Adapters for electronic control unit
AssigneeCummins Inc.
InventorsNikhil Pandey, Daniel R. Harshbarger, William D. Meyer, Mark Swain
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An engine control system includes an integrated engine control module assembly having an engine control module and an adapter module. The integrated engine control module assembly further includes a first connector, a second connector, and a hermetic enclosure. The first connector includes a connection circuit configured to connect the integrated engine control module assembly to engine hardware. The second connector is configured to connect the adapter module to engine hardware. The hermetic enclosure houses the engine control module and is configured to protect the engine control module from environmental conditions.
Claims23
An engine control system comprising:
- an integrated engine control module assembly comprising an engine control module and an adapter module;
- a first connector including a connection circuit configured to connect the integrated engine control module assembly to engine hardware;
- a second connector configured to connect the adapter module to engine hardware;
- and
- a hermetic enclosure housing the engine control module and configured to protect the engine control module.
A system comprising:
- an engine control module (ECU) including a microcontroller;
- and
- an ECU adapter module including:
- a first printed circuit board;
- a housing arranged to cover at least the first printed circuit board, the housing comprising at least one ruggedized member configured to protect at least the first printed circuit board;
- and
- a connector comprising at least one flexible circuit and configured to connect the ECU adapter module to the ECU;
- wherein the first printed circuit board includes routing elements arranged such that signals from the microcontroller are directed to connection points on the first printed circuit board so as to communicate with the connector;
- wherein the connector is configured to transmit signals from the first printed circuit board on a first side of the connector to a desired location on a second side of the connector;
- wherein the connector is configured to connect on the first side to a generic pin arrangement;
- and
- wherein the connector is configured to connect on the second side to an application-specific pin arrangement.
A method of integrating an application-specific printed circuit board of an engine control module and a generic receiving component, the method comprising:
- providing a connector configured to connect a first component and a second component, the connector being configured to connect to the first component and the second component;
- disposing the connector between the first component and the second component;
- communicating the first component and the second component via the connector;
- wherein the connector comprises at least one integrated circuit;
- wherein the first component is a generic receiving component and the second component is the application-specific printed circuit board;
- and
- wherein the connector further comprises an integrated pre-routed printed circuit board.
A flexible assembly for an engine control module, comprising:
- a first printed circuit board having a top layer and a bottom layer;
- a ruggedized enclosure housing the printed circuit board;
- and
- integrated mounting points and a connection system on the top layer, which connection system is configured to communicate with a second printed circuit board,
- wherein the connection system comprises at least one of a flexible circuit or a third printed circuit board,
- wherein the at least one of the flexible circuit and the third printed circuit board is configured to re-route signals from the first printed circuit board to the second printed circuit board,
- wherein the second printed circuit board is an application-specific printed circuit board.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.