Steering computer with bonded connection box

Abstract

To provide a steering computer having a volume, an assembly speed, and a manufacturing cost which are lower than those of the prior art.SOLUTION: A steering computer (1) for a vehicle includes: at least one printed circuit positioned inside a computer casing (4), the computer casing including on an external surface (42) at least one joining contact (41); and at least one connection box (2) provided with at least one connector (21), the at least one connector being connected to at least one joining contact (41). The at least one connection box (2) is fixed to the computer casing (4) by means of at least one fixing element (44), the at least one fixing element (44) being at least partially embedded in a resin (8).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of vehicle power steering systems, and more particularly to a steering computer and a vehicle equipped with such a steering computer.

Background Art

[0002] The purpose of a vehicle steering system is to enable a driver to control the trajectory of a vehicle by applying force to the steering wheel.

[0003] Generally, a steering system includes several elements including a steering wheel connected to a steering column, a rack, and two wheels each connected to a connecting rod. The rack is a part that enables the steering wheel to be connected to the wheels via the connecting rod and the steering column. That is, the rack converts the force applied by the driver to the steering wheel into the turning of the vehicle wheels.

[0004] An electric power steering system of a vehicle uses an assist motor driven by a steering computer to reduce the force applied by the driver to the steering wheel and turn the vehicle wheels.

[0005] More precisely, the steering computer includes a printed circuit also called an electronic card, and this printed circuit is arranged in a sealed case called a computer casing. The computer casing ensures that the printed circuit is maintained in a clean environment in order to guarantee its reliability during the operation of the vehicle. A clean environment is defined as a material in which the humidity level and the dust level are controlled. Thus, conversely, a dirty environment is defined as a material in which the humidity level and the dust level change without control.

[0006] ​The steering computer also includes a bundle of wires that, on the one hand, power the steering computer, and on the other hand, allow it to communicate with other parts of the vehicle. The wires are electrical cables insulated with an insulating sheath. The wires are connected to the printed circuitry via a specific junction box. More precisely, the wires are connected to connectors, which in turn are connected to the connection contacts of the computer casing. In this way, the junction box provides a sealed interface between the printed circuitry, which must remain in a clean environment, and the bundle of wires located inside the vehicle (in other words, in a dirty environment).

[0007] As shown in Figure 1, a steering computer 1' is known that has a connection box 2' fixed to the cowl 3' of the computer casing 4' by screws 5'. For this purpose, the cowl 3' includes a boss portion 31' into which the screws are inserted.

[0008] The steering computer 1' also includes a protective cowl 7' and a bundle 6' of wires 61' for the wires 61', which are secured to the cowl 3' of the computer casing 4' by screws 5', as well as the connection box 2'.

[0009] More specifically, the wire 61' is connected to the connector 21' of the connection box 2' by soldering. The connector 21' is then connected to the connection contact 41' of the computer casing 4'.

[0010] Resin 8' is filled to ensure a tight seal in the connection box 2'.

[0011] Generally, steering computer manufacturing is carried out as follows: The printed circuit board is installed inside the computer casing in a first location with a clean environment called a "cleanroom". The computer casing is closed in this first location. Therefore, once it leaves the first location, the computer casing is sealed (thus protecting the printed circuit board) and has connection contacts on its external surface. The computer casing is then fixed in place near the vehicle or transported to another factory that is not considered a "cleanroom". Next, the connectors of the connection box are soldered to the connection contacts, and the connection box is secured to the cowl with screws. Bundles of wires are soldered to the connectors. Finally, resin is injected into the connection box to seal it. [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0012] The objective of the present invention is to provide a steering computer that has a smaller volume, faster assembly speed, and lower manufacturing cost than those of the prior art. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] The object of the present invention is achieved by improving all or part of the aforementioned drawbacks by providing a steering computer for the following vehicles.

[0014] The steering computer for the vehicle comprises at least one printed circuit located inside a computer casing having at least one connection contact on its outer surface, A connection box comprising at least one connection box having at least one connector connected to at least one connection contact, The invention is characterized in that at least one connection box is fixed to the computer casing by at least one fixing element, and the at least one fixing element is at least partially embedded in resin.

[0015] At least one connection contact is connected to at least one printed circuit.

[0016] The resin forms a bond between the fixing element, which is fixed to the computer casing (more precisely, to the outer surface of the computer casing), and the connection box. Thus, the connection box is held on the computer casing by adhesive. The resin abuts against the walls of the fixing element and the connection box. Therefore, the steering computer according to the present invention does not require a boss portion into which a screw is inserted, and thus has a smaller bulge than those of the prior art.

[0017] The resin used also allows for sealing the connection box.

[0018] The steering computer according to the present invention requires less resin than conventional computers.

[0019] Furthermore, the computer according to the present invention has economic advantages on the one hand because it does not require additional fastening parts such as screws, and on the other hand, it saves manufacturing time because the connection box is fixed by being manufactured directly from resin without a prior screwing process.

[0020] According to one feature of the present invention, the fixing element is a fixed extension portion.

[0021] According to one feature of the present invention, at least one connection box comprises an orifice into which at least one fixing element is inserted.

[0022] According to one feature of the present invention, the cowl of the computer casing is made of resin.

[0023] According to one feature of the present invention, the cowl of the computer casing includes at least one fixing element that is fixed in a non-removable manner.

[0024] According to the features of the present invention, the resin creates a "cohesive failure" adhesion between at least one fixing element and at least one connection box.

[0025] "Cohesive failure" adhesion means that when the connection box is pulled from the computer casing, the failure occurs inside the resin, the fixing element or the connection box. Cohesive failure indicates that the "fixing element / resin or connection box / resin" interface behaves stronger than the material itself.

[0026] Thereby, the connection box is completely fixed to the computer housing.

[0027] According to one feature of the present invention, at least one fixing element is made of resin.

[0028] Thereby, resins that can adhere to the resin can be easily found.

[0029] According to one feature of the present invention, the computer casing is made of metal and includes at least one resin base, and the base includes at least one fixing element. [[ID=ST21]] [[ID=ST22]]

[0030] [[ID=ST23]] Therefore, the computer casing has good mechanical strength and effectively protects the printed circuit, while the base including the fixing element ensures good cohesion with the resin.

[0031] According to one feature of the present invention, the fixing element is fixed to the base.

[0032] According to one feature of the present invention, the fixing element is integral with the base.

[0033] According to one feature of the present invention, the base includes at least one connection contact.

[0034] Since the base is made of resin, it is easy to seal between the base and the connection contact.

[0035] According to one feature of the present invention, at least one fixed element has a linear shape.

[0036] According to one feature of the present invention, at least one connection box is made of resin.

[0037] This makes it easy to find resins that can be bonded to other resins.

[0038] According to one feature of the present invention, the resin completely fills at least one connection box.

[0039] Therefore, the resin also seals the connection box.

[0040] According to one feature of the present invention, the resin is thermosetting.

[0041] This allows the resin to be injected into the connection box. The resin then allows the fixing element to be fully bonded to the connection box.

[0042] According to one feature of the present invention, the steering computer also comprises at least one protective cowl fixed to at least one connection box by at least one fixed projection at least partially embedded in resin.

[0043] The protective cowl is intended to protect the wires and hold the resin in place by forming part of the connection box.

[0044] According to the present invention, the protective cowl is not attached directly to the outer surface of the computer casing, but is attached via a connection box.

[0045] The fixed projection is at least partially embedded in the resin, allowing it to also secure the connection box. On the protective cowl, the fixed projection is either integral with the cowl or secured to the cowl by screws, welding, adhesive, or any other known means.

[0046] According to one feature of the present invention, at least one fixed projection has a shape having at least one angle.

[0047] According to one feature of the present invention, the angle is greater than 10°, or 30°, or 90°.

[0048] The present invention also relates to a vehicle equipped with a steering computer according to the present invention.

[0049] The present invention is given as a non-limiting example and will be better understood by the following description relating to embodiments of the present invention, which are described with reference to the attached schematic diagrams. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0050] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of a steering computer based on conventional technology. [Figure 2] This is an exploded view of the steering computer during assembly according to the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view of the steering computer according to the present invention during assembly. [Figure 4] This is an enlarged view of the steering computer according to the present invention. [Figure 5] This is a perspective view of the steering computer according to the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0051] Figures 2 to 5 show a steering computer 1 according to the present invention. The steering computer 1 comprises a printed circuit board located inside a computer casing 4. The computer casing 4 is made of a metal such as aluminum. The computer casing 4 has a resin base 43 on its outer surface 42, which corresponds to the cowl 3. The base 43 is sealed within the computer casing 4. The base 43 includes connection contacts 41. The connection contacts 41 ensure electrical connection to the printed circuit board. The base 43 also comprises a fixing element 44 made of the same material as the base 43, i.e., resin. The fixing element 44 is integral with the base 43.

[0052] Furthermore, the steering computer 1 includes a connection box 2 equipped with a connector 21. The connection box 2 is made of resin.

[0053] The steering computer 1 also includes a bundle 6 of wires 61. The wires 61 are electrically connected to a connector 21, and the connector 21 is electrically connected to a connection contact 41.

[0054] The connection box 2 is inserted into the connection box 2 and secured to the computer casing 4 by fixing elements 44 embedded in thermosetting resin 8. The resin 8 forms a "cohesive failure" bond between the fixing elements 44 and the connection box 2. The resin 8 is poured into the connection box 2 so that it is completely filled.

[0055] Furthermore, the steering computer 1 is equipped with a protective cowl 7 intended to protect the wires 61. The protective cowl 7 extends substantially parallel to the cowl 3 of the computer casing 4. The protective cowl 7 is secured to the connection box 2 by a fixed projection 71 embedded in resin 8. The fixed projection 71 has a 90° angle.

[0056] The steering computer 1 is manufactured as follows: The printed circuit board is installed inside the computer casing 4 in a first location with a clean environment. The computer casing 4 is initially closed by the cowl 3. Therefore, when leaving the first location, the computer casing 4 is sealed and has the connection contacts 41 on its outer surface 42. The computer casing 4 is brought to the vehicle where it will be fixed. The connector 21 of the connection box 2 is then soldered to the connection contacts 41. The bundle 6 of wires 61 is soldered onto the connector 21. Finally, resin 8 is poured into the connection box 2 to achieve sealing.

[0057] Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described and represented in the accompanying drawings. Modifications are possible without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention, particularly in terms of the configuration of various elements, or by substitution of technical equivalents. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0058] 1. Steering computer 2 Connection Boxes 3 Cowl 4. Computer casing 6 bundles 7 Protective Cowl 8 resin 21 Connectors 41 connection contacts 42 Exterior 43 Base 44 fixed elements 61 Electric wire 71 Fixed protrusion

Claims

1. A computer casing (4) having at least one connection contact (41) on its outer surface (42) and at least one printed circuit located inside the computer casing (4), The system comprises at least one connection box (2) having at least one connector (21) connected to the at least one connection contact (41), The at least one connection box (2) is fixed to the computer casing (4) by at least one fixing element (44), The at least one fixing element (44) is at least partially embedded in the resin (8), The at least one fixing element (44) is made of resin, Vehicle steering computer (1).

2. At least one printed circuit disposed inside a computer casing (4) having at least one connection contact (41) on its outer surface (42), The system comprises at least one connection box (2) having at least one connector (21) connected to the at least one connection contact (41), The at least one connection box (2) is fixed to the computer casing (4) by at least one fixing element (44), The at least one fixing element (44) is at least partially embedded in the resin (8), The resin (8) generates cohesive failure adhesion between the at least one fixing element (44) and the at least one connecting box (2). Steering computer (1).

3. The computer casing (4) is made of metal and includes at least one resin base (43), The base (43) includes the at least one fixed element (44), The steering computer (1) according to claim 1.

4. The at least one connection box (2) is made of resin. A steering computer (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The at least one connection box (2) is completely filled with the resin (8), A steering computer (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. At least one printed circuit disposed inside a computer casing (4) having at least one connection contact (41) on its outer surface (42), The system comprises at least one connection box (2) having at least one connector (21) connected to the at least one connection contact (41), The at least one connection box (2) is fixed to the computer casing (4) by at least one fixing element (44), The at least one fixing element (44) is at least partially embedded in the resin (8), The resin (8) is thermosetting, Steering computer (1).

7. At least one printed circuit disposed inside a computer casing (4) having at least one connection contact (41) on its outer surface (42), The system comprises at least one connection box (2) having at least one connector (21) connected to the at least one connection contact (41), The at least one connection box (2) is fixed to the computer casing (4) by at least one fixing element (44), The at least one fixing element (44) is at least partially embedded in the resin (8), The present invention further includes at least one protective cowl (7) fixed to the at least one connection box (2) by at least one fixed projection (71) at least partially embedded in the resin (8), Steering computer (1).

8. A vehicle comprising a steering computer (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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