Furthermore, the structural support 10 includes a deformation 32 extending beyond the first face 11. Preferably, the deformation 32 is obtained by stamping, as this is a simple and quick process. The assembly method for the printed circuit board 13 and the structural support 10 comprises a first step of positioning the printed circuit board 13 on the structural support 10, a second step of inserting the self-tapping screw 31 into the hole 30, and a third step of tightening the self-tapping screw 31. The printed circuit board 13 is thus assembled to the structural support 10. The deformation 32 comprises an opening 32a, a shaft 32b with a length 132, and a base 32c. Preferably, the 32c base is rounded. Alternatively, the 32c base is flat.The self-tapping screw 31 has a length L31 under the head. The length 132 of the . The length of the screw 32b is shorter than the length L31 of the screw 31. This allows for significant clamping force to be applied to the printed circuit board 13. The structural support 10 further includes a flat surface 33 arranged around the opening 32a. The printed circuit board 13 rests on the flat surface 33. Thus, the flat surface 33 and the self-tapping screw 31 allow the printed circuit board 13 to be pressed against and held firmly in place. The self-tapping screw 31 has a head 31a with a hexagonal recess 31b. A hexagonal recess 31b has the advantage of being able to withstand relatively high torque, thereby improving the fastening of the printed circuit board 13 to the structural support 10. Alternatively, the head 31a may have a Phillips head or a slot. A protective housing incorporating such a structural support 10 offers excellent sealing against the external environment.Indeed, the deformation 32 exhibits a continuity which has the advantage of preventing moisture or dust from penetrating the protective casing.

[0024] With reference now to [Fig. 3], a cover 20 for a protective housing for an automotive computer is schematically represented according to a second embodiment of the invention. The cover 20 has a first face 21, intended to be oriented towards the outside of the protective housing, and a second face 22, intended to be oriented towards the inside of the protective housing. The cover is made of a metallic material, such as an aluminum alloy or stainless steel. A printed circuit board 23, connected to a set of connectors 24, is attached to the cover 20. The cover 20 is intended to be assembled with a structural support to form a protective housing for the computer.The printed circuit board 13 has an opening 40, through which a self-tapping screw 4L passes. Alternatively, the printed circuit board 23 has several openings 40, each through which a self-tapping screw 4L passes. Furthermore, the cover 20 includes a deformation 42 extending beyond the first face 21. Preferably, the deformation 42 is obtained by stamping. The assembly process for the printed circuit board 23 and the cover 20 comprises a first step of positioning the printed circuit board 23 on the cover 20, then a second step of inserting the self-tapping screw 41 into the opening 40, and then a third step of tightening the self-tapping screw 4L. The printed circuit board 23 is thus assembled to the cover 20. The deformation 42 comprises an opening 42a, a shaft 42b, having a length 142, and a base 42c. Preferably, the 42c base is rounded. Alternatively, the 42c base is flat.The self-tapping screw 41 has a length L41 under the head. The length 142 of the shank 42b is less than the length L41 of the self-tapping screw 4L. The self-tapping screw 41 has a head 41a with a hexagonal recess 41b. Alternatively, the head 41a has a cruciform recess or a slot.

[0025] The metallic element of a protective housing for a computer, according to the invention, described as a structural support 10 in the first embodiment and a cover 20 in the second embodiment, may have several deformations accommodating several self-tapping screws as needed. For example, a large protective housing may require several deformations and self-tapping screws. Mechanical strength requirements may also necessitate multiple deformations and self-tapping screws.

[0026] The invention has the advantage of being simple to implement and inexpensive. Indeed, the operation of screwing the printed circuit board onto one of the elements of a protective housing for a computer does not require complex production equipment and can be easily automated. The resulting deformations do not generate chips, thus avoiding the risk of short circuits. Furthermore, the invention provides excellent sealing against external elements.

Claims

Demands

1. A metallic element (10, 20), such as a structural support (10) or a cover (20), for a protective housing of a motor vehicle computer, having a first face (11, 21) intended to be oriented outwards from said protective housing, and a second face (12, 22) intended to be oriented inwards from said protective housing, said element (10, 20) comprising a printed circuit board (13, 23), characterized in that said element (10, 20) has at least one deformation (32, 42) extending in projection from said first face (11, 21), said printed circuit board (13, 23) being fixed to said second face (12, 22) by a self-tapping screw (31, 41) embedded in said deformation (32, 42), and in that the element (10, 20) is watertight vis-à-vis the outside world.

2. Element (10, 20) according to claim 1 characterized in that said deformation (32) comprises a bottom (32c), said bottom (32c) being rounded or flat.

3. Element (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 2 characterized in that said deformation (32) comprises an opening (32a), said element (10) comprising a flat surface (33) disposed around said opening (32a).

4. Element (10, 20) according to any one of claims 1 to 3 characterized in that said self-tapping screw (31, 41) has a hexagonal recess (31b, 41b).

5. Element (10, 20) according to any one of claims 1 to 4 characterized in that the material of said element (10, 20) is an aluminum alloy or a steel, preferably a stainless steel, and the material of said self-tapping screw (31, 41) is a steel, preferably a stainless steel.

6. Element (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 5 characterized in that said self-tapping screw (31) has a length under head (L31) and said deformation (32) comprises a shank (32b) having a length (132) less than the length under head (L31) of said self-tapping screw (31).

7. Element (10, 20) according to any one of claims 1 to 6 characterized in that said element (10, 20) comprises at least three deformations (32, 42) each comprising a self-tapping screw (31, 41).

8. Motor vehicle computer protection housing comprising at least one element (10, 20) according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. Method of assembling a metallic element (10, 20) of a protective housing for a motor vehicle computer having a first face (11, 21), intended to be oriented towards the outside of said protective housing, and a second face (12, 22), intended to be oriented towards the inside of said protective housing, said element (10, 20) comprising a printed circuit board (13, 23) characterized in that it comprises the following steps: - a step of creating a deformation (32, 42) on said element (10, 20) extending in projection relative to said first face (11, 21); - a step of positioning said printed circuit board (13, 23) on said second face (12, 22); - a step of screwing a self-tapping screw (31, 41) into said deformation (32, 42) in order to assemble said printed circuit (13, 23) to said element (10, 20).

10. Method according to claim 9 characterized in that the step of carrying out said deformation (32, 42) is obtained by stamping.

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