System for holding a control unit on a component

Abstract

System (2, 36) for holding a control unit (4, 38) on a vibrating component (6, 44), comprising a support element (8, 42) and a spring assembly (10, 40), wherein the spring assembly (10, 40) can be positioned on the control unit (4, 38) or the component (6, 44), wherein the support element (8, 42) can be engaged with the spring assembly (10, 40) and can be attached to the control unit (4, 38) or the component (6, 44), wherein the spring assembly (10, 40) has a degressive spring characteristic and exerts a compressive force on the support element (8, 42), wherein the spring assembly (10, 40) has a spring column made of disc springs.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a system for holding a control unit on a vibrating component and a method for attaching a control unit to a vibrating component.

[0002] Vehicle transmissions and other mechanical components used to provide or transmit mechanical power often incorporate control units to monitor and control their function. For example, vibrations originate from an internal combustion engine, a transmission, the chassis, and the road surface itself. A control unit mounted directly on such a mechanical component is therefore exposed to continuous vibration across a wide frequency range.

[0003] Control units are typically designed to possess sufficient vibration resistance. This can be achieved, for example, by ensuring that the control unit only exhibits natural frequencies above a predefined threshold. These natural frequencies can be influenced by the appropriate rigidity of the control unit's construction, such as through the integration of stiffening elements and the strategic positioning of mounting points at vibration-prone locations.

[0004] In modern vehicles, the installation space available for control units is becoming increasingly smaller, meaning that control units must also be positioned in locations where the aforementioned conventional methods would not provide sufficient vibration resistance. For example, there might not be enough space for reinforcements or for integrating mounting points that would achieve adequate vibration resistance.

[0005] It is therefore considered an object of the invention to propose a system for holding a control unit on a vibrating component that enables sufficient vibration resistance even in confined spaces and with a reduced number or unfavorable placement of screw points using existing assembly concepts.

[0006] The problem is solved by a system having the features of independent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and further developments can be found in the dependent claims and the following description.

[0007] A system for holding a control unit on a vibrating component is proposed, comprising a support element and a spring device, wherein the support element can be engaged with the spring device and can be attached to the control unit or the component, wherein the spring device has a degressive spring characteristic and exerts a compressive force on the support element.

[0008] The spring assembly allows for a resilient mounting of the relevant part of the control unit to the component, so that vibrations are not directly transmitted to the control unit, but are at least partially dampened. The spring assembly can be attached to the control unit, the component, or both.

[0009] The support element must be designed so that it can be attached to both the control unit and the vibrating component. Consequently, the support element could function as a mounting point for the control unit or as a kind of guide or centering pin for the control unit, exerting a supporting force against the vibrating component. The system allows for a certain degree of movement of the support element to compensate for vibrations.

[0010] The system allows for a robust design with regard to existing installation tolerances of the support by setting a degressive spring characteristic of the spring assembly. This makes it possible to keep the support force required for the control unit at the relevant point of the control element almost constant over a large spring travel and below a predefinable maximum force, even if the tolerance range of the vibrating component or the control unit should be relatively large.

[0011] The system remains robust against environmentally induced aging of the components. For example, if the vibrating component and / or the control unit is made of plastic, it can be subject to settling and relaxation due to temperature exposure, such as up to 150°C in gearboxes and hydraulic systems. Dimensional changes caused by such aging effects can be very effectively compensated for by the spring-loaded preload of the compression spring with its degressive spring characteristic; consequently, the effective support force remains nearly constant.

[0012] The system can thus provide spring support as close as possible to a critical vibration point. The spring support provided by the system is particularly suitable for control units that are mounted directly on the vibrating component, as it exhibits sufficient resistance to aggressive media, such as gear oil. The temperature dependence of the spring characteristic, for example, of compression springs made of a metallic material, and especially spring steel, is comparatively low in a temperature range of, for example, -40°C to +150°C compared to solutions where the control unit is supported directly on a component made of plastic.

[0013] An advantageous embodiment further comprises a guide device, wherein the guide device can be positioned on the control unit or the component, and wherein the support element can be slidably mounted on the guide device along a guide axis. Accordingly, the spring device and the guide device guide the support element such that it can be displaced in a direction predetermined by the guide axis and is pressed towards the guide device only against a certain resistance generated by the spring force. The guide device can be arranged either in the vibrating component or in the control unit, which is to be mounted on the vibrating component.

[0014] The support element can advantageously have a support collar to act as a stop for the spring assembly. This means that only the shape of part of the support element needs to be adapted to the spring assembly, while a predominant part can be designed to be slim and, in particular, has a low moment of inertia.

[0015] In an advantageous embodiment, the spring assembly comprises a disc spring pack. This includes several disc springs stacked in the same direction, where the spring travel of the spring pack corresponds to the spring travel of the individual springs, with the resulting spring force being directly proportional to the number of individual springs. The travel distance of the disc spring pack is comparatively small, while the achievable spring force is comparatively large. The available installation space for the spring assembly can be utilized particularly efficiently with a spring pack.

[0016] In an equally advantageous embodiment, the spring assembly comprises a spring column. This corresponds to an arrangement of several alternatingly stacked disc springs, whereby the spring travels of the individual springs add up, but the resulting spring force remains constant. The travelable distance is thus comparatively large, while the spring force is comparatively low.

[0017] Depending on the requirements for the spring characteristic and the available installation space, a combination of spring pack and spring column can also be used to provide the spring assembly.

[0018] Alternatively, the spring assembly can be designed as a leaf spring integrated into the control unit. The term "leaf spring" refers to devices that are essentially planar and that cause a change in shape when a force acts perpendicular to their surface, and vice versa.

[0019] The leaf spring can be integrated into the control unit as a separate component or can be formed by the material of the control unit's housing.

[0020] In an advantageous embodiment, the guide device is designed as a bore that is at least partially cylindrical, with the support element having a guide section whose shape is adapted to the cylindrical bore. Designing the guide device as a cylindrical bore results in very low manufacturing costs, and the time required to produce such a cylindrical bore is extremely short. Depending on the material selection of the component and the control unit, permanently smooth-running guides can be achieved, requiring no further measures. It is particularly advantageous when using plastics for either of these two components to incorporate a guide device in the form of a cylindrical bore into the plastic component.

[0021] In an equally advantageous embodiment, the support element is made of a metallic material and comprises a cylindrical guide section, a support collar extending radially from it, and a fastening element on the side of the support collar opposite the guide section. Such a design allows for cost-effective manufacturing by casting, machining, or non-machining forming processes. The functional separation between the guide within the guide device and the fastening to one of the two components—the control unit and the vibrating component—allows for complete flexibility in the design of the fastening element. Furthermore, it is conceivable that several different variants of support elements could be provided according to a modular system and used as required. Different variants of the support elements could even be used on the same control unit.

[0022] In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the guide device is arranged on the vibrating component. Especially in the simple case of a cylindrical bore, reliable guidance can be achieved without the need for a complex integration of a separate guide element, simply by machining a bore in the component's housing. This results in low manufacturing costs and can be integrated even in confined spaces. In this case, a corresponding support element can be screwed directly onto the control unit, so that it only needs to be inserted into the guide device together with the spring assembly.

[0023] Alternatively, the guide device can of course also be mounted on the control unit, thus creating a rigid connection between the vibrating component and the support element. Depending on the chosen connection method, a particularly space-saving mounting of the support element can be achieved, for example, by adhesive bonding, welding, or soldering. The available connection methods depend on the material combination between the support element and the vibrating component.

[0024] Further features, advantages, and applications of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the exemplary embodiments and the figures. In the figures, the same reference numerals denote identical or similar objects.

[0025] Fig. Figure 1 shows a system for holding a control unit on a component in a sectional view.

[0026] Fig. Figure 2 shows another system for holding a control unit on a component in a sectional view.

[0027] Fig. Figure 1 shows an example of a system 2 to hold a control unit 4 on a vibrating component 6 , which is a support element 8 , a spring device designed as a compression spring 10 and a command and control system 12 exhibits. The control unit 4 It features, for example, a housing that holds and encapsulates electronic components. The vibrating component 6 This could, for example, be part of the housing of a hydraulic device or other equipment that exerts significant vibrations during operation, which lie within a fixed or variable frequency range.

[0028] The support element 8 is manufactured from a metallic material and has a cylindrical guide section. 14on, to which a support collar can be attached 16 adjoins, which extends radially outwards from the guide section 14 extends. This is also exemplified as a cylindrical section.

[0029] At one of the leadership sections 14 far side of the support collar 16 There is a fastening element 18 , which is also exemplified as a cylindrical body and has a bore 20 , for example, has a thread into which a screw can be screwed. Alternatively, the fastening element could 18 also have a projection with a thread that goes into the control unit 14 It can be screwed in.

[0030] The relevant part of the vibrating component 6 is designed accordingly. The management system 12 has a cylindrical bore 22on, in which the leadership section 14 of the support element 8 along a guide axis 24 It can be slidably stored. Attached to the cylindrical bore. 22 a paragraph closes 26 on, which is in a larger borehole 28 leads into which the compression spring 10 exemplified as a disc spring assembly. The diameter of the bore 28 Corresponds, taking into account a suitable fit, to the diameter of the support collar 16 , so that it can proceed undisturbed in the borehole 28 can slide. This is followed by another paragraph. 30 on, which then takes the form of another, shallow borehole 32 on the outer surface 34 of the component 6 leads to the end. The support element 8 can therefore be carried along the guide axis 24 in the vibrating component 6 slide and is always held in place by the compression spring 10in one of the bore 22 opposite side of the component 6 pushed out.

[0031] By the design of the compression spring 10 A degressive spring characteristic can be set using a disc spring assembly, which also works with a relatively large tolerance range of the bores. 22 , 28 and 32 exerts a reliable pressure force that remains below a tolerable maximum force. This can be controlled by the control unit. 4 Support it at the desired location without a direct connection to the vibrating component. 6 to have to produce.

[0032] The system 2 It can therefore compensate for vibrations at least in areas where sufficient stiffening or other measures by the control unit are not possible. 4 are not feasible. A particular advantage lies in the system's flexibility. 2, because by using individual disc springs or other suitable springs to provide the compression spring 10 Virtually any vibration behavior can be taken into account.

[0033] The arrangement of the system's components 2 It can also be implemented the other way around. The control system 12 could be in the control unit 4 be arranged while the support element 8 directly onto the vibrating component 6 appropriate.

[0034] In Fig. 2 will be a system 36 shown, in which a control unit 38 an integrated spring mechanism 40 possesses a leaf spring which is implemented directly into the control unit 38 is integrated. The spring mechanism 40 is equipped with a support element 42 connected, which is located on a vibrating component 44 supports itself.

[0035] The design of the spring mechanism 40 depends on the desired level of compressive force and the expected spring travel. However, it shows Fig. 2 only a single leaf of a leaf spring, however several leaves can also be used, which may also have a non-planar neutral shape.

[0036] The support element 42 It is designed simply as a cylindrical body, which possesses a particularly low moment of inertia. This can be further reduced by using a hollow cylinder. The support element 42 is both on the control unit 38 as well as on the component 44 attachable. It is also conceivable that the support element 42 only on one surface 46 of the component 44 supports itself.

Claims

[1] System ( 2 , 36 ) to hold a control unit ( 4 , 38 ) on a vibrating component ( 6 , 44 ), exhibiting – a support element ( 8 , 42 ) and – a spring device ( 10 , 40 ), where the spring device ( 10 , 40 ) on the control unit ( 4 , 38 ) or the component ( 6 , 44 ) can be positioned, where the support element ( 8 , 42 ) with the spring device ( 10 , 40 ) can be brought into action and connected to the control unit ( 4 , 38 ) or the component ( 6 , 44 ) can be attached, where the spring device ( 10 , 40 ) exhibits a degressive spring characteristic and exerts a compressive force on the support element ( 8 , 42 ) exercises. [2] System ( 2 ,36 ) according to claim 1, furthermore having a guidance device ( 12 ), where the guidance device ( 12 ) on the control unit ( 4 , 38 ) or the component ( 6 , 44 ) can be positioned and where the support element ( 8 , 42 ) along a guide axis ( 24 ) at the command post ( 12 ) movable and storable. [3] System ( 2 , 36 ) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the support element ( 8 , 42 ) a support collar ( 16 ) as a stop for the spring mechanism ( 10 , 40 ) exhibits. [4] System ( 2 , 36 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the spring device ( 10 , 40 ) has a disc spring assembly. [5] System ( 2 , 36) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the spring device ( 10 , 40 ) has a spring column made of disc springs. [6] System ( 2 , 36 ) according to claim 1, wherein the spring device ( 10 , 40 ) is designed as a leaf spring that goes into the control unit ( 4 , 38 ) is integrated. [7] System ( 2 , 36 ) according to claim 6, wherein the leaf spring is made of the material of a housing of the control unit ( 4 , 38 ) is formed. [8] System ( 2 , 36 ) according to claim 2, where the guidance device ( 12 ) as a bore that is at least partially cylindrical ( 22 ) is executed and where the support element ( 8 , 42 ) has a guide section whose shape is adapted to the cylindrical bore ( 22 ) is adapted. [9] System ( 2 ,36 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the support element ( 8 , 42 ) is made of a metallic material and has a cylindrical guide section ( 14 ) and a support collar extending radially from it ( 16 ) and a fastening element on one of the guide sections ( 14 ) opposite side of the support collar ( 16 ) exhibits. [10] System ( 2 , 36 ) according to claim 2, wherein the guide device ( 12 ) on the vibrating component ( 6 , 44 ) is arranged. [11] System ( 2 , 36 ) according to claim 2, wherein the guide device ( 12 ) on the control unit ( 4 , 38 ) is arranged.

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