Layered Sensor Control Circuit Board Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing vehicle behavior control devices face inefficiencies in examination and adjustment operations due to the need for large control circuit boards when sensors are mounted directly on them, leading to increased costs and operation times for specification changes, and unnecessary size and weight increases in vehicles.

Innovation Solution

The electronic control unit incorporates a layered arrangement of sensor and control circuit boards within the housing, eliminating the need for sensors on the control circuit board surface, reducing the board's area and allowing for efficient space usage without harnesses, thus improving process efficiency and reducing costs and operation times.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If sensors are mounted on the surface of the control circuit board, then the number of components decreases and vehicle size/weight reduces, but the control circuit board area becomes large

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of componentsVSAvoidcontrol circuit board area
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the circuit board system into two separate boards: a control circuit board and a sensor circuit board. The sensors are mounted on the sensor circuit board, which is then connected to the control circuit board via a connector. This segmentation allows the control circuit board to maintain a small area while still integrating sensor functionality through the separate sensor circuit board.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If sensors are mounted on the control circuit board, then integration increases, but process efficiency during sensor examination/adjustment decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintegration levelVSAvoidprocess efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

By separating sensors onto a dedicated sensor circuit board, the patent enables independent handling of the sensor board during examination and adjustment operations. Technicians can access and work on the sensor circuit board without affecting the control circuit board, thereby improving process efficiency while maintaining system integration through the connector connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If sensor specification needs to be changed, then system performance can be optimized, but cost and operation time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor specification flexibilityVSAvoidoperation time for specification change
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The separation of sensors onto a distinct sensor circuit board allows for independent modification of sensor specifications. When sensor specification changes are needed, only the sensor circuit board requires adjustment or replacement, leaving the control circuit board unaffected. This significantly reduces both the cost and operation time associated with specification changes compared to redesigning the entire control circuit board.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2019009B1Electronic control unit and vehicle behavior control device
Publication Date: 2013.06.12 NISSIN KOGYO CO LTD
  • EP2019009B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2019009B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2019009B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

An electronic control unit includes a sensor circuit board (30) which is mounted with sensors (33,34) for detecting a predetermined physical quantity; a control circuit board (20) which controls an operation of an electric component on the basis of the physical quantity detected by the sensors (33,34); and a housing (40) which accommodates the sensor circuit board (30) and the control circuit board (20), wherein the sensor circuit board (30) is mounted to a stepped portion (47) formed in an inner surface of the housing (40) so that the sensor circuit board (30) and the control circuit board (20) are arranged in a layered state, and the sensor circuit board (30) is electrically connected to the control circuit board (20) by a conductive member (49) embedded in the housing (40).