Environmentally protected electronic network structure and housing combination
First Claim
1. Environmentally protected electronic network structure, particularly a control system for automotive vehicles, including a printed circuit board (41) and electrical and electronic circuit elements (42, 43, 65), at least some of which (43, 65) require cooling, havinga housing (1) retaining said printed circuit board;
- a cover (49) closing off the housing,the electrical and electronic circuit elements being supported on the printed circuit board;
a heat conducting element (24, 25;
73,
75) located in thermal transfer relation with respect to said at least some circuit elements requiring cooling to conduct heat therefrom;
and an externally accessible multi-terminal connection socket (2) to provide externally accessible electrical terminals,whereinthe housing comprises a unitary pan or tub-shaped element (1) of an electrically insulating plastic material;
said printed circuit board (41) having a unitary projecting portion forming a projecting contact terminal strip (47);
said housing being formed with a slit (3) through which said projecting terminal portion extends, and further being formed with a plug receiving portion externally of the slit and adjacent the projecting portion (47) of the printed circuit board, with clearance, to permit engagement with a plug connector for the terminals of the terminal strip on the printed circuit board;
said unitary plastic element being further formed with internal locating means for positioning and holding the printed circuit board (41) therein;
being additionally formed with an internal attachment means (23, 62,
69) for attachment, in heat transfer relation, of said heat conducting element (24, 25;
73,
75);
and being additionally formed with external attachment means (13,
15) for attachment of the housing to a support structure on the vehicle;
and wherein said cover (49) comprises a metal lid secured to said housing element (1) and closing off the pan or tub-shaped element, while providing for radiation of heat generated by the electrical and electronic elements positioned within the housing.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
To provide for simplified and less expensive manufacture without extensive insulation of internal components of a control system with respect to the housing, particularly for electronic ignition and fuel injection control systems, digital and other automotive control electronic systems and the like, a housing (1) of insulating plastic material has a connecting portion (2, 3) integrally formed therewith, which further include, integrally formed therewith, holding and engagement catches and slits (13, 15, 17-23; 62, 69) for a printed circuit board (41) carrying electronic network elements (42) such as transistors, capacitors, resistors, in integrated circuit form, or as discrete elements; and further a cooling device (24, 25; 56; 64; 73) in heat-conductive relationship to a power stage (43; 54; 65; 74) to dissipate heat generated within the power stage, and to transfer the heat over a large area surface connection either to a structural component carrying the entire control unit and/or to a sheet metal cover (49) snapped and crimped over the plastic housing (1) and, in sealed relation, closing off the entire structural unit.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. Environmentally protected electronic network structure, particularly a control system for automotive vehicles, including a printed circuit board (41) and electrical and electronic circuit elements (42, 43, 65), at least some of which (43, 65) require cooling, having
a housing (1) retaining said printed circuit board; -
a cover (49) closing off the housing, the electrical and electronic circuit elements being supported on the printed circuit board; a heat conducting element (24, 25;
73,
75) located in thermal transfer relation with respect to said at least some circuit elements requiring cooling to conduct heat therefrom;and an externally accessible multi-terminal connection socket (2) to provide externally accessible electrical terminals, wherein the housing comprises a unitary pan or tub-shaped element (1) of an electrically insulating plastic material; said printed circuit board (41) having a unitary projecting portion forming a projecting contact terminal strip (47); said housing being formed with a slit (3) through which said projecting terminal portion extends, and further being formed with a plug receiving portion externally of the slit and adjacent the projecting portion (47) of the printed circuit board, with clearance, to permit engagement with a plug connector for the terminals of the terminal strip on the printed circuit board; said unitary plastic element being further formed with internal locating means for positioning and holding the printed circuit board (41) therein; being additionally formed with an internal attachment means (23, 62,
69) for attachment, in heat transfer relation, of said heat conducting element (24, 25;
73,
75);and being additionally formed with external attachment means (13,
15) for attachment of the housing to a support structure on the vehicle;and wherein said cover (49) comprises a metal lid secured to said housing element (1) and closing off the pan or tub-shaped element, while providing for radiation of heat generated by the electrical and electronic elements positioned within the housing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification