Vehicle electronic circuit assembly including a pressure balancing element

Abstract

The invention relates to an electronic circuit assembly (1) (2) comprising: - a housing (10) and a cover (11) configured to close said housing (10), said assembly (1) comprising a pressure balancing element (12) with a breathable membrane (120) located inside said assembly (1), characterized in that: - said pressure balancing element (12) further comprises at least one channel (121) composed of two parts (121.1, 121.2), a first part (121.1) and a second part (121.2) of which the first part (121.1) and the second part (121.2) are adjacent to said first part (121.1), said first part (121.1) opening onto the outside of said assembly (1) and said second part (121.2) opening onto said breathable membrane (120), one of the two parts (121.1, 121.2) being straight and the other of the two parts (121.1, 121.2) being oblique. Figure for the abbreviation: figure 3

Description

Title of the invention: Electronic circuit assembly for a vehicle comprising a pressure balancing element

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic circuit assembly. It finds a particular but non-limiting application in the field of vehicles.

[0002] In the field of vehicles, in particular motor vehicles, electronic circuits comprise an assembly with a housing and a cover for closing the housing, to protect the electronic components of the electronic circuits against impurities coming from outside the electronic circuits. The assembly further comprises a pressure balancing element with a breathable membrane and a channel comprising three parts, a first part and a second part parallel to the breathable membrane and which are connected to each other by a third part perpendicular to the breathable membrane. The pressure balancing element makes it possible to resolve problems of overpressure and depression inside said assembly and makes it possible to prevent a karcher jet from directly reaching the breathable membrane.

[0003] A disadvantage of this prior art is that due to the number of parts in the channel and in particular the third perpendicular part, this brings complexity to the mold which makes it possible to manufacture said assembly, and a significant cost. It is indeed necessary to have a mold with at least three drawers to mold the three parts of the channel and for it to be demoldable.

[0004] In this context, the present invention aims to propose an electronic circuit assembly which proposes to solve the mentioned drawback.

[0005] To this end, the invention proposes an electronic circuit assembly comprising: - a housing and a cover configured to close said housing, said assembly comprising a pressure balancing element with a breathable membrane located inside said assembly, characterized in that: - said pressure balancing element further comprises at least one channel composed of two parts, including a first part and a second part adjacent to said first part, said first part opening onto the outside of said assembly and said second part opening onto said breathable membrane, one of the two parts being rectilinear and the other of the two parts being oblique.

[0006] Thus, as will be seen in detail below, the invention makes it possible to reduce the number of parts in the channel and by removing the third perpendicular part, while preserving the sealing of said assembly. Consequently, the manufacture of the mold and its cost are simplified. Furthermore, thanks to the arrangement of the two parts of the channel with an oblique part, the breathable membrane is also protected against a direct jet of karcher. Indeed, the jet of karcher will reach the walls of one of the two parts of the channel without directly reaching the breathable membrane.

[0007] According to non-limiting embodiments, said electronic circuit assembly may further comprise one or more additional characteristics taken alone or in all technically possible combinations, among the following.

[0008] According to a non-limiting embodiment, said pressure balancing element is arranged in said housing or said cover of said assembly.

[0009] According to a non-limiting embodiment, said first part opens onto an upper face or onto a side face of said housing or said cover.

[0010] According to a non-limiting embodiment, said second part is oblique and said first part is rectilinear.

[0011] According to a non-limiting embodiment, said pressure balancing element comprises two channels.

[0012] According to a non-limiting embodiment, said at least one channel comprises a cylindrical or rectangular section.

[0013] According to a non-limiting embodiment, the other of the two parts is arranged obliquely in a circular manner around a longitudinal axis of said pressure balancing element.

[0014] According to a non-limiting embodiment, said first part comprises a first end which opens onto the outside of said assembly and said second part comprises a second end which opens onto said breathable membrane, said first end and said second end being offset from each other along a longitudinal axis of said pressure balancing element so as not to be partially or totally opposite each other.

[0015] According to a non-limiting embodiment, said electronic circuit is a vehicle beacon.

[0016] There is further provided a vehicle beacon comprising an assembly according to any one of the preceding characteristics and an electronic support with electronic components.

[0017] According to a non-limiting embodiment, said at least one channel comprises a minimum height defined so that an external jet of liquid breaks on the walls of said first part which opens onto the exterior of said assembly.

[0018] The invention and its various applications will be better understood upon reading the following description and examining the accompanying figures:

[0019] [Fig. 1] is an exploded view of an electronic circuit for a vehicle comprising an assembly according to a first non-limiting embodiment of the invention, said assembly comprising a housing, a closing cover, a balancing element of pressure comprising a breathable membrane and at least one channel,

[0020] [Fig.2] is an assembled top figure of said electronic circuit of [Fig.l],

[0021] [Fig.3] is a sectional view of said electronic circuit of [Fig.l], the pressure balancing element of said assembly comprising a channel according to a first non-limiting embodiment,

[0022] [Fig.4] is a sectional view of said electronic circuit of [Fig.l], the pressure balancing element of said assembly comprising a channel according to a second non-limiting embodiment,

[0023] [Fig.5] is a sectional view of said electronic circuit of [Fig.l], the pressure balancing element of said assembly comprising two channels according to a third non-limiting embodiment,

[0024] [Fig.6] is a sectional view of said electronic circuit of [Fig.l], the pressure balancing element of said assembly comprising two channels according to a fourth non-limiting embodiment,

[0025] [Fig.7] is an assembled schematic sectional view of an electronic circuit for a vehicle comprising an assembly according to a second non-limiting embodiment of the invention, said assembly comprising a housing, a closing cover, a pressure balancing element comprising a breathable membrane and a channel,

[0026] [Fig.8] is an assembled schematic sectional view of an electronic circuit for a vehicle comprising an assembly according to a third non-limiting embodiment of the invention, said assembly comprising a housing, a closing cover, a pressure balancing element comprising a breathable membrane and a channel,

[0027] [Fig.9] is a schematic sectional view of a zoom on the pressure balancing element of [Fig.6] with a single channel,

[0028] [Fig. 10] is a schematic sectional view of a zoom in on the pressure balancing element of [Fig.4],

[0029] [Fig. 11] is a schematic sectional view of a zoom in on the pressure balancing element of [Fig.7],

[0030] [Fig. 12] is a top view of the pressure balancing element of [Fig. 10].

[0031] Identical elements, by structure or by function, appearing in different figures retain, unless otherwise specified, the same references.

[0032] The assembly 1 of electronic circuit 2 according to the invention is described with reference to Figures 1 to 10. In a non-limiting embodiment, the electronic circuit 2 is a vehicle electronic circuit. In a non-limiting embodiment, the vehicle is a motor vehicle. By motor vehicle is meant any type of motorized vehicle. This embodiment is taken as a non-limiting example in the remainder of the description. In the remainder of the description, the vehicle is thus otherwise called a motor vehicle.

[0033] In a non-limiting embodiment, the electronic circuit 2 is a vehicle beacon, called an “Anchor” in English. In a known manner, the beacon has the function of communicating with a vehicle identifier such as a key or a smart mobile phone called a “Smartphone” in English for the location of said identifier. The motor vehicle comprises a plurality of beacons. In a non-limiting embodiment, the identifier is configured to perform functions such as the automatic opening of the motor vehicle doors, or automatic parking assistance for the motor vehicle. The non-limiting embodiment of the beacon is taken as a non-limiting example in the remainder of the description. The beacon is thus called beacon 2.

[0034] Tag 2 includes: - a set 1, - an electronic support 20 with electronic components 200. In a non-limiting embodiment, the electronic support 20 is a printed circuit board, otherwise called PCBA in English for “Printed Circuit Board Assembly”.

[0035] As illustrated in [Fig.l], the assembly 1 of the electronic circuit 2 comprises: - a housing 10, - a cover 11 for closing the housing 10, otherwise called a closing cover 11, - a pressure balancing element 12.

[0036] The pressure balancing element 12 is otherwise called valve 12. Its function is to allow air located in the assembly 1 to escape and to prevent water from damaging the electronic components 200 of the beacon 2. In a non-limiting embodiment, the housing 10 and the cover 11 are connected to each other by laser welding so as to seal the assembly 1. The assembly 1 therefore ensures a sealing function for the beacon 2. The electronic components 200 are thus protected against impurities coming from the environment outside the beacon 2, such as dust, water, cleaning liquid, etc. It will be noted that the laser welding withstands the compressions / depressions of said assembly 1.

[0037] In non-limiting embodiments, the pressure balancing element 12 is arranged in the housing 10 or in the cover 11 of said assembly 1. In non-limiting variant embodiments, it is arranged on the side of an upper face 10a, 11a of the housing 10 or of the cover 11, or on the side of a lateral face 10b, 11b of the housing 10 or of the cover 11. In the non-limiting examples of FIGS. 3 to 7, the pressure balancing element 12 is arranged in the housing 10 of said assembly 1. In the non-limiting example of [Fig. 8], the pressure balancing element 12 is arranged in the cover 11 of said assembly 1.

[0038] The pressure balancing element 12 extends partly along a longitudinal axis A illustrated in [Fig. 9] or [Fig. 10].

[0039] As illustrated in the zoom of [Fig.8], the pressure balancing element 12 comprises: - a breathable membrane 120, - at least one channel 121.

[0040] The breathable membrane 120 is located inside said assembly 1. It is ultrasonically welded around its entire circumference to the assembly 1. It is welded either to the housing 10 or to the cover 11 of the assembly 1. The breathable membrane 120 extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A of the pressure balancing element 12.

[0041] In a non-limiting embodiment, the breathable membrane 120 is a Gortex™ pellet. In a non-limiting example, the breathable membrane 120 has a thickness of approximately 0.5 mm (millimeters).

[0042] The breathable membrane 120 has the function of solving the problems of overpressure and depression inside said assembly 1. It allows the balancing of pressures inside said assembly 1 by avoiding overpressure and depression of said assembly 1. Indeed, the beacon 2 must withstand very high temperatures (+105° Celsius in a non-limiting example) and very low temperatures (-40° Celsius in a non-limiting example). At high temperatures, the volume of air in the assembly 1 expands. The assembly 1 is under overpressure. The latter swells because it is sealed. This corresponds to what is called a pumping effect. At low temperatures, the volume of air inside said assembly 1 contracts. The assembly 1 is under depression. The breathable membrane 120 makes it possible to absorb these variations in volume because it is mobile.This prevents the laser weld between the housing 10 and the cover 11 of said assembly 1 from being under stress and from breaking or cracking. The sealing of said assembly 1 is thus preserved. The breathable membrane 120 thus allows the beacon 2 to breathe while maintaining the sealing of the beacon 2.

[0043] In non-limiting embodiments, the channel 121 comprises a cylindrical or rectangular section.

[0044] The channel 121 is composed of two parts 121.1 and 121.2. The second part 121.2 is adjacent to the first part 121.1. The first part opens onto the outside of said assembly 1 and the second part 121.2 opens onto the breathable membrane 120.

[0045] The first part 121.1 opens onto an upper face 10a, 11a or onto a lateral face 10b, 11b of the housing 10 or of the cover 11. It will be noted that an upper face 10a, 11a is turned towards the outside of said assembly 1.

[0046] In the non-limiting examples of Figures 3 to 6, the first part 121.1 opens onto the upper face 10a of the housing 10. In the non-limiting example of [Fig.8], the first part 121.1 opens onto the upper face 11a of the cover 11. In the non-limiting example of [Fig.7], the first part 121.1 opens onto one of the two faces side panels 10b of the housing 10.

[0047] In particular, as illustrated in [Fig.9], the first part 121.1 comprises a first end m which opens onto the outside of said assembly 1, and the second part 121.2 comprises a second end n which opens onto the breathable membrane 120 and is in contact with the breathable membrane 120. The first end m and the second end n form the two ends of the channel 121. The channel 121 comprises a height h defined between the planes of the two ends m, n of the channel 121.

[0048] One of the two parts 121.1, 121.2 is rectilinear and the other of the two parts 121.1, 121.2 is oblique. In sectional view, according to section CC illustrated in [Fig.2], the part 121.1 or 121.2 which is oblique is oblique to the right or to the left, or oblique at the bottom or at the top. It is oblique at the bottom or at the top if the pressure balancing element 12 is integrated on a side face 10b of the housing 10 or a side face 11b of the cover 11.

[0049] The part which is oblique thus forms a baffle which makes it possible to break a jet of karcher K illustrated by the arrow in dotted lines and referenced K in [Fig.9]. It will be noted that conventionally the karcher contains water or a cleaning liquid.

[0050] In the non-limiting examples of Figures 3, 4 and 7, the first part 121.1 is rectilinear and the second part 121.2 is oblique. In the non-limiting examples of Figures 5, 6 and 8, the first part 121.1 is oblique and the second part 121.2 is rectilinear.

[0051] By rectilinear is meant that it extends along the longitudinal axis A of the pressure balancing element 12. By oblique is meant that it extends along an axis making an angle α with an axis B perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A as illustrated in FIGS. 9 to 11. Thus, the oblique part of the channel 121 makes an angle α with the rectilinear part of the channel 121.

[0052] In a non-limiting embodiment, as illustrated in [Fig.9], the first end m of the first part 121.1 and the second end n of the second part 121.2 are offset from each other along the longitudinal axis A of the pressure balancing element 12 so as not to be partially or totally opposite each other.

[0053] In other words, the projected area of ​​the first end m of the first part 121.1 onto the plane of the second end n does not intersect the second end n. In [Fig.9], the projection of the first end m is illustrated by the points a and b.

[0054] Conversely, the projected area of ​​the second end n of the second part 121.2 onto the plane of the first end m does not intersect the first end m. In Figures 10 and 11, the projection of the second end n is illustrated by points a and b.

[0055] This ensures that the jet of the Karcher K does not directly reach the breathable membrane 120.

[0056] In a first non-limiting example illustrated in [Fig.9], the height h of the channel 121 is 3.2mm for a width c of 0.6mm of the first part 121.1 and a width e of 0.8mm of the second part 121.2, when the first part 121 is oblique (to the left) and opens out towards the outside of said assembly 1 on the upper face side 10a of the housing 10 and the second part 121.2 is rectilinear. This prevents the jet of the karcher K from arriving directly on the breathable membrane 120.

[0057] In a second non-limiting example illustrated in [Fig. 10], the height h of the channel 121 is 3 mm for a width c of 0.6 mm of the first part 121.1 and a width e of 0.8 mm of the second part 121.2, when the first part 121 is rectilinear and opens outwards towards the outside of said assembly 1 on the upper face side 10a of the housing 10 and the second part 121.2 is oblique (to the left). This prevents the jet of the karcher K from arriving directly on the breathable membrane 120.

[0058] In a third non-limiting example illustrated in [Fig. 11], the height h of the channel 121 is 2.7 mm for a width c of 0.6 mm of the first part 121.1 and a width e of 0.8 mm of the second part 121.2, when the first part 121.1 is rectilinear and opens outwards towards the outside of said assembly 1 on the lateral face 10b of the housing 10 and the second part 121.2 is oblique (at the bottom). This prevents the jet of the karcher K from arriving directly on the breathable membrane 120.

[0059] Thus, the channel 121 has a minimum height h which is defined so that the karcher jet K breaks on the first part 121.1 which opens onto the outside of said assembly 1, namely directly reaches the wall of the first part 121.1.

[0060] In the first non-limiting example illustrated in [Fig.9], the angle a = 48°.59 for a width c of the first part 121.1 which is oblique (to the left) of 0.6mm and a width e of 0.8mm for the second part 121.2 which is rectilinear.

[0061] In the second non-limiting example illustrated in [Fig.10], the angle a = 48°.59 for a width c of the first part 121.1 which is rectilinear of 0.6mm and a width e of 0.8mm for the second part 121.2 which is oblique (to the left).

[0062] In the third non-limiting example illustrated in [Fig. 11], the angle a = 35°.84 for a width c of the first part 121.1 which is rectilinear of 0.6mm and a width e of 0.8mm for the second part 121.2 which is oblique (at the bottom).

[0063] Thus, this angle a is defined so as to prevent the karcher jet K from directly reaching the breathable membrane 120, regardless of the direction of the karcher jet K. Figures 9 to 11 illustrate a karcher jet K which comes from different directions.

[0064] Thus, the air passage width (c and e), the angle a between the oblique part and the rectilinear part of the channel 121 and the height h of the pressure balancing element are defined so that: - the channel 121 is located substantially in the center of the breathable membrane 120 to allow the latter to be welded around its perimeter to the housing 10 or the cover 11, - that the channel 121 can be easily removed, - that the projected area of ​​the oblique part never opens onto the straight part or vice versa, so that the Karcher jet K does not directly reach the breathable membrane 120.

[0065] Thus, the jet of the karcher K breaks on the wall of the part of the channel 121 which opens out towards the outside of said assembly 1. The water or liquid contained in the karcher flows along the walls of the channel 121 (along the first part 121.1 and along the second part 121.2) to the breathable membrane 120. The power of the jet of karcher K thus does not damage the breathable membrane 120. It will be noted that the fact that a little water or cleaning liquid stagnates on the breathable membrane 120 is not a problem for the operation of the beacon 2.

[0066] The part 121.1, 121.2 which is oblique is arranged obliquely in a circular manner around the longitudinal axis A of the pressure balancing element in top view. As illustrated in [Fig. 12], the second part 121.2 can be seen which is oblique and arranged around the longitudinal axis A. In dotted lines, another arrangement of the second part 121.2 around the longitudinal axis A can be seen. The arrow indicates that the second part 121.2 can move all around the longitudinal axis A.

[0067] Thus, in Figures 3 to 8, in section, there may be an oblique part 121.1 or 121.2. In the non-limiting example illustrated in [Fig.3], there is a second part 121.2 of channel 121 which is oblique to the right. In the non-limiting example illustrated in [Fig.4], there is a second part 121.2 of channel 121 which is oblique to the left. In the non-limiting examples illustrated in [Fig.5] and in [Fig.8], there is a first part 121.1 of a channel 121 which is oblique to the right. In the non-limiting example illustrated in [Fig.6], there is a first part 121.1 of a channel 121 which is oblique to the left. In the non-limiting example illustrated in [Fig.7], there is a second part 121.2 of channel 121 which is oblique at the bottom. It will be noted that for reasons of clarity of the figures, the references of the first part 121.1 and the second part 121.2 of the two channels 121 in figures 5 and 6 have not been illustrated.

[0068] In a non-limiting embodiment illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, the pressure balancing element 12 comprises two channels 121. This allows the air which is in the assembly 1 to escape more quickly from said assembly 1. Furthermore, the fact of having two channels 121 and not more allows to have enough space on the assembly 1 to weld the breathable membrane 120, this within the framework of the application of the beacon 2.

[0069] Of course, the description of the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and to the field described above. Thus, the invention can be applied to any type of electronic circuit 2 that is not a beacon. Thus, the pressure balancing element 12 may have more than two channels 121 if there is sufficient space to integrate them.

[0070] Thus, the invention described presents in particular the following advantages: - it allows, thanks to the pressure balancing element 12, the breathing of said assembly 1 while maintaining the sealing function of said assembly 1. Thus, during thermal shocks at -40°C or +105°C for example, the compression or expansion of the air in the assembly 1 does not damage the laser welding between the housing 10 and the cover 11 of said assembly 1. The sealing of said assembly 1 is maintained. The assembly 1 withstands a high-pressure Karcher K jet test referenced IP69K, - it prevents any direct contact between the Karcher jet K and the breathable membrane 120; it thus avoids the destruction of the breathable membrane 120 of the pressure balancing element 12; it thus preserves the pressure balancing function, - it makes it possible to simplify the baffle of the channel 121 of the pressure balancing element 12 in the mold used to manufacture the assembly 1; the manufacturing cost is thus reduced. Indeed, it is no longer necessary to have a drawer mold (whether for one channel 121 or two channels 121), - it saves space because the chicanery of the channel 121 with a straight part and an oblique part is less bulky than the solution of the prior art which includes a perpendicular part, - it allows the customer's space requirement to be respected for the assembly 1. It is in fact not necessary to enlarge the surface area of ​​said assembly 1 to integrate the pressure balancing element 12 with its channel(s) 121 and its breathable membrane 120.

Claims

Claims

1. An electronic circuit assembly (1) comprising: - a housing (10) and a cover (11) configured to close said housing (10), said assembly (1) comprising a pressure balancing element (12) with a breathable membrane (120) located inside said assembly (1), characterized in that: - said pressure balancing element (12) further comprises at least one channel (121) composed of two parts (121.1, 121.2) including a first part (121.1) and a second part (121.2) adjacent to said first part (121.1), said first part (121.1) opening onto the outside of said assembly (1) and said second part (121.2) opening onto said breathable membrane (120), one of the two parts (121.1, 121.2) being rectilinear and the other of the two parts (121.1, 121.2) being oblique.

2. An assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein said pressure balancing element (12) is disposed in said housing (10) or said cover (11) of said assembly (1).

3. Assembly (1) according to claim 1 or claim 2, according to which said first part (121.1) opens onto an upper face (10a, 11a) or onto a lateral face (10b, 11b) of said housing (10) or of said cover (H).

4. Assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, according to which said second part (121.2) is oblique and said first part (121.1) is rectilinear.

5. An assembly (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein said pressure balancing element (12) comprises two channels (121).

6. An assembly (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein said at least one channel (121) comprises a cylindrical or rectangular section.

7. An assembly (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein the other of the two parts (121.1, 121.2) is arranged obliquely in a circular manner around a longitudinal axis (A) of said pressure balancing element (12).

8. Assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, according to which said first part (121.1) comprises a first end (m) which opens onto the exterior of said assembly (1) and said second part (121.2) comprises a second end (n) which opens onto said breathable membrane (120), said first end (m) and said second end (n) being offset from each other along a longitudinal axis (A) of said pressure balancing element (12) so as not to be partially or totally opposite each other.

9. Assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said electronic circuit (2) is a vehicle beacon (3).

10. Beacon (2) for a vehicle comprising an assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims and an electronic support (20) with electronic components (200).

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