Vehicle thermal management control unit and cooling fan module

Abstract

The utility model relates to a vehicle thermal management control unit and a cooling fan module. The vehicle thermal management control unit comprises a body, a power terminal, a cooling fin, a control interface and a circuit board assembly, the power terminal and the control interface connector are electrically connected with the circuit board assembly, the cooling fin and the circuit board assembly are installed on the body, the circuit board assembly is configured to be used for controlling at least two components, and the circuit board assembly is electrically connected with the power terminal and the control interface connector. The control interface connector is configured to be in communication connection with the at least two components. The cooling fan module comprises a shroud ring and the thermal management control unit, and the thermal management control unit is arranged on the shroud ring. According to the heat management control unit, the number of parts can be reduced, and cost is saved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a vehicle thermal management control system. Specifically, in one aspect, this invention relates to a vehicle thermal management control unit. In another aspect, this invention relates to a cooling fan module including the vehicle thermal management control unit. Background Technology

[0002] During vehicle operation, numerous components generate heat when controlled (e.g., due to elements on their circuit board assemblies), such as water pumps, cooling fan modules, solenoid valves, and sensors. These components require thermal management and control.

[0003] Traditional vehicle thermal management systems control each component individually through corresponding control units, such as the vehicle control unit, engine control unit, or vehicle domain control unit, making the thermal management system very complex at the physical control level. Moreover, each component has a separate controller or circuit board assembly, resulting in a large number of components (especially circuit board assemblies) and high manufacturing costs. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the aforementioned shortcomings of traditional vehicle thermal management control systems.

[0005] Therefore, this utility model proposes a vehicle thermal management control unit, including a main body, power terminals, heat dissipation fins, a control interface, and a circuit board assembly. The power terminals and the control interface connector are electrically connected to the circuit board assembly, and the heat dissipation fins and the circuit board assembly are mounted on the main body. According to an embodiment of this utility model, the circuit board assembly is configured to control at least two components, and the control interface connector is configured to communicate with the at least two components. Components may include a water pump, a cooling fan module, a solenoid valve, sensors, etc.

[0006] The present invention integrates the thermal management control unit with the controllers of various components (e.g., cooling fan modules) into a single unit. This reduces the number of components, such as the separate controllers or circuit board assemblies and their corresponding interface connectors, thermal fuses, reverse connection protectors, and soft-shielded cables previously used for each component, thus saving costs. Furthermore, due to integration into a single unit, the thermal management control unit is easy to lay out, can be installed in different positions on, for example, the fan guard of the cooling fan module, and is easily replaceable. In addition, the functionality of the thermal management control unit can be easily expanded by configuring the interface connectors and circuit board assemblies, for example, through software / hardware configuration. For instance, the thermal management control unit can be easily connected to the power supply and various components (e.g., water pumps, cooling fan modules, solenoid valves, sensors, etc.) via wiring harnesses.

[0007] According to an embodiment, heat dissipation fins are disposed on the outer surface of the main body and extend at least partially beyond the main body. With this arrangement, when the thermal management control unit is disposed on the cooling fan module, the heat dissipation fins can partially overlap with the fan blades, allowing the heat dissipation fins to be directly cooled by airflow, thereby improving heat dissipation efficiency.

[0008] According to one embodiment, the power terminals are fixed to the outer surface of the main body, for example, by screws, and connected to the vehicle's power supply via a wiring harness. The circuit board assembly is mounted inside the main body, in direct contact with the body's wall surface. For example, the power terminals and one heat sink fin are located on the outer surface of the main body on the same side, while another heat sink fin is located on the outer surface of the main body on the opposite side. This arrangement allows the internal circuit board assembly to be cooled by the heat sink fins.

[0009] According to the embodiments, the power supply terminals are suitable for different vehicle voltages and are not limited to 12V vehicle power systems.

[0010] This utility model also proposes a cooling fan module, which includes a fan guard and the aforementioned thermal management control unit, the thermal management control unit being disposed on the fan guard.

[0011] Preferably, the thermal management control unit is arranged such that the heat dissipation fins partially overlap with the blades of the cooling fan. As described above, this arrangement improves heat dissipation.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the cooling fan module includes a fan motor, which is connected to a control interface connector via a wiring harness and thus communicatively connected to a circuit board assembly. Furthermore, the circuit board assembly is also communicatively connected to a water pump, solenoid valve, sensors, etc., via the control interface connector and wiring harness. This arrangement facilitates easy communicative connection between the vehicle thermal management control unit and various components such as the cooling fan module, water pump, solenoid valve, and sensors. The circuit board assembly is also communicatively connected to the vehicle control unit so that the vehicle thermal management control unit can be controlled by the vehicle control unit.

[0013] According to an embodiment, the cooling fan module also includes a heat exchanger arranged on the side of the air shroud opposite the thermal control unit, thereby enabling the cooling fan module to be configured for use as a condenser, radiator, intercooler, or oil cooler, etc. Attached Figure Description

[0014] The embodiments of the present invention will be explained in more detail in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic block diagram of a vehicle thermal management control unit according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0016] Figure 2 This is a side view of a vehicle thermal management control unit integrated into a cooling fan module according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 3A yes Figure 2 A schematic front view of the cooling fan module shown;

[0018] Figure 3B yes Figure 2 A schematic rear view of the cooling fan module shown;

[0019] Figure 4A yes Figure 2 A schematic perspective view of the thermal management control unit shown;

[0020] Figure 4B yes Figure 2 A schematic top view of the thermal management control unit shown;

[0021] Figure 4C yes Figure 2 A schematic bottom view of the thermal management control unit shown.

[0022] In the accompanying drawings, embodiments of the present invention are shown in a simplified manner for clarity. The drawings are not necessarily shown to scale. Similar reference numerals in the drawings denote similar parts. Detailed Implementation

[0023] The embodiments of this utility model are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 A block diagram of a thermal management control unit 1 is shown, which includes a circuit board assembly 10. This circuit board assembly is communicatively connected to various components (such as cooling fan module 100, water pump 200, water pump 300, water pump 400, solenoid valve 500, and sensor 600) via a control interface connector 20 and corresponding signal line harnesses to control the various components. The thermal management control unit 1 is controlled by a vehicle control unit (such as a VCU).

[0024] Figure 2 An example of a thermal management control unit 1 integrated into a cooling fan module 100 is shown. The cooling fan module 100 includes a fan guard 110, a fan motor 120, fan blades 130, and a heat exchanger 140. The thermal management control unit 1 is disposed on the fan guard 110. The fan motor 120 is communicatively connected to the control interface connector 20 of the thermal management control unit 1 via a wiring harness 150. The heat exchanger 140 is arranged on the side of the fan guard 110 opposite to the thermal management control unit 1.

[0025] Figure 3A and Figure 3BThe front and rear views of the cooling fan module 100 are shown respectively. As shown, the thermal management control unit 1 is located at the corner of the fan guard 110 and is communicatively connected to the fan motor 120 via a wiring harness 150 for controlling it. The heat dissipation fins 40 of the thermal management control unit 1 partially overlap with the fan blades 130.

[0026] Figures 4A-4C A detailed structure of an embodiment of the thermal management control unit 1 is shown. The thermal management control unit 1 also includes a main body 30, heat dissipation fins 40, and power terminals 50. The heat dissipation fins 40 are disposed on the outer surface of the main body 30 and partially extend beyond the main body 30. The power terminals 50 are disposed and fixed to the outer surface of the main body 30 by screws 60. The circuit board assembly 10 is mounted inside the main body 30 and directly contacts the wall surface of the main body. In this example, two heat dissipation fins 40 are provided; the power terminals 50 and one heat dissipation fin 40 are disposed on the outer surface of the same side of the main body, and the other heat dissipation fin 40 is disposed on the outer surface of the opposite side of the main body.

[0027] The above embodiments illustrate the principles of this invention in specific applications, and the wording and expressions used are illustrative rather than restrictive. Those skilled in the art will understand that the use of such wording and expressions is not intended to exclude any equivalent examples of the illustrated and described features from the scope of this invention. Without exercising inventive capacity, those skilled in the art can make various modifications to the above embodiments in terms of form, use, and implementation details without departing from the principles and concept of this invention as defined in the claims.

[0028] In some cases, the features disclosed in this invention can be used independently of other features. On the other hand, when necessary, the features disclosed in this invention can be combined to provide various combinations.

Claims

1. A vehicle thermal management control unit, comprising a main body, power terminals, heat dissipation fins, a control interface, and a circuit board assembly, wherein the power terminals and the control interface connector are electrically connected to the circuit board assembly, and the heat dissipation fins and the circuit board assembly are mounted on the main body, characterized in that, The circuit board assembly is configured to control at least two components, and the control interface connector is configured to communicate with the at least two components.

2. The vehicle thermal management control unit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The heat dissipation fins are set on the outer surface of the main body and extend partially beyond the main body.

3. The vehicle thermal management control unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The power terminals are fixed to the outer surface of the main body, and the circuit board assembly is installed inside the main body, making direct contact with the wall surface of the main body.

4. The vehicle thermal management control unit according to claim 3, characterized in that, A power terminal and a heat dissipation fin are disposed on the outer surface of the same side of the main body, and another heat dissipation fin is disposed on the outer surface of the opposite side of the main body.

5. The vehicle thermal management control unit as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The power terminals are suitable for different vehicle voltages and are not limited to 12V vehicle power systems.

6. A cooling fan module, including a fan guard, characterized in that, The cooling fan module further includes a vehicle thermal management control unit according to any one of claims 1-5, the vehicle thermal management control unit being disposed on the air shroud.

7. The cooling fan module according to claim 6, characterized in that, The vehicle thermal management control unit is arranged such that the heat dissipation fins partially overlap with the blades of the cooling fan.

8. The cooling fan module according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that, The cooling fan module includes a fan motor, which is connected to the control interface connector via a wiring harness.

9. The cooling fan module according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that, The cooling fan module also includes a heat exchanger, which is located on the side of the air shroud opposite the vehicle's thermal management control unit.

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