Heat sink for an electronic control unit, electronic control unit as well as vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a heat sink (1) for an electronic control unit (2), comprising a coolant inlet (3), a coolant outlet (4), a cooling channel (5) and at least three side parts (6, 7, 8) with each one outer surface (6a, 7a), wherein the cooling channel (5) extends through the at least three side parts (6, 7, 8) and fluidically connects the coolant inlet (3) to the coolant outlet (4), wherein the outer surfaces (6a) of the at least three side parts (6, 7, 8) are arranged parallel to a lateral surface of a prism.

Description

[0001] 2023PF03261

[0002] 1

[0003] Heat sink for an electronic control unit, electronic control unit as well as vehicle

[0004] The invention relates to a heat sink for an electronic control unit, to an electronic control unit as well as to a vehicle.

[0005] The automobile sector develops towards the assisted and partially or completely autonomous driving. Thereby, the design and development of new control devices become more complex and more sophisticated. The control devices to be newly developed for motor vehicles are more powerful, which often requires liquid cooling and modularity. Heat sinks for cooling electronic control units are known. Known arrangements for cooling electronic control units in particular require much space and / or result in long signal and / or supply lines.

[0006] It is the object of the invention to provide a heat sink, an electronic control unit and a vehicle, which improve cooling of the electronic control unit and in particular improve a distribution of supply and signal lines in the electronic control unit.

[0007] The object is solved by the subject matters of the independent claims. Advantageous developments of the invention are defined by the dependent claims, the following description as well as the figures.

[0008] An aspect of the invention relates to a heat sink for an electronic control unit (ECU). The heat sink comprises a coolant inlet, a coolant outlet, a cooling channel and at least three side parts with each one outer surface. The cooling channel extends through the at least three side parts. The cooling channel fluidically connects the coolant inlet to the coolant outlet. The outer surfaces of the at least three side parts are arranged parallel to a lateral surface of a prism. Thus, the at least three side parts extend along the lateral surface.

[0009] In particular, each of the outer surfaces of the at least three side parts is parallel to the lateral surface of the prism. The lateral surface of the prism is composed of n lateral side surfaces, wherein n is the number of the corners of the polygon, which forms a base surface or cover surface of the prism. If n is odd, each of the outer surfaces of the at least three side parts is in particular parallel to exactly one of the lateral side surfaces, and in 2023PF03261

[0010] 2 particular all of the outer surfaces of the at least three side parts are then parallel to another one of the lateral side surfaces. In other words, no two of the outer surfaces of the at least three side parts are parallel to the same lateral side surface if n is odd. If n is even, exactly two of the outer surfaces of the at least three side parts are in particular parallel to the same lateral side surface, in particular since two of the lateral side surfaces are parallel to each other.

[0011] In particular, the cooling channel is passed by a liquid coolant in the operation of the electronic control unit. Thus, it is a liquid-cooled heat sink.

[0012] Thus, an in particular compact heat sink for an electronic control unit is provided, which improves cooling of the electronic control unit. Thus, a central heat sink, which can also be referred to as cooling core, is provided, by which multiple circuit boards of the electronic control unit can be cooled at the same time. For example, a circuit board can be mounted on the outer surface of each side part.

[0013] For example, each side part contains a part of the cooling channel in the interior of the side part, in particular between the respective outer surface and a for example at least approximately parallel respective inner surface of the side part. It is possible that the cooling channel partially extends outside of the side parts, for example in a further side part, which optionally extends parallel to a cover surface or base surface of the prism. In other words, the cooling channel extends at least partially within each side part. In particular, the side parts are each fluidically connected to each other by means of the cooling channel.

[0014] In particular, an axis of symmetry at least approximately exists, with respect to which the outer surfaces are rotationally symmetrically arranged, in particular if the prism is a right prism. The outer surfaces are in particular parallel to the axis of symmetry. Optionally, the heat sink has at least approximately an n-fold discrete rotational symmetry or the prism has the n-fold discrete rotational symmetry. Preferably, the outer surfaces are arranged on the lateral surface azimuthally completely circumferential to the axis of symmetry.

[0015] In an embodiment, the at least three side parts each comprise an inner surface. The inner surfaces are facing each other. The outer surfaces are facing away from each other. The inner surfaces delimit an inner area of the heat sink at least in certain areas. Thus, the inner surfaces are in particular arranged along a lateral surface of a smaller prism than the outer surfaces. In particular, the inner surfaces are substantially parallel to the respective 2023PF03261

[0016] 3 outer surfaces. By this embodiment, material of the heat sink, in particular copper, can be saved.

[0017] It is possible that the outer surfaces extend parallel to the lateral surface of the prism, wherein the outer surfaces of the heat sink are rounded in the corners of the prism. Thereby too, material can be saved. For example, the heat sink is substantially composed of a thermally conductive material, for example copper or aluminum or a copper and / or aluminum containing alloy.

[0018] In an embodiment, the inner area comprises a supporting structure. The supporting structure improves a stability of the heat sink. For example, the supporting structure comprises multiple supporting walls. For example, the supporting structure comprises as many supporting walls as a number of side parts. In particular, each supporting wall is attached to one of the at least three side parts with an end. Ends of the supporting walls respectively opposing each other for example converge in the axis of symmetry and are fixedly connected. For example, the heat sink is a one-piece cast part.

[0019] In an embodiment, the inner area comprises a cooling element or the heat sink comprises the cooling element and the cooling element is arranged in the inner area. In particular, the inner area comprises the cooling element instead of the supporting structure.

[0020] Preferably, the inner area is completely filled by the cooling element. For example, the cooling element is formed as an aluminum or copper block. Alternatively, the cooling element is a phase change material, in particular an endothermic phase change material.

[0021] By the cooling element, a short-term emergency cooling is allowed. For example, if the cooling channel is not sufficiently passed by the coolant, the cooling element cools the electronic control unit as long as a motor can for example be safely stopped. In addition, the cooling element acts for stabilizing the heat sink.

[0022] In an embodiment, the at least three side parts each comprise exactly two partial cooling channels of the cooling channel. In particular, a partial cooling channel is a longitudinal section along the cooling channel. For example, the interior of one of the at least three side parts is hollow or partially hollow and divided into the two partial cooling channels by a web. In particular, an interior of the side part is substantially composed of the two partial cooling channels, in particular by more than 80 %, in particular by more than 90 % of the side part. Thereby, a cooling effect of the side part is increased. 2023PF03261

[0023] 4

[0024] In an embodiment, the prism is a right prism and / or a regular prism. For example, a base surface of the prism is an n-gon, in particular a regular n-gon. For example, n is greater than or equal to three and in particular less than or equal to eight. The advantage arises from it that a sufficient number of side parts is arranged on the base surface, in particular respectively at each corner of the n-gon, and an overall volume of the heat sink nevertheless does not exceed a provided installation space.

[0025] In an embodiment, the prism is a triangular prism. In particular, the base surface of the prism is a triangle, for example an equilateral triangle. A particularly compact construction of the heat sink results from it.

[0026] In an embodiment, the heat sink comprises a further side part with a further outer surface. The further outer surface is arranged along a cover surface of the prism, which can also be referred to as base surface. The cooling channel in particular extends through the further side part. Thereby, n+1 surfaces can for example be used for cooling circuit boards of the electronic control unit with a prism with an n-gon as the base surface, thus for example four surfaces with a triangular prism. In an embodiment, the heat sink comprises exactly three side parts and the further side part. In particular, the heat sink acts as a central heat sink.

[0027] In an embodiment, the further side part arranged on the cover surface comprises at least three, in particular curved, further partial cooling channels of the cooling channel. The further partial cooling channels each for example extend from a first partial cooling channel of one of the at least three side parts towards the axis of symmetry and from the axis of symmetry via a curved part of the respective further partial cooling channel to a second partial cooling channel of the same of the at least three side parts. Preferably, the further side part arranged on the cover surface is fluidically directly connected to all of the other side parts. For example, each of the at least three side parts is passed by the coolant through a first one of the two partial cooling channels towards the at least three further partial cooling channels. Preferably, the at least three side parts are each passed by the coolant coming from the at least three further partial cooling channels of the further side part through a second one of the two partial cooling channels. Thus the coolant is distributed in the at least three side parts and the further side part as extensively as possible, whereby the cooling is improved.

[0028] A further aspect of the invention relates to an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is in particular an electronic control unit for a vehicle. The electronic control unit 2023PF03261

[0029] 5 comprises a heat sink and at least three circuit boards. The heat sink comprises at least three side parts with each one outer surface. The outer surfaces of the at least three side parts are arranged parallel to a lateral surface of a prism. Each of the at least three circuit boards is respectively arranged on an outer surface of the at least three side parts. Each of the at least three circuit boards is thermally coupled to the respective outer surface.

[0030] By this arrangement of the circuit boards, a compact electronic control unit with heat sink is provided. By the compact construction, a length of signal and / or supply lines can be reduced. In particular, it is an electronic control unit for a vehicle.

[0031] In an embodiment, the heat sink is formed as a heat sink according to the invention for an electronic control unit or as an embodiment thereof. Thus, the electronic control unit is coolable in improved manner.

[0032] In an embodiment, at least one of the at least three circuit boards comprises at least one power electronic component. The power electronic component is thermally coupled, in particular directly thermally coupled, to the heat sink via a thermally conductive material. Thus, the power electronic component directly abuts on the thermally conductive material. The thermally conductive material in particular directly abuts on the heat sink, in particular directly on the outer surface of one of the at least three side parts. The thermally conductive material is for example formed as a thermally conductive paste. The power electronic component is in particular an electronic component, which has a high heat emission. It can for example be a plug connector such as for example a peripheral component interconnect express (PCIE). The power electronic component is for example a memory chip, in particular a double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR-RAM). It is possible that the power electronic component comprises a construction with small outline (SO) or is designed as a single in-line package (SIP). The power electronic component can in particular also be a switch and / or an integrated circuit.

[0033] By this embodiment, heat arising at the power electronic component is dissipated in improved manner.

[0034] It is possible that critical power electronic components are thermally coupled on that outer surface of that side part, which comprises the coolant inlet. The cooling is most effective on this outer surface since the coolant is cooler there than in the side part, which comprises the coolant outlet. Thus, material of the heat sink can be saved on the one 2023PF03261

[0035] 6 hand and space for optionally present higher components or wirings can be provided on the other hand.

[0036] It is advantageous if in case of multiple power electronic components, they are arranged at the same level along the axis of symmetry. Optionally, the heat sink is, in particular maximally, as high along the axis of symmetry as all of the power electronic components are covered by the outer surfaces.

[0037] In an embodiment, the electronic control unit comprises a further circuit board. The further circuit board comprises board to board connectors to the at least three circuit boards. In particular, the board to board connectors are formed as plugs. For example, a first part of the plug is arranged on the further side part and a counterpart of the plug on one of the at least three side parts. In particular, all of the at least three circuit boards are connected to the further circuit board via each one board to board connector. Thereby, a particularly short connection or transfer of signals and / or supply voltage is allowed. Thereby, losses can be reduced. In particular, errors in the data transfer can also be reduced by this embodiment.

[0038] In an embodiment, the at least three circuit boards are arranged in a frame. The frame is composed of at least three parts, wherein each one part encloses one of the at least three circuit boards, in particular from four sides. The parts of the frame are connected to each other. Preferably, the frame is integrally formed. In particular, the respective circuit boards are pressed to the respective outer surface of the heat sink by means of the frame. Thus, a good thermal contact between the power electronic components and the outer surfaces is established.

[0039] In an embodiment, the electronic control unit comprises a housing. The housing comprises a housing bottom part and a housing top part. The frame and the further circuit board are each directly connected to the housing bottom part. Thereby, a stability of the electronic control unit is increased and the at least three circuit boards are in particular protected from mechanical impacts.

[0040] A still further aspect of the invention relates to a vehicle. The vehicle comprises an electronic control unit according to the invention or an embodiment thereof.

[0041] Further features of the invention are apparent from the claims, the figures and the description of figures. The features and feature combinations mentioned above in the 2023PF03261

[0042] 7 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.

[0043] In the following, embodiments of the invention are explained. There show:

[0044] Fig. 1 a partial view of an embodiment of a heat sink according to the invention;

[0045] Fig. 2 a further partial view of the embodiment of the heat sink according to the invention from Fig. 1 ;

[0046] Fig. 3 a partial view of a further embodiment of the heat sink according to the invention;

[0047] Fig. 4 a further partial view of a further embodiment of the heat sink according to the invention;

[0048] Fig. 5 an exploded representation of an embodiment of an electronic control unit according to the invention;

[0049] Fig. 6 a schematic representation of a base surface of a further embodiment of the heat sink according to the invention;

[0050] Fig. 7 a schematic representation of a base surface of a further embodiment of the heat sink according to the invention; and 2023PF03261

[0051] 8

[0052] Fig. 8 a schematic representation of a base surface of a further embodiment of the heat sink according to the invention.

[0053] In the figures, identical reference characters each denote functionally identical elements.

[0054] Fig. 1 shows a partial view of an embodiment of a heat sink 1 according to the invention for an electronic control unit 2. The heat sink 1 comprises a coolant inlet 3 (Fig. 3), a coolant outlet 4 (Fig. 3), a cooling channel 5 and at least three side parts 6, 7, 8 with each one outer surface 6a, 7a. The cooling channel 5 extends through the at least three side parts 6, 7, 8. The cooling channel 5 fluidically connects the coolant inlet 3 to the coolant outlet 4. The outer surfaces 6a, 7a of the at least three side parts 6, 7, 8 are arranged parallel to a lateral surface of a prism.

[0055] In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 , it is a right trilateral prism. In this embodiment, the at least three side parts 6, 7, 8 are formed as a first side part 6, a second side part 7 and a third side part 8. The first side part 6 comprises an outer surface 6a and the second side part 7 comprises an outer surface 7a. The outer surface of the third side part 8 is not visible in the representation. The outer surfaces 6a, 7a of the at least three side parts 6, 7, 8 are in particular facing away from each other. Optionally, they include an internal angle cp. The internal angle (p is preferably less than 180°, in particular less than 100°, in particular less than or equal to 90°, in particular equal to 60° in the shown embodiment. The at least three side parts 6, 7, 8 in particular each comprise an inner surface 8a. In particular, the inner surfaces 8a are facing each other. In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1 , only the inner surface 8a of the side part 8 is visible.

[0056] In an embodiment, the at least three side parts 6, 7, 8 respectively comprise exactly two partial cooling channels 9a, 9b, 9c, 10a, 10b, 10c. For example, the first side part 6 comprises a first partial cooling channel 9a and a second partial cooling channel 10a. For example, the second side part 7 comprises a further first partial cooling channel 9b and a further second partial cooling channel 10b. In particular, the third side part 8 comprises a still further first partial cooling channel 9c and a still further second partial cooling channel 10c. The respectively first partial cooling channels 9a, 9b, 9c are preferably each separated from the respectively second partial cooling channel 10a, 10b, 10c by a web 11 . 2023PF03261

[0057] 9

[0058] Optionally, the second partial cooling channel 10a of the first side part 6 is connected to the further first partial cooling channel 9b of the second side part 7 via a corner area 12a. Optionally, the further second partial cooling channel 10b of the second side part 7 is connected to the still further first partial cooling channel 9c of the third side part 8 via a further corner area 12b. In particular, the first partial cooling channel 9a of the first side part 6 is not connected to the still further second partial cooling channel 10c of the third side part 8 in a still further corner area 13.

[0059] In an embodiment, the inner surfaces 8a facing each other delimit an inner area 14 of the heat sink 1. Optionally, the inner area 14 comprises a supporting structure 15. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 , partitions of the supporting structure 15 adjoin to the webs 11 in a line and meet in an axis of symmetry A of the heat sink 1 . For example, the axis of symmetry A is an axis of rotational symmetry of the heat sink 1 related to the prism.

[0060] The prism comprises two cover surfaces, in particular a top side 16 and a bottom side 17. In Fig. 1 , the top side 16 is completely apparent and the bottom side 17 faces away from an observer.

[0061] In Fig. 2, the top side 16 faces away from the observer and the bottom side 17 is in particular completely apparent. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 2, the heat sink 1 comprises a further side part 18. In particular, the further side part 18 is arranged parallel to the bottom side 17. For example, the further side part 18 comprises three curved partial cooling channels 19. The curved partial cooling channels 19 are each separated from each other by further separating webs 20. In an embodiment, the curved partial cooling channels 19 are substantially composed of each two flat partial prisms with each three sides, wherein one side between the two partial prisms is interrupted such that the coolant can flow through.

[0062] Fig. 3 shows a further embodiment of the heat sink 1 according to the invention. For example, the coolant inlet 3 is directly connected to the first partial cooling channel 9a of the first side part 6 in this embodiment. Optionally, the coolant outlet 4 is directly connected to the still further partial cooling channel 10c of the third side part 8. In particular, the embodiment shown in Fig. 3 differs from the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 , in particular only by a cooling element 21 . Optionally, the cooling element 21 is arranged in the inner area 14. In particular, the cooling element 21 completely fills the inner area 14. Preferably, the cooling element 21 is formed of copper. 2023PF03261

[0063] 10

[0064] In Fig. 4, a further embodiment of the heat sink 1 according to the invention is illustrated.

[0065] In particular, the embodiment, which is also illustrated in Fig. 1 , is shown in Fig. 4, wherein the coolant inlet 3 and the coolant outlet 4 are shown added. Therein, an arrow direction P indicates an optional coolant flow or a direction of the coolant flow through the cooling channel 5. For example, the coolant flows from the coolant inlet 3 through the first partial cooling channel 9a of the first side part 6 via one of the further partial cooling channels 19 to the second partial cooling channel 10a of the first side part 6. From the second partial cooling channel 10a of the first side part 6, the coolant optionally flows via the corner area 12a into the first further partial cooling channel 9b of the second side part 7. From the first further partial cooling channel 9b of the second side part 7, the coolant for example flows via a second curved partial cooling channel 19 into the second further partial cooling channel 10b of the second side part 7. From the second further partial cooling channel 10b of the second side part 7, the coolant optionally flows via the further corner area 12b into the first still further partial cooling channel 9c of the third side part 8. From the second still further partial cooling channel 9c of the third side part 8, the coolant flows in particular via a third partial cooling channel of the curved partial cooling channels 19 into the second still further partial cooling channel 10c of the third side part 8. From the still further second partial cooling channel 10b of the third side part 8, the coolant optionally flows into the coolant outlet 4 and in particular out of the heat sink 1 . Optionally, the coolant flows from the coolant outlet 4 via an external heat exchanger and back into the coolant inlet 3 in cooled manner. Thus, a cooling circuit with the coolant as the cooling medium is preferably formed.

[0066] In Fig. 5, an exploded representation of an embodiment of an electronic control unit 2 according to the invention is schematically shown. In an embodiment, the electronic control unit 2 comprises the heat sink 1 and at least three circuit boards 22. Each of the at least three circuit boards 22 is arranged on each one outer surface 6a, 7a of the at least three side parts 6, 7, 8.

[0067] Preferably, each of the at least three circuit boards 22 is thermally coupled to the respective outer surface 6a, 7a. In particular, the electronic control unit 2 is an electronic control unit for a vehicle. At least one of the at least three circuit boards 22 comprises at least one power electronic component 23. In particular, the at least three circuit boards 22 comprise multiple power electronic components 23. The power electronic components 23 are thermally coupled to the heat sink 1 via a thermally conductive material 24. Optionally, the thermally conductive material 24 is directly arranged on a surface of the respective power electronic component 23. For example, the thermally conductive material 24 is also 2023PF03261

[0068] 11 directly arranged on the heat sink 1 or on one of the respective outer surfaces 6a, 7a. For example, the thermally conductive material is a thermally conductive paste.

[0069] In an embodiment, the electronic control unit 2 comprises a further circuit board 25. In particular, the further circuit board 25 comprises board to board connectors 26 to the at least three circuit boards 22. For example, signals and / or a supply voltage can be transferred between the further circuit board 25 and the at least three circuit boards 22 via the board to board connectors 26.

[0070] In particular, the further circuit board 25 is arranged perpendicularly to the at least three circuit boards 22. In an embodiment, the electronic control unit 2 comprises a frame 28. In particular, the at least three circuit boards 22 are fixedly arranged in the frame 28. For example, each of the at least three circuit boards 22 is enclosed by the frame 28 on a respective outer edge in particular at each four outer edges of the respective circuit board 22. Preferably, the at least three circuit boards 22 are arranged parallel to a lateral surface of the prism.

[0071] In particular, a shape of the further circuit board 25 deviates from a shape of the base surface of the prism. In particular, the further circuit board 25 is larger in surface than the base shape of the prism. Optionally, the further circuit board 25 comprises a plug 27. In particular, the plug 27 is formed to connect signal and / or supply lines of the electronic control unit 2 to an external unit. The external unit is in particular part of the vehicle.

[0072] In an embodiment, the electronic control unit 2 comprises a housing. In particular, the housing comprises a housing bottom part 29 and a housing top part 30. Optionally, the frame 28 and in particular the further circuit board 25 are each directly connected to the housing bottom part 29. In particular, the housing completely encloses the at least three circuit boards 22 and in particular the further circuit board 25. Optionally, the coolant inlet 3 and the coolant outlet 4 protrude from the housing top part 30.

[0073] In the figures Fig. 6, Fig. 7 and Fig. 8, a schematic representation of a base surface of a respectively different embodiment of the heat sink 1 according to the invention is respectively shown. In Fig. 6, the base surface of the prism is for example a rectangle, in particular a square. Thus, the bottom side 17 of the heat sink 1 is in particular rectangular, in particular square. The same applies to the figures Fig. 7 and Fig. 8, wherein the base surface is a pentagon in Fig. 7 and a hexagon in Fig. 8. Optionally, one of the at least three circuit boards 22 is arranged parallel to each side of the base surface.

Claims

2023PF0326112Claims1 . A heat sink (1 ) for an electronic control unit (2), comprising a coolant inlet (3), a coolant outlet (4), a cooling channel (5) and at least three side parts (6, 7, 8) with each one outer surface (6a, 7a), wherein the cooling channel (5) extends through the at least three side parts (6, 7, 8) and fluidically connects the coolant inlet (3) to the coolant outlet (4), wherein the outer surfaces (6a) of the at least three side parts (6, 7, 8) are arranged parallel to a lateral surface of a prism, wherein the at least three side parts (6, 7, 8) each comprise exactly two partial cooling channels (9a, 9b, 9c, 10a, 10b, 10c) of the cooling channel (5).

2. The heat sink (1) according to claim 1 , wherein the at least three side parts (6, 7, 8) each comprise an inner surface (8a), wherein the inner surfaces (8a) are facing each other and the outer surfaces (6a, 7a) are facing away from each other, wherein the inner surfaces (8a) delimit an inner area (14) of the heat sink (1) at least in certain areas.

3. The heat sink (1) according to claim 2, wherein the inner area (14) comprises a supporting structure (15).

4. The heat sink (1) according to claim 2, wherein the inner area (14) comprises a cooling element (21 ).

5. The heat sink (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the prism is a right prism and / or a regular prism.

6. The heat sink (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the prism is a triangular prism.

7. The heat sink (1) according to claim 6, wherein the heat sink (1) comprises a further side part (6, 7, 8) with a further outer surface (6a, 7a), wherein the further outer surface (6a, 7a) is arranged along a cover surface of the prism and wherein the cooling channel (5) extends through the further side part (6, 7, 8).2023PF03261138. The heat sink (1) according to claim 7, wherein the further side part (6, 7, 8) arranged on the cover surface comprises at least three, in particular curved, further partial cooling channels (9a, 9b, 9c, 10a, 10b, 10c) of the cooling channel (5).

9. An electronic control unit (2), comprising a heat sink (1) and at least three circuit boards (22), wherein: the heat sink (1) comprises at least three side parts (6, 7, 8) with each one outer surface (6a, 7a); the outer surfaces (6a, 7a) of the at least three side parts (6, 7, 8) are arranged parallel to a lateral surface of a prism; and each of the at least three circuit boards (22) is arranged on each one outer surface (6a, 7a) of the at least three side parts (6, 7, 8) and thermally coupled to the respective outer surface (6a, 7a).

10. The electronic control unit (2) according to claim 9, wherein the heat sink (1 ) is formed according to any one of claims 1 to 7.11 . The electronic control unit (2) according to claim 9 or 10, wherein at least one of the at least three circuit boards (22) comprises a power electronic component (23), wherein the power electronic component (23) is thermally directly coupled to the heat sink (1) via a thermally conductive material (24).

12. The electronic control unit (2) according to any one of claims 9 to 11 , wherein the electronic control unit (2) comprises a further circuit board (25), wherein the further circuit board (25) comprises board to board connectors to the at least three circuit boards (22).

13. The electronic control unit (2) according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the at least three circuit boards (22) are arranged in a frame (28).

14. The electronic control unit (2) according to claim 12 and 13, wherein the electronic control unit (2) comprises a housing, wherein the housing comprises a housing bottom part (29) and a housing top part (30), wherein the frame (28) and the further circuit board (25) are each directly connected to the housing bottom part (29).

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