FASTENING DEVICE FOR FASTENING A VEHICLE COMPONENT TO A BODY COMPONENT
20210300267 ยท 2021-09-30
Inventors
Cpc classification
F16B21/075
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
B60N3/026
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B60R13/0206
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
F16B2/245
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
International classification
B60R13/02
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
Abstract
A fastening device for fastening an interior component of a vehicle to a body component. The fastening device includes a fastening clip, a bracket associated with said fastening clip, and a blocking device. The fastening device can be transferred from a pre-assembly state into an assembly state. In the pre-assembly state, the blocking device is deactivated and the fastening clip, together with the associated bracket, can be inserted at least partly into an opening formed in the body component. Further, the fastening clip or at least a portion of the fastening clip can be moved in a flexible manner relative to the associated bracket and in particular in an insertion direction and/or perpendicular to the insertion direction. In the assembly state, the blocking device is activated and a movement of the fastening clip or the portion of the fastening clip relative to the associated bracket is at least substantially blocked.
Claims
1. A fastening device for fastening a vehicle component, in particular an interior component of a vehicle, to a body component, wherein the fastening device comprises: a fastening clip; a bracket associated with the fastening clip; and a blocking device, wherein the fastening device can be transferred from a pre-assembly state into an assembly state, wherein, in the pre-assembly state, the blocking device is deactivated and the fastening clip, together with the associated bracket, can be inserted at least partly into an opening formed in the body component and the fastening clip or at least a portion of the fastening clip can be moved in a flexible manner relative to the associated bracket and in particular in an insertion direction and/or perpendicular to the insertion direction, and wherein, in the assembly state, the blocking device is activated and a movement of the fastening clip or the portion of the fastening clip relative to the associated bracket is at least substantially blocked.
2. The fastening device of claim 1, wherein the blocking device comprises at least one first blocking element, which can be moved relative to the bracket and can be transferred, in particular manually, between a pre-assembly position and an assembly position, wherein the first blocking element is configured such that, in the pre-assembly position of the first blocking element, the fastening clip or at least the portion of the fastening clip can be moved freely relative to the bracket over a predefined or definable distance between a first position in the insertion direction and a second position opposite to the insertion direction and, in the assembly position of the first blocking element, a freedom of movement of the fastening clip or the portion of the fastening clip is eliminated or at least substantially eliminated and the fastening clip is held in its second position opposite to the insertion direction.
3. The fastening device of claim 2, wherein the blocking device comprises at least one second blocking element, which can be moved relative to the bracket and can be transferred, in particular manually, between a pre-assembly position and an assembly position, wherein the second blocking element is configured such that, in the pre-assembly position of the second blocking element, the fastening clip or at least the portion of the fastening clip can be moved freely relative to the bracket over a predefined or definable distance between a radially inner first position with respect to the insertion direction and a radially outer second position with respect to the insertion direction and, in the assembly position of the second blocking element, the freedom of movement of the fastening clip or the portion of the fastening clip is eliminated or at least substantially eliminated and the fastening clip or the portion of the fastening clip is held in the radially outer second position with respect to the insertion direction.
4. The fastening device of claim 3, wherein the at least one first blocking element and the at least one second blocking element are operatively connected such that, when the at least one first blocking element is transferred from its pre-assembly position into its assembly position, the at least one second blocking element is moved along with the at least one first blocking element and is likewise transferred from its pre-assembly position into its assembly position; or wherein the at least one first blocking element and the at least one second blocking element are operatively connected such that, when the at least one second blocking element is transferred from its pre-assembly position into its assembly position, the at least one first blocking element is moved along with the at least one second blocking element and is likewise transferred from its pre-assembly position into its assembly position.
5. The fastening device of claim 3, wherein the blocking device is associated with a first latch or snap connection configured to respectively releasably fix the at least one first blocking element and/or the at least one second blocking element in the pre-assembly position; and/or wherein the blocking device is associated with a second latch or snap connection configured to respectively releasably fix the at least one first blocking element and/or the at least one second blocking element in the assembly position.
6. The fastening device of claim 2, wherein the at least one first blocking element is associated with a guide, in particular a linear guide, having a first carriage element which is movable relative to the bracket of the fastening clip, wherein the first carriage element is movable relative to the bracket, in particular at least substantially perpendicular to the insertion direction, between a pre-assembly position and an assembly position, wherein the first blocking element comprises at least one protruding region, which in particular protrudes in a ramp-like manner and points against the insertion direction and which is configured such that, in the pre-assembly position of the first carriage element, the protruding region is not operatively connected to the fastening clip but, in the assembly position of the first carriage element, is operatively connected to the fastening clip and in particular to an abutment of the fastening clip which, with respect to the insertion direction, projects radially from the fastening clip, such that the fastening clip is pushed by the protruding region in a direction opposite to the insertion direction.
7. The fastening device of claim 3, wherein the at least one second blocking element is associated with a guide, in particular a linear guide, having a second carriage element which is movable relative to the bracket of the fastening clip, wherein the second carriage element is movable relative to the bracket at least substantially parallel to the insertion direction or in the insertion direction between a pre-assembly position and an assembly position, wherein the second blocking element comprises at least one web-shaped element which extends at least substantially parallel to the insertion direction and is configured such that, in the pre-assembly position of the second carriage element, it is not operatively connected to the fastening clip but, in the assembly position of the second carriage element is operatively connected to the fastening clip such that the fastening clip is pushed radially outward with respect to the insertion direction.
8. The fastening device of claim 7, wherein, when the second carriage element is transferred from the pre-assembly position into the assembly position, the second carriage element and the at least one web-shaped element which extends at least substantially parallel to the insertion direction are moved relative to the bracket in the insertion direction, wherein the fastening clip is in particular implemented as a metallic spring clamp having at least two spring arms, wherein the bracket associated with the fastening clip comprises a holding region which extends in the insertion direction of the fastening device and is disposed at least partly between the at least two spring arms, wherein a guide groove is preferably formed in the holding region for guiding the web-shaped element, and wherein the guide groove is configured to push the web-shaped element radially outward when the second carriage element is transferred from the pre-assembly position into the assembly position.
9. The fastening device of claim 7, wherein the bracket associated with the fastening clip comprises at least one flexible web region, via which the fastening clip is connected to the bracket such that, in the pre-assembly state of the fastening device, the fastening clip can be moved freely in the insertion direction relative to the bracket over a predefined or definable distance.
10. The fastening device of claim 9, wherein in the assembly position, the second carriage element associated with the at least one second blocking element is configured to interact with the at least one flexible web region of the bracket such that, in the assembly position of the second carriage element, the freedom of movement of the fastening clip is eliminated or at least substantially eliminated.
11. The fastening device of claim 3, wherein the at least one second blocking element is associated with a cam region which is mounted relative to the bracket of the fastening clip such that it can rotate at least through a certain angle of rotation and has such a cam contour that, at a first angle of rotation of the cam region, there is an air gap between the cam contour and the fastening clip and, at a second angle of rotation of the cam region, there is no air gap between the cam contour and the fastening clip.
12. The fastening device of claim 11, wherein the at least one first blocking element is associated with a guide, in particular a linear guide, having a first carriage element which is movable relative to the bracket of the fastening clip, wherein the first carriage element is movable relative to the bracket, in particular at least substantially perpendicular to the insertion direction, between a pre-assembly position and an assembly position, wherein the first blocking element comprises at least one protruding region, which in particular protrudes in a ramp-like manner and points against the insertion direction and which is configured such that, in the pre-assembly position of the first carriage element, the protruding region is not operatively connected to the fastening clip but, in the assembly position of the first carriage element, is operatively connected to the fastening clip and in particular to an abutment of the fastening clip which, with respect to the insertion direction, projects radially from the fastening clip, such that the fastening clip is pushed by the protruding region in a direction opposite to the insertion direction, and wherein the cam region of the second blocking element can be rotated relative to the bracket and relative to the fastening clip with the first carriage element associated with the first blocking element.
13. The fastening device of claim 1, wherein the fastening clip is in particular implemented as a metallic spring clamp having at least two spring arms, wherein the bracket associated with the fastening clip comprises a base unit which is coupled or can be coupled to the vehicle component and a holding region which extends in the insertion direction of the fastening device and is disposed at least partly between the at least two spring arms.
14. The fastening device of claim 1, wherein a vehicle grab handle includes a handle piece and the fastening device of claim 1, wherein the bracket associated with the fastening clip comprises a base unit which is coupled or can be coupled to the vehicle component and a holding region which extends in the insertion direction of the fastening device, wherein the vehicle grab handle further comprises a cover for at least partly covering the handle piece on or above the base unit, wherein the cover can be moved, in particular displaced, relative to the base unit from a pre-assembly position into an assembly position, and wherein the cover is associated with a clamping element which cooperates with a complementary clamping element of the fastening clip such that, when the cover is transferred into the assembly position, the clamping element associated with the cover clamps the base unit against the body component.
15. A method for mounting a vehicle component, in particular a vehicle interior component, preferably a vehicle grab handle, on a body component, wherein the method comprises: creating a perforation in the body component; inserting a fastening clip, which is coupled to a handle piece of the vehicle grab handle via a base unit, into the perforation of the body component and snapping the fastening clip into the perforation; and clamping an abutment surface of the base unit against an edge region of the body component surrounding the perforation, wherein the abutment surface of the fastening clip is clamped against the edge region of the body component surrounding the perforation by pushing a cover of the vehicle grab handle onto the handle piece and at least partly over the base unit, producing a force on the fastening clip which acts counter to an extension direction.
Description
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0107] Referring first to the illustrations in
[0108] A further embodiment of the fastening device according to the invention is shown schematically in
[0109] Yet another example embodiment of the fastening device according to the invention is shown in various views in
[0110] A further example embodiment of the fastening device according to the invention emerges from the illustrations in
[0111] Lastly,
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[0113] It should be noted here that, in the various figures, the same reference signs correspond, if possible, to the same or similar components of the vehicle grab handle 1.
[0114] The example embodiments of the vehicle grab handle 1 according to the invention shown in the drawings each comprise a handle piece 2 and at least one base unit 3 coupled to the handle piece 2, whereby the base unit 3 comprises at least one fastening clip 4 for fastening the base unit 3 to a body component 5 as needed.
[0115] The vehicle grab handle 1 further comprises a cover 6 for at least partly covering the handle piece 2 on or above the base unit 3. The cover 6 can be moved, in particular displaced, relative to the base unit 3 from a pre-assembly position into an assembly position.
[0116] The at least one fastening clip 4 which serves to snap the vehicle grab handle 1 to the vehicle body component 5 comprises at least one spring-elastic locking mechanism 9 having at least one latching lug for locking the clip 4 in a perforation 12 of the vehicle body component 5. The at least one spring-elastic locking mechanism 9 of the at least one clip 4 comprises a spring or retaining element which is preferably made of metal.
[0117] The fastening clip 4 further comprises a clip body 10 connected to the spring-elastic locking mechanism 9, whereby the clip body 10 comprises at least one groove (i.e., clamping element 8 of the clip 4) which extends perpendicular to the main extension direction of the clip 4 and in which a wedge-shaped clamping element 7 associated with the cover 6 of the vehicle grab handle 1 is or can be accommodated in a longitudinally displaceable manner.
[0118] The wedge-shaped clamping element 7 associated with the cover 6 cooperates with a complementary clamping element 8 of the clip 4 such that, when the cover 6 is transferred from a pre-assembly position into an assembly position, the clamping element 7 associated with the cover 6 clamps the base unit 3 against the vehicle body component 5.
[0119] More specifically, when the cover 6 is moved into the assembly position, the clamping element 7 associated with the cover 6 cooperates with the clamping element 8 of the clip 4 such that a force component acting in a direction opposite to the vehicle body 5 is produced on the base unit 3 and/or the fastening clip 4 in accordance with the mechanical principle of the inclined plane.
[0120] In the example embodiments shown in the drawings, as already indicated, the clamping element 7 associated with the cover 6 comprises a wedge-shaped body which is pushed into a groove region of the clip 4 when the cover 6 is moved into the assembly position.
[0121] In this context, it is in particular provided that, in the pre-assembly position of the cover 6, the wedge-shaped clamping element 7 associated with the cover 6 is already accommodated at least partly in the groove 8 formed in the clip body 10, whereby, when the cover 6 is transferred into the assembly position, the wedge-shaped clamping element 7 associated with the cover 6 is moved further into the groove 8 formed in the clip body 10 and a clamping force acting on the clip body 10 is produced in a direction opposite to the main extension of the clip 4.
[0122] The example embodiment of the vehicle grab handle 1 according to the invention shown schematically in
[0123] In contrast, in the further embodiment shown in
[0124] In the embodiments shown in the drawings, it is provided that the base unit 3 of the vehicle grab handle 1 comprises a preferably planar flange region 13 which at least partly surrounds the at least one fastening clip 4 and is configured to abut the periphery of the perforation 12 of the vehicle body component 5 formed to accommodate the at least one fastening clip 4, whereby, in the assembly position of the cover 6, an outer wall 14 of the cover 6 merges continuously into an outer wall 15 of the flange region 13.
[0125] A latching mechanism 11 associated with the base unit 3 and the cover 6 is furthermore preferably provided for snapping the cover 6 to the base unit 3 when the cover 6 is in its assembly position.
[0126] Referring to the illustrations in
[0127] In the example embodiments previously described with reference to the illustrations in
[0128] As in the example embodiments shown in
[0129] Briefly summarized, the fastening device 20 of the example embodiments shown in the drawings and in particular in
[0130] Common to all of the embodiments shown in the drawings is furthermore that said embodiments comprise a blocking device associated with the fastening device 20.
[0131] As already stated, the fastening device 20 can be transferred from a pre-assembly state into an assembly state. In the pre-assembly state, the blocking device is deactivated and the fastening clip 21, together with the associated bracket 22, can be inserted at least partly into an opening 12 formed in the body component 5. The fastening clip 21 or at least a portion of the fastening clip 21 can be moved in a flexible manner relative to the associated bracket 22 and in particular in insertion direction I and/or perpendicular to the insertion direction I.
[0132] In the assembly state of the fastening device 20, on the other hand, the blocking device is activated and a movement of the fastening clip 21 or the portion of the fastening clip 21 relative to the associated bracket 22 is at least substantially blocked.
[0133] The example embodiments of the fastening device 20 according to the invention, shown in particular in
[0134] In the pre-assembly position of the first blocking element 23, the fastening device 20 is in its pre-assembly state. In the assembly position of the first blocking element 23, on the other hand, the fastening device 20 is in its assembly state.
[0135] The first blocking element 23 is configured such that, in the pre-assembly position of the first blocking element 23, the fastening clip 21 or at least the portion of the fastening clip 21 can be moved freely relative to the bracket 22 over a predefined or definable distance between a first position in insertion direction I and a second position opposite to the insertion direction I (+vertical play).
[0136] In the assembly position of the first blocking element 23, on the other hand, the freedom of movement of the fastening clip 21 is eliminated or at least substantially eliminated and the fastening clip 21 is held in its second position opposite to the insertion direction.
[0137] In the example embodiments of the fastening device 20 according to the invention shown in particular in
[0138] As is the case for the first blocking element 23, it is also provided that the second blocking element 24 is in its pre-assembly position when the fastening device 20 is in its pre-assembly state. In contrast, the second blocking element 24 is in its assembly position when the fastening device 20 is in its assembly state.
[0139] The second blocking element 24 is configured such that, in the pre-assembly position of the second blocking element 24, the fastening clip 21 or at least the portion of the fastening clip 21 can be moved freely relative to the bracket 22 over a predefined or definable distance between a with respect to the insertion direction I radially inner first position and a with respect to the insertion direction I radially outer second position (horizontal play).
[0140] In the assembly position of the second blocking element 24, on the other hand, the space for the freedom of movement of the fastening clip 21 or the portion of the fastening clip 21 is eliminated or at least substantially eliminated and the fastening clip 21 or the portion of the fastening clip 21 is held in the with respect to the insertion direction I radially outer second position.
[0141] In particular in the example embodiment of the fastening device 20 according to the invention shown in
[0142] Common to the example embodiments shown in particular in
[0143] In the same way, it makes sense for the blocking device to likewise be associated with fixing means 26, in particular in the form of latching or snap connection means, which are configured to respectively releasably fix the first blocking element 23 and/or the second blocking element 24 in the assembly position.
[0144] In the embodiments of the fastening device 20 according to the invention shown in
[0145] The first blocking element 23 can, as shown in particular in
[0146] In the example embodiment of the fastening device 20 according to the invention shown in
[0147] In the example embodiment of the fastening device 20 according to the invention shown in
[0148] The second blocking element 24 comprises at least one web-shaped element 32 which extends at least substantially parallel to the insertion direction I and is configured such that, in the pre-assembly position of the second carriage element 29, it is not operatively connected to the fastening clip 21 but, in the assembly position of the second carriage element 29 is operatively connected to the fastening clip 21 such that the fastening clip 21 is pushed radially outward (i.e. in horizontal direction) with respect to the insertion direction I.
[0149] More specifically, in particular in the example embodiment of the fastening device 20 according to the invention shown in
[0150] The fastening clip 21 can in particular be implemented as a metallic spring clamp having at least two spring arms, whereby the bracket 22 associated with the fastening clip 21 comprises a holding region which extends in the insertion direction I of the fastening device 20 and is disposed at least partly between the at least two spring arms.
[0151] A guide groove is in particular formed in the holding region for guiding the web-shaped element 32. The guide groove can be configured to push the web-shaped element 32 radially outward when the second carriage element 29 is transferred from the pre-assembly position into the assembly position.
[0152] The further preferred embodiment of the fastening device 20 according to the invention shown in
[0153] More specifically, in the embodiment of the fastening device 20 according to the invention shown in
[0154] Rather, this time the second blocking element 24 comprises a (separate own) associated carriage 29, which can be moved relative to the bracket 22 and the fastening clip 21 in the direction of the insertion direction I by exerting a force on the end face of the carriage 29.
[0155] The further configuration/embodiment of the fastening device 20 according to the invention shown in
[0156] In the example embodiment of the fastening device 20 shown in
[0157] In this context it is further provided that, in the assembly position, the second carriage element 29 associated with the at least one second blocking element 24 is configured to interact with the at least one flexible web region 30 of the bracket 22 such that, in the assembly position of the second carriage element 29, the freedom of movement of the fastening clip 21 is eliminated or at least substantially eliminated.
[0158] Further (additional or supplementary) aspects of the invention are summarized in the following:
[0159] Aspect 1:
[0160] Fastening device 20 for fastening a vehicle component, in particular an interior component of a vehicle, to a body component 5, wherein the fastening device 20 comprises a spring clamp preferably having at least one spring-elastic locking mechanism and can be transferred from a pre-assembly state, in which the spring clamp can be inserted at least partly into a through-opening provided in the body component 5, into an assembly state, in which the spring clamp and/or the at least one preferably provided spring-elastic locking mechanism of the spring clamp is preloaded in a radial direction with respect to the insertion direction.
[0161] Aspect 2:
[0162] Fastening device 20 according to Aspect 1, wherein the spring clamp comprises two leg regions which are disposed at least substantially opposite to one another and, in the pre-assembly state of the fastening device 20, can be moved relative to one another in a radial direction with respect to the insertion direction, and wherein the fastening device 20 comprises a blocking device, which, in the assembly state of the fastening device 20, is configured to block a relative movement of the two leg regions in the radial direction with respect to the insertion direction, and in particular a relative movement of the two leg regions toward one another.
[0163] Aspect 3:
[0164] Fastening device 20 according to Aspect 2, wherein the blocking device comprises at least one clamping region, which, in the assembly state of the fastening device 20, is configured to preload at least one of the two leg regions and preferably both leg regions of the spring clamp in the radial direction with respect to the insertion direction.
[0165] Aspect 4:
[0166] Fastening device 20 according to Aspect 3, wherein the blocking device is associated with a manipulator which is preferably manually actuatable and, when actuated, is configured to activate the at least one clamping region of the blocking device such that at least one of the two leg regions and preferably both leg regions of the spring clamp are preloaded in the radial direction with respect to the insertion direction.
[0167] Aspect 5:
[0168] Fastening device 20 according to Aspect 3 or 4, wherein the clamping region of the blocking device comprises a rotatable cam region 33 that can be rotated at least through a certain angle of rotation relative to the two leg regions and comprises such a cam contour that, at a first angle of rotation of the cam region 33, there is an air gap between the cam contour and the at least one leg region and preferably both leg regions of the spring clamp and, at a second angle of rotation of the cam region 33, there is no air gap between the cam contour and the at least one leg region and preferably both leg regions of the spring clamp.
[0169] Aspect 6:
[0170] Fastening device 20 according to Aspect 5, wherein the cam region 33 can be rotated relative to the two leg regions with the aid of a clamping element.
[0171] Aspect 7:
[0172] Fastening device 20 according to Aspect 6, wherein the clamping element cooperates with a complementary clamping region of the spring clamp such that, when the fastening device 20 is transferred into its assembly state, the clamping element clamps a base unit 3 of the spring clamp against the vehicle body component 5 and simultaneously rotates the cam region 33 relative to the two leg regions of the spring clamp.
[0173] Aspect 8:
[0174] Fastening device 20 according to Aspect 7, wherein, when the fastening device 20 is transferred into its assembly state, the clamping element cooperates with the clamping region of the spring clamp such that a force component acting in the direction opposite to the insertion direction is produced on the spring clamp in accordance with the mechanical principle of the inclined plane.
[0175] Aspect 9:
[0176] Fastening device 20 according to any one of Aspects 1 to 4, wherein the blocking device comprises at least one blocking web which, when the fastening device 20 is transferred into its assembly region, is moved in insertion direction relative to the spring clamp and in particular relative to the two leg regions of the spring clamp, such that there is no air gap between the leg regions of the spring clamp and the at least one blocking web.
[0177] Aspect 10:
[0178] Fastening device 20 according to Aspect 9, wherein the at least one blocking web can be displaced relative to the spring clamp, and in particular relative to the two leg regions of the spring clamp, with the aid of a clamping element.
[0179] Aspect 11:
[0180] Fastening device 20 according to Aspect 10, wherein the clamping element cooperates with a complementary clamping region of the spring clamp such that, when the fastening device 20 is transferred into its assembly state, the clamping element clamps a base unit 3 of the spring clamp against the vehicle body component and simultaneously displaces the at least one blocking web relative to the spring clamp and in particular relative to the two leg regions of the spring clamp.
[0181] Aspect 12:
[0182] Fastening device 20 according to Aspect 11, wherein, when the fastening device 20 is transferred into its assembly state, the clamping element cooperates with the clamping region of the spring clamp such that a force component acting in the direction opposite to the insertion direction is produced on the spring clamp in accordance with the mechanical principle of the inclined plane.
[0183] The invention is not limited to the embodiments shown in the drawings, but results when all of the features disclosed herein are considered together.