METHOD TO PRODUCE A CONNECTION FOR AN EQUIPMENT PART OF A VEHICLE

Abstract

A method for producing a connection, including the steps of: providing a connecting part and a retaining part; making a cut-out in the retaining part, wherein a plane is created by the cut-out; turning a deformation region of the retaining part surrounding the cut-out out of the plane such that the cut-out is enlarged and a seat is produced; arranging the connecting part in the cut-out; and forming the deformation region back in the direction of the plane such that the cut-out is reduced in size and the retaining part is connected at least force-fittingly to the connecting part.

Claims

1-8. (canceled)

9. A method for producing a connection, comprising the steps of: providing a connecting part and a retaining part; making a cut-out in the retaining part, wherein a plane is created by the cut-out; turning a deformation region of the retaining part surrounding the cut-out out of the plane so that the cut-out is enlarged and a seat is produced; arranging the connecting part in the cut-out; and forming the deformation region back in a direction of the plane so that the cut-out is reduced in size and the retaining part is connected at least force-fittingly to the connecting part.

10. The method according to claim 9, further including fastening an auxiliary part to the retaining part.

11. The method according to claim 10, including making the cut-out in the auxiliary part and the retaining part jointly or making the cut-out in both parts separately and fastening the parts to one another so that the cut-outs overlap.

12. The method according to claim 10, including turning out the deformation regions of the auxiliary part and of the retaining part before or after the fastening of the auxiliary part and the retaining part.

13. The method according to claim 10, including turning out the deformation regions of the auxiliary part and of the retaining part in opposite directions relative to a longitudinal axis of the seat.

14. The method according to claim 9, wherein a cross-sectional shape of the cut-out and a cross-sectional shape of the connecting part are configured to produce a form-fitting connection in addition to the force-fitting connection after the connecting part is arranged in the cut-out.

15. An arm support having a frame comprising at least a first retaining part, a second retaining part, and at least one connecting part that forms a connection to the first retaining part and a connection to the second retaining part, wherein at least one of the connections is produced by the method according to claim 9.

16. A supporting rod bracket comprising: a first retaining part; a second retaining part; and a connecting part that forms a connection to each of the retaining parts, wherein the connection is produced by the method according to claim 9.

Description

IN THE FIGURES

[0026] FIG. 1 shows a perspective illustration of an arm support of an armrest,

[0027] FIG. 2 shows a perspective illustration of a frame of the arm support with an insert,

[0028] FIG. 3 shows a perspective illustration of the frame according to FIG. 2 without an insert,

[0029] FIG. 4 shows a side view of the frame according FIG. 3,

[0030] FIG. 5 shows a sectional illustration according to section line A-A in FIG. 4,

[0031] FIG. 6 shows a detail illustration according to detail line B in FIG. 5,

[0032] FIG. 7 shows a detail illustration according to FIG. 6 in which the regions have been pushed back into the plane,

[0033] FIG. 8 shows a perspective illustration of the frame according to FIG. 3 in which force- and form-fitting connections are present between the connecting part and the retaining parts.

[0034] FIG. 1 shows an arm support 10 of an armrest including a trim 11. The trim can comprise, for example, a plastic housing and a cushion, where necessary. The arm support 10 is mounted pivotably about a pivot axis a on a structure (not shown) of a vehicle.

[0035] According to FIG. 2, the arm support 10 comprises a frame 12, which has two retaining parts 13a and 13b and a connecting part 14. In this example, the connecting part 14 is designed as a shaft. The retaining parts 13a and 13b are arranged in side regions 15a and 15b of the arm support 10. A rear region 16 of the arm support 10 can be mounted on a vehicle structure in a manner not shown. A front region 17 forms a free end of the arm support 10. Also visible in FIG. 2 is a structural part 18, which can be made of plastic, for example, and is used for stabilization and for provision of an arm support surface. The structural part 18 connects the retaining parts 13a and 13b in the front region 17.

[0036] The connecting part 14 forms connections to the retaining parts 13a and 13b. In the present case, an auxiliary part 19a is fastened to the retaining part 13a, and an auxiliary part 19b is fastened to the retaining part 13b, but the auxiliary parts 19a and 19b are not strictly necessary for the invention.

[0037] Each retaining part 13a and 13b is subjected as an individual part to a method step in which a cut-out 21 is made in the retaining part. A deformation region 22 adjacent to the cut-out 21 is turned out of a plane E1 created by a wall of the retaining part 13a or 13b such that an inside surface of the cut-out 21 creates a protrusion in relation to the plane E1 (see FIG. 3). In the same way, the auxiliary parts 19a and 19b are provided with a cut-out 23, and a deformation region 24 adjacent to the cut-out 23 is turned out of a plane E2 created by a wall of the auxiliary part 19a or 19b, so that an inside surface of the cut-out creates a protrusion in relation to the plane E2.

[0038] The auxiliary part 19a is then fastened to the retaining part 13a such that the cut-outs 21 and 23 align with a central axis m which is oriented orthogonally to the plane E1.

[0039] The fastening can take place by means of customary methods. If welding methods are to be avoided owing to the influence of heat, form-fitting fastening methods such as riveting or screw-fastening, for example, are suitable. The cut-outs 21 and 23 each create a seat 25a and 25b for an end region 20a and 20b of the connecting part 14. The respective end region 20a and 20b passes through the cut-outs 21 and 23 according to FIG. 3.

[0040] In FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, the connecting part 14 and the end regions 20a and 20b are arranged in their seat 25a and 25b. In the turned-out position of the deformation regions 22 and 24, the end regions can be arranged with play in the cut-outs 21 and 23. The further forming method for producing the connection will be described below using the enlarged detail of the seat 25a according to FIG. 6.

[0041] By means of a tool (not shown), a force F1 is applied to the deformation region 22 in direction y2, and a force F2 is applied to the deformation region 24 in direction y1 (see FIG. 6). The deformation region 22 is deformed into the plane E1, and the deformation region 24 is deformed into the plane E2. In the process, a force fit is created between the connecting part 14 and the retaining part 13a and between the connecting part 14 and the auxiliary part 19a, as a result of which a secure connection 26a is produced (see FIG. 7).

[0042] In FIG. 8, the frame 12 with the connections 26a and 26b can be seen. Forces in the x, y or z direction and in the rotary directions u1 and u2 can be transmitted between the unit of retaining part 13a and auxiliary part 19a and of retaining part 13b and auxiliary part 19b and the connecting part 14 by means of the connections 26a and 26b. To transmit forces in the rotary direction, a form fit can additionally be created between the connecting part 14 and the unit of retaining part and auxiliary part.

[0043] According to an alternative embodiment, the auxiliary parts 19a and 19b are omitted, for example.

[0044] In the present exemplary embodiment, the turned-out forming region 22 of the seat 25a protrudes in direction y1 in relation to the plane E1, and the turned-out forming region 24 protrudes in direction y2 in relation to the plane E2, according to FIG. 6. According to an alternative embodiment, both forming regions 22 and 24 could also protrude in direction y1 or alternatively in direction y2.

[0045] According to a further alternative, all the aforementioned embodiments could be applicable, for example, to a supporting rod bracket, wherein a first retaining rod and a second retaining rod form the retaining parts, and a crossbar connecting the retaining rods forms the connecting part. The connection between the retaining rods and end regions of the crossbar can be produced with the same method as in the present exemplary embodiment.