ANNULAR PLUG-IN COUPLING AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING A CONNECTION BETWEEN COMPONENTS WITH THE AID OF THE ANNULAR PLUG-IN COUPLING

Abstract

An annular plug-in coupling having a ring structure with a longitudinal axis, a radial inner side and a radial outer side, a fastening structure on the outer side of the ring structure with a first and a second undercut acting against one another in the longitudinal direction of the ring structure, of which at least the first undercut can be moved resiliently in the radial direction, a latching structure arranged centrally the ring structure, with which a coupling pin of a second component can be releasably connected and which consists of at least three spring arms, the width of which is arranged in the longitudinal direction of the ring structure and is greater than a thickness, the spring arms extend inwards from the radial inner side of the ring structure and end in a free fastening end which include at least an insertion slope and a clamping portion.

Claims

1. An annular plug-in coupling which can be fastened in a component opening of a first component and has the following features: a. a hollow cylindrical ring structure having a longitudinal axis and a radial inner side and a radial outer side, b. a fastening structure arranged on the radial outer side of the ring structure, with which the ring structure can be fastened in the component opening, c. a latching structure arranged centrally in the interior of the ring structure, c1. with which a coupling pin of a second component can be releasably connected to the plug-in coupling, and c2. which consist of at least three band-like spring arms which extend radially inwards in a curvilinear manner from the radial inner side of the ring structure and end respectively in a free fastening end, and the spring arm width of which is arranged in the longitudinal direction of the ring structure and is greater than a spring arm thickness, wherein the fastening ends comprise at least an insertion slope and a clamping portion.

2. Plug-in coupling according to claim 1, in which the spring arm width is arranged in an inclined or parallel manner with respect to the longitudinal direction of the plug-in coupling or is arranged in an inclined and/or parallel manner at least in sections.

3. Plug-in coupling according to claim 2, in which the cylindrical ring structure comprises an axial entry side and an axial exit side for the coupling pin to be fastened, and the spring arms are fastened to the radial inner side of the ring structure in the longitudinal direction of the ring structure at a distance from the entry side of the ring structure, so that a cylindrical seat is provided for a radial fixation of the coupling pin in the ring structure.

4. Plug-in coupling according to claim 2, the insertion slope of which encloses an angle <45 with the longitudinal axis of the plug-in coupling and which has an extraction slope which encloses a larger angle with the longitudinal axis than the insertion slope.

5. Plug-in coupling according to claim 2, the clamping portion of which comprises a retention face parallel to the longitudinal axis of the plug-in coupling.

6. Plug-in coupling according to claim 2, which is provided as an integral plastic part, the plastic of which comprises a strength in the range from 20 to 100 MPa.

7. Plug-in coupling according to claim 2, the ring structure of which has a first and a second undercut acting against one another in the longitudinal direction of the ring structure, of which at least the first undercut can be moved resiliently in the radial direction in order to latch the ring structure in the component opening.

8. A connection between a first component and a second component, in which the first component comprises a component opening, in which a plug-in coupling according to claim 1 is fastened, and in which a coupling pin, which is retained in the plug-in coupling of the first component, is fastened to the second component.

9. Connection according to claim 8, in which the coupling pin has an elongated shaft and a bulbous head.

10. Connection according to claim 9, in which the coupling pin has a cylindrical thickening in a shaft portion facing away from the head, which is adapted to the cylindrical seat and can be received therein.

11. Connection according to claim 10 in which the cylindrical thickening is formed integrally with the coupling pin or as a sleeve which can be fastened to the coupling pin.

12. A connection between a first and a second component, in which the first component has at least two plug-in couplings according to claim 1 each arranged in a component opening and the second component comprises two coupling pins fitting thereto, wherein one coupling pin comprises a cylindrical thickening in the shaft portion facing away from the head which is received in a cylindrical seat of the plug-in coupling in order to establish a radially fixed connection between the first and the second component.

13. Connection according to claim 12, in which the second coupling pin does not comprise a cylindrical thickening in order to ensure a radial tolerance compensation between the second coupling and the second coupling pin.

14. Connection method for a first and a second component, comprising the following steps: a. arranging at least a first and a second plug-in coupling according to claim 1 in a respective component opening of the first component. b. fastening a first and a second coupling pin in the second component in an arrangement adapted to the arrangement of the first and the second plug-in coupling in the first component, wherein one of the coupling pins comprises a cylindrical thickening as a radial fixation in combination with the plug-in coupling and the other coupling pin is provided without a cylindrical thickening, and c. inserting and locking the coupling pins in the first and the second plug-in coupling.

15. Connection method according to claim 14, with the further step: providing the coupling pin with cylindrical thickening as an integral coupling pin or as coupling pin with a sleeve.

16. Connection method according to claim 14 with the further step: inserting the coupling pin with thickening into the cylindrical ring structure such that the cylindrical thickening is arranged in the cylindrical seat adjacent to the entry side of the ring structure such that the cylindrical seat prevents a radial displacement of the received cylindrical thickening.

17. Connection method according to claim 15 with the further step: inserting the coupling pin with thickening into the cylindrical ring structure such that the cylindrical thickening is arranged in the cylindrical seat adjacent to the entry side of the ring structure such that the cylindrical seat prevents a radial displacement of the received cylindrical thickening.

18. Plug-in coupling according to claim 3, the insertion slope of which encloses an angle <45 with the longitudinal axis of the plug-in coupling and which has an extraction slope which encloses a larger angle with the longitudinal axis than the insertion slope.

19. Plug-in coupling according to claim 3, the clamping portion of which comprises a retention face parallel to the longitudinal axis of the plug-in coupling.

20. Plug-in coupling according to claim 3, which is provided as an integral plastic part, the plastic of which comprises a strength in the range from 20 to 100 MPa.

Description

4. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

[0023] Some embodiments of the present disclosure are described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It shows:

[0024] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the annular plug-in coupling with an entry side for a coupling pin in the foreground,

[0025] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the annular plug-in coupling with an exit side for a coupling pin in the foreground,

[0026] FIG. 3 is an embodiment of the inserting of the coupling pin on the entry side into the annular plug-in coupling,

[0027] FIG. 4 is an embodiment of the coupling pin inserted into the annular plug-in coupling of FIG. 3 having the head of the coupling pin locked,

[0028] FIG. 5 is an embodiment of an arrangement of the ball pin on the entry side after being locked in the annular plug-in coupling,

[0029] FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the connection according to FIG. 5,

[0030] FIG. 7 is another embodiment of an arrangement of a coupling pin with cylindrical thickening when inserting the coupling pin on the entry side into the annular plug-in coupling,

[0031] FIG. 8 is the arrangement of FIG. 7 after locking the coupling pin in the plug-in coupling,

[0032] FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the connection according to FIG. 8, in which the coupling pin comprises an integral cylindrical thickening,

[0033] FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the connection according to FIG. 8, in which the coupling pin comprises a sleeve as cylindrical thickening,

[0034] FIG. 11 is an embodiment of a connection of two components with a plurality of plug-in couplings and coupling pins, and

[0035] FIG. 12 is a flow chart of an embodiment of the connection method.

5. DETAILED DESCRIPTION E

[0036] An embodiment of the annular plug-in coupling 1 is shown in a perspective view in each of FIGS. 1 and 2. In order to establish a connection between a first B1 and a second component B2, the annular plug-in coupling 1 is latched or generally fastened in a component opening O of the first component B1. In the second component B2, a coupling pin 2 is fastened. This coupling pin 2 is screwed or glued into a component opening, riveted thereto or the like.

[0037] The coupling pin 2 is plugged into the annular plug-in coupling 1 from an entry side E until the coupling pin 2 latches into it. This is shown in FIG. 4, where a bulbous head 40 of the coupling pin 2 is arranged latched at an exit side A of the plug-in coupling. Instead of the head 40 shown here, a ball head, a lens head or a similar thickening can also be used as a head in combination with a pin.

[0038] The plug-in coupling 1 has a hollow cylindrical ring structure 10, which extends parallel to an axial longitudinal axis L. The ring structure is of band-like design and has a radial inner side 12 and a radial outer side 14. According to various embodiments, the ring structure 10 is formed to run circumferentially continuous or with regular apertures 16.

[0039] The plug-in coupling 1 is fastened via the radial outer side 14 in a component opening. According to different embodiments, the radial outer side 14 of the ring structure 10 is provided with a thread and screwed into the component opening. According to another embodiment, the radial outer side 14 is glued into the component opening. According to another embodiment, the ring structure 10 is latched into the component opening O.

[0040] In order to latch the annular plug-in coupling 1 in the component opening O, radially projecting retaining surfaces 18 are provided at the radial outer side 14. A plurality of these retaining surfaces 18 are distributed evenly over the circumference of the ring structure 10. These retaining surfaces 18 form an axial undercut in an insertion direction R.sub.E, so that the annular plug-in coupling 1 can only be inserted into the component opening O up to the retaining surfaces 18. For this, it is necessary that the retaining surfaces 18 extend radially beyond a diameter of the component opening.

[0041] A plurality of latching means, resilient latching hooks 20, are also arranged on the radial outer side 14. The latching hooks 20 have an axial web 22, a locking axial undercut 24 and an insertion slope 26. The undercut 24 is arranged transversely to the longitudinal axis L of the plug-in coupling 1 and thus is opposite to the retaining surface 18. Thus, the undercut 24 of the latching hook 20 forms an axial undercut contrary to the insertion direction R.sub.E of the plug-in coupling 1. In order to be able to insert the plug-in coupling 1 into the component opening O, the latching hooks 20 are constructed so as to be resilient radially inwards via the axial webs 22. If the plug-in coupling 1 is thus inserted into the component opening O, the latching hooks 20 initially spring radially inwards and then lock themselves to the edge of the component opening O. Thereafter, the retaining surfaces 18 and the axial undercut 24 are arranged on opposite surfaces of the first component B1 and prevent an unintentional release of the plug-in coupling 1 out of the component opening O.

[0042] From the radial inner side 12 of the hollow cylindrical ring structure 10, a plurality of band-like spring arms 30 extend radially inwards. These spring arms 30 form the centrally arranged latching structure 28. In accordance with a further embodiment, the spring arms 30 are formed band-like so that they have a spring arm width in the longitudinal direction L and a spring arm thickness transverse thereto. The spring arm width is greater than the spring arm thickness. In this regard, it may be preferred that the spring arm width is arranged in an inclined or parallel manner with respect to the longitudinal direction L of the plug-in coupling 1 or is arranged in an inclined and/or parallel manner thereto at least in sections. This specific arrangement of the spring arms 30 supports a precise adjustment of the spring behavior of the spring arms 30 in order to reliably lock the coupling pin 2 within the plug-in coupling 1.

[0043] In addition, it may be preferred that the spring arms 30 extend straight or curvilinear radially inwards depending on the retention force to be achieved for the coupling pin 2. In the case of a rectilinear course of the spring arms 30, these may be compressed reversibly in their radial longitudinal direction in order to receive the coupling pin 2. In the case of a curved or arc-shaped course, as shown for example in FIG. 2, the spring arms 30 resiliently move radially outwards when the coupling pin 2 is plugged into the plug-in coupling 1. With an increasing length of the spring arms 30, the retention force of the spring arms 30, with which they engage the coupling pin 2, decreases. The retention force of the spring arms 30 also may be adjustable via the spring arm thickness. In this context, the retention force will increase as the spring arm thickness increases.

[0044] The spring arms 30 end radially inwards in a free fastening end 22. Due to the free fastening ends 32, these can preferably move freely when inserting the coupling pin 2. After the head 40 of the coupling pin 2 has passed the fastening ends 30, the fastening ends 32 try to return to their initial position. Thereby, they come into abutment with a shaft 42 of the coupling pin 2 and clamp said shaft between each other. This can be seen in the sectional view according to FIG. 6.

[0045] In order to facilitate the insertion of the coupling pin 2 into the plug-in coupling 1, the fastening ends 32 may comprise an insertion slope 34 (see FIG. 6). The insertion slope 34 is arranged at an angle to the longitudinal axis L of the plug-in coupling 1. This angle has a size in the range of 545, preferably 1030.

[0046] The insertion slope 34 may merge continuously into a retaining surface 36, which in turn may be connected to an extraction slope 38. The retaining surface 36 is flat or profiled and/or is provided with a certain surface roughness. These configurations ensure a reliable hold between the fastening ends 32 and the shaft 42 of the coupling pin 2. If the shaft 42 and the engaging retaining surfaces 36 are formed complementary or at least matching to each other, the fastening ends 32 would provide not only a non-positive hold but also a positive hold on the coupling pin 2.

[0047] As can be seen from the sectional views in FIGS. 6, 9 and 10, the coupling pin 2 varies in design. According to the first configuration in FIG. 6, the coupling pin 2 comprises a cylindrical shaft portion 44, which may have about the same diameter as the head 40. The plug-in coupling 1 may feature on the axial entry side E a cylindrical receiving area 19 in which the cylindrical shaft portion 44 engages. In order to enable a certain radial tolerance compensation after a connection has been established between the plug-in coupling 1 and the coupling pin 2, the cylindrical shaft portion 44 is smaller in diameter than the inner diameter of the cylindrical receiving portion 19. While the spring arms 20 yield to a radial load of the components B1, B2, the cylindrical shaft portion 44 in the cylindrical receiving portion 19 can follow the movements of the components B1, B2. In this way, the connection according to FIG. 6 represents a floating bearing between the components B1 and B2 since certain tolerance movements are made possible.

[0048] According to another embodiment, the cylindrical shaft area 44 is adapted in its size to the cylindrical receiving opening 19 in such a manner that the cylindrical shaft area 44 is held in the cylindrical receiving opening 19 without the possibility of radial tolerance movements relative to the plug-in coupling 1. In this context, it may be preferred to adapt the diameter of the cylindrical shaft area 44 to the diameter of the cylindrical receiving opening 19. Both construction alternatives prevent tolerance compensation movements in the radial direction between the first B1 and the second component B2, so that the connection between the plug-in coupling 1 and the coupling pin 2 constitutes a fixed bearing.

[0049] Alternatively, FIG. 10 shows another embodiment. Here, the universally applicable coupling pin 2 according to FIG. 6 is equipped with a sleeve H in order to be able to flexibly adapt the cylindrical shaft portion 44 to the cylindrical seat 19 of any size with the same coupling pin 2. Therefore, the arrangement according to FIG. 10 constitutes a fixed bearing in the same manner as the arrangement according to FIG. 9. Accordingly, the cylindrical shaft portion 44 of FIG. 9 acts in the same manner as the sleeve H as a radial fixation for the coupling pin 2 in the plug-in coupling 1.

[0050] In order to be able to establish the above connection, the plug-in coupling 1 and the coupling pin 2 may be made of plastics with a strength between 20 and 100 MPa. These plastics may have a glass fibre reinforcement and/or other fillers. Preferred material examples are POM (polyoxymethylene), PA (polyamide), PBT (polybutylene terephthalate), PP (polypropylene), ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene copolymerizate) and PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene). According to an embodiment, the coupling and the coupling pin consist of an integral plastic part. It further may be preferred that the plug-in coupling 1 is a hybrid component in which the spring arms 30 and/or the ring structure are reinforced by metal inserts.

[0051] According to a further embodiment, a multi-point snap-on mounting (see FIG. 11), may be a two-point or three-point snap-on mounting, is used for a rear lamp on the outer body of a motor vehicle. This mounting can also be used analogously for any other attachment components, such as fairings, peripheral devices, equipment accessories etc. in the vehicle, generally in the automotive industry, in the construction industry and in vehicle construction. For this, one or two coupling pins 2 in combination with a plug-in coupling 1 are used as floating bearing, as shown in FIG. 6. A further combination uses the plug-in coupling 1 in connection with a coupling pin 2, as shown in FIGS. 9 to 10 and as described in this regard. A combination according to FIG. 9 or 10 serves as a fixed bearing. The fixed bearing first absorbs the transverse forces on the connection of the two components B1, B2. In addition, the fixed bearing may represent the dimensional fixed point of the arrangement in the outer vehicle body in order to ensure the precisely defined position of the two components B1 and B2 in relation to each other. In this way, gap dimensions may be maintained for attachment components on motor vehicles. The snap-on connections are established almost simultaneously. The fixed bearing ensures the positional accuracy of the attachment component, while the floating bearings realize with respect to the fixed bearing a reliable additional snap-on connection regardless of existing alignment inaccuracies or tolerances between the components B1 and B2.

[0052] The connection method for the two components B1, B2 can be summarized as follows. In step S1 (see FIG. 12), at least a first and a second plug-in coupling 1 according to one of the embodiments described above is arranged in a respective component opening O of the first component. Then a fastening of a first and a second coupling pin takes place in the second component in an arrangement adapted to the arrangement of the first and second plug-in coupling in the first component, wherein one of the coupling pins comprises the cylindrical thickening as a radial fixation in combination with the plug-in coupling and the other coupling pin is provided without a cylindrical thickening (step S2). At step S3, the coupling pin is plugged into the first and the second plug-in coupling and is then locked (step S4). To prepare for the connecting, it may be necessary to provide the coupling pin with a cylindrical thickening as an integral coupling pin or as a coupling pin with a sleeve. In addition, it may be preferred to plug (S5) the coupling pin with thickening into the cylindrical ring structure such that the cylindrical thickening in the cylindrical seat is arranged adjacent to the entry side of the ring structure, so that the cylindrical seat prevents a radial displacement of the received cylindrical thickening.