Evaporation device, support system, method for manufacturing a support system and vehicle

Abstract

Evaporation device (10), comprising a housing (12) with two pre-fixing elements (30, 31) for at least temporary positioning and fixing of the evaporation device (10) to a support structure (20), wherein the two pre-fixing elements (30, 31) are designed such that, by carrying out a positioning movement of the evaporation device (10), it can be suspended by means of the pre-fixing elements (30, 31) on correspondingly complementary counter-elements (40) essentially in their final position on the supporting structure (20), wherein the positioning movement for suspension on a first pre-fixing element (30) is a substantially translational movement (70), and the positioning movement for suspension on a second pre-fixing element (31) is a substantially rotational movement (80), characterized in that the first pre-fixing element (30) has a guide (32) which is designed as a guide rail and receives a pin (42).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an evaporation device, in particular an evaporation device for use in an air conditioning system of a motor vehicle, a support system for fastening an evaporation device to a support structure, a method for producing a support system and a vehicle.

[0002] Installing add-on components in a suspended position presents a challenge for the technicians involved, as the positioning and fastening of the add-on components must be carried out while applying a load-bearing force. One example is the installation of evaporative units as part of air conditioning systems under the roof racks of vehicles.

[0003] The attachment typically has to be held in its target position to ensure proper fastening. At the same time, fastening operations must be carried out, which often require a complex sequence of movements. For example, nuts must be placed on screws or bolts and tightened. In addition, the overhead mounting position often makes good visibility impossible. Fastening operations therefore often have to be carried out with poor visibility or blindly, which further increases complexity and poses a potential safety risk. The assembly of heavy parts such as evaporators, which are typically components of air conditioning systems, is particularly challenging. These parts weigh several kilograms and can therefore hardly be held securely in position with one hand while the other hand simultaneously performs the necessary fastening steps.

[0004] DE 103 08 003 A1 discloses a construction for attaching a heavy object, for example, a radiator unit, by means of a pre-fixing element capable of temporarily securing the heavy object for the assembly process. This pre-fixing element can comprise two hooks and is capable of securing the heavy object on one side during the assembly process, allowing the radiator unit to be easily held with one hand. This allows the other hand to secure the radiator unit. Documents DE 100 20 183 A1 and JP 2004 - 324 688 A disclose further constructions for attaching radiator structures.

[0005] The invention is based on the object of providing an evaporation device, a support system and a method for producing a support system with which the assembly of the evaporation device can be realized in a simple, safe and efficient manner.

[0006] To achieve the object, an evaporation device, in particular an evaporation device for use in an air conditioning system of a motor vehicle according to claim 1, a support system for attaching an evaporation device to a support structure according to claim 4, a method for producing a support system according to claim 7, and a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, according to claim 8 are provided. Advantageous embodiments of the evaporation device are specified in subclaims 2 and 3. Furthermore, advantageous embodiments of the support system are presented in subclaims 5 and 6.

[0007] A first aspect of the invention provides an evaporation device, in particular an evaporation device for use in an air conditioning system of a motor vehicle. This comprises a housing with two pre-fixing elements for at least temporarily positioning and fixing the evaporation device to a support structure. The two pre-fixing elements are designed such that, by performing a positioning movement of the evaporation device, the device can be suspended by means of the pre-fixing elements from correspondingly complementary counter-elements, essentially in its final position on the support structure.

[0008] Both pre-fixing elements can be designed in such a way that a translational degree of freedom of the evaporation device can be blocked by a positioning movement of the evaporation device. In particular, when the evaporation device is suspended from the pre-fixing elements, these can block the translational degree of freedom of the evaporation device based on the force of gravity. Of course, additional translational and / or rotational degrees of freedom of the evaporation device can also be blocked.

[0009] In particular, the pre-fixing elements can be used to sufficiently secure the evaporation device for assembly. This means that no additional forces are required to secure the component during assembly. In particular, no additional support or holding of the evaporation device in the assembly position or during assembly is necessary.

[0010] The pre-fixing elements can be provided on the housing or on a part of the housing during the manufacture of the evaporation device. For example, pre-fixing elements can be manufactured together with the housing surface using an injection molding process by appropriately shaping the housing surface. Alternatively or additionally, pre-fixing elements can be arranged as add-on parts on the housing.

[0011] The pre-fixing elements, together with correspondingly complementary counter-elements, form pre-fixing devices. The counter-elements are arranged, for example, on a support structure in order to temporarily position and fix the evaporation device with the pre-fixing elements provided on the evaporation device.

[0012] In particular, the evaporation device can be positioned essentially hanging in its final position on both pre-fixing elements and is thus held essentially in the position that the evaporation device is intended to have during use in the vehicle even during temporary positioning and fixing. It should be noted that slight deviations may still occur here between the position set during positioning and fixing and the desired final position. Essentially, the temporary position should be close to the final position, although it is possible, for example, that the position may change slightly during final fixing. During final assembly, for example, the evaporation device can be slightly lifted in order to decouple the pre-fixing elements from the corresponding counter-elements.This means that there is no longer any contact between the pre-fixing elements and the counter-elements, which is particularly advantageous with regard to noise generation and potential damage caused by abrasion during the expected vibrations.

[0013] Such an evaporation device can be used wherever evaporation devices are mounted under supporting structures, for example in passenger cars, buses, trucks, watercraft, aircraft, etc.

[0014] A key advantage of the evaporation device according to the invention is that it can be easily installed by one person. The use of a device such as a manipulator is unnecessary. This saves production time, and the overhead work required is minimized.

[0015] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the positioning movement for suspension on a first pre-fixing element is a substantially translational movement and the positioning movement for suspension on a second pre-fixing element is a substantially rotational movement.

[0016] The process of hanging on a first pre-fixing element is in particular a pushing or sliding of a guided element into or onto a guide. The process of hanging on a second pre-fixing element can, for example, be the engagement of a latch or locking step behind a locking surface in order to achieve an undercut or engagement. For example, a hook can hook behind an edge, for example under elastic deformation during the hooking process shortly before hooking. The essentially rotary movement is in particular the rotation around a first pushed-on or pushed-in element, in particular by applying an upward force in the vicinity of the second pre-fixing element in order to bring it into engagement with the corresponding counter-element.The rotation around the inserted element can be realized in the area of ​​the second pre-fixing element by an essentially translational manual movement.

[0017] The individual movements necessary to establish temporary positioning and fixation can be performed in a combined movement.

[0018] A key advantage is that these are very simple movement sequences that can be easily carried out by a person or, if necessary, by an automated device.

[0019] In a further advantageous embodiment of the evaporation device, a first pre-fixing element is formed by an element that can be guided in a guide or by a guide. The guide direction runs parallel to the arrangement direction of the pre-fixing elements, at least with a component of its extension direction. A second pre-fixing element is formed by part of a locking connection.

[0020] The first pre-fixing element is, for example, an element that can be guided in a guide, for example, a cantilevered element such as a pin. Alternatively, the first pre-fixing element can be a guide or a guide rail. The respective complementary element is arranged accordingly on the support structure. The guide direction runs at least with a component of its extension direction and preferably exactly parallel to the arrangement direction of the pre-fixing elements, wherein the arrangement direction of the pre-fixing elements is formed by the straight line between the first and second pre-fixing elements.

[0021] A guide can be widened toward its opening to facilitate insertion of the guide element. Two edges that can be guided onto one another are also possible as a guide element or guide. Both parts together, the guide element and the guide, form a first pre-fixing device.

[0022] The second pre-fixing element is, for example, a latch or locking step, such as a hook-shaped element or a locking surface or edge. The complementary element is arranged accordingly on the support structure. Both parts together form a second pre-fixing device.

[0023] In particular, the first pre-fixing element can be designed as a guide rail for receiving a pin. The corresponding pin is arranged on the support structure. The second pre-fixing element is designed as an elastically deformable hook that can be locked behind a correspondingly formed edge on the support structure, thus establishing a fixed connection. In particular, the first and second pre-fixing elements are present in duplicate and arranged at a distance to further prevent rotation about an axis formed by the straight line between the first and second pre-fixing elements.

[0024] A significant advantage of this embodiment of the invention is that the pre-fixing elements and the counter-elements are easy to manufacture, ensure high reliability and thus enable a firm and secure temporary connection.

[0025] In a further advantageous embodiment of the evaporation device, at least one device for permanent mechanical connection to the support structure is arranged on or in the housing of the evaporation device.

[0026] A permanent connection can be a reversible or an irreversible connection.

[0027] For example, holes or bores can be provided for the passage of bolts or screws to create a secure screw connection between the evaporation device and the supporting structure. Alternatively, screws or bolts can be provided. Of course, additional connecting elements or auxiliary devices such as nuts, washers, inserts, decoupling elements, etc. can be provided.

[0028] A further aspect of the invention is a support system for attaching an evaporation device to a support structure. This system comprises an evaporation device according to the invention and a support structure, in particular a longitudinal member for arrangement in the roof area of ​​a motor vehicle. The support system is characterized in that counter-elements designed to complement the pre-fixing elements are arranged on the support structure.

[0029] The support system can further comprise a cross member. For example, the permanent mechanical connection of the evaporation device to the support structure can be made partially or entirely on the cross member. The mechanical connection can alternatively be made on a longitudinal member or on both a longitudinal and a cross member. In particular, the arrangement of the counter elements, which are complementary to the pre-fixing elements on the housing of the evaporation device, on the cross member is possible.

[0030] The advantage of this design is a simple and weight-saving attachment of the evaporation device.

[0031] In an advantageous embodiment of the support system, a first pre-fixing element is formed by at least one projecting element, in particular a pin, which can be guided in a guide, or by a translational guide whose guide direction runs parallel to the arrangement direction of the pre-fixing elements, at least with a component of its extension direction. In the first alternative, at least one translational guide is formed on the support structure as a counter element associated with the first pre-fixing element, and in the second alternative, at least one projecting element, in particular a pin, which can be guided in the guide and can be guided translationally in the guide of the first pre-fixing element, is arranged on the support structure as a counter element associated with the first pre-fixing element.A second pre-fixing element is formed by a first part of a locking connection, and a second part of a locking connection is arranged on the support structure, associated with the second pre-fixing element. This, together with the first part of the locking connection, allows a fixed locking connection to be established between the evaporation device and the support structure.

[0032] The support structure is, in particular, a longitudinal member in the roof area of ​​a vehicle. In the partially positioned and pre-fixed state with the first pre-fixing element after the translational guidance, rotation around the pin is possible, in particular, in order to establish a locking connection with the second pre-fixing element and the corresponding counter-element. In the area of ​​the first pre-fixing device, two cantilevered elements or pins are preferably present, each of which projects laterally into a guide. This increases the stability of the first pre-fixing device.

[0033] In a further advantageous embodiment of the support system, the evaporation device is fixed to the support structure by means of at least one device for permanent mechanical connection.

[0034] In particular, screws or bolts are arranged on the evaporator, and corresponding fastening elements are arranged on the supporting structure. For example, blind rivet nuts can be arranged on the cross member to enable attachment to the hard-to-reach profile. The fastening to the longitudinal member can be achieved, for example, with metal inserts. Screws or bolts can be arranged for the connection. Soft elements, so-called decoupling elements, which can be made of rubber, for example, can be arranged for mechanical decoupling and vibration damping.

[0035] An advantage of this design is secure fixation while avoiding disturbing noises.

[0036] A further aspect of the invention is a method for producing a support system, in which an evaporation device according to the invention and a support structure are provided and these are positioned and fixed to one another by a relative movement between the evaporation device and the support structure.

[0037] In particular, this refers to a relative movement per pre-fixing device, or a two-part relative movement consisting of a substantially translational movement and a substantially rotational movement. The translational movement is performed, for example, to establish a suspended connection of the evaporation device to a support structure by means of a first pre-fixing element, such as the connection of a cantilevered structure guided in a guide, and the rotational movement is, for example, a movement to establish a suspended connection of the evaporation device to the support structure by means of a second pre-fixing element, such as a hook.

[0038] The advantage here is the ergonomically simple, quick and safe positioning and pre-fixing of the evaporation device.

[0039] In an advantageous embodiment of the method, the evaporation device is moved with a substantially translational movement such that the projecting element is inserted into the guide and displaced therein. Subsequently, a substantially rotational movement is performed between the evaporation device and the support structure, creating a locking connection between the first part of the locking connection and the second part of the locking connection.

[0040] In the area where the first part of the locking connection contacts the second part of the locking connection, the essentially rotational relative movement between the evaporator and the support structure runs essentially perpendicular to the guide direction defined by the guide. The preliminary positioning and fixing of the evaporator is ergonomically simple and quick for the installers involved: The evaporator is first inserted, then pivoted in. The evaporator is then held by the pre-fixing devices in such a way that the final fixing, for example by screwing, is possible without the need for additional forces.In particular, during the final fixing, the pre-fixing achieved by the pre-fixing elements is removed again so that the pre-fixing elements no longer come into contact with each other and thus noise generation is prevented in the event of vibrations in the vehicle.

[0041] A further aspect of the invention is a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, such as a commercial vehicle, which comprises a support system according to the invention.

[0042] The invention is explained below with reference to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. It shows Fig. 1: a perspective view of an evaporation device according to the invention in the pre-fixed state, Fig. 2: a perspective sectional view of the fastening of the evaporation device to the cross member, Fig. 3: a perspective view of the fastening position of the evaporation device on the cross member, Fig. 4: a perspective view of a first pre-fixing device in the pre-fixed state, Fig. 5: a perspective view of a second pre-fixing device in the pre-fixed state, Fig. 6: a perspective view of the fastening of the evaporation device to the longitudinal member, Fig. 7: a perspective view of the first step of temporary positioning and fixing of the evaporation device, Fig. 8: a perspective view of the second step of temporary positioning and fixing of the evaporation device, Fig. 9: a perspective view of the evaporation device in the temporarily fixed state.

[0043] Fig. Figure 1 shows an evaporation device according to the invention in the pre-fixed state. Shown are a cross member 24 and a longitudinal member 22 fastened thereto, which represents the support structure 20 for the evaporation device 10. The evaporation device 10 is fastened to the longitudinal member 22 by means of a first pre-fixing element 30, a second pre-fixing element 31, and complementary counter-elements 40. A more detailed description of the pre-fixing elements and the counter-elements can be found in the Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 given.

[0044] Decoupling elements are shown on the right and left sides, between the evaporator 10 and the cross member 24. In the final assembled state, they are located as shown in Fig. 2, between the support structure 20, here the cross member, and the evaporation device 10 and thus prevent friction between the housing and the support structure 20. This prevents potential damage due to abrasion as well as noise generation.

[0045] The evaporation device 10 shown here is a so-called second evaporator, which is located centrally under the roof of the driver's cab. Above this is the roof with the illustrated supports; below this is the roof lining when fully assembled. The evaporator is finally secured with a three-point suspension, with two screws running through the illustrated decoupling elements 64 on the cross member 24 and securing them between the cross member 24 and the housing 12, and another screw located on the longitudinal member 22, as shown in Fig. 6 shown.

[0046] Fig. Figure 2 shows a perspective, cutaway view of the final attachment of the evaporation device 10 to the cross member 24. A blind rivet nut 62 is arranged on the hard-to-reach profile of the cross member 24. A screw 60 is screwed into this nut, thus securing the housing 12 of the evaporation device 10 to the support 24 and holding the decoupling element 64 located therebetween in position.

[0047] Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of the pre-assembled decoupling element 64 in a recess provided for this purpose on the housing 12 of the evaporation device 10.

[0048] Fig. Figure 4 shows a detail of the longitudinal support 22 with the counter-elements 40 located thereon, which are designed as pins and arranged on both sides of the support 22. On the housing 12 of the evaporation device 10, a guide 32 is arranged on each side of the pins 42 arranged on the support 22, complementary to these. These guides 32 form the first pre-fixing element 30 of the evaporation device 10. It is shown that the pins 42 are received in the guides 32 in such a way that they block the translational degree of freedom of the pre-fixed evaporation device 10 in the direction of gravity. This prevents the evaporation device from falling downward or tipping over.

[0049] Fig. Figure 5 shows the second pre-fixing element 31, which is also constructed in two parts and forms the first part of a locking connection. It is designed as a pair of elastically deformable hooks on both sides of the longitudinal member 22. In the illustration, the hooks engage behind the complementarily designed counter-elements 40, which form the second part of the locking connection 54. The first part 52 and the second part 54 of the locking connection together form the locking connection 50, which engages on both sides of the beam. This facilitates final assembly.

[0050] The hooks shown are manufactured as components of the housing 12 of the evaporation device 10 and are made of the same material as the housing 12.

[0051] Fig. Figure 6 shows the attachment of the evaporation device 10 to the longitudinal support 22 in a perspective view. For the final attachment to the longitudinal support 22, a screw 60 and a metal insert 66 are provided, which is arranged in a correspondingly designed structure on the top side of the housing of the evaporation device 10. This connection enables a permanent attachment of the evaporation device 10 to the support structure 22.

[0052] Fig. Figure 7 shows the first step of temporarily positioning and securing the evaporation device 10 to the support structure 20 in a perspective view with two enlarged details. Shown is the longitudinal member 22, which has an opening 23 for the roof antenna to pass through, and the evaporation device 10 arranged underneath it prior to temporary positioning and securing to the longitudinal member 22. The arrows shown indicate a translational movement 70, which is performed as the first part of the movement for the preliminary positioning and securing of the evaporation device 10. Shown on the right and left are decoupling elements 64, which are used in later steps during the final assembly to the cross member 24.The enlarged detail shown at the top right shows the first pre-fixing element 30, shown as a guide 32 arranged on the housing 12 of the evaporation device 10, as well as complementary pins 42, which are arranged as counter-elements 40 on the longitudinal member 22. The relative position of the housing 12 of the evaporation device 10 to the longitudinal member 22 and thus the relative position of the pins 42 to the guides 32 is such that the pins can be brought into engagement with the guide by a translational movement of the evaporation device 10. The enlarged view at the bottom right shows the longitudinal member 22 with counter-elements 40 arranged thereon, designed as locking edges that form the second part of a locking connection 54. Also visible is the second pre-fixing element 31, designed as a hook, which forms the first part of a locking connection and is arranged on the top side of the housing 12 of the evaporation device 10.

[0053] Fig. Figure 8 shows the second step for the preliminary positioning and fixing of the evaporation device 10 to the support structure 20. This illustration shows that the pins 42 arranged on the longitudinal beam 22 are engaged in the guides 32 arranged on the housing 12 of the evaporation device 10. This is the case after the essentially translational movement 70, shown as a diagonal arrow in the left part of the image. The next step is the essentially rotational movement 80, shown as a vertical arrow in the left part of the image. This involves a rotation of the evaporation device 10 around the pins 42, which form the counter-element 40 to the first pre-fixing element 30.This rotational movement 80 acts in the region of the locking connection 50 as a substantially translational movement of the first part of the locking connection relative to the second part of the locking connection, so that the hook is brought into engagement with the second part 54 of the locking connection through a temporary elastic deformation. Visible below is the metal insert 66, which later serves as part of the final fixation.

[0054] Fig.Figure 9 shows, in a similar representation, the housing 12 of the evaporation device 10 in a provisionally positioned and fixed state. As in the previous image, each pin 42 is engaged with the respective first pre-fixing element 30, i.e., the guides 32. Furthermore, after the rotational movement 80 has been completed, both parts of the locking connection 50 are now also engaged. The first parts of the locking connection 52, designed as hooks, engage behind the second parts of the locking connection 54, which here are designed as webs arranged on both sides, and establish the fixed locking connection. List of reference symbols 10 Evaporation device 12 housings 20 Supporting structure 22 longitudinal members 23 Opening 24 cross members 30 Pre-fixing element First 31 Pre-fixing element Second 32 leadership 40 Counter element 42 cones 50 snap connection 52 Snap connection of a part of the first 54 Snap connection part of a second 60 screw 62 blind rivet nut 64 Decoupling element 66 metal insert 70 Movement translational 80 Movement rotational

Claims

[1] Evaporation device (10), comprising a housing (12) with two pre-fixing elements (30, 31) for at least temporarily positioning and fixing the evaporation device (10) to a support structure (20), wherein the two pre-fixing elements (30, 31) are designed in such a way that, by carrying out a positioning movement of the evaporation device (10), the latter can be suspended by means of the pre-fixing elements (30, 31) on correspondingly complementary counter-elements (40) essentially in its final position on the support structure (20), wherein the positioning movement for suspension on a first pre-fixing element (30) is a substantially translational movement (70), and the positioning movement for suspension on a second pre-fixing element (31) is a substantially rotational movement (80), characterized bythat the first pre-fixing element (30) has a guide (32) which is designed as a guide rail and receives a pin (42). [2] Evaporation device (10) according to claim 1, characterized by that the guide direction of the guide rail runs parallel to the arrangement direction of the first pre-fixing element (30) at least with a component of its extension direction and a second pre-fixing element (31) is formed by a part of a latching connection (50). [3] Evaporation device (10) according to at least one of claims 1 and 2, characterized by that at least one device for permanent mechanical connection to the support structure (20) is arranged on or in the housing (12). [4] Support system for fastening an evaporation device (10) to a support structure (20), comprising an evaporation device (10) according to at least one of claims 1 to 3 and a support structure (20) for arrangement in the roof area of a motor vehicle, characterized by that counter-elements (40) complementary to the pre-fixing elements (30, 31) are arranged on the supporting structure (20). [5] Support system according to claim 4, characterized byin that the first pre-fixing element (30) is formed by a guide rail, the guide direction of which runs parallel to the arrangement direction of the first pre-fixing element (30) with at least one component of its extension direction, wherein at least one pin (42) is arranged on the support structure (20) as a counter element (40) associated with the first pre-fixing element (30), which pin can be guided translationally in the guide rail of the first pre-fixing element (30); and a second pre-fixing element (31) is formed by a first part (52) of a latching connection (50), and a second part (54) of a latching connection (50) is arranged on the support structure (20) associated with the second pre-fixing element (31), with which part, together with the first part (52) of the latching connection (50), a fixed latching connection (50) can be produced between the evaporation device (10) and the support structure (20). [6] Support system according to at least one of claims 4 and 5, characterized by that the evaporation device (10) is fixed to the support structure (20) by means of at least one device for permanent mechanical connection. [7] Method for producing a support system according to at least one of claims 4 to 6, in which an evaporation device (10) according to at least one of claims 1 to 3 and a support structure (20) are provided, and by a relative movement between the evaporation device (10) and the support structure (20) they are positioned relative to each other and fixed to each other, characterized bythat the evaporation device (10) is moved with a substantially translational movement (70) such that the pin (42) is pushed into the guide rail and displaced therein, and then a substantially rotary movement (80) is carried out between the evaporation device (10) and the support structure (20), so that a locking connection (50) is produced between the first part (52) of the locking connection (50) and the second part (54) of the locking connection (50). [8] Vehicle comprising a support system according to at least one of claims 4 to 6.

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