Vehicle computing device

Abstract

To cool first and second substrates efficiently in a structure where a first housing is attached to a vehicle and a second housing is detachably attached to the first housing in a vehicular arithmetic device.SOLUTION: A first housing 39 has a first substrate, incorporates a part of a water cooling mechanism, and is attached to the interior of a passenger compartment 1. A second housing 53 has an addition substrate 55 for arithmetic and is detachably attached to the first housing 39. The first housing 39 and the second housing 53 are fixed by fixing parts. A part of an outer wall part of the first housing 39 contacts with a part of an outer wall part of the second housing 53 in a manner that enables heat exchange.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The technology disclosed herein relates to a vehicle-mounted computing device that includes a computing board and a housing that houses the board. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle-use computing device that includes a computing board and a housing that houses the board. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-251916 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In order to increase the processing capacity of a vehicle-mounted computing device or selectively use some of its computing functions, it is conceivable to provide the vehicle-mounted computing device with a first computing board, a first housing containing the first board, a second computing board, and a second housing containing the second board. In such a case, a configuration is conceivable in which the first housing is attached to the vehicle and the second housing is detachably attached to the first housing. In such a configuration, no cooling structure has been proposed that efficiently cools the first and second boards.

[0005] The technology disclosed herein has been developed in consideration of these points, and its purpose is to efficiently cool the first and second boards in a vehicle computing device in a configuration in which a first housing is attached to a vehicle and a second housing is detachably attached to the first housing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the technology disclosed herein is configured to include a first housing having a first board for calculations, part of a water-cooling mechanism built in, and attached to the vehicle interior; a second housing having a second board for calculations, which is detachably attached to the first housing; and a fixing part that fixes the second housing to the first housing so that part of the outer wall of the first housing is in contact with part of the outer wall of the second housing so as to be able to exchange heat.

[0007] According to the above aspect, the second housing is detachably attached to the first housing. Furthermore, when the second housing is fixed to the first housing, the outer wall surfaces of the second housing and the first housing are in contact with each other so as to exchange heat, and therefore the second board included in the second housing can be cooled by the cooling mechanism built into the first housing. Therefore, in a configuration in which the first housing is attached to a vehicle and the second housing is detachably attached to the first housing, the first and second boards can be efficiently cooled.

[0008] Furthermore, the first and second housings are each thin box-shaped, and when the second housing is fixed to the first housing, the outer wall portions having the largest planar surfaces among the outer wall portions constituting the outer surfaces of the first and second housings are in contact with each other.

[0009] According to the above aspect, the outer surface where the first and second housings are in contact can be made wider, and therefore the amount of heat conduction between the first and second housings can be increased.

[0010] Furthermore, an air intake port to which an air-cooling pipe is connected is formed on the outer wall of the second housing.

[0011] According to the above aspect, the second housing can be cooled by the water-cooling mechanism and the air-cooling mechanism, so that the second board can be cooled more efficiently.

[0012] The water-cooling mechanism is configured to include a radiator disposed forward of a dash panel and cooling piping disposed at least in the first housing disposed rearward of the dash panel.

[0013] According to the above aspect, the first and second housings can be cooled by operating the radiator.

[0014] Furthermore, the first substrate is provided with a semiconductor chip that executes processing related to the running of the vehicle, and the second substrate is provided with a semiconductor chip that executes processing other than processing related to the running of the vehicle.

[0015] According to the above aspect, it is possible to accommodate a configuration in which a semiconductor chip arranged on a first substrate performs processing related to vehicle operation, and a semiconductor chip arranged on a second substrate performs processing other than processing related to vehicle operation. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] As described above, the technology disclosed herein enables efficient cooling of the first and second boards in a vehicle computing device in a configuration in which a first housing is attached to a vehicle and a second housing is detachably attached to the first housing. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic perspective view showing the front of an automobile equipped with a vehicle computing device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. [Figure 3] 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle computing device according to an embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the left side; [Figure 4] 1 is an exploded perspective view of a vehicle computing device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 5] FIG. [Figure 6]10 is a perspective view of the second flat wall portion with the expansion board attached. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of first and second communication connectors. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a schematic left side view of the first and second arithmetic units immediately before the second arithmetic unit is assembled to the first arithmetic unit. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view illustrating the flow of cooling water and freon. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0019] FIG. 1 shows the front of a right-hand drive automobile. A floor panel 3 is disposed substantially horizontally under the passenger compartment 1 of the automobile. A tunnel portion 3a that bulges upward is formed in the center of the floor panel 3 in the vehicle width direction. A battery 6 is disposed below the floor panel 3. The battery 6 has a battery case 6a that extends in the vehicle width direction and a plurality of cells 6b housed in the battery case 6a. As shown in FIG. 2, a dash lower panel 5 that extends obliquely upward toward the front is disposed in front of the floor panel 3. A dash upper panel 7, whose plate surface faces in the fore-and-aft direction, is erected upward at the front end of the dash lower panel 5.

[0020] In front of the dash upper panel 7, a motor 9, a gearbox 11, an inverter 13, a charger 15, a pump 17, an air conditioner condenser 19, a radiator 21, and a chiller 23 are arranged.

[0021] A cowl box 25 shown in FIG. 2 is disposed above and in front of the dash upper panel 7. The cowl box 25 has an outside air intake 25a that opens upward in front of the front window panel 27. A horizontally mounted HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) unit 29 is disposed behind the cowl box 25. The HVAC 29 has a horizontally elongated box portion 29' that forms its outer shell and is long in the vehicle width direction. The box portion 29' is disposed behind the dash upper panel 7 and extends from the center of the vehicle width direction toward the passenger seat.

[0022] The box section 29' houses a compressor 29a, a PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) heater 29b, etc., and an evaporator 29c, etc. A pair of circular air holes 29d are formed in the bottom surface of the box section 29' near the evaporator 29c.

[0023] 3 and 4, a vehicle computing device 31 according to an embodiment of the present invention is attached from the rear to the center of the dash upper panel 7 in the vehicle width direction. The vehicle computing device 31 is located below the HVAC 29. Four fixing bolts 33 (see FIG. 11) are welded to the mounting location of the vehicle computing device 31 on the rear surface of the dash upper panel 7 with their shafts facing rearward.

[0024] The vehicle computing device 31 includes a first computing unit 35 and a second computing unit 37 .

[0025] The first arithmetic unit 35 includes a first housing 39, a lower substrate 41 shown in Fig. 7, an upper substrate 43 shown in Fig. 8, and a first thermally conductive sheet 45. Note that detailed illustration of the lower substrate 41 and the upper substrate 43 is omitted in Fig. 4.

[0026] The first housing 39 is made of a metal such as aluminum and has a thin, box-like shape. Specifically, the first housing 39 has a first mounting wall 39a that is rectangular in plan view, a first flat wall 39b that is flat and rectangular and faces the first mounting wall 39a, and a first side wall 39c that connects the outer peripheral edge of the first mounting wall 39a and the outer peripheral edge of the first flat wall 39b. The first flat wall 39b forms the largest plane on the outer surface of the first housing 39. The first housing 39 is attached to the center of the dash upper panel 7 in the vehicle width direction with the outer surface of the first mounting wall 39a facing rearward and the longitudinal directions of the first mounting wall 39a and the first flat wall 39b facing up and down.

[0027] The first mounting wall portion 39a has a first non-protruding wall portion 39d that is a rectangular plate with its plate surface facing rearward, a first standing wall portion 39e that protrudes perpendicularly outward (rearward) from the lower edge of the first non-protruding wall portion 39d, and a first protruding wall portion 39f that extends downward from the tip of the first standing wall portion 39e in parallel with the first non-protruding wall portion 39d. The first standing wall portion 39e is formed to traverse the first mounting wall portion 39a in the vehicle width direction.

[0028] A first communication through-hole 39g is formed in the first protruding wall portion 39f at a position near the right edge in the vehicle width direction and near the lower edge.

[0029] Plate-like first tongue-shaped pieces 39h that are flush with the first mounting wall 39a protrude from both ends of the edges on both sides in the vehicle width direction of the first mounting wall 39a. Each first tongue-shaped piece 39h has a first assembly bolt hole 39i formed therein.

[0030] The first flat wall portion 39b faces the first protruding wall portion 39f and the first non-protruding wall portion 39d of the first mounting wall portion 39a in parallel from the front.

[0031] Plate-shaped second tongue-shaped portions 39j, which are flush with the first flat wall portion 39b, protrude from both ends of the upper edge of the first flat wall portion 39b. Plate-shaped third tongue-shaped portions 39k, which are flush with the first flat wall portion 39b, protrude downward from both corners of the lower side of the first flat wall portion 39b and tilt outward in the vehicle width direction. Fixing bolt holes 39m are formed in each of the second tongue-shaped portions 39j and each of the third tongue-shaped portions 39k. The shanks of the fixing bolts 33 are inserted into these fixing bolt holes 39m, and nuts (not shown) are threaded onto the tips of the shanks to fix the second tongue-shaped portions 39j and each of the third tongue-shaped portions 39k to the fixing bolts 33.

[0032] The first side wall portion 39c has a first upper side wall portion 39n, a first lower side wall portion 39p, a first left side wall portion 39q, and a first right side wall portion 39r.

[0033] The first upper sidewall portion 39n connects the upper edge of the first mounting wall portion 39a and the upper edge of the first flat wall portion 39b. The first upper sidewall portion 39n has a rectangular shape that is long in the vehicle width direction.

[0034] The first lower sidewall portion 39p connects the lower edge of the first mounting wall portion 39a and the lower edge of the first flat wall portion 39b. The first lower sidewall portion 39p has a rectangular shape that is long in the vehicle width direction.

[0035] The first left sidewall portion 39q connects the left edge of the first mounting wall portion 39a to the left edge of the first flat wall portion 39b. The first right sidewall portion 39r connects the right edge of the first mounting wall portion 39a to the right edge of the first flat wall portion 39b. The first left sidewall portion 39q and the first right sidewall portion 39r each have a first upper region RU1 sandwiched between the outer peripheral edge of the first non-protruding wall portion 39d of the first mounting wall portion 39a and the outer peripheral edge of the first flat wall portion 39b, and a first lower region RL1 sandwiched between the outer peripheral edge of the first protruding wall portion 39f of the first mounting wall portion 39a and the outer peripheral edge of the first flat wall portion 39b, and having a width wider than the first upper region RU1.

[0036] A circular first air intake hole 39s is formed in the lower end of the first left side wall portion 39q, more specifically, in the lower half of the first lower region RL1. The width W1 of this first air intake hole 39s in the direction perpendicular to the first flat wall portion 39b is set to be equal to or greater than the distance D1 between the outer peripheral edge of the first non-protruding wall portion 39d of the first mounting wall portion 39a and the outer peripheral edge of the first flat wall portion 39b.

[0037] A first stator vane 39t is disposed inside the first intake hole 39s. The first stator vane 39t includes a fixed hub 391t and a plurality of fixed blades 392t that protrude radially outward from the fixed hub 391t at intervals in the circumferential direction. The outer peripheral ends of the fixed blades 392t of the first stator vane 39t are connected to the peripheral edge of the first intake hole 39s. A first fan 47 and a motor (not shown) that drives the first fan 47 are attached to the fixed hub 391t of the first stator vane 39t. The first fan 47 faces the first stator vane 39t from inside the first housing 39. A pair of piping insertion holes 39u are formed in the upper half of the first lower region RL1 of the first left sidewall 39q near the first mounting wall 39a, and are spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction.

[0038] 1, one end of a first air-cooling pipe 48 is connected to the periphery of the first air intake hole 39s. The other end of this first air-cooling pipe 48 is connected to the HVAC 29. When the first fan 47 is rotated by driving the motor 9, cooled air flows from the HVAC 29 through the first air-cooling pipe 48 into the first air intake hole 39s.

[0039] A first exhaust hole 391v is formed in the first upper region RU1 of the first right sidewall portion 39r, and is made up of a plurality of ventilation holes 391v' formed at intervals from one another.

[0040] A second exhaust hole 392v made up of a plurality of vent holes 392v' formed at intervals from one another is formed in a position near the first flat wall portion 39b in the first lower region RL1 of the first right sidewall portion 39r. The plurality of vent holes 391v', 392v' of the first exhaust hole 391v and the second exhaust hole 392v are formed by punching.

[0041] At a position in the first lower region RL1 of the first right side wall portion 39r near the first flat wall portion 39b, a first external communication connection through hole 39w and a first external power supply connection through hole 39x are formed in order from above, spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction.

[0042] At a position in the first lower region RL1 of the first right side wall portion 39r near the first mounting wall portion 39a, a second external communication connection through hole 39y and a second external power supply connection through hole 39z are formed in order from the top, spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction.

[0043] The lower substrate 41 has a rectangular plate-shaped lower substrate main body 41a. The lower substrate 41 is built into the first housing 39 with the lower substrate main body 41a aligned along the first flat wall portion 39b in the vicinity of the first flat wall portion 39b, the longitudinal direction of the lower substrate main body 41a aligned along the longitudinal direction of the first flat wall portion 39b, and the component mounting surface of the lower substrate main body 41a facing (facing rearward from) the first mounting wall portion 39a.

[0044] 7, a first semiconductor chip 41b for calculations is disposed in the center in the vehicle width direction near the lower end of the component mounting surface of the lower substrate body 41a. A heat sink 41d having a plurality of plate-shaped fins 41c and made of a metal with high thermal conductivity is attached to the outer surface (rear surface) of the package of this first semiconductor chip 41b. Note that the heat sink 41d may be provided with prismatic or cylindrical fins instead of the plate-shaped fins 41c.

[0045] A first external communication connector 41e and a first external power supply connector 41f are formed in this order from top to bottom at a distance from each other in the vertical direction near the right end of the lower half of the component mounting surface of the lower substrate body 41a in the vehicle width direction. The first external communication connector 41e faces the outside of the first housing 39 through a first external communication through-hole 39w in the first housing 39, and the first external power supply connector 41f faces the outside of the first housing 39 through a first external power supply through-hole 39x in the first housing 39.

[0046] One end of a flat cable 49 is attached to the center in the vehicle width direction, slightly above the center in the up-down direction, of the component mounting surface of the lower substrate main body 41a.

[0047] The upper substrate 43 has a rectangular plate-shaped upper substrate main body 43a. The upper substrate 43 is built into the first housing 39 with the component mounting surface of the upper substrate main body 43a facing the first protruding wall portion 39f of the first mounting wall portion 39a and the upper substrate main body 43a spaced further from the first flat wall portion 39b than the first non-protruding wall portion 39d.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 8, a second semiconductor chip 43b for calculations is disposed in the center of the upper half of the component mounting surface of the upper substrate main body 43a in the vehicle width direction. A cooling water jacket 43c made of a metal with high thermal conductivity is in contact with the outer surface (rear surface) of this second semiconductor chip 43b. The cooling water jacket 43c has a flattened rectangular parallelepiped shape, with both longitudinal end faces facing both sides in the vehicle width direction. A midpoint of a cooling pipe 51 is embedded in this cooling water jacket 43c, and the portion of the cooling pipe 51 that is not embedded in the cooling water jacket 43c protrudes from the left end face of the cooling water jacket 43c and is inserted through a pipe insertion hole 39u of the first housing 39 to be drawn out to the outside of the first housing 39. The cooling pipes 51 are arranged so that, when driven by the pump 17, the cooling water circulates through the radiator 21, chiller 23, cooling water jacket 43c, charger 15, inverter 13, motor 9, and battery 6. The radiator 21 and chiller 23 cool the cooling water flowing through the cooling pipes 51.

[0049] A second external communication connector 43d and a second external power supply connector 43e are formed in this order from above at a vertical interval on the right side of the upper half of the component mounting surface of the upper substrate body 43a. The second external communication connector 43d faces the outside of the first housing 39 through a second external communication through-hole 39y in the first housing 39. The second external power supply connector 43e faces the outside of the first housing 39 through a second external power supply through-hole 39z in the first housing 39.

[0050] A first communication connector 43f, also shown in Fig. 10, is disposed near the right edge of the lower half of the component mounting surface of the upper substrate main body 43a. A recess 43g is formed in the first communication connector 43f. The first communication connector 43f faces the outside of the first housing 39 through the first communication through-hole 39g of the first housing 39. The open side of the recess 43g of the first communication connector 43f faces the outside of the first housing 39 through the first communication through-hole 39g.

[0051] The other end of the flat cable 49 is attached to the center in the vehicle width direction near the upper edge of the component mounting surface of the upper board body 43a.

[0052] The first thermally conductive sheet 45 is attached to the inner surface of the first protruding wall portion 39f of the first mounting wall portion 39a of the first housing 39. The surface of the first thermally conductive sheet 45 opposite the first protruding wall portion 39f abuts against the cooling water jacket 43c.

[0053] The second computing unit 37 includes a second housing 53, an expansion board 55 shown in Figures 6 and 9, and a second thermally conductive sheet 57. Note that detailed illustration of the expansion board 55 is omitted in Figure 4.

[0054] The second housing 53 is made of a metal such as aluminum and has a thin box shape. The second housing 53 is formed by assembling a housing main body 53s shown in FIG. 5 and a second flat wall 53b shown in FIG. 6. The second housing 53 has a second mounting wall 53a that is rectangular in plan view, a flat, rectangular second flat wall 53b that faces the second mounting wall 53a, and a second side wall 53c that connects the outer peripheral edge of the second mounting wall 53a and the outer peripheral edge of the second flat wall 53b. The second flat wall 53b forms the largest flat surface on the outer surface of the second housing 53. The shape and size of the outer peripheral edge of the second mounting wall 53a of the second housing 53 in plan view are the same as the shape and size of the outer peripheral edge of the first mounting wall 39a of the first housing 39 in plan view. The second housing 53 is attached to the first housing 39 with the outer surface of the second mounting wall portion 53a facing the first mounting wall portion 39a of the first housing 39 and with the outer peripheral edge of the second mounting wall portion 53a and the outer peripheral edge of the first mounting wall portion 39a of the first housing 39 aligned with each other.

[0055] The second mounting wall portion 53a has a second non-protruding wall portion 53d in the shape of a rectangular plate with its plate surface facing forward, a second standing wall portion 53e that protrudes perpendicularly outward (forward) from the upper edge of the second non-protruding wall portion 53d, and a second protruding wall portion 53f that extends upward from the tip of the second standing wall portion 53e in parallel with the second non-protruding wall portion 53d. The second standing wall portion 53e is formed to traverse the second mounting wall portion 53a in the vehicle width direction.

[0056] A second communication through-hole 53g is formed in the second non-protruding wall portion 53d of the second mounting wall portion 53a at a position near the right edge in the vehicle width direction and near the lower edge.

[0057] Fourth tongue-shaped pieces 53h each having a plate shape and flush with the second mounting wall 53a are provided at both ends of the second mounting wall 53a in the vehicle width direction. A second mounting bolt hole 53i is formed in each of the fourth tongue-shaped pieces 53h.

[0058] 6, screw insertion holes 53j are formed at the four corners of the second flat wall portion 53b and near the centers of both edges extending in the longitudinal direction (vertical direction). That is, six screw insertion holes 53j are formed at intervals on the outer periphery of the second flat wall portion 53b.

[0059] Six mounting pieces 53q (shown only in FIG. 5) are integrally formed on the end of the second side wall 53c on the second flat wall 53b side, protruding inward so as to correspond to the screw insertion holes 53j of the second flat wall 53b. Each mounting piece 53q has a screw hole 53r formed so as to open toward the second flat wall 53b (rearward). The second mounting wall 53a, the second side wall 53c, and the mounting pieces 53q form an integrated housing main body 53s. This housing main body 53s is made of, for example, aluminum casting. Alternatively, the housing main body 53s may be formed by welding plate-shaped members formed by pressing. The second flat wall portion 53b is attached to the housing main body portion 53s with the housing main body portion 53s covered by matching the screw hole 53r of the mounting piece portion 53q with the screw insertion hole 53j of the second flat wall portion 53b and inserting a screw 59 into the screw hole 53r and the screw insertion hole 53j and fastening them.

[0060] The second side wall portion 53c has a second upper side wall portion 53k, a second lower side wall portion 53m, a second left side wall portion 53n, and a second right side wall portion 53p.

[0061] The second upper sidewall portion 53k connects the upper edge of the second mounting wall portion 53a and the upper edge of the second flat wall portion 53b. The second upper sidewall portion 53k has a rectangular shape that is long in the vehicle width direction.

[0062] The second lower sidewall portion 53m connects the lower edge of the second mounting wall portion 53a and the lower edge of the second flat wall portion 53b. The second lower sidewall portion 53m has a rectangular shape that is long in the vehicle width direction.

[0063] The second left sidewall 53n connects the left edge of the second mounting wall 53a to the left edge of the second flat wall 53b. The second right sidewall 53p connects the right edge of the second mounting wall 53a to the right edge of the second flat wall 53b. The second left sidewall 53n and the second right sidewall 53p each have a second upper region RU2 sandwiched between the outer peripheral edge of the second protruding wall 53f of the second mounting wall 53a and the outer peripheral edge of the second flat wall 53b, and a second lower region RL2 sandwiched between the outer peripheral edge of the second non-protruding wall 53d of the second mounting wall 53a and the outer peripheral edge of the second flat wall 53b. The second upper region RU2 is wider than the second lower region RL2.

[0064] A circular second air intake hole 53t is formed in the upper end of the second left side wall portion 53n, i.e., in the second upper region RU2. The width W2 of this second air intake hole 53t in the direction perpendicular to the second flat wall portion 53b is set to be equal to or greater than the distance D2 between the outer peripheral edge of the second non-protruding wall portion 53d of the second mounting wall portion 53a and the outer peripheral edge of the second flat wall portion 53b.

[0065] A second stator vane 53u is disposed inside the second air intake hole 53t. The second stator vane 53u includes a fixed hub 531u and a plurality of fixed blades 532u that protrude radially outward from the fixed hub 531u at intervals in the circumferential direction. The outer peripheral ends of the fixed blades 532u of the second stator vane 53u are connected to the peripheral edge of the second air intake hole 53t. A second fan 61 and a motor (not shown) that drives the second fan 61 are attached to the fixed hub 531u of the second stator vane 53u. The second fan 61 faces the second stator vane 53u from inside the second housing 53.

[0066] 1, one end of second air-cooling piping 62 is connected to the periphery of second air intake hole 53t. The other end of this second air-cooling piping 62 is connected to HVAC 29. When second fan 61 is rotated by driving the motor, cooled air flows from HVAC 29 through second air-cooling piping 62 into second air intake hole 53t.

[0067] A third exhaust hole 53v is formed in the second upper region RU2 of the second right sidewall portion 53p. The third exhaust hole 53v is made up of a plurality of vent holes 53v' that are formed at intervals from one another. The plurality of vent holes 53v' of the third exhaust hole 53v are formed by punching.

[0068] In the second lower region RL2 of the second right sidewall portion 53p, a third external communication connection through hole 53w and a third external power supply connection through hole 53x are formed in this order from above and spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction.

[0069] The expansion board 55 has an expansion board main body 55a in the shape of a rectangular plate. This expansion board 55 is built into the second housing 53 with the expansion board main body 55a aligned along the second flat wall portion 53b in the vicinity of the second flat wall portion 53b, the longitudinal direction of the expansion board main body 55a aligned along the longitudinal direction of the second flat wall portion 53b, and the component mounting surface of the expansion board main body 55a facing (facing forward) the second mounting wall portion 53a. Four corners of the expansion board main body 55a are fixed to the second flat wall portion 53b via spacers 63 (shown only in FIG. 6).

[0070] A third semiconductor chip 55b for calculation purposes is disposed at approximately the center in the vehicle width direction at the vertical center of the component installation surface of the extension board main body 55a.

[0071] A third external communication connector 55c and a third external power supply connector 55d are formed in this order from top to bottom at a distance from each other in the vertical direction near the right end of the lower half of the component installation surface of the expansion board main body 55a. The third external communication connector 55c faces the outside of the second housing 53 through a third external communication through-hole 53w in the second housing 53, and the third external power supply connector 55d faces the outside of the second housing 53 through a third external power supply through-hole 53x in the second housing 53.

[0072] A second communication connector 55e, also shown in Fig. 10, is disposed near the right edge near the lower edge of the component installation surface of the extension board main body 55a. A protrusion 55f is formed on the second communication connector 55e. The protrusion 55f of the second communication connector 55e protrudes from the second communication through-hole 53g of the second housing 53 to the outside of the second housing 53. In addition, the tip of the protrusion 55f of the second communication connector 55e is located further away from the second protruding wall 53f in the opposite protruding direction of the second protruding wall 53f.

[0073] Three electronic components 55g are arranged at intervals in the vehicle width direction near the upper edge of the component mounting surface of the extension board main body 55a.

[0074] The second thermally conductive sheet 57 is attached to the inner surface of the second non-protruding wall portion 53d of the second mounting wall portion 53a of the second housing 53. The surface of the second thermally conductive sheet 57 opposite the second non-protruding wall portion 53d abuts against the third semiconductor chip 55b.

[0075] To assemble the second arithmetic unit 37 configured as described above, first, the second flat wall portion 53b, to which the expansion board 55 is attached via the spacer 63, is brought close to the housing main body portion 53s from the expansion board 55 side, and the screw holes 53r of the six mounting pieces 53q are aligned with the six screw insertion holes 53j of the second flat wall portion 53b. Then, screws 59 are inserted into the screw holes 53r and the screw insertion holes 53j to fasten them together.

[0076] In the vehicle computing device 31 configured as described above, the second standing wall portion 53e of the second housing 53 abuts from above against the first standing wall portion 39e of the first housing 39. Furthermore, the second protruding wall portion 53f of the second mounting wall portion 53a of the second housing 53 abuts against the first non-protruding wall portion 39d of the first mounting wall portion 39a of the first housing 39, and the second non-protruding wall portion 53d of the second mounting wall portion 53a abuts against the first protruding wall portion 39f of the first mounting wall portion 39a of the first housing 39. Furthermore, the first assembly bolt hole 39i of the first housing 39 and the second assembly bolt hole 53i of the second housing 53 are aligned with each other, and the shank of an assembly bolt 65 is inserted into the first and second assembly bolt holes 39i, 53i from the first assembly bolt hole 39i side and a nut (not shown) is screwed onto the tip of the shank, thereby fastening the first tongue-like piece 39h of the first housing 39 to the fourth tongue-like piece 53h of the second housing 53. Then, the first and second communication connectors 43f, 55e are connected to each other by inserting the convex portion 55f of the second communication connector 55e into the concave portion 43g of the first communication connector 43f.

[0077] The vehicle computing device 31 configured as described above is covered from behind and above by an instrument panel 67 together with the dash upper panel 7.

[0078] In a vehicle configured as described above, when the first fan 47 is rotated while the HVAC 29 is in cooling operation, cooled air flows from the HVAC 29 through the first air-cooling piping 48 into the first intake hole 39s, passes through the first housing 39, and is exhausted from the first exhaust hole 391v and the second exhaust hole 392v. This allows the air cooled by the HVAC 29 to cool the first and second semiconductor chips 41b, 43b inside the first housing 39.

[0079] Similarly, when the second fan 61 is rotated while the HVAC 29 is in cooling operation, cooled air flows from the HVAC 29 through the second air-cooling piping 62 into the second air intake hole 53t, passes through the second housing 53, and is exhausted from the third exhaust hole 53v. This allows the air cooled by the HVAC 29 to cool the electronic component 55g and the third semiconductor chip 55b inside the second housing 53.

[0080] Furthermore, when the pump 17 and the radiator 21 are driven, the cooling water cooled by the radiator 21 circulates through the cooling pipes 51. This cools the cooling water jacket 43c, the charger 15, the inverter 13, the motor 9, and the battery 8. The cooling of the cooling water jacket 43c cools the second semiconductor chip 43b. Furthermore, the third semiconductor chip 55b is cooled by heat conduction from the cooling water jacket 43c through the first thermally conductive sheet 45, the first protruding wall portion 39f, the second non-protruding wall portion 53d, and the second thermally conductive sheet 57.

[0081] 12, the cooling pipe 51 connects the outlet and inlet of the radiator 21. Coolant CL circulates inside the cooling pipe 51 by the drive of the pump 17. The cooling pipe 51 has a first pipe section CP1 extending from the outlet of the radiator 21, a second pipe section CP2 extending from the inlet of the radiator 21, a third pipe section CP3 serving as a battery cooling pipe section, and a fourth pipe section CP4 serving as a chip cooling pipe section, which are connected in parallel between the first pipe section CP1 and the second pipe section CP2. A distribution valve 63 is interposed in the cooling pipe CP to distribute the coolant CL flowing out from the radiator 21 to the third pipe section CP3 and the fourth pipe section CP4.

[0082] A portion of the first piping section CP1 passes through the inside of the inverter 13. A portion of the first piping section CP1 downstream of the portion passing through the inverter 13 (opposite the radiator 21 side) passes through the inside of the charger 15. A pump 17 is interposed in the first piping section CP1 downstream of the portion passing through the charger 15 (opposite the radiator 21 side). This pump 17 sends the coolant CL in the first piping section CP1 to the side opposite the radiator 21. An end of the first piping section CP1 opposite the radiator 21 is connected to one end of the third piping section CP3 and one end of the fourth piping section CP4 via a distribution valve 63.

[0083] A portion of the second piping section CP2 passes through the inside of the motor 9. A pump 17 is provided upstream (opposite the radiator 21 side) of the portion of the second piping section CP2 where the motor 9 passes. The pump 17 sends the cooling water CL in the second piping section CP2 to the radiator 21 side.

[0084] A middle portion of the third piping section CP3 passes through the inside of the battery case 6a of the battery 6.

[0085] A midsection of the fourth piping section CP4 is inserted into a piping insertion hole 39u of the first housing 39 of the vehicle computing device 31 and is embedded in the cooling water jacket 43c. Therefore, the fourth piping section CP4 is connected to the third semiconductor chip 55b via the cooling water jacket 43c, the first thermally conductive sheet 45, the first housing 39, the second housing 53, and the second thermally conductive sheet 57. The cooling water jacket 43c, the first thermally conductive sheet 45, the first housing 39, the second housing 53, and the second thermally conductive sheet 57 are thermally conductive members.

[0086] The end of the second pipe section CP2 on the side opposite to the radiator 21, the other end of the third pipe section CP3, and the other end of the fourth pipe section CP4 are connected to one another.

[0087] Therefore, when the pump 17 is driven, the coolant CL, which has been cooled by dissipating heat in the radiator 21, passes through the interior of the inverter 13 and the interior of the charger 15 in this order, and is then split into two by the distribution valve 63. Part of the coolant CL passes through the interior of the battery case 6a of the battery 6, and the remaining coolant CL passes through the coolant jacket 43c of the first housing 39. Then, these two coolant CL flows together, pass through the interior of the motor 9, and return to the radiator 21.

[0088] A refrigerant pipe RP is also arranged in the vehicle 10. The refrigerant pipe RP includes a first refrigerant pipe RP1, and a second refrigerant pipe RP2 and a third refrigerant pipe RP3 connected in parallel between both ends of the first refrigerant pipe RP1.

[0089] An air conditioner condenser 19 is disposed in the first refrigerant pipe RP1. An expansion valve 22 is disposed downstream of the air conditioner condenser 19.

[0090] An evaporator 29c of the HVAC 29 is interposed in the second refrigerant pipe RP2.

[0091] A chiller 23 is interposed in the third refrigerant pipe RP3.

[0092] The upstream end of the first refrigerant pipe RP1, the downstream end of the second refrigerant pipe RP2, and the downstream end of the third refrigerant pipe RP3 are connected to a compressor 18.

[0093] In the refrigerant piping RP configured as described above, freon F circulates as a refrigerant. More specifically, the freon F compressed by the compressor 18 passes through the air conditioner condenser 19 in a semi-liquid state and is vaporized when injected from the expansion valve 22. The vaporized freon F cools the evaporator 29c and returns to the compressor 18. Meanwhile, a portion of the freon F injected from the expansion valve 22 is also sent to the chiller 23. The chiller 23 lowers the temperature of the freon F. The freon F that has passed through the chiller 23 returns to the compressor 18.

[0094] To assemble the vehicle computing device 31 configured as described above, first, the first computing unit 35 is brought close to the dash upper panel 7, and the shafts of the fixing bolts 33 welded to the dash upper panel 7 are inserted into the fixing bolt holes 39m of the first housing 39. Then, a nut (not shown) is screwed onto the tip of the shaft of the fixing bolt 33, thereby fixing the first computing unit 35 to the dash upper panel 7.

[0095] 11, the shaft of the assembly bolt 65 is inserted into the first assembly bolt hole 39i of the first housing 39 from the dash upper panel 7 side (front side), and the head of the assembly bolt 65 is brought into contact with the peripheral portion of the first assembly bolt hole 39i from the dash upper panel 7 side (front side). In this state, the protruding height H1 of the shaft of the assembly bolt 65 from the first tongue-shaped piece portion 39h (peripheral portion of the first assembly bolt hole 39i) is greater than the protruding height H2 of the convex portion 55f of the second communication connector 55e from the second non-protruding wall portion 53d. Then, in this state, the second housing 53 is brought closer to the first housing 39 with the fourth tongue-shaped portion 53h of the second housing 53 facing the first tongue-shaped portion 39h of the first housing 39 so that the outer peripheral edge of the first mounting wall portion 39a and the outer peripheral edge of the second mounting wall portion 53a are aligned, and the protruding end of the second standing wall portion 53e of the second housing 53 is brought into contact with the first standing wall portion 39e of the first housing 39. Then, when the second housing 53 is brought even closer to the first housing 39, the shank of the assembly bolt 65 is inserted into the second assembly bolt hole 53i of the second housing 53, and the convex portion 55f of the second communication connector 55e is inserted into the concave portion 43g of the first communication connector 43f. This connects the first and second communication connectors 55e to each other, completing the assembly of the vehicle computing device 31.

[0096] At this time, because the outer peripheral edges of the first mounting wall portion 39a and the second mounting wall portion 53a have the same shape and size in a plan view, the second housing 53 can be easily positioned relative to the first housing 39 by bringing the second housing 53 close to the first housing 39 so that the outer peripheral edges of the first mounting wall portion 39a and the second mounting wall portion 53a are aligned. This makes it easy to assemble the first and second housings 39, 53.

[0097] Furthermore, since the tip of the convex portion 55f of the second communication connector 55e is positioned in the opposite protruding direction of the second protruding wall portion 53f than the second protruding wall portion 53f, the second standing wall portion 53e of the second housing 53 can be abutted against the first standing wall portion 39e of the first housing 39 before inserting the convex portion 55f of the second communication connector 55e into the recess 43g of the first communication connector 43f, thereby positioning the second housing 53 relative to the first housing 39 in the opposing direction of the first standing wall portion 39e and the second standing wall portion 53e. Furthermore, with the head of the assembly bolt 65 abutting against the periphery of the first assembly bolt hole 39i, the protruding height H1 of the shank of the assembly bolt 65 from the first tongue-shaped piece 39h is greater than the protruding height H2 of the second communication connector 55e from the second non-protruding wall portion 53d. Therefore, before inserting the protruding portion 55f of the second communication connector 55e into the recessed portion 43g of the first communication connector 43f, the shank of the assembly bolt 65 can be inserted into the second assembly bolt hole 53i of the second housing 53, thereby positioning the protruding portion 55f of the second communication connector 55e at a position facing the recessed portion 43g of the first communication connector 43f. This prevents damage to the second communication connector 55e caused by the protruding portion 55f of the second communication connector 55e colliding with the region of the first mounting wall 39a where the first communication through-hole 39g is not formed. Furthermore, damage to the first and second communication connectors 43f, 55e caused by twisting the convex portion 55f of the second communication connector 55e within the concave portion 43g of the first communication connector 43f can be suppressed.

[0098] Therefore, according to the present embodiment, when the vehicle computing device 31 is assembled, i.e., when the first and second communication connectors 43f, 55e are connected to each other, the abutment of the first standing wall portion 39e and the second standing wall portion 53e of the first and second housings 39, 53 restricts relative movement of one housing 39, 53 with respect to the other housing 39, 53. Therefore, even if a force that moves one housing 39, 53 relative to the other housing 39, 53 due to vehicle vibration or the like acts on the vehicle computing device 31, the first and second communication connectors 43f, 55e are unlikely to be damaged.

[0099] Furthermore, the width W1 of the first air intake hole 39s in the direction perpendicular to the first flat wall portion 39b is set to be equal to or greater than the distance D1 between the outer peripheral edge of the first non-protruding wall portion 39d of the first mounting wall portion 39a and the outer peripheral edge of the first flat wall portion 39b, thereby improving the cooling capacity compared to when the width W1 is set to be less than the distance D1.

[0100] Furthermore, since the first fan 47 is installed between the first protruding wall portion 39f and the first flat wall portion 39b of the first mounting wall portion 39a, the dimensions of the first fan 47 can be set larger than when it is installed between the first non-protruding wall portion 39d and the first flat wall portion 39b, thereby increasing the cooling capacity.

[0101] Furthermore, the distance D1 between the outer peripheral edge of the first non-protruding wall portion 39d of the first mounting wall portion 39a and the outer peripheral edge of the first flat wall portion 39b is set to be less than the width W1 of the first air intake port 39s in the direction perpendicular to the first flat wall portion 39b, so that the vehicle computing device 31 can be made smaller and the space occupied by the vehicle computing device 31 within the vehicle can be reduced compared to when the width W1 is set to be larger than that width.

[0102] Furthermore, the width W2 of the second intake hole 53t in the direction perpendicular to the second flat wall portion 53b is set to be equal to or greater than the distance D2 between the outer peripheral edge of the second non-protruding wall portion 53d of the second mounting wall portion 53a and the outer peripheral edge of the second flat wall portion 53b, thereby improving the cooling capacity compared to when the width W2 is set to be less than the distance D2.

[0103] Furthermore, since the second fan 61 is installed between the second protruding wall portion 53f and the second flat wall portion 53b of the second mounting wall portion 53a, the dimensions of the second fan 61 can be set larger than when it is installed between the second non-protruding wall portion 53d and the second flat wall portion 53b, thereby increasing the cooling capacity.

[0104] Furthermore, the distance D2 between the outer peripheral edge of the second non-protruding wall portion 53d of the second mounting wall portion 53a and the outer peripheral edge of the second flat wall portion 53b is set to be less than the width W2 of the second air intake port 53t in the direction perpendicular to the second flat wall portion 53b, so that the vehicle computing device 31 can be made smaller and the space occupied by the vehicle computing device 31 within the vehicle can be reduced compared to when the width W2 is set to be larger.

[0105] Furthermore, since the first external communication connection through hole 39w and the second external communication connection through hole 39y are formed in the first side wall portion 39c of the first housing 39, even if the first flat wall portion 39b is brought close to the dash upper panel 7 and the first mounting wall portion 39a is abutted against the second housing 53, it is easy to connect a communication harness (vehicle harness) to the first external communication connection connector 41e and the second external communication connection connector 43d.

[0106] Furthermore, since the first external power supply connecting through hole 39x and the second external power supply connecting through hole 39z are formed in the first side wall portion 39c of the first housing 39, even if the first flat wall portion 39b is brought close to the dash upper panel 7 and the first mounting wall portion 39a is abutted against the second housing 53, it is easy to connect the power supply harness (vehicle harness) to the first external power supply connecting connector 41f and the second external power supply connecting connector 43e.

[0107] Furthermore, since the third external communication connection through hole 53w is formed in the second side wall portion 53c of the second housing 53, it is easy to connect a communication harness (vehicle harness) to the third external communication connection connector 55c even when the second mounting wall portion 53a is abutted against the first mounting wall portion 39a.

[0108] Furthermore, since the through hole 53x for connecting the third external power source is formed in the second side wall portion 53c of the second housing 53, it is easy to connect the power harness (vehicle harness) to the connector 55d for connecting the third external power source even when the second mounting wall portion 53a is abutted against the first mounting wall portion 39a.

[0109] In the above embodiment, the first communication connector 43f provided in the first arithmetic unit 35 is a connector having a recess 43g, and the second communication connector 55e provided in the second arithmetic unit 37 is a connector having a convex portion 55f. However, on the other hand, the first communication connector 43f provided in the first arithmetic unit 35 may be a connector having a convex portion, and the second communication connector 55e provided in the second arithmetic unit 37 may be a connector having a concave portion.

[0110] In the above embodiment, the first standing wall portion 39e and the second standing wall portion 53e are formed flat, but they may be formed in other shapes, such as a cylindrical shape.

[0111] In the above embodiment, four first and second assembly bolt holes 39i, 53i are provided, but a number other than four may be provided for each of them.

[0112] The first housing 39 has a lower board 41 and an upper board 43 (first boards) for calculation, has a built-in cooling water jacket 43c (part of the water-cooling mechanism), and is attached to the vehicle interior 1. The second housing 53 has an additional board 55 for calculation (second board), and is detachably attached to the first housing 39. The first housing 39 and the second housing 53 are fixed together by first assembly bolt holes 39i of the first housing 39, second assembly bolt holes 53i of the second housing 53, assembly bolts 65, and nuts (fixing portions), not shown. In this case, the first standing wall portion 39e of the first housing 39, the first non-protruding wall portion 39d of the first mounting wall portion 39a, and the first protruding wall portion 39f of the first mounting wall portion 39a (part of the outer wall portion of the first housing) are in heat exchangeable contact with the second standing wall portion 53e of the second housing 53, the second protruding wall portion 53f of the second mounting wall portion 53a, and the second non-protruding wall portion 53d of the second mounting wall portion 53a, respectively. As a result, when the second housing 53 is fixed to the first housing 39, the outer wall portions are in contact with each other so as to exchange heat, and therefore the expansion board 55 included in the second housing 53 can be cooled by the cooling water jacket 43c built into the first housing 39. Therefore, in a configuration in which the first housing 39 is attached to the vehicle 1 and the second housing 53 is detachably attached to the first housing 39, the lower board 41, the upper board 43, and the expansion board 55 can be efficiently cooled.

[0113] Furthermore, the first and second housings 39, 53 are each thin, box-shaped. When the second housing 53 is fixed to the first housing 39, the first mounting wall 39a, the first flat wall 39b, and the first side wall 39c, which have the largest flat surfaces among the outer wall portions constituting the outer surfaces of the first and second housings 39, 53, come into contact with the second mounting wall 53a, the second flat wall 53b, and the second side wall 53c. This allows the outer surfaces of the first and second housings 39, 53 to be in contact with each other over a wide area, thereby increasing the amount of heat conduction between the first and second housings 39, 53.

[0114] Further, a second air intake hole 53t to which the air-cooling pipe 62 is connected is formed in the second left side wall portion 53n of the second housing 53. This allows the second housing 53 to be cooled by the cooling water jacket 43c and the HVAC 29, thereby allowing the expansion board 55 to be cooled more efficiently.

[0115] The cooling pipes 51 are arranged in the radiator 21, which is disposed in front of the dash upper panel 7 (dash panel), and the first housing 39, which is disposed behind the dash upper panel 7. This allows the first and second housings 39, 53 to be cooled by operating the radiator 21.

[0116] In the above embodiment, the first communication connector 43f provided in the first arithmetic unit 35 is a connector having a recess 43g, and the second communication connector 55e provided in the second arithmetic unit 37 is a connector having a convex portion 55f. However, on the other hand, the first communication connector 43f provided in the first arithmetic unit 35 may be a connector having a convex portion, and the second communication connector 55e provided in the second arithmetic unit 37 may be a connector having a concave portion.

[0117] Alternatively, the first semiconductor chip 41b on the lower substrate 41 and the second semiconductor chip 43b on the upper substrate 43 may perform processing related to the running of the vehicle 1, and the third semiconductor chip 55b on the extension substrate 55 may perform processing other than processing related to the running of the vehicle 1. For example, the first and second semiconductor chips 41b and 43b function as ECUs (Electronic Control Units), and the third semiconductor chip 55b functions as an MPU (Micro-processing unit). In this case, the third semiconductor chip 55b may perform processing such as image processing as processing other than processing related to the running of the vehicle 1. Note that all of the first to third semiconductor chips 41b, 43b, and 55b may perform processing such as image processing as processing other than processing related to the running of the vehicle 1. In this case, all of the first to third semiconductor chips 41b, 43b, and 55b function as MPUs. [Industrial Applicability]

[0118] As described above, the technology disclosed herein is useful as a vehicle-mounted computing device that includes a computing board and a housing that houses the board. [Explanation of symbols]

[0119] 31 Vehicle computing device 39 First enclosure 39a First mounting wall portion 39b 1st flat wall part 39c 1st side wall part 39d 1st non-protruding wall part 39e 1st standing wall section 39f 1st protruding wall part 39g 1st communication through hole 39i First mounting bolt hole 39s First intake vent 39w 1st external communication connection through hole 39x 1st external power supply connection through hole 39y Second external communication connection through hole 39z Second external power supply connection through hole 41 Lower board 41b First semiconductor chip 41e First external communication connector 41f 1st external power supply connector 43b Second semiconductor chip 43d Second external communication connector 43e Second external power supply connector 43f First communication connector 43g recess 53 Second enclosure 53a Second mounting wall 53b 2nd flat wall part 53c 2nd side wall part 53d 2nd non-protruding wall part 53e Second vertical wall 53f 2nd protruding wall part 53g Second communication through hole 53i Second mounting bolt hole 53t Second intake port 53w Third external communication connection through hole 53x Third external power supply connection hole 55 Expansion board 55b Third Semiconductor Chip 55c Third external communication connector 55d Third external power supply connector 55e Second communication connector 55f convex part 65 Assembly bolt W1, W2 width D1,D2 interval

Claims

1. a first housing having a first board for calculation, a part of a water-cooling mechanism built in, and attached to the interior of a vehicle; a second housing having a second board for calculation and removably attached to the first housing; a fixing portion that fixes the second housing to the first housing so that a portion of an outer wall portion of the first housing is in contact with a portion of an outer wall portion of the second housing so as to be able to exchange heat with the second housing; a semiconductor chip that executes processing related to the running of the vehicle is disposed on the first substrate; The vehicle computing device is characterized in that a semiconductor chip that executes processes other than processes related to the running of the vehicle is disposed on the second substrate.

2. 2. The vehicle computing device according to claim 1, the first and second housings are each thin box-shaped, A vehicle computing device characterized in that, when the second housing is fixed to the first housing, the outer wall portions having the largest planar surfaces among the outer wall portions constituting the outer surfaces of the first and second housings are in contact with each other.

3. 3. The vehicle computing device according to claim 1, The computing device for a vehicle, wherein an air intake port to which an air-cooling pipe is connected is formed on an outer wall of the second housing.

4. 4. The vehicle computing device according to claim 3, The water-cooling mechanism includes a radiator disposed forward of a dash panel and cooling piping disposed at least in the first housing disposed rearward of the dash panel.

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