Electronic control enclosure

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.

1 - 44 . (canceled)  
     
     
         45 . A method of making an electronic control enclosure comprising: 
 providing an enclosure housing defining an interior chamber, the enclosure housing including a rim defining an opening for accessing the interior chamber, the enclosure housing including a seal mounted to the rim;    providing a substrate assembly including a substrate and a front plate; and    inserting the substrate into the interior chamber and compressing the seal between the front plate and the rim to environmentally seal the interior chamber.    
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 45  wherein the seal includes a protrusion.  
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 45  wherein the seal includes a recess.  
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 45  wherein the seal has a generally C-shaped cross-section.  
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 45  wherein the seal is non-planar.  
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 45  wherein the seal is rubber.  
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 45  wherein the rim comprises a seating surface for the seal, the seating surface comprising a slope.  
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 51  wherein the seal is compressed between the front plate and the seating surface.  
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 45  wherein the seal covers an interior surface and an exterior surface of the rim.  
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 45  wherein the seal comprises an outer leg, an inner leg, and a center portion.  
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 45  wherein the front plate is removably coupled to the housing.  
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 45  further comprising engaging a latch on the housing with a latch catch on the front plate.  
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 56  wherein the latch comprises an inclined barb.  
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 45  further comprising engaging a latch on the front plate with a latch catch on the housing.  
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 58  wherein the latch comprises an inclined barb.  
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 45  wherein the substrate includes at least one electrical component.  
     
     
         61 . The method of  claim 45  wherein at least one of the housing and the front plate comprises a heat sink.  
     
     
         62 . The method of  claim 45  wherein the front plate comprises a plurality of terminals surrounded by a receptacle wall.