Mechatronics sensor

• US 6,612,202 B2
• Filed: 08/23/2001
• Issued: 09/02/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation (Siemens AG)
• Original Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Gander, Helmut, Rekofsky, Andreas, Thorum, Michael D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wright, Dirk
• Application Number:
  US09/938,167
• Publication Number:
  US 20020088304A1
• Time in Patent Office: 740 Days
• Field of Search: 746/06.R, 137/884, 137/270
• US Class Current: 74/606.00R
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 25/12 Details not specific to one of the before-mentioned types
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 61/0006 Electronic control units for transmission control, e.g. connectors, casings or circuit boards
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 3/326 the printed circuit having integral resilient or deformable parts, e.g. tabs or parts of flexible circuits H05K3/365 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87885 Sectional block structure
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49004 including measuring or testing of device or component part
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49126 Assembling bases
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4913 Assembling to base an electrical component, e.g., capacitor, etc.
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49135 and shaping, e.g., cutting or bending, etc.
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49147 Assembling terminal to base
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49149 by metal fusion bonding
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/2186 Gear casings

Abstract

A mechatronics control module (14) includes an electronic control unit (16) having a flex foil circuit (34) with a multiple of mounted electronic components including sensors (24) which sense the hydraulic state of the transmission clutch or other frictional engagement elements within the transmission system (10.) Multiple mounting arrangements are provided which increase the mounting area to provide for the mounting of the mechatronics control module (14) within the transmission case (12.)

Claims

1. A control unit for mounting within a vehicle transmission comprising:

a base plate;

a flex foil attached to said base plate, said flex foil comprising a circuit trace, a first flex foil segment and a second flex foil segment, said first flex foil segment at least partially overlays said second flex foil segment; and

a component having a contact in communication with said circuit trace.

2. The control unit as recited in claim 1, wherein said component includes a pressure sensor.

3. The control unit as recited in claim 1, wherein said component includes a position sensor.

4. The control unit as recited in claim 1, wherein said component includes a connector.

5. The control unit as recited in claim 1, wherein said component is mounted to said base plate.

6. The control unit as recited in claim 5, wherein said component is mounted to a side of said base plate having said flex foil, an opposite side of said base plate mountable to a hydraulic control unit.

7. The control unit as recited in claim 5, wherein said component is mounted in an opening through said base plate such that said contact communicates with said circuit trace.

8. The control unit as recited in claim 1, wherein said component is mounted to a side of said base plate opposite said flex foil.

9. The control unit as recited in claim 8, wherein said contact is aligned with a contact opening through said base plate.

10. The control unit as recited in claim 9, further including a folded flex foil flap which is a portion of said first flex foil segment provides communication between said circuit trace and said contact.

11. The control unit as recited in claim 9, further comprising a flex foil flap which is a portion of said first flex foil segment aligned with said contact opening.

12. The control unit as recited in claim 1, further comprising an extended flex foil portion which is a portion of said first flex foil segment and which provides communication between said circuit trace and said contact, said extended flex foil portion extending around an edge of said base plate.

13. A control unit as recited in claim 1, wherein said first flex foil segment is separated by said second flex foil segment by said base plate.

14. A control unit for mounting within a vehicle transmission comprising:

a base plate mountable to a hydraulic control unit, said base plate defining a contact opening;

a flex foil bonded to a first side of said base plate, said flex foil comprising a first flex foil segment with a circuit trace on a side facing away from said base, said first flex foil segment and said circuit trace overhanging said contact opening in a cantilever arrangement; and

a sensor having a contact in communication with said circuit trace on said first flex foil segment, said sensor mounted to said base plate.

15. The control unit as recited in claim 14, wherein said sensor is mounted to a side of said base plate opposite said flex foil.

16. The control unit as recited in claim 15, wherein said first flex foil segment comprises a flex foil flap.

17. The control unit as recited in claim 16, wherein said component is located in a recessed area of said base plate.

18. The control unit as recited in claim 17, further including a control unit housing mounted to said base plate to seal a portion of said flex foil from an interior environment of the vehicle transmission.

19. A control unit for mounting within a vehicle transmission comprising:

a base plate mountable to a hydraulic control unit;

a flex foil bonded to a first side of said base plate, said flex foil comprising a circuit trace on a side facing away from said base, a first flex foil segment and a second flex foil segment, said first flex foil segment at least partially overlays said second flex foil segment; and

a sensor having a contact in communication with said circuit trace, said sensor mounted to a side of said base plate opposite said flex foil to receive a pressure reading from said hydraulic control unit.

20. A control unit as recited in claim 19, wherein said first flex foil segment is separated by said second flex foil segment by said base plate.

21. A control unit for mounting within a vehicle transmission comprising:

a base plate;

a flex foil attached to said base plate, said flex foil having a circuit trace;

a component having a contact in communication with said circuit trace, said component is mounted to a side of said base plate opposite said flex foil and said contact aligned with a contact opening through said base plate; and

a folded flex foil flap provides communication between said circuit trace and said contact.

22. A control unit for mounting within a vehicle transmission comprising:

a base plates;

a flex foil attached to said base plate, said flex foil having a circuit trace; and

a component having a contact in communication with said circuit trace, said component is mounted to a side of said base plate opposite said flex foil and said contact aligned with a contact opening through said base plate; and

a flex foil flap aligned with said contact opening.

23. The control unit as recited in claim 22, wherein said circuit trace is located on a side of said flex foil opposite said base plate, said contact located on said circuit trace side of said flex foil.

24. The control unit as recited in claim 22, wherein said component is located in a recessed area of said base plate.

25. The control unit as recited in claim 24, wherein said base plate define a first plane and said recessed area defines a second plane offset from said first plane, said contact opening extending between said first plane and said second plane.