AutomotiveGehäusen

AutomotiveGehäusen are protective enclosures used in automotive electronics to house and protect electronic control units (ECUs), power electronics, sensors, battery management systems, and infotainment modules. They provide mechanical support, electrical shielding, thermal management, and environmental protection in demanding vehicle conditions.

Materials and construction: housings are made from polymers such as PC/ABS, PC, ABS, PA, and PBT, as well as metals including aluminum and magnesium alloys. Multi-material designs use rigid shells with elastomer seals and gasket interfaces. Construction methods include injection molding, die casting, CNC machining, extrusions, and increasingly additive manufacturing for prototypes and custom configurations. Sealing, gaskets, potting compounds, and heat sinks are integrated to meet thermal and ingress protection requirements.

Key design considerations: temperature range typically from -40 to +125 C, vibration and shock resistance, EMI shielding, and reliable sealing against dust, water, and fluids (IP ratings). Mechanical design must support harness routing, connector interfaces, and crash safety requirements. Material selection balances weight, heat dissipation, chemical resistance, and flammability. Compliance includes automotive IP standards, RoHS/REACH, and functional safety considerations per ISO 26262.

Applications and trends: used in ECUs, battery management systems, inverters, sensors, gateway modules, and infotainment enclosures. Trends include lightweight multi-material designs, improved thermal management, higher levels of integration, modular architectures, and additive manufacturing for rapid prototyping and customization.