Steering computer with an electronic circuit board comprising functional and connector areas

Abstract

To provide a steering computer reduced in the volume and the manufacturing cost and improved in the electrical performance.SOLUTION: A vehicle steering computer 1 comprises at least one electronic substrate 2. The at least one electronic substrate 2 has at least one functional region 21 with an at least one electronic component, and at least one connector region 22 with at least one joining contact. The at least one functional region 21 is disposed completely in a sealed state inside the computer casing 4. The at least one connector region 22 is disposed outside the computer casing 4.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.

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

[0003] Generally, a steering system includes several elements, including the steering wheel connected to a steering column, a rack, and two wheels respectively connected to tie rods. The rack is the part that connects the steering wheel to the wheels via the steering column and tie rods, that is, the rack converts the force applied by the driver to the steering wheel into the rotation of the vehicle's wheels.

[0004] The electric power steering system of a vehicle includes an assist motor controlled by a steering computer, which reduces the force applied by the driver to the steering wheel and rotates the vehicle's wheels.

[0005] More specifically, the steering computer includes a printed circuit, also called an electronic board, which is arranged in a sealed housing called a computer casing. The computer casing ensures that the printed circuit is maintained in a clean environment to guarantee its reliability during the operation of the vehicle. A clean environment is defined as a target where the humidity level and dust level are controlled. Therefore, conversely, a dirty environment is defined as a target where the humidity level and dust level change without control.

[0006] The steering computer also includes a wiring harness that, on the one hand, supplies power to the steering computer, and on the other hand, enables communication with other elements of the vehicle. The wires are electrical cables insulated with an insulating sheath. The wires are generally connected to the printed circuitry via a connection case. More specifically, the wires are connected to connectors that in turn connect to the connection contacts of the computer casing. In this way, the connection case provides a sealed interface between the printed circuitry, which must remain in a clean environment, and, in other words, the wiring harness, which is located in a dirty environment inside the vehicle.

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

[0008] The steering computer 1' consists of a wiring harness 6' for the electrical wires 61' and a protective cowl 7' for the electrical wires 61', which are also secured to the cowl 3' of the computer casing 4' by screws 5', similar to the connection case 2'.

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

[0010] To ensure a tight seal of the connection case 2', the connection case 2' is filled with resin 8'.

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

[0012] The present invention aims to provide a steering computer that has a smaller volume and lower manufacturing cost than those of the prior art, as well as improved electrical performance. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] The present invention relates to a vehicle steering computer comprising at least one electronic circuit board, wherein the at least one electronic circuit board comprises at least one functional area comprising at least one electronic component and at least one connector area comprising at least one connection contact, wherein the at least one functional area is completely sealed and located inside a computer casing, and the at least one connector area is located outside the computer casing.

[0014] The functional area includes electronic components, i.e., electronic elements intended to perform a function. The functional area is sealed within a computer casing so that the computer casing protects the electronic components from the external environment. The computer casing ensures the reliability of the functional area during vehicle operation, for example, by preventing short circuits.

[0015] The connector area is an area of ​​the electronic circuit board that contains only connection contacts and no other electronic components.

[0016] The connector area and the functional area are different areas on the same electronic circuit board. The distinction between the connector area and the functional area is determined during the design phase of the electronic circuit board.

[0017] According to the present invention, the electronic circuit board is mounted in a computer casing in a first location having a clean environment. The computer casing is closed in this first location. As a result, when leaving the first location, the computer casing is sealed. The electronic circuit board is partially inside the computer casing and partially outside. More specifically, the functional area is inside the computer casing, while the connector area is outside and remains accessible. The connector area has accessible connection contacts. The computer casing is brought to a location that is not defined as clean and is fixed there. Wire harnesses are then soldered to the connection contacts. Thus, the wires are directly connected to the electronic circuit board.

[0018] This design simplifies the steering computer by eliminating the need for a case with connectors, as in conventional technology, as the wiring harness is directly connected on the circuit board. Therefore, the steering computer contains fewer components than conventional designs, resulting in reduced weight, cost, and volume. Finally, since the wires are directly connected to the circuit board, there are no longer any connection interfaces. This reduces line losses and improves connection reliability, leading to improved electrical performance.

[0019] According to the features of the present invention, the computer casing includes a sealing wall disposed between a functional area and a connector area.

[0020] The sealing wall contacts the electronic substrate at the joint level between the functional area and the connector area. Thus, the sealing wall makes it possible to physically separate the functional area from the connector area.

[0021] According to the features of the present invention, a silicone gasket is provided on the sealing wall.

[0022] According to the features of the present invention, the sealing wall is located on both sides of the electronic substrate so as to sandwich the electronic substrate.

[0023] Thus, the electronic substrate is substantially cut in half by the sealing wall having a functional area on one side and a connector area on the other side.

[0024] According to the features of the present invention, at least one electric wire is connected to at least one connection contact.

[0025] Thus, the electrical connection of the electronic substrate is particularly simple and robust.

[0026] According to the features of the present invention, at least one electric wire is brazed onto at least one connection contact, thereby improving the reliability of the electrical joint.

[0027] According to the features of the present invention, the connector area is disposed within a connection case.

[0028] Thus, the connector area is protected from external attacks by the cover formed by the connection case. The connection case has a volume independent of the volume formed by the computer casing.

[0029] According to the features of the present invention, the connection case is embedded in a sealing resin.

[0030] After brazing an electric wire to the connection contact of the electronic substrate, in order to achieve the sealing of the connection case, resin is poured into the connection case.

[0031] Therefore, the resin ensures the sealing property and good mechanical strength of the electrical connection part.

[0032] According to the characteristics of the present invention, the sealing resin generates "cohesive failure" adhesion between at least one electric wire and at least one connection contact.

[0033] "Cohesive failure" adhesion means that when the electric wire is pulled out, breakage occurs inside the resin or the insulating sheath. Cohesive failure indicates that the electric wire / resin or connection contact / resin interface behaves stronger than the material itself.

[0034] Thereby, the electric wire is completely fixed on the connection contact.

[0035] According to the characteristics of the present invention, the computer casing is made of metal.

[0036] Therefore, the computer casing effectively ensures the protection of the electronic substrate.

[0037] According to the characteristics, the connection case is at least partially made of plastic.

[0038] Thereby, the resin adheres to the connection case and the mechanical strength of the electrical connection is improved.

[0039] The present invention also relates to a vehicle equipped with a steering computer according to the present invention.

[0040] The present invention is provided as a non-limiting example and will be better understood by the following description of embodiments according to the present invention, which is described with reference to the attached schematic diagrams.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0041] [Figure 1]This is a 3D representation of a steering computer using the latest technology. [Figure 2] This is an exploded view of the steering computer according to the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a three-dimensional representation of the steering computer according to the present invention. [Figure 4] This is an enlarged view of the steering computer according to the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0042] Figures 2 to 4 illustrate the steering computer 1 according to the present invention. The steering computer 1 includes an electronic circuit board 2 partially located inside a computer casing 4.

[0043] The computer casing 4 is made of a metal such as aluminum. The computer casing 4 is sealed by a cowl 3. The cowl 3 has a sealing wall 31 with a silicone gasket that contacts the electronic circuit board 2.

[0044] The electronic circuit board 2 includes a functional area 21 containing electronic components. The functional area 21 is juxtaposed with a connector area 22 containing connection contacts. The functional area 21 and the connector area 22 belong to the same electronic circuit board 2.

[0045] The functional area 21 is located inside the computer casing 4, while the connector area 22 is located outside the computer casing 4. The sealing wall 31 is positioned between the functional area 21 and the connector area 22.

[0046] The connector area 22 is located inside the connection case 5. The connection case 5 is formed by the cowl 3 of the computer casing 4 and the cap 51. The connection case comprises the cap and the plastic surface. The connection case 5 is filled with sealing resin 8.

[0047] The steering computer 1 also includes an electrical harness 61. The wires 61 are electrically connected to the connection contacts of the printed circuit by brazing.

[0048] The steering computer 1 is manufactured as follows: The electronic circuit board 2 is mounted inside the computer casing 4 in a first location with a clean environment. More specifically, the functional area 21 is located inside the computer casing 4. The computer casing 4 is then closed by a cowl 3 located in this first location. This seals the computer casing 4 with the functional area when it is moved away from the first location. The connector area 22 is located outside the computer casing 4 and is therefore accessible. The computer casing 4 is brought close to the vehicle to which it will be fixed. The wires 61 are then brazed to the connection contacts of the connector area 22. The connection case 5 is then closed with a cap 51, and then a sealing resin 8 is poured into the connection case 5 to achieve sealing of the connection case 5 and mechanical strength of the wires 61.

[0049] Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described in the accompanying drawings. Modifications are still possible, particularly with respect to the configuration of various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A vehicle steering computer (1) comprising at least one electronic circuit board (2), The at least one electronic substrate (2) is A functional region (21) comprising at least one electronic component, It comprises at least one connector area (22) having at least one connection contact, The at least one functional area (21) is arranged in an airtight manner inside the computer casing (4), The at least one connector region (22) is located outside the computer casing (4), At least one electric wire (61) is directly connected to the at least one electronic circuit board (2), The connector area (22) is located inside the connection case (5). The connection case (5) is filled with a sealing resin (8) such that cohesive failure adhesion occurs between the at least one electric wire (61) and the at least one connection contact. When the electric wire (61) is pulled out, the sealing resin (8) or the insulating sheath of the electric wire (61) is configured to break down inside. A steering computer (1) characterized by the following features.

2. The computer casing (4) includes a sealing wall (31) positioned between the functional area (21) and the connector area (22). The steering computer (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that

3. A silicone gasket is provided on the sealing wall (31). The steering computer (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that...

4. The sealing wall (31) is positioned on both the front and back sides of the electronic substrate (2) so as to sandwich the electronic substrate (2). A steering computer (1) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that...

5. The at least one wire (61) is soldered onto at least one connection contact provided in the at least one connector area (22). A steering computer (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that

6. A vehicle comprising a steering computer (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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