Patent Description:
For example, Patent Literature <NUM> discloses a technique for eliminating cost increase associated with changing an ECU and a base harness according to a popular car and a luxury car or a grade of a vehicle. Specifically, a base harness <NUM> for a low-grade vehicle is connected to an electronic control unit <NUM> for the low-grade vehicle with a connector, a sub harness <NUM> corresponding to a high-grade vehicle is connected to the electronic control unit <NUM> for the low-grade vehicle together with the base harness <NUM> with a connector, and the sub harness <NUM> is connected, with a connector, to a function built-in connector <NUM> that is built-in with an electronic element and can perform multiplex communication. The number of electric wires of the sub harness <NUM> is smaller than the number of electric wires of a location sub harness <NUM> that is led out from the function built-in connector <NUM> to a load side.

In addition, Patent Literature <NUM> shows a technique for forming a vehicle control circuit board using a common printed board even when a correlation between a signal terminal of a microcomputer and a connection terminal of a connector differ. Specifically, the vehicle control circuit board <NUM> selectively includes either a first resistor element <NUM> mounted over a first circuit pattern <NUM> and a second circuit pattern 82a or a second resistor element 7a mounted on the second circuit pattern 82a. The first circuit pattern <NUM> is electrically connected to first signal terminals 921a and 921b of MCU <NUM> and a first connection terminal <NUM> of a connector <NUM>. The second circuit pattern 82a is electrically connected to a second signal terminal 922a of the MCU <NUM> and a second connection terminal 512a of the connector <NUM>.

Patent Literature <NUM> shows in <FIG>, <FIG>, <NUM> and paragraphs [<NUM>]-[<NUM>],[<NUM>]-[<NUM>] an electric junction box to be mounted on a vehicle that is composed of five stacked printed circuit boards. The` circuit provides a first circuit pattern corresponding to a first power supply voltage and having a connection portion to connect to an external input power feed. The circuit provides also a second circuit pattern corresponding to a second power supply voltage and also having a connection portion to connect to another external input power feed. Furthermore the circuit provides also a plurality of fuses, one for each of the output power supply lines.

In recent vehicles, it is necessary to easily cope with Mobility as a-Service (MaaS) and CASE. MaaS is a concept for seamlessly connecting a mobile service across a plurality of transportation such as a train, a bus, and an airplane when people transfer with the transportation and move. CASE represents "connected (a vehicle connected to a net)", "autonomous (automated driving)", "shared & service (car sharing and new service)", and "electric (conversion to an electric vehicle)" in an automobile industry.

In order to cope with MaaS and CASE, it is expected that types and the number of functions mounted on the vehicle will increase significantly in the future. In addition, it is expected that the number of types of system components forming an in-vehicle function is very large depending on a grade of the vehicle and a specification difference of functions to be mounted.

Therefore, it is important for a component manufacturer that manufactures the system component for each vehicle to easily absorb an influence of the specification difference for each vehicle, to shorten a development period of each system component, and to reduce reworking of main components and an increase in the number of types. Therefore, it is necessary to develop techniques as disclosed in Patent Literature <NUM> and Patent Literature <NUM>.

In recent vehicles, for the purpose of efficient use of power supply power, a plurality of power supplies may be mounted on the same vehicle, and a plurality of types of voltages such as <NUM> V and <NUM> V may be handled as power supply voltages at the same time. In addition, such a vehicle is often mounted with a DC/DC converter that steps down or steps up the power supply voltage. That is, by mounting the DC/DC converter, each device mounted on the vehicle as a load can simultaneously or selectively use a plurality of in-vehicle power supplies having different voltages.

In addition, since cost of the vehicle increases when a plurality of in-vehicle power supplies are mounted, there is a high possibility that a plurality of in-vehicle power supplies are mounted on a vehicle having a relatively high grade as described above and only a single in-vehicle power supply is mounted on a vehicle having a low grade. Therefore, in a case of manufacturing an ECU that supplies power supply power to each part of the vehicle, it is necessary to individually design and manufacture an electrical circuit that implements a function corresponding to a mixture of two types of power supply voltages and an electrical circuit that implements a function corresponding to only a single power supply voltage.

Therefore, also for a circuit board (printed board) on which an electronic component of the ECU is mounted, it is necessary to prepare a circuit board corresponding to a mixture of two types of power supply voltages and a circuit board corresponding to only the single power supply voltage as individual components. These components of the circuit boards have circuit patterns whose positions and shapes are different from each other because circuit configurations are different from each other. Further, these circuit boards are managed under different part numbers.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an electrical circuit board capable of sharing components of a circuit board for a plurality of types of electrical circuits having different types of power supply voltages.

The object of the present invention is achieved with the following configuration.

An electrical circuit board on which an electronic control unit is formed, the electrical circuit board comprising:.

According to the electrical circuit board of the present invention, components of the circuit board can be shared among a plurality of types of electrical circuits having different types of power supply voltages. Therefore, it is possible to reduce types and part numbers of the circuit board, and it is possible to reduce management cost. In addition, since a common circuit board can be used in a plurality of types of devices, it is possible to reduce a unit price of the circuit board by increasing a quantity. Further, it is possible to reduce development man-hours when a circuit change is required.

The present invention has been briefly described above. Further, details of the present invention will be clarified by reading a mode (hereinafter, referred to as an "embodiment") for carrying out the invention to be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

A specific embodiment according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

<FIG> is a plan view showing an outline of an electrical circuit board <NUM> according to the embodiment of the present invention.

The electrical circuit board <NUM> shown in <FIG> is a component formed by attaching a conductor such as a copper foil to each layer such as a front surface and a back surface of a substrate formed of an electrically insulating resin or the like, similarly to a printed board used in a general electrical circuit. In addition, the conductor of each layer forms a circuit pattern having a complicated shape so that a specific electronic circuit can be easily formed.

That is, a position, shape, thickness, and the like of each circuit pattern are designed in accordance with a configuration of the specific electronic circuit and a mounting layout of each electronic component so that electronic components mounted on each part on the electrical circuit board <NUM> are electrically connected to each other via the circuit pattern to form an electronic circuit that performs a predetermined function.

In the electrical circuit board <NUM> shown in <FIG>, a first circuit pattern P1 indicated by a solid line and a second circuit pattern P2 indicated by a broken line are formed.

Use of the electrical circuit board <NUM> shown in <FIG> is a circuit board required to form an electrical component such as a zone ECU mounted on a vehicle. In addition, there are various types of vehicles on which zone ECUs are mounted with respect to grades and the like, and these have slightly different design specifications.

Specifically, a type of power supply that can be supplied by a vehicle side may be a single power supply having an output voltage specification of <NUM> V or a plurality of power supplies having output voltage specifications of <NUM> V and <NUM> V.

The electrical circuit board <NUM> shown in <FIG> is designed as a special component that can be commonly used both in a case of the single power supply having the output voltage specification of <NUM> V on the vehicle side and in a case of a plurality of power supplies having the output voltage specifications of <NUM> V and <NUM> V.

Specifically, the first circuit pattern P1 in the electrical circuit board <NUM> is used to form an electrical circuit corresponding to a case where the output voltage specification on the vehicle side is a single power supply of <NUM> V In addition, the second circuit pattern P2 in the electrical circuit board <NUM> is used to form an electrical circuit corresponding to a case where the output voltage specifications on the vehicle side are a plurality of power supplies of <NUM> V and <NUM> V That is, since the electrical circuit board <NUM> includes both the first circuit pattern P1 and the second circuit pattern P2, the electrical circuit board <NUM> can be used as a common component for forming a plurality of types of zone ECUs.

<FIG> shows a configuration example of a zone ECU 10A for a single power supply formed by using the electrical circuit board <NUM> shown in <FIG>. That is, the zone ECU 10A is formed by mounting various electronic components necessary for forming the zone ECU 10A on the electrical circuit board <NUM> and electrically connecting the electronic components to each other.

The zone ECU 10A has a function of managing various electrical components in a zone on the vehicle. Specifically, the zone ECU 10A has a function of distributing and supplying power supply power supplied from an in-vehicle power supply on an upstream side to various electrical components on a downstream side. In addition, it is also possible to switch on and off power supply for each electrical component, or to automatically adjust distribution of the power supply in accordance with a priority of each electrical component.

As shown in <FIG>, the zone ECU 10A includes a control unit (CPU: microcomputer) <NUM>, an input circuit <NUM>, an output circuit <NUM>, an internal power supply circuit <NUM>, fuse holders 16A, 16B, and 16C, an input and output connector <NUM>, a communication connector <NUM>, a ground connection portion <NUM>, and power supply output connectors 22A, 22B, and 22C.

That is, the above-described various electronic components are mounted on the electrical circuit board <NUM>, and the respective circuits are connected to each other by soldering or the like. Predetermined fuses 23A, 23B, and 23C are mounted on the fuse holders 16A, 16B, and 16C, respectively.

In addition, as shown in <FIG>, in addition to the first circuit pattern P1 and the second circuit pattern P2, an inter-board connection (BtoB) portion <NUM> is present on the electrical circuit board <NUM>. However, since inter-board connection is not necessary in the zone ECU 10A, the inter-board connection portion <NUM> is in an unused state in a state of <FIG>. In <FIG>, used portions of the first circuit pattern P1 and the second circuit pattern P2 are indicated by solid lines, and unused portions are indicated by broken lines.

In the zone ECU 10A shown in <FIG>, an upstream power supply line <NUM> on the vehicle side is connected to a power supply input connector <NUM>. The upstream power supply line <NUM> supplies the zone ECU 10A with DC power supply power having a voltage of <NUM> V supplied from the in-vehicle power supply (an in-vehicle battery or the like). The zone ECU 10A and various electrical components connected to a downstream side of the zone ECU 10A are operated by the power supply power.

The control unit <NUM> performs control for implementing various functions required for the zone ECU 10A by executing a program incorporated in advance by the microcomputer.

The input circuit <NUM> can process electrical signals input from various sensors, switches, and the like on the vehicle side via the input and output connector <NUM> and provide the electrical signals to the control unit <NUM>.

The output circuit <NUM> has a plurality of semiconductor switch circuits built-in, and can control various electrical components connected to a downstream side of the input and output connector <NUM> as a load in accordance with an electrical signal output by the control unit <NUM>. In addition, the output circuit <NUM> includes a <NUM> V corresponding portion 14a and a <NUM> V corresponding portion 14b. The <NUM> V corresponding portion 14a controls supply of power supply power to a load that operates at a power supply voltage of <NUM> V The <NUM> V corresponding portion 14b controls supply of power supply power to a load that operates at a power supply voltage of <NUM> V.

As shown in <FIG>, power input terminals of the 12V corresponding portion 14a and the 48V corresponding portion 14b are connected to the first circuit pattern P1 and the second circuit pattern P2, respectively. A diode D1 is connected between the first circuit pattern P1 and the second circuit pattern P2. The diode D1 allows energization in a direction from the first circuit pattern P1 toward the second circuit pattern P2, and blocks current in an opposite direction.

That is, when electric power is not supplied to the second circuit pattern P2 from an outside as in the zone ECU 10A of <FIG>, the power supply power supplied to the first circuit pattern P1 is supplied to input of the 48V corresponding portion 14b via the diode D1 and the second circuit pattern P2.

In addition, the power supply input connector <NUM>, the internal power supply circuit <NUM>, and the three fuse holders 16A to 16C are connected to the first circuit pattern P1.

Terminals at central portions of the fuse holders 16A to 16C are connected to the power supply output connectors 22A to 22C via the first circuit pattern P1. The power supply output connectors 22A, 22B, and 22C are used to supply power supply power having a voltage of <NUM> V to power supply trunk lines of three systems connected to a downstream side, respectively.

A communication line of the control unit <NUM> is connected to the communication connector <NUM> via the first circuit pattern P1. A communication line <NUM> on the vehicle side is connected to the communication connector <NUM>. Therefore, the control unit <NUM> of the zone ECU 10A can communicate with other ECUs on the vehicle via the communication connector <NUM> and the communication line <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a configuration example of a zone ECU 10B for a plurality of power supplies formed by using the electrical circuit board <NUM> shown in <FIG>. That is, the zone ECU 10B is formed by mounting various electronic components necessary for forming the zone ECU 10B on the electrical circuit board <NUM> and electrically connecting the electronic components to each other.

Basic functions of the zone ECU 10B shown in <FIG> are similar as those of the zone ECU 10A shown in <FIG>. A large difference between the two types of zone ECUs 10A and 10B is a difference in power supply specifications on the upstream side. That is, in the case of the zone ECU 10A of <FIG>, the power supply power having a voltage of <NUM> V is supplied from the upstream power supply line <NUM> on the vehicle side to the power supply input connector <NUM>, whereas in the case of the zone ECU 10B of <FIG>, two types of power supply power having voltages of <NUM> V and <NUM> V are supplied from output of a DC/DC converter <NUM> to the inter-board connection portion <NUM> of the zone ECU 10B via an inter-board connection cable <NUM>.

The DC/DC converter <NUM> shown in <FIG> includes a DC/DC circuit unit <NUM> that converts power supply power having a voltage of <NUM> V into power supply power stepped down to <NUM> V Elements of the DC/DC circuit unit <NUM>, a connector <NUM>, an inter-board connection portion <NUM>, a 48V ground <NUM>, and a 12V ground <NUM> are mounted on an electrical circuit board 40a.

When the zone ECU 10B shown in <FIG> is mounted on the vehicle, DC power supply power of <NUM> V is supplied from a predetermined in-vehicle power supply to the connector <NUM> of the DC/DC converter <NUM> via a power supply line <NUM>. Then, the power supply power of <NUM> V input to the DC/DC converter <NUM> and power supply power of <NUM> V generated by the DC/DC circuit unit <NUM> inside the DC/DC converter <NUM> are output to the inter-board connection cable <NUM> via the inter-board connection portion <NUM>.

Therefore, in the case of the zone ECU 10B shown in <FIG>, it is necessary to design the zone ECU 10B so as to receive two types of power supply power of <NUM> V and <NUM> V supplied from the inter-board connection cable <NUM> of the DC/DC converter <NUM>.

In the zone ECU 10B shown in <FIG>, two types of power supply power can be received from the inter-board connection cable <NUM> by mounting a component of a predetermined BtoB (Board-to-Board) connector on the inter-board connection portion <NUM> of the electrical circuit board <NUM>.

In addition, since the first circuit pattern P1 and the second circuit pattern P2 are actually disposed at positions of the inter-board connection portions <NUM>, the power supply power of <NUM> V is supplied to the first circuit pattern P1 via the inter-board connection cable <NUM> and the inter-board connection portions <NUM>. In addition, the power supply power of <NUM> V is supplied to the second circuit pattern P2 via the inter-board connection cable <NUM> and the inter-board connection portion <NUM>. In addition, the inter-board connection portion <NUM> is connected to a 48V ground G1 and a 12V ground G2, respectively.

In the zone ECU 10B shown in <FIG>, the power supply output connectors 22A, 22B, and 22C have a function of supplying power supply power of <NUM> V, <NUM> V, and <NUM> V to power supply lines of the trunk lines of the three systems, respectively.

Therefore, positions in the fuse holders 16B and 16C to which the fuses 23B and 23C are mounted are different between the two types of zone ECUs 10A and 10B. In addition, since the power supply voltages supplied to the trunk lines of the respective systems are different from each other, specifications of currents cut off by the respective fuses 23B and 23C are also changed.

The power supply output connector 22A shown in <FIG> is connected to the first circuit pattern P1 via the fuse 23A and the fuse holder 16A. The power supply output connector 22B is connected to the second circuit pattern P2 via the fuse 23B and the fuse holder 16B. The power supply output connector 22C is connected to the second circuit pattern P2 via the fuse 23C and the fuse holder 16C.

In the zone ECU 10B shown in <FIG>, the power supply power of <NUM> V is supplied to input of the 12V corresponding portion 14a via the first circuit pattern P1. The power supply power of <NUM> V is supplied to input of the 48V corresponding portion 14b via the second circuit pattern P2.

In any case, the zone ECU 10A shown in <FIG> and the zone ECU 10B shown in <FIG> can be manufactured by using the electrical circuit board <NUM> that is a common component.

<FIG> are plan views showing configuration examples in the vicinity of the fuse holder <NUM> (16A to 16C). The fuse holder <NUM> has three in-holder regions 16a, 16b, and 16c arranged in a left-right direction, and has terminals (not shown) for connecting to the fuses <NUM> in the respective regions.

The fuse <NUM> can be mounted at a position (first mounting position) in a state of straddling the two in-holder regions 16a and 16b as shown in <FIG>, or can be mounted at a position (second mounting position) in a state of straddling the two in-holder regions 16b and 16c as shown in <FIG>.

A terminal of the in-holder region 16a of the fuse holder <NUM> is connected to a <NUM> V power supply line of the first circuit pattern P1 in <FIG> via a circuit pattern P01. A terminal of the in-holder region 16c of the fuse holder <NUM> is connected to a <NUM> V power supply line of the second circuit pattern P2 in <FIG> via a circuit pattern P02. A terminal of the in-holder region 16b of the fuse holder <NUM> is connected to any one of the power supply output connectors 22A to 22C via a circuit pattern P03.

Therefore, when the fuse <NUM> is mounted at the first mounting position as shown in <FIG>, the circuit pattern P01 is connected to any one of the power supply output connectors 22A to 22C via a terminal portion 23a, the fuse <NUM>, a terminal portion 23b, and the circuit pattern P03.

In addition, when the fuse <NUM> is mounted at the second mounting position as shown in <FIG>, the circuit pattern P02 is connected to any one of the power supply output connectors 22A to 22C via the terminal portion 23a, the fuse <NUM>, the terminal portion 23b, and the circuit pattern P03.

That is, by changing a mounting position of the fuse <NUM> in each fuse holder <NUM> without changing the circuit pattern, a type (<NUM> V or <NUM> V) of the power supply voltage output to each of the power supply output connectors 22A to 22C on the downstream side can be switched.

<FIG> is a plan view showing a zone ECU 10C according to a comparative example. <FIG> is a plan view showing a zone ECU 10D according to a comparative example.

Similarly to the zone ECU 10A of <FIG>, the zone ECU 10C shown in <FIG> is designed on the premise that the power supply power of <NUM> V is supplied from the vehicle side to the power supply input connector <NUM>. However, connection to another board is not assumed, and a possibility that a voltage of <NUM> V is supplied as the power supply power on the upstream side is not assumed.

Therefore, the zone ECU 10C of <FIG> is formed by mounting each component on a dedicated electrical circuit board <NUM> on which only the circuit pattern P3 dedicated to <NUM> V is formed.

Similarly to the zone ECU 10B of <FIG>, the zone ECU 10D shown in <FIG> is designed on the premise that the zone ECU 10D is connected to the DC/DC converter <NUM> by inter-board connection and the power supply power of <NUM> V and <NUM> V is respectively supplied from the upstream side.

Therefore, the zone ECU 10D of <FIG> is formed by mounting each component on a dedicated electrical circuit board <NUM> on which only a dedicated circuit pattern P4 corresponding to both the power supply voltages of <NUM> V and <NUM> V is formed.

That is, when the zone ECU 10C shown in <FIG> and the zone ECU 10D shown in <FIG> are manufactured, it is necessary to individually prepare the electrical circuit boards <NUM> and <NUM> as dedicated components independent of each other.

As described above, when the electrical circuit board <NUM> shown in <FIG> is used, the electrical circuit board <NUM> can be used as a common component, and both the zone ECU 10A shown in <FIG> and the zone ECU 10B shown in <FIG> can be manufactured.

Therefore, when a plurality of types of zone ECUs 10A and 10B having different power supply specifications are manufactured, types and part numbers of the electrical circuit board <NUM> can be reduced. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce management cost of the part numbers. In addition, since the number of the electrical circuit boards <NUM> of the same type used is increased, it is possible to reduce a unit price of a component of the electrical circuit boards <NUM>. In addition, when design of the zone ECU or the like is changed, it is not necessary to individually design each power supply specification, and development man-hours can be reduced.

When the fuse holder <NUM> capable of selectively changing the mounting position of the fuse <NUM> is mounted on the electrical circuit board <NUM> as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the voltage of the power supply power supplied to the downstream side of each of the power supply output connectors 22A to 22C can be switched only by changing the mounting position of the fuse <NUM>. Therefore, it is easy to cope with a change of a specification of the power supply voltage.

In the embodiment described above, a case of the electrical circuit board <NUM> used for manufacturing the zone ECUs 10A and 10B is assumed, but the electrical circuit board of the present invention can be used for various types of electrical components mounted on the vehicle and various electrical components used in that other than the vehicle.

Here, features of the electrical circuit board according to the embodiment of the present invention described above will be briefly summarized and listed in the following [<NUM>] to [<NUM>].

According to the electrical circuit board having a configuration of the above [<NUM>], the first circuit pattern can be used to form a first electrical circuit corresponding to the single power supply voltage, and the second circuit pattern can be used to form a second electrical circuit corresponding to a plurality of power supply voltages. That is, a common circuit board can be used as it is in both a case where the first electrical circuit is formed and a case where the second electrical circuit is formed. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the types and the part numbers of the circuit board, and it is possible to reduce management cost. In addition, since the common circuit board can be used in a plurality of types of devices, it is possible to reduce a unit price of the circuit board by increasing a quantity. In addition, it is possible to reduce the development man-hours when a circuit change is required.

[<NUM>] The electrical circuit board according to [<NUM>], further including:.

According to the electrical circuit board having a configuration of the above [<NUM>], it is possible to implement a function of cutting off a current of any one of a plurality of circuits having different power supply voltages to be handled by changing the mounting position of the fuse by using the common fuse holder. Therefore, when a specification of the power supply voltage to be output to a load side is switched, it is not necessary to replace components of the fuse holder.

[<NUM>] The electrical circuit board according to [<NUM>], in which
the first mounting position and the second mounting position of the fuse holder are disposed at adjacent positions in a state where the first mounting position and the second mounting position partially overlap each other (see <FIG>).

According to the electrical circuit board having a configuration of the above [<NUM>], since the first mounting position and the second mounting position are disposed at the adjacent positions in a state where the first mounting position and the second mounting position partially overlap each other, it is possible to provide a function for switching a plurality of circuits without increasing a size of an outer shape of the fuse holder too much.

[<NUM>] The electrical circuit board according to [<NUM>] or [<NUM>], further including:.

According to the electrical circuit board having a configuration of the above [<NUM>], current flowing through each of the plurality of power supply lines of the trunk lines connected to the downstream side can be individually cut off by the fuse mounted on each of the plurality of fuse holders. In addition, it is possible to supply power supply power having voltages different from each other to a plurality of independent power supply lines.

[<NUM>] The electrical circuit board according to any one of [<NUM>] to [<NUM>], further including:.

Claim 1:
An electrical circuit board (<NUM>) on which an electronic control unit (10A, 10B) is formed, the electrical circuit board (<NUM>) comprising:
a first circuit pattern (P1) that forms an electrical circuit corresponding to a single first power supply voltage;
a single power supply connection portion (<NUM>) suitable to be connected with an upstream power supply line (<NUM>) that supplies the single first power supply voltage, wherein the single power supply connection portion (<NUM>) is connected to the first circuit pattern (P1);
a second circuit pattern (P2) that forms an electrical circuit corresponding to a plurality of second power supply voltages;
an inter-board connection portion (<NUM>) suitable to be connected with a second circuit board (40a), the second circuit board (40a) being able to supply a power supply voltage from a second power supply line (<NUM>) and a power supply voltage from the second power supply line (<NUM>) converted by a DC/DC circuit unit (<NUM>);
wherein the inter-board connection portion (<NUM>) is connected to the first (P1) and the second circuit pattern (P2);
the electrical circuit board (<NUM>) further comprising:
a plurality of fuse holders (16A to 16C) independent from each other, wherein
in each fuse holder (16A to 16C), a predetermined fuse (<NUM>) is mounted, and
each fuse holder (16A to 16C) has a first mounting position in which the fuse (<NUM>) is connectable to the first circuit pattern (P1) and a second mounting position in which the fuse (<NUM>) is connectable to the second circuit pattern (P2); and
a plurality of trunk line connection portions (22A to 22C) for connecting to a plurality of downstream power supply trunk lines, wherein
each of the plurality of trunk line connection portions (22A to 22C) is connected to the fuse holders (16A to 16C).