ECU structure for body grounding

Abstract

This provides an ECU structure suitable for grounding the ECU to the body. [Solution] This ECU structure provides a grounding connection point on a circuit board on which the ECU is mounted, allowing for electrical connection. The grounding connection point is fastened together with the ground terminal of a wire harness connected to other circuits and to the body panel, thereby grounding the ECU and other circuits together to the body.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an ECU structure for body grounding an ECU (Electronic Control Unit).

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for body grounding, in which a plurality of terminals provided at the tip of a grounding wire extending from a wire harness are collectively fixed to a vehicle body via bolts.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In order to body ground an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) mounted on a substrate, a method of providing a connector to the ground (GND) wiring of the substrate and connecting it to the body via a wire harness can be considered. However, in this method, a connector and a wire harness must be used unnecessarily, leaving problems in terms of space and cost.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide an ECU structure suitable for body grounding an ECU.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above problems, one aspect of the disclosed technology is an ECU structure for grounding an ECU to the body, wherein an electrically connectable grounding fastening portion is provided on a circuit board on which the ECU is mounted, and the grounding fastening portion is fastened together with the ground terminal of a wire harness connected to other circuits and to the body panel, thereby grounding the ECU and other circuits together to the body. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the ECU structure of the present disclosure, it is possible to connect (secure) a body ground together with one or more other circuits by fastening and fixing them at the same location, without using a separate wire harness for the ECU. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] A top view illustrating the state of body grounding using an ECU structure according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] Cross-sectional view of line AA in Figure 1 [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] <Embodiment> Figure 1 is a top view illustrating the state of body grounding using an ECU structure according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of line AA in the state of body grounding shown in Figure 1. In Figure 1, a portion of the ECU structure is drawn transparently for clarity. In the following embodiments, the case in which the ECU structure is mounted on a vehicle will be used as an example for explanation.

[0010] The body ground configuration shown in Figures 1 and 2 includes the ECU structure 10, the first ground wiring section 20, the second ground wiring section 30, the third ground wiring section 40, the body panel 50, the first bolt 61, and the second bolt 62.

[0011] The ECU structure 10 includes an ECU board 11, which is an electrical circuit board on which a predetermined ECU that requires securing the vehicle's body ground is mounted, and an ECU upper housing 12 and an ECU lower housing 13 that house the ECU board 11 and form a housing to protect it from water, dust, and the like.

[0012] The ECU board 11 is provided with an earthing fastening portion 11a for body grounding that can be electrically connected, extending from the main body of the board. This earthing fastening portion 11a has a predetermined shape (for example, a ring shape through which the first bolt 61 passes) that can be electrically fastened to the body panel 50 using a first bolt 61 made of a conductive material.

[0013] The upper ECU housing 12 and the lower ECU housing 13 are preferably made of resin from the viewpoint of cost reduction and weight reduction. The upper ECU housing 12 is formed to cover the ECU substrate 11 and the grounding fastening portion 11a. The upper ECU housing 12 is also provided with a hole through which the first bolt 61 passes. The lower ECU housing 13 is formed to support the ECU substrate 11 and the grounding fastening portion 11a. The lower ECU housing 13 is also provided with a hole through which the first bolt 61 passes and a hole through which the second bolt 62 passes. The ECU substrate 11, housed in the space formed by the upper ECU housing 12 and the lower ECU housing 13, is fastened and fixed to the body panel 50 by the first bolt 61 and the second bolt 62.

[0014] The first grounding wiring section 20 comprises a grounding wire 21 connected to a predetermined circuit or device, and a grounding terminal 22 provided at the end of the wire 21. The wire 21 is configured, for example, as a wire harness (W / H). The grounding terminal 22 is a terminal (for example, a ring terminal) that has a shape that allows it to be electrically fastened to the body panel 50 by passing the first bolt 61 through it. An example of a circuit or device connected to this first grounding wiring section 20 is a floor system.

[0015] The second grounding wiring section 30 includes a grounding wire 31 connected to a predetermined circuit or device, and a grounding terminal 32 provided at the end of the wire 31. The wire 31 is configured, for example, as a wire harness (W / H). The grounding terminal 32 is a terminal (for example, a ring terminal) that has a shape that allows it to be electrically fastened to the body panel 50 by passing the first bolt 61 through it. An example of a circuit or device connected to this second grounding wiring section 30 is an instrument panel system.

[0016] The third grounding wiring section 40 comprises a grounding wire 41 connected to a predetermined circuit or device, and a grounding terminal 42 provided at the end of the wire 41. The wire 41 is configured, for example, as a wire harness (W / H). The grounding terminal 42 is a terminal (for example, a ring terminal) that has a shape that allows it to be electrically fastened to the body panel 50 by passing the first bolt 61 through it. An example of a circuit or device connected to this third grounding wiring section 40 is the room main system.

[0017] The first grounding section 20, the second grounding section 30, and the third grounding section 40 described above are merely examples, and the number of grounding sections and the circuits and devices connected to them are not limited to those described.

[0018] The ECU board 11 is fastened to the body panel 50 via the first bolt 61 at the location of the ground fastening portion 11a for body grounding, together with the ground terminal 22 of the first ground wiring portion 20, the ground terminal 32 of the second ground wiring portion 30, and the ground terminal 42 of the third ground wiring portion 40 (Figure 2).

[0019] By co-fastening with the first bolt 61 formed of this conductive material, all of the grounding portion 11a, the ground terminal 22, the ground terminal 32, and the ground terminal 42 are electrically connected to the body panel 50 via the first bolt 61. Therefore, the body ground of the ECU mounted on the ECU board 11 and the body grounds of other circuits connected to the first ground wiring portion 20, other circuits connected to the second ground wiring portion 30, and other circuits connected to the third ground wiring portion 40 can be secured together.

[0020] In addition, in order to prevent the ground terminal that contacts the upper housing 12 of the ECU when the first bolt 61 is tightened from rotating, a rotation prevention may be provided on the upper surface of the upper housing 12 of the ECU. Also, the grounding portion 11a may be provided outside the upper housing 12 of the ECU, and the grounding portion 11a may be configured to be in surface contact with any one of the ground terminal 22, the ground terminal 32, and the ground terminal 42.

[0021] <Operation and Effect> As described above, according to the ECU structure for body grounding the ECU according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an electrical fastening portion for body grounding is provided on the electrical circuit board on which the ECU is mounted, and this fastening portion is co-fastened to the body ground with one or more ground terminals connected to other circuits by a wire harness or the like.

[0022] By this connection method, the ECU that requires body grounding and one or more other circuits can be grounded together by fastening and fixing at one location. Therefore, there is no need to separately use a wire harness or a connector for the ECU, and the component cost can be reduced. Also, the work during vehicle assembly is reduced.

Industrial Applicability

[0023] The ECU structure of the present disclosure is applicable when it is desired to ground the ECU together with other circuits.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0024] 10 ECU structure portion 11 ECU board 11a Grounding connection 12 ECU Upper Housing 13 ECU Lower Housing 20, 30, 40 Grounding wiring section 21, 31, 41 electric wire 22, 32, 42 Ground terminals 50 Body Panel 61, 62 volts

Claims

[Claim 1] An ECU structure for grounding the ECU to the body, An earth connection portion that allows electrical connection is provided on the circuit board on which the ECU is mounted. An ECU structure in which the ECU and the other circuits are grounded together to the body by fastening the aforementioned grounding fastening part to the body panel together with the ground terminal of the wire harness connected to the other circuits.

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