Control unit, heating system and vehicle air conditioning unit

Abstract

The invention relates to a control unit (7) for a heating device for heating an airflow, in particular a vehicle air conditioning unit, comprising a two-part housing (10) enclosing a housing interior (11) and having two housing parts (13) forming a housing lower part (14) and a housing upper part (15), electronics (12) arranged in the housing interior (11), and two electrical connections (16) attached to the outside of the housing (10), forming a high-voltage connection (17) and a low-voltage connection (18). A compact design can be achieved cost-effectively by attaching one connection (16) to one housing part (13) and the other connection (16) to the other housing part (13), wherein at least one of the connections (16) is attached to the respective housing part (13) by means of at least one rivet connection (19) which has a rivet (20) attached to the respective housing part (13) and a screw (21) which secures the respective connection (16) to the respective housing part (13) and is screwed into the rivet (20).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a control unit for a heating device for heating an airflow, according to the preamble of claim 1. The invention further relates to a heating device equipped with such a control unit and to a vehicle air conditioning unit equipped with such a heating device.

[0002] A control unit of this type is known, for example, from DE 10 2020 131 023 A1 and is characterized by a two-part housing that encloses an interior and has two housing parts: a lower housing part that bounds the interior from below and an upper housing part that bounds the interior from above. The control unit is equipped with electronics arranged inside the housing and comprising at least one high-voltage component and at least one low-voltage component, as well as with two electrical connections attached to the outside of the housing. These connections form a high-voltage connection, which is electrically connected to the respective high-voltage component, and a low-voltage connection, which is electrically connected to the respective low-voltage component. In the known control unit, the two connections are each attached to the lower housing part using several screws.In the known control unit, a heat exchanger is also integrated into the housing, through which a fluid can flow. The housing has an inlet port for supplying the fluid and an outlet port for removing the fluid at its lower section. The housing of the known control unit is rectangular in shape.

[0003] FR 3 139 510 A1 discloses an electronic control device for an electric heating element with a housing that defines an interior space bounded by a bottom wall of the housing and in which at least one printed circuit board is housed. The printed circuit board includes a power module containing a multitude of electronic components. The power module is mounted to the bottom wall of the housing with thermal paste.

[0004] DE 10 2011 108 934 A1 shows a socket nut with a head plate and a foot shank connected thereto, the foot shank having at least one locking lug that projects radially beyond a central section of the foot shank. The foot shank is designed with a longitudinally extending screw receiving recess, which is completely lined with a sealing sleeve made of a soft elastic material.

[0005] DE 87 14 186 U1 discloses a fastening element for connector strips, consisting of a base element that penetrates a flange of the connector strip and a counterpart, and a retaining element that fixes the base element to the counterpart. The base element consists of a plastic body with a continuous longitudinal bore. The plastic body is elastically deformable transversely to its longitudinal axis and is provided with a flange at one end and a thickening at the other end. The retaining element consists of a cylindrical metal pin that can be pressed into the longitudinal bore of the base element.

[0006] In the present context, a “configuration” is synonymous with a “design” and / or “setup”, so that the phrase “configured so that” is synonymous with the phrase “designed so that” and / or “set up so that”.

[0007] In the present context, the term "high voltage" refers to an alternating voltage of at least 30 V and a direct voltage of at least 60 V, while the term "low voltage" refers to an alternating voltage below 30 V and a direct voltage below 60 V.

[0008] In the present context, the relative locations "top" and "bottom" are to be understood as being relative to each other, such that, for example, the lower part of the housing is arranged below the upper part of the housing with respect to a housing height direction, whereby the housing height direction may preferably be vertical, but does not necessarily have to be vertical. In particular, the housing height direction may also be horizontal.

[0009] From DE 10 2019 133 039 A1, another control unit is known which is equipped with a three-part housing. In addition to the lower and upper housing parts, it has an intermediate housing middle part that laterally defines the interior of the housing. In this control unit, the two connections are attached to the housing middle part. Here, too, the housing has a rectangular configuration. Furthermore, a heat exchanger is also housed in this unit, with the inlet and outlet connections being located on the housing middle part.

[0010] Another control unit is known from DE 10 2023 114 425 A1, which also has a two-part rectangular housing. The two housing parts consist of a U-shaped first housing part, which delimits the interior of the housing on three sides, and a U-shaped second housing part, which delimits the interior of the housing on a fourth side as well as at the top and bottom. In this control unit, the two electrical connections are attached to the first housing part. Here, too, a heat exchanger is integrated into the housing, with its fluid connections located on the first housing part.

[0011] The known control units are essentially rectangular or cuboid in shape and require a comparatively large amount of installation space in both a longitudinal and a transverse direction of the housing.

[0012] The present invention addresses the problem of providing an improved or at least a different embodiment for a control unit of the type described above, or for a heating device equipped therewith, or for a vehicle air conditioning unit equipped therewith, which is characterized in particular by a compact design, while at the same time aiming for inexpensive manufacturability.

[0013] This problem is solved according to the invention by the subject matter of the independent claim. Advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0014] The invention is based on the general concept of attaching the two connectors to different housing parts, wherein at least one of the connectors is attached using a rivet connection, in which a screw is screwed into a rivet attached to the respective housing part to secure the connector. Such a rivet connection enables a sufficiently strong screw connection even with a comparatively thin-walled housing part, thereby simplifying the manufacturing of the housing part. In particular, the housing part in question can be configured as a deep-drawn part made of sheet metal or plastic, or be formed by a thin-walled casting. Attaching the two connectors to different housing parts shortens the required electrical wiring within the housing for connecting the respective connector to the respective electronic component.These measures result in a significant reduction in housing manufacturing costs. At the same time, they create the possibility of arranging the electronic components in such a way as to save space in the longitudinal or transverse direction of the housing.

[0015] Specifically, it is proposed that one connection is attached to one housing part, while the other connection is attached to the other housing part. Furthermore, it is proposed that at least one of the connections is attached to the respective housing part by means of at least one riveted connection, which comprises a rivet fixed to the respective housing part and a screw securing the respective connection to the respective housing part. This screw is screwed into the rivet and, in particular, can penetrate the respective connection. With such a riveted connection, the rivet on the respective housing part provides a screw point that can be used to create a screw connection without requiring a correspondingly thick wall in the area of ​​the screw connection.

[0016] According to an advantageous embodiment, the rivet may penetrate a through-opening formed in the respective housing part. Furthermore, the rivet may have an inner section located inside the housing, which is supported on an inner surface of the housing part facing the interior of the housing, against an opening edge that frames the through-opening. Additionally, the rivet may have an outer section located on the outside of the housing part, which is supported on an outer surface of the housing part facing away from the interior of the housing, against the opening edge. Finally, the rivet may have a screw hole into which the screw is screwed, such that the screw penetrates the through-opening within the rivet.In this embodiment of the rivet, the opening edge, which forms part of the respective housing component, is pressed between the inner and outer sections of the rivet, thus securing the rivet to the housing component. The screw opening of the rivet is open on the outside of the respective housing component, allowing for screw fastening.

[0017] According to an advantageous embodiment, the respective rivet fitting can be provided with a ring seal that abuts axially against the inner section and axially against the outer section in the through-hole. In particular, the ring seal is axially pre-tensioned between the inner and outer sections. This ring seal seals the through-hole within the rivet fitting. The axial direction is defined by the screw-in direction and extends parallel to the screw-in direction.

[0018] According to an advantageous embodiment, the ring seal can also be radially abutting the edge of the opening, in particular under preload. This provides additional sealing of the through-opening. The radial direction refers to the screw-in direction and extends perpendicular to it.

[0019] According to an advantageous embodiment, the screw opening can be designed as a blind hole ending in the inner section. In other words, the screw opening is closed towards the interior of the housing and does not allow any connection to the environment, which promotes a tight seal of the housing interior by the housing.

[0020] The screw opening of the rivet can be equipped with an internal thread. Alternatively, a self-tapping screw can be used, which creates an internal thread when screwed into the screw opening.

[0021] According to an advantageous embodiment, the lower housing part may have a closed circumferential sealing groove on an edge facing the upper housing part, in which a housing seal is arranged that is in contact with the upper housing part and seals the lower housing part against the upper housing part. Thus, when the upper housing part is attached to the lower housing part, the interior of the housing is sealed from the surrounding environment.

[0022] According to an advantageous embodiment, the housing seal can be configured to be elastic and adhere to both the lower and upper housing parts. In other words, the housing seal can be configured to be held in place by a material bond between the upper and lower housing parts. This results in a particularly effective seal. The housing seal can be configured as a liquid sealant, which is introduced into the sealing groove in a liquid, preferably viscous, state and comes into contact with a circumferential sealing zone on the upper housing part when the upper housing part is attached. The liquid sealant consists of a material that is specifically formulated to match the material of the housing parts, creating a material bond between the contacting surfaces.The liquid sealant can also be configured to dry or harden to a certain extent, while still remaining elastic. For example, such a liquid sealant can be configured as a silicone sealant.

[0023] In an advantageous embodiment, the high-voltage connection can be attached to the lower housing part, while the low-voltage connection is attached to the upper housing part. Typically, the high-voltage connection is larger and heavier than the low-voltage connection. Furthermore, it can be advantageous to design the upper housing part as a lid, while the lower housing part is bowl-shaped or pot-shaped and therefore larger than the upper housing part. Consequently, more space is available on the lower housing part to accommodate the larger connection, i.e., the high-voltage connection.

[0024] According to an advantageous embodiment, the low-voltage connection can be fastened to the respective housing part by means of a riveted connection. Typically, the low-voltage connection can be smaller and lighter than the high-voltage connection, thus generating lower mechanical stress on the housing. Fastening the low-voltage connection to the respective housing part by means of a riveted connection allows for a comparatively thin-walled housing part, since the smaller and therefore lighter low-voltage connection generates lower mechanical stress. Preferably, the low-voltage connection is fastened to the upper housing part by means of a riveted connection.

[0025] According to an advantageous embodiment, the lower housing part may have a base that defines the lower boundary of the housing interior and a closed, circumferential side wall that abuts the upper housing part and laterally defines the housing interior. Furthermore, the connection located on the lower housing part may be attached to the side wall. This provides particularly good accessibility to the connection located on the lower housing part. The side wall of the housing has the aforementioned rim in which the sealing groove can be formed.

[0026] According to an advantageous embodiment, the housing can be configured to define a longitudinal direction, a transverse direction, and a vertical direction, all perpendicular to each other. For example, the housing can be elongated. The vertical direction is determined by the direction in which the two housing parts are arranged relative to each other. Transverse to the vertical direction, the larger dimension of the elongated housing then defines the longitudinal direction. The transverse direction is then self-evident. Advantageously, the housing is also configured flat, such that the vertical direction is further defined by the smallest dimension of the housing.The side wall of the housing can now have a first wall section running parallel to the longitudinal direction of the housing, a second wall section running parallel to the transverse direction of the housing and connected to the first wall section by a rounded first corner, a third wall section running parallel to the longitudinal direction of the housing and connected to the second wall section by a rounded second corner, and a fourth wall section that is connected to the third wall section by a third rounded corner and is inclined to both the longitudinal and transverse directions of the housing, e.g., at 45°. The connector attached to the side wall of the housing is now attached to this fourth wall section.While the first three wall sections define an essentially rectangular cross-sectional contour, the fourth wall section cuts off one corner of this rectangle, thereby creating a space within the rectangular cross-sectional contour that is used here for connecting the terminal to the lower part of the housing. This results in a particularly compact design for the control unit presented here.

[0027] According to an advantageous embodiment, the fourth wall section can be connected to the first wall section via a rounded fourth corner. Alternatively, the fourth wall section can be connected via a rounded fourth corner to a fifth wall section, which runs parallel to the transverse direction of the housing and is connected to the first wall section via a rounded fifth corner. This results in a particularly simple geometry for the housing components.

[0028] In principle, both connections can each be fastened to the respective housing part by means of at least one such rivet connection. According to a preferred embodiment, however, it can be provided that only one connection is fastened to one housing part by means of the at least one rivet connection, while the other connection is fastened to the other housing part by means of at least one direct screw connection. Each direct screw connection has a screw that secures the respective connection to the respective housing part and is screwed into the respective housing part, thereby penetrating the respective connection. For this purpose, a screw opening can be provided on the respective housing part. This screw opening can advantageously be designed as a blind hole that is closed towards the interior of the housing. Furthermore, the screw opening can be equipped with an internal thread.Alternatively, the screw can be configured as a self-tapping screw, which creates an internal thread when screwed into the screw hole. This type of direct screw connection is primarily used when the respective housing component can be relatively easily provided with a sufficiently large wall thickness in the area of ​​the screw connection. For example, the respective housing component can be configured as a casting made of metal or plastic.

[0029] According to an advantageous embodiment, the lower housing part can be designed as a metal casting, while the upper housing part is designed as a metal deep-drawn part. In particular, this allows the high-voltage connection to be attached to the cast lower housing part by means of a direct screw connection, while the low-voltage connection can be attached to the deep-drawn upper housing part by means of a rivet connection. In alternative embodiments, the lower housing part can be designed as a plastic casting. Additionally or alternatively, the upper housing part can be designed as a plastic deep-drawn part or as a metal or plastic casting.

[0030] A heating device according to the invention, configured for heating an airflow, particularly in a vehicle air conditioning unit, comprises a heating block through which the airflow to be heated flows, and which includes several electrical heating elements. Furthermore, the heating device is equipped with a control unit of the type described above, which is attached to the heating block. The heating elements of the heating block are electrically connected to the electronics of the control unit. The heating elements can, for example, be designed as PCT heating elements, where PTC stands for Positive Temperature Coefficient.

[0031] A vehicle air conditioning unit according to the invention, configured for conditioning an airflow for air conditioning a vehicle interior, has a channel section for guiding the airflow to be heated and a heating device of the type described above, wherein the heating device is arranged on the channel section in such a way that the heating block is located in the channel section in such a way that it can be permeated by the airflow.

[0032] Further important features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims, the drawings and the associated description of the figures based on the drawings.

[0033] It is understood that the features mentioned above and those to be explained below can be used not only in the combinations specified, but also in other combinations or individually, without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims. Components of a higher-level unit, such as a device, apparatus, or arrangement, mentioned above and those to be mentioned below, which are designated separately, can form separate parts or components of this unit or be integral areas or sections of this unit, even if this is depicted differently in the drawings.

[0034] Preferred embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the following description, wherein identical reference numerals refer to identical or similar or functionally identical components.

[0035] They show, schematically, Fig. 1 a highly simplified schematic diagram of a vehicle air conditioning unit, Fig. 2 an isometric view of a heating device, Fig. 3 an isometric view of a control unit, Fig. 4. A stretched isometric view of the control unit, Fig. 5 a simplified sectional view of the control unit according to section lines V in Fig. 3, Fig. 6. A sectional view in the area of ​​a connection according to section lines VI. Fig. 4.

[0036] Accordingly Fig. The vehicle air conditioning unit 1 comprises a simplified representation of a vehicle air conditioning unit 1, which serves to condition an airflow 2 intended to cool a vehicle interior 3, and a duct section 4 for guiding the airflow 2 to be heated, which leads to the vehicle interior 3. The vehicle air conditioning unit 1 is also equipped with a heating element 5, which serves to heat the airflow 2. It is clear that the vehicle air conditioning unit 1 may also include an air filter (not shown here) for filtering the airflow 2, a cooler for cooling the airflow 2, and a fan for driving the airflow 2.

[0037] According to the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. The heating device 5 has a heating block 6 and a control unit 7, which is attached to the heating block 6. The heating device 5 is configured according to Fig. 1 arranged on duct section 4, such that the heating block 6 is located in duct section 4 and is permeable to the airflow 2. According to Fig. In section 2, the heating block 6 has several electrical heating elements 8 that run parallel to each other and are spaced apart. Heat-conducting elements 9 can be arranged between adjacent heating elements 8. As the airflow 2 passes through the heating block 6, the heating elements 8 are surrounded by the airflow 2, while the heat-conducting elements 9 are also surrounded by the airflow 2.

[0038] According to the Fig. 2 to 6, the control unit 7 has a two-part housing 10 that encloses an inner housing space 11. Furthermore, the control unit 7 has a [missing information - likely a specific feature or component] in the Fig. 2 to 4 through the casing, 10 concealed and only in Fig. 5 highly simplified electronics 12, which are arranged in the interior of the housing 11 and include at least one in Fig. 5 indicated high-voltage component 61 and at least one in Fig. The diagram shows a low-voltage component 62, indicated in the diagram. The low-voltage component 62 can, for example, be a control unit for operating the heating device 5. The high-voltage component 61 can, for example, be a power electronics unit for operating the heating elements 8 of the heating block 6. The control unit 7 is attached to the heating block 6 within the heating device 5. The heating elements 8 of the heating block 6 are electrically connected to the electronics 12 of the control unit 7.

[0039] According to the Fig. 3 to 5, the two-part housing 10 has two housing parts 13, which form a lower housing part 14, which limits the housing interior 11 from below, and an upper housing part 15, which limits the housing interior 11 from above. The control unit 7 is also designed according to the Fig. 2 to 4 are equipped with two electrical connections 16, which are attached to the housing 10. The two connections 16 form a high-voltage connection 17, which is electrically connected to the respective high-voltage component 61, and a low-voltage connection 18, which is electrically connected to the respective low-voltage component 62. According to the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4. One terminal 16 is attached to one housing part 13, while the other terminal 16 is attached to the other housing part 13. In the preferred embodiment shown here, the high-voltage terminal 17 is attached to the lower housing part 14, while the low-voltage terminal 18 is attached to the upper housing part 15.

[0040] In any case, at least one of the connections 16 is fastened to the respective housing part 13 by means of at least one rivet connection 19. According to the Fig. 4 and Fig. Figure 6 shows that each rivet connection 19 has a rivet 20 and a screw 21. The rivet 20 is attached to the respective housing part 13, here the upper housing part 15. The screw 21 secures the respective connection 16, here the low-voltage connection 18, to the respective housing part 13, here the upper housing part 15, by passing through the respective connection 16, here the low-voltage connection 18, for example in a Fig. 4 and Fig. The low-voltage connection 18 is attached to the upper housing part 15 by means of two such rivet connections 19, as shown in Figure 6, and is screwed into the rivet 20.

[0041] Accordingly Fig. 6. Each rivet 20 penetrates a through-opening 23 formed in the respective housing part 13, here the upper housing part 15. Each rivet 20 has an inner section 24 located inside the housing 11, an outer section 25 located on the outside of the respective housing part 13, here the upper housing part 15, and a screw hole 26. The inner section 24 is supported on an inner surface 27 of the respective housing part 13, here the upper housing part 15, facing the housing 11, at an opening edge 28 that frames the through-opening 23. The outer section 25 is supported on an outer surface 29 of the respective housing part 13, here the upper housing part 15, facing away from the housing 11, at the opening edge 28. The screw opening 26 extends through the outer section 25 into the inner section 24. The screw 21 is screwed into the screw opening 26, with the screw 21 passing through the through-hole 23 inside the rivet 20.According to . Fig. Each screw 21 has a screw shank 30 and a screw head 31. The screw shank 30 penetrates the through-opening 22 of the respective connection 16, here the low-voltage connection 18, and is screwed into the screw opening 26. The screw head 31 presses the respective connection 16, here the low-voltage connection 18, against the rivet 20. The respective housing part 13, here the housing upper part 15, has a connection opening 32 through which the respective connection 16, here the low-voltage connection 18, penetrates into the housing interior 11. A connection seal 33 can be formed on the respective connection 16, here the low-voltage connection 18, which, when the connection 16, here the low-voltage connection 18, is installed, comes into contact with and seals the outer surface 29 of the respective housing part 13, here the housing upper part 15.

[0042] According to Fig. 6. The respective rivet connection 19 can have a ring seal 34 which abuts axially against the inner section 24 and axially against the outer section 25 in the through-opening 23. The ring seal 34 also abuts radially on the outside of the opening edge 28 and radially on the inside of the rivet 20. The screw opening 26 is preferably designed as a blind hole 35, which terminates within the inner section 24 and is therefore closed to the housing interior 11.

[0043] According to Fig. 5 The lower housing part 14 has a closed circumferential sealing groove 37 on an edge 36 facing the upper housing part 15, in which a housing seal 38 is arranged. The edge 36 and the sealing groove 37 are also in Fig. 4 partially recognizable. The housing seal 38 is in Fig. 5 is indicated by hatching. The housing seal 38 is in contact with the upper housing part 15 and thus seals the lower housing part 14 against the upper housing part 15. Advantageously, the housing seal 38 is configured as a liquid sealant, which is injected into the sealing groove 37 and forms a material bond with the lower housing part 14 in the sealing groove 37 and can form a material bond with the upper housing part 15, depending on the assembly time of the upper housing part 15. In particular, the housing seal 38 is configured so that it is permanently elastic and adheres permanently to the lower housing part 14 and the upper housing part 15.

[0044] According to the Fig. According to sections 3 to 5, the lower housing part 14 has a base 39 and a side wall 40. The base 39 defines the lower boundary of the interior housing 11. The side wall 40 defines the sides of the interior housing 11 and runs completely around the perimeter, featuring the aforementioned edge 36. The connection 16, here the high-voltage connection 17, located on the lower housing part 14, is attached to the side wall 4. Fig. 3 and Fig. 4. The housing 10 is configured elongated and flat, such that it defines a longitudinal housing direction X, a transverse housing direction Y, and a vertical housing direction Z, which are perpendicular to each other. According to the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 The housing side wall 40 has a straight first wall section 41 running parallel to the housing longitudinal direction X, which is shown in the views of the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 is located on a rear side of the housing 10 facing away from the viewer. Furthermore, the housing side wall 40 has a straight second wall section 43, which is connected to the first wall section 41 by means of a rounded first corner 42 and runs parallel to the transverse direction Y of the housing, and which is shown in the views of the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 is located on the right side of the housing 1. Furthermore, the housing side wall 40 has a straight third wall section 45, parallel to the longitudinal direction X of the housing, which is connected to the second wall section 43 by means of a rounded second corner 44 and extends into the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 is located on a front surface of the housing 10 facing the viewer. Furthermore, the housing side wall 40 is equipped with a straight fourth wall section 46, which is connected to the third wall section 45 by means of a third rounded corner 47. Unlike the other wall sections 41, 43, 45, the fourth wall section 46 is inclined both to the longitudinal direction X and the transverse direction Y of the housing. In the example shown, the fourth wall section 46 is inclined at an angle of approximately 45° to both the longitudinal direction X and the transverse direction Y of the housing. This creates a truncated corner on a rectangular contour within which the housing 10 extends, thus creating a space within this rectangular contour. This space is used here to accommodate the connection 16 attached to the lower part 14 of the housing, in this case the high-voltage connection 17.Accordingly, the high-voltage connection 17 is attached to the fourth wall section 46. In the example shown here, the fourth wall section 46 is connected via a rounded fourth corner 48 to a straight fifth wall section 49, which runs parallel to the transverse direction Y of the housing and is connected via a rounded fifth corner 50 to the first wall section 41. In an alternative embodiment not shown here, the fourth wall section 46 can also be connected directly to the first wall section 41 via the fourth corner 48.

[0045] In the preferred embodiment presented here, one connection 16, here the high-voltage connection 17, is attached to the respective housing part 13, here the lower housing part 14, by means of at least one direct screw connection 51. In the example shown, the high-voltage connection 17 is attached to the lower housing part 14 by means of two such direct screw connections 51. Each direct screw connection 51 has a screw 52 that secures the respective connection 16, here the high-voltage connection 17, to the respective housing part 13, here the lower housing part 14, thereby securing the respective connection 16, here the high-voltage connection 17, in a Fig. The screw penetrates the 4 identifiable through-opening 53 and is screwed into a screw opening 54 formed on the respective housing part 13, here on the lower housing part 14. This screw opening 54 is advantageously designed as a blind hole 55, which is closed towards the interior of the housing 11. The respective housing part 13, here the lower housing part 14, is provided in the area of ​​the respective direct screw connection 51 with a bracket 56, which is characterized by an increased wall thickness in order to accommodate the screw opening 54 and, in particular, the blind hole 55. In the example shown, the bracket 56 is formed on the housing side wall 40, namely on the fourth wall section 46. Analogous to the low-voltage connection 18, the respective housing part 13, here the lower housing part 14, can be connected according to Fig. 4 have a connection opening 57 through which the respective connection 16, here the high-voltage connection 17, can protrude into the interior of the housing 11. This connection opening 57 is formed here on or in the console 56.

[0046] The lower housing part 14 is preferably a metal casting. The lower housing part 40 can also be a plastic casting. In contrast, the upper housing part 15 is preferably designed as a deep-drawn metal or sheet metal part. However, the upper housing part 15 can also be a metal or plastic casting.

[0047] According to the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4. One of the housing parts 13, for example the housing upper part 15, can have a pressure equalization opening 58 that penetrates the respective housing part 13 and connects the housing interior 11 with an environment 59 of the housing 10. The pressure equalization opening 58 can be closed with a membrane 60 that is impermeable to liquids and permeable to gases, which is located in the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 is shown transparently. This allows, for example, condensate that may form in the housing interior 11 to evaporate through the membranes 60, while the membrane 60 prevents liquid and other impurities from the environment 59 from entering the housing interior 11 through the pressure equalization opening 58. Reference symbol list 1 vehicle air conditioning unit 2 Airflow 3 Vehicle interior 4 Canal section 5 heating devices 6 Heating block 7 Control unit 8 heating elements 9 Heat conducting element 10 cases 11 Interior of the housing 12 Electronics 13 Housing part 14 Lower housing part 15 Housing top 16 electrical connections 17 High-voltage connection 18 Low-voltage connection 19 Riveted screw connection 20 rivets 21 screw 22 Passage opening 23 Passage opening 24 Interior section 25 Exterior section 26 screw opening 27 Inside 28 Opening edge 29 Outside 30 screw shaft 31 screw head 32 Connection opening 33 Connection seal 34 ring seal 35 blind hole 36 Rand 37 Sealing groove 38 Housing seal 39 Case base 40 Case side panel 41 first wall section 42 first corner 43 second wall section 44 second corner 45 third wall section 46 fourth wall section 47 third corner 48 fourth corner 49 fifth wall section 50 fifth corner 51 Direct screw connection 52 screws 53 Passage opening 54 Screw opening 55 blind hole 56 console 57 Connection opening 58 Compensation opening 59 surroundings 60 Membran 61 High-voltage component 62 Low-voltage component

Claims

[1] Control unit (7) for a heating device (5) for heating an airflow (2), in particular a vehicle air conditioning unit (1), - with a two-part housing (10) enclosing a housing interior (11) and comprising two housing parts (13) that form a lower housing part (14) bounding the housing interior (11) from below and an upper housing part (15) bounding the housing interior (11) from above, - with electronics (12) arranged inside the housing (11) and comprising at least one high-voltage component (61) and at least one low-voltage component (62), - with two electrical connections (16) attached to the outside of the housing (10), forming a high-voltage connection (17) which is electrically connected to the respective high-voltage component (61) and a low-voltage connection (18) which is electrically connected to the respective low-voltage component (62), characterized by , - that one connection (16) is attached to one housing part (13), while the other connection (16) is attached to the other housing part (13), - that at least one of the connections (16) is fastened to the respective housing part (13) by means of at least one rivet connection (19) which has a rivet (20) fastened to the respective housing part (13) and a screw (21) which secures the respective connection (16) to the respective housing part (13) and is screwed into the rivet (20). [2] Control unit (7) according to claim 1, characterized by , - that the respective rivet (20) penetrates a through-hole (23) formed in the respective housing part (13), - that the respective rivet (20) has an inner section (24) arranged in the housing interior (11), which is supported on an inner side (27) of the respective housing part (13) facing the housing interior (11) on an opening edge (28) surrounding the through-opening (23), - that the respective rivet (20) has an outer section (25) arranged on the outside of the respective housing part (13), which is supported on the opening edge (28) on an outer side (29) of the respective housing part (13) facing away from the housing interior (11), - that the respective rivet (20) has a screw opening (26) into which the respective screw (21) is screwed, such that the screw (21) penetrates the through opening (23) inside the rivet (20). [3] Control unit (7) according to claim 2, characterized by , - that the respective rivet connection (19) has a ring seal (34) which seals against the inner section (24) and the outer section (25) in the through-opening (23). [4] Control unit (7) according to claim 3, characterized by , - that the ring seal (34) also seals against the opening edge (28). [5] Control unit (7) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , - that the lower housing part (14) has a closed circumferential sealing groove (37) on an edge (36) facing the upper housing part (15), in which a housing seal (38) is arranged, which is in contact with the upper housing part (15) and seals the lower housing part (14) against the upper housing part (15). [6] Control unit (7) according to claim 5, characterized by , - that the housing seal (38) is configured to be elastic and to adhere to the lower housing part (14) and the upper housing part (15). [7] Control unit (7) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , - that the high-voltage connection (17) is attached to the lower part of the housing (14), while the low-voltage connection (18) is attached to the upper part of the housing (15). [8] Control unit (7) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , - that the low-voltage connection (18) is attached to the respective housing part (13) by means of the respective rivet fitting (19). [9] Control unit (7) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , - that the lower part of the housing (14) has a base (39) which defines the interior of the housing (11) downwards and a fully enclosed side wall (40) which abuts the upper part of the housing (15) and defines the interior of the housing (11) laterally, - that the connection (16) located on the lower part of the housing (14) is attached to the side wall of the housing (40). [10] Control unit (7) according to claim 9, characterized by , - that the housing (10) defines a housing longitudinal direction (X), a housing transverse direction (Y) and a housing vertical direction (Z) that are perpendicular to each other, - that the housing side wall (40) has a first wall section (41) running parallel to the housing longitudinal direction (X), - that the housing side wall (40) has a second wall section (43) connected to the first wall section (41) by means of a rounded first corner (42) and running parallel to the housing transverse direction (Y), - that the housing side wall (40) has a third wall section (45) connected to the second wall section (43) by means of a rounded second corner (44) and running parallel to the longitudinal direction (X) of the housing, - that the housing side wall (40) has a fourth wall section (46) which is connected to the third wall section (45) by means of a third rounded corner (47) and is inclined to the longitudinal direction (X) and the transverse direction (Y) of the housing, - that the connection (16) attached to the side wall (40) of the housing is attached to the fourth wall section (46). [11] Control unit (7) according to claim 10, characterized by , - that the fourth wall section (46) is connected to the first wall section (41) via a rounded fourth corner (48), or - that the fourth wall section (46) is connected via a rounded fourth corner (48) to a fifth wall section (49) which runs parallel to the transverse direction (Y) of the housing and is connected via a rounded fifth corner (50) to the first wall section (41). [12] Control unit (7) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , - that only one connection (16) is attached to one housing part (13) by means of at least one rivet connection (19), while the other connection (16) is attached to the other housing part (13) by means of at least one direct screw connection (51) which has a screw (52) that secures the respective connection (16) to the respective housing part (13) and is screwed into the respective housing part (13). [13] Control unit (7) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , - that the lower part of the housing (14) is designed as a cast metal part, - that the upper part of the housing (15) is designed as a deep-drawn metal part. [14] Heating device (5) for heating an airflow (2), in particular in a vehicle air conditioning unit (1), - with a heating block (6) through which the airflow (2) to be heated can flow, which has several electric heating elements (8), - with a control unit (7) according to one of the preceding claims, which is attached to the heating block (6), - wherein the heating elements (8) are electrically connected to the electronics (12). [15] Vehicle air conditioning unit (1) for conditioning an airflow (2) for conditioning a vehicle interior (3), - with a channel section (4) for guiding the airflow (2) to be heated, - with a heating device (5) according to claim 14, - wherein the heating block (6) of the heating device (5) is arranged in the duct section (4) in such a way that it can be permeated by the airflow (2).

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