DE102015205445A1 - Transmission control unit for a transmission of a vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

A transmission control unit (10) for a transmission (44) of a vehicle comprises a central module (12) comprising a carrier plate (18), electronic components (20) arranged on the carrier plate (18) and a housing (22) for the electronic components ( 20), the carrier plate (18) having an aperture (36) for receiving a fastener (34) to secure the central module (12) to the gearbox (44); at least one peripheral module (14) carrying further electrical and / or electronic components (28) of the transmission control unit (10); and at least one flexible conductor foil (16) connecting the central module (12) to the peripheral module (14). The peripheral module (14) comprises a further carrier plate (26) on which the further electrical and / or electronic components (28) are arranged, wherein the carrier plate (26) has a further opening (36) for receiving a further fastening means (34) to attach the peripheral module (14) to the transmission (44).

Description

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a transmission control device for a transmission of a vehicle.

State of the art

In general, gearbox control units are manufactured as an assembly, which can be later mechanically and electrically connected to the corresponding gear.

Typically, a transmission controller includes a substrate or circuit board populated with components (such as a microcontroller, memory, power output stage, resistors, capacitors, etc.). Among other things, for space reasons so-called bare-die components are used for the semiconductor devices, which do not have their own housing. The pitch distances of these components can also be very small, which can then be very sensitive to short circuits due to conductive, even very small foreign particles. Therefore, the assembled substrates are usually protected after installation in a housing with gel or poured into plastic.

The fitting of the gearbox control units under the above conditions requires specialized plants and / or high investments in existing plants. In addition, expensive and complicated constructed tools are needed, which also have no flexibility in variant formation.

The DE 10 2005 046 826 A1 shows a transmission control unit with a carrier, on which a plurality of flexible conductor foils can be laminated, which can serve to contact sensors, plug parts or hydraulic valves.

Disclosure of the invention

Advantages of the invention

Embodiments of the present invention may advantageously enable a gearbox controller to be manufactured, assembled, and / or modified faster and more cheaply.

The invention relates to a transmission control device for a transmission of a vehicle. The transmission is arranged in the drive train of the vehicle and / or can serve to convert a rotational speed or a torque from an internal combustion engine into a different rotational speed or another torque for the wheels of the vehicle. The vehicle may be, for example, a car, truck, bus or construction vehicle.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the transmission control unit comprises a central module which comprises a carrier plate, electronic components arranged on the carrier plate and a housing for the electronic components, wherein the carrier plate has an opening for receiving a fastening means for securing the central module to the transmission.

A carrier plate, which may be mechanically rigid, may be, for example, a printed circuit board made of plastic, a ceramic plate or a metal plate, or a combination thereof. For example, a printed circuit board on which electrical and / or electronic components are arranged, mounted on a metal plate and / or plastic plate without traces (glued, for example) to form a support plate. The opening in the support plate for receiving a fastening means may be provided only in a metal plate and / or plastic plate on which a printed circuit board (without opening) is mounted.

The electronic components may include, for example, a microcontroller. Furthermore, the central module can carry a bridge circuit for generating a supply voltage for an electric motor and / or an associated filter circuit.

Furthermore, the transmission control unit comprises at least one peripheral module, which carries further electrical and / or electronic components of the transmission control unit, and at least one flexible conductor foil, which connects the central module to the peripheral module. It should be understood that the transmission controller may include a plurality of peripheral modules, each of which may be connected to the central module via one or more flexible conductor sheets. A flexible conductor foil or flex foil may comprise a plurality of conductor tracks which are accommodated between two plastic films.

The one or more peripheral modules each include a further, separate carrier plate on which the further electrical and / or electronic components are arranged, wherein the carrier plate has a further opening for receiving a further fastening means for securing the peripheral module to the transmission. This support plate may also be mechanically rigid and / or be a printed circuit board made of plastic or ceramic. In particular, the transmission control unit for the central module and each peripheral module on its own support plate, which can be separately connected to each other with the transmission.

To connect the central module and the peripheral module to the transmission, the carrier plates have all the openings (such as eyelets, recesses, holes and / or bores) with which attaches the respective module to the transmission with a fastening means in the form of a screw or rivet can be. The modules are due to the flexible conductor foils spatially mutually flexible and changes in the relative position of the modules to each other, for example due to space adjustments in or around the transmission, can be implemented without much difficulty. The arrangement of the modules can be changed, for example, because the location of a sensor changed or another sensor is to be integrated.

In this way, for example, the central module and / or certain peripheral modules can be manufactured in a few specialized locations. Here, for example, a bare-die assembly and subsequent protection of the components by pouring or a lid which seals directly against the circuit substrate take place.

The assembly of the modules by means of flexible conductor foils can then take place on site in the countries of the respective end user. It can be dispensed with expensive transport packaging (which must be hermetically sealed, without moisture, without particles, for the transport of open bare-die circuits).

Furthermore, the modular design allows a simpler variant formation, since the individual modules (central module, peripheral module) can be modified separately. It is also possible to offer variants for individual modules that can be combined with each other. For example, different central modules for different maximum currents to supply an electric motor can be designed.

It may also be possible to avoid scraping a complete transmission control unit if the electronics shows a defect during testing. It is only necessary to replace one of the modules.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the housing of the central module comprises a casting compound into which the electronic components are cast. If the housing is formed using the Dam & Fill method, the tool costs are minimized, as no elaborate variant-specific tools are usually required for the manufacture.

Alternatively or additionally, the electronic components can be embedded in a gel or protected with a glued-on lid, a melted lid and / or a lid with a sealing ring.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the peripheral module comprises a housing for the electrical and / or electronic components, which has a casting compound into which the electrical and / or electronic components are cast. Analogous to the central module, the components of the peripheral module can be protected with a potting housing.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the peripheral module comprises a sensor, a plug and / or a contact strip. The sensor can be arranged on the carrier plate of the peripheral module and can be embedded there in a cast housing.

According to one embodiment of the invention, a further peripheral module is connected to the central module by means of a cable. For example, in a plug / port for an oil pump and / or a plug for the power supply of the transmission control unit, it may be that a flexible conductor foil is not able to conduct enough current. In this case, the flexible conductor foil can be replaced by one or more flexible cables.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the gearbox control unit further comprises a centering plate, to which the carrier plate of the central module and the carrier plate of the peripheral module are attached, in order to position the central module and the peripheral module for attachment to the transmission. The carrier plate can be, for example, a plastic plate to which the carrier plates are fastened to the transmission for transporting and / or positioning the transmission control device. For example, a robot can grip the gearbox control unit using the carrier plate and then position it.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the central module only has an opening for attachment to the transmission. It is possible that the central module only has a central opening for receiving a fastening means (such as a screw), wherein the opening is, for example, surrounded by the housing and / or leads through the support plate. Likewise, it is possible that the peripheral module has only one opening for attachment to the transmission. In this case, although the transmission control unit must be fastened to the transmission with a plurality of fastening means, certain modules (due to their small size) are fastened only at one point or only with one fastening means.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the opening of the central module for receiving a fastening means is surrounded by a bush, which acts as a barrier for a casting compound when the housing is produced by casting. The sleeve may be positioned in or over an aperture through the backing plate prior to pouring the components to prevent the still liquid casting compound from entering the aperture for the fastener.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the socket is supported on the carrier plate. The force transmitted from a head of the fastener (such as a screw head) to the module is transferred from the socket to the carrier plate, which contacts the housing with an opposite side.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the bushing passes through the carrier plate. The socket can also transmit the power of the head directly to the housing.

According to one embodiment of the invention, a head of the fastener is supported on the support plate or on the socket and / or a head of the fastener is at least partially recessed in the socket. The bush may at least partially surround the head to reduce the height of the module. It is also possible that the bush serves only as a barrier for the casting material and the head of the fastener is supported directly on the support plate (possibly with a washer).

Ideas for embodiments of the present invention may be considered, inter alia, as being based on the thoughts and findings described below.

Brief description of the drawings

Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which neither the drawings nor the description are to be construed as limiting the invention.

1A shows a schematic perspective view of a transmission control unit according to an embodiment of the invention.

1B shows a schematic cross section through the transmission control unit of the 1A ,

2A shows a schematic, perspective view of a transmission control unit according to another embodiment of the invention.

2 B shows a schematic cross section through the transmission control unit of the 2A ,

3 shows a schematic, perspective view of a transmission control unit according to another embodiment of the invention.

4 shows a schematic cross section through a central module of a transmission control unit according to an embodiment of the invention.

5 shows a schematic cross section through a central module of a transmission control unit according to an embodiment of the invention.

6 shows a schematic cross section through a central module of a transmission control unit according to an embodiment of the invention.

7 shows a schematic cross section through a central module of a transmission control unit according to an embodiment of the invention.

8th shows a schematic cross section through a central module of a transmission control unit according to an embodiment of the invention.

9 shows a schematic cross section through a central module of a transmission control unit according to an embodiment of the invention.

The figures are only schematic and not to scale. Like reference numerals designate the same or equivalent features in the figures.

Embodiments of the invention

1A and 1B show a modular gearbox control unit 10 that is a central module 12 and several peripheral modules 14 comprising, by means of a flexible conductor foil 16 with the central module 12 are connected.

The central module 12 includes a carrier plate 18 , on the electronic and electrical components 20 are arranged, such as a microcontroller, a bridge circuit for supplying an electric motor, an electric filter for the bridge circuit, resistors, capacitors, etc. In the central module 12 a sensor can also be integrated if, for example, it is close to the central module 12 Speeds, paths or positions and / or pressures are to be detected.

The carrier plate 18 For example, a printed circuit board (such as an HDI PCB, "high density interconnect printed circuit board") may be associated with the components 20 is equipped, about by Bonding, bonding and / or soldering bare-die components and other components, such as SMD (surface mounted device) components with their own housings.

Next includes the central module 12 a housing 22 that about the components 20 is arranged and protects this. For example, the components 20 into a casting mass 24 be embedded or can with one on the support plate 18 attached lid (which may be glued) to be protected against the environment.

A flexible conductor foil 16 may comprise a flexible carrier layer with conductor track and protective lacquer or may have two cover foils (for example of polyimide), between which electrical conductor tracks are arranged. The flexible conductor foils or flex foils 16 For example, are electrically connected to the exposed edge of the carrier plate. A flexible conductor foil 16 For example, with ironing on a circuit board as a support plate 18 be soldered. The flexible conductor foil 16 lies with the open cover sheet pointing down on solder pads of the PCB 18 , A soldering iron transfers heat directly over the closed, upwardly facing other cover sheet on the tracks of the flexible conductor foil 16 , The system for ironing needs no circumferential protective tape for the soldering iron (also called thermode), as a cover layer of the flexible conductor foil 16 this function takes over. The closed side of the flexible conductor foil 16 can then simultaneously serve as chip protection for the connection point. The flexible conductor foil 16 may additionally be protected around the solder joints by a peripheral adhesive bond per solder joint or for a group of solder joints.

The peripheral modules 14 are electrically contacted to the other end of the respective flexible conductor foil. The peripheral modules may be, for example, a sensor module 14a or a connector module, such as a gearbox plug 14b , an actuator contact strip 14c or an oil pump connection 14d , act.

Also the peripheral modules 14 comprise a carrier plate 26 on which the respective electrical and / or electronic components 28 are arranged. The carrier plate 26 can be analogous to the central module 12 a printed circuit board, a plastic plate or a ceramic plate. With a sensor module 14a can these electronic components 28 a sensor IC 28a and an optional additional circuitry directly on the flexible conductor foil 16 are attached (in turn, on the support plate 26 is appropriate). In a connector module 14b . 14c . 14d can the components 28 a contact strip 28b , electrical contacts 28c and / or an additional circuit.

The components 28 the peripheral modules 14 can be analogous to the central module 12 through a housing 30 be protected, for example, by pouring the components 28 into a casting mass 32 was generated. For example, the sensor ICs 28a with a polymeric protection (eg epoxy resin, plastic, a globe top) to be protected from the environment (chips, oil).

The carrier plate 26 can be made of the same plastic as the case 30 , For example, sensor diodes of the sensor modules 14a be pure plastic body through which also the flexible conductor foil 16 is positioned and fixed.

The central module 12 and at least some of the peripheral modules 14 can each with one or more fasteners 34 Be equipped here (screws) over which they can be positioned and attached to possibly also spatially branched points of a transmission. The fasteners 34 are doing through openings 36 or attachment eyes in the respective carrier plates 18 . 26 led over which the modules 12 . 14 can be attached.

It is possible that the central module 12 and at least some of the peripheral modules 14 via only one fastener 34 , such as a screw, are attached to the gearbox. The transmission control unit 10 provides for the peripheral modules 14 therefore very small tolerance chains ready, since no fixed connection via an expansive carrier plate system is necessary. The carrier plates 18 . 26 only have to allow pre-positioning for screw-on points. The actual centering of the individual modules 12 . 14 to transmission components take over the fasteners 24 or optional additional dowel pins on the modules 12 . 14 ,

The central module 12 For example, it can be manufactured, tested and delivered to a module factory in a specialized plant (clean room electronics manufacturing, bare-die processing, gluing and bonding), in which a contacting of the peripheral modules 14 he follows. In the module plant no clean room conditions are necessary. There is also no need for expensive transportation and logistics concepts to ship unprotected bare-die circuits.

As in the 2A and 2 B shown, the transmission control unit 10 a centering plate 38 include the individual modules 12 . 14 positioned to each other. The centering plate 38 can be a pure plastic component without integrated conductor tracks. At the centering plate 38 or mask, which may comprise a plurality of cantilevers and / or branches, for example, the carrier plates 18 . 26 be attached. The centering plate 38 can below or above the modules 12 . 14 be arranged. To protect the flexible conductor foils 16 can be a cover plate 40 serve, which is mounted from above as a protective plate.

Because the individual modules 12 . 14 are mechanically flexible, are thermo-mechanical stresses between the individual modules 12 . 14 greatly reduced, as may be the case with large-area module circuit boards, stamped grids and assemblies integrated into carrier plates. Every module 12 . 14 has its own attachment points. The connection to the neighboring component takes place only via a flex foil (possibly with relief waves) and / or via the centering plate 38 , which only takes care of the pre-centering for mounting on the transmission component, but not the functional centering, and therefore sufficient clearance between the modules 12 . 14 and the centering plate 38 can provide.

As in the 1A and 2A shown, the transmission control unit 10 also without centering plate 38 being represented. For this purpose, it can be pre-positioned in a transport device to be removed by grippers and attached to gear parts.

The 3 shows that flexible conductor foils 16 also by cable 42 can be replaced, for example, if the current conductivity of the flexible conductor foil 16 not enough. These cables 42 can be on the edge of the carrier plate 18 be contacted electrically. In the 3 is shown that a gearbox module 14b and a connector module 14d for an oil pump by means of cable 42 connected to the central module.

The 4 shows a schematic cross section through the central module 12 with which the connection between the central module 12 and the transmission 44 should be explained. It is possible that one or more of the peripheral modules 14 analogous to the transmission 44 are connected.

The central module 12 is by means of a single or with several screws or comparable releasable or non-detachable connections as fasteners 34 directly connected to a transmission component, such as a hydraulic control plate, mechanically and heat dissipating. The carrier plate 18 touches the gearbox 44 area. This can lead to an optimal heat connection of the central module 12 lead, as only an air or oil gap between the support plate 18 and the transmission 4 remains.

The carrier plate 18 and the cast housing 22 or the casting material 24 each contain a central opening or a hole 36 through which one foot of the fastener 34 runs. The installation of the central module 12 with a central fastener acts a thermo-mechanical deformation of the module 12 contrary, which can be caused by different thermal expansion coefficients. When building the 4 (also at the 5 to 9 ) may be the central module 12 move freely on the edge and is not forced into a forced tension (forced to evenness), leading to local overloads inside the module 12 can lead. Thus, a delamination of components 20 on the carrier plate 18 and / or in the casting compound 24 be counteracted.

In the 4 lies the head of the fastener 34 directly on the case 22 on. Alternatively, a washer may be located between the head and the housing.

In the following 5 to 9 becomes the opening 36 from a socket 46 surrounded, on the one hand, as a shelf for the head of the fastener 34 can serve, on the other hand, as a dam or barrier for the casting 24 of the housing 22 serves. Preferably, the socket 46 a similar thermal expansion coefficient as the casting 24 on to delaminate the socket 46 from the case 22 to prevent. For example, the socket 46 be made of thermosetting plastic. But it is also possible that the socket 46 made of an aluminum alloy, although a poor adhesion to the casting material 24 can have. In this case, but no shear forces, but the socket act 46 dissolves after casting from the housing 22 from.

Both 5 . 6 . 8th and 9 is the head of the fastener 34 on the socket 46 supported while the socket 46 both 5 . 8th and 9 on the carrier plate 18 and in the 6 and 9 on the case 44 is supported.

In the embodiments of the 6 and 9 It may be beneficial if the thermal expansion coefficient of the bush 46 between the thermal expansion coefficient of the housing 22 and the carrier plate 18 lies.

In the 7 the socket is on the carrier plate 18 on while the socket 46 only as a barrier for the casting compound 24 Use finds. It is possible that a washer and / or a tinning between the head of the fastener 34 and the carrier plate 18 is arranged.

In the 9 has the socket 46 a cantilevered part on the filling height of the casting 24 can reduce where only flat components 20 on the carrier plate 18 are arranged.

In the 7 . 8th and 9 is the head of the fastener 34 at least partially in the socket 46 sunk, for example, the height of the central module 12 to diminish.

Finally, it should be noted that terms such as "comprising," "comprising," etc., do not exclude other elements or steps, and terms such as "a" or "an" do not exclude a multitude. Reference signs in the claims are not to be considered as limiting.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 102005046826 A1 [0005]

Claims (10)

Transmission control unit ( 10 ) for a transmission ( 44 ) of a vehicle, the transmission control unit ( 10 ) comprising: a central module ( 12 ), which has a carrier plate ( 18 ), on the carrier plate ( 18 ) arranged electronic components ( 20 ) and a housing ( 22 ) for the electronic components ( 20 ), wherein the carrier plate ( 18 ) an opening ( 36 ) for receiving a fastener ( 34 ) to the central module ( 12 ) on the transmission ( 44 ) to fix; at least one peripheral module ( 14 ), the further electrical and / or electronic components ( 28 ) of the transmission control unit ( 10 ) wearing; at least one flexible conductor foil ( 16 ), which is the central module ( 12 ) with the peripheral module ( 14 ) connects; characterized in that the peripheral module ( 14 ) a further carrier plate ( 26 ), on which the further electrical and / or electronic components ( 28 ) are arranged, wherein the carrier plate ( 26 ) another opening ( 36 ) for receiving a further fastening means ( 34 ) to the peripheral module ( 14 ) on the transmission ( 44 ) to fix. Transmission control unit ( 10 ) according to claim 1, wherein the housing ( 22 ) of the central module a casting compound ( 24 ) into which the electronic components ( 20 ) are poured. Transmission control unit ( 10 ) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the peripheral module ( 14 ) a housing ( 30 ) for the electrical and / or electronic components ( 28 ) comprising a casting compound ( 32 ), in which the electrical and / or electronic components ( 28 ) are poured. Transmission control unit ( 10 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the peripheral module ( 14 ) a sensor ( 28a ), a plug ( 28c ) and / or a contact strip ( 28b ). Transmission control unit ( 10 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a further peripheral module ( 14b . 14d ) by means of a cable ( 42 ) with the central module ( 12 ) connected is. Transmission control unit ( 10 ) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising: a centering plate ( 38 ), on which the carrier plate ( 18 ) of the central module ( 12 ) and the carrier plate ( 26 ) of the peripheral module ( 14 ) are attached to the central module ( 12 ) and the peripheral module ( 14 ) for attachment to the transmission ( 44 ). Transmission control unit ( 10 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the central module ( 12 ) only one opening ( 36 ) for attaching to the transmission ( 44 ) having; and / or wherein the peripheral module ( 14 ) only one opening ( 36 ) for attaching to the transmission ( 44 ) having. Transmission control unit ( 10 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the opening ( 36 ) of the central module ( 12 ) for receiving a fastener ( 34 ) from a socket ( 46 ) which is generated when the housing ( 22 ) by casting as a barrier for a casting compound ( 24 ) acts. Transmission control unit ( 10 ) according to claim 8, wherein the bushing ( 46 ) on the carrier plate ( 18 ) is supported; and / or wherein the socket ( 46 ) through the carrier plate ( 18 ). Transmission control unit ( 10 ) according to claim 8 or 9, wherein a head of the fastener ( 46 ) on the carrier plate ( 18 ) or on the socket ( 46 ) is supported; and / or wherein a head of the fastener ( 34 ) at least partially in the socket ( 46 ) is sunk.

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