Electronic control unit
An electronic control unit for a vehicle. The electronic control unit is defined by a housing comprising a cover, a base, a circuit board, a connector and a backup power supply, and means for mounting the cover to the base. A carrier is provided for supporting the backup power supply. The carrier is arranged inside the housing and mounted directly to the base.
1 . An electronic control unit for a vehicle, comprising:
a housing formed by a cover, a base, and a connector, wherein a circuit board is electrically connected to the connector, wherein the base defines a cavity; and
a backup power supply supported on a carrier, wherein the carrier is arranged inside the cavity of the base of the housing and between the base and the circuit board,
wherein the cover, the circuit board, the carrier, and the base each define a plurality of mounting openings, with corresponding openings of the plurality of mounting openings being aligned for receiving a mechanical fastener therethrough for securing together each of the cover, the circuit board, the carrier, and the base.
2 . The electronic control unit for a vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the base is made of a metallic material, and the carrier is made of a nonconductive material.
3 . The electronic control unit for a vehicle as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the carrier is made of a plastic material.
4 . The electronic control unit for a vehicle as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the carrier is fixed directly on the base by the mechanical fastener.
5 . The electronic control unit for a vehicle as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the carrier comprises a carrier base and carrier arms extending substantially vertically from the carrier base.
6 . The electronic control unit for a vehicle as claimed in claim 5 , further including mounting openings disposed in corresponding ends of the carrier arms for mounting the carrier directly to the base.
7 . The electronic control unit for a vehicle as claimed in claim 6 , wherein the carrier arms are directly connected to the circuit board, with the carrier located between the circuit board and the base.
8 . The electronic control unit for a vehicle as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the mechanical fastener is one of a plurality of mechanical fasteners, wherein the cover, the circuit board and the carrier each have mounting openings and the base has mounting bores, wherein the mounting openings of the cover, the circuit board, and the carrier, and the mounting bores of the base are aligned which each other and connected with each other via the plurality of mechanical fasteners to form a sandwich structure.
9 . The electronic control unit for a vehicle as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the mechanical fastener includes a screw.
10 . A method for assembling an electronic control unit for a vehicle wherein the electronic control unit includes: a housing having a cover, a base, a circuit board, a connector, a backup power supply, and screws for mounting the cover to the base; and a carrier arranged inside the housing and mounted directly to the base, wherein the cover, the circuit board, the carrier, and the base each define a plurality of mounting openings, with corresponding openings of the plurality of mounting openings being aligned, the method comprising:
providing the base;
providing the carrier onto the base, the carrier supporting the backup power supply;
providing the circuit board;
electrically connecting the connector to the circuit board;
providing the cover onto the circuit board; and
aligning the mounting openings of the cover, the circuit board, the carrier and the base and connecting the cover, the circuit board, the carrier and the base with screws, thereby securing together each of the cover, the circuit board, the carrier, and the base.