Housing for accommodation and temperature regulation of an electronic device and vehicle provided with such housing

• US 10,363,793 B2
• Filed: 03/25/2013
• Issued: 07/30/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mekra Lang GmbH & Company KG
• Original Assignee: Mekra Lang GmbH & Company KG
• Inventors: Lang, Werner, Bauer, Stefan, Deffner, Simon, Heger, Sebastian, Zink, Matthias
• Primary Examiner(s): Huson, Gregory L
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tighe, Dana K
• Application Number:
  US13/849,818
• Publication Number:
  US 20130273824A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,318 Days
• Field of Search: 454127, 454137, 454139, 454141, 454142, 454148
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00271 HVAC devices specially adapted for particular vehicle parts or components and being connected to the vehicle HVAC unit
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 2001/003 Component temperature regulation using an air flow
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 2001/00614 Cooling of electronic units in air stream
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/20863 Forced ventilation, e.g. on heat dissipaters coupled to components

Abstract

A novel housing for an electronic device is located in the passenger compartment of a vehicle. The housing is used to maintain the temperature of the electronic device within its operating temperature range. The housing includes air inlets and outlets through which the temperature-regulated air current from the air conditioning system of the vehicle passes. The temperature-regulated air currents from the air conditioning system that are used to maintain a comfortable temperature in the passenger compartment are also used to regulate the temperature of the electronic device. Thus, the housing allows the temperature of the electronic device to be regulated exclusively using the air current from the air conditioning system. The air duct from the air conditioning system can be connected directly to the housing or can end a distance from the housing so that the air current from the duct is directed to strike the outside of the housing.

Claims

1. A vehicle comprising:

a passenger compartment;

an air conditioning system that guides a temperature-regulated air current through a duct and into the passenger compartment; and

a housing located at a predetermined position within the passenger compartment, wherein the housing is adapted to accommodate an electronic device having a temperature, wherein the housing includes an air inlet and an air outlet through which the temperature-regulated air current from the duct passes, wherein the temperature of the electronic device is regulated exclusively by guiding the air current from the duct around the electronic device; and

wherein the air current exiting the duct strikes the outside of the housing.

2. A vehicle comprising:

a passenger compartment;

an air conditioning system that guides a temperature-regulated air current through a duct and into the passenger compartment; and

a housing located at a predetermined position within the passenger compartment, wherein the housing is adapted to accommodate an electronic device having a temperature, wherein the housing includes an air inlet and an air outlet through which the temperature-regulated air current from the duct passes, wherein the temperature of the electronic device is regulated exclusively by guiding the air current from the duct around the electronic device; and

wherein the predetermined position is in an A-pillar of the vehicle.

3. A vehicle comprising:

a passenger compartment;

an air conditioning system that guides a temperature-regulated air current through a duct and into the passenger compartment; and

a housing located at a predetermined position within the passenger compartment, wherein the housing is adapted to accommodate an electronic device having a temperature, wherein the housing includes an air inlet and an air outlet through which the temperature-regulated air current from the duct passes, wherein the temperature of the electronic device is regulated exclusively by guiding the air current from the duct around the electronic device; and

wherein the housing is integrally connected to a part of the vehicle.

4. A system comprising:

an air duct, wherein a temperature-regulated air current from an air conditioning system passes through the air duct;

a housing; and

an electronic device held by the housing, wherein the electronic device has a temperature, wherein the housing includes an air inlet and an air outlet through which the temperature-regulated air current from the air duct passes, wherein the temperature of the electronic device is regulated exclusively by guiding the air current from the duct around the electronic device; and

wherein the air current exiting the duct strikes an outside surface of the housing.

5. A system comprising:

an air duct, wherein a temperature-regulated air current from an air conditioning system passes through the air duct;

a housing; and

an electronic device held by the housing, wherein the electronic device has a temperature, wherein the housing includes an air inlet and an air outlet through which the temperature-regulated air current from the air duct passes, wherein the temperature of the electronic device is regulated exclusively by guiding the air current from the duct around the electronic device; and

wherein the housing is an integral part of a vehicle.