HOUSING, IN PARTICULAR FOR A SENSOR DEVICE

Abstract

In a housing, particularly a housing for a sensor apparatus, with a retaining clip for attaching the housing to an object, particularly to the insider of a motor vehicle windscreen. The retaining clip is connected to an outer surface of the housing, it is provided as essential that at least one outer surface has a clamping projection, that the retaining clip has a fastening region, that the fastening region has at least two clamping sections, and that a non-positive connection is formed between the clamping projection and the clamping sections. Further aspects relate to a sensor apparatus with a housing and a motor vehicle with a housing.

Claims

1. A housing, particularly a housing for a sensor apparatus, with a retaining clip for fastening the housing to an object, particularly to the inside of a motor vehicle windscreen, wherein the retaining clip is fastened to an outer surface of the housing, wherein at least one outer surface has a clamping projection, the retaining clip has at least one fastening region, at least one fastening region has at least two clamping sections, and a non-positive connection is created between at least one clamping projection and at least two clamping sections of at least one fastening region.

2. The housing according to claim 1 wherein the clamping projection has a circular cross-section.

3. The housing according to claim 1, wherein the clamping projection is clamped between two clamping sections of the retaining clip.

4. The housing according to claim 1, wherein the distance between the clamping sections in the unloaded state is smaller than the diameter of the clamping projection.

5. The housing according to claim 1, wherein an opening is created between the edges of the clamping sections that face each other, that the edges of the clamping sections which form the opening are adapted to the size and shape and of the clamping projection at least in portions thereof.

6. The housing according to claim 1, wherein the retaining clip has a fastening region and two spring regions, and that the plane spanned by the fastening region forms an angle with each of the planes spanned by the spring regions.

7. The housing according to claim 1, wherein the clamping sections are each furnished with at least one bead.

8. The housing according to claim 1, wherein the clamping sections are furnished with recesses on the outer edges thereof farthest from the opening, and that at least one bulge corresponding to the recesses is arranged on the outer surface.

9. The housing according to claim 1, wherein the retaining clip is manufactured from a single piece, and that the opening and the clamping sections are formed by a cutout, particularly by a punched out section.

10. The housing according to claim 1, wherein the fastening region spans a plane, and that the plane is aligned parallel to the outer surface of the housings at least in portions thereof.

11. A retaining clip for a housing according to claim 1.

12. A sensor apparatus with a housing according to claim 1.

13. A motor vehicle with a housing according claim 1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] In the following text, the invention will be explained in greater detail with reference to an embodiment represented in the drawing. In detail, the schematic diagrams in the drawing show:

[0021] FIG. 1: the housing of a sensor apparatus with a retaining clip;

[0022] FIG. 2: a detail view of the housing of FIG. 1;

[0023] FIG. 3: a cross-sectional view of the housing of FIGS. 1 and 2; and

[0024] FIG. 4: a retaining clip for a housing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0025] FIG. 1 represents a housing 1 with a retaining clip 2 fastened thereto. The retaining clip 2 is arranged on an outer surface 3 of the housing 1 by means of a clamping projection 4. The clamping projection 4 protrudes out of the outer surface 3 and is constructed cylindrically in the form of a nub. The retaining clip 2 has a fastening region 5, and spring regions 6 which extend laterally therefrom. The fastening region 5 has clamping sections 7, 8. The clamping sections 7, 8 are arranged opposite to each other and form an opening 9 in which the clamping projection 4 may be accommodated. A non-positive connection may be created between the clamping sections 7 and 8 and the outer wall of the clamping projection 4 as a result of the inherent stability of the clamping sections 7 and 8 and due to the fact that the opening 9 has a smaller diameter than the clamping projection 4. In order to increase the inherent stability and thus also increase the radial clamping force, the clamping sections 7 and 8 each have a bead 10, 11. The retaining clip 2 is preferably made from a single piece of material, a piece of sheet metal for example, wherein the opening 9 and cutouts by which the clamping sections 7, 8 are formed are created by a punched out part 12. The outer sides of the clamping sections 7, 8 are furnished with recesses 13-16. In particular, the recesses 13-16 may be semicircular in shape. In order to limit the ability of the retaining clip 2 to move in the plane parallel to the outer surface 3, the outer surface 3 of the housing 1 is furnished with bulges 19, 20. In addition, the recesses 13-16 correspond to the bulges 19, 20. Stiffening elements 17, 18 are arranged on the outer surface 3 and are provided to stiffen the outer surface 3. The bulges 19, 20 may be conformed on the stiffening elements 17, 18. The recesses 13-16 are reach arranged on both sides of the axis of transverse symmetry 21 of the retaining clip 2. During mounting, the bulges 19, 20 in the stiffening elements 17, 18 may each engage in one of the recesses 13-16, thereby enabling various orientations of the retaining clip 2 on the housing 1.

[0026] FIG. 2 represents a detail view of the fastening of the retaining clip 2 to the housing 1. The clamping sections 7, 8 are furnished with recesses 13-16 which are arranged on both sides of the axis of transverse symmetry 21. The recesses 13-16 correspond to the bulges 19, 20, which dictate the orientation of the retaining clip 2 on the housing 1.

[0027] FIG. 3 represents a side view of the cross-section through the axis of transverse symmetry 21 of the retaining clip 2 when mounted on the housing 1. Due to the inherent stability of the clamping sections 7, 8 and because the diameter of the clamping projection 4 is larger than the opening 9, a radial clamping force is generated and therewith also a non-positive connection between the retaining clip 2 and the housing 1.

[0028] FIG. 4 represents a retaining clip 2 for a housing 1 according to FIG. 1. The retaining clip 2 includes a fastening region 5 and spring regions 6 which protrude laterally. The clamping sections 7, 8 form, an opening 9, through which a non-positive connection with the clamping projection 4 of the housing 1 can be created.

[0029] All of the features described in the preceding description and the claims can be combined in any permutation with all of the features of the independent claims. The disclosure of the invention is thus not limited to the feature combinations that are described and/or claimed, but rather all feature combinations which are practicable within the scope of the invention are to be considered disclosed.