Electronic housing

Abstract

An electronics housing is provided, comprising a lower housing part with walls and a base for receiving electronic components and an upper housing part formed as a lid, which can be attached to the lower housing part, wherein the lid is formed such that, after being attached to the lower housing part, it projects outwards from the lower housing part to a predetermined length, wherein a drip edge is provided at a distal end of the lid, which at least partially overlaps the lower housing part in such a way that a cavity is formed between the drip edge and the lower housing part, and wherein a sealing element is provided in the cavity between the drip edge and the lower housing part.The sealing element is either designed as a separate component and inserted into the cavity, or as a sealing element injection-molded onto an inside of the drip edge or onto an outside of the lower housing part that overlaps the drip edge.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to the field of electromobility and in particular to the field of sealing electronic housings.

[0002] It is known that electronic housings must be sealed against environmental influences. This also applies to housings containing the so-called BMC, i.e., the battery management controller (control unit).

[0003] For example, US patent 10,336,211 B2 discloses a battery pack with an external seal. In this design, the housing lid has a drip edge that extends upwards, into which a sealant can be injected to completely seal the cavity between the drip edge and the lower housing part. However, if no sealant is injected, liquid may seep into the sealing gap between the lid and the top edge of the lower housing.

[0004] Therefore, one of the objectives of this invention is to provide improved sealing of electronic enclosures.

[0005] This task is solved by the features of independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of dependent claims.

[0006] An electronics housing is provided, comprising a lower housing part with walls and a base for receiving electronic components and an upper housing part formed as a lid, which can be attached to the lower housing part, wherein the lid is formed such that, after being attached to the lower housing part, it projects outwards from the lower housing part to a predetermined length, wherein a drip edge is provided at a distal end of the lid, which at least partially overlaps the lower housing part in such a way that a cavity is formed between the drip edge and the lower housing part, and wherein a sealing element is provided in the cavity between the drip edge and the lower housing part.The sealing element is either designed as a separate component and inserted into the cavity, or as a sealing element injection-molded onto an inside of the drip edge or onto an outside of the lower housing part that overlaps the drip edge.

[0007] In one embodiment, the inside of the drip edge or the outside of the lower housing part has a groove, and the separate sealing element is inserted into the groove.

[0008] In one embodiment, the sealing element is provided for to be made of an elastic, non-absorbent material.

[0009] In one version, the sealing element is coated with a lubricant.

[0010] In one embodiment, the sealing element is provided to be guided around the entire electronics housing in the cavity.

[0011] In one embodiment, it is provided that if the sealing element is designed as a separate component, the sealing element is designed as a ring seal or as a profile seal.

[0012] Furthermore, a battery pack is provided, comprising several battery modules and at least one battery management controller, which is located in the electronics housing.

[0013] Furthermore, power electronics for a vehicle that is at least partially electrically powered are provided, which are housed in the electronics enclosure.

[0014] Furthermore, a vehicle that is at least partially electrically powered is provided, comprising a battery pack, at least one power electronics unit connected to the battery pack, and at least one electric motor connected to the power electronics unit, wherein the battery pack and / or power electronics unit are arranged in the electronics housing.

[0015] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, with reference to the figures in the drawing, which shows details of the invention, and from the claims. The individual features can be implemented individually or in any combination in a variant of the invention.

[0016] Preferred embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying figures. Fig. Figure 1 shows an enlarged section of an electronics housing with drip edge and contamination protection according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. Figure 2 shows an enlarged section of an electronics housing with drip edge and contamination protection according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] In the following figure descriptions, identical elements or functions are marked with the same reference symbols.

[0018] Electronic enclosures serve to enclose electronic components and protect them from environmental influences, especially moisture and dirt. Battery management controllers (BMCs) are also electronic components and must be protected from environmental influences by an electronic enclosure.

[0019] Electronic enclosures, hereinafter also referred to simply as enclosures 100, have a lower enclosure part 101, which generally consists of four walls and a base, thus forming a partially enclosed enclosure open at the top. A cover 102 is placed on the upper edge of the walls (i.e., parallel to the base and on a top surface of the lower enclosure part 101) and fastened to the lower enclosure part 101, e.g., by means of screws 10, as shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 indicated. For this purpose, the upper surface of the lower housing part 101 is advantageously formed as a flat surface in the area where the edge of the cover 102 is placed and where it is fastened. Furthermore, a generally circumferential seal 30 (main seal) is provided in an area between screw 10 and the interior of the housing 100, as also shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 indicated.

[0020] To prevent moisture and dirt from penetrating the interior of the housing 100, a drip edge 20, which also serves as a protective edge, is often provided on the cover 102 in addition to the seal 30. For this purpose, the cover 102 is designed such that it projects beyond the lower housing part 101, so that the drip edge 20 partially overlaps the lower housing part 101 at a distance from it.

[0021] According to the invention, the lower edge of the part of the cover 102 located outside the fastening (screw 10) extends directly outwards from the housing 100, essentially parallel to the base and also parallel to the top surface of the lower housing part 101, on which the edge of the cover rests and the fastening is provided. A sealing gap 21 is thus created between the top surface of the lower housing part 101 and the cover 102. Moisture and dirt could penetrate through this sealing gap 21 into the interior of the housing, at least as far as the main seal (seal 30), which is undesirable.

[0022] At the distal end of the lid 102, a drip edge 20 is provided, which bends / is bent downwards at an angle of essentially 90 degrees (i.e., towards the bottom of the housing). The drip edge 20 is long enough to slightly overlap the lower housing part 101. This creates a cavity between the drip edge 20 and the lower housing part 101, as shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 can be seen.

[0023] Because the lid 102 projects straight / horizontally beyond the housing 100 and the drip edge 20 bends at its distal end, no siphon-like cavity is formed into which dirt and moisture could penetrate and then creep towards the sealing gap 21. In fact, moisture can even drain out of the sealing gap 21, especially if the lower housing part 101 is designed such that the transition from the vertical wall to the top is rounded, as in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 shown, meaning it does not have a 90-degree angle.

[0024] To provide additional protection against the ingress of moisture and dirt, a sealing element 40 is provided, which is inserted into the cavity between the drip edge 20 and the lower housing part 101, as shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 shown.

[0025] The sealing element 40 is designed as a separate component (additional seal) that is inserted into the cavity but not bonded to it. Thus, unlike when using injected sealants (such as resins), it is replaceable. It can be made of a material that, after the cover 102 is mounted (fastened) onto the lower housing part 101, is inserted (i.e., pressed) into the cavity. Alternatively, a groove or other retaining device, such as clips, can be provided on the outside of the lower housing part 101, on the inside of the cover 102, or on the drip edge 20 to receive the sealing element 40, ensuring that it is precisely positioned and held in the cavity.

[0026] The sealing element 40 is formed as an elastomer seal, e.g., from EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber), VMQ (silicone rubber), or as a foam seal. It is important that the sealing element 40 is made of a non-absorbent, soft material that fills the cavity within a specified area but requires little force for compression. Additionally, the sealing element 40 can be coated with a lubricant such as wax, oil, or Krytox. This reduces or even prevents dirt from adhering to the sealing element 40.

[0027] If the housing 100 is made of a plastic, in a further embodiment the sealing element 40 can also be directly injection-molded onto it during the manufacture of the housing 100. In this case, it can be provided either on the inside of the lid 102, in particular on the inside of the drip edge 20, or alternatively on an outside of the lower housing part 101, which the drip edge 20 overlaps.

[0028] In one embodiment, the sealing element 40 is inserted into the cavity in such a way that it at least closes the lower opening, i.e., extends in the gap between the outside of the lower housing part 101 and the inside of the drip edge 20, as shown in Fig. 1 indicated. This design is particularly suitable when using a ring seal or a profile seal with a groove or other mounting.

[0029] In the Fig.In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the sealing element 40 is also inserted into the cavity in such a way that it closes the lower opening. Furthermore, the sealing element 20 extends over the entire height of the drip edge 20, i.e., from its lower end to the transition into the cover 102. This embodiment is particularly suitable when using a sealing element 40 that is pressed between the drip edge 20 and the lower housing part 101 (before or after mounting the cover 102), e.g., a foam gasket.

[0030] The sealing element 40 is preferably formed as a circumferential sealing element 40, i.e. completely circumferential around the outer circumference of the housing 100.

[0031] A sealing element 40 is therefore provided, which provides protection against environmental influences such as dirt and moisture, and which, unlike an injected sealant, is replaceable.

[0032] Especially with battery and high-voltage components, protection from moisture and dirt is important to avoid affecting the lifespan of the components, e.g. due to corrosion.

[0033] The electronics housing is designed as a housing for a battery management controller and is installed / can be installed in a battery pack (high-voltage storage unit) of a vehicle that is at least partially electrically powered. The battery pack serves to drive at least one of the vehicle's electric motors. To convert the direct current (DC) from the battery pack into alternating current (AC) usable by the electric motor, additional components, also known as power electronics, are provided. The power electronics are also housed in an electronics enclosure, which can be designed according to the described electronics enclosure to protect the high-voltage components from environmental influences. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

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

[0000] US 10,336,211 B2

[0003]

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