Device and method for securing a cooling module in a vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for securing a cooling module (2), comprising a holding element (3) on the vehicle and a receiving unit (4) for receiving the holding element on a holding unit (5) of the cooling module (2), the receiving unit (4) being designed as a clamp having a receiving interior (7) for the holding element (3) and a circumferential through-opening (8) for inserting the holding element (3) in an unlocked assembly state. According to the invention, the receiving unit (4) has an outer and inner shell (9, 10) and a damper shell (11) situated therebetween. In the unlocked assembly state, the through-opening (8) is formed by circumferential openings in the shells (9, 10, 11), the openings being positioned one above the other in the radial direction (R). The inner shell (10) and the holding element (3) have corresponding latching formations (12). The inner shell (10) is connected to the damper shell (11) for conjoint rotation, and the outer shell (9) can be rotated relative to the damper shell (11) from the unlocked assembly state into a locked final state and can thereby be rotated over the circumferential openings in the damper shell (11) and the inner shell (10).

Description

[0001] Device and method for attaching a cooling module in a vehicle

[0002] The invention relates to a device for attaching a cooling module in a vehicle according to the features of the preamble of claim 1 and a method for attaching a cooling module in a vehicle.

[0003] As described in DE 102012 004 955 A1, a mounting arrangement for a cooling module on a body element of a motor vehicle is known from the prior art. The cooling module is attached to the body via a mounting element, to which an energy absorption element extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle is fastened. The mounting element is supported on a side of the energy absorption element that points upwards in the vertical direction of the vehicle.

[0004] German patent DE 102012 205 175 A1 describes a cooling module fixing device. In an arrangement for mounting a cooling module on a rigid bracket, the bracket has at least one decoupling element with a bore into which the cooling module can be partially inserted. The cooling module has a pin with a cavity containing a rib that is displaceable along the main direction of expansion of the pin and can be inserted into the bore of the decoupling element. A holder can be inserted into the cavity of the pin.

[0005] From DE 103 15 887 A1, a heat exchanger with fastening elements in a motor vehicle is known. The heat exchanger has fastening elements comprising predetermined breaking points, which are repairable. The fastening elements each comprise a first and second section with a quick-release connection between these two sections. One of the two sections is an inseparable part of the heat exchanger. When the quick-release connection is closed, the two sections interlock in a form-fitting manner. The fastening means of one of the two sections is provided with a predetermined breaking point. The fastening means with the predetermined breaking point is located on the section that can be separated from the heat exchanger.

[0006] The invention is based on the objective of providing a device and a device for attaching a cooling module in a vehicle that is improved compared to the prior art.

[0007] The problem is solved according to the invention by a device for attaching a cooling module in a vehicle with the features of claim 1 and a method for attaching a cooling module in a vehicle with the features of claim 9.

[0008] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0009] A device for mounting a cooling module in a vehicle comprises at least one mounting element on the vehicle and at least one receiving unit for receiving the mounting element. The receiving unit is provided, in particular arranged or formed, on a mounting unit of the cooling module. The receiving unit is designed as a clamp with a receiving chamber for the mounting element and, in an unlocked assembly state, has a circumferential through-opening for inserting the mounting element into the receiving chamber.

[0010] According to the invention, the receiving unit comprises an outer shell, an inner shell, and an elastic damper shell arranged between the outer and inner shells. The damper shell rests against an inner circumference of the outer shell and an outer circumference of the inner shell and exhibits higher elasticity and / or lower strength than the inner shell. The receiving space for the retaining element is formed by the inner shell. In the unlocked assembly state, the feed-through opening is formed by radially superimposed circumferential openings in the three shells. The inner shell and the retaining element have correspondingly shaped locking features to form a snap-fit ​​connection between the retaining element, when it is arranged in the inner shell, and the inner shell.It is specifically intended that the inner circumference of the outer shell and an outer circumference of the damper shell have a corresponding surface structuring.

[0011] The inner shell is rotationally fixed to the damper shell. Advantageously, the inner shell is not only rotationally fixed, but also firmly connected in other directions of movement, for example, by material bonding, form-fitting, and / or force-fitting. For example, the inner shell and the damper shell are bonded together, one shell is injection-molded onto the other, or the damper shell is vulcanized onto the inner shell.

[0012] The circumferential opening of the outer shell is in particular smaller than the diameter of the damper shell, especially so small that the damper shell with the inner shell arranged therein is prevented from sliding out of the outer shell through the circumferential opening of the outer shell.

[0013] The outer shell can be rotated from the unlocked assembly state relative to the damper shell into a locked final state of the receiving unit and is therefore rotatable, at least partially, via the circumferential openings of the damper shell and the inner shell.

[0014] The at least one retaining element is arranged or formed on an integral support structure of the vehicle, for example, screwed to it. That is, the cooling module is attached to this integral support structure. In the described solution, the retaining element is designed as a simple, preferably metallic, holder, for example, as a die-cast part, particularly made of aluminum. A complex design of the retaining element is not required; for example, only the at least one locking feature on the retaining element is necessary, which is designed, for example, as a simple bulge.

[0015] The mounting unit of the cooling module, on which the at least one receiving unit for receiving the retaining element is arranged or formed, is in particular a fan shroud of the cooling module. A fan, also referred to as a ventilator or blower, is arranged on this fan shroud. A radiator, i.e., in particular an air-cooling medium heat exchanger, of the cooling module is arranged, for example, in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle in front of or behind the fan. This radiator is, for example, also arranged on the fan shroud. The cooling medium circulates, in particular, in a cooling circuit of the vehicle. It is, for example, a coolant or a gas, and the air is, in particular, ambient air.

[0016] The inner shell is specifically shaped to act as a pressure distributor for the damper shell. When the retaining element presses into the inner shell, the resulting forces are transferred to the damper shell in such a way that they are distributed as evenly as possible across the contact surface with the outer shell. The damper shell provides, in particular, mechanical vibration decoupling between the fan and the vehicle's body shell, thereby reducing noise during operation of the cooling module.

[0017] In a method according to the invention for fastening the cooling module in the vehicle using the device, the cooling module, with the at least one receiving unit in the unlocked mounting state, is inserted into the vehicle, wherein the retaining element is inserted into the receiving interior of the receiving unit until the locking features of the inner shell and the retaining element engage with each other, thereby forming the locking connection. Subsequently, the cooling module is pivoted about the retaining element, in particular pivoted towards the rear of the vehicle, whereby the outer shell is rotated relative to the damper shell and thus, in particular, also relative to the inner shell into the locked final state of the receiving unit.

[0018] The vehicle is, in particular, an electrically powered vehicle. The cooling module is used, in particular, to cool the vehicle's main electric drive, which includes, in particular, an electric motor for propelling the vehicle, and is also used, for example, to operate the vehicle's air conditioning system. Since the electric drive motor requires less installation space than a conventional combustion engine, this frees up space at the front of the vehicle, which can be made available to the vehicle user as storage space. For this purpose, it is advantageous to also change the position of the cooling module compared to conventional combustion engine vehicles. In a conventional combustion engine vehicle, the cooling module is mounted vertically in front of the combustion engine. The angle between the underbody and the cooling module, in particular the cooling module's fan, is therefore 90°.

[0019] In contrast, the solution described here provides that the cooling module, and in particular its fan, is positioned at an angle of less than 90° and greater than 0° to the vehicle's underbody when the mounting unit is locked in its final position, specifically at an angle of 45° to 20°, more specifically at an angle of 38° to 25°, more specifically at an angle of 38° or 25°, or less than 38° and greater than 25°. The smaller this angle, the more storage space is available. However, an excessive inclination of the cooling module, especially the fan, results in a significant loss of cooling efficiency. Therefore, the aforementioned angle ranges are particularly advantageous, especially the angle of 25° or greater than 25° and up to 38°, as this prevents an excessive loss of cooling efficiency. In other words, at these angles, the aforementioned storage space is maximized while maintaining a sufficiently high level of cooling efficiency.

[0020] The described device simultaneously enables the mounting of the cooling module in the vehicle and its pivoting to the intended angle. This pivoting action rotates the outer shell relative to the damper shell into the locked final position of the mounting unit. In this locked final position, the circumferential openings of the damper shell and the inner shell are at least partially closed by the outer shell, thus creating a bayonet-like locking mechanism.

[0021] The through-opening formed by the circumferential openings of the outer shell, the damper shell, and the inner shell in the unlocked assembly state is oriented specifically towards the rear, i.e., towards the rear of the vehicle. By closing at least the circumferential openings of the damper shell and the inner shell, at least partially, with the outer shell, this closing section of the outer shell is positioned behind the retaining element located in the receiving space, in the direction of the vehicle's longitudinal axis. This closing section of the outer shell thus acts as a safeguard against the retaining element being moved out of the receiving space.against the removal of the cooling module's receiving unit from the vehicle's retaining element, particularly in the event of a frontal collision of the vehicle, where the snap connection between the inner shell and the retaining element could fail due to a strong force caused by the collision, especially due to the inertia of the cooling module.

[0022] It is specifically designed that the outer shell, in particular the section of it that closes the circumferential openings of the damper shell and the inner shell, is spaced apart from the retaining element located in the receiving space, so that the outer shell and the retaining element, and thus the cooling module, in particular its mounting unit, especially the fan shroud, and the body shell, are decoupled from each other with respect to mechanical vibrations. Only when the snap-fit ​​connection between the inner shell and the retaining element fails and the retaining element moves out of the receiving space, does it strike the section of the outer shell that closes the circumferential openings of the damper shell and the inner shell, thereby preventing the retaining element from moving further out of the receiving space.

[0023] It is specifically provided that the receiving unit is arranged in a lower area of ​​the cooling module, particularly the mounting unit. It is thus provided that the lower area of ​​the cooling module is secured in the manner described by means of the receiving unit and the mounting element, and that an upper area of ​​the cooling module is pivoted rearward, towards the rear of the vehicle, thereby aligning the cooling module at the angle to the underbody described above.

[0024] Advantageously, the device has two receiving units on opposite sides in the lower area of ​​the cooling module, in particular the mounting unit; that is, one receiving unit is provided on the side of the cooling module facing the left side of the vehicle and one on the side facing the right side of the vehicle. It can then be provided, for example, that the mounting element on the vehicle is designed to be received in both receiving units, or that the mounting element is designed to be received in one receiving unit and a further mounting element on the vehicle, spaced laterally apart from it, is designed to be received in the other receiving unit. The lateral spacing is in the transverse direction of the vehicle's axis. If two mounting elements are provided, they can, for example, be arranged or formed on the same integral support or on separate integral supports of the vehicle.

[0025] It is specifically provided that the cooling module, particularly the mounting unit, has at least one module-side bearing feature in an upper area, and that the vehicle has a corresponding vehicle-side bearing feature. The vehicle-side bearing feature is, for example, also arranged on or formed on the vehicle's integral support. Advantageously, at least one of the bearing features is designed as a damping element or incorporates such a damping element. The bearing feature forms a stop for the pivoting movement of the cooling module. The damping element, particularly in the upper bearing features, achieves mechanical vibration decoupling between the fan and the vehicle's body shell, thereby reducing noise generation during operation of the cooling module.

[0026] The procedure specifically provides that the cooling module is pivoted until at least one module-side bearing form engages with the corresponding vehicle-side bearing form.

[0027] This method for securing the cooling module is specifically designed so that the cooling module, with its at least one mounting unit in the unlocked installation state, is inserted into the vehicle by first lowering it vertically from above into the vehicle's body shell. In a predetermined vertical position, the cooling module is then moved along the vehicle's longitudinal axis, particularly towards the rear, thereby inserting the at least one retaining element into the mounting space of the at least one mounting unit until the locking features of the inner shell and the retaining element engage, thus forming the locking connection. The inner shell therefore serves as a stop for this movement of the cooling module along the vehicle's longitudinal axis.

[0028] Once this stop is reached, i.e., the retaining element is positioned in the inner shell in such a way that the locking connection is formed, the pivoting movement is initiated, i.e., the cooling module is pivoted around the retaining element. This continues until at least one module-side mounting recess engages with the corresponding vehicle-side mounting recess, thereby creating a stop for the cooling module on the vehicle, particularly on the integral carrier, in the area of ​​the upper mounting recesses. The cooling module is then in the intended position and secured by the section of the outer shell that at least partially closes the circumferential openings of the damper shell and the inner shell, forming a bayonet-like closure. The use of additional fasteners, such as screws, is therefore unnecessary.

[0029] The correspondingly designed bearing features include, in particular, correspondingly designed locking elements to form a locking connection between the bearing features. This locking connection prevents the cooling module from pivoting back, especially during normal ferry operation of the vehicle, but also, for example, during a collision, at least up to a predetermined collision severity.

[0030] One bearing configuration is, for example, a bolt, and the other bearing configuration is a bolt receptacle, particularly in the form of an opening. For example, the bolt is arranged or formed on the vehicle, and the bolt receptacle is on the cooling module, particularly on the mounting unit, especially as an opening in the blower housing; or the bolt is arranged or formed on the cooling module, and the bolt receptacle is on the vehicle. The damping element is, for example, arranged or formed on the bolt, or the bolt itself is designed as a damping element, particularly made of a suitable, especially elastic, material.

[0031] Advantageously, the device has two module-side bearing recesses on opposite sides in the upper area of ​​the cooling module, particularly the mounting unit, and two vehicle-side bearing recesses arranged laterally spaced apart from each other. That is, one module-side bearing recess is provided on the side of the cooling module facing the left side of the vehicle and one on the side facing the right side of the vehicle. The lateral spacing of the vehicle-side bearing recesses is in the transverse direction of the vehicle's axis. The vehicle-side bearing recesses can, for example, be arranged or formed on the same integral support or on separate integral supports of the vehicle.

[0032] In the described solution, the device thus comprises, in particular, at least one mounting element on the vehicle, especially on its integral support, and a corresponding receiving unit on the mounting unit of the cooling module, especially in the fan housing of the cooling module. The receiving unit comprises the outer shell, the damper shell arranged therein, especially in a receiving space of the outer shell, and the inner shell arranged therein, especially in a receiving space of the damper shell. The damper shell is elastic, i.e., made of an elastic material. The inner shell is, in particular, made of plastic, a plastic sleeve made of a rigid, in particular very rigid, plastic.

[0033] The locking features of the inner shell and the retaining element are designed, for example, as bulges that lock together during assembly, i.e., by inserting the retaining element into the receiving space.

[0034] The surface textures of the outer shell and the damper shell are designed, for example, as interlocking bulges. This prevents, for instance, the damper shell from twisting relative to the outer shell before the cooling module is installed. Furthermore, this design secures the installed cooling module against pivoting backward, for example, by pressing the bulges of the damper shell into the corresponding bulges of the outer shell when the cooling module is pivoted as described above.

[0035] As already described, two module-side bearing recesses are advantageously provided in the upper area of ​​the cooling module, particularly on the mounting unit designed as a fan shroud. These recesses connect to the two vehicle-side bearing recesses, which are provided, in particular, on the integral support, after the cooling module has pivoted. It is specifically provided that openings in the fan shroud, which form the module-side bearing recesses, accommodate damping elements of the vehicle-side bearing recesses, thus creating a stop for the pivoting movement of the cooling module. Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0036] This shows:

[0037] Fig. 1 schematically shows a first embodiment of a device for attaching a cooling module in a vehicle in a pre-assembly situation and in a front view.

[0038] Fig. 2 schematically shows a sectional view of the first embodiment of the device during an assembly step of the cooling module,

[0039] Fig. 3 schematically shows a perspective view of the assembly step shown in Figure 2,

[0040] Fig. 4 schematically shows an end position of the cooling module after assembly,

[0041] Fig. 5 schematically shows a sectional view of the first embodiment of the

[0042] Device in the end position of the cooling module,

[0043] Fig. 6 schematically shows another sectional view of the first embodiment of the device in the end position of the cooling module,

[0044] Fig. 7 schematically shows a perspective view of the first embodiment of the device in the end position of the cooling module,

[0045] Fig. 8 schematically shows a sectional view of the cooling module arranged in the vehicle in its final position,

[0046] Fig. 9 schematically shows a perspective view of the cooling module arranged in the vehicle in its final position,

[0047] Fig. 10 schematically shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of the device during an assembly step of the cooling module,

[0048] Fig. 11 schematically shows a sectional view of the second embodiment of the device in a pre-assembled state of the cooling module,

[0049] Fig. 12 schematically shows another sectional view of the second embodiment of the device in the pre-assembled state of the cooling module,

[0050] Fig. 13 schematically shows a sectional view of the second embodiment of the device in the end position of the cooling module, and

[0051] Fig. 14 schematically shows another sectional view of the second embodiment of the device in the end position of the cooling module.

[0052] Corresponding parts are marked with the same reference symbols in all figures.

[0053] With reference to Figures 1 to 14, a device 1 and a method for attaching a cooling module 2 in a vehicle are described below. Figures 1 to 7 show an exemplary first embodiment, and Figures 8 to 14 show an exemplary second embodiment.

[0054] The device 1 has at least one retaining element 3 on the vehicle and at least one receiving unit 4 for receiving the retaining element 3 on a mounting unit 5 of the cooling module 2. In the illustrated embodiments, the at least one retaining element 3 is arranged on an integral support 6 of the vehicle, for example, screwed to it. That is, the cooling module 2 is attached to this integral support 6. The at least one retaining element 3 is preferably formed in one piece, preferably from metal, for example as a die-cast part, especially from aluminum, i.e., as an aluminum die-cast part.

[0055] The mounting unit 5 of the cooling module 2, on which the at least one receiving unit 4 for receiving the retaining element 3 is arranged or formed, is, in the illustrated embodiments, a blower frame of the cooling module 2. A fan is arranged on this blower frame. In the illustrated embodiments, a radiator of the cooling module 2 is arranged in front of the fan in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

[0056] The receiving unit 4 is designed as a clamp with a receiving interior 7 for the retaining element 3 and, in an unlocked assembly state, has a circumferential through-opening 8 for inserting the retaining element 3 into the receiving interior 7, as shown in Figures 2 and 3 for the first embodiment and in Figures 10 to 12 for the second embodiment.

[0057] The receiving unit 4 comprises an outer shell 9, an inner shell 10, and an elastic damping shell 11 arranged between the outer shell 9 and the inner shell 10. The damping shell 11 rests against an inner circumference of the outer shell 9 and an outer circumference of the inner shell 10 and exhibits higher elasticity and / or lower strength than the inner shell 10. The receiving chamber 7 for the retaining element 3 is formed by the inner shell 10. In the unlocked assembly state, the through-opening 8 is formed by circumferential openings in the three shells 9, 10, and 11 positioned one above the other in the radial direction R. The radial direction R is perpendicular to an axial direction A of the receiving unit 4.

[0058] In the first embodiment, the damper shell 11 has, for example, an outer diameter of 40 mm, a circumferential opening of 16 mm and a length of 35 mm in the axial direction A.

[0059] The inner shell 10 and the retaining element 3 have correspondingly designed locking features 12 to form a snap-fit ​​connection between the retaining element 3, when it is arranged in the inner shell 10, and the inner shell 10. In the examples shown, these locking features 12 are designed as bulges that snap together during assembly, i.e., by inserting the retaining element 3 into the receiving space 7.

[0060] In the first embodiment, the retaining element 3 and the inner shell 10 each have such a bulge. On the inner shell 10, this bulge is formed in an upper region of the circumferential opening, particularly adjacent to the circumferential opening. The bulge on the retaining element 3 is also formed accordingly in an upper region. In the second embodiment, the retaining element 3 and the inner shell 10 each have two such bulges. On the inner shell 10, such a bulge is formed in the upper region and in a lower region of the circumferential opening, particularly adjacent to the circumferential opening. The bulges on the retaining element 3 are also formed accordingly in the upper region and in a lower region, respectively.

[0061] It is specifically provided that the inner circumference of the outer shell 9 and an outer circumference of the damper shell 11 have a corresponding surface structuring 13, as illustrated, for example, in Figures 12 and 14 using the second embodiment.

[0062] The inner shell 10 is in particular made of plastic, in particular of a solid plastic, in particular as a plastic sleeve.

[0063] The inner shell 10 is rotationally fixed to the damper shell 11. The inner shell 10 and the damper shell 11 form, for example, a common bearing and / or decoupling element, which is inserted into the outer shell 9 or, in the examples shown, is already inserted. The insertion takes place, in particular, in the axial direction A of the receiving unit 4 and the retaining element 3.

[0064] This axial direction A is parallel to the vehicle's transverse axis. The vehicle's transverse axis is perpendicular to both the vehicle's longitudinal axis and its vertical axis. The vehicle's longitudinal axis is parallel to the vehicle's straight-ahead direction. The vehicle's vertical axis runs from the underbody to the roof of the vehicle.

[0065] The outer shell 9 is rotatable relative to the damper shell 11 into a locked end state of the receiving unit 4 and is therefore rotatable, at least partially, via the circumferential openings of the damper shell 11 and the inner shell 10. This locked end state is shown, for example, in Figure 6 for the first embodiment and in Figures 13 and 14 for the second embodiment. The inner shell 10 is shaped in such a way that it forms a pressure distributor for the damper shell 11. When the retaining element 3 presses into the inner shell 10, the resulting forces are transferred to the damper shell 11 in such a way that they are distributed as evenly as possible over the contact surface with the outer shell 9. The damper shell 11 provides, in particular, mechanical vibration decoupling between the fan and the vehicle body shell, thereby reducing noise generation during operation of the cooling module 2.

[0066] In a method for fastening the cooling module 2 in the vehicle by means of the device 1, as shown in Figures 2 and 3 for the first embodiment and in Figures 10 to 12 for the second embodiment, the cooling module 2 with the at least one receiving unit 4 in the unlocked assembly state is inserted into the vehicle, wherein the retaining element 3 is inserted into the receiving interior 7 of the receiving unit 4 until the locking features 12 of the inner shell 10 and the retaining element 3 engage with each other and the locking connection is thereby formed.

[0067] As shown in Figure 6 for the first embodiment and in Figures 13 and 14 for the second embodiment, the cooling module 2 is then pivoted about the retaining element 3, in particular pivoted towards the rear of the vehicle, thereby rotating the outer shell 9 relative to the damper shell 11 into the locked end state of the receiving unit 4. The pivoting of the cooling module 2 from a vertical mounting position to an inclined end position in the vehicle by a predetermined angle is schematically illustrated in Figure 13 by means of a pivot arrow SP. The pivoting occurs about a pivot axis formed by the at least one retaining element 3, which runs parallel to the axial direction A described above. The end position of the cooling module 2, and thus its inclined position in the vehicle, is shown in Figures 8 and 9.

[0068] The vehicle is, in particular, an electrically powered vehicle. The cooling module 2 is used, in particular, to cool the vehicle's main electric drive, which includes, in particular, an electric motor for propelling the vehicle, and to operate the vehicle's air conditioning system. Since the electric drive motor requires less installation space than a conventional internal combustion engine, this creates free space in the front of the vehicle, which can be made available to the vehicle user as storage space. For this purpose, it is advantageous to also change the position of the cooling module 2 compared to conventional internal combustion engine vehicles. In a conventional internal combustion engine vehicle, the cooling module 2 is installed vertically in front of the internal combustion engine. The angle between the underbody and the cooling module 2, in particular the fan of the cooling module 2, is therefore 90°.

[0069] In contrast, the solution described here provides that the cooling module 2, and in particular its fan, is positioned at an angle of, for example, 38° to 25° to the vehicle's underbody when the mounting unit 4 is locked in its final position. The smaller this angle, the more storage space is available. However, an excessive tilt of the cooling module 2, especially the fan, results in a significant loss of cooling efficiency. Therefore, the aforementioned range of values ​​is particularly advantageous. At an angle of 38°, sufficient cooling is ensured, and a significantly increased storage space is achieved. At an angle of 25°, the storage space is maximized while still maintaining the required cooling efficiency; that is, the cooling efficiency remains adequate.

[0070] The described device 1 simultaneously enables the mounting of the cooling module 2 in the vehicle and the pivoting of the cooling module 2 to the intended angle. This is achieved by pivoting the cooling module 2 backwards, towards the rear of the vehicle, which rotates the outer shell 9 relative to the damper shell 11 into the locked end state of the receiving unit 4. In this locked end state, shown in Figures 6, 13, and 14, the circumferential openings of the damper shell 11 and the inner shell 10 are at least partially closed by the outer shell 9.

[0071] The through-opening 8 formed by the circumferential openings of the outer shell 9, the damper shell 11, and the inner shell 10 in the unlocked assembly state is oriented to the rear, i.e., towards the rear of the vehicle, particularly when the cooling module 2 is oriented vertically, as shown in Figures 2 and 3 for the first embodiment and in Figures 10 to 12 for the second embodiment. By closing at least the circumferential openings of the damper shell 11 and the inner shell 10 by means of the outer shell 9, this closing section of the outer shell 9 is thus positioned behind the retaining element 3 arranged in the receiving chamber 7 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, as shown in Figure 6 for the first embodiment and in Figures 13 and 14 for the second embodiment.This closing section of the outer shell 9 thus forms a safeguard against the removal of the retaining element 3 from the receiving interior 7, i.e., against the removal of the receiving unit 4 of the cooling module 2 from the retaining element 3 of the vehicle, particularly in the event of a frontal collision of the vehicle, in which the locking connection between the inner shell 10 and the retaining element 3 could fail due to a strong force caused by the collision.

[0072] As shown in Figure 6 for the first embodiment and in Figures 13 and 14 for the second embodiment, it is provided in particular that the section of the outer shell 9 closing the circumferential openings of the damper shell 11 and the inner shell 10 is spaced apart from the retaining element 3 arranged in the receiving space 7, so that the outer shell 9 and the retaining element 3, and thus the cooling module 2 and the body shell, are decoupled from each other with respect to mechanical vibrations. Only when the snap connection between the inner shell 10 and the retaining element 3 fails and the retaining element 3 moves out of the receiving space 7, does it abut the section of the outer shell 9 closing the circumferential openings of the damper shell 11 and the inner shell 10, thereby preventing the retaining element 3 from moving further out of the receiving space 7.

[0073] The receiving unit 4 is arranged in a lower region of the cooling module 2, in particular the mounting unit 5. It is thus provided that the lower region of the cooling module 2 is attached in the manner described by means of the receiving unit 4 and the mounting element 3, and that an upper region of the cooling module 2 is pivoted rearward, towards the rear of the vehicle, whereby the cooling module 2 is subsequently oriented at the angle to the underbody described above, i.e., angled obliquely rearward, towards the rear of the vehicle, as shown in Figures 8 and 9.

[0074] Advantageously, the device 1 has two receiving units 4 on opposite sides in the lower area of ​​the cooling module 2, in particular the mounting unit 5, i.e., one receiving unit 4 is provided on the side of the cooling module 2 facing the left side of the vehicle and one on the side of the cooling module 2 facing the right side of the vehicle. In the illustrated examples, only the left receiving unit 4 is shown, i.e., the receiving unit 4 facing the left side of the vehicle.

[0075] Advantageously, two retaining elements 3 are provided, each designed to be received into one of the receiving units 4. In the examples shown, only the left retaining element 3 is depicted. The right retaining element 3 is positioned to the right, i.e., towards the right side of the vehicle. Both retaining elements 3 are arranged on the same integral support 6. They are, for example, identical in design and attached to the integral support 6 in the same manner, for example, by being screwed to it.

[0076] It is specifically provided that the cooling module 2, in particular the mounting unit 5, has at least one module-side bearing feature 14 in an upper region, and the vehicle has a correspondingly designed vehicle-side bearing feature 15, as shown in Figure 9. In this example, the vehicle-side bearing feature 15 is also arranged on or formed on the integral support 6 of the vehicle. At least one of the bearing features 14, 15, in the illustrated example the vehicle-side bearing feature 15, is designed as a damping element or has such a damping element. The bearing features 14, 15 form a stop for the pivoting movement of the cooling module 2.The damping element achieves mechanical vibration decoupling between the fan and the vehicle body shell, particularly in the upper bearing configurations 14, 15, thereby reducing noise generation during operation of the cooling module 2.

[0077] In the example shown, the vehicle-side bearing design 15 is, for example, a bolt, and the module-side bearing design 14 is a bolt receptacle, in particular in the form of an opening in the mounting unit 5 of the cooling module 2, which is designed as a radiator frame. The damping element is, for example, arranged or formed on the bolt, or the bolt itself is designed as a damping element, in particular made of a suitable, especially elastic, material.

[0078] The correspondingly designed bearing forms 14, 15 have, in particular, correspondingly designed locking elements (not shown in detail here) for forming a locking connection between the bearing forms 14, 15. This locking connection prevents the cooling module 2 from pivoting back, especially during normal ferry operation of the vehicle, but also, for example, during a collision of the vehicle, at least up to a predetermined collision severity.

[0079] The procedure then provides in particular that the cooling module 2 is pivoted until the at least one module-side bearing form 14 engages in the corresponding vehicle-side bearing form 15 and the locking connection is formed.

[0080] In this method for attaching the cooling module 2, it is particularly provided that the cooling module 2, with the at least one receiving unit 4 in the unlocked assembly state, is inserted into the vehicle by first lowering it vertically from above into the vehicle's body shell. In a predetermined vertical position, the cooling module 2 is then moved in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, particularly towards the rear of the vehicle, as schematically indicated by a displacement arrow VP in Figure 2 for the first embodiment and in Figure 10 for the second embodiment. This movement inserts the at least one retaining element 3 into the receiving space 7 of the at least one receiving unit 4 until the locking features 12 of the inner shell 10 and the retaining element 3 engage with each other, thus forming the locking connection.The inner shell 10 thus serves as a stop for this displacement of the cooling module 2 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle axis.

[0081] Once this stop is reached, i.e., the retaining element 3 is positioned in the inner shell 10 such that the locking connection is formed, the pivoting movement is initiated, i.e., the cooling module 2 is pivoted around the retaining element 3, particularly towards the rear of the vehicle. This continues until the at least one module-side bearing projection 14 engages with the corresponding vehicle-side bearing projection 15 and, in particular, locks into place, thereby creating a stop for the cooling module 2 on the vehicle, specifically on the integral carrier 6, in the area of ​​the upper bearing projections 14, 15. The cooling module 2 is thus in its intended end position and is secured by the section of the outer shell 9, which at least partially closes the circumferential openings of the damper shell 11 and the inner shell 10, forming a type of bayonet fitting.The use of additional fasteners, such as screws, is not necessary.

[0082] Advantageously, the device 1 has two module-side bearing recesses 14 on opposite sides in the upper area of ​​the cooling module 2, in particular the mounting unit 5, and two vehicle-side bearing recesses 15 arranged laterally spaced apart from each other. That is, one module-side bearing recess 14 is provided on the side of the cooling module 2 facing the left side of the vehicle and one on the side of the cooling module 2 facing the right side of the vehicle. The lateral spacing of the vehicle-side bearing recesses 15 is in the transverse direction of the vehicle axis. The vehicle-side bearing recesses 15 are arranged or formed on the same integral support 6 of the vehicle. In Figure 9, only the left module-side bearing recess 14 and the left vehicle-side bearing recess 15 are shown; that is, only the bearing recesses 14 and 15 facing the left side of the vehicle are shown.

[0083] The surface structures 13 of the outer shell 9 and the damper shell 11 mentioned above are, for example, designed as interlocking bulges. This prevents, for example, the damper shell 11 from twisting relative to the inner shell 10 with the outer shell 9 before the cooling module 2 is mounted. Furthermore, this secures the mounted cooling module 2 against pivoting backward, for example, by pressing the bulges of the damper shell 11 into the corresponding bulges of the outer shell 9 when the cooling module 2 is pivoted as described above.

[0084] In the second embodiment, the surface structures 13 have a larger recess 16 in the outer shell 9 and a larger protrusion 17 on the damper shell 11 compared to the other protrusions, as shown in Figures 12 and 14. This serves, for example, as an additional anti-rotation device to prevent the damper shell 11 from rotating with the inner shell 10 relative to the outer shell 9 before the cooling module 2 is mounted. For this purpose, the recess 16 in the outer shell 9 and the protrusion 17 on the damper shell 11 are positioned such that they interlock when the receiving unit 4 is in its unlocked, mounted state, as shown in Figure 12.

[0085] In the first embodiment, the outer shell 9 and the damper shell 11 have corresponding stop projections 18, as shown in Figures 6 and 7. This allows the damper shell 11 to rotate with the inner shell 10 relative to the outer shell 9 in the respective direction only up to the point where the two corresponding stop projections 18 abut each other, and prevents further rotation. This prevents, for example, rotation from the unlocked assembly state in the opposite direction to the rotational movement into the locked end state, and it also prevents rotation beyond the locked end state.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Device (1) for fastening a cooling module (2) in a vehicle, comprising at least one retaining element (3) on the vehicle and at least one receiving unit (4) for receiving the retaining element (3) on a mounting unit (5) of the cooling module (2), wherein the receiving unit (4) is designed as a clamp with a receiving interior (7) for the retaining element (3) and, in an unlocked assembly state, has a circumferential through-opening (8) for inserting the retaining element (3) into the receiving interior (7), characterized in that the receiving unit (4) has an outer shell (9), an inner shell (10) and an elastic damping shell (11) arranged between the outer shell (9) and the inner shell (10), which bears against an inner circumference of the outer shell (9) and against an outer circumference of the inner shell (10) and has a higher elasticity and / or lower strength than the inner shell (10).wherein the receiving interior (7) for the retaining element (3) is formed by the inner shell (10), wherein the through-opening (8) in the unlocked assembly state is formed by circumferential openings of the three shells (9, 10, 11) positioned one above the other in the radial direction (R), wherein the inner shell (10) and the retaining element (3) have correspondingly designed detent features (12) to form a detent connection between the retaining element (3) and the inner shell (10), wherein the inner circumference of the outer shell (9) and an outer circumference of the damper shell (11) have a corresponding surface structure (13), wherein the inner shell (10) is rotationally fixed to the damper shell (11) and the outer shell (9) is rotatable relative to the damper shell (11) from the unlocked assembly state to a locked end state of the receiving unit (4) and thereby, is rotatable at least in sections via the circumferential openings of the damper shell (11) and the inner shell (10).

2. Device (1) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the receiving unit (4) is arranged in a lower area of ​​the cooling module (2).

3. Device (1) according to claim 2, characterized by two receiving units (4) on opposite sides in the lower area of ​​the cooling module (2), wherein the retaining element (3) on the vehicle is designed to be received in both receiving units (4) or wherein the retaining element (3) is designed to be received in one receiving unit (4) and a further retaining element (3) spaced laterally apart from it is designed on the vehicle to be received in the other receiving unit (4).

4. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cooling module (2) has at least one module-side bearing form (14) in an upper area and the vehicle has a correspondingly designed vehicle-side bearing form (15).

5. Device (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the correspondingly designed bearing forms (14, 15) have correspondingly designed locking elements for forming a locking connection between the bearing forms (14, 15).

6. Device (1) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that one bearing form (14, 15) is a bolt and the other bearing form (15, 14) is a bolt receptacle.

7. Device (1) according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized by two module-side bearing forms (14) on opposite sides in the upper area of ​​the cooling module (2) and two vehicle-side bearing forms arranged laterally spaced apart from each other. Storage configurations (15).

8. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cooling module (2) in the locked end state of the receiving unit (4) is arranged at an angle of less than 90° and greater than 0° to an underbody of the vehicle, in particular at an angle of 45° to 20°, in particular at an angle of 38° to 25°, in particular at an angle of 38° or 25° or less than 38° and greater than 25°.

9. Method for fastening a cooling module (2) in a vehicle by means of a device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cooling module (2) with the at least one receiving unit (4) in the unlocked mounting state is inserted into the vehicle, wherein the retaining element (3) is inserted into the receiving interior (7) of the receiving unit (4) until the locking features (12) of the inner shell (10) and the retaining element (3) engage with each other and thereby form the locking connection, and is then pivoted about the retaining element (3), whereby the outer shell (9) is rotated relative to the damper shell (11) into the locked final state of the receiving unit (4).

10. Method according to claim 9, characterized in that the cooling module (2) is pivoted until the at least one module-side bearing form (14) engages in the correspondingly designed vehicle-side bearing form (15).

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