IP Library Granted Patent US 12691728
Granted Patent B2
US 12691728 · App. 18/281,910 · Granted Jul 28, 2026

Device module

Inventors: Tatsumi Sato (Osaka, JP); Kosuke Sone (Osaka, JP); Yasuyuki Yamamoto (Osaka, JP); Takuya Taniguchi (Osaka, JP); Ai Takehisa (Osaka, JP)
Assignees: AUTONETWORKS TECHNOLOGIES, LTD.; SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS, LTD.; SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD.
B60H1/262B60H1/00564
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12691728
App. No.
18/281,910
Granted
Jul 28, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

One aim is to provide a technique allowing a device to be cooled without being housed inside a duct. A device module includes: a support member that is disposed in a roof inner space that is located between a roof panel and an interior member in a vehicle; and a device that is supported by a support surface among outer surfaces of the support member. A support-member-side flow path is formed inside the support member, and the support-member-side flow path is connected to a duct-side flow path in a duct in the vehicle.

Claims (47)

1 . A device module comprising:

a support member that is disposed in a roof inner space that is located between a roof panel and an interior member in a vehicle; and

a device that is supported by a first support surface among outer surfaces of the support member,

wherein a support-member-side flow path is formed inside the support member,

wherein the support-member-side flow path is confined within an internal space of the support member and is isolated from the first support surface, and

the support-member-side flow path is connected to a duct-side flow path in a duct in the vehicle.

2 . The device module according to claim 1 , wherein the support member has formed therein a through-hole that is open in a portion of the first support surface facing the device and that reaches the support-member-side flow path.

3 . The device module according to claim 2 , wherein the device is provided with a heat-dissipating portion that faces the through-hole.

4 . The device module according to claim 3 , wherein the heat-dissipating portion projects to the support-member-side flow path.

5 . A device module comprising:

a support member that is disposed in a roof inner space that is located between a roof panel and an interior member in a vehicle; and

a device that is supported by a support surface among outer surfaces of the support member,

wherein a support-member-side flow path is formed inside the support member, and

the support-member-side flow path is connected to a duct-side flow path in a duct in the vehicle,

wherein the support member has formed therein a through-hole that is open in a portion of the support surface facing the device and that reaches the support-member-side flow path,

wherein a housing of the device has a housing-side air inlet port formed therein, the housing-side air inlet port being formed in a surface of the housing that faces the through-hole, and

cooling air flowing in the support-member-side flow path is discharged to the roof inner space via the through-hole, the housing-side air inlet port, and the interior of the housing.

6 . The device module according to claim 2 ,

wherein a gap is provided between the device and a portion of the first support surface around the through-hole, and

cooling air flowing in the support-member-side flow path is discharged to the roof inner space via the through-hole and the gap.

7 . The device module according to claim 5 ,

wherein the support-member-side flow path is closed except for the through-hole and an air inlet port that is connected to the duct.

8 . The device module according to claim 2 , wherein the support-member-side flow path has formed therein an air discharge port that is open separately from the through-hole and an air inlet port connected to the duct, and that discharges cooling air to the roof inner space.

9 . A device module comprising:

a support member that is disposed in a roof inner space that is located between a roof panel and an interior member in a vehicle; and

a device that is supported by a support surface among outer surfaces of the support member,

wherein a support-member-side flow path is formed inside the support member, and

the support-member-side flow path is connected to a duct-side flow path in a duct in the vehicle,

wherein there are a plurality of the devices including a first device and a second device, and

a partition that partitions the support-member-side flow path into a first flow path for the first device and a second flow path for the second device is provided inside the support member.

10 . The device module according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a tubular member that is disposed between the support member and the duct.

11 . The device module according to claim 10 ,

wherein the tubular member includes a main body portion and a flange portion that projects from the outer surface of the main body portion, and

in a state in which the main body portion is inserted into the support-member-side flow path from an opening of the support-member-side flow path in the support member, the flange portion catches on the inner surface of a rim portion of the opening.

12 . The device module according to claim 10 ,

wherein the duct is a rear-seat duct that is provided with an air outlet port directed toward a rear seat and that is disposed in the roof inner space, and

the tubular member connects the support member and the rear-seat duct.

13 . The device module according to claim 10 ,

wherein the duct is a front-seat duct that is provided with an air outlet port directed toward a front seat, and

the tubular member connects the support member and the front-seat duct.

14 . The device module according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a functional sheet which includes a layer at least having a heat-insulating function and on which the support member is disposed,

wherein an outer surface of the support member that is different from the support surface is in contact with the functional sheet.

15 . The device module according to claim 14 , further comprising:

a transmission member that is connected to the device,

wherein the transmission member is provided to the functional sheet.