Patent Description:
With the development of Internet of Vehicles technologies, more vehicles have a function to communicate with a base station. In such cases, an in-vehicle telematics box (telematics box, T-Box) is generally disposed on the vehicle. The in-vehicle telematics box communicates with the base station, and each controller on the vehicle communicates with the in-vehicle telematics box through a gateway, so that each controller indirectly communicates with the base station.

However, disposition of a separate in-vehicle telematics box results in increased manufacturing costs and affects arrangement of other vehicle components because the in-vehicle telematics box occupies specific configuration space. <CIT> discloses a vehicle-mounted unit, and the unit comprises a first printed circuit board and a second printed circuit board; the first printed circuit board comprises an SOC (System on Chip) and an MCU (Microprogrammed Control Unit), wherein the SOC is used for supporting a protocol stack of V2X communication and carrying out transceiving and upper-layer processing of related data, andthe MCU is used for expanding a communication interface; the second printed circuit board comprises a communication module which is used for realizing V2X communication and positioning a vehicle, andis also used for supporting a T-BOX function; the communication module is compatible with and supports <NUM> and <NUM> communication in packaging. Because V2X communication and a traditional T-BOX functioncan be realized by the same vehicle-mounted unit, a user does not need to adopt an independent vehicle-mounted unit and an independent T-BOX respectively, so the space in the vehicle is saved. The same package of the communication module in the second printed circuit board can compatibly support <NUM> and <NUM> communication, so the switching between the <NUM> communication and the <NUM> communication can berealized without changing the hardware of the vehicle-mounted unit, and the convenience is very high. <CIT> discloses a display device comprises: a lower frame SF holding a display panel DP; a first circuit board CB1 provided with a connector CN having a connector lock mechanism, the first circuit board CB1 being arranged on the side face of the lower frame; another second circuit board CB2 arranged on the rear face of the lower frame; an upper frame UF covering the side face of the lower frame from a peripheral part of the display panel; and a substrate cover BC covering the second circuit board and provided with an insertion part <NUM> in which a part of the substrate cover is inserted between the upper frame and the connector. The tip shape of the insertion part is configured such that it contacts the connector lock mechanism of the connector only locally.

This application provides a circuit board, a controller assembly, a controller, a control method, and a vehicle, to reduce manufacturing costs of the vehicle and facilitate in-vehicle communication apparatus miniaturization.

According to a first aspect of this application, a vehicle controller is provided, including: a first circuit board, where a first connector is disposed on the first circuit board; a radio frequency module, disposed on the first circuit board; a control chip, disposed on the first circuit board; and a second circuit board, where a second connector is disposed on the second circuit board. The first circuit board is detachably mounted to the second circuit board through a connection between the first connector and the second connector.

By using the foregoing controller, a radio frequency module configured to communicate with a base station is integrated into a control module of the controller. Therefore, a T-box does not need to be separately disposed to communicate with the base station, to reduce space and costs. For example, costs of manufacturing a T-box housing and the like are reduced, and wiring costs for connecting the T-box to an in-vehicle gateway and the like are reduced. In addition, the radio frequency module is mounted to the first circuit board with the control chip, so that a volume of the controller is not greatly increased because a communication function is integrated, thereby facilitating in-vehicle device miniaturization. To be specific, generally, the control module occupies small space in the controller, and there is sufficient space around the control module. Therefore, even if the radio frequency module is added on the first circuit board, an overall volume of the controller is not easy to greatly increase, and an external volume of the overall controller can almost remain unchanged. Therefore, the foregoing structure is used, and the volume of the controller is not greatly increased because the communication function is integrated, thereby facilitating in-vehicle device miniaturization.

In addition, the first circuit board is detachably mounted to the second circuit board through the connection between the first connector and the second connector, that is, the first circuit board is detachably mounted to the second circuit board. Therefore, when the control chip needs to be replaced due to maintenance or upgrade, only the control module (the first circuit board) needs to be removed from the second circuit board and the control module needs to be replaced, and the second circuit board does not need to be replaced. Therefore, not only costs can be reduced, but also steps such as re-plugging and unplugging a harness when replacing the second circuit board can be reduced, thereby shortening assembly time required for maintenance or upgrade.

In a possible implementation of the first aspect, the second connector includes a locking mechanism, configured to lock (fix) the first circuit board to the second connector.

The foregoing structure is used, and because the first circuit board is locked to the connector by using the locking mechanism, the first circuit board can be prevented from being detached from a connector due to reasons such as vehicle body vibration.

In a possible implementation of the first aspect, the locking mechanism includes a screw.

In a possible implementation of the first aspect, an Ethernet cable connector configured to connect to a vehicle Ethernet bus is disposed on the second circuit board. In the foregoing manner, a radio frequency module related to a communication function and the control chip are integrated into a module (the control module), and are connected to the Ethernet bus as a whole through a cable connector. Compared with a case in which a communication module and the control module are separately disposed, this reduces wiring for connecting the communication module to the bus. Not only costs can be reduced, but also miniaturization can be facilitated.

In another possible implementation, the control module may be further connected to another type of bus.

In a possible implementation of the first aspect, the controller further includes a thermoelectric cooler, and the thermoelectric cooler is disposed on the first circuit board. In this way, the thermoelectric cooler can dissipate heat for the control chip, to ensure normal working of the control chip.

In a possible implementation of the first aspect, the controller further includes a shield, and the shield shields the control chip and the thermoelectric cooler.

In this way, air that may contact the thermoelectric cooler can be reduced, and a possibility of occurrence of problems such as a short circuit caused due to condensation generated on the thermoelectric cooler can be reduced.

In a possible implementation of the first aspect, the control chip and the thermoelectric cooler are sealed in space formed by the shield and the first circuit board.

In this way, the air that may contact the thermoelectric cooler can be reduced more effectively, and a possibility of occurrence of problems such as a short circuit caused by condensation generated on the thermoelectric cooler can be reduced.

In a possible implementation of the first aspect, a sealing ring is further included, and the sealing ring is disposed between the shield and the first circuit board. In this way, sealing can be implemented in a simple manner.

In a possible implementation of the first aspect, a glue filling portion filled in the space is further included.

In this way, for example, compared with a manner of implementing sealing by using a sealing ring, a problem that sealing performance is unreliable and that may be caused by aging of a rubber sealing ring can be avoided.

In a possible implementation of the first aspect, the shield is a metal part, the thermoelectric cooler has a hot end, and the hot end contacts an inner surface of the shield.

In this way, because the hot end of the thermoelectric cooler contacts the inner surface of the metal shield, heat of the hot end can be effectively dissipated outside the shield, thereby ensuring a heat dissipation effect for the control chip.

In a possible implementation of the first aspect, the controller is a vehicle cockpit domain controller, and the control chip is further configured to control an entertainment system and/or perform human machine interface interaction control.

According to a second aspect of this application, a circuit board is provided. A first connector, a radio frequency module, and a control chip are disposed on the circuit board.

The foregoing circuit board is used, and a radio frequency module configured to communicate with a base station is integrated into the circuit board. Therefore, a T-box does not need to be separately disposed to communicate with the base station, thereby reducing costs of manufacturing a housing of the T-box and the like, and reducing wiring costs for connecting the T-box to an in-vehicle gateway and the like. In addition, the radio frequency module is mounted to the first circuit board with the control chip, so that a volume of a controller is not greatly increased because a communication function is integrated, thereby facilitating vehicle structure miniaturization.

In addition, because the first connector is disposed on the circuit board, the circuit board can be detachably mounted in the controller. When the control chip needs to be replaced due to maintenance or upgrade, only the circuit board needs to be removed, and only the circuit board with the control chip needs to be replaced, thereby saving costs.

In a possible implementation of the second aspect, a thermoelectric cooler is disposed on the circuit board.

The foregoing structure is used, and the thermoelectric cooler can dissipate heat well for the control chip, to ensure utilization of computing capabilities of the control chip, and be applicable to a chip with high computing capabilities and high power consumption.

In a possible implementation of the second aspect, the circuit board further includes a shield, and the shield shields the control chip and the thermoelectric cooler.

If the thermoelectric cooler is used, there is a risk of short circuit caused by condensation. However, in the foregoing manner, because the shield is used to shield the control chip and the thermoelectric cooler, air that may contact the thermoelectric cooler can be reduced, and condensation can be suppressed.

In a possible implementation of the second aspect, the control chip and the thermoelectric cooler are sealed in space formed by the shield and the first circuit board.

In the foregoing manner, the control chip and the thermoelectric cooler are sealed in the space formed by the shield and the first circuit board. Therefore, the air that may contact the thermoelectric cooler can be further reduced, and a condensation phenomenon can be suppressed.

In a possible implementation of the second aspect, a sealing ring is further included. The sealing ring is disposed between the shield and the first circuit board. In this way, sealing can be implemented in a simple structure.

In a possible implementation of the second aspect, a glue filling portion filled in the space is further included. Sealing is implemented in a manner of glue filling. For example, compared with a manner of disposing a sealing ring, sealing reliability reduction caused by reasons such as aging of the sealing ring can be avoided.

In a possible implementation of the second aspect, the shield is a metal part. The thermoelectric cooler has a hot end, and the hot end contacts an inner surface of the shield.

In the foregoing manner, heat of the hot end of the thermoelectric cooler can be effectively dissipated outside the shield, thereby ensuring a heat dissipation effect of the control chip.

In a possible implementation of the second aspect, the radio frequency module and the control chip are disposed on a surface of the circuit board. In another implementation, the radio frequency module and the control chip may be further disposed on different surfaces of the circuit board.

According to a third aspect of this application, a controller assembly is related, including a second circuit board, and a second connector is disposed on the second circuit board.

With the controller assembly, because the second connector is disposed on the second circuit board, when control chip requires an upgrade, a first circuit board with the control chip may be removed from the second connector, and only the control chip and the first circuit board need to be replaced, eliminating a need to replace the second circuit board. This reduces costs.

In a possible implementation of the third aspect, an antenna cable connector is disposed on the second circuit board.

In a possible implementation of the third aspect, an Ethernet cable connector is disposed on the second circuit board.

According to a fourth aspect of this application, a vehicle is provided, including the controller of any one of the foregoing structures.

According to a fifth aspect of this application, a control method for a vehicle controller is provided. The controller includes: a first circuit board, where a plug-in first connector is disposed on the first circuit board; a radio frequency module, mounted on the first circuit board, and configured to electrically connect to an antenna that receives and transmits a signal to a base station; a control chip, mounted on the first circuit board, where the radio frequency module is controlled by the control chip; a second circuit board, where a plug-in second connector is disposed on the second circuit board, and the first circuit board is detachably mounted to the second circuit board through connection between the first connector and the second connector; and a thermoelectric cooler, configured to dissipate heat for the control chip. The control method includes: obtaining a temperature of the control chip; and when the temperature is lower than a first threshold, enabling the thermoelectric cooler to stop working.

The control method is used, and because when the temperature of the chip is lower than the first threshold, the thermoelectric cooler stops working, a power consumption increase caused by the thermoelectric cooler can be suppressed.

In a possible implementation of the fifth aspect, the control method for the controller further includes: when the temperature exceeds a second threshold, enabling the thermoelectric cooler to work, to dissipate heat for the control chip, where the second threshold is higher than the first threshold.

In this way, compared with a control manner based on only one threshold (that is, a manner of enabling the thermoelectric cooler to work when the temperature exceeds the first threshold, and disabling the thermoelectric cooler to work when the temperature is lower than the first threshold), it can be avoided that the thermoelectric cooler frequently switches between a working state and a non-working state when the temperature of the chip reaches the first threshold, which reduces a service life of the thermoelectric cooler.

In a possible implementation of the fifth aspect, when the temperature of the control chip is lower than a third threshold, the thermoelectric cooler is enabled to work, to heat the control chip, where the third threshold is lower than the first threshold. As a specific control method, a voltage direction of the thermoelectric cooler is opposite to that in a heat dissipation state, so that a cold end and a hot end of the thermoelectric cooler can be exchanged, and in this way, the thermoelectric cooler can switch from a heat dissipation state to a heating state.

In the foregoing manner, when the temperature of the control chip is excessively low, the control chip is heated by using the thermoelectric cooler, so that stability of the controller can be improved.

In addition, this specification further provides the following technical solutions.

Technical solution A: A vehicle controller, including a first circuit board; a control chip, mounted on the first circuit board and electrically connected to the first circuit board; and a second circuit board, where the first circuit board is detachably mounted to the second circuit board.

In the technical solution A, the controller may further include a plug-in connector, where the connector is mounted on the second circuit board, and the first circuit board is detachably plugged into the connector. The connector may include a locking mechanism, configured to lock the first circuit board to the connector. The locking mechanism may include a screw. The controller may further include a thermoelectric cooler, configured to dissipate heat for the control chip. The controller may further include a shield, and the shield shields the control chip and the thermoelectric cooler. The control chip and the thermoelectric cooler may be sealed in space formed by the shield and the first circuit board. The shield may be a metal part, the thermoelectric cooler has a hot end, and the hot end may contact an inner surface of the shield. The controller may be a cockpit domain controller, and the control chip may be further configured to control an entertainment system and/or perform human machine interface interaction control.

Technical solution B: A control module of a vehicle controller, including a first circuit board; a control chip, mounted on the first circuit board and electrically connected to the first circuit board; a thermoelectric cooler, configured to dissipate heat for the control chip; a shield, where the shield shields the control chip and the thermoelectric cooler. In addition, it may be understood that, in the technical solution B, a plurality of technical features described above may be appropriately combined.

Technical solution C: A circuit board of a vehicle controller, where a control chip, a thermoelectric cooler, and a shield are disposed on the circuit board, and the shield shields the control chip and the thermoelectric cooler. In addition, it may be understood that, in the technical solution C, a plurality of technical features of the circuit board in the second aspect may be further appropriately combined.

These aspects and another aspect of this application will be clearer and easier to understand in descriptions of the following (a plurality of) embodiments.

The following further describes features of this application and a relationship between the features with reference to the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings are all examples, and some features are not shown in actual proportions. In addition, in some accompanying drawings, common features that are not mandatory for this application in the field of this application may be omitted. Alternatively, additional features that are not mandatory for this application are not shown. A combination of the features shown in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit this application. In addition, in this specification, a same reference numeral indicates same content. Specific accompanying drawings are described as follows:.

First, an in-vehicle network system in the conventional technology is described. As shown in <FIG>, the in-vehicle network system <NUM> includes an in-vehicle telematics box (telematics box, T-Box) <NUM>, an in-vehicle gateway <NUM>, a head unit controller or a cockpit domain controller (Cockpit Domain Controller, CDC) <NUM>, and a vehicle controller or a vehicle control unit (Vehicle control unit, VCU) <NUM>. A communication module, for example, a <NUM>/<NUM> module is disposed in the T-Box <NUM> to communicate with a base station outside a vehicle. The T-Box <NUM> communicates received packets with the in-vehicle gateway <NUM> through a high-speed Ethernet cable. The in-vehicle gateway <NUM> then communicates with the CDC <NUM> or the VCU <NUM> to complete data receiving and transmitting.

The in-vehicle network system <NUM> requires the T-Box <NUM> to be separately configured, which is both space and cost consuming. This makes it difficult to meet the requirement for miniaturization. Specifically, mounting a separate T-Box <NUM> on the vehicle requires additional space, which is already limited, and deployment of high-speed Ethernet cabling, resulting in time-consuming and costly vehicle assembly.

In contrast, an implementation of this application provides a cockpit domain controller, an in-vehicle network system, a vehicle, and the like, to reduce manufacturing costs.

<FIG> is a schematic block diagram of an in-vehicle network system <NUM> according to an implementation.

As shown in <FIG>, the in-vehicle network system <NUM> includes a cockpit domain controller <NUM>, an in-vehicle gateway <NUM>, and a vehicle control unit <NUM>. A wireless communication module <NUM> is disposed in the cockpit domain controller <NUM> to communicate with a base station outside a vehicle. In addition, the cockpit domain controller <NUM> is connected to the in-vehicle gateway <NUM> through, for example, a bus, and the in-vehicle gateway <NUM> is connected to the vehicle control unit <NUM> through, for example, a bus.

<FIG> is a schematic block diagram of a structure of a wireless communication module according to an implementation.

As shown in <FIG>, the wireless communication module <NUM> includes a control chip <NUM>, a radio frequency module <NUM>, and a plurality of antennas <NUM>. The radio frequency module <NUM> includes a radio frequency integrated circuit (Radio Frequency Integrated Circuit, RFIC) <NUM> and a radio frequency micro-electro-mechanical system (Radio Frequency Micro-Electro-Mechanical System, RF MEMs) <NUM>. The control chip <NUM> may be, for example, a Kirin <NUM><NUM> chip, configured to control the communication module <NUM>. The radio frequency integrated circuit <NUM> is electrically connected to the control chip <NUM>, and is further electrically connected to the RF MEMs <NUM>. There are four antennas <NUM> in this implementation, which are <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> antennas respectively, and are configured to receive and transmit signals with a base station.

The cockpit domain controller <NUM> and the in-vehicle network system <NUM> that have the foregoing structures are used. A T-box does not need to be separately disposed in the structures because the wireless communication module <NUM> is integrated into the cockpit domain controller <NUM> to implement communication with a base station outside the vehicle. Therefore, a structure can be compact, and in addition, a high-speed Ethernet cable does not need to be deployed to connect the T-box and an in-vehicle gateway, thereby reducing manufacturing costs.

The foregoing uses an example in which the wireless communication module <NUM> is integrated into the cockpit domain controller <NUM>. However, in another implementation, the wireless communication module <NUM> may be integrated into another controller, for example, an autonomous driving controller, like a mobile data center (Mobile Data Center, MDC) or a vehicle domain controller (Vehicle Domain Controller, VDC).

The following describes in detail an implementation structure of a cockpit domain controller with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram of a three-dimensional structure of a cockpit domain controller according to an implementation. <FIG> is a schematic diagram of a three-dimensional structure of the cockpit domain controller in a state in which a first housing is removed from <FIG>. <FIG> is a schematic planar diagram of the structure in <FIG>. <FIG> is a schematic diagram of a structure of a circuit board according to an implementation. <FIG> is a schematic diagram of a structure of a control module and a connector according to an implementation. <FIG> is a schematic diagram of a plane structure of a control module according to an implementation. <FIG> is a schematic diagram of a three-dimensional structure of a control module according to an implementation. <FIG> is a schematic diagram of a breakdown structure of a control module according to an implementation. <FIG> is a schematic diagram of a structure of a control module and a circuit board according to an implementation. <FIG> is a schematic diagram of a structure of a shield and a thermoelectric cooler according to an implementation.

As shown in <FIG>, the cockpit domain controller <NUM> includes a first housing <NUM>, a second housing <NUM>, a circuit board <NUM>, a fan <NUM>, and a control module <NUM>. The first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM> are half housings, and the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM> are opposite to each other and are fixed together through a screw to form a complete housing. The figures show a plurality of screw holes 201a (eight screw holes in this implementation) disposed on the first housing <NUM>. The circuit board <NUM>, the fan <NUM>, and the control module <NUM> are accommodated inside the housing formed by the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM>. The first housing <NUM>, the second housing <NUM>, the circuit board <NUM>, and the fan <NUM> herein form a controller assembly in this application.

The control module <NUM> has a control chip <NUM> (<FIG>), and is an execution body of a plurality of control functions (for example, controlling a display of a vehicle to display a navigation picture) of the cockpit domain controller <NUM>.

A plug-in connector (female connector) <NUM> is disposed on the circuit board <NUM>, and the control module <NUM> is detachably mounted to the circuit board <NUM> through the connector <NUM>, and is electrically connected to a circuit on the circuit board <NUM>. The fan <NUM> is mounted on a side of the circuit board <NUM>, and is configured to dissipate heat for the circuit board <NUM> and the control module <NUM>. In addition, a plurality of cable connectors <NUM> are disposed on the circuit board <NUM>, and the cable connectors <NUM> extend out of the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM>, and are configured to connect various cables. As shown in <FIG>, the cable connectors <NUM> include: an antenna cable connector 204a for connecting an antenna <NUM> that communicates with a base station, two camera cable connectors 204b for connecting a camera, an instrument panel cable connector 204c for connecting an instrument panel, a central control screen cable connector 204d for connecting a central control screen, and a USB cable connector 204e serving as a universal serial bus (Universal Serial Bus, USB) port for connecting to, for example, an external memory, a controller area network (Controller Area Network, CAN) bus cable connector 204f configured to connect the control module <NUM> to a bus of the vehicle, and an Ethernet cable connector <NUM>. The antenna <NUM> connected to the cable connector 204a is electrically connected to the radio frequency module <NUM> through the circuit board <NUM> and a circuit board <NUM>.

The bus of the vehicle includes, for example, an Ethernet bus and a CAN bus. In this implementation, the CAN bus cable connector 204f is configured to electrically connect to the CAN bus, and the Ethernet cable connector <NUM> is configured to electrically connect to the Ethernet bus. Electrical connection includes power supply connection (strong electrical connection) and signal connection (weak electrical connection). In addition, the circuit board <NUM> corresponds to the second circuit board in this application.

The following describes a mounting structure of the control module <NUM> in detail.

As shown in <FIG>, a plug-in connector <NUM> is disposed on the circuit board <NUM>. In this implementation, the connector <NUM> is a gold finger connector that has a plurality of gold fingers 101a. In addition, as shown in <FIG>, the plug-in connector (female connector) <NUM> is disposed on a surface 203a of the circuit board <NUM>, and the connector <NUM> matches the connector <NUM>. As shown by a hollow arrow A in <FIG>, when the control module <NUM> is mounted on the circuit board <NUM>, the control module <NUM> moves along a direction parallel to the surface 203a, so that the connector <NUM> is connected to the connector <NUM>. In this way, when the control module <NUM> is mounted on the circuit board <NUM> through the connector <NUM>, the circuit board <NUM> is electrically connected to the circuit board <NUM> through the connector <NUM>. The connector <NUM> herein corresponds to the first connector in this application, and the connector <NUM> corresponds to the second connector in this application.

In addition, an actual design may be, for example, disposing more pins on the connector <NUM>, so that a rated power of the connector <NUM> on the circuit board <NUM> can exceed that of the connector <NUM> on the circuit board <NUM>. By doing so, a strong power supply capability is reserved for a control module <NUM> with higher power.

In addition, two screws <NUM> and two clamping plates <NUM> are disposed on the connector <NUM>. After the control module <NUM> is plugged into the connector <NUM>, the clamping plate <NUM> can press the circuit board <NUM> and be clamped with an opening 10b (<FIG>) on the circuit board <NUM> by tightening the screw <NUM>, so that the control module <NUM> is locked on the connector <NUM>, and can avoid being detached from the connector <NUM> due to vibration or other reasons.

The screw <NUM> herein is an example of the locking mechanism in this application. In another implementation, the control module <NUM> may be prevented from being detached from the connector <NUM> through a buckle structure.

In addition, in this implementation, a pluggable connection manner is used as an example to describe a detachable connection. However, it may be understood that another detachable connection may also be used.

As shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG> to <FIG>, and the like, the control module <NUM> includes the circuit board <NUM>, and two through holes 10a are disposed on the circuit board <NUM>. Screws (not shown in the figures) are screwed into the two through holes 10a, and the screws are screwed into the circuit board <NUM>, so that the control module <NUM> can be directly fixed to the circuit board <NUM>. In addition, two openings 10b are further disposed on the circuit board <NUM>, and opening directions (left and right directions in <FIG> respectively) of the two openings 10b are opposite. When the screw <NUM> is tightened, the two openings 10b are stuck, so that the control module <NUM> is locked on the connector <NUM>, and can avoid being detached from the connector <NUM> in a direction opposite to a direction of the arrow A (a down direction in <FIG>). In addition, an opening 10c is further disposed on the circuit board <NUM>, an opening direction (an up direction in <FIG>) of the opening 10c is perpendicular to the opening direction of the opening 10b, and the opening 10c is used to be clamped with the connector <NUM>, so that the circuit board <NUM> can be easily aligned with a position of the connector <NUM> during mounting, to accurately connect a connection terminal on the circuit board <NUM> to a connection terminal on the connector <NUM>. In addition, the opening 10c can further suppress position fluttering of the circuit board <NUM> in a left-right direction in <FIG> when the circuit board <NUM> is plugged into the connector <NUM>. In addition, the circuit board <NUM> corresponds to the first circuit board in this application.

With the foregoing structure, the control module <NUM> is detachably mounted on the circuit board <NUM> in a plug-in manner. When hardware of the cockpit domain controller <NUM> requires an upgrade, the control module <NUM> may be removed from the circuit board <NUM>, and only the control module <NUM> needs to be replaced, eliminating a need to replace the circuit board <NUM>. This not only reduces costs but also avoids the complexities and extended labor associated with cabling the plurality of cable connectors <NUM> to replace a circuit board <NUM>, especially when the control module is fixed on the circuit board <NUM> in a soldering manner.

The following describes a heat dissipation structure of the control module <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, in addition to the circuit board <NUM>, the control module <NUM> further includes the radio frequency module <NUM>, a chip <NUM>, a thermoelectric cooler (Thermoelectric Cooler, TEC) <NUM>, and a protection unit <NUM> formed by a shield <NUM> and a gasket <NUM>.

The radio frequency module <NUM> is an integrated device of a radio frequency integrated circuit <NUM> and a radio frequency micro-electro-mechanical system <NUM>. The radio frequency module <NUM> and the chip <NUM> are mounted side by side on a surface 10e of the circuit board <NUM>, and are electrically connected to a circuit on the circuit board <NUM>. In another implementation, the radio frequency module <NUM> and the chip <NUM> may alternatively be mounted on different surfaces of the circuit board <NUM>. In addition, in this implementation, the chip <NUM> includes a control chip <NUM> and a memory chip <NUM>. The control chip <NUM> is a main chip, and is configured to implement control (audio control, video control, or the like) of an in-vehicle infotainment system, human machine interface (Human Machine Interface, HMI) interaction control, meter display control, and the like in addition to controlling the radio frequency module <NUM>. The memory chip <NUM> is a memory chip, for example, a universal flash storage (Universal Flash Storage, UFS) or a double data rate (Double Data Rate, DDR) synchronous dynamic random access memory. In addition, a matching power source chip may be further disposed.

The thermoelectric cooler <NUM> is a device that performs cooling by using a Peltier effect, and is configured to dissipate heat for the chip <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the thermoelectric cooler <NUM> has a hot end 40a and a cold end 40b. The hot end 40a is configured to discharge heat, and the cold end 40b is configured to absorb heat. Therefore, the thermoelectric cooler <NUM> is configured as follows: The cold end 40b is close to the chip <NUM>, and the hot end 40a is away from the chip <NUM>. By disposing the thermoelectric cooler <NUM>, heat can be well dissipated for the chip <NUM>, and heat generated by high computing capabilities and high power consumption of the chip <NUM> can be handled. In addition, with reference to heat dissipation of the fan <NUM>, a heat dissipation effect can be further improved.

However, a condensation phenomenon is easily generated when the thermoelectric cooler <NUM> is disposed. If condensation is generated, a short circuit may be caused. Therefore, in this implementation, the protection unit <NUM> is disposed to suppress condensation generated on the thermoelectric cooler <NUM> and the chip <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the protection unit <NUM> includes the shield <NUM>, the gasket <NUM>, and a plurality of screws <NUM>. The shield <NUM> is disposed on the surface 10e of the circuit board <NUM>, to shield the chip <NUM> and the thermoelectric cooler <NUM>. The gasket <NUM> is disposed on another surface side of the circuit board <NUM> opposite to the surface 10e, and is separated from the shield <NUM> by the circuit board <NUM>. A plurality of through holes 60a (four in this implementation) are disposed on the gasket <NUM>, a plurality of through holes 10d (four in this implementation) are disposed on the circuit board <NUM>, and a plurality of screw holes 30d are disposed on the shield <NUM>. Positions of the through holes 60a, the through holes 10d, and the screw holes 30d correspond to each other. The plurality of screws <NUM> are screwed into the screw holes 30d through the through holes 60a and the through holes 10d respectively, in this way, the shield <NUM> and the gasket <NUM> can be mounted on the circuit board <NUM>.

The structure is used, and because the chip <NUM> and the thermoelectric cooler <NUM> are shielded by the shield <NUM>, air that may contact the chip <NUM> and the thermoelectric cooler <NUM> can be reduced, thereby suppressing condensation generated on the thermoelectric cooler <NUM>.

In addition, optionally, a sealing ring may be disposed between the shield <NUM> and the surface 10e of the circuit board <NUM>. In this way, the air that may contact the thermoelectric cooler <NUM> can be further reduced, and condensation generated on the thermoelectric cooler <NUM> can be suppressed.

In addition, as shown in <FIG>, a connection line <NUM> is disposed on the thermoelectric cooler <NUM>, and the connection line <NUM> passes out of the shield <NUM> through a through hole (not shown in the figure) disposed on the shield <NUM>. In this implementation, the connection line <NUM> is a power line, and is connected to a power source (not shown in the figure) disposed on the circuit board <NUM>, so that the power source can supply power to the thermoelectric cooler <NUM>. Optionally, after the shield <NUM> is mounted on the circuit board <NUM>, glue is poured at the through hole through which the connection line <NUM> passes, to seal the through hole. In this way, the air that may contact the thermoelectric cooler <NUM> can be further suppressed, and condensation generated on the thermoelectric cooler <NUM> can be suppressed. In other words, referring to <FIG>, the control chip <NUM> and the thermoelectric cooler <NUM> are sealed in space S formed by the shield <NUM> and the circuit board <NUM>, so that the air that may contact the thermoelectric cooler <NUM> can be effectively suppressed, and condensation generated on the thermoelectric cooler <NUM> can be suppressed.

In addition, optionally, glue may be poured in the space S to form a glue filling portion. In this way, a short circuit problem caused by condensation generated on the thermoelectric cooler <NUM> can be more effectively suppressed.

In addition, in this implementation, the shield <NUM> is a metal part. Therefore, through a good heat dissipation feature of metal, heat of the thermoelectric cooler <NUM> can be easily dissipated to air outside the shield <NUM>. In addition, in this implementation, as shown in <FIG>, the hot end 40a of the thermoelectric cooler <NUM> contacts an inner surface of the shield <NUM>. In this way, heat generated by the hot end 40a of the thermoelectric cooler <NUM> can be dissipated to the air outside the shield <NUM>.

In another implementation, the shield <NUM> may also be a plastic part, and a window portion is disposed on the shield <NUM>, so that the hot end 40a of the thermoelectric cooler <NUM> is exposed through the window portion, and heat generated by the hot end 40a is easily dissipated to an outside of the shield <NUM>. In this case, a gap between the hot end 40a of the thermoelectric cooler <NUM> and the window portion of the shield <NUM> may be filled with sealant, to well suppress condensation generated on the thermoelectric cooler <NUM>.

In addition, this implementation further provides a heating control method for heating the chip <NUM>. Specifically, a temperature sensor is disposed within the chip <NUM>. The control chip <NUM> continually monitors temperatures of the control chip <NUM> and the memory chip <NUM>. When the temperature of the control chip <NUM> or the memory chip <NUM> exceeds a second threshold (for example, <NUM>), the control chip <NUM> enables the thermoelectric cooler <NUM> to be connected to a power source, allowing the thermoelectric cooler <NUM> to dissipate heat for the chip <NUM>. When the temperature is lower than a first threshold (for example, <NUM>), the thermoelectric cooler <NUM> is disconnected from the power source and the thermoelectric cooler <NUM> is turned off, reducing the added power consumption associated with the thermoelectric cooler <NUM> for heat dissipation.

When the temperature of the control chip <NUM> or the memory chip <NUM> is lower than a third threshold (for example, a value below -<NUM>), the thermoelectric cooler <NUM> is activated to heat the control chip <NUM> or the memory chip <NUM>. In this way, it can be ensured that the control chip <NUM> or the memory chip <NUM> can work reliably within a rated working temperature range, enhancing stability of the controller <NUM>.

As a specific control method, a power source of the thermoelectric cooler <NUM> is reversely connected, and a voltage direction is opposite to that in a state in which heat dissipation is performed, so that the cold end and the hot end of the thermoelectric cooler <NUM> can be exchanged (an end farther from the control chip <NUM> becomes a cold end, and an end nearer to the control chip <NUM> becomes a hot end). In this way, the thermoelectric cooler <NUM> can be switched from a heat dissipation state to a heating state.

In the foregoing implementation, the radio frequency module <NUM> and the control chip <NUM> are mounted on the circuit board <NUM> of the control module <NUM>, and the control chip <NUM> bears a function of controlling the radio frequency module <NUM>. Therefore, the communication module <NUM> is integrated into the control module <NUM>, eliminating the need for an additional T-Box and reducing manufacturing costs. In addition, the radio frequency module <NUM> is mounted to the circuit board <NUM> with the control chip <NUM>. In this way, the integration of the communication module does not result in an increased size of the cockpit domain controller <NUM>. This integration aids in the miniaturization of the vehicle's structure.

In addition, this implementation further provides a vehicle including the foregoing cockpit domain controller <NUM> and the foregoing in-vehicle network system <NUM>.

In addition, in the foregoing description, the radio frequency module <NUM> and the control chip <NUM> are mounted on a same circuit board <NUM>. However, considering that the control module <NUM> is detachably mounted to the circuit board <NUM> to facilitate hardware replacement and upgrade, the control chip <NUM> and the radio frequency module <NUM> do not need to be mounted on the same circuit board <NUM>. In addition, considering that the thermoelectric cooler <NUM> is used to dissipate heat for the control chip <NUM> and the shield <NUM> is used to prevent condensation, the control chip <NUM> and the radio frequency module <NUM> do not need to be mounted on the same circuit board <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A controller, comprising:
a first circuit board (<NUM>), wherein a first connector (<NUM>) is disposed on the first circuit board (<NUM>);
a radio frequency module (<NUM>), disposed on the first circuit board (<NUM>);
a control chip (<NUM>), disposed on the first circuit board (<NUM>); and
a second circuit board (<NUM>), wherein a second connector (<NUM>) is disposed on the second circuit board (<NUM>), wherein
the first circuit board (<NUM>) is detachably mounted to the second circuit board (<NUM>) through a connection between the first connector (<NUM>) and the second connector (<NUM>),
wherein the controller further comprises a thermoelectric cooler (<NUM>) and a shield (<NUM>),
wherein the thermoelectric cooler (<NUM>) is disposed on the first circuit board (<NUM>) so as to dissipate heat for the control chip (<NUM>),
wherein the shield (<NUM>) shields the control chip (<NUM>) and the thermoelectric cooler (<NUM>) so as to suppress condensation generated between the control chip (<NUM>) and the thermoelectric cooler (<NUM>).