Electronic control unit, steering system and motor vehicle

Abstract

The electronic control unit comprises a carrier, a plurality of heat generating electronic elements arranged on a mounting surface of the carrier, and a heat sink arranged on the same side of the carrier as the mounting surface on which the heat generating electronic elements are arranged, the heat sink having a facing surface facing the carrier, the heat sink being provided with a plurality of recesses arranged at intervals, each of the recesses being recessed from the facing surface towards a direction away from the carrier to form an accommodation space, and the heat generating electronic elements being at least partially accommodated in the accommodation space. The heat sink of the electronic control unit can improve heat dissipation efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the technical field of electronic control units for motor vehicles. In particular, this utility model relates to electronic control units, steering systems, and motor vehicles. Background Technology

[0002] This section provides background information related to the present invention, which does not necessarily constitute prior art.

[0003] As motor vehicles become increasingly intelligent and automated, their electronic control units (ECUs) are playing an increasingly important role. An ECU typically consists of a carrier and multiple electronic components mounted on that carrier. During vehicle operation, some of these electronic components generate significant amounts of heat. This heat can affect the performance of the ECU. Therefore, ensuring effective heat dissipation is a critical challenge in ECUs.

[0004] In related technologies, heat sinks are typically used to absorb the heat generated by electronic components. However, traditional heat sinks are usually flat, absorbing heat from only one side, resulting in poor heat dissipation. Therefore, new heat sink designs are needed to meet the heat dissipation requirements of electronic control units. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to solve one or more of the technical problems mentioned above.

[0006] Specifically, the purpose of this invention is to provide an electronic control unit that can improve heat dissipation efficiency.

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, an electronic control unit is provided. The electronic control unit includes: a carrier; a plurality of heating electronic elements disposed on a mounting surface of the carrier; and a heat sink disposed on the same side of the carrier as the mounting surface on which the heating electronic elements are disposed, the heat sink having a facing surface facing the carrier, and the heat sink having a plurality of spaced-apart recesses, each recess recessing from the facing surface in a direction away from the carrier to form a receiving space, wherein the heating electronic elements are at least partially received in the receiving space.

[0008] The electronic control unit provided by this invention has a heat sink and multiple heat-generating electronic components disposed on the same side of the carrier, significantly reducing the thermal path between the heat-generating electronic components and the heat sink. Furthermore, the heat sink has multiple recesses, in which the heat-generating electronic components are at least partially accommodated. Therefore, the heat sink can absorb heat generated by the heat-generating electronic components from multiple directions, improving heat dissipation efficiency.

[0009] Optionally, the recessed depth is less than the dimension of the heating electronic element in the direction perpendicular to the carrier, and the heating electronic element is partially housed in the housing space.

[0010] Optionally, the electronic control unit includes additional electronic components disposed between the facing surface and the mounting surface. In this way, additional electronic components can be incorporated while meeting heat dissipation efficiency requirements without increasing the overall size of the electronic control unit, resulting in a more compact and highly integrated structure.

[0011] Optionally, the recessed depth of the recess is greater than or equal to the dimension of the heating electronic element in the direction perpendicular to the carrier, and the heating electronic element is entirely accommodated in the accommodating space.

[0012] Optionally, a thermal interface material is provided between the heat sink, the heat-generating electronic component, and the carrier.

[0013] Optionally, the thermal interface material is thermal grease.

[0014] Optionally, the carrier includes an insulating substrate and a wiring pattern disposed on the insulating substrate, wherein the plurality of heating electronic components are electrically connected to the wiring pattern.

[0015] Optionally, the electronic control unit is a redundant electronic control unit.

[0016] According to another aspect of the present invention, a steering system is provided. The steering system includes the electronic control unit described in any of the preceding claims.

[0017] According to another aspect of the present invention, a motor vehicle is provided, the motor vehicle including the steering system described above.

[0018] In summary, the heat sink for the electronic control unit provided by this utility model can significantly improve heat dissipation efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0019] The foregoing and other features and characteristics of this utility model will become clearer from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are by way of example only and are not necessarily drawn to scale. The same reference numerals are used in the drawings to indicate the same parts, in which:

[0020] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a steering system according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0021] Figure 2 A simplified schematic diagram of an electronic control unit according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0022] Figure 3 A more detailed schematic diagram of the electronic control unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0023] Figure 4 A simplified schematic diagram of the heat sink of the electronic control unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention is shown separately;

[0024] Figure 5 A simplified schematic diagram of an electronic control unit according to a second embodiment of the present invention is shown; and

[0025] Figure 6 A more detailed schematic diagram of the electronic control unit according to a second embodiment of the present invention is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0026] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following description is exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present invention or its application or use.

[0027] This invention provides an electronic control unit, a steering system having the electronic control unit, and a motor vehicle having the steering system. The motor vehicle can be any suitable motor vehicle. The steering system can be any suitable steering system using the electronic control unit provided by this invention, such as an electro-hydraulic power steering system and an electric power steering system.

[0028] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a steering system 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown. The following will first refer to... Figure 1 The steering system 100 of one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail using an electric power steering system as an example.

[0029] like Figure 1As shown, the steering system 100 includes a steering wheel 110, a steering shaft 120, a gear 130, a rack 140, a steering tie rod 150, an electric motor (not shown in the figures), and an electronic control unit 300. Figures 2 to 4 ) or Electronic Control Unit 400 ( Figures 5 to 6 ). The input end of steering shaft 120 (in Figure 1 The upper end of the steering shaft 120 is connected to the steering wheel 110 operated by the driver of the motor vehicle. The output end of the steering shaft 120 (at...) Figure 1 The lower end of the steering wheel 110 is connected to gear 130. Gear 130 meshes with rack 140. Steering tie rod 150 is connected between rack 140 and steering wheel 200 of the vehicle. Rotation of steering wheel 110 causes steering shaft 120 to rotate, and rotation of steering shaft 120 causes axial displacement of rack 140 and steering tie rod 150 through gear 130, thereby causing steering gear 200 to oscillate. Assist force is applied by an electric motor connected to steering shaft 120, gear 130, or rack 140. Electronic control unit 300 or electronic control unit 400 is connected to the electric motor. Electronic control unit 300 or electronic control unit 400 can drive and control the electric motor so that the electric motor can generate an assist force to help the driver steer the vehicle.

[0030] Figure 2 A simplified schematic diagram of an electronic control unit 300 according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 3 A more detailed schematic diagram of an electronic control unit 300 according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the electronic control unit 300 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a carrier 310, a plurality of heat-generating electronic components 320 and a heat sink 330. Figure 4 A simplified schematic diagram of the heat sink 330 of the electronic control unit 300 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is shown separately. The following will be combined with... Figures 2 to 4 The electronic control unit 300 and its heat sink 330 of the first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

[0031] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the carrier 310 may be a printed circuit board (PCB) that provides mechanical support and electrical connection for multiple heat-generating electronic components 320 of the electronic control unit 300. The carrier 310 includes an insulating substrate 311 and a wiring pattern (not shown) disposed on the insulating substrate 311. The insulating substrate 311 may be made of materials such as glass fabric and epoxy resin. The wiring pattern may be disposed on the insulating substrate 311. The wiring pattern may be at least partially exposed on the insulating substrate 311. The wiring pattern may also be embedded in the insulating substrate 311.

[0032] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, multiple heat-generating electronic components 320 of the electronic control unit 300 are disposed on one side of the carrier 310 (e.g., Figure 2 and Figure 3 (The upper side of the carrier 310). Therefore, the surface of this side of the carrier 310 constitutes a mounting surface 312 for mounting the heating electronic components 320. That is, a plurality of heating electronic components 320 are disposed on the mounting surface 312 on one side of the carrier 310. The plurality of heating electronic components 320 can be electrically connected to the wiring pattern of the carrier 310. Preferably, when the wiring pattern of the carrier 310 is at least partially exposed to the insulating substrate 311, the plurality of heating electronic components 320 are disposed on the side of the carrier 310 exposed to the wiring pattern, so as to facilitate electrical connection between the heating electronic components 320 and the wiring pattern.

[0033] The heat-generating electronic component 320 can be a field-effect transistor, such as a metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET). Functionally, the heat-generating electronic component 320 can be a relay element, a drive element for driving purposes, etc. Two or more heat-generating electronic components 320 can be connected in parallel to provide redundancy (backup) functionality for the electronic control unit 300. Therefore, the electronic control unit 300 can be a "redundant electronic control unit," that is, an electronic control unit with redundant (backup) design / function. In an electronic control unit 300 with redundant functionality, even if one heat-generating electronic component 320 fails, the redundant heat-generating electronic components 320 connected in parallel can still operate normally, so that the electronic control unit 300 and the motor vehicle can still operate normally, reducing safety risks. For example, in the first embodiment of this utility model, such as Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the first heating electronic element 321 and the second heating electronic element 322, which are arranged in pairs, are connected in parallel to provide redundancy for the electronic control unit 300. Even if the first heating electronic element 321 fails, the redundant second heating electronic element 322 can still work normally.

[0034] During the operation of a motor vehicle, the heat-generating electronic components 320 of the electronic control unit 300 generate a significant amount of heat. This is especially true in electronic control units 300 with redundant designs, where the increased density and heat load of the heat-generating electronic components 320 lead to even greater heat generation. To achieve efficient heat dissipation, particularly for electronic control units 300 with redundant designs, such as… Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, a heat sink 330 is provided on the same side of the carrier 310 as the mounting surface 312 where the heat-generating electronic component 320 is located. That is, the heat sink 330 and the heat-generating electronic component 320 are located on the same side of the carrier 310, for example... Figure 2 and Figure 3 The upper side of the middle.

[0035] Traditional electronic control units typically employ bottom cooling (BSC) to dissipate heat generated by the heat-generating electronic components on the carrier. The heat sink and the heat-generating electronic components are positioned on opposite sides of the carrier, and the heat generated by the electronic components is transferred to the heat sink through through-holes in the carrier. This traditional cooling method in electronic control units is ineffective and can lead to increased carrier temperature, affecting the carrier's lifespan.

[0036] In this invention, a top cooling (TSC) method is adopted. The heat sink 330 and the heat-generating electronic component 320 are located on the same side of the carrier 310. Therefore, the heat generated by the heat-generating electronic component 320 is directly absorbed by the heat sink 330 without being transmitted through the through holes in the carrier 310. This provides a more direct heat dissipation path, significantly reducing the heat path between the heat-generating electronic component 320 and the heat sink 330, thereby improving heat dissipation efficiency.

[0037] The heat sink 330 can be made of a metal with high thermal conductivity (such as aluminum). Figures 2 to 4 As shown, the heat sink 330 can have a symmetrical structure. The heat sink 330 is provided with a plurality of recesses 331 spaced apart, each recess 331 being recessed in a direction away from the carrier 310, thereby forming a receiving space. The heat-generating electronic components 320 are all received in the receiving space formed by the recesses 331.

[0038] Specifically, such as Figures 2 to 4As shown, the heat sink 330 has a facing surface 332 facing the carrier 310, and a recess 331 is recessed from the facing surface 332 of the heat sink 330 in a direction away from the carrier 310. Therefore, the spaced recesses 331 interrupt the facing surface 332, forming multiple spaced facing surfaces 332. Each recess 331 includes a recessed surface 333 and a connecting surface 334 connecting the recessed surface 333 to the facing surface 332 of the heat sink 330. The recessed surface 333 is generally parallel to the facing surface 332 of the heat sink 330, and the connecting surface 334 is generally perpendicular to both the recessed surface 333 and the facing surface 332 of the heat sink 330. If necessary, the connecting surface 334 may also form a non-right angle with the recessed surface 333 and the facing surface 332 of the heat sink 330. The dimension of the connecting surface 334 in the direction perpendicular to the carrier 310 represents the recess depth h of the recess 331. In the first embodiment of this utility model, the recessed depth h can be greater than or equal to the dimension of the heating electronic element 320 in the direction perpendicular to the carrier 310. Preferably, h is slightly greater than or equal to the dimension of the heating electronic element 320 in the direction perpendicular to the carrier 310, so that the heating electronic element 320 can be completely accommodated in the accommodating space formed by the recessed portion 331. The phrase "slightly greater than" in "the recessed depth h is slightly greater than the dimension of the heating electronic element 320 in the direction perpendicular to the carrier 310" means that the heating electronic element 320 can be completely accommodated in the accommodating space formed by the recessed portion 331 while avoiding the heating electronic element 320 being too far from the recessed surface 333, thus affecting the heat dissipation effect. Therefore, the multiple surfaces of the heating electronic element 320 facing the recessed surface 333 or connecting surface 334 of the heat sink 330 increase the heat dissipation area and reduce the thermal resistance. In particular, maximizing the heat dissipation area is achieved by accommodating the entire heating electronic element 320 in the accommodating space formed by the recessed portion 331. The heat sink 330 can absorb heat generated by the heat-generating electronic component 320 from multiple directions, improving heat dissipation efficiency. In addition, the facing surface 332 of the heat sink 330 can directly contact the mounting surface 312 of the carrier 310 or be separated from the mounting surface 312 of the carrier 310 by a small safety gap distance, improving the thermal contact between the heat sink 330 and the carrier 310.

[0039] Preferably, such as Figure 3 As shown, a thermal interface material 340 is provided between the heat sink 330 and the heat-generating electronic component 320 and the carrier 310. The thermal interface material 340 can be disposed in particular at any gaps that may occur. The thermal interface material 340 can improve the thermal contact between the heat sink 330 and the heat-generating electronic component 320 and the carrier 310. Preferably, the thermal interface material 340 can be thermal paste to improve thermal conductivity.

[0040] Figure 5A simplified schematic diagram of an electronic control unit 400 according to a second embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 6 A more detailed schematic diagram of an electronic control unit 400 according to a second embodiment of the present invention is shown. The electronic control unit 400 according to the second embodiment of the present invention is substantially the same as the electronic control unit 300 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, as Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the electronic control unit 400 according to the second embodiment of the present invention also includes a carrier 410, a plurality of heat-generating electronic elements 420 disposed on a mounting surface 412 on one side of the carrier 410, and a heat sink 430 disposed on the same side of the carrier 410 as the mounting surface 412 on which the heat-generating electronic elements 420 are disposed. The arrangement of the carrier 410 and the plurality of heat-generating electronic elements 420 is substantially the same as that of the carrier 310 and the plurality of heat-generating electronic elements 320 of the electronic control unit 300 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. For example, the plurality of heat-generating electronic elements 420 also includes a first heat-generating electronic element 421 disposed in pairs and electrically connected in parallel with each other, and a redundant second heat-generating electronic element 422. Therefore, the electronic control unit 400 can also be a "redundant electronic control unit".

[0041] like Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the heat sink 430 of the electronic control unit 400 according to the second embodiment of the present invention is different from the heat sink 330 of the electronic control unit 300 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The following will refer to... Figure 5 and Figure 6 The differences between the heat sink 430 of the electronic control unit 400 according to the second embodiment of the present invention and the heat sink 330 of the first embodiment will be described in detail. For the same components, they will be briefly described or will not be repeated.

[0042] like Figure 5 and Figure 6As shown, the heat sink 430 has a facing surface 432 facing the carrier 410. The heat sink 430 also includes a plurality of spaced-apart recesses (not shown in the figures), each recess recessing from the facing surface 432 of the heat sink 430 toward a direction away from the carrier 410, thereby forming a receiving space. Unlike the first embodiment, in the second embodiment, the recess depth H of the recesses is less than the dimension of the heat-generating electronic element 420 in the direction perpendicular to the carrier 410, so that the heat-generating electronic element 420 can be partially accommodated in the receiving space formed by the recesses. Thus, multiple surfaces of the heat-generating electronic element 420 face the heat sink 430. The heat sink 430 can absorb heat generated by the heat-generating electronic element 420 from multiple directions, improving heat dissipation efficiency. When the heat-generating electronic element 420 is only partially accommodated in the receiving space formed by the recesses, the facing surface 432 of the heat sink 430 can be spaced apart from the mounting surface 412 of the carrier 410. Therefore, an additional electronic element 450 can also be disposed between the spaced-apart facing surface 432 and mounting surface 412. Therefore, this arrangement can make the electronic control unit 400 more compact and more integrated without increasing the overall size of the electronic control unit 400, while meeting the heat dissipation efficiency requirements.

[0043] Preferably, a thermal interface material 440 can also be provided between the heat sink 430 and the heat-generating electronic component 420 and the carrier 410, especially between the spaced-out facing surface 432 of the heat sink 430 and the mounting surface 412 of the carrier 410, to improve thermal conductivity. The thermal interface material 440 can be thermal paste to further improve thermal conductivity.

[0044] In summary, the heat sink and multiple heat-generating electronic components of the electronic control unit provided by this utility model are disposed on the same side of the carrier, significantly reducing the thermal path between the heat-generating electronic components and the heat sink. Furthermore, the heat sink has multiple recesses, and the heat-generating electronic components are at least partially accommodated within the accommodating space formed by the recesses. Therefore, the heat sink can absorb heat generated by the heat-generating electronic components from multiple directions, improving heat dissipation efficiency.

[0045] It should be understood that various different implementation methods can be designed by combining or modifying different implementation methods and various technical features in different ways.

[0046] The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to specific examples. It is understood that the above description is exemplary and not restrictive, and various modifications and variations can be conceived by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention. These modifications and variations are also included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An electronic control unit, characterized in that, The electronic control unit includes: carrier; Multiple heating electronic components are disposed on the mounting surface of the carrier; A heat sink is disposed on the same side of the carrier as the mounting surface on which the heat-generating electronic component is disposed, and the heat sink has a facing surface facing the carrier. The heat sink is provided with a plurality of recesses spaced apart, each recess being recessed from the facing surface toward a direction away from the carrier, thereby forming a receiving space in which the heat-generating electronic component is at least partially accommodated.

2. The electronic control unit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The recessed depth is less than the dimension of the heating electronic element in the direction perpendicular to the carrier, and the heating electronic element is partially housed in the housing space.

3. The electronic control unit according to claim 2, characterized in that, The electronic control unit includes additional electronic components disposed between the facing surface and the mounting surface.

4. The electronic control unit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The recessed depth is greater than or equal to the dimension of the heating electronic element in the direction perpendicular to the carrier, and the heating electronic element is entirely accommodated in the accommodating space.

5. The electronic control unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, A thermal interface material is provided between the heat sink, the heat-generating electronic component, and the carrier.

6. The electronic control unit according to claim 5, characterized in that, The thermal interface material is thermal grease.

7. The electronic control unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The carrier includes an insulating substrate and a wiring pattern disposed on the insulating substrate, wherein the plurality of heating electronic components are electrically connected to the wiring pattern.

8. The electronic control unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The electronic control unit is a redundant electronic control unit.

9. A steering system, characterized in that, The steering system includes an electronic control unit according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. A motor vehicle, characterized in that, The motor vehicle includes the steering system according to claim 9.

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