Region control apparatus for vehicle, and vehicle

Abstract

The disclosure provides a region control device for a vehicle and the vehicle. The region control apparatus comprises: a housing (1), which is internally provided with a circuit board (2); and a metal connecting member (3), which is integrated with the housing (1), wherein a first end (31) of the metal connecting member (3) is electrically connected to an external circuit, and a second end (32) is electrically connected to the circuit board (2).

Description

Area control device for vehicle and vehicle Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a zone control device for a vehicle and the vehicle. Background Art

[0002] The regional architecture enables efficient electrical and data distribution around the vehicle, saving wiring costs, improving weight, and improving production processes. A key component in this architecture is the regional controller, which is responsible for connecting a large number of actuators and sensors to the central control unit and providing power distribution, data connectivity, and I / O acquisition and drive requirements for each sensor, actuator, and other device within a physical area of ​​the vehicle.

[0003] Typically, a zone controller includes a circuit board and a shell that encapsulates the circuit board. Various sensors, actuators and other devices are provided on the circuit board, and these devices are electrically connected to various external devices through electrical connectors passing through the shell. The zone controller includes a front cabin zone controller and a cockpit zone controller. For example, the front cabin zone controller is generally installed at the bottom of the car. When the car is running, it will be exposed to dust and water environments, so it needs better sealing to have a sufficient dust and water resistance level. A known solution is to place a silicone gasket between the electrical connector and the shell to seal the shell, but this solution is not effective. Considering the electrical function, the zone controller also needs to meet a certain high conductivity and ensure reliable electrical connection. A known solution uses welding to achieve electrical connection, but this method is prone to failure due to high temperature.

[0004] Summary of the Invention

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a zone control device for a vehicle and a vehicle, wherein the zone controller has good sealing performance, high dustproof and waterproof effects, and achieves high electrical conductivity and reliable electrical connection.

[0006] The above-mentioned object is achieved by the zone control device for a vehicle and the vehicle described below.

[0007] The present disclosure provides a zone control device for a vehicle, comprising: a housing in which a circuit board is disposed; and a metal connector integrally formed with the housing, wherein a first end of the metal connector is electrically connected to an external circuit, and a second end thereof is electrically connected to the circuit board.

[0008] In one embodiment, the metal connector is at least partially enclosed in the housing.

[0009] In one embodiment, at least one circumferential groove independent of each other is provided on the first end of the metal connector, and the shell fills the circumferential groove.

[0010] In one embodiment, the second end of the metal connector has a flat top surface, and the second end is electrically connected to the circuit board through the top surface.

[0011] In one embodiment, a mounting hole is provided on the second end of the metal connector, the mounting hole is open on the top surface, and the circuit board is fixed to the metal connector by a fastener engaged with the mounting hole.

[0012] In one embodiment, the metal connecting member has a columnar form, and its extending direction is perpendicular to the side wall of the housing.

[0013] In one embodiment, an external connector is provided on an end surface of the first end of the metal connector, and the external circuit is electrically connected to the metal connector through the external connector.

[0014] In one embodiment, the external connector is fixed to the end surface of the first end of the metal connector by another fastener.

[0015] In one embodiment, the housing includes a main body made of plastic and a cover made of metal, and the metal connector is at least partially enclosed in the main body.

[0016] The present disclosure also provides a vehicle, comprising the zone control device as described above.

[0017] The embodiments of the present disclosure have the following advantages: by forming the metal connector and the shell into one piece, not only can a better sealing effect be achieved, so that the area control device has a higher dust and water resistance level, but also the use of additional components can be reduced, so that the structure is simple, easy to manufacture, and low cost; by using a metal connector in the form of a copper column with a large conductive area, the area control device can achieve a higher conductivity; by using a threaded connection instead of conventional welding to achieve electrical connection, a more reliable electrical connection can be achieved, and the electrical connection is detachable and more flexible. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The advantages and purposes of the present disclosure can be better understood from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In order to better illustrate the relationship between the various components in the accompanying drawings, the accompanying drawings are not drawn to scale. In the accompanying drawings:

[0019] FIG1 shows a schematic diagram of a zone control device for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0020] FIG2 shows an exploded schematic diagram of the zone control device of FIG1 ;

[0021] FIG3 shows a partial schematic diagram of a zone control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0022] FIG4 shows a partial schematic diagram of a zone control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0023] FIG5 shows a partial schematic diagram of a zone control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0024] FIG6 shows a schematic diagram of a metal connector and an external connector of a zone control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0025] FIG7 shows a schematic diagram of a metal connector of a zone control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] In order to make the purpose, technical solution and advantages of the technical solution of the present disclosure clearer, the technical solution of the embodiment of the present disclosure will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings of the specific embodiments of the present disclosure. The same figure marks in the drawings represent the same parts. It should be noted that the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of the present disclosure, not all of the embodiments. Based on the described embodiments of the present disclosure, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present disclosure.

[0027] Unless otherwise defined, the technical or scientific terms used herein shall have the ordinary meaning understood by persons of ordinary skill in the field to which the present disclosure belongs. The words "first", "second" and similar terms used in the patent application specification and claims of the present disclosure do not indicate any order, quantity or importance, but are only used to distinguish different components. Similarly, words such as "a" or "an" do not necessarily indicate a quantity limitation. Words such as "include", "comprise" or "have" mean that the elements or objects preceding the word include the elements or objects listed after the word and their equivalents, without excluding other elements or objects. Words such as "connected" or "connected" are not limited to the physical or mechanical connections or connections shown in the drawings, but may include equivalent connections or connections, whether direct or indirect. "Up", "down", "left", "right" and the like are only used to indicate relative positional relationships. When the absolute position of the described object changes, the relative positional relationship may also change accordingly.

[0028] Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 7 .

[0029] As shown in Figure 1, the zone control device for a vehicle of the present disclosure includes a housing 1 and a metal connector 3. The metal connector 3 may be made of copper.

[0030] As shown in Figure 2, a circuit board 2 is provided in the housing 1, on which various sensors, actuators and other devices are mounted. In addition, the housing 1 includes a main body 11 made of plastic and a cover 12 made of metal. The cover 12 can be made of aluminum. The main body 11 can be made of PBT, glass fiber or a high-temperature resistant plastic material. The circuit board 2 is mounted on the main body 11 by threaded fasteners 14, and the cover 12 is mounted on the main body 11 by another threaded fastener 15. A sealant, such as a sealant, etc., can be provided at the contact position between the main body 11 and the cover 12, which will not be described in detail here. In addition, a heat-conducting element, such as a heat-conducting glue, can be provided between the cover 12 made of metal and the circuit board 2. The housing 1 also includes a valve 13, which can specifically be a waterproof and breathable valve for achieving waterproofing and maintaining air pressure balance inside and outside the zone controller.

[0031] As shown in Figures 1 to 7, the metal connector 3 is integrally formed with the housing 1. The first end 31 of the metal connector 3 is electrically connected to an external circuit, and the second end 32 is electrically connected to the circuit board 2. The external circuit can be a circuit on the vehicle outside the zone controller, such as the main power supply of the zone controller.

[0032] As shown in Figure 4, the metal connector 3 is at least partially enclosed in the housing 1. Specifically, the metal connector 3 is at least partially enclosed in the main body 11 of the housing 1 made of plastic. This is achieved by, for example, enclosing the metal connector 3 in the main body 11 by injection molding.

[0033] As shown in Figures 6-7, the first end 31 of the metal connector 3 is provided with at least one independent circumferential groove 33, which is filled by the housing 1. Specifically, the plastic body 11 is filled with the circumferential groove 33 through injection molding. The number of circumferential grooves 33 can be two, three, or preferably four. Furthermore, the multiple circumferential grooves 33 are independent of each other and do not communicate with each other.

[0034] As shown in Figures 6-7 , the metal connector 3 has a columnar shape. As shown in Figures 1-4 , the extension direction of the metal connector 3 is perpendicular to the side wall 16 of the housing 1 , and the metal connector 3 extends through the side wall 16 .

[0035] By integrating the metal connector 3 with the housing 1, not only is a good seal achieved, ensuring a high level of dust and water resistance for the zone control device, but the use of additional components is also reduced, resulting in a simpler structure, easier manufacturing, and lower costs. For example, the zone control device disclosed herein can achieve an IP67 dust and water resistance rating. Furthermore, by using metal connectors in the form of copper pillars with a large conductive area, the zone control device disclosed herein can achieve high electrical conductivity. For example, the zone control device disclosed herein can conduct currents as high as 80A.

[0036] As shown in Figures 4 and 6 to 7, the second end 32 of the metal connector 3 has a flat top surface 34. As shown in Figures 3 and 5, the second end 32 is electrically connected to the circuit board 2 via the top surface 34. In this way, the metal connector 3 of the present disclosure achieves surface contact with the circuit board 2.

[0037] Referring again to Figures 4 and 6 to 7 , a mounting hole 35 is provided on the second end 32 of the metal connector 3. The mounting hole 35 opens on the top surface 34. As shown in Figures 3 and 5 , the circuit board 2 is secured to the metal connector 3 via a fastener 4 that engages with the mounting hole 35. For example, the fastener 4 is a screw, bolt, or the like.

[0038] Compared with conventional connection methods using welding, the present disclosure will not damage surrounding circuit connections due to the high temperature of welding, so a more reliable electrical connection can be achieved. In addition, the electrical connection of the present disclosure is detachable and more flexible.

[0039] As shown in Figures 3 and 6 , an external connector 5 is provided on the end surface of the first end 31 of the metal connector 3. The external circuit described above is electrically connected to the metal connector 3 via the external connector 5. The external connector 5 can have a shape that matches the cable, such as a claw-shaped clamping member. The external connector 5 can clamp the cable.

[0040] As shown in Figures 3 and 6, the external connector 5 is secured to the end surface of the first end 31 of the metal connector 3 via another fastener 6. The end surface of the first end 31 of the metal connector 3 is provided with another mounting hole 36 extending into the interior of the metal connector 31. The other fastener 6 can be a screw, bolt, or the like, and the other mounting hole 36 is a threaded hole. The use of a threaded connection avoids the problems associated with high-temperature welding, as described above, making the electrical connection more reliable. Furthermore, the electrical connection is removable, providing greater flexibility.

[0041] The present disclosure also provides a vehicle including the zone control device described above. The vehicle can be an electrified vehicle, such as a battery electric vehicle (BEV), a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), an extended-range electric vehicle (EV), or a fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV). The vehicle can also be a hydrogen-powered vehicle. The vehicle of the present disclosure thus has the various advantages described above with respect to the zone controller.

[0042] In addition, the technical features disclosed above are not limited to the disclosed combinations with other features. Those skilled in the art can also make other combinations between the technical features according to the purpose of the invention to achieve the purpose of this disclosure.

Claims

1. A zone control device for a vehicle, characterized in that: The area control device comprises: A housing (1) in which a circuit board (2) is arranged; and The metal connecting piece (3) is formed integrally with the housing (1). The first end (31) of the metal connector (3) is electrically connected to an external circuit, and the second end (32) is electrically connected to the circuit board (2).

2. The area control device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The metal connecting piece (3) is at least partially enclosed in the shell (1).

3. The area control device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: At least one circumferential groove (33) independent of each other is provided on the first end (31) of the metal connector, and the housing (1) fills the circumferential groove (33).

4. The area control device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The second end (32) of the metal connector (3) has a flat top surface (34), and the second end (32) is electrically connected to the circuit board (2) via the top surface (34).

5. The area control device according to claim 4, characterized in that: A mounting hole (35) is provided on the second end (32) of the metal connector (3), the mounting hole opening on the top surface (34), and the circuit board (2) is fixed to the metal connector (3) by a fastener (4) matching the mounting hole.

6. The area control device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The metal connecting piece (3) has a columnar form, and its extending direction is perpendicular to the side wall (16) of the housing (1).

7. The area control device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: An external connector (5) is provided on the end surface of the first end (31) of the metal connector (3), and the external circuit is electrically connected to the metal connector (3) via the external connector.

8. The area control device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The external connecting piece (5) is fixed to the end surface of the first end (31) of the metal connecting piece by another fastener (6).

9. The area control device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The housing (1) comprises a main body (11) made of plastic and a cover (12) made of metal, and the metal connecting piece (3) is at least partially enclosed in the main body (11).

10. A vehicle, characterized in that: The vehicle comprises a zone control device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9.

Images