Bulkhead flatwire integration units

• US 20040164620A1
• Filed: 02/21/2003
• Published: 08/26/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/21/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies Incorporated (Visteon Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies Incorporated (Visteon Corporation)
• Inventors: Lemecha, Myron, Glovatsky, Andrew, Kneisel, Lawrence
• Granted Patent: US 7,372,176 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 307/91
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/0239 Electronic boxes

Abstract

The electronic system generally includes an electronic panel having circuitry plated on a surface thereof as well as electronic components attached thereto. The circuitry connects the electronic components for operation of the electronic device in the engine compartment. A flatwire bus electronically connects the electronic panel and the electronic device in the engine compartment for transmitting signals there between. The electronic panel is directly connected to the bulkhead.

Claims

1. An electronic system for a motor vehicle having a bulkhead separating an engine compartment and a passenger compartment, the bulkhead having an engine side and a passenger side, the engine compartment having an electronic device for performing a vehicle function, the electronic system comprising:

an electronic panel having circuitry attached to a surface thereof and electronic components attached thereto, the circuitry connecting the electronic components for operation of the electronic device in the engine compartment;

a flatwire bus electronically connected to the electronic panel and the electronic device in the engine compartment for transmitting signals therebetween; and

the electronic panel being connected directly to the bulkhead.

2. The electronic system of claim 1, wherein the electronic panel is mounted to the passenger side of the bulkhead.

3. The electronic system of claim 1, wherein the electronic panel is mounted to the engine side of the bulkhead.

4. The electronic system of claim 1, wherein the electronic panel is an enclosure having an interior and an exterior.

5. The electronic system of claim 4, wherein the electronic components are located on the interior of the electronic panel.

6. The electronic system of claim 4, wherein the circuitry is plated on the interior of the electronic panel.

7. The electronic system of claim 4, wherein the electronic components are located on the exterior of the electronic panel.

8. The electronic system of claim 4, wherein the circuitry is plated on the exterior of the electronic panel.

9. The electronic system of claim 1, wherein the circuitry and electronic components of the electronic panel are coated with a conformal coating for environmental protection.

10. The electronic system of claim 1, further comprising a cover connected to the bulkhead and enclosing the electronic panel for environmental protection.

11. The electronic system of claim 1, wherein the electronic panel is constructed of a polymeric material.

12. The electronic system of claim 1, wherein the bulkhead has an aperture, the electronic panel engaging the aperture for plugging the bulkhead to provide environmental protection to the passenger compartment.

13. The electronic system of claim 12, wherein the electronic panel is linked to electronic devices within the passenger compartment via the aperture.

14. The electronic system of claim 13, wherein the flatwire bus extends through the aperture.

15. The electronic system of claim 1, wherein the electronic panel is vertically mounted such that the electronic components are vertically spaced.

16. The electronic system of claim 15, wherein the electronic components include hotter components, the hotter components being mounted on a lower half of the electronic panel.

17. The electronic system of claim 15, wherein the electronic components include hotter components and cooler components, the hotter components being mounted vertically below the cooler components.

18. The electronic system of claim 1, the motor vehicle including a second electronic device located in the passenger compartment, further comprising a second flatwire bus linking the electronic panel to the second electronic device.

19. An electronic system for a motor vehicle having a bulkhead separating an engine compartment and a passenger compartment, the bulkhead having an engine side and a passenger side, the engine compartment having an electronic device for performing a vehicle function, the electronic system comprising:

an electronic panel comprising an enclosure having an interior and an exterior, the electronic panel having circuitry plated on a surface thereof and electronic components attached to the interior, the circuitry connecting the electronic components for operation of the electronic device in the engine compartment;

a flatwire bus electronically connected to the electronic panel and the electronic device in the engine compartment for transmitting signals therebetween; and

the electronic panel being mounted to the engine side of the bulkhead.

20. An electronic system for a motor vehicle having a bulkhead separating an engine compartment and a passenger compartment, the bulkhead having an engine side and a passenger side, the engine compartment having an electronic device for performing a vehicle function, the electronic system comprising:

an electronic panel having circuitry plated on a surface thereof and electronic components attached thereto, the circuitry connecting the electronic components for operation of the electronic device in the engine compartment;

a flatwire bus electronically connected to the electronic panel and the electronic device in the engine compartment for transmitting signals therebetween; and

the electronic panel being connected directly to the bulkhead, the bulkhead defining an aperture and the electronic panel engaging the aperture for plugging the firewall to provide environmental protection to the passenger compartment.