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Title:
FASTENING MODULE FOR FASTENING A FAN MOTOR, AND HEATING, VENTILATION AND/OR AIR-CONDITIONING SYSTEM MODULE WITH SUCH A FASTENING MODULE
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2017/054993
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
Fastening module (16) arranged between a fan motor (14) and a housing (12), in particular a housing (12) of a heating, ventilation and/or air-conditioning system module (10) of a vehicle, wherein the fastening module (16) has a support structure (18), which is designed to support the fan motor (14). The fastening module (16) furthermore has at least one first decoupling means (28), which is arranged on the support structure (18) in such a way that it damps a mechanical oscillation in a first direction between the support structure (18) and the housing (12). Moreover, the fastening module (16) has at least one second decoupling means (30), which is formed separately from the first decoupling means (28) and is arranged on the support structure (18) in such a way that it damps a mechanical oscillation in a direction perpendicular to the first direction between the support structure (18) and the housing (12). A heating, ventilation and/or air-conditioning system module (10) is furthermore described.

Inventors:
HESSELMANN ALEXANDER (DE)
STROHLA RALPH (DE)
DERX SIEGFRIED (DE)
Application Number:
PCT/EP2016/070335
Publication Date:
April 06, 2017
Filing Date:
August 29, 2016
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
VALEO KLIMASYSTEME GMBH (DE)
International Classes:
F04D29/62; F04D25/08; F04D29/66; H02K5/24
Domestic Patent References:
WO2001054252A12001-07-26
Foreign References:
US20030218863A12003-11-27
EP1477346A22004-11-17
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
METZ, Gaëlle (FR)
Download PDF:
Claims:
Patent claims

1. Fastening module (16) for fastening a fan motor (14) to a housing (12), in particular a housing (12) of a heating, ventilation and/or air-conditioning system module (10) of a vehicle, having a support structure (18), which is designed to support the fan motor (14), and having at least one first decoupling means (28), which is arranged on the support structure (18) in such a way that it damps a mechanical oscillation in a first direction between the support structure (18) and the housing (12), wherein at least one second decoupling means (30) is provided, which is formed separately from the first decoupling means (28) and is arranged on the support structure (18) in such a way that it damps a mechanical oscillation in a direction perpendicular to the first direction between the support structure (18) and the housing (12) . 2. Fastening module (16) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the first decoupling means (28) is arranged in such a way that the first decoupling means (28) does not act in the second direction or acts in the second direction at most by means of the friction thereof and/or in that the second decoupling means (30) is arranged in such a way that the second decoupling means (30) does not act in the first direction or acts in the first direction at most by means of the friction thereof.

3. Fastening module (16) according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first decoupling means (28) damps a mechanical oscillation in an axial direction and/or the second decoupling means (30) damps a mechanical oscillation in a radial direction.

4. Fastening module (16) according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a plurality of first decoupling means (28) and/or a plurality of second decoupling means (30) is/are provided, which are each spaced apart from one another. 5. Fastening module (16) according to Claim 4, characterized in that the first decoupling means (28) and/or the second decoupling means (30) is/are arranged in a symmetrically distributed manner on the support structure (18), in particular being distributed uniformly around the axis of rotation (D) of the fan motor ( 14 ) .

6. Fastening module (16) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one stop damper (48), the first decoupling means (28) and/or the second decoupling means (30) is/are coupled to a common connecting element (46), in particular an annular connecting element (46) . 7. Fastening module (16) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first decoupling means (28) and/or the second decoupling means (30) is/are formed separately from the support structure (18) or is/are moulded onto the support structure (18) .

8. Fastening module (16) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support structure (18) has at least one projection (36), to which the first decoupling means (28) and/or the second decoupling means (30) is/are coupled, wherein the first and/or the second decoupling means (28, 30) has/have a recess (38) corresponding to the projection (36). 9. Fastening module (16) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support structure (18) comprises a support plate (20) and a support frame (22), which surrounds the support plate (20) and on which the first decoupling means (28) and/or the second decoupling means (30) is/are arranged, in particular wherein the support plate (20) and the support frame (22) merge integrally into one another.

10. Fastening module (16) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support structure (18) has a receiving portion (24) for the fan motor (14), which is formed integrally with the support structure (18), in particular wherein the receiving portion (24) projects perpendicularly from a support plate (20) . 11. Fastening module (16) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a sealing lip (50) is provided, which is arranged on the support structure (18) and rests on the housing (12) in such a way that an air gap between the support structure (18) and the housing (12) is closed by the sealing lip (50) .

12. Fastening module (16) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least the first decoupling means (28) has a thickness/height ratio of between 0.5 and 2, in particular between 0.6 and 1.2, and/or has a width/height ratio of between 0.8 and 3, in particular between 1 and 1.4.

13. Heating, ventilation and/or air-conditioning system module (10) having a fastening module (16) according to one of the preceding claims and a housing (12), wherein the first decoupling means (28) rests on an axial contact surface (34) of the housing (12) and/or the second decoupling means (30) rests on a vertical or radial contact surface (42) of the housing (12) .

14. Heating, ventilation and/or air-conditioning system module (10) according to Claim 13, characterized in that the first decoupling means (28) is arranged in such a way that it does not act in the second direction or acts in the second direction at most by means of the friction thereof, and/or in that the second decoupling means (30) is arranged in such a way that it does not act in the first direction or acts in the first direction at most by means of the friction thereof.

15. Heating, ventilation and/or air-conditioning system module (10) according to Claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the first decoupling means (28) and/or the second decoupling means (30) is/are moulded onto the housing ( 12 ) . 16. Heating, ventilation and/or air-conditioning system module (10) according to one of Claims 13 to 15, characterized in that at least one projection (36) is provided on the axial contact surface (34), to which projection the first decoupling means (28) or the second decoupling means (30) is coupled, said means having a corresponding recess (38) .

Description:
FASTENING MODULE FOR FASTENING A FAN MOTOR, AND HEATING, VENTILATION AND/OR AIR-CONDITIONING SYSTEM MODULE WITH SUCH

A FASTENING MODULE

The invention relates to a fastening module for fastening a fan motor to a housing and relates to a heating, ventilation and/or air-conditioning system module having a fastening module. The prior art includes heating, ventilation and/or air- conditioning system modules (HVAC modules for short) which have a fan motor that must be fastened and supported in a stable manner in a housing of the HVAC module in order to prevent movement of the fan motor, when there is an unbalance for example. Otherwise, the fan motor could come into contact with a housing part, which is not desired. Typically, therefore, a fastening module must have rigid mounting elements with little movement in order to support the fan motor in a stable manner.

Moreover, the fastening module is supposed to damp the noise emanating from the fan motor. The rotation of the fan motor leads to high-frequency mechanical oscillations, which can be transmitted to adjoining components, e.g. the housing of the HVAC module. Since modern motor vehicles, especially electric vehicles, make less noise, high-frequency oscillations can be perceived by a vehicle occupant. Thus, for example, twelfth-order harmonic oscillations, which occur with fan motors that have twelve commutator regions, can be perceived by the vehicle occupant. To damp these higher-order mechanical oscillations, it is typical in the prior art to use damping elements which are soft and flexible.

Thus, the damping elements have a requirement profile which is exactly the opposite of that for the mounting elements . Various possibilities are known from the prior art for supporting the fan motor in a housing as far as possible without oscillation and yet in a stable manner. Typically, a continuous elastomer ring, via which the fan motor rests on the housing, is used. However, the elastomer ring has only a very poor ability to absorb high-frequency structural vibrations of the fan motor since this ring has a large contact surface.

For this reason, there is a known practice in the prior art of providing an injection-moulded compound as a damping element between the fastening module and the housing of the HVAC module, said compound consisting of a material which is softer than an elastomer. The soft material ensures better damping of the structural vibrations, whereas secure mounting is ensured by virtue of the spacing between the fastening module and the housing. In this arrangement, however, the damping module is subject to large shear forces and tensile stresses, for which reason the damping element ages rapidly. This effect is further intensified if there is simultaneously a high temperature. Owing to the rapid ageing of the damping element, it can be compressed to a greater extent over time, with the result that the fan motor can come into contact with the housing.

It is the object of the invention to provide a possibility which enables a fan motor to be fastened in a housing in such a way that the vibrations which occur, especially high-frequency vibrations, can be absorbed as fully as possible while the fan motor is nevertheless mounted securely in a permanent way.

According to the invention, the object is achieved by a fastening module for fastening a fan motor to a housing, in particular a housing of a heating, ventilation and/or air-conditioning system module of a vehicle, wherein the fastening module has a support structure, which is designed to support the fan motor, and having at least one first decoupling means, which is arranged on the support structure in such a way that it damps a mechanical oscillation in a first direction between the support structure and the housing, wherein at least one second decoupling means is provided, which is formed separately from the first decoupling means and is arranged on the support structure in such a way that it damps a mechanical oscillation in a direction perpendicular to the first direction between the support structure and the housing. The basic concept of the invention is to improve the damping of the oscillations or vibrations which occur by providing different decoupling means with responsibility for damping in different directions of oscillation. In this case, the respective decoupling means can be matched to the respective area of application thereof and to the respective direction of oscillation in order to achieve the best possible damping of the oscillation in the direction of oscillation assigned to it. This enables the oscillations which occur to be absorbed component-wise by the separately embodied and different decoupling means. The shear forces and tensile stresses which occur at the respective decoupling means are thereby reduced, with the result that the decoupling means age significantly more slowly in comparison with the prior art. In this way, the fan motor can be mounted securely in a permanent way.

One aspect envisages that the first decoupling means is arranged in such a way that the first decoupling means does not act or acts at most by means of the friction thereof in the second direction. As an additional or alternative measure, the second decoupling means is arranged in such a way that the second decoupling means does not act or acts at most by means of the friction thereof in the first direction. Thus, the respective decoupling means serve only to damp the mechanical oscillation in the direction assigned to it. Damping in the unassigned direction does not occur or is negligible since the friction forces which occur are minimal in comparison with the forces introduced by positive engagement and absorbed by the other decoupling means in each case and thus do not allow any significant damping. In other words, the first decoupling means is not positioned with positive engagement between the support structure and the housing in the damping direction of the second decoupling means but is at most held by frictional engagement on the support structure and/or the housing in this damping direction. The same applies to the second decoupling means in respect of the damping direction of the first decoupling means.

According to another aspect, the first decoupling means damps a mechanical oscillation in an axial direction. In addition or as an alternative, the second decoupling means damps a mechanical oscillation in a radial direction relative to the axis of rotation of the fan motor. In the case of a support structure of substantially rotationally symmetrical design, the second decoupling means performs damping in a radial direction since the second decoupling means is arranged on the support structure. If the support structure is not of rotationally symmetrical design, the second decoupling means can damp oscillations or vibrations in a vertical direction. The axial direction corresponds to the axis of rotation of the fan motor arranged on the support structure.

In particular, a plurality of first decoupling means and/or a plurality of second decoupling means is/are provided, which are each spaced apart from one another. This reduces the effective surface area via which the decoupling means act between the support structure and the housing. Accordingly, the decoupling means are local decoupling means via which secure mounting or fastening of the fan motor and, at the same time, oscillation damping of the fan motor are possible. In particular, the twelfth harmonic oscillation can be damped more effectively, said oscillation being structurally determined, since there is no large-area effective surface area between the housing and the fastening module. The effective surface area is the sum of all the contact surfaces of the decoupling means with the housing and the support structure.

In general, the number of first decoupling means and/or second decoupling means can be used to select whether secure mounting or powerful vibration damping is to be the priority. The more decoupling means are provided, the better is the mounting of the fan motor. As the number of decoupling means increases, however, the effective surface area becomes larger, allowing the vibrations to be transmitted over a larger area if they are not fully absorbed.

According to another aspect, the first decoupling means and/or the second decoupling means is/are arranged in a symmetrically distributed manner on the support structure, in particular being distributed uniformly around the axis of rotation of the fan motor. By virtue of the symmetrical distribution, it is possible for the fan motor, in particular a rotor assembly of the fan motor, to be arranged at the centre of gravity of the fan motor and to be securely mounted there. It is thus possible to reduce the movement of the fan motor during operation if the fan motor is not to be balanced. This makes it possible to dispense with involved reworking of the fan motor in order to remove any unbalance. Moreover, tilting of the fan motor in the event of shocks to the HVAC module or in the case of unbalance of the fan motor can be prevented. In general, uniform damping and mounting with homogeneous distribution of load can be provided by means of the symmetrical arrangement of the first decoupling means and/or of the second decoupling means.

Moreover, at least one stop damper, the first decoupling means and/or the second decoupling means can be coupled to a common connecting element, in particular an annular connecting element. The stop damper serves as a redundant securing means if the first decoupling means or the second decoupling means can no longer adequately damp a movement. In this case, it is ensured that the fan motor nevertheless does not come into contact with a part of the housing. By virtue of the connecting element, the stop damper, the first decoupling means and/or the second decoupling means remain/remains at the intended position. The connecting element can be fastened to the support structure or to the housing, thereby ensuring accurately positioned mounting in relation to the support structure or the housing. In general, the connecting element enables the symmetrical arrangement of the plurality of first decoupling means and/or of the plurality of second decoupling means to be ensured in a simple manner and simple assembly to be provided. Another aspect envisages that the first decoupling means and/or the second decoupling means is/are formed separately from the support structure. As an alternative, the first decoupling means and/or the second decoupling means can be moulded onto the support structure, in particular in a two-component injection- moulding process, thereby reducing the cost of production in a corresponding manner. In general, it is possible to use a material for the decoupling means which has better damping properties and ageing properties than the material of the support structure. For example, the first decoupling means and/or the second decoupling means can be formed by a nitrile rubber (NBR) or an ethylene-propylene-diene rubber (EPDM) . If the first decoupling means and/or the second decoupling means is/are moulded on, a thermoplastic elastomer can be used as a material, e.g. Allruna®. In contrast, the support structure can be formed by a stiffer material.

In particular, the support structure has at least one projection, to which the first decoupling means or the second decoupling means is coupled, said means having a corresponding recess. The projection and the corresponding recess are used to ensure that the corresponding decoupling means is arranged at a predefined position on the support structure. Moreover, the projection is substantially surrounded by the first or second decoupling means since only the transition from the projection to the support structure is not in contact with the decoupling means. Accordingly, there is a positive connection between the projection and the decoupling means in a direction perpendicular to the first direction. The projection can preferably be formed integrally with the support structure.

It is furthermore possible to provide a plurality of projections, wherein first projections are provided for the plurality of first decoupling means and second projections are provided for the plurality of second decoupling means.

According to one embodiment, the support structure comprises a support plate and a support frame, which surrounds the support plate and on which the first decoupling means and/or the second decoupling means is/are arranged, in particular wherein the support plate and the support frame merge integrally into one another. If the support structure is of two-part design, the support frame can consist of a softer material than the support frame, thus allowing the support frame to contribute to the damping of the oscillations in addition to the decoupling means. The support plate serves to support the fan motor, for which reason the support plate is formed by a stiffer material, which can bear the higher weight of the fan motor. In the case of the one-piece embodiment of the support structure, production and assembly of the fastening module is correspondingly easier since the support frame does not additionally have to be connected to the support plate.

In particular, the support structure has a receiving portion for the fan motor, which is formed integrally with the support structure, in particular wherein the receiving portion projects perpendicularly from a support plate, thus allowing the fan motor to be arranged vertically. The fan motor can be coupled to the support structure in a simple manner by being inserted or plugged into the receiving portion. In general, the fan motor can be arranged in a vertical or horizontal direction of rotation in relation to the HVAC module by means of the fastening module. Since damping of the oscillations which occur is accomplished by means of the two different decoupling means, which absorb and damp in different directions of oscillation, it is ensured that damping of the oscillations which occur can take place independently of the arrangement of the fan motor, using one and the same fastening module .

Another aspect provides a sealing lip, which is arranged on the support structure and rests on the housing in such a way that an air gap between the support structure and the housing is closed by the sealing lip. The sealing lip seals off the region between the support structure and the housing, ensuring that the fan motor is protected from the external environment. Moreover, no sound waves can propagate via air gaps between the housing and the support structure, and therefore troublesome noise is minimized. Typically, the sealing lip has a significantly lower hardness than the decoupling means, ensuring that the sealing lip does not affect the damping behaviour of the decoupling means.

The first decoupling means can furthermore have a thickness/height ratio of between 0.5 and 2, in particular between 0.6 and 1.2, wherein the thickness refers to the radial direction and the height to the axial direction. In addition or as an alternative, the first decoupling means has a width/height ratio of between 0.8 and 3, in particular between 1 and 1.4. The widths refers to the circumferential direction. These ratios are sufficient to achieve the desired damping and secure mounting, even if the first decoupling means is formed by a softer material. The width of the first decoupling means is preferably greater than the height thereof in order to prevent rotation of the fan motor when the latter is accelerated or braked, for example. The second decoupling means can furthermore be of similar design to the first decoupling means. In the installed position thereof, however, the second decoupling means is rotated through 90° in comparison with the first decoupling means since it damps the mechanical oscillations which are perpendicular to the mechanical oscillations that are damped by the first decoupling means. As an alternative, the second decoupling means can have an angled shape in cross section, in particular being right-angled or L-shaped in cross section. This gives a simple embodiment of the second decoupling means to enable it to be mounted securely and to ensure damping of the mechanical oscillation in the second direction.

The first decoupling means and/or the second decoupling means can furthermore have a Shore A hardness of between 15 and 50, in particular of between 20 and 40. This hardness is advantageous to enable the high- frequency mechanical oscillations to be damped effectively and, at the same time, to ensure secure mounting of the fan motor.

The object is furthermore achieved by a heating, ventilation and/or air-conditioning system module which has a fastening module of the abovementioned type and a housing, wherein the first decoupling means rests on an axial contact surface of the housing and/or the second decoupling means rests on a vertical or radial contact surface of the housing. The abovementioned advantages as regards the damping properties based on the separately designed decoupling means can be transferred to the HVAC module in a similar manner.

According to another aspect, the first decoupling means is arranged in such a way that it does not act in the second direction or acts in the second direction at most by means of the friction thereof. In addition or as an alternative, the second decoupling means is arranged in such a way that it does not act in the first direction or acts in the first direction at most by means of the friction thereof. Accordingly, the respective decoupling means is designed in such a way that it acts only in a predefined direction to effectively damp the component of the occurring oscillations which is acting in this direction. This ensures that the first decoupling means and the second decoupling means can together damp the occurring oscillations in an effective manner. In particular, the first decoupling means and/or the second decoupling means is/are moulded onto the housing. This ensures that the HVAC module is simple to produce and assemble since the decoupling means can be moulded onto the housing in a two-component injection- moulding process, for example. Subsequent installation of separately produced decoupling means is not necessary .

At least one projection can furthermore be provided on the axial contact surface, to which projection the first decoupling means or the second decoupling means is coupled, said means having a corresponding recess.

Accordingly, the first decoupling means can be fastened to the housing, thereby fixing the position of the first decoupling means relative to the housing. This applies in a similar way to the second decoupling means .

Further advantages and characteristics of the invention will become apparent from the following description and the drawings, to which reference is made. In the drawings :

Figure 1 shows a schematic section through a heating, ventilation and/or air-conditioning system module according to the invention in accordance with a first embodiment,

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the arrangement of the decoupling means in a fastening module according to the invention in accordance with a second embodiment, - Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a decoupling means,

- Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a sectioned heating, ventilation and/or air- conditioning system module in accordance with a third embodiment, and

Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the underside of a heating, ventilation and/or air-conditioning system module according to the invention.

Figure 1 shows a heating, ventilation and/or air- conditioning system module 10, which is abbreviated below to HVAC module 10. The HVAC module 10 comprises a housing 12, a fan motor 14 and a fastening module 16. By means of the fastening module 16, the fan motor 14 is mounted with oscillation damping in the housing 12 of the HVAC module 10.

The fastening module 16 has a support structure 18, which, in the embodiment shown, comprises a support plate 20, a support frame 22 and a receiving portion 24. The receiving portion 24 serves to receive the fan motor 14, allowing the fan motor 14 to be supported by the support structure 18. In the embodiment shown, the receiving portion 24 is formed by a cup-shaped wall which projects perpendicularly from the support plate 20. The fan motor 14 can be arranged on the fastening module 16 in such a way that it has a vertical axis of rotation D, by means of which the fan motor 14 can drive a fan impeller 26. The axis of rotation D is thus substantially perpendicular to the alignment of the support plate 20.

The receiving portion 24 can furthermore be formed by pins which project perpendicularly from the support plate 20 and define a receiving space for the fan motor 14, into which the fan motor 14 is inserted. As an alternative, the pins can engage in corresponding openings in the fan motor 14 in order to support the latter.

In the embodiment shown, the support structure 18 is of one-piece design, and therefore the support plate 20, the support frame 22 and the receiving portion 24 are connected integrally to one another. The support structure 18 can be produced from a plastic in an injection-moulding process, for example.

The support structure 18 furthermore interacts with the housing 12 of the HVAC module 10 via first decoupling means 28 and second decoupling means 30, of which one each is shown in the sectional view.

The first decoupling means 28 and the second decoupling means 30 each rest on the support structure 18 in such a way that the vibrations or mechanical oscillations which occur during the operation of the fan motor 14 can be damped by means of the decoupling means 28, 30. Moreover, the decoupling means 28, 30 serve to support the fastening module 16, in particular the fan motor 14, accurately in position relative to the housing 12.

The first decoupling means 28 and the second decoupling means 30 are preferably formed by a damping material, e.g. a soft plastic, allowing them to damp the mechanical oscillations which occur, as will be explained below.

The first decoupling means 28 and the second decoupling means 30 are formed separately from one another and are each arranged spaced apart from one another. They are therefore local decoupling means 28, 30 since the decoupling means 28, 30 do not rest in continuous fashion on the support structure 18.

According to Figure 1, the support structure 18 has a first contact surface 32, on which in each case a first side of the first decoupling means 28 rests, as shown in Figure 1. The first contact surface 32 of the support structure 18 extends in a direction which is perpendicular to the axis of rotation D. In the embodiment shown, the first contact surface 32 is formed on the support plate 20.

Via a second side, opposite the first side, of the first decoupling means 28, the first decoupling means 28 rests on an axial contact surface 34 of the housing 12, said surface extending parallel to the first contact surface 32 and being opposite thereto.

Accordingly, the first decoupling means 28 is arranged in positive engagement between two contact surfaces 32, 34, which are each aligned perpendicularly to the axis of rotation D of the fan motor 14. The first decoupling means 28 thus acts in a first direction, which can also be referred to as the axial direction, since the first direction is parallel to the axis of rotation D of the fan motor 14.

The support structure 18 furthermore has at least one projection 36, which is formed in one piece with the support plate 20 in the embodiment shown. The projection 36 projects perpendicularly from the first contact surface 32 in the direction of the first decoupling means 28 and engages in a recess 38 in the first decoupling means 28. The projection 36 thus extends in the axial direction. The first decoupling means 28 can thereby be fastened in a predefined position on the support structure 18. The recess 38 is formed in the first decoupling means 28 in such a way that it substantially surrounds the projection 36, i.e. on all sides apart from the side on which the projection 36 merges into the support structure 18. As an alternative, the housing 12 can have the at least one projection 36, with the result that the first decoupling means 28 is coupled to the housing 12.

In the embodiment shown, the first decoupling means 28 merely rests on the axial contact surface 34 of the housing 12, with the result that mechanical oscillations are damped only in the axial direction by means of the first decoupling means 28. In a direction perpendicular to the axial direction, the first decoupling means 28 interacts only via the friction thereof with the first contact surface 32 and the axial contact surface 34. However, these contributions to damping are minimal and can be ignored. As mentioned at the outset, the fastening module 16 has a plurality of first decoupling means 28, which each rest on one of a plurality of first contact surfaces 32 and on one of a plurality of axial contact surfaces 34. The first decoupling means 28 can all be arranged on the support structure 18 or on the housing 12 by means of projections 36.

The second decoupling means 30 shown in Figure 1 rests by means of a first side on a second contact surface 40 of the support structure 18, said surface extending parallel to the axis of rotation D. The second contact surface 40 is formed on the support frame 22 of the support structure 18. By means of the opposite side to the first side, the second decoupling means 30 rests on a radial contact surface 42 of the housing 12. Accordingly, the second decoupling means 30 is arranged and held in positive engagement between two contact surfaces 40, 42, each extending parallel to the axis of rotation D of the fan motor 14.

In general terms, the second decoupling means 30 acts in a second direction, which is perpendicular to the first direction, allowing mechanical oscillations or components of the oscillations which propagate in the second direction to be damped by means of the second decoupling means 30. The second direction is a radial direction with respect to the axis of rotation D.

In cross section, the second decoupling means 30 can be of angled design, in particular with an L-shaped cross- sectional profile, with the result that it has a leg portion 44 by means of which it rests on a surface of the support structure 18 substantially perpendicular to the second contact surface 40. The second decoupling means 30 is thereby supported in a simple manner on the support structure 18. There can be no significant damping in the axial direction because there is, at most, only frictional engagement here with the housing 12 in both axial directions.

As mentioned at the outset, the fastening module 16 has a plurality of second decoupling means 30, which are arranged on the support structure 18 and on the housing 12 by means of a plurality of second contact surfaces 40 and a plurality of radial contact surfaces 42, respectively .

Accordingly, the mechanical oscillations which occur can be damped in an effective manner by the two separately formed decoupling means 28, 30. The two decoupling means 28, 30 can be formed by a very soft material since they do not have to absorb any mechanical loads in any of the three spatial directions, with the result that only very small shear forces or tensile stresses, if any, act on them. The first decoupling means 28 absorbs mechanical loads only in the axial direction, whereas the second decoupling means 30 absorbs only mechanical loads in the radial direction .

The very soft material of the two decoupling means 28, 30 makes it possible to damp high-frequency mechanical oscillations, especially the twelfth harmonic oscillation, in an effective manner.

Moreover, it is ensured that the fan motor 14 and the support structure 18 coupled therewith cannot shift relative to the housing 12 if the fan motor 14 is unbalanced. The decoupling means 28, 30 furthermore limit a movement of the support structure 18 relative to the housing 12. As already mentioned, the first decoupling means 28 and the second decoupling means 30 are arranged on the support structure 18 for this purpose .

The first decoupling means 28 and the second decoupling means 30 are distributed alternately and symmetrically around the support structure 18 and are spaced apart. This creates a small effective surface area since no vibrations can be transmitted owing to the spacings between two adjacent local decoupling means 28, 30.

An arrangement of the first decoupling means 28 and the second decoupling means 30 for a second embodiment is shown in Figure 2.

In this embodiment, the design of the second decoupling means 30 is the same as that of the first decoupling means 28 shown in Figure 1. This means that the first decoupling means 28 and the second decoupling means 30 each have a recess 38 in the embodiment shown in Figure 2. However, the two decoupling means 28, 30 differ in the relative orientation thereof in the installed position since the second decoupling means 30 are rotated through 90° in comparison with the first decoupling means 28. The recesses 38 in the second decoupling means 30 accordingly extend in the radial direction, whereas the recesses 38 in the first decoupling means 28 extend in the axial direction.

In the embodiment shown, the first decoupling means 28 are arranged in such a way that the recesses 38 therein point downwards in an axial direction. Accordingly, the first decoupling means 28 can be coupled to the housing 12 (not shown), which has corresponding projections 36.

As an alternative, the first decoupling means 28 could also be rotated through 180°, with the result that the recesses 38 therein point upwards. The first decoupling means 28 could then interact with projections 36 provided on the support structure 18. The recesses 38 in the second decoupling means 30 face radially inwards. As a result, the second decoupling means 30 can interact with projections 36, which are arranged on the support structure 18 and extend radially outwards.

As an alternative, the second decoupling means 30 can be rotated through 180°, with the result that the recesses 38 face radially outwards. Corresponding projections 36 can then be provided on the housing 12, extending radially inwards and engaging in the recesses 38 in order to fix the second decoupling means 30 on the housing 12.

Moreover, a connecting element 46 is shown, on which a plurality of stop dampers 48 is arranged, said dampers limiting the maximum radial movement of the support structure 18 relative to the housing 12. The stop dampers 48 come into use when the second decoupling means 30 are no longer effective or have been fully compressed .

As an alternative or in addition, it is also possible to provide stop dampers 48, which limit the maximum axial movement of the support structure 18 relative to the housing 12.

The connecting element 46 is of annular design, ensuring that it has a uniform clearance with respect to the rotationally symmetrical support structure 18.

The first decoupling means 28 and/or the second decoupling means 30 can likewise be connected to the connecting element 46, and therefore the subassembly shown in Figure 2 is a ready-made subassembly. The connecting element 46 can be used, in particular, to define the respective spacings between the decoupling means 28, 30.

It is apparent from Figure 2 that the first decoupling means 28 and the second decoupling means 30 each alternate in the circumferential direction, wherein each second decoupling means 30 is arranged between two stop dampers 48. The two stop dampers 48 are provided on opposite sides of the respective second decoupling means 30.

The connecting element 46 can then be fastened to the support structure 18 in order to fix the position of the first decoupling means 28, the second decoupling means 30 and/or the stop dampers 48 relative to the support structure 18. As an alternative, the connecting element 46 can be fastened to the housing 12 of the HVAC module 10, wherein the position relative to the housing 12 is fixed. As an alternative to the embodiments which are shown in Figures 1 and 2, the first decoupling means 28 and/or the second decoupling means 30 can be moulded onto the support structure 18, and therefore they are not formed separately. As an alternative or in addition, the first decoupling means 28 and/or the second decoupling means 30 can be moulded onto the housing 12.

Provision can furthermore be made for the support structure 18 and/or the housing 12 to be produced in a two-component injection-moulding process. The support structure 18 is then formed by a hard plastic, for example, onto which the first decoupling means 28 and/or the second decoupling means 30 have been moulded in a two-component injection-moulding process. This results in low-cost production of the fastening module 16 and of the installation thereof. This applies in a similar way to the housing 12. One particularly suitable material for the decoupling means 28, 30 in the case of an injection-moulding process is a thermoplastic, preferably Allruna®.

If the first decoupling means 28 and/or the second decoupling means 30 are produced separately, the decoupling means 28, 30 can be produced from a nitrile rubber (NBR) or an ethylene-propylene-diene rubber (EPDM) . It is thereby possible to damp the higher-order mechanical oscillations that occur in an effective manner.

In particular, the materials of the decoupling means 28, 30 are selected so that the decoupling means 28, 30 have a Shore A hardness of between 15 and 50, in particular between 20 and 40.

Figure 3 shows an illustrative first decoupling means 28, which has been used in this form in the first two embodiments of the HVAC module 10. The first decoupling means 28 has a thickness (T) /height (H) ratio of between 0.5 and 2, in particular between 0.6 and 1.2. The first decoupling means 28 furthermore has a width (B) /height (H) ratio of between 0.8 and 3, in particular between 1 and 1.4. These dimensions represent the optimum conditions to enable the mechanical vibrations that occur to be damped in an effective manner.

As can be seen from Figure 2, the second decoupling means 30 can be of similar design, wherein the second decoupling means 30 is rotated through 90° relative to the first decoupling means 28 in the installation position.

It is furthermore apparent from Figure 1 that a sealing lip 50, which rests on the housing 12, is provided on the support structure 18. An air gap between the housing 12 and the support structure 18 is thereby closed, preventing soundwaves generated at the fan motor 14 escaping from the HVAC module 10 via the air gap, which would lead to unwanted noise. The sealing lip 50 is produced from a material which is softer than that of the first decoupling means 28 and that of the second decoupling means 30. Thus, the sealing lip 50 has no effect on the damping of vibrations. In particular, the sealing lip 50 is formed by a material which is ten times less hard than that of the decoupling means 28, 30.

In Figure 4, the HVAC module 10 is shown in a third embodiment, in which the support structure 18 is of multi-part design.

The support frame 22 is produced separately from the support plate 20, which is formed integrally with the receiving portion 24. In this embodiment, the receiving portion 24 is formed by pins that project perpendicularly from the support plate 20 and serve to position the fan motor 14.

For example, the support frame 22 is mounted on the support plate 20, giving an easy-to-produce connection between the support plate 20 and the support frame 22. Generally, the support plate 20 and the support frame 22 can be formed by different materials, wherein, for example, the support plate 20 consists of a stiffer material than the support frame 22 to enable the fan motor 14 to be securely mounted. For example, the support frame 22 can additionally be used to damp oscillations if the first decoupling means 28 and/or the second decoupling means 30 rest on the support frame 22.

As an alternative, the support plate 20 and the support frame 22 are formed integrally, although the materials are different. For this purpose, the support structure 18 can be produced in a two-component injection- moulding process, for example. If the first decoupling means 28 and/or the second decoupling means 30 have been moulded onto the support structure 18, the support structure 18 can also be produced in a multi-component injection-moulding process if more than two materials are used. In particular, it can be seen from Figure 4 how the first decoupling means 28 act between the support structure 18 and the housing 12. In this embodiment shown, the support structure 18 has the first contact surface 32 on the support frame 22, with the result that the first decoupling means 28 is arranged between the axial contact surface 34 of the housing 12 and the first contact surface 32 on the support frame 22. In this embodiment too, the first decoupling means 28 and the second decoupling means 30 are formed separately from one another, wherein there are spacings between the individual decoupling means 28, 30. In general, therefore, there are only local decoupling means 28, 30 between the housing 12 and the support structure 18 and these have a small effective surface area overall . In this embodiment, the second decoupling means 30 are of substantially right-angled design, as was likewise the case in the first embodiment shown in Figure 1.

In Figure 5, the HVAC module 10 is shown from the underside thereof, from which it can be seen how the fastening module 16 interacts with the housing 12 of the HVAC module 10.