Vehicle electronics module and method for operating a vehicle electronics module

DE102023122876A1Pending Publication Date: 2025-02-27CONNAUGHT ELECTRONICS
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Patent Information

Application Number
DE102023122876
Authority / Receiving Office
DE · DE
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2023-08-25
Publication Date
2025-02-27

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Abstract

Vehicle electronics module (1), with - a housing (2); - a first electronic unit (3) and at least a second electronic unit (4) which are detachably arranged in the housing (2); - a first cooling unit (5) and at least one second cooling unit (6) arranged in the housing (2); and - a movement device (7) with which a relative movement between the electronic units (3, 4) and the cooling units (5, 6) can be carried out, such that in a first positioning state the cooling units (5, 6) are arranged spaced apart from the electronic units (3, 4) in the housing (2) and in a second positioning state the cooling units (5, 6) and the electronic units (3, 4) are pressed against each other in the housing (2), wherein - the motion device (7) has at least one actuating element (9) by the actuation of which both a first relative movement between the first electronic unit (3) and the first cooling unit (5) and a second relative movement between the second electronic unit (4) and the second cooling unit (6) is generated.
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Description

[0001] The invention relates to a vehicle electronics module and a method for operating a vehicle electronics module.

[0002] US 10117357 B2 discloses a cooling plate and a vapor chamber for conduction cooling of one or more printed circuit boards in a printed circuit board (PCB) package. The cooling plate may have a flat surface at an oblique angle relative to an axis along which the printed circuit board assembly is inserted into the package. The printed circuit board assembly may include a vapor chamber with a complementary, obliquely angled surface. The complementary angled surfaces of the cooling plate and the vapor chamber can exert forces against each other upon insertion of the printed circuit board assembly into the package and upon contact between the cooling plate and the vapor chamber.

[0003] The invention is based on the object of providing a vehicle electronics module and a method for operating the vehicle electronics module in order to cool at least two electronic units as required.

[0004] The object is achieved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous developments of the invention are defined by the dependent claims, the following description, and the figures.

[0005] One aspect of the invention relates to a vehicle electronics module comprising a housing, a first electronics unit and at least one second electronics unit, a first cooling unit and at least one second cooling unit, and a movement device. The housing is designed to accommodate a plurality of separate electronic units and to accommodate a plurality of separate cooling units for cooling the electronic units. The first electronics unit is detachably arranged in the housing. The first cooling unit and the at least one second cooling unit are arranged in the housing. The movement device enables a relative movement between the electronic units and the cooling units, such that in a first positioning state, the cooling units are arranged at a distance from the electronic units in the housing. In a second positioning state, the cooling units and the electronic units are pressed against one another in the housing.The movement device has at least one actuating element. Actuating the at least one actuating element generates both a first relative movement and a second relative movement along an actuating path during an actuating process. The first relative movement occurs between the first electronics unit and the first cooling unit. The second relative movement occurs between the second electronics unit and the second cooling unit.

[0006] In particular, in the first positioning state, all cooling units of the vehicle electronics module are spaced apart from all electronic units of the vehicle electronics module. Thus, no cooling unit of the vehicle electronics module is in contact with an electronic unit of the vehicle electronics module. In the second positioning state, at least the first cooling unit is pressed against the first electronic unit, and the second cooling unit is pressed against the second electronic unit. Preferably, in the second positioning state, each cooling unit of the vehicle electronics module is pressed against at least one electronic unit of the vehicle electronics module, and each electronic unit of the vehicle electronics module is pressed against at least one cooling unit of the vehicle electronics module.

[0007] In particular, the actuation process is a single, in particular continuous, actuation of the at least one actuating element, which is to be carried out as intended from the beginning to the end of the actuating path. The actuating path can, for example, be a movement path between an initial position and an end position of the at least one actuating element. The at least one actuating element can also be referred to as a movement element.

[0008] The movement device is particularly designed to change the distance between at least two electronic units and at least two cooling units. The movement device can also be referred to as a movement mechanism.

[0009] In particular, actuation of the at least one actuating element initiates a linear, in particular exclusively linear, movement, in particular of the cooling units, along a vertical axis. The vertical axis is, for example, perpendicular to an insertion direction. The insertion direction is, for example, a direction in which the electronic units can be inserted into the housing. The electronic units and / or the cooling units may be essentially immovable in a transverse direction perpendicular to the vertical axis and the insertion direction. In particular, movement of the electronic units in the transverse direction is limited by guide rails. The vertical axis can also be referred to as the vertical direction. In particular, the described movements and their directions can also be carried out inversely.

[0010] The vehicle electronics module according to the invention allows the electronic units to be cooled as needed. The electronic units are, for example, vehicle control units. The electronic units can in particular be electronic control units, electronic control modules, or flat control units (ECU blades). For example, with just a single actuation of the at least one actuation element, all cooling units and electronic units can be transferred and / or returned from the first positioning state to the second positioning state. For example, the at least one actuation element is designed as a single actuation element. Alternatively, the at least one actuation element is designed as multiple actuation elements, in particular exactly two actuation elements.

[0011] In particular, the electronic units and cooling units are pressed together with a predefined pressure in the second positioning state. In particular, the electronic units can be removed from the housing in the first positioning state. This allows the electronic units to be replaced as needed. This enables easy replacement of the electronic units, especially in the first positioning state, while simultaneously enabling high cooling performance for the electronic units in the second positioning state.

[0012] In one embodiment, the first relative movement and the second relative movement are generated simultaneously over the same movement path and / or in the same movement direction by the actuating process.

[0013] In other words, the first relative movement and the second relative movement occur synchronously. This makes it possible for all electronic units, in particular, to be transferred to a cooling mode simultaneously by synchronously moving the electronic units and the cooling units into the second positioning state. By inverse actuation of the at least one actuating element, all electronic units, in particular, can be prepared for disassembly simultaneously by detaching the electronic units from the cooling units.

[0014] It is possible for the directions of movement of the cooling units to be different. For example, all cooling units can be moved simultaneously, with two of the cooling units moving towards each other and, upon inverse actuation of at least one actuating element, moving away from each other in the opposite direction. This is particularly advantageous in arrangements in which two cooling units are arranged between two electronic units. For example, two cooling units and two electronic units are arranged alternately one above the other in the vertical direction in the housing. For example, two cooling units can also be located between each pair of two electronic units. This means that the electronic units can be cooled from two opposite sides using the cooling units.

[0015] It is possible for the directions of movement of the cooling units and / or the electronic units to be the same. This can simplify the mechanics of the movement device, particularly compared to a movement of the cooling units and / or electronic units toward or opposite each other.

[0016] The movement path, for example, is the actuation path. A direction of movement, for example, is either up or down.

[0017] In one embodiment, the first relative movement can be performed by actuating the at least one actuating element along a first partial path of the actuating path, and the second relative movement can be performed by actuating the at least one actuating element along a second partial path of the actuating path at a different time. In particular, the second partial path is different from the first partial path and adjoins the first partial path.

[0018] In other words, the second relative movement occurs at a time offset from the first relative movement. For example, the first cooling unit is moved along the first partial path by actuating the at least one actuating element, and the second cooling unit is moved along the second partial path by actuating the at least one actuating element. In particular, not all cooling units and electronic units are transferred from the second positioning state to the first positioning state simultaneously. This allows, for example, the electronic units to be removed individually, in particular without the other electronic units breaking contact with the respective cooling units.

[0019] In one embodiment, the at least one actuating element can be locked in a transition between the first partial path and the second partial path. In other words, the at least one actuating element can be fixed in a self-retaining manner in the transition. This simplifies the removal of a subset of the electronic units, in particular a single electronic unit.

[0020] In one embodiment, the cooling units and the electronics units are oriented relative to one another, and in particular parallel to one another, during the respective relative movement. This allows the cooling units and the electronics units to be arranged in the housing in a space-saving manner. In particular, the distances between the cooling unit and the electronics unit to be cooled by this cooling unit are the same for all cooling units in relation to the respective electronics unit in the first and / or second positioning state. This may result in the advantage that a simpler mechanism can be used for the movement device, since only a linear movement is performed and, in particular, the stroke of the cooling units and / or the electronics units is the same.

[0021] In one embodiment, a heat transfer element is arranged on an outer side facing the electronics unit of a cooling unit intended for contact with an electronics unit. Alternatively or additionally, a heat transfer element is arranged on an outer side of the electronics unit facing the cooling unit to be contacted. In particular, the heat transfer element can also be designed as a material for a thermal interface or filler material for thermal gaps. The heat transfer element can be designed, for example, as a thermally conductive paste and / or as a cooling pad. This allows heat generated at the electronics unit to be transferred to the cooling unit in an improved manner.

[0022] In particular, the pressing force between the cooling unit and the electronics module in the second positioning state is greater than simple contact. The pressing force may depend on the heat transfer element used. The pressing force can also be referred to as a compression force, since a certain amount of this force compresses, for example, the cooling pad. The compression force required for the first cooling unit and the first electronics unit is, for example, between 400 N and 2500 N. For embodiments in which all relative movements are performed by a single actuation process, a compression force may be required that corresponds to a multiple of the number of electronic units or cooling units to be moved. For example, the compression force for three cooling units to be moved simultaneously is between 1200 N and 7500 N.

[0023] In one embodiment, the housing has guide rails for inserting the electronic units, in particular exclusively for the electronic units, into the housing, so that defined and spaced-apart insertion levels are formed for the electronic units.

[0024] It is also possible for the housing for the cooling units to have additional guide rails for insertion into the housing, so that defined and spaced-apart insertion levels for the cooling units are formed.

[0025] In particular, the electronic units and / or cooling units are arranged parallel on different levels within the housing. The guide rails facilitate the insertion and / or removal of the electronic units and / or cooling units.

[0026] In one embodiment, the first cooling unit and the second cooling unit are motion-coupled by a connecting element of the movement device. In particular, the first cooling unit and the second cooling unit are rigidly connected to one another by the connecting element and spaced apart from one another. This easily enables simultaneous movement, in particular of all cooling units, in the same direction of movement. For example, movement of the connecting element is limited by a stop element. In particular, the stop element is part of the housing, in particular a housing base or a housing cover.

[0027] In one embodiment, the connecting element is designed as a sliding wall that encloses an end region of each of the at least two cooling units. The sliding wall is, in particular, a wall element arranged on the housing, for example, at the end face, which is displaceable relative to the housing. In particular, the movement device has two opposing sliding walls. For example, the sliding wall is guided within a groove. This embodiment, in particular, prevents the cooling units from tipping, so that they remain parallel to the electronic units during relative movements.

[0028] It is possible for the cooling units to be cooled using a cooling fluid. The cooling fluid is distributed to the cooling units, for example, via a distributor. In such an embodiment, the distributor can be designed as a connecting element.

[0029] The connecting element can also be designed as a rod, for example as a connector or attachment.

[0030] The connecting element makes it possible, for example, for the first and second relative movements to be carried out by means of a single actuation process.

[0031] In one embodiment, the first electronic unit has a unit housing against which the first cooling unit is pressed. In particular, the first cooling unit is pressed against an underside of the unit housing of the first electronic unit. In particular, the underside of the unit housing faces the first cooling unit. Alternatively or additionally, the second electronic unit has a further unit housing against which the second cooling unit is pressed. In particular, the underside of the further unit housing faces the second cooling unit. The unit housing can protect the electronic units from contamination and environmental influences.

[0032] It is possible for the electronics unit, in particular the unit housing, to have a circuit carrier. For example, the circuit carrier is thermally coupled to the unit housing via a thermally conductive material and a pedestal. This creates a direct heat path from the circuit carrier via the thermally conductive material, the pedestal, and the unit housing, and optionally via a heat transfer element, to the respective cooling unit. This improves heat dissipation.

[0033] In one embodiment, the cooling units are designed as plates. In particular, the plates are designed to allow a cooling fluid to flow through them. Due to their shape, the plates can each make large-area contact with the electronic units, in particular the unit housings, and thus provide improved heat dissipation.

[0034] In one embodiment, the actuating process is designed as a pivoting of an actuating element, designed as a pivoting bracket, of the at least one actuating element in one direction. The pivoting bracket can also be referred to as a lever. In particular, a pivot point of the lever is arranged on each opposite side of the housing. The lever is rotatably attached to the housing, for example, at the pivot points. This makes it possible, for example, for the cooling units to be moved parallel to the electronic units during the relative movement to one another. For example, the pivoting bracket is designed such that removal of the first electronic unit is blocked by the pivoting bracket when the cooling units and the electronic units are in the second positioning state. The second positioning state can be referred to, for example, as the closed state.For example, the pivot points of the lever are connected to each other via an axis. The pivoting bracket makes it easier, particularly with a single actuation, to transfer the cooling units and electronic units from the first positioning state to the second positioning state and vice versa.

[0035] In one embodiment, an actuating element of the at least one actuating element is a lifting element. The lifting element is movably arranged on a separate guide unit. The at least two relative movements between the electronic units and the cooling units are generated by an actuating path during an actuating process. The actuating process represents a relative movement of the lifting element to the guide unit.

[0036] In one embodiment, the guide unit is a counter-stroke element. For example, the stroke element is a wedge. The counter-stroke element can be designed, for example, as a counter-wedge. In particular, the wedge and the counter-wedge are pushed against each other to generate the relative movements. In other words, the actuation process can be carried out by displacing the stroke element along the counter-stroke element. The wedge can be moved, for example, by turning screws. This allows the pressing force to be adjusted in a defined manner. Alternatively, the wedge can be locked in a position along the counter-wedge, for example, by means of the screws.

[0037] For example, the lifting element and the counter-lifting element are connected to each other via a cross element. For example, displacement of the lifting element relative to the counter-lifting element can be achieved by turning a screw and transmitting force via the cross element. A longitudinal axis of the screw may be oriented perpendicular to the vertical axis. This embodiment of the actuating element can be referred to as a clamping device.

[0038] In one embodiment, a contact surface of the lifting element, with which the lifting element is contacted with the connecting element for generating the relative movement, is parallel to the insertion planes.

[0039] In one embodiment, an actuating element of the at least one actuating element is a screw oriented parallel to the vertical axis. For example, the screw is arranged centrally on the housing. In particular, the screw is motion-coupled to the connecting element. In one embodiment, at least two screws are arranged on each of the sliding walls.

[0040] A further aspect of the invention relates to a method for operating a vehicle electronics module according to the invention. In this case, a cooling mode is set for the electronic units. For this purpose, the at least one actuating element is actuated along the actuating path. This generates both the first relative movement between the first electronic unit and the first cooling unit and the second relative movement between the second electronic unit and the second cooling unit. During the first relative movement, the first cooling unit and the first electronic unit are transferred from a decoupled state to a coupled state. During the second relative movement, the second cooling unit and the second electronic unit are transferred from a decoupled state to a coupled state. This allows, for example, the first and second electronic units to be cooled.

[0041] In one embodiment, a disassembly mode is set. For this purpose, the at least one actuating element is moved inversely to setting the cooling mode. This creates both a first further relative movement between the first electronic unit and the first cooling unit and a second further relative movement between the second electronic unit and the second cooling unit. During the first further relative movement, the first cooling unit and the first electronic unit are transferred from a coupled state to a decoupled state. During the second further relative movement, the second cooling unit and the second electronic unit are transferred from a coupled state to a decoupled state. This allows, for example, the first and second electronic units to be removed.

[0042] In particular, the vehicle electronics module according to the invention is designed to carry out a method according to the invention. In particular, the vehicle electronics module according to the invention carries out the method according to the invention.

[0043] Further embodiments of the method according to the invention follow directly from the various embodiments of the vehicle electronics module according to the invention, and vice versa. In particular, individual features and corresponding explanations as well as advantages relating to the various embodiments of the vehicle electronics module according to the invention can be transferred analogously to corresponding embodiments of the method according to the invention.

[0044] Further features of the invention emerge from the claims, the figures and the description of the figures. The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description as well as the features and combinations of features mentioned below in the description of the figures and / or shown alone in the figures can be used not only in the respectively specified combination, but also in other combinations without departing from the scope of the invention. Thus, embodiments are to be regarded as encompassed and disclosed by the invention that are not explicitly shown and explained in the figures, but which emerge and can be produced by separate combinations of features from the explained embodiments. Embodiments and combinations of features are also to be regarded as disclosed that therefore do not have all the features of an originally formulated independent claim.Furthermore, embodiments and combinations of features are to be regarded as disclosed, in particular by the embodiments set out above, which go beyond or deviate from the combinations of features set out in the reliances of the claims.

[0045] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described below. They show: Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of a vehicle electronics module according to the invention; Fig. 2 a schematic cross-section of a further embodiment of the vehicle electronic module according to the invention; Fig. 3a shows a schematic cross-section of a further embodiment of the vehicle electronic module according to the invention; Fig. 3b shows a schematic cross-section of a further embodiment of the vehicle electronic module according to the invention; Fig. 3c shows a schematic cross-section of a further embodiment of the vehicle electronic module according to the invention; Fig. 4 a schematic representation of a further embodiment of the vehicle electronics module according to the invention; Fig. 5 a schematic detailed view of an embodiment of an actuating element of a further embodiment of the vehicle electronics module according to the invention; Fig. 6 a schematic detailed view of a further embodiment of an actuating element of a further embodiment of the vehicle electronics module according to the invention; Fig. 7a a schematic longitudinal section of a further embodiment of the vehicle electronic module according to the invention; Fig. 7b shows a schematic longitudinal section of a further embodiment of the vehicle electronic module according to the invention; and Fig. 8 shows a schematic longitudinal section of a further embodiment of the vehicle electronic module according to the invention;

[0046] Fig. 1 schematically shows an exemplary embodiment of a vehicle electronics module 1 according to the invention. The vehicle electronics module 1 has a housing 2, a first electronics unit 3 and at least one second electronics unit 4, in the example shown three second electronics units 4, a first cooling unit 5 and at least one second cooling unit 6, in the example shown two second cooling units 6, and a movement device 7. The housing 2 is designed to accommodate several separate electronics units 3, 4 and to accommodate several separate cooling units 5, 6 for cooling the electronics units 3, 4. The first electronics unit 3 is detachably arranged in the housing 2. In particular, the electronics units 3, 4 can be inserted into the housing 2 in the z-direction via guide rails 8. The first cooling unit 5 and the at least one second cooling unit 6 are arranged in the housing 2.With the movement device 7, a relative movement can be carried out between the electronic units 3, 4 and the cooling units 5, 6, so that in a second positioning state, the cooling units 5, 6 and the electronic units 3, 4 are pressed against one another in the housing 2. The second positioning state can be referred to as the closed state. For example, in . Fig. 1 shows the closed state.

[0047] The first positioning state is exemplified in Fig. 3a and can be described as an open state. In particular, the first electronic unit 3 is decoupled from the first cooling unit 5, and the second electronic unit 4 is decoupled from the second cooling unit 6.

[0048] The movement device 7 has an actuating element 9. This actuating element 9 can be a rod. The rod can be grasped by a user. By actuating the actuating element 9, during an actuation process along an actuation path 10 ( Fig. 2) generates both a first relative movement and a second relative movement. The first relative movement occurs between the first electronics unit 3 and the first cooling unit 5. The second relative movement occurs between the second electronics unit 4 and the second cooling unit 6.

[0049] For example, a cooling fluid can flow through the cooling units 5, 6 to cool the electronic units 3, 4. For this purpose, the cooling fluid can optionally be distributed to the cooling units 5, 6 via a distributor 11. In particular, the cooling units 5, 6 can be designed as plates. In particular, the plates can be arranged parallel to one another and to the electronic units 3, 4.

[0050] For example, the vehicle electronics module 1 has a first connecting element 12a and a second connecting element 12b. For example, the connecting elements 12a, 12b can be moved along a guide groove 13. The connecting elements 12a, 12b can be designed as a first sliding wall and a second sliding wall. In particular, the cooling devices 5, 6 are each firmly connected at the end face in the respective connecting element 12a, 12b. The actuating element 9 is, for example, in Fig. 1 is designed as a pivot bracket. The pivot bracket has, for example, a pivot point 14 on each end face 15 of the housing 2. In particular, the pivot bracket has a first leg 16a, a second leg 16b, and a third leg 16c on each end face 15. When the pivot bracket is actuated along the actuation path 10, the first leg 16a rotates about the pivot point 14, so that the rotation is converted into a movement in the y-direction via the second leg 16b and the third leg 16c. The pivot point 14 can, in particular, be immovable relative to the housing 2.

[0051] The three legs 16a, 16b, 16c are connected to each other at joints 20, 21. Furthermore, the actuating element 9 is pivotally mounted at a pivot point 9a. The pivot point 9a is fixed to the housing 2.

[0052] In Fig. 2 shows a further embodiment of the vehicle electronic module 1 as a sectional view.

[0053] Heat-conducting elements 17 can be mounted between the electronic units 3, 4 and the respective cooling units 5, 6. In particular, the heat-conducting element 17 is arranged directly on a bottom side 3a of the electronic unit 3. In the second positional state, the heat-conducting element 17 can directly contact an upper side 5a of the cooling element 5 facing the bottom side 3a. A connecting board 18 can be electrically connected to the electronic units 3, 4 via board connectors 19, so that the electronic units 3, 4 can be electrically connected to one another. In particular, the board connectors 19 can be designed as a board connector, cable connector, ribbon cable, and / or flexible board connector.

[0054] In this embodiment, the connecting element 12a can be designed as a cooling fluid distribution pipe or as a rod of the housing 2.

[0055] By actuating the actuating element 9 along the actuating path 10, the electronic units 3, 4 and the cooling units 5, 6 can be transferred from the first positioning state to the second positioning state.

[0056] In Fig. 3a, Fig. 3b and Fig. 3c is a transition from the first positioning state to Fig. 3a to the second positioning state in Fig. 3c is shown schematically using an exemplary embodiment. The vehicle electronics module 1 is shown as a schematic cross-section. For example, Fig. 3a the first positioning state, Fig. 3b a transition from the first positioning state to the second positioning state and Fig. 3c the second positioning state.

[0057] In Fig. 3a, the first electronic unit 3 is spaced apart from the first cooling unit 5 by a stroke distance 22. In particular, the second electronic unit 4 and the second cooling unit 6 are also spaced apart from each other by a stroke distance 22 in the first positioning state. The actuating element 9 is in the Fig. 3a, Fig. 3b and Fig. 3c is shown as an example of a swivel bracket in cross section.

[0058] In Fig. 3b, the actuating element 9 was moved along the actuating path 10 by a first partial path 10a to an intermediate position. For example, the stroke 22 can be Fig. 3a can be halved when the actuating element 9 has covered half of the actuating path 10. In particular, the actuation of the actuating element 9 can initiate an exclusively linear movement of the cooling units 5, 6 in the y-direction, for example a height direction. An upper side 5a of the first cooling unit 5 moves in the direction of the first electronics unit 3. An underside of the first electronics unit 3 faces the upper side 5a of the first cooling unit 5. If appropriate, the heat-conducting element 17 can be located on the upper side 5a of the first cooling unit 5, in particular can directly contact the upper side 5a. Alternatively or additionally, the heat-conducting element 17 can be directly contacted on the underside 3a of the first electronics unit 3.The design of the first cooling unit 3 and the first electronic unit 5 can apply analogously to the second electronic unit 4 and the second cooling unit 6, in particular to all other cooling units and electronic units of the vehicle electronic module 1.

[0059] In Fig. 3c, the electronic units 3, 4 and the cooling units 5, 6 are in the second positioning state. In the second positioning state, the upper side 5a contacts the lower side 3a directly or via the heat conducting element 17. For this purpose, the actuating element 9 has been moved from the intermediate position into Fig. 3b to an end position along a second partial path 10b of the actuating path.

[0060] In Fig. 4, Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 shows alternative embodiments of the actuating element 9 by way of example.

[0061] In Fig. 4, the actuating element 9 can directly contact the connecting element 12a via the contact surface 25 of the actuating element 9. The actuating element 9 can Fig. 4 may be designed as a lifting element. The lifting element can be actuated by turning a screw 26.

[0062] The relative movement can optionally be limited by a housing base 2a of the housing 2 and / or a housing cover 2b of the housing 2.

[0063] In Fig. 4, the electronic units 3, 4 and the cooling units 5, 6 are in the second positioning state. In the second positioning state, a free space 23 exists between the connecting element 12a and the housing base 2a. The free space 23 is created in particular by lifting the connecting element 12a by the stroke 22. In the second positioning state, an upper edge 24 of the connecting element 12a directly contacts the housing cover 2b. In this embodiment, the housing cover 2b serves as the upper stop for the connecting element 12a, and the housing base 2a serves as the lower stop for the connecting element 12a.

[0064] In Fig. 5 is an analogue operating element 9 as a lifting element as in Fig. 4 shown in detail. By screwing in the Fig. 5 not shown screw 26 ( Fig. 4) The lifting element can be moved parallel to the y-direction and simultaneously in the x-direction. This allows the contact surface 25 and thus the connecting element 12a to be moved in the y-direction. The lifting element can also be arranged on the opposite end face 15, in particular arranged additionally.

[0065] By screwing in the screw 26, the lifting element moves relative to a separate and fixed counter-lifting element 27.

[0066] In Fig. 6, the actuating element 9 is designed as a wedge. The wedge has, for example, a wedge base 28 and a clamping screw 31. The counter-stroke element, which in Fig. 6 is designed as a counter wedge 27, has a guide wedge upper side 29. The counter wedge 27 can also be referred to as a guide wedge. For example, the guide wedge is firmly connected to the housing base 2a. The guide wedge upper side 29 directly contacts the wedge lower side 28. By loosening the clamping screw 31, the wedge can be moved relative to the guide wedge. The contact surface 25 of the wedge directly contacts a connecting element lower side 30 of the connecting element 12a. The wedge is displaceable relative to the connecting element 12a, in particular in the z-direction. By displacing the wedge in the z-direction, the connecting element 12a can be displaced one-dimensionally in the vertical direction. By displacing the connecting element 12a, the cooling units 5, 6 are also displaced in the vertical direction. By tightening the clamping screw 31, a vertical position and thus a displacement position of the wedge relative to the counter stroke element 27 can be fixed.

[0067] In Fig. 7a, Fig. 7b and Fig. 8 shows a schematic longitudinal section of the vehicle electronic module 1.

[0068] In a Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 7a, two cooling units 5, 6 can be arranged between the two electronic units 3, 4. For example, the cooling units 5, 6 can move away from each other by actuating the actuating element 9 and, in doing so, move along the stroke 22 in the direction of the respective electronic unit 3, 4. For example, by actuating the actuating element 9, the first cooling unit 5 and the second cooling unit 6 can be moved selectively. In particular, the first cooling unit 5 can be moved by traveling the first partial path 10a, and the second cooling unit 6 can be moved by traveling the second partial path 10b. However, it is also possible for the cooling units 5, 6 to be moved simultaneously. In particular, the traveled stroke 22 can be proportional to the traveled actuation path.

[0069] In Fig. 7b, the electronic units 3, 4, in particular two, are arranged between the cooling units 5, 6. During the transition from the first positioning state to the second positioning state, the cooling units 5, 6 can be moved toward each other from the outside in the direction of the electronic units 3, 4. In this case, the cooling unit bottom 5b moves toward an electronic unit top 3b facing it.

[0070] In a Fig. 8, the cooling units 5, 6 can be fixed in the housing with respect to their height. To contact the electronic units 3, 4 with the cooling units 5, 6, in this embodiment, the electronic units 3, 4 can be moved linearly in the height direction towards the cooling units 5, 6. This embodiment can analogously incorporate features from the previous embodiments of the Fig. 1 to Fig. 7b. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] US 10117357 B2

[0002]

Claims

[1] Vehicle electronic module (1), with - a housing (2) for accommodating a plurality of separate electronic units (3, 4) and for accommodating a plurality of separate cooling units (5, 6) for cooling the electronic units (3, 4); - a first electronic unit (3) and at least one second electronic unit (4) which are detachably arranged in the housing (2); - a first cooling unit (5) and at least one second cooling unit (6) arranged in the housing (2); and - a movement device (7) with which a relative movement between the electronic units (3, 4) and the cooling units (5, 6) can be carried out, so that in a first positioning state the cooling units (5, 6) are arranged at a distance from the electronic units (3, 4) in the housing (2) and in a second positioning state the cooling units (5, 6) and the electronic units (3, 4) are pressed against each other in the housing (2), wherein - the movement device (7) has at least one actuating element (9), the actuation of which, during an actuating process along an actuating path (10), generates both a first relative movement between the first electronic unit (3) and the first cooling unit (5) and a second relative movement between the second electronic unit (4) and the second cooling unit (6). [2] Vehicle electronic module (1) according to claim 1, wherein the actuating process generates the first relative movement and the second relative movement simultaneously over the same actuating path and / or in the same direction of movement. [3] Vehicle electronics module (1) according to claim 1, wherein the first relative movement can be carried out by actuating the at least one actuating element (9) along a first partial path (10a) of the actuating path (10) and the second relative movement can be carried out by actuating the at least one actuating element (9) along a second partial path (10b) of the actuating path (10) in a time-staggered manner. [4] Vehicle electronics module (1) according to claim 3, wherein the at least one actuating element (9) can be locked in a transition between the first partial path (10a) and the second partial path (10b). [5] Vehicle electronics module (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cooling units (5, 6) and the electronic units (3, 4) are oriented parallel to each other during the respective relative movement to each other. [6] Vehicle electronics module (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a heat transfer element (17) is arranged on a cooling unit (5, 6) which is provided for contacting an electronic unit (3, 4), on an outer side facing the electronic unit (3, 4), and / or a heat transfer element (17) is arranged on an outer side of the electronic unit (3, 4) which faces the cooling unit (5, 6) to be contacted. [7] Vehicle electronics module (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing (2) has guide rails (8) for inserting the first electronics unit (3) and the second electronics unit (4) into the housing (2), so that defined and spaced-apart insertion levels for the electronics units (3, 4) are formed. [8] Vehicle electronic module (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first cooling unit and the second cooling unit, in particular all second cooling units, are coupled in terms of movement by a connecting element (12a, 12b) of the movement device (7), in particular are connected to one another rigidly and at a distance from one another. [9] Vehicle electronics module (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first electronics unit (3, 4) has a unit housing against which the first cooling unit (5, 6) is pressed, in particular in the second positioning state, in particular is pressed against an underside, and / or the second electronics unit has a unit housing against which the second cooling unit (5, 6) is pressed, in particular in the second positioning state, in particular is pressed against an underside. [10] Vehicle electronic module (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cooling units (5, 6) are designed as plates. [11] Vehicle electronic module (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuating process is designed as a pivoting of an actuating element (9) designed as a pivoting bracket of the at least one actuating element (9) in one direction. [12] Vehicle electronics module (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein an actuating element (9) of the at least one actuating element (9) is a lifting element which is arranged displaceably on a separate guide unit (27), so that the at least two relative movements between the electronic units (3, 4) and the cooling units (5, 6) are generated by a relative movement of the lifting element to the guide unit (27) representing an actuating path (10) during an actuating process. [13] Vehicle electronic module (1) according to claim 12, wherein the guide unit (27) is a counter-stroke element. [14] Vehicle electronic module (1) according to claim 10 and 12, wherein a contact surface (29) of the lifting element, with which the lifting element is contacted with the connecting element (12a, 12b) for generating the relative movement, is parallel to the electronic units (3, 4). [15] Method for operating a vehicle electronic module (1) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 14, comprising the following step: - Setting a cooling mode for the electronic units (3, 4), in that the at least one actuating element (9) is actuated along the actuating path (10) and thereby both the first relative movement between the first electronic unit (3) and the first cooling unit (5) is generated, so that the first cooling unit (5) and the first electronic unit (3) are transferred from a decoupled state to a coupled state, and the second relative movement between the second electronic unit (4) and the second cooling unit (6) is generated, so that the second cooling unit (6) and the second electronic unit (4) are transferred from a decoupled state to a coupled state.

Citation Information

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