Housing assembly, heater including housing assembly, and method of manufacturing

Abstract

A housing assembly for a heater (10) of a motor vehicle or a construction machine, comprising: a housing having a first housing part (11) at least partially surrounding the interior of the housing and having an outer surface (14) within which a partial surface area (16) is predefined; the invention relates to a heater (10) for a motor vehicle or a construction machine, comprising a first housing part (11) and at least one connecting piece (40), the connecting piece (40) having a first section (42) for connecting to an outer surface (14) of the first housing part (11) and a second section (43) for connecting to a fastening section provided on the side of the vehicle, in order to spatially fix the heater (10) in or on the motor vehicle or the construction machine, the first section (42) of the connecting piece (40) is attached to the outer surface (14) in a material-bonded manner or in a form-fitting and force-fitting manner within a predetermined partial surface region (16).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a housing assembly, a heater including the housing assembly, and a method for manufacturing the heater, etc. In particular, it relates to a mechanical element that allows the housing assembly or the heater to be spatially fixed, retained and permanently connected at or inside a motor vehicle, engineering machinery, etc. Background Art

[0002] Heaters for motor vehicles or construction machinery are widely known, in particular as auxiliary heaters or more recently as actual or auxiliary heating solutions in electric motor vehicles or construction machinery in driving operation or in stationary mode. Such heaters can be designed as heaters that operate by burning fuel or, increasingly, as electric heaters. The heater usually comprises a housing of compact construction in order to be accommodated in a space-saving manner, for example, in the engine compartment (especially in the case of passenger cars) or in the passenger compartment (especially in the case of trucks). The functional components of the heater, such as an electronic controller, a heat exchanger, a combustion chamber, fluid channels (for fuel, heat transfer media such as water, combustion air, exhaust gases), etc., are accommodated inside the housing, depending on whether it is an electric heater or a heater that consumes fossil fuels.

[0003] Typically, such heaters are delivered to the vehicle manufacturer as original equipment, but in many applications they can also be installed later. All standard parts required for installation are included in the scope of delivery. For installation, this often also includes vehicle-specific heater brackets, etc. Specifically, although the vehicle manufacturer provides mechanical fastening sections for the heater in the corresponding installation space area in the vehicle, these are often located in completely different spatial positions, depending on the vehicle type, and their type is also largely unstandardized (through hole, thread, etc.). As a result, vehicle manufacturers do not yet provide standardized fastening interfaces.

[0004] However, the situation also looks similar on the heater side. Depending on the type, they are manufactured with a separate housing that usually specifies a number of mechanical fastening points. These fastening points are usually designed as blind holes for self-tapping screws, threads or through-holes and are integrated in existing components of the housing, such as a heat exchanger that can itself form a housing part (e.g. housing cover or housing base). The mechanical fastening interface is therefore not flexible in terms of position, location and design and can only be used as a direct connection to the vehicle at the heater in special cases at best.

[0005] An example is described in WO2020 / 030306A1. The heater disclosed therein comprises a housing cover and a housing base, wherein both housing parts have reinforcing ribs forming a reinforcing grid structure. In each reinforcing rib, a fastening device is provided in the form of a cylindrical socket (blind hole). For example, a fastener such as a screw or a pin can be inserted therein. However, the fastening device and the fastener are intended to allow secure fixing to a vehicle-specific bracket not shown in the text.

[0006] Those vehicle-specific heater brackets are also supplied with the heater, so that they are fastened on one side to a fastening section of the motor vehicle and on the other side to a fastening point of the heater, thus representing a mechanical interface that is customized for the respective motor vehicle (or construction machine). An obvious disadvantage is that vehicle-specific brackets result in additional parts and unnecessary additional weight on the vehicle.

[0007] Furthermore, since the mechanical heater interface or vehicle-specific bracket must be adjusted even when the fastening section of the vehicle is slightly changed, a new vehicle-specific bracket must be developed for each changed product or vehicle design and tested to meet safety requirements. All of this results in a significant increase in effort and cost.

[0008] Another aspect is the assembly aids required by many automobile manufacturers. In this case, for example, in order to be able to carry out the actual assembly steps with both hands, a further bracket is often additionally used to which the heater is only temporarily coupled (connected). However, such brackets for assembly aids further impair the above-mentioned efficiency in terms of effort and cost.

[0009] Furthermore, it should be mentioned that the mechanical fastening function of known heaters, such as that described in WO2020 / 030306A1, is designed as a blind hole for a self-tapping screw or thread, and therefore the tolerance compensation required for the assembly must be provided on the side of the vehicle or on the side of a vehicle-specific bracket. If competitors can provide heaters with such tolerance compensation, this may have an adverse effect on the suppliers of the relevant heaters.

[0010] Therefore, there is a need to save costs and reduce the effort, number of parts and / or extent required to assemble and ultimately secure the heater within or on the vehicle. Summary of the invention

[0011] Various aspects of the invention relate to a housing assembly for a heater for a motor vehicle or construction machinery. Such a housing assembly may basically comprise a one-piece or multi-piece housing, generally comprising two housing parts, namely a housing base and a housing cover. Various aspects of the invention start from a housing having at least one first housing part. The first housing part at least partially surrounds the interior of the housing (for example, if it is a housing cover or a housing base), and it has an outer surface, in which a designated partial surface area is predetermined for connection to the vehicle.

[0012] In addition to the housing with the first housing part, the housing assembly also includes at least one connecting piece. In this case, the connecting piece has a first section for connecting to the outer surface of the first housing part and a second section for connecting to a fastening section arranged on the side of the vehicle, so as to fix the heater spatially in or at the motor vehicle or construction machine. The connecting piece itself can be a single piece or a multi-piece, but is preferably a single piece to achieve the goal of reducing and simplifying parts.

[0013] According to these aspects, the first section of the connecting element is attached to the outer surface of the first housing part in a predetermined partial surface area in a materially bonded manner or in a form-fitting and force-fitting manner, without the first housing part requiring a fastening interface prepared for this purpose, which has a through hole, a strip hole, a blind hole or an internally threaded channel with a bolt.

[0014] The basic idea is therefore to realize a mechanical fastening interface on the heater by means of a connector, in particular a plurality of connectors. The predetermined partial surface area of ​​the outer surface allows a greater degree of freedom in the placement of the connector at the first housing part when assembling the heater before delivery, for example delivery to a vehicle manufacturer. Therefore, by appropriately placing the connector, it is possible to select a suitable connector from a reasonable number of connectors according to the spatial conditions of the installation space of the motor vehicle or construction machinery, in particular the distance and direction of the heater from the fastening section (or fastening device) on the side of the vehicle (or the side of the construction machinery), and to connect the connector in a flexible manner at an appropriate position on the predetermined partial surface area. Therefore, a vehicle-specific bracket can be omitted, since the heater can be fixed directly to the vehicle-specific fastening section. The connector can be pre-produced as a standard part and used for different vehicle types. The connector is connected to one or more fastening sections of the vehicle. However, two different connectors can also be connected to the same fastening section.

[0015] Furthermore, by means of a material bond on the one hand or a force fit and a form fit on the other hand, a seamless (meaning: channel-free) assembly can be achieved at the first housing part, which can maintain the integrity (tightness) of the housing interior. According to a development, this applies in particular to the first housing part accommodating a heat exchanger (usually consisting of a plurality of rib structures made of a heat-conducting medium (e.g. metal)) through which a fluid (e.g. water) flows in order to transfer heat thereto. Optionally, a control device for the electric heater can be provided on the inner side of the first housing part. Here too, the tightness of the housing part relative to the housing interior is of great importance and can be ensured by the features of the aspects described here.

[0016] Therefore, as mentioned above, in the prior art (e.g. WO 2020 / 030306 A1), reinforcing ribs protruding from the outer surface of the respective housing part are used in order to form seamless (channel-free) blind holes therein, which may be provided with internal threads for receiving fastening screws as fastening points. However, the reinforcing ribs hinder the free and flexible placement of the connection proposed here in a determined surface area of ​​the part, in particular because the fastening points provided as blind holes, if these are used for the connection, only define a plurality of discrete positions with almost no tolerance on the surface of the housing part.

[0017] In summary, therefore, a high degree of flexibility in position and positioning as well as in the design of the mechanical interface to a customer-specific motor vehicle or customer-specific construction machinery can be achieved through the aspects presented herein. Conventionally additional, sometimes very complex holding structures can be saved in terms of their development / design as well as in terms of component costs, tooling and assembly costs. At the same time, a direct connection of the heater to the customer interface can still be achieved. Furthermore, the required connection between the heater and the vehicle-specific bracket is also saved.

[0018] According to a specific embodiment of the housing assembly of the present invention, the first section of the connecting piece is attached to the predetermined partial surface area of ​​the outer surface by gluing or welding in a material-bonded manner, or is attached by riveting in a form-fitting and force-fitting manner. Both connection processes allow a mechanically safe and permanent connection to the first housing part. This is particularly suitable for riveting, also known as hole-free riveting (connection without the use of additional material) or crimping, which is an inexpensive connection technology with low labor, high efficiency, high safety and durability. Due to the small size, the protrusions on the inside of the housing caused by partial "deep drawing" are still completely acceptable and acceptable in this technology.

[0019] According to a further embodiment, the housing comprises the first housing part and the second housing part, the first housing part being the housing cover and the second housing part being the housing base. As described above, the inner side of the housing cover can accommodate a heat exchanger. In one embodiment, the inner side of the housing cover can accommodate a heat exchanger and the heat exchanger can form the corresponding housing base. Since such a structure (heat exchanger formed at or in the cover) has technical advantages in itself, the integrity of the cover is particularly important, which is ensured by the connection of the connector or element according to the invention, thus generating further advantageous aspects of the invention.

[0020] Other exemplary embodiments provide that the connector is configured and the outer surface in the partial surface area is designed so that the connector can be fastened to the outer surface of the first housing part in a fixed partial surface area at multiple positions and / or in multiple orientations relative to the housing part. This possibility has been pointed out above. In this case, a continuous plane of the first housing part can be formed particularly advantageously in a predetermined partial surface area of ​​the outer surface. Then, the first section of the connector can have a matching planar contact surface so as to be connected to the outer surface of the first housing part. This allows the two surfaces (outer surface and contact surface) to be flexibly placed relative to each other.

[0021] However, it is also possible that the surfaces are not planar, but rounded or curved. Then, one of the two surfaces can be concave and the other convex to match it. Other surface geometries that match each other are also possible. For example, the outer surface may have a groove with side walls. Matching this, the contact surface of the connector can have a protrusion with side walls. During assembly, the connector can then be freely placed in at least one longitudinal direction (one dimension). However, two-dimensional free placement when assembling the housing on a specific plane is preferred.

[0022] In a further exemplary embodiment, at least one reinforcing rib, in particular a groove or an impression, is provided in the predetermined partial surface area for reinforcing the housing part, the at least one reinforcing rib, in particular a groove or an impression being bounded by the predetermined partial surface area. In contrast to the protruding part of the outer surface for reinforcement, the contact surface of the connecting element can bridge the groove or the deep-drawn impression. In this case, the connection point of the connecting element can be located on both sides of the groove, etc. The reinforcing rib itself does not belong to the predetermined partial surface area.

[0023] According to an exemplary embodiment, if the surface portion of the partial surface area is also increased, the flexibility of the connection element placement is greater. If the first housing part is a flat component with a main surface and a surface normal arranged on it, the surface portion of the predetermined partial surface area can particularly advantageously reach 30% or more, preferably 40% or more, further preferably 50% or more, or particularly preferably 60% or more of the total surface of the first housing part projected into the plane in a component plane view along the surface normal. In special cases, it can reach 70% or even more.

[0024] The connecting element can be made of metal, preferably aluminum or steel. It is also possible to combine two materials (in particular metal, but also plastic) for the connecting element and the first housing part. The first and / or second housing part can also be made of steel or aluminum. Heat-resistant and mechanically loaded plastics can also be used for the housing parts and / or the connecting element.

[0025] According to an exemplary embodiment, in the second section for connecting the fastening section arranged on the side of the vehicle, the connecting element can have at least one prepared fastening interface, in particular a through hole, a strip hole, an internal threaded channel, a pin or a threaded bolt. In this area of ​​the connecting element, for example representing the top end of the strip connecting element opposite to the first section, a simple, conventional fastening mechanism is easy to implement. In the assembled state, the second section is spaced apart from the outer surface or its end point is away from the outer surface.

[0026] According to a further aspect, the first section of the connecting element is attached to the outer surface at least two points spaced apart from each other on its contact surface in a materially bonded manner or alternatively in a form-fitting and force-fitting manner. This greatly increases the stability and durability of the connection. This feature is also particularly suitable for the above-mentioned gluing, welding or riveting processes.

[0027] As mentioned above, the connecting element can have the shape of a strip, the two ends of which are formed by two segments. In the assembled state, as shown in a plan view, the second segment extends laterally beyond the edge of the first housing part and away from the outer surface. The distance and direction in which the respective second end extends together with the second segment depends on the type of vehicle provided. However, the connecting element may also be in the shape of a corner to achieve the desired geometric options.

[0028] Particular advantage may occur if two or more substantially identically constructed attachments are provided. A three-point mounting of the heater with three attachments positioned or placed at selected locations over a portion of the surface area of ​​the outer surface would be desirable so that they reach fastening sections of the vehicle side and allow mechanical fastening.

[0029] According to a specific embodiment, the connector is attached in the same way at different positions spaced apart from each other in a predetermined area of ​​the outer surface. In this case, two or more connectors of substantially the same structure can be provided, which are attached in the same way (riveted, welded, glued, etc., see above) at different positions spaced apart from each other in a predetermined area of ​​the outer surface.

[0030] The proportion of identical parts on the heater can therefore be maximized through full flexibility of the mechanical fastening interface. The connection piece can be fastened to all suitable heater components without having to produce new heater variants. If the connection pieces differ from one another, this allows modular construction principles to be used during heater assembly.

[0031] It is also possible to develop a separate customer-specific or vehicle-specific connection and fasten it to the heater. Depending on the wishes of the customer or vehicle manufacturer, the connection can also include decoupling or assembly aids.

[0032] The connection elements can be supplied as different standard parts with through-holes, slotted holes, internally threaded channels or threaded screws, also including assembly aids (hanging function). Clip solutions and insertion geometries are also available. By using different connection geometries, the required tolerance compensation of the components can be achieved.

[0033] Personalization of the heater can be carried out at any desired point in the manufacturing process, so that variants can also be produced at a later stage in production.

[0034] Due to the high flexibility of the heater assembly points, a compact design of the connection can be achieved, which reduces weight and saves material.

[0035] Another aspect of the present invention provides a heater, which includes the above-mentioned housing. The heater can be a combustion type or an electric heating type, and the present invention is not limited to a specific shape and type. This aspect includes the effects already described.

[0036] Another aspect of the present invention provides a corresponding method for manufacturing a heater. It may include the following steps:

[0037] Providing the housing with the first housing portion, the first housing portion at least partially surrounding the interior of the housing and predetermining a partial surface area within the outer surface;

[0038] specifying an attachment position of the heater relative to a fastening section provided on a side of the vehicle in a motor vehicle or construction machinery;

[0039] Depending on the intended attachment location, select and confirm:

[0040] at least one connecting element for fastening to a fastening section of a motor vehicle or a construction machine; and

[0041] - a location within a partial surface area of ​​the surface for attaching the first segment to the surface;

[0042] The selected connecting element is attached to the outer surface with its first section at a determined position within a predetermined partial surface area in a material-bonded manner or in a form-fitting and force-fitting manner, without the first housing part having at this position a fastening interface prepared for this purpose, which fastening interface has a through hole, a strip hole, a blind hole or an internally threaded channel with a bolt.

[0043] Some advantages have been described above with respect to the housing assembly. However, it should be mentioned that the assembly of the heater's connectors can be carried out in all assembly steps until the final assembly of the heater. This greatly simplifies production planning and work.

[0044] Furthermore, any design changes to the customer interface, for example through variable arrangements of heater connections (e.g. changes in angle or position), may also be considered for a particular product.

[0045] Other embodiments of the method provide, for example, a step of mounting the functional components of the heater, including the heat exchanger and the electronic controller, before attaching the connector to the surface of the first housing portion. Thus, such a heater can be almost completely produced, wherein the connector is only added when it is determined in which vehicle type the heater is to be installed.

[0046] Further advantages, features and details of the various aspects are derived from the claims, and the following is a description of preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings. In the figures, the same reference numerals denote the same features and functions. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0047] In the figure:

[0048] Figure 1 A schematic perspective view of a first housing part according to a first exemplary embodiment is shown in a top view, with three connection elements mounted on its surface;

[0049] Figure 2 Show Figure 1 A portion of the surface area of ​​the outer surface shown, emphasized by the dashed lines, where the connectors can be placed and attached;

[0050] Figure 3 A schematic perspective view in an oblique top view shows a first housing part according to a second exemplary embodiment, which has three connecting elements mounted on its surface;

[0051] Figure 4 An example sequence of a method of manufacturing a housing assembly according to an embodiment is shown in a flow chart;

[0052] Figure 5 A first housing part according to a third exemplary embodiment is shown in a top view, having three connection elements mounted on its surface. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0053] In the following description of preferred embodiments, it is to be taken into account that the various aspects of the present disclosure are not limited to the details of construction and arrangement of parts as described below and shown in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments may be put into practice or implemented in various ways. In addition, it should be noted that the phrases and terms used herein are for specific descriptive purposes only and should not be interpreted in a limiting manner by those skilled in the art. In addition, in the following description, the same figure numbers in the various embodiments or figures represent the same or similar features or objects, so that in some cases, in order to maintain the compactness and clarity of the drawings, repeated detailed descriptions are omitted.

[0054] Figure 1 and Figure 2 A first embodiment of a housing assembly according to the invention is shown. Figure 1 In the schematic diagram, a first housing part 11 of a heater 10 for a motor vehicle or a construction machine is shown in a plan view as a housing cover. The second housing part 12 is identified only by a reference numeral with a corresponding arrow. In the assembled state, the second housing part is located below the plane of the drawing and is hardly visible in the plan view, so for the sake of simplicity it is not shown in the figure. Figure 1 It is omitted in Figure 2 and Figure 3 ). A typical configuration of the second housing part 12 relative to the first housing part can be obtained by the example in the document related to the prior art WO2020 / 030306A1 mentioned at the beginning (but not taking into account the mechanical fastening method described therein, which will be replaced by the connector according to the present invention in the embodiment). The second housing part 12 can be provided with a connection part for supplying and discharging a fluid (such as water) and for a power supply and a controller. However, the connection part can also be arranged to be distributed on the two housing parts.

[0055] The first housing portion 11 has a substantially square plan view in a plan view, in which the base surface or main surface can be seen. The first housing portion 11 has a substantially flat trough-shaped structure with a low side wall depth, which is not visible or almost not visible in the figure. The first housing portion 11 can be formed of a metal (e.g., steel) and is configured to be connected to the second housing portion so as to jointly enclose the interior. The interior can accommodate control electronic components, power supplies, heating electronic components, fluid channels and heat exchangers, just to name a few components (not shown). In the present embodiment, this is an electric heater 10 (without combustion). In particular, the functional components corresponding to the heat exchanger can be coupled to the housing cover (first housing portion 11) or to the housing base (second housing portion 12), or the components can be formed separately.

[0056] The first housing part 11 has an outer surface 14 opposite the inner surface. A partial surface area 16 of the outer surface 14 is substantially flat or planar. Ribs or embossings are entirely possible as reinforcement structures, but Figure 1 and Figure 2 They can be introduced into the partial surface area in the form of a strip extension. Figure 1 The surface normals in (plan view) are projected onto the figure in a planar manner, and the partial surface area 16 occupies a large surface portion, for example, 50%-70% of the indicated surface. In this regard, see Figure 2 The surface drawn by the dashed lines.

[0057] In the partial surface area 16, the connector 40 is attached to the fastening section connected to the vehicle side so as to fix the heater spatially to the vehicle. More precisely, only the first section 42 of the corresponding connector 40 extends in the partial surface area 16. The plane contact surface of the connector 40 also faces the outer surface 14 in the partial surface area, and the contact surface and the outer surface 14 are connected to each other in a material-bonded manner or a force-fitting and form-fitting manner at at least two points in the partial surface area 16. The opposite end of the connector 40 forms a second section 43, which does not contact the outer surface 14 in the partial surface area 16. The second section extends beyond the edge 50 of the housing cover (first housing part 11) and has a prepared fastening interface, which is formed, for example, as a through hole 45 or a strip hole 46. Other types of fastening interfaces 45, 46 are also possible, such as threaded channels, pins, threaded bolts, etc. The connector can be made of metal, such as aluminum or steel.

[0058] exist Figure 1 In FIG, the connection member 41 is drawn by a dotted line. Figure 1, which provides alternative positions for the corresponding connectors 40, as can be seen from the arrows. Different layout designs may be caused by variations in the vehicle side fastening interface. According to an exemplary embodiment of the method of the invention, the connectors can be attached according to the size and position of the vehicle side fastening interface, for example, only after the assembly of the heater including the housing parts 11, 12 is completed, so that the connectors 40 of this embodiment, which are essentially identical to each other, can be placed flexibly, for example, only directly before transportation.

[0059] The wide spacing of the partial surface areas 16 allows a large number of positioning options to be selected. The orientation of the connector can also be changed, as shown, for example, by Figure 1 The connection element 40 extending beyond the edge 50 does not have to be oriented perpendicularly to the edge 50 but can also be arranged obliquely relative to the edge 50 .

[0060] Figure 3 A second embodiment of a housing assembly or heater 10 (of which only the housing assembly can be seen) is shown in a perspective view. This view shows more details, but is essentially very similar to the first embodiment, so only the differences are described. As for other aspects, the above also applies to this embodiment.

[0061] In this embodiment, the structures of the three connectors 40 are also the same. They all have a first section 42, a second section 43, and a transition section 47 between the first section 42 and the second section 43, which also allows the position of the relevant fastening interface (through hole 45, strip hole 46) to be adjusted along the direction perpendicular to the surface of the main surface of the first housing portion 11, and therefore, allows the relevant fastening section of the vehicle side to be approached in three dimensions (given the given positioning and position of the heater 10 in the vehicle space).

[0062] The connecting piece 40 itself is strip-shaped and, except for the head end of the first section 42, is surrounded by a folded edge 49 which reinforces the connecting piece 40 and provides a contact surface and elastic clamping force for the connecting piece 40 after being fixed to the fastening section of the vehicle side.

[0063] Figure 3 It is also shown that for each connection element 40, the contact surface of the connection element 40 is attached to the outer surface 14 in a materially bonded manner or alternatively in a form-fitting and force-fitting manner at two points 49 spaced apart from each other. In the second embodiment, it is noticeable that the planar partial surface 16 of the first exemplary embodiment is reproduced by two separate planar partial surface areas 161 and 162, wherein the reinforcing ribs 18 and 181 are additionally embossed. The contact surface of the connection element 40 bridges these reinforcing ribs 18 and 181, and the points 49 are also located only at the locations where the contact surface contacts the partial surface area 16 of the surface 14, in particular on the two corresponding embossings.

[0064] The planar partial surface areas 161 , 162 of the outer surface 14 available for placement each account for approximately 30% or 10% of the surface of the outer surface 14 projected onto the base area of ​​the first housing part 11 .

[0065] Figure 4 The sequence of a method for manufacturing a housing assembly or a heater according to an embodiment is schematically shown. In step 110, a housing having a first housing part 11 is provided, which at least partially surrounds the interior of the housing and has an outer surface 14 in which a partial surface area 16 is predetermined.

[0066] In step 120, the functional components of the heater, including the heat exchanger and electronic controller, are installed in a housing.

[0067] In step 130 , the attachment position of the heater relative to the fastening section provided on the vehicle side in the motor vehicle or construction machine is specified. This can also be based on the requirements and information of the vehicle manufacturer.

[0068] In step 140, according to the specified attachment position,

[0069] - optionally selecting at least one type of connection element 40 (optionally selectable from a plurality of possible identical structural types) for fastening to a fastening section in a motor vehicle or construction machine, and

[0070] The position and orientation within a predetermined partial surface area 16 of the surface 14 for attaching the first section 42 of the connecting element 40 to the surface 14 is determined or even calculated.

[0071] In step 150, the first section 42 of the selected connecting element 40 is welded to the outer surface 14 at a defined position and defined orientation within the predetermined partial surface area 16. In this case, the first housing part does not need a fastening interface with through holes, slot holes or internally threaded channels with screws prepared for this purpose.

[0072] The descriptions and details provided in the specific embodiments are not to be interpreted in a restrictive manner with respect to the scope of protection defined in the appended claims. Therefore, further modifications are also possible. For example, as described above, a housing part and a predetermined partial surface area can be provided in the outer surface, but there can also be a situation with multiple housing parts, wherein the predetermined partial surface area and the connection fastened thereto can also be distributed over two or more housing parts.

[0073] Figure 5A further embodiment of a first housing part 11 of a housing assembly for a heater 10 is shown. Likewise, the same reference numerals denote the same or similar technical features, so that a detailed description may be omitted in case of repetition. The first housing part 11 forms a housing cover for the heater 10. The mating structure forms a housing base, which at the same time forms a heat exchanger and represents a second housing part 12 of this embodiment, but is not visible in the plan view of the bottom surface.

[0074] Similar to the first and second embodiments, the first housing part 11 and the second housing part 12 have a substantially flat structure, with an outer surface 14 opposite to the interior (not shown). A large part of the outer surface 14 is formed by a planar partial surface 16, about 50% in a plan view. This partial surface area or surface portion can be used for flexible positioning of the three connecting elements 40, 400 here. As mentioned above, two of the connecting elements 40 have a strip-shaped structure. The difference between them is small.

[0075] The (single-piece) third connecting element 400 is constructed with a (double) corner and has two parallel, strip-shaped partial surface areas, each of which has a first section 42 for connecting to the outer surface 14 or partial surface area 16 of the first housing part 11 and a second section 43 for connecting to a fastening section arranged on the side of the vehicle. The second sections 43 have through holes 45 for fastening and are connected to each other via a connecting section 401, which extends perpendicularly to the strip-shaped partial surface area and gives the structure more stability. In a top view of the planar partial surface 16, the second section 43 extends laterally beyond the edge 50 to allow a connection in a plane, which is achieved by the planar structural shape of the housing. In this case, the connecting section 401 protrudes almost completely beyond the edge 50.

[0076] In its first section 42, the connecting element 400 also has two (or more) contact points 48, which are spaced apart from one another and are formed, for example, by riveting, and at which the contact surface of the connecting element 40 or 400 is connected to the outer surface 14 by material bonding or in a form-fitting and force-fitting manner. In this case, the contact surface of the connecting element 40 or 400 bridges the reinforcement ribs 18 (recesses) formed in the outer surface 14, and in the present embodiment, the points 48 are located only at the locations where the contact surface contacts a partial surface area 16 of the surface 14.

[0077] It should be noted that the shapes of the connectors are more than those shown in the embodiments. The connectors 400 forming the corner pieces 400 may also be modified; for example, the angle need not be 90 degrees (as shown). In addition, flat connectors may be used that are not strip-shaped but square.

[0078] Reference numerals list

[0079] 10. Heater

[0080] 11 First housing part

[0081] 12 Second housing part

[0082] 14 External surface

[0083] 16 Partial surface area

[0084] 161 Part I Surface Area

[0085] 162 Part II Surface Area

[0086] 18 Ribs, grooves, embossing

[0087] 181 Additional reinforcement, embossing

[0088] 40 Connectors

[0089] 41 Connector (reposition)

[0090] 42 First section (connector)

[0091] 43 Second section (connector)

[0092] 45 Through Hole

[0093] 46 Strip holes

[0094] 47 (Third) Transition section (connector)

[0095] 48 points (connected by riveting, welding or gluing)

[0096] 49 Hem

[0097] 110-150 Steps to assemble the heater

Claims

1. A housing assembly of a heater (10) for a motor vehicle or engineering machinery, comprising: A housing having a first housing part (11), the first housing part (11) at least partially surrounding the interior of the housing and having an outer surface (14), in which a partial surface area (16) is predetermined; and at least one connecting element (40), wherein the connecting element (40) has a first section (42) for connecting to an outer surface (14) of the first housing part (11) and a second section (43) for connecting to a fastening section arranged on the side of the vehicle, so as to spatially fix the heater (10) in or on the motor vehicle or the construction machine, Therein, the first section (42) of the connecting element (40) is attached to the outer surface (14) in a materially bonded manner or in a form-fitting and force-fitting manner within a predetermined partial surface area (16).

2. The housing assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The first section (42) of the connecting element (40) is attached to the outer surface (14) in the predetermined partial surface area (16) in a materially bonded manner by gluing or welding or in a form-fitting and force-fitting manner by riveting.

3. The housing assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The first housing part (11) is a component forming a heat exchanger of the heater (10), or a component accommodating a heat exchanger, in particular a component interacting with the heat exchanger by closing the inner space of the housing as a cover.

4. The housing assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The housing comprises the first housing part (11) and the second housing part (12), wherein the first housing part (11) is a housing cover and the second housing part (12) is a housing base.

5. The housing assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The connection element (40) is configured and the outer surface (14) is designed in the partial surface area (16) such that the connection element (40) can be fastened to the first housing part (11) in a predetermined partial surface area (16) on the outer surface (14) in a plurality of positions and / or in a plurality of orientations relative to the first housing part (11), and A predetermined partial surface area (16) of the outer surface (14) is a continuous planar surface of the first shell part (11), wherein the first section (42) of the connecting member (40) has a planar contact surface matching the continuous planar surface for connection to the outer surface (14) of the first shell part (11).

6. The housing assembly according to claim 5, wherein: At least one reinforcing rib (18, 181), in particular a groove or an embossing, is arranged in the predetermined partial surface area (16) for reinforcing the first shell part (11), and the at least one reinforcing rib (18, 181), in particular a groove or an embossing is surrounded and bounded by the predetermined partial surface area.

7. The housing assembly according to claim 5 or 6, wherein: The first shell part (11) is a flat component having a main surface and a surface normal arranged on the main surface, wherein, in a plan view of the component along the surface normal, the surface portion of the predetermined partial surface area reaches 30% or more, preferably 40% or more, further preferably 50% or more, or particularly preferably 60% or more of the entire surface of the first shell part (11) projected into the plane.

8. The housing assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein: The connecting piece (40) is made of metal, preferably aluminum or steel.

9. The housing assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein: The connecting element (40) has at least one prepared fastening interface (45, 46), in particular a through hole, a strip hole, an internal threaded channel, a pin or a bolt, in a second section (43) for connecting to a fastening section arranged on the side of the vehicle.

10. The housing assembly according to claim 9, wherein: The first section of the connecting element (40) is attached to the outer surface (14) at least two points (49) spaced apart from one another on its contact surface in a materially bonded manner or alternatively in a form-fitting and force-fitting manner.

11. The housing assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein: The connecting piece (40) has a strip shape and / or is designed to have a corner.

12. The housing assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein: As seen in a top view of a partial surface area (16) of the outer surface (14), the connecting element (40) extends laterally beyond the edge of the first housing part (11).

13. The housing assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein: Two or more connecting members (40) of substantially identical construction are provided and are attached in the same manner at different locations spaced apart from each other within a predetermined partial surface area (16) of the outer surface (14).

14. A heater (10) for a motor vehicle or a construction machine, comprising a housing assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. A method for manufacturing a heater according to claim 14, comprising: Providing (110) a first housing part for the housing, the first housing part at least partially surrounding the interior of the housing and having an outer surface in which a partial surface area is predetermined; specifying (130) an attachment position of a heater relative to a fastening section provided on a side portion of a vehicle in a motor vehicle or a construction machine; Based on the specified attachment location, select and confirm (140): - at least one connection element for fastening to a fastening section in a motor vehicle or a construction machine; and - a location within a partial surface area of ​​a surface for attaching the first segment to said surface; The selected connecting element (40) is attached (150) with its first section (42) to the outer surface at a determined position within a predetermined partial surface area (16) in a material-bonded manner or in a form-fitting and force-fitting manner, without the first housing part having to have a fastening interface with a through hole, a strip hole or an internal threaded channel with a bolt prepared for this purpose at this position.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein: The method comprises the step of mounting (120) functional components of the heater (10), including a heat exchanger and an electronic controller, in the housing, said step being performed before attaching the connector to a surface of the first housing portion.

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