Abstract
The invention relates to an electronic control unit. A back-up power supply for the electronic control unit is defined by at least two capacitors. The at least two capacitors are accommodated in a housing part of the electronic control unit. A first insulation displacement connector is positioned in a first tower, and a second insulation displacement connector is positioned in a second tower. A first electric line of each capacitor is connected to the first insulation displacement connector, and a second electric line is connected to the second insulation displacement connector.
Claims
1. An electronic control unit comprising a back-up power supply defined by at least two capacitors, wherein the at least two capacitors are accommodated in a housing part of the electronic control unit, and each capacitor has a first electric line and a second electric line, and a first insulation displacement connector positioned in a first tower and a second insulation displacement connector positioned in a second tower, the first electric line of each capacitor being connected to the first insulation displacement connector, and the second electric line being connected to the second insulation displacement connector; the first insulation displacement connector and the second insulation displacement connector each having a plurality of slots formed, the number of which corresponds to the number of capacitors forming the back-up power supply; each of the slots of the first insulation displacement connector being adapted for receiving the first electric line of each capacitor, and each of the slots of the second insulation displacement connector being adapted for receiving the second electric line of each capacitor.
2. The electronic control unit according to claim 1, wherein the first tower and the second tower each have a slide formed to receive the first insulation displacement connector and the second insulation displacement connector, respectively.
3. The electronic control unit according to claim 2, wherein a first support and a second support are provided on both sides of the slide of the first tower and the second tower.
4. The electronic control unit according to claim 3, wherein a plurality of grooves are formed in the first support and in the second support of the first tower for supporting the first electric line from the capacitors, and a plurality of grooves are formed in the first support and in the second support of the second tower for supporting the second electric line from the capacitors.
5. The electronic control unit according to claim 4, wherein the first insulation displacement connector and the second insulation displacement connector each have a plate-shaped form which fits into the slide of the first tower, thereby contacting, with the slots of the plate-shaped form, the first electric lines from the capacitors, and which fits into the slide of the second tower, thereby contacting, with the slots of the plate-shaped form, the second electric lines from the capacitors, each of the slots of the first insulation displacement connector and the second insulation displacement connector being delimited by a pair of fingers.
6. The electronic control unit according to claim 1, wherein a third support is provided in separate relation to the first support of the first tower and the second tower.
7. The electronic control unit according to claim 6, wherein at least one groove is formed in the first support, the second support and the third support of the first tower for supporting the first electric lines from the capacitors, and at least one groove is formed in the first support, the second support and the third support of the second tower for supporting the second electric lines from the capacitors .
8. The electronic control unit according to claim 7, wherein the first insulation displacement connector and the second insulation displacement connector each are composed of a first plate-shaped form and a second plate-shaped form extending parallel to each other and being connected with a bracket, the first plate-shaped form and the second plate-shaped form each having at least one slot adjoined by respective two fingers.
9. The electronic control unit according to claim 8, wherein the second plate-shaped form fits into the slide of the first tower and the second tower, and the first plate-shaped form fits between the first support and the third support.
10. The electronic control unit according to claim 9, wherein the slots of the first plate-shaped form and the second plate-shaped form, inserted into the first tower, contact the first electric lines from the capacitors, and the slots of the first plate-shaped form and the second plate-shaped form, inserted in the second tower contact the second electric lines from the capacitors.
11. The electronic control unit according to claim 9, wherein the at least one groove of the first support, the second support and the third support of the first tower and the second tower are aligned with each other.
12. An electronic control unit comprising a back-up power supply having N capacitors, N being an integer greater than or equal to 2, wherein the N capacitors are disposed in a housing of the electronic control unit, and each of the N capacitors has a first electric line and a second electric line, and a first insulation displacement connector disposed in a first tower and a second insulation displacement connector disposed in a second tower, the first electric line of each of the N capacitors being connected to the first insulation displacement connector, and the second electric line of each of the N capacitors being connected to the second insulation displacement connector; the first insulation displacement connector and the second insulation displacement connector each having M slots, where M is an integer equal to N; each of the M slots of the first insulation displacement connector configured to receive the first electric line of each capacitor; and each of the M slots of the second insulation displacement connector configured to receive the second electric line of each capacitor.
13. The electronic control unit according to claim 12, wherein the first tower and the second tower each have a slide configured to receive the first insulation displacement connector and the second insulation displacement connector, respectively.
14. The electronic control unit according to claim 13, wherein a first support and a second support are provided on both sides of the slide of the first tower and the second tower.
15. The electronic control unit according to claim 14, wherein a first plurality of grooves are formed in the first support and in the second support of the first tower, the first plurality of grooves configured to support the first electric line from the capacitors, and a second plurality of grooves are formed in the first support and in the second support of the second tower, the second plurality of grooves configured to support the second electric line from the capacitors.
16. The electronic control unit according to claim 15, wherein the first insulation displacement connector and the second insulation displacement connector each have a plate-shaped form which fits into the slide of the first tower, thereby contacting, with the slots of the plate-shaped form, the first electric lines from the N capacitors, and which fits into the slide of the second tower, thereby contacting, with the slots of the plate-shaped form, the second electric lines from the N capacitors, each of the slots of the first insulation displacement connector and the second insulation displacement connector being delimited by a pair of fingers.
17. The electronic control unit according to claim 12, wherein a third support is provided in separate relation to the first support of the first tower and the second tower.
18. The electronic control unit according to claim 17, wherein at least one groove is formed in the first support, the second support, and the third support of the first tower configured to support the first electric lines from the N capacitors, and at least one groove is formed in the first support, the second support, and the third support of the second tower configured to support the second electric lines from the N capacitors.
19. The electronic control unit according to claim 18, wherein the first insulation displacement connector and the second insulation displacement connector each include of a first plate-shaped form and a second plate-shaped form extending parallel to each other and being connected with a bracket, the first plate-shaped form and the second plate-shaped form each having at least one slot adjoined by respective two fingers.
20. The electronic control unit according to claim 19, wherein the second plate-shaped form fits into the slide of the first tower and the second tower, and the first plate-shaped form fits between the first support and the third support.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0036] The numerous advantages of the disclosure may be better understood by those skilled in the art by reference to the accompanying figures in which:
[0037] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of the placement of an embodiment of an electronic control unit (ECU) in a vehicle.
[0038] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an ECU using insulation displacement connectors (IDCs) to electronically connect two capacitors that function as a back-up power supply.
[0039] FIG. 3 is a detailed side view of two IDCs positions in respective towers for the IDCs.
[0040] FIG. 4 is a detailed perspective view of an IDC used in relation with the present invention.
[0041] FIG. 5 is a detailed perspective view of an embodiment of a prior art IDC.
[0042] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of an ECU in which the IDCs and the tower for the IDCs are designed to electronically connect two capacitors to function as a back-up power supply.
[0043] FIG. 7 is a top view of the arrangement of the IDCs (embodiment shown in FIGS. 8 and 9) in the respective IDC towers.
[0044] FIGS. 8 and 9 show perspective views of the IDC used in the embodiment of FIG. 6.
[0045] FIG. 10 is sectional top view showing the arrangement of the connectors to the capacitors in an IDC tower.
[0046] FIG. 11 is a detailed sectional view of two IDCs according to the embodiment of FIGS. 8 and 9 in respective towers for the IDCs.
[0047] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of IDC towers according to a prior art embodiment.
[0048] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of IDC towers for receiving the IDCs according to FIG. 5.
[0049] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of IDC towers for receiving the IDCs according to FIGS. 8 and 9.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0050] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a placement of an electronic control unit (ECU) 1 for a vehicle 16. Electronic control unit 1 controls one or more electrical systems of vehicle 16 and is enclosed by a housing 2. Housing 2 may be made of plastics or metallic materials. In cases where vibrations are more extreme during use of vehicle 16, housing 2 may be made of metallic materials, such as die-cast aluminium. To provide electrical power to ECU 1, ECU 1 is electrically connected to a vehicle battery 18 (main battery), typically via an electric line 19. To ensure a permanent supply of electric power to the ECU 1 is connected with a back-up power unit, which is configured in the form of a capacitor. The relatively heavy capacitor must be mounted in the housing 2 of the ECU 1 to ensure back-up power supply in all traffic situations.
[0051] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a housing part 9 for a housing 2 of an ECU 1 (see FIG. 1) for accommodating at least a first capacitor 4.sub.1 and a second capacitor 4.sub.2. Bottom 5 of housing part 9 has a mounting structure 3 for each capacitor 4.sub.1 and 4.sub.2, which is an integral part of the housing part 9. Each capacitor 4.sub.1 and 4.sub.2, has a first electric line 11 and a second electric line 12. The first electric line 11 of each capacitor 4.sub.1 and 4.sub.2 is in electric contact with a first insulation displacement connector 21. The second electric line 12 of each capacitor 4.sub.1 and 4.sub.2 is in electric contact with a second insulation displacement connector 22. To achieve a stable and reliable electric connection of each capacitor 4.sub.1 and 4.sub.2 with the first insulation displacement connector 21 and the second insulation displacement connector 22, both of them are inserted into a first tower 23 and a second tower 24, respectively. The first tower 23 and the second tower 24 are as well integral parts of housing part 9.
[0052] In case housing part 9 is made of plastic, at least the mounting structures 3, the first tower 23 and the second tower 24 are formed as integral parts of bottom 5 of housing part 9 during the injection moulding process. Once capacitors 4.sub.1 and 4.sub.2 are positioned in mounting structure 3, a circumferential notch 8 of each of the capacitors 4.sub.1 and 4.sub.2 helps align the first electric line 11 and the second electric line 12 of capacitors 4.sub.1 and 4.sub.2 with respect to the first tower 23 and the second tower 24, respectively. Additionally, the circumferential notch 8 and the corresponding geometry of mounting structure 3 (cradle) have the role to prevent the accidental slip of the capacitors 4.sub.1 and 4.sub.2 out of the mounting structure 3 when drop tested along an axial direction of the of the capacitors 4.sub.1 and 4.sub.2.
[0053] For the purpose of the description, the embodiments described herein are limited to a first capacitor 4.sub.1 and a second capacitor 4.sub.2. It is obvious to those skilled in the art that housing part 9 may accommodate more than two capacitors as a back-up power supply 4.
[0054] FIG. 3 is a detailed view of the first tower 23 with an inserted first insulation displacement connector 21 and the second tower 24 with an inserted second insulation displacement connector 22. Second tower 24 is partially cut out to show the mounting of second insulation displacement connector 22 in second tower 24. In this embodiment, first insulation displacement connector 21 and second insulation displacement connector 22 have three fingers 30 and two slots 31. The slots 31 are formed between the three fingers 30.
[0055] According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, insulation displacement connectors 21 and 22 each have three fingers 30 defining two (three minus one) slots 31. The slots 31 of first insulation displacement connector 21 are suitable for receiving the first electric lines 11 of first capacitor 4.sub.1 and second capacitor 4.sub.2. The slots 31 of second insulation displacement connector 22 are suitable for receiving the second electric lines 12 of first capacitor 4.sub.1 and second capacitor 4.sub.2. The first electric lines 11 the second electric lines 12 run in parallel in the region of the slots 31 of first insulation displacement connector 21 and second insulation displacement connector 22. It is obvious that the insulation displacement connectors 21 and 22 are not limited to three fingers 30 and two slots 31. The number of capacitors 4.sub.1, 4.sub.2, . . . , 4.sub.N determines the number of slots 31 formed in the insulation displacement connectors 21 and 22. If the insulation displacement connectors 21 and 22 have a number L (greater than three) of fingers 30, the insulation displacement connectors 21 and 22 have L-1 slots 31.
[0056] A possible further embodiment, not shown, is that the first insulation displacement connector 21 and the second insulation displacement connector 22 each have four fingers 30 between which three (four minus one) slots 31 are formed. This embodiment allows the electric connection of three capacitors 4.sub.1, 4.sub.2 and 4.sub.3 to first insulation displacement connector 21 and second insulation displacement connector 22 to form a back-up power supply with increased back-up power.
[0057] In FIG. 4, a perspective view of the first insulation displacement connector 21 or the second insulation displacement connector 22 according to an embodiment of the invention shows that the first insulation displacement connector 21 and the second insulation displacement connector 22 have barbed hooks 32. Each insulation displacement connector 21 or 22 is provided with a connector 34 to the printed circuit board (not shown) to deliver back-up power.
[0058] A prior art embodiment of the first insulation displacement connector 21 or the second insulation displacement connector 22 is shown in FIG. 5. This prior art embodiment has two fingers 30 in which one slot 31 is formed. Only a single electric line (not shown) can be connected to this prior art embodiment.
[0059] The barbed hooks 32 cooperate with the first tower 23 and the second tower 24 to ensure a secure and permanent fit of the first insulation displacement connector 21 and the second insulation displacement connector 22 in the first tower 23 and the second tower 24.
[0060] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a further embodiment of a housing part 9 for a housing 2 of an ECU 1 (see FIG. 1) for accommodating at least a first capacitor 4.sub.1 and second capacitor 4.sub.2. First capacitor 4.sub.1 and second capacitor 4.sub.2 are mounted to bottom 5 of housing part 9 by mounting structure 3. Each capacitor 4.sub.1 and 4.sub.2 has a first electric line 11 and a second electric line 12. The first electric line 11 of each capacitor 4.sub.1 and 4.sub.2 is in electric contact with the first insulation displacement connector 21 according to a further embodiment. The second electric line 12 of each capacitor 4.sub.1 and 4.sub.2 is in electric contact with the second insulation displacement connector 22 according to this embodiment. The mounting structure 3 for capacitors 4.sub.1 and 4.sub.2, the first tower 23 and the second tower 24 are integral parts of the bottom 5 of housing part 9.
[0061] FIG. 7 shows a top view of a further embodiment of the first tower 23 and the second tower 24 on the bottom 5 of housing part 9. The first insulation displacement connector 21 and the second insulation displacement connector 22 are inserted into the first tower 23 and the second tower 24. The first electric lines 11 of the first capacitor 4.sub.1 and the second capacitor 4.sub.2 are colinearly arranged in the first tower 23 and are electrically contacted by the first plate-shaped form 41 and second plate-shaped form 42 of the first insulation displacement connector 21. The second electric lines 12 of the first capacitor 4.sub.1 and the second capacitor 4.sub.2 are colinearly arranged in the second tower 24 and are electrically contacted by the first plate-shaped form 41 and second plate-shaped form 42 of the second insulation displacement connector 22. The second plate-shaped form 42 of first insulation displacement connector 21 and second insulation displacement connector 22 has a connector 34 that provides an electric connection to a printed circuit board (not shown). The first insulation displacement connector 21 and the second insulation displacement connector 22 are mounted with its second plate-shaped form 42 in the slide 25 of the first tower 23 and the second tower 24 in a press-fit manner.
[0062] It is shown in the view of FIG. 7 that the first electric lines 11 and the second electric lines 12 from each capacitor are supported by the first support 26.sub.1, the second support 26.sub.2 or the third support 26.sub.3. The embodiment of the first insulation displacement connector 21 and the second insulation displacement connector 22 connects, when inserted in the first tower 23 and the second tower 24, respectively, with its first plate-shaped form 41 and the second plate-shaped form 42 the first electric lines 11 or the second electric lines 12. The first electric lines 11 and the second electric lines 12 are supported on each side of the first plate-shaped form 41 and the second plate-shaped form 42 of the first insulation displacement connector 21 and the second insulation displacement connector 22. On each side of the first plate-shaped form 41, for example, the first electric line 11 form the first capacitor 4.sub.1 is supported by the first support 26.sub.1 and the third support 26.sub.3. On each side of the second plate-shaped form 42, for example, the first electric line 11 form the second capacitor 4.sub.2 is supported by the first support 26.sub.1 and the second support 26.sub.2. The first support 26.sub.1, the second support 26.sub.2 and the third support 26.sub.3 are necessary in order to have the first electric line 11 and the second electric line 12 stand still when the first insulation displacement connector 21 and the second insulation displacement connector 22 are inserted.
[0063] The further embodiment of the first insulation displacement connector 21 and the second insulation displacement connector 22 is shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, wherein FIG. 9 shows the displacement connectors 21, 22 from the other side than FIG. 8. First insulation displacement connector 21 and second insulation displacement connector 22 each have a first plate-shaped form 41 and a second plate-shaped form 42 that are parallel to each other. First plate-shaped form 41 and second plate-shaped form 42 are each electrically connected to a bracket 43. Only second plate-shaped form 42 is provided with a connector 34, i.e. first plate-shaped form 41 is not provided with a connector 34. The first plate-shaped form 41 and the second plate-shaped form 42 each have at least one slot 31 which is adjoined by fingers 30.
[0064] FIG. 10 shows a sectional view of the first tower 23 and the electric contacting of the first electric lines 11 by the first insulation displacement connector 21. Both electric lines 11 are colinearly arranged in the first tower 23. Once the first insulation displacement connector 21 is inserted in the first tower 23, the fingers 30 electrically contact the first electric lines 11 which enter the first tower 23 from opposite sides and are electrically separated from each other.
[0065] FIG. 11 shows a sectional view of the embodiments of first tower 23 and second tower 24 along line A-A of FIG. 7. Here, first tower 23 is provided with the inserted first insulation displacement connector 21. Second tower 24 is provided with an inserted second insulation displacement connector 22. According to this sectional view, second tower 24 is partially cut away to reveal first plate-shaped form 41 of second insulation displacement connector 22 positioned in second tower 24. Second plate-shaped form 42 of first insulation displacement connector 21 is inserted into a slide 25 of first tower 23. First electric line 11 of second capacitor 4.sub.2 (not shown here) is placed on a groove 27 of a first support 26.sub.1 and the second support 26.sub.2 of first tower 23. The fingers 30 of second plate-shaped form 42 of first insulation displacement connector 21 contact the first electric line 11 of the second capacitor 4.sub.2. The second electric line 12 of capacitor 4.sub.1 is placed on a groove 27 of the first support 26.sub.1 and a third support (not shown here) of second tower 24. The fingers 30 of first plate-shaped form 41 of second insulation displacement connector 22 contact the second electric line 12 of the first capacitor 4.sub.1.
[0066] FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of a prior art embodiment of the first tower 23 and the second tower 24 for receiving the prior art first insulation displacement connector 21 and the prior art second insulation displacement connector 22 according to the prior art embodiment as shown in FIG. 5. The first tower 23 and the second tower 24 each have a slide 25 formed to receive the first insulation displacement connector 21 and the second insulation displacement connector 22, respectively. On one side of slide 25 of first tower 23 and second tower 24, a first support 26.sub.1 is formed, and on the other side of slide 25, a second support 26.sub.2 is formed. The first support 26.sub.1 and the second support 26.sub.2 each have a groove 27 formed to receive the first electric line 11 and the second electric line 12, respectively.
[0067] FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention. Here, the first tower 23 and the second tower 24 receive the first insulation displacement connector 21 and the second insulation displacement connector 22, respectively. The embodiment of the first insulation displacement connector 21 and the second insulation displacement connector 22 is shown in FIG. 4. The first tower 23 and the second tower 24 have a slide 25 formed to receive the first insulation displacement connector 21 and the second insulation displacement connector 22, respectively. A first support 26.sub.1 is formed on one side of the slide 25 of the first tower 23 and the second tower 24, and a second support 26.sub.2 is formed on the other side of the slide 25. According to the embodiment shown here, the first support 26.sub.1 and the second support 26.sub.2 each have two grooves 27 formed for receiving the first electric line 11 and the second electric line 12, respectively. As mentioned above, the number of grooves 27 should not be considered as a limitation of the invention. It is obvious to the person skilled in the art that the number of grooves 27 corresponds to the number of capacitors 4.sub.1, 4.sub.2, . . . , 4.sub.N mounted on the bottom 5 of housing part 9.
[0068] FIG. 14 shows a perspective view of a further embodiment of the first tower 23 and the second tower 24 for receiving the first insulation displacement connector 21 and the second insulation displacement connector 22 according to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. The first tower 23 and the second tower 24 each have a slide 25 formed to receive the second plate-shaped form 42 of the first insulation displacement connector 21 and the second insulation displacement connector 22, respectively. A first support 26.sub.1 is formed on one side of the slide 25 of the first tower 23 and the second tower 24, and a second support 26.sub.2 is formed on the other side of the slide 25 of the first tower 23 and the second tower 24. At least one single groove 27 is formed in the first support 26.sub.1 and the second support 26.sub.2, respectively. Additionally, a third support 26.sub.3 is formed as a part of the first tower 23 and the second tower 24. The third support 26.sub.3 is separate and spaced apart from the first support 26.sub.1 of the first tower 23 and the second tower 24, respectively, to receive the first electric line 11 and the second electric line 12. In the embodiment shown here, one groove 27 is formed in the first support 26.sub.1, the second support 26.sub.2 and the third support 26.sub.3 of the first tower 23 and the second tower 24. The grooves 27 of the first support 26.sub.1, the second support 26.sub.2 and the third support 26.sub.3 are aligned. It is obvious to a person skilled in the art that the first support 26.sub.1, the second support 26.sub.2 and the third support 26.sub.3 may each have more than one groove 27 that are aligned as well. In case more than two capacitors 4.sub.1, 4.sub.2, . . . 4.sub.N are placed on the bottom 5 of housing part 9, the first support 26.sub.1, the second support 26.sub.2 and the third support 26.sub.3 have more than one groove 27.
[0069] Returning to the embodiment shown in FIG. 14, the first electric line 11 from the capacitors 4.sub.1, and 4.sub.2 (see FIG. 6) are guided to the first tower 23. The second electric line 12 from the capacitors 4.sub.1 and 4.sub.2 (see FIG. 6) are guided to the second tower 24. The first electric line 11 of capacitor 4.sub.1 enters the first tower 23 via the second support 26.sub.3. The first electric line 11 of capacitor 4.sub.2 enters the first tower 23 via the third support 26.sub.2. The second electric line 12 of capacitor 4.sub.1 enters the second tower 24 via the second support 26.sub.3. The second electric line 12 of the capacitor 4.sub.2 enters the second tower 24 via the third support 262.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0070] 1 Electronic control unit (ECU) [0071] 2 Housing [0072] 3 Mounting structure, cradle [0073] 4 Back-up power supply [0074] 4.sub.1, 4.sub.2, . . . 4.sub.N Capacitor [0075] 5 Bottom [0076] 8 Notch [0077] 9 Housing part [0078] 11 First electric line [0079] 12 Second electric line [0080] 16 Vehicle [0081] 18 Vehicle battery [0082] 19 Electric line [0083] 21 First insulation displacement connector [0084] 22 Second insulation displacement connector [0085] 23 First tower [0086] 24 Second tower [0087] 25 Slide [0088] 26.sub.1 First support [0089] 26.sub.2 Second support [0090] 26.sub.3 Third support [0091] 27 Groove [0092] 30 Finger [0093] 31 Slot [0094] 32 Barbed hook [0095] 34 Connector [0096] 41 First plate-shaped form [0097] 42 Second plate-shaped form [0098] 43 Bracket [0099] A-A Cut
