DESCRIPTION

The present invention regards a mechanical container specifically prearranged for housing automotive electronic cards, such as locators, alarm modules, and a wide variety of devices for control of the logistics of the means of transport, based upon radio technology (e.g., GPS, Galileo, GSM) to be used on commercial vehicles, industrial vehicles, and vehicles for the transport of people.

The mechanical containers currently provided for housing automotive electronic cards are usually made up of two half-shells, one of which houses the electronic card, and the other has fixing slots.

So far housing of the automotive electronic cards, such as, for example, locators, alarm modules, and devices for logistics based upon radio technology (GPS, Galileo, GSM) has never been achieved by designing containers of a universal type, namely ones that enable uniform housing of a wide variety of automotive electronic devices.

Another disadvantage of the traditional technique lies in the difficulty of finding on the market container modules in which the same electronic device is protected against possible and undesirable splashes of water and/or infiltration of dust and water vapour.

A further disadvantage of the traditional technique lies in the fact that currently, available containers require for their assembly screws, washers, rivets, spacers and other mechanical items, which entail the use of specific tools, and penalize the times for manufacture in the factory. Moreover, also the subsequent installation on the vehicle can be rendered problematical by these items.

An additional disadvantage of the traditional technique for installation of currently available automotive containers is represented by the fact that their mechanics does not enable an objective certification of their installation on board the vehicle, nor likewise does it enable any guarantee of their integrity in time, understood as possible undesirable disconnection of the mechanical ensemble from the frame of the vehicle or as release of the device from its cradle or as release of the connector or connectors.

The basic purpose of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages presented by the current traditional technique of production of automotive containers for automotive electronic devices, proposing an- alternative mechanical architecture, which likewise offers the possibility of producing and installing a plurality and variety of electronic devices, merely changing just one component of the container, the fascia, adapting it each time according to the specific needs, and keeping the other two components, namely the shell and the cradle, unaltered.

The above purposes are achieved by providing, a mechanical container 1 as protective case for automotive electronic devices 9, basically constituted by a shell 2 and a fascia 3, characterized in that said constitutive elements 2, 3 are constrained together by snap action and in an anti-effraction way, forming, by being joined together, at the same time, both a universal container 1 for electronic devices 9 that is highly protective in so far as it can also be connected to a supporting means or cradle 6, rigidly fixed with respect to the frame 13 of the motor vehicle, by means of at least one means of constraint or clamp 7, provided with a unique distinctive mark 11, which certifies the anti-effraction installation of the electronic device 9 thus protected in said container 1, and a container 1 that can be removed quickly, enabling fast maintenance or even replacement of the electronic device 9 without the need to remove said cradle 6 and without the aid of particular mechanical tools.

The above purposes and the consequent advantages, as well as the characteristics of the invention according to the present disclosure will emerge more clearly evident from the ensuing detailed description of a preferred solution, provided purely by way of non- limiting example, with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

• Figure 1 is a three-dimensional schematic view of the mechanical container 1 for automotive electronic devices 9 according to the . invention, basically constituted by a pair of elements, namely an -impermeable shell 2 and a fascia 3, with the shell 2 rigidly constraining the closing fascia 3, through a pair of snap-action coupling elements set on the fascia (not visible in Figure 1) and some pins set on the internal surface of the shell 2, which are not visible in Figure 1 either;

• Figure 2 is a three-dimensional schematic view of just the fascia 3 of said container 1 illustrated in Figure 1, said container being blocked between the walls 6 by means of the snap-action hooking elements 4;

Figure 3 is a three-dimensional schematic view of a cradle 6 for housing the container 1;

Figure 4 is the same . three-dimensional schematic view of said cradle 6 of Figure 3, for housing the container 1 illustrated in Figure 1, together with a clamp 7, designed to enable a certified installation of the container 1 tself;

Figure 5. is a schematic front view of the cradle 6 illustrated in Figure A, together with an automotive device 9, housed within it, complete with shell 2 and fascia 3, constituting the container 1, where just one hole 10 may be noted, made in the cradle 6 itself, for the passage, inside the cradle 6, of another clamp 7;

Figure 6 is a three-dimensional schematic view of just the cradle 6, where the position of another pair of holes 8 may be noted more clearly, once again made in the cradle 6 itself, for the passage, outside the cradle 6, of said clamp 7, provided with a unique distinctive mark 11; likewise visible are the holes 12 that possibly enable fixing of the cradle 6 on a plane surface via screws;

Figure 7 is a three-dimensional schematic view of the container 1 engaged to the cradle 6 via the clamp 7, provided with said unique distinctive mark 11;

Figure' 8 is a three-dimensional schematic view of the clamp 7, for example of the "HORNSEAL" or "CASHBAGSEAL" type, provided with the unique distinctive mark 11, combined, by means of an appropriate code, to the identifier of the electronic device 9 to be protected; ¹

• Figure 9 is a three-dimensional schematic view of the container 1, constrained to the cradle 6, the latter in turn being engaged to the structure of the frame 13 of the motor vehicle, for example with further clamps 7 or epox glue or screws, in order to enable global removal of the electronic device 9, without any damage to the shell 2;

• Figure 10 is a perspective view from the inside of the fascia 3 that highlights its system of fixing on the shell 2, constituted by snap-action coupling elements 14; and

• Figure 11 is a, three-dimensional schematic view of the electronic device 9 in an example of embodiment.

From the attached Figure 1 it emerges how the mechanical container 1 according to the present invention is basically constituted by a protective shell 2 and a fascia 3, which fasten to one another in order to form said container 1 for automotive devices 9 for motor vehicles.

As emerges from Figures 5, 7 and 9, the container 1 is in turn rigidly constrainable in an anti- effraction way to a cradle 6, which also acts as further protection for the electronic device 9.

As likewise emerges from Figures 4, 7 and 9, the rigid anti-effraction constraint of the mechanical container 1 for automotive electronic devices 9 is obtained by an engagement means or clamp 7, that blocks in a certified and anti-effraction way the container 1 to said cradle 9.

The shell 2 of ^' the container 1 is obtained so as to be impermeable, as likewise said fascia 3 may be obtained, up to a maximum degree of protection equal to IP 65. Said degree of protection is established according to CEI- 70-1 Standard (Italian Standard corresponding to EN 60529) and regards the degree of protection of the casing for electrical equipment with a nominal voltage not higher than 72.5 kV. In the above value of degree of protection, the first figure indicates the degree of protection against contact with external solid bodies and against access to dangerous parts (in the case in point, the figure 6 is equivalent to a container totally protected against dust) , and the second figure indicates the degree of protection against the penetration of liquids (in this case, the figure 5 is equivalent to a container protected against jets of water) . In this connection, . it should be recalled that there exists a third value of the degree of protection indicating the degree of strength of the casing, and the reference standard is CEI. 70-3 (corresponding to EN . 50102), which envisages verification of the integrity of the casing following upon application of impact with a pendulum hammer, a spring hammer, or a vertical hammer.

The shell 2, in turn rigidly constrains the closing fascia 3, through at least one pair of snap- action coupling elements 14 set on the internal face of the fascia 3 itself, as well as possible pins set on the internal surface of the shell 2.

Said means of constraint (snap-action dovetail coupling elements 14 and pins) form an anti-effraction closing of the electronic device 9 within the container 1, in so far as, for its unauthorized removal it is necessary to break the fascia 3 (shown alone in Figures 2 and 10) given that correct removal of said means requires the use ^' of a specifically devised tool.

The elements constituting the ensemble of the container 1 are basically three, given that it is formed by said shell 2, which may be constrained to the fascia 3 and by the further protective supporting means or cradle 6 of said container 1.

Consequently, the container 1 is characterized in that it can be quickly dismantled, i.e., easily removed from the cradle 6, thus enabling fast maintenance or even replacement of the electronic device or electronic module 9 without the need to dismantle the plastic cradle 6 and without the aid of particular mechanical tools, thus enabling recovery of the electronic device 9 without any damage, which can typically be caused by the customary processes of removal.

The mechanics is moreover designed to enable certification of installation, as well as its integrity over time, by means of the addition of appropriate "quality seals" to clamps provided with distinctive marks that enable the electronic device to be wrapped so as to certify both the possible disconnection of the mechanical ensemble (container 1 with electronic device 9) from the vehicle and the possible release of the device from its cradle 6. The presence of the seal represented by the clamp 7 guarantees both that the installation has been carried out correctly by qualified technicians and, in the case of its absence or failure, that the installation has been tampered with subsequently, thus enabling expiration of the service provided on the apparatus.

The cradle 6 has been represented in Figures 3 and 4 in two similar versions, of which only the first, represented in Figure 3, enables affixing of a seal either transversely, inserting the clamp 7 through the holes 10 and in an axial way with respect to the cradle 6 itself, or longitudinally, inserting the clamp. 7 through the holes 8 and in an axial way with respect to the cradle 6 itself.

Given that the fascia 3 (represented in Figures 2 and 10) is the element of the container 1 that is the simplest to modify geometrically, its various conformation makes it possible, with simple and economically advantageous solutions of industrial production, to house conveniently devices or electronic cards 9 of the same width, but different length, as well as to obtain mechanical containers _. 1 with the desired degree of protection.

The cradle 6 enables secure housing of the container 1 in such a way that, at the end of use, it is possible to recover the electronic device 9 intact from the vehicle. The latter solution is very useful when the device ,9 is on loan for use to the customer so that return of the product to the factory is envisaged at the end of the period of service, thus avoiding the need to fix the latter on the motor vehicle using epoxy glues, which render removal of the device 9 itself highly complicated so much so that it necessarily entails damage to the shell of the container, with consequent costly and undesirable maintenance interventions.

The cradle 6 has likewise been devised to enable it to be easily ^' constrained to the frame 13 of the motor vehicle using, for example, epoxy glues, cable- grip clamps, which may also be of a certifying type, screws, magnets, and other means of constraint. In this way, the work of the installer is facilitated and certainly he will not cause any undesirable damage to the device 9 since he will not act directly thereon.

Furthermore, as has already been said, the cradle

6 enables insertion of the clamps 7 bearing the distinctive marks that engage the device itself and its connector, enabling certification of the installation in regard, for example, to insurance customers (in the case of pay-per-mile policies) or institutional customers. Any possible operation of removal of the container 1 will lead to tearing of the seals and thus to detection of effraction.

Only authorized staff, provided with replacement seals and validation tools, can remove the container 1 and then restore the situation of original logical and physical integrity.

The main advantages of the mechanical container 1 described in the present disclosure hence derive ■ precisely from the simplicity of its conformation and of its characteristics of construction, resulting from which are further indisputable advantages resulting from the minimization of the manufacturing costs and hence the costs of installation both on the production line and in the course of in-field maintenance.

In fact, from what has already been described above, said elements 2, 3 and 6 are mechanically designed in such a way as to provide a mechanical container 1 that presents the following multiple advantages:

optimal mechanical flexibility in the step of housing of various types of electronic cards or devices 9 having a constrained width and variable length, likewise provided with front elements and connectors of various dimensions, thanks to the possibility of personalizing the fascia 3, which for aesthetic purposes can be obtained also with colourings different from that of the shell 2;

> optimal impermeablization of the device 1, given that it is possible to obtain it with characteristics of protection IP 67, thanks to an

"amphibious" solution that envisages a fascia provided with simple silicone gaskets, inserted in a purposely provided perimetral housing and integrated in the inner bottom of the fascia itself;

> optimal solution of slotted closing of the fascia 3 with the shell 2 without resorting to the use of screws, washers, rivets, spacers and other means of mechanical constraint and, hence, without the need for use of particular manual tools or mechanical implements and tools;

optimal simplification and reduction of the times and consequent industrial costs of the industrial production process, in particular in the final step of assembly of the electronic card or device 9 in the container 1, preferably made of protective plastic material, also in this case without the use of screws, washers, rivets, spacers, and other means of mechanical constraint;

consequent further simplification of the production process with reduction of the technical processing times and consequent reduction of the industrial costs of the process of installation of the electronic device or electronic module, on board the means (motor vehicle) , with the use of a further protective means or plastic cradle 6 with installation of the snap-action (click-shut) type, namely with mechanical slotted constraint without the use of screws, washers, rivets, spacers, and other means of mechanical constraint, which would involve corresponding operations;

possibility of anchorage of said plastic ^' cradle 6 to the dashboard or in narrow compartments available on the motor vehicle, with a wide range ^' of simple solutions, such as, for example, gluing, self- adhesive means, Velcro, anchoring clamps, etc., without the aid of particular mechanical tools.

It is also evident that numerous improvements, adaptations, integrations, variations, as well as substitutions of elements with other functionally equivalent , ones, may be made to the example of embodiment described in the foregoing purely by way of non-limiting illustration, without thereby departing from the sphere of protection of the ensuing claims.

LEGEND

1. Mechanical container for electronic devices

2. Impermeable protective shell

3. Fascia

4. Snap-action coupling elements for the cradle 6

5. Internal surface of the cradle 6

6. Protective means for supporting the container 1, or cradle for housing the container 1

7. Means of constraint or clamps designed to enable certified installation of the container 1

8. First pair of slots or holes made in the cradle 6 for the passage, outside the cradle 6, of the clamp 7

9. ^{^} Automotive electronic device

10. Second pair of slots or holes made in the cradle 6 for the passage, inside the cradle 6, of the clamp 7

11. Unique distinctive mark of the clamp 7

12. Plurality of slotted holes useful as further means of constraint of the cradle 6 to the frame 13' of the motor vehicle

13. Frame of the motor vehicle

14. Snap-action coupling elements