×

Environmentally protected electronic network structure and housing combination

  • US 4,409,641 A
  • Filed: 05/12/1981
  • Issued: 10/11/1983
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/02/1980
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
Patent Images

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.

View all claims
  • 1 Assignment
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×