EP1168887A1 - Spring-mounted spreading device, especially for heating elements - Google Patents

Spring-mounted spreading device, especially for heating elements Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1168887A1
EP1168887A1 EP01112337A EP01112337A EP1168887A1 EP 1168887 A1 EP1168887 A1 EP 1168887A1 EP 01112337 A EP01112337 A EP 01112337A EP 01112337 A EP01112337 A EP 01112337A EP 1168887 A1 EP1168887 A1 EP 1168887A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
heating elements
parts
expanding device
spring element
tensioning
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Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP01112337A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP1168887B1 (en
Inventor
Martin Graf
Martin Lohner
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APAG Elektronik AG
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APAG Elektronik AG
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Publication of EP1168887A1 publication Critical patent/EP1168887A1/en
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    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24HFLUID HEATERS, e.g. WATER OR AIR HEATERS, HAVING HEAT-GENERATING MEANS, e.g. HEAT PUMPS, IN GENERAL
    • F24H9/00Details
    • F24H9/18Arrangement or mounting of grates or heating means
    • F24H9/1854Arrangement or mounting of grates or heating means for air heaters
    • F24H9/1863Arrangement or mounting of electric heating means
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10TTECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T403/00Joints and connections
    • Y10T403/21Utilizing thermal characteristic, e.g., expansion or contraction, etc.

Definitions

  • the invention relates to an expansion device, in particular for heating elements for heating a liquid.
  • connection between the component and the housing wall begins to become detached as a result of aging or heating, the component must be reattached or the connection must at least be readjusted. Is the housing However, installed in a larger unit and difficult to access, maintenance of the component-housing connection is almost impossible.
  • heating pockets of an electric auxiliary heater of an internal combustion engine there are heating elements for heating a liquid, e.g. the cooling water in an internal combustion engine, arranged, the heating pockets being flowed around by the liquid to be heated.
  • the heating elements In order to ensure the greatest possible heat transfer from the heating elements to the liquid to be heated, the heating elements must be attached to the inside of the housing of the heating pockets. Screwing each heating element individually or attaching it with a clamp is very time-consuming. Gluing heating elements is also time-consuming, and because of the high temperatures of the heating elements, an adhesive connection has a short lifespan.
  • insulating washers for electrical insulation of the heating elements in the case of an adhesive connection cannot simply be attached between the heating elements and the housing of the heating pockets.
  • the contact pressure on the wall cannot be adjusted.
  • the heating pockets are not accessible in an assembled electrical auxiliary heater of an internal combustion engine, and consequently the connections between the component and the housing wall cannot be checked and maintained.
  • the object of the present invention is therefore to develop a device with which a simple, maintenance-free fastening of elements on a wall and the adjustment of the contact pressure of the element on the wall is made possible.
  • an expansion device with two parts which can be displaced relative to one another against the action of a spring element, the spring element being arranged between the two parts and rests on both parts with an outer leg, with a clamping element that can be displaced at right angles to the direction of movement of the two parts and is encompassed by a central connecting leg of the spring element, and with a counter bearing on which the connecting leg is supported in a clamping direction of the clamping element, whereby at least in the untensioned state, a portion of the connecting leg which cooperates with the tensioning element in the tensioning direction is oriented obliquely to the tensioning direction.
  • the spring element has a pretension that presses the part or parts to be installed against a system or wall with a slight contact pressure and thereby holds it in position.
  • the contact pressure can then be increased or adjusted via the tensioning element by acting on one or more sections of the connecting leg of the spring element in such a way that the outer legs of the spring element are expanded and the part or parts are thus pressed more strongly against the system.
  • the spring element is an elastic element, changes in the geometry of the part or parts due to aging or thermal influences are compensated for. Readjusting the contact pressure and maintenance are therefore not necessary.
  • the spring element is preferably formed symmetrically to the central plane between the two parts, so that the two opposite parts can be held and fixed in position with only one spring element on opposite walls.
  • the counter bearing is preferably arranged such that the outermost end of the connecting leg is supported on it.
  • the counter bearing it is also conceivable for the counter bearing to be arranged in a region between the sections of the connecting leg which cooperate with the tensioning element and the outer legs of the spring element.
  • the clamping element is a round part.
  • a round part is easy to install and slides particularly well along the diagonal to the clamping direction aligned sections of the connecting leg without tilting.
  • the section is flat. This results in a particularly good and effective interaction with the clamping element designed as a round part.
  • the tensioning element can be inserted particularly easily and without tilting into the connecting leg.
  • the spring element can be designed in the form of a band.
  • the spring element can then rest flatly at least in sections on the tensioning element and on the parts to be fastened. A rotation of the spring element relative to the clamping element or the parts to be expanded is therefore largely excluded.
  • the connecting leg is prevented from slipping on the counter bearing. This is particularly the case when the support receptacle is designed as a groove and the connecting leg has a shape adapted to the groove.
  • the expansion device has a device for changing the distance between the tensioning element and the counter bearing.
  • the spring element is pressed against the counter-bearing, as a result of which the outer legs of the spring element located in the area between the parts which can be displaced relative to one another are widened or spread. Thereby the contact pressure of a part to be fastened to a system can be set.
  • the device for changing the distance between the tensioning element and the counter bearing is at least one screw connection acting between them.
  • the distance can be set very precisely using a screw connection, on the one hand, and on the other hand, the distance once set cannot be changed.
  • a contact surface is provided for at least one of the two parts and an insulating layer is arranged between the contact surface and the at least one part.
  • the insulating layer can be clamped between the part and the system, so that the insulating layer is held in position indirectly by the spring element. Additional fastening devices for the insulating layer are therefore not required.
  • the counter bearing is formed by at least one of the two parts, no separate counter bearing has to be provided.
  • the counter bearing does not have to be specially manufactured and installed, which saves time and material.
  • the expansion device can be used to attach heating elements in heating pockets, e.g. electric heaters of internal combustion engines are used.
  • heating elements e.g. electric heaters of internal combustion engines are used.
  • fastening with adhesive is only possible to a limited extent, since this may dissolve at the temperatures that occur.
  • rapid expansion is possible with the expansion device according to the invention and maintenance or readjustment of the contact pressure is not necessary.
  • the clamping elements are a plurality of expansion devices arranged one behind the other or next to one another formed by a common clamping element.
  • the tensioning element thus interacts with the sections of the connecting legs of several spring elements simultaneously. Consequently, several spring elements can be re-tensioned with just one clamping element and the contact pressure of several parts against one system can be adjusted at the same time.
  • the housing 1 shows a section through an expansion device 1 arranged in a heating pocket of an electric auxiliary heater of an internal combustion engine .
  • the housing 2 of the heating pocket is formed by an aluminum die-cast housing and is surrounded by a fluid to be heated.
  • Within the housing 2 there are a plurality of heating elements 3, 4, each of which abuts one side on an electrically insulating insulating layer 5, 6 designed as a disk.
  • the insulating layer 5, 6 is located between the housing inner wall 7 and a heating element 3, 4.
  • Power semiconductors, in particular power transistors, are provided as heating elements 3, 4, which are arranged such that two heating elements 3, 4 are spaced apart by a gap 8 from that of the insulating layer 5.6 opposite side 9.10 are opposite.
  • the heating elements 3, 4 are held in their position by a spring element 11, which is partially located in the gap 8 between the heating elements 3, 4.
  • the one-piece spring element 11 has two outer legs 12, 13 in the gap 8 with mutually opposite bends, so that an approximately elliptical cavity is formed between the outer legs 12, 13.
  • the outer sides of the outer legs 12, 13 lie in sections against the sides 9, 10 of the heating elements 3, 4 and press the heating elements 3, 4 in the direction of the arrow 14, 15 against the insulating layer 5, 6.
  • the curved end of the connecting leg 18 is adapted to the shape of a groove 19 of a counter bearing 20 , in which it engages.
  • a clamping element 21 which is designed as a round part and which bears at least on the inner sides 22, 23 of sections 16, 17.
  • FIG. 2 shows a cross section through an arrangement 100 of five expanding devices 1 arranged next to one another in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the drawing in FIG. 1.
  • a fluid to be heated flows around the housing 101 of the arrangement 100.
  • the spring elements 11 are indicated by a vertical line.
  • openings 132, 133 are provided, through which a screw 134 , 135 is guided in each case.
  • the front end 136, 137 of the screw 134, 135 is guided in a thread 138 , 139 , which is located in the common counter bearing 103 .
  • the distance between the clamping element 102 encompassed by the connecting leg 18 and the counter bearing 103 can be changed via the screw 134, 135.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Resistance Heating (AREA)
  • Clamps And Clips (AREA)

Abstract

Die Erfindung betrifft eine Aufweitvorrichtung (1) mit zwei gegen die Wirkung eines Federelements (11) relativ zueinander verschiebbaren Teilen (Heizelemente 3,4), wobei das Federelement (11) zwischen den beiden Teilen (Heizelemente 3,4) angeordnet ist und an beiden Teilen (Heizelemente 3,4) jeweils mit einem Außenschenkel (12,13) anliegt, mit einem rechtwinklig zur Bewegungsrichtung (14,15) der beiden Teile (Heizelemente 3,4) verschiebbaren Spannelement (21), das von einem mittleren Verbindungsschenkel (18) des Federelements (11) umgriffen ist, und mit einem Gegenlager (20), an dem sich der Verbindungsschenkel (18) in einer Spannrichtung (21') des Spannelements (21) abstützt, wobei zumindest im ungespannten Zustand ein mit dem Spannelement (21) in Spannrichtung (21') zusammenwirkender Abschnitt (16,17) des Verbindungsschenkels (18) schräg zur Spannrichtung (21') ausgerichtet ist. Dadurch werden die Teile an eine Anlage bzw. Wand gepresst und in Position gehalten. <IMAGE>The invention relates to an expansion device (1) with two parts (heating elements 3, 4) which can be displaced relative to one another against the action of a spring element (11), the spring element (11) being arranged between the two parts (heating elements 3, 4) and on both Parts (heating elements 3, 4) each abut with an outer leg (12, 13), with a tensioning element (21) which can be displaced at right angles to the direction of movement (14, 15) of the two parts (heating elements 3, 4) and which is supported by a central connecting leg (18 ) of the spring element (11), and with a counter bearing (20), on which the connecting leg (18) is supported in a clamping direction (21 ') of the clamping element (21), at least in the untensioned state with the clamping element (21 ) cooperating in the tensioning direction (21 ') section (16,17) of the connecting leg (18) obliquely to the tensioning direction (21'). As a result, the parts are pressed against a system or wall and held in position. <IMAGE>

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft eine Aufweitvorrichtung, insbesondere für Heizelemente zum Erwärmen einer Flüssigkeit.The invention relates to an expansion device, in particular for heating elements for heating a liquid.

In den verschiedensten technischen Bereichen stellt sich das Problem, Bauelemente an weitestgehend glatten Wänden eines Gehäuses ortsfest zu positionieren. Es ist denkbar, die Bauelemente an die Wände des Gehäuses beispielsweise zu schrauben, zu kleben oder mit Haltebügeln zu halten.The problem arises in the most diverse technical areas of positioning components in a stationary manner on largely smooth walls of a housing. It is conceivable, for example, to screw the components onto the walls of the housing, to glue them or to hold them with holding brackets.

Beginnt die Verbindung von Bauelement und Gehäusewand in Folge von Alterung oder Erwärmung sich zu lösen, so muss das Bauelement neu befestigt werden oder die Verbindung zumindest nachgestellt werden. Ist das Gehäuse jedoch in eine größere Einheit eingebaut und schwer zugänglich, so ist eine Wartung der Bauelement-Gehäuseverbindung nahezu unmöglich.If the connection between the component and the housing wall begins to become detached as a result of aging or heating, the component must be reattached or the connection must at least be readjusted. Is the housing However, installed in a larger unit and difficult to access, maintenance of the component-housing connection is almost impossible.

Dieses Problem kann am Beispiel einer Heiztasche eines elektrischen Zuheizers eines Verbrennungsmotors veranschaulicht werden. Im Gehäuse von Heiztaschen eines elektrischen Zuheizers eines Verbrennungsmotors sind Heizelemente zum Beheizen einer Flüssigkeit, wie z.B. dem Kühlwasser in einem Verbrennungsmotor, angeordnet, wobei die Heiztaschen von der zu beheizenden Flüssigkeit umströmt werden. Um einen möglichst großen Wärmeübergang von den Heizelemente zu der zu heizenden Flüssigkeit sicherzustellen, müssen die Heizelemente an der Innenseite des Gehäuses der Heiztaschen befestigt werden. Jedes Heizelement einzeln anzuschrauben oder über eine Klammer zu befestigen ist sehr zeitaufwendig. Das Ankleben von Heizelementen ist ebenfalls zeitaufwendig, außerdem hat eine Klebeverbindung wegen der hohen Temperaturen der Heizelemente eine kurze Lebensdauer. Weiterhin können Isolierscheiben zur elektrischen Isolation der Heizelemente bei einer Klebeverbindung nicht zwischen den Heizelementen und dem Gehäuse der Heiztaschen einfach angebracht werden. Zudem lässt sich mit einer Klebeverbindung wie auch bei einer Klammerverbindung der Anpressdruck an die Wand nicht einstellen. In einem zusammengebauten elektrischen Zuheizer eines Verbrennungsmotors sind die Heiztaschen nicht zugänglich, folglich können die Verbindungen von Bauelement und Gehäusewand nicht kontrolliert und gewartet werden.This problem can be illustrated using the example of a heating pocket of an electric auxiliary heater of an internal combustion engine. In the housing of heating pockets of an electric auxiliary heater of an internal combustion engine there are heating elements for heating a liquid, e.g. the cooling water in an internal combustion engine, arranged, the heating pockets being flowed around by the liquid to be heated. In order to ensure the greatest possible heat transfer from the heating elements to the liquid to be heated, the heating elements must be attached to the inside of the housing of the heating pockets. Screwing each heating element individually or attaching it with a clamp is very time-consuming. Gluing heating elements is also time-consuming, and because of the high temperatures of the heating elements, an adhesive connection has a short lifespan. Furthermore, insulating washers for electrical insulation of the heating elements in the case of an adhesive connection cannot simply be attached between the heating elements and the housing of the heating pockets. In addition, as with a clamp connection, the contact pressure on the wall cannot be adjusted. The heating pockets are not accessible in an assembled electrical auxiliary heater of an internal combustion engine, and consequently the connections between the component and the housing wall cannot be checked and maintained.

Aufgabe der vorliegenden Erfindung ist es deshalb, eine Vorrichtung zu entwickeln, mit der ein einfaches, wartungsfreies Befestigen von Elementen an einer Wand und das Einstellen des Anpressdrucks des Elements an die Wand ermöglicht wird.The object of the present invention is therefore to develop a device with which a simple, maintenance-free fastening of elements on a wall and the adjustment of the contact pressure of the element on the wall is made possible.

Gelöst wird diese Aufgabe erfindungsgemäß durch eine Aufweitvorrichtung mit zwei gegen die Wirkung eines Federelements relativ zueinander verschiebbaren Teilen, wobei das Federelement zwischen den beiden Teilen angeordnet ist und an beiden Teilen jeweils mit einem Außenschenkel anliegt, mit einem rechtwinklig zur Bewegungsrichtung der beiden Teile verschiebbaren Spannelement, das von einem mittleren Verbindungsschenkel des Federelements umgriffen ist, und mit einem Gegenlager, an dem sich der Verbindungsschenkel in einer Spannrichtung des Spannelements abstützt, wobei zumindest im ungespannten Zustand ein mit dem Spannelement in Spannrichtung zusammenwirkender Abschnitt des Verbindungsschenkels schräg zur Spannrichtung ausgerichtet ist.This object is achieved according to the invention by an expansion device with two parts which can be displaced relative to one another against the action of a spring element, the spring element being arranged between the two parts and rests on both parts with an outer leg, with a clamping element that can be displaced at right angles to the direction of movement of the two parts and is encompassed by a central connecting leg of the spring element, and with a counter bearing on which the connecting leg is supported in a clamping direction of the clamping element, whereby at least in the untensioned state, a portion of the connecting leg which cooperates with the tensioning element in the tensioning direction is oriented obliquely to the tensioning direction.

Das Federelement weist schon beim Einbau eine Vorspannung auf, die das einzubauende Teil bzw. die Teile mit leichtem Anpressdruck gegen eine Anlage bzw. Wand presst und dadurch in Position hält. Danach kann der Anpressdruck über das Spannelement erhöht bzw. eingestellt werden, indem es auf einen oder mehrere Abschnitte des Verbindungsschenkels des Federelements so wirkt, dass die Außenschenkel des Federelements aufgeweitet und das Teil bzw. die Teile somit stärker gegen die Anlage gepresst werden. Da das Federelement ein elastisches Element ist, werden Geometrieveränderungen des Teils bzw. der Teile infolge Alterung oder thermischer Einflüsse ausgeglichen. Eine erneute Einstellung des Anpressdrucks und eine Wartung sind somit nicht erforderlich. Das Federelement ist vorzugsweise symmetrisch zur Mittelebene zwischen den beiden Teilen ausgebildet, so dass die zwei gegenüberliegenden Teile mit nur einem Federelement an gegenüberliegenden Wänden in Position gehalten und befestigt werden können.Even during installation, the spring element has a pretension that presses the part or parts to be installed against a system or wall with a slight contact pressure and thereby holds it in position. The contact pressure can then be increased or adjusted via the tensioning element by acting on one or more sections of the connecting leg of the spring element in such a way that the outer legs of the spring element are expanded and the part or parts are thus pressed more strongly against the system. Since the spring element is an elastic element, changes in the geometry of the part or parts due to aging or thermal influences are compensated for. Readjusting the contact pressure and maintenance are therefore not necessary. The spring element is preferably formed symmetrically to the central plane between the two parts, so that the two opposite parts can be held and fixed in position with only one spring element on opposite walls.

Das Gegenlager ist vorzugsweise so angeordnet, dass sich das äußerste Ende des Verbindungsschenkels daran abstützt. Es ist jedoch auch denkbar, dass das Gegenlager in einem Bereich zwischen den mit dem Spannelement zusammenwirkenden Abschnitten des Verbindungsschenkels und den Außenschenkeln des Federelements angeordnet ist.The counter bearing is preferably arranged such that the outermost end of the connecting leg is supported on it. However, it is also conceivable for the counter bearing to be arranged in a region between the sections of the connecting leg which cooperate with the tensioning element and the outer legs of the spring element.

Es ist vorteilhaft, wenn das Spannelement ein Rundteil ist. Ein Rundteil lässt sich einfach einbauen und gleitet besonders gut entlang der schräg zur Spannrichtung ausgerichteten Abschnitte des Verbindungsschenkels, ohne sich zu verkanten.It is advantageous if the clamping element is a round part. A round part is easy to install and slides particularly well along the diagonal to the clamping direction aligned sections of the connecting leg without tilting.

Bei einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Aufweitvorrichtung ist der Abschnitt eben ausgebildet. Hierdurch wird eine besonders gute und effektive Zusammenwirkung mit dem als Rundteil ausgebildeten Spannelement erreicht.In a preferred embodiment of the expansion device according to the invention, the section is flat. This results in a particularly good and effective interaction with the clamping element designed as a round part.

Bei einer drahtförmigen Ausbildung des Federelements wird für die Herstellung des Federelements wenig Material verbraucht. Außerdem lässt sich das Spannelement besonders einfach und ohne zu verkanten in den Verbindungsschenkel einführen.With a wire-shaped design of the spring element, little material is used for the production of the spring element. In addition, the tensioning element can be inserted particularly easily and without tilting into the connecting leg.

Alternativ kann das Federelement bandförmig ausgebildet sein. Das Federelement kann dann zumindest abschnittsweise flächig an dem Spannelement und an den zu befestigenden Teilen anliegen. Ein Verdrehen des Federelements relativ zu dem Spannelement oder den aufzuweitenden Teilen wird daher weitestgehend ausgeschlossen.Alternatively, the spring element can be designed in the form of a band. The spring element can then rest flatly at least in sections on the tensioning element and on the parts to be fastened. A rotation of the spring element relative to the clamping element or the parts to be expanded is therefore largely excluded.

Wenn am Gegenlager eine Stützaufnahme für den Verbindungsschenkel des Federelements vorgesehen ist, wird ein Abrutschen des Verbindungsschenkels am Gegenlager verhindert. Dies ist insbesondere dann der Fall, wenn die Stützaufnahme als Rille ausgebildet ist und der Verbindungsschenkel eine an die Rille angepasste Form aufweist.If a support receptacle for the connecting leg of the spring element is provided on the counter bearing, the connecting leg is prevented from slipping on the counter bearing. This is particularly the case when the support receptacle is designed as a groove and the connecting leg has a shape adapted to the groove.

In einer besonders bevorzugten Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Aufweitvorrichtung weist die Aufweitvorrichtung eine Einrichtung zum Verändern des Abstands zwischen dem Spannelement und dem Gegenlager auf. Durch Verringern des Abstandes zwischen dem Spannelement und dem Gegenlager wird das Federelement gegen das Gegenlager gepresst, wodurch ein Aufweiten bzw. Spreizen der sich im Bereich zwischen den relativ zueinander verschiebbaren Teilen befindlichen Außenschenkel des Federelements erfolgt. Dadurch kann der Anpressdruck eines zu befestigenden Teils an eine Anlage eingestellt werden.In a particularly preferred embodiment of the expansion device according to the invention, the expansion device has a device for changing the distance between the tensioning element and the counter bearing. By reducing the distance between the tensioning element and the counter-bearing, the spring element is pressed against the counter-bearing, as a result of which the outer legs of the spring element located in the area between the parts which can be displaced relative to one another are widened or spread. Thereby the contact pressure of a part to be fastened to a system can be set.

Vorteilhaft ist es, wenn die Einrichtung zum Verändern des Abstands zwischen dem Spannelement und dem Gegenlager mindestens eine dazwischen wirkende Schraubverbindungen ist. Der Abstand lässt sich über eine Schraubverbindung zum einen sehr genau einstellen und zum anderen ist der einmal eingestellte Abstand nicht veränderlich.It is advantageous if the device for changing the distance between the tensioning element and the counter bearing is at least one screw connection acting between them. The distance can be set very precisely using a screw connection, on the one hand, and on the other hand, the distance once set cannot be changed.

Bei einer besonders bevorzugten Ausbildungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Aufweitvorrichtung ist für mindestens eines der beiden Teile eine Anlagefläche vorgesehen und ist zwischen der Anlagefläche und dem mindestens einen Teil eine Isolierschicht angeordnet. Je nach verwendetem Teil kann es notwendig sein, das Teil elektrisch von der Anlage zu isolieren. Die Isolierschicht kann zwischen das Teil und die Anlage eingeklemmt werden, so dass die Isolierschicht mittelbar durch das Federelement in Position gehalten wird. Zusätzliche Befestigungsvorrichtungen für die Isolierschicht sind daher nicht erforderlich.In a particularly preferred embodiment of the expansion device according to the invention, a contact surface is provided for at least one of the two parts and an insulating layer is arranged between the contact surface and the at least one part. Depending on the part used, it may be necessary to electrically isolate the part from the system. The insulating layer can be clamped between the part and the system, so that the insulating layer is held in position indirectly by the spring element. Additional fastening devices for the insulating layer are therefore not required.

Ist das Gegenlager durch mindestens eines der beiden Teile gebildet, so muss kein separates Gegenlager vorgesehen werden. Das Gegenlager muss also nicht extra hergestellt und eingebaut werden, was Zeit und Material spart.If the counter bearing is formed by at least one of the two parts, no separate counter bearing has to be provided. The counter bearing does not have to be specially manufactured and installed, which saves time and material.

Wenn mindestens eines der beiden Teile ein Heizelement ist, kann die Aufweitvorrichtung für die Befestigung von Heizelementen in Heiztaschen von z.B. elektrischen Zuheizern von Verbrennungsmotoren verwendet werden. Insbesondere bei Heizelementen ist eine Befestigung mit Klebstoff nur bedingt möglich, da sich dieser bei den auftretenden Temperaturen eventuell auflöst. Ferner ist mit der erfindungsgemäßen Aufweitvorrichtung ein schneller Einbau möglich und eine Wartung bzw. ein Nachstellen des Anpressdrucks nicht notwendig.If at least one of the two parts is a heating element, the expansion device can be used to attach heating elements in heating pockets, e.g. electric heaters of internal combustion engines are used. In the case of heating elements in particular, fastening with adhesive is only possible to a limited extent, since this may dissolve at the temperatures that occur. Furthermore, rapid expansion is possible with the expansion device according to the invention and maintenance or readjustment of the contact pressure is not necessary.

In einer weiteren bevorzugten Ausbildungsform sind die Spannelemente mehrerer hintereinander oder nebeneinander angeordneter Aufweitvorrichtungen durch ein gemeinsames Spannelement gebildet. Das Spannelement wirkt also mit den Abschnitten der Verbindungsschenkel mehrerer Federelemente gleichzeitig zusammen. Mit nur einem Spannelement können folglich mehrere Federelemente nachgespannt werden und somit kann der Anpressdruck mehrerer Teile gegen eine Anlage gleichzeitig eingestellt werden.In a further preferred embodiment, the clamping elements are a plurality of expansion devices arranged one behind the other or next to one another formed by a common clamping element. The tensioning element thus interacts with the sections of the connecting legs of several spring elements simultaneously. Consequently, several spring elements can be re-tensioned with just one clamping element and the contact pressure of several parts against one system can be adjusted at the same time.

Weitere Vorteile der Erfindung ergeben sich aus der Beschreibung und der Zeichnung. Ebenso können die vorstehend genannten und die noch weiter ausgeführten Merkmale erfindungsgemäß jeweils einzeln für sich oder zu mehreren in beliebigen Kombinationen Verwendung finden. Die gezeigten und beschriebenen Ausführungsformen sind nicht als abschließende Aufzählung zu verstehen, sondern haben vielmehr beispielhaften Charakter für die Schilderung der Erfindung.Further advantages of the invention result from the description and the drawing. Likewise, according to the invention, the features mentioned above and those which have been elaborated further can be used individually or in combination in any combination. The embodiments shown and described are not to be understood as an exhaustive list, but rather have an exemplary character for the description of the invention.

Die Erfindung ist in der Zeichnung dargestellt und wird anhand von Ausführungsbeispielen näher erläutert. Es zeigt:

Fig. 1
einen Schnitt durch eine erfindungsgemäße Aufweitvorrichtung;
Fig. 2
einen Schnitt durch eine Anordnung mehrerer erfindungsgemäßer Aufweitvorrichtungen in einer senkrechten Ebene zum Schnitt der Fig. 1.
The invention is illustrated in the drawing and is explained in more detail using exemplary embodiments. It shows:
Fig. 1
a section through an expanding device according to the invention;
Fig. 2
2 shows a section through an arrangement of a plurality of expansion devices according to the invention in a vertical plane to the section in FIG. 1.

Fig. 1 zeigt einen Schnitt durch eine in einer Heiztasche eines elektrischen Zuheizers eines Verbrennungsmotors angeordneten Aufweitvorrichtung 1. Das Gehäuse 2 der Heiztasche wird durch ein Aluminium-Druckgussgehäuse gebildet und ist von einem zu beheizenden Fluid umströmt. Innerhalb des Gehäuses 2 befinden sich mehrere Heizelemente 3,4, die jeweils mit ihrer einen Seite an einer als Scheibe ausgebildeten elektrisch isolierenden Isolierschicht 5,6 anliegen. Die Isolierschicht 5,6 befindet sich zwischen der Gehäuseinnenwand 7 und einem Heizelement 3,4. Als Heizelemente 3,4 sind Leistungshalbleiter, insbesondere Leistungstransistoren vorgesehen, die so angeordnet sind, dass sich zwei Heizelemente 3,4 durch einen Spalt 8 beabstandet mit der der Isolierschicht 5,6 abgewandten Seite 9,10 gegenüber liegen. Die Heizelemente 3,4 werden durch ein Federelement 11, das sich teilweise im Spalt 8 zwischen den Heizelementen 3,4 befindet, in ihrer Position gehalten. Das einstückige Federelement 11 weist im Spalt 8 zwei Außenschenkel 12,13 mit einander entgegengerichteten Abwinkelungen auf, so dass sich zwischen den Außenschenkeln 12,13 ein etwa ellipsenförmiger Hohlraum bildet. Die Außenseiten der Außenschenkel12,13 liegen abschnittsweise an den Seiten 9,10 der Heizelemente 3,4 an und pressen die Heizelemente 3,4 in Pfeilrichtung 14,15 gegen die Isolierschicht 5,6. Das zu seiner Längsachse symmetrische Spannelement 11 bildet außerhalb des Spaltes 8 durch zwei gekrümmte Schenkel 16',17' nahezu einen Halbkreis. Daran schließen sich zwei Abschnitte 16,17 eines Verbindungsschenkels 18 an. Das gekrümmte Ende des Verbindungsschenkels 18 ist an die Form einer Rille 19 eines Gegenlagers 20 angepasst, in die es eingreift. Innerhalb des durch die gekrümmten Schenkel 16',17' und Abschnitte 16,17 gebildeten freien Raums befindet sich ein als Rundteil ausgebildetes Spannelement 21, welches zumindest an den Innenseiten 22,23 der Abschnitte 16,17 anliegt. Durch Verschieben des Spannelements 21 relativ zu dem Gegenlager 20 in Spannrichtung 21', d.h. rechtwinklig zu den Pfeilrichtungen 14,15, können die Außenschenkel 12,13 in Pfeilrichtung 14,15 aufgeweitet werden, so dass ein Nachspannen des Federelements 11 ermöglicht wird. 1 shows a section through an expansion device 1 arranged in a heating pocket of an electric auxiliary heater of an internal combustion engine . The housing 2 of the heating pocket is formed by an aluminum die-cast housing and is surrounded by a fluid to be heated. Within the housing 2 there are a plurality of heating elements 3, 4, each of which abuts one side on an electrically insulating insulating layer 5, 6 designed as a disk. The insulating layer 5, 6 is located between the housing inner wall 7 and a heating element 3, 4. Power semiconductors, in particular power transistors, are provided as heating elements 3, 4, which are arranged such that two heating elements 3, 4 are spaced apart by a gap 8 from that of the insulating layer 5.6 opposite side 9.10 are opposite. The heating elements 3, 4 are held in their position by a spring element 11, which is partially located in the gap 8 between the heating elements 3, 4. The one-piece spring element 11 has two outer legs 12, 13 in the gap 8 with mutually opposite bends, so that an approximately elliptical cavity is formed between the outer legs 12, 13. The outer sides of the outer legs 12, 13 lie in sections against the sides 9, 10 of the heating elements 3, 4 and press the heating elements 3, 4 in the direction of the arrow 14, 15 against the insulating layer 5, 6. The clamping element 11, which is symmetrical about its longitudinal axis, forms almost a semicircle outside of the gap 8 by means of two curved legs 16 ', 17' . This is followed by two sections 16, 17 of a connecting leg 18 . The curved end of the connecting leg 18 is adapted to the shape of a groove 19 of a counter bearing 20 , in which it engages. Within the free space formed by the curved legs 16 ', 17' and sections 16, 17 there is a clamping element 21 which is designed as a round part and which bears at least on the inner sides 22, 23 of sections 16, 17. By moving the tensioning element 21 relative to the counter bearing 20 in the tensioning direction 21 ′, that is to say at right angles to the arrow directions 14, 15, the outer legs 12, 13 can be expanded in the arrow direction 14, 15, so that the spring element 11 can be re-tensioned.

Fig. 2 zeigt einen Querschnitt durch eine Anordnung 100 von fünf nebeneinander angeordneten Aufweitvorrichtungen 1 in einer Richtung rechtwinklig zur Zeichenebene der Fig. 1. Das Gehäuse 101 der Anordnung 100 ist von einem zu erwärmenden Fluid umströmt. Die Federelemente 11 sind durch einen senkrechten Strich angedeutet. An beiden Enden 130,131 des gemeinsamen Spannelements 102 sind Öffnungen 132,133 vorgesehen, durch die jeweils eine Schraube 134,135 geführt wird. Das vordere Ende 136,137 der Schraube 134,135 ist in einem Gewinde 138,139 geführt, welches sich im gemeinsamen Gegenlager 103 befindet. Über die Schraube 134,135 kann der Abstand zwischen dem von dem Verbindungsschenkel 18 umgriffenen Spannelement 102 und dem Gegenlager 103 verändert werden. Durch Anziehen der Schrauben 134,135 wird das gekrümmte Ende des Verbindungsschenkels 18 in die Rille 119 des Gegenlagers 103 gedrückt und gleichzeitig die Abschnitte 16,17 nach oben und auseinander bewegt. Das hat zur Folge, dass auch die Außenschenkel 12,13 auseinander bewegt werden und somit die Heizelemente 3,4 fester an die an der Gehäuseinnenwand 7 anliegende Isolierschicht 5,6 gepresst werden. Die Isolierschicht 5,6 wird somit zwischen die Heizelemente 3,4 und die Gehäuseinnenwand 7 eingeklemmt und mittelbar durch das Federelement 11 in Position gehalten. Die Montage der Heizelemente 3,4 und der Isolierschicht 5,6 erfolgt mit leichtem Anpressdruck. Sobald alle Teile in der gewünschten Lage sind, werden sie über das Spannelement 102 und die Schraubverbindung so nachgespannt, dass sich ein vorgegebener Anpressdruck ergibt. Geometrieveränderungen infolge von Alterung, thermischer Einflüsse etc. werden von dem Federelement 11 ausgeglichen. Dadurch wird sichergestellt, dass auch nach längerem Betrieb die Heizelemente 3,4 mittels der Isolierschicht 5,6 optimal an der Gehäuseinnenwand 7 anliegen und ein optimaler Wärmefluss sichergestellt ist. FIG. 2 shows a cross section through an arrangement 100 of five expanding devices 1 arranged next to one another in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the drawing in FIG. 1. A fluid to be heated flows around the housing 101 of the arrangement 100. The spring elements 11 are indicated by a vertical line. At both ends 130, 131 of the common clamping element 102 , openings 132, 133 are provided, through which a screw 134 , 135 is guided in each case. The front end 136, 137 of the screw 134, 135 is guided in a thread 138 , 139 , which is located in the common counter bearing 103 . The distance between the clamping element 102 encompassed by the connecting leg 18 and the counter bearing 103 can be changed via the screw 134, 135. By tightening the screws 134, 135 the curved end of the connecting leg 18 is pressed into the groove 119 of the counter bearing 103 and at the same time the sections 16, 17 are moved up and apart. The consequence of this is that the outer legs 12, 13 are also moved apart and the heating elements 3, 4 are thus pressed more firmly against the insulating layer 5, 6 lying on the inner wall 7 of the housing. The insulating layer 5, 6 is thus clamped between the heating elements 3, 4 and the housing inner wall 7 and is held in position indirectly by the spring element 11. The heating elements 3, 4 and the insulating layer 5, 6 are installed with a slight contact pressure. As soon as all parts are in the desired position, they are tightened via the clamping element 102 and the screw connection in such a way that a predetermined contact pressure results. Geometric changes due to aging, thermal influences etc. are compensated for by the spring element 11. This ensures that, even after prolonged operation, the heating elements 3, 4 lie optimally against the inner wall 7 of the housing by means of the insulating layer 5, 6 and an optimal heat flow is ensured.

Claims (12)

Aufweitvorrichtung (1) mit zwei gegen die Wirkung eines Federelements (11) relativ zueinander verschiebbaren Teilen (Heizelemente 3,4), wobei das Federelement (11) zwischen den beiden Teilen (Heizelemente 3,4) angeordnet ist und an beiden Teilen (Heizelemente 3,4) jeweils mit einem Außenschenkel (12,13) anliegt, mit einem rechtwinklig zur Bewegungsrichtung (14,15) der beiden Teile (Heizelemente 3,4) verschiebbaren Spannelement (21), das von einem mittleren Verbindungsschenkel (18) des Federelements (11) umgriffen ist, und mit einem Gegenlager (20), an dem sich der Verbindungsschenkel (18) in einer Spannrichtung (21') des Spannelements (21) abstützt, wobei zumindest im ungespannten Zustand ein mit dem Spannelement (21) in Spannrichtung (21') zusammenwirkender Abschnitt (16,17) des Verbindungsschenkels (18) schräg zur Spannrichtung (21') ausgerichtet ist.Expanding device (1) with two parts (heating elements 3, 4) which can be displaced relative to one another against the action of a spring element (11), the spring element (11) being arranged between the two parts (heating elements 3, 4) and on both parts (heating elements 3 , 4) each with an outer leg (12, 13), with a clamping element (21) which can be displaced at right angles to the direction of movement (14, 15) of the two parts (heating elements 3, 4) and which is supported by a central connecting leg (18) of the spring element ( 11), and with a counter bearing (20) on which the connecting leg (18) is supported in a tensioning direction (21 ') of the tensioning element (21), at least in the untensioned state with the tensioning element (21) in the tensioning direction ( 21 ') cooperating section (16, 17) of the connecting leg (18) is oriented obliquely to the clamping direction (21'). Aufweitvorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Spannelement (21) ein Rundteil ist.Expanding device according to claim 1, characterized in that the clamping element (21) is a round part. Aufweitvorrichtung nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Abschnitt (16,17) eben ausgebildet ist.Expanding device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the section (16, 17) is flat. Aufweitvorrichtung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Federelement (11) drahtförmig ausgebildet ist.Expanding device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spring element (11) is wire-shaped. Aufweitvorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Federelement (11) bandförmig ausgebildet ist.Expanding device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the spring element (11) is designed in the form of a band. Aufweitvorrichtung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass am Gegenlager (20) eine Stützaufnahme (Rille 19) für den Verbindungsschenkel (18) des Federelements (11) vorgesehen ist.Expanding device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a support receptacle (groove 19) for the connecting leg (18) of the spring element (11) is provided on the counter bearing (20). Aufweitvorrichtung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Aufweitvorrichtung (1) eine Einrichtung zum Verändern des Abstands zwischen dem Spannelement (21) und dem Gegenlager (20) aufweist.Expanding device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the expanding device (1) has a device for changing the distance between the tensioning element (21) and the counter bearing (20). Aufweitvorrichtung nach Anspruch 7, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Einrichtung zum Verändern des Abstands zwischen dem Spannelement (21) und dem Gegenlager (20) mindestens eine dazwischen wirkende Schraubverbindung (Schraube 34,35) ist.Expanding device according to claim 7, characterized in that the device for changing the distance between the clamping element (21) and the counter-bearing (20) is at least one screw connection (screw 34, 35) acting therebetween. Aufweitvorrichtung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass für mindestens eines der beiden Teile (Heizelemente 3,4) eine Anlagefläche (Gehäuseinnenwand 7) vorgesehen ist und dass zwischen der Anlagefläche (Gehäuseinnenwand 7) und dem mindestens einen Teil (Heizelemente 3,4) eine Isolierschicht (5,6) angeordnet ist.Expanding device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a contact surface (housing inner wall 7) is provided for at least one of the two parts (heating elements 3, 4) and that between the contact surface (housing inner wall 7) and the at least one part (heating elements 3, 4) ) an insulating layer (5,6) is arranged. Aufweitvorrichtung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Gegenlager durch mindestens eines der Teile (Heizelemente 3,4) gebildet ist.Expanding device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the counter bearing is formed by at least one of the parts (heating elements 3, 4). Aufweitvorrichtung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass mindestens eines der beiden Teile ein Heizelement (3,4) ist.Expanding device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the two parts is a heating element (3, 4). Anordnung (100) mit mehreren hintereinander oder nebeneinander angeordneten Aufweitvorrichtungen (1) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Spannelemente (21) der einzelnen Aufweitvorrichtungen (1) durch ein gemeinsames Spannelement (102) gebildet sind.Arrangement (100) with a plurality of expansion devices (1) arranged one behind the other or next to one another according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tensioning elements (21) of the individual expansion devices (1) are formed by a common tensioning element (102).
EP01112337A 2000-06-02 2001-05-19 Spring-mounted spreading device, especially for heating elements Expired - Lifetime EP1168887B1 (en)

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DE10027340A DE10027340C2 (en) 2000-06-02 2000-06-02 Retensionable expanding device
DE10027340 2000-06-02

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EP1168887B1 EP1168887B1 (en) 2005-08-17

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EP3197567A4 (en) * 2014-09-23 2018-05-23 The Reliable Automatic Sprinkler Co., Inc. Fire prevention sprinkler with wrench boss detent and clip, and method of manufacturing same

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DE10027340A1 (en) 2002-01-31
EP1168887B1 (en) 2005-08-17
DE10027340C2 (en) 2002-07-04
DE50107096D1 (en) 2005-09-22
US20010047991A1 (en) 2001-12-06

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