Robert Boschgmbh

Lothar Ruttkowski

Gert Jakob

Willi Gansert

Siegfried Goetzke

Kurt Stammler

A pressure equalizing element for an electronic device enclosure, e.g. for a control device under the hood of a vehicle, features a water-tight but air-transmitting region (21) which equalizes pressure between the interior airspace of the enclosure and ambient airspace. The element preferably includes a porous PTFE foil element which is bowed so that water will not pool on it and clog the air pores. Thus, it will be operative, and can be installed, in any desired orientation. The foil is protected against puncture by surrounding support elements of metal and/or plastic and is adapted to be automatically mass-produced and tested prior to installation.

Pressure compensating element for electronic device enclosure

To permit one-hand operation of engagement and disengagement of separable electrical connectors, for example of multi-terminal connectors in automotive use, the connectors are formed with adjacent side walls fitting within each other; the inner side walls of one part are formed with locking projections extending laterally outwardly and having at least one flat engaging surface extending transversely to unlocking direction, and fitting against a matching engaging surface formed on the side wall of the other part. To permit unlocking, the inner side wall is formed with a projecting fulcrum bead or ridge, the side wall of the other part being extended beyond the fulcrum bead or ridge so that, upon compression of the extending portion over the fulcrum bead or ridge, the side wall of the other part will be resiliently deflected outwardly, thus releasing the engagement surfaces from each other.

Two-part separable electrical connection arrangement

To provide for simplified and less expensive manufacture without extensive insulation of internal components of a control system with respect to the housing, particularly for electronic ignition and fuel injection control systems, digital and other automotive control electronic systems and the like, a housing (1) of insulating plastic material has a connecting portion (2, 3) integrally formed therewith, which further include, integrally formed therewith, holding and engagement catches and slits (13, 15, 17-23; 62, 69) for a printed circuit board (41) carrying electronic network elements (42) such as transistors, capacitors, resistors, in integrated circuit form, or as discrete elements; and further a cooling device (24, 25; 56; 64; 73) in heat-conductive relationship to a power stage (43; 54; 65; 74) to dissipate heat generated within the power stage, and to transfer the heat over a large area surface connection either to a structural component carrying the entire control unit and/or to a sheet metal cover (49) snapped and crimped over the plastic housing (1) and, in sealed relation, closing off the entire structural unit.

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Ludwigsburg, Germany

Lothar Ruttkowski