DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The present subject matter relates to a control unit of a vehicle, more particularly, an integrated vehicle control unit.
BACKGROUND
[002] A power unit of a vehicle drives the vehicle at an optimum condition and provides ease of accessibility to a user. In conventional vehicles, the power unit of the vehicle is controlled by a one or more control units. These one or more control units increases in number with the increase in number of features of the vehicle. Hence, an improved layout of the one or more control units is required for optimum functioning of the vehicle.
BRIEF DESCRIPT ION OF THE DRAWINGS
[003] The present invention is described with reference to figures. This invention is implementable in two-wheeled and three wheeled vehicles. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference like features and components. Further, the inventive features of the invention are outlined in the appended claims.
[004] Figure 1 illustrates a prospective view of a vehicle having an integrated vehicle control unit in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[005] Figure 2a illustrates a front perspective view of the integrated vehicle control unit (130), in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[006] Figure 2b illustrates a rear perspective view of the integrated vehicle control unit (130), in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[007] Figure 3a illustrates a perspective view of a stacked configuration of one or more vehicle control units inside the integrated vehicle control unit (130), in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[008] Figure 3b illustrates a left side view of one side of the stacked configuration of the one or more vehicle control units in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[009] Figure 4 illustrates a circuit diagram of the electrical connections inside the integrated vehicle control unit in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[010] Figure 5 illustrates a method of assembling the one or more vehicle control units in the stacked configuration to form the integrated vehicle control unit in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[011] Figure 6 illustrates a method of noise reduction caused due to simultaneous switching of the one or more vehicle control units in the integrated vehicle control unit in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[012] In conventional vehicles, a power unit of the vehicle is controlled by one or more vehicle control units. These one or more vehicle control units are generally a power control unit, a sensor acquisition unit and a vehicle controller unit. These one or more vehicle control units are generally disposed at different locations of the vehicle layout.
[013] Additionally, each of the one or more vehicle control units are disposed in different housings for protection from accidental impacts and from dirt or dust. Further, each of the one or more vehicle control units comprises of electronic components and therefore gets heated quickly. Hence, a designated cooling system is required for each of the one or more vehicle control units.
[014] Therefore, such an arrangement of the one or more vehicle control units along with its housing and separate cooling systems consumes a lot of space inside the vehicle. This space constraint becomes a major problem especially in a two-wheeled vehicle due to limited vehicle packaging layout and various ergonomics challenges.
[015] Furthermore, mounting such one or more vehicle control units at different vehicle locations require additional mounting brackets and fasteners which in turn increases the part count and overall cost of the vehicle.
[016] Further, in conventional vehicles as the one or more vehicle control units are distributed across the vehicle hence complex and lengthy wiring is required. Such lengthy wiring leads to lot of noise during power distribution within the electrical circuits of the one or more vehicle control units.
[017] Moreover, the lengthy wires running between the one or more vehicle control units carries current with large slew rates. Therefore, connecting each and every corner of the one or more vehicle control units are interconnected with a lot of wires, interconnectors for smooth supply of power, and various packaging pins for fixed attachment of the one or more control units on the vehicle.
[018] In such an arrangement, the voltage supply between a power supply unit and a ground terminal of the circuit of the one or more vehicle control unit fluctuates drastically due to parasitic impedances produced between the interconnectors and the ground terminals. Hence, such an arrangement leads to power loss and also leads to increase in noise due to interaction between one or more wires of the one or more vehicle control units.
[019] Furthermore, during conduction of power from the power supply to the one or more vehicle control units, the parasitic impedance causes voltage fluctuations between each of the one or more vehicle control units. This in turn leads to unequal power distribution between each of the one or more vehicle control units.
[020] Further, this unequal power distribution leads to generation of noise among the electronic components of the one or more vehicle control units due to extra strain required in starting. Further, for efficient functioning of the vehicle, all the vehicle control units must function simultaneously which in turn leads to simultaneous switching noise (SSN) from all the vehicle control units which impedes proper functioning of the one or more vehicle control unit.
[021] Moreover, a transient noise is further generated among the wires connecting the one or more vehicle control units due to conduction of current. This noise is further caused due to higher inductance of the wires. Therefore, this transient noise also reduces the efficiency of the one or more vehicle control units.
[022] In conventional circuits, the SSN is desired to a limited extent for adequate resistance among the wires. However, an increased limit of the SSN causes power supply glitches between a wire connecting the power supply unit and the ground terminals, and thereby causes output signal distortions. This severely compromises with the performance and functionality of the one or more vehicle control units.
[023] In order to resolve the above problems, in one related art, the one or more control units are packaged in a single packaging which is foldable and reduces the problem of the one or more vehicle control units being disposed at different locations of the vehicle. However, such a foldable structure is difficult to be assembled inside the vehicle and also the serviceability and accessibility of such a foldable structure is poor.
[024] Hence, it is an object of the present invention to overcome all the above stated and other related problems existing in the prior arts, with respect to an integrated vehicle control unit and reduction of SSN in such an integrated vehicle control unit as well as other problems of known art.
[025] It is further an object of the present invention to reduce noise generated during simultaneous switching of the one or more vehicle control units.
[026] It is further an object of the present invention to maximize heat dissipation across the one or more vehicle control units.
[027] It is further an object of the present invention to overcome the space constraint of assembling one or more vehicle control units in the vehicle layout.
[028] It is further an object of the present invention to reduce the part count by reducing the number of mounting brackets and fasteners required for mounting the one or more vehicle control units.
[029] It is further an object of the present invention to reduce the amount of lengthy wires required to connect the one or more vehicle control units.
[030] The present subject matter provides an integrated vehicle control unit for a vehicle comprising: a control unit casing having plurality of connecting slots; a heat sink; and one or more control units including a power control unit, a sensor control unit and a controller unit. The one or more control units being stacked onto one another using one or more vertical tubes to form a stacked configuration. The control unit casing covering one end of the one or more control units and the heat sink being configured to cover another end of the control unit casing.
[031] As per an aspect of the present invention, an integrated vehicle control unit for a vehicle comprising: a control unit casing having plurality of connecting slots; a heat sink; and one or more control units including a power control unit, a sensor control unit and a controller unit. The one or more control units are stacked onto one another using one or more vertical tubes to form a stacked configuration. The control unit casing covers one end of the one or more control units and the heat sink covers another end of the control unit casing.
[032] As per an embodiment, the one or more control units is made of PCB. Further, the power control unit is a first layer of the stacked configuration, and the one or more vertical tubes are rigidly affixed on the power control unit through one or more mounting studs. Moreover, the one or more vertical tubes is made of brass, and the power control unit is made of aluminum.
[033] As per another embodiment, the stacked configuration is supported through one or more centre studs, which is disposed over the power control unit. The stacked configuration is rigidly stabilized by one or more standoff screws, which are disposed at peripheral edges of the power control unit.
[034] As per another embodiment, the sensor control unit is rigidly affixed on top of the power control unit through the one or more vertical tubes, and the sensor control unit forms a second layer of the stacked configuration. Further, the controller unit forming a third layer of the stacked configuration, and the controller unit is aligned on top of the sensor control unit. Furthermore, the sensor control unit is disposed at one end of the one or more vertical tubes, and the sensor control unit is disposed at an opposite end of the one or more vertical tubes.
[035] As per another embodiment, the power control unit, the sensor control unit and the controller unit are attached through the one or more mounting studs, and the one or more mounting studs being a combination of small mounting studs and big mounting studs. Furthermore, another end of the power control unit is attached through the small mounting studs to a thermal pad, and the thermal pad is attached to the heat sink.
[036] As per another embodiment, the power control unit and the sensor control unit are disposed at a distance L1, the distance L1 being not more than 11mm. Further, the sensor control unit and the controller unit are disposed at a distance L2, the distance L2 being not more than 46.5mm. Furthermore, the power control unit and the one or more centre stud are disposed at a distance L3, the distance L3 being not more than 75.20mm. Furthermore, the power control unit, the sensor control unit, and the controller unit having a thickness of not more than 1.6 mm.
[037] As per another aspect of the present invention, a method of assembling one or more control units to form an integrated vehicle control unit in a stacked configuration comprises the following steps. Firstly, assembling a power control unit of the one or more control units on a thermal pad through one of one or more mounting studs and then assembling one of one or more standoff screws on the power control unit. Secondly, mounting one or more vertical tubes on the power control unit through one or more mounting studs. Thirdly, mounting a sensor control unit on a bottom surface of the one or more vertical tubes through one of the one or more mounting studs at a predetermined distance L1. Fourthly, mounting a controller unit on a top surface of the one or more vertical tubes through one of the one or more mounting studs at a distance L2 from the sensor control unit. Fifthly, assembling the stacked configuration of the power control unit, the sensor control unit and the controller unit inside a control unit casing. Finally, mounting a heat sink on one end of the power control unit for sealing the integrated vehicle control unit.
[038] As per an embodiment, the power control unit is provided with one or more centre studs at a distance L3 for stability and rigidity. Further, peripheral edges of the power control unit are provided with one or standoff screws for rigidity.
[039] As per another aspect of the present invention, an integrated vehicle control unit of a vehicle comprising a power source, a plurality of voltage and current regulating components connected in a combination of series and parallel, one or more electronic circuits comprising a digital circuit and an analog circuit, and one or more ground terminals comprising a first ground terminal and a second ground terminal. An assisting resistive component and an assisting voltage regulating component are connected to the first ground terminal for noise reduction of the integrated vehicle control unit.
[040] As per an embodiment, the plurality of voltage and current regulating components are resistors and inductors. Further, the assisting voltage regulating component is a capacitor, and the assisting resistive component are configured to tune to a resonant frequency of the first ground terminal for reduction in noise.
[041] As per another embodiment, the assisting voltage regulating component and the assisting resistive component are configured to reduce parasitic impedance generated by the plurality of voltage and current regulating components.
[042] As per another aspect of the present invention, a method of noise reduction in an integrated vehicle control unit comprising the following steps. Firstly, creating a voltage divider by introducing an assisting voltage regulating component between a first ground terminal and a second ground terminal. Secondly, cancelling an additional noise created at the first ground terminal through the assisting voltage regulating component. Thirdly, tuning the assisting voltage regulating component at a frequency of the first ground terminal. Fourthly, diverting noise from sensitive analog and digital circuits away from the first ground terminal. Finally, achieving reduction in a simultaneous switching noise of the integrated vehicle control unit.
[043] In accordance with the present configuration, one of the advantages is that the stacked configuration of the integrated vehicle control unit eliminates the issue of space constraint and provides ample space for accommodating plurality of vehicle components.
[044] In accordance with the present configuration, one of the advantages is that the length of distances provided between the one or more control units are configured to provide a compact arrangement of the integrated vehicle control unit without increasing the size of the existing one or more control units.
[045] In accordance with the present configuration, one of the advantages is that the brass one or more vertical tubes provides conduction of voltage and current throughout the integrated vehicle control unit without any chances of short circuiting.
[046] In accordance with the present configuration, one of the advantages is that multiple wire housings and separate cooling systems for individual control units in a vehicle is eliminated and thereby provides a compact arrangement of one or more control units.
[047] In accordance with the present configuration, one of the advantages is that the SSN is reduced among one or more control units which aids in faster transmission of communicative signals and therefore increases the overall efficiency of the vehicle.
[048] The present subject matter is further described with reference to accompanying figures. It should be noted that the description and figures merely illustrate the principles of the present subject matter. Various arrangements may be devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, encompass the principles of the present subject matter. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and examples of the present subject matter, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.
[049] The foregoing disclosure is not intended to limit the present disclosure to the precise forms or particular fields of use disclosed. As such, it is contemplated that various alternate embodiments and/or modifications to the present disclosure, whether explicitly described or implied herein, are possible in light of the disclosure. Having thus described embodiments of the present disclosure, a person of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is limited only by the claims.
[050] Additionally, all numerical terms, such as, but not limited to, “first”, “second”, “third”, “primary”, “secondary”, “main” or any other ordinary and/or numerical terms, should also be taken only as identifiers, to assist the reader's understanding of the various elements, embodiments, variations and/or modifications of the present disclosure, and may not create any limitations, particularly as to the order, or preference, of any element, embodiment, variation and/or modification relative to, or over, another element, embodiment, variation and/or modification.
[051] The embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[052] Figure 1 illustrates a prospective view of a vehicle (100) having an integrated vehicle control unit (130), in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. A vehicle (100) comprising a frame assembly (102) when viewed from a front (F) to rear (R) direction of the vehicle (100). The frame assembly (102) comprising a headtube (104) and a pair of upper tubes (110a, 110b) extending from the headtube (104) from both the left and right sides. A front suspension (106) is disposed in the front portion of the vehicle (100). A pair of intermediate tube (116a, 116b) extends downwardly from the head tube (104) in the front portion (F) of the vehicle (100).
[053] The vehicle (100) is configured to move through a front wheel (108) and arear wheel (124). The pair of intermediate tube (116a, 116b) joins to a front portion of a pair of down tubes (108a, 108b) on both the left and right side of the vehicle (100). The pair of upper tubes (110a, 110b) extends rearwardly backward from the head tube (104), and the pair of upper tubes (110a, 110b) terminating at a pair of central tubes (112a, 112b). The pair of central tubes (112a, 112b) is configured to be joined at a rear portion of the pair of down tubes (108a, 108b). The pair of central tubes (112a, 112b) is also configured to have mounting provisions of a centre stand (118).
[054] The vehicle (100) includes a seat being disposed at the rear end of the vehicle (100), and the seat is mounted on a pair of seat rails (120) of the frame assembly (102). The pair of seat rails (120) have a trellis internal feature created by one or more connecting tubes (122). This structure provides and strength and rigidity to the overall frame assembly (102) of the vehicle (100). The vehicle (100) is configured to have a mono shock absorber (128) being disposed in the rear portion of the vehicle for absorbing impacts from the road. Further a transmission system (126) for transmitting power to the rear wheel (124) is disposed in the rear portion of the vehicle (100). In one embodiment, the vehicle (100) is a two-wheeled and a three-wheeled vehicle.
[055] An integrated vehicle control unit (130) is disposed in a cavity (132) of the vehicle (100). The cavity (132) is formed in a space between the pair of central tubes (112a, 112b) and the rear portion of the pair of down tubes (108a, 108b).
[056] Figure 2a illustrates a front perspective view of the integrated vehicle control unit (130), in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. Figure 2b illustrates a rear perspective view of the integrated vehicle control unit (130), in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. For brevity, Figure 2a and 2b will be discussed together. The integrated vehicle control unit (130) comprises of one or more control units of the vehicle (100). The integrated vehicle control unit (130) includes a front portion and a rear portion. The rear portion of the integrated vehicle control unit (130) is covered by a control unit housing (200) to cover all the control units disposed inside the integrated vehicle control unit (130). In one embodiment, the control unit casing (200) is made of plastic or resin for protection and stability of the one or more control units of the vehicle (100).
[057] The front portion of the integrated vehicle control unit (130) is covered by a heat sink (202) for adequate heat dissipation from the one or more control units of the vehicle (100) with the atmosphere. The heat sink (202) is disposed on a thermal pad (204) for efficient heat absorption from the one or more control units of the vehicle (100).
[058] The rear portion of the integrated vehicle control unit (130) having the one or more control units of the vehicle (100) includes a plurality of wire connecting slots (206a, 206b, 206c). The plurality of wire connecting slots (206a, 206b, 206c) have connecting slots of different shapes and dimensions for connecting plurality of vehicle components with the integrated vehicle control unit (130). Thus, the integrated vehicle control unit (130) is a closed structure which enables one or more control units to be disposed in a single location of the vehicle (100).
[059] Figure 3a illustrates a perspective view of a stacked configuration of one or more vehicle control units (300, 302, 304) inside the integrated vehicle control unit (130), in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. Figure 3b illustrates a left side view of one side of the stacked configuration of the one or more vehicle control units (300, 302, 304), in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. For brevity, figures 3a and 3b will be discussed together. The integrated vehicle control unit (130) includes the one or more control units to be disposed in a stacked configuration. The one or more control units include a power control unit (300), a sensor control unit (302) and a controller unit (304). In one embodiment, the one or more control units are made of PCB boards for mounting one or more electronic components on them and for regulating the vehicle parameters.
[060] The power control unit (300) is the first layer of the stacked configuration of the integrated vehicle control unit (130). The power control unit (300) is configured to communicatively receive and coordinate power supply from a power source and thereby supply the requisite power to various vehicle components based on electronic signals from the controller unit (304). In one embodiment, the power control unit (300) is made of aluminum. The sensor control unit (302) is the second layer of the stacked configuration disposed above the power control unit (300) in the integrated vehicle control unit (130). The sensor control unit (302) receives electronic inputs from one or more vehicle sensors and accordingly processes the signals for controlling the various vehicle components. The sensor control unit (302) is disposed through one or more vertical tubes (306) on top of the power control unit (300). In one embodiment, the one or more vertical tubes (306) is made of brass. The one or more vertical tubes (306) prevents direct contact of the electronic components of the one or more control units and thereby prevents short circuiting.
[061] The last and final layer of the stacked configuration of the integrated vehicle control unit (130) is the controller unit (304). The controller unit (304) is disposed on top of the sensor control unit (302). The sensor control unit (302) is disposed at one end of the one or more vertical tubes (306) and the controller unit (304) is disposed on the opposite end of the one or more vertical tubes (306). The controller unit (304) is the main electronic controller of the vehicle (100) which processes signals from the power control unit (300) and the sensor control unit (302) and thereby gives requisite inputs for proper functioning of the vehicle (100).
[062] The stacked configuration of the one or more control units in the integrated vehicle control unit (130) is supported through one or more centre studs (308) which prevents misalignment of the one or more control units over each other. The ends of the stacked configuration of the one or more control units is bolted with one or more standoff screws (310) for providing rigidity and for providing stability to the entire stacked configuration in the integrated vehicle control unit (130).
[063] In one embodiment, the one or more vertical tubes (306) is fixedly bolted onto the power control unit (300) through one or more mounting studs (312a, 312b, 312c). The one or more mounting studs (312a, 312b, 312c) includes a combination of small mounting studs and big mounting studs. The one or more mounting studs (312a, 312b, 312c) provides fixed attachment of the one or more control units with each other and also helps in mounting the stacked configuration of the one or more control units inside the control unit casing (200). Further, at least one of the one or more mounting studs (312a, 312b, 312c) aids in mounting the thermal pad (204) on one side of the power control unit (300) and thereafter the thermal pad (204) is mounted onto the heat sink (202).
[064] In one embodiment, a distance (L1) between the power control unit (300) and the sensor control unit (302) is 11mm. Further, a distance (L2) between the sensor control unit (302) and the controller unit (304) is 46.5mm. In another embodiment, a distance (L3) between the power control unit (300) and a middle of one of the one or more centre stud (308) is 75.20mm. In another embodiment, the thickness of each of the power control unit (300), the sensor control unit (302) and the controller unit (304) is 1.60mm. These dimensions provide effective stacked configuration without disturbing the overall functioning and flexibility of the integrated vehicle control unit (130).
[065] Figure 4 illustrates a circuit diagram of the electrical connections (400) inside the integrated vehicle control unit (130), in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The integrated vehicle control unit (130) comprises of a plurality of voltage and current regulating components for effective control of the vehicle (100). The plurality of voltage and current regulating components being resistors, capacitors and inductors. In a conventional electronic circuit, a one or more resistors (Rp1, R2p, R3p) and one or more inductors (Lp1, L2p, L3p) are disposed in a combination of series and parallel circuit from a power source (Vdd) and the one or more resistors (Rp1, R2p, R3p) and one or more conductors (Lp1, L2p, L3p) are packaged inside a control unit and are connected with a first ground terminal (402). In one embodiment, the first ground terminal is a noisy ground terminal. The first ground terminal (402) is connected further with a combination of resistors and inductors which causes a parasitic impedance during starting of the electrical components of the electrical circuit. Further, due to this parasitic impedance, a simultaneous switching noise is experienced at the first ground terminal (402). This noise in turn impedes the signal flow among the plurality of electrical components and thereby reduces the efficiency of the integrated vehicle control unit (130).
[066] In the proposed system, in order to remove the noise created by the simultaneous switching of one or more electrical components in a closed space inside the integrated vehicle control unit, an additional ground terminal, referred as the second ground terminal (404) is introduced. The second ground terminal (404) is also known as a quiet ground terminal and is connected in series with the first ground terminal (402). Further, the second ground terminal (404) is provided as an on-chip ground terminal. The second ground terminal (404) is provided to divert ground noise from the sensitive analog circuits. A voltage divider, also known as an assisting resistive component (Rd), is formed by impedance between the first ground terminal (402) and the second ground terminal (404) and thereby provides a pathway from channeling the noise away from the electrical components and in turn preventing signal losses. Further, a capacitor (Cd), also known as an assisting voltage regulating component, is utilized to cancel the parasitic inductance of the second ground terminal (404) to eliminate additional noise.
[067] Further, the capacitor (Cd) is tuned in resonance with the parasitic inductances at a frequency that produces the greatest noise reduction efficiency. The impedance of the second ground terminal (404), therefore, becomes purely resistive and reaches a minimum. The voltage transfer function of the voltage divider is lowered, thereby permitting a greater portion of the noise voltage to be diverted from the electronic components through the second ground terminal (404). By placing the first ground terminal (402) and the second ground terminal (404), distant from each other, the simultaneous switching noise is lowered ground terminals of the analog circuits and digital circuits of the integrated vehicle control unit (130). The ground noise can also be reduced by lowering the impedance of the second ground terminal (404) in another embodiment.
[068] Figure 5 illustrates a method (500) of assembling the one or more vehicle control units (300, 302, 304) in the stacked configuration to form the integrated vehicle control unit (130), in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. A method (500) of assembling one or more control units in a stacked configuration to form an integrated vehicle control unit (130) comprises the following steps. In step (502), a power control unit (300) is assembled on the thermal pad (204) through one of the one or more mounting studs (312a, 312b, 312c) and assembling the one or more standoff screws (310) on the power control unit (300). This makes the first layer of the stacked configuration as the power control unit (130). In step (504), the one or more vertical tubes (306) are assembled on the power control unit (300) through one or more mounting studs (312a, 312b, 312c). The bottom surface of the one or more vertical tubes is provided with the sensor control unit (302) at a distance (L1) from the power control unit (300) in step (506). In step (508), the controller unit (304) is mounted on the top surface of the one or more vertical tubes (306) at a distance (L2) through one or more small mounting studs. Further, in step (510), the stacked configuration of the one or more control units is disposed inside the control unit casing (200) and is bolted shut with the heat sink (202).
[069] Figure 6 illustrates a method (600) of noise reduction caused due to simultaneous switching of the one or more vehicle control units (300, 302, 304) in the integrated vehicle control unit (130), in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. A method (600) of simultaneous switching noise reduction among electrical and electronic components of the integrated vehicle control unit (130) comprises of the following steps. In step (602), a voltage divider is created by introducing an assisting voltage regulating component between the first ground terminal (402) and the second ground terminal (404). In one embodiment, the assisting voltage regulator is the capacitor (Cd). In step (604), noise generated at the first ground terminal (402) is regulated and directed to the second ground terminal (404) and thereby cancelling noise at the first ground terminal (402). In step (606), the assisting voltage regulator (Rd) is tuned at a resonant frequency of the first ground terminal (402) to divert the noise. In step (608), the SSN noise is diverted from sensitive analog and digital circuits away from the first ground terminal (402) to the second ground terminal (404). In step (610), the noise reduction during SSN in achieved in all the electronic components of the integrated vehicle control unit (130) by reducing the parasitic path impedance. In one embodiment, this arrangement reduces the SSN noise in the electrical circuit to about 68% for sinusoidal noise sources, and to about 22% for a triangular noise source.
[070] The claimed steps as discussed herein are not routine, conventional, or well understood in the art, as the claimed steps enable the following solutions to the existing problems in conventional technologies.
[071] While the present invention has been shown and described with reference to the foregoing preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes in form, connection, and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Reference Numerals:


100 vehicle
102 frame assembly
104 headtube
106 front suspension
108 front wheel
108a, 108b pair of down tubes
110a, 110b pair of upper tubes
112a, 112b pair of central tubes
116a, 116b a pair of intermediate tubes
118 centre stand
120 pair of seat rails
122 one or more connecting tubes
124 rear wheel
126 transmission system
128 shock absorber
130 integrated vehicle control unit
132 cavity
200 control unit housing
202 heat sink
204 thermal pad
206a, 206b, 206c connecting slots
300 power control unit
302 sensor control unit
304 controller unit
306 one or more vertical tubes
308 one or more centre studs
310 one or more standoff screws
312a, 312b, 312c one or more mounting studs
402 first ground terminal
403 second ground terminal
,CLAIMS:I/We claim:
1. An integrated vehicle control unit (130) for a vehicle (100), said integrated vehicle control unit (130) comprising:
a control unit casing (200), said control unit casing (200) having plurality of connecting slots (206a, 206b, 206c);
a heat sink (202); and
one or more control units (300, 302, 304), said one or more control units (300, 302, 304) including a power control unit (300), a sensor control unit (302) and a controller unit (304),
wherein said one or more control units (300, 302, 304) being stacked onto one another using one or more vertical tubes (306) to form a stacked configuration;
wherein said control unit casing (200) covering one end of said one or more control units (300, 302, 304) and said heat sink (202), Wherein the heat sink is disposed onto said power control unit (300), said heat sing (202) being configured to cover another end of said control unit casing (200).
2. The integrated vehicle control unit (130) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said one or more control units (300, 302, 304) being made of PCB (Printed Circuit Boards).
3. The integrated vehicle control unit (130) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said power control unit (300) being a first layer of said stacked configuration, and said one or more vertical tubes (306) being rigidly affixed on said power control unit (300) through one or more mounting studs (312a, 312b, 312c).
4. The integrated vehicle control unit (130) as claimed in claim 3, wherein said one or more vertical tubes (306) being made of brass, and wherein said power control unit (300) being made of aluminum.
5. The integrated vehicle control unit (130) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said stacked configuration being supported through one or more centre studs (308) being disposed over said power control unit (300), and said stacked configuration being rigidly stabilized by one or more standoff screws (310) being disposed at peripheral edges of said power control unit (300).
6. The integrated vehicle control unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sensor control unit (302) being rigidly affixed on top of said power control unit (300) through said one or more vertical tubes (306), and wherein said sensor control unit (302) being a second layer of said stacked configuration.
7. The integrated vehicle control unit (130) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said controller unit (304) being a third layer of said stacked configuration, and wherein said controller unit (304) being aligned on top of said sensor control unit (302).
8. The integrated vehicle control unit (130) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sensor control unit (302) being disposed at one end of said one or more vertical tubes (306), and said sensor control unit (302) being disposed at an opposite end of said one or more vertical tubes (306).
9. The integrated vehicle control unit (130) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said power control unit (300), said sensor control unit (302) and said controller unit (304) being attached through said one or more mounting studs (312a, 312b, 312c), wherein said one or more mounting studs (312a, 312b, 312c) being a combination of small mounting studs and big mounting studs.
10. The integrated vehicle control unit (130) as claimed in claim 1, wherein another end of said power control unit (300) being attached through said small mounting studs to a thermal pad (204), and said thermal pad (304) being configured to attach to said heat sink (202).
11. The integrated vehicle control unit (130) as claimed in claim 1 and 3, wherein said power control unit (300) and said sensor control unit (302) being disposed at a distance L1, said distance L1 being not more than 11mm.
12. The integrated vehicle control unit (130) as claimed in claim 1 and 3, wherein said sensor control unit (302) and said controller unit (304) being disposed at a distance L2, said distance L2 being not more than 46.5mm.
13. The integrated vehicle control unit (130) as claimed in claim 1 and 3, wherein said power control unit (300) and said one or more centre stud (308) being disposed at a distance L3, said distance L3 being not more than 75.20mm.
14. The integrated vehicle control unit (130) as claimed in claim 1 and 3, wherein said power control unit (300), said sensor control unit (302) and said controller unit (304) having a thickness of not more than 1.6 mm.
15. A method (500) of assembling one or more control units (300, 302, 304) to form an integrated vehicle control unit (130) in a stacked configuration, said method comprising steps of:
assembling (502) of a power control unit (300) of said one or more control units (300, 302, 304), on a thermal pad (204) through one of one or more mounting studs (312a, 312b, 312c) and assembling one of one or more standoff screws (310) on said power control unit (300);
mounting (504) one or more vertical tubes (306) on said power control unit (300) through one or more mounting studs (312a, 312b, 312c);
mounting (506) a sensor control unit (302) on a bottom surface of said one or more vertical tubes (306) through one of said one or more mounting studs (312a, 312b, 312c) at a predetermined distance L1;
mounting (508) a controller unit (304) on said a top surface of said one or more vertical tubes (306) through one of said one or more mounting studs (312a, 312b, 312c) at a distance L2 from said sensor control unit (302);
assembling (510) said stacked configuration of said power control unit (300), said sensor control unit (302) and said controller unit (304) inside a control unit casing (200);
mounting (510) a heat sink (204) on one end of said power control unit (300) for sealing said integrated vehicle control unit (130).
16. The method (500) of assembling an integrated vehicle control unit (130) in a stacked configuration as claimed in claim 17, wherein said one or more vertical tubes (306) being made of brass, and said power control unit (300) being made of aluminum.
17. The method (500) of assembling an integrated vehicle control unit (130) in a stacked configuration as claimed in claim 15, wherein said one or more mounting studs (312a, 312b, 312c) being a combination of small mounting studs and big mounting studs.
18. The method (500) of assembling an integrated vehicle control unit (130) in a stacked configuration as claimed in claim 15, wherein said power control unit (300) being provided with one or more centre studs (308) at a distance L3 for stability and rigidity.
19. The method (500) of assembling an integrated vehicle control unit (130) in a stacked configuration as claimed in claim 15, wherein peripheral edges of said power control unit (300) being provided with one or standoff screws (310) for rigidity.
20. An integrated vehicle control unit (130) of a vehicle (100), said integrated vehicle control unit (130) comprising:
a power source (Vd);
a plurality of voltage and current regulating components, said plurality of voltage and current regulating components being connected in a combination of series and parallel; and
one or more electronic circuits, said one or more electronic circuits comprising a digital circuit and an analog circuit;
a plurality of ground terminals, said plurality of ground terminals comprising a first ground terminal (402) and a second ground terminal (404),
wherein an assisting resistive component (Rd) and an assisting voltage regulating component (Cd) being connected to said first ground terminal (402) for noise reduction of said integrated vehicle control unit (130).
21. The integrated vehicle control unit (130) of a vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 20 wherein said plurality of voltage and current regulating components being resistors and inductors.
22. The integrated vehicle control unit (130) of a vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 20, wherein said assisting voltage regulating component (Cd) being a capacitor, said assisting resistive component (Rd) being configured to tune to a resonant frequency of said first ground terminal (402) for reduction in noise.
23. The integrated vehicle control unit (130) of a vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 20, wherein said assisting voltage regulating component (Cd) and said assisting resistive component (Rd) being configured to reduce parasitic impedance generated by said plurality of voltage and current regulating components.
24. A method (600) of noise reduction in an integrated vehicle control unit, said method comprising steps of:
creating (602) a voltage divider by introducing an assisting voltage regulating component (Rd) between a first ground terminal (402) and a second ground terminal (404);
cancelling (504) additional noise created at said first ground terminal (402) through said assisting voltage regulating component (Rd);
tuning (606) said assisting voltage regulating component (Rd) at a frequency of said first ground terminal (402);
diverting (608) noise from sensitive analog and digital circuits away from said first ground terminal (402);
achieving (610) reduction in a simultaneous switching noise of said integrated vehicle control unit (130).