Control device for a vehicle

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a control device for a vehicle, the control device including a cover top provided on an upper end of the control device, a moisture barrier cover threadedly engaged to an upper portion of the cover top and blocking introduction of moisture from an upward direction of the control device, a main frame configured to be coupled to a lower end of the cover top and defining a receiving space for accommodating a PCB of the control device, and a fan provided at either lateral side of the main frame and generating forced convection in a first direction opposite to a lateral side of the main frame where the fan is provided, wherein the cover top is configured to have a size of a path cross section formed by a plurality of fins formed in a specific area in an upward direction, and the moisture barrier cover is substantially constant in the first direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a control device for a vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] The content described in this section is provided only as background information about this disclosure and does not constitute prior art.

[0003] Controllers with varying functional and performance requirements are installed in vehicles. Depending on the required performance, the controller employs chipsets with different power consumption levels. As power consumption increases, the controller generates more heat, thus requiring heat sinks and fans to maintain the chipset's temperature. In particular, high-performance controllers typically utilize fans that generate forced convection.

[0004] The fan used in the controller is mounted externally or internally to perform a cooling function by generating forced convection at the heat source. To maximize the effect of the forced convection applied from the fan to the controller, a flow path with both inlet and outlet must be ensured. However, if openings such as holes are formed in the controller to ensure the fan's flow path, there is a problem that moisture may enter from the outside of the controller.

[0005] In particular, when the fan is applied to the top of the controller, moisture falling from above the controller can easily enter. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In view of the above, the purpose of this disclosure is to prevent moisture from entering the control device, thereby preventing moisture from reaching the PCB inside the control device.

[0007] In addition, the purpose of this disclosure is to improve the heat dissipation performance by increasing the flow rate of forced convection of the fan by utilizing the path cross-section formed between the moisture shield and the heat sink provided on the upper end of the control device.

[0008] The purposes of this disclosure are not limited to those described above, and other purposes not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

[0009] Beneficial effects

[0010] According to the implementation method, the control device for the vehicle can block moisture from entering the control device, thereby preventing moisture from reaching the PCB inside the control device.

[0011] According to an embodiment, the control device for a vehicle can increase the forced convection velocity of the fan by using the path cross-section formed between the moisture shield and the heat sink disposed on the upper end of the control device, thereby enhancing the heat dissipation performance. Attached Figure Description

[0012] Figure 1This is a view showing the configuration of a control device for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0013] Figure 2 This is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of a control device for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0014] Figure 3 It is along Figure 1 A sectional view taken along line AA.

[0015] Figure 4 It is along Figure 1 A sectional view taken from the BB line.

[0016] Figure 5 It is along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view taken by the CC line.

[0017] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view showing a second moisture discharge path of a control device for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0018] Throughout the accompanying drawings and detailed description, unless otherwise described or provided, the same or similar reference numerals may be construed as referring to the same or similar elements, features, and structures. The drawings may not be drawn to scale, and for clarity, illustration, and convenience, the relative dimensions, scale, and depiction of elements in the drawings may be exaggerated. Detailed Implementation

[0019] The following detailed description is provided to aid the reader in gaining a comprehensive understanding of the methods, apparatus, and / or systems described herein. However, various changes, modifications, and equivalents of the methods, apparatus, and / or systems described herein will become apparent upon understanding the disclosure of this application. For example, the sequences within operations and / or sequences of operations described herein are merely examples and are not limited to those set forth herein, but can be changed as will become apparent upon understanding the disclosure of this application, except for sequences within operations and / or sequences of operations that must occur in a specific order. As another example, sequences of operations and / or sequences within operations can be performed in parallel, except that at least a portion of the sequences of operations and / or sequences within operations must occur sequentially (e.g., in a certain order). Furthermore, for clarity and brevity, descriptions of features known upon understanding the disclosure of this application may be omitted.

[0020] The features described herein may be implemented in various forms and should not be construed as limited to the examples described herein. Rather, the examples described herein are provided merely to illustrate some of the many possible ways in which the methods, apparatuses, and / or systems described herein will become apparent upon understanding the disclosure of this application. The use of the term “may” in relation to examples or implementations (e.g., what an example or implementation may include or implement) means that there exists at least one example or implementation that includes or implements such a feature, and that all examples are not limited thereto. The terms “example” and “implementation” are used herein with the same meaning (e.g., the phrase “in one example” has the same meaning as “in one implementation,” and “one or more examples” has the same meaning as “in one or more implementations”).

[0021] While terms such as “first,” “second,” and “third,” or A, B, (a), (b), may be used herein to describe various components, parts, regions, layers, or sections, these components, parts, regions, layers, or sections are not limited by these terms. For example, each of these terms is not used to define the nature, order, or sequence of the corresponding component, part, region, layer, or section, but only to distinguish the corresponding component, part, region, layer, or section from other components, parts, regions, layers, or sections. Thus, without departing from the teachings of the examples, a first component, part, region, layer, or section mentioned in the examples described herein may be referred to as a second component, part, region, layer, or section.

[0022] The terminology used herein is for describing various examples only and is not intended to limit this disclosure. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the articles “a,” “an,” and “the” are also intended to include plural forms. As non-limiting examples, the terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” specify the presence of said features, numbers, operations, components, elements, and / or combinations thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, operations, components, elements, and / or combinations thereof, or alternative presences of said features, numbers, operations, components, elements, and / or combinations thereof. Furthermore, while one embodiment may describe the use of the terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” to specify the presence of said features, numbers, operations, components, elements, and / or combinations thereof, other embodiments may exist where one or more of said features, numbers, operations, components, elements, and / or combinations thereof are absent.

[0023] Throughout the specification, when a component or element is described as "on another component, element, or layer," "connected to," "attached to," or "joined to" another component, element, or layer, it may be directly (e.g., in contact with another component, element, or layer) "on another component, element, or layer," "connected to," "attached to," or "joined to" another component, element, or layer," or there may reasonably be one or more other components, elements, or layers in between. When a component, element, or layer is described as "directly on another component, element, or layer," "directly connected to," "directly attached to," or "directly joined to" another component, element, or layer, there may be no other components, elements, or layers in between. Similarly, expressions such as "between" and "immediately between," and "adjacent" and "immediately adjacent" may also be interpreted as described above.

[0024] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein (including technical and scientific terms) have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains, and specifically in the context of understanding the disclosure of this application. Terms such as those defined in common dictionaries should be interpreted as having the same meaning as their meaning in the context of the relevant field and specifically in the context of the disclosure of this application, and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly defined herein. Figure 1 This is a view showing the configuration of a control device for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0025] Figure 2 This is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of a control device for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0026] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the control device 10 for a vehicle includes some or all of the following: a top cover 11, a moisture cover 12, a main frame 13, a PCB (printed circuit board) 20, and a fan 14.

[0027] The top of the cover 11 is located on the uppermost part of the control device 10 for the vehicle.

[0028] The top of the cover 11 is connected to the upper end of the main frame 13, which will be described later.

[0029] The top of the cover 11 may be made of die-cast aluminum. However, the material of the top of the cover 11 is not limited to this. Preferably, the top of the cover 11 is made of a material with high heat dissipation performance to dissipate heat from the control device 10.

[0030] The top of the shroud 11 includes a heat sink 22. The heat sink 22 is formed upward in the area of ​​the drain groove 18. The heat sink 22 is in a direction parallel to the forced convection direction of the fan 14. Figure 1 The components are formed along the y-axis and arranged side-by-side along the x-axis. Therefore, the control device 10 for a vehicle according to this disclosure can dissipate heat generated inside the control device 10 to the outside using a fan 14 and a heat sink 22.

[0031] The moisture cover 12 is attached to the upper part of the cover top 11 using screws 21.

[0032] The moisture cover 12 and the top of the cover 11 are fixedly connected to each other, thereby preventing moisture falling from above from entering the control device 10.

[0033] The moisture shield 12 primarily blocks water falling and flowing from above the control device 10. The primarily blocked water can be discharged to the front of the control device 10 (in... Figure 1 (in the y-axis direction), or guided to the drain trough 18 and discharged to the rear of the control device 10 ( Figure 1 (in the -y axis direction).

[0034] The thermal interface material 16 can be disposed on the rear surface of the moisture shield 12.

[0035] The thermal interface material 16 can be any of, for example, thermal grease, thermal tape, thermal pad, and phase change material.

[0036] The moisture cover 12 includes a plurality of fixing parts 17 that are fastened to the upper end of the cover groove by screws 21. The plurality of fixing parts 17 may be embossed or formed into the shape of a bracket.

[0037] The moisture shield 12 may be masked in the edge region of its rear surface, where the thermal interface material 16 is not attached. For example, the edge region of the rear surface of the moisture shield 12 may be masked with black.

[0038] Various components are mounted on PCB 20. PCB 20, used in the vehicle's control unit 10, controls functions such as engine control, transmission control, ABS (anti-lock braking system), airbags, body control, infotainment system, and autonomous driving. In particular, advanced automotive functions require high-performance CPUs and GPUs.

[0039] According to embodiments of this disclosure, the heat source 30 mounted on the PCB 20 may be a CPU (Central Processing Unit). For example, the CPU may be configured to contact or be adjacent to the lower end of the drain 18 for effective heat dissipation.

[0040] The main frame 13 is disposed on the lower end of the top cover 11. The main frame 13 and the top cover 11 define the housing of the control device 10.

[0041] The main frame 13 is configured to protect the PCB 20 housed in the control unit 10 from external impacts.

[0042] Fan 14 can be mounted on the lateral side of the main unit rack 13.

[0043] Preferably, the fan 14 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is disposed on the lateral side of the main frame 13. This is because if the fan 14 is disposed on the upper side of the control device 10, moisture falling from the upper side of the control device 10 and entering can reach the interior of the control device 10 via the fan 14.

[0044] The main frame 13 can be made of materials such as SECC (electrolytic cold-rolled commercial steel) and PC-ABS alloy. For example, the surface of the main frame where the fan 14 is located can be made of PC-ABS alloy.

[0045] Figure 3 It is along Figure 1 A sectional view taken along line AA.

[0046] Reference Figures 1 to 3 According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the fan 14 can generate forced convection in the upper and lower parts of the drain trough 18 to dissipate heat from the heat source 30.

[0047] Fan 14 can be drawn from either side of the mainframe 13 along a first direction ( Figure 3 Forced convection is generated in the -y axis direction.

[0048] Forced convection generated by fan 14 moves to the rear of control device 10 via the upper and lower parts of drain 18. Forced convection via the upper part of drain 18 moves rearward via heat sink 22. Therefore, heat generated from heat source 30 mounted on PCB 20 is conducted to the area in contact with the lower surface of drain 18, and is conducted to moisture cover 12 via heat sink 22 formed in the area of ​​drain 18. Here, fan 14 can generate forced convection in a first direction relative to the heat conducted via heat sink 22, thereby achieving effective heat dissipation.

[0049] One and the other sides of the drain channel 18 are formed as openings, so that the forced convection generated from the fan 14 moves from the front side of the control device 10, i.e., the second direction side, to the first direction side opposite to the second direction via the heat sink 22. Specifically, the side of the drain channel 18 adjacent to the fan 14 may have an opening corresponding to the size of the fan 14.

[0050] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the top of the cover 11 includes a drainage channel 18.

[0051] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the drainage channel 18 is formed in a downwardly curved shape based on the top surface 15 of the cover top 11.

[0052] The drainage trough 18 has a water discharge path that guides water falling from the top of the control device 10 along the front-back direction of the control device 10.

[0053] The drainage channel 18 includes part or all of the following: the step 31, the first inclined surface 32, the second inclined surface 33, and the bend 34.

[0054] The inflow of moisture prevents the step 31 from forming a predetermined height difference, so that the moisture flowing down from the moisture shield 12 will not be introduced into the heat sink 22.

[0055] The first inclined surface 32 has a downward slope, such that based on the water inflow prevention step 31, water flows along the first direction ( Figure 3 (Flows downwards in the -y axis direction).

[0056] The second inclined surface 33 has a downward slope, which prevents water from flowing into the step 31 from the second direction ( Figure 3 The other end (in the y-axis direction) flows outward.

[0057] Here, the downward slope of each of the first inclined surface 32 and the second inclined surface 33 can be a slope that prevents water from accumulating on the plane and does not generate surface tension. In other words, the first inclined surface 32 and the second inclined surface 33 can be conical surfaces based on a predetermined slope to prevent water accumulation.

[0058] The bend 34 is formed by bending downward at the other end of the first inclined surface 32 in a first direction. The bend 34 can protect the PCB 20 from moisture flowing from the rear.

[0059] Moisture flowing upwards primarily reaches the top surface 15 of the moisture shield 12 or the top 11 of the shield for the vehicle's control unit 10. Alternatively, moisture may fall directly onto the first inclined surface 32 of the drain trough 18 and then be introduced.

[0060] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the control device 10 for a vehicle includes a first moisture discharge path through which moisture falling on the moisture shield 12 is discharged rearward. Figure 3 The water moves (in the -y axis direction) and falls onto the second inclined surface 33 of the drainage trough 18. The first water discharge path has a path that allows the water falling onto the second inclined surface 33 to be discharged backward through the second inclined surface 33.

[0061] For example, water falling on the second inclined surface 33 will not be drawn forward by the forced convection of the fan 14. However, even without the forced convection of the fan 14, water inflow will not prevent the step 31 from carrying water falling on the second inclined surface 33 forward. Figure 3 Import the y-axis direction.

[0062] Figure 4 It is along Figure 1 A sectional view taken from the BB line.

[0063] Reference Figures 1 to 4 When the moisture shield 12 is attached to the top 11 of the shield, the thermal interface material 16 is configured to contact the heat sink 22. The thermal interface material 16 is configured to contact the heat sink 22 so that the heat emitted from the heat source 30 can be dissipated to the upper side of the moisture shield 12.

[0064] A first path section 50 is formed between the heat sinks 22 that are in contact with the thermal interface material 16. The formed first path section 50 can increase the flow rate of the forced convection generated by the fan 14. Therefore, compared with the case where the moisture shield 12 is not connected to the top 11 of the shield, the first path section 50 formed between the moisture shield 12 and the heat sink 22 can improve heat dissipation performance.

[0065] Figure 5 It is along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view taken by the CC line.

[0066] Reference Figures 1 to 5 According to this disclosure, the heat sink 22 can be formed to extend along a first direction to the moisture inflow prevention step 31. When the heat sink 22 is formed to extend to the moisture inflow prevention step 31, the path cross-section between the heat sinks 22 can be formed to be constant.

[0067] When the heat sink 22 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is formed to extend along a first direction, a second path section 60 can be formed in the portion where the thermal interface material 16 and the heat sink 22 are spaced apart from each other, starting from the first path section 50 formed between the heat sinks 22 in contact with the thermal interface material 16. Here, the second path section 60 refers to the total cross-sectional area of ​​the sum of the cross-sectional area between the heat sinks 22 and the cross-sectional area between the heat sink 22 and the thermal interface material 16. In other words, the second path section 60 refers to a path section continuously formed in the first direction starting from the portion where the thermal interface material 16 is not in contact with the heat sink 22.

[0068] According to this disclosure, the cross-sectional area formed between the heat sinks 22 can vary in a first direction according to the conical surface 23 of each heat sink 22. The sum of the cross-sectional area between the heat sinks 22 varying along the first direction and the cross-sectional area formed between the heat sinks 22 spaced apart from each other and the thermal interface material 16 forms a second path cross-section 60, which can be formed to always be equal to the cross-sectional area of ​​the first path cross-section 50.

[0069] When forced convection generated from fan 14 passes between the plurality of heat sinks 22, it can be discharged to the second path cross-section 60 via the first path cross-section 50. In this case, if the area of ​​the first path cross-section 50 is different from the area of ​​the second path cross-section 60, the flow rate generated from fan 14 may be reduced. Therefore, when the control device for a vehicle according to the present disclosure generates forced convection from fan 14 in the first direction, the areas of the first path cross-section 50 and the second path cross-section 60 can be made the same, so that there is no flow rate loss due to forced convection between the heat sinks 22.

[0070] The heat sinks 22 corresponding to the second path section 60 of this disclosure form a tapered surface 23, such that when viewed from the top, the distance between the heat sinks 22 narrows in the first direction. The distance between the heat sinks on the second path section 60 is formed to be spaced out sufficiently to maintain the surface tension of moisture. In other words, even if moisture is introduced between the heat sinks 22 on the second path section 60 outside the moisture inflow prevention step 31, the inflow of moisture in the second direction can be prevented by the surface tension phenomenon.

[0071] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view showing a second moisture discharge path of a control device for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0072] Reference Figures 1 to 6 The control device 10 for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure has a moisture discharge path for discharging introduced moisture.

[0073] According to one embodiment, the moisture discharge path guides the moisture falling through the moisture shield 12 in the front-rear direction of the control device 10.

[0074] According to one embodiment, the water discharge path includes references Figure 3 The first and second water discharge pathways are described.

[0075] The first moisture discharge path refers to the path in which moisture falling from above the control device 10 or moisture accumulating on the top surface 15 of the top of the cover 11 flows along the moisture cover 12, falls behind the control device 10, and is discharged backward along the second inclined surface 33.

[0076] In contrast, the second moisture discharge path refers to the path in which moisture flows along the moisture shield 12, falls behind the control device 10, and is discharged in front of the control device 10 along the first inclined surface 32.

[0077] The second moisture discharge path according to the embodiments of this disclosure represents the state of the control device 10 when the vehicle is tilted forward or when the vehicle enters a downward slope. Therefore, moisture falling along the moisture shield 12 can flow toward the first inclined surface 32 and be discharged in front of the control device 10 instead of being discharged through the second inclined surface 33.

[0078] Water discharged to the front of the control device 10 via the second water discharge path passes through the first inclined surface 32 and is discharged to the outside via the fan 14.

[0079] The various embodiments disclosed herein do not list all available combinations, but are used to describe representative aspects of the disclosure, and the descriptions of the various embodiments may be applied independently or in combination of two or more.

[0080] Several embodiments have been described above. However, it should be understood that various modifications can be made. For example, suitable results may be achieved if the described techniques are performed in a different order and / or if components in the described system, architecture, device, or circuit are combined in a different manner and / or replaced or supplemented by other components or their equivalents. Therefore, other embodiments are within the scope of the appended claims.

[0081] While this disclosure includes specific examples, it will be apparent upon understanding this disclosure that various changes in form and detail may be made in these examples without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims and their equivalents. The examples described herein are to be considered descriptive only and not for limiting purposes. The description of features or aspects in each example is to be considered applicable to similar features or aspects in other examples. Suitable results may be achieved if the described techniques are performed in a different order, and / or if the components in the described system, architecture, device, or circuit are combined in a different manner, and / or replaced or supplemented by other components or their equivalents. Therefore, the scope of this disclosure is not limited by the specific embodiments but by the claims and their equivalents, and all variations within the scope of the claims and their equivalents are to be included in this disclosure.

[0082] Cross-references to related applications

[0083] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2025-0002584, filed on January 8, 2025, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

1. A control device for a vehicle, the control device comprising: The top of the cover is disposed on the upper end of the control device; A moisture-proof cover, which is threadedly engaged with the upper part of the top of the cover and prevents moisture from being introduced from the upward direction of the control device; A main frame, configured to be attached to the lower end of the top of the cover and defining a receiving space for accommodating the PCB of the control device; as well as A fan is disposed on any lateral side of the mainframe and generates forced convection in a first direction opposite to the lateral side of the mainframe on which the fan is disposed. The top of the cover is configured to have the dimensions of a path cross-section formed by a plurality of heat sinks formed in an upward direction in a specific region, and the moisture cover is substantially constant in the first direction.

2. The control device according to claim 1, wherein, The top of the cover is configured to form a drainage channel with a moisture discharge path that guides moisture falling through the moisture cover toward the PCB in the front-rear direction of the control device.

3. The control device according to claim 2, wherein, The drainage channel includes: A moisture inflow prevention step is configured to form a predetermined height difference to prevent moisture falling from the moisture cover from entering the control device in a second direction opposite to the first direction. A first inclined surface having a downward slope, such that water flow relative to the water inflow prevents the step from flowing downward along the first direction; A second inclined surface, the second inclined surface having a downward slope, such that water inflow is prevented from flowing downward along the second direction; and The curved portion is formed by bending downward from one end of the first inclined surface in the first direction.

4. The control device according to claim 3, wherein, The moisture shield is configured such that a thermal interface material adheres to the rear surface, and a portion of the thermal interface material is in contact with the plurality of heat sinks.

5. The control device according to claim 3, wherein, The moisture shield contacts the plurality of heat sinks to form a plurality of first path cross sections, and forms a second path cross section with an area equal to the sum of the areas of the plurality of first path cross sections.

6. The control device according to claim 4, wherein, The moisture shield is concealed in the edge region of the rear surface where the thermal interface material is not attached.

7. The control device according to claim 2, wherein, The drainage channel is open on one side and the other side, allowing forced convection generated from the fan to move in the first direction via the plurality of heat sinks.

8. The control device according to claim 2, wherein, The moisture discharge pathways include: A first water discharge path, through which water is discharged toward the rear of the control device, which serves as the first direction of the drainage trough; and A second water discharge path through which water is discharged in front of the control device, which is the second direction of the drainage trough.

9. The control device according to claim 8, wherein, The second moisture discharge path is the path through which moisture falling from the moisture shield is guided and discharged toward the fan when the control device is set to tilt forward.

10. The control device according to claim 1, wherein, The moisture cover includes a plurality of fixing parts configured to be threadedly engaged with the top of the cover.

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