Component Connection

Abstract

A component connection has a first component, a male fixing element which is formed by at least one sphere and which is connected to the first component at a connecting point of the first component and which projects from the first component, and a clip element, which is clipped onto the male fixing element in such a way that the clip element bears obliquely from below on the outside of the at least one sphere in a region between an upwardly pointing top of the first component and an equatorial plane of the at least one sphere. The connecting point at which the male fixing element is connected to the first component is an elevation, in particular an outward pressing, or a depression, in particular an inward pressing, of the first component.

Claims

1. A component connection, comprising: a first component; a male fixing element formed by at least one sphere, the male fixing element being connected to the first component at a connecting point of the first component and projecting from the first component; a clip element clipped onto the male fixing element such that the clip element bears on the at least one sphere, wherein the clip element bears obliquely from below on an outer surface of the at least one sphere in a region between a topside of the first component and an equatorial plane of the at least one sphere, and the connecting point at which the male fixing element is connected to the first component is an elevation of the first component or a depression of the first component.

2. The component connection according to claim 1, wherein the elevation is an outward pressed portion of the first component or the depression is an inward pressed portion of the first component.

3. The component connection according to claim 1, wherein the at least one sphere of the male fixing element bears directly on the connecting point or is connected to the first component directly at the connecting point.

4. The component connection according to claim 1, wherein the male fixing element is made of metal or of steel.

5. The component connection according to claim 1, wherein the male fixing element is connected to the first component in a firm bond or by a weld.

6. The component connection according to claim 1, wherein the male fixing element has two or more than two interconnected spheres.

7. The component connection according to claim 1, wherein the clip element has a greater radial width than the elevation or depression forming the connecting point.

8. The component connection according to claim 1, wherein the first component is a deep drawn sheet metal component.

9. The component connection according to claim 1, wherein the elevation or depression is an elevation or depression produced by deep drawing or pressing.

10. The component connection according to claim 1, wherein the elevation or depression is connected via a conically developed transition region to a radial outer region of the first component connecting thereto.

11. The component connection according to claim 1, further comprising: a second component having a through-hole, wherein the male fixing element extends through the through-hole of the second component and projects with an equatorial plane of the at least one sphere over a top side of the second component that faces away from the first component.

12. The component connection according to claim 10, further comprising: a second component having a through-hole, wherein male fixing element extends through the through-hole of the second component and projects with an equatorial plane of the at least one sphere over a top side of the second component that faces away from the first component.

13. The component connection according to claim 12, wherein a radial inner edge of the through-hole bears on the transition region.

14. The component connection according to claim 1, wherein: the clip element is a fastening claw having an annulus section with a radial inner side from which at least two flexible tongue elements project obliquely inward at the top in a direction of a topside of the fastening claw, the tongue elements have free ends defining a center open region of the fastening claw, and the male fixing element is introduced into the center open region from a lower side of the fastening claw and is clamped between the free ends of the tongue elements.

15. The component connection according to claim 14, wherein the tongue elements are separated by slots extending from the annulus section radially inward.

16. The component connection according to claim 15, wherein radial outer ends of the slots provided between the tongue elements are rounded out.

17. The component connection according to claim 14, wherein the tongue elements taper towards their free ends.

18. The component connection according to claim 17, wherein the free ends are rounded out.

19. The component connection according to claim 17, wherein the free ends are configured straight and extend tangentially relative to the center open region of the fastening claw.

20. The component connection according to claim 17, wherein the free ends are configured concavely so as to adapt to the male fixing element.

21. The component connection according to claim 14, wherein the tongue elements project from a plane formed by the annulus section at an angle that is in a range of 10 to 40.

22. The component connection according to claim 21, wherein the angle is greater than 28.

23. The component connection according to claim 14, wherein the tongue elements are arranged evenly distributed in circumferential direction of the annulus section.

24. The component connection according to claim 14, wherein the tongue elements are configured identically.

25. The component connection according to claim 14, wherein exactly two tongue elements are provided.

26. The component connection according to claim 14, wherein exactly three tongue elements are provided.

27. The component connection according to claim 14, wherein exactly four tongue elements are provided.

28. The component connection according to claim 14, wherein the fastening claw is made of metal or of steel.

29. The component connection according to claim 14, wherein the annulus section is planar.

30. The component connection according to claim 14, wherein a plurality of screen ring sections are arranged so as to be distributed over the circumference of the annulus section projecting radially outward from the annulus section.

31. The component connection according to claim 30, wherein two back to back screen ring sections in the direction of the circumference are each separated by a screen ring slot extending in a radial direction.

32. The component connection according to claim 31, wherein radial inner ends of the screen ring slots are rounded out.

33. The component connection according to claim 31, wherein the screen ring slots are offset in the direction of the circumference relative to the slots provided between the tongue elements.

34. The component connection according to claim 30, wherein the screen ring sections project obliquely downward from the annulus section.

35. The component connection according to claim 30, wherein the number of screen ring sections is equal to or greater than the number of tongue elements.

36. The component connection according to claim 14, wherein the fastening claw is punched from a sheet metal, and the tongue-like elements are bent open.

37. The component connection according to claim 14, wherein the fastening claw is case-hardened.

38. The component connection according to claim 14, wherein the fastening claw is coated with a coating material.

39. The component connection according to claim 14, wherein the fastening claw is coated with an anticorrosive coating.

40. The component connection according to claim 14, wherein the fastening claw is coated with an electrically insulating coating.

41. The component connection according to claim 14, wherein the fastening claw is made of plastic.

42. The component connection according to claim 14, wherein the fastening claw is a separate element and not an integral component of another component or another part.

43. The component connection according to claim 14, wherein the free ends of the tongue elements bear on the sphere obliquely from below on the outside in a region between a top side of the first component and an equatorial plane of the at least sphere.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0050] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation illustrating the basic principle of a claw-like fastening element according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0051] FIG. 2 illustrates the significance of the oblique angle of the tongue-like elements.

[0052] FIG. 3 illustrates a second component with a through-hole through which a double sphere projects.

[0053] FIG. 4 illustrates the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 3 with a clipped on fastening claw.

[0054] FIG. 5 is an enlarged representation of a component connection according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0055] FIG. 6 is an alternate exemplary embodiment of a fastening claw with two spring elements.

[0056] FIG. 7 illustrates a fastening claw with four spring elements.

[0057] FIG. 8 is an alternately designed fastening claw with four spring elements.

[0058] FIG. 9 is a further alternative of a fastening claw with four spring elements.

[0059] FIG. 10 illustrates a fastening claw with additional screen ring sections.

[0060] FIG. 11 is a variant of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 10.

[0061] FIG. 12 is another variant of a fastening claw.

[0062] FIG. 13 is an exemplary embodiment of a component connection according to the invention.

[0063] FIG. 14 is another exemplary embodiment according to the invention with a thicker second component.

[0064] FIG. 15 is an exemplary embodiment of a component connection where the connecting point is developed as a local depression.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0065] It should be noted in advance that all technical features shown in FIGS. 1 to 15 are an object of the present invention, even if the elevation and/or depression according to the invention is not explicitly shown in FIG. 1.

[0066] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a component connection with the elevation or depression according to the invention not being explicitly shown (see also FIGS. 13 to 15). Onto a first component 1, which may be, for example, a (steel) sheet metal (such as a body part of an auto body), a male fixing element 2 is welded. The male fixing element 2 is formed here by two spheres 2a, 2b, which are welded together. The sphere 2a is welded onto the top side of the component 1. A straight line 3 running through the two center points of the spheres 2a, 2b is perpendicular to the surface of the component 1 at the contact point of the sphere 2a.

[0067] Alternately, it may also be provided that the sphere 2a is pressed into the material of the first component 1 at least far enough that a form-fitting connection between the sphere 2a and the first component 1 is obtained. The pressing in can occur in a pressing or deep drawing tool, in which or by means of which the first component is formed. The pressing in of a sphere, or a sphere of a double sphere, is an alternate fastening option that exists not only with the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1 but also with all other exemplary embodiments as well.

[0068] A second component 4 is placed on the first component 1. The second component 4 has a through-hole 5, the diameter of which is greater than the diameter of the two spheres 2a, 2b of the male fixing element 2. The male fixing element 2 projects through the through-hole 5, with the sphere 2b being located completely on the top side 4a of the second component 4, which faces away from the component 1.

[0069] The two components 1, 4 are clamped together by way of the male fixing element, which is developed here as a double sphere, and a fastening claw 6. The fastening claw 6, which is only schematically represented in FIG. 1, has an essentially planar annulus section 7 as well as two flexible, tongue-like elements 8a, 8b.

[0070] In FIG. 1, the fastening claw 6 is shown in three different positions, that is to saystarting from the topin an initial position, in a center position, and then in a joined position.

[0071] Proceeding from the initial position, the fastening claw 6 is pressed onto the sphere 2b with a force F, which causes the tongue-like elements 8a, 8b to bend elastically upward, as shown by arrows 9a, 9b. Free ends 8c, 8d of the tongue-like elements 8a, 8b slide downward at the outer circumference of the sphere 2b via its equatorial plane 10.

[0072] When the fastening claw 6 and its annulus section 7 bear on the top side 4a of the second component 4, the tongue-like elements 8a, 8b project obliquely upward from the annulus section 7, with the free ends 8c, 8d of the tongue-like elements 8a, 8b bearing on the outer circumference of the sphere 2b obliquely from below in a region between the top side 4a of the second component 4 and the equatorial plane 10 of the sphere 2b. This results in a form fit.

[0073] A pulling off of the second component 4 from the first component, which is indicated by the force F.sub.1, is blocked by the fastening claw 6. The pulling off force F.sub.1 is transferred over the annulus section 7 to the fastening claw and is introduced into the sphere 2b of the male fixing element 2 and supported by the same via the tongue-like elements 8a, 8b in the longitudinal direction of the tongue-like elements 8a, 8b and/or via their free ends 8c, 8d. Because the tongue-like elements 8a, 8b do not bend upward on their own, a pulling off of the second component 4 from the first component 1 is prevented.

[0074] Experiments have shown that it is favorable if, as shown in FIG. 2, the angle a between the plane 11 formed by the annulus section 7 and the tongue-like elements (only the tongue-like element 8b is shown in FIG. 2) is in a range of 10 to 40, preferably in a range of 20 to 30. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the angle a is approx. 25.

[0075] FIG. 3 shows a part of the arrangement according to the invention, wherein a component 4, which has a hole 5, is placed on a component 1 in such a manner that a double sphere (corresponds to the male fixing element 2) projecting from the component 1 projects with its upper sphere 2a through the hole 5.

[0076] FIG. 4 shows the finished component connection, wherein a fastening claw 6 is clipped onto the sphere 2a; said fastening claw has a plurality of tongue-like elements 8a, 8b which are distributed in circumferential direction.

[0077] FIG. 5 shows an enlarged representation of such a component connection. It is clearly visible that the tongue-like elements 8a, 8b taper towards their free ends 8c, 8d. The individual tongue-like elements 8a, 8b are each separated from one another by slots 12 extending radially inward. As shown in FIG. 5, radial outer ends of the slots 12 provided between the tongue-like elements 8a, 8b are rounded out.

[0078] In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the free ends 8c, 8d of the tongue-like elements 8a, 8b are essentially developed straight, that is to say, they bear tangentially on the sphere 2a. Alternately, the free ends could also be developed convexly rounded or concavely rounded. Concavely rounded free ends have the advantage that they would closely adapt to the outer circumference of the sphere 2a.

[0079] FIG. 6 shows an exemplary embodiment of a fastening claw having only two tongue-like elements 8a, 8b, the free ends of which are rounded concavely. The slots 12, which separate the two tongue-like elements 8a, 8b from one another, are designed in trapezoidal-like fashion here.

[0080] FIG. 7 shows an exemplary embodiment of a fastening claw 6 having four tongue-like elements 8a, 8b, 8a, 8b. Two back to back tongue-like elements 8a, 8b in circumferential direction are separated from one another by a respective narrow slot 12 that extends in the radial direction and is rounded out at its base. In this exemplary embodiment too, the free ends 8c, 8d of the tongue-like elements 8a, 8b are concavely rounded out.

[0081] FIG. 8 shows an exemplary embodiment of a fastening claw 6 where also four tongue-like elements 8a, 8b, 8a, 8b are provided. In contrast to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 7, the slots are designed here similarly to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 6 in a trapezoidal-like fashion.

[0082] FIG. 9 shows an exemplary embodiment of a fastening claw 6 where four tongue-like elements 8a, 8b, 8a, 8b are provided. The slot 12 that separates the two tongue-like elements 8a, 8b as well as the opposite slot 12a is developed trapezoidal-like, whereas the two other slots 12b, 12b are developed as relatively narrow, straight slots running in the radial direction.

[0083] FIG. 10 shows an exemplary embodiment of a fastening claw 6 having a plurality of screen ring sections 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, 13e, 13f arranged in circumferential direction of the annulus section 7 and extending radial obliquely outward from the same, wherein back to back screen ring sections in circumferential direction are each separated from the other by a screen ring slot 14a to 14f, which essentially extends in the radial direction. As already indicated, it may be provided that the screen ring sections 13a to 13f are not located in the same plane as the annulus section 7, but instead project obliquely downward from the same. The screen ring sections and the tongue-like elements and/or the entire fastening claw 6 have some flexibility.

[0084] FIG. 11 shows a similar exemplary embodiment, with screen ring sections 13a to 13f also projecting radially outward from the annulus section 7. A total of six screen ring sections 13a to 13f are provided, whereas only four tongue-like elements 8a, 8b, 8a, 8b are provided.

[0085] FIG. 12 shows an exemplary embodiment with six screen ring sections 13a to 13f being provided, but only three tongue-like elements 8a, 8b, 8a.

[0086] For the sake of completeness, it should also be mentioned that the free ends 8c, 8d (see FIG. 7, for example) border or define a center open region 14 of the fastening claw 6, into which, for example, the male fixing element 2 shown in FIG. 5 can be inserted with its sphere 2a from an underside of the fastening claw 6 and clamped between the free ends of the tongue-like elements 8a, 8b, 8a, 8b.

[0087] FIG. 13 shows a schematic representation of the basic principle of the invention. The first component 1, which, for example, may be a (steel) sheet metal (such as a body part of an automotive body, for example), has an elevation la projecting slightly upward from the first component 1. In the case of a sheet metal part, the elevation la can also be developed as an outward pressing. The elevation la may be produced, for example, in a pressing or deep drawing tool by which the component 1 was formed. The elevation la forms a connecting point of the first component 1, onto which the male fixing element 2, which here is formed by a single sphere, is welded. The first component 1 can also be punched through in the region of the elevation la, which has the advantage that the sphere or the male fixing element 2 can also be welded to the first component from below.

[0088] As shown in FIG. 13, a transition region lb between the connecting point and the first component 1 is configured to enlarge conically downward.

[0089] Analogously to the previous exemplary embodiments, a second component 4 is placed on the first component 1. The second component 4 has a through-hole 5, the diameter of which is larger than the diameter of the male fixing element 2. The male fixing element 2 projects through the through-hole 5. Because of the elevation 1, in the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 13, this results in an offset of about 0.5 mm relative to the first component 1.

[0090] Analogously to the previous exemplary embodiments, the two components 1, 4 are clamped together by way of the male fixing element 2 and the fastening claw 6 clipped onto said male fixing element. The fastening claw 6, which is represented only schematically in FIG. 13, has an essentially planar annulus section 7, which bears on a top side of the second component 4, as well as flexible, tongue-like elements 8a, 8b, which bear obliquely from below on the male fixing element with their radial inner face sides, in a region below the equatorial plane 10.

[0091] FIG. 14 shows a variant of the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 13. In contrast to FIG. 13, the elevation la here has a greater height of approx. 1.2 mm, which when using an identical sphere and an identical fastening claw 6 facilitates a clamping of a thicker, second component 4 on the first component 1.

[0092] FIG. 15 shows an exemplary embodiment where, instead of an elevation in the first component 1, a cavity-like depression or inward pressing 1c is provided. Thus, the connecting point is formed here by the inward pressing 1c. A double sphere male fixing element is welded onto the connecting point. Analogously to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, the double sphere has a lower sphere 2a and an upper sphere 2b connected therewith, for example by welding. The double sphere intersperses a through-hole provided in the second component 4. The second component 4 is clamped by use of a fastening claw 6, which is supported at a top side of the second component 4 and the upper sphere 2b of the double sphere.

[0093] The foregoing disclosure has been set forth merely to illustrate the invention and is not intended to be limiting. Since modifications of the disclosed embodiments incorporating the spirit and substance of the invention may occur to persons skilled in the art, the invention should be construed to include everything within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereof.