Frame component for a vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a frame component for a vehicle, comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end and the second end are connectable to a further frame component, wherein a housing element is arranged between the first end and the second end of the frame component, wherein the housing element is configured to have at least one area for receiving a drive component, wherein a first retaining element is arranged on the housing element in the area, wherein the first retaining element and the housing element are formed in one piece.

Description

State of the art

[0001] The present invention relates to a frame component for a vehicle, a method for producing a frame component, and a further method for producing a frame component.

[0002] Currently, there are a multitude of different solutions for contacting elements in vehicle frames. Due to the increasing number of components in vehicles and the increased demands on the durability of such components, the need for innovative and robust contacting options is continuously growing.

[0003] The constant weight reduction in the vehicle sector to reduce fuel consumption as well as increasing competition are creating cost pressure, so that cheaper and more efficient components for vehicles are becoming more in demand. Disclosure of the invention

[0004] The frame component according to the invention for a vehicle with the features of claim 1 has the advantage over the known components that the orientation and positioning of the retaining element in the frame component or on the housing element can be mapped out much more accurately, since in particular no manufacturing or assembly tolerances arise. The retaining element can be designed with precise positioning and orientation, particularly through the definition of the tool, in particular as a single piece with the housing element, which can have a particularly advantageous effect on manufacturing costs. Furthermore, the assembly of retaining elements is significantly more cost-effective, since the retaining elements do not have to be screwed to the frame component, as they are designed as a single piece with the frame component or the housing element.Another advantage is that the aesthetics of a bicycle can be further improved through functional integration, as there are no protruding holding elements or similar.

[0005] This is achieved according to the invention in that the frame component for a vehicle has a first and a second end. The first end and the second end are connectable to another frame component. Furthermore, a housing element is arranged between the first end and the second end of the frame component. The housing element has a region for receiving a drive component. Furthermore, a first holding element is arranged on the housing element in this region, wherein the first holding element and the housing element are formed as a single piece.

[0006] In other words, the holding elements are manufactured with the housing element in particular at the same time or using the same manufacturing process in order to be able to provide improved orientation and positioning of the holding element relative to the housing element. The frame component can be part of a vehicle frame or the entire vehicle frame. In particular, defined geometries can be formed directly in the mold in order to be able to form the holding element. Corresponding geometries which serve as an interface to other components or directly represent the actual function in the bicycle frame are reproduced. More preferably, the holding element is designed in particular as a battery holder or the like. In particular, the frame component can consist partially of a thermoplastic material.Thus, the first retaining element and the housing element can be manufactured as a single piece using the same material. Preferably, plastic injection molding and primary molding processes are used to manufacture the one-piece retaining element. This functional integration enables smaller and lighter overall systems, particularly frame components. The region can, in particular, be a cavity in the housing element or an area that rests on the outside of the housing element. More preferably, the drive component can be a battery storage unit, a logic system, a motor, and / or the like.

[0007] The subclaims show preferred developments of the invention.

[0008] Preferably, the first holding element is designed to position a battery storage device in a fixed location in the area.

[0009] An advantage of this embodiment is that slipping of the battery storage unit in the area of ​​the frame component is prevented, since the retaining element positions it in a fixed position. In particular, the retaining element can form a clamping, positive, or force-fitting connection with the battery storage unit or the like, thus positioning the battery storage unit in a fixed position.

[0010] Further preferably, the housing element has a second holding element in the region, wherein the first holding element and the second holding element are formed integrally with the housing element, wherein the first holding element and the second holding element position the battery storage device in a fixed position.

[0011] An advantage of this embodiment is that with the help of the two holding elements, which are formed in one piece with the housing element in order to save manufacturing costs, a battery storage unit can be secured three-dimensionally to the frame element in order to significantly reduce vibrations on the battery storage unit.

[0012] Further preferably, the first holding element has a profile rail, wherein the profile rail is designed to position a battery storage device in a fixed location, wherein the battery storage device can be inserted into the profile rail along the area.

[0013] An advantage of this embodiment is that a sliding connection between the battery storage unit and the housing element by means of the first retaining element creates a positive connection between the frame component and the battery storage unit. Furthermore, the process of mounting the battery storage unit on the frame component is significantly simplified by simply sliding it in.

[0014] Further preferably, the first holding element has a holder geometry, wherein the holder geometry is configured to position a control component in a fixed location.

[0015] An advantage of this embodiment is that the holder geometry can be selected such that a signal and / or current-conducting connection can be formed between the control component and the battery storage unit. The holder geometry can both position the control component in a fixed location and preferably form a signal and / or current-conducting connection.

[0016] Preferably, the first holding element has an interface, wherein the interface is designed to position a further component in a fixed location.

[0017] An advantage of this embodiment is that the interface can be selected such that additional components simply need to be inserted into the interface to further secure them to the retaining element. This eliminates the need for numerous fastening elements such as screws or similar components on the frame component.

[0018] A further aspect of the invention relates to a method for producing a frame component as described above and below, comprising the steps: - Providing a tool, - Forming the frame component with a holding element by means of the tool, wherein the frame component and the holding element are formed substantially simultaneously.

[0019] An advantage of this embodiment is that the manufacturing costs are significantly reduced and the connection between the holding element and the housing element or frame component is significantly improved because they are made from the same material. For example, a typical injection molding tool can be provided in which a geometry is provided to be able to represent both the frame component and the holding element by filling the tool with a thermoplastic. In this context, essentially simultaneously means that it is a one-step manufacturing process in which the tool is filled as evenly as possible with a thermoplastic material in order to be able to form the frame component and the holding element essentially simultaneously. The frame component is preferably formed using a plastic injection molding process.Thermoplastics, in particular, can be used for this purpose. Reinforced thermoplastics, such as PA 6 with a 15% KGF filling, can also be used.

[0020] A further aspect of the invention relates to a further method for producing a frame component as described above and below, comprising the steps: - Providing a tool, - Inserting a holding element and / or an electronic component into the tool, - Forming the frame component by means of the holding element inserted in the tool.

[0021] An advantage of this embodiment is that the retaining element can be made of a different material than the housing component, thus better exploiting potential synergistic effects. For example, the retaining element can be made of a metal or similar material, thus providing a signal- or energy-conducting element on the frame component, while simultaneously making the housing component of an electrically insulating material.

[0022] More preferably, the further method comprises the steps: - Inserting at least part of a battery storage unit into the tool, - Forming the frame component with the battery storage unit at least partially inserted into the tool and the inserted holding element.

[0023] An advantage of this design is that parts of the battery storage system, such as cells, can be inserted into the tool, thus saving another assembly step.

[0024] More preferably, the further method further comprises the step: - Forming a connection between the electronic component and at least part of the battery storage.

[0025] One advantage of this embodiment can be that the battery storage unit can be contacted with the electronic component simply by overmolding the frame component, thus further reducing manufacturing costs. The electronic component can be, for example, a molded interconnected device. More preferably, the electronic component can be an electrical cable for contacting. In this case, the electronic component can be arranged in particular such that a component on the outside of the frame is contacted with a component on the inside of the frame without any cables or the like being visible, since the lines have been overmolded. More preferably, the electronic components can also be formed from carbon fibers or the like, since these are easy to overmold and are nevertheless electrically conductive.

[0026] A further aspect of the invention relates to a vehicle, in particular a bicycle, which was manufactured at least partially using a method as described above and / or a further method as described above and below and / or has a frame component as described above and below. Short description of the drawings

[0027] Embodiments of the invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawing: Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 a frame component according to an embodiment, Fig. 3 is a flowchart illustrating steps of the method according to an embodiment, Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 a flowchart illustrating steps of the further method according to an embodiment, and Fig. 6 a vehicle according to an embodiment Embodiments of the invention

[0028] Preferably, all identical components, units or elements in all figures are provided with the same reference numerals. Fig. 1 shows a frame component 10 according to one embodiment. The frame component 10 has a first end 12 and a second end 14. The first end 12 and the second end can in particular be connectable to a further frame component 102. More preferably, the frame component 10 has a housing element 16 which is arranged between the first end 12 and the second end 14. The housing element 16 can in particular partially form a region 18. More preferably, a first holding element 20 is arranged in the region 18. The first holding element 20 and the housing element 16 can be formed in one piece. More preferably, the first holding element 20 is designed to position a battery storage unit 22 in a fixed manner in the region 18. Furthermore, a second holding element 24 is arranged on the housing element 16 in the region 18.The first holding element 20 and the second holding element 24 are configured to position the battery storage unit 22 in a fixed location. Further preferably, both the first holding element 20 and the second holding element 24, the housing element 16, and the frame component 10 are formed as a single piece. Further preferably, the first holding element 20 and / or the second holding element 24 has a holder geometry 28 for positioning a control component 30 on the frame component 10. Further preferably, the first holding element 20 and / or the second holding element 24 has an interface 32, wherein a further component can be arranged at the interface 32. Fig. Figure 2 shows a frame component 10 according to one embodiment. The frame component 10 preferably has a first end 12 and a second end 14. Between the first end 12 and the second end 14, a housing element 16 is arranged, which forms a region 18. As shown in Figure Fig. As can be seen in Figure 2, the first holding element 20 and the second holding element 24 have been introduced into the housing element 16 as an insert, thus enabling the formation of a one-piece component. Further preferably, the first holding element 20 and the second holding element 24 form a profile rail 26 in the region 18, in order to enable the battery storage unit 22 to be inserted into the profile rail 26 along the region 18. Further preferably, the first end 12 and / or the second end 14 are configured to be arranged on a further frame component 102 of the bicycle 100. Fig. 3 shows a flowchart illustrating steps of method 200 according to one embodiment. Method 200 includes, in particular, the step S1 of providing a tool. Furthermore, method 200 for producing a frame component 10, as described above and below, includes the step S2 of forming frame component 10 with a retaining element using the tool, wherein frame component 10 and retaining element 20 are formed substantially simultaneously. Fig. Figure 4 shows a flowchart illustrating steps of the further method 200 for producing a frame component 10 as described above and below. The further method 300 comprises, in particular, the following steps: - Providing S10 a tool, - Inserting S11 a holding element 20 and / or an electronic component into the tool, - Forming S12 of the frame component 10 by means of the holding element 20 inserted in the tool. Fig. 5 shows a flowchart illustrating steps of the further method 300 according to an embodiment. Fig. The further method 300 shown in Figure 5 has the same steps S10 to S12 as already described with regard to the Fig. 4. Further preferably, the further method 300 comprises the steps: - Inserting S13 at least part of a battery storage unit 22 into the tool and - Forming S14 the frame component 10 with the battery storage unit 22 at least partially inserted into the tool and the inserted holding element 20.

[0029] Furthermore, the further method 300 comprises the step: - Forming S15 a connection between the electronic component and at least one part of the battery storage 22.

[0030] Fig.6 shows a vehicle 100 according to one embodiment. The vehicle 100 is, in particular, an electrically powered bicycle. The vehicle 100 is, in particular, partially manufactured using a method 200, as described above and below, and / or using a further method 300, as described above and below. Further preferably, the vehicle 100 has a frame component 102, as described above and below.

Claims

[1] Frame component (10) for a vehicle (100), comprising a first end (12) and a second end (14), wherein the first end (12) and the second end (14) are connectable to a further frame component (102), wherein a housing element (16) is arranged between the first end (12) and the second end (14) of the frame component (10), wherein the housing element (16) is adapted to have at least one region (18) for receiving a drive component, wherein a first holding element (20) is arranged on the housing element (16) in the region (18), wherein the first holding element (20) and the housing element (16) are formed in one piece. [2] Frame component (10) according to claim 1, wherein the first holding element (20) is designed to position a battery storage device (22) in a fixed position in the region (18). [3] Frame component (10) according to claim 2, wherein the housing element (16) has a second holding element (24) in the region (18), wherein the first holding element (20) and the second holding element (24) are formed integrally with the housing element (16), wherein the first holding element (20) and the second holding element (24) position the battery storage device (22) in a stationary manner. [4] Frame component according to claim 1, wherein the first holding element (20) has a profile rail (26), wherein the profile rail (26) is designed to position a battery storage unit (22) in a stationary manner, wherein the battery storage unit (22) can be inserted into the profile rail (26) along the region (18). [5] Frame component (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first holding element (20) has a holder geometry (28), wherein the holder geometry (28) is adapted to position a control component (30) in a stationary manner. [6] Frame component (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first holding element (20) has an interface (32), wherein the interface (32) is designed to position a further component in a fixed position. [7] Method (200) for producing a frame component (10) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising the steps: Providing (S1) a tool, Forming (S2) the frame component (10) with a holding element (20) by means of the tool, wherein the frame component (10) and the holding element (20) are formed substantially simultaneously. [8] A further method (300) for producing a frame component (10) according to one of claims 1 to 6, comprising the steps: Providing (S10) a tool, Inserting (S11) a holding element (20) and / or an electronic component into the tool, Forming (S12) the frame component (10) by means of the holding element (20) inserted in the tool. [9] Another method (300) according to claim 8, further comprising the steps of: Inserting (S13) at least part of a battery storage device (22) into the tool, Forming (S14) the frame component with the battery storage device (22) at least partially inserted into the tool and the inserted holding element (20). [10] Another method (300) according to claim 9, further comprising the step: - forming (S15) a connection between the electronic component and at least one part of the battery storage device (22). [11] Vehicle (100), in particular a bicycle, which was manufactured at least partially by a method (200) according to claim 7 and / or a further method (300) according to one of claims 8 to 9 and / or has a frame component (10) according to one of claims 1 to 6.

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