US 12,734,878 B2 · Apparatuses and methods for liquid cooling a vehicle suspension component and wheel controller

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure include apparatuses and methods for mounting an electronic component, including an integrated circuit that generates heat during operation, to a component of a vehicle suspension system, such as a suspension knuckle. Some embodiments include mounting the electronic component inside a cavity that contains coolant. In some embodiments the electronic component is immersed in liquid coolant that absorbs heat from the electronic component and transfers the heat to the suspension component where the heat can be transferred to the external environment. In some embodiments the liquid coolant transitions to a gas and/or vapor, and can condense back to a liquid after transferring heat to the suspension component. In some embodiments the electronic component is connected to a heat sink, such as by soldering, and the heat sink can include cooling fins that are immersed in the coolant.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An apparatus for a vehicle, comprising:

a vehicle suspension member defining a fluid tight cavity and a coolant port,
the vehicle suspension member forming a load bearing component of a suspension system that connects a vehicle body to one or more wheels,
the fluid tight cavity configured to hold coolant and defining an interior surface, and
the coolant port configured to permit movement of coolant through the coolant port when unsealed and configured to inhibit movement of coolant through the coolant port when sealed;
and
a heat generating member mounted within the fluid tight cavity, wherein during operation
the heat generating member is submerged in liquid coolant held within the fluid tight cavity,
the heat generating member raises the temperature of the liquid coolant until at least some of the liquid coolant transitions to a vapor and/or a gas,
the vapor and/or gas coolant condenses on the interior surface of the fluid tight cavity, and
the condensed coolant collects in the fluid tight cavity adjacent to the heat generating member.

7 more elements

A wheel controller for an electric vehicle, the electric vehicle including a vehicle suspension system, comprising:

a suspension knuckle defining a first mounting location and a second mounting location, the first mounting location configured to mount to an electric wheel assembly and the second mounting location configured to mount to a vehicle suspension system, wherein the suspension knuckle forms a structural part of the vehicle suspension system when the first mounting location is mounted to an electric wheel assembly and the second mounting location is mounted to the vehicle suspension system;
a cover connected to the suspension knuckle, wherein the cover and suspension knuckle define a fluid tight cavity when the cover and the suspension knuckle are connected to one another, the fluid tight cavity defining a fluid collection region in which coolant is held, wherein the fluid tight cavity is configured to hold coolant within the fluid tight cavity when the coolant is heated;
and
wheel control circuitry configured to control the functioning of an electric wheel assembly to which the suspension knuckle is attached, the wheel control circuitry including one or more heat generating components that generate heat while operating, wherein the one or more heat generating components are positioned within the fluid collection region of the fluid tight cavity.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Apparatuses and methods for liquid cooling a vehicle suspension component and wheel controller

Life of this patent

Apparatuses and methods for liquid cooling a vehicle suspension component and wheel controller

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20