PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-12077110-B2
Application Number: US-202217733462-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Consolidated electronics packaging

Abstract:
A housing for a consolidated electronics unit of a vehicle includes side walls mountable to vehicle rails of the vehicle, a bottom wall coupled to the side walls, and a cover removably coupleable to the side walls and configured to form a portion of an interior surface of a vehicle cabin of the vehicle. The cover, the side walls, and the bottom wall form a cavity configured to enclose control units that are in electronic communication with feature units disposed throughout the vehicle.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A consolidated electronics unit for a vehicle, comprising:
 a housing defining a cavity and mountable in the vehicle adjacent to a thermally-conditioned component of the vehicle; 
 control units disposed within the cavity, the control units configured for electronic communication with feature units disposed throughout the vehicle; and 
 a cover configured to:
 removably couple to the housing; 
 enclose the control units within the cavity; and 
 form a portion of an interior surface of a vehicle cabin of the vehicle, 
 
 wherein the thermally-conditioned component is configured to indirectly thermally condition the control units in the housing based on proximity of the housing and the thermally-conditioned component. 
 
     
     
       2. The consolidated electronics unit of  claim 1 , wherein the control units are removable and replaceable with other control units when the cover is removed from the housing and the cavity is accessible from the vehicle cabin. 
     
     
       3. The consolidated electronics unit of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an adapter including connectors that enable electronic communication between the control units within the cavity and the feature units disposed throughout the vehicle. 
 
     
     
       4. The consolidated electronics unit of  claim 1 , wherein the interior surface is a floor of the vehicle cabin. 
     
     
       5. The consolidated electronics unit of  claim 4 , wherein the housing is mountable in the vehicle between seat rails, and wherein the seat rails are configured to support a seat in the vehicle cabin and prevent damage to the consolidated electronics unit during a vehicle event. 
     
     
       6. The consolidated electronics unit of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a thermal control system configured to directly thermally condition the control units within the housing using a fluid circulating in a thermal loop. 
 
     
     
       7. The consolidated electronics unit of  claim 1 , wherein the thermally-conditioned component is a propulsion component of the vehicle, wherein the propulsion component is thermally conditioned using a thermal control system, and wherein the thermal control system is configured to indirectly thermally condition the control units in the housing based on proximity of the housing and the propulsion component. 
     
     
       8. The consolidated electronics unit of  claim 1 , wherein the interior surface is a dash panel of the vehicle cabin. 
     
     
       9. The consolidated electronics unit of  claim 8 , wherein the housing is mountable in the vehicle between cross-cabin rails, and wherein the cross-cabin rails are configured to support a windshield or a backlight of the vehicle and prevent damage to the consolidated electronics unit during a vehicle event. 
     
     
       10. A housing for a consolidated electronics unit of a vehicle, the housing comprising:
 side walls disposed between seat rails, wherein the seat rails are configured to support a seat in a vehicle cabin of the vehicle; 
 a bottom wall coupled to the side walls and mountable to a thermally-conditioned subsystem of the vehicle; and 
 a cover removably coupleable to the side walls, 
 wherein the cover, the side walls, and the bottom wall form a cavity configured to enclose control units, 
 wherein the control units are configured for electronic communication with feature units disposed throughout the vehicle, and 
 wherein the cover forms a portion of a floor of the vehicle cabin of the vehicle. 
 
     
     
       11. The housing of  claim 10 , wherein the control units are removable and replaceable with different control units when the cover is removed from the side walls. 
     
     
       12. The housing of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 an adapter including connectors that electronically couple the control units in the cavity and the feature units disposed throughout the vehicle. 
 
     
     
       13. The housing of  claim 10 , wherein the thermally-conditioned subsystem includes a propulsion component of the vehicle, and wherein the thermally-conditioned subsystem indirectly thermally conditions the control units via at least one of convection or conduction based on proximity of the bottom wall and the propulsion component. 
     
     
       14. A housing for a consolidated electronics unit of a vehicle, the housing comprising:
 side walls mountable to vehicle rails of the vehicle; 
 a bottom wall coupled to the side walls; 
 a cover removably coupleable to the side walls and configured to form a portion of an interior surface of a vehicle cabin of the vehicle, wherein the cover, the side walls, and the bottom wall form a cavity configured to enclose control units in electronic communication with feature units disposed throughout the vehicle; and 
 a thermal control system disposed at least partially within the housing and configured to thermally condition the control units within the cavity. 
 
     
     
       15. The housing of  claim 14 , wherein the interior surface of the vehicle cabin is a dash panel, and wherein the vehicle rails are cross-cabin rails. 
     
     
       16. The housing of  claim 14 , wherein the interior surface of the vehicle cabin is a floor, and wherein the vehicle rails are seat rails configured to support a seat in the vehicle cabin. 
     
     
       17. The housing of  claim 16 , wherein the bottom wall of the housing is mountable to or forms a portion of a subsystem housing of a thermally-conditioned subsystem of the vehicle. 
     
     
       18. The housing of  claim 17 , wherein the thermally-conditioned subsystem includes a propulsion component. 
     
     
       19. The housing of  claim 14 , wherein the control units are removable and replaceable with different control units when the cover is removed from the side walls. 
     
     
       20. The housing of  claim 18 , wherein the thermally-conditioned subsystem that thermally conditions the propulsion component is configured to indirectly thermally condition the housing based on proximity of the propulsion component and the housing.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/216,056, filed on Jun. 29, 2021, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This disclosure relates generally to electronics packaging and specifically to packaging of control components in a vehicle electronics architecture. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Packaging of electronic systems in a vehicle is often executed sequentially as new features are added to the vehicle. The amount of weight added to the vehicle with a given feature is dictated by existing body structures, current wire harness configurations, and mounting space available within the vehicle. This feature-by-feature approach can lead to a large number of control units spread throughout vehicle and mounted in a variety of locations. Adding new features can be implemented, for example, by use of pigtail or splice into existing wire harnesses or addition of new wiring harnesses or cables. Thus, new electronic systems often increase the number of control units, fasteners, brackets, wiring harnesses, cables connectors, etc. in the vehicle, which in turn increases weight and build complexity. 
     SUMMARY 
     One aspect of the disclosed embodiments is a consolidated electronics unit for a vehicle. The consolidated electronics unit includes a housing defining a cavity and control units disposed within the cavity. The control units are configured for electronic communication with feature units disposed throughout the vehicle. The consolidated electronics unit includes a cover configured to removably couple to the housing, enclose the control units within the cavity, and form a portion of an interior surface of a vehicle cabin of the vehicle. 
     Another aspect of the disclosed embodiments is a housing for a consolidated electronics unit of a vehicle. The housing includes side walls disposed between seat rails. The seat rails are configured to support a seat in a vehicle cabin of the vehicle. The housing includes a bottom wall coupled to the side walls and mountable to a thermally-conditioned subsystem of the vehicle and a cover removably coupleable to the side walls. The cover, the side walls, and the bottom wall form a cavity configured to enclose control units. The control units are configured for electronic communication with feature units disposed throughout the vehicle. The cover forms a portion of a floor of a vehicle cabin of the vehicle. 
     Another aspect of the disclosed embodiments is a housing for a consolidated electronics unit of a vehicle. The housing includes side walls mountable to vehicle rails of the vehicle, a bottom wall coupled to the side walls, and a cover removably coupleable to the side walls and configured to form a portion of an interior surface of a vehicle cabin of the vehicle. The cover, the side walls, and the bottom wall form a cavity configured to enclose control units in electronic communication with feature units disposed throughout the vehicle. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a schematic top view illustration of a portion of a vehicle. 
         FIG.  2    is a schematic sectional view through section A-A of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  3    is a schematic sectional view through section B-B of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  4    is a schematic top view illustration of a consolidated electronics unit. 
         FIG.  5    is an illustration of a hardware configuration for a controller. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Consolidation in packaging location of control units for various electronic systems implemented within a vehicle can support a shared voltage architecture, a shared mounting strategy, a common thermal conditioning system, and easy access for testing and replacement of control units that will simplify installation of electronics in a vehicle. In addition, wiring complexity and overall weight of a vehicle can be reduced while feature upgrade is streamlined. 
       FIG.  1    is a schematic top view illustration of a portion of a vehicle  100  with a body structure  102  showing the fore-aft or X direction and the lateral or Y direction. The body structure  102  may include internal structural portions and external portions that are aesthetic and/or structural in nature. As examples, the body structure  102  may include one or more of a unibody, a frame, a subframe, a monocoque, a floor, reinforcement rails, body panels, or other structural components. 
     The vehicle  100  includes wheels  104 . Four of the wheels  104  are included in the illustrated example, but other implementations are possible. The wheels  104  contact the surface on which the vehicle  100  is travelling, and the characteristics of the wheels  104  are responsible, in part, for the amount of friction available. The wheels  104  may include tires, such as conventional pneumatic tires formed in part from synthetic rubber, or may include other friction-enhancing, adjustable structures. The wheels  104  may include sensors (not shown) that output signals indicative of the operating characteristics of some or all of the wheels  104 . The wheels  104  may also include actuators (not shown) that are able to cause modification of operating characteristics of the wheels  104  in response to control signals. 
     The vehicle  100  includes suspension components  106 . The suspension components  106  typically include numerous individual components, many of which are associated with one or more of the wheels  104 . The suspension components  106  may include components that are operable to control characteristics of the motion of the wheels  104  relative to the body structure  102 , such as shocks, struts, springs, dampers, and sway bars. The suspension components  106  may include either or both of non-adjustable passive components or adjustable active components that allow modification of suspension characteristics during operation of the vehicle  100 . The suspension components  106  may include sensors that output signals indicative of the operating characteristics of some or all of the suspension components  106  at a given time. The suspension components  106  may also include actuators that are able to cause modification of operating characteristics of the suspension components  106  in response to control signals. 
     The vehicle  100  includes steering components  108 . The steering components  108  are operable to modify a steering angle of some or all of the wheels  104  relative to the body structure  102 . As one example, the steering components  108  may be or include a conventional rack and pinion arrangement. In some examples, the steering components  108  are operable to control the steering angles of the wheels  104  independently. The steering components  108  may include one or more sensors to output signals indicative of the steering angles of the wheels  104 . The steering components  108  may include actuators operable to cause adjustment of the steering angles of the wheels  104  in response to control signals. 
     The vehicle  100  includes braking components  110 . The braking components  110  include components that are operable to slow the speeds of the wheels  104 , such as conventional disk brakes. Other types of components may be utilized to slow the speeds of the wheels  104 . The braking components  110  also include components that cause and control application of braking forces. These components may include, as examples, a brake control module, a master cylinder, and a brake booster. The braking components  110  may be operable to apply braking to each of the wheels  104  individually. The braking components  110  may include sensors that output signals that are indicative of the current operating characteristics of the braking components  110 . The braking components  110  may also include actuators that are operable to cause and control application of braking forces in response to control signals. 
     The vehicle  100  includes propulsion components  112 . The propulsion components  112  may be referred to as a powertrain. The propulsion components  112  include a prime mover that is operable to convert stored energy into driving force and components that are operable to supply this force to some or all of the wheels  104  in order to propel the vehicle  100 . As one example, the propulsion components  112  may include an internal combustion engine that burns liquid fuel. As another example, the propulsion components  112  may include an electric motor that utilizes electrical energy that is stored in a battery or batteries or supplied by a generator. The battery or batteries may include lithium-ion, nickel-metal hydride, lead-acid, ultracapacitor, or other technologies. The propulsion components  112  shown in  FIG.  1    are located centrally within the vehicle  100 , such as between the wheels  104 . 
     The vehicle  100  includes a consolidated electronics unit (CEU)  114 . The CEU  114  may be in electrical communication with components including the suspension components  106 , the steering components  108 , the braking components  110 , the propulsion components  112 , the sensors associated with these components, the actuators associated with these components, and other components (not shown) within the vehicle  100 , such as climate control components, communication components, entertainment components, lighting components, safety components, etc., in order to transmit commands to the components and/or to receive information from the components. Though only a portion of the vehicle  100  and hence a portion of the electronic (or electronically-controlled) components within the vehicle  100  are shown in  FIG.  1   , it is understood that the CEU  114  may be in electrical communication with some or all of the electronic (or electronically-controlled) components within the vehicle from the location shown. 
     The CEU  114  can include one or more control units (not shown) each having a memory and a processor that is operable to execute instructions that are stored in the memory in order to perform operations. The one or more control units within the CEU  114  can be associated with individual components distributed throughout the vehicle  100  or groups of components, such as the suspension components  106 , the steering components  108 , and the braking components  110 . The CEU  114  is responsible for implementing vehicle responses based, for example, on decision-making algorithms in an autonomous system and/or on driver inputs to the vehicle  100 . 
     For example, the CEU  114  can receive information from sensors associated with the wheels  104 , the suspension components  106 , and/or the steering components  108 . The CEU  114  can make decisions regarding operation of the wheels  104 , the suspension components  106 , and/or the steering components  108  based on the information received. For example, the information from the sensors can include representations of the roadway on which the vehicle  100  is traveling including objects and obstacles on the roadway. This information may identify terrain type, lane and roadway boundaries, presence of weather conditions (such as wet pavement or snow) or may be usable to allow identification of terrain type, weather conditions, and roadway and lane boundaries. Decision making algorithms associated with the CEU  114  may include, for example, modifying operating characteristics of various components of the vehicle  100  based on the information received from the sensors. 
     As an example, if a terrain change or a wet surface is detected ahead of the vehicle  100 , the relevant control unit within the CEU  114  may send a command to an actuator associated with the wheels  104  in order to change a pressure of the wheels  104  to reduce wheel slip associated with the changed terrain or wet surface. Another control unit within the CEU  114  may send a command to an actuator within the suspension components  106  in order to change performance and/or properties of one or more of the suspension components  106  to better provide comfort to passengers while the vehicle  100  traverses a changed terrain or a wet surface. Another control unit within the CEU  114  may send a command to an actuator within the steering components  108  to generate haptic feedback (e.g., via a steering wheel nudge, a vibration, or a pattern of vibrations and nudges) to alert a driver of an upcoming change in terrain or a wet surface. 
       FIG.  1    indicates a section A-A which extends through a portion of the propulsion components  112  and a portion of the CEU  114 .  FIG.  1    also indicates a section B-B that extends through a portion of the body structure  102  and an optional portion of the CEU  114  (shown in dashed lines). The CEU  114  is shown as having three portions to indicate various locations and configurations for implementation of the CEU  114 , though additional or fewer portions of the CEU  114  and additional or fewer locations for implementation are also possible. Packaging details related to the CEU  114  with respect to other components within the vehicle  100  are described in respect to  FIGS.  2  and  3   . 
       FIG.  2    is a schematic sectional view through section A-A of  FIG.  1   . The view is truncated in the Y direction, showing a cross-section of a CEU  214  for the vehicle  100 , though it is understood that additional CEUs can be present and implemented in a similar way. The CEU  214  includes a housing  216  defining a cavity  218 . Control units  220   i ,  220   ii  are disposed within the cavity  218 . A cover  222  is configured to removably couple to the housing  216  and to enclose the control units  220   i ,  220   ii  within the cavity  218 . Removability of the cover  222  is shown using dashed lines and the arrow C extending in the Z direction. That is, the cover  222  can be lifted away from the remainder of the housing  216  in order to access the control units  220   i ,  220   ii  in the cavity  218 . The term “cover” is used to indicate a structural component that is configured to partially or fully enclose the cavity  218  by forming an exterior of the housing  216 . 
     The housing  216  can be formed by side walls  224   i ,  224   ii  that extend in the Z direction and a bottom wall  226  that extends between the side walls  224   i ,  224   ii  in the Y direction. The cavity  218  that supports the control units  220   i ,  220   ii  is disposed within these walls  224   i ,  224   ii ,  226 . The housing  216  is mountable in the vehicle  100  between seat rails  202   i ,  202   ii . The seat rails  202   i ,  202   ii  can be structures similar to the body structure  102  described in respect to  FIG.  1   . The seat rails  202   i ,  202   ii  can be configured to support a seat (not shown) in a vehicle cabin (not shown) of the vehicle  100 . The seat rails  202   i ,  202   ii  can be structurally reinforced, such as including ribs or other strengthening mechanisms sufficient to prevent damage to the CEU  214 , for example, during a vehicle event such as a side impact, by protecting the side walls  224   i ,  224   ii  of the housing  216 . 
     The housing  216  is mountable both between the seat rails  202   i ,  202   ii  and above or otherwise adjacent to a thermally-conditioned subsystem of the vehicle, such as a propulsion component  212 . The propulsion component  212  can be similar to the propulsion component  112  of  FIG.  1   , such as including a battery or batteries and an electric motor that utilizes electrical energy that is stored in the battery or batteries or is supplied by a generator. The propulsion component  212  can be thermally conditioned using a thermal control system (not shown), such as a thermal loop using heat exchangers configured to control a temperature of the propulsion component  212 . The thermal control system that controls a temperature of the propulsion component  212  can indirectly thermally condition the control units  220   i ,  220   ii  in the housing  216  based on proximity of the housing  216  and the propulsion component  212 . 
     For example, the bottom wall  226  of the housing  216  can be mounted to the propulsion component  212  and/or the seat rails  202   i ,  202   ii , such as using mounting brackets  228   i ,  228   ii . The mounting brackets  228   i ,  228   ii  can be formed from or coupled to the seat rails  202   i ,  202   ii . In another example, the bottom wall  224  of the housing  216  can form a portion of a housing surrounding the propulsion component  212 , that is, the housing of the propulsion component  212  can serve as the bottom wall  226  of the housing  216  for the CEU  214 . In these examples, the thermally-conditioned subsystem, that is, the propulsion component  212 , indirectly thermally conditions the control units  220   i ,  220   ii  via convection and/or conduction based on proximity of the bottom wall  226  and the propulsion component  212 . In this example, the CEU  214  does not need separate heating or cooling features since a temperature of the control units  220   i ,  220   ii  is moderated by temperature control of the propulsion component  212 . For example, the control units  220   i ,  220   ii  may operate with power levels between five and fifteen Watts. The thermal control system that conditions the propulsion component  212  may be configured to thermally condition components that operate with power levels between fifty and one hundred and fifty Watts such that heating or cooling the control units  220   i ,  220   ii  occurs by convection or conduction based on the small distance between the control units  220   i ,  220   ii  and the propulsion component  212 . 
     When the cover  222  is secured over the cavity  218  that includes the control units  220   i ,  220   ii , the cover  222  may become or be contiguous with a portion of an interior surface  230  of a vehicle cabin of the vehicle  100 . The cover  222  may also be located adjacent to or support the interior surface  230  of the vehicle cabin. The interior surface  230  in the example shown in  FIG.  2    is a floor of the vehicle cabin. In other words, both the seat rails  202   i ,  202   ii  and the housing  216  are hidden beneath the interior surface  230  when the cover  222  is aligned with a remainder of the interior surface  230  in a closed or installed position. The cover  222  can include a reinforced component to provide support and, for example, include or be present beneath carpeting or trim that covers a remainder of the interior surface  230 . By using open space between the seat rails  202   i ,  202   ii  to mount the housing  216  of the CEU  214 , a volume of the vehicle cabin does not need to be reduced to package the CEU  214 . The control units  220   i ,  220   ii  are also more easily accessible for maintenance when stored in a central location such as between the seat rails  202   i ,  202   ii  and above the propulsion component  212  as shown. 
     The control units  220   i ,  220   ii  are configured for electronic communication with feature units (not shown) disposed throughout the vehicle. Though two control units  220   i ,  220   ii  are shown, additional control units (not shown) can be located within the CEU  214 . The term “feature units” is used to describe electronic or electro-mechanical system components spread or distributed in various locations throughout the vehicle  100  that include controllable features, such as the wheels  104 , the suspension components  106 , the steering components  108 , the braking components  110 , and the propulsion components  112 ,  212  described in  FIGS.  1  and  2    as well as other components that are not shown such as audio components, ventilation components, or lighting components. By locating the control units  220   i ,  220   ii  within the CEU  214 , individual housings and mounting mechanisms for the control units  220   i ,  220   ii  can be eliminated, reducing a weight of the vehicle  100 . By locating the CEU  214  in a central position within the vehicle cabin, such as between the seat rails  202   i ,  202   ii , a length of wiring harnesses can be reduced, further reducing a weight of the vehicle  100 . The wiring harnesses (not shown) that couple the CEU  214  and the feature units need only be long enough to reach either forward or backward between the CEU  214  and the feature units (not shown) at forward or rearward locations within the vehicle  100  given the central location of the CEU  214 . 
     In some examples, the control units  220   i ,  220   ii  can be removable and replaceable with other control units (not shown) when the cover  222  is removed from the housing  216  and the cavity  218  is accessible to a technician from a location within the vehicle cabin. In the example of  FIG.  2   , a seat (not shown) that is supported by the seat rails  202   i ,  202   ii  can be repositionable such that the cover  222  is removable, openable, and/or replaceable to support such maintenance access to the control units  220   i ,  220   ii . The seat can be translatable, rotatable, or otherwise moveable to a predetermined position to allow access to and repositioning of the cover  222 . The CEU  214  can include adequate space to integrate more control units (not shown) to add features to or subtract features from the vehicle  100 . For example, a feature level of the vehicle  100  can be associated with installation of a predetermined number and type of feature units and a predetermined number and type of control units, such as including the control units  220   i ,  220   ii , where different feature levels for the vehicle  100  have different numbers and types of feature units and control units installed. 
     To support communication between the control units  220   i ,  220   ii  within the CEU  214  and the feature units (not shown) distributed through the vehicle, the CEU  214  may include one or more adapters  232   i ,  232   ii . The adapters  232   i ,  232   ii  can include various types or styles of connectors  234  (e.g., quick-mate, blind-mate, flexible printed circuit, or other type, shown in dotted line) that enable power and/or data communications between the control units  220   i ,  220   ii  within the cavity  218  and the feature units spread throughout the vehicle  100 . The use of adapters  232   i ,  232   ii  with standardized types of connectors  234  allows for ease of upgrade and replacement for either or both of the feature units and the control units  220   i ,  220   ii  while maintaining a common communication interface between the CEU  214  and the feature units. For example, the control unit  220   i  can be replaced when a feature unit (not shown) in the vehicle  100  is upgraded without impacting the adapter  232   i  or requiring a change to a wiring harness (not shown) within the vehicle  100 . The CEU  214  can be executed without the adapters  232   i ,  232   ii , for example, using cables, wiring harnesses, and/or connectors that route within the housing  216  proximate to the control units  220   i ,  220   ii  (not shown). 
     In some examples, the side walls  224   i ,  224   ii  of the housing  216  may be absent, may be outboard of the adapters  232   i ,  232   ii , or may be replaced with sides of the seat rails  202   i ,  202   ii  (not shown). When sides of the seat rails  202   i ,  202   ii  serve as side walls of the housing  216 , the cavity  218  that stores the control units  220   i ,  220   ii  is formed between the seat rails  202   i ,  202   ii  and above the bottom wall  226 . Even without the side walls  224   i ,  224   ii , the cavity  218  would remain dry given its location in the vehicle  100 . The cavity  218  and the control units  220   i ,  220   ii  would be protected from impact by the seat rails  202   i ,  202   ii  (and the propulsion component  212 ). In this example, the cover  222  can be configured to enclose the cavity  218 , for example, by abutting or covering the seat rails  202   i ,  202   ii  (not shown). 
     The cover  222 , the side walls  224   i ,  224   ii , and the bottom wall  226  may be formed from corrugated or otherwise reinforced materials in order to support a floor of the vehicle  100  and protect the control units  220   i ,  220   ii  within the cavity  218  from damage. For example, various components or portions of the cover  222 , the side walls  224   i ,  224   ii , and the bottom wall  226  of the housing  216  may be formed from die-cast aluminum or composite materials or may include flanges, domed-shaping, ribs, ridges, or other strengthening features (not shown). The cover  222  may also include or be disposed under non-structural materials such as trim or carpeting that is included with a remainder of the interior surface  230 . The centrally-located CEU  214  of  FIG.  2    can be implemented with or replaced by CEU  314  described in respect to  FIG.  3   . 
       FIG.  3    is a schematic sectional view through section B-B of  FIG.  1   . The view is oriented in the Z direction, showing a cross-section of the CEU  314  for the vehicle  100 . The CEU  314  includes a housing  316  defining a cavity  318 . Control units  320   i ,  320   ii  are disposed within the cavity  318 . A cover  322  is configured to removably couple to the housing  316  and to enclose the control units  320   i ,  320   ii  within the cavity  318 . Removability of the cover  322  is shown using dashed lines and the arrow D extending in the X direction. That is, the cover  322  can be lifted away from the remainder of the housing  316  in order to access the control units  320   i ,  320   ii  in the cavity  318 . 
     The housing  316  can be formed by side walls  324   i ,  324   ii  that extend in the X direction and a bottom wall  326  that extends between the side walls  324   i ,  324   ii  in the Z direction. The cavity  318  that holds the control units  320   i ,  320   ii  is disposed within these walls  324   i ,  324   ii ,  326 . The housing  316  is mountable in the vehicle  100  between, that is, above and below, cross-cabin rails  302   i ,  302   ii . For example, the bottom wall  326  of the housing  316  can be mounted to the cross-cabin rails  302   i ,  302   ii  using mounting brackets  328   i ,  328   ii . The mounting brackets  328   i ,  328   ii  can be formed from or coupled to the cross-cabin rails  302   i ,  302   ii . Other mounting schemes are possible. 
     The cross-cabin rails  302   i ,  302   ii  can be structures similar to the body structure  102  described in respect to  FIG.  1    and the seat rails  202   i ,  202   ii  described in respect to  FIG.  2   . The cross-cabin rails  302   i ,  302   ii  can be configured to support an interior surface  330  in a vehicle cabin (not shown) of the vehicle  100 . The cross-cabin rails  302   i ,  302   ii  can also be configured to support a windshield or a backlight (not shown) of the vehicle  100 . The cross-cabin rails  302   i ,  302   ii  can be structurally reinforced, such as including ribs or other strengthening mechanisms sufficient to prevent damage to the CEU  314 , for example, during a vehicle event such as a rollover or a side impact, by protecting the side walls  324   i ,  324   ii  of the housing  316 . 
     The CEU  314  can include a thermal control system  336  to control a temperature of the control units  320   i ,  320   ii . The thermal control system  336  can be configured to thermally condition the control units  320   i ,  320   ii  within the cavity  318  using a fluid circulating in a thermal loop and one or more heat exchangers (not shown). The thermal control system  336  can be disposed at least partially within the housing  316 . By consolidating the control units  320   i ,  320   ii  that need to be heated or cooled in one location within the CEU  314 , a reduced amount of glycol, coolant, or other fluid used for thermal transfer can be routed throughout the vehicle  100 . 
     When the cover  322  is secured over the cavity  318  that includes the control units  320   i ,  320   ii , the cover  322  may become or be contiguous with a portion of the interior surface  330  of a vehicle cabin of the vehicle  100 . The cover  322  may be located beneath or include trim features that blend with the interior surface  330 . The interior surface  330  in the example shown in  FIG.  3    serves as a dash panel (front wall) or a rear wall of the vehicle cabin. In other words, both the cross-cabin rails  302   i ,  302   ii  and the housing  316  are hidden behind the interior surface  330  when the cover  322  is aligned with a remainder of the interior surface  330  in a closed or installed position. By using open space between the cross-cabin rails  302   i ,  302   ii  to mount the housing  316  of the CEU  314 , a volume of the vehicle cabin does not need to be reduced to package the CEU  314 . The control units  320   i ,  320   ii  are also more easily accessible for maintenance when stored in a central location such as between the cross-cabin rails  302   i ,  302   ii.    
     The control units  320   i ,  320   ii  are configured for electronic communication with feature units (not shown) disposed throughout the vehicle in a manner similar to the control units  220   i ,  220   ii  of  FIG.  2   . By locating the CEU  314  between cross-cabin rails  302   i ,  302   ii  adjacent to the vehicle cabin, wiring harness length can be reduced for feature units located at an end of the vehicle  100  that includes the cross-cabin rails  302   i ,  302   ii . A second CEU (not shown) can be packaged at an opposite end of the vehicle  100  to avoid running wiring harnesses a length of the vehicle cabin to reduce a weight of the vehicle  100 . 
     The control units  320   i ,  320   ii  can be removable and replaceable with other control units (not shown) when the cover  322  is removed from the housing  316  and the cavity  318  is accessible to a technician from a location within the vehicle cabin. In the example of  FIG.  3   , a seat or a work surface (not shown) may be located proximate to the interior surface  330 . The seat or the work table can be repositionable such that the cover  322  is removable, openable, and/or replaceable to support such maintenance access to the control units  320   i ,  320   ii . The CEU  314  can include adequate space to integrate more control units (not shown) to add features to or subtract features from the vehicle  100 . 
     To support communication between the control units  320   i ,  320   ii  within the CEU  314  and the feature units (not shown) distributed through the vehicle, the CEU  314  may include various types or styles of connectors  334  (e.g., quick-mate, blind-mate, flexible printed circuit, or other type, shown in dotted line) that enable power and/or data communications between the control units  320   i ,  320   ii  within the cavity  318  and the feature units spread throughout the vehicle  100 . The connectors  334  can couple to cables, wiring harnesses, and/or other connectors (not shown) that route both within and external to the housing  316  to support power and/or data communications between the control units  320   i ,  320   ii  and the feature units. 
     In some examples, the side walls  324   i ,  324   ii  of the housing  316  may be absent or replaced with sides of the cross-cabin rails  302   i ,  302   ii  (not shown). When sides of the cross-cabin rails  302   i ,  302   ii  serve as side walls of the housing  316 , the cavity  318  that stores the control units  320   i ,  320   ii  is formed between the cross-cabin rails  302   i ,  302   ii  and to a right (in the X direction) of the bottom wall  326 . Even without the side walls  324   i ,  324   ii , the cavity  318  would remain dry given its location in behind the interior surface  330 . The cavity  318  and the control units  320   i ,  320   ii  would be protected from front, rear, side, and overhead impacts by the cross-cabin rails  302   i ,  302   ii . In this example, the cover  322  can be configured to enclose the cavity  318 , for example, by abutting or covering the cross-cabin rails  302   i ,  302   ii  (not shown). 
     The cover  322 , the side walls  324   i ,  324   ii , and the bottom wall  326  may be formed from corrugated or otherwise reinforced materials in order to support a dash panel, a windshield, or a backlight of the vehicle  100  and protect the control units  320   i ,  320   ii  within the cavity  318  from damage. For example, various components or portions of the cover  322 , the side walls  324   i ,  324   ii , and the bottom wall  326  of the housing  316  may be formed from die-cast aluminum or composite materials or may include flanges, domed-shaping, ribs, ridges, or other strengthening features (not shown). 
       FIG.  4    is a schematic top view illustration of a CEU  414 . The CEU  414  can be implemented in place of any of the CEUs  114 ,  214 ,  314  of  FIGS.  1 - 3    in various positions within the vehicle  100 . The CEU  414  includes a housing  416  defining a cavity  418 . Multiple control units  420   i ,  420   ii ,  420   n - 1 ,  420   n  are shown as evenly spaced within a cavity  418 , for example, held in position using slotted walls, trays, or other mounting means (not shown) that allow the control units  420   i ,  420   ii ,  420   n - 1 ,  420   n  to be removed and replaced, for example, to support maintenance or feature upgrades within the vehicle  100 . The cavity  418  is defined between side walls  424   i ,  424   ii , only two of which are labeled. A cover (not shown) can enclose the control units  420   i ,  420   ii ,  420   n - 1 ,  420   n  within the cavity  418 . 
     The control units  420   i ,  420   ii ,  420   n - 1 ,  420   n  are in electronic communication with adapters  432   i ,  432   ii  through use of connectors  434   i ,  434   ii ,  434   n - 1 ,  434   n . The connectors  434   i ,  434   ii ,  434   n - 1 ,  434   n  can take various forms, such as quick-mate, blind-mate, flexible printed circuit, or other type to enable power and/or data communications between the control units  420   i ,  420   ii ,  420   n - 1 ,  420   n  within the cavity  418  and the adapters  432   i ,  432   ii  that are adjacent to the housing  416  of the CEU  414  in the example of  FIG.  4   . In other examples (not shown), the adapters  432   i ,  432   ii  may be absent or may serve as side walls for the housing  416 . In an example without the adapters  432   i ,  432   ii , the connectors  434   i ,  434   ii ,  434   n - 1 ,  434   n  can route through the housing  416  to couple with cables or wiring harnesses (not shown) to establish communication between the control units  420   i ,  420   ii ,  420   n - 1 ,  420   n  and the feature units (not shown). 
     When present as shown in  FIG.  4   , the adapters  432   i ,  432   ii  support communication between the control units  420   i ,  420   ii ,  420   n - 1 ,  420   n  and various feature units (not shown) spread throughout the vehicle  100 . In other words, the adapters  432   i ,  432   ii  serve as a common communication interface between the CEU  414  and the feature units. Using a common interface, any of the relevant control units  420   i ,  420   ii ,  420   n - 1 ,  420   n  can be easily replaced when a feature unit (not shown) in the vehicle  100  is upgraded without impacting the adapters  432   i ,  432   ii  or requiring a change to one or more cables or wiring harnesses (not shown) within the vehicle  100 . The control units  420   i ,  420   ii ,  420   n - 1 ,  420   n  are also shown as connected to each other, for example, using a bus  436  or other form of electronic architecture, to allow communication between the control units  420   i ,  420   ii ,  420   n - 1 ,  420   n  or to allow multiple control units  420   i ,  420   ii ,  420   n - 1 ,  420   n  to communicate with specific feature units (not shown) through the adapters  432   i ,  432   ii.    
       FIG.  5    shows an example of a hardware configuration for a controller  538  that may be used with the CEUs  114 ,  214 ,  314 ,  414  and/or other electronic components of the vehicle  100 . In the illustrated example, the controller  538  includes a processor  540 , a memory device  542 , a storage device  544 , one or more input devices  546 , and one or more output devices  548 . These components may be interconnected by hardware such as a bus  550  that allows communication between the components. 
     The processor  540  may be a conventional device such as a central processing unit and is operable to execute computer program instructions and perform operations described by the computer program instructions. The memory device  542  may be a volatile, high-speed, short-term information storage device such as a random-access memory module. The storage device  544  may be a non-volatile information storage device such as a hard drive or a solid-state drive. 
     The input devices  546  may include sensors and/or any type of human-machine interface, such as buttons, switches, a keyboard, a mouse, a touchscreen input device, a gestural input device, or an audio input device. The output devices  548  may include any type of device operable to send commands associated with an operating mode or state or provide an indication to a user regarding an operating mode, state, or configuration, such as a display screen or another interface for a CEU such as the CEUs  114 ,  214 ,  314 ,  414 , or an audio output. 
     As described above, one aspect of the present technology is the gathering and use of data available from various sources, such as from sensors or user profiles, to improve the function of systems such as the CEUs  114 ,  214 ,  314 ,  414 . The present disclosure contemplates that in some instances, this gathered data may include personal information data that uniquely identifies or can be used to contact or locate a specific person. Such personal information data can include demographic data, location-based data, telephone numbers, email addresses, twitter IDs, home addresses, data or records relating to a user&#39;s health or level of fitness (e.g., vital signs measurements, medication information, and exercise information), date of birth, or any other identifying or personal information. 
     The present disclosure recognizes that the use of personal information data, in the present technology, can be used to the benefit of users. For example, the personal information data can be used to deliver changes to operational modes or configurations of systems such as the CEUs  114 ,  214 ,  314 ,  414  to best match user preferences or profiles. Other uses for personal information data that benefit the user are also possible. For instance, health and fitness data may be used to provide insights into a user&#39;s general wellness or may be used as positive feedback to individuals using technology to pursue wellness goals. 
     The present disclosure contemplates that the entities responsible for the collection, analysis, disclosure, transfer, storage, or other use of such personal information data will comply with well-established privacy policies and/or privacy practices. In particular, such entities should implement and consistently use privacy policies and practices that are generally recognized as meeting or exceeding industry or governmental requirements for maintaining personal information data private and secure. Such policies should be easily accessible by users and should be updated as the collection and/or use of data changes. Personal information from users should be collected for legitimate and reasonable uses of the entity and not shared or sold outside of those legitimate uses. Further, such collection/sharing should occur after receiving the informed consent of the users. 
     Additionally, such entities should consider taking any needed steps for safeguarding and securing access to such personal information data and ensuring that others with access to the personal information data adhere to their privacy policies and procedures. Further, such entities can subject themselves to evaluation by third parties to certify their adherence to widely accepted privacy policies and practices. In addition, policies and practices should be adapted for the particular types of personal information data being collected and/or accessed and adapted to applicable laws and standards, including jurisdiction-specific considerations. For instance, in the US, collection of or access to certain health data may be governed by federal and/or state laws, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA); whereas health data in other countries may be subject to other regulations and policies and should be handled accordingly. Hence different privacy practices should be maintained for different personal data types in each country. 
     Despite the foregoing, the present disclosure also contemplates embodiments in which users selectively block the use of, or access to, personal information data. That is, the present disclosure contemplates that hardware and/or software elements can be provided to prevent or block access to such personal information data. For example, in the case of centrally-implemented CEUs, the present technology can be configured to allow users to select to “opt in” or “opt out” of participation in the collection of personal information data during registration for services or anytime thereafter. In addition to providing “opt in” and “opt out” options, the present disclosure contemplates providing notifications relating to the access or use of personal information. For instance, a user may be notified upon downloading an app that their personal information data will be accessed and then reminded again just before personal information data is accessed by the app. 
     Moreover, it is the intent of the present disclosure that personal information data should be managed and handled in a way to minimize risks of unintentional or unauthorized access or use. Risk can be minimized by limiting the collection of data and deleting data once it is no longer needed. In addition, and when applicable, including in certain health related applications, data de-identification can be used to protect a user&#39;s privacy. De-identification may be facilitated, when appropriate, by removing specific identifiers (e.g., date of birth, etc.), controlling the amount or specificity of data stored (e.g., collecting location data a city level rather than at an address level), controlling how data is stored (e.g., aggregating data across users), and/or other methods. 
     Therefore, although the present disclosure broadly covers use of personal information data to implement one or more various disclosed embodiments, the present disclosure also contemplates that the various embodiments can be implemented without the need for accessing such personal information data. That is, the various embodiments of the present technology are not rendered inoperable due to the lack of all or a portion of such personal information data. For example, changes in operational modes or configurations associated with a CEU can be implemented for a given user by inferring user preferences or user status based on non-personal information data, a bare minimum amount of personal information, other non-personal information available to the systems, or publicly available information.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20220429
Publication Date: 20240903
Grant Date: 20240903
Priority Date: 20210629
Inventors: RIEPLING, Jeffrey M.
GARRONE, RYAN J.
WOLF, PHILIPP J.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H05K5/03", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K5/0065", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K7/20854", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K5/0073", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K7/20872", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60R16/0239", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60R16/0239", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K7/20854", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K5/03", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K5/0065", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60R16/0239", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 83837883