Deformable attachment for electrical components

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9776586-B2
Application number	US-201514964470-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 9, 2015
Priority date	Dec 9, 2015
Publication date	Oct 3, 2017
Grant date	Oct 3, 2017

Abstract

An attachment bracket for attaching electrical components is provided in a vehicle. The attachment bracket can have a deformable tab configured to be operatively connected to vehicle structure, such as a floor panel. The deformable tab can include an attachment portion and a connector portion. The attachment portion can have one or more attachment features, such as an aperture, to operatively connect the deformable tab to the vehicle structure. The connector can include different shapes, sizes, and/or configurations to control and/or influence the deformation of the deformable tab under an application of force. The attachment bracket can be used to operatively connect an electrical component to a vehicle structure. For example, the attachment bracket can retain an vehicle airbag ECU to a vehicle floor panel during impacts of the vehicle.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An attachment bracket for an electrical component, the electrical component operable within a predetermined angle range relative to an initial orientation, the attachment bracket comprising:
a main body configured for operative connection to the electrical component and a vehicle structure; and
a deformable tab extending from the main body, the deformable tab including:
an attachment portion having at least one attachment feature to allow operative connection of the attachment bracket to the vehicle structure, the attachment portion being spaced from the main body; and
a connector portion joining the main body and the attachment portion,

the deformable tab configured to deform from an initial condition to a deformed condition upon an application of a force to the attachment portion, at least a component of the force being directed toward the main body,
the attachment portion, the connector portion, and the main body being substantially co-planar in the initial condition, and the attachment portion, the connector portion, and the main body being rotated relative to one another in the deformed condition, whereby the electrical component rotates with the main body in the deformed condition,
the deformable tab being configured to limit rotation of the main body and the electrical component within the predetermined angle range.

2. The attachment bracket of claim 1 , wherein the connector portion includes one or more weakened regions.

3. The attachment bracket of claim 2 , wherein the one or more weakened regions includes a first weakened region and a second weakened region, wherein the first weakened region is configured to bend as the deformable tab deforms from the initial condition to the deformed condition, and wherein the second weakened region is configured to bend as the deformable tab deforms from the initial condition to the deformed condition.

4. The attachment bracket of claim 3 , wherein the first weakened region is located between the connector portion and the main body, and wherein the second weakened region is located between the connector portion and the attachment portion.

5. The attachment bracket of claim 1 , wherein, the predetermined angle range includes values up to about 8 degrees relative to the initial orientation.

6. The attachment bracket of claim 4 , wherein the first weakened region is configured to move upward from an initial position.

7. The attachment bracket of claim 6 , wherein the maximum distance the first weakened region moves upward is substantially equal to a length of the connector portion.

8. The attachment bracket of claim 1 , wherein the deformable tab is configured to allow transverse movement of the attachment portion during deformation between the initial condition and the deformed condition.

9. An electrical component system for a vehicle, the system comprising:
a vehicle structure defining an attachment surface;
an electrical component operable within a predetermined angle range relative to an initial orientation;
an attachment bracket, the electrical component being operatively connected to the attachment surface at least in part by the attachment bracket, the attachment bracket including:
a main body configured for operative connection to the electrical component and the attachment surface; and
a deformable tab extending from the main body, the deformable tab including:
an attachment portion having at least one aperture to allow operative connection of the attachment bracket to the attachment surface, the attachment portion being spaced from the main body; and
a connector portion joining the main body and the attachment portion,

the deformable tab configured to deform from an initial condition to a deformed condition upon an application of a force to the attachment portion, at least a component of the force being directed toward the main body,
the attachment portion, the connector portion, and the main body being substantially co-planar in the initial condition, and the attachment portion, the connector portion, and the main body being rotated relative to one another in the deformed condition, whereby the electrical component rotates with the main body in the deformed condition,

wherein the deformable tab is configured to limit rotation of the main body and the electrical component within the predetermined angle range.

10. The electrical component system of claim 9 , wherein:
the deformable tab is configured to bend at a first bend portion and a second bend portion as the deformable tab deforms from the initial condition to the deformed condition, and
the first bend portion is located between the connector portion and the main body, and the second bend portion is located between the connector portion and the attachment portion.

11. The electrical component system of claim 10 , wherein a distance between the first bend portion and the second bend portion is configured to cause the main body and the electrical component to rotate, the predetermined angle range being about 8 degrees from the initial orientation.

12. The electrical component system of claim 11 , wherein the first bend portion is configured to move upward from an initial position.

13. The electrical component system of claim 12 , wherein the maximum distance the first bend portion moves upwards is substantially equal to a length of the connector.

14. The electrical component system of claim 9 , wherein the electrical component is an airbag ECU.

15. An airbag ECU system for a vehicle, the system comprising:
a vehicle floor panel defining an attachment surface;
an airbag ECU having an ECU main body and a plurality of attachment tabs, each of the plurality of attachment tabs having at least one aperture, the airbag ECU being operable within a predetermined angle range relative to an initial orientation;
an attachment bracket operatively connected to the attachment surface and the airbag ECU, the attachment bracket including:
a main body having at least one main body aperture and an outer surface configured to contact a portion of the ECU body; and
a deformable tab extending from the main body, the deformable tab including:
an attachment portion having an aperture to allow operative connection of the attachment bracket to the attachment surface, the attachment portion being spaced from the main body; and
a connector portion joining the main body and the attachment portion,

the deformable tab configured to deform from a substantially planar initial condition to a deformed condition having first and second bend portions upon an application of a force from the vehicle floor to the attachment portion, at least a component of the force being directed toward the main body,

the attachment portion, the connector portion, and the main body being substantially co-planar in the initial condition, and the attachment portion, the connector portion, and the main body being rotated relative to one another in the deformed condition, whereby the airbag ECU rotates with the main body in the deformed condition,
wherein the first and second bend portions of the deformable tab are configured to limit rotation of the main body and the electrical component within the predetermined angle range.

16. The airbag ECU system of claim 15 , wherein the attachment bracket is operatively connected to the airbag ECU and the attachment surface via at least one fastener, each of the at least one fasteners configured to extend at least partially through the main body aperture and the aperture defined in the attachment tab of the airbag ECU.

17. The airba

Assignees

• Toyota Motor Eng & Mfg North America Inc

Inventors

• Meyers Gerritt Benjamin
• Scheick John A
• Schnug Tyler E

Classifications

• B60R16/02

  electric {constitutive elements} · CPC title

• B60R21/01 Primary

  Electrical circuits for triggering {passive} safety arrangements, {e.g. airbags, safety belt tighteners,} in case of vehicle accidents or impending vehicle accidents {(electrical circuits for transmission of signals between steering wheel and the vehicle itself B60R16/027; for electrically actuating belt retractor locking means B60R22/343)} · CPC title

• B60R2021/01006

  Mounting of electrical components in vehicles · CPC title

• B62D25/20 Primary

  Floors or bottom sub-units {(sub-frames for mounting engine or suspensions B62D21/11; drip trays F16N31/006)} · CPC title

• B60R2021/01286

  Electronic control units · CPC title