Vehicle components with equipotential bonding

Abstract

Vehicle components are provided, of which two are to be mechanically and electrically conductively connected to each other at specified connection surfaces and which each have different electrical potentials, wherein at least one of the vehicle components is provided with an electrically non-conductive coating, and wherein at least one of the connection surfaces of at least one of the vehicle components has an equipotential bonding structure, which is formed integrally with the connection surface and as an element projecting from the connection surface.

Description

[0001] Vehicle components with potential equalization

[0002] The invention relates to vehicle components of a vehicle with potential equalization.

[0003] Vehicles are increasingly being powered by electric motors. For this purpose, an electric motor (as a drive) and / or an electrical energy storage device, or generally electrical components, are arranged on one or more vehicle components. This necessitates providing equipotential bonding between the vehicle components. Electrical components are frequently installed in the axle area (on an axle carrier) of the vehicle, especially in the case of two-track vehicles. Since axle carriers are now also used to mount the components of the electric drive, it is necessary to provide equipotential bonding between the axle carrier and the vehicle body, to which the axle carrier is mechanically connected during vehicle assembly.

[0004] Providing the necessary equipotential bonding between vehicle components such as the axle carrier and the body can be achieved via a separate conductor, e.g., a ground strap, routed between the axle carrier and the body. Alternatively, a bearing of the axle carrier can be designed to be electrically conductive, as known from DE 10 2019 105 865 A1. EP 2 290 751 A1 discloses a self-tapping steel bushing screwed into a crossmember of the vehicle to establish an electrically conductive connection between the crossmember and the body (A-pillar). DE 10 2009 007 850 A1 discloses a bridge element that electrically connects at least two adjacent vehicle components with different potentials.

[0005] Since there is still room for improvement in providing potential equalization between vehicle components of electrically powered vehicles, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved potential equalization between vehicle components. This object is achieved according to the invention by the features of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0006] Vehicle components are provided, two of which are to be mechanically and electrically connected to each other at specified connection surfaces, and which each have different electrical potentials, wherein at least one of the vehicle components is provided with an electrically non-conductive coating, and wherein at least one of the connection surfaces of at least one of the vehicle components has a potential equalization structure that is formed integrally with the connection surface and as an element projecting from the connection surface.

[0007] Furthermore, it is stipulated that the potential equalization structure should be formed as a structure with as sharp an edge or as pointed a shape as possible.

[0008] Furthermore, it is provided that one of the vehicle components is a body of the vehicle, and the other of the vehicle components is a chassis component of the vehicle, or that both vehicle components are chassis components.

[0009] Furthermore, it is intended that the chassis components are an axle carrier or a steering system of the vehicle.

[0010] Furthermore, it is planned that several identical or different equipotential bonding structures are provided at a connection surface of one of the vehicle components. It is also planned that equipotential bonding structures are provided at connection surfaces of both vehicle components.

[0011] Furthermore, it is planned that the potential equalization structures are arranged in such a way that they do not collide with each other during the assembly of the vehicle components.

[0012] Furthermore, a vehicle comprising the described vehicle components will be provided.

[0013] Furthermore, it is intended that the vehicle is at least partially electrically powered and that at least one of the vehicle components serves to carry an electric motor and / or an energy storage device.

[0014] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, with reference to the figures in the drawing, which shows details of the invention, and from the claims. The individual features can be implemented individually or in any combination in a variant of the invention.

[0015] Preferred embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawing.

[0016] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a fastening area of ​​a vehicle component with a connection surface provided with potential equalization structures according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of a fastening area of ​​a vehicle component with a connection surface provided with potential equalization structures according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] In the following figure descriptions, identical elements or functions are designated with the same reference numerals. The basic concept of the invention is to provide potential equalization between two vehicle components of an at least partially electrically powered vehicle. The term "at least partially electrically powered vehicle" encompasses both purely electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles. As mentioned at the outset, potential equalization between all vehicle components is necessary in the case of an electric drive. This requires an electrically conductive connection between two interconnected vehicle components. The term "vehicle components" includes both chassis components such as an axle carrier or steering system, and the vehicle body.

[0019] Many vehicle components now have a corrosion-protective coating, for example, one applied using cathodic dip coating. The vehicle components relevant for equipotential bonding are made of an electrically conductive material such as steel. However, the coatings themselves are not electrically conductive, so it is necessary to penetrate the coating during assembly to establish electrical contact between the two components.

[0020] To establish an electrically conductive connection between two vehicle components, at least one of which has an electrically insulating coating, at least one of the vehicle components is equipped with a potential equalization structure. This potential equalization structure is formed on the area of ​​the vehicle component where it is connected to another vehicle component at predetermined mounting points using screw connections. These areas typically have contact surfaces that are pressed together when the two vehicle components are assembled. The potential equalization structure is located on these contact surfaces. The potential equalization structure is formed as at least one protruding element, i.e., as a raised structure. Advantageously, it is formed as a single component with the contact surface, i.e., not as a separate attached part.

[0021] In one design, the equipotential bonding structure is as sharp-edged or pointed as possible. For example, so-called cutting ribs may be incorporated. The sharpness or pointiness depends on the manufacturing process and the material of the connection surface, so the edge or point may also have a slight rounding but still be described as sharp-edged or pointed.

[0022] In one embodiment, at least one potential equalization structure is arranged at predetermined positions of the connection surfaces of a vehicle component.

[0023] In one embodiment, at least one equipotential bonding structure is arranged at predetermined positions of the connection surfaces of two vehicle components to be connected, the position of the equipotential bonding structures being chosen such that they do not touch each other during assembly. The equipotential bonding structure can therefore be located, for example, on a chassis component such as an axle carrier or steering system, as well as on a vehicle body.

[0024] By being designed as a single-piece element formed with the connection surface and protruding from it, a coating present on one or both vehicle components to be connected is penetrated by this element (the potential equalization structure) through the pressing together of the connection surfaces, so that an electrically conductive connection is created between the connection surfaces.

[0025] As mentioned previously, one or both vehicle components may have a coating. If the vehicle component to which the equipotential bonding structure is attached has a coating, the equipotential bonding structure will also be coated due to its integral construction. However, this coating is removed when the bonding surfaces are pressed together, as is any coating on the counterpart (the bonding surface of the other vehicle component's mounting area). Therefore, it is possible for the equipotential bonding structure, protruding from the bonding surface, to penetrate both coatings.

[0026] The potential equalization structure is particularly relevant for the connection between the vehicle components axle carrier and vehicle body, since electrical components such as an electric motor and / or an energy storage device are now frequently mounted on an axle carrier and in this case a potential equalization between these two vehicle components is required.

[0027] Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a mounting area 1, 2 of two vehicle components 100, 200 to be connected to each other, both of which can be chassis components, e.g., an axle carrier and a steering system, or one of which can be a chassis component such as an axle carrier and the other the vehicle body, to which the axle carrier is attached by pressing its mounting areas 1 against mounting areas 2 on the body and providing a screw connection. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the mounting area 1 of the vehicle component 100 has several equipotential bonding structures 10 provided on its connection surface 11. In Figure 1, the equipotential bonding structures 10 are all formed identically as elongated elements.

[0028] Figure 2 shows only one mounting area 1 of a vehicle component 100. Several different equipotential bonding structures 10 are shown here as examples. This means that a combination of several elongated and differently shaped equipotential bonding structures 10 can be provided in all embodiments. Figure 2 shows, by way of example, a pointed (pyramidal-conical) equipotential bonding structure 10, as well as two equipotential bonding structures 10 formed as a ring bridge. The position on the connection surface 11 is arbitrarily chosen in Figures 1 and 2 and should be coordinated with the counterpart structure of the connection surface 21 of the mounting area 2 of the other vehicle component 200 to be connected; that is, this should also have a surface that is as flat as possible to ensure good contact pressure.Furthermore, the position of the equipotential bonding structures 10 on the connection surface 11 should be coordinated with the position of (optionally) existing equipotential bonding structures 20 on the connection surface 21 so that they do not meet during installation.

[0029] The potential equalization structures 10, formed integrally with the connection surfaces 11, enable a simple and effective electrically conductive connection of two vehicle components 100, 200 to one another without additional components. Since the potential equalization structures 10 have a shape that removes any coating present on one or both connection surfaces 11 (including the potential equalization structures 10) during pressing, no separate treatment (such as coating removal) of the connection surfaces 11 is necessary, thus simplifying assembly.

[0030] Reference symbol list

[0031] 100, 200 vehicle components

[0032] I, 2 Mounting area vehicle components

[0033] 10, 20 potential equalization structures

[0034] II, 21 connection areas

Claims

Patent claims 1. Vehicle components (100, 200) of which two are to be mechanically and electrically connected to each other at specified connection surfaces (11, 21) and which each have different electrical potentials, wherein at least one of the vehicle components (100, 200) is provided with an electrically non-conductive coating, and wherein at least one of the connection surfaces (11, 21) of at least one of the vehicle components (100, 200) has a potential equalization structure (10, 20) which is formed integrally with the connection surface (11, 21) and as an element projecting from the connection surface (11, 21).

2. Vehicle components (100, 200) according to claim 1, wherein the potential equalization structure (10, 20) is formed as a structure with as sharp an edge or as pointed a point as possible.

3. Vehicle components (100, 200) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein one of the vehicle components is a body of the vehicle and the other of the vehicle components is a chassis component of the vehicle, or wherein both vehicle components are chassis components.

4. Vehicle components (100, 200) according to claim 3, wherein the chassis components are an axle carrier or a steering system of the vehicle.

5. Vehicle components (100, 200) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein several similar or different potential equalization structures (10, 20) are provided on a connection surface (11, 21) of one of the vehicle components.

6. Vehicle components (100, 200) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein potential equalization structures (10, 20) are provided at connection surfaces (11, 21) of both vehicle components (100, 200).

7. Vehicle components (100, 200) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the potential equalization structures (10, 20) are arranged such that they do not collide with each other when the vehicle components (100, 200) are assembled.

8. Vehicle comprising vehicle components (100, 200) according to any one of the preceding claims.

9. Vehicle according to claim 8, wherein the vehicle is at least partially electrically powered and at least one of the vehicle components (100, 200) serves to carry an electric motor and / or an energy storage device.

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