System, in particular a telematic system, with thermal decoupling of energy source and electric consumer

Abstract

A system (10), for example a telematic system, includes a housing (100) with an interior space (105), an electric consumer (110) arranged in the interior space (105), a thermal insulating component (200), and an electric energy source (300). The housing (100) has an open side (102). The thermal insulating component (200) is arranged at the housing to cover the open side (102). The electric energy source (300) is arranged atop of the thermal insulating component (200). Thereby, the amount of thermal energy entering the interior space of the housing is substantially reduced and the lifetime of the electric consumer is increased.

Description

[0001] System, in particular a telematic system, with thermal decoupling of energy source and electric consumer

[0002] Introduction

[0003] The description relates to an electric device, in particular to a system having an electric energy source and an electric consumer with a thermal decoupling between the electric energy source and an electric consumer. Such a system may be a telematic system which can be operated autarkic.

[0004] It may be desirable to increase the lifetime and operation time of a telematic system.

[0005] The thermal decoupling contributes to reducing the thermal load of the electric consumer. In particular, the thermal decoupling reduces the thermal load of the electric consumer including a battery for providing electric energy to a data processing unit of the electric consumer, thereby increasing the lifetime of the battery and, consequently, of the system as such.

[0006] According to an embodiment, a system comprises a housing with an interior space, an electric consumer arranged in the interior space, a thermal insulating component, and an electric energy source. The housing has an open side. The thermal insulating component is arranged at the housing to cover the open side. The electric energy source is arranged atop of the thermal insulating component.

[0007] The housing may be made of metal or plastic. For example, the housing is a housing of an electric device, like a standalone electric device. The housing has an interior space for containing an electric consumer like active or passive electric components, a printed circuit board with electric and / or electronic components like a microcontroller and other semiconductor elements, and / or a battery that is configured to provide electric energy to the electric components.

[0008] The battery may be a rechargeable battery which is charged by an electric current provided by the electric energy source that is arranged atop of the thermal insulating component. Thus, the operating time of the system is maximized, in particular when the electric energy source provides current intermittently and the battery inside the housing is configured to provide power in a continuous manner. In other words, the battery acts as an energy buffer which receives electric energy from the electric energy source that intermittently provides electric energy and provides this energy to the electric consumer in the interior space.

[0009] The thermal insulating component is arranged between the electric energy source and the housing. In particular, the thermal insulating component is arranged such that it covers the open side of the housing, thereby preventing thermal energy emitted by the electric energy source from entering the interior space and heating the electric consumer arranged in the interior space. Generally speaking, the thermal insulating component reduces the amount of thermal energy introduced into the housing and the interior space, thereby avoiding heating of the electric consumer and increasing lifetime of the components of the electric consumer.

[0010] The electric consumer may include a battery and a data processing device. The battery provides energy to the data processing device. The data processing device may include sensors, a processor, and a communication interface like wireless mobile communication modules. The electric consumer may implement the functions of an Internet of Things device and / or of a telematic device. The electric consumer can act as a standalone device being operated by the battery, while the battery is recharged by the electric energy source. In a non-limiting example, the housing has a cuboid shape with a bottom wall and four lateral outer walls surrounding the interior space. The housing has an open side opposite the bottom surface. The open side is used to install the electric consumer in the housing. However, the housing may be shaped differently and may have any shape that provides an interior space for housing electric consumers.

[0011] According to an embodiment, the thermal insulating component is arranged between the electric energy source and the housing.

[0012] Thus, thermal radiation is prevented from entering the interior space of the housing, thereby reducing the amount of thermal energy introduced into the housing and its interior space as well as the electric consumer located in the interior space is. This contributes to increasing the lifetime and operation time of the electric consumer.

[0013] According to a further embodiment, the electric energy source is spaced apart from the housing by the thermal insulating component.

[0014] Thus, thermal conduction between the electric energy source and the housing is prevented because there is no direct contact between the electric energy source and the housing. Thereby, the amount of thermal energy introduced into the housing and its interior space as well as the electric consumer located in the interior space is reduced. This contributes to increasing the lifetime and operation time of the electric consumer.

[0015] According to a further embodiment, the thermal insulating component comprises an opaque material. An opaque material is a material that is impermeable for light, especially for visible light, ultraviolet light, and light in the infrared range, like the near infrared range.

[0016] The thermal insulating component may be at least partially made of opaque material, or the opaque material may be applied as a coating or an additional layer (e.g., a metallic layer or a plastic layer) to the thermal insulating component.

[0017] In particular, the opaque material is located such that it covers the open side of the housing for preventing radiation entering the interior space of the housing.

[0018] However, while the opaque material is impermeable for signals having a certain wavelength as indicated above, the opaque material and / or at least a part of the housing may be transmissive for mobile communication signals and GNSS- Signals (Global Navigation Satellite System Signals) in order to allow the electric consumer to receive GNSS-Signals and to transmit and / or receive mobile communication signals.

[0019] According to a further embodiment, the thermal insulating component comprises glass, plastic, or a combination of glass and plastic.

[0020] The thermal insulating component may be coated with an opaque layer, or the material of the thermal insulating component may be made of an opaque material to prevent light from entering the interior space of the housing.

[0021] According to a further embodiment, the thermal insulating component comprises a hermetically closed hollow space.

[0022] The hollow space extends substantially along the entire thermal insulating component and contributes to reducing the thermal conductivity of the thermal insulating layer. For example, the thermal insulating component has a three-layer-structure with an upper layer or surface, the hollow space, and a lower layer or surface, wherein the hollow space is arranged between the upper layer or surface and the lower layer or surface.

[0023] According to a further embodiment, the hollow space is a vacuum cavity.

[0024] There is substantially no air or other gas in the hollow space. The thermal insulating component may be a so-called vacuum-layer with the upper and lower surfaces being spaced apart from each other and a vacuum cavity being arranged between these surfaces. With this vacuum cavity between the upper and lower surfaces of the thermal insulating component, thermal convection between the upper and lower surfaces is reduces or even eliminates.

[0025] This structure of the thermal insulating component further contributes to reducing the amount of thermal energy introduced into the housing and / or the interior space of the housing.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment, the thermal insulating component is a vacuum layer made of opaque material or having a coating or an additional layer of opaque material. This prevents radiation from entering the interior space of the housing and substantially eliminates thermal transmission from the electric energy source into the interior space by conductivity and convection.

[0027] In a vacuum layer, the upper and lower surfaces are not in contact with one another along as much of the area of the thermal insulating component. Of course, there is a contact between the upper and lower surfaces at the edges of the thermal insulating component. This contact, however, is only at the edges and serves to maintaining the vacuum and hermetically sealing the hollow space. According to a further embodiment, the electric energy source is a solar panel.

[0028] The solar panel provides electric energy to the electric consumer and serves to charge the battery of the electric consumer. This structure allows recurring charging periods for the battery so that the lifetime and operation time of the electric consumer is increased.

[0029] However, in operation and in case of incident solar radiation, a solar panel generates a considerable amount of thermal energy. This thermal energy generated by the solar panel needs to be kept away from the interior space of the housing because this thermal energy may have a negative impact on the lifetime of the electric consumer (especially of the battery, but it may also impact the lifetime of the remaining electric components like the data processing device) located in the interior space.

[0030] According to a further embodiment, the electric energy source is attached to an upper surface of the thermal insulating component.

[0031] While the electric energy source is attached or mounted to the upper surface of the thermal insulating component, the lower surface of the thermal insulating component faces the interior space of the housing.

[0032] For example, the electric energy source may rest flat on the upper surface of the thermal insulating component.

[0033] According to a further embodiment, the electric energy source extends along an entirety of the upper surface of the thermal insulating component.

[0034] The larger the solar panel is, the more energy it provides to the electric consumer in the housing. According to a further embodiment, the system further comprises an electric connection interconnecting the electric energy source and the electric consumer.

[0035] The electric connection may be a wire and / or a connection pin that transmits electricity from the electric energy source to the electric consumer in the interior space of the housing, in particular for charging the battery of the electric consumer.

[0036] For example, when the electric connection is a wire, this wire may be guided into the interior space via a through-hole in a lateral outer wall of the housing.

[0037] According to a further embodiment, the thermal insulating component and the electric energy source are attached to the housing in a manner to completely cover the open side.

[0038] Thus, the interior space of the housing is closed by the thermal insulating component, thereby protecting the electric consumer from environmental impacts.

[0039] According to a further embodiment, the thermal insulating component and the electric energy source are attached to the housing by at least one fastener.

[0040] According to a further embodiment, the fastener is a screw which extends through a through hole of the thermal insulating component and the electric energy source, respectively.

[0041] Alternatively, the fastener may be a bolt, a bracket, or other mechanic fasteners that firmly attach one of the indicated components to another component. According to a further embodiment, the electric energy source is adhered to the thermal insulating component, and the thermal insulating component is adhered to the housing.

[0042] For example, an adhesive may be used to adhere the electric energy source to the thermal insulating component and the thermal insulating component to the housing.

[0043] According to a further embodiment, the electric energy source, the thermal insulating component, and the housing are cast together.

[0044] Casting the electric energy source, the thermal insulating component, and the housing together closes the interior space of the housing and protects the electric consumer therein from environmental impacts.

[0045] According to a further embodiment, the system is a telematic system.

[0046] A telematic system is an autarkic system that can be mounted to a device like a vehicle (aircraft, ship, boat, land vehicle, to name a few) and which is able to provide information about the state of the device, in particular relating to a position of the vehicle. For this purpose, the data processing device is at least capable of determining its own position by using GNSS-Signals and transmit the determined position (and optionally other data captured by sensors arranged in the system) to a remote unit via a mobile communications network.

[0047] Such a telematic system can be used for monitoring the position and / or route of a vehicle for different purposes: tracking a vehicle, calculating road-toll fees, etc.

[0048] Due to the thermal insulation provided by the thermal insulating component, the system may be arranged such that solar radiation impinges the surface of the solar panel at any angle and the solar panel is operated at high efficiency. Brief description of the drawings

[0049] The subject matter will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the following drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements, and wherein:

[0050] Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a system in accordance with an embodiment;

[0051] Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of a top-view onto the housing of a system in accordance with an embodiment;

[0052] Fig. 3 is a schematic representation of a sectional view of the housing of a system in accordance with an embodiment;

[0053] Fig. 4 is another schematic representation of a system in accordance with an embodiment;

[0054] Fig. 5 is a schematic representation of a thermal insulating component of a system in accordance with an embodiment.

[0055] Detailed description of the drawings

[0056] The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the invention and uses of the invention. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any theory presented in the preceding background or the following detailed description.

[0057] The representations and illustrations in the drawings are schematic and not to scale. Like numerals denote like elements. A greater understanding of the described subject matter may be obtained through a review of the illustrations together with a review of the detailed description that follows.

[0058] Fig. 1 shows a system 10 in an exploded view. The system 10 comprises a housing 100, a thermal insulating component 200, and an electric energy source 300. The housing 100 has an open side 102 (top surface) and an interior space 105 which is surrounded by lateral outer walls 103, 104, 106, 107 (see Fig. 2). An electric consumer 110 is located in the interior space 105.

[0059] The housing 100, in particular the open side 102, is covered by the thermal insulating component 200. The thermal insulating component 200 has an upper surface 203 which is covered by an opaque layer 202 or made of opaque material to prevent light (visible light, UV light, IR light) from entering the interior space 105 and heating the electric consumer 110.

[0060] The electric energy source 300 is mounted atop of the thermal insulating component 200. For example, the electric energy source 300 is mounted to the upper surface 203 of the thermal insulating component 200.

[0061] Fig. 2 shows a top view onto the open side 102 of the housing 100. A first lateral outer wall 103, a second lateral outer wall 104, a third lateral outer wall 106, and a fourth lateral outer wall 107 surround the interior space 105. The electric consumer 110 is arranged in the interior space 105. The electric consumer 110 comprises a data processing device 114 (like a processor and other electronics, a mobile communication interface, a GNSS device, etc.) and a battery 112 which provides electric energy to the data processing device 114.

[0062] The battery 112 is charged with electric energy provided by the electric energy source 300. Fig. 3 shows a sectional view of the system along the line A-A’ of Fig. 2, wherein the system is in the assembled state. The thermal insulating component 200 covers the open side 102 and closes the interior space 105 of the housing 100, so that the electric consumer 110 is protected from environmental impacts. Furthermore, the electric energy source 300 is mounted atop the thermal insulating component 200.

[0063] Fig. 4 shows an exploded view of the system. Each of the thermal insulating component 200 and the electric energy source 300 comprises multiple through holes 209, 309, respectively. The housing 100 comprises multiple holes 109, for example in the upper edges of the lateral outer walls 103, 104, 106, 107, respectively.

[0064] The through holes 209, 309 are used for assembling the electric energy source 300 and the thermal insulating component 200 to the housing 100 by a respective fastener 400 (for example, a screw).

[0065] In the assembled state, the respective holes 109, 209, 309 are congruent so that for each set of congruent holes 109, 209, 309, a fastener 400 is used for fastening.

[0066] While Fig. 4 suggests using a mechanical fastener, the housing 100, thermal insulating component 200, and electric energy source 300 may also be cast together, adhered to one another by an adhesive, or be otherwise assembled.

[0067] An electric connection 305 is provided and interconnects the electric energy source 300 and the electric consumer 110 within the interior space 105. This electric connection 305 provides electric current from the electric energy source 300 (e.g., a solar panel) to the battery of the electric consumer 110 to charge the battery. Fig. 5 shows a schematic view of a thermal insulating component 300. The thermal insulating component 300 may be a vacuum layer with a hollow space 220, wherein the hollow space 220 is a vacuum cavity to provide good thermal insulation by preventing transmission of thermal energy by conduction and / or convection.

[0068] The hollow space 220 is hermetically sealed within the thermal insulating component 200, which prevents air from entering the hollow space 220 to maintain the vacuum.

[0069] For example, the thermal insulating component is a vacuum layer or a cuboid, wherein opposite top and bottom layers of the thermal insulating component are spaced apart by the hollow space 220.

[0070] While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing detailed description, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing an exemplary embodiment of the invention. It will be understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements described in an exemplary embodiment without departing from the scope of the claims.

[0071] Additionally, it is noted that "comprising" or "including" does not exclude any other elements or steps and "a" or "an" does not exclude a multitude or plurality. It is further noted that features or steps which are described with reference to one of the above exemplary embodiments may also be used in combination with other features or steps of other exemplary embodiments described above. Reference signs in the claims are not to be construed as a limitation. List of reference signs

[0072] 10 system

[0073] 100 housing

[0074] 102 open side

[0075] 103 first lateral outer wall

[0076] 104 second lateral outer wall

[0077] 105 interior space

[0078] 106 third lateral outer wall

[0079] 107 fourth lateral outer wall

[0080] 109 hole

[0081] 110 electric consumer

[0082] 112 battery

[0083] 114 data processing device

[0084] 200 thermal insulating component

[0085] 202 opaque layer

[0086] 203 upper surface

[0087] 209 through hole

[0088] 220 hollow space

[0089] 300 electric energy source

[0090] 305 electric connection

[0091] 309 through hole

[0092] 400 fastener

Claims

Claims1. A system (10), comprising: a housing (100) with an interior space (105); an electric consumer (110) arranged in the interior space (105); a thermal insulating component (200); and an electric energy source (300); wherein the housing (100) has an open side (102); wherein the thermal insulating component (200) is arranged at the housing to cover the open side (102); wherein the electric energy source (300) is arranged atop of the thermal insulating component (200).

2. The system (10) of claim 1 , wherein the thermal insulating component (200) is arranged between the electric energy source (300) and the housing (100).

3. The system (10) of claim 2, wherein the electric energy source (300) is spaced apart from the housing (100) by the thermal insulating component (200).

4. The system (10) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the thermal insulating component (200) comprises an opaque material.

5. The system (10) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the thermal insulating component (200) comprises glass, plastic, or a combination of glass and plastic.

6. The system (10) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the thermal insulating component (200) comprises a hermetically closed hollow space (220).

7. The system (10) of claim 6, wherein the hollow space (220) is a vacuum cavity.

8. The system (10) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electric energy source (300) is a solar panel.

9. The system (10) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electric energy source (300) is attached to an upper surface(203) of the thermal insulating component (200).

10. The system (10) of claim 9, wherein the electric energy source (300) extends along an entirety of the upper surface (203) of the thermal insulating component (200).11 . The system (10) of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising: an electric connection (305), interconnecting the electric energy source(300) and the electric consumer (110).

12. The system (10) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the thermal insulating component (200) and the electric energy source (300) are attached to the housing (100) in a manner to completely cover the open side (102).

13. The system (10) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the thermal insulating component (200) and the electric energy source (300) are attached to the housing (100) by at least one fastener (400).

14. The system (10) of claim 13, wherein the fastener (400) is a screw which extends through a through hole (109, 209) of the thermal insulating component (200) and the electric energy source (300), respectively.

15. The system (10) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electric energy source (300) is adhered to the thermal insulating component (200), and the thermal insulating component (200) is adhered to the housing (100).

16. The system (10) of any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the electric energy source (300), the thermal insulating component (200), and the housing (100) are cast together.

17. The system (10) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the system (10) is a telematic system.

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