Latch connection means for connecting two components

Abstract

A latching connector for connecting a first component to a second component, wherein a latching hook is formed on the first component and a latch opening is formed on the second component, and wherein, in order to connect the first component to the second component, the latching hook passes through the latch opening and engages behind the second component with a hook end. The latching hook has a securing section which adjoins the latching hook on a side facing away from the hook end and which can be latched in the latch opening.

Claims

1. A latching connector to connect a first component to a second component, the latching connector comprising: a latching hook formed on the first component; a latch opening formed on the second component and, in order to connect the first component to the second component, the latching hook is adapted to pass through the latch opening and engage behind the second component with a hook end; and a securing section formed on the latching hook, the securing section adjoining the latching hook on a side facing away from the hook end and which is adapted to be latched in the latch opening, wherein a free distal end of the securing section has a latching lug, wherein the latch opening has a latching surface section against which the latching lug engages, wherein the second component has a first surface that faces the first component and a second surface that opposes the first surface and faces away from the first component, and wherein the latching surface section extends perpendicular to the first surface and the second surface of the second component.

2. The latching connector according to claim 1, wherein the securing section is configured as an elastically deformable spring tongue.

3. The latching connector according to claim 1, wherein the latching hook protrudes from a surface of the first component which forms a contact surface with the second component, and wherein the securing section protrudes at least in sections from the surface.

4. The latching connector according to claim 1, wherein the securing section is partially surrounded by a recess in a surface section of the first component.

5. The latching connector according to claim 1, wherein the latch opening has an elongated extension corresponding to an elongated extension of the latching hook and the securing element.

6. A latching connector to connect a first component to a second component, the latching connector comprising: a latching hook formed on the first component; a latch opening formed on the second component and, in order to connect the first component to the second component, the latching hook is adapted to pass through the latch opening and engage behind the second component with a hook end; and a securing section formed on the latching hook, the securing section adjoining the latching hook on a side facing away from the hook end and which is adapted to be latched in the latch opening, wherein a free distal end of the securing section has a latching lug, wherein the latch opening has a latching surface section against which the latching lug engages, wherein the second component has a first surface that faces the first component and a second surface that opposes the first surface and faces away from the first component, wherein the latch opening has a bearing surface which is recessed from the second surface of the second component, opposes the first surface of the second component and faces away from the first component, and wherein the hook end of the latching hook rests on the bearing surface.

7. The latching connector according to claim 1, wherein the latching hook and the securing section form a unit, which is formed in a surface section of the first component, the unit being connected to the first component via two lateral webs.

8. The latching connector according to claim 1, wherein the first component is an aperture element and the second component is a reflector element of a lighting module for a headlamp of a vehicle.

9. The latching connector according to claim 1, wherein in a fully latched position of the latching connector, the hook end of the latching hook extends farther inside of the second component than the securing section.

10. The latching connector according to claim 1, wherein the hook end engages with the second component on an opposite side of the latch opening as the free distal end of the securing section.

11. The latching connector according to claim 6, wherein the bearing surface of the latch opening is parallel to the second surface of the second component.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus, are not limitive of the present invention, and wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective, transverse sectional view of the latching connector comprising a connection of the first component to the second component, and

(3) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the first component with the latching hook and with the securing section designed in accordance with the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(4) FIG. 1 shows a latching connector 100 in a perspective, cross sectional view, for connecting a first component 1 with a second component 2. The latching connector 100 has a latching hook 3, which is mounted on the first component 1. The latching hook 3 engages behind a section of the second component 2, and this section has a bearing surface 9, which is arranged slightly below the surface 10 of the second component 2. Due to this positive locking, the latching hook 3 holds the second component 2 in place against the first component 1. In order to establish this connection, the first component 1 is moved against the second component 2 with a first latching action I so that the latching hook 3 passes through a latch opening 4 in the second component 2. With a second latching action II, the hook end 5 of the latching hook 3 is pushed onto the bearing surface 9.

(5) On the side adjoining the rear end of the latching hook 3 there is a securing section 6, in the form of a spring-elastic tongue with a latching lug 12 at the end. The latching lug 12 forms a positive fit against a latching surface section 11 of the latch opening 4 and thus holds the latching hook 3 with the hook end 5 on the bearing surface 9, thereby securing the established latched connection of the latching connector 100. It is only in the second latching action II that the latching lug 12 can engage against the latching surface section 11 by elastic spring-back of the spring tongue in a planar direction relative to the second component, provided that the first component 1 has sufficient movement path.

(6) Consequently, a latching connection between the first component 1 and the second component 2 can be achieved by simple means, the latching connector 100 comprising a securing mechanism which is established by the securing section 6 interacting with the latch opening 4. The secured latching connection between the two components 1, 2 comprises only a few components, which can be accommodated in a small space, wherein the latching connector 100 can be formed integrally with the first component 1 in an injection molding process, for example.

(7) FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the first component 1 with a flat section and an upper side 7 from which the latching hook 3 protrudes, with a window-shaped opening 14 under the latching hook 3, thus enabling the first component 1 to be produced easily in a single-stroke injection mold. On the reverse side of the latching hook 3 there is the securing section 6, which is designed as a spring-elastic tongue. The securing section 6 is formed by a recess 8 in the flat section of the first component 1. The unit formed of the latching hook 3 and the securing section 6 is integrally formed on the first component 1 at two lateral webs 13.

(8) The invention is not limited to the above-mentioned preferred embodiment. Rather, a number of variants are conceivable, which make use of the solution presented even if the design is fundamentally different. All features and/or advantages arising from the claims, the description or the drawings, including structural details, spatial arrangements and method steps, can be essential to the invention, both individually and in the most varied combinations.

(9) The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are to be included within the scope of the following claims.