Housing for a functional device of a vehicle's powertrain and functional device

Abstract

The invention relates to a housing for a functional component of a vehicle's powertrain, in particular for a vehicle's valve assembly, comprising a housing tray with an opening, a housing cover attachable to the housing tray for closing the opening, and a housing flange for fixing the housing to an adjacent component. The housing flange has a first housing flange section arranged on the outside of the housing tray and at least partially circumferencing the housing tray, and a second housing flange section arranged on the housing cover or the first housing flange section.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a housing for a functional device of a drive train of a vehicle, in particular for a valve device of a vehicle, comprising a housing pan with an opening, a housing cover which can be arranged on the housing pan for closing the opening and a housing flange for fixing the housing to an adjacent component.

[0002] The invention further relates to a functional device, in particular a valve device, comprising a housing and a plurality of contactable functional units arranged in the housing.

[0003] Housings for functional devices in a vehicle's drivetrain typically comprise a housing pan and a housing cover, as well as a housing flange surrounding the housing. The housing flange serves to secure the housing or functional device to an adjacent component of the vehicle, such as a transmission bell housing. The housing cover is usually arranged adjacent to the housing flange. Such a functional device can be, for example, a valve device, with several valve units arranged in the housing. The valve device can be used to control clutch operation, particularly in commercial vehicles.

[0004] However, the problem is that housings with this type of design can take up a lot of space. This can be particularly the case if the housing flange is inclined relative to the housing body, so that the space available inside the housing contains unusable sections, such as a corner area with an acute angle. In valve devices, this can significantly limit the design freedom for arranging the valve units inside the housing. To create the space required for arranging the valve units or other components, such as sensors, the housing must be enlarged. This creates additional installation space.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a simple and cost-effective housing for a functional device of a drive train of a vehicle and a functional device with a housing which requires less installation space.

[0006] A further object of the present invention is to provide an alternative housing for a functional device of a drive train of a vehicle and an alternative functional device.

[0007] In one embodiment, the present invention achieves the above-mentioned objects by means of a housing for a functional device of a drive train of a vehicle, in particular for a valve device of a vehicle, comprising a housing pan with an opening, a housing cover which can be arranged on the housing pan for closing the opening and a housing flange for fixing the housing to an adjacent component, in that the housing flange has a first housing flange section which is arranged on the outside of the housing pan and at least partially surrounds the housing pan and a second housing flange section which is arranged on the housing cover or the first housing flange section.

[0008] In one embodiment, the present invention achieves the above-mentioned objects by means of a functional device, in particular a valve device, comprising a housing according to one of claims 1 to 13, at least one, in particular a plurality of contactable functional units, in particular valve units, arranged in the housing, each having a functional unit contact and a contacting plug arranged at least partially in a leadthrough of the housing with at least one plug contact arranged in a housing interior, wherein the functional unit contact(s) and the at least one plug contact can be electrically conductively connected to one another.

[0009] Due to the multi-part design of the housing flange with a first housing flange section and a second housing flange section, the space inside the housing can be designed independently of the arrangement of the housing flange or can be designed flexibly. The space inside the housing can thus be adapted depending on the components to be arranged therein, reducing the installation space, at least in one direction, and avoiding unusable space. Furthermore, the weight of the housing can be significantly reduced.

[0010] The term "stiffening rib" is to be understood in the broadest sense and refers, particularly in the claims, preferably in the description, to an elongated protrusion on the housing flange. A stiffening rib can be arranged on both sides of the housing flange. A stiffening rib is preferably formed integrally with the housing flange, wherein the stiffening rib comprises the same material as the housing flange and merges directly into it.

[0011] Further features, advantages and preferred embodiments of the invention are described below or will become apparent thereby.

[0012] According to an advantageous development of the invention, the first and second housing flange sections extend in a common flange plane. This allows for a particularly simple and cost-effective construction. This can be easily manufactured using die-cast aluminum.

[0013] According to a further advantageous development of the invention, the housing cover extends in a cover plane, wherein the first and second housing flange sections can be arranged such that the flange plane and the cover plane intersect, preferably at a first angle of 90°. This allows for a particularly simple and cost-effective construction. This can be easily manufactured using die-cast aluminum.

[0014] According to a further advantageous development of the invention, the housing cover can be secured to the housing pan and / or the first housing flange section in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting and / or materially bonded manner, in particular via one or more detachable connections, preferably one or more screw connections. A detachable connection allows for the quick and easy replacement of defective components, such as functional units arranged in the functional device, for example, valve units and sensors.

[0015] According to a further advantageous development of the invention, the second housing flange section can be secured to the housing cover and / or the housing pan and / or the first housing flange section in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting and / or materially bonded manner, in particular via one or more detachable connections, preferably one or more screw connections. This can facilitate the installation of the functional device in the vehicle, since other components, in particular those arranged adjacent to the functional device, can be mounted or dismounted in a step prior to securing the second housing flange section.

[0016] According to a further advantageous development of the invention, the first housing flange section is formed integrally with the housing pan. One of the advantages achieved thereby is that assembly can be significantly simplified and reduced in time. Such a one-piece component can also be manufactured in a single manufacturing step, for example, by die-casting aluminum, thus providing a cost-effective housing or a cost-effective functional device.

[0017] According to a further advantageous development of the invention, the second housing flange section is formed integrally with the housing cover. This also allows for significantly simplified assembly with a shorter assembly time. Such a one-piece component can also be manufactured in a single manufacturing step, for example, by die-casting aluminum, thus providing a cost-effective housing or a cost-effective functional device.

[0018] According to a further advantageous development of the invention, the first housing flange section and / or the second housing flange section has at least one attachment point for securing the housing to the adjacent component, in particular comprising a passage for arranging a screw. The functional device can thus be securely mounted in and / or on the vehicle. Furthermore, the functional device can be removed quickly and easily, for example, for repair or maintenance work.

[0019] According to a further advantageous development of the invention, at least one seal is arranged between the housing cover and the housing tray. This reduces the risk of damage to the components arranged in the functional unit, which can occur as a result of moisture or dirt entering the housing interior.

[0020] According to a further advantageous development of the invention, the first housing flange section and / or the second housing flange section has one or more stiffening ribs. This has the advantage of significantly reducing deformation of the housing during vehicle operation. This can also have a positive effect on the tightness between the housing cover and the housing pan.

[0021] According to a further advantageous development of the invention, the housing cover and / or the housing trough has a feedthrough for at least partially accommodating a contacting plug for contacting contactable functional units that can be arranged in the housing, such as actuators, in particular valve units, or sensors. The feedthrough extends in a direction perpendicular to the cover plane and in particular in a direction facing an inner surface of the housing cover. Such an arrangement makes it possible to provide a housing with smaller dimensions in height and / or at least in a width direction. In addition, a connector element for electrically connecting the plug to components arranged inside the housing, such as valve units or sensors, can be arranged in one plane, which enables a simple and quickly assembled construction.Suitable connector elements in this context could include flexible foils, for example. If the feedthrough is located in the housing cover or housing tray, the contact plug can be pre-assembled, which can simplify and / or accelerate assembly.

[0022] According to a further advantageous development of the invention, the housing cover and / or the housing tray has a feedthrough for at least partially accommodating a contacting plug for contacting contactable functional units that can be arranged in the housing, such as actuators, in particular valve units, or sensors, wherein the functional units can be arranged at least partially adjacent to one another along a longitudinal axis, with the feedthrough extending parallel to the longitudinal axis. One of the advantages achieved in this way is a particularly space-saving design. The plug can also be easily installed. If the feedthrough is arranged in the housing cover or the housing tray, the contacting plug can also be pre-assembled, which can simplify and / or accelerate assembly.

[0023] According to a further advantageous development of the invention, the first and second housing flange sections are arranged such that the flange plane and the longitudinal axis intersect, preferably at a second angle between 45° and 85°, more preferably between 60° and 80°. This allows for a space-saving arrangement of the housing in a curved wall of an adjacent component, for example, a transmission bell housing, wherein the housing can be arranged with its longitudinal axis parallel to a radial direction of the wall and can be secured to the wall by means of the housing flange.

[0024] According to a further advantageous development of the invention, the functional units and the contacting plug are arranged such that the functional unit contacts and the at least one plug contact are arranged in one plane and are electrically connected to one another by means of one or more connector elements, in particular comprising at least one flexible film and / or at least one cable. The functional device can thus be assembled and disassembled particularly easily and quickly.

[0025] According to an advantageous development, the contacting plug comprises a first section for receiving a conductor cable and a second section, which can be arranged in the interior of a housing and has at least one plug contact. The plug contact can have a plurality of contact pins for contacting one or more flexible foils. The first section can be oriented in a first direction and the second section in a second direction, wherein the first direction can extend at an angle of 90° to the second direction. Any contacting pins present can then extend at an angle of 90° to the cable outlet.

[0026] Further important features and advantages of the invention emerge from the subclaims, from the drawings, and from the associated description of the figures based on the drawings.

[0027] It is understood that the features mentioned above and those to be explained below can be used not only in the combination specified in each case, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0028] Preferred embodiments and embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the following description, wherein the same reference numerals refer to the same or similar or functionally identical components or elements.

[0029] In schematic form Fig. 1 a spatial view of a functional device according to an embodiment of the present invention; and Fig. 2 a spatial view of an exploded view of the functional device according to the embodiment according to Fig. 1; and Fig. 3 a spatial view of a part of the functional device according to the embodiment according to Fig. 1; and Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a housing tray according to an embodiment of the present invention; and Fig. 5 a section of a spatial view of a functional device according to an embodiment of the present invention with partially transparent elements and a housing according to Fig. 4; and Fig. 6 shows a section of a spatial view of a functional device with partially transparent elements according to an embodiment of the present invention; and Fig. 7 a spatial view of a contacting plug according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Fig. 1 shows a spatial view of a functional device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] In this exemplary embodiment, the functional device 1 is a valve device 1 in which several functional units 2 in the form of pneumatically actuated valve units 2 can be arranged. The valve device 1 can be used to control the clutch operation.

[0032] The functional device 1 comprises a housing 3 with a housing tray 4 having an opening 5, a housing cover 6 that can be arranged on the housing tray 4 for closing the opening 5, and a housing flange 7 for securing the housing 3 to an adjacent component. The housing flange 7 has a first housing flange section 8 arranged on the outside of the housing tray 4 and partially encircling the housing tray 4, and a second housing flange section 9 arranged on the housing cover 6. The illustrated elements of the housing 3 can be produced by die-casting aluminum. It is also conceivable to produce the housing 3 from plastic, for example by injection molding.

[0033] The first housing flange section 8 and the second housing flange section 9 extend in a common flange plane 10. The housing cover 6 extends in a cover plane 11. The flange plane 10 and the cover plane 11 intersect at a first angle 12 of 90°.

[0034] The first housing flange section 8 is formed integrally with the housing pan 4. Furthermore, the second housing flange section 9 is formed integrally with the housing cover 6.

[0035] The housing cover 6 can be fixed to the housing pan 4 and to the first housing flange section 8 via several screw connections 13.

[0036] To secure the housing 3 to the adjacent component, both the first housing flange section 8 and the second housing flange section 9 each have a plurality of fastening points 14. These each include a passage 15 for arranging a screw. Furthermore, the first housing flange section 8 and the second housing flange section 9 have a plurality of stiffening ribs 17, which extend vertically and horizontally relative to one another. Some of the stiffening ribs 17 connect several fastening points 14 to one another.

[0037] The housing tray 4 here has a feedthrough 18 for receiving a contact plug 19 for contacting contactable functional units 2 that can be arranged in the housing 3. The feedthrough 18 extends in a direction perpendicular to a cover plane 11 and in a direction facing an inner surface of the housing cover 6. A conductor cable 20 is connected to the contact plug 19.

[0038] Fig. 2 shows a spatial view of an exploded view of the functional device according to the embodiment according to Fig. 1.

[0039] Fig. 2 shows a housing interior 21 of the housing 3, in which a total of six valve units 2 are arranged in two rows 22 and a sensor 23. To secure the valve units 2, the functional device 1 also has a hold-down plate 24, which sits on the valve units 2 and can be secured to the housing tray 4 via several screws 16. To prevent dirt and moisture from entering the housing interior 21, a circumferential seal 25 is arranged between the housing tray 4 and the housing cover 6.

[0040] On a side 26 opposite the housing cover 6, the housing tray 4 has several ventilation channels which are connected by a Fig. 2, can be closed by a cover plate 28, shown transparently. Furthermore, the housing trough 4 has a further passage 29 for receiving an air connection piece 30, via which compressed air can be supplied to the valve device 1 for operating the valve units 2.

[0041] Fig. 3 shows a spatial view of a part of the functional device according to the embodiment according to Fig. 1.

[0042] Fig. 3 now shows the housing 3 of the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 with the housing cover 6 not mounted and six valve units 2 arranged therein. The valve units 2 are secured by the retaining plate 24. A flexible film 33 is arranged to connect a plug contact 31 of the contacting plug 19 to functional unit contacts 32 of the valve units 2. The flexible film 33 extends in a plane above the valve units 2 to establish electrical contact therewith.

[0043] The functional units 2 are arranged adjacent to one another in each row 22 along a longitudinal axis 34, 34'. The first housing flange section 8 and the second housing flange section 9 are arranged such that the flange plane 10 and the longitudinal axes 34, 34' intersect at a second angle 35 of less than 90°.

[0044] Fig. 4 shows a spatial view of a housing tray according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] The Fig. 4 shown housing tray 4 - in contrast to the Fig. 3, now without arranged valve units 2, has six recesses 36 for arranging the valve units 2. The valve units 2 can be arranged in two rows 22, each with three valve units 2, and each row 22 can be arranged adjacent to one another along a longitudinal axis 34, 34'. The housing pan 4 and the first housing flange section 8 are formed in one piece, with the first housing flange section 8 being arranged partially circumferentially on the outer side 37 of the housing pan 4.

[0046] Out of Fig. 4 clearly shows that the positioning of the functional units 2 or valve units 2 can be selected independently of the housing flange 7 due to the multi-part design of the housing flange 7. An area 38 or a corner of the housing pan 4 is arranged on a different side of the flange plane 10 defined by the first housing flange section 8 than the remaining part of the housing pan 4. This avoids arranging the two rows 22 of the valve units 2 offset from one another along one of the two longitudinal axes 34, 34'. This, in turn, saves installation space.

[0047] On a side 26 opposite the housing cover, the housing tray 4 has several ventilation ducts 27.

[0048] Fig. 5 shows a section of a spatial view of a functional device according to an embodiment of the present invention with partially transparent elements and a housing according to Fig. 4.

[0049] In Fig. In Figure 5, the housing cover 6 and the second housing flange section 9 are shown transparent. These are formed integrally with one another. The housing cover 6 has a feedthrough 39 for partially accommodating a contact plug 19, wherein the feedthrough 39 extends in a direction perpendicular to a cover plane 11 and in a direction facing an outer surface 40 of the housing cover 6. Thus, a flexible film 33 extending in one plane can also be arranged.

[0050] Fig. 6 shows a section of a spatial view of a functional device with partially transparent elements according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0051] The Fig. The functional device 1 shown in Figure 6 in the form of a valve device 1 has a housing pan 4 formed integrally with the first housing flange section 8. The housing cover 6, shown transparently, and the second housing flange section 9 are formed as separate parts. The housing cover 6 can be secured to the housing pan 4 via screw connections 13, whereas the second housing flange section 9 can be secured to the first housing flange section 8.

[0052] In addition, the housing tray 4 has a feedthrough 18' for partially accommodating a contact plug 19 for contacting functional units 2 arranged in the housing 3. The functional units 2 are arranged in two rows 22, each of which is arranged adjacent to one another along a longitudinal axis 34, 34'. The feedthrough 18' extends parallel to the longitudinal axes 34, 34'.

[0053] Fig. 7 shows a spatial view of a contacting plug according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0054] Fig. 7 shows a contacting plug 19. This has a first section 41 for receiving a conductor cable 20 and a second section 42, which can be arranged in a housing interior 21 and has at least one plug contact 31. The plug contact 31 has a plurality of contact pins 43 for contacting one or more flexible foils. The first section 41 is oriented in a first direction 44, and the second section 42 in a second direction 45. The first direction 44 extends at an angle 46 of 90° relative to the second direction 45 or relative to the contact pins 43.

[0055] In summary, at least one of the embodiments of the invention may have at least one of the following features and / or at least one of the following advantages: - Flexible design of the space inside the housing. - Smaller housing space. - Reduced weight of the housing. - Simple and cost-effective construction. - Easy production through aluminum die casting or plastic injection molding. - Quick and easy replacement of defective components. - Quick and easy assembly, particularly due to a high degree of pre-assembly. - Secure fixing of the housing. - High tightness. - Space-saving arrangement of the housing in curved walls.

[0056] Although the present invention has been described using preferred embodiments, it is not limited thereto but can be modified in many ways. Reference symbol 1 functional device, valve device 2 functional unit, valve unit 3 housings 4 Housing tray 5 Opening the housing tray 6 housing cover 7 Housing flange 8 First housing flange section 9 Second housing flange section 10 Flange level 11 lid level 12 First angle 13 Screw connection for securing the housing cover or the second housing section 14 Determination point 15 Implementation of the determination points 16 Screw 17 Stiffening rib 18, 18' feedthrough in the housing tray 19 contact plugs 20-conductor cable 21 Housing interior 22 row 23 Sensor 24 hold-down plate 25 Seal 26 side, opposite the housing cover 27 Ventilation duct 28 Cover plate 29 Further feedthrough in the housing tray 30 air connector 31 plug contact 32 Functional unit contact 33 Connector element, flex film 34, 34' longitudinal axis 35 Second Angle 36 Deepening 37 Outside of the housing tray 38 Part of the housing tray 39 Feedthrough in the housing cover 40 Outer surface of the housing cover 41 First section of the contact plug 42 Second section of the contact plug 43 Contact pin 44 First Direction 45 Second Direction 46 Angle between the first and second direction

Claims

[1] Housing (3) for a functional device (1) of a drive train of a vehicle, in particular for a valve device (1) of a vehicle, comprising a housing trough (4) with an opening (5), a housing cover (6) which can be arranged on the housing tray (4) for closing the opening (5) and a housing flange (7) for fixing the housing (3) to an adjacent component, characterized by in that the housing flange (7) has a first housing flange section (8) arranged on the outside of the housing trough (4) and at least partially encircling the housing trough (4), and a second housing flange section (9) arranged on the housing cover (6) or the first housing flange section (8). [2] Housing (3) according to claim 1, characterized by that the first housing flange section (8) and the second housing flange section (9) extend in a common flange plane (10). [3] Housing (3) according to claim 2, characterized by that the housing cover (6) extends in a cover plane (11), wherein the first housing flange section (8) and the second housing flange section (9) can be arranged such that the flange plane (10) and the cover plane (11) intersect, preferably at a first angle (12) of 90°. [4] Housing (3) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that the housing cover (6) can be fixed to the housing trough (4) and / or the first housing flange section (8) in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting and / or material-fitting manner, in particular via one or more detachable connections, preferably one or more screw connections (13). [5] Housing (3) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized bythat the second housing flange section (9) can be fixed to the housing cover (6) and / or the housing trough (4) and / or the first housing flange section (8) in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting and / or material-fitting manner, in particular via one or more detachable connections, preferably one or more screw connections. [6] Housing (3) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by that the first housing flange section (3) is formed integrally with the housing trough (4). [7] Housing (3) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by that the second housing flange section (9) is formed integrally with the housing cover (6). [8] Housing (3) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized bythat the first housing flange section (8) and / or the second housing flange section (9) have at least one fixing point (14) for fixing the housing (3) to the adjacent component, in particular comprising a passage (15) for arranging a screw. [9] Housing (3) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by that at least one seal (25) is arranged between the housing cover (6) and the housing tray (4). [10] Housing (3) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized by that the first housing flange section (8) and / or the second housing flange section (9) has one or more stiffening ribs (17). [11] Housing (3) according to one of claims 3 to 10, characterized byin that the housing cover (6) and / or the housing trough (4) has a leadthrough (18, 39) for at least partially receiving a contacting plug (19) for contacting contactable functional units (2) that can be arranged in the housing (3), such as actuators, in particular valve units (2), or sensors (23), wherein the leadthrough (18, 39) extends in a direction running perpendicular to the cover plane (6) and in particular in a direction facing an inner surface of the housing cover (6). [12] Housing (3) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized byin that the housing cover (6) and / or the housing trough (4) has a leadthrough (18') for at least partially receiving a contacting plug for contacting contactable functional units (2) that can be arranged in the housing (3), such as actuators, in particular valve units (2), or sensors (23), wherein the functional units (2) can be arranged adjacent to one another at least partially along a longitudinal axis (34, 34'), wherein the leadthrough (18') extends parallel to the longitudinal axis (34, 34'). [13] Housing (3) according to claim 12, characterized by that the first housing flange section (8) and the second housing flange section (9) are arranged such that the flange plane (10) and the longitudinal axis (34, 34') intersect, preferably at a second angle (35) between 45° and 85°, more preferably between 60° and 80°. [14] Functional device (1), in particular valve device (1), comprising a housing (3) according to one of claims 1 to 13, at least one, in particular a plurality of contactable functional units (2), in particular valve units (2), arranged in the housing (3), each with a functional unit contact (32) and a contacting plug (19) arranged at least partially in a feedthrough (18, 18', 39) of the housing, with at least one plug contact (31) arranged in a housing interior (21), wherein the functional unit contacts (32) and the at least one plug contact (31) can be electrically conductively connected to one another. [15] Functional device (1) according to claim 14, characterized bythat the functional units (2) and the contacting plug (19) are arranged such that the functional unit contacts (32) and the at least one plug contact (31) are arranged in one plane and are electrically conductively connected to one another by means of one or more connector elements (33), in particular comprising at least one flexible film (33) and / or at least one cable.

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