Oil module

Abstract

The invention relates to an oil module (1) for a motor vehicle, in particular for an electrically driven motor vehicle. The oil module (1) comprises a housing having a base part (29) and a cover part (31) which is welded to the base part (29) along a weld seam (53). The base part (29) and / or the cover part (31) has at least two different plastics and is produced by means of an injection moulding method, in particular in a single operation.

Description

[0001] W40248W0

[0002] Oil module

[0003] The present invention relates to an oil module, in particular designed for use in electrically powered motor vehicles. The purpose of the oil module is to extend the functionality of conventional oil pans developed for internal combustion engines and to adapt them to the specific requirements of electric vehicles. The oil module serves as a central distribution station for lubricating and cooling oil and is designed to supply various vehicle components, such as the transmission, pumps, or motor.

[0004] EP 1 580 409 A2 discloses an oil filter system with a housing and a mounting plate for various oil treatment components to be connected to and connected with it. However, it has been found that such oil filter systems are not suitable for use in electric vehicles, as they are not designed for the specific requirements in terms of cooling and space. In particular, these systems offer insufficient flexibility and functionality. Further prior art is known from DE 2020 17 003888 U1, DE 102009050330 A1 and WO 2014 / 038509 A1.

[0005] With the increasing demands regarding space cooling in electric vehicle use, it is necessary to further develop the oil pans used in combustion engines and equip them with more functionality.

[0006] In connection with oil pans or oil filter systems in combustion engines or electric motors, so-called plug and seal sealing concepts can be used to seal components that are attached to one another, for example, in the cooling of the electric motor's battery. Plug and seals, such as those specified in WO 2020 / 160888 A1, have proven advantageous with regard to radial sealing capability and radial tolerance or offset compensation. However, such seals are expensive, particularly due to the manufacturing process and the materials used, so that, given increasing cost pressures, plug and seals are becoming less suitable. Furthermore, the choice of materials is limited.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art by providing an oil module for electrically powered vehicles that is simple and inexpensive to manufacture, fulfills a variety of functions and can flexibly respond to the specific requirements of electric vehicles.

[0008] The problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims.

[0009] Accordingly, an oil module is provided, which can be used particularly in an electrically powered vehicle. The oil module can be considered a kind of oil distribution center that supplies the oil required in the vehicle to the individual vehicle components, or has fluid connections for the individual components, and thus provides the components with oil for lubrication and cooling. The oil module can be connected to the individual components via one or more oil lines, one or more vent lines, and / or one or more coolant lines. The components to be supplied with oil can be, for example, the vehicle's transmission, pumps, and / or motor. The oil module can be located, for example, on the rear axle of the vehicle. It can also be designed to store a certain quantity of oil, in other words, to function as an oil pan.The oil module can also be designed to clean or filter the oil, for example, with one or more coarse filters, such as a sieve, and / or one or more fine filters. Another possible function of the oil module is to cool the oil, for example, with an oil cooler through which the oil circulates, thus acting as a heat exchanger. The oil module can be designed to operate at high pressures of up to 2.7 bar. This high pressure can be generated by a pump supplied with oil by the oil module. Depending on the pump's operating condition, the pressure within the oil module can then vary significantly and / or rapidly, either over time and / or locally. To allow for precise adjustment of the oil quantity and / or pressure within the oil module, it can also be equipped with one or more oil drain plugs. The oil module comprises a housing with a base and a cover welded to the base along a seam.The base and lid sections together define an interior housing that can be used as an oil reservoir. Furthermore, the base and / or lid section comprises at least two different plastics and is manufactured using an injection molding process, ideally in a single operation. The module's design, with its welded base and lid sections, provides high stability with minimal material usage.

[0010] By using different plastics, the properties of the oil module, such as temperature resistance and / or mechanical strength, can be tailored to specific requirements. For example, the oil module can be designed with a more robust plastic in areas subject to higher stress, and a softer plastic in less critical areas. It can also be designed so that the oil module uses a more robust, but potentially more expensive, plastic—for example, one that is coolant-resistant—only in areas that come into contact with a coolant. Other areas, however, can use a more cost-effective material. For instance, the housing can be predominantly made of a less expensive plastic like PA6, while an area in contact with a coolant, such as a fluid connection on the housing, can be made of a coolant-resistant material like PA66.In this way, the required volume of expensive, scarcely available, coolant-resistant material can be significantly reduced, so that the oil module according to the invention is overall significantly cheaper than oil modules known from the prior art which are made entirely of coolant-resistant material.

[0011] The oil module thus combines the advantages of a robust, cost-effective, and functional system specifically designed for the requirements of electric vehicles, characterized by high modularity and flexibility. The features of the invention ensure high reliability and performance while reducing manufacturing costs and assembly effort.

[0012] Furthermore, the base and / or lid may be manufactured using multi-component injection molding. Depending on the requirements, the base and / or lid may have a sandwich structure and / or the plastics may be introduced by co-injection, resulting in a largely homogeneous multi-component structure. Particularly in the case of a sandwich structure, only an outer plastic layer may be designed as a functional layer, for example, temperature and / or coolant resistant. An underlying plastic layer, on the other hand, may consist of a more cost-effective material.

[0013] In particular, the shape of the oil module can be constant, meaning it can be designed independently of the different plastics used. This ensures that the wall thickness of the oil module has consistent dimensions. For this purpose, it can be specifically provided that, during the injection molding of the base and / or lid, a post-molding process is applied to at least one of the different plastics.

[0014] The base and lid sections can be shaped such that the weld seam lies in a single plane. In other words, the weld seam between the base and lid sections can have a two-dimensional profile, or be flat, extending around the entire base and lid sections. Thus, the weld seam has no significant changes in height. This makes it possible to weld the base and lid sections using a laser welding process, which allows for particularly high welding accuracy with minimal distortion and can be performed without the use of filler materials. Furthermore, a lower stiffness of the base and especially the lid sections, and therefore greater flexibility, can be achieved.The improved flexibility allows the lid and base to be positioned more accurately and precisely relative to each other before welding, and tolerances that may arise during the manufacturing of the base and / or lid can be better compensated for.

[0015] Preferably, the various plastics are selected according to specific functions within the oil module. For example, a more thermally conductive and / or temperature-resistant plastic can be used in a temperature-stressed area of ​​the base or cover. Similarly, an area exposed to coolant can be made of a coolant-resistant plastic. Specific functions of the oil module can be enabled by the choice of material, thus ensuring efficient cooling and lubrication of the vehicle components. Furthermore, at least one of the plastics can be designed to react to external influences and / or adapt its shape through a shape memory effect. In this way, the invention makes the oil module suitable even under varying and / or demanding conditions.Due to the memory effect, the oil module can return to its original shape, for example after a mechanical force is applied, thereby preventing or at least reducing leaks or a loose fit.

[0016] External influences can include acoustic, visual, mechanical, electrical, or similar effects. At least one of the plastics can possess inherent properties, such as a certain elasticity, to react to external influences and / or incorporate sensors or actuators that allow for responsiveness. It is also possible that the various plastics are selected in such a way that the responsiveness and / or the memory effect is provided by the combination and / or structure of the plastics.

[0017] Preferably, the oil module has at least one functional channel arranged within the module, designed for the flow of a fluid, and configured to separate a substance from the fluid. The functional channel is particularly located within the base and / or the lid. Alternatively, the functional channel can be formed jointly by the base and lid. Thus, the functional channel enables the purification of the fluid, for example, an oil.

[0018] The functional channel can be designed as a molecular sieve, at least in certain areas, and / or may contain a molecular sieve in certain areas. This allows specific molecules to be separated. Thus, improved fluid quality can be achieved through targeted filtration.

[0019] The molecular sieve may be manufactured using injection molding and made of a plastic with a high absorption capacity for gases, vapors, or dissolved substances of specific molecular sizes. Alternatively, the molecular sieve may be designed to be replaceable, allowing for cleaning or repair, or a molecular sieve with properties suitable for specific filtration, such as of a particular substance, may be inserted into the oil module.

[0020] It is also possible for an inner surface of the functional channel to comprise, at least in part, a material designed to bind and / or filter a substance. This allows for the targeted binding and / or filtering of specific substances to achieve improved filtration performance. The inner surface can also be manufactured directly by injection molding, particularly by providing a suitable surface structure and / or using an appropriate plastic.

[0021] Furthermore, the functional channel can be designed to be interchangeable. This increases the service life of the oil module and allows for easy replacement should a specific filter function be required, as the functional channel can be adapted to specific requirements through a simple component change.

[0022] In one exemplary embodiment, the base is designed as a flat base plate. "Flat" in this context means that the length and width dimensions of the base plate are significantly greater than its thickness. The base plate has a consistently uniform thickness, typically between 1 mm and 4 mm. Experience has shown that a wall thickness within this range effectively resolves the conflict between high flexibility and sufficient strength. With a wall thickness of less than 1 mm, there is a risk that the base will lack sufficient strength. Conversely, while a wall thickness greater than 4 mm allows for homogeneous cooling during manufacturing and achieves high strength, the base plate will then lack sufficient flexibility, negatively impacting welding to the lid.In particular, the thickness can be in the range between 1.2 mm and 3.5 mm or in the range between 2 mm and 3 mm.

[0023] In a further exemplary embodiment, which can be combined with the preceding exemplary embodiments, the lid part is shell-shaped and / or has a shell lid and a surrounding outer wall. It can be provided, in particular, that the shell lid and / or the outer wall has a wall thickness that is especially constant, in the range of more than 1 mm and / or less than 4 mm. It has been shown that a wall thickness in this range can particularly well resolve the conflict of interest between high flexibility and sufficient strength. With a wall thickness of less than 1 mm, there is a risk that the lid part will not have sufficient strength, and with a wall thickness of more than 4 mm, although homogeneous cooling during manufacturing and high strength can be achieved, the lid part will then not be sufficiently flexible, which has a detrimental effect on welding to the base part.In particular, the thickness can be in the range between 1.2 mm and 3.5 mm or between 2 mm and 3 mm. In one exemplary further development, the shell lid and the outer wall have the same wall thickness.

[0024] In one exemplary embodiment, which can be combined with the preceding exemplary embodiments, the base part has at least one fluid channel for fluid connection to a fluid port of another component. This other component can be, for example, a cooling system, a transmission and / or engine component. In a further exemplary embodiment, the cover part is free of fluid channels. In other words, all necessary fluid channels can be formed in the base part. This allows the stiffness of the cover part to be further reduced.

[0025] The fluid channel can correspond to the functional channel, the fluid channel can be designed as a functional channel at least in sections, and / or the fluid channel can be fluidically connected to the functional channel. In particular, it can be provided that at least one functional channel is included in the base section. In an exemplary embodiment, the cover section is also free of functional channels.

[0026] In a further exemplary embodiment, which can be combined with the preceding exemplary embodiments, the lid part has a weld ridge, in particular a fully circumferential one, on a side facing the base part. Alternatively or additionally, the base part has a weld ridge, in particular a fully circumferential one, on a side facing the lid part. In particular, both weld ridges can be shaped complementarily to each other and / or be formed on a radially outer edge of the base part and / or the lid part. In this way, the base part and the lid part can be welded together particularly easily and reliably by aligning the two weld ridges with each other and then welding them together.In an exemplary embodiment, which can be combined with the previous exemplary embodiments, the oil module further comprises at least one cover for covering a fluid line, such as a vent channel or an oil channel. Alternatively or additionally, the oil module further comprises at least one cover for covering another component of the oil module, for example, a cooling device. According to the exemplary embodiment, the at least one cover is welded to the cover part or the base part along a weld seam, wherein the cover and the base part or the cover and the cover part are shaped such that the weld seam lies in a single plane all around. This makes it possible to use a laser welding process for welding the at least one cover. Furthermore, this allows for improved sealing and protection against leaks.

[0027] In another exemplary embodiment, which can be combined with the preceding exemplary embodiments, the lid and / or base and / or, if applicable, the cover itself is made of a laser-transparent material. Laser transparency can be understood as the material's permeability to the wavelength range of laser light. Increased laser transparency enables efficient laser beam welding even through thick-walled sections of components. To further improve the weldability of the components and / or to allow for high flexibility, the lid and / or base and / or, if applicable, the cover itself can be designed to be flexible.

[0028] Preferably, the oil module can have a fluid connection with a connecting nozzle arranged thereon, wherein the connecting nozzle has a housing-side seal and / or an assembly-side seal, wherein the housing-side seal and / or the assembly-side seal is produced in particular by means of a two-component injection molding process.

[0029] The fluid connection can be provided for the fluidic connection of a housing interior to a cooler and / or for connecting another component, such as a transmission and / or engine component. The connection fitting can be made of a coolant-resistant material, such as PA66. For example, an electric motor of the vehicle can be connected to the connection fitting to supply it with cooled oil. The cooler and / or fluid connection can be located, in particular, on the cover part. Specifically, the connection fitting can preferably support the housing-side seal and / or the component-side seal by means of a form-fit and / or material-fit connection.For sealing, the housing-side seal can rest against a housing wall and / or a cooler wall, and the unit-side seal can rest against a unit wall or a connection nozzle of the unit, so that the housing-side seal is pressed between the connection nozzle and the housing and / or the unit-side seal is pressed between the unit and the connection nozzle.

[0030] In one exemplary further development, the housing-side seal and / or the unit-side seal is injection-molded onto the connection fitting, in particular using a two-component injection molding process. This allows for particularly cost-effective production of the connection fitting, and the seals are already attached to the connection fitting before assembly, thus reducing the assembly effort.

[0031] Furthermore, the special sealing design at the connection nozzle ensures a reliable seal even in the event of misalignment or tolerance deviations. Thanks to the appropriate choice of materials for the seals, the oil module can be used in a wide temperature and pressure range and optimized for use with various types of oil.

[0032] In a further exemplary embodiment, which can be combined with the previous embodiment, the housing-side seal and / or the unit-side seal is designed as a circumferential sealing ring. The sealing ring can have a round, oval, elliptical, or any other shape. The cross-section of the sealing ring can also be of any design. For example, the sealing ring can have a round or rectangular cross-section. It can also be provided that a preferably circumferential sealing lip is formed on the sealing ring. The sealing ring can be formed on the housing-side and / or cooler-side or unit-side at an end face of the connection nozzle or on a radially circumferential surface on the outside of the connection nozzle.

[0033] In an alternative exemplary embodiment, the housing-side seal and / or the assembly-side seal has a substantially rectangular cross-section, with at least one retaining stud formed on an inner and / or outer surface. In particular, several retaining studs arranged at equal intervals around the circumference can be provided on the inner and / or outer surface of the seal. "Substantially" means that the seal may also have, for example, one or more recesses or one or more projections on a top or bottom surface where no retaining studs are provided. In this embodiment, the seals can be manufactured separately and then attached to the connection fitting and easily replaced if necessary.For attachment to the connection nozzle, the seal can be inserted into the designated receptacle using a handle and clamped in a groove provided on the connection nozzle and / or the housing and / or the cooler.

[0034] In a further exemplary development, which can be combined with the previous developments, the housing and / or the connection nozzle has a receptacle into which the housing-side seal and / or the assembly-side seal can be inserted. The receptacle can be shaped to fit the respective seal. When the seal is installed, it is clamped in the receptacle, in particular by means of the retaining lugs.

[0035] Furthermore, the oil module can incorporate an oil filter that is completely integrated into one of the housing parts. The base and cover parts together define an internal housing space that can serve as an oil reservoir and houses the oil filter. This creates a gap between the oil filter and the weld seam for joining the base and cover parts; in other words, the weld seam can be relocated away from the oil filter area. This offers numerous advantages compared to prior art oil modules where the weld seam is located approximately halfway along the axial height of the oil filter. For one, it prevents weld abrasion in the area of ​​the oil filter.Secondly, a gap forming in the center of the oil filter when viewed axially can be prevented if a gap develops between the cover and base parts during welding, for example, if the housing parts are warped and / or exhibit manufacturing deviations. In one exemplary embodiment, the oil filter is completely enclosed within the cover part. The cover part can be shell-shaped and / or the base part can be a flat base plate. In particular, at least one other component of the oil module, such as a cooler, can be housed within the cover part. This ensures that the weld seam lies outside the area of ​​the cooler or other components.

[0036] Furthermore, the oil filter can have a fluid inlet for introducing particle-laden oil to be cleaned and a fluid outlet for draining cleaned oil. The fluid outlet can define an axial direction of the oil filter. The fluid inlet can preferably be arranged radially around the fluid inlet. For example, folded paper arranged between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet can be used as the filter medium. In particular, the housing is designed to seal the fluid outlet against the fluid inlet in the area of ​​the fluid outlet. In other words, the housing that accommodates the oil filter can simultaneously be configured to provide the seal between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet, so that no additional O-rings are required for sealing between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet. This allows for the elimination of additional components and a reduction in the installation space required for the oil filter.The housing can be specifically shaped to not only accommodate the oil filter but also seal the oil inlet and outlet. For example, the oil outlet can be restricted by the housing at least at one end, so that clean oil flows through the housing and does not mix with dirty oil from the fluid inlet.

[0037] In one exemplary embodiment, the fluid inlet surrounds the fluid outlet radially, and the housing is designed to seal the internal fluid outlet from the external fluid inlet. This sealing in the area of ​​the fluid outlet, which runs radially inside the fluid inlet, allows for a particularly space-saving seal that does not increase the installation space required for the oil filter within the oil module compared to the oil filter itself.

[0038] In a further exemplary embodiment, which can be combined with the preceding exemplary embodiments, the housing has a sealing element located within the fluid outlet for sealing the fluid outlet. This sealing element preferably engages axially within the fluid outlet. The sealing element can either be formed integrally with the housing or be a separate sealing element attached to the housing. By projecting into the fluid outlet, the cleaned oil is guided through the housing and thus separated from the fluid inflow. The sealing element located within the fluid inflow allows for space savings. In particular, the sealing element can be made of plastic. It is possible for the sealing element to be made of the same plastic as the rest of the housing or of a different plastic.

[0039] Furthermore, the oil module can include a fluid connection for fluidic connection to another fluid connection of a component, such as a cooling unit, a transmission and / or engine component. The base and cover sections together can define an interior housing space that can be used as an oil reservoir and / or in which one or more components of the oil module, such as an oil filter, can be housed. The housing's fluid connection, or the housing-side fluid connection, can define a fluid flow direction. The fluid connection can be integrally formed with the housing or designed as a separate component connected to the housing.The oil module also includes a seal arranged radially transversely to the fluid path between the housing and the assembly, between the housing-side and assembly-side fluid ports. This seal is designed to create a radial seal and compensate for tolerances of up to ±1.5 mm. In other words, the seal is designed to compensate for an axial misalignment of up to 1.5 mm between the housing-side and assembly-side fluid ports. The seal can be circumferential and / or arranged radially between the housing-side and assembly-side fluid ports. For example, the seal can radially surround the housing-side fluid port and be radially accommodated within the assembly-side fluid port; in other words, the assembly-side fluid port can circumferentially surround the seal.Similarly, the seal can also surround the fluid connection on the unit side and be accommodated in the fluid connection on the housing side. This reduces assembly effort because the unit does not need to be positioned as precisely relative to the oil module housing. To enable such tolerance compensation, the seal can be designed to be particularly compressible through targeted selection of the geometry and / or material. In one exemplary embodiment, the seal has a V-shaped cross-section with two sealing legs oriented at an angle to each other, with the angle being between 70° and 140°. The seal can be oriented such that the legs, at an upstream end of the seal (in the fluid flow direction) and a downstream end of the seal, abut one of the fluid connections and are spaced from the fluid connection in the area between. In particular, the angle can be between 80° and 130°.An angle in this range allows for particularly high compressibility of the seal. Larger angles only allow for a lesser degree of tolerance compensation, and smaller angles can cause the seal to collapse under high pressure, meaning the seal legs can fold over each other, potentially damaging or even destroying the seal. Alternatively or additionally, the wall thickness of the seal legs can be greater than 1 mm and / or less than 2.5 mm. The two seal legs can have the same or different wall thicknesses. This allows for a particularly effective radial seal at pressures up to 2.7 bar and tolerance compensation in the radial direction.

[0040] In another exemplary embodiment, which can be combined with the previous exemplary embodiments, the seal is made of an elastomer. Specifically, the seal can be made of AEM, ACM, FKM, HNBR, NBR, FVMQ, and / or VMQ. AEM and ACM are particularly suitable for use at low temperatures, while FKM exhibits good oil resistance and high chemical stability, especially at high temperatures. HNBR and NBR are also suitable for use at high temperatures, particularly in areas where the seal is exposed to glycol. FVMQ and VMQ are universally applicable and provide a good seal over a very wide temperature range.

[0041] In a further exemplary embodiment, which can be combined with the preceding exemplary embodiments, a shoulder, particularly circumferential, is formed on the housing-side fluid connection and / or on the unit-side fluid connection for axially supporting the seal. The seal can bear against the housing of the oil module or against a housing of the other unit on the axially opposite side. The shoulder can be designed as an undercut to enable particularly good support and simultaneous fixation of the seal. Preferred embodiments are specified in the dependent claims.

[0042] Further properties, features and advantages of the invention will be clarified below by describing preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying exemplary drawings, which show:

[0043] Figure 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of an oil module according to the invention in a view from below;

[0044] Figure 2 shows a side view of the oil module according to the invention as shown in Figure 1;

[0045] Figure 3 shows another side view of the oil module according to the invention as shown in Figures 1 and 2;

[0046] Figure 4 shows the oil module according to the invention as shown in Figures 1 to 3 in a top view;

[0047] Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the oil module according to the invention as shown in Figures 1 to 4;

[0048] Figure 6 shows a further side view of the oil module according to the invention as shown in Figures 1 to 5; and

[0049] Figure 1 shows a detailed view of an engine supply line of the oil module according to the invention as shown in Figures 1 to 6 in a sectional view.

[0050] In the following description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, an oil module according to the invention is generally characterized by the reference numeral 1.

[0051] An oil module 1 according to the invention, shown in Figures 1 to 6, can be arranged on an axle or drive shaft of a vehicle. The oil module 1 serves as the vehicle's oil distribution center and supplies other vehicle components, such as a transmission, a pump, and an electric motor, with oil for lubrication and cooling. For this purpose, the oil module 1 has a transmission supply line 11 for directing oil into the transmission and a transmission return line 13 for directing oil from the transmission back into the oil module 1. Similarly, in other embodiments, the oil module 1 can have a pump supply line for directing oil into the pump and a pump return line for directing oil from the pump back into the oil module 1.To connect the electric motor to the oil module 1, a motor supply line 19 is provided for directing oil into the electric motor, and a motor return line 21 is provided for directing oil from the electric motor back into the oil module 1. To ensure reliable operation of the electric motor, the oil module 1 also has a coolant supply line 23 and a coolant return line 25 to supply the electric motor with coolant, for example, glycol. The oil module 1 can also include a cooling device (not shown in Figure 1), which is connected to the electric motor via the coolant supply line 23 and the coolant return line 25. The oil module 1 also has a vent line 27 for venting the oil module 1 into the electric motor 9.

[0052] Figure 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of an oil module 1 according to the invention. An oil module 1 according to the invention comprises a base part 29 and a cover part 31, which together define an interior housing space that serves as an oil reservoir. This reservoir stores the oil required by the vehicle's components, and the components are supplied with oil from this reservoir via the oil lines described above. In Figure 1, the oil module 1 is shown in a bottom view, such that the base part 29 almost completely covers the cover part 31. An oil drain plug 33 is arranged on the base part 29, which allows an oil drain opening to be opened and closed in order to precisely adjust the oil quantity and / or oil pressure in the oil module 1. The base part 29 and the cover part 31 are joined together along a circumferential weld, which will be explained in more detail later.To align the base part 29 and the cover part 31 relative to each other before welding, and to increase the stability of the oil module 1 after welding, several bores 35 are provided in the base plate 29, into each of which a hollow cylindrical projection 37 of the cover part 31 engages. It should be noted that the bores 35 and the projections 37 can also have cross-sectional shapes other than the round shape shown in Figure 1. Figure 1 also shows that the cover part 31 has a recess 39 for an oil cooler 41, to which the shape of the base part 29 is adapted. The oil cooler 41 is fastened to the cover part 31 within the recess 39 by several screws 43.

[0053] Figure 2 shows the oil module 1 from Figure 1 in a side view, in which the recess 39 and the oil cooler 41 attached therein are clearly visible. On the left side of Figure 2, the transmission supply line 19 with a V-shaped cross-section seal 51, which will be explained in detail later, is also visible. Figure 2 also shows a weld 53 between the base part 29 and the cover part 31, which lies in a single plane and has no changes in height along the vertical direction H of the oil module 1. In this embodiment, the base part 29 is designed as a flat base plate with a constant thickness of more than 1 mm and less than 4 mm in the vertical direction H. The thickness can depend on the specific requirements of the vehicle in which the oil module 1 is to be used. The cover part 31 is shell-shaped and comprises a shell lid 55 and a circumferential outer wall 57.The thickness of the shell lid 55 and the outer wall 57 is also more than 1 mm and less than 4 mm.

[0054] Figures 3 and 6 show the oil module 1 in a further side view, in which the weld 53 between the bottom part 29 and the cover part 31 is shown in detail. The cover part 31 has a fully circumferential weld rib 59 on a side of the outer wall 57 facing the bottom part 29. The bottom part 29 also has a fully circumferential weld rib 61 on a side facing the cover part 31 at a radially outer edge of the bottom part 29. In the embodiment shown in Figures 3 and 6, the weld rib 59 on the cover part 31 and the weld rib 61 on the bottom part 29 are formed in a form complementary manner to each other.

[0055] Figure 4 shows the oil module 1 from Figures 1 to 3 in a top view, and Figure 5 shows it in a perspective view, in each of which the cover part 31 of the oil module 1 can be seen in detail. In further embodiments, the oil module 1 can include several covers attached to the cover part 31 for covering fluid lines and components of the oil module 1. For example, the oil module 1 can have several covers that cover fluid lines and fluid connections for supplying coolant to the oil cooler 41 and for discharging coolant away from the oil cooler 41. The oil module 1 can also have a cover that covers a vent line. The covers can each be welded to the cover part 31, with the cover part 31 and the covers being shaped such that the welds, such as the weld 53 between the cover part 31 and the base part 29, lie in the same plane all the way around.For this purpose, the covers can be flat and a raised section adapted to the cover can be formed on the cover part 31. Preferably, the weld seams between a cover and the cover part 31 also run in a single plane without any changes in height in the vertical direction H of the oil module 1.

[0056] The base part 29 and / or the cover part 31 of the oil module according to Figures 1 to 6 comprises at least two different plastics and is manufactured by injection molding, in particular in a single operation. The different plastics are selected specifically for particular functions within the oil module 1, for example, with regard to required stability, durability, and especially also with consideration of cost-effectiveness. Furthermore, at least one of the plastics may be designed to react to external influences and / or adapt its shape through a shape memory effect.

[0057] In further embodiments, the oil module 1 has at least one functional channel arranged within the oil module 1, configured for the flow of a fluid, and designed to separate a substance from the fluid. This at least one functional channel can, in particular, be fluidically connected to the transmission supply line 11, the transmission return line 13, the engine supply line 19, the engine return line 21, the coolant supply line 23, the coolant return line 25, and / or the vent line 27, or be designed as part of one of these lines. Furthermore, the functional channel can be designed as a molecular sieve at least partially and / or include a molecular sieve at least partially. Alternatively or additionally, the functional channel can comprise a material, at least partially, that is designed to bind and / or filter a substance.In another advantageous embodiment, the functional channel is designed to be interchangeable.

[0058] The oil module 1 can also include an oil filter that is completely housed within the cover part 31. In other words, the entire oil filter can be contained within the housing interior of the oil module 1, or within the space formed by the cup-shaped cover part 31, so that the oil filter does not protrude beyond or project from the cup-shaped cover part 31. In further embodiments, the oil module 1 can include a fluid connection for fluidically connecting the housing interior to the oil cooler 41. A connection fitting can be provided at the fluid connection. The oil cooler 41, or the housing interior, can be connected to, for example, an engine via the connection fitting. In this case, only the connection fitting can be made of a coolant-resistant material, for example, PA66, while the cover part 31 can be made of a more economical standard plastic, for example, PA, which is not coolant-resistant.

[0059] According to one embodiment, the connecting piece can have a housing-side seal and an assembly-side seal, which are positively and force-fitted to the connecting piece. The housing-side seal and the assembly-side seal can be formed as a single, continuous piece. However, it should be noted that the housing-side seal and the assembly-side seal can also be designed separately as two individual seals, preferably separate circumferential sealing rings. To accommodate or secure the housing-side seal, the connecting piece can have a circumferential recess or receptacle in which the housing-side seal is received. Similarly, the connecting piece can have a circumferential recess or receptacle to accommodate or secure the assembly-side seal.During the assembly of the oil module 1, the connection fitting, with its seals already attached prior to assembly (e.g., by two-component injection molding), can be inserted into the fluid connection before the oil cooler 41 is attached to the cover part 31. The fluid connection may have a corresponding axial stop against which the connection fitting rests. When the oil cooler 41 is subsequently attached to the cover part 31, the housing-side seal is compressed between the connection fitting and the oil cooler 41, thus achieving a seal. To improve the sealing effect, the housing-side seal may also have a circumferential sealing lip facing the housing. Similarly, the unit-side seal may have a sealing lip facing the unit.

[0060] In alternative designs, the housing-side and / or assembly-side seal can have a substantially rectangular cross-section. Deviating from a rectangular cross-section, the seal can have a circumferential recess on only one top and one bottom surface, which improves the sealing effect when the seal is compressed. Several retaining studs can be formed on both the inner and outer surfaces of the seal, arranged at equal intervals around the circumference. The retaining studs on the inner surface and those on the outer surface can be offset from each other.

[0061] Figure 7 shows an enlarged view of the engine supply line 19 of the oil module 1, as shown in Figures 1 to 6, to illustrate the design of the seal 51 in more detail. The arrangement of the seal 51 on the engine supply line 19 represents only one possible embodiment. Such a seal can also be arranged on other fluid connections for a cooling device or a transmission component to seal them. The seal 51 is arranged in the radial direction RD, which runs transversely to a fluid flow direction F through the connection 19, between the housing or a connection 19 formed on the cover part 31 and the assembly (not shown in Figure 7). In this embodiment, the seal 51 is arranged on a radially outer surface of the connection 19 and can be arranged radially within a fluid connection of the assembly.The seal 51 is designed to establish a sealing effect in the radial direction RD and to compensate for tolerances of up to ± 1.5 mm. In other words, the connection 19 of the cover part 31 can have an axial offset of up to 1.5 mm relative to a connection port of the unit to be connected without impairing the sealing effect of the seal 51. To enable such tolerance compensation, the seal 51 has a V-shaped cross-section with two sealing legs 119, 121 oriented at an angle to each other. The angle between the sealing legs 119, 121, indicated by reference numeral 123 in Figure 7, is preferably between 70° and 140°, and particularly between 80° and 130°. The wall thickness of the sealing legs 119, 121 should be more than 1 mm and / or less than 2.5 mm to ensure optimal sealing performance and the best possible tolerance compensation.In the embodiment shown in Figure 7, the wall thickness increases outwards from a connection point 127 of the sealing legs 119, 121. A circumferential groove 129 is provided on the connection 19 for securing the seal 51, into which the seal 51 can be inserted. The groove 129 forms a stop 131, 133 on both sides of the seal 51, thus fixing the seal 51 in place. A gap is provided between the seal 51 and the stops 131, 133, allowing the seal 51 to expand in the fluid flow direction F to compensate for tolerances when it is compressed radially R between the assembly and the connection 11.

[0062] The features disclosed in the foregoing description, the figures, and the claims can be important for the realization of the invention in its various embodiments, both individually and in any combination, the scope of protection being defined by the claims. List of references:

[0063] Oil module

[0064] Transmission inlet line, transmission return line, engine inlet line, engine return line, coolant inlet line, coolant return line, vent line

[0065] bottom part

[0066] Lid part

[0067] Oil drain plug

[0068] Drilling

[0069] projection

[0070] recess

[0071] Oil cooler

[0072] screw

[0073] V-shaped seal

[0074] weld

[0075] Shell lid

[0076] Exterior wall

[0077] , 61 Welding bridge

[0078] Oil filter

[0079] 3 angles

[0080] 5 wall thickness

[0081] 7 Connection point

[0082] 9 Nut

[0083] 1,133 stop

Claims

Claims:

1. Oil module (1), for a motor vehicle, in particular an electrically powered motor vehicle, comprising a housing with a base part (29) and a cover part (31) welded to the base part (29) along a weld seam (53), wherein the base part (29) and / or the cover part (31) comprises at least two different plastics and is manufactured by means of an injection molding process, in particular in one operation.

2. Oil module (1) according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plastics is selected according to a specific function in the oil module (1).

3. Oil module (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the plastics is designed to react to external influences and / or to adapt its shape by means of a memory effect.

4. Oil module (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one functional channel arranged within the oil module (1), designed for the flow of a fluid and configured to separate a substance from the fluid.

5. Oil module (1) according to claim 4, wherein the functional channel is designed at least partially as a molecular sieve and / or has a molecular sieve at least partially.

6. Oil module (1) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein an inner surface of the functional channel comprises at least partially a material configured to bind and / or filter a substance.

7. Oil module (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the functional channel is designed to be replaceable.

8. Oil module (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bottom part (29) is designed as a flat bottom plate having a particularly constant thickness in the range of more than 1 mm and / or less than 4 mm, in particular in the range between 1.2 mm and 3.5 mm or in the range between 2 mm and 3 mm.

9. Oil module (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cover part (31) is shell-shaped and / or has a shell lid (55) and a circumferential outer wall (57), wherein the cover part (31), in particular the shell lid (55) and / or the outer wall (57), has a wall thickness that is in particular constant in the range of more than 1 mm and / or less than 4 mm, in particular in the range between 1.2 mm and 3.5 mm or in the range between 2 mm and 3 mm, wherein in particular the shell lid (55) and the outer wall (57) have the same wall thickness.

10. Oil module (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the bottom part (29) has at least one fluid channel for fluid connection to a fluid connection of another unit, for example a cooling device, a transmission and / or engine component, wherein in particular the cover part (31) is free of fluid channels.

11. Oil module (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the lid part (31) has a welded web (59) on a side facing the bottom part (29), in particular a fully circumferential welded web (61), and / or the bottom part (29) has a welded web (61) on a side facing the lid part (31), in particular wherein both welded webs (59, 61) are formed in a form complementary manner to each other and / or are formed on a radially outer edge of the bottom part (29) and / or the lid part (31).

12. Oil module (1) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one cover for covering a fluid line, such as a vent channel or an oil channel, and / or a further assembly, for example a cooling device, which is welded along a, in particular circumferential, weld seam to the cover part (31) or the bottom part (29).

13. Oil module (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the lid part (31) and / or the bottom part (29) and / or optionally a lid is made of a laser-transparent material.

14. Oil module (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a fluid connection with a connecting nozzle arranged thereon, wherein the connecting nozzle has a housing-side seal and / or an assembly-side seal, wherein the housing-side seal and / or the assembly-side seal is produced in particular by means of a two-component injection molding process.

15. Oil module (1) according to claim 14, wherein the housing-side seal and / or the assembly-side seal is designed as a circumferential sealing ring.

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