PLASTIC CLIP, PRE-ASSEMBLED FLUID LINE ARRANGEMENT AND ATTACHMENT METHOD

Abstract

A plastic clip for attaching a longitudinal element, particularly a fluid line, to a perforated sheet part, particularly a body part of a vehicle. The plastic clip comprises a base portion and a lid portion connectable or hingedly connected to the base portion so as to establish an open configuration or a closed configuration. The base portion has a semi-circular base receptacle for the longitudinal element. The lid portion has a semi-circular lid receptacle for the longitudinal element. The base receptacle and the lid receptacle, in the closed configuration, together form a circular holding portion for the longitudinal element. At least one of the base receptacle and the lid receptacle is provided with a jacket portion which is made from a material that is softer than the material of the respective receptacle. The base portion comprises a support portion from which projects a plastic rivet protrusion adapted to be inserted into a hole of the perforated sheet part.

Claims

1. A plastic clip for attaching a longitudinal element to a perforated sheet part, comprising: a base portion; and a lid portion connectable or hingedly connected to the base portion so as to establish an open configuration or a closed configuration, wherein the base portion has a semi-circular base receptacle for the longitudinal element, wherein the lid portion has a semi-circular lid receptacle for the longitudinal element, wherein the base receptacle and the lid receptacle, in the closed configuration, together form a circular holding portion for the longitudinal element, wherein at least one of the base receptacle and the lid receptacle is provided with a jacket portion which is made from a material that is softer than the material of the respective receptacle, wherein the base portion comprises a support portion from which projects a plastic rivet protrusion adapted to be inserted into a hole of the perforated sheet part.

2. The plastic clip according to claim 1, wherein at least one of: (i) the support portion is provided at an underside of a main part of the base portion; and (ii) the support portion is provided at an extension portion of the base portion.

3. The plastic clip according to claim 1, wherein the base portion and the lid portion are connected via an integral hinge.

4. The plastic clip according to claim 1, wherein the base portion and the lid portion, in the closed configuration, are connected via a first connection portion and a second connection portion.

5. The plastic clip according to claim 4, wherein at least one of the first and the second connection portions comprises a locking nose at one of the base portion and the lid portion, and a locking shoulder at the other of the base portion and the lid portion.

6. The plastic clip according to claim 4, wherein the first and the second connection portions are arranged on opposite sides of the circular holding portion.

7. The plastic clip according to claim 1, wherein the rivet protrusion comprises a shaft.

8. The plastic clip according to claim 7, wherein at least one locking tongue is provided in a region of a front tip of the shaft.

9. The plastic clip according to claim 7, wherein the shaft has a number of annular undulations.

10. The plastic clip according to claim 1, wherein the rivet protrusion comprises two rivet tongues that are radially spreadable.

11. The plastic clip according to claim 10, wherein the base portion comprises a hole aligned with the rivet tongues such that a pin shaft may be inserted between the rivet tongues so as to spread them radially apart from each other.

12. The plastic clip according to claim 1, wherein the plastic clip is a 2K-plastic clip.

13. The plastic clip according to claim 1, wherein at least one jacket portion is made of a rubber material or a TP material.

14. A pre-assembled fluid line arrangement comprising a fluid line for guiding a fluid and at least one plastic clip, the plastic clip comprising: a base portion; and a lid portion connectable or hingedly connected to the base portion so as to establish an open configuration or a closed configuration, wherein the base portion has a semi-circular base receptacle for the longitudinal element, wherein the lid portion has a semi-circular lid receptacle for the longitudinal element, wherein the base receptacle and the lid receptacle, in the closed configuration, together form a circular holding portion for the longitudinal element, wherein at least one of the base receptacle and the lid receptacle is provided with a jacket portion which is made from a material that is softer than the material of the respective receptacle, wherein the base portion comprises a support portion from which projects a plastic rivet protrusion adapted to be inserted into a hole of the perforated sheet part, and wherein the plastic clip is closed so that the circular holding portion encloses the fluid line and is pre-mounted thereto at a pre-defined attachment position along the extension of the fluid line.

15. A method of attaching a longitudinal element to a perforated sheet part, comprising the steps of: providing a plastic clip and pre-mounting the plastic clip to the longitudinal element; and attaching the plastic clip to the perforated sheet part, wherein the plastic clip comprises: a base portion; and a lid portion connectable or hingedly connected to the base portion so as to establish an open configuration or a closed configuration, wherein the base portion has a semi-circular base receptacle for the longitudinal element, wherein the lid portion has a semi-circular lid receptacle for the longitudinal element, wherein the base receptacle and the lid receptacle, in the closed configuration, together form a circular holding portion for the longitudinal element, wherein at least one of the base receptacle and the lid receptacle is provided with a jacket portion which is made from a material that is softer than the material of the respective receptacle, wherein the base portion comprises a support portion from which projects a plastic rivet protrusion adapted to be inserted into a hole of the perforated sheet part, and wherein the attachment step includes inserting the rivet protrusion into a hole of the perforated sheet part.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0053] Exemplary embodiments of the application are explained in more detail in the following description and are represented in the drawings, in which:

[0054] FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of an assembly location where a fluid line is to be assembled to a vehicle body sheet;

[0055] FIG. 1a is an enlarged schematic view of a plastic clip used for attaching a fluid line to a perforated vehicle body sheet;

[0056] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a plastic clip;

[0057] FIG. 3 is a side view of the plastic clip of FIG. 2 in the open configuration;

[0058] FIG. 4 is a side view of the plastic clip of FIG. 2 in the closed configuration;

[0059] FIG. 5 is a top view of the plastic clip of FIG. 4;

[0060] FIG. 6 is a sectional view along the plane VI-VI in FIG. 5;

[0061] FIG. 7 is a sectional view along a plane VII-VII in FIG. 5;

[0062] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a plastic clip;

[0063] FIG. 9 is a side view of the plastic clip of FIG. 8 in an open configuration;

[0064] FIG. 10 is a side view of the plastic clip of FIG. 8 in a closed configuration;

[0065] FIG. 11 is a top view of the plastic clip of FIG. 10;

[0066] FIG. 12 is a sectional view of a plane XII-XII in FIG. 11;

[0067] FIG. 13 is a sectional view of a plane XIII-XIII in FIG. 11;

[0068] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a pre-assembled fluid line arrangement; and

[0069] FIG. 15 is a detail XV of FIG. 14.

DESCRIPTION

[0070] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an area of a wheel-house of a vehicle 2. A wheel 4 is arranged within the wheel house, wherein the wheel 4 is connected to a brake disk 6.

[0071] A brake system 8 includes braking cylinders is assigned to the brake disk 6. The brake system 8 is arranged close to a vehicle body sheet (perforated sheet part) 10.

[0072] A brake line/hose (longitudinal element) 12 is connected to the brake system 8. The brake line 12 is connected by means of a plastic clip/bracket 20 to the body sheet 10. Particularly, the body sheet 10 comprises a hole 14, which is preferably provided with an inner thread 16, and the plastic clip 20 is used to connect the brake line 12 to the body sheet 10, wherein a protrusion 18 of the plastic clip 20 extends into the hole 14.

[0073] FIG. 1a shows a detail of FIG. 1.

[0074] Particularly, it is shown that the plastic clip 20 includes a base portion 22 and a lid portion 24 which are connected to each other so as to enclose and hold the brake line 12.

[0075] The brake line 12 itself is used to guide braking fluid BF. The brake line 12 has an outer diameter DA.

[0076] As is shown in FIG. 1a, a nut 10a is fixedly connected to an underside of the body sheet 10, wherein the nut 10a includes the inner thread 16. The protrusion 18 extends into the nut 10a.

[0077] The attachment of the plastic clip 20 to the body sheet 10 is such that the plastic clip 20 with the brake line 12 can be retained with an force FA of at least 400 N.

[0078] In addition, the brake line 12 is held in the plastic clip 20 such that bending torques TB of at least 1 Nm can be sustained. In addition, the brake line 12 is held in the plastic clip 20 such that axial forces FH along the extension of the brake line 12 can be resisted, which exceed 100 N.

[0079] The torque resistance of the clip 20 holding the brake line 12 is at least 1 Nm.

[0080] In the following description, further embodiments are described which correspond to the above embodiment with regard to design and function. Similar elements are given the same reference numerals. In the following, differences are described.

[0081] In FIGS. 2 to 7, a preferred embodiment of a plastic clip 20' is shown.

[0082] The plastic clip 20 includes a base portion 22 and a lid portion 24. The base portion 22 comprises a base receptacle 26 for the longitudinal element 12 (brake line). The lid portion 24 includes a corresponding lid receptacle 28. The receptacles 26, 28 are in each case semi-circular.

[0083] The base receptacle 26 is provided with a base jacket portion 30 which is made from a material that is softer than the material of the base receptacle 26 (base portion 22). Correspondingly, the lid receptacle 28 is provided with a lid jacket portion 32 made of the same material as the base jacket portion 30.

[0084] The base receptacle 26 and the lid receptacle 28, in a closed configuration as shown in FIG. 4, form a circular holding portion 34 which defines a holding axis 36 which is coaxial to the brake line 12 held therein.

[0085] The base portion 22 and the lid portion 24, in the closed configuration, contact each other along a closure plane 38. The closure plane 38 is aligned approximately parallel to an underside of the base portion 22, which is to be placed upon the sheet part 10 onto which the plastic clip 20 is to be arranged.

[0086] The base portion 22 and the lid portion 24 are connected to each other in the closed configuration by means of a first connection portion 40 and a second connection portion 42. The connection portions 40, 42 are arranged on opposite sides of the holding axis 36.

[0087] The first connection portion 40 comprises a first locking nose 44 which is a part of the lid portion 24. Further, the first connection portion 40 comprises a first locking shoulder 46 which is formed by the base portion 22.

[0088] Correspondingly, the second connection portion 42 comprises a first locking nose 44, which is a part of the lid portion 24. The second connection portion 42, further, comprises a first locking shoulder 46 which is formed by the base portion 22.

[0089] In the closed configuration, as shown for example in FIGS. 4, 6 and 7, the locking noses 44, 50 engage the respective locking shoulders 46, 52 so as to form a positive locking engagement between the base portion 22 and the lid portion 24.

[0090] An inner diameter DI of the circular holding portion 34 (FIG. 7) is preferably equal or smaller than the outer diameter DA (FIG. 1a) of the brake line. It is to be noted that the brake line 12 is one example of a longitudinal element. The plastic clip 20' can be used for holding other longitudinal elements as well.

[0091] The base portion 22 and the lid portion 24 are connected to each other by an integral hinge 48 which is best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

[0092] The integral hinge 48 comprises two hinge portions that are spaced from each other along an axis parallel to the holding axis 36. The first connection portion 40 is arranged between the hinge portions of the integral hinge 48.

[0093] The integral hinge 48 allows to establish an open configuration of the plastic clip 20' as shown for example in FIGS. 2 and 3, or the closed configuration of FIGS. 4, 5, 6, and 7.

[0094] The base portion 22 and the lid portion, together with the integral hinge 48, are made from a first material, preferably PA, in particular PA 66.

[0095] The jacket portions 30, 32 are preferably made of a rubber material or a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) such as TPS.

[0096] The jacket portions 30, 32 and the remaining part of the plastic clip can be produced by means of a 2K-injection molding method. The jacket portions 30, 32 are safely held and not detachable from the respective receptacle 26, 28.

[0097] The base portion 22 comprises a support portion 60 from which a rivet protrusion 64 protrudes.

[0098] The support portion 60 is formed at the underside of an extension portion 62 of the base portion 22. The extension portion 62 is a plate like portion which extends along a plane that is essentially tangential to the holding axis 36. An underside of a main part of the base portion 22 and an underside of the extension portion 22 are formed to be contiguous.

[0099] The rivet protrusion 64 is formed such that its extension direction is tangential to the holding axis 36.

[0100] As is shown in FIG. 6, the support portion 60a may be formed directly under a main part of the base portion 22, so that the rivet protrusion 64a extends from the support portion 60 such that its extension direction intersects the holding axis 36.

[0101] In some cases, two rivet protrusions 64, 64a may be provided. In other embodiments, only one of the two rivet protrusions 64, 64a is provided.

[0102] As is shown particularly in FIGS. 6 and 7, the rivet protrusion 64 comprises a shaft 66 which is formed integral with the support portion 60.

[0103] An outer circumference of the shaft 66 is provided with annular undulations 68.

[0104] At a free end of the rivet protrusion 64, a number of locking tongues 70 are provided that can be radially deflected. Upon insertion into a threaded hole, the locking tongues 70 deflect and are urged elastically against the inner side of the thread or against a shoulder of the sheet part, so as to establish a locking connection between the rivet protrusion 64 and the threaded hole 14.

[0105] The support portion 60 may include at least one wing 72. In the present case, two wings 72 are provided on opposite sides of the rivet protrusion 64. The wings are axially elastically deflectable. When inserting the rivet protrusion 64 into the threaded hole 14, the wings 72 deflect against the upper side of the sheet part 10 and provide a pre-tension for the locking engagement between the locking tongues 70 and the internal thread of the hole 14.

[0106] It is to be noted that the wings 72 are optional in this case.

[0107] The plastic clip 20 can be used to form a pre-assembled brake line arrangement as will be described later.

[0108] Particularly, the plastic clip 20 can be attached to a brake line at a certain pre-defined attachment position along the extension of the brake line. During assembly of the brake line to a vehicle, the plastic clip is already in the correct axial position and may be turned slightly around the holding axis in order to insert the rivet protrusion 64 into a threaded hole of the perforated sheet part, particularly of a vehicle body sheet part.

[0109] FIGS. 8 to 13 show an alternative embodiment of a plastic clip 20" which corresponds with regard to design and function generally to the plastic clip 20' of FIGS. 3 to 7. Same elements are therefore assigned identical reference numerals. In the following, mainly the differences are described.

[0110] The plastic clip 20" is identical to the plastic clip 20' regarding its circular holding portion 34 which is formed by the receptacle 26, 28 and the respective jacket portions 30, 32. Also, the base portion 22 and the lid portion 24 are connected to each other via an integral hinge.

[0111] While the embodiment of FIGS. 3 to 7 includes a solid shaft 66, the rivet protrusion 64" of the plastic clip 20" includes two rivet tongues 84.

[0112] A pin hole 82 is provided in the base portion 22, particularly in the extension portion 62" thereof. A pin shaft 78 of pin 76 is partly inserted into the pin hole 82, as is particularly shown in FIG. 12.

[0113] When manufacturing the plastic clip, the pin 76 may be co-injected, such that it is connected via at least one small web to the extension portion 62". In other embodiments, the pin 76 may be a separate part.

[0114] The pin 76 may have a pin head 80 with an enlarged diameter, or may be a simple pin with a uniform outer diameter.

[0115] The rivet tongues 84 have a first section which extends from the extension portion 62" to approximately a middle part thereof, and a second section which is formed by the free ends of the rivet tongues 84.

[0116] In the first section, the rivet tongues essentially define an internal diameter which corresponds to the outer diameter of the pin shaft 78. Therefore, the pin shaft 78 can be inserted through the pin hole 82 and into the rivet tongues without deflecting the rivet tongues 84.

[0117] In the second section, which is formed by the free end of the rivet tongues 84, an internal diameter defined by the rivet tongues 84 is smaller than an outer diameter of the pin shaft 78. When the pin shaft 78 reaches the second section, the rivet tongues 84 are spread radially apart from each other. In this case, the radially outer sides of the rivet tongues 84 engage the internal thread 16 so as to fix the clip 20” to the sheet part 10.

[0118] In the second section, the outer diameter D2 is larger than the outer diameter D1 in the first section of the rivet tongues 84.

[0119] In FIGS. 14 and 15 there is shown a pre-mounted brake line arrangement 88 which includes a brake line 12, a first brake line connector 90 attached to one end of the brake line 12 and a second brake line connector 92 attached to a second end of the brake line 12.

[0120] In an area between the first and second connectors 90, 92, a plastic clip 20"' is pre-mounted to the brake line 12.

[0121] The plastic clip 20'" may be formed by any of the above described plastic clips 20, 20', 20". The plastic clip 20'" is preferably identical to the plastic clip of FIGS. 8 to 13.

[0122] The plastic clip 20'" is mounted to the brake line 12 such that a certain part of the brake line 12 is arranged under an angle α of larger than 0° and smaller than 45° with respect to a plane that is defined by the extension portion 62"’.

[0123] It is to be understood that the foregoing is a description of one or more preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention. The invention is not limited to the particular embodiment(s) disclosed herein, but rather is defined solely by the claims below. Furthermore, the statements contained in the foregoing description relate to particular embodiments and are not to be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention or on the definition of terms used in the claims, except where a term or phrase is expressly defined above. Various other embodiments and various changes and modifications to the disclosed embodiment(s) will become apparent to those skilled in the art. All such other embodiments, changes, and modifications are intended to come within the scope of the appended claims.

[0124] As used in this specification and claims, the terms “for example,” “e.g.,” “for instance,” “such as,” and “like,” and the verbs “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and their other verb forms, when used in conjunction with a listing of one or more components or other items, are each to be construed as open-ended, meaning that the listing is not to be considered as excluding other, additional components or items. Other terms are to be construed using their broadest reasonable meaning unless they are used in a context that requires a different interpretation.

Reference Number List

[0125] 2 vehicle

[0126] 4 wheel

[0127] 6 brake disk

[0128] 8 brake system

[0129] 10 vehicle body sheet (perforated sheet part)

[0130] 10a nut

[0131] 12 brake line/hose (longitudinal element)

[0132] 14 hole

[0133] 16 inner thread

[0134] 18 protrusion

[0135] 20 plastic clip/bracket

[0136] 22 base portion

[0137] 24 lid portion

[0138] 26 base receptacle

[0139] 28 lid receptacle

[0140] 30 base jacket portion

[0141] 32 lid jacket portion

[0142] 34 circular holding portion

[0143] 36 holding axis

[0144] 38 closure plane

[0145] 40 first connection portion 22/24

[0146] 42 second connection portion 22/24

[0147] 44 first locking nose of 40

[0148] 46 first locking shoulder of 22

[0149] 48 integral hinge

[0150] 50 second locking nose of 42

[0151] 52 second locking shoulder of 22

[0152] 60 support portion of 22

[0153] 62 extension portion of 22

[0154] 64 rivet protrusion

[0155] 66 shaft

[0156] 68 annular undulations

[0157] 70 locking tongues

[0158] 72 wings

[0159] 76 pin

[0160] 78 pin shaft

[0161] 80 pin head

[0162] 82 pin hole in 22

[0163] 84 rivet tongues

[0164] 88 Pre-mounted brake line arrangement

[0165] 90 first brake line connector

[0166] 92 second brake line connector

[0167] 94 protection wall portion of 22"'

[0168] BF braking fluid

[0169] DA outer diameter 12

[0170] DI inner diameter 34

[0171] FH axial holding force

[0172] TB bending torque

[0173] FA attachment force

[0174] D1 first outer diameter 64"

[0175] D2 second outer diameter 64"

[0176] α angle