Housing part for a control device housing with flat contacting locations on cooling fins, housing for a control device, control device and method for producing a housing part

Abstract

The invention relates to a housing part (18) for a housing of a control device. The housing part (18) formed of a metal alloy comprises a plurality of cooling fins (20), which protrude from a base area (23) of the housing part (18). A clearance is formed between cooling fins (20) adjacent to each other, into which a cooling airflow can be introduced. On at least one of the cooling fins (20), at least one contacting location is formed, to which an ejection element can be applied to at least support detachment of the housing part (18) from a mold part of a casting tool. The at least one contacting location is formed as a flat partial area (38) of an apex (40) of the cooling fin (20). A width (44) of the flat partial area (38) is substantially equal to a thickness of the cooling fin (20), which the cooling fin (20) has at least in an end area of the cooling fin (20) close to the apex (40). Furthermore, the invention relates to a housing for a control device, to a control device and to a method for producing the housing part (18).

Description

[0001] Housing part for a control device housing with flat contacting locations on cooling fins, housing for a control device, control device and method for producing a housing part

[0002] The invention relates to a housing part for a housing of a control device, wherein the housing part comprises a plurality of cooling fins. The cooling fins protrude from a base area of the housing part, wherein a clearance is formed between cooling fins adjacent to each other, into which a cooling airflow can be introduced. The housing part is formed of a metal alloy, and at least one contacting location is formed on at least one of the cooling fins. An ejection element can be applied to the contacting location to at least support a detachment of the housing part from a mold part of a casting tool configured for producing the housing part. Furthermore, the invention relates to a housing for a control device, wherein the housing comprises such a housing part, to a control device for a vehicle and to a method for producing a housing part.

[0003] It has proven beneficial to produce housing parts for housings of control devices, as they can be employed in particular in motor vehicles, in a casting method. Herein, a melt of a metal alloy is introduced into a mold cavity of a casting tool. After cooling and solidifying the melt, the casting tool is opened to be able to remove the housing part from the mold cavity.

[0004] Such a casting method for producing cast components is in particular advantageous for mass production since complex designs can also be comparatively simply and inexpensively realized. In addition, relatively short production times can be achieved. And less material arises as waste than in manufacturing methods, in which the component to be produced, in particular housing part, is manufactured by ablating or separating chips from a massive block. In addition, such a cutting manufacturing method such as for instance milling is comparatively expensive.

[0005] In the casting method for producing the housing part formed of the metal alloy, however, it can prove difficult to demold the housing part, thus to remove it from the mold cavity of the casting tool. In particular since the housing part comprises a plurality of cooling fins adjacent to each other, a comparatively large force has to be applied to detach the housing part from the mold part, which partly delimits the mold cavity, after solidification of the metal alloy. Therefore, design considerations with regard to a configuration of the housing part can already be made in designing the mold cavity, which facilitates removal or withdrawal of the housing part from the opened casting tool.

[0006] A possibility of facilitating the removal of a housing part comprising cooling fins from a casting tool is to be explained with respect to Fig. 1 .

[0007] The housing part 10 shown in Fig. 1 , which can be used for producing a housing for a control device, comprises a plurality of cooling fins 12, which are arranged adjacent to each other. Clearances are formed between the cooling fins 12, only some of which are provided with a reference character in Fig. 1 for reasons of clarity. A cooling airflow can enter the clearances to dissipate heat released in the operation of the control device via the housing part 10.

[0008] In the area of some of the cooling fins 12, contacting locations 14 are provided, which are formed as upper ends of column elements 16. Of the column elements 16 with the top side contacting locations 14 too, only some are provided with a reference character in Fig. 1 for reasons of clarity. In the manufacture of the housing part 10, ejection elements in the form of round rods can apply to the contacting locations 14. The ejection elements or rods can be passed through corresponding openings in the mold part, which partly delimits the mold cavity for the housing part 10. This mold part comprises the negative form for providing the cooling fins 12 of the housing part 10.

[0009] If a force is applied to the ejection elements or rods, thus, this facilitates detachment of the housing part 10 from the mold part of the casting tool. This is because the rods applied to the contacting locations 14 push the housing part 10 away from the mold part. Herein, it can be ensured that the rods press against the contacting locations 14 such that a damage of the housing part 10 does not occur in detaching the housing part 10 from the mold part of the casting tool.

[0010] The column elements 16 round in cross-section according to Fig. 1 have a width perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the respective cooling fin 12, which is considerably larger than the width of the respective cooling fin 12 perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the cooling fin 12 in areas of the cooling fin 12 adjoining to the column elements 16. The width of the column elements 16 larger with respect to this width of the cooling fin 12 is associated with multiple disadvantages. On the one hand, the weight of the housing part 10 is increased with respect to an otherwise similar housing part, thus a housing part, which comprises the cooling fins 12 without the column elements 16.

[0011] Furthermore, the column elements 16 cause that a cooling airflow can less easily enter or flow through the clearance, into which a part of the respective column element 16 protrudes, than it would be the case without providing the column elements 16. A cooling efficiency of the cooling fins 12, in which the column elements 16 can impair the cooling airflow, is thus unfavorable. In addition, the cooling fins 12, in which the column elements 16 are integrated, result in an aesthetically little appealing appearance of the housing part 10.

[0012] Moreover, providing the comparatively massive column elements 16 is unfavorable with regard to a long lifetime of the casting tool. Of the casting tool, one of the mold parts is formed as a negative form for providing the cooling fins 12 with the column elements 16. The comparatively massive column elements 16 cause a high heat input into this mold part in cooling the melt of the metal alloy. This increased input of heat into the mold part reduces the lifetime and thus the usability of the mold part and of the casting tool, respectively. This is also disadvantageous.

[0013] It is an object of the present invention to specify a housing part of the initially mentioned kind, which, with easy detachability from the mold part of the casting tool, has further beneficial characteristics, as well as a housing with the housing part, a control device with the housing and a corresponding method for producing the housing part.

[0014] This object is solved by a housing part with the features of claim 1 , a housing with the features of claim 9, a control device with the features of claim 10 and a method with the features of claim 11 . Advantageous configurations with convenient developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims and in the following description.

[0015] The housing part according to the invention is provided for a housing of a control device. Herein, the housing part comprises a plurality of cooling fins, which protrude from a base area of the housing part. A respective clearance is formed between cooling fins adjacent to each other, into which a cooling airflow can be introduced. The housing part is formed of a metal alloy, and at least one contacting location is formed on at least one of the cooling fins. An ejection element can be applied to the at least one contacting location to at least support a detachment of the housing part from a mold part of a casting tool, wherein the casting tool is configured for producing the housing part. The at least one contacting location is formed as a flat partial area of an apex of the at least one cooling fin. Herein, a width of the flat partial area extending perpendicularly to a longitudinal direction of the cooling fin is substantially equal to a thickness of the cooling fin, wherein the cooling fin has the thickness at least in an end area of the cooling fin close to the apex.

[0016] In the area of the at least one contacting location, which is formed as a flat partial area of the apex of the cooling fin, thus, the width of the cooling fin is not or at most extremely slightly increased. Presently, the width of the flat partial area is in particular to be regarded substantially equal to the thickness of the cooling fin if the width of the flat partial area exceeds the thickness of the cooling fin in the end area of the cooling fin adjoining to the apex by less than 10 percent, preferably exceeds it by less than 5 percent. In particular, the width of the flat partial area can be equal to the thickness of the cooling fin, which the cooling fin has at least in the end area of the cooling fin, which is close to the apex.

[0017] By such a comparatively narrow contacting location, a particularly low weight of the housing part is realizable in particular in contrast to the provision of the contacting locations by the column elements, which have been explained with reference to Fig. 1 . In addition, no wide column elements explained with reference to Fig. 1 impede the introduction or passage of the cooling airflow through the clearances, which are formed between the cooling fins adjacent to each other. This better accessibility of the clearances for the cooling airflow is associated with an increased cooling efficiency of the cooling fins. In particular in the form of the low weight and the increased cooling efficiency, the housing part has beneficial characteristics.

[0018] However, by providing the at least one contacting location formed as a flat partial area of the apex of the cooling fin, an easy detachability of the housing part from the mold part of the casting tool exists. This is because in particular on flat partial areas of multiple cooling fins, the ejection elements can apply in producing the housing part in the casting tool. And by applying a force to the contacting locations by means of the ejection elements, the detachment of the housing part from the mold part of the casting tool can at least be supported after solidification of the metal alloy and after opening the casting tool.

[0019] Due to the provision of the cooling fins of the housing part adjacent to each other, it can additionally be very simply achieved that in a casting tool, which comprises two mold parts, the housing part adheres to that mold part after solidification of the metal alloy, in which the negative form for the cooling fins is formed. From this mold part, by applying the force to the ejection elements, which abut on the contacting locations, the detachment of the housing part from the mold part can at least be supported. Thus, a particularly well controllable demolding and removing of the housing part from the mold cavity of the opened casting tool can be realized.

[0020] Due to the flat or plane formation of the partial area of the apex formed as a contacting location, it can additionally be particularly reliably ensured that the ejection element does not slip off the housing part while the detachment of the housing part from the mold part of the casting tool is at least supported or effected by means of the ejection element. This in particular applies if the flat partial area is formed perpendicularly to a demolding direction, in which the housing part is detached from the mold part. Upon demolding the housing part, the detachment from the mold part can be supported by means of the at least one ejection element.

[0021] The at least one contacting location formed as a flat partial area of the apex is narrower than it is the case for the contacting locations shown in Fig. 1 and formed by the upper ends of the column elements. Thus, a narrower ejection element can be used to utilize the ejection element for detaching the housing part from the mold part of the casting tool. Due to the provision of the narrow flat partial area, however, a lower contact surface with the mold part is present compared to the contacting locations of the column elements. Accordingly, less force is required to remove the housing part from the mold cavity of the casting tool. This in turn is associated with the fact that a lower force is advantageously sufficient to at least support the detachment of the housing part from the mold part of the casting tool by means of the ejection elements.

[0022] Furthermore, the casting tool is employable over a particularly long lifetime. Since the housing part comprises the narrow contacting locations in the form of the flat partial areas instead of the column elements, a lower heat input into the mold part of the casting tool occurs, which comprises the negative form for producing the cooling fins. This is also advantageous.

[0023] In particular, the housing part can comprise a plurality of contacting locations, which are formed as flat partial areas of the respective apex of a plurality of cooling fins. Herein, the width of the flat partial areas is substantially equal to the thickness of the respective cooling fin, which the cooling fin has at least in the end area of the cooling fin, which is close to the apex. By a suitable, in particular regular, distribution of the contacting locations over the housing part, it can be particularly simply ensured that neither the housing part nor the ejection elements break or are deformed or otherwise damaged when the ejection elements effect or at least support the detachment of the housing part from the mold part of the casting tool. By the corresponding distribution of the contacting locations, it can in particular be ensured that warpage or distortion of the housing part due to the detachment of the housing part from the mold part of the casting tool does not occur.

[0024] In sections of the apex of the cooling fin different from the at least one contacting location, the cooling fin preferably has a convexly curved contour. This facilitates demolding the housing part, thus detaching and removing the housing part from the mold part of the casting tool.

[0025] Preferably, at least one section of the apex, which adjoins to the flat partial area in longitudinal direction of the cooling fin, protrudes beyond the flat partial area in vertical direction of the cooling fin. In other words, the flat partial area can in particular be formed in the manner of a slight, flat depression of the apex. This is more advantageous with regard to the low weight of the housing part than a configuration, in which the flat partial area is formed flush with a tip of the apex far from the base area. Furthermore, such a recess of the flat partial area related to the at least one section of the apex can be particularly simply provided in producing the mold part of the casting tool.

[0026] Preferably, the at least one section of the apex protruding beyond the flat partial area in vertical direction of the cooling fin comprises at least one demolding chamfer. This is conducive to the simple detachment of the housing part from the mold part of the casting tool in the course of the production of the housing part. In particular, the at least one section of the apex protruding beyond the flat partial area in vertical direction of the cooling fin can comprise two demolding chamfers sloping towards respective sidewalls of the cooling fin. Such a configuration sloping on both sides of the section of the apex protruding beyond the flat partial area is particularly beneficial for simply demolding the housing part in the production thereof in the casting tool.

[0027] Preferably, a length of the flat partial area measured in the longitudinal direction of the cooling fin is larger than the width of the flat partial area of the cooling fin. Thus, despite of the comparatively narrow formation of the flat partial area, which substantially corresponds to the thickness of the cooling fin in the end area, which is close to the apex, a comparatively large-area contacting location for the ejection element can be provided. This is advantageous. Because a particularly robust ejection element can be used thereby to at least support or effect the detachment of the housing part from the mold part in producing the housing part. In addition, providing a comparatively large contacting location for the ejection element is advantageous to avoid a strongly punctiform stress of the housing part in applying the force to the ejection elements.

[0028] Preferably, the cooling fin has a thickness increasing towards the base area of the housing part. Such a configuration of the cooling fin wedge-shaped in cross-section is conducive to the high stability of the cooling fin on the one hand. In addition, such a configuration of the cooling fin is conducive to simply demolding the housing part in producing the same in the casting tool.

[0029] It has proven further advantageous if the housing part is formed of an aluminum alloy. Thus, a good heat dissipation via the housing part can be achieved on the one hand. On the other hand, the use of the aluminum alloy as a metal alloy for producing the housing part is advantageous with regard to the low weight of the housing part.

[0030] Preferably, side flanks, which are oriented substantially parallel to each other, adjoin to the flat partial area towards the base area of the housing part in vertical direction of the cooling fin. Providing such side flanks is particularly advantageous to ensure already in the production of the mold part that the flat partial area can be process-reliably provided in later manufacture of the housing part. Preferably, a height of the respective side flank is many times lower than a height of the cooling fin measured in the vertical direction of the cooling fin. In other words, the side flanks only reach a little bit from the apex of the cooling fin towards the base area. This is conducive to simply demolding the housing part in producing the same by means of the casting tool.

[0031] Preferably, a distance from one of the side flanks to an adjacent cooling fin of the housing part is more than 5 mm. Thereby, a comparatively wide clearance is provided between the cooling fins adjacent to each other, into which the cooling airflow can be well introduced or which can be well passed by the cooling airflow. This is advantageous with regard to an efficient dissipation of heat in the operation of the control device, the housing of which comprises the housing part.

[0032] In particular, the distance from the side flank to the adjacent cooling fin of the housing part can be about 5.5 mm. This is conducive to a high cooling efficiency in dissipating heat from the cooling fins by means of the cooling airflow.

[0033] In at least one section, which adjoins to one of the side flanks in longitudinal direction of the cooling fin, the cooling fin can be formed narrower than in the flat partial area, which is delimited by the side flanks perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the cooling fin. Herein, a protrusion of the respective side flank beyond the at least one section is less than one tenth of the width of the flat partial area. Such a very slight protrusion of the side flanks beyond the adjoining at least one section makes it particularly simple to also form the flat partial area in the production of the mold part, by which the negative form for the cooling fins is to be provided.

[0034] Preferably, the protrusion of the respective side flank beyond the at least one section is about 0.1 mm. Such an extremely slight protrusion of the side flanks beyond the at least one section can be advantageous to well and securely localize the flat partial area in the mold part, which is used for providing the flat partial area. However, despite of the provision of such a slight protrusion, the width of the flat partial area is substantially equal to the thickness of the cooling fin. This is in turn advantageous with regard to the low weight and the high cooling efficiency of the housing part. If there is no protrusion at all beyond the at least one section in the area of the side flanks, which adjoins to one of the side flanks in longitudinal direction of the cooling fin, thus, the distance of the side flanks from each other exactly corresponds to the thickness of the cooling fin at least in the end area, which is close to the apex of the cooling fin. Such a configuration of the housing part too is advantageous.

[0035] Preferably, at least one of the cooling fins comprises a plurality of contacting locations, which are formed as flat partial areas of the apex. Herein, the flat partial areas are farther spaced from each other than from respective ends of the cooling fin. The ends of the cooling fin are opposing each other in longitudinal direction of the cooling fin. By such an arrangement of the contacting locations on the at least one cooling fin, a very uniform strain on the housing part in applying the force to the contacting locations by means of the ejection elements can be achieved. This is in particular advantageous to avoid damages or a deformation of the housing part in detaching the same from the mold part of the casting tool using the ejection elements.

[0036] The housing according to the invention for a control device comprises the housing part according to the invention. Herein, the housing comprises a bottom part, which is fixed to the housing part. By the housing part and the bottom part, a receiving space of the housing is delimited, wherein at least one circuit board of the control device can be arranged in the receiving space. Thus, a particularly simple construction of the housing is provided. In particular, the bottom part can be formed as a substantially flat sheet component or metal sheet. This is because the heat dissipation in the operation of the control device can be advantageously ensured by the cooling fins of the housing part.

[0037] The control device according to the invention, which is in particular provided for use in a vehicle such as for instance an automobile, comprises the housing according to the invention. Herein, at least one circuit board of the control device is arranged in the receiving space of the housing. In the operation of the control device, the heat released by electronic components of the circuit board can be particularly well dissipated to the environment via the cooling fins. This is advantageous.

[0038] Preferably, the control device is configured for processing sensor data capable of being captured by means of at least one sensor device of the vehicle. The at least one sensor device can be configured for capturing an environment of the vehicle. In such a control device, which is capable of providing a comparatively high computing power, intensive cooling is in particular advantageous as it can be effected by the cooling fins of the housing part. For example, the control device can be configured for processing images captured by means of at least one camera of the vehicle. Additionally or alternatively, the at least one sensor device can comprise at least one radar device and / or at least one lidar device and / or at least one ultrasonic sensor or be formed by at least one such device.

[0039] In the method according to the invention for producing the housing part according to the invention, a metal alloy is introduced into a mold cavity of a casting tool. After solidification of the metal alloy, the casting tool is opened. An ejection element is applied to the at least one contacting location of the at least one cooling fin of the housing part, and detachment of the housing part from the mold part of the casting tool is at least supported by moving the at least one ejection element into the mold cavity. By this method, the housing part can be provided, which has the easy detachability from the mold part of the casting tool as well as further beneficial characteristics, in particular with regard to a low weight and a low material input as well as good flowability of the clearances between the cooling fins adjacent to each other for the cooling airflow.

[0040] The advantages and preferred embodiments described for the housing part according to the invention also apply to the housing with the housing part, to the control device with the housing as well as to the method according to the invention and vice versa.

[0041] The features and feature combinations mentioned above in the description as well as the features and feature combinations mentioned below in the description of figures and / or shown in the figures alone are usable not only in the respectively specified combination, but also in other combinations without departing from the scope of the invention. Thus, implementations are also to be considered as encompassed and disclosed by the invention, which are not explicitly shown in the figures and explained, but arise from and can be generated by separated feature combinations from the explained implementations. Implementations and feature combinations are also to be considered as disclosed, which thus do not comprise all of the features of an originally formulated independent claim. Moreover, implementations and feature combinations are to be considered as disclosed, in particular by the implementations set out above, which extend beyond or deviate from the feature combinations set out in the relations of the claims. Further features of the invention are apparent from the claims, the figures and the description of figures. Therein show:

[0042] Fig. 1 a housing part for a housing of a control device, in which contacting locations for ejection elements are provided by ends of column elements, which are integrated in cooling fins of the housing part;

[0043] Fig. 2 an improved housing part for a housing of a control device, in which contacting locations for ejection elements are formed by flat partial areas of an apex of some of the cooling fins, wherein a width of the flat partial areas is substantially equal to a thickness of the respective cooling fin;

[0044] Fig. 3 in an enlarged detailed view and in sections, three cooling fins adjacent to each other with respective flat partial areas, which are formed as contacting locations for the ejection elements;

[0045] Fig. 4 a sectional view along a line IV-IV in Fig. 3 and thus in longitudinal direction of one of the cooling fins;

[0046] Fig. 5 a sectional view along a line V-V in Fig. 3;

[0047] Fig. 6 a side view to three of the cooling fins adjacent to each other along the longitudinal direction of the cooling fins;

[0048] Fig. 7 a top view to one of the presently rectangular, flat partial areas, which is formed at the apex of some of the cooling fins;

[0049] Fig. 8 schematically a bottom part, which is connectable to the housing part shown in Fig. 2, to provide the housing for the control device, as well as schematically and in perspective, a circuit board, which can be arranged in a receiving space of the housing delimited by the bottom part and the housing part according to Fig. 2; and

[0050] Fig. 9 schematically a casting tool with ejection elements formed as rods with a rectangular cross-section, by means of which the detachment of the housing part shown in Fig. 2 from one of the mold parts of the casting tool can at least be supported.

[0051] In the figures, identical or functionally identical elements are provided with identical reference characters.

[0052] With regard to the facts explained with reference to Fig. 1 , reference is made to the introducing part of the present description.

[0053] A housing part 18 shown in Fig. 2 for a housing of a control device, which can in particular be employed in a vehicle such as for instance a motor vehicle, comprises a plurality of cooling fins 20 parallel to each other, only some of which are provided with a reference character in Fig. 2 for reasons of clarity. The cooling fins 20 protrude from a base area 23 of the housing part 18, and a respective clearance 22 is formed between cooling fins 20 adjacent to each other (compare Fig. 6). A cooling airflow can be introduced into this clearance 22, to dissipate heat from electronic components, which can be arranged on at least one circuit board 24 (compare Fig. 8) of the control device, in the operation of the control device, the housing of which comprises the housing part 18.

[0054] Presently, the housing part 18 is formed of a metal alloy, for example of an aluminum alloy. In order to provide the housing part 18 formed as a cast component, a melt of the metal alloy, in particular a melt of the aluminum alloy, is accordingly introduced into a mold cavity 26 of a casting tool 28. In Fig. 9, the casting tool 28 is shown severely schematized. A first mold part 30 and a second mold part 32 of the casting tool 28 are illustrated in Fig. 9 in simplified manner for exemplification. When the two mold parts 30, 32 are brought into abutment on each other, the mold cavity 26 is delimited by the mold parts 30, 32.

[0055] In particular because the housing part 18 to be manufactured comprises the many cooling fins 20, the housing part 18 comprises a comparatively large abutment surface, in which the housing part 18 is in abutment on the mold part 30, in which the negative forms for the cooling fins 20 are formed. The (comparatively complex) negative form for forming the cooling fins 20 is not shown in more detail in the schematic representation of the casting tool 28 in Fig. 9. In order to accomplish an easy detachment of the housing part 18 from the mold part 30 despite of the many cooling fins 20 of the housing part 18, ejection elements 34 for instance in the form of ejection rods are used in the casting tool 28 shown in Fig. 9. These ejection elements 34 are passed through openings, which are formed in the first mold part 30 according to Fig. 9.

[0056] After solidification of the metal alloy, in particular the aluminum alloy, in the mold cavity 26 of the casting tool 28, the casting tool 28 can be opened, for instance by removing the second mold part 32 from the first mold part 30. Ends 36 of the ejection elements 34 facing the mold cavity 26 abut on contacting locations of the housing part 18. Herein, the contacting locations are formed on some of the cooling fins 20 of the housing part 18. When the ejection elements 34 are then moved into the mold cavity 26, thus, the detachment of the housing part 18 from the first mold part 30 of the casting tool 28 is at least supported or even effected.

[0057] It is apparent from Fig. 2 that the contacting locations formed on multiple cooling fins 20 of the housing part 18 are formed as flat partial areas 38 of an apex 40 of the cooling fin 20. In Fig. 2, a longitudinal direction 42 of the cooling fins 20 is illustrated by an arrow. This longitudinal direction 42 is also indicated in the enlarged detailed representation in Fig. 3 and in the sectional view in Fig. 4.

[0058] In particular from a synopsis of Fig. 2 with Fig. 3, it is apparent that a width 44 of the flat partial area 38 is substantially equal to a thickness 46 of the cooling fin 20 (compare Fig. 5). Herein, the cooling fin 20 has the thickness 46 at least in an end area of the cooling fin 20, which is close to the apex 40 of the cooling fin 20 (compare Fig. 5). The end area of the cooling fin 20 is in particular closer to the apex 40 of the cooling fin 20 than to the base area 23 of the housing part 18.

[0059] In the area of the contacting locations for the ejection elements 34, thus in the flat partial areas 38 of the apex 40, thus, the respective cooling fin 20 is not widened as is the case in the housing part 10 shown in Fig. 1 in the area of the column elements 16 with the contacting locations 14. Thereby, the clearance 22 between the cooling fins 20 adjacent to each other (compare Fig. 6) can be particularly well passed by cooling air in an unimpeded manner.

[0060] In addition, the housing part 18 shown in Fig. 2 can be produced with lower material input since material for the wide column elements 16 does not have to be provided in the housing part 18 shown in Fig. 2. This is advantageous for a low weight of the housing part 18.

[0061] It is apparent from Fig. 4 that sections 48 of the apex 40, which adjoin to the flat partial area 38 in longitudinal direction 42 of the cooling fin 20, protrude beyond the flat partial area 38 in vertical direction 50 of the cooling fin 20. In other words, the flat partial area 38 is situated slightly deeper viewed in the vertical direction 50 than the sections 48 of the apex 40 adjoining to the flat partial area 38 in longitudinal direction 42 of the cooling fin 20. In relation to the adjoining sections 48, the flat partial area 38 can be recessed by less than 1 mm. For example, a depth or an offset of the flat partial area 38 downwards in relation to the adjoining sections 48 opposite to the vertical direction 50 can be in the range of about 0.2 mm.

[0062] A preferred contour of the apex 40 in these sections 48, which adjoin to the flat partial area 38 in the longitudinal direction 42, is shown in Fig. 5. Accordingly, the sections 48 of the apex 40 shown in Fig. 4 can comprise demolding chamfers 52, which slope towards sidewalls 54 of the cooling fin 20.

[0063] The demolding chamfers 52 are also indicated in the top view to the flat partial area 38 in Fig. 7. In particular from a synopsis of Fig. 3 with Fig. 7, it is well apparent that a length 56 of the flat partial area 38 measured in the longitudinal direction 42 is larger than the width 44 of the flat partial area 38. Thus, despite of the low width 44 of the contacting locations, a large contact surface for the ends 36 of the ejection elements 34 is provided. For example, the width 44 of the flat partial area 38 can be about 2 mm. Additionally or alternatively, the length 56 of the flat partial area 38 can be about 6 mm. The ejection elements 34 can be formed as rods rectangular in cross-section in accordance with the configuration of the flat or plane partial areas 38 shown in Fig. 2.

[0064] In particular, it is apparent from Fig. 3 that side flanks 58, which are oriented parallel to each other, can adjoin to the flat partial area 38 towards the base area 23 of the housing part 18 in vertical direction 50 of the cooling fin 20. Herein, the height of the side flanks 58 is many times lower than the height of the cooling fin 20. It is further apparent from Fig. 3 that the cooling fin 20 can be formed narrower in sections, which adjoin to the side flanks 58 in longitudinal direction 42, than in the flat partial area 38. If such a protrusion of the respective side flank 58 beyond these sections is present at all, the protrusion is extremely low. For example, the protrusion of the respective side flank 58 beyond these sections of the cooling fin 20 can be about 0.1 mm in the direction of the width 44 of the partial area 38. Similarly, it is possible that the side flanks 58 are formed flush with the sections of the cooling fin 20 adjoining to the side flanks 58 in the longitudinal direction 42, in the direction of the width 44 of the partial area 38 or in other words in the direction of the thickness 46 of the cooling fin 20 (compare Fig. 5).

[0065] It is apparent in particular from Fig. 6 that a correspondingly large width of the clearance 22 between the cooling fins 20 adjacent to each other is provided by the narrow formation of the flat partial areas 38. A distance 60 from one of the side flanks 58 to an adjacent cooling fin 20 is preferably more than 5 mm and can for example be in the range of about 5.5 mm.

[0066] According to Fig. 2, some of the cooling fins 20 can comprise multiple contacting locations in the form of the flat partial areas 38. For example, it can be provided in the cooling fins 20 of the housing part 18 at the edge in Fig. 2 that the respective cooling fin 20 comprises two contacting locations in the form of the flat partial areas 38. Herein, the flat partial areas 38 are farther spaced from each other than from respective ends 62, 64 of the cooling fin 20. Herein, the ends 62, 64 of the cooling fin 20 are opposing each other in longitudinal direction 42 of the cooling fin 20.

[0067] In addition, it is apparent from Fig. 2 that the contacting locations in the form of the flat partial areas 38 are preferably evenly distributed over the length and width of the housing part 18 such that upon pushing the ejection elements 34 out, thus in moving the ejection elements 34 into the mold cavity 26 (compare Fig. 9), a very uniform detachment of the housing part 18 from the first mold part 30 can be effected.

[0068] For example, less contacting locations for the ejection elements 34 can be provided in the housing part 18 where substantially flat surfaces 66 of the housing part 18 are present anyway. Namely, these flat surfaces 66 exemplarily shown in Fig. 2 or parts of these flat surfaces 66 can also be used as contacting locations for further ejection elements 34.

[0069] In the configuration of the housing part 18 exemplarily shown in Fig. 2, the flat surfaces 66 are formed as bounding walls of cuboidal receptacles far from the base area 23. Plug connectors (not shown) can be introduced into such receptacles, for instance to provide a data connection and / or an electrical current connection for the circuit board 24 (compare Fig. 8) of the control device. According to Fig. 2, the housing part 18 can comprise fixing flaps 68 or the like elements, which can be used for fixing the housing of the control device to a motor vehicle component or for the purpose of installation of the control device in the motor vehicle.

[0070] In Fig. 8, a bottom part 70 for the housing of the control device is shown severely schematized. The bottom part 70 can be formed as a sheet component, in particular formed of an aluminum alloy, wherein the sheet component can be fixed to the housing part 18 shown in Fig. 2. Then, a receiving space of the housing is delimited by the housing part 18 and the bottom part 70. The at least one circuit board 24 of the control device is preferably arranged in this receiving space of the housing.

Claims

Claims1 . A housing part (18) for a housing of a control device, wherein the housing part (18) comprises a plurality of cooling fins (20), which protrude from a base area (23) of the housing part (18), wherein a clearance (22) is formed between cooling fins (20) adjacent to each other, into which a cooling airflow can be introduced, wherein the housing part (18) is formed of a metal alloy, and wherein at least one contacting location is formed on at least one of the cooling fins (20), to which an ejection element (34) can be applied to at least support a detachment of the housing part (18) from a mold part (30) of a casting tool (28) configured for producing the housing part (18), characterized in that the at least one contacting location is formed as a flat partial area (38) of an apex (40) of the at least one cooling fin (20), wherein a width (44) of the flat partial area (38) extending perpendicularly to a longitudinal direction (42) of the cooling fin (20) is substantially equal to a thickness (46) of the cooling fin (20), which the cooling fin (20) has at least in an end area of the cooling fin (20) close to the apex (40).

2. The housing part (18) according to claim 1 , characterized in that at least one section (48) of the apex (40), which adjoins to the flat partial area (38) in the longitudinal direction (42) of the cooling fin (20) protrudes beyond the flat partial area (38) in vertical direction (50) of the cooling fin (20).

3. The housing part (18) according to claim 2, characterized in that the at least one section (48) of the apex (40) protruding beyond the flat partial area (38) in vertical direction (50) of the cooling fin (20) comprises at least one demolding chamfer (52), in particular comprises two demolding chamfers (52) sloping towards respective sidewalls (54) of the cooling fin (20).

4. The housing part (18) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a length (56) of the flat partial area (38) measured in the longitudinal direction (42) of the cooling fin (20) is larger than the width (44) of the flat partial area (38) of the cooling fin (20), wherein the cooling fin (20) preferably has a thickness (46) increasing towards the base area (23) of the housing part (18).

5. The housing part (18) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that side flanks (58), which are oriented substantially parallel to each other, adjoin to the flat partial area (38) towards the base area (23) of the housing part (18) in particular formed of an aluminum alloy in vertical direction (50) of the cooling fin (20), wherein a height of the respective side flank (58) is preferably many times lower than a height of the cooling fin (20) measured in the vertical direction (50) of the cooling fin (20).

6. The housing part (18) according to claim 5, characterized in that a distance (60) from one of the side flanks (58) to an adjacent cooling fin (20) of the housing part (18) is more than 5 mm, in particular about 5.5 mm.

7. The housing part (18) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the cooling fin (20) is formed narrower in at least one section, which adjoins to one of the side flanks (58) in longitudinal direction (42) of the cooling fin (20), than in the flat partial area (38), which is delimited by the side flanks (58) perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction (42) of the cooling fin (20), wherein a protrusion of the respective side flank (58) beyond the at least one section is less than one tenth of the width (44) of the flat partial area (38), in particular the protrusion of the respective side flank (48) beyond the at least one section is about 0.1 mm.

8. The housing part (18) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the cooling fins (20) comprises a plurality of contacting locations, which are formed as flat partial areas (38) of the apex (40), wherein the flat partialareas (38) are farther spaced from each other than from respective ends (62, 64) of the cooling fin (20), and wherein the ends (62, 64) are opposing each other in longitudinal direction (42) of the cooling fin (20).

9. A housing for a control device, comprising a housing part (18) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing includes a bottom part (70), which is fixed to the housing part (18), and wherein a receiving space of the housing is delimited by the housing part (18) and the bottom part (70), in which at least one circuit board (24) of the control device can be arranged.

10. A control device for a vehicle with a housing according to claim 9, wherein at least one circuit board (24) of the control device is arranged in the receiving space of the housing, and wherein the control device is in particular configured for processing sensor data capable of being captured by means of at least one sensor device of the vehicle.

11. A method for producing a housing part (18) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, in which a metal alloy is introduced into a mold cavity (26) of a casting tool (28), in which after solidification of the metal alloy, the casting tool (28) is opened, wherein an ejection element (34) is applied to the at least one contacting location of the at least one cooling fin (20) of the housing part (18), and in which detachment of the housing part (18) from a mold part (30) of the casting tool is at least supported by moving the at least one ejection element (34) into the mold cavity (26).

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