Mounting for a motor vehicle, method for producing the mounting and motor vehicle having the mounting

Abstract

The invention relates to a mounting for a motor vehicle, having a main body (10), a fixing element (20) for mechanically fixing the mounting (1, 1A) on the vehicle, an electrical consumer (30) integrated into the mounting (1, 1A), for which purpose the electrical consumer is arranged in a positionally fixed manner on or in the main body, wherein a connection conductor track (40, 42) for electrically connecting the consumer (30) to a power supply on the vehicle side is applied to the main body (10), which connection conductor track contacts the electrical consumer (30) and extends up to the fixing element (20), which serves as an electrical contact. The electrical consumer is a surface heater and has a conductor track structure (32) which is applied to the main body. The invention also relates to a vehicle having such a mounting and to a method for producing a mounting.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an mounting component for a motor vehicle, a motor vehicle having such a mounting component, and a method for manufacturing the mounting component for a motor vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] It is known that mounting devices are installed in vehicles, with electrical consumers integrated into these devices. These could be, for example, lamps or surface heaters. To date, manufacturing such mounting devices requires numerous individual components that need to be joined and connected to each other. Taking surface heaters as an example, currently, heating films or heating fabrics are adhered to a carrier component, such as a trim panel. Electrical contact of the heating film is achieved via a cable end with a plug. This cable end, in turn, needs to be connected to the vehicle's wiring harness.

[0003] This structure is expensive due to the many necessary individual components and requires a lot of structural space. In particular, accessibility for contact conduction is not provided in certain structural spaces, thus electrical functionality cannot be guaranteed there. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In this context, the objective of this invention is to provide an improved possibility for integrating electrical consumers into a vehicle. In particular, simple assembly and reliable electrical contact should be guaranteed.

[0005] This invention provides a mounting component for a motor vehicle, the mounting component having a body and at least one fixing element for mechanically securing the mounting component to the vehicle. Furthermore, an electrical consumer is integrated into the mounting component, for which the electrical consumer is positioned fixedly on or within the body.

[0006] To improve the assembly capability of the mounting components and to establish reliable electrical contact for the power consumer, a connecting conductor track is applied to the body for electrically connecting the consumer to a power supply device on the vehicle side. The connecting conductor track contacts the electrically conductive consumer and extends to a fixing element that serves as an electrical contact. The power consumer is a surface heater and has a conductor track structure applied to the body.

[0007] Furthermore, a motor vehicle having a mounting element according to the invention is provided. The mounting element is secured to the vehicle by means of a fixing element through engagement with a mating fixing element arranged on the vehicle side. Furthermore, the mating fixing element is configured as a mating electrical contact for connecting conductor tracks, thereby connecting an electrical consumer to an electrical or electronic device on the vehicle side through the engagement of the fixing element and the mating fixing element.

[0008] Furthermore, a method for manufacturing mounting parts for motor vehicles is described. This method includes the following steps:

[0009] —Provide the main body and the fixing elements arranged on the main body;

[0010] —Integrate the power consumer into the mounting component. For this purpose, the power consumer is arranged on or in the main body in a fixed position.

[0011] — Apply a conductor trace to the body, the conductor trace contacting the energized consumer and extending to the fixing element, the fixing element serving as an electrical contact;

[0012] The electricity consumer is a surface heater with a conductor trajectory structure, which is applied to the body.

[0013] By guiding the connecting conductor trajectory to the fixing element, in addition to its mechanical fixing function, the fixing element also functions as an electrical contact for contacting and conducting electricity. The corresponding vehicle-side mating fixing element is also designed as an electrical contact and connected to vehicle-side electrical or electronic equipment, such as a vehicle battery, via a wire. If the mounting piece is now fixed to the vehicle, for this purpose, the fixing element and the mating fixing element interlock, thus achieving electrical contact and conduction simultaneously with the mechanical fixing. This design eliminates the need for separate cable plugs. This reduces structural space requirements and component costs, and also lowers assembly costs.

[0014] By using conductor tracks to provide the possibility of connecting electrical consumers to the mounting, almost no additional structural space is required because the conductor tracks can be constructed to be very flat. Furthermore, the conductor tracks are arranged in a fixed position on the mounting, thus preventing slippage during assembly and reducing the risk of damage.

[0015] The body has a visible side and an inner side. Here, the side visible in the installed state is referred to as the visible side, while the inner side typically faces the vehicle body. The body preferably defines the external dimensions, particularly the profile, of the mounting component. The body may include a plastic body, a metal body, a glass body, or a composite material. The body may also have other layers, such as decorative layers, paint layers, etc.

[0016] The electrical consumer is integrated into the mounting component, for which the electrical consumer is positioned in or on the body in a fixed manner, for example, mechanically and / or material-locked to the body. Connecting conductor traces contact and conduct the consumer, thus providing the possibility of connecting the electrical consumer to electrical or electronic equipment, such as a power supply or control device.

[0017] The electricity consumer can be, for example, a light source, such as an LED (light-emitting diode). Particularly preferred is a surface heater for heating or temperature regulation of the mounting component. This surface heater can be arranged and fixed to the main body as a heating film or heating fabric.

[0018] In a preferred design, the surface heater has a conductor track structure applied to the body. This conductor track structure is designed for heating when electrical power is directed through it. The conductor track structure can have one or more interconnected conductor tracks. This conductor track structure allows for virtually unlimited freedom in the design of the resistive element and thus provides a variety of possibilities for targeted adjustment of the energy input to the heating zone. By appropriately selecting the dimensions of the conductor tracks, the materials used, and the design of the conductor track pattern, heating elements for the most diverse requirements can be achieved. Complex geometries can also be realized on three-dimensional surfaces. By using conductor tracks to connect the conductor tracks and the surface heater, the structural height can be kept very small. The manufacturing process is particularly simple because the connecting wires and the electrical consumer can be manufactured in a single production step by constructing the conductor tracks. Therefore, electrical contact between the connecting conductor tracks and the electrical consumer is reliably ensured in a simple manner.

[0019] The at least one fixing element is used to mechanically secure the mounting component to the vehicle. Preferably, the mounting component may have two or more fixing elements. The one or more fixing elements are connected to the body, for example, by welding, bonding, threading, or preferably integrally molded onto the body in one piece, for example by injection molding. In a preferred design, the fixing element may be a clip element, a locking element, or a clamping element. The fixing element cooperates with a corresponding mating fixing element on the vehicle side. The mating fixing element may be part of the vehicle component or a separate component. The use of clip elements, locking elements, or clamping elements enables particularly simple assembly by inserting the fixing element and the mating fixing element into each other, wherein, at the same time, electrical contact is generated between the connecting conductor trace on the fixing element and the corresponding contact structure on the mating fixing element.

[0020] In a preferred design, the fixing element is constructed as an element extending from the inside, and the connecting conductor tracks are arranged on opposite sides of the fixing element. This results in better tolerances when connecting using the mating fixing element and a more uniform force distribution when the connecting conductor tracks make contact. The risk of short circuits can be reduced, and leakage current can be kept low.

[0021] In an advantageous design, a capacitive sensor device with an additional conductor trajectory structure can be arranged on the main body. This sensor device can, for example, be designed to generate a signal by which to turn on or off an electrical consumer or activate different heating stages or heating functions. In this way, the operating elements for controlling the electrical consumer can be integrated into the mounting without requiring additional structural space.

[0022] The sensor device, in addition to the functional conductor track structure, also has a sensor connection conductor track extending from the functional conductor track structure to the fixing element. In this design, the fixing element additionally functions as an electrical contact for the sensor device, for example, to continue transmitting the sensor signal to the control device on the vehicle side. In this design, the mating fixing element on the vehicle side has a corresponding contact structure that establishes an electrical connection with the sensor connection conductor track in the assembled state. The sensor signal is then transmitted from the contact structure on the mating fixing element, for example, via a wire, to the control device for an electrical consumer.

[0023] The fixing element may have additional printed conductor traces to implement multiple or additional signal or power lines. These conductor traces may be printed on one side of the fixing element or distributed on both sides or more sides. Corresponding contact structures are then designed to engage and conduct the additional conductor traces in conjunction with the fixing element.

[0024] For example, conductor tracks forming connecting conductor tracks, conductor track structures, and / or sensor connecting conductor tracks can be constructed on the substrate using conventional methods, such as hot stamping or laser (direct) structuring.

[0025] In a preferred design, these conductor tracks are constructed and printed onto the substrate using printing methods such as screen printing, aniline printing, pad printing, and inkjet printing. This enables particularly economical manufacturing because no waste is generated and there is no need to purchase expensive semi-finished products. Conductive inks, such as polymer thick-layer inks, especially silver, copper, aluminum, iron, and graphite inks, are suitable for manufacturing using printing methods. If necessary, the conductor tracks can be annealed after one or more printing processes. With this printing technology, high precision can be achieved in terms of the size and position of the conductor tracks.

[0026] The features and details described in connection with the mounting also apply to the vehicles and methods according to the invention, and conversely, so that the disclosures concerning various aspects of the invention can always be cross-referenced.

[0027] Other advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description, in which various embodiments of the invention are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Here, features mentioned in the specification may be important to the invention individually or in any combination. When the term "may" is used in this application, it refers both to a technical possibility and to a practical technical implementation. Attached Figure Description

[0028] The various embodiments are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the schematic diagrams:

[0029] Figure 1 A top view of an exemplary mounting component is shown.

[0030] Figure 2 Show Figure 1 Side view of the mounting components.

[0031] Figure 3 Show Figure 1 The mounting bracket is installed in the side view of the vehicle, and

[0032] Figure 4 An exemplary mating fastening element is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0033] An exemplary mounting component 1 includes a body 10. Figure 1 A top view of the inner side 12 of the mounting member 10 is shown. The visible side opposite to the inner side 12 points to the plane of the drawing.

[0034] Fixing elements 20 and 22 are arranged on the inner side 12, each of which is used to mechanically secure the mounting to the vehicle. Two fixing elements 20 and 22 are shown as an example, but more or fewer fixing elements may be provided.

[0035] An electrical consumer 30 in the form of a surface heater is also arranged on the inner side 12 of the mounting component 10. The surface heater has a conductor track structure 32 configured as a heating section and can be heated by introducing electrical power. The conductor track structure is connected via connecting conductor tracks 40, 42. The connecting conductor tracks extend on the body 10 and are guided to the fixing element 20.

[0036] Figure 2 Show Figure 1 A side view of the mounting element 1 is shown. It can be seen that each of the fixing elements 20, 22 extends from the inside of the mounting element 1. Connecting conductor tracks 40, 42 are guided upwards at the fixing element 20 on opposite sides and extend into the fixing section of the fixing element. In the end regions, the connecting conductor tracks 40, 42 can be widened to achieve better contact.

[0037] To assemble the mounting component 10 onto the vehicle, the mounting component is secured to an additional member 50, which may be, for example, part of the vehicle body, see [reference needed]. Figure 3 For this purpose, the fixing elements 20 and 22 pass through the recess in the member 50, wherein the fixing elements engage with the corresponding vehicle-side mating fixing elements 60 and 62 through their fixing sections. In this case, the fixing elements 40 and 42 and the mating fixing elements 60 and 62 form a clamping and locking connection structure.

[0038] Exemplary mating fixing element 60 in Figure 4 As shown in the diagram, when the retaining element 20 is pushed into the mating retaining element 60, the elastic structure of the mating retaining element 60 is responsible for bringing the inner legs 63, 64 into contact with the retaining element 20. This achieves mechanical fixation. The mating retaining element 60 also has locking protrusions 68, which press into the pushed-in retaining element 20 and make disassembly difficult or prevent disassembly.

[0039] The mating fixing element 60 is further configured as an electrical contact. Therefore, the mating fixing element has a contact joint on each of the internal legs 63 and 64 (in... Figure 4 As can be seen, there is only one contact joint 66 on the inner support leg 61, which provides an electrical connection to the power supply device on the vehicle side via cables 70, 72. These contact joints correspond to the connecting conductor tracks 40, 42 on the fixing element 20, so that electrical contact is generated when the fixing element 20 and the mating fixing element 60 are engaged with each other. Thus, the surface heater is electrically connected by mechanically fixing the mounting components.

[0040] Figure 5 A top view of another exemplary mounting component 1A is shown. (Supplemented in...) Figure 1 The mounting component 1 described herein has a capacitive sensor device 80 with additional conductor traces (not shown in detail) and sensor connection conductor traces 90, 92, which are guided from the sensor device to the fixing element 20 for making contact with the sensor device to a power supply and / or control device on the vehicle side. The sensor device 80 is designed, for example, to be able to adjust the operation mode of the surface heater or to turn the surface heater on or off.

[0041] The electrical contact conduction of the sensor device 80 can be similar to the contact conduction of the surface heater 30. For this purpose, additional electrical contacts are provided on the mating fixing element 60, which correspond to the sensor connection conductor tracks 90, 92 on the fixing element 20 and provide electrical contact, for example, with control devices.

[0042] The conductor tracks 40, 42, the conductor track structure 32 of the surface heater 30, the conductor track structure of the sensor device 80, and the sensor connection conductor tracks 90, 92 are preferably printed onto the main body 10 using printing technology.

[0043] List of reference numerals

[0044] 1. 1A mounting component,

[0045] 10 main components

[0046] 12 inner side,

[0047] 20, 22 Fixed components,

[0048] 30 kWh power consumer

[0049] 32. Conductor trajectory structure,

[0050] Connect conductor tracks 40 and 42.

[0051] 50 components,

[0052] 60 and 62 are used with fixing components.

[0053] 63, 64 Inner support legs,

[0054] 66. Contact joint,

[0055] 68. Locking protrusion,

[0056] 70 and 72 cables

[0057] 80 sensor devices,

[0058] 90, 92 Sensor connection conductor trajectory.

Claims

1. A mounting for a motor vehicle, having: a main body (10); a fixing element (20) for mechanically fixing the mounting (1, 1A) on the vehicle; an electrical consumer (30) integrated into the mounting (1, 1A), for which the electrical consumer (30) is arranged in a positionally fixed manner on or in the main body (10); a connection conductor track (40, 42) for electrically connecting the consumer (30) to a supply device on the vehicle side is applied to the main body (10), which connection conductor track contacts the electrical consumer (30) and extends up to the fixing element (20), which serves as an electrical contact; characterized in that the electrical consumer (30) is a surface heater and has a conductor track structure (32) which is applied to the main body. The main body (10) has a visible side and an inner side (12) opposite this visible side, wherein the fixing element (20) is configured as an element which projects from the inner side (12) and each of the connection conductor tracks (40, 42) is arranged on opposite sides of the fixing element (20). Furthermore, a capacitive sensor device (80) is arranged on the main body (10), which sensor device has one further conductor track structure and sensor connection conductor tracks (90, 92) which extend up to the fixing element (20). The connection conductor tracks (40, 42), the conductor track structure (32), the sensor connection conductor tracks (90, 92) and the conductor track structure of the sensor device (80) are printed onto the main body (10) by means of a printing method. wherein The mating fixing element (60) is furthermore configured as a mating electrical contact for the connection conductor tracks (40, 42), such that the electrical consumer (30) is connected to electrical or electronic equipment on the vehicle side by the engagement of the fixing element (20) and the mating fixing element (60). The fixing element (20) and the mating fixing element (60) are configured as clip elements or clamping elements.

2. The mount of claim 1, wherein, 7. A method for producing a mounting for a motor vehicle, having the following steps: providing a main body (10) and a fixing element (20) arranged on the main body; integrating an electrical consumer (30) into the mounting (1, 1A), for which the electrical consumer (30) is arranged in a positionally fixed manner on or in the main body (10); applying a connection conductor track (40, 42) to the main body (10), which connection conductor track contacts the electrical consumer (30) and extends up to the fixing element (20), which serves as an electrical contact; the electrical consumer (30) is a surface heater and has a conductor track structure (32) which is applied to the main body.

3. The mount of claim 1 or 2, wherein, The connection conductor tracks (40, 42) are printed onto the main body.

4. The mount of claim 3, wherein, The main body (10) has a visible side and an inner side (12) opposite this visible side, wherein the fixing element (20) is configured as an element which projects from the inner side (12) and each of the connection conductor tracks (40, 42) is arranged on opposite sides of the fixing element (20).

5. Motor vehicle with a mount (1, 1A) according to one of claims 1 to 4, which is fixed to the vehicle by means of the fixing element (20) by means of a plug-in connection with a mating fixing element (60) arranged on the vehicle side, wherein Furthermore, a capacitive sensor device (80) is arranged on the main body (10), which sensor device has one further conductor track structure and sensor connection conductor tracks (90, 92) which extend up to the fixing element (20).

6. The motor vehicle of claim 5, wherein, The connection conductor tracks (40, 42), the conductor track structure (32), the sensor connection conductor tracks (90, 92) and the conductor track structure of the sensor device (80) are printed onto the main body (10) by means of a printing method. The mating fixing element (60) is furthermore configured as a mating electrical contact for the connection conductor tracks (40, 42), such that the electrical consumer (30) is connected to electrical or electronic equipment on the vehicle side by the engagement of the fixing element (20) and the mating fixing element (60). The fixing element (20) and the mating fixing element (60) are configured as clip elements or clamping elements.

7. A method for producing a mounting for a motor vehicle, having the following steps: providing a main body (10) and a fixing element (20) arranged on the main body; integrating an electrical consumer (30) into the mounting (1, 1A), for which the electrical consumer (30) is arranged in a positionally fixed manner on or in the main body (10); applying a connection conductor track (40, 42) to the main body (10), which connection conductor track contacts the electrical consumer (30) and extends up to the fixing element (20), which serves as an electrical contact; the electrical consumer (30) is a surface heater and has a conductor track structure (32) which is applied to the main body. The connection conductor tracks (40, 42) are printed onto the main body. wherein, ​ 8. The method of claim 7, wherein, ​ 9. The method of claim 7 or 8, wherein, The electrical consumer (30) has a conductor track structure (32) which is printed onto the main body (10).

10. The method of claim 7 or 8, wherein, In addition, a capacitive sensor device (80) is arranged on the main body (10), for which a further conductor track structure and a sensor connection conductor track (90, 92) are printed onto the main body (10), which sensor connection conductor track contacts the further conductor track structure and extends up to the fixing element (20).

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