Arrangement for transporting media

Abstract

Arrangement (1) for transporting media, comprising a basic body (2), which takes the form of a blow-moulded part, and at least one functional element (3), which is fastened to the basic body (2), wherein the basic body (2) and the functional element (3) each comprise at least one flow channel (4), and wherein the flow channels (4) of the basic body (2) and functional element (3) are fluidically connected via openings (5) incorporated in the basic body (2) and the functional element (3), wherein the basic body (2) and the functional element (3) are connected to one another in a media-tight manner by means of at least one integrally bonded connection engaging around the openings (5).

Description

[0001] Patent application

[0002] Applicant: TI Automotive Technology Center GmbH, 76437 Rastatt

[0003] Arrangement for the transport of media

[0004] The invention relates to an arrangement for the transport of media, comprising a base body designed as a blow-molded part and at least one functional element which is fixed to the base body.

[0005] Such arrangements are used, for example, in electric vehicles and serve to transport temperature control medium to the components of the electric vehicle in order to heat or cool them as required. For this purpose, the drive unit of an electric vehicle can be equipped with a temperature control circuit with a pipe arrangement through which a temperature control medium can be fed to the battery cells in order to temperature-control the components of the drive unit, in particular the batteries, within a desired temperature range. In addition to the batteries, other components to be temperature-controlled can be the power electronics and the electric motor. In connection with rapid charging processes, temperature control of the charging electronics and the associated connectors and cables is also considered.Demand may also arise in the area of ​​other vehicle electronics, for example in the sensors and on-board computers that can be equipped for autonomous driving.

[0006] To design a compact and cost-effective arrangement for transporting media, it is known to integrate functional elements directly into the base body, which is designed as a blow-molded part. If there is a flow-conducting connection between the base body and the functional element, problems arise with regard to achieving a permanently sealed connection between the base body and the functional element. The object of the invention is to provide an arrangement for transporting media that can be manufactured simply and cost-effectively.

[0007] This object is achieved by the features of claim 1. The subclaims refer to advantageous embodiments.

[0008] The arrangement according to the invention for the transport of media comprises a base body designed as a blow-molded part and at least one functional element which is fixed to the base body, wherein the base body and the functional element each comprise at least one flow channel and wherein the flow channels of the base body and the functional element are connected in a flow-conducting manner via openings introduced into the base body and the functional element, wherein the base body and the functional element are connected to one another in a media-tight manner by at least one material-to-material connection encompassing the openings.

[0009] The integral connection encompassing the openings firmly connects the base body and the functional element in a media-tight manner. A particularly advantageous feature is that the media-tight connection can be produced easily and cost-effectively. In particular, the integral connection can be created during the molding of the base body using the blow molding process. This eliminates the need to install additional sealing elements, such as flat gaskets or O-rings, between the base body and the functional element.

[0010] Preferably, the material-to-material connection between the base body and the functional element is formed during the shaping of the base body by blow molding. This eliminates the need for additional manufacturing steps to create a media-tight connection between the base body and the functional element. Depending on how the blow molding process is carried out, after the shaping of the base body and the creation of the material-to-material connection between the base body and the functional element, an area of ​​the base body defining the opening may be covered by a section of the preform forming the base body. It may therefore be necessary to remove the material of the preform in the area of ​​the opening in a subsequent manufacturing step. To do this, a hole can be drilled into the base body to create the opening, or the wall of the base body can be cut out in the area of ​​the opening.

[0011] In principle, it is conceivable for the base body to be connected to several functional elements, with each functional element being in fluid communication with the base body via a separate opening. A further embodiment provides for several openings between the base body and the functional element.

[0012] The base body and the functional element can be locked together with a positive fit. This positive connection results in improved mechanical resilience, and in particular, the material connection between the base body and the functional element, which ensures the media-tight connection between the two components, is relieved of mechanical forces thanks to the additional positive connection.

[0013] Preferably, the base body and the functional element are made of plastic. This makes it possible to provide a cost-effective and easy-to-manufacture assembly. The base body is designed as a blow-molded part. The functional element can also be designed as a blow-molded element. Alternatively, it is also conceivable to produce the functional element by injection molding.

[0014] Preferably, at least one sealing contour enclosing the opening is formed from the functional element. The sealing contour preferably projects beyond the surface of the functional element and points in the direction of the base body. During manufacture and in particular during shaping of the base body, the wall of the base body rests against the functional element and the protruding sealing contour ensures that there is linear contact between the base body and the functional element. The sealing contour can be triangular or semicircular in section. Web-shaped or trapezoidal designs of the sealing contour are also conceivable. The sealing contour is preferably annular. This is particularly advantageous for circular openings. The shape of the opening depends on the available installation space and the volume flow to be passed through.Accordingly, openings with an irregular contour are also conceivable. In this case, it is advantageous if the sealing contour extends parallel to the contour defining the opening. According to a further advantageous embodiment, several sealing contours are provided, arranged concentrically. The sealing contours can be spaced apart from the edge defining the opening.

[0015] The base body and the functional element can be bonded together along the sealing contours. Particularly in the case of sealing contours that protrude beyond the surface of the functional element, the sealing contour comes into contact with the functional element along the sealing contour during the shaping of the base body through blow molding. The material melts, preferably in the area of ​​the sealing contour, forming a bonded and media-tight joint between the base body and the functional element. Accordingly, in this design, the sealing contours form the bonded connections surrounding the openings.

[0016] A simple and cost-effective production of a material-locking connection between the functional element and the base body is particularly possible when the base body and the functional element are made of plastic, wherein the plastic of the base body and the plastic of the functional element preferably have a similar melting temperature.

[0017] Polypropylene and / or polyamide are particularly suitable as plastics for the base body and the functional element. It is also conceivable to construct the base body and the functional element in multiple layers, with different plastics being used for the layers. Some embodiments of the arrangement according to the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. These show, schematically:

[0018] Fig. 1 shows an arrangement in plan view;

[0019] Fig. 2 the arrangement in the exploded view;

[0020] Fig. 3 shows in detail the arrangement in the area of ​​the recesses;

[0021] Fig. 4 shows in detail the functional element with opening and sealing contours.

[0022] The figures show an arrangement 1 for transporting media. In the present embodiment, arrangement 1 is a distribution structure that forms a component of a temperature control circuit of an electric vehicle. Arrangement 1 serves to transport and distribute temperature control media, for example, coolant in the form of cooling water. Accordingly, arrangement 1 serves to transport coolant to the components of the electric vehicle that require temperature control. Such components include, for example, the batteries, the electric motors, and the power electronics.

[0023] The arrangement 1 comprises a base body 2 designed as a blow-molded part and two functional elements 3 which are positively fixed to the base body 2.

[0024] The base body 2 and the functional elements 3 are made of plastic, according to a first embodiment from a polyolefin, for example, polypropylene or a polyethylene (PE, HDPE), and according to a second embodiment from polyamide. The polyamide can be PA 6, PA 6.10, PA 6.12, PA 10.10, PA 11, or PA 12. PA 11 and PA 10.10 are particularly advantageous because they are bio-based and made from renewable raw materials. In a further embodiment, the plastic of the base body 2 and the functional elements 3 comprises recycled material. The proportion of recycled material is preferably 30%. Accordingly, the functional elements 3 are made of injection-moldable plastic, with the plastics of the base body 2 and the functional elements 3 being selected so that they have similar melting points.For polypropylene, the melting temperature is approximately 160 °C and for polyamide, the melting temperature is between approximately 190 °C and 230 °C, depending on the design.

[0025] In the present embodiment, the functional elements 3 form part of a pump, specifically a pump cover. In alternative embodiments, however, the functional elements 3 can also be designed as a cooler, sensor, valve, hose adapter, or as a component of the aforementioned elements. In a further alternative embodiment, the functional element 3 can also be designed as an adapter plate, wherein the adapter plate serves to accommodate additional functional elements, for example, sensors, pumps, and / or valves.

[0026] The base body 2 and the functional elements 3 each comprise a flow channel 4, wherein the flow channels 4 of the base body 2 and the functional elements 3 are connected via openings 5 ​​introduced into the base body 2 and into the functional elements 3.

[0027] The base body 2 and the functional elements 3 are connected to each other in a media-tight manner by a material-to-material connection encompassing the openings 5. The material-to-material connection between the base body 2 and the functional elements 3 is formed by the shaping of the base body 2 during blow molding.

[0028] Several sealing contours 6 enclosing the openings 5 ​​are formed from the functional elements 3.

[0029] To produce the arrangement, the functional elements 3 and a preform made of polymer material are first provided and arranged in a blow mold. The base body 2 is then blow-molded from the preform, with the preform coming into contact with the functional elements 3 during the molding process. The preform comes into contact with the sealing contours 6. The sealing contours 6 protrude beyond the surface of the functional elements 3 and, in the present embodiment, are rib-shaped. In the present embodiment, the functional elements 3 are provided with three annular sealing contours 6 arranged concentrically around the openings 5. The sealing contours 6 have a triangular shape in cross-section.

[0030] Due to the shape of the sealing contours 6, the heat flow is limited by the sealing contours 6, so that they melt as soon as the preform of the base body 2 touches the surface of the functional elements 3 and thus the sealing contours 6. The melting of the sealing contours 6, in turn, causes a material-to-material and media-tight connection of the functional elements 3 to the base body 2 in the area of ​​the openings 5. After completion of the blow molding process, the base body 2 and the functional elements 3 are material-to-material and media-tightly connected along the sealing contours 6. Accordingly, in this design, the sealing contours 6 form the material-to-material connections surrounding the openings 5.

[0031] To improve mechanical strength, the functional elements 3 are also positively secured to the base body 2. The positive connection is formed by deformation of the preform into the base body 2 during blow molding.

[0032] The functional elements 3 have recesses 7, each of which forms an undercut. The base body 2 extends into the recesses 7 to form the positive connection. In this process, projections 8 form from the base body 2 and project into the recesses 7. The free ends of the projections 8 expand like mushroom heads, creating a positive connection between the base body 2 and the functional element 3.

[0033] Figure 1 shows the arrangement 1 in plan view. The two functional elements 3, each forming a pump cover, have a substantially circular basic shape. The recesses 7 are distributed around the circumference in the edge region of the functional elements 3. Projections 8 are formed from the base body 2 and are congruent with the recesses 7, with the projections 8 extending into the recesses 7.

[0034] The base body 2 and the functional elements 3 have flow channels 4 which are connected to each other via the openings 5.

[0035] Figure 2 shows the arrangement 1 shown in Figure 1 in an exploded view. It can be seen that the base body 2 is shaped congruently to the functional elements 3 in the area of ​​the functional elements 3, which enables a particularly space-saving integration of the functional elements 3 into the base body 2. Figure 3 shows the arrangement 1 in detail and in section in the area of ​​the recesses 7.

[0036] Figure 4 shows a functional element 3 in detail before the joining process. Three annular sealing contours 6 can be seen concentrically enclosing the opening 5, which have a triangular shape in cross-section. The sealing contours 6 melt during the blow molding process and the associated shaping of the base body 2, and the functional element 3 bonds to the base body 2 in the area of ​​the sealing contours 6 in a material-to-material, media-tight manner.

Claims

Patent claims 1 . Arrangement (1 ) for the transport of media, comprising a base body (2) designed as a blow-molded part and at least one functional element (3) which is fixed to the base body (2), wherein the base body (2) and the functional element (3) each comprise at least one flow channel (4) and wherein the flow channels (4) of the base body (2) and the functional element (3) are connected in a flow-conducting manner via openings (5) introduced into the base body (2) and the functional element (3), characterized in that the base body (2) and the functional element (3) are connected to one another in a media-tight manner by at least one material-to-material connection encompassing the openings (5).

2. Arrangements according to claim 1, characterized in that the connection between the base body (2) and the functional element (3) is formed by blow molding during the shaping of the base body (2).

3. Arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the base body (2) and the functional element (3) are positively locked to one another.

4. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the base body (2) and the functional element (3) are made of plastic.

5. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that at least one sealing contour (6) encompassing the opening is formed from the functional element (3).

6. Arrangement according to claim 5, characterized in that the base body (2) and the functional element (3) are integrally connected along the sealing contour (6).

7. Arrangement according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the Sealing contour (6) is ring-shaped.

8. Arrangement according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that several concentrically arranged sealing contours (6) are provided.

9. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the materials of the base body (2) and the functional element (3) have a similar melting temperature.

10. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the base body (2) and / or the functional element (3) are made of a polyolefin or a polyamide.

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