Electronic control enclosure
First Claim
1. An electronic control enclosure comprising:
- an enclosure housing defining an interior chamber accessible through an opening;
a header assembly including a plurality of terminals, the header assembly enclosing and environmentally sealing the opening; and
a heat sink disposed through the enclosure housing, the heat sink including an interior surface exposed to the interior chamber and an exterior surface exposed to an exterior of the enclosure housing, the enclosure housing including a plastic material.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The electronic control enclosure includes devices and methods for removing heat energy from the electronic components of an electronic control unit. The components are mounted to a substrate and are protectively housed in an interior chamber of an environmentally sealed enclosure housing. Electrical communication is established with the components via a header assembly that includes plug receptacles. To remove heat generated by the components from the enclosure housing, one or more heat sinks are disposed through the enclosure housing such that the heat sinks have an interior surface exposed to the interior chamber and an exterior surface exposed to the exterior of the enclosure housing. In other embodiments, the enclosure housing may be made of a heat conductive material and the heat sink is integral with the enclosure housing. In one aspect, a spring urges the components against the interior surface. In another aspect, the components are mounted to and directly contact the interior surface.
87 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An electronic control enclosure comprising:
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an enclosure housing defining an interior chamber accessible through an opening; a header assembly including a plurality of terminals, the header assembly enclosing and environmentally sealing the opening; and a heat sink disposed through the enclosure housing, the heat sink including an interior surface exposed to the interior chamber and an exterior surface exposed to an exterior of the enclosure housing, the enclosure housing including a plastic material. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of making an electronic control enclosure comprising:
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providing an enclosure housing defining an interior chamber for protectively housing electronic components; providing a header assembly including a plurality of terminals; providing a substrate including a plurality of electronic components, each having a heat transfer surface; inserting the substrate in the interior chamber so that the electronic components are aligned to a heat sink, the heat sink including an interior surface exposed to the interior chamber and an exterior surface exposed to an exterior of the enclosure housing; and urging the heat transfer surface against the heat sink with a spring.
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18. A method of making an electronic control enclosure comprising:
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providing an enclosure housing defining an interior chamber; providing a header assembly including a face plate and projecting heat sink rails, the heat sink rails having a generally L-shaped cross-section with a first leg and a second leg, the first leg and the second leg projecting generally perpendicular to the face plate; and inserting the header assembly into the interior chamber such that the face plate is received in an opening of the enclosure housing.
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19. An electronic control enclosure comprising:
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an enclosure housing defining an interior chamber accessible through an opening, the enclosure housing including an embossment projecting into the interior chamber; a header assembly including a plurality of terminals, the header assembly enclosing and environmentally sealing the opening; a heat sink in at least one of the enclosure housing and the header assembly, the heat sink including an interior surface exposed to the interior chamber and an exterior surface exposed to an exterior of the enclosure housing; and an electronic component disposed within the interior chamber, the electronic component being disposed between the embossment and the heat sink, the electronic component including a heat transfer surface, and the heat transfer surface being in contact with the heat sink.
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20. A method of making an electronic control enclosure comprising:
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providing an enclosure housing defining an interior chamber for protectively housing an electronic component, the enclosure housing including an embossment projecting into the interior chamber; providing a substrate including an electronic component, the electronic component having a heat transfer surface; inserting the substrate in the interior chamber so that the electronic component is aligned to a heat sink, the heat sink including an interior surface exposed to the interior chamber and an exterior surface exposed to an exterior of the enclosure housing, the electronic component being disposed between the embossment and the heat sink; and urging the heat transfer surface against the heat sink with a spring.
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Specification