Mounting arrangement for an electrical component, in particular for a coolant pump on a drive unit, and method for mounting such a component

Abstract

The invention relates to a fastening arrangement for an electrical component (16) on a vehicle element (22), wherein at least one decoupling element (20) is arranged at least partially between the electrical component (16) and the vehicle element (22), wherein the decoupling element (20) is designed in such a way that it can be pre-assembled on the vehicle element (22) in order to form a pre-assembly unit (60) with it, wherein the pre-assembly unit (60) and the vehicle element (22) are designed in such a way that they can be connected by simply plugging them together.

Description

The invention relates to a mounting arrangement for an electrical component on another element of a vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1. Vehicles are intended to mean, in particular, motor vehicles. With regard to drive units, reference is made in particular to internal combustion engines. The invention further relates to a method for mounting an electrical component on an element of a vehicle, in particular on a drive assembly and / or on another element of a motor vehicle. Reference is also made to vehicles and motor vehicles having a corresponding fastening arrangement.One of the technical problems associated with the mounting and operation of an electrical component on another element of a vehicle, in particular on vehicle elements which themselves cause vibrations, such as drive units, is the decoupling of oscillations which originate from the corresponding vehicle element. Independently of this, in principle all elements of vehicles, in particular motor vehicles, are exposed to vibrations which arise as a result of operation in that the vehicle is subjected to force influences, for example on account of unevenness in the road surface, ground waves etc. In this respect, a vibration decoupling is also expedient on other vehicle elements which do not themselves cause vibrations.Moreover, in vehicle production, a high number of identical parts and a short production time are always desired.DE 10 2020 204 350 A1 discloses a fastening arrangement for electrical components and in particular for an electric coolant pump, which has a holder with at least two recesses, at least two fastening grommets for insertion into the recesses of the holder and at least two fastening hooks which can be connected to the electrical component. The fastening hooks can be inserted in a form-fitting manner into the fastening grommets, and the electrical component can be fastened to the holder by inserting the fastening hooks into the fastening grommets, wherein in the fastened state of the electrical component the fastening grommets are locked in the recesses of the holder by the fastening hooks.The disadvantage of the fastening arrangement known from the prior art is that the fastening hooks and the fastening grommets must be implemented in each case on the electrical component and on the component in which it is to be fastened, in terms of production technology. This is associated with considerable individualization and corresponding costs, in particular in the disclosed one-piece embodiment of the fastening hooks on the electrical component.The invention is based on the object of providing an alternative fastening arrangement for electrical components and a production method therefor, which are associated with lower production costs and a low outlay on assembly.The object is achieved according to the invention with the features of the independent claims. Further practical embodiments and advantages of the invention are described in connection with the dependent claims.In a fastening arrangement according to the invention for an electrical component on a vehicle element, at least one decoupling element is arranged at least partially between the electrical component and the vehicle element. Regardless of whether it is a decoupling element that is arranged completely between the electrical component and the vehicle element or only partially, this arrangement is always to be understood as meaning that the electrical component and the vehicle element do not touch. An only partial arrangement is to be understood in this respect only to mean that there are regions in which no region of the decoupling element is situated directly between the vehicle element and the electrical component. In such regions, however, the electrical component and the vehicle element are then arranged at a distance from one another such that they do not touch one another even in the case of an operationally induced vibrational excitation.The decoupling element is designed in such a way that it can be preassembled to the electrical component in order to form a preassembled unit therewith. The pre-assembly unit and the vehicle element are designed such that they can be connected by simple plugging together. The fastening arrangement according to the invention is thus based on a novel connection concept which has only a few elements, in particular only an electrical component, a decoupling element and a vehicle element to which the electrical component is intended to be fastened. For this reason, only a few assembly steps are also required in order to produce the fastening arrangement. The production time required for the assembly of a fastening arrangement according to the invention is therefore short.In a practical embodiment of the fastening arrangement according to the invention, the decoupling element is designed as a ring element or partial ring element in such a way that the pre-assembly unit is formed by inserting the electrical component into the ring element or into the partial ring element or vice versa. In this case, an exclusively force-fit or at least partially force-fit connection is preferably produced between decoupling element and the electrical component. In the first-mentioned case, the decoupling element is formed in particular as an element which partially or completely encloses the electrical component when the pre-assembly unit is formed. The force-locking connection between the ring element or partial ring element and the electrical component is then formed-either additionally or exclusively-by a clamping connection between the decoupling element and the electrical component. In particular, the decoupling element is formed as an essentially dimensionally stable element which is formed from a material which is flexible insofar as this material has a sufficient elastic deformability in order to generate a high frictional force by forceful insertion in such a way that the material of the decoupling element elastically springs in and the elastic spring force of the decoupling element increases the connection between the decoupling element and the electrical component as an additional clamping force. Preferably, only a single decoupling element is provided to form the pre-assembly unit.In a further practical embodiment of a fastening arrangement according to the invention, the decoupling element has at least one depression for receiving at least one projection formed on the electrical component in order to bring about a rotationally secure relative arrangement of the electrical component with respect to the decoupling element for the pre-assembly unit. Preferably, a plurality of depressions are formed on the decoupling element, which interact with projections formed complementarily on the electrical component. Projections of this type are understood in particular to mean projections which project outwards in the radial and / or axial direction on the electrical component. Projections of this type can be regarded in particular as screw domes of a housing of an electrical component, which are used to produce a connection between two or more housing elements of an electrical component.In a further practical embodiment of a fastening arrangement according to the invention, at least one fixing opening is formed on the decoupling element in such a way that a fixing element formed on the vehicle element complementary to the fixing opening can be introduced. At this point, it is pointed out that the vehicle element can in particular also be a separate holder which is subsequently connected to a further vehicle element, in particular to a drive unit of a motor vehicle. It is indeed possible to form only one fixing element and a fixing opening formed in a complementary manner thereto. However, it is preferred if two or more fixing openings are provided distributed over the circumference of the decoupling element and fixing elements formed in a complementary manner on the vehicle element. In this case, the two or more fixing elements and the fixing openings formed in a complementary manner thereto are preferably designed such that only a relative arrangement between decoupling element and vehicle element is possible (poka yoke principle). It is particularly preferred if three or more fixing elements and fixing openings formed in a complementary manner thereto are provided, which are formed in such a way that failure of a fixing element does not pose a safety risk for the connection between decoupling element and vehicle element.In a further practical embodiment of a fastening arrangement according to the invention, the vehicle element is a separate holder and / or at least one hook-like structure is formed on the vehicle element. If the vehicle element is a separate holder, this holder can be adapted in its size and geometry approximately to the pre-assembly unit, so that the fastening arrangement overall has a compact size, which can be used variably in different vehicles. The formation of a hook-like structure has the advantage that it can be implemented in one piece relatively cost-effectively on a vehicle element, in particular in the form of a corresponding shaping of a component produced by the plastic injection molding process.In a further practical embodiment of a fastening arrangement according to the invention, a plurality of fixing elements with differently contoured fixing elements are formed on the vehicle element. Arcuate contours are particularly suitable as contouring. In this regard, reference is made in particular to L-shaped, U-shaped and / or W-shaped contours which have corresponding radii. Contours of this type can be easily realized on components by means of a plastic injection molding process. Furthermore, a large surface is produced with a corresponding contouring, with which the clamping effect between the fixing element and a fixing opening of complementary design can be increased.It has already been pointed out that the vehicle element is in particular a separately produced holder with at least two fastening arms and / or the vehicle element has at least one penetration opening for a plug formed on the electrical component. The design with the two fastening arms makes it possible to adapt the holder to specific applications in specific motor vehicles, so that by adapting the design of the holder, the concept of the fastening arrangement according to the invention can be adapted to different vehicles depending on the holder. If the vehicle element has at least one insertion opening for a plug formed on the electrical component, subsequent mounting on the plug or dismantling for maintenance or repair work can be facilitated.The damping properties of the decoupling element of a fastening arrangement according to the invention are particularly advantageous if the decoupling element is made at least partially from EPDM or from silicone. Production from EPDM is preferred, wherein production can be effected either completely from EPDM or partially from EPDM, for example together with a mixture of polypropylene (PP).The invention also relates to a method for mounting a fastening arrangement having at least the following elements: an electrical component, a decoupling element and a vehicle element, wherein in a first method step the electrical component and the decoupling element are plugged together to form a pre-mounting unit and subsequently in a second method step the pre-mounting unit is plugged together with the vehicle element in such a way that a connection is produced between at least one fixing element formed on the vehicle element and at least one fixing opening formed on the decoupling element, wherein the at least one fixing element and the at least one fixing opening are formed to be complementary to one another. For the sake of completeness, it is pointed out that the method relates in particular to the mounting of a fastening arrangement as described above. The advantages described in connection with the different embodiments of this fastening arrangement are therefore hereby again referred to. These also apply analogously to a method which is carried out with such a fastening arrangement. The method according to the invention has the advantage that the mounting of an electrical component on a vehicle element can be carried out with only a few steps and only a few components by carrying out two plug-in processes. The handling of several fastening grommets or other individual elements is dispensed with in the method according to the invention, since only one decoupling element is required.Further practical embodiments of the invention are described below in conjunction with the drawings. The following are shown: FIG. 1 shows a motor vehicle in a side view with a section of a front vehicle in which a fastening arrangement according to the invention is mounted, FIG. 2 shows the section of the front carriage marked II in FIG. 1 with a fastening arrangement according to the invention in an isometric illustration, FIG. 3 shows only an electrical component of a fastening arrangement according to the invention in an isometric illustration, FIG. 4 shows only one decoupling element of a fastening arrangement according to the invention in an isometric illustration, FIG. 5 shows an isometric illustration of a preassembly unit formed from the electrical component according to FIG. 3 and the decoupling element according to FIG. 4, together with a holder of a fastening arrangement according to the invention, before the preassembly unit is mounted with the holder, FIG. 6 shows the elements from FIG. 5 after assembly in an isometric illustration, FIG. 7 shows the fastening arrangement from FIG. 6 in a view from behind, FIG. 8 shows only the holder from FIGS. 5-7 in an isometric illustration, FIG. 9 shows an enlarged representation of the region marked IX in FIG. 6 in an isometric representation, FIG. 10 shows an enlarged illustration of the region marked X in FIG. 6 in an isometric illustration, and FIG. 11 shows a sectional illustration according to the line A-A in FIG. 10 through the decoupling element and the two fixing elements illustrated in FIG. 10.FIG. 1 shows a motor vehicle 10 in a side view. In the region of the front carriage 12, a fastening arrangement 14 according to the invention (cf. FIG. 2 ) is found in the region marked II. FIG. 2 shows the region marked II in an enlarged illustration, wherein the fastening arrangement 14 is illustrated in an exploded illustration (not assembled).It can be seen clearly from a combination of FIGS. 3-8 in conjunction with FIG. 2 that the fastening arrangement is substantially formed from an electrical component 16 in the form of a coolant pump 18, a decoupling element 20 and a vehicle element 22 in the form of a holder 24. a first fastening arm 26 and a second fastening arm 28 are formed on the holder 24, which extend upwards (first fastening arm) and downwards (second fastening arm), respectively. The fastening arms 26, 28 have through-openings 30, 32. The through-openings 30, 32 serve to fix the holder 24 to a drive unit 38 with the aid of screws 34, 36. The fastening with the aid of the screw 34 is effected at an opening 40 in the crankcase 42.In the following, individual elements of the fastening arrangement 14 and their mounting and functioning are described with reference to FIGS. 3-11.FIG. 3 shows only the electrical component 16 in the form of the coolant pump 18. In the embodiment shown, the coolant pump consists of an insertion section 48 which has a smaller diameter than a adjoining, somewhat larger stop section 50. In the region of the stop section 50, a plurality of screw domes 52 are provided distributed over the circumference, which protrude in the radial direction with respect to the remaining housing.FIG. 4 shows only decoupling element 20, which is designed as ring element 54 in the embodiment shown. This means that decoupling element 20 extends over an entire ring, i.e. over a closed circular structure, so that an insertion opening 56 remains in the middle of ring element 54.In order to mount a fastening arrangement, as shown in FIG. 6, in a first method step, the electrical component 16 is introduced with the plug-in section 48 into the plug-in opening 56 of the decoupling element 20. This can be done by simply plugging together. Preferably, the decoupling element 20 is dimensioned with respect to its insertion opening 56 such that a clamping connection is formed between the insertion section 48 and the insertion opening 56 when it is plugged together with the electrical component 16.As can be seen in FIG. 4, a plurality of (here: four) depressions 58 are formed on the decoupling element 20 in a manner complementary to the screw domes 52. As a result, the screw domes 52 enter into the depressions 58 during the plugging-together, as a result of which, in addition to the force-fit connection between the decoupling element 20 and the electrical component 16, a rotationally fixed connection also arises.After carrying out the first method step, in a second method step, the pre-assembly unit 60 formed from the electrical component 16 plugged together with the decoupling element 20 is plugged together with the vehicle element 22 in the form of the holder 24 in the direction of the arrows marked M in FIG. 5. During the plugging together, fixing elements 62 formed on the holder 24 enter fixing openings 64 of the decoupling element 20 formed complementarily to the fixing elements 62.FIG. 7 shows the fastening arrangement 14 in a view from behind. From this view, it can be clearly seen that an arcuate insertion opening 66 for a plug 68 formed on the electrical component 16 is formed on the holder 24. The insertion opening 66 allows the plug 68, which protrudes further in the axial direction with respect to the insertion portion 48, to pass into the region behind the holder 24.It can also be clearly seen in FIG. 7 that an opening 70 for fastening an electrical line is formed on the holder.It can also be seen in FIG. 7 that a snap-on tab 72 for fastening a clip element, not shown, for a coolant line is formed on the holder 24.FIGS. 8 to 11 show further details of the holder 24 and of the fixing elements 62 and of the fixing openings 64.As can be seen in FIG. 8, a total of three hook-like structures 74 are formed on the holder 24.The hook-like structure 74 facing the first (upper) fastening arm 26 is W-shaped.The other two hook-shaped structures 74 are formed substantially linearly or in an arc shape in the form of a question mark.On the W-shaped hook-like structure 74, two latching contours 76 are formed on the outside.On the substantially linearly formed hook-like structure 74, a further latching contour is formed on the side directed toward the adjacent hook-like structure 74.On the adjacent hook-like structure 74, which is of arcuate design, a latching contour 76 is in turn formed on the outside. The regions of the fixing elements 62, in which latching contours 76 are located, are marked in FIG. 8 with a circle, which is denoted in each case by R.FIGS. 9 and 10 show the fastening arrangement 14 in the assembled state. In this state, the respective end faces of the fixing elements 62 are located in the same plane as the faces of the decoupling element 20 adjacent to the fixing openings 64.As a result, it can be checked at any time by means of visual inspection whether the decoupling element 20 is correctly connected to the holder 24 and is thus plugged together.FIG. 11 shows a sectional view according to line A-A in FIG. 10, wherein the latching of hook-like structures 74 with their latching contours 76 with respect to complementary blocking surfaces 78, which are formed on decoupling element 20, can be seen by way of example.The features of the invention disclosed in the present description, in the drawings and in the claims can be essential, both individually and in any combinations, for the realisation of the invention in its various embodiments. The invention can be varied within the scope of the claims and taking into account the knowledge of the responsible person skilled in the art.List of reference characters10 Motor vehicle 12 front end 14 fastening arrangement 16 electrical component 18 coolant pump 20 decoupling element 22 vehicle element 24 holder 26 first fastening arm 28 second fastening arm 30 through-opening 32 through-opening 34 screw 36 screw 38 drive unit 40 opening 42 crankcase 44 opening 46 oil pan 48 plug-in portion 50 stop portion 52 screw boss 54 ring element 56 plug-in opening 58 depressions 60 preassembly unit 62 fixing element 64 fixing opening 66 push-through opening 68 plug 70 opening for fastening an electrical line 72 plug-on tab 74 hook-like structures 76 latching contour 78 blocking surfaceReferences included in the specificationThis list of documents cited by the applicant has been produced in an automated manner and is only included for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent application or utility model application. The DPMA does not take any adhesion for any faults or omissions.Patent Literature citedDE 10 2020 204 350 A1

[0004]

Claims

Fastening arrangement for an electrical component (16) on a vehicle element (22), wherein at least one decoupling element (20) is arranged at least partially between the electrical component (16) and the vehicle element (22), characterized in that the decoupling element (20) is designed such that it can be preassembled to the electrical component (16) in order to form a preassembly unit (60) therewith, wherein the preassembly unit (60) and the vehicle element (22) are designed such that they can be connected by simple plugging together.Fastening arrangement according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the decoupling element (20) is designed as an annular element (54) or partial annular element in such a way that the pre-assembly unit (60) is formed by inserting the electrical component (16) into the annular element (54) or partial annular element or vice versa.Fastening arrangement according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the decoupling element (20) has at least one depression (58) for receiving at least one projection formed on the electrical component (16), in order to bring about a rotationally secure relative arrangement of the electrical component (16) with respect to the decoupling element (20) for the pre-assembly unit (60).Fastening arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one fixing opening (64) is formed on the decoupling element (20) in such a way that a fixing element (62) formed on the vehicle element (22) in a manner complementary to the fixing opening (64) can be introduced.Fastening arrangement according to the preceding claim, characterized in that two or more fixing openings (64) are provided distributed over the circumference of the decoupling element (20) and fixing elements (62) formed on the vehicle element (22) in a manner complementary thereto are formed.Fastening arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the vehicle element (22) is a separate holder (24) and / or at least one hook-like structure (74) is formed on the vehicle element (22).Fastening arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a plurality of fixing elements (62) with differently contoured fixing elements (62) are formed on the vehicle element (22).Fastening arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the vehicle element (22) is a separately produced holder (24) having at least two fastening arms (26, 28) and / or the vehicle element (22) has at least one insertion opening (66) for a plug (68) formed on the electrical component (16).Fastening arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the decoupling element (20) is produced at least partially from EPDM or from silicone.Method for mounting a fastening arrangement (14) having at least the following elements: an electrical component (16), a decoupling element (20) and a vehicle element (22), wherein in a first method step the electrical component (16) and the decoupling element (20) are plugged together to form a pre-mounting unit (60) and subsequently in a second method step the pre-mounting unit (60) is plugged together with the vehicle element (22) in such a way that a connection is produced between at least one fixing element (62) formed on the vehicle element (22) and at least one fixing opening (64) formed on the decoupling element (20), wherein the at least one fixing element (62) and the at least one fixing opening (64) are formed in a complementary manner to one another.

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