Storage of an electrical or electronic component in the engine compartment of a motor vehicle

Abstract

Mounting of an electrical or electronic component (3) of a motor vehicle in an engine compartment of the motor vehicle, wherein the component (3) is mounted in a strut brace (1), wherein the component (3) is suspended in the strut brace (1), characterized in that the component (3) is additionally mounted on a firewall of the motor vehicle separating the engine compartment from a passenger compartment of the motor vehicle, wherein bearing means (4) are connected to the strut brace (1) at a distance from each other, and the bearing means (4) are connected to the component (3) on opposite sides (5).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to the storage of an electrical or electronic component of a motor vehicle in an engine compartment of the motor vehicle, wherein the component is stored in a strut brace, wherein the component is suspended in the strut brace.

[0002] Strut braces are used in automotive engineering to stiffen the body. They are often retrofitted to increase the body's torsional rigidity. Strut braces are used, for example, in vehicles without a fixed roof (convertibles or roadsters). The strut brace connects the two front or rear strut towers, thus preventing changes in their relative positions and consequently altering the suspension geometry. This reduces toe distortion and improves handling, especially in corners, resulting in more direct and responsive results.

[0003] German patent DE 40 41 016 C1 discloses the fundamental method of attaching an electronic component to a body panel. Mounting an electrical or electronic component of a motor vehicle within a strut brace in the vehicle's engine compartment is known from DE 10 2009 036 495 A1. The strut brace described therein is a basic component that forms an open-topped housing symmetrically to the vehicle's longitudinal axis, which can be sealed splash-proof with a separate cover. The housing accommodates a vehicle component, specifically an engine control unit (ECU) responsible for controlling, regulating, and monitoring engine functions. Mounting the ECU within the strut brace housing provides it with protection.This ensures that it functions flawlessly, especially under difficult operating conditions, such as temperature fluctuations, vibrations from the vehicle engine and / or shocks from the road surface, as well as over- and undervoltage. Furthermore, it is known from the generic Japanese patent application JP 2007-083 962 A to mount the component suspended from the strut tower.

[0004] The object of the invention is to create a storage system for an electrical or electronic component of a motor vehicle in the engine compartment of the motor vehicle that makes it possible to accommodate a relatively heavy and relatively large electrical or electronic component in the engine compartment and to store it safely there.

[0005] The problem is solved in the case of a storage of the type mentioned above by additionally mounting the component on a firewall of the motor vehicle that separates the engine compartment from a passenger compartment of the motor vehicle, with bearing means being connected to the strut brace at a distance from each other, where the bearing means are connected to the component on opposite sides.

[0006] The relatively heavy and electrical or electronic component is supported not only by the strut brace but also by the firewall. The strut brace primarily bears the component's weight. For added stability and to prevent rotation, the component is also securely mounted to the vehicle's firewall. The firewall may also bear a portion of the component's weight. This lateral positioning allows the component to be easily and securely suspended from the strut brace.

[0007] The electrical or electronic component is therefore securely mounted in the engine compartment.

[0008] The component in question is, in particular, power electronics for a motor vehicle, which is a hybrid or electric vehicle.

[0009] According to the invention, the component is suspended from the strut brace. The component is thus positioned essentially below the strut brace. A prerequisite is that sufficient space is available below the strut brace to accommodate the component. This is particularly ensured when the vehicle is driven by small electric motors at the wheels of one axle, so that the installation space freed up above this axle can be used for installing the electrical or electronic component, especially the power electronics. Furthermore, this results in short power and cooling lines for supplying the components, especially the power electronics and the electric motors.

[0010] The strut brace is mounted in the two spring domes of the front axle of the vehicle. The engine compartment is therefore located at the front of the vehicle.

[0011] The bearing devices are advantageously designed to be particularly simple in construction if they are designed as retaining tabs.

[0012] The storage of the electrical or electronic component in the firewall is particularly simple in terms of construction if an additional retaining tab is attached to the component on its side facing the firewall, which is connected to the firewall.

[0013] The mounting according to the invention makes it possible to protect the electrical or electronic components, in particular the power electronics of the motor vehicle, from vibrations. By arranging the power electronics in the area of ​​the strut brace, especially in a suspended arrangement on the strut brace, they can be housed in the engine compartment, so that an arrangement of the power electronics, for example, in the trunk of the motor vehicle is not necessary, and more space remains in the trunk for the battery of the hybrid or electric vehicle.

[0014] The mounting according to the invention further enables a relatively heavy and relatively large electrical or electronic component, in particular power electronics, to be housed and securely mounted in the engine compartment. The suspended arrangement allows the component or power electronics to be positioned a short distance below the strut brace. The vehicle's hood can thus be positioned directly above the strut brace when closed. The vehicle can therefore have a relatively low profile in the area of ​​the hood.

[0015] Further features of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims, the accompanying drawing and the description of the preferred embodiment shown in the drawing, without being limited to it.

[0016] It shows in schematic form: Fig. 1 A spatial view of the strut brace, power electronics and other components arranged in the engine compartment of the motor vehicle, viewed obliquely from above and behind.

[0017] A strut brace 1 is provided at both ends with annular receptacles 2, which are placed on and connected to two strut towers of a front axle of the vehicle in a manner not illustrated. The strut brace 1 is, for example, designed as a tube. The strut brace 1 serves to mount an electrical or electronic component, specifically a power electronics unit 3 for a hybrid or electric vehicle. It is mounted in the engine compartment of the vehicle. The power electronics unit 3 is positioned below the strut brace 1 and suspended from it. For this purpose, two mounting brackets 4, spaced apart from each other, are connected to the strut brace 1. The two mounting brackets 4 are spaced apart from each other at a distance corresponding to the width of the power electronics unit 3, and thus to its length along the longitudinal axis of the strut brace 1.The respective retaining tab 4 rests against the facing side wall 5 (of which only one is visible) of the power electronics 3 and is connected to the power electronics 3 there by means of fastening elements not shown in detail.

[0018] Thus, a fixed connection between the respective retaining tab 4 and the strut brace 1, and between this retaining tab 4 and the power electronics 3, results in a fixed connection between the strut brace 1 and the power electronics 3.

[0019] Not illustrated is a firewall between the engine compartment and the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle. On the side of the power electronics 3 facing the firewall, a further retaining tab 6 is connected to it, the end of which faces away from the power electronics being connected to the firewall.

[0020] The retaining brackets 4 and 6 are attached to strut brace 1, power electronics 3, and firewall, respectively, using conventional fasteners, such as screws. A permanent connection, such as a weld, is also suitable, particularly a weld between retaining bracket 4 and strut brace 1.

[0021] A monitoring unit 7 can form part of the power electronics 3, which is housed in a housing that is placed on a housing of the actual power electronics 3 and connected to the housing.

[0022] In the Fig. Figure 1 illustrates further components located adjacent to the power electronics 3 in the engine compartment of the vehicle. These are a 12 V battery 8 for the vehicle, a circuit breaker unit 9, and an air filter 10.

[0023] The dashed line illustrates the outline of the components forming the power electronics.

[0024] To protect the electronic components of the power electronics 3, it is rigidly mounted in the vehicle by means of the strut brace 1 and the support on the firewall. The power electronics 3 is mounted symmetrically along half the length of the strut brace 1. Particularly when the vehicle is driven by smaller electric motors at the wheels of the axle, especially the front axle, the installation space freed up above this axle can be effectively used to house the power electronics 1. This results in short power and cooling lines for supplying the components, especially the power electronics 3 and the small electric motors.

Claims

[1] Mounting an electrical or electronic component (3) of a motor vehicle in an engine compartment of the motor vehicle, wherein the component (3) is mounted in a strut brace (1), wherein the component (3) is mounted suspended in the strut brace (1), characterized by , that the component (3) is additionally mounted on a firewall of the motor vehicle separating the engine compartment from a passenger compartment of the motor vehicle, wherein bearing means (4) are connected to the strut brace (1) at a distance from each other, and the bearing means (4) are connected to the component (3) on opposite sides (5). [2] Storage according to claim 1, characterized by , that the component (3) is a power electronics unit for a hybrid or electric vehicle. [3] Storage according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the component (3) is suspended on a strut (1) which is mounted in the two spring domes of a front axle of the motor vehicle. [4] Storage according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by , that the bearing means (4) are designed as retaining lugs. [5] Storage according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by , that a further retaining tab (6) is connected to the component (3) on the side facing the splash wall, which is connected to the splash wall.

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