Connecting Apparatus for Releasably Connecting Two Assemblies

Abstract

A connecting device for releasably connecting two assemblies, having a closure module which is assigned to a first of the assemblies, and has a housing assembly, an adjustment element disposed so as to be adjustable on the housing assembly, and a vacuum element; and an attachment assembly which is assigned to a second of the assemblies. The vacuum element is connectable to the attachment assembly along an attachment direction and in a connected position interacts with the attachment assembly in such a manner that the vacuum element and the attachment assembly, when the closure module and the attachment assembly are stressed relative to one another, are held together by virtue of a vacuum effect between the vacuum element and the attachment assembly. The adjustment element for releasing the vacuum element from the attachment assembly is able to be tilted about different spatial directions in relation to the housing assembly.

Claims

1. A connecting device for releasably connecting two assemblies, comprising a closure module which is assigned to a first of the assemblies, and has a housing assembly, an adjustment element disposed so as to be adjustable on the housing assembly, and a vacuum element; and an attachment assembly which is assigned to a second of the assemblies, wherein the vacuum element is connectable to the attachment assembly along an attachment direction and in a connected position interacts with the attachment assembly such a manner that the vacuum element and the attachment assembly, when the closure module and the attachment assembly are stressed relative to one another, are held together by virtue of a vacuum effect between the vacuum element and the attachment assembly, wherein the adjustment element for releasing the vacuum element from the attachment assembly is able to be tilted about different spatial directions in relation to the housing assembly so as to expose a flow opening in the housing assembly to an inflow of air into a space present between the vacuum element and the attachment assembly, and wherein the closure module has a first magnetic element, and the attachment assembly has a second magnetic element, wherein the first magnetic element and the second magnetic element in the connected position are opposite one another in a magnetically attractive manner.

2. The connecting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the adjustment element in the connected position of the connecting device assumes a first position relative to the housing assembly, and for releasing the vacuum element from the attachment assembly adjustable from the first position so as to expose the flow opening.

3. The connecting device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the adjustment element in relation to the housing assembly is preloaded to the first position.

4. The connecting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vacuum element is configured by a cup element which is elastic at least in portions, wherein the attachment assembly has an attachment part which configures an attachment face by way of which the vacuum element is connectable.

5. The connecting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the housing assembly has a first housing part and a second housing part which therebetween receive the adjustment element.

6. The connecting device claimed in claim 1, wherein the housing assembly has at least one bearing point for bearing the adjustment element.

7. The connecting device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the adjustment element has at least one bearing journal which is received in the at least one bearing point, wherein the at least one bearing journal in the at least one bearing point is able to be tilted about a first tilting axis and a second tilting axis.

8. The connecting device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the adjustment element has a plurality of bearing journals, and the housing assembly has a plurality of bearing points, wherein the bearing journals are in each case received in one bearing point of the housing assembly, and each of the bearing journals is able to be tilted in the assigned bearing point and is moreover able to be moved along an activation direction along which the adjustment element is adjustable on the housing assembly.

9. The connecting device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the bearing points are lined up next to one another along a circle on the housing assembly.

10. The connecting device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the flow opening is disposed so as to be concentric with the circle on the housing assembly.

11. The connecting device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the adjustment element has an activation portion for activating the adjustment element by a user, wherein the activation portion has a radius which is larger than the radius of the circle.

12. The connecting device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the activation portion extends circumferentially on the adjustment element.

13. The connecting device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the at least one bearing point is configured by a slot.

14. The connecting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flow opening is formed in a base of the housing assembly, said base in the connected position facing the attachment assembly.

15. The connecting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the closure module has a valve element which is disposed on the adjustment element and is able to be activated by adjusting the adjustment element.

16. The connecting device as claimed in claim 15, wherein the valve element has a valve head which in the connected position seals the flow opening in a fluidically tight manner.

17. The connecting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the housing assembly of the closure module has a first form-fitting portion, and the attachment assembly has a second form-fitting portion, wherein the first form-fitting portion the second form-fitting portion when attaching the closure module and the attachment assembly to one another mutually engage in a positive locking manner for blocking a transverse movement between the closure module and the attachment assembly.

18. (canceled)

19. The connecting device claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the first magnetic element and the second magnetic element is formed by an annular permanent magnet.

20-25. (canceled)

26. An electronic apparatus having a connecting device as claimed in claim 1 for connecting the electronic apparatus to an assigned assembly.

27. The electronic apparatus as claimed in claim 26, wherein the electronic apparatus is a camera or a mobile phone.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0075] The concept on which the invention is based is to be explained in more detail hereunder by means of the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the figures in which:

[0076] The concept on which the solution is based is to be explained in more detail hereunder by means of the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the figures.

[0077] FIG. 1A shows an exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of a connecting device for connecting two assemblies to one another;

[0078] FIG. 1B shows the exploded views according to FIG. 1A from another perspective;

[0079] FIG. 2 shows an enlarged view of an adjustment element of a closure module of the connecting device;

[0080] FIG. 3 shows another view of the adjustment element;

[0081] FIG. 4 shows an enlarged view of a housing part of the closure module of the connecting device;

[0082] FIG. 5A shows a view of the connecting device in an opened position;

[0083] FIG. 5B shows another view of the connecting device;

[0084] FIG. 6 shows another view of the connecting device in the opened position;

[0085] FIG. 7 shows a view of an exemplary embodiment of magnetic elements of the connecting device;

[0086] FIG. 8 shows a view of another exemplary embodiment of magnetic elements of the connecting device;

[0087] FIG. 9 shows a view of yet again another exemplary embodiment of magnetic elements of the connecting device;

[0088] FIG. 10 shows a view of yet another exemplary embodiment of magnetic elements of the connecting device;

[0089] FIG. 11 shows a view of yet another exemplary embodiment of magnetic elements of the connecting device;

[0090] FIG. 12 shows a view of yet another exemplary embodiment of magnetic elements of the connecting device;

[0091] FIG. 13A shows a view of the connecting device in the opened position;

[0092] FIG. 13B shows a plan view of the arrangement according to FIG. 13A;

[0093] FIG. 13C shows a sectional view along the line A-A according to FIG. 13B;

[0094] FIG. 14A shows a view of the connecting device when closing;

[0095] FIG. 14B shows a plan view of the arrangement according to FIG. 14A;

[0096] FIG. 14C shows a sectional view along the line A-A according to FIG. 14B;

[0097] FIG. 15A shows a view of the connecting device in the connected position;

[0098] FIG. 15B shows a plan view of the arrangement according to FIG. 15A;

[0099] FIG. 15C shows a sectional view along the line A-A according to FIG. 15B;

[0100] FIG. 16A shows a view of the connecting device when opening;

[0101] FIG. 16B shows a plan view of the arrangement according to FIG. 16A;

[0102] FIG. 16C shows a sectional view along the line A-A according to FIG. 16B;

[0103] FIG. 17A shows a view of the connecting device when further opening;

[0104] FIG. 17B shows a plan view of the arrangement according to FIG. 17A;

[0105] FIG. 17C shows a sectional view along the line A-A according to FIG. 17B;

[0106] FIG. 18A shows a view of the connecting device in the opened position;

[0107] FIG. 18B shows a plan view of the arrangement according to FIG. 18A;

[0108] FIG. 18C shows a sectional view along the line A-A according to FIG. 18B;

[0109] FIG. 19A shows a view of a generalized exemplary embodiment of a closure module having an adjustment element movable relative to a housing part;

[0110] FIG. 19B shows a plan view of the arrangement according to FIG. 19A;

[0111] FIG. 19C shows a sectional view along the line A-A according to FIG. 19B;

[0112] FIG. 20A shows a view of the arrangement according to FIG. 19A in a tilted position;

[0113] FIG. 20B shows a plan view of the arrangement according to FIG. 20A;

[0114] FIG. 20C shows a sectional view along the line B-B according to FIG. 20B;

[0115] FIG. 21A shows a view of the arrangement according to FIG. 19A in another tilted position;

[0116] FIG. 21B shows a plan view of the arrangement according to FIG. 21A;

[0117] FIG. 21C shows a sectional view along the line C-C according to FIG. 21B;

[0118] FIG. 22A shows a view of the arrangement according to FIG. 19A in another tilted position;

[0119] FIG. 22B shows a plan view of the arrangement according to FIG. 22A;

[0120] FIG. 22C shows a sectional view along the line D-D according to FIG. 22B;

[0121] FIG. 23 shows an exploded view of a further exemplary embodiment of a connecting device;

[0122] FIG. 24A shows a lateral view of the connecting device conjointly with an assigned assembly;

[0123] FIG. 24B shows a sectional view along the line A-A according to FIG. 24A;

[0124] FIG. 25 shows a view of an adjustment element of a closure module of the connecting device;

[0125] FIG. 26A shows a lateral view of the adjustment element;

[0126] FIG. 26B shows a sectional view along the line B-B according to FIG. 26A;

[0127] FIG. 27 shows a plan view of the adjustment element of the closure module that is disposed on a housing assembly;

[0128] FIG. 28A shows a perspective view of the adjustment element on the housing assembly;

[0129] FIG. 28B shows an enlarged view in the fragment B according to FIG. 28A;

[0130] FIG. 29A shows a plan view of the connecting device;

[0131] FIG. 29B shows a sectional view along the line A-A according to FIG. 29A;

[0132] FIG. 29C shows an enlarged view in the fragment C according to FIG. 29B;

[0133] FIG. 30A shows a view of the adjustment element when activated along a first activation direction;

[0134] FIG. 30B shows a sectional view along the line C-C according to FIG. 30A;

[0135] FIG. 31A shows a view of the adjustment element when activated along a second activation direction;

[0136] FIG. 31B shows a sectional view along the line C-C according to FIG. 31A;

[0137] FIG. 32A shows a view of the adjustment element when activated along a third activation direction;

[0138] FIG. 32B shows a sectional view along the line C-C according to FIG. 32A;

[0139] FIG. 33 shows a view of the adjustment element on the housing assembly, illustrating the arrangement of bearing points of the housing assembly along a circle; and

[0140] FIG. 34 shows the sectional view according to FIG. 29B, illustrating the tilting capability of the adjustment element relative to the housing assembly along different activation directions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0141] FIGS. 1A, 1B to 6 show views of an exemplary embodiment of a connecting device 1 which serves for connecting two assemblies to one another.

[0142] As can be seen from FIG. 6, a first assembly 4 which is fixedly connected to a closure module 2 of the connecting device 1 can be configured by the handlebar of a bicycle or of a motorcycle, for example. A second assembly 5 which is connected to an attachment assembly 3 of the connecting device 1 can in contrast for example be connected by an electric or electronic apparatus, for example a mounting for a mobile phone, such that an electric or electronic apparatus can be fastened to a handlebar, for example, by way of the connecting device 1.

[0143] The connecting device 1 has a closure module 2 which comprises two housing parts 20, 23 which are connected to one another and therebetween receive an adjustment element 22. A fastening bracket 24 by way of which the housing assembly formed by the housing parts 20, 23 can be fastened to an assigned assembly 4, for example a handlebar, as can be seen from FIG. 6, is connected to the housing part 23.

[0144] The housing part 20, by way of a fastening ring 25 in the form of a clamping ring, is connected to a vacuum element 27 in the form of an elastic element in such a manner that the vacuum element 27 receives the housing part 20 in an opening 271 formed in a collar 270, and by way of a flexible peripheral portion 272 projects radially beyond the collar 270. The housing part 20 here by way of a base 200 lies in the opening 271 and by way of a flange 202 projects radially beyond the collar 270. The housing part 20 is fixedly connected to the housing part 23 by way of the flange 202.

[0145] A magnetic element 21 which in the exemplary embodiment illustrated is configured by an annular permanent magnet is received within a receptacle space 203 formed in the housing part 20. The magnetic element 21 surrounds a raised portion 204 within the receptacle space 203 and is disposed within the receptacle space 203 so as to be to the rear of the base 200.

[0146] As is yet to be explained hereunder, the closure module 2 by way of the vacuum element 27 can be attached to an attachment part 30 of an attachment assembly 3 so as to establish a connection between the closure module 2 and the attachment assembly 3 in the event of a vacuum effect between the vacuum element 27 and the attachment part 30. The attachment part 30 on one side configures an attachment face 302 to which the vacuum element 27 can be attached by way of the flexible peripheral portion 272, while deforming the vacuum element 27 and while minimizing a space formed between the vacuum element 27 and the attachment part 30, and thus while establishing a vacuum effect between the vacuum element 27 and the attachment part 30.

[0147] A magnetic element 31 which in the exemplary embodiment illustrated is configured by an annular permanent magnet and when attaching the closure module 2 to the attachment assembly 3 interact in a magnetically attractive manner with the magnetic element 21 of the closure module 2 so as to magnetically support the closing of the connecting device 1 and to cause a mutual adhesion between the closure module 2 and the attachment assembly 3 is received in a receptacle opening 301 to the rear of the attachment part 30.

[0148] As can be seen from the enlarged views according to FIGS. 2 to 4, the adjustment element 22 is received so as to be able to be tilted about different spatial directions between the housing parts 20, 23 and to this end mounted by way of bearing journals 220, 221 on assigned bearing points 207, 208 on the housing part 20 (see FIG. 1B) and bearing points 230, 231 on the housing part 23 (see FIG. 4).

[0149] In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the adjustment element 22 is able to be tilted in particular about different tilting axes K1, K2 in relation to the housing assembly formed by the housing parts 20, 23. The bearing points 207, 208, 230, 231 on the housing parts 20, 23 form a pivot bearing about the tilting axis K2, on the one hand, such that the adjustment element 22 by means of a tilting movement B2 is able to be tilted about the tilting axis K2. Moreover, the bearing points 230, 231 on the housing part 23 configure slots which enable a movement of the bearing journals 220, 221 perpendicular in the bearing points 230, 231 such that the adjustment element 22 is able to be tilted about a further tilting axis K1 in relation to the housing assembly formed by the housing parts 20, 23, said tilting axis K1 being perpendicular to the tilting axis K2.

[0150] As a result of the tilting bearing about the mutually perpendicular tilting axes K1, K2, any arbitrary tilting movement about one of the tilting axes K1, K2 or a combination of the tilting axes K1, K2 is possible. A user can thus engage the adjustment element 22 on a circumferentially outer activation portion 223 and tilt the adjustment element 22 in different ways in relation to the housing assembly formed by the housing parts 20, 23 so as to in this way adjust the adjustment element 22 in relation to the housing assembly.

[0151] In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the activation portion 223 extends circumferentially over an angle of approximately 100° on the adjustment element 22. This is however to be understood to be only exemplary. The activation portion 223 can also extend over a larger angle such that an activation of the adjustment element 22 is possible over a larger circumferential angle (for example larger than 180°).

[0152] A valve element 26 which is held in a receptacle opening 222 of the adjustment element 22 and by way of a valve head 260 is disposed in the region of an exit 224 of the receptacle opening 222 is disposed on the adjustment element 22, such that the valve head 260 points toward a flow opening 201 in the base 200 of the housing part 20, as is yet to be explained hereunder by means of FIGS. 13A-13C to 18A-18C. The valve element 26 by way of the valve head 260 serves for closing the flow opening 201 in the base 200 of the housing part 20 when the connecting device 1 is situated in the closed, connected position such that a vacuum between the vacuum element 27 and the attachment assembly 30 is maintained. The valve element 26 can be moved relative to the flow opening 201 by adjusting the adjustment element 22 such that the flow opening 201 is entirely or partially exposed and air can thus flow into a space between the vacuum element 27 and the attachment assembly 3, as a result of which a vacuum effect is cancelled and releasing the closure module 2 and the attachment assembly 3 from one another is enabled.

[0153] In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the activation portion 223 is connected to the bearing journals 220, 221 by way of a connecting portion 225, wherein the transverse webs 226 additionally extend between the activation portion 223 and the connecting portion 225. The connecting portion 225 and the transverse webs 226 are received in respective assigned openings 233, 234 on an outer circumferential portion of the housing part 23, as can be seen from FIG. 4, such that the adjustment element 22 is adjustable in relation to the housing part 23.

[0154] The adjustment element 22 in the direction of a non-activated closing position is resiliently preloaded in relation to the housing part 23 by way of a spring element 262 supported on a support portion 232 of the housing part 23, said spring element 262 being in the form of a compression spring. The spring element 262 is supported on a foot 261 in the receptacle opening 222 of the adjustment element 22 and holds the adjustment element 22 in such a position in which the valve head 260 engages in a sealing manner in the flow opening 201.

[0155] The magnetic elements 21, 31 in the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1A, 1B to 6 are configured by annular permanent magnets. In principle however, very different designs are conceivable and possible here for the magnetic elements 21, 31, as is to be explained hereunder by means of FIGS. 7 to 12.

[0156] In a first example, illustrated in FIG. 7, the magnetic elements 21, 31 are configured by disk-shaped permanent magnets, wherein the magnetic elements 21, 31 by way of unlike poles (N, S) point toward one another and thus are opposite one another in a magnetically attractive manner so as to magnetically assist the closing of the connecting device 1 and to hold the closure module 2 in the connected position in a magnetically attractive manner on the attachment assembly 3.

[0157] In another design embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 8, the magnetic elements 21, 31 can in each case have a plurality of magnetic poles N, S which are formed by different magnetizing portions on the magnetic elements 21, 31, for example. The magnetic poles N, S here are lined up next to one another in an alternating manner in the circumferential direction.

[0158] FIGS. 9 and 10 show examples of magnetic elements 21, 31 which are formed by arrangements of a plurality of permanent magnets on each side. The permanent magnets on each side here, as in the example according to FIG. 9, can be mutually disposed in identical directions and thus point to the respective other magnetic arrangement by way of identical poles. The permanent magnets on each side here can however also be disposed so as to be mutually rotated and thus point toward the respective other magnetic arrangement by way of alternating poles, as in the example according to FIG. 10.

[0159] In the example according to FIG. 11, one pole N, S is disposed radially outside a further pole S, N on each magnetic element 21, 31. The outer pole N, S surrounds the inner pole S, N in an annular manner.

[0160] In the example according to FIG. 12, the magnetic elements 21, 31 are in each case configured by annular permanent magnets which by way of unlike poles N, S point toward one another and thus interact in a magnetically attractive manner.

[0161] All of the examples according to FIGS. 7 to 12 are practicable and able to be implemented in an advantageous manner. The use of an annular magnetic element 21, 31 as in the example according to FIG. 12 can optionally have the advantage that the closure module 2 and the attachment assembly 3 can be mutually positioned in a simple manner, in particular in a plane that is directed transversely toward an attachment direction A, wherein the magnetic pull of the magnetic elements 21, 31 has the effect that the closure module 2 and the attachment assembly 3 are mutually attracted and correctly mutually positioned in a self-acting manner.

[0162] The handling of the connecting device 1 for closing and opening is to be explained hereunder with reference to FIGS. 13A-13C to 18A-18C.

[0163] In order for the connecting device 1 to be closed, the closure module 2 and the attachment assembly 3 are attached to one another along an attachment direction A, as can be seen in the transition from FIGS. 13A-13C to FIGS. 15A-15C. The vacuum element 27 here comes to bear on the attachment face 302 on the attachment part 30, while elastically deforming the flexible peripheral portion 272 of the vacuum element 27, as can be seen in particular from FIG. 15C.

[0164] When the closure module 2 and the attachment assembly 3 are attached to one another, a form-fitting portion 205 on the base 200 of the housing part 20 of the closure module 2 engages with an assigned form-fitting portion 300 on the attachment part 30 of the attachment assembly 3. The form-fitting portion 205 is formed by an annular web that projects from the base 200 and in the connected position engages in the form-fitting portion 300 in the form of an annular groove on the attachment part 30. As a result of this engagement, transverse forces between the closure module 2 and the attachment part 30 can in particular be absorbed such that the closure module 2 and the attachment assembly 3 are mutually supported in a transverse manner.

[0165] Moreover, an exact mutual positioning of the closure module 2 and the attachment assembly 3 while attaching is guaranteed by the form-fitting portions 205, 300.

[0166] In the connected position of the connecting device 1, illustrated in FIGS. 15A-15C, a space B between the vacuum element 27 and the attachment part 30 is minimized. As a result, there is a vacuum effect between the vacuum element 27 and the attachment part 30 in addition to a magnetic pull between the magnetic elements 21, 31 which in the connected position are directly opposite one another and thus interact in a magnetically attractive manner in order for the closure module 2 and the attachment part 30 to be held.

[0167] As can be seen from FIG. 15C, the valve element 26 in the closed position by way of the valve head 262 closes the flow opening 201 in the base of the housing part 20 such that no air can flow into a space between the closure element 27 and the attachment part 30. The closure module 2 and the attachment assembly 3 are thus held together in a secure and reliable manner, wherein stresses from impacts can in particular also be reliably received and absorbed as a result of the vacuum effect.

[0168] In order for the connecting device 1 to be opened, the adjustment element 22 can be pivoted about different spatial directions in relation to the housing assembly formed by the housing parts 20, 23, as can be seen from FIGS. 16A-16C. Such tilting by means of a tilting movement B1, B2 can be effected about one of the tilting axes K1, K2 or about a combination of the tilting axes K1, K2, for example by engaging centrically on the activation portion 223 of the adjustment element 22.

[0169] As can be seen from FIG. 16C, the valve element 26 is entrained by tilting the adjustment element 22, and the valve head 260 is moved toward the flow opening 201 such that the flow opening 201 is partially exposed and air can thus flow into a space B between the vacuum element 27 and the attachment part 30, as can be seen from the transition from FIGS. 16A-16C toward FIGS. 17A-17C. The space B is thus enlarged, and a vacuum effect between the vacuum element 27 and the attachment part 30 is cancelled such that the closure module 2 and the attachment assembly 3 can be released from one another in a simple manner.

[0170] The removal of the attachment assembly 3 from the closure module 2 can take place in a release direction L, as can be seen in FIGS. 18A-18C. The releasing action in the release direction L takes place counter to an activation direction of the adjustment element 22, this designing the activation of the adjustment element 22 and the subsequent removal of the attachment assembly 3 from the closure module 2 by a user to be simple and comfortable, in particular so as to release an electronic apparatus from an assigned assembly, for example from the handlebar of a bicycle, for example.

[0171] Upon completion of the activation of the adjustment element 22, a user can let go of the adjustment element 22, as a result of which the adjustment element 22 by virtue of the spring preloading of the spring element 262 makes its way back in a self-acting manner to the initial position of said adjustment element 22, the flow opening 201 in said initial position being closed by the valve element 26, corresponding to the position according to FIGS. 13A-13C.

[0172] In the previously described exemplary embodiment of the connecting device 1, the adjustment element 22 is able to be tilted about tilting axes K1, K2 in relation to a housing assembly formed by the housing parts 20, 23. Such a tilting-capable bearing can generally be provided by a tumbling bearing of the adjustment element 22 on an assigned housing part 20, as is illustrated in FIGS. 19A-19C to FIGS. 22A-22C. Such a tumbling bearing is to be understood that the bearing enables tilting about different spatial directions and enables a combined tilting movement, thus does not provide any defined pivoting bearing about a defined pivot axis.

[0173] The adjustment element 22 by way of a curved bearing face 228 can thus be mounted on a complementary bearing face 206 of the housing part 20, as is the case in the generalizing example according to FIGS. 19A-19C to FIGS. 22A-22C, such that a movement of the adjustment element 22 along the curved faces 206, 228 in relation to the latter is possible. In this way, openings 227 on the adjustment element 22 can be brought to be congruent with a flow opening 201 on the housing part 20, as can be seen from FIGS. 20A-20C to FIGS. 22A-22C, so as to in this way open a flow path and enable air to flow into a space between a vacuum element and an assigned attachment part.

[0174] Tilting of the adjustment element 22 about different spatial directions, corresponding to tilting axes K1, K2, in relation to the assigned housing part 20 is also possible in the generalizing example according to FIGS. 19A-19C to FIGS. 22A-22C, wherein tilting in this case is enabled by way of a friction bearing by way of the curved bearing faces 206, 228.

[0175] In an exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 23 to 34, a connecting device 1 has a closure module 2 which can be attached to an attachment assembly 3 on an assigned assembly 5, as is illustrated in FIGS. 24A, 24B for example.

[0176] In a manner analogous to that described previously, for example in the context of the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 6, the closure module 2 has a housing assembly which is formed by housing parts 20, 23 which are fixedly connected to one another, for example screwed to one another. An adjustment element 22 is mounted on the housing assembly, said adjustment element 22 being partially encased between the housing parts 20, 23 and to this end by way of webs 226 extending through clearances 235 in the housing part 23 and moreover being supported on bearing points 209A-209C on the housing part 20.

[0177] A vacuum element 27 is connected to the housing part 20 by way of a fastening ring 25 in the form of a clamping ring. The vacuum element 27 by way of a flexible peripheral portion 272 can be attached to the attachment assembly 3 of the assembly 5 and in the attached position is held on the attachment assembly 3 under the effect of a vacuum. The vacuum element 27 by way of a collar 270 is fixedly connected to the housing part 20 as a result of the clamping effect of the fastening ring 25, wherein the housing part 20 lies in an opening 271 of the vacuum element 27 and by way of a base 200 faces the attachment assembly 3 when the closure module 2 and the attachment assembly 3 are attached to one another, as is derived from FIGS. 24A and 24B for example.

[0178] A valve element 26, which by way of a valve head 260 points toward the base 200 of the housing part 20 and in a non-activated position of the adjustment element 22 closes a flow opening 201 in the base 200 such that air cannot invade a space between the vacuum element 27 and the attachment assembly 3 when the closure module 2 is attached to the attachment assembly 3, is disposed on the adjustment element 22, in a manner analogous to that previously described.

[0179] The valve element 26 lies in a central receptacle opening 222 on the adjustment element 22 and by way of a coupling portion 263 is coupled to the adjustment element 22 such that the valve element 26, when adjusting the adjustment element 22, is moved conjointly with the adjustment element 22 and as a result is moved from the closing engagement of said valve element 26 with the flow opening 201. The flow opening 201 in the base 200 of the housing part 20 can thus be exposed by adjusting the adjustment element 22 such that the vacuum effect between the closure module 2 and the attachment assembly 3 can be cancelled in order for the attachment assembly 3 to be released from the closure module 2.

[0180] The valve element 26 is supported in relation to the housing part 23 in a spring-elastic manner by way of a spring element 262. The spring element 262 thus preloads the valve element 26 in the direction of the adjustment element 22, wherein an adjustment of the adjustment element 22 also takes place counter to the spring-elastic effect of the spring element 262, and the adjustment element 22 upon activation, by virtue of the spring effect, is reset to the non-activated position corresponding to the position according to FIGS. 24A, 24B.

[0181] A magnetic element 21 in the form of an annular permanent magnet is received in a receptacle space 203 on the housing part 20. Moreover, the attachment assembly 3 also has a magnetic element 31 in the form of an annular permanent magnet, as can be seen from FIG. 24B. The magnetic elements 21, 31 when attaching the closure module 2 and the attachment assembly 3 to one another interact in a magnetically attractive manner so as to deform the vacuum element 27 and, as a result, to cause a vacuum between the vacuum element 27 and the attachment assembly 3.

[0182] As can be seen from FIG. 24B, the attachment assembly 3 has a form-fitting portion 300 in the form of a groove into which the closure module 2 by way of a form-fitting portion 205 on the base 200 of the housing part 20 can be inserted so as to position the closure module 2 and the attachment assembly 3 on one another and, in addition to the vacuum effect and to the magnetic pull by way of the magnetic elements 21, 31, provide support in particular in relation to shear forces transverse to the attachment direction A.

[0183] The attachment assembly 3 can be integrated in the assembly 5, for example in the form of an electric apparatus or a case of such an apparatus, for example a mobile phone case. In this case, the magnetic element 31 is integrated in the assembly 5, and the form-fitting portion 300 is molded in the assembly 5, for example the mobile phone case.

[0184] The closure module 2 can be fastened to an assigned assembly 4, for example a bicycle handlebar, by way of a fastening bracket 24 which can be fixedly connected to the housing part 23 of the housing assembly.

[0185] In the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 23 to 34, the bearing of the adjustment element 22 on the housing assembly takes place by bearing journals 229A, 229B, 229C which on the radially outer ends thereof are spherically shaped and are in each case disposed between two radially extending webs 226 of the adjustment element 22, as can be seen from FIG. 25 for example. Each bearing journal 229A, 229B, 229C on an assigned bearing point 209A, 209B, 209C of the housing part 20 is supported in such a manner that each bearing journal 229A, 229B, 229C is able to be tilted at the assigned bearing point 209A, 209B, 209C as well as displaceable longitudinally along an adjustment direction which is directed perpendicular to the plane of the housing part 20.

[0186] As is schematically plotted in FIG. 33, the bearing points 209A, 209B, 209C are lined up next to one another along a circle K and disposed herein so as to be uniformly distributed along the circle K. The bearing journals 229A, 229B, 229C engage in the bearing points 209A, 209B, 209C, which are molded in the manner of clamshells extending perpendicularly to the plane of the circle K, in such a manner that the spherical bearing journals 229A, 229B, 229C are able to be tilted at the bearing points 209A, 209B, 209C and moreover displaceable perpendicular to the plane of the circle K at the bearing points 209A, 209B, 209C.

[0187] It is achieved as a result that the adjustment element 22 is able to be tilted about entirely arbitrary tilting axes K1, K2, K3 in relation to the housing part 20, specifically about arbitrary tilting axes within the plane of the circle K.

[0188] As can be seen from FIG. 27 and FIGS. 28A, 28B when viewed in combination with FIGS. 29A to 29C, the bearing journals 229A, 229B, 229C in a non-activated position of the adjustment element 22 lie in the bearing points 209A, 209B, 209C such that the bearing journals 229A, 229B, 229C bear on a side of the flange 202 of the housing part 20 that faces away from the vacuum element 27 and by way of said side are supported perpendicularly to the plane of the circle K on the housing part 20 (see in particular the enlarged view according to FIG. 29C). In this non-activated position, the valve element 26 closes the flow opening 201 in the base 200 of the housing part 20 such that there is a vacuum effect between the attachment assembly 3 and the closure module 2 when the closure module 2 is connected to the attachment assembly 3.

[0189] The adjustment element 22 can be activated by way of an activation portion 223 which extends circumferentially on the adjustment element 22 and is closed in an annular manner. The activation portion 223 here is disposed radially outside the circle K, as can be seen from FIG. 33, in that the activation portion 223 has a radius R2 which is larger than the radius R1 of the circle K.

[0190] The adjustment element 22 can in particular be activated in that a user acts on the activation portion 223 from the direction of the attachment assembly 3, and adjusts the activation portion 223 in relation to the housing assembly along an activation direction B1, B2, B3, as plotted in FIGS. 30A, 30B to 32A, 32B. In such an adjustment of the adjustment element 22, the adjustment element 22 is tilted in relation to the housing assembly in that one or two of the bearing journals 229A, 229B, 229C at the respective bearing points 209A, 209B, 209C of the housing part 20 are supported perpendicularly to the plane of the circle K on the flange 202, and at least one of the bearing journals 229A, 229B, 229C is adjusted perpendicularly to the plane of the circle K at the respective assigned bearing point 209A, 209B, 209C, while being raised from the flange 202 of the housing part 20, as can be seen from FIG. 30B pertaining to the bearing journal 229B, for example.

[0191] When an activation of the adjustment element 22 on the activation portion 223 takes place at a circumferential location of a bearing journal 229A, 229B, 229C, the adjustment element 22 is thus tilted about tilting axis K1-K3 which is defined by the other two bearing journals 229A, 229B, 229C. When the adjustment element 22 is activated at the circumferential location of the bearing journal 229A, for example, the adjustment element 22 thus tilts about a tilting axis K2 in relation to the housing part 20, said tilting axis K2 being defined by the other two bearing journals 229A, 229B, 229C in that the bearing journals 229A, 229B, 229C are supported perpendicularly to the plane of the circle K on the flange 202, and the bearing journal 229A at the bearing point 209A is raised from the flange 202.

[0192] An activation here is possible at any arbitrary circumferential location of the activation portion 223. Tilting here does not necessarily take place about a tilting axis K1-K3 that is defined by two bearing journals 229A, 229B, 229C but can take place about any arbitrary tilting axis within the plane of the circle K, for example also while the adjustment element 22 is supported on the flange 202 of the housing part 20 only by way of one bearing journal 229A, 229B, 229C.

[0193] The adjustment element 22 here, by virtue of the bearing, cannot only be activated by tilting, but can also be displaced in an activation direction B4 perpendicular to the plane of the circle K, as is plotted in FIG. 34, and as a result be raised from the housing part 20 so as to move the valve element 26 from the closing engagement of the latter with the flow opening 201 in the base 200 of the housing part 20.

[0194] Moreover, an activation is possible not only from the direction of the attachment assembly 3 but can also take place in the opposite activation direction in that a user acts on the activation portion 223 in an activation direction B5 that is directed toward the attachment assembly 3, as is plotted in FIG. 34. In this case, the adjustment element 22 tilts in a tilting direction B6 while supporting those bearing journals 229A, 229B, 229C on the flange 202 that face the point of force introduction.

[0195] An activation in the activation direction B5 is possible as a result of the activation portion 223 being disposed radially outside the circle K and thus radially outside the bearing by way of the bearing points 209A, 209B, 209C. A leverage for the activation here can be set by way of the radii R1, R2 of the circle K assigned to the bearing points 209A, 209B, 209C and of the activation portion 223, such that an activation in an activation direction B5 directed toward the attachment assembly 3 is also enabled.

[0196] The concept on which the solution is based is not limited to the exemplary embodiments outlined above, but can in principle also be implemented in an entirely different manner.

[0197] In particular, entirely different elements which interact for providing vacuum forces are conceivable and possible. To this extent, the embodiments outlined above are to be understood as being merely exemplary

[0198] A connecting device of the type described here can serve for fastening entirely different assemblies to one another. In particular, the connecting device in terms of the use thereof is not limited to the examples shown here. The connecting device can be advantageously used for fastening electronic apparatuses, for example a camera or a mobile phone. This is however not limiting.

[0199] A plurality of flow openings can also be disposed on the housing assembly, at least one of said flow openings being exposed wherein the adjustment element is adjusted. Each flow opening here can be assigned a dedicated valve element which is connected to the adjustment element.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0200] 1 Connecting device [0201] 2 Closure module [0202] 20 Housing part [0203] 200 Base [0204] 201 Flow opening [0205] 202 Flange [0206] 203 Receptacle space [0207] 204 Raised portion [0208] 205 Form-fitting portion [0209] 206 Bearing face [0210] 207, 208 Bearing point [0211] 209A-C Bearing point [0212] 21 Magnetic element [0213] 22 Adjustment element [0214] 220, 221 Bearing journal [0215] 222 Receptacle opening [0216] 223 Activation portion [0217] 224 Exit [0218] 225 Connecting portion [0219] 226 Webs [0220] 227 Inlet opening [0221] 228 Bearing face [0222] 229A-C Bearing journal [0223] 23 Housing part [0224] 230, 231 Bearing point [0225] 232 Support portion [0226] 233, 234 Opening [0227] 235 Clearances [0228] 24 Fastening bracket [0229] 25 Fastening ring (clamping ring) [0230] 26 Valve element [0231] 260 Valve head [0232] 261 Foot [0233] 262 Spring element [0234] 263 Coupling portion [0235] 27 Vacuum element (cup element) [0236] 270 Collar [0237] 271 Opening [0238] 272 Flexible peripheral portion [0239] 3 Attachment assembly [0240] 30 Attachment part [0241] 300 Form-fitting portion [0242] 301 Receptacle opening [0243] 302 Attachment face [0244] 31 Magnetic element [0245] 4 Assembly [0246] 5 Assembly [0247] A Attachment direction [0248] B Space [0249] B1-B6 Activation direction [0250] K Circle [0251] K1-K3 Tilting axis [0252] L Release direction [0253] R1, R2 Radius