Assembly and method for forming an assembly

Abstract

The invention relates to an assembly (100) comprising two components (12, 14) which are connected to one another in a connecting region (16), wherein the connecting region (16) is sealed against the escape of media from the connecting region (16) by means of a molded hose element (35; 35a) which is shrinkable by the action of heat, wherein the molded hose element (35; 35a) is arranged in abutting contact with the two components (12, 14).

Description

Technical area

[0001] The invention relates to an assembly that can be sealed against the escape of media from the assembly in a particularly simple manner by eliminating the need for a pasty sealant during application to form a so-called wet seal. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for forming an assembly. State of the art

[0002] DE 88 14 353 U1 discloses an assembly whose longitudinally split housing consists of two components encased in a heat-shrink tubing. The heat-shrink tubing serves both as a mechanical connection between the two components and as a seal.

[0003] Furthermore, it is known from DE 10 2018 117 257 A1 to surround an axial end region of a tubular housing, to which an element is connected, with a shrink tube which forms a seal between the end region of the housing and the element. Disclosure of the invention

[0004] The assembly according to the invention with the features of claim 1 has the advantage that a connection area between two components of the assembly can be sealed in a particularly simple manner. This eliminates the need, as in the prior art, to use a hose element designed to enclose the components in the connection area with the entire internal cross-section of the hose element. This has the advantage that, in particular, even relatively complex geometries in the connection area of ​​the components can be sealed against each other in a particularly simple manner using the hose element.

[0005] The invention is based on the idea of ​​arranging or positioning the two components in the connecting area in the inner cross-section of a molded hose element by forming a longitudinal opening in the molded hose element. This allows the molded hose element to be adapted to complex geometries or sealing contours of the components, viewed longitudinally, while maintaining a relatively small cross-section. The cross-section of the molded hose element only needs to be large enough to accommodate the two components in sections.

[0006] Against the background of the above explanations, an assembly according to the invention with the features of claim 1 therefore comprises a first component and a second component, which are connected to one another in a connecting region. The connecting region is sealed against the escape of media from the assembly by means of a molded hose element that can be shrunk by the action of heat. Furthermore, the molded hose element is arranged in abutting contact with the two components, wherein the molded hose element is designed as a molded hose element that is open in a longitudinal direction and has a longitudinal opening, between which the two components are each partially accommodated in the connecting region.

[0007] Advantageous further developments of the assembly according to the invention are listed in the subclaims.

[0008] In a preferred structural design of the assembly, it is provided that in the connection area the two components have sealing surfaces arranged parallel to one another, which are preferably arranged in direct contact with one another, and that the sealing surfaces form a closed sealing contour which is enclosed by the molded hose element on the outer side facing away from an interior of the assembly or components.

[0009] A particularly close contact of the molded hose element with a large sealing surface between the molded hose element and the two components can be achieved if the sealing surfaces on the side facing the molded hose element are formed on flanges projecting outwards from the components, and that the molded hose element is arranged at a distance from or in contact with the flanges.

[0010] In a further development of the last proposal, it is intended that the cross-section of the molded hose element has contact sections that limit the longitudinal opening and that rest on the components outside the flanges.

[0011] The assembly proposed so far is furthermore characterized in particular by the fact that in the area of ​​the sealing surfaces a channel is arranged which crosses the sealing surfaces and is used to guide a liquid medium.

[0012] The shrinkage behavior of the molded hose element and the tightness between the components can be optimized by varying the wall thickness of the molded hose element to achieve different stiffness levels in different sections of the cross-section of the molded hose element. This allows, for example, areas or sections where a high degree of tightness between the molded hose element and the components is important to be formed from a section of the molded hose element with a greater wall thickness, so that when the molded hose element shrinks, increased contact forces of the shrinkable hose element against the components can be achieved in these sections.

[0013] There are basically two configurations for using the molded hose element: In the first configuration, the molded hose element, in its shrunken state, rests against the two components with at least a virtually gap-free fit. This means that after the heat has been applied to the molded hose element and the resulting shrinkage, the molded hose element rests against the components without any cavities or in direct contact.

[0014] In an alternative embodiment, however, it can also be provided that a potting compound is arranged in the cross-section of the molded hose element when it is in the shrunken state. In this case, the molded hose element serves to give the potting compound the required geometry so that, after curing, it seals the two components in the connection area. In this case, it can then be provided that the molded hose element is removed from the assembly after the potting compound has cured. However, it can also be provided that, for improved protection, for example against the ingress of media into the potting compound, the molded hose element remains on the assembly after the potting compound has cured.

[0015] A preferred application of the assembly is the design of the two components as a housing.

[0016] Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for forming an assembly according to the invention, preferably as described so far, wherein the method comprises at least the following steps: First, two components are axially pressed against one another and fixed in a connecting region, in particular by mechanical connecting elements. Subsequently, partial regions, in particular flanges, are inserted into the cross-section of a molded hose element in the region of a longitudinal opening of the molded hose element. Finally, the molded hose element is shrink-fitted.

[0017] In a further development of the method, it can be provided that after the molded hose element has been shrinked, a cavity or cross-section formed between the components and the molded hose element is filled with a curable casting compound.

[0018] It may also be provided that the molded hose element is removed from the components after the casting compound has hardened.

[0019] Further advantages, features and details of the invention will become apparent from the description of preferred embodiments of the invention and from the drawings. Short description of the drawings Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a motor housing of an electric motor in which a connecting area between two housing parts is sealed by a molded hose element, Fig. 2 a cross-section through a molded hose element, Fig. 3 an enlarged sectional view of a detail X in the Fig. 1 in the connection area between the two components of the housing and Fig. 4 an enlarged sectional view according to the Fig. 3 at a compared to the Fig. 3 modified embodiment of a molded hose element for receiving a casting compound. Embodiments of the invention

[0020] Identical elements or elements with the same function are provided with the same reference numbers in the figures.

[0021] In the Fig. 1 shows an assembly 100 that forms a housing 10 of an electric motor, in particular a drive motor of a motor vehicle. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the design of motor housings as an assembly 100. Rather, the assembly 100 can also form, for example, an engine control unit or an electric axle.

[0022] The housing 10 has a longitudinal axis 11, along which the housing 10 has two adjoining components 12 and 14, which are connected to each other in a connecting region 16. The two components 12, 14 each form housing components 15 of the housing 10. The housing 10 defines an interior space 17 ( Fig. 3, Fig. 4), in which components not shown are arranged, some of which must be cooled using a liquid medium (e.g., a glycol-water mixture). In the case of an electric motor, this could be, for example, a stator or similar component that needs to be cooled.

[0023] In the connecting area 16 of the two components 12, 14, the two components 12, 14 have housing wall sections 18, 20 that delimit the interior space 17 and each extend radially around the longitudinal axis 11, in the area of ​​which the two components 12, 14 preferably directly abut one another. The housing wall sections 18, 20 are extended on the outside of the housing 10 or the components 12, 14 in the form of flanges 22, 24. On the mutually facing sides of the housing wall sections 18, 20 and the flanges 22, 24, these form sealing surfaces 26, 28 arranged parallel to one another. The sealing surfaces 26, 28 form a (closed) sealing contour 30 running around the longitudinal axis 11, wherein the housing wall sections 18, 20 as well as the flanges 22, 24 or the sealing surfaces 26, 28 are preferably each flat and form a common plane.

[0024] In the area of ​​the housing wall sections 18, 20, a channel 32 is formed for guiding the liquid medium or coolant, running parallel to the longitudinal axis 11 and perpendicular to the sealing surfaces 26, 28 and traversing the sealing surfaces 26, 28. To prevent the pressurized medium from escaping from the channel 32 through the sealing surfaces 26, 28 of the connecting area 16 and from escaping from the housing 10 into the environment, it is necessary for the housing 10 to be sealed to the outside in the connecting area 16.

[0025] The two components 12, 14, which are made in particular of metal or plastic, are mechanically connected or fixed to one another by mechanical connecting elements (not shown) running in the direction of the longitudinal axis 11, for example by connecting screws, and are axially clamped against one another, so that contact forces F are generated on the two sealing surfaces 26, 28. In addition, the connecting area 16 on the outside of the housing 10 in the area of ​​the flanges 22, 24 is sealed by a molded hose element 35.

[0026] The molded hose element 35 consists of a (plastic) material known per se from the prior art, which shrinks under the influence of heat. Furthermore, it is essential that the (tubular) molded hose element 35 is perpendicular to the plane of the drawing. Fig. 2 extending longitudinal direction 36, has a slot-shaped longitudinal opening 38 in which the two flanges 22, 24 are received at least in some areas.

[0027] The channel-like and approximately Ω-shaped cross section of the shaped hose element 35 can be shaped according to the Fig. 2 have at least one first section 41 with a first wall thickness d1 and at least one second section 42 with a wall thickness d2 that is larger than the first wall thickness d1, in order to form locally different stiffnesses and / or shrinkage properties of the molded hose element 35. Alternatively or additionally, the molded hose element 35 can also have integrated reinforcements made of a different material, which are integrated into the cross-section by extrusion during the manufacturing process of the molded hose element 35.

[0028] The longitudinal opening 38 is bordered by angled contact sections 44, 46, which, as shown in the illustration, Fig. 3 fit tightly against the outer sides of the housing wall sections 18, 20.

[0029] To form the sealed connection area 16, the molded hose element 35 is connected to the two components 12, 14 in a first step after they have been axially clamped against one another by means of the aforementioned mechanical connecting elements. This is achieved by inserting the flanges 22, 24 into the longitudinal opening 38 of the molded hose element 35. Subsequently, in a second step, heat is applied to the molded hose element 35 such that the molded hose element 35 shrinks and bears sealingly against the flanges 22, 24, at least in the area of ​​the flanges 22, 24. Preferably, the geometry of the molded hose element 35 is matched to the geometry of the flanges 22, 24 such that the molded hose element 35 bears against the outer sides of the bottle 22, 24 and against the outer side of the housing wall sections 18, 20 without any gaps or gaps.

[0030] In the Fig.In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the molded hose element 35a is enlarged in cross-section compared to the molded hose element 35, both in the unshrunk and in the shrunken state. This makes it possible, in the preferably shrunken state of the molded hose element 35a, to introduce a potting compound 48 between the inner side of the molded hose element 35a facing the components 12, 14 and the components 12, 14, which potting compound 48, after curing, seals the connection area 16. The potting compound 48 can be dosed either by piercing the wall of the molded hose element 35a via a cannula-like dosing device, or through a filling opening (not shown) formed on the molded hose element 35a. After the potting compound 48, which acts as a sealing element, has cured, the molded hose element 35a can be removed from the assembly 100 if necessary.

[0031] The assembly 100 described so far can be modified or altered in a variety of ways without deviating from the inventive concept. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 88 14 353 U1

[0002] DE 10 2018 117 257 A1

[0003]

Claims

[1] Assembly (100) comprising two components (12, 14) which are connected to one another in a connecting region (16), wherein the connecting region (16) is sealed against the escape of media from the connecting region (16) by means of a molded hose element (35; 35a) which is shrinkable by the action of heat, wherein the molded hose element (35; 35a) is arranged in abutting contact with the two components (12, 14), and wherein the molded hose element (35; 35a) is designed as a molded hose element (35; 35a) which is open in a longitudinal direction (36) and has a slot-shaped longitudinal opening (38), between which the two components (12, 14) are each received in regions in the connecting region (16). [2] Assembly according to claim 1, characterized byin that in the connecting region (16) the two components (12, 14) have sealing surfaces (26, 28) arranged parallel to one another, which are preferably arranged in direct contact with one another, and in that the sealing surfaces (26, 28) form a closed sealing contour (30) which is enclosed by the shaped hose element (35; 35a) on the outer side facing away from an interior space (17) of the components (12, 14). [3] Assembly according to claim 2, characterized by that the sealing surfaces (26, 28) are formed on the side facing the molded hose element (35; 35a) on flanges (22, 24) projecting outwards from the components (12, 14), and that the molded hose element (35; 35a) is arranged at a distance from or in contact with the flanges (22, 24). [4] Assembly according to claim 3, characterized bythat the cross-section of the molded hose element (35; 35a) has contact sections (44, 46) which delimit the longitudinal opening (38) and which bear against the components (12, 14) outside the flanges (22, 24). [5] Assembly according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized by that in the region of the sealing surfaces (26, 28) a channel (32) passing through the sealing surfaces (26, 28) is arranged for guiding a liquid medium. [6] Assembly according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by that the wall thickness (d1, d2) of the molded hose element (35; 35a) is designed to be of different sizes in order to achieve different stiffnesses in different sections of the cross-section of the molded hose element (35; 35a). [7] Assembly according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by that the molded hose element (35) in its shrunken state rests against the two components (12, 14) at least almost without a gap. [8] Assembly according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by that in the shrunken state of the molded hose element (35a) a casting compound (48) is arranged in the cross section of the molded hose element (35a). [9] Assembly according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by that the two components (12, 14) form a housing (10). [10] Method for forming an assembly (100), which is preferably designed according to one of claims 1 to 9, comprising at least the following steps: - axial pressing and fixing of two components (12, 14) in a connecting area (16), in particular by means of mechanical connecting elements - introducing partial areas, in particular flanges (22, 24), into the cross-section of a molded hose element (35; 35a) in the region of a longitudinal opening (38) of the molded hose element (35; 35a) - Shrinking the molded hose element (35; 35a). [11] Method according to claim 10, characterized by that after shrinking of the molded hose element (35a), the cross section of the molded hose element (35a) is filled by means of a curable casting compound (48). [12] Method according to claim 11, characterized by that the molded hose element (35a) is removed from the components (12, 14) after the casting compound (48) has hardened.

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