Fastening system for securing components

Abstract

A fastening system for securing a component includes a first securing element having an engagement end and external toothing, a second securing element having elastic clamp members arranged about a common axis and having internal toothing facing the axis, and a fixing member. The clamps members assume a radial position relative to the axis that is variable due to their elasticity. The clamps are designed such that the second securing element can be pushed onto the engagement end such that the teeth of the engagement end and the clamps snap into each other. The clamps move from a first radial position to an external second radial position to engage or disengage a snapped-in state when shifting the external toothing and the first internal toothing to each other.

Claims

1. A fastening system for securing a component, the system comprising: a first securing element with an engagement end having a first external toothing; a second securing element having a plurality of elastic clamp members which are arranged uniformly about a common axis and have a first internal toothing on inner sides facing the common axis, wherein the clamp members have a second external toothing at least in a region of the second securing element; a fixing element with a recess, wherein the fixing element has an annular or bush-shape, and the fixing element includes a first fixing end and a second fixing end opposite to the first fixing end along a fixing member axis; and bent elastic claws arranged on both of the first fixing end and the second fixing end, wherein the bent elastic claws extend at least in a region of the fixing element obliquely or transversely to the fixing element axis, and the bent elastic claws engage the second external toothing when the fixing element is pushed onto the second securing element; wherein the clamp members are configured to assume a radial position which is variable due to an elasticity of the clamp members relative to the common axis; wherein the clamp members are configured such that the second securing element is pushable onto the engagement end and, when pushed on, the first external toothing of the engagement end and the first internal toothing of the clamp members snap into each other; wherein the clamp members for engaging or releasing a snapped-in state during displacement of the first external toothing and the first internal toothing relative to each other move away from a first radial position to an external second radial position at least in a region; and wherein the recess of the fixing element is dimensioned such that the fixing element is pushable onto the second securing element and the clamp members are held in the first radial position.

2. The fastening system according to claim 1, wherein the first securing element is an elongated body having a head end opposite the engagement end with at least one radial projection.

3. The fastening system according to claim 1, wherein: the second securing element is of an annular or bush-shaped design and has a first end and a second end; and adjacent clamp members are separated from one another by an axial gap which runs parallel to the common axis, at least in an axial partial section.

4. The fastening system according to claim 3, wherein the clamp members at the second end are not separated from each other in the circumferential direction.

5. The fastening system according to claim 3, wherein the first internal toothing extends on an axial partial section facing away from the second end.

6. The fastening system according to claim 1, wherein the elastic claws of the first fixing end are more inclined to the fixing element axis than the elastic claws of the second fixing end.

7. The fastening system according to claim 1, wherein the second securing element and the fixing element comprise at least one guide element for guiding the fixing element on the second securing element in a torsion-resistant manner.

8. The fastening system according to claim 7, wherein the guide member is formed as at least one tongue on an inside of the fixing member adapted to be guided into an axial gap between two adjacent clamp members.

9. The fastening system according to claim 1, wherein the axial extension of the fixing element is smaller than the axial extension of the second securing element.

10. The fastening system according to claim 1, wherein the second securing element and/or the fixing element is a one piece element.

11. The fastening system according to claim 1, wherein the second securing element and the fixing element are made of a plastic material.

12. A vehicle comprising an interior space having a component disposed therein, the component being secured in a structurally fixed manner by the fastening system according to claim 1.

13. The vehicle according to claim 12, wherein the vehicle is an aircraft.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Further features, advantages and possible applications of the present disclosure result from the following description of the exemplary embodiments and figures. All described and/or illustrated features in themselves and in any combination form the subject matter of the disclosure, irrespective of their composition in the individual claims or their references. Furthermore, the same reference numerals in the figures refer to the same or similar objects.

(2) FIGS. 1a and 1b show a second securing element and a fixing element in a three-dimensional view before assembly (1a) and in a partially assembled state (1b).

(3) FIGS. 2a, 2b and 2c show a first securing element equipped with a second securing element with a partially mounted fixing element (2a), in a fully assembled state (2b) and in a partial section (2c).

(4) FIGS. 3a to 3e show the process of fastening or securing a component in several consecutive steps.

(5) FIGS. 4a and 4b show two possible cases of error which are easily recognizable due to the type of the fastening system.

(6) FIG. 5 shows an aircraft equipped with at least one component fastened by the fastening system in accordance with the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(7) The following detailed description is merely illustrative in nature and is not intended to limit the embodiments of the subject matter or the application and uses of such embodiments. As used herein, the word exemplary means serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any implementation described herein as exemplary is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description.

(8) FIG. 1a shows a three-dimensional illustration of a second securing element 2 and a fixing element 4 which are about to be pushed together or into each other. The two components are explained in detail below.

(9) The second securing element 2 has a first end 6, a second end 8 and a longitudinal axis 10. Around the longitudinal axis 10 there are several clamp members 12 arranged, which run parallel to the longitudinal axis 10 and are separated from each other by a gap 16 in a front axial section 14, which adjoins the first end 6. The clamp members 12 have a first internal toothing 20 on their inner sides 18 facing the longitudinal axis 10.

(10) Further, an external toothing 24, hereinafter referred to as the second external toothing 24, is arranged on the outer sides 22 of the clamp members 12. The second securing element 2 is made of a plastic material and has a certain elasticity as a result. In particular, the use of a polyamide, such as PA66, as a material may be a suitable option. This material is already qualified for a variety of similar applications. Furthermore, this material can be injection molded at low cost without further ado.

(11) Altogether, the second securing element 2 has a cylindrical outer shape which encloses a cavity 26 and has a chamfer 28 on the inner side 18 for placing on a first securing element shown later. This achieves a certain funnel function.

(12) The fixing element 4 has a ring shape and has a first fixing end 30 and a second fixing end 32. On the first fixing end 30 there is a row of elastic claws 34, which run diagonally to a fixing element axis 36. At the second fixing end 32 also elastic claws 38 are arranged, which however are less inclined relative to fixing element axis 36.

(13) A recess 40 is dimensioned in such a way that the fixing element 4 can be pushed onto the second securing element 2. The claws 34 and 38 engage with the second external toothing 24. In addition, guide webs 42 are visible as guide elements which can form a sliding connection with the axial gaps 16 so that the fixing element 4 and the second securing element 2 can slide along each other. Here a relative position to each other is maintained.

(14) The recess 40 is provided with a chamfer 44 in the region of the first fixing end 30. This can function as a kind of insertion funnel, so that concentric alignment of the recess 40 and the second securing element 2 can easily be achieved.

(15) In FIG. 1b the fixing element 4 is already partially pushed onto the second securing element 2. The claws 34 of the first fixing end 30 engage with the second external toothing 24. This means that the claws 34 get caught in gaps between teeth of the second external toothing 24. The second securing element 2 and the fixing element 4 can be supplied prefabricated in the position shown in FIG. 1b to further simplify their use.

(16) FIG. 2a now shows a complete fastening system 46, which has, in addition to the second securing element 2 and the fixing element 4, also a first securing element 48. This is designed as an elongated body having an engagement end 50 and a head end 52 opposite the engagement end 50 at which a radial projection 54 is present.

(17) The second securing element 2 is pushed onto an engagement end 56, which has a first external toothing 58. In the illustration shown, this comes into contact with the first internal toothing 20. The second securing element 2 here is almost completely pushed onto the engagement end 56, so that it is almost in surface contact with a bottom surface 60 inside the second securing element 2. The fixing element 4 in the illustration is about to be pushed onto the second securing element 2.

(18) This is the case in FIG. 2b. Here the fixing element 4 is practically completely pushed onto the second securing element 2. The claws 34 and 38 are each separately clamped with the second external toothing 24 of the second securing element 2. The fastening procedure is further described in the following FIGS. 3a to 3e.

(19) FIG. 2c shows a detailed section of the fixing element 4, the second securing element 2 and the first securing element 48. As an example, the first internal toothing 20 has a rounded toothing profile. The second external toothing also has a toothing profile as an example, which is slightly inclined to the first end 6.

(20) FIG. 3a shows an example of a first component 62 and a second component 64 which are to be connected to each other. For this purpose, both components 62 and 64 have holes 66 (not visible here) through which the first securing element 48 is inserted.

(21) In FIG. 3b, the first securing element 48 is inserted through the holes 66 so that the engagement end 56 with the first external toothing 58 located on it projects beyond the component 62 and can be reached from the outside.

(22) Then, as shown in FIG. 3c, the second securing element 2 with a partially pushed on fixing element 4 is brought into alignment with the engagement end 56 and pushed further onto the engagement end in FIG. 3d. The second securing element 2 is pushed up to an uppermost groove of the first external toothing 58. When sliding on, the clamp members 12 can move radially outwards over the grooves of the first external toothing 58 until the second securing element 2 is in a maximum sliding on position and there is engagement between the first external toothing 58 and the first internal toothing 20.

(23) In FIG. 3e the fixing element 4 is completely pushed on so that the clamp members 12 are prevented from a further radial outward movement. It is no longer possible to release the second securing element 2 from the first securing element 48 with the fixing element 4 pushed on.

(24) The second securing element 2 and the fixing element 4 can be designed to further support correct attachment by providing visual feedback to a user. FIGS. 4a and 4b show two examples of how such a visual feedback may look to cause a user to rework.

(25) FIG. 4a shows, for example, that if the second securing element is not fully pushed on, there is a gap 68 to the component 62. This could be due to the fact that the first securing element 48 is too long so that it hits the bottom surface 60 shown in FIG. 2a, although the second securing element 2 has not yet been fully pushed on. Then, the first securing element 48 would have to be replaced for a suitable one. Before doing so, however, it should be tried to completely push on the second securing element 2 in order to fix it afterwards with the fixing element 4.

(26) If, however, with a completely pushed-on second securing element 2 an opening 70 protruding into an axial gap 16 is visible, as can be seen in FIG. 4b, the length of the first securing element 48 may be changed. However, the second securing element 2 may also be pushed on not completely. However, due to the function of fixing using the fixing element 4, a reliable securing is also achieved in the examples shown. A rework, however, could reduce a tendency for the first securing element 46 to rattle.

(27) Finally, FIG. 5 shows an aircraft 72 having an interior space 74 with a component arranged therein, wherein the component is structurally secured with the aid of a fastening system 46 as described above.

(28) In addition, it should be noted that comprising does not exclude any other elements or steps, and a or an does not exclude multiple elements. It should also be noted that features described with reference to one of the above exemplary embodiments may also be used in combination with other features of other exemplary embodiments described above. Reference signs in the claims shall not be regarded as a limitation.

(29) While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing detailed description, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or embodiments described herein are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the claimed subject matter in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing the described embodiment or embodiments. It should be understood that various changes can be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the scope defined by the claims, which includes known equivalents and foreseeable equivalents at the time of filing this patent application.