Cooling device for an electrical and / or electronic device arranged within a vehicle's passenger compartment.

Abstract

Cooling device for an electrical and / or electronic device arranged within a vehicle passenger compartment. The invention relates to a cooling device (10) for an electrical and / or electronic device (20) arranged within a vehicle passenger compartment, in particular a device (20) of the front camera type, the cooling device (10) comprising a housing (11), in particular a metal housing, comprising a heat-absorbing surface extending in contact with such a device (20), the housing (11) comprising an internal volume (V), a thermal energy storage element (30) capable of absorbing heat, the storage element (30) filling at least partially the internal volume (V) of the housing (11) so as to accumulate thermal energy produced by such a device (20). Figure for the abstract: Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: Cooling device for an electrical and / or electronic device arranged within a vehicle passenger compartment. Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to a cooling device for an electrical and / or electronic device arranged within a vehicle passenger compartment. The invention further relates to an arrangement comprising such a cooling device. The invention also relates to a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, comprising such an arrangement or such a cooling device. Prior art

[0002] A vehicle, particularly a motor vehicle, is subjected to very high outside temperatures, especially during sunny periods in summer. When the vehicle is parked, possibly for extended periods, the doors and windows are generally closed despite such extreme conditions. This results in a very high temperature inside the passenger compartment.

[0003] An electrical and / or electronic device is generally installed within the passenger compartment of such a vehicle. This is particularly true of a device used, notably, to recognize road signs and / or lane markings. Such a device is generally a camera equipped with electronic components. This device is generally located within the passenger compartment, near, or even in contact with, the windshield of such a vehicle. The immediate proximity to the windshield increases the temperature inside the passenger compartment, such that the temperature at the device exceeds 90 degrees Celsius, for example, after 3 hours of parking in the sun. If the vehicle is started after this period of parking, such a camera and / or nearby electronic components heat up and can reach nearly 110 degrees Celsius.

[0004] However, such temperatures are not without consequences for such an electrical and / or electronic device. Indeed, such high temperatures cause malfunctions, for example, through safety shutdowns followed by subsequent restarts. Such shutdowns occur, for example, by automatically powering off the device. Thus, the data provided by the device is erroneous and / or nonexistent during such periods of malfunction.

[0005] Such a situation is not acceptable. Presentation of the invention

[0006] The object of the invention is to provide a cooling device for an electrical and / or electronic device which remedies the above disadvantages.

[0007] More specifically, an object of the invention is to provide a cooling device for a camera arranged behind a windshield ensuring continuous image capture and processing, even during extreme outside temperatures, for example during a heat wave. Summary of the invention

[0008] To achieve this objective, the invention relates to a cooling device for an electrical and / or electronic device arranged within a vehicle passenger compartment, in particular a front camera type device, the cooling device comprising: - a casing, in particular a metallic casing, comprising a heat-receiving surface extending in contact with such a device, the casing comprising an internal volume, - a thermal energy storage element capable of absorbing heat, the storage element filling at least partially the internal volume of the casing so as to accumulate thermal energy produced by such a device.

[0009] The storage element may include a phase-change material, in particular polyethylene wax, capable of changing from a solid to a liquid state at a temperature between 65 degrees Celsius and 115 degrees Celsius, or between 80 degrees Celsius and 105 degrees Celsius, in particular between 95 degrees Celsius and 105 degrees Celsius.

[0010] The housing may include: - a first shell in contact or almost in contact with such a device, and - a second hull, the first and second hulls can be assembled to create the internal volume between them, in particular by being assembled in a watertight manner.

[0011] The housing may include external fins extending within a compartment of such a vehicle so as to promote the transfer of calories to the ambient air of such a passenger compartment.

[0012] The housing may include internal fins extending within the internal volume so as to promote the transfer of calories from the housing to the storage element.

[0013] The storage element may have a mass between 15 g and 55 g, in particular between 30 g and 40 g.

[0014] The storage element can have a specific heat between 1500 J / K.kg and 3000 J / K.kg, in particular between 1900 J / K.kg and 2300 J / K.kg.

[0015] The invention further relates to an arrangement comprising: - an electrical and / or electronic device installed within a vehicle's passenger compartment, in particular a device such as a front-facing camera, - a cooling device as defined above, the arrangement comprising a module, in particular a Peltier effect module, extending between the internal volume of the casing and the device to be cooled.

[0016] The arrangement may include thermal paste arranged between the module and the device and / or between the module and the storage element.

[0017] The device may include an exchange surface, in particular substantially square or rectangular, the exchange surface of the device being able to be arranged opposite the heat receiving surface of the housing so as to facilitate the transfer of heat from the device to the housing of the cooling device.

[0018] The device may include at least one processor extending parallel or substantially parallel to the module.

[0019] The invention further relates to a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, comprising an arrangement as defined above, or a cooling device as defined above. Presentation of the figures

[0020] These objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be described in detail in the following description of a particular embodiment, given by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying figures, among which:

[0021] Fig. 1 is a schematic profile view of a motor vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0022] The [Fig.2] is a cross-sectional view along a vertical and longitudinal plane of an arrangement according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0023] Fig. 3 is an exploded view of the arrangement according to the embodiment of the invention.

[0024] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the arrangement according to the embodiment of the invention.

[0025] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a cooling device according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0026] Fig. 6 is a partial perspective view of the cooling device according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0027] Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a housing of the cooling device according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0028] Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a first shell of the cooling device housing according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0029] Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a second shell of the cooling device housing according to an embodiment of the invention. Detailed description

[0030] The direction in which a vehicle, particularly a motor vehicle, moves in a straight line is defined as the longitudinal direction X. By convention, the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, located in a plane parallel to the ground, is called the transverse direction Y. The third direction, perpendicular to the other two, is called the vertical direction Z. Thus, a right-handed coordinate system XYZ is used in which X is the longitudinal direction in the front-to-back direction of the vehicle, i.e., directed towards the rear, Y is the transverse direction directed to the right, and Z is the vertical direction directed upwards. The forward direction corresponds to the direction in which the vehicle usually moves in the longitudinal direction and is opposite to the backward direction.

[0031] Figure 1 schematically illustrates a vehicle 1, preferably a motor vehicle. The vehicle 1 may be a passenger car or a commercial vehicle. Alternatively, it could be a van, a truck, a bus, a lifting machine, an agricultural machine, or any other type of vehicle. The vehicle 1 comprises a passenger compartment 2 and a windshield 4. The passenger compartment 2 is capable of being closed, or substantially closed, in particular by means of front and / or rear doors 7 or of the trunk-type type. The vehicle 1 comprises at least one electrical and / or electronic device 20. Preferably, the device 20 is a front-facing camera, illustrated in particular in Figure 4. The camera 20 is arranged within the passenger compartment 2, preferably behind the windshield 4, or even affixed or substantially affixed to the windshield 4. Such a front-facing camera is preferably capable of filming the road in front of the vehicle and of interpreting the filmed images.Specifically, the camera is capable of recognizing white and / or yellow lines and / or broken lines and / or road signs. The camera 20 includes electronic means, for example, electronic boards 25 and two processors 21, 23. Advantageously, the vehicle includes electrical and / or electronic means connected, wired or wirelessly, to the camera 20 or its electronic means. Preferably, such means are capable of keeping the vehicle in its lane, and / or adapting the vehicle's speed, and / or informing the driver of vehicle 1 of the signs encountered.

[0032] Vehicle 1 further includes an arrangement 3. Vehicle 1 or arrangement 3 includes a cooling device 10 for cooling the device 20.

[0033] More specifically, the cooling device 10 for the electrical and / or electronic device 20 is arranged within the passenger compartment 2 of the vehicle 1. As illustrated in particular in [Fig.2], the cooling device 10 includes a housing 11. Preferably, the housing 11 is metallic, for example made of aluminum or aluminum alloy.

[0034] The housing 11 comprises at least one heat-receiving surface 12, as illustrated in [Fig. 7]. The heat-receiving surface 12 is arranged on the housing 11 so as to extend into contact with the camera 20, or at least opposite at least one electronic board 25 and / or at least one processor 21. The housing 11 further comprises an internal volume V, as illustrated in particular in [Fig. 2]. The cooling device 10 further comprises a thermal energy storage element 30 capable of absorbing heat emitted by the camera 20 and / or its electronic components 21, 23, 25. The storage element 30 fills, at least partially, the internal volume V of the housing 11 so as to accumulate, or store, thermal energy, i.e., the heat emanating from the camera 20 and / or its components. Advantageously, the entire volume V is filled by the storage element 30 so as to maximize storage for a given internal volume V.

[0035] Preferably, the storage element 30 comprises a phase-change material, for example, capable of changing from a solid to a liquid state at, or around, a temperature in the range of 65°C to 115°C, or 80°C to 105°C, or 95°C to 105°C. Preferably, the material used for the storage element 30 is polyethylene wax. Polyethylene wax changes from a solid to a liquid state at a temperature in the range of 95°C to 105°C. Alternatively, or in addition, the material 30 is paraffin or paraffin wax, or contains paraffin.

[0036] Preferably, as illustrated in [Fig. 2], the housing 11 comprises a first shell or part 50 in contact or substantially in contact with the camera 20, and a second shell or part 60. The first and second shells 50, 60 are assembled so as to create the internal volume V between them. Advantageously, the two shells are assembled, joined, in such a way that the storage element transformed into a liquid state in the volume V cannot leak. For example, a seal 55 (see [Fig. 2]) extends at a joint plane between the two shells 50, 60. It should be noted that this two-part housing facilitates assembly and the manufacturing process. Alternatively, a single block could constitute the housing and delimit the internal volume.

[0037] Preferably, as illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the housing 11 comprises external fins 61 extending into the passenger compartment 2 of the vehicle 1. In the illustrated case, the first shell 50 is arranged so as to be in contact, at least partially, with the camera to be cooled, or at least with a housing 26 receiving the camera 20. The second shell 60 is then arranged in contact with the first shell 50, for example under the first shell with the interposed seal 55. The fins External fins 61 extend from a lower face 62 of the second shell 60. Advantageously, the external fins 61 extend perpendicularly or substantially perpendicularly from the lower face 62. Although the external fins 61 have been illustrated so as to each extend substantially in a vertical and transverse plane, they could each extend substantially in a vertical and longitudinal plane or in another direction. Alternatively or in addition, studs extend from the lower face 62 into the passenger compartment instead of the fins and act as heat diffusers. The external fins 61 contribute to cooling the camera and its electronic components 21, 23, 25 by dissipating heat from the second shell 60 to the ambient air of the passenger compartment. Thus, the external fins 61 facilitate the transfer of heat to the passenger compartment 2 of the vehicle.

[0038] Preferably, as illustrated in Figures 2, 3, and 8, the housing 11 comprises internal fins 51. In the case of the first shell 50 arranged close to, or even in contact with, the camera to be cooled, the internal fins 51 extend within the internal volume V. The internal fins 51 extend from a lower face 52 of the first shell 50. Advantageously, the internal fins 51 extend perpendicularly or substantially perpendicularly from the lower face 52. Although the internal fins 51 have been illustrated so as to each extend substantially in a vertical and longitudinal plane, they could each extend substantially in a vertical and transverse plane or in another direction. Alternatively or in addition, studs extend from the lower face 52 and act as heat diffusers.The internal fins 51 contribute to cooling the camera by dissipating heat from the first shell 50 to the storage element 30. Thus, the internal fins 51 facilitate the transfer of heat to the phase-change material 30. The aluminum alloy used, if necessary, for the shells 50 and 60 is lightweight, inexpensive, easy to manufacture (possibly by molding), and, above all, an excellent thermal conductor. For example, the two shells are fixed by threaded elements such as screws that sandwich them against the camera housing 26. The camera housing then includes threaded holes, or threaded inserts, or countersunk nuts, or nuts that may or may not be countersunk. In this case, as illustrated in Figures 8 and 9, the shell 50 includes holes 54 for the passage of these screws, and the shell 60 also includes holes 64 for their passage.

[0039] More specifically, the arrangement 3 comprises the front camera 20 arranged within the passenger compartment 2 of the vehicle 1, and the cooling device 10. The arrangement preferably further comprises a thermoelectric module 40. Advantageously, the module 40 is known as a "Peltier effect" module, or block, and is capable of displacing heat by means of an electric current, for example under a voltage of approximately 12 volts. Module 40 extends between the internal volume V of the housing 11 and the camera 20 to be cooled, as illustrated in Figures 2, 3, and 6. For example, module 40 has a roughly rectangular or square parallelepiped shape, the thickness of which, along or substantially along the vertical direction, is much less than its other two dimensions. An upper face 41 and a lower face 42 are parallel or substantially parallel.

[0040] Preferably, as illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the arrangement 3 comprises thermal paste 5 arranged between the module 40 and the camera 20 (more precisely the housing 26 in which the camera is housed, if applicable) and / or thermal paste 6 arranged between the module 40 and the storage element 30, in particular above an upper face 53 of the upper shell 50. Preferably, the thermal paste therefore extends above and below the module 40 and is in contact, or substantially in contact, with both faces 41, 42 of the module.

[0041] As illustrated in [Fig. 4], the camera 20 and its means 21, 23, 25 comprise a heat exchange surface 22, for example substantially square or rectangular. The heat exchange surface 22 of the camera 20 is arranged opposite, or at least partially opposite, the heat-receiving surface 12 of the housing 11. Thus, heat transfer from the camera 20 and / or its electronic means to the housing 11, in particular to the upper cover 50, is facilitated. For example, the heat exchange surface 22 and the heat-receiving surface 12 are substantially opposite and / or have substantially the same area. Optionally, these two surfaces 12, 22 extend over the largest possible area under the housing 26 containing the camera and its electronic components.

[0042] Preferably, as illustrated in [Fig.2], the camera 20 comprises at least one processor 21 extending parallel or substantially parallel to the module 40, in particular arranged on or at the level of an electronic card 25, and / or at least one processor 23, for example extending substantially in a vertical and transverse plane, in particular arranged on or at the level of another electronic card 25. Wires or electrical cables 24 preferably connect the cards 25 to each other and / or at least one electronic card to the module 40.

[0043] In summary, the solution relates to a cooling unit 10 for the front camera 20 by phase change of the solid refrigerant 30. More specifically, the cooling device is a metal housing that is attached under the front camera, in particular under the housing 26 containing the camera. The housing 10 is advantageously in contact, or substantially in contact, with a hot part of the camera, namely the processor 21. As a reminder, for example, the front camera enables, among other things, the recognition of traffic signs and / or lane keeping assistance. Thus, the housing 10 absorbs heat emitted by the processor 21 and / or the camera 20 itself, and / or by components arranged on the electronic boards 25, and / or by other heat-producing elements, notably the processor 23. More specifically, the arrangement 3 comprising the housing 10, the camera 20, and the module 40 reduces the temperature of the camera and / or the processor 21 and other elements by removing heat using the housing and the module 40. This arrangement 3 thus prevents the camera and / or the processor(s) 21, 23, and / or other electronic elements arranged there from reaching a temperature peak. The solution lowers the temperature of these electrical and / or electronic elements in the event of extreme external temperatures that generate a very high temperature inside the passenger compartment 2 of the vehicle 1. Such conditions are notably reached during a heat wave, particularly when the vehicle 1 is parked in the sun.

[0044] More specifically, in the event of very high outside temperatures, the vehicle's passenger compartment 2, when parked unoccupied with the windows closed, becomes extremely hot. For example, in the upper part of the passenger compartment, after parking for approximately 3 hours with an outside temperature of around 40 degrees Celsius in the shade, the temperature at the camera 20 approaches, or even exceeds, 105 degrees Celsius. Under such conditions, the camera cannot function correctly, or at least malfunctions are likely to occur before the temperature at the camera drops to an acceptable value, for example, around 95 degrees Celsius. Despite opening the windows and / or activating the air conditioning, the temperature remains high at the camera.Starting the vehicle, or at least switching on the electrical and / or electronic devices, activates the Peltier module 40. In practice, switching on the vehicle also powers on the camera. This powering on the camera heats up due to the Joule effect, which then triggers the Peltier effect of module 40. The purpose of the Peltier module is to channel and transfer heat from the camera's hot spots to the storage element 30 by creating a gradient, a temperature difference between each of its faces. This gradient creates a heat flow from the camera to the storage element. Furthermore, the module acts as a barrier, preventing heat from flowing back from the storage element 30 to the camera.

[0045] Thus, the thermal paste 5 (cold side) transmits heat absorbed from the processor 21 and / or the camera, and the module 40 transfers this heat to the thermal paste 6 (hot side). Since the thermal paste 6 is preferably positioned in contact with the upper surface 53 of the first shell 50, the heat absorbed by the thermal paste 6 is transferred to the first shell. Preferably, the thickness The thermal paste 5, 6 between the elements is thin; its malleability is used to precisely conform to the contours while limiting its thickness so as not to excessively impede heat transfer to the storage element. Specifically, the thermal paste fills any micro-cavities, flatness defects, and / or surface imperfections between two opposing surfaces, preventing any residual air bubbles. Heat exchange is then optimal across all these facing surfaces, as the thermal paste has a higher conductivity than air. For example, the thermal paste thickness is less than 1 mm, or even much less, for example, on the order of one-tenth of a millimeter, or even less. This heat is then transferred to the cooler or storage element 30. As a reminder, the casing 50 is preferably made of a material with excellent thermal conductivity.In addition, the internal fins 51 facilitate this heat transfer, as the fins 51 are "immersed" in the element 30. Crucially, since the phase-change material 30 is within its melting temperature range, it transforms from solid to liquid, making it even easier to recover heat from the shell 50, particularly from its fins 51, and transfer it to the material 30. Furthermore, the heat stored in the material 30 is at least partially transferred to the lower casing or second shell 60. Again, the shell 60 is preferably made of a material with excellent thermal conductivity, and the presence of external fins 61 increases the heat transfer outside the casing 11, i.e., into the passenger compartment.In summary, although opening the windows and / or turning on the air conditioning does not lower the temperature of the front camera 20 quickly enough, device 10 dissipates the heat and allows the temperature to drop rapidly, ensuring optimal camera operation. Thus, thanks to the cooling system, the camera quickly returns to its operating temperature range, making it reliable and durable even during periods of intense heat and / or sunlight.

[0046] This solution prevents the camera from shutting down as a protective measure against overheating. This avoids the loss of camera function and / or intermittent operation. Furthermore, the temperature rise of the front camera is delayed, preventing this safety mechanism from activating before the vehicle's interior has been sufficiently cooled by the air conditioning and / or the opening of the windows.

[0047] In summary, the housing 11 comprising the material 30 cools the front camera 20 by three means.

[0048] First, a mass effect contributes to the cooling of the camera. Indeed, since the mass of the camera assembly with its housing is greater than that of the camera alone, its heat capacity is also greater because it is proportional to the mass of an object made of the same material. Thus, for the same power dissipated, the temperature of the camera assembly 20 with housing 11 increases less than for a camera alone. The heat from the camera is therefore transferred by conduction to the housing and distributed throughout the camera-housing assembly. For example, the cooling housing is primarily composed of 165 grams of aluminum with a specific heat capacity of 897 J / kg.K and 36 grams of polyethylene wax with a specific heat capacity of 2000 J / kg.K. As a reminder, the wax is trapped within the volume V created between the two shells 50, 60. Increasing the temperature of the cooling housing by 1 Kelvin requires injecting 216 Joules of energy. In the case of the camera alone, composed mainly of aluminum and bakelite, it is necessary to inject 108 Joules to increase its temperature by 1 Kelvin.Finally, to increase the temperature of the camera and cooling unit by 1 Kelvin, it is necessary to inject 324 Joules. Thus, for the same power dissipated, the temperature increases three times less rapidly for the camera and cooling unit as for the camera alone.

[0049] Secondly, the phase change of the internal coolant 30 contributes to the cooling of the camera. As seen previously, the housing 11 of the device 10 contains the substance 30 in solid form, this material acting as a coolant. When the melting point of this heat storage element is reached, the storage element absorbs more heat by changing from the solid phase or state to the liquid phase or state. It should be noted that three quantities are important for the material of the storage element. First, the melting temperature: it must be within the correct temperature range, namely above the temperature of the camera when switched off under conditions similar to parking in the sun in very hot weather (for example, around 95°C) and below the temperature at which the camera's operation is disrupted (for example, around 105 degrees Celsius).Next, the enthalpy of fusion, expressed in J / g, corresponds to the energy absorbed to change the material from a solid to a liquid state. The enthalpy of fusion should preferably be as high as possible. Finally, the specific heat, expressed in J / kg·K, corresponds to the energy required to raise the temperature of 1 kg of a given material by 1 Kelvin. The specific heat should also be as high as possible. As mentioned previously, the material chosen to fill the internal volume V of the casing is preferably polyethylene wax, preferably low-density polyethylene wax. Its enthalpy of fusion allows it to dissipate thermal energy equivalent to 8000 Joules or 2.2 Wh when melting a 40 g mass. This is equivalent to the energy dissipated in 12 minutes by a 10W camera or the energy dissipated in 15 minutes by an 8.5W camera. This material is suitable for preventing malfunctions such as camera safety shutdowns. In practice, the camera only reaches its peak temperature after approximately 300 seconds of operation following vehicle start-up. However, during this initial period, the cabin temperature decreases over time due to the air conditioning and / or open windows. Indeed, a driver can hardly tolerate such high cabin heat (around 100 degrees Celsius at the top of the windshield, i.e., at the camera's location).

[0050] Thirdly, the increase in exchange surfaces contributes to the cooling of the camera. As mentioned, the housing 11 includes the set of internal fins 51 extending downwards from the lower face 52 of the first shell 50 into volume V. The internal fins therefore serve to dissipate heat from the camera and / or the processor 21 to the internal cooler 30. In particular, the internal fins dissipate the heat transferred by the Peltier module, or received directly by the camera and / or the electrical and / or electronic components, to the cooler 30 contained within the housing 11. The housing 11 also includes the set of external fins 61 extending upwards from the lower face 62 of the second shell 60. Optionally, another set of internal fins could extend upwards from the second shell into volume V (not shown in this embodiment).The external fins dissipate heat from the housing 11 to the ambient air of the vehicle's passenger compartment 2. In other words, the set of external fins increases the external heat exchange surface area of ​​the camera and housing assembly with the ambient air, thus dissipating heat from this camera and housing assembly to a larger volume of air.

[0051] For example, depending on the vehicle, the camera and its housing reach a temperature between 83 and 95 degrees Celsius at the end of the heating cycle, i.e., when the vehicle is parked (not started) for several hours in direct sunlight at an outside temperature of 45 degrees Celsius. The camera is then switched off. When the vehicle is started, the camera is switched on. The camera then draws current and continues to heat up until some of its electronic components 21, 23, 25 reach or exceed 105 degrees Celsius, which causes the camera to automatically shut down due to overheating. The camera is then switched off.

[0052] Preferably, the melting point of the phase-change material is in the temperature range between 95 and 105 degrees Celsius. The latent heat of phase change of the retained material is on the order of 200 J / g.

[0053] The storage element 30 preferably has a mass between 15 g and 55 g, for example between 30 g and 40 g. The storage element 30 preferably has a specific heat between 1500 J / K.kg and 3000 J / K.kg, for example between 1900 J / K.kg and 2300 J / K.kg.

[0054] Thanks to this solution, an electrical and / or electronic device located inside a vehicle's passenger compartment, particularly when parked in very hot conditions, functions without malfunction. Thus, even though a camera capable of recognizing road signs and / or lane markings, for example, is located behind the windshield, high up, under the roof—that is, at the hottest point in the passenger compartment—the camera continues to operate during heat waves, even after prolonged parking and exposure to sunlight. The solution allows the camera, and in particular its electronic components, including the processor(s), to cool down. Therefore, despite its proximity to the windshield, the camera functions normally, without interruption due to a safety mechanism that, for example, cuts off its power supply.The arrangement comprising the camera and its cooling system allows for reliable, accurate, and durable data acquisition during periods of very high temperatures inside the vehicle. This avoids the need for a separate, bulky, expensive, noisy, and potentially unreliable camera ventilation system due to its moving parts.

[0055] The solution allows the camera 20 arranged behind the windshield 4 to capture images and / or videos and possibly process them, without interruption, even during extreme outside temperatures, for example during a heat wave.

[0056] Note that a housing may be provided to conceal the assembly, for example, a housing encompassing the assembly and attaching to the windshield. Such a housing ensures, in particular, that the external fins are not visible to the vehicle occupants. If necessary, preferably, openings are provided on such a housing to allow the intake and exhaust of air in order to promote heat exchange with the passenger compartment air.

[0057] The invention is particularly suited to a vehicle, especially a car, and can be used for a truck, bus, coach, agricultural vehicle, lifting equipment, or even a floating craft or aircraft, and any other vehicle comprising an electrical and / or electronic device arranged in a space subject to high temperatures. Optionally, the solution can be adapted for cooling an electrical and / or electronic device located in a vehicle's luggage compartment. Optionally, the solution can be adapted for cooling an electrical and / or electronic device, for example, a computer, located in an engine compartment, particularly if this type of device heats up intermittently and / or is located in a relatively cold area. This may notably be the case for the engine compartment of an electric vehicle. In this case, preferably, the material of the storage element would be different.

Claims

Demands

1. Cooling device (10) for an electrical and / or electronic device (20) arranged within a vehicle (1) interior (2), in particular a front camera type device (20), the cooling device (10) comprising: - a housing (11), in particular a metal housing, comprising a heat-receiving surface (12) extending in contact with such a device (20), the housing (11) comprising an internal volume (V), - a thermal energy storage element (30) capable of absorbing heat, the storage element (30) at least partially filling the internal volume (V) of the housing (11) so as to accumulate thermal energy produced by such a device (20).

2. Cooling device (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the storage element (30) comprises a phase-change material, in particular polyethylene wax, capable of passing from the solid state to the liquid state at a temperature between 65 degrees Celsius and 115 degrees Celsius, or between 80 degrees Celsius and 105 degrees Celsius, in particular between 95 degrees Celsius and 105 degrees Celsius.

3. Cooling device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing (11) comprises: - a first shell (50) in contact or substantially in contact with such a device (20), and - a second shell (60), the first and second shells (50, 60) being assembled so as to create the internal volume (V) between them, in particular by being assembled in a sealed manner.

4. Cooling device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing (11) comprises external fins (61) extending within a passenger compartment (2) of such a vehicle (1) so as to promote the transfer of heat to the ambient air of such a passenger compartment (2).

5. Cooling device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing (11) includes internal fins (51) extending within the internal volume (V) so as to promote the transfer of heat from the housing (11) to the storage element (30).

6. Cooling device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the storage element (30) has a mass between 15 g and 55 g, in particular between 30 g and 40 g.

7. Cooling device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the storage element (30) has a specific heat between 1500 J / K.kg and 3000 J / K.kg, in particular between 1900 J / K.kg and 2300 J / K.kg.

8. Arrangement (3) comprising: - an electrical and / or electronic device (20) arranged within a vehicle (1) interior (2), in particular a front camera type device (20), - a cooling device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the arrangement (3) comprises a module (40), in particular a Peltier effect module, extending between the internal volume (V) of the housing (11) and the device (20) to be cooled.

9. Arrangement (3) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the arrangement (3) comprises thermal paste (5; 6) arranged between the module (40) and the device (20) and / or between the module (40) and the storage element (30).

10. Arrangement (3) according to any one of claims 8 or 9, characterized in that the apparatus (20) comprises an exchange surface (22), in particular substantially square or rectangular, the exchange surface (22) of the apparatus (20) being arranged opposite the heat receiving surface (12) of the housing (11) so as to facilitate the transfer of heat from the apparatus (20) to the housing (11) of the cooling device (10).

11. Arrangement (3) according to any one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the device (20) comprises at least one processor (21) extending parallel or substantially parallel to the module (40).

12. Vehicle, in particular motor vehicle (1), characterized in that it comprises an arrangement (3) according to any one of claims 8 to 11, or a cooling device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

Images