Vehicle Control Unit Heat Dissipation via Extracted Radiator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle brake system electronic control units face challenges in effectively radiating heat due to the difficulty in accommodating large heat radiation plates within closed housings, leading to inefficient heat dissipation, especially under high heat generation conditions and excessive vibrations.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle control unit design featuring a metallic base body with a heat radiation portion and a heat conducting member that absorbs production tolerances between the heat radiation portion and the control circuit board, allowing efficient heat conduction to the base body, which is then radiated efficiently, and includes a cylindrical wall portion to prevent the heat conducting member from scattering and a gap to accommodate expansion, ensuring effective heat dissipation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a large heat radiation plate is used to improve heat dissipation, then heat radiation efficiency is improved, but it becomes difficult to accommodate within the closed housing space
Solution Approach 1:
The heat radiation plate is extracted from the closed housing and extended outward to the vehicle exterior. The plate projects from the housing through an opening, allowing the heat radiation surface to be located outside the housing volume, thus resolving the conflict between large heat radiation area and limited housing space.
2Device complexity
If the heat radiation plate is housed in a closed space, then the housing structure is simplified, but heat radiation efficiency deteriorates due to insufficient heat dissipation space
Solution Approach 1:
The heat radiation function is segmented from the housing structure. The housing provides protection and mounting, while the heat radiation plate extends separately to the exterior, allowing each component to optimize its function without compromising the other.
3Temperature
If a rigid heat conducting member is used to ensure heat conduction, then heat conduction efficiency is improved, but production tolerances cannot be absorbed leading to poor abutment
Solution Approach 1:
The heat conducting member transitions from a rigid solid to a viscous material state. This parameter change allows the material to flow and conform to the mating surfaces, absorbing production tolerances while maintaining intimate contact for efficient heat conduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The viscous heat conducting member provides localized adaptation at the contact interfaces. It deforms to match the specific geometry of the control circuit board and heat radiation plate surfaces, ensuring optimal thermal contact at each interface while maintaining overall structural integrity.
4Reliability
If the heat conducting member is held firmly to prevent scattering, then reliability under vibration is improved, but the member cannot accommodate thermal expansion
Solution Approach 1:
The heat conducting member's viscous properties enable it to change shape in response to thermal expansion while maintaining its bonded connection. The material can flow and deform to accommodate dimensional changes caused by heating, preventing stress concentration and maintaining reliability under both vibration and thermal conditions.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution ensures sufficient heat radiation from the control circuit board, restricting temperature increase and maintaining effective heat dissipation even under high heat generation and vibration conditions, while preventing the heat conducting member from scattering or adhering to other components.
Implementation Method 1
heat of the control circuit board is conducted from the heat radiation portion to the whole of the base body
Implementation Method 2
a production or assembling tolerance between the heat radiation portion and the control circuit board is absorbed by the heat conducting member having viscosity
Implementation Method 3
heat from the base body is radiated efficiently
Data Source
AI summary
One embodiment relates to a vehicle control unit. The vehicle control unit includes a metallic base body and an electronic control unit which is attached to the base body. The electronic control unit includes a housing which is attached to an attaching surface of the base body and a control circuit board which is housed in the housing. A heat radiation portion is provided on the attaching surface so as to be inserted into the housing. The heat radiation portion is brought into abutment with the control circuit board via a heat conducting member. And, a heat conducting member holding portion is formed in the housing so as to hold the heat conducting member with respect to the heat radiation portion.