FIELD OF INVENTION:
[001] The present subject matter described herein, relates to a placement of 5 electronic control unit (ECU) of a vehicle and, in more particularly, to mounting structure and placement of the electronic control unit (ECU) in engine compartment of the vehicle.
BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART:
[002] Electronic control unit (ECU) is one of the primary components which 10 controls functionality of the electronic devices, such as sensors of both engine and vehicle. It is generally mounted on ECU mounting bracket and the ECU mounting bracket is assembled to the vehicle. The main purpose of ECU mounting bracket is to support ECU in its mounting position by withstanding the dynamic loads that are generated because of self-weight and vibrations during running of the vehicle. 15 Since, the loads generated are dependent on weight of ECU, higher the weight of ECU, more care has to be taken in the design of mounting bracket. The weight of ECU in case of diesel vehicles is higher (approximately 4 times) that of gasoline vehicles. Hence, the ECU mounting bracket in case of diesel vehicles demands for more robust design than gasoline vehicles. 20
[003] In case of diesel vehicles, the ECU is generally mounted in cowl upper area of the vehicle mainly because of two reasons: (a) Load generated during running of the vehicle can be shared by both ECU mounting bracket and Panel, cowl upper; (b) if the size of ECU is bigger, bigger ECU mounting bracket is required. Therefore, in any other location more space is required, which is a big 25 constraint.
[004] In diesel vehicles, ECU which is generally mounted in the cowl upper region is assembled in 4 stages as explained: (1) ECU is mounted to two (2) brackets using bolt connections in a sub assembly. (2) This sub assembly is assembled to Case using bolt connections. (3) This sub assembly is mounted on 30
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Panel, cowl upper. (4) The sub assembly is then assembled to the vehicle. Therefore, placement of the ECU in the cowl upper area takes more significant of time to assemble and de-assemble the ECU unit.
[005] Further, wiring harness is connected to ECU through two couplers, i.e., Coupler connecting engine harness and Coupler connecting main harness. Since, 5 ECU is mounted in the cowl upper region; more length of wiring harness is required to connect to the couplers, which demands for more space and cost.
[006] During the service of the vehicle, to get access to ECU, entire Cowl assembly has to be dissembled, which is time consuming and tiresome.
[007] Therefore, drawbacks of the ECU mounting structure and prior arts are 10 that ECU mounting structures in the conventional designs and prior arts, are complex and occupies lot of space. Also, the mounting location of the ECU as in Cowl upper region demands more assembly and service time. Also as in prior arts, the mounting location of ECU directly on the engine with the help of a mounting bracket is not recommended as ECU and the associated wiring harness is exposed 15 to high temperatures of engine and also to engine vibrations.The known systems do not provide any structure and placement of the ECU in the engine compartment which reduces the space constraint and service time of the ECU along with cost of mounting structure and wire harness. Therefore, a simple ECU mounting structure is required at convenient location in the engine compartment for easy assembly 20 and de-assembly of the ECU.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION:
[008] The principal objective of the present invention is to provide a mounting structure for the Electronic control unit (ECU) which can easily withstand with the dynamic loads generated during running of the vehicle. 25
[009] Another object of the present invention is to mount the ECU mounting structure at location from where assembly and de-assembly is easy during assembly of the vehicle at the time of manufacturing and servicing of vehicle.
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[0010] Another object of the present invention is to mount the ECU in the engine compartment.
[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide easy assembly of the ECU in the engine compartment.
[0012] Another object of the present invention is to reduce assembly and de-5 assembly time for the ECU in vehicle and to reduce service time due to it free accessibility.
[0013] Another object of the present invention is to reduce the requirement of the wiring harness as minimum as possible.
[0014] Yet another object of the present invention is to reduce weight of the 10 vehicle and to save cost on the wiring of the vehicle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
[0015] The subject matter disclosed herein relates to an electronic control unit (ECU) mounting structure for mounting of ECU in engine compartment of vehicle to provide easy accessibility to the ECU during assembly and de-assembly of the 15 ECU. The present placement of the ECU mounting structure in the engine compartment also reduces the requirement of the wiring harness. The present ECU mounting structure has first ECU mounting bracket and second ECU mounting bracket. The first ECU mounting bracket is mounted on front fender apron of the vehicle through relay box mounting bracket at upper end. The first 20 ECU mounting bracket is mounted on Second ECU mounting bracket at the lower end. The first ECU mounting bracket has a rear side vertical bent profile to get engage with the relay box mounting bracket. The first ECU mounting bracket is mounted with the relay box mounting bracket at the upper end with one bolt connection and with second ECU mounting bracket with 2 bolt connections which 25 is easy to assemble and de-assemble. Further, the first ECU mounting bracket has four bolt holes to receive the Electronic Control Unit (ECU). The first ECU mounting bracket is L shape bracket, where the upper portion is mounted with the relay box mounting bracket and lower end is mounted to second ECU mounting
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bracket. The second ECU mounting bracket is mounted on Engine left hand (LH) mount at two locations. Further, the second ECU mounting bracket is mounted on the engine LH mount with bolt connections at two locations. The second ECU mounting bracket is ‘∩’ shape bracket with flat top horizontal surface. The horizontal surface of the ‘L’ shaped first ECU mounting bracket is mounted on 5 flat top horizontal surface of the second ECU mounting bracket. The first ECU mounting bracket is mounted on the second horizontal surface at two bolt locations with bolts for easy and fast assembly and de-assembly. The engine LH mount is strong part to bear loads of the ECU mounting structure. The front fender apron of the vehicle is also strong part which bears the load and vibrations 10 of the ECU during running conditions of the vehicle. The ECU mounting structure is provided in the engine compartment where requirement of wire harness is less as compared to other locations. Further, the present ECU mounting structure is at a distance from the engine to avoid heat.
[0016] In order to further understand the characteristics and technical contents of 15 the present subject matter, a description relating thereto will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the drawings are illustrative only but not used to limit scope of the present subject matter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only 20 typical embodiments of the present subject matter and are therefore not to be considered for limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments. The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same 25 numbers are used throughout the figures to reference like features and components. Some embodiments of system or methods in accordance with embodiments of the present subject matter are now described, by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:
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[0018] Fig. 1 illustrates mounting of ECU mounting structure on engine LH mount and front fender apron with help of relay box mounting bracket in the engine compartment of the vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;
[0019] Fig. 2 illustrates mounting locations of mounting brackets for the ECU 5 mounting structure in the engine compartment of vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;
[0020] Fig. 3(a)-(c) illustrate front, right side, and bottom view of the first ECU mounting bracket for mounting the ECU in the engine compartment, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter; 10
[0021] Fig. 4(a)-(c) illustrates perspective, left side, and bottom view of the second ECU mounting bracket for mounting the ECU in the engine compartment, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter; and
[0022] Fig. 5 illustrates stress prone areas of the ECU mounting structure, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. 15
[0023] The figures depict embodiments of the present subject matter for the purposes of illustration only. A person skilled in the art will easily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein. 20
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS:
[0024] The subject matter disclosed herein relates to an electronic control unit (ECU) mounting structure for mounting of ECU in engine compartment of vehicle to provide easy accessibility to the ECU during assembly and de-assembly of the ECU. The present placement of the ECU mounting structure in the engine 25 compartment also reduces the requirement of the wiring harness. The present ECU mounting structure has first ECU mounting bracket and second ECU mounting bracket. The first ECU mounting bracket is mounted on front fender apron of the vehicle through relay box mounting bracket at upper end. The first
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ECU mounting bracket is mounted on Second ECU mounting bracket on the lower end. The first ECU mounting bracket has a rear side vertical bent profile to get engage with the relay box mounting bracket. The first ECU mounting bracket is mounted with the relay box mounting bracket on the upper end with one bolt connection and with second ECU mounting bracket with 2 bolt connections which 5 is easy to assemble and de-assemble. Further, the first ECU mounting bracket has four bolt holes to receive the Electronic Control Unit (ECU). The first ECU mounting bracket is L shape bracket, where the upper portion is mounted with the relay box mounting bracket and lower end is mounted to second ECU mounting bracket. The second ECU mounting bracket is mounted on Engine left hand (LH) 10 mount at two locations. Further, the second ECU mounting bracket is mounted on the engine LH mount with bolt connections at two locations. The second ECU mounting bracket is ‘∩’ shape bracket with flat top horizontal surface. The horizontal surface of the ‘L’ shaped first ECU mounting bracket is mounted on flat top horizontal surface of the second ECU mounting bracket. The first ECU 15 mounting bracket is mounted on the second horizontal surface at two bolt locations with bolts for easy and fast assembly and de-assembly. The engine LH mount is strong part to bear loads of the ECU mounting structure. The front fender apron of the vehicle is also strong part which bears the load and vibrations of the ECU during running conditions of the vehicle. The ECU mounting structure 20 is provided in the engine compartment where requirement of wire harness is less as compared to other locations. Further, the present ECU mounting structure is at a distance from the engine to avoid heat.
[0025] Conventionally, the placement of the ECU in the upper cowl area takes more significant of time to assemble and de-assemble the ECU unit. Further, 25 wiring harness is connected to ECU through two couplers, i.e., Coupler connecting engine harness and Coupler connecting main harness. Since, ECU is mounted in the cowl upper region; more length of wiring harness is required to connect to the couplers, which demands for more space and cost. During the service of the vehicle, to get access to ECU, entire Cowl assembly has to be 30 dissembled, which is time consuming and tiresome. Further, there are high
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chances of water clogging in the cowl upper area which may damage the ECU unit. Therefore, in order to solve the existing problems, ECU has to be mounted in the location which is near to the engine. However providing the ECU near the engine creates many problems, such as heating up of the ECU and wiring harness. Further ECU is a heavy unit which need sufficient support the bear its weight. 5 Furthermore, during the running of the vehicle, it creates vibrations and dynamic load which needs to be bear by the mounting structure of the ECU and base of the mounting structure.
[0026] In the embodiment of the present subject matter, an electronic control unit (ECU) mounting structure for mounting of ECU in engine compartment of vehicle 10 to provide easy accessibility to the ECU during assembly and de-assembly of the ECU. The ECU is mounted on the mounting bracket which bears the sufficient load of the ECU during the running condition of the vehicle. The mounting bracket of the ECU is mounted on Engine LH mount and left front ender apron of the vehicle through relay box mounting bracket in the engine compartment. The 15 engine LH mount is casted component which is very stiff and shares the generated load of the ECU.
[0027] It should be noted that the description and figures merely illustrate the principles of the present subject matter. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily 20 utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present subject matter. It should also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that by devising various arrangements that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present subject matter and are included within its spirit and scope. Furthermore, all examples 25 recited herein are principally intended expressly to be for pedagogical purposes to aid the reader in understanding the principles of the present subject matter and the concepts contributed by the inventor(s) to furthering the art, and are to be construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the 30
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present subject matter, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures.
[0028] The other advantages of the present subject matter would be described in 5 greater detail with reference to the following figures. It should be noted that the description merely illustrates the principles of the present subject matter. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise various arrangements that, although not explicitly described herein, embody the principles of the present subject matter and are included within its scope. 10
[0029] Fig. 1 & 2 illustrate mounting of ECU mounting structure on engine LH mount and front fender apron with help of relay box mounting bracket in the engine compartment of the vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The present electronic control unit (ECU) mounting structure 100 for mounting of ECU 107 in engine compartment of vehicle to 15 provide easy accessibility to the ECU 107 during assembly and de-assembly of the ECU. The present placement of the ECU mounting structure 100 in the engine compartment also reduces the requirement of the wiring harness. The present ECU mounting structure 100 has first ECU mounting bracket 101 and second ECU mounting bracket 102. The first ECU mounting bracket 101 is mounted on 20 front fender apron 106 of the vehicle through relay box mounting bracket 103 at upper end. The first ECU mounting bracket 101 has a rear side vertical bent profile 101a to get engage with the relay box mounting bracket 103. The relay box bracket 103 is in L shape. The L shape relay box mounting bracket 103 is mounted in reverse position, where vertical portion is at lower side and horizontal 25 portion is at upper side. The vertical portion of the relay box mounting bracket 103 is mounted on the front fender apron 106 of the vehicle and horizontal portion is engaged with the rear side vertical bent profile 101a of the first ECU mounting bracket 101. The first ECU mounting bracket 101 is mounted with the relay box mounting bracket 103 with one bolt connection which is easy to assemble and de-30
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assemble. Further, the first ECU mounting bracket has four bolt holes to receive the Electronic Control Unit (ECU). The first ECU mounting bracket 101 is ‘L’ shape bracket, where the upper vertical portion is mounted with the relay box mounting bracket 103.
[0030] The second ECU mounting bracket 102 is mounted on Engine left hand 5 (LH) mount 104 at two locations 105. The second ECU mounting bracket is ‘∩’ shape bracket with flat top horizontal surface. The horizontal surface of the ‘L’ shaped (detail illustration is given in figure 3) first ECU mounting bracket 101 is mounted on the flat top horizontal surface (detail illustration is given in figure 4) of the second ECU mounting bracket 102. The first ECU mounting bracket 101 is 10 mounted on the horizontal surface of the second ECU mounting bracket 102 at two bolt locations with bolts for easy and fast assembly and de-assembly. The engine LH mount 104 is strong part to bear loads of the ECU mounting structure 100. The first ECU mounting bracket 101 is main load bearing bracket and the second ECU mounting bracket 102 is the supplementary bracket. 15
[0031] The front fender apron 106 of the vehicle is also strong part which bears the load and vibrations of the ECU during running conditions of the vehicle. The ECU mounting structure is provided in the engine compartment where requirement of wire harness is less as compared to other locations. Further, the present ECU mounting structure is at a distance from the engine to avoid heat. 20
[0032] Fig. 3(a)-(c) illustrates front, right side, and bottom view of the first ECU mounting bracket for mounting the ECU in the engine compartment, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. Fig. 3(a) illustrates the front view of the first ECU mounting bracket 101 as 300. The first ECU mounting bracket 300 is in ‘L’ shape. The first ECU mounting bracket 101 has 25 four holes 302 on the front surface to accommodate the ECU 107. The first ECU mounting bracket 101 has two mounting holes at upper side and two mounting holes at lower side just above the bent profile of L shaped bracket. The one end of the upper portion of the first ECU mounting bracket 300 has a rear side vertical bent profile 303 for engagement with the relay box mounting bracket. The first 30
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ECU mounting bracket 300 is made of a material, such as steel which has high strength. The first ECU mounting bracket 101 has two vertical beads 301 along the length of the first ECU mounting bracket 101. The beads 301 are added to provide stiffness in the first ECU mounting bracket 101 to withstand dynamic loads generated during vehicle running conditions. The beads 301 at the bent 5 profile of the bracket provide strength to the mounting bracket. Fig. 3(b) illustrates right side view of the first ECU mounting bracket 300. The horizontal surface 304 of the ‘L’ shaped first ECU mounting bracket 300 is mounted on the flat top horizontal surface 401 (as shown in figure 4) of the second ECU mounting bracket 102 (400 as in figure 4). The first ECU mounting bracket 300 is mounted 10 on the horizontal surface of the second ECU mounting bracket 400 at two bolt locations with bolts for easy and fast assembly and de-assembly. Fig. 3(c) illustrates the bottom view of the first ECU mounting bracket 300. The bottom view illustrates the rear side vertical bent profile 303 of the first ECU mounting bracket for mounting at front fender apron of the vehicle. 15
[0033] Fig. 4(a)-(c) illustrates perspective, left side, and bottom view of the second ECU mounting bracket for mounting the ECU in the engine compartment, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. Fig. 4(a) illustrates the perspective view of the second ECU mounting bracket 400. The second ECU mounting bracket 300 is ‘∩’ shape bracket (as illustrated in figure 20 4c) with flat top horizontal surface 401 having three bolt holes, where two for first ECU mounting bracket and one for engine LH mount. Further, one straight side is vertically bent and extend in outside direction. The extended portion 404 has bolt hole for mounting of the second ECU mounting bracket 400 on the engine LH mount. The second ECU mounting bracket 300 has bead structure 403 at bent 25 profile. The horizontal surface of the ‘L’ shaped (as illustrated in figure 3) first ECU mounting bracket 300 is mounted on the flat top horizontal surface 401 of the second ECU mounting bracket 400. The second ECU mounting bracket 400 is mounted on Engine left hand (LH) mount at two locations 402 and 404. The first ECU mounting bracket is mounted on the horizontal surface of the second ECU 30 mounting bracket at two bolt locations with bolts for easy and fast assembly and
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de-assembly. Further, the second ECU mounting bracket is mounted on the engine LH mount with bolt connections at two locations.
[0034] Fig. 5 illustrates stress prone areas of the mounting structure. During the running conditions of the vehicle more pressure or stress is generally lies at the first ECU mounting bracket 300 and its connections. High stress is observed at the 5 fillet area of the first ECU mounting bracket.
[0035] However, the present ECU mounting structure is sufficiently stiff to bear dynamic loads generated during running of the vehicle. The durability test and CAE test confirms the durability of the present ECU mounting structure. Positioning of the ECU under hood and in the engine compartment, made it easy 10 to assemble which reduces slack time. Easy to access at the time of service which drastically reduces service time and effort. Reduction in the harness length which helps in saving cost also. Due to change in the position of ECU, a weight reduction of approximately 600 gm/vehicle is achieved in wiring harness.
[0036] Although embodiments for the present subject matter have been described 15 in language specific to structural features, it is to be understood that the present subject matter is not necessarily limited to the specific features described. Rather, the specific features and methods are disclosed as embodiments for the present subject matter. Numerous modifications and adaptations of the system/device of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and thus it is 20 intended by the appended claims to cover all such modifications and adaptations which fall within the scope of the present subject matter.

We claim:
1. An Electronic Control Unit (ECU) mounting structure (100) for mounting of Electronic Control Unit (ECU) (107) in engine compartment of vehicle to provide easy accessibility to the ECU (107) during assembly and de-assembly of the ECU (107), the ECU mounting structure (100) comprising: 5
a first ECU mounting bracket (101, 300) mounted on front fender apron (106) with a relay box mounting bracket (103) from upper end; and
a second ECU mounting bracket (102, 400) mounted on Engine left hand (LH) mount (104) at two locations (105), wherein the first ECU mounting bracket (101) mounted on the second ECU mounting bracket 10 (102) for providing support to the first ECU mounted bracket (101).
2. The Electronic Control Unit (ECU) mounting structure (100), wherein the first ECU mounting bracket (101) is L shape bracket.
3. The Electronic Control Unit (ECU) mounting structure (100), wherein the second ECU mounting bracket (102, 400) is ‘∩’ shape bracket with flat top 15 horizontal surface (401).
4. The Electronic Control Unit (ECU) mounting structure (100), wherein the ECU (107) is mounted on the first ECU mounting bracket (101, 300) with bolt connections.
5. The Electronic Control Unit (ECU) mounting structure (100), wherein the 20 first ECU mounting bracket (101, 300) has a rear side vertical bent profile (101a, 303) to get engage with the relay box mounting bracket (103) with bolt connection.
6. The Electronic Control Unit (ECU) mounting structure (100), wherein the horizontal lower surface (304) of the ‘L’ shaped first ECU mounting bracket 25 (101, 300) mounted on the flat top horizontal surface (401) of the second ECU mounting bracket (102, 400) with bolt connections.
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7. The Electronic Control Unit (ECU) mounting structure (100), wherein the first ECU mounting bracket (101, 300) has two vertical beads (301) along length of the first ECU mounting bracket (101, 300) to provide stiffness to the first ECU mounting bracket (101, 300).
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8. The Electronic Control Unit (ECU) mounting structure (100), wherein one straight leg of the second ECU mounting bracket (102, 400) is vertically bent and extends in outside direction (404), wherein the extended portion (404) has bolt hole for mounting of the second ECU mounting bracket (400) on the engine LH mount (106). 10
9. The Electronic Control Unit (ECU) mounting structure (100), wherein the second ECU mounting bracket (102, 400) has bead structure (403) at bent profile.