Liquid-cooled electronic control system for vehicle

Abstract

An electronic control system (3) for a vehicle (1) comprises a first and a second ECU (5a, 5b) comprising a first and a second circuit carrier (6a, 7a, 6b, 7b), respectively, and a first and a second cooling channel (8a, 8b), respectively. The cooling channels (8a, 8b) each comprise a respective coolant inlet (9a, 9b) and a coolant outlet (10a, 10b). A hydraulic manifold (11) of an electronic control system (3) comprises a main inlet (12), a main outlet (13), first and second ECU outlets (14, 15), and first and second ECU inlets (16, 17) to distribute coolant from the main inlet (12) to the first and second ECUs (5a, 5b) and from the first and second ECUs (5a, 5b) to the main outlet (13).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to an electronic control system for a vehicle, the control system comprising a first electronic control unit ECU, the first electronic control unit ECU comprising at least one first circuit carrier and a first cooling channel for a liquid coolant, wherein the first cooling channel is arranged to cool the at least one first circuit carrier. The invention also relates to an electronic vehicle guidance system comprising such an electronic control system, and a vehicle comprising such an electronic vehicle guidance system. Background Art

[0002] As the functionality and computing power of electronic control systems for vehicles (e.g. for semi-autonomous or fully autonomous driving functions or driver assistance systems) increase, the heat dissipation of electronic components is also increasing. Therefore, it is known to use liquid cooling for these electronic components. However, liquid cooling is usually accompanied by an increase in the installation space. Summary of the invention

[0003] The object of the present invention is to provide an improved concept for a liquid-cooled electronic control system for a vehicle which requires less installation space.

[0004] This object is achieved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Further embodiments and preferred embodiments are subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0005] The invention is based on the idea of ​​providing at least two electronic control units, i.e. two ECUs, each of which has at least one circuit carrier that is cooled via a corresponding cooling channel for a liquid coolant. Furthermore, a hydraulic manifold connected to the ECUs is provided in order to achieve a centralized supply of liquid coolant to the two ECUs between a main inlet of the hydraulic manifold and a main outlet of the hydraulic manifold.

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, an electronic control system for a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, is provided. The control system comprises a first electronic control unit, namely a first ECU, which comprises at least one first circuit carrier. The first ECU comprises a first cooling channel for a liquid coolant, such as water or a water-based coolant, wherein the first cooling channel is arranged to cool the at least one first circuit carrier. The control system also comprises a second ECU, which comprises at least one second circuit carrier and a second cooling channel for a liquid coolant, wherein the second cooling channel is arranged to cool the at least one second circuit carrier. The first cooling channel comprises a coolant inlet for the liquid coolant and a coolant outlet for the liquid coolant, and the second cooling channel also comprises a corresponding coolant inlet for the liquid coolant and a coolant outlet for the liquid coolant. The control system comprises a hydraulic manifold, which comprises a main inlet for the liquid coolant and a main outlet for the liquid coolant. The hydraulic manifold comprises a first ECU outlet, which is connected to the coolant inlet of the first ECU to distribute the coolant from the main inlet to the first ECU. The hydraulic manifold comprises a second ECU outlet, which is connected to the coolant inlet of the second ECU to distribute the coolant from the main inlet to the second ECU. The hydraulic manifold includes a first ECU inlet connected to a coolant outlet of the first ECU to distribute coolant from the first ECU to the main outlet. The hydraulic manifold includes a second ECU inlet connected to a coolant outlet of the second ECU to distribute coolant from the second ECU to the main outlet.

[0007] The circuit carrier may also be denoted as a circuit board and in some embodiments may be embodied as a printed circuit board, PCB.

[0008] A cooling channel can be understood, for example, as a hollow space within the respective ECU and extending between a respective coolant inlet and a respective coolant outlet. The cooling channel can be formed by one or more components of the respective ECU, wherein the one or more components define the boundaries of the respective cooling channel. For example, the respective cooling channel is arranged relative to at least one circuit carrier of the respective ECU such that, in the presence of a coolant in the cooling channel, in particular flowing through the cooling channel, it can absorb heat dissipated by one or more electronic components of at least one respective circuit carrier.

[0009] The first and second ECU outlets and the first and second ECU inlets of the hydraulic manifold may be connected to the coolant inlet and coolant outlet, respectively, of the corresponding ECUs via one or more hoses, pipes, conduits, or other connections for directing liquid coolant.

[0010] The main inlet of the hydraulic manifold can, for example, be connected to a source for providing a liquid coolant, wherein the source is arranged separately from the electronic control system in the vehicle. In addition, the main outlet of the hydraulic manifold can, for example, be connected to a corresponding outlet for liquid coolant, wherein the outlet is also arranged outside the electronic control system in the vehicle. For example, the vehicle can include a device for recirculating or conditioning or recooling the liquid coolant, which is received from the main outlet by the outlet and provided to the main inlet again via the source. To this end, the vehicle can also include a transport system for the liquid coolant, which includes, for example, one or more pumps to transport the liquid coolant from the source to the main inlet, back to the main outlet and the outlet through the cooling channel, etc.

[0011] In particular, if all ECU inlets and all ECU outlets of the hydraulic manifold are respectively connected to respective ECUs, the main inlet and the main outlet may thus be the only two connections of the electronic control system for supplying liquid coolant to the electronic control system and draining liquid coolant from the electronic control system, respectively.

[0012] Thus, by providing a hydraulic manifold according to the invention, supplying liquid coolant to an electronic control system can be achieved in a particularly compact manner. This ultimately leads to a reduction in the packaging space of the electronic control system, in particular compared to an alternative arrangement in which the first and second ECUs are separately and individually supplied with liquid coolant.

[0013] The flow of liquid coolant can be given, for example, in two branches (e.g., parallel branches). The first branch can extend from the main inlet via the first ECU outlet, the coolant inlet of the first ECU, the coolant outlet of the first ECU to the first ECU inlet and the main outlet of the hydraulic manifold. The second branch can extend from the main inlet via the second ECU outlet, the coolant inlet of the second ECU, the coolant outlet of the second ECU, the second ECU inlet of the hydraulic manifold, and the main outlet.

[0014] According to several embodiments of the electronic control system, the first ECU comprises a first housing, wherein the at least one first circuit carrier is arranged within the first housing, and the first cooling channel is at least partially arranged within the first housing.

[0015] According to several embodiments, the second ECU comprises a second housing, wherein the at least one second circuit carrier is arranged within the second housing, and the second cooling channel is at least partially arranged within the second housing.

[0016] According to several embodiments, the first housing and the second housing are stacked on each other.

[0017] In particular, the form factor or outer dimensions of the first housing are the same or approximately the same as the form factor or outer dimensions of the second housing. For example, the first housing and the second housing may be approximately cuboid shaped, which means that the first ECU and the second ECU will fit into corresponding virtual cuboids. Stacking the first housing and the second housing on top of or above each other may be understood as making the corresponding faces of the cuboid shapes face each other.

[0018] In other words, stacking the first housing and the second housing on each other may be understood such that, viewed from a viewing direction along the stacking direction, the first housing substantially completely covers the second housing, and vice versa.

[0019] In this way, less space is required for the overall arrangement of the first and second ECUs, and therefore, the overall assembly space of the electronic control system is further reduced.

[0020] According to some embodiments, the first ECU includes at least two first support elements attached to the outside of the first housing, wherein each of the at least two first support elements extends along a stacking direction of the first housing stacked to the second housing. The second ECU includes at least two second support elements, which are attached to the outside of the second housing and extend along the stacking direction. Each of the at least two first support elements is fastened to a corresponding one of the at least two second support elements.

[0021] In other words, the first housing and the second housing are connected or fastened to each other via the first and second supporting elements. The supporting element can be designed, for example, as an elongated columnar or cylindrical or prismatic element, for example a rectangular prismatic element, which defines the desired position and distance of the ECU and the first and second housing relative to each other when fastened to each other. Thus, the first and second ECUs are rigidly connected to each other via the first and second supporting elements without requiring a rack bracket for receiving the first and second housing, respectively.

[0022] Thus, the main housing of the electronic control system may be designed to be simpler since it does not require means for positioning the first and second ECUs relative to each other, or the main housing may be omitted entirely.

[0023] According to several embodiments, each of the at least two first support elements is fastened to a corresponding one of the at least two second support elements by at least one corresponding screw, threaded rod or bolt, which extends through the corresponding first support element and the second support element along the stacking direction.

[0024] In this way, a reliable and robust connection of the ECUs relative to one another can be achieved and since the screws, threaded rods or bolts extend through the supporting element, no additional assembly space for further connecting means is required.

[0025] According to several embodiments, the electronic control system comprises a main housing. The first ECU and the second ECU, in particular the first housing and the second housing, are fastened in the main housing at corresponding receptacles.

[0026] In other words, the main housing internally includes one or more receptacles for the first ECU and one or more receptacles for the second ECU, which can be used to fasten the first and second housings to the main housing, respectively. The receptacles can be designed, for example, as slots, slide-in features, etc., so that the first housing and the second housing can be inserted or slid into the main housing at the corresponding receptacles. In this way, the design of the first and second housings of the first and second ECUs, respectively, can be simplified.

[0027] According to various embodiments, the at least one first circuit carrier comprises two first circuit carriers arranged on opposite sides of the first cooling channel. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one second circuit carrier comprises two second circuit carriers arranged on opposite sides of the second cooling channel.

[0028] In other words, the first cooling channel is arranged to cool two first circuit carriers at the same time, and / or the second cooling channel is arranged to cool two second circuit carriers at the same time. In this way, the cooling efficiency of the liquid coolant can be optimized. In particular, using one cooling channel to cool at least two circuit carriers further reduces the overall assembly space of the electronic control system.

[0029] According to several embodiments, the electronic control system comprises at least one connector component electrically connecting the at least one first circuit carrier to the at least one second circuit carrier.

[0030] In this way, the first ECU and the second ECU can communicate based on wired communication between each other, and / or the first ECU can supply power to the second ECU or vice versa. This also helps to reduce the installation space of the entire electronic control system.

[0031] According to various embodiments, the hydraulic manifold includes a solid body, an inlet chamber for a coolant in the solid body, and an outlet chamber for a coolant in the solid body. A main inlet, a first ECU outlet, and a second ECU outlet are connected to the inlet chamber. The main outlet, the first ECU inlet, and the second ECU inlet are connected to the outlet chamber.

[0032] The inlet chamber and the outlet chamber are disconnected from each other, or in other words, separated from each other, such that liquid coolant cannot pass directly from the outlet chamber into the inlet chamber or vice versa.

[0033] According to several embodiments, the hydraulic manifold comprises a regulating device arranged and configured to regulate the flow of liquid coolant from the main inlet to the first ECU outlet and / or from the main inlet to the second ECU outlet and / or from the first ECU inlet to the main outlet and / or from the second ECU inlet to the main outlet. In other words, the hydraulic manifold is designed as an adjustable hydraulic manifold.

[0034] The regulating device may for example comprise one or more corresponding adjustable valves for regulating the corresponding flow rates. In this way, the distribution of the liquid coolant between the first and second ECUs may be adjusted as required, in particular so as to achieve a specific uniform coolant flow and thus uniform cooling of the first ECU and the second ECU.

[0035] According to another aspect of the invention, an electronic vehicle guidance system for a vehicle is provided. The electronic vehicle guidance system comprises an electronic control system according to the invention, wherein a first ECU and / or a second ECU is configured to receive sensor data from at least one sensor system of the vehicle and to generate at least one control signal for influencing lateral and / or longitudinal control of the vehicle and / or to generate at least one further control signal to inform or warn a driver of the vehicle.

[0036] An electronic vehicle guidance system may be understood as an electronic system that is configured to guide the vehicle in a fully automatic or fully autonomous manner, and in particular, without manual intervention or control by the driver or user of the vehicle. The vehicle performs all required functions, such as steering maneuvers, deceleration maneuvers and / or acceleration maneuvers, as well as automatically monitoring and recording road traffic and corresponding reactions. In particular, according to level 5 of the SAE J3016 classification, the electronic vehicle guidance system can implement a fully automatic or fully autonomous driving mode. The electronic vehicle guidance system may also be implemented as an advanced driver assistance system ADAS, assisting the driver in partially automatic or partially autonomous driving. In particular, according to levels 1 to 4 of the SAE J3016 classification, the electronic vehicle guidance system can implement a partially automatic or partially autonomous driving mode. Here and below, SAE J3016 refers to the corresponding standard dated June 2018.

[0037] Thus, at least partially automatically guiding the vehicle may include guiding the vehicle in a fully automatic or fully autonomous driving mode according to level 5 of the SAE J3016 classification. At least partially automatically guiding the vehicle may also include guiding the vehicle in a partially automatic or partially autonomous driving mode according to levels 1 to 4 of the SAE J3016 classification.

[0038] According to another aspect of the invention, a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, is provided, which comprises an electronic control system according to the invention or an electronic vehicle guidance system according to the invention.

[0039] In some embodiments, a vehicle may include a source and / or drain for a liquid coolant, and a transport system for supplying the liquid coolant to and draining the liquid coolant from the electronic control system, for example.

[0040] Other features of the invention are apparent from the claims, the drawings and the description of the drawings. The invention may include the features and feature combinations mentioned in the above description not only in the respective combinations described but also in other combinations, and may also include the features and feature combinations mentioned in the following description of the drawings and / or the features and feature combinations shown in the drawings. In particular, embodiments and feature combinations that do not have all the features of the initially proposed claims may also be included in the invention. Furthermore, the invention may include embodiments and feature combinations that exceed or deviate from the feature combinations set out in the claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] Hereinafter, the present invention will be explained in detail with reference to specific exemplary embodiments and corresponding schematic diagrams. In the accompanying drawings, identical or functionally identical elements may be represented by the same reference numerals. For different drawings, the description of identical or functionally identical elements need not be repeated.

[0042] In the attached picture:

[0043] Figure 1 A schematic diagram showing an exemplary embodiment of a vehicle according to the present invention is shown;

[0044] Figure 2 A schematic diagram showing an exemplary embodiment of an electronic control system according to the present invention;

[0045] Figure 3 A schematic diagram showing a hydraulic manifold according to another exemplary embodiment of an electronic control system according to the present invention;

[0046] Figure 4 Shown partially cut away for illustration purposes Figure 3 Hydraulic manifold;

[0047] Figure 5 An exemplary embodiment of an ECU used in another exemplary embodiment of an electronic control system according to the present invention is shown;

[0048] Figure 6 Shows Figure 5 A cross-sectional view of the ECU;

[0049] Figure 7 Shows Figure 5 Exploded view of the ECU;

[0050] Figure 8A schematic diagram of another exemplary embodiment of an electronic control system according to the invention is shown in different views;

[0051] Fig. 9 shows an exploded view of another exemplary embodiment of an electronic control system according to the present invention;

[0052] Fig.10 Shows Fig. 9 A perspective view of the electronic control system;

[0053] Fig.11 Shows Fig.10 A cross-sectional view of an electronic control system;

[0054] Fig.12 A schematic diagram of another exemplary embodiment of an electronic control system according to the invention is shown in different views;

[0055] Fig.13 shows an exploded view of another exemplary embodiment of an electronic control system according to the present invention;

[0056] Fig.14 Shows Fig.13 A perspective view of the electronic control system; and

[0057] Fig.15 Shows Fig.14 A cross-sectional view of the electronic control system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0058] Figure 1 Schematically shown is a top view of a motor vehicle 1 with an electronic vehicle guidance system 2 comprising an electronic control system 3 according to the invention and, for example, an environmental sensor system 4, such as a camera, a radar system, a lidar system, a rain light sensor, an ultrasonic sensor system or the like.

[0059] Figure 2 A perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an electronic control system 3 according to the present invention is shown, wherein for illustration purposes a portion of a main housing 29 of the electronic control system 3 is not shown.

[0060] The control system 3 includes a first ECU 5a and a second ECU 5b, which are both arranged in a main housing 29 in the illustrated example. However, in other exemplary embodiments, the main housing 29 may be omitted. Figure 5 Perspective drawing, Figure 6 The cross-sectional view and Figure 7 An exemplary embodiment of the first ECU 5a is schematically shown in an exploded view of FIG. For example, the second ECU 5b may be implemented similarly.

[0061] The first ECU 5a includes a first circuit carrier 6a and a first cooling channel 8a formed by corresponding cooling components of the ECU 5a. The first cooling channel 8a is arranged relative to the first circuit carrier 6a so that heat dissipated by the electronic components of the first circuit carrier 6a can be taken away by the liquid coolant in the first cooling channel 8a, thereby cooling the first ECU 5a.

[0062] Optionally, the first ECU 5a may include an additional first circuit carrier 7a. In this case, the first circuit carriers 6a, 7a are arranged on opposite sides of the cooling channel 8a, so that the cooling channel cools the two first circuit carriers 6a, 7a. Similarly, the second ECU 5b includes at least one second circuit carrier 6b, 7b ( Figure 2 ) and the corresponding second cooling channel 8b ( Figure 2 Each of the first and second cooling channels 8a, 8b comprises a respective coolant inlet 9a for liquid coolant and a respective coolant outlet 10a for liquid coolant.

[0063] Furthermore, the electronic control system 3 comprises a hydraulic manifold 11, such as Figure 2 shown, and in Figure 3 and Figure 4 1 is shown separately in the perspective view of , with the hydraulic manifold 11 being partially cut away for illustration purposes.

[0064] The hydraulic manifold 11 comprises a main inlet 12 for liquid coolant and a main outlet 13. The main inlet 12 can be connected, for example, to a source (not shown) of a coolant circuit of the vehicle 1 and the main outlet 13 can be connected to a drain of the coolant circuit of the vehicle 1.

[0065] The hydraulic manifold 11 includes a first ECU outlet 14 connected to the coolant inlet 9a of the first ECU to distribute the coolant from the main inlet 12 to the first ECU 5a. The hydraulic manifold 11 also includes a second ECU outlet 15 connected to the coolant inlet 9b of the second ECU 5b to distribute the coolant from the main inlet 12 to the second ECU 5b. In addition, the hydraulic manifold 11 includes a first ECU inlet 16 connected to the coolant outlet 10a of the first ECU 5a to distribute the coolant from the first ECU 5a to the main outlet 13. The hydraulic manifold 11 also includes a second ECU inlet 17 connected to the coolant outlet 10b of the second ECU 5b to distribute the coolant from the second ECU 5b to the main outlet 13.

[0066] In order to connect the ECU inlets 16, 17 and the ECU outlets 14, 15 to the corresponding coolant inlets 9a, 9b and coolant outlets 10a, 10b, respectively, the hydraulic manifold 11 may include corresponding hoses or conduits 18, 19, 20, 21.

[0067] like Figure 4 , the hydraulic manifold 11 may, for example, include a solid body 22, wherein an inlet chamber 23 and an outlet chamber 24 separated from the inlet chamber 23 are arranged in the solid body 22. In other words, the main inlet 12, the first ECU outlet 14, and the second ECU outlet 15 are connected to the inlet chamber 23 or are arranged at the inlet chamber 23. The main outlet 13, the first ECU inlet 16, and the second ECU inlet 17 are connected to the outlet chamber 24, or in other words, are arranged at the outlet chamber 24.

[0068] For example Figure 7 As shown, the first ECU 5a can include two housing parts 25a, 26a, which can form the housing of the first ECU 5a when they are attached to each other. The housing parts 25a, 26a can form a housing that accommodates the first ECU 5a and one or more components forming the cooling channel 8a and (if applicable) the further first circuit carrier 7a. For example, the cover 30 can be arranged between the first circuit carrier 6a and the cooling channel 8a, and if applicable, between the further first circuit carrier 7a and the cooling channel 8a, so as to increase the thermal conductivity between the first circuit carrier 6a, 7a and the cooling channel 8a or the coolant, respectively.

[0069] exist Figures 2 to 7 In the embodiment of the present invention, the ECU 5a, 5b may, for example, be slid into the main housing 29, which may include corresponding receptacles to accommodate the ECU 5a, 5b.

[0070] Fig.10 A further exemplary embodiment of an electronic control system 3 according to the invention is shown in a perspective view, Fig. 9 The exploded view shows Fig.10 The electronic control system 3, and Fig.11 The cross-section along the section line AA shows Fig.10 Electronic control system 3. For example, Fig.10 The electronic control system 3 may include a main housing 29 . Figure 8 The electronic control system 3 is shown in a different view without the main housing 29 .

[0071] The main housing 29 may house the first and second ECUs 5a, 5b, and may be open, for example, on one side so that the ECUs 5a, 5b may be arranged within the main housing 29. In addition, the electronic control system 3 may optionally include a cover 32 that partially closes the open side of the main housing 29, leaving the access opening open for an electrical connector (not shown) to access the first and second ECUs 5a, 5b.

[0072] exist Figures 8 to 11In an embodiment of the present invention, the first ECU 5a may have four support elements 27a, for example, one support element 27a at each corner of the housing of the first ECU 5a. The support element 27a may, for example, have an elongated rectangular parallelepiped or column shape extending along the stacking direction, which may, for example, be perpendicular to the plane of the circuit carriers 6a, 7a. Similarly, the second ECU 5b has corresponding support elements 27b, for example, one support element 27b at each edge of the housing of the second ECU 5b. The support elements 27a, 27b may be designed so that when the first ECU 5a and the second ECU 5b are stacked on each other along the stacking direction, they match together.

[0073] Each support element 27a of the first ECU 5a may be in contact with a corresponding support element 27b of the second ECU 5b. For example, the support element 27a of the first ECU 5a may be fastened to the corresponding support element 27b of the second ECU 5b by an appropriate fastening device, such as a screw 28. For example, the support elements 27a and 27b may be hollow inside so that the screw 28 may extend through the support elements 27a and 27b along the stacking direction to fasten the support elements 27a, 27b to each other.

[0074] Thus, the first and second ECUs 5a, 5b are rigidly connected together before being inserted into the main housing 29. Thus, the main housing 29 may not necessarily include receptacles for separately fastening the ECUs 5a, 5b. In fact, the main housing 29 may be omitted and the first and second ECUs 5a, 5b are still arranged in a defined and fixed position relative to each other.

[0075] from Fig.11 It can be seen that, also in this embodiment, the ECUs 5a, 5b can have, for example, two circuit carriers 6a, 7a and 6b, 7b, respectively. In other embodiments, however, each of the ECUs 5a, 5b can have only one respective circuit carrier 6a, 7b.

[0076] The first ECU 5a and the second ECU 5b can be electrically connected to each other, for example, via a connecting element 31. For example, the connecting element 31 can be implemented as a circuit board connector and can connect a first circuit carrier 6a, 7a of the first ECU 5a to a second circuit carrier 6b, 7b of the second ECU 5b. For example, if each of the ECUs 5a, 5b comprises two respective circuit carriers 6a, 7a, 6b, 7b, the two circuit carriers 7a, 6a facing each other in the stacked arrangement can be directed toward each other via the connecting element 31. For example, a further connecting element 31 can connect the two circuit carriers 6a, 7a of the first ECU 5a to each other and / or the two circuit carriers 6b, 7b of the second ECU 5b to each other.

[0077] Fig.14 FIG. 2 shows another exemplary embodiment of the electronic control system 3 according to the present invention. The electronic control system 3 may also have the following Fig.14 The main housing 29 is shown. Fig.13 Shown according to Fig.14 Exploded view of the electronic control system 3, Fig.15 Shown along Fig.14 The corresponding cross-sectional view of the section line AA. Fig.12 A different view shows the main housing 29 without the main housing 29. Figures 13 to 15 Electronic control system 3.

[0078] In addition to the first and second ECUs 5a, 5b, Figures 11 to 15 The electronic control system 3 includes a third ECU 5c and a fourth ECU 5d. All four ECUs 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d can be stacked on top of each other, for example, along a stacking direction A. Figures 8 to 11 In particular, the third ECU 5c and the fourth ECU 5d may also include corresponding support elements 27c and 27d, respectively.

[0079] exist Fig.15 In the example of , the first and second ECUs 5a, 5b include a first circuit carrier 6a and a second circuit carrier 6b, respectively, but do not include a further first circuit carrier 7a and a further second circuit carrier 7b, respectively. Similarly, the third ECU 5c also includes a third circuit carrier 6c, and the fourth ECU 5d includes a fourth circuit carrier 6d. In addition, the third ECU 5c includes a third cooling channel 8c, and the fourth ECU 5d includes a fourth cooling channel 8d. The explanations about the first cooling channel 8a and the second cooling channel 8b are similarly applicable to the third cooling channel 8c and the fourth cooling channel 8d.

[0080] In addition, each of the third cooling channel 8c and the fourth cooling channel 8d includes a corresponding coolant inlet and a corresponding coolant outlet (not shown). The hydraulic manifold 11 may include a third ECU outlet, a fourth ECU outlet, a third ECU inlet, and a fourth ECU inlet (not shown). The third ECU outlet is connected to the coolant inlet of the third ECU, for example, via a corresponding hose, and the fourth ECU outlet is connected to the coolant inlet of the fourth ECU, for example, via a corresponding hose. In this way, the coolant can also be distributed from the main inlet to the third ECU 5c and the fourth ECU 5d.

[0081] In addition, the third ECU inlet can be connected to the coolant outlet of the third ECU, and the fourth ECU inlet can be connected to the coolant outlet of the fourth ECU 5d. In this way, the coolant can also be distributed from the third ECU 5c and the fourth ECU 5d to the main outlet 13. As described, especially with respect to the accompanying drawings, the present invention allows a reduction in the overall assembly space of a liquid-cooled electronic control system for a vehicle having two or more liquid-cooled ECUs.

Claims

1. An electronic control system (3) for a vehicle (1), the control system (3) comprising a first electronic control unit (5a), the electronic control unit being an ECU, the first electronic control unit (5a) comprising at least one first circuit carrier (6a, 7a) and a first cooling channel (8a) for a liquid coolant, wherein: The first cooling channel (8a) is arranged to cool the at least one first circuit carrier (6a, 7a), It is characterized in that The control system (3) comprises a second ECU (5b), the second ECU (5b) comprising at least one second circuit carrier (6b, 7b) and a second cooling channel (8b) for the liquid coolant, wherein the second cooling channel (8b) is arranged to cool the at least one second circuit carrier (6b, 7b); Each of the first cooling channel (8a) and the second cooling channel (8b) comprises a respective coolant inlet (9a, 9b) and a respective coolant outlet (10a, 10b); The control system (3) comprises a hydraulic manifold (11), wherein the hydraulic manifold (11) comprises a main inlet (12) and a main outlet (13); The hydraulic manifold (11) includes a first ECU outlet (14) and a second ECU outlet (15), wherein the first ECU outlet (14) is connected to a coolant inlet (9a) of the first ECU (5a) to distribute coolant from the main inlet (12) to the first ECU (5a), and the second ECU outlet (15) is connected to a coolant inlet (9b) of the second ECU (5b) to distribute coolant from the main inlet (12) to the second ECU (5b); The hydraulic manifold (11) includes a first ECU inlet (16) and a second ECU inlet (17), wherein the first ECU inlet (16) is connected to a coolant outlet (10a) of the first ECU (5a) to distribute coolant from the first ECU (5a) to the main outlet (13), and the second ECU inlet (17) is connected to a coolant outlet (10b) of the second ECU (5b) to distribute coolant from the second ECU (5b) to the main outlet (13).

2. The electronic control system (3) as claimed in claim 1, It is characterized in that The first ECU (5a) comprises a first housing (25a, 26a), wherein the at least one first circuit carrier (6a, 7a) is arranged in the first housing (25a, 26a), and the first cooling channel (8a) is at least partially arranged in the first housing (25a, 26a); The second ECU (5b) comprises a second housing (25b, 26b), wherein the at least one second circuit carrier (6b, 7b) is arranged in the second housing (25b, 26b), and the second cooling channel (8b) is at least partially arranged in the second housing (25b, 26b); The first housing (25a, 26a) and the second housing (25b, 26b) are stacked on each other.

3. The electronic control system (3) as claimed in claim 2, It is characterized in that The first ECU (5a) includes at least two first support elements (27a), which are attached to the outside of the first housing (25a, 26a) and extend along the stacking direction of the first housing (25a, 26a) and the second housing (25b, 26b); The second ECU (5b) comprises at least two second supporting elements (27b), which are attached to the outside of the second housing (25b, 26b) and extend along the stacking direction; Each of the at least two first support elements (27a) is fastened to a corresponding one of the at least two second support elements (27b).

4. The electronic control system (3) as claimed in claim 3, It is characterized in that Each of the at least two first support elements (27a) is fastened to a corresponding one of the at least two second support elements (27b) by at least one corresponding screw (28), threaded rod or bolt, and the screw (28), threaded rod or bolt extends through the corresponding first support element (27a) and second support element (27b) along the stacking direction.

5. The electronic control system (3) according to claim 1 or 2, It is characterized in that The electronic control system (3) comprises a main housing (29); The first ECU (5a) and the second ECU (5b) are secured within the main housing (29) at corresponding receptacles.

6. An electronic control system (3) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The at least one first circuit carrier (6a, 7a) comprises two first circuit carriers (6a, 7a) arranged on opposite sides of the first cooling channel (8a); and / or The at least one second circuit carrier (6b, 7b) comprises two second circuit carriers (6b, 7b) arranged on opposite sides of the second cooling channel (8b).

7. An electronic control system (3) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The electronic control system (3) comprises at least one connector component (31) which electrically connects the at least one first circuit carrier (6a, 7a) to the at least one second circuit carrier (6b, 7b).

8. An electronic control system (3) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The hydraulic manifold (11) comprises a solid body (22), The hydraulic manifold (11) comprises an inlet chamber (23) within the solid body (22), wherein the main inlet (12), the first ECU outlet (14) and the second ECU outlet (15) are connected to the inlet chamber (23); and / or The hydraulic manifold (11) comprises an outlet chamber (24) within the solid body (22), wherein the main outlet (13), the first ECU inlet (16) and the second ECU inlet (17) are connected to the outlet chamber (24).

9. An electronic control system (3) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The hydraulic manifold (11) comprises a regulating device, which is arranged and configured to regulate the flow of liquid coolant from the main inlet (12) to the first ECU outlet (14) and / or from the main inlet (12) to the second ECU outlet (15) and / or from the first ECU inlet (16) to the main outlet (13) and / or from the second ECU inlet (17) to the main outlet (13).

10. An electronic vehicle guidance system (2) for a vehicle (1), comprising an electronic control system (3) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The first ECU (5a) and / or the second ECU (5b) are configured to receive sensor data from at least one sensor system (4) of the vehicle (1) and to generate at least one control signal for influencing lateral and / or longitudinal control of the vehicle (1), and / or to generate at least one further control signal to notify or warn a driver of the vehicle (1).

11. A vehicle (1) comprising an electronic control system (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 9 or an electronic vehicle guidance system (2) according to claim 10.

Images