ASSEMBLY FOR NON-DETACHABLE CONNECTION OF PLASTIC PARTS FOR A CAR

Abstract

An assembly for non-detachable connection of plastic parts for a car is provided. The assembly includes at least one set of pairs of complementary fastening elements. One element from each pair is rigidly connected to a first part, and a second element from the same pair is rigidly connected to a second part. The second element is at least partially inserted into the first element from the same pair. One element from each pair includes a protruding portion and a slot dividing the protruding portion into at least two segments. A second element from the same pair includes a recessed portion and a partition extending into the recessed portion. In each pair, the protruding portion is inserted into the recessed portion and the partition is inserted into the slot. The fastening elements further include protrusions and recesses for mutual engagement and connection of the parts to be connected.

Claims

1. An assembly for non-detachable connection of plastic parts for a car, the assembly comprising: a plastic first part, a plastic second part, and at least one set of pairs of complementary fastening elements, wherein one element from each pair of complementary fastening elements is rigidly connected to the first part, and another element from each respective pair is rigidly connected to the second part, and wherein one of said elements from each pair of complementary fastening elements is at least partially inserted into the second element from the same pair, wherein a first of said elements from each pair of complementary fastening elements comprises a protruding portion and a slot dividing the protruding portion into at least two segments, each segment being defined by at least one side wall of the segment, and a second element from each respective pair comprises a recessed portion defined by at least one side wall of the recessed portion and a partition extending into the recessed portion, wherein in each pair of complementary fastening elements the protruding portion is inserted into the recessed portion and the partition is inserted into the slot, wherein one element from each pair of complementary fastening elements comprises in a side wall of the segment, or in a side wall of the recessed portion, a protrusion, and another element from the same pair comprises in a side wall of the segment, or in a side wall of the recessed portion, a recess complementary in shape to the protrusion, wherein the protrusion and the recess connect the two elements from the pair by engaging the protrusion in the recess.

2. The assembly for non-detachable connection of plastic parts of claim 1, wherein in each pair of complementary fastening elements, the partition on one element from the pair preloads and mutually pushes apart at least two segments of the protruding portion of another element from the pair separated by the slot.

3. The assembly for non-detachable connection of plastic parts of claim 1, wherein the set of pairs of complementary fastening elements comprises at least two pairs, wherein for any two pairs the partition from one pair is rotated relative to the partition from the other pair about an axis parallel to a direction of insertion of the partition into the corresponding slot.

4. The assembly for non-detachable connection of plastic parts of claim 1, wherein the set of pairs of complementary fastening elements comprises at least two pairs, wherein for some two pairs the partition from a first pair has a different cross-section than the partition from a second pair, wherein the slot in at least the first pair has a shape complementary to the shape of the partition in the first pair and non-complementary to the shape of the partition from the second pair.

5. The assembly for non-detachable connection of plastic parts of claim 1, wherein the first part and the second part are placeable to exactly one mutual position in which the partition from each pair of complementary fastening elements can be inserted into a complementarily shaped and oriented slot of some pair of complementary fastening elements.

6. The assembly for non-detachable connection of plastic parts of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first part and the second part is a component for a car lamp.

7. The assembly for non-detachable connection of plastic parts of claim 6, wherein the first part is a lens holder and the second part is a lamp lens frame.

8. The assembly for non-detachable connection of plastic parts of claim 1, wherein the partition in at least one pair passes across the recessed portion and divides it into at least two segments.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Reference is now made more particularly to the drawings, which illustrate the best presently known mode of carrying out the invention and wherein similar reference characters indicate the same parts throughout the views.

[0023] FIG. 1 shows schematically in a perspective view a first part of an exemplary embodiment of an assembly for the non-detachable connection of plastic parts for a car of the present invention, wherein in this embodiment the first part is an exemplary lens holder provided with four fastening elements with a protruding portion.

[0024] FIG. 2 shows schematically in a perspective view a second part of the assembly of the invention, which is in the embodiment shown an exemplary frame for a lens mounted in a lens holder, wherein this frame comprises four fastening elements with a recessed portion, each complementary to one of the fastening elements of FIG. 1.

[0025] FIG. 3 shows schematically a rear view of the assembly of the invention comprising the connected first part and second part of FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0026] FIG. 4 shows schematically an A-A section indicated in FIG. 3, wherein this section is through two adjacent pairs of complementary fastening elements and wherein in this section the abutting of the partition on the step in the slot in one of the pairs, the engagement of the protrusion into the recess in both pairs, the narrowing shape of the protruding portions towards the free end, and the widening shape of the slots towards the open end are visible.

[0027] FIG. 5 shows schematically a B-B section indicated in FIG. 3, wherein this section is through two other adjacent pairs of complementary fastening elements.

[0028] FIG. 6 is a more detailed rear view of the lamp mounting frame of FIG. 2.

[0029] FIG. 7 is a more detailed rear view of the lens holder of FIG. 1.

[0030] FIG. 8 schematically indicates a detailed perspective view of one of the fastening elements of FIG. 1, wherein this element comprises a protruding portion with a slot adapted for inserting a partition with a constant width.

[0031] FIG. 9 is a perspective view from another direction of the fastening element of FIG. 8.

[0032] FIG. 10 schematically indicates a detailed perspective view of another of the fastening elements of FIG. 1, wherein this element comprises a protruding portion with a slot adapted for inserting a partition with a circular extension.

[0033] FIG. 11 is a perspective view from another direction of the fastening element of FIG. 10.

[0034] FIG. 12 schematically indicates detailed perspective views of one of the fastening elements of FIG. 2 in two different orientations, wherein this element comprises a recessed portion with the partition with a constant width.

[0035] FIG. 13 schematically indicates detailed perspective views of another of the fastening elements of FIG. 2 in two different orientations, wherein this element comprises a recessed portion with the partition with a circular extension.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] The invention will be further clarified using exemplary embodiments with reference to the respective drawings.

[0037] The object of the present invention is an assembly for the non-detachable connection of plastic parts, in particular for the car industry. This assembly comprises, in the embodiment shown, a first part 1 and a second part 2 which are parts to be connected, wherein the first part 1 is an optical lens holder for a lamp (see FIG. 1) and the second part 2 is a frame for this lens (see FIG. 2). In alternative embodiments, the assembly may also comprise other components, such as a third part placed between or attached to the first part 1 and the second part 2, either by the same fastening elements 4 that connect the first part 1 to the second part 2, as will be described below, or by another method of connecting, such as welding, gluing, screwing, etc.

[0038] The assembly of the invention comprises a set of pairs 3 of complementary fastening elements 4, wherein this set comprises at least one pair 3, preferably at least two pairs 3, and even more preferably at least three pairs 3, to ensure a reliable and unambiguous connection of the parts to be connected. In the embodiment shown, the assembly comprises four pairs 3. Each pair 3 comprises one fastening element 4, which is a fixed component of the first part 1, and one fastening element 4, which is a fixed component of the second part 2. One element of each pair 3 is adapted to be inserted into the other by at least a portion of its volume, in the embodiment shown the elements on the first part 1 are intended to be inserted into the corresponding elements on the second part 2. At the same time, however, a portion of each element on the second part 2 is located inside the element on the first part 1 after the insertion of one fastening element 4 into the other.

[0039] In each pair 3 in the embodiment shown, the fastening element 4 on the first part 1, hereinafter referred to as the first element, is implemented as an element with a protruding portion in the shape of a conical cone divided into two segments 6 by a slot 5. This cone is fixed by its larger base to the first part 1 and the smaller base represents the free end of the first part for insertion into the corresponding complementarily shaped fastening element 4 on the second part 2, hereinafter referred to as the second element. The slot 5 narrows towards the larger base.

[0040] The second element of each pair 3 is implemented as an element with a recessed portion, in the embodiment shown the recessed part is a through hole passing through the second part 2, but alternatively it does not have to be through. In alternative embodiments, the second element does not have to be aligned with the surface of the second part 2 but may also protrude therefrom, i.e., may for example comprise walls defining said recessed portion, wherein these walls protrude from the surface of the second part 2. Similarly, in some embodiments, the protruding portion may be recessed below the surface of the part to be connected or may protrude relative to the bottom of a recess formed in this part.

[0041] The recessed portion is also divided into two segments 6 by a partition 7 which intersects the recessed portion. Each of the segments 6 of the first element thus fits into and is intended to be inserted into one of the segments 6 of the second element, wherein the partition 7 is then at the same time inserted into the slot 5. In the embodiment shown, each fastening element 4 has exactly two segments 6, but in other embodiments it may have three or more than three segments 6. Preferably, the number of segments 6 on the first element corresponds to the number of segments 6 on the second element from the same pair 3, but embodiments where this number is different are also possible.

[0042] The partition 7 has a constant cross-section throughout its depth/height in the embodiment shown. Thanks to the narrowing cross-section of the slot 5, pressure is gradually exerted on the side walls of the segments 6 defining the slot 5 when the fastening elements 4 are inserted into each other by the partition 7. Both segments 6 of each first element are thus pushed apart and thus tensioned. This eliminates any clearance between the two fastening elements 4 from the same pair 3 such that the connection between the first part 1 and the second part 2 is precise and vibration-free. In addition, the pressure between the partition 7 and the walls of the slot 5 helps to hold the fastening elements 4 together.

[0043] However, the main mechanism which holds the fastening elements 4 together when inserted into each other, and which makes the assembly of the invention an assembly for non-detachable connection, is a lock on each pair 3 implemented as a protrusion 8 on the side wall of segment 6 of one of the elements from each pair 3 and a complementary recess 9 on the side wall of segment 6 of the second element of the same pair 3. The shape of the protrusion 8 and thus the shape of the recess 9 is chosen such that during the insertion it is possible to push the fastening elements 4 completely into each other with a reasonable force, wherein at the end of this insertion the protrusion 8 is aligned with the recess 9, the protrusion 8 engages the recess 9, and neither the protrusion 8 may fall out spontaneously nor the protrusion 8 may fall out of the recess 9 in a non-destructive manner to disconnect the connected parts. The form of the lock on one pair 3 is best seen in FIG. 5, where it can be seen that both the protrusion 8 and the recess 9 are rectangular in cross-section. The perpendicularity of the side of the protrusion 8 and the recess 9 closer to the free end of the protruding portion with respect to the direction of insertion and withdrawal of the first element from the second one prevents the lock from disconnecting. The protrusions 8 and recesses 9 prior to the connection of the fastening elements 4 can be seen in detail in FIGS. 8 to 13.

[0044] As can be seen for example in FIG. 3, the partitions 7 and thus the slots 5 are rotated differently in the different pairs 3. At the same time, two of the partitions 7 have a rectangular shape when viewed from the rear, i.e., in the direction of insertion, and the other two partitions have a partially circular shape. The corresponding slots 5 then have a corresponding shape so that the partitions 7 can be inserted into the corresponding slots 5. This different shape and rotation ensure that the first part 1 can be connected to the second part 2 only in a single, correct orientation. Connecting the parts in the wrong orientation is not possible, so inspection requirements during and after coupling are reduced and waste production is reduced. In some embodiments, however, all the partitions 7 may be equally oriented and shaped, and the correctness of the assembly may be left to the operator or may be provided by the arrangement of the fastening elements 4 or the shape of another portion of the fastening elements 4 or the parts to be connected. In other embodiments, the shape of the partitions 7 may be the same and only their orientation differs or vice versa. The relative rotation of the partitions 7 about an axis parallel to the direction of insertion of the fastening elements 4 may be at an angle other than the 90? shown, for example 20-90?. The form of the partitions 7 and the slots 5 in the exemplary embodiment shown can be clearly seen from FIGS. 6 and 7 showing a rear view of the parts to be connected, and also from FIGS. 8 to 13 showing detailed views of the separate fastening elements 4. In these detailed views, the order of the first elements corresponds to the order of the complementary second elements such that the complementarity of the elements from the same pair 3 and the dissimilarity between the elements from different pairs 3, including the arrangement of the protrusions 8 and the recesses 9, can be seen.

[0045] As can be seen from FIGS. 4 and 5, the partition 7 further serves as a stop for inserting the fastening elements 4 into each other. In the embodiment shown, the slot 5 comprises a step on the circumference by which the fastening element 4 with the protruding portion abuts the face of the partition 7, thereby preventing further insertion. Thus, the slot 5 narrows abruptly in the direction from the free end of the protruding portion. At the same time, at this level of insertion, the protrusion 8 engages the recess 9. In the embodiment shown, this stop is only found in pairs 3 with the partition 7 with a circular extension, but it can generally be present in any or all of the pairs 3. Furthermore, it can be seen from these figures that the recessed portion narrows slightly in the direction from the first part 1. In some embodiments, the recessed portion may narrow and the protruding portion does not have to; at the same time, the slot 5 and/or the partition 7 may narrow. In some embodiments, only the partition 7 or the slot 5 may narrow, but not the protruding portion at its outer circumference or the recessed portion at its inner circumference. At the same time, the above-described options of narrowing/widening of different parts of the fastening elements 4 can be combined in different way in different pairs 3 in one assembly such that, for example, in some pair 3 the partition 7 narrows and in another the slot 5 narrows, while in another one both narrow.

[0046] In an alternative embodiment, the partition Z may only extend into the recessed portion of the fastening element 4 but does not have to pass through the entire recessed portion and divide it into segments 6, or the recessed portion then comprises a single segment 6, which may however also be considered as two segments 6 that are in contact at a portion of their circumference. Thus, such a partition z is mounted on the body of the fastening element 4 at one end only, the other end being free. The protrusion 8 or recess 9 of the lock may be located on this partition 7 or on the wall of the body of the element outside the partition 7. Such a partition Z creates a preload in the segments 6 when the fastening elements 4 are inserted into each other, as does the partition Z passing across the recessed portion, as shown for example in FIG. 2. Preferably, however, the partition 7 passes across the recessed portion and divides it into separate segments 6. In some embodiments, the partition 7 does not have to be straight, as in the embodiments shown, but may be curved or bent, e.g., in the shape of the letters L, T, K, X, V, etc. when viewed in the direction of insertion. In some embodiments, some fastening elements 4 may comprise two or more partitions 7. The chosen shape and/or number of partitions 7 also affects the complementary shape or number of slots 5.

[0047] In alternative embodiments, the first part 1 may comprise fastening elements 4 with recessed portion and the second 2 part may comprise fastening elements 4 with protruding portion. In further embodiments, each part to be connected may comprise at least one fastening element 4 with protruding portion and at least one with recessed portion, i.e., in one pair 3 the element with the slot 5 is located on the first part 1 and in another pair 3 the element with the slot 5 is located on the second part 2. Alternatively or additionally, the number of pairs 3 may be different from the four shown and/or the arrangement of the pairs may be different, e.g., they may be arranged in an irregular shape instead of the rectangle as shown. In some embodiments, the arrangement of the pairs 3 may copy the shape of the parts to be connected, for example if the parts to be connected are octagonal in shape, the assembly may comprise eight pairs 3 arranged in an octagon. In general, however, the arrangement of the pairs 3 may be arbitrary, but preferably they are spread over as large an area as possible on the parts to be connected.

[0048] In some embodiments, instead of the slots 5, the partitions 7 may correspondingly narrow such that the segments 6 of the fastening element 4 are again preloaded with the protruding portion during the insertion. In some embodiments, each partition Z may have a different shape, wherein these shapes may be, in addition to a rectangular shape and a shape with a circular extension as in the drawings, for example a shape with a square or triangular extension or, conversely, a shape with an arbitrarily shaped narrowing. In some embodiments, the widths of the entire partitions 7 may vary instead of the different shapes of the extensions in the center of the partitions 7. In further embodiments, the form of the partitions 7 may differ between the pairs 3 by the number of the segments 6 into which the partition 7 divides the recessed portion. Thus, elements in other pairs 3 may then comprise a different number of segments 6. The slots 5 in the corresponding pairs 3 then have a complementary shape.

[0049] In alternative embodiments, the locks may alternatively or additionally comprise protrusions 8 on the first elements and recesses 9 on the second elements. Alternatively, some of the fastening elements 4 on the first part 1 may comprise protrusions 8 and others may comprise recesses 9, or a single fastening element 4 may comprise both the protrusion 8 and the recess 9. The shapes of these protrusions 8 and recesses 9 may vary in different embodiments or different pairs 3, for example instead of the protrusions 8 being prismatic, they may be cylindrical, either with an axis oriented parallel or perpendicular to the direction of insertion of the fastening elements 4 into each other. Alternatively, some or all of the fastening elements 4 may comprise a plurality of protrusions 8 or recesses 9. In other embodiments, the overall shape of some or all of the fastening elements 4 with the protruding portion may be different. Instead of a truncated cone shape, they can have the shape of a truncated pyramid, cylinder, cuboid, prism, etc. The shape of the segments 6 of the fastening element 4 with the recessed portion corresponds to the shape of the protruding portion. In embodiments with a non-narrowing shape of the protruding portion of the fastening element 4, preferably the recessed portion of the second element from the pair 3 correspondingly narrows/widens such that any clearance between the fastening elements 4 being inserted is compensated for during the insertion. Said portions of the lock may be located on the partitions 7, on the side walls of the segments 6 defining the slot 5, on the side walls of the segments 6 which do not define the slot 5 but e.g., lie opposite thereto, on the side walls of the body of the given fastening element 4. i.e., in particular on the element with the partition 7 outside the partition 7. etc.

[0050] The above alternatives and modifications can be freely combined. For example, it is possible to combine different shapes and numbers of fastening elements 4 or portions thereof with different shapes and numbers of protrusions 8 and recesses 9, with different arrangements of pairs 3 on the parts to be connected, different shapes of partitions 7 can be combined with different shapes of the fastening elements 4 with a protruding portion, etc.

[0051] In alternative embodiments, the first part 1 and the second part 2 may be different plastic parts for a car, for example a lens holder and a lamp or a lamp module cover, two different lamp cover components, two parts for a radiator grille or a rear-view mirror. This may include interior parts such as portions of the dashboard, center console, car radio, air conditioning, or trim.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0052] 1First part [0053] 2Second part [0054] 3Pair [0055] 4Fastening element [0056] 5Slot [0057] 6Segment [0058] 7Partition [0059] 8Protrusion [0060] 9Recess