Abstract:
A gearbox control module for a gearbox comprises an electronic component with an electronic circuit configured to control the gearbox, electrical connections and a module carrier. The electronics component and the electrical connections are mounted on the module carrier, and the module carrier is a cover configured to sealingly close off an interior of the gearbox.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The invention relates to a gearbox control module and to a gearbox for a vehicle. 
       BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    For the control of automatic gearboxes, use is made of electronic controllers which are either arranged in the interior of the gearbox housing (integrated control unit) or are mounted onto the gearbox housing from the outside (attachment control unit). 
         [0003]    Attachment control units can have the advantage over integrated control units that they are subjected to lower temperatures and can thus be designed to be cheaper. It can however be a disadvantage that attachment control units take up a very large amount of structural space in the engine bay, and the outlay for leading electrical lines from the outside to the sensors and actuators situated in the interior of the gearbox is higher. 
         [0004]    Integrated control units are generally constructed as so-called electronic control modules and may comprise an electronic circuit or an electronics component (“transmission control unit”, TCU), sensors, at least one plug connection for connecting to the vehicle wiring loom, and electrical interfaces for the activation of actuators. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    It is the object of the invention to provide a gearbox control module which is easy to construct and easy to cool. 
         [0006]    Said object is achieved by means of the subject matter of the independent claims. Further embodiments of the invention will emerge from the dependent claims and from the following description. 
         [0007]    One aspect of the invention relates to a gearbox control module for a gearbox. 
         [0008]    In one embodiment of the invention, the gearbox control module comprises an electronics component with an electronic circuit for controlling the gearbox, electrical connections for example for connecting the electronics component to a wiring loom (for example in the engine bay) and/or for connecting the electronics component to the gearbox (for example via lines in the interior of the gearbox) and a module carrier on which the electronics component and the electrical connections are mounted. The module carrier is designed as a cover for sealingly closing off a gearbox interior. 
         [0009]    In other words, the module carrier can simultaneously perform the function of a cover or of an oil pan for the gearbox. It is possible in this way for one component (cover or oil pan) to be omitted, and it is ensured that an outer side of the gearbox control module is situated in the relatively cool engine bay. Since the gearbox control module can also perform the function of a cover and some of its components are arranged in the interior of the gearbox, it is possible for the gearbox control module to have a small structural space requirement in the engine bay. With the gearbox control module, the outlay in terms of assembly and the number of individual parts required can be reduced. 
         [0010]    Here, the low cabling outlay for a control unit integrated into the gearbox can be maintained: in general, it is merely necessary for the electrical lines from the electronics component (TCU) to the vehicle wiring loom to be led out of the gearbox interior into the engine bay in a sealed manner. This may be achieved for example by means of a gearbox plug connector. 
         [0011]    The module carrier has the function of mechanically holding and supporting all of the components of the gearbox control module. The module carrier may be produced from plastic or from a metallic substrate (for example aluminum). With the covering of the gearbox by means of the module carrier, it can be achieved that the gearbox interior is separated from the engine bay in a manner impermeable to gearbox oil. The module carrier may be of oil-impermeable design and has, for example, no bores or other cutouts that are not closed off. 
         [0012]    In one embodiment of the invention, the module carrier comprises a module carrier plate. The cover can thus form a substantially areal lid which can be mounted on the gearbox by way of a flange of the gearbox housing. The module carrier or the module carrier plate may thus have an inner surface facing toward the gearbox interior and an outer surface facing toward the engine bay. Some of the components of the gearbox control module, which are intended to be arranged in the interior of the gearbox, may be mounted on the inner surface. By way of the outer surface, the gearbox control module can release heat into the engine bay. 
         [0013]    In one embodiment of the invention, the gearbox control module comprises a gearbox plug connector for the connection of a wiring loom to the gearbox control module. The gearbox plug connector is integrated into the module carrier for example through an opening or cutout in the module carrier. In this way, the gearbox plug connector can be installed already during the production of the gearbox control module, without mechanical tolerance compensation. 
         [0014]    With the integrated gearbox plug connector, it is also possible for the mechanical outlay for the connection to the vehicle wiring loom to be reduced. Tolerance compensation that is required for conventional control units for the installation of the plug connector during the installation of the gearbox control module into the gearbox housing can be dispensed with, because the plug connector can be integrated directly in the module carrier. 
         [0015]    The gearbox plug connector normally has the function of producing an interface from the electronics component (TCU) in the gearbox interior to the vehicle wiring loom in the engine bay. 
         [0016]    The plug connector may be installed, as a separate part, into the module carrier plate. In the case of the module carrier being formed from plastic, the plug connector may also be injection-molded directly into the module carrier. 
         [0017]    In one embodiment of the invention, the gearbox plug connector, as a separate part, is installed sealingly into a cutout in the module carrier. 
         [0018]    In one embodiment of the invention, the gearbox plug connector is injection-molded into the module carrier. 
         [0019]    In one embodiment of the invention, the electronics component is arranged on an inner side of the module carrier and the electronics component is thermally connected to the module carrier. The gearbox control module can utilize the low ambient temperature of the engine bay for the cooling of the electronics of the electronics component. The electronics component (TCU) may be thermally connected to the module carrier such that power losses can be dissipated out into the relatively cool engine bay. 
         [0020]    The cooling surface of the gearbox control module (for example the outer side of the module carrier) may be situated outside the gearbox. Via the module carrier, the heat can be released to the relatively cool engine bay environment. This can result in significantly lower outlay for the cooling of the electronics. 
         [0021]    The electronics component (TCU) and the electrical connections thereof may be arranged in the interior of the gearbox. Accordingly, it is possible for all components to be connected to interfaces within the gearbox with low cabling outlay. 
         [0022]    Aside from the electronics component (TCU) and the gearbox plug connector, it is possible for electrical connections, sensors and an intermediate plug connector to be integrated into the gearbox control module: said elements may be installed on the inner side of the module carrier. The electrical connection means and/or the electrical connections may also serve for the connection of the components of the gearbox control module to one another. The intermediate plug connector may be used for the connection of an electrical line from the interior of the gearbox. 
         [0023]    In one embodiment of the invention, the module carrier is in the form of a printed circuit board or an insert-molded lead frame. In this way, the functions of the components of electrical connection means (that is to say the electrical connections) and module carrier can be integrated in one component. Said component performs the function of the cover of the gearbox. For example, in this embodiment, the gearbox plug connector is likewise integrated into said component. 
         [0024]    In one embodiment of the invention, a motor control component for an electric motor of the gearbox is mounted on an outer side of the module carrier. If an electric motor is required for the gearbox, it may be expedient for the electronic components for the actuation thereof to be mounted on the outer side of the gearbox control module. Aside from the lower temperatures, this may have the advantage that said components do not need to be protected from gearbox oil. Since said components are normally connected in series in the electrical line, the number of lines that are led into the gearbox interior in an oil-impermeable manner does not need to change. 
         [0025]    A further aspect of the invention relates to a gearbox for a vehicle, for example an automatic gearbox. 
         [0026]    In one embodiment of the invention, the gearbox comprises a housing with an opening (for example for the leadthrough of electrical lines into an interior of the gearbox) and comprises a gearbox control module, such as is described above and below, which sealingly closes off the opening. 
         [0027]    The gearbox control module can be produced by a supplier independently of the final assembly process for the gearbox. The gearbox manufacturer can install the gearbox control module into its gearbox in a simple manner. Since the opening is also closed off when the gearbox control module is installed, the assembly process is simplified. 
         [0028]    In one embodiment of the invention, the gearbox also comprises a hydraulics control module. The gearbox may comprise hydraulic components which are actuated by the hydraulics module, which in turn can be actuated by the gearbox control module. The opening in the gearbox housing may be delimited by a flange to which the gearbox control module is connected. The hydraulics control module may be mounted on the flange between the gearbox control module and the opening. In this way, the hydraulics control module is installed in a space-saving manner in the gearbox so as to be covered by the gearbox control module. 
         [0029]    In this way, the positioning of the gearbox control module in the gearbox can also be simplified because the gearbox control module is connected directly to the gearbox housing, and is not connected indirectly to the gearbox housing via the hydraulics control module. 
         [0030]    Exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described in detail below with reference to the appended figures. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0031]      FIG. 1  shows a detail from a gearbox according to one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0032]      FIG. 2  shows a detail from a gearbox according to a further embodiment of the invention. 
           [0033]      FIG. 3  shows a detail from a gearbox according to a further embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
       [0034]    Identical or similar parts are basically denoted by the same reference signs. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
       [0035]      FIG. 1  shows a detail of a gearbox  10  which is enclosed by a gearbox housing  12 . The gearbox housing  12  divides an interior  14  of the gearbox  12  from an engine bay  16 . 
         [0036]    The gearbox housing  12  comprises a two-step flange  18 , in the interior of which there is installed a hydraulics control module  20 . The hydraulics control module  20  is seated on an internal shoulder of the flange  18  and is screwed to the flange  18  there. The gearbox  10  can be hydraulically actuated by means of the hydraulics control module  20  arranged in the interior of the gearbox housing  12 . Instead of hydraulic actuation, an electromechanical actuation system may also be used for the gearbox. 
         [0037]    At an external shoulder of the flange  18 , a gearbox control module  22  is seated on the flange  18  and is screwed to the flange  18  there. 
         [0038]    The gearbox control module  22  comprises a carrier plate into which there is integrated a gearbox plug connector  26 , and on the inner side  28  of which there is mounted an electronics component (TCU)  30 . arranged in the interior of the gearbox housing. 
         [0039]    The gearbox plug connector  26  is led through a cutout or opening in the carrier plate  24  and is installed on the carrier plate  24  by means of a sealing ring  32  such that the opening is closed off in an oil-impermeable manner. By means of the gearbox plug connector  26 , the gearbox control module  22  can be electrically connected to a wiring loom of the vehicle in which the gearbox  10  is installed. 
         [0040]    The electronics component  30  and an electrical connection means  34  with electrical lines  34  are mounted on the inner side  28  of the gearbox control module  22 . A sensor  36  and an intermediate plug connector may also be mounted there. The sensor  36  projects through an opening  38  in the gearbox housing  12 , through which opening electrical lines can also be led into the interior of the gearbox  10 , and which opening is surrounded by the flange  18 . 
         [0041]    On the inner side of the gearbox control module  22 , there may also be mounted on the gearbox control module  22  an intermediate plug connector, for connecting to an electrical line in the interior of the gearbox  10 , and an actuator contact, for connecting to an actuator of the gearbox  10 . 
         [0042]    Components, such as for example the components  20 ,  30 ,  34 ,  36 , in the gearbox interior  14  are situated entirely or partially directly in the gearbox oil (ATF) and may be exposed to the temperatures (−40 . . . +150° C.) that prevail in the gearbox  10 . Components outside the gearbox  10  in the engine bay  16  may be exposed to temperatures of up to approximately 120° C. An outer surface  40  of the carrier plate  24  can thus serve as a cooling surface for the gearbox control module  22 . For better heat conduction, the electronics component is connected in thermally conductive fashion to the carrier plate  24  and can be cooled by the latter. 
         [0043]      FIG. 2  shows a gearbox control module  22  in which the electrical connections  34  are integrated into the carrier plate  24 . The gearbox plug connector  26  and the electronics component  30  are cast into the carrier plate  24 . 
         [0044]      FIG. 3  shows a gearbox control module  22 , on the outer side  40  of which there is mounted a motor control component  42  which comprises actuation components for an electric motor of the gearbox  10 . For the actuation of the motor, an input filter, and also a B6 bridge in the case of an EC motor, are required. The input filter is composed of capacitors, coils and field-effect transistors. 
         [0045]    It is additionally pointed out that the expression “comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps, and the expressions “a” or “an” do not exclude a multiplicity. Furthermore, it is pointed out that features or steps that have been described with reference to one of the above exemplary embodiments may also be used in combination with other features or steps of other exemplary embodiments described above. Reference signs in the claims are not to be regarded as being restrictive.