Mounting device for vehicle electronic control unit

Abstract

To solve a problem in which a conventional fitting device of a vehicular electronic control unit does not care about protecting the electronic control unit from external force such as collision.SOLUTION: A fitting device of a vehicular electronic control unit for mounting an electronic control unit CU on a dash panel DP of a vehicle V from a cabin C side comprises: a base bracket 1 which is fixed to the dash panel DP to hold the electronic control unit CU. The base bracket 1 has upper attachment parts 3A, 3B and a lower attachment part 4 which are stationary parts to the dash panel DP. The lower attachment part 4 has a fragile structure 4B with weak mechanical strength relative to the upper attachment parts 3A, 3B so that the electronic control unit CU is protected when the dash panel DP is deformed to a cabin CSI side caused by external force from a front face of the vehicle V.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a mounting device for a vehicle electronic control unit used to mount an electronic control unit that controls an engine or a motor in a vehicle such as an automobile. [Background technology]

[0002] A conventional mounting device for a vehicle electronic control unit is described, for example, in Patent Document 1. The mounting device described in Patent Document 1 includes a metal base to be placed in the engine compartment of the vehicle and a resin case main body to be assembled to the metal base. A metal collar is molded into the resin case. The mounting device is placed in the engine compartment by fastening the metal base and the resin case main body together with a bolt inserted into the metal collar. The assembly strength of the fastening parts is ensured. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 4006189 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, while the above-mentioned conventional mounting devices for vehicle electronic control units ensure assembly strength and waterproofing, they do not take into consideration protecting the electronic control unit from external forces caused by collisions, etc. The electronic control unit controls the vehicle's main drive source and, in electric vehicles in particular, has the function of shutting down the high-voltage system, so it is important to protect the main drive source so that it does not become uncontrollable when subjected to external forces.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned conventional situation, and aims to provide a mounting device for a vehicle electronic control unit that can protect the electronic control unit even if an external force from the front of the vehicle causes the dash panel to deform toward the cabin. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The mounting device for a vehicle electronic control unit according to the present invention is a device for mounting an electronic control unit to a vehicle dash panel from the cabin side, and is characterized in that it comprises a base bracket that is fixed to the dash panel to hold the electronic control unit, and the base bracket has upper and lower mounting portions, which are fixing points to the dash panel, above and below it, and the lower mounting portion has a fragile structure with relatively low mechanical strength compared to the upper mounting portion.

[0007] The mounting device for a vehicle electronic control unit having the above configuration mounts the electronic control unit to the dash panel from the cabin side to effectively utilize the interior space of the vehicle. When the dash panel is deformed toward the cabin due to an external force from the front of the vehicle, the mounting device protects the electronic control unit held by the base bracket by deforming or breaking the weak lower mounting portion of the base bracket.

[0008] Generally, when a vehicle is involved in a frontal collision and the engine or motor is pushed backward, causing the dash panel to deform toward the cabin, the amount of deformation is greatest at the center of the upper part of the dash panel. Therefore, the mounting device described above ensures the mechanical strength of the upper mounting section of the base bracket, which is subject to the greatest amount of deformation, and reduces the mechanical strength of the lower mounting section, which is subject to less deformation, by using a fragile structure. This prevents the lower mounting section from deforming or breaking, preventing the entire base bracket from deforming and maintaining its function of holding the electronic control unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] In this way, the mounting device for a vehicle electronic control unit according to the present invention can protect the electronic control unit even if an external force from the front of the vehicle causes the dash panel to deform toward the cabin. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1A is a cross-sectional view illustrating a first embodiment of a mounting device for a vehicle electronic control unit according to the present invention, and FIG. 1B is a side view showing the arrangement of the mounting device in a vehicle. [Figure 2] 2A is a cross-sectional view of the mounting device shown in FIG. 1 in an exploded state, and FIG. 2B is a front view of the base bracket on the cabin side. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a front view of the cabin side of the mounting device shown in FIG. [Figure 4] 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the mounting device when subjected to an external force from the front of the vehicle. FIG. [Figure 5] 1A is a front view of the cabin side illustrating a second embodiment of a mounting device for a vehicle electronic control unit according to the present invention, and FIG. 1B is a side view of a base bracket illustrating a third embodiment of the mounting device. [Figure 6] 10A is a plan view showing the arrangement of the mounting device in the vehicle, and FIG. 10B is a front view of the mounting device on the cabin side, illustrating a fourth embodiment of the mounting device for a vehicle electronic control unit according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] First Embodiment 1 to 4 are diagrams illustrating a first embodiment of a mounting device for a vehicle electronic control unit according to the present invention. The mounting device for a vehicle electronic control unit (hereinafter abbreviated as "mounting device") shown in Fig. 1 is a device for mounting an electronic control unit CU to a dash panel DP of a vehicle V from the cabin C side.

[0012] The electronic control unit CU controls the main drive source E, which is the engine and motor of the vehicle V, and in electric vehicles in particular, has the function of shutting down the high-voltage system in the event of a collision. As one way of making effective use of the interior space of the vehicle V, this electronic control unit CU is placed between the dash panel DP, which is a structural material of the vehicle V, and the dashboard panel DB, which is an interior material of the cabin C.

[0013] The mounting device includes a base bracket 1 that is fixed to a dash panel DP to hold the electronic control unit CU. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the base bracket is, for example, a metal plate formed into an appropriate shape, and has a frame-like portion 2 that surrounds the electronic control unit CU, as well as upper mounting portions 3A and 3B and a lower mounting portion 4 above and below the upper frame portion 2, which are mounting portions to the dash panel DP.

[0014] The base bracket 1 in the illustrated example has upper mounting portions 3A, 3B at two locations in the vehicle width direction (two locations on the upper left and right sides), and is fixed to the dash panel DP at three points: the two upper mounting portions 3A, 3B and one lower mounting portion 4. The upper mounting portions 3A, 3B are shaped like protrusions that protrude in the left and right directions, and the lower mounting portion 4 is shaped like a protrusion that protrudes downward.

[0015] In addition, the base bracket 1 has upper retaining pieces 5A and lower retaining pieces 5B above and below the frame-shaped portion 2 that protrude into the frame, and the frame-shaped portion 2 has a curved shape in a vertical cross section with the cabin C side as the inner angle.

[0016] Furthermore, the base bracket 1 has a lower mounting portion 4 that has a weak structure with relatively low mechanical strength compared to the upper mounting portions 3A, 3B. In this embodiment, the lower mounting portion 4 has a weak structure in the form of a protruding piece that protrudes downward, and has an obtuse-angle bent portion 4A that bends the tip toward the cabin between its base end and the tip that joins to the dash panel DP. The base bracket 1 is fixed to the dash panel DP by bolts (or screws) B1 attached to the upper mounting portions 3A, 3B and the lower mounting portion 4, respectively.

[0017] The electronic control unit CU houses a circuit inside (not shown), and has a flange 6 on its outer periphery, and is fixed to the upper holding piece 5A and the lower holding piece 5B of the base bracket 1 by bolts (or screws) B2 that pass through the top and bottom of this flange 6. The electronic control unit CU also has a socket 7 on one side that electrically connects to the internal circuit, and as shown in Figure 3, a plug 9 attached to the end of a harness 8 that bundles the wires is connected to the socket 7.

[0018] The mounting device of this embodiment includes a protector 10 that covers the electronic control unit CU mounted on the base bracket 1. The protector 10 is made of, for example, metal, and is shaped like a lid that covers the cabin C side of the electronic control unit CU, and is fixed to the base bracket 1 by bolts (or screws) B3 attached to the top and bottom of the protector 10.

[0019] In the mounting device for a vehicle electronic control unit having the above configuration, when an external force is applied from the front of the vehicle V and the dash panel DP is deformed toward the cabin C, as shown by the arrow in Figure 4, the fragile lower mounting portion 4 of the base bracket 1 is deformed or destroyed. In this embodiment, the lower mounting portion 4 of the base bracket 1 is bent at the bending portion 4A, which serves as a fragile structure, from the imaginary line to the solid line in the figure, to protect the electronic control unit CU held by the base bracket 1.

[0020] If a frontal collision of vehicle V pushes main drive source E, such as an engine or motor, rearward, causing dash panel DP to deform toward cabin C, the amount of deformation is greatest at the center of the upper part of dash panel DP. In this case, for example, if the mechanical strength of each of the upper and lower fixing portions of base bracket 1 is equal, the difference in deformation between upper mounting portions 3A and 3B, which are the side with greater deformation, and lower mounting portion 4, which is the side with less deformation, will cause the entire base bracket 1 to be pulled and deformed significantly, potentially impairing its function of holding electronic control unit CU.

[0021] Furthermore, in contrast to the above embodiment, if the upper mounting portions 3A, 3B have a weak structure, the base bracket 1 will be fixed to the stronger lower mounting portion 4, which is the side with the smaller deformation amount, and the entire base bracket will be pulled significantly toward the cabin C, causing deformation, and there is a risk that the holding function of the electronic control unit CU will be impaired.

[0022] In contrast, the above mounting device ensures the mechanical strength of the upper mounting portions 3A, 3B, which are subject to a large amount of deformation of the dash panel DP, while reducing the mechanical strength of the lower mounting portion 4, which is subject to a small amount of deformation, by using a fragile structure (bent portion 4A).By deforming or destroying the lower mounting portion 4, the base bracket 1 is moved to follow the large amount of deformation of the upper portion, preventing overall deformation and also preventing the harness 8 from detaching from the electronic control unit CU, thereby maintaining the holding function of the electronic control unit CP.

[0023] In this way, the mounting device for a vehicle electronic control unit can protect the electronic control unit CP even if an external force from the front causes the dash panel DP to deform toward the cabin C. This eliminates the risk of the safety control function of the electronic control unit CP being stopped.

[0024] In addition, in the above mounting device, the base bracket 1 is fixed to the dash panel DP at three points: two upper mounting portions 3A, 3B and one lower mounting portion 4. As a result, the mounting device can normally stably hold the electronic control unit CU using the base bracket 1, and when an external force is applied, the difference in mechanical strength between the two upper mounting portions 3A, 3B and the lower mounting portion 4, which has a fragile structure, becomes more pronounced, more reliably deforming or destroying the lower mounting portion 4. Moreover, because the mounting device has a fragile structure at the lower one of the three fixing points, it can accommodate various deformation modes of the dash panel DP surface.

[0025] Furthermore, in the above mounting device, the lower mounting portion 4 has a protruding piece shape as a fragile structure, and has an obtuse-angled bent portion 4A between its base end and its tip end that joins to the dash panel DP. This allows the above mounting device to obtain a fragile structure with a relatively simple configuration, and in particular, by making the bent portion 4A obtuse, the holding function of the electronic control unit CU is ensured under normal circumstances, and reliable deformation in one direction is achieved when an input is made due to a collision.

[0026] Furthermore, in the above mounting device, the base bracket 1 is made of a metal plate and has a frame-shaped portion 2 that surrounds the electronic control unit CU, and in vertical cross section, the frame-shaped portion 2 has a curved shape with an interior angle on the cabin C side. This allows the above mounting device to reliably hold the electronic control unit CU with a simple structure, and also allows it to be placed in the limited, narrow space between the dash panel DP and the dashboard panel DB on the cabin C side.

[0027] Furthermore, the above mounting device is provided with a protector 10 that covers the electronic control unit CU attached to the base bracket 1, thereby further improving the protection function of the electronic control unit CU and also enhancing the protection function against input from the cabin C side.

[0028] 5 and 6 are diagrams showing second to fourth embodiments of the mounting device for a vehicle electronic control unit according to the present invention. In the following embodiments, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0029] Second Embodiment FIG. 5(A) shows a second embodiment of the mounting device for a vehicle electronic control unit according to the present invention. The illustrated base bracket 1 has a fragile structure in which the protruding lower mounting portion 4 has a notch 4B at its base end for promoting breakage.

[0030] The above mounting device can also achieve the same effects and advantages as the previous embodiment, and in particular, when the dash panel DP is deformed toward the cabin C due to an external force such as a collision, the notch 4B breaks, and the base bracket 1 moves to accommodate the larger deformation on the upper side, preventing overall deformation and maintaining the holding function of the electronic control unit CP.

[0031] Third Embodiment Figure 5(B) is a diagram showing a third embodiment of the mounting device for a vehicle electronic control unit according to the present invention. The base bracket 1 shown in the figure has a fragile structure in which the protruding lower mounting portion 4 has a thin wall with a thickness smaller than that of the base bracket 1.

[0032] The above mounting device can also achieve the same effects and advantages as the previous embodiment, and in particular, when the dash panel DP is deformed toward the cabin C due to an external force such as a collision, buckling or breakage occurs in the thin-walled lower mounting portion 4, and the base bracket 1 moves to follow the large deformation on the upper side, preventing overall deformation and maintaining the holding function of the electronic control unit CP.

[0033] Fourth Embodiment 6A and 6B are diagrams showing a fourth embodiment of a mounting device for a vehicle electronic control unit according to the present invention. As shown in Fig. 6A, the mounting device shown in the figure includes a base bracket 1 that is fixed to the dash panel DP on the passenger seat S2 side to hold the electronic control unit CU.

[0034] As shown in Figure 6(B), the base bracket 1 has a frame-shaped portion 2, an upper holding piece 5A, and a lower holding piece 5B, and has mounting portions 13A, 13B, and 14 on the left and right sides in the vehicle width direction, which are the fixing points to the dash panel DP.

[0035] More specifically, the base bracket 1 has one mounting portion 14 in the middle of the frame-shaped portion 2 on the side opposite the driver's seat S1, which is the left side in Figure 6(B), and the other mounting portions 13A and 13B at two locations above and below the driver's seat S1 side. These mounting portions 13, 13B, and 14 are all in the form of protruding pieces that protrude from the frame-shaped portion 2.

[0036] In the above mounting device, one mounting portion 14 on the opposite side of the driver's seat S1 has a fragile structure with relatively low mechanical strength compared to the other mounting portions 13A, 13B on the driver's seat S1 side. In this embodiment, as the fragile structure, one mounting portion 14 has a notch 14B formed at the base end thereof for promoting breakage.

[0037] As mentioned above, when a frontal collision of the vehicle V occurs and the main drive source E is pushed rearward, causing the dash panel DP to deform toward the cabin C, the deformation amount is greatest at the upper center of the dash panel DP.

[0038] Therefore, since the above-mentioned mounting device is arranged on the passenger seat S2 side of the dash panel DP, the mechanical hardness of the other mounting parts 13A, 13B on the upper center side of the dash panel DP where the deformation amount is large, i.e., the driver's seat S1 side, is ensured, and the mechanical strength of one mounting part 14 on the side where the deformation amount is small is reduced by using a fragile structure (notch 14B).

[0039] As a result, when the dash panel DP is deformed toward the cabin C due to an external force, the mounting device described above deforms or breaks one of the mounting portions 14, thereby moving the base bracket 1 to follow the larger amount of deformation on the upper center side, preventing overall deformation and detachment of the harness (8), and maintaining the holding function of the electronic control unit CP.

[0040] In this way, when an external force is applied to the front of the vehicle V, the amount of deformation of the above-mentioned mounting device is greatest at the upper center of the dash panel DP, so depending on the mounting position on the dash panel DP, the configuration of this embodiment shown in Figure 6 or the configuration of the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 4 can be adopted.

[0041] Furthermore, the number of mounting portions on the base bracket 1 that secure the dash panel DP to the base bracket 1 is not limited to three, and it is of course possible to position the mounting portions at other locations. In any case, the mounting device described above ensures sufficient mechanical strength at the mounting portion corresponding to the upper center portion of the dash panel DP, where deformation is greater, and provides a fragile structure using bent portions, notches, thinned portions, or screws or adhesives with relatively low strength at the mounting portions corresponding to the lower and outer portions, where deformation is smaller. This prevents deformation of the base bracket 1 as a whole and protects the electronic control unit CU. In particular, when the vehicle V is an electric vehicle, the safety control function of the high-voltage system can be maintained.

[0042] The configuration of the mounting device for a vehicle electronic control unit according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it is possible to modify it as appropriate within the scope of the gist of the present invention, or to combine the configurations of the various embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0043] C Cabin CU Electronic Control Unit DP Dash Panel V vehicle 1 base bracket 2 Frame-shaped part 3A,3B Upper mounting part 4 Lower mounting part 4A Bending section (fragile structure) 10 Protector 13A, 13B Other mounting part 14 One of the mounting parts 14B notch (weak structure)

Claims

1. A device for attaching an electronic control unit to a vehicle dash panel from the cabin side, a base bracket fixed to the dash panel to hold the electronic control unit; The base bracket has upper and lower mounting portions, which are fixed to the dash panel, and 10. A mounting device for a vehicle electronic control unit, wherein the lower mounting portion has a fragile structure with relatively low mechanical strength compared to the upper mounting portion.

2. 2. The mounting device for a vehicle electronic control unit according to claim 1, wherein the base bracket has the upper mounting portions at two locations in the vehicle width direction, and is fixed to the dash panel at three points: the two upper mounting portions and one lower mounting portion.

3. 3. The mounting device for a vehicle electronic control unit according to claim 1, wherein the lower mounting portion has a protruding piece shape that protrudes downward as the fragile structure, and has an obtuse angled bend portion between its base end and a tip end that is joined to the dash panel, the tip end being bent toward the cabin.

4. A device for attaching an electronic control unit to a vehicle dash panel from the cabin side, a base bracket fixed to the dash panel on the passenger seat side to hold the electronic control unit; The base bracket has mounting portions on the left and right sides in the vehicle width direction, which are fixed to the dash panel, A mounting device for a vehicle electronic control unit, characterized in that one mounting portion on the opposite side of the driver's seat has a fragile structure with relatively low mechanical strength compared to the other mounting portion on the driver's seat side.

5. The mounting device for a vehicle electronic control unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the base bracket has a frame-shaped portion that surrounds the electronic control unit, and the frame-shaped portion has a curved shape in a vertical cross section with an interior angle on the cabin side.

6. 6. The mounting device for a vehicle electronic control unit according to claim 1, further comprising a protector for covering the electronic control unit mounted on the base bracket.

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