Device for controlling the temperature of a component, temperature-control arrangement, control device and vehicle

Abstract

A device (100) for controlling the temperature of a component (114) has an outer body (102), which serves to receive a temperature-control medium (118). The outer body (102) also has a first inlet (104) and an outlet (106) for the temperature-control medium (118) and also an inner wall (108). The outer body (108) consists at least partially of a first flexible material, so that the outer body (102) or a flexible portion of the outer body (102) bears closely against the component (114) when the temperature-control medium (118) flows through the outer body (102). Furthermore, the device (100) has an inner body (110), which is arranged within the outer body (102) in such a way that it has no contact at least with a portion of the inner wall (108) of the outer body (102). The inner body (110) consists at least partially of a second flexible material and is designed as a hollow body which is closed on one side and has a second inlet (112). The second inlet (112) faces the first inlet (104).

Description

[0001] Device for controlling the temperature of a component, temperature control arrangement, control device and vehicle

[0002] Technical area

[0003] The present invention relates to devices for cooling, ventilating, or heating components. In particular, the present invention relates to a device for controlling the temperature of a component, in particular an electrical component. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a temperature control arrangement, a control device, and a vehicle.

[0004] Technical background and task

[0005] Modern means of transport such as motor vehicles or motorcycles are increasingly being equipped with driver assistance systems that use sensor systems to detect the environment, recognize traffic situations, and assist the driver, e.g., by braking or steering intervention or by issuing a visual or acoustic warning. Radar sensors, lidar sensors, camera sensors, or similar sensors are regularly used as sensor systems for environmental detection. The data acquired by the sensors can then be used to draw conclusions about the environment, which can be used, for example, to classify objects and / or the environment or to create an environment model. Furthermore, environmental detection is almost indispensable in the field of (semi-)autonomous driving, so there is particular interest in the further development and enhancement of these systems.Electronic control units (ECUs) or central control units (HPCs) are generally used to control actuators (brakes, engines, transmissions, etc.) and / or sensors, as well as to calculate and control driving and assistance functions.

[0006] Control units of many types often generate considerable waste heat, ie

[0007] Power loss, whereby the power loss of the control units can be dissipated in different ways depending on the ambient conditions, e.g. via cooling. Various forms of cooling methods are known, e.g. through natural convection, in which heated air, which is lighter than cooler air, rises and the incoming colder air warms up and then also rises. Furthermore, forced convection can also be provided, in which, for example, an air stream is blown or sucked over the components to be cooled using fans, whereby the heated air is dissipated. There are also fluid cooling systems, in particular liquid cooling systems, in which the components to be cooled are cooled, e.g. using coolants (e.g. actively by using a pump to force the coolant past the components to be cooled). In addition, numerous mixed forms and variants as well as other cooling options for the systems shown are available, such asHeat conduction towards a cooler point, known.

[0008] In some cases, control units also need to be heated to create optimal conditions for their operation. Some systems that can be used for cooling can also be used for heating. For example, a system that actively forces a cooling medium past a component can also use a heating medium.

[0009] Furthermore, heat that needs to be dissipated can be dissipated to the outside through a thermally conductive housing, such as a metal housing. With high power dissipation, the challenge is to dissipate the heat as effectively as possible on the surface or at least on one side of the housing to protect the components inside from overheating.

[0010] There are various forms of cooling, such as air cooling, possibly with cooling fins, or a closed coolant circuit that can be connected to the control unit housing. Liquid cooling is increasingly used in modern vehicles because it is already present in electric or hybrid vehicles due to the various electronics on board, and it can therefore be used for other control units. If, for example, a housing is built around an electronic control unit for robustness reasons, the heat to be dissipated is often led to the outside through a thermally conductive metal housing. Heat dissipation through metal is a preferred heat dissipation method. Here, the good thermal conductivity of the metal is used to transport the heat to a coolant, for example, which flows or flows in a channel in the metal housing.

[0011] However, this method has the disadvantage that often multiple components on a circuit board need to be cooled. Height tolerances (e.g., due to the geometry of the electronic components on the circuit board) and expansion coefficients must be taken into account. This means that the metal housing should not and cannot directly touch the components to be cooled, which creates gaps that can reduce cooling performance. Therefore, pastes, adhesives, or pads with significantly lower thermal conductivity are used to bridge these gaps. This typically results in significant losses in thermal connection. Another disadvantage of previous solutions is the very complex, expensive housings that contain, for example, water channels. Special pipes are often even embedded in the housing to achieve the cooling performance.Complex designs of today's fluid-cooled control unit housings, as well as large gaps that must be routed to the metal housing components using heat transfer fluids, and larger housing dimensions are common disadvantages of such control units. Another disadvantage is that if the modules or component configurations on the circuit boards are changed, the housing often has to be modified as well, since the metal is in close contact with the electronic components.

[0012] Components must be brought closer together, but it must not collide due to changed component heights or the distances or gaps become too large to guarantee sufficient cooling performance.

[0013] In addition to the challenges and disadvantages described above, new types of control units generally also require good EMC (electromagnetic compatibility) shielding to prevent both emitted and radiated interference. Circuit boards or parts thereof are often housed in metal enclosures. This presents a particular challenge for rack systems that have multiple electronic circuit boards that require cooling. Typically, circuit boards or plug-in cards are used here, which should also be easy to install, remove, or replace. However, this is difficult to achieve with conventional fluid cooling systems, as the cooling plates of the liquid cooling system would have to be brought close to the individual plug-in cards in the rack if easy separation is required, for example, for servicing.Delivering the fluid directly to the individual plug-in cards via hydraulic connectors is particularly complex and generally undesirable due to sealing and handling issues.

[0014] Therefore, for example, DE 10 2021 209 640 A1 proposes a cooling device that has a heat sink that serves to accommodate a cooling medium. The heat sink has an inlet and an outlet for the cooling medium and is made at least partially of flexible material. The heat sink or a flexible part of the heat sink conforms to the component to be cooled, compensating for tolerances, as soon as the heat sink is filled with coolant or is actively flowed through by the coolant. In other words, an elastic bellows or bag adapts to the component to be cooled, for example a populated circuit board, when the coolant flows through it, thereby compensating for height differences. However, this presents a further problem, because the flow velocity of the coolant will also fluctuate significantly due to the variable cross-section of the cooling device and the tolerance-related fluctuations of the components to be cooled.This can greatly reduce the cooling effect, for example because a laminar flow changes into a turbulent one.

[0015] It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a device for temperature control of a component that eliminates at least one of the aforementioned disadvantages. Furthermore, it is the object of the invention to provide a corresponding temperature control arrangement, a control device, and a vehicle.

[0016] Disclosure of the invention

[0017] The object is achieved according to the invention by the features of the main claims. Advantageous embodiments can be found in the subclaims.

[0018] According to a first aspect of the invention, a device for temperature control of a component comprises an outer body that serves to accommodate a temperature control medium. The outer body has a first inlet and an outlet for the temperature control medium, as well as an inner wall. The outer body is made at least partially of a first flexible material, so that the outer body or a flexible part of the outer body conforms to the component when the temperature control medium flows through the outer body.

[0019] The outer body and / or the flexible part of the outer body can be designed, for example, in the form of a hose, an (elastic) bellows, a bag (without a frame), or the like. The inner wall results from the inside of the mold. If the outer body is realized as a tube, the inner wall is considered the inner wall. With a cuboid-shaped outer body, the inner wall is formed by the four wall surfaces within the cuboid.

[0020] The component can be any component to be temperature controlled. For example, it could be a processor, an electronic control unit (ECU), a high-performance computer (HPC), or a sensor. Temperature control describes the process of cooling, heating, or stabilizing the temperature of the component. The temperature control medium serves to exchange heat between the component and the cooling medium, which flows through the outer body along a flow direction. The flow direction is defined from the first inlet, through which the temperature control medium is admitted into the outer body, to the outlet, through which the temperature control medium can leave the outer body again.

[0021] Parts of the outer body consist of a first flexible material that can deform. When the temperature control medium flows through the outer body, the flexible part of the outer body adapts to the external conditions, such as the geometry of the component or pressure differences. Other parts of the outer body can be made of inflexible (or rigid) materials, in particular the first inlet and outlet, for example, to provide a robust interface to other system components such as hoses. For example, the first flexible material can be a metal foil or a plastic film.

[0022] The device further comprises an inner body arranged within the outer body such that it is not in contact with at least part of the inner wall of the outer body. The inner body is made at least partially of a second flexible material and is designed as a hollow body closed on one side with a second inlet. The second inlet faces the first inlet of the outer body.

[0023] By arranging the second inlet of the inner body towards the first inlet of the outer body, when the temperature control medium is admitted into the outer body via the first inlet, the outer body is also filled with the temperature control medium. The inner body does not have a dedicated outlet; instead, it is closed, for example on the side facing the outlet of the outer body. The pressure difference between the second inlet and the outlet creates a hydrostatic effect such that the inner body is pushed or inflated towards the inner wall of the outer body. The inner body or its outer wall is at least not in contact with the inner wall everywhere, so that a fluid channel is created between the inner and outer bodies. This can also be referred to as a cooling channel. The speed of the temperature control medium adapts to the changed volume ratios.This creates a defined fluid flow on the surfaces to be tempered.

[0024] To allow the inner body to expand when the temperature control medium penetrates it, at least parts of the inner body are made of a second flexible material. This can be identical to the first flexible material, but different flexible materials can also be used. The dimensions of the inner body (the geometric design of the hollow body closed on one side) can be used to determine the distance between the inner wall of the outer body and the outer wall of the inner body (the expansion of the cooling channel) at a given speed of the temperature control medium. This significantly determines the temperature control properties, such as heat transfer and the like.

[0025] In other words, the one-sided closed hollow body (inner body) inside the flexible fluid tube (outer body) expands due to a static / dynamic fluid pressure, but adaptively does not come into contact with the inner wall of the fluid tube.

[0026] In an advantageous embodiment, at least one spacer is arranged between the inner wall of the outer body and an outer wall of the inner body. Such a spacer serves to delimit the cooling channel created between the inner wall of the outer body and the inner body. This allows the maximum extent of the cooling channel to be defined. The at least one spacer can be connected to the inner body or the outer body in a form-fitting or material-fitting manner. The at least one spacer can be hollow or solid.

[0027] In an advantageous embodiment, the at least one spacer is pyramid-shaped and / or conical. Other geometric configurations are also conceivable. For example, the at least one spacer can also be designed as a cylinder, cuboid, or the like.

[0028] In an advantageous embodiment, metal foil or plastic foil is provided for the first flexible material and / or the second flexible material. In particular, aluminum foil, copper foil, or plastic foil can be produced easily and cost-effectively.

[0029] In an advantageous embodiment, a laminate or composite film is provided for the first flexible material and / or the second flexible material. The laminate or composite film can, in particular, comprise the metal foil and / or the plastic film. The durability and stability of the outer or inner layer are determined by the respective properties of the laminate and / or composite film.

[0030] This allows the inner body to be easily improved. Furthermore, the outer and inner bodies can be adapted to the properties of the temperature control medium or the ambient conditions.

[0031] In an advantageous embodiment, the first flexible material and / or the second flexible material has a coating. An aluminum coating is particularly advantageous for improving the properties with regard to stability, impermeability, aging resistance, and durability. Anoxal coatings (anodized process = an aluminum oxide layer is created on the surface of the aluminum by anodic polarization of the aluminum) or Eloxal coatings (electrolytic oxidation of aluminum, whereby an oxide protective layer is created on the aluminum by anodic oxidation) are particularly suitable as a coating for an aluminum foil.

[0032] In an advantageous embodiment, the outer body has a first rigid region and at least one first flexible region. In particular, the first inlet corresponds to the first rigid region, for example, to provide a robust interface to other system components such as hoses. The outlet can also be particularly advantageously characterized by a rigid region. The first flexible region, on the other hand, is advantageously used where the temperature control effect is to be achieved through contact between the outer body and the component.

[0033] In an advantageous embodiment, the inner body has a second rigid region and at least one second flexible region. The second inlet particularly advantageously corresponds to the second rigid region, with the remainder of the inner body corresponding to the second flexible region.

[0034] In an advantageous embodiment, water, glycol, a water-glycol mixture, air, or CO2 is provided as the temperature control medium. These media are particularly suitable for flowing through an external body as described here.

[0035] According to a second aspect of the invention, a temperature control arrangement comprises an electrical component and a device for temperature control of the electrical component, as described above. The electrical component and the device are arranged such that thermal energy can be exchanged between them. For example, the device rests on the electrical component and is fixed there with appropriate force. However, the device can also enclose the electrical component, which is possible due to the flexible design.

[0036] In an advantageous embodiment, the electrical component is a circuit board and / or a circuit carrier and / or a plug-in card and / or a battery and / or a control unit and / or a processor. These components have special cooling / heating requirements, which can be met by the flexible application possibilities of the device.

[0037] According to a third aspect of the invention, a control device comprises a device as described above or a temperature control arrangement as described above. Control devices such as ECUs, HPCs, or sensors particularly benefit from the device or temperature control arrangement according to the invention.

[0038] According to a fourth aspect of the invention, a vehicle comprises a control device as described above.

[0039] Summary of the characters

[0040] The invention is explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments and figures. The figures show:

[0041] Figure 1: A side view of a first embodiment of a device for tempering a component;

[0042] Figure 2: A side view of a first embodiment of a tempering arrangement with the device from Figure 1;

[0043] Figure 3: A front view of the temperature control arrangement from Figure 2;

[0044] Figure 4: A top view of the tempering arrangement from Figure 2.

[0045] Figure 5: A front view of a second embodiment of a tempering arrangement;

[0046] Figure 6: A side view of a third embodiment of a tempering arrangement; and

[0047] Figure 7: A vehicle with a control device.

[0048] Detailed description of the characters

[0049] Figure 1 shows a side view of a first embodiment of a device 100 for controlling the temperature of a component 114, 126, 128. The device 100 is shown in Figure 1 from a side view in a sectional view and has an outer body 102, a first inlet 104, and an outlet 106. The outer body 102 is cuboid-shaped. Therefore, the sectional view only shows two surfaces that delimit it. The outer body has an inner wall 108, which corresponds to the inner surface of the outer body.

[0050] The first inlet 104 serves to admit a temperature control medium 118 into the outer body, which can exit again through the outlet 106. A flow direction can be defined from the first inlet 104 to the outlet 106.

[0051] Furthermore, the device 100 has an inner body 110, which is designed as a hollow body closed on one side. The opening of the hollow body is a second inlet 112, which faces the first inlet 104. This arrangement allows the temperature control medium 118 to penetrate the inner body 110 through the second inlet 112.

[0052] Figure 2 shows a side view of a first embodiment of a tempering arrangement 113 with the device 100 from Figure 1.

[0053] The temperature control arrangement 113 has an electrical component 114, whose surface 116 is in contact with the outer body 102 of the device 100. Thermal energy 117 is exchanged between the electrical component 114 and the device 100 via this contact. Depending on the temperature of the temperature control medium 118, the electrical component 114 can be cooled or heated. Electronic components such as processors or power supplies frequently require cooling, whereas batteries require heating in cold outside temperatures to ensure optimal operating temperatures.

[0054] Compared to the device 100 of Figure 1, the device 100 in Figure 2 has several spacers 120, 130. These are positioned in such a way as to prevent contact between the inner body 110 and at least part of the inner wall 108 of the outer body 102. Both conical spacers 120 and pyramidal spacers 130 are used in the device 100 in Figure 2. In the example of Figure 3, both the inner body 110 and the spacers 120, 130 are made of a plastic film and are integrally bonded to one another.

[0055] Arrows indicate how the temperature control medium 118 moves through the temperature control arrangement 113. Because the first inlet 102 faces the second inlet 112, the temperature control medium 118 penetrates the inner body 110, which has a hemispherical closure 122 at the end opposite the second inlet 112. The temperature control medium 118 continues to flow through the device 100 between the inner body 110 and the inner walls 108 of the outer body 102 before leaving the device 100 again via the outlet 106. The thermal energy 117 is absorbed or released by the temperature control medium 118, thus cooling or heating the electronic component 114.

[0056] When the temperature control medium 118 flows through the device 100, it penetrates the inner body 110 and flows between the inner body 110 and the inner walls 108. The resulting pressure difference in the outer body 102 between the second inlet and the closure 122 depends on the speed / pressure at which the temperature control medium is supplied to the first inlet 104. This pressure difference determines the amount of pressure created in the inner body 110. Since the inner body is made of an elastic material, the pressure difference also determines how far the inner body 110 expands toward the inner walls 108. However, the expansion is limited by the spacers 120, 130. This ensures that the temperature control medium 118 can flow through the outer body 102.

[0057] Figure 3 shows a front view of the temperature control arrangement 113 from Figure 2.

[0058] Example of Figure 3 shows how the spacers 120,130 are arranged in the dimension not visible in Figure 2 due to the two-dimensional representation.

[0059] Gaps are provided between the spacers 120, 130 in this spatial direction to prevent the flow of the temperature control medium 118 from being blocked. Furthermore, it can be seen that the outer body 102 has four inner walls 108, which cannot be penetrated by the temperature control medium 118. The inner body 110 is integrally connected to the outer body 102 at two inner walls 108 to prevent slippage. However, the inner body 110 always has areas that are not in contact with the inner walls 108. Otherwise, the temperature control medium 118 would not reach the outlet 106.

[0060] Although in Figures 2 and 3 only one side of the outer body 102 is connected to the electrical component 114, it is of course possible to temperature-control at least one other component on the opposite side using the same device 100. For example, the device 100 can be used in a rack and placed between two circuit boards 126, both of which can be temperature-controlled by the device 100.

[0061] Figure 4 shows a top view of the temperature control arrangement 113 from Figure 2. In this illustration, it can be seen that some spacers 120, 130 are designed as pyramid-shaped spacers 130, others as conical spacers 120.

[0062] Figure 5 shows a front view of a second embodiment of a tempering arrangement 113.

[0063] In the example of Figure 5, several inner bodies 110 are arranged within the outer body 102. They are cylindrical and connected to each other via connecting pieces 124. They are connected to two inner walls 108 by means of retaining pieces 125. The material for the connecting pieces 124 and the retaining pieces 125 can be selected such that the inner bodies 110 slip as little as possible and maintain their position as soon as the temperature control medium 118 flows through the outer body 102.

[0064] Figure 6 shows a side view of a third embodiment of a tempering arrangement 113.

[0065] In the example of Figure 6, a circuit board 126 is equipped with a connector 128 and a multitude of electronic components 114, such as processors, electronic control units (ECUs), electrical resistors, and the like, on both sides. These components generate a high level of waste heat during operation and therefore require cooling.

[0066] For this purpose, the device 100 is designed accordingly. The first inlet 104 and the outlet 106 are made of a rigid material. This allows them to be reliably connected to other components, for example, to an inlet or outlet in the form of a hose.

[0067] The remainder of the outer body 102 is made of a flexible material, such as a plastic film, and is designed in the shape of a bag. This allows the device 100 to be arranged in a contact-locking manner on both sides of the circuit board 126 (indicated by the curved arrow in Figure 6). The flexibility of the outer body 102 allows it to adapt to structural differences of the component to be cooled. Manufacturing-related tolerances are also compensated for in this way.

[0068] Furthermore, the inner body 110 is arranged within the outer body 102. This has a second inlet 112, which faces the first inlet 104. The second inlet 112 is also made of a rigid material to achieve a certain rigidity that facilitates the entry of the temperature control medium 118. The term "facing" does not necessarily imply a parallel alignment of the inlets 104, 112. Rather, the second inlet 112 faces the first inlet 104 along the flow direction of the temperature control medium 118. The inner body 110 is only open on one side by the second inlet 112 and closed by a closure 122.

[0069] Conical spacers 120 are arranged integrally on the inner body 110 in such a way that they ensure a distance between the inner body 110 and the inner walls 108 of the outer body 102. This is necessary to ensure unhindered flow of the temperature control medium 118.

[0070] When the temperature control medium 118 is admitted into the outer body 102 via the first inlet 104, it also fills the inner body via the second inlet 112. This expands due to the hydrostatic effect. Maximum expansion without clogging the outer body 102 is guaranteed by the spacers 120. A defined channel for the temperature control medium 118 is established between the inner body 110 and the inner walls 108 of the outer body 102.

[0071] Thus, device 100 allows for flexible throttling of the flow cross-section. Furthermore, pressure loss is essentially limited to the area to be cooled. Furthermore, flow compensation is achieved even with large manufacturing deviations, and a uniform cooling pressure is also achieved on the outlet side.

[0072] Figure ? shows a vehicle 132 with a control device 138.

[0073] The vehicle 132 has a central control device 138, for example, an HPC (high-performance computer). Furthermore, the vehicle has various actuators 134, ultrasonic sensors 136, a radar sensor 140, a lidar sensor 142, and a camera 144.

[0074] The data from the various sensors 136, 140, 142, and 144 are processed in the control unit 138 and used to perform various vehicle functions. For example, parking assistance can be provided or an environmental model can be calculated, based on which the execution of automated driving maneuvers is planned.

[0075] The control device 138 is tempered by a device 100 according to the invention, since a lot of waste heat is generated due to the high computing effort.

[0076] List of reference symbols

[0077] 100 device

[0078] 102 outer body

[0079] 104 First entry

[0080] 106 Outlet

[0081] 108 Inner wall

[0082] 110 inner body

[0083] 112 Second entrance

[0084] 113 Temperature arrangement

[0085] 114 Electrical Components

[0086] 116 Surface of the electrical component

[0087] 117 Thermal energy

[0088] 118 Tempering medium

[0089] 120 Conical spacer

[0090] 122 closure

[0091] 124 connecting piece

[0092] 125 holding pieces

[0093] 126 circuit board

[0094] 128 connectors

[0095] 130 Pyramid-shaped spacer

[0096] 132 vehicles

[0097] 134 Actuator

[0098] 136 ultrasonic sensor

[0099] 138 Control device

[0100] 140 radar sensor

[0101] 142 Lidar sensor

[0102] 144 Cameras

Claims

Patent claims 1 . Device (100) for tempering a component (114), comprising a) an outer body (102) which is designed to receive a tempering medium (118), wherein the outer body (102) has a first inlet (104) and an outlet (106) for the temperature control medium (118), wherein the outer body (102) has an inner wall (108), wherein the outer body (108) consists at least partially of a first flexible material, so that the outer body (102) or a flexible part of the outer body (102) conforms to the component (114) when the temperature control medium (118) flows through the outer body (102), and b) an inner body (110) which is arranged within the outer body (102) such that it has no contact with at least part of the inner wall (108) of the outer body (102), wherein the inner body (110) consists at least partially of a second flexible material, wherein the inner body (110) is designed as a hollow body closed on one side with a second inlet (112), wherein the second inlet (112) corresponds to the first inlet (104) is facing.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one spacer (120,130) is arranged between the inner wall (108) of the outer body (102) and an outer wall of the inner body (110).

3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the at least one spacer (120,130) is pyramid-shaped and / or conical.

4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that for the first flexible material and / or the second flexible material metal foil or plastic foil is intended.

5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a laminate or a composite film is provided for the first flexible material and / or the second flexible material.

6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first flexible material and / or the second flexible material has a coating.

7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outer body has a first rigid region and at least one first flexible region.

8. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inner body has a second rigid region and at least one second flexible region.

9. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that water, glycol, a water-glycol mixture, air or CO2 is provided as the temperature control medium.

10. Tempering arrangement (113), comprising: a) an electrical component (114), and b) a device (100) for tempering the electrical component (114) according to one of claims 1 to 9.

11. Temperature control arrangement according to claim 10, characterized in that a printed circuit board (126) and / or a circuit carrier and / or a plug-in card and / or a battery and / or a control device and / or a processor is provided as the electrical component (114).

12. A control device (138) comprising a device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 9 or a temperature control arrangement (113) according to claim 10 or 11.

13. A vehicle (132) comprising a control device (138) according to claim 12.

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