Method for producing a component, and component

Abstract

The invention relates to a method (7) for producing a component (1), in particular a vehicle component, in which two identical half-parts (2, 3) are provided and in which one half-part (2) is fastened to the other half-part (3) in a joining position (FP) rotated about an axis of rotation (D) by 180° relative to the other half-part (3). Each of the two half-parts (2, 3) has a joining side (4), which has at least one connecting element (5) and at least one mating connecting element (6), which are configured and matched to one another in such a way that, in the joining position (FP), the two joining sides (4) face one another, that the respective connecting element (5) of one half-part (2) in the joining position (FP) can be connected to the respective mating connecting element (6) of the other half-part (3), and that the respective connecting element (5) of one half-part (2) in the joining position (FP) is connected to the respective mating connecting element (6) of the other half-part (3) to fasten the two half-parts (2, 3) to one another.

Description

[0001] Method for manufacturing a component and component

[0002] The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a component, in particular a vehicle component. The invention also relates to a component, which may in particular be a vehicle component.

[0003] Many technical applications utilize injection-molded plastic components. Large components can often be assembled from several smaller parts. Separate injection molds are required for each of these smaller parts, resulting in high costs. To avoid assembling multiple small plastic components into a single large part, a trend is emerging, particularly in the automotive industry, towards the use of increasingly larger injection-molded plastic components. The larger the components, the larger and more complex the molds used for injection molding. Furthermore, the larger the components, the greater the effort required to prevent defects within the injection-molded part.Consequently, the injection molds for large components are very complex, with the costs for such injection molds increasing disproportionately to the size of the components.

[0004] A similar problem can also arise in principle with components made of other materials, for example foamed plastic (so-called EPP, expanded polypropylene), and with metallic components, e.g. sheet metal components, the manufacturing, storage, transport and handling become more difficult the larger the respective components are.

[0005] The present invention addresses the problem of demonstrating a method for manufacturing, in particular, large components, which are made of plastic, for example, in a comparatively inexpensive manner.

[0006] This problem is solved according to the invention by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims. The invention is based on the general concept of manufacturing the component from two identical half-parts which are rotated 180° about an axis of rotation into a joining position in which they can be joined.

[0007] This allows the size of the injection mold for producing injection-molded or foamed plastic components to be virtually halved, as only the two halves need to be injection-molded. Furthermore, the same mold can be used to produce both identical halves, meaning only a single mold is required. This significantly reduces tooling costs. Similarly, for metal components, the size of the semi-finished products is considerably reduced, greatly simplifying their production, storage, transport, and handling.

[0008] The inventive method for manufacturing a two-part component requires that two identical half-parts be provided, wherein one half-part is attached to the other half-part in a joining position rotated 180° about an axis of rotation relative to the other half-part. Each half-part is configured on one side as a joining surface, this joining surface having at least one connecting element and at least one complementary counter-connecting element. The respective connecting element and the respective counter-connecting element are configured and aligned such that, in the joining position in which the joining surfaces of the two half-parts face each other, the respective connecting element of one half-part can be connected to the respective counter-connecting element of the other half-part.To fasten the two halves together, the respective connecting element of one half is connected to the respective mating connecting element of the other half in the joining position. After the two halves are joined, the respective connecting element of the first half is connected to the respective mating connecting element of the second half, while simultaneously the respective connecting element of the second half is connected to the respective mating connecting element of the first half. Preferably, each half is configured as a joining surface only or exclusively on one side.

[0009] In the present context, a "configuration" is synonymous with a "design" and / or "setup", so that the phrase "configured so that" is synonymous with the phrase "designed so that" and / or "set up so that".

[0010] In principle, a configuration is conceivable in which only a single connecting element and a single complementary mating element are formed on each joining side. However, a configuration in which several connecting elements and several complementary mating elements are formed on each joining side is preferred. Advantageously, the number of connecting elements corresponds to the number of mating elements. In the following descriptions of the different embodiments, it is often assumed that several connecting elements and several mating elements are formed on each joining side. However, this expressly includes embodiments in which only a single connecting element and only a single mating element are formed on each joining side.

[0011] According to an advantageous embodiment, at least one of the connecting elements can be designed as a groove for forming a tongue-and-groove connection, while at least one of the mating connecting elements is designed as a spring of the tongue-and-groove connection, wherein the respective spring of one half-part is inserted into the respective groove of the other half-part in the joining position to fasten the two half-parts together, in order to create said tongue-and-groove connection. This allows a particularly stable connection between the two half-parts to be established.

[0012] According to another advantageous embodiment, at least one of the connecting elements is designed as a plug and at least one of the mating connecting elements is designed as a complementary socket, so that the respective plug of one half is inserted into the respective socket of the other half in the joining position for fastening the two half-parts together. In particular, it can be provided that the respective socket and the respective plug inserted therein are thermally crimped or thermally riveted. This results in the two half-parts being permanently and virtually inseparably joined.In another embodiment, at least one of the connecting elements is designed as a snap-fit ​​element and at least one of the mating connecting elements is designed as a snap-fit ​​contour, such that the respective snap-fit ​​element of one half-part, in the joining position for fastening the two half-parts together, engages with the respective snap-fit ​​contour of the other half-part. Such snap-fit ​​connections can be produced particularly easily and without additional fasteners, and especially without additional tools and / or manufacturing steps.

[0013] Alternatively, at least one of the connecting elements can be designed as a retaining element with an opening for the passage of a screw shank, and at least one of the mating connecting elements can be designed as a screw bushing into which the screw shank can be screwed. In the joining position for fastening the two halves together, the respective screw bushing of one half is brought into contact with the respective retaining element of the other half and screwed to it by means of a screw, such that the screw head of the respective screw presses the respective retaining element against the respective screw bushing. Such screw connections can be easily manufactured by machine in series production.

[0014] A component according to the invention comprises two identical half-parts. In the extreme case, the component consists solely of these two identical half-parts. Within the component, one or the first half-part is attached to the other or second part in a joining position rotated 180° about an axis of rotation relative to the other or second part. Each component is configured as a joining surface on one side, preferably only one side, wherein the respective joining surface has at least one connecting element and at least one complementary counter-connecting element. Advantageously, the number of connecting elements corresponds to the number of counter-connecting elements.The respective connecting element and mating connecting element are configured and coordinated such that, in the joining position where the joining surfaces of the two halves face each other, the connecting element of one half is connected to the mating connecting element of the other half to fasten the two halves together. To manufacture a comparatively large component, halves of the size can thus be used, which are comparatively inexpensive to injection mold. Furthermore, only a single tool is required to produce the two halves. Joining the two components can also be achieved relatively inexpensively. The component can be manufactured, in particular, according to the method described above.

[0015] According to an advantageous embodiment, at least one such connecting element can be configured as a groove of a tongue-and-groove joint, and at least one such mating connecting element can be configured as a tongue of the tongue-and-groove joint. In the joining position, the tongue of one half then engages in the groove of the other half, and vice versa, so that the two half-parts are fastened to each other via at least two tongue-and-groove joints.

[0016] According to another embodiment, at least one such connecting element can be designed as a plug of a connector, and at least one such mating connecting element can be designed as a socket of the connector complementary to the plug. In the joining position for attaching the two halves to one another, the respective plug of the first half is inserted into the respective socket of the second half to form the connector. This also means that the respective plug of the second half is inserted into the respective socket of the first half. Advantageously, the socket and the plug inserted therein can be thermally crimped or thermally riveted. This ensures that the connector formed by the socket and the plug inserted therein is permanently fixed or secured.

[0017] In an alternative embodiment, at least one such connecting element can be configured as a locking element of a snap-fit ​​connection, and at least one such counter-connecting element can be configured as a locking contour of the snap-fit ​​connection complementary to the locking element. In the joining position for attaching the two half-parts to one another, the respective locking element of the first half-part is fixed to the respective locking contour of the second half-part to form the respective snap-fit ​​connection. Similarly, the respective locking element of the second half-part is fixed to the respective locking contour of the first half-part. This makes it particularly easy to join the two half-parts to form the component.

[0018] In a further alternative embodiment, at least one such connecting element can be configured as a retaining element of a screw connection, having an opening for the passage of a screw shank of the screw connection, and at least one such mating connecting element can be configured as a screw bushing of the screw connection into which the screw shank can be screwed. To join the two halves, the respective retaining element of the first half rests against the respective screw bushing of the other half in the joining position for fastening the two halves to each other. Similarly, the respective retaining element of the other half rests against the respective screw bushing of the first half.The adjacent screw bushings and retaining elements are each screwed together, such that the screw head of each screw presses the respective retaining element against the respective screw bushing. These screw connections can be loosened if necessary, for example for repair purposes.

[0019] According to an advantageous embodiment, the joining surface of each half-part can extend in a joining plane. In the assembled state, i.e., in the component, the joining planes of the joining surfaces of the two half-parts coincide, so that the two joining surfaces of the two half-parts extend in a common joining plane. The axis of rotation lies in the joining plane, which gives the half-parts a comparatively simple geometry to manufacture.

[0020] According to an advantageous embodiment, the component can be designed as a shell body, while the two half-parts are each designed as half-shell bodies. In the assembled state, the two half-shell bodies complement each other to form the shell body.

[0021] In an advantageous embodiment, the component can be a housing for an air conditioning unit for conditioning an airflow and is configured to accommodate at least one heat exchanger through which the airflow flows. The two halves allow the respective heat exchanger to be inserted into one half, and the housing can be closed by attaching the other half, thus securely holding the heat exchanger within the housing. The halves then form housing halves, which, when assembled, constitute the housing. The heat exchanger can be a cooler or a heater, so the housing represents a cooler housing or a heater housing. It is also conceivable to arrange both a cooler and at least one heater within the housing. Alternatively, the component can be a single fan shroud of an air conditioning unit for conditioning an airflow and be configured to accommodate a fan for driving the airflow.The fan is usually configured as an axial fan and has a fan wheel and an electric motor to drive the fan wheel.

[0022] A particularly advantageous configuration is one in which the housing has an opening through which air can flow, enclosed by the housing in a circumferential direction around the axis of rotation along 360°, with each half-part enclosing the housing opening in a circumferential direction along 180°. This makes it particularly easy to injection mold the half-parts and join them to form the component.

[0023] According to another embodiment, the component can be configured as a double-shell body, while each half-part is configured as a single-shell body. When the component is assembled, the two single-shell bodies form the double-shell body.

[0024] A particularly advantageous embodiment is one in which the component is designed as a double fan frame of an air conditioning unit for conditioning an airflow, wherein the double fan frame is configured to accommodate two fans for driving the airflow. The respective half-section is configured as a single fan frame, which is configured to accommodate one of the two fans for driving the airflow. This allows a comparatively large double fan frame to be assembled using two relatively small single fan frames, which significantly reduces the cost of such a double fan frame. According to an advantageous embodiment, the respective half-section can have a frame opening through which the airflow can pass, and which is enclosed by the half-section in a circumferential direction extending 360° around an axis that runs parallel to the axis of rotation.In its assembled state, the component therefore has two such frame openings, each of which is enclosed by the component or the respective half-part in the circumferential direction along 360°.

[0025] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the component can be designed as an air inlet housing, which is part of a climate housing of an air conditioning system. In this case, two halves designed as air inlet housing halves can be joined together to form the component according to the invention.

[0026] According to an advantageous embodiment, the connecting elements and the mating connecting elements of the two half-parts can be configured such that they can be connected to each other in a joining direction in order to fasten the two half-parts together. The joining direction can extend perpendicular to the axis of rotation and, in particular, perpendicular to the respective joining plane.

[0027] Further important features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims, the drawings and the associated description of the figures based on the drawings.

[0028] It is understood that the features mentioned above and those to be explained below can be used not only in the combinations specified, but also in other combinations or individually, without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims. Components of a higher-level unit, such as a device, apparatus, or arrangement, mentioned above and those to be mentioned below, which are designated separately, can form separate parts or components of this unit or be integral areas or sections of this unit, even if this is depicted differently in the drawings.

[0029] Preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and explained in more detail in the following description, where identical reference numerals refer to identical, similar, or functionally equivalent components. The drawings show, schematically,

[0030] Fig. 1 shows an isometric view of a component according to a first embodiment,

[0031] Fig. 2 shows an isometric view of two half-parts of the component according to the first embodiment as shown in Fig. 1.

[0032] Fig. 3 shows an isometric view of the component according to a second embodiment,

[0033] Fig. 4 shows an isometric view of the two halves of the component according to the second embodiment according to Fig. 3.

[0034] Fig. 5 shows a flowchart of a process for manufacturing such components,

[0035] Fig. 6 highly simplified sectional views of a connecting element and a mating connecting element in different states A, B and C,

[0036] Fig. 7 Sectional views as in Fig. 6, but in a different embodiment and in different states A and B,

[0037] Fig. 8 Sectional views as in Figs. 6 and 7, but in a further embodiment and in different states A and B,

[0038] Fig. 9 shows an isometric view of a climate housing comprising a component of a third embodiment,

[0039] Fig. 10 shows a side vertical section view of the climate housing according to Fig. 9.

[0040] Fig. 11 shows an isometric view of one half of the component according to the third embodiment as shown in Figs. 9 and 10.

[0041] Fig. 12 shows an isometric view of the component, composed of two half-parts, according to the third embodiment as shown in Figs. 9 to 11.

[0042] As shown in Figures 1 to 4 and 9 to 12, a component 1, which may preferably be a vehicle component, comprises two identical half-parts 2 and 3. These two identical half-parts 2 and 3 may subsequently also be referred to as one half-part 2 and the other half-part 3, or as the first half-part 2 and the second half-part 3. In Figures 1 and 3, the first half-part 2 is attached to the second half-part 3 in a joining position FP. The joining position FP results from the first half-part 2 being rotated by exactly 180° about a rotational axis D relative to the second half-part 3, compared to an initial position in which both half-parts 2 and 3 are identically aligned. The rotational axis D extends centrally through the component 1.

[0043] The half-parts 2, 3 represent three-dimensional bodies and, analogous to a cube, have six faces that are arranged in pairs facing away from each other in three perpendicular directions. Typically, each half-part 2, 3 therefore has a front and a back facing away from each other in a depth direction, a top and a bottom facing away from each other in a height direction, and a left side and a right side facing away from each other in a width direction. One of these sides, preferably exactly one of these sides, is configured as the joining side 4. That is, each half-part 2, 3 preferably has only one such joining side 4. In Figures 1 to 4, the top side of the second half-part 3 is configured as the joining side 4, which becomes the bottom side of the first half-part 2 after a 180° rotation about the axis of rotation D.

[0044] According to Figures 1 to 4, each joining side 4 has several connecting elements 5 and several complementary counter-connecting elements 6. The number of connecting elements 5 is expediently equal to the number of complementary counter-connecting elements 6. The connecting elements 5 and the counter-connecting elements 6 are configured and coordinated such that the connecting elements 5 of one half-part 2 are connected to the counter-connecting elements 6 of the other half-part 3 in the joining position FP and thereby cooperate to fasten the two half-parts 2, 3 together.

[0045] According to a method 7 shown in Fig. 5, the component 1 is manufactured essentially in two steps 8, 9, which can subsequently also be referred to as the first step 8 and the second step 9. In the first step 8, the two identical half-parts 2, 3 are injection-molded from plastic, i.e., produced by injection molding a plastic material. In the subsequent second step 9, the two half-parts 2, 3 are joined together in the joining position FP. For this purpose, one half-part 2 is rotated 180° relative to the other half-part 3 about the axis of rotation D into the joining position FP. In the joining position FP, the joining surfaces 4 of the two half-parts 2, 3 are then facing each other, so that the connecting elements 5 of one half-part 2 can be connected to the mating connecting elements 6 of the other half-part 3 and are also joined together in the second step 9.In other words, in the second step 9, the connecting elements 5 of the first half 2 are connected to the counter-connecting elements 6 of the second half 3, while at the same time the connecting elements 5 of the second half 3 are connected to the counter-connecting elements 6 of the first half 2.

[0046] The connecting elements 5 and the mating connecting elements 6 can be configured to connect to each other in a joining direction FR, indicated by an arrow in Figures 2, 4, and 6 to 8, in order to fasten the two half-parts 2, 3 together. The joining direction FR extends perpendicular to the axis of rotation D and, in particular, perpendicular to the respective joining plane E.

[0047] According to Figures 2 and 4, the connecting elements 5 and the mating connecting elements 6 can form at least one groove 39 and at least one tongue 40 on the respective half-part 2, 3 or on the respective joining side 4, which are configured to create a tongue-and-groove connection 41 as shown in Figures 1 and 3. In the assembled state shown in Figures 1 and 3, the respective tongue 40 engages in the corresponding groove 39 in the joining direction FR to create the tongue-and-groove connection 41. For a durable and / or tight connection, an adhesive and / or a sealant can optionally be incorporated into the tongue-and-groove connection 41.

[0048] As shown in the example in Fig. 6, the connecting elements 5 and the mating connecting elements 6 can form plugs 10 and sockets 11 configured to be pluggable into one another. In the state shown in Fig. 6A, the two halves 2, 3 are positioned opposite each other with their joining surfaces 4, so that the plugs 10 can be inserted into the respective socket 11. In the state shown in Fig. 6B, the respective plug 10 is inserted into the corresponding socket 11. The plugs 10 and the sockets 11 can, in particular, be provided in addition to the grooves 39 and springs 40 and be configured to act as guides during assembly, enabling the alignment of the respective spring 40 with the corresponding groove 39. Optionally, thermal crimping or thermal riveting can be performed, in which a free end of the plug 10 is thermally heated and softened and then plastically deformed. In the state shown in Fig.In Figure 6C, the plug 10 is plastically deformed at its free end, forming a rivet head 12 that positively engages the socket 11. In the state shown in Figure 6C, the socket 11 and the plug 10 inserted therein are thus thermally riveted.

[0049] According to Fig. 7, in another embodiment the connecting elements 5 and the mating connecting elements 6 can form locking elements 13 and locking contours 14. The locking elements 13 and the locking contours 14 are configured such that they can be locked together to connect the two half-parts 2, 3. In the state shown in Fig. 7A, the two half-parts 2, 3 are positioned opposite each other with their joining surfaces 4, such that the locking elements 13 can be locked with the locking contours 14. Fig. 7B shows a state in which the respective locking element 13 is locked with the associated locking contour 14. The locking elements 13 and the locking contours 14 can be provided in addition to the plugs 10 and sockets 11 and / or in addition to the grooves 39 and springs 40 and configured in such a way that, when the half parts 2, 3 are joined, they rust together after the plugs 10 are inserted into the sockets 11 or after the springs 40 are inserted into the grooves 39 and secure the two half parts 2, 3 together.

[0050] In a further embodiment, as shown in Fig. 8, the connecting elements 5 and the mating connecting elements 6 can form screw bushings 15 and retaining elements 16. Each screw bushing 15 contains a screw opening 17 into which the shank 18 of a screw 19 can be screwed. A screw thread 20 of the shank 18 engages in the screw bushing 15, specifically in the area of ​​an inner wall surrounding the screw opening 17. The retaining element 16 has an opening 21 dimensioned to accommodate the shank 18. That is, the opening 21 has a cross-sectional area larger than the outer cross-section of the shank 18. In the configuration shown in Fig. 8A, the two halves 2 and 3 are arranged opposite each other with their joining surfaces 4, so that each retaining element 16 can be connected to the corresponding screw bushing 15.In Fig. 8B, the screw bushing 15 rests against the retaining element 16 and is screwed in place by means of the screw 19. The screw head 22 of the screw 19 presses the retaining element 16 against the screw bushing 15. It is clear that the screw head 22 can rest directly against the retaining element 16, as shown in Fig. 8B, or indirectly via a washer (not shown here).

[0051] The screw bushings 15 and the retaining elements 16 can be implemented additionally or alternatively to the detent elements 13 and detent contours 14, and in particular additionally to the plugs 10 and sockets 11 and / or additionally to the grooves 39 and springs 40. When joining the half-parts 2, 3, after inserting the plugs 10 into the sockets 11 or after inserting the springs 40 into the grooves 39, the screws 19 can be screwed in to secure the two half-parts 2, 3 together.

[0052] According to Figures 1 and 3, the joining surfaces 4 of the two half-parts 2, 3 extend in a joining plane E. In the assembled state of Figures 1 and 3, the joining plane E forms a common joining plane E for both joining surfaces 4 of the two half-parts 2, 3. The axis of rotation D lies in the joining plane E.

[0053] In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, component 1 represents a shell body 23, while the two halves 2 and 3 each represent a half-shell body 24 and 25, respectively. It is evident that the two half-shell bodies 24 and 25 complement each other in the assembled state to form the shell body 23. Preferably, component 1, or shell body 23, is a housing 26 of an air conditioning unit (not shown here) configured for conditioning an airflow. The two components 2 and 3 then represent two housing halves 37 and 38. The housing 26 is then configured to accommodate at least one heat exchanger (not shown here) through which the airflow passes. The housing 26 can be configured such that the respective heat exchanger can only be inserted into the housing 26 as long as the two housing halves 37 and 38 are not yet attached to each other.Once the two housing halves 37, 38 are attached to each other, the housing 26 is essentially closed, and the respective heat exchanger is positively locked in place. As shown in Fig. 1, the housing 26 has an opening 27 through which air can flow. This opening is enclosed by the housing 26 in a circumferential direction U along exactly 360°. The circumferential direction U is indicated in Fig. 1 by a double arrow and rotates around the axis D. The respective half 2, 3, or the respective housing half 37, 38, each encloses the opening 27 in the circumferential direction U only along 180°.

[0054] In the example shown in Figures 3 and 4, component 1 is designed as a double-shell body 28. Accordingly, the two halves 2 and 3 are each designed as simple shell bodies 29 and 30. The configuration shown here is particularly advantageous, in which component 1, or rather the double-shell body 28, is designed as a double fan shroud 31 of an air conditioning unit (not shown) for conditioning an airflow. The double fan shroud 31 is configured to accommodate two fans 32 and 33, each of which serves to drive the airflow and is simplified in Figure 3 by a propeller symbol. The respective halves 2 and 3 then represent a single or simple fan shroud 34 and 35, each configured to accommodate one of the two fans 32 and 33. In the example shown in Figure 3, the double fan shroud 31 is configured as a double fan shroud 31 for air conditioning an airflow.The first half-section 2 forms the single fan frame 34, which accommodates one fan 32, while the second half-section 3 forms the other single fan frame 35, which accommodates the other fan 33. Each half-section 2, 3, or single fan frame 34, 35, has a frame opening 36 through which the airflow can pass. This opening is enclosed by the respective half-section 2, 3 in a circumferential direction U' along a 360° path. The respective circumferential direction U' rotates around an axis A or A' that extends parallel to the axis of rotation D. Thus, the axis A of the first half-section 2 and the axis A' of the second half-section 3 are opposite each other with respect to the axis of rotation D.

[0055] Figure 9 shows an isometric view of a climate housing 43 of an air conditioning system 42, comprising a component 1 of a third embodiment. In this embodiment, the component is designed as an air inlet housing 44, which is arranged on one side of the climate housing 43. The usual components of the air conditioning system 42 are located inside the climate housing 43, but these are not visible in this view. On the side of the climate housing 43 opposite the air inlet housing 44, an air distribution housing 45 is arranged, which represents the usual interfaces to vehicle air ducts. The component 1 designed as an air inlet housing 44 has two halves 2, 3, designed as air inlet housing halves 46, 47. Figure 10 shows the component 1 described above, designed as an air inlet housing 44, in a side vertical sectional view.The air inlet housing 44 has an air inlet, designed as a housing opening, on both its upper and lower sides, through which air can flow into the air inlet housing via the airflow paths 48. Facing the interior of the climate housing 43 (not shown), the air inlet housing 44 has one or more openings designed as air transfers, through which the air flowing into the air inlet housing 44 can flow into the interior of the climate housing 43 via one or more airflow paths 51. The airflow through the airflow paths 48 can be adjusted between a closed position, in which no air flows in, and an open position, in which a maximum airflow flows in, by means of two air flaps 49, which are rotatably mounted in the air inlet housing 44 and are each adjustable via an adjustment range 50.

[0056] Fig. 11 shows an isometric view of the half-part 2, 3 of component 1, designed as an air inlet housing half 46, 47 according to the third embodiment described above. The half-part 2, 3 has a joining surface 4 which can be connected to a joining surface 4 of an identically designed further half-part 2, 3. Two half-parts 2, 3, designed as air inlet housing halves 46, 47 and joined together to form a component 1 designed as an air inlet housing 44, are shown in Fig. 12.

[0057] The joining surfaces 4 of the half-parts 2, 3 are not shown in detail in this view. As already described and illustrated in detail in the preceding embodiments, they can each have connecting elements 5 and mating connecting elements 6, which can be brought into operative connection with each other when the half-parts 2, 3 are joined to form component 1. Reference numeral list

[0058] Component first half part second half part

[0059] Joining side

[0060] Connecting element

[0061] Counter-connecting element

[0062] Procedure first step second step

[0063] Plug

[0064] socket

[0065] rivet head

[0066] Latching element

[0067] Rast contour

[0068] Screw bushing

[0069] retaining element

[0070] Screw opening

[0071] screw shaft

[0072] screw

[0073] screw thread

[0074] opening

[0075] screw head

[0076] shell body

[0077] half-shell body

[0078] half-shell body

[0079] Housing

[0080] Case opening

[0081] Double shell body

[0082] shell body

[0083] shell body

[0084] Double fan shroud 32 fans

[0085] 33 fans

[0086] 34 single fan frame

[0087] 35 single fan frame

[0088] 36 Frame opening

[0089] 37 Housing half

[0090] 38 Housing half

[0091] 39 Nut

[0092] 40 springs

[0093] 41 Tongue and groove joint

[0094] 42 Air conditioning

[0095] 43 Climate housings

[0096] 44 air inlet housings

[0097] 45 air distribution housings

[0098] 46 Air intake housing half

[0099] 47 Air intake housing half

[0100] 48 Airflow path

[0101] 49 Air flap

[0102] 50 mm adjustment range

[0103] 51 Airflow path

[0104] Axis

[0105] D axis of rotation

[0106] E joining plane

[0107] FP joining position

[0108] FR Leading direction

[0109] U circumferential direction

Claims

Patent claims 1. Method (7) for manufacturing a component (1), in particular a vehicle component, - in which two identical halves (2, 3) are provided, and - in which one half (2) is attached to the other half (3) in a joining position (FP) rotated about an axis of rotation (D) by 180° relative to the other half (3), - wherein each half-part (2, 3) is formed on one side as a joining side (4) which has at least one connecting element (5) and at least one counter-connecting element (6) complementary to the respective connecting element (5), and - wherein the respective connecting element (5) and the respective counter-connecting element (6) are configured and coordinated such that in the joining position (FP) the two joining sides (4) face each other, that the respective connecting element (5) of one half-part (2) can be connected in the joining position (FP) to the respective counter-connecting element (6) of the other half-part (3), and that the respective connecting element (5) of one half-part (2) is connected in the joining position (FP) to the respective counter-connecting element (6) of the other half-part (3) to fasten the two half-parts (2, 3) to each other.

2. Component (1), in particular a vehicle component, - with two identical halves (2, 3), - wherein one half (2) is attached to the other half (3) in a joining position (FP) rotated about an axis of rotation (D) by 180° relative to the other half (3), and - wherein each half-part (2, 3) is formed on one side as a joining side (4) which has at least one connecting element (5) and at least one counter-connecting element (6) complementary to the respective connecting element (5), and - wherein the respective connecting element (5) and the respective counter-connecting element (6) are configured and coordinated such that the The respective connecting elements (5) of one half (2) in the joining position (FP), in which the two joining sides (4) are facing each other, are connected to the respective counter-connecting element (6) of the other half (3) for fastening the two half parts (2, 3) to each other.

3. Component (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that - that at least one connecting element (5) is designed as a groove (39), - wherein at least one counter-connecting element (6) is designed as a spring (40), and - wherein the respective spring (40) of one half (2) is inserted into the respective groove (39) of the other half (3) in the joining position (FP) to fasten the two half parts (2, 3) to each other.

4. Component (1) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, - that at least one connecting element (5) is designed as a plug (10), - wherein at least one mating connecting element (6) is designed as a bushing (11 ), and - wherein the respective plug (10) of one half (2) is inserted into the respective socket (11) of the other half (3).

5. Component (1 ) according to claim 4, characterized in that the respective socket (11) and the respective plug (10) inserted therein are thermally crimped or riveted.

6. Component (1) according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that, - that at least one connecting element (5) is designed as a locking element (13), - wherein at least one counter-connecting element (6) is designed as a locking contour (14), and - wherein the respective locking element (13) of one half (2) is connected to the respective locking contour (14) of the other half (3).

7. Component (1) according to one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that, - that at least one connecting element (5) is designed as a retaining element (16) which has an opening (21) for passing a screw shank (18) of a screw (19), - wherein at least one counter-connecting element (6) is designed as a screw bushing (15) into which the screw shank (18) can be screwed, and - wherein the respective retaining element (16) of one half-part (2) in the joining position (FP) for fastening the two half-parts (2, 3) to each other rests against the respective screw bushing (15) of the other half-part (3) and is screwed to it by means of a screw (19), such that a screw head (22) of the respective screw (19) presses the respective retaining element (16) against the respective screw bushing (15).

8. Component (1) according to one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that, - that the joining side (4) extends in a joining plane (E), - wherein the axis of rotation (D) extends in the joining plane (E).

9. Component (1) according to one of claims 2 to 8, characterized in that, - that the respective connecting element (5) of one half-part (2) interacts in a joining direction (FR) with the respective counter-connecting element (6) of the other half-part (3), - wherein the joining direction (FR) is perpendicular to the axis of rotation (D).

10. Component (1) according to one of claims 2 to 9, characterized in that, - that the component (1 ) is a shell body (23), - wherein the respective half-part (2, 3) is a half-shell body (24, 25). 21 11. Component (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the component (1) is a housing (26) of an air conditioning unit for conditioning an airflow and is configured to accommodate at least one heat exchanger through which the airflow can flow.

12. Component (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that, - that the housing (26) has a housing opening (27) through which an airflow can pass, which is enclosed by the housing (26) in a circumferential direction (U) rotating around the axis of rotation (D) along 360°, - wherein the respective half-part (2, 3) surrounds the housing opening (27) in the circumferential direction (U) along 180°.

13. Component (1) according to one of claims 2 to 9, characterized in that, - that the component (1 ) is a double shell body (28), - wherein the respective half-part (2, 3) is a shell body (29, 30).

14. Component (1) according to claim 13, characterized in that, - that the component (1 ) is a double fan frame (31 ) of an air conditioning unit for conditioning an airflow, configured to accommodate two fans (32, 33) for driving the airflow, - wherein each half (2, 3) is a single fan frame (34, 35) configured to accommodate one of the fans (32, 33) to drive the airflow.

15. Component (1 ) according to claim 14, characterized in that the respective half-part (2, 3) has a frame opening (36) through which the airflow can flow, which is enclosed by the half-part (2, 3) in a circumferential direction (U') extending around an axis (A, A') parallel to the axis of rotation (D) along 360°. 22 16. Component (1) according to one of claims 2 to 9, characterized in that, - that the component (1 ) is an air inlet housing (44) of a climate housing (43) of an air conditioning system (42), - wherein the respective half (2, 3) is an air inlet housing half (46, 47).

Images