DE102006023350B4 - On a motor vehicle attachable housing with integrated pedestrian protection function - Google Patents

Abstract

At a motor vehicle mountable housing with a first housing part and a connectable with this second housing part, wherein at the first housing part an oblong support element (10) is formed, which with a proximal end with the first housing part is connected and a distal operative end with a cross-section (16), wherein the second housing part an elastic fixing element with a passage opening comprises, whose inner diameter is smaller than the effective cross-section (16), characterized by having a first conical cross-section widening and a subsequent second conical cross-sectional broadening of the support element (10) a defined Force / displacement behavior for the implementation of a pedestrian protection for known crash values for Realization of a defined delay over a predetermined path to avoid a hard serve of a passer realized is.

Description

The The invention relates to a housing attachable to a motor vehicle a first housing part and a connectable with this second housing part, wherein at the first Housing part elongated support element is formed, which is connected to a proximal end with the first housing part is and a distal acting with a cross-section having, wherein the second housing part comprises an elastic fixing element with a passage opening, the inner diameter of which is smaller than the effective cross section. The components can z. As the body, the engine or other aggregates. The Housing parts usually close between them a cavity.

such casing are used, for example, as an air filter housing, which in a conventional above an engine below a motor cover for receiving an air filter insert in an engine compartment of a motor vehicle are arranged.

existing casing are rigid and able to Injuries of passers-by in an accident result when the overlapping Body part hits the rigid housing.

New Legal regulations therefore require pedestrian protection and the crash behavior a conditional compliance of certain Batches of the motor vehicle and in particular of the engine compartment at Impact of a passerby. New systems have to be developed as well housing arranged in the motor vehicle, such as B. the air filter housing, integrate into this "pedestrian protection".

Air filter housing with the known disadvantages are from the DE 100 00 630 and the DE 10 2005 014 535 known. The DE 10 2004 054 274 and the DE 10 2005 046 407 disclose housing with which although a pedestrian protection is feasible, but at the impulse of impact do not provide sufficient damping to effectively prevent injuries to passers-by.

Of the The invention is thus based on the object, generic housing in such a way that this future Comply with the requirements for pedestrian protection in crash behavior. there must be the case satisfy the basic function, that the mounting position or rest position of the housing during Crash is left defined and preferably also the impact energy absorbed.

According to the invention this Task solved by that by a first conical cross-sectional widening and a adjoining it second conical cross-sectional widening of the support element a defined Force / travel behavior for implementing a passer-by protection for known Crash values for realizing a defined delay over one predetermined way to avoid a hard serve of a passer is feasible.

The Free-floating thus has in the installed position on the second housing part to. In Erstmontageposition, ie after connecting the first housing part with the second housing part to close of the housing, sits the action end of the support element on the elastic fixing element, possibly under lighter Preload, but without penetrating the through hole. to Realization of a crash function (relative movement of the housing parts to each other) penetrates the action end of the support element because of the crash force, the passage opening in the fixing element, so that the support element pushes through or into the elastic fixing element.

By the embodiment of the invention and corresponding geometric design of the effective cross-section and / or of the support element as well as appropriate choice of material of the fixing element can defined force / travel behavior for the implementation of a pedestrian protection for known crash values will be realized. Furthermore, can the interacting active surfaces the support element and / or the fixation element coated to the force-displacement behavior to optimize.

According to the invention can be also a defined delay over one predetermined way to avoid a hard impact of a Realize passersby.

The elastic connecting element can be in a connecting area of the used second housing part be.

In the simplest embodiment is the first housing part in a known manner with the second housing part for the realization of Initial assembly function locked, z. B. on the outside encompassing snap closure. The crash function is over the Pairwise training of the support element and the corresponding fixing element on the housing parts realized.

A preferred embodiment makes it possible to combine the assembly function and the crash function by the corresponding pairwise formation of the support element and the fixing element in a component. This can be achieved, for example, in that the support element has an undercut proximal to the distal end points, and that the active cross-section connects proximally to this undercut. To implement the Erstmontagefunktion the support element is first inserted as far into the elastic fixing element until the fixing element surrounds or engages the undercut and the housing parts are fixed in relation to each other in the Erstmontageposition; The passage opening of the fixing element corresponds approximately to the diameter of the smallest cross section at the undercut. In the crash, the impact force of the subsequent to the undercut, broadened effective cross section is overcome and then allows a further relative movement of the housing parts to each other to achieve the crash function. In the first step, the assembly force for fixing the second housing part to the first housing part is thus first overcome, so that the two housing parts are fixed relative to one another. Sometimes also the elastic restoring force of a seal arranged between the housing parts can be compensated. The second stage and the associated force depict the possible crash situation and the associated collision forces of a passerby. After overcoming this collision forces occurring in the event of a crash, a defined pushing together of the housing parts in relation to each other depending on the selected geometries and the materials used can be realized.

Should the housing parts have to be sealed z. For example an air filter, it must also be ensured that during the relative movement the housing parts the original required sealing effect and the tolerance compensation is maintained. It should be ensured that the seal does not hinder the crash function. The seal is customary designed as a hollow or lip profile and can be used as a separate component mounted or molded as a soft component or - foamed.

Also according to the invention a gradual compliance depending on the impact force by different formed effective cross-sections along the longitudinal axis of the support element will be realized. Due to the geometric design of the cross sections and of the connection area defined power / travel behavior are required compatible with each other.

It can also several support elements between the first housing part and the second housing part be formed with the corresponding connection areas with cooperate elastic fixing elements.

The inventive training the housing parts with a defined relative displacement of the housing parts to each other when exposed a crash force to the realization of the crash function can not be only for an air filter, but for all housing parts use in a car. However, the arrangement of such is preferred Parts in the engine compartment below the engine cover.

Of the Advantage of the invention lies in the fact that the movement of the first housing part in relation to to the second housing part reversible, so a crash is no permanent damage to the System causes.

Of the Connecting portion may have a fixing hole in the second housing part comprise, in which a ring formed as an elastic element with a central passage opening for the support element is used.

This elastic ring, preferably made of an elastomer, that too can also be an inwardly projecting and have tapered locking lip, corresponding to the Geometry of the undercut is designed to fit a seat in to ensure the initial assembly.

A sees another solution according to the invention before that the support element has a thickening at the distal end of action that the fixing element has a trained to accommodate the thickening hollow body, that the hollow body an upper opening and a lower opening each being smaller than the effective cross section, and that the diameter of the upper opening is larger as the diameter of the lower opening. To implement the Erstmontagefunktion thickening only the bigger and thus easier to overcome upper opening penetrate; For the crash function, the thickening, however, the narrower and thus heavier to be overcome lower opening penetrate.

In the most preferred embodiment form the housing parts Components of an air filter housing. In this case, the first housing part preferably forms the housing cover and the second housing part the housing room for receiving the filter.

In a further development, which arranged in the air filter housing flow filter in addition as Energy-absorbing structure with a defined force / displacement behavior be educated.

at a motor-side mounting can the housing parts thus constructed additionally an acoustic damping system form.

Usually, the housing will be formed as a plastic injection molded part. preferred Plastics are fiber-reinforced plastic materials. Preference is given to using thermoplastic molding compositions as plastic materials. In addition, duroplastic materials, natural fiber materials or metals and their combinations (hybrid technology) can be used.

The mentioned plastic materials can be further customary auxiliary and fillers exhibit. Such substances are, for example, lubricants or mold release agents, Waxes, pigments, dyes, flame retardants, antioxidants, Stabilizers against exposure to light or antistatic agents.

The used plastic material generally comprises fibers in one Amount of 3 to 40 wt .-% on. Examples of fibrous fillers are carbon, Aramid or glass fibers, chopped glass or glass silk rovings called. Particularly preferred are glass fibers. Furthermore, as fibers Natural fibers such as flax, hemp, jute, sisal, ramie or Carnaf used become.

The used glass fibers can be made of E, A or C glass and are preferably with a sizing and / or a primer. Their diameter is generally between 6 and 30 μm. Both continuous fibers (rovings) and cut glass fibers (staple) with a length of 1 to 30 mm used become.

Further Details, advantages and features of the invention can be the refer to the following part of the description, in which an embodiment an air filter housing closer to drawings explained becomes. The drawings show:

1 a schematic diagram of an engine compartment of a car;

2 an enlarged schematic diagram of an inventively formed connection area in the side view;

3 an enlarged schematic diagram of an alternative formed connecting portion in the side view;

4 an enlarged longitudinal section through a first embodiment of a connecting region according to the invention;

5 an enlarged longitudinal section through a second embodiment of a connecting region according to the invention; and

6 an enlarged longitudinal section through a third embodiment of a connecting region according to the invention.

In The figures are the same or equivalent parts with the same Provided with reference numerals.

According to the outline sketch in 1 is the air filter housing according to the invention between a lower housing part 2 and an engine cover 4 for receiving an air filter insert 6 below a hood 8th a car in the engine compartment above a motor M arranged. The engine cover 4 forms the housing cover of the air filter housing.

2 shows an enlarged schematic diagram of the present invention formed connecting portion between the engine cover 4 and the lower housing part 2 , The motor cover formed as a one-piece plastic injection molded part 4 has a molded support rod 10 which, in the installed position in the direction of the housing base 2 protrudes. The support staff 10 is integral with the engine cover with a proximal end 4 molded and facing proximally from a distal free end 12 an undercut 14 on. Proximal of this undercut 14 is formed a conical cross-sectional widening, which in a cross-section 16 ends.

In a connection area of the housing lower part 2 is as an elastic ring 18 trained elastic fixing element snapped with a central through hole whose inner diameter is smaller than the effective cross-section 16 of the support rod 10 is.

When fitting the engine cover 4 As part of the initial assembly is after inserting the air filter cartridge 6 the support staff 10 so far in the elastic ring 18 inserted until an inwardly projecting and tapered, elastic locking lip 22 in the undercut 14 intervenes. In this position is the engine cover 10 in the Erstmontagefunktion and is due to an elastic seal, not shown, between the lower housing part 2 and the engine cover 4 is arranged in the edge region, under bias on the lower housing part 2 fixed.

In the event of a crash will be through the on the hood 8th acting crash force next to the hood 8th also the engine cover 4 in the axial direction of the support rod 10 continue into the ring 18 inserted. It must be determined by the geometry of the effective cross-section 16 , the locking lip 22 and the material property of the ring 18 Defined restoring force, which counteracts the crash force, be overcome to a Relativersatz the engine cover 4 in the direction of the housing lower part 2 to enable.

The 3 shows an alternative Ausfüh tion form of the connecting region according to the invention between an engine cover 4 and a housing lower part 2 for the realization of a pedestrian protection. In this embodiment, in contrast to the embodiment according to FIG 2 the Erstmontage- and the crash function separated from each other and not both by the pairwise formation of the support rod 10 and the elastic fixing element realized. The Erstmontagefunktion is in this embodiment by a circumferentially between the housing base 2 and the engine cover 4 trained curb 24 realized. In this position is the on the engine cover 6 integrally molded support bar 10 in the in the housing lower part 2 mounted elastic ring 18 with its locking lip protruding to the middle 22 placed under bias. When acting on the crash force of the support rod 10 in the axial direction in the ring 18 pushed in and pushes the elastic ring 18 so apart, that the support rod 10 passes through the central passage opening, overcoming the crash force.

The 6 to 7 show different versions of the functional members of the invention "elastic fixing element" and "support member" in enlarged cross-sections. In all cases, the support rod 10 integral to the engine cover 4 formed.

At the in 4 illustrated embodiment is the support rod 10 designed as reversible closed hollow body, which has an undercut 14 proximal to the distal free end 12 having. To reinforce the cross-sectional area at the undercut 14 is a cross strut on the inside 26 formed. The elastic ring 18 is in the embodiment according to 4 at a fixing opening of the housing lower part 2 molded.

5 shows a further embodiment in which the support rod 10 is formed with a one-sided open lateral surface. Otherwise, this is geometrically formed as the support rod in 4 , Further, in the embodiment according to 5 the elastic ring 18 at the fixing opening of the housing lower part 2 assembled. For this purpose, the ring 18 in the outer circumferential surface on a circumferential engagement groove, engages in the installation position a correspondingly formed, circumferential hook web. The elastic ring 18 is geometrically formed so that this under bias in the fixing opening of the housing base 2 sitting.

The 6 shows a further embodiment of the elastic ring 18 , on the lower part of the housing 2 in the in 5 shown manner is mounted, but also at the bottom of an integrally molded cover 28 which provides additional elastic forces that must be overcome in the event of a crash.

Of the The subject of the present invention is not exclusive the subject of the individual claims, but from the combination of individual claims among themselves. All in the documents - including summary - disclosed Information and features, in particular those shown in the drawings spatial Training are claimed as essential to the invention, as far as they are individually or in combination over the prior art new are.

2

Housing bottom

4

engine cover

6

Air filter element

8th

Engine Hood

10

supporting rod

12

free end

14

undercut

16

Effective cross section

18

ring

22

Rest lip

24

Rest edge

26

crossmember

28

cover

Claims (12)

Can be fastened to a motor vehicle housing with a first housing part and a second housing part connectable with this, wherein on the first housing part an elongated support element ( 10 ) is formed, which is connected with a proximal end to the first housing part and a distal operative end with a cross-section ( 16 ), wherein the second housing part comprises an elastic fixing element with a passage opening whose inner diameter is smaller than the active cross-section ( 16 ), Characterized in that by a first conical cross-sectional widening and a subsequent second conical cross-sectional widening of the support element ( 10 ) a defined force / travel behavior for implementing a passer-by protection for known crash values for realizing a defined delay over a predetermined path to avoid a hard impact of a passer is feasible. Housing according to claim 1, characterized in that the support element ( 10 ) proximal to a free end ( 12 ) an undercut ( 14 ) to form a first effective cross-section, and that a further active cross section ( 16 ) proximally to the undercut ( 14 ). Housing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fixing element is arranged in a connection region Ver, which has a fixing opening, and in that the fixing element has a ring inserted into the fixation opening ( 18 ) having a passage opening. casing according to claim 1, characterized in that the supporting element has a thickening with an effective cross-section at the distal end, in that the fixing element has a design for receiving the thickening Having hollow bodies, that the hollow body an upper opening and one under opening each being smaller than the effective cross section, and that the diameter of the upper opening is larger as the diameter of the lower opening. Housing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first housing part as a housing cover and the second housing part as a housing lower part ( 2 ) is trained. casing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized that the housing parts as air filter housing are formed. Housing according to claim 6, characterized in that the upper housing part in an engine cover ( 4 ) is integrated. casing according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that in the air filter housing also a nonwoven filter is arranged. casing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized that this as a plastic housing is trained. Housing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that by a geometric design of the effective cross-section ( 16 ) and / or the support element ( 10 ) a defined force / travel behavior is achievable. casing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized that by the choice of material of the fixing element a defined Force / displacement behavior is achievable. Housing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the active surface of the support element ( 10 ) and / or the elastic fixing element are coated.