EP4723371A1

EP4723371A1 - Telematics control unit for a vehicle

Info

Publication number: EP4723371A1
Application number: EP24204841.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Georgios Atmatzakis; Ahmadreza JAFARI
Original assignee: Valeo Comfort and Driving Assistance SAS
Current assignee: Valeo Comfort and Driving Assistance SAS
Priority date: 2024-10-04
Filing date: 2024-10-04
Publication date: 2026-04-08
Also published as: WO2026074058A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a telematics control unit (1) for a vehicle (2) comprising :
- a metal housing (10),
- a plastic housing (11),
- a V2X antenna (12),
- a V2X module (13) connected to the V2X antenna (12),
- at least one cellular antenna (14),
- an electronic support (15) that is configured to support the V2X module (13),
wherein :
- said metal housing (10) is configured to be attached to a metal cross member (20) of the vehicle (2) and to integrate said V2X antenna (12),
- said V2X antenna (12) is in the form of a slot and is configured to be placed in regards with a slot (200) of the metal cross member (20),
- said at least one cellular antenna (14) is configured to be placed in regards with at least one cutout (202) of the metal cross member (20),
- said plastic housing (11) is configured to close the telematics control unit (1) and to be attached to the metal housing (10).

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a telematics control unit for a vehicle. Such telematics control unit, may be used, but not exclusively, in the automotive domain.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the automotive domain, a telematics control unit 5 for a vehicle, well-known by the person skilled in the art, comprises :

a metal housing 50,
a plastic housing 51,
a V2X antenna 52,
a V2X module 53 connected to the V2X antenna,
at least one cellular antenna 54, and
an electronic support 55 that is configured to support the V2X module.

The electronic support 55 also supports the V2X antenna 52 and the at least one cellular antenna 54. The V2X antenna 52 is metal stamped.
The telematics control unit permits to wirelessly connect the vehicle to different systems such as cloud services, other vehicles, base stations etc.
The telematics control unit referred to as TCU is resting and thatched on a cross member 60 of the roof 21 of the vehicle as illustrated in figure 1. The cross member 60 comprises a low cavity 600 to accommodate the TCU. The metal housing 50 is a rear plate and is screwed onto the cross member 60. The plastic housing 51 is an upper plate that closes the TCU to protect the V2x antenna, the V2x module, the at least one cellular antenna 54 and the electronic support 55.
One problem of this prior art is that the V2X antenna horizontal radiations referred to as Rh in figure 1 are hindered by the cross member 60, which compromises the V2X antenna performance. Only the upwards radiations referred to as Ru in figure 1 are not hindered. Hence, the V2X antenna is only able to radiate correctly upwards. As there are very few horizontal radiations, it will reduce the communication of the TCU with other systems, in particular with other vehicles.
It is an object of the invention to provide a telematics control unit, which resolves the problem above-stated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To this end, it is provided a telematics control unit for a vehicle, said telematics control unit comprising :

a metal housing,
a plastic housing,
a V2X antenna,
a V2X module connected to the V2X antenna,
at least one cellular antenna,
an electronic support that is configured to support the V2X module,

said metal housing is configured to be attached to a metal cross member of the vehicle and to integrate said V2X antenna,
said V2X antenna is in the form of a slot and is configured to be placed in regards with a slot of the metal cross member,
said at least one cellular antenna is configured to be placed in regards with at least one cutout of the metal cross member,
said plastic housing is configured to close the telematics control unit and to be attached to the metal housing.

As we will see in further details, by flipping upside down the telematics control unit and by using a slot V2X antenna to be put in regards with a corresponding slot of a cross member which form has been modified, one permits the V2X antenna to radiate towards the horizon without any hindrance.
According to non-limitative embodiments of the invention, the telematics control unit further comprises the following characteristics.
In a non-limitative embodiment, said at least one cellular antenna is printed on the electronic support.
In a non-limitative embodiment, said V2X antenna is metal stamped.
In a non-limitative embodiment, said V2X antenna works within a frequency band around 5.9 GHz.
In a non-limitative embodiment, said at least one cellular antenna is configured to resonate according to a range of frequency bands 617 MHz to 4.2GHz or from 703MHz to 5GHz.
In a non-limitative embodiment, said telematics control unit comprises attachment points to the cross member of the vehicle.
In a non-limitative embodiment, said V2X module is connected to said V2X antenna with pogo pins, metal pins, springs, or with a flexible PCB transmission line.
In a non-limitative embodiment, said telematics control unit comprises two cellular antennas.
There is also provided a cross member of a vehicle, wherein said cross member comprises :

a body that is configured to be attached to a roof or to be part of said roof,
a slot in the body where a V2X antenna of a telematics control unit can be placed in regards with, said V2X antenna being in the form of a slot,
at least one cutout in the body where at least one cellular antenna of a telematics control unit in the form of a slot can be placed in regards with.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some embodiments of methods and/or system in accordance with embodiments of the present invention are now described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic side view of a telematics control unit for a vehicle of the prior art,
Figure 2a is a schematic side view of a telematics control unit for a vehicle according to a non-limitative embodiment, said telematics control unit comprising a metal housing, a plastic housing, a V2X antenna, a V2X module, at least one cellular antenna, and an electronic support,
Figure 2b is an upper view of the telematics control unit of figure 2a,
Figure 3 is a schematic side view of the telematics control unit of figures 2a and 2b that is attached to a roof of a vehicle,
Figure 4 is an upper view of a cross member of a vehicle to which a telematics control unit of figure 2a to 3 is attached to.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

In the following description, well-known functions or constructions by the person skilled in the art are not described in detail since they would obscure the invention in unnecessary detail.
The present invention relates to a telematics control unit 1 for a vehicle 2, said telematics control unit being described in reference to figures 2a to 3. In a non-limitative embodiment, the vehicle 2 is a motor vehicle. In non-limitative variants of embodiment, the motor vehicle has a combustion engine, an electric engine, or a hybrid engine. The telematics control unit is also referred to as TCU in the following.
The TCU permits wireless communication of the vehicle with cloud services, other vehicles, base stations etc. to exchange information such as in non-limitative examples the position of the vehicle, the speed of the vehicle, engine data etc. In non-limitative examples, the TCU is used for the safety of the driver and passengers, to optimize the traffic flow and to make automatic emergency calls when an accident occurs.
As illustrated in figure 2a, the telematics control unit 1 comprises :

a metal housing 10,
a plastic housing 11,
a V2X antenna 12,
a V2X module 13 connected to the V2X antenna 12,
at least one cellular antenna 14,
an electronic support 15.

The different elements of the telematics control unit 1 are described hereinafter.
The metal housing 10 is an upper plate that is placed on top of the other elements of the telematics control unit 1 when the TCU is placed inside the vehicle 2. Hence, the metal housing 10 forms here the top side of the TCU. By "top", one means that it is the nearest to the cross member 20 of the vehicle 2 (which is described later in the following), thus to the roof 21 of the vehicle 2, compared to the other elements of the TCU. It is turned towards the roof 21.
The metal housing 10 is configured to be attached to the cross member 20 of the vehicle 2. In a non-limitative embodiment, it is attached with screws.
As it is placed on top, the metal housing 10 blocks the radiations coming from the sun that could increase the temperature of the whole TCU. It acts as a first cover to protect the different elements of the TCU from the radiations of the sun : the electronics are not directly exposed to the sun, they are under shade.
The metal housing 10 is further configured to integrate the V2X antenna 12. Thus, the V2X antenna 12 is built within the same plate as the metal housing 10. It is thus at the same level of the metal housing 10.
As it is placed on top and integrates the V2X antenna 12 at the same level, the metal housing 10 permits to have a V2X antenna with better performance as this latter can radiate towards the horizon in every direction. Thus, the radiation pattern improves in particular the lower elevation angle radiations and there is a better coverage in the lower elevation angle. Thus, the TCU has better communication with other systems, in particular with other vehicles that are moving on the same road than the vehicle 2 for example, or that are parked for example at the same level than the vehicle 2.
The plastic housing 11 is a back plate that is placed below all the other elements of the telematics control unit 1 when the TCU is placed inside the vehicle 2. Hence, the plastic housing 11 forms here the rear side of the TCU. By "below" or "rear", one means that it is the farthest to the cross member 20 of the vehicle 2 (which is described later in the following), thus to the roof 21 of the vehicle 2, compared to the other elements of the TCU. It is turned towards the inside compartment of the vehicle 2.
The plastic housing 11 is configured to close the telematics control unit 1 in the back so that nobody can access the elements of the TCU, in particular none of the passengers of the vehicle 2. So, it acts as a second cover to protect the different elements of the TCU from being degraded by somebody.
The plastic housing 11 is attached to the metal housing 10. n a non-limitative embodiment, it is screwed with the metal housing 10. In other non-limitative embodiments, it is clipped with the metal housing 10 or glued to the metal housing 10 on a circumferential border in a non-limitative example.
In a non-limitative embodiment, the V2X antenna 12 is metal stamped. Thus, it is directly cut within the same plate as the metal housing 10. It is in the form of a slot. It is therefore a slot antenna. Hence, it is also called slot V2X antenna 12. This form permits the V2X antenna 12 to be easily integrated in the metal housing 10 and to match a corresponding form in the cross member 20 of the vehicle 2.
Hence, the V2X antenna 12 is configured to be placed in regards with a slot 200 (described later in the following) of the metal cross member 20 of the vehicle 2 when the TCU is installed in the vehicle 2. Hence, it is very close to the roof 21 which generates a better radiation pattern.
The V2X antenna 12 is a high frequency antenna that is used in particular for the TCU to communicate with other vehicles, pedestrians, or infrastructure. In a non-limitative embodiment, it works at a frequency band of 5.9 GHz. The V2X antenna 12 is responsible for the transmission and reception of signals for wireless communication.
The V2X module 13 permits the transmission of the signals received from the V2X antenna to other vehicles, pedestrians, or infrastructure. The V2X communication is used for critical vehicle information for safety. It is independent from the V2X antenna 12 and is connected to it. In non-limitative embodiments, the V2X module 13 is connected to said V2X antenna 12 with pogo pins, metal pins, springs, or with a flexible PCB ("Printed Circuit Board") transmission line also referred to as FPC. The flexible PCB transmission line is a solid connection which can avoid vibrations when the vehicle 2 is moving. As a V2X module in a TCU is well-known by the person skilled in the art, it is not described here.
The cellular antenna 14 is configured to receive and transmit signals from and to a cellular base station. It is used in particular for the TCU to communicate data and voice signals. In a non-limitative embodiment, the antenna 11 is arranged next to a radiofrequency module (not illustrated) referred to as RF module. It is independent of the RF module and connected to it via a transmission line. The cellular antenna 14 is responsible for the transmission and reception of signals for wireless communication. It is thus configured to be in a receiving mode and in a transmitting mode. The RF module is a network access device also referred to as NAD. As a RF module in a TCU is well-known by the person skilled in the art, it is not described here.
The cellular antenna 14 is configured to resonate according to a range of frequency bands. In non-limitative embodiments, the range of frequency bands is the North American standard or the European standard. It is to be noted that the North American standard is from 617MHz to 4.2GHz and the European standard is from 703MHz to 5GHz.
In a non-limitative embodiment, the cellular antenna 14 is printed on the electronic support 15. It leads to easier manufacturing, flexibility and cost reduction, compared to a metal stamped cellular antenna.
In a non-limitative embodiment, the TCU comprises a plurality of cellular antenna 14. In the non-limitative example illustrated on figures 2a, 2b, and 3, the TCU comprises two cellular antennas 14. It permits addressing different frequency bands. For example, on cellular antenna 14 is dedicated to the North American standard, and one for the European standard.
In a non-limitative embodiment, the two cellular antennas 14 are placed on each side of the V2X antenna 12. It permits the two cellular antennas 14 to be away from each other for isolation purposes.
In a non-limitative embodiment, the electronic support 15 is a printed circuit board assembly also referred to as PCBA in the following.
The electronic support 15 is configured to support the V2X module 13 and the cellular antenna 14.
In a non-limitative embodiment, the TCU further comprises attachment points 16 to the cross member 20 of the vehicle 2. In a non-limitative variant of embodiment, the attachment points 16 are holes that are configured to receive screws. In a non-limitative variant of embodiment, the holes 16 are on the metal housing 10 of the TCU as illustrated in figure 2b in order to attach the TCU to the vehicle with the screws from the top. In a non-limitative embodiment, there are at least three holes 16. In the non-limitative example illustrated, there are four holes 16. Contrary to the prior art where the TCU is resting in a cavity of the cross member, here the TCU is mounted to the cross member 20 from below. Now the whole TCU is holding to the cross member 20 from the top instead of resting in a cavity of the TCU as in the prior art.
The vehicle 2 where the TCU is installed is now described.
As illustrated in figure 3, the vehicle 2 comprises a cross member 20 and a roof 21.
The cross member 20 is configured to be adjacent to the roof 21 or to be part of the roof 21. In the first case, it is attached to the roof 21. In a non-limitative embodiment, the cross member 20 is in metal.
As illustrated in figure 4, the cross member 20 comprises :

a body 200,
a slot 201 (also illustrated in figure 3), and
at least one cutout 202 (also illustrated in figure 3).

The body 200 is configured to be attached to the roof 21 of the vehicle 2 or is part of the roof 21. It fits the shape of the roof 21. Hence, contrary to the prior art, it doesn't comprise a low cavity.
The slot 201 is made in the body 200. It permits placing the V2X antenna 12 of the TCU in regards with. In other words, the slot 200 is configured to be positioned in regards with the V2X antenna 12, said V2X antenna being in the form of a slot. The dimensions of slot 201 are slightly greater than those of the V2X antenna 12 so that this latter can be put in regards with. As the V2x antenna flushes with the cross member 20, all the radiations, the upwards Ru and the horizontal Rh ones, of the V2X antenna 12 are able to pass through this slot 201 and go outside the vehicle 2. They are not hindered by any obstacle.
The cutout 202 is made in the body 200. It permits placing the cellular antenna 14 of the TCU in regards with. In other words, the cutout 202 is configured to be positioned in regards with the cellular antenna 14. The dimensions of the cutout 202 are slightly greater than those of the cellular antenna 14 so that this latter can be put in regards with. Hence, it allows the cellular antenna 14 to radiate outside the vehicle 2. In a non-limitative embodiment, there are as many cutouts 202 as there are cellular antennas 14 if the TCU comprises a plurality of cellular antennas 202. In the non-limitative example illustrated in figure 4, there are two cutouts 202 respectively for two cellular antennas 14.
In a non-limitative embodiment, the slot 201 is centered within the body 200 for have a uniform radiation all around the vehicle, and the cutouts 202 is on the side of the slot 201. In the non-limitative example illustrated in figure 4, the two cutouts 202 are disposed on each side of the slot 201.
It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the aforementioned application, embodiments and variations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. All statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the invention, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof. In this respect, the following remarks are made.
Hence, some embodiments of the invention may comprise one or a plurality of the following advantages:

it avoids having a V2X antenna inside the housing of the TCU as the prior art which leads to decrease coverage of the horizontal radiations due to reflections of the radiation on the internal electronic components of the TCU, on the TCU housing and on the cross member of the roof etc.,
it provides a TCU with better performance for communicating with other systems as the V2X antenna 12 has better radiation performance, in particular regarding its horizontal radiations Rh,
it provides a TCU with a low profile that addresses the room constraints inside the vehicle 2 for the TCU, in particular in height,
it provides a TCU with a lower cost and lower weight as the V2X antenna is a slot antenna instead of a metal stamped antenna as the prior art.

Claims

Telematics control unit (1) for a vehicle (20), said telematics control unit (1) comprising :
- a metal housing (10),

- a plastic housing (11),

- a V2X antenna (12),

- a V2X module (13) connected to the V2X antenna (12),

- at least one cellular antenna (14),

- an electronic support (15) that is configured to support the V2X module (13),
wherein :
- said metal housing (10) is configured to be attached to a metal cross member (20) of the vehicle (2) and to integrate said V2X antenna (12),

- said V2X antenna (12) is in the form of a slot and is configured to be placed in regards with a slot (200) of the metal cross member (20),

- said at least one cellular antenna (14) is configured to be placed in regards with at least one cutout (202) of the metal cross member (20),

- said plastic housing (11) is configured to close the telematics control unit (1) and to be attached to the metal housing (10).
Telematics control unit (1) according to claim 1, wherein said at least one cellular antenna (14) is printed on the electronic support (15).
Telematics control unit (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said V2X antenna (12) is metal stamped.
Telematics control unit (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said V2X antenna (12) works within a frequency band around 5.9 GHz.
Telematics control unit (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one cellular antenna (14) is configured to resonate according to a range of frequency bands 617 MHz to 4.2GHz or from 703MHz to 5GHz.
Telematics control unit (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said telematics control unit (1) comprises attachment points (16) to the cross member (20) of the vehicle (21).
Telematics control unit (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said V2X module (13) is connected to said V2X antenna (12) with pogo pins, metal pins, springs, or with a flexible PCB transmission line.
Telematics control unit (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said telematics control unit (1) comprises two cellular antennas (14).
Cross member (20) of a vehicle (2), wherein said cross member (20) comprises :
- a body (200) that is configured to be attached to a roof (21) or to be part of said roof (21),

- a slot (201) in the body (200) where a V2X antenna (12) of a telematics control unit (1) can be placed in regards with, said V2X antenna (12) being in the form of a slot,

- at least one cutout (202) in the body (200) where at least one cellular antenna (14) of a telematics control unit (1) in the form of a slot can be placed in regards with.