Bulkhead flatwire integration units

• US 7,372,176 B2
• Filed: 02/21/2003
• Issued: 05/13/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/21/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies Incorporated (Visteon Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies Incorporated (Visteon Corporation)
• Inventors: Kneisel, Lawrence, Lemecha, Myron, Glovatsky, Andrew
• Primary Examiner(s): Sherry; Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): KAPLAN, HAL IRA
• Application Number:
  US10/371,773
• Publication Number:
  US 20040164620A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,908 Days
• Field of Search: 307/91, 361/601, 361/637, 361/648, 361/658, 361/757
• US Class Current: 307/9.1
• 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 and an aperture, 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 farming an enclosure having an interior and an exterior, the electronic panel being connected directly to the bulkhead and closing off the aperture and plugging the bulkhead to provide environmental protection to the passenger compartment.

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 components are located on the interior of the electronic panel.

5. The electronic system of claim 1, wherein the circuitry is plated on the interior of the electronic panel.

6. The electronic system of claim 1, wherein the electronic components are located on the exterior of the electronic panel.

7. The electronic system of claim 1, wherein the circuitry is plated on the exterior of the electronic panel.

8. 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.

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

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

11. The electronic system of claim 1, wherein the electronic panel is linked to electronic devices within the passenger compartment via the aperture.

12. The electronic system of claim 1, wherein the flatwire bus extends through the aperture.

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

13. An electronic system for a motor vehicle having a bulkhead separating an engine compartment and a passenger compartment, the bulkhead having en 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 and vertically mounted such that the electronic components are vertically spaced, the electronic components including hotter components and cooler components, the hotter components being mounted vertically below the cooler components.

18. The electronic component of claim 13, wherein the bulkhead has an aperture, the electronic panel closing off the aperture and plugging the bulkhead to provide environmental protection to the passenger compartment.

15. 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 surface, the electronic panel having circuitry plated on one of the interior or exterior surfaces and electronic components attached to the interior surface, the circuitry connecting the electronic components for operation of the electronic device in the engine compartment the electronic components being vertically spaced and including hotter components and cooler components, the hotter components being mounted vertically below the cooler components;

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.

17. The electronic system of claim 15, wherein the circuitry is plated on the interior of the electronic panel.

16. 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, the electronic components including hotter components, the hotter components being mounted on a lower half of the electronic panel;

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 closing off the aperture and plugging the bulkhead to provide environmental protection to the passenger compartment.

19. The electronic component of claim 16, wherein the flatwire bus extends through the aperture.