Fan module for a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a fan module (1) for a motor vehicle, having a fan frame (4) for a fan (2) and / or for a heat exchanger (3), and having a fastening device (9) for holding the fan frame (4) in the motor vehicle, wherein the fan frame (4) has at least one joining element (7), and wherein the fastening device (9) has a retaining element (13) which is or can be mounted on the vehicle, and has a mounting element (14) which is or can be coupled to the frame-side joining element (7) and is or can be detachably connected to the retaining element (13).

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] FAN MODULE FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE

[0003] The invention relates to a fan module for a motor vehicle, comprising a fan shroud for a fan and / or for a heat exchanger, as well as a fastening device for mounting the fan shroud in the motor vehicle. A motor vehicle is understood in particular to include an electric vehicle with an electric motor powered by a rechargeable battery, as well as a hybrid vehicle with an internal combustion engine and an electric motor powered by a rechargeable battery.

[0004] In a motor vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine, the drivetrain typically contains an internal combustion engine that requires cooling. Since heat radiation and convection are insufficient to cool the engine, this cooling process is typically supported by a cooling airflow generated by the airstream as the vehicle moves, as well as by a fan (radiator fan). The interposition of a cooling system in the form of a fluid cooling circuit is common, with a heat exchanger (radiator) exposed to the airflow and the airflow of the fan. A mixture of water, antifreeze, and corrosion inhibitor is typically used as a coolant to maintain the operating temperature of the internal combustion engine and to operate an air conditioning system.

[0005] The coolant, which is typically conducted in pipes incorporated into the radiator core or cooling package of a radiator, must in turn be cooled. For this purpose, cooling air flows over cooling fins that exchange heat with the coolant. Since the airstream serving as cooling air is normally not sufficient for cooling, especially at low vehicle speeds, the radiator fan usually has a fan wheel, usually driven by an electric motor, which has a conveying element for air in the form of a paddle wheel or propeller. Such a fan wheel is rotatably arranged within a fan wheel recess in the form of a through-opening in a fan shroud of the radiator fan. The fan wheel is typically arranged behind the radiator core or cooling package of the radiator (heat exchanger) in the direction of travel.With the help of the fan wheel of the radiator fan, also known as the fan module, the air is drawn through the radiator core and directed toward the combustion engine. If, in addition to the radiator core, a condenser core of an air conditioning system is present, the condenser core is usually positioned upstream of the radiator core in the direction of the airflow.

[0006] Electrically or electric-powered or drivable motor vehicles, such as electric or hybrid vehicles, typically include an electric motor as the electric drive system, which can drive one or both vehicle axles. To supply electrical energy, the electric motor is typically coupled to an on-board, rechargeable (high-voltage) battery (accumulator) as an electrical energy storage device. So-called rapid charging modes are often desired, in which the on-board battery is charged within the shortest possible time.

[0007] During such rapid charging, comparatively high currents occur, which subsequently cause the battery temperature to rise during the charging process. Since the battery is usually charged while the vehicle is stationary, the radiator fan can generate an airflow that cools the battery. A fan module used in such vehicles, which includes a fan, a cooler (radiator), and a condenser for an air conditioning circuit, is also known as a CRFM (Condenser Radiator Fan Module).

[0008] The following information regarding the spatial directions is given in a coordinate system of the motor vehicle (vehicle coordinate system), with the abscissa axis (X-axis, X-direction) oriented along the vehicle's longitudinal direction and the ordinate axis (Y-axis, Y-direction) oriented along the vehicle's transverse direction, and the applicate axis (Z-axis, Z-direction) oriented along the vehicle height.

[0009] It is desirable that such a fan module in the vehicle can be disassembled and reassembled several times over its service life, for example, ten times. It should be noted that the fan module should not be disassembled in the initial assembly direction, i.e., in the X-direction oriented in the direction of travel relative to the vehicle's coordinate system. The reason for this is that front-facing components of the vehicle should not be disassembled for such disassembly or assembly of the fan module.

[0010] The invention is based on the object of providing a fan module that is particularly suitable for assembly and disassembly in a motor vehicle, in particular for an electric or hybrid vehicle. In particular, the aim is to enable the fan module to be disassembled and reassembled as simply, reliably, and / or repeatedly – ​​relative to the vehicle coordinate system – in the Z-direction or in the ZX-direction. Furthermore, the use of self-tapping plastic screws, particularly on decoupling elements between the fan module and the vehicle body, should be avoided.

[0011] This object is achieved according to the invention with the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and further developments are the subject of the dependent claims (subclaims).

[0012] The fan module is intended and configured for a motor vehicle, in particular for an electric or hybrid vehicle. The fan module expediently comprises a fan and at least one heat exchanger, in particular a cooler (radiator) and / or a condenser for an air conditioning system. For example, the fan module is a CRFM (Condenser Radiator Fan Module). The fan module can comprise both a cooler and a condenser, or as a heat exchanger, only the cooler or only the condenser. The fan module has a fan shroud with at least one joining element and a fastening device for holding the fan shroud in the motor vehicle, in particular on a vehicle and / or body part of the motor vehicle.Suitably, two pairs of identical joining elements are provided in the upper and lower corner areas of the fan shroud in the direction of the vehicle height (Z direction in the vehicle coordinate system), wherein the upper and lower joining elements are or can be expediently different.

[0013] The respective joining element is suitably attached to the fan shroud or to a particularly rectangular shroud body, preferably as a bracket-like fastening element with a plug-in opening. Two such joining elements are preferably provided in the upper corner regions of the fan shroud in the direction of the vehicle height (Z direction in the vehicle coordinate system) or are integrally formed on the shroud body. Particularly preferably, the joining elements are provided on an upper cross strut (running in the Y direction of the vehicle coordinate system) and protrude above or above the shroud body in the Z direction. The plug-in opening of the respective joining element runs in particular in the direction of travel (X direction in the vehicle coordinate system) or parallel to the axis of rotation (fan axis) of the fan.

[0014] The fastening device comprises a retaining element mounted or mountable on the vehicle side, as well as a mounting element coupled or capable of being coupled, preferably releasably, to the joining element on the frame side. This mounting element is releasably connected to the retaining element. Suitably, the retaining element, preferably at the end of at least one fastening leg, has a joining opening for creating a vehicle- or body-side mount or connection, in particular a screw fastening.

[0015] In an assembled state of the fan frame, the mounting element of the fastening device is suitably connected on the one hand to the holding element mounted or mountable on the vehicle side, in particular with the interposition of a decoupling element, and on the other hand to the frame-side joining element.

[0016] To establish a detachable plug connection with the retaining element mounted or mountable on the vehicle side and / or with the frame-side joining element, the mounting element advantageously has a first and second mounting or plug-in leg. In other words, the mounting element, which is suitably provided and configured for establishing detachable plug connections, expediently has a first plug-in leg for establishing a plug connection with the retaining element mounted or mountable on the vehicle side and a second plug-in leg for establishing a, preferably detachable, plug-in connection with the frame-side joining element. Preferably, the frame-side joining element and the retaining element of the fastening device have a plug-in opening. The plug-in legs of the mounting element (14) are at an obtuse angle to one another.This is in particular less than 180° and greater than 90°, and is preferably between 100° and 170°, more preferably between 110° and 160°, preferably (140 ± 10)°.

[0017] According to an expedient development, the fastening device comprises an expansion element. Particularly preferably, the expansion element functions in the manner of an (expansion) dowel or has a corresponding, in particular plug-in dowel-like, functionality. The mounting element has a (corresponding) receiving shaft or plug-in shaft for the expansion element. This receiving shaft is suitably provided in the (second) mounting or plug-in leg associated with the frame-side joining element and is open, in particular, from its free-end end face or accessible for inserting the expansion element.

[0018] The fastening device suitably comprises a connecting element that releasably connects the expansion element to the mounting element. The expansion element has a plug-in shaft for the connecting element, which is accessible in particular from the front. The connecting element, which may be rivet-like, is intended and configured to be inserted into the plug-in shaft of the expansion element inserted into the receiving shaft of the mounting element. By means of the connecting element, the expansion element can be spread or expanded in such a way that a firm, but releasable, seat of the expansion element in the mounting element is created. Alternatively or additionally, a clip or snap-in connection can also be created between the connecting element and the expansion element.

[0019] The expansion element is inserted into the mounting element or its receiving shaft after the mounting element or its corresponding mounting or plug-in leg has been inserted into the frame-side joining element. The expansion element suitably has a contact collar that, when mounted or plugged in, rests against a corresponding opening collar of the frame-side joining element. The connecting element subsequently inserted into the expansion element locks or arrests the expansion element in the mounting element. In this way, the mounting element of the fastening device is releasably coupled to the frame-side joining element, releasably connected to the fan frame, or releasably attached to it.

[0020] According to a practical embodiment, the fastening device has a decoupling element between the joining element of the fan shroud or its shroud body and the vehicle- or body-side retaining element to reduce structure-borne sound transmission. The decoupling element, which preferably consists of or is manufactured from an elastomer, is suitably received by the retaining element or in its plug-in opening. The decoupling element is expediently designed in the manner of a sleeve enclosing the mounting element or its first plug-in leg and / or a hollow cylinder with a preferably rectangular cross-section received in the plug-in opening of the retaining element.

[0021] The longitudinal direction of the struts of the (upper or lower) cross strut of the fan shroud or of the preferably rectangular shroud body, and thus the fan shroud, is expediently oriented perpendicular to a (rotational axis) fan axis of an (electric motor-driven) fan mounted in the fan shroud and / or, when the fan module is installed in the motor vehicle, parallel to a vehicle transverse direction (Y direction in the vehicle coordinate system). When the fan module is installed in the motor vehicle, the fan axis is, for example, inclined or set at an angle to a vehicle longitudinal axis (X direction in the vehicle coordinate system). An angle between the fan module and the vehicle longitudinal axis is, for example, between greater than 0° and less than or equal to 60°, for example (50 ± 5)°.

[0022] In the following, exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail with reference to a drawing. In the drawings:

[0023] Fig. 1 shows an exploded view of a fan module with a fan frame and with an electric motor-driven fan as well as with a heat exchanger and with a fastening device for mounting in a motor vehicle,

[0024] Fig. 2 in a top view (rear view) of the fan module with the (upper) fastening device provided for a plug connection to the fan frame and with the lower fastening device provided for a screw connection to the fan frame,

[0025] Fig. 3 the fan module in a side view with a view of the upper and lower fastening device,

[0026] Fig. 4 in an exploded view the (upper) fastening device with a holding element with a seated decoupling element and with a mounting element as well as with a connecting element for locking or releasably locking the expanding element in the mounting element,

[0027] Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of the (upper) fastening device according to Figure 4 in the assembled (plug-in) state, and Fig. 6 shows a detail in a perspective view of the upper right corner area of ​​the fan frame with the fastening device according to Figure 5 mounted thereon,

[0028] Corresponding parts are provided with the same reference numerals in all figures.

[0029] Figures 1 to 3 show a fan module 1 in an exploded view and in a top view and side view, respectively. The fan module 1 comprises a fan 2 and a cooler (radiator) and / or a condenser as heat exchanger 3. According to the exemplary embodiment shown here, the fan module 1 is a CRFM. The fan module 1 is intended and configured to have both a cooler and a condenser as heat exchanger 3. Such a CRFM can also have only the cooler or the condenser as heat exchanger 3. The other heat exchanger 3 is then mounted as fan module 1 during final assembly to form the CRFM. The fan module 1 is intended and configured in particular for an electric or hybrid vehicle. Figure 2 shows the fan module 1 viewed from the (rear) side facing away from the heat exchanger 3.

[0030] The fan module 1 comprises a fan shroud 4 for the fan 2 or for the respective heat exchanger 3. The box-like fan shroud 4 in the exemplary embodiment is rectangular with an upper transverse or shroud strut 4a and a lower transverse or shroud strut 4a parallel thereto, as well as with lateral longitudinal struts 4b. The transverse struts 4a of the box-like fan shroud 4 in the exemplary embodiment are oriented in the vehicle transverse direction (Y direction in the vehicle coordinate system), and the parallel longitudinal struts 4b are inclined in the direction of the vehicle height (Z direction in the vehicle coordinate system) or to the vehicle longitudinal direction (X direction in the vehicle coordinate system).

[0031] The fan shroud 4 has a circular fan wheel recess 4c between the struts 4a, 4b, in the center of which is a motor mount 4e held by struts 4d. An electric motor 5 is arranged within this recess, which drives a fan wheel 6 with sickled fan blades 6a, which are connected at the blade ends by an outer ring 6b. The fan axis (rotational axis) A of the fan 2 can run parallel to or at an angle to the vehicle's longitudinal direction (X direction in the vehicle coordinate system).

[0032] In the exemplary embodiment, the fan module 1, when installed within the vehicle, is arranged rotated or tilted about an axis running transversely to the fan axis A or in the Y direction. The fan axis A is oriented to the X direction at an angle of, for example, (45 ± 5)°.

[0033] In the exemplary embodiment, the fan shroud 4 of the fan module 1 has two joining elements 7 projecting upwards (in the Z direction) in the upper corner regions on the upper cross strut 4a. Each joining element 7 is designed in a bow-like manner, forming a preferably rectangular plug-in opening 8. In other words, each joining element 7 is integrally formed on the fan shroud 4 as a bow-like fastening element with a plug-in opening 8. The plug-in opening 8 of each joining element 7 runs in the direction of travel (X direction in the vehicle coordinate system) or parallel to the fan axis A. The fan module 1 has a number of fastening devices 9 corresponding to the number of upper joining elements 7 for releasably holding the fan shroud 4 and thus the fan module 1 in the motor vehicle, in particular on a vehicle or body component (not shown).

[0034] A further pair of joining elements 10 is provided in the lower corner areas of the fan shroud 4 in the direction of the vehicle height (Z direction in the vehicle coordinate system). These lower joining elements 10 are formed as dome-like screw pins on the fan shroud 4 and, in the exemplary embodiment, form a contact surface 11, inclined or inclined relative to the fan axis A, for example, at an angle of approximately 50°, for each further fastening device 12. This has a screw (screw bolt) 12a with a metric external thread that corresponds, in a manner not shown in detail, to a metric internal thread of a screw sleeve or screw nut firmly connected to the respective joining element 10 to create a detachable screw connection.The lower fastening devices 12 each have a holding element 12b, which is fastened, in particular screw-fastened, to the vehicle or body side, and a decoupling and / or mounting element 12c coupled thereto.

[0035] With reference also to Figures 4 to 6, the respective upper fastening device 9 has a holding element 13 that can be mounted on the vehicle side and a mounting element 14 that can be coupled to the upper joining element 7. The mounting element 14 is detachably connected to the holding element 13. The holding element 13 has a fastening leg 13a with a joining opening 13b at its end for producing a screw fastening on the vehicle or body side, as well as a plug-in opening 13c for the mounting element 14.

[0036] As can be seen from Fig. 6, in the assembled state of the fan shroud 4, the mounting element 14 of the fastening device 9 is detachably plug-connected to the holding element 13 mounted on the vehicle side and to the joining element 7 on the frame side. The mounting element 14 has a first plug-in leg 14a and a second mounting or plug-in leg 14b. The plug-in connection to the holding element 13 mounted or mountable on the vehicle side is made by means of the first plug-in leg 14a. A decoupling element 15 is provided in this plug-in connection. The decoupling element 15 is hollow-cylindrical with a rectangular cross-section and sits like a sleeve on the first plug-in leg 14a of the mounting element 14 or lines the plug-in opening 13c of the holding element 13.The decoupling element 15, which is made, for example, from an elastomer, serves to reduce structure-borne sound transmission between the fan shroud 4 and a vehicle or body part to which the holding element 13 is or will be fastened.

[0037] The plug-in connection with the frame-side joining element 7 is established via the second plug-in leg 14b of the mounting element 14. This plug-in leg 14b of the mounting element 14 has a receiving shaft or plug-in shaft 16 for receiving a dowel-like expansion element 17 of the fastening device 9. During assembly, the expansion element 17 is inserted into the receiving shaft 16, which is accessible via the free-end face of the plug-in leg 14b. The expansion element 17 has a plug-in shaft 17a, accessible from the face, for a rivet-like connecting element 18 of the fastening device 9.

[0038] During assembly, once the expansion element 17 has been inserted into the receiving slot 16 of the corresponding plug-in leg 14b of the mounting element 14, the connecting element 18 is inserted or pressed into the plug-in slot 17 of the expansion element 17 in order to widen or spread it such that a firm, detachable seat of the expansion element 17 is created in the mounting element 14. Alternatively or in addition to spreading the expansion element 17 in the mounting element 14, a snap-in or clip-in connection can also be created by locking the expansion element 17 inserted into the receiving slot 16 in the corresponding plug-in leg 14b of the mounting element 14.

[0039] During assembly, the mounting element 14 is inserted with its second plug-in leg 14b into the frame-side joining element 7 or into its plug-in opening 8. The expansion element 17 has a contact collar 17b, which, in the assembled or plug-in state, rests against a corresponding opening collar 19 of the frame-side joining element 7 (Figures 1 and 3). The connecting element 18, which is subsequently inserted into the expansion element 17, locks or secures the expansion element 17 in the mounting element 14.

[0040] In the assembled state, the mounting element 14 of the fastening device 9 is detachably coupled to the frame-side joining element 7, and the fastening device 9 is detachably connected to the fan shroud 4. Via the plug-in connection of the mounting element 14 of the fastening device 9 with its vehicle-side holding element 13, the fan shroud 4 or the fan module 1 is, on the one hand, reliably and securely fastened in the motor vehicle and, on the other hand, detachably fastened for the purpose of simple assembly and multiple disassembly. The fan axis A of the fan module 1 mounted in the motor vehicle can be inclined relative to the vehicle's longitudinal axis (X direction in the vehicle coordinate system). The angle between the fan module 1 and the vehicle's longitudinal axis can be between 0° and 60°, for example (50 ± 5)°. For such an oblique or inclined mounting of the fan module 1, the plug-in legs 14a, 14b of the mounting element advantageously run at an obtuse angle a to one another.This is suitably less than 180° and greater than 90° and is preferably between 130° and 150°.

[0041] In summary, the invention relates to a fan module 1 with a fan frame 4 and with a fastening device 9 for holding the fan frame 4 in a motor vehicle, wherein the fan frame 4 has at least one joining element 7, and wherein the fastening device 9 has a holding element 13 mounted or mountable on the vehicle side and a mounting element 14 coupled or coupleable to the frame-side joining element 7, which is detachably connected or connectable to the holding element 13.

[0042] The claimed invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described above. Rather, other variants of the invention can also be derived therefrom by those skilled in the art within the scope of the disclosed claims without departing from the subject matter of the claimed invention. In particular, all individual features described in connection with the various exemplary embodiments can also be combined in other ways within the scope of the disclosed claims without departing from the subject matter of the claimed invention.

[0043] List of reference symbols

[0044] 1 fan module

[0045] 2 fans

[0046] 3 heat exchangers

[0047] 4 fan shroud

[0048] 4a Cross / frame brace

[0049] 4b Longitudinal strut

[0050] 4c Fan wheel recess

[0051] 4d strut

[0052] 4th engine mount

[0053] 5 Electric motor

[0054] 6 Fan wheel

[0055] 6a Fan blade

[0056] 6b Outer ring

[0057] 7 (upper) joining element

[0058] 8 plug-in opening

[0059] 9 (upper) fastening device

[0060] 10 (lower) joining element

[0061] 11 Contact surface

[0062] 12 (lower) fastening device

[0063] 12a Screw / Bolt

[0064] 12b Holding element

[0065] 12c Decoupling and / or mounting element

[0066] 13 Holding element

[0067] 13a Mounting leg

[0068] 13b Joint opening

[0069] 13c Plug-in opening

[0070] 14 Mounting element

[0071] 14a (first) plug-in leg

[0072] 14b (second) mounting Z-plug leg

[0073] 15 Decoupling element

[0074] 16 Receiving slot 17 Spreader element

[0075] 17a Plug-in shaft

[0076] 17b Contact collar

[0077] 18 Connecting element 19 Opening collar

[0078] A fan axis a (obtuse) angle

Claims

Claims 1. Fan module (1) for a motor vehicle, comprising a fan frame (4) for a fan (2) and / or for a heat exchanger (3) and a fastening device (9) for holding the fan frame (4) in the motor vehicle, - wherein the fan frame (4) has at least one joining element (7), and - wherein the fastening device (9) has a holding element (13) mounted or mountable on the vehicle side and a mounting element (14) coupled or coupleable to the frame-side joining element (7) and detachably connected or connectable to the holding element (13).

2. Fan module (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the mounting element (14) is provided and designed to produce a detachable plug connection with the holding element (13) mounted or mountable on the vehicle side and / or with the joining element (7) on the frame side.

3. Fan module (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that - that the frame-side joining element (7) has a plug-in opening (8) for the mounting element (14), and / or - that the holding element (13) has a plug-in opening (13c) for the mounting element (14).

4. Fan module (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the holding element (13) has at least one joining opening (13b) for producing a vehicle-side or body-side fastening, in particular a screw fastening.

5. Fan module (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that - that the mounting element (14) has a first plug-in leg (14a) for establishing a plug-in connection with the holding element (13) mounted or mountable on the vehicle side, and / or - that the mounting element (14) has a second plug-in leg (14b) for establishing a plug-in connection with the frame-side joining element (7), and / or - that the mounting element (14) has two plug-in legs (14a, 14b) extending at an obtuse angle (a), in particular less than 180° and greater than 90°, preferably between 100° and 170°, more preferably between 110° and 160°, preferably (140 ± 10)°, to one another.

6. Fan module (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by a decoupling element (15), in particular made of an elastomer, which is received by the holding element (13) and / or surrounds the mounting element (14) in the manner of a sleeve, for reducing structure-borne sound transmission.

7. Fan module (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the fastening device (9) has a, in particular dowel-like, preferably plug-in dowel-like, expansion element (17) and the mounting element (14) has a receiving shaft (16) for the expansion element (17).

8. Fan module (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the fastening device (9) has a connecting element (18) which detachably connects the spreading element (17) to the mounting element (14).

9. Fan module (1) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the expansion element (17) has a contact collar (17b) for contact with a corresponding opening collar (19) of the frame-side joining element (7).

10. Fan module (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that in an assembled state of the fan frame (2), the mounting element (14) of the fastening device (9) is detachably connected, in particular plug-connected, on the one hand to the holding element (13) mounted or mountable on the vehicle side, in particular with the interposition of the or a decoupling element (15), and on the other hand to the frame-side joining element (7).

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