DE102011088557A1 - Device for fastening auxiliary component to e.g. decorative- and/or feeling assistance element in car body, has anchoring recess and projection part respectively provided with inner and outer sides, where sides force-fittingly lie together - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a recess (20) with bases (22) and side edges (24, 26) forming a closed surface, and an anchoring recess (28) i.e. cylindrical stud hole, formed with an inner side (36) and a tower spreading dome (30) in the bases. An expandable anchoring projection part (44) i.e. cylindrical sleeve, includes an outer side and protrudes from a lower side (42) of an auxiliary component (18) for inserting to the anchoring recess under spreading of the projection part by the spreading dome. The inner side of the anchoring recess and the outer side of the projection part force-fittingly lie together. The anchorage projection part is formed from stretchable material.

Description

The invention relates to a device for fastening an additional component to a main component, in particular in the application to vehicles. The main component can be, for example, the housing of an operating unit for a vehicle component, ie, for example, a climate control unit, while the additional component may be an ornamental element or a feeler aid element, which for aesthetic reasons or for reasons of better operability of the operating unit by haptic Influences attached to the housing. Other applications of the device according to the invention are, for example, moldings on vehicle bodies or even structural connections between two components.

There are a variety of proposals for attachment, for example, trim to vehicle bodies. Only by way of example be on US 5,829,825 . US 5 065 960 and US 4,930,279 directed. For the attachment of decorative elements to housings that can come in contact with relatively high electrical load bearing objects, as is the case with manually operated control units for vehicle components, when the operator operating the person is charged with electrostatic charge, care must be taken in that components of the housing are not damaged during unloading. In that regard, it is of interest that the housing has a closed surface in the region in which the decorative element is arranged. However, this is not always possible by design. In addition, the installation of such (ornamental) additional components should be quite simple and the design easy to manufacture.

The object of the invention is to provide a device for fastening an additional component to a main component, which is simple in construction and easy to assemble and provides protection against the transmission of potential electrostatic discharges.

• – einem Hauptbauteil mit einer Außenseite, in der eine Aussparung mit einem Boden und mit von diesem bis zur Außenseite aufragenden Flanken ausgebildet ist, wobei der Boden und die Flanken eine geschlossene Fläche bilden, und
• – einem Zusatzbauteil, das einen von der Aussparung aufnehmbaren Einsetzabschnitt mit einer Unterseite aufweist, die im von der Aussparung aufgenommenen Zustand des Einsetzabschnitts dem Boden der Aussparung zugewandt ist,
• – wobei in dem Boden der Aussparung mindestens eine Verankerungsvertiefung mit einer Innenseite und einem aufragenden Spreizdom ausgebildet ist,
• – wobei von der Unterseite des Zusatzbauteils mindestens ein eine Außenseite aufweisender Verankerungsvorsprung zum Einstecken in die mindestens eine Verankerungsvertiefung unter Spreizung des Verankerungsvorsprungs durch den Spreizdom absteht und
• – wobei die Innenseite der mindestens einen Verankerungsvertiefung und die Außenseite des mindestens einen Verankerungsvorsprungs kraftschlüssig aneinanderliegen.

To solve this problem, a device for attaching an additional component to a main component such. B. a decorative and / or Fühlhilfeelements on the outside of a housing of a control unit for a vehicle component, wherein the device is provided with

• - A main component with an outer side, in which a recess is formed with a bottom and with this up to the outside rising flanks, wherein the bottom and the flanks form a closed surface, and
• An auxiliary member having an insertion portion receivable from the recess and having a lower surface facing the bottom of the recess in the state of the insertion portion received by the recess,
• Wherein at least one anchoring recess is formed in the bottom of the recess with an inner side and an upright spreading dome,
• - From the underside of the additional component at least one anchoring projection having an outer side protrudes for insertion into the at least one anchoring recess under spreading of the anchoring projection by the Spreizdom and
• - Wherein the inside of the at least one anchoring recess and the outside of the at least one anchoring projection abut each other frictionally.

In the case of the fastening device according to the invention, the main component, for example the housing or the front panel of a vehicle component operating unit, has an outer side in which a recess in the form of a cavity open to the outside or a recess open toward the outside of the main component is formed. The recess is formed by a bottom and from this up to the outside rising flanks. The floor and the flanks form a closed surface. In the recess, an additional component can be used, either completely or partially. For this purpose, the additional component has an insertable from the recess insertion portion, from which further over the outside of the main component upstanding portions or other projecting laterally beyond the recess areas may extend. The insertion portion of the auxiliary component is provided with an underside which, when the insertion portion is inserted into the recess, faces the bottom of the recess.

In the bottom of the recess there is at least one anchoring recess, wherein a plurality of such anchoring recesses are formed in the ground as a rule. Each anchoring recess protrudes from the bottom of a spreader dome. In this way, an annular space is created within the anchoring recess. On the underside of the additional component there are one or more anchoring projections, wherein each anchoring projection is associated with an anchoring recess of the recess. Each anchoring projection serves for insertion into the anchoring recess assigned to it. The anchoring projection is spread by the expanding dome, which causes its outside to be pressed against the inside of the anchoring recess. This results in a frictional connection of the anchoring projections in their associated anchoring recesses.

The fastening device according to the invention operates automatically when the two components are inserted into one another. There are no further elements required, which would then still have to be mounted after the mating of the two components, to connect the two components frictionally with each other. In addition, it is ensured by the closed configuration of the recess in the main component that, for example, electrostatic discharges do not pass through the wall of the main component behind or in this.

The non-positive connection of an anchoring projection in its anchoring recess can be realized for example by generating friction. For this purpose, one of the two aforementioned elements, so either on the inside of the anchoring recess or on the outside of the anchoring projection or on both investment lips o. The like. Flexible friction generating elements may be arranged, which lie under elastic deformation of the respective opposite surface , It is advantageous to provide a positive connection in the region between the inside of the anchoring recess and the outside of the anchoring projection, for example by structuring these sides or their opposite surfaces. In this case, the structuring may be formed, for example, like a sawtooth or a fir-tree.

The closed surface of the recess in the main component can be realized, for example, by integrally forming the recess in the main component. The fastening device according to the invention is provided in particular for the connection of plastic components. Such components are produced by injection molding or continuous casting technology. In both methods, the recess can be formed in one piece in a simple manner. Furthermore, it is expedient if the additional component has a closed surface. This is possible in the device according to the invention, because the spreading causing element, namely the Spreizdom at the bottom of the recess and, more precisely, towering at the bottom of the anchoring recess, so not, for example, must first be inserted or inserted from the outside after the Additional component has been inserted into the recess. The closed surface is expedient and advantageous for designerischen reasons.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention can be provided that the anchoring recess is formed as a substantially cylindrical blind hole and the anchoring projection as a substantially cylindrical sleeve.

The anchoring projection or each anchoring projection can be spread, by the spreader dome. The spreadability of an anchoring projection can be realized in that the anchoring projection is expandable, that is, in terms of its circumference is stretchable. This can be realized by appropriate choice of material for the anchoring projection but also for example by slotting the anchoring projection.

The invention will be explained in more detail using an exemplary embodiment and with reference to the drawing. In detail, they show:

1 a view of the front of a climate control device for a vehicle,

2 a perspective view of decorative element and climate control unit in exploded view and

3 a sectional view taken along the line III-III of 1 to clarify the retention mechanism for fixing the trim element on the front panel of the climate control unit.

In 1 is a top view of the front panel 10 a control unit 12 shown for a car air conditioner. The front panel 10 has a display in this embodiment 14 and a variety of key or other controls 16 to select different functions and set operating parameters of the air conditioner. On both sides of the front panel 10 this has in this embodiment, in each case a trim strip o. Like. Ornamental element 18 on whose attachment is based on the 2 and 3 is described.

According to the 2 and 3 has the front panel 10 in their outside 19 for every decorative element 18 an elongated recess in this embodiment 20 on. Every recess 20 is through a floor 22 as well as from these laterally rising flanks 24 and end flanks 26 limited. In the ground 22 every recess 20 There are three anchoring recesses in this embodiment 28 each with a towering Spreizdom 30 , The anchoring recesses 28 are formed in this embodiment as cylindrical blind holes, from the bottom 32 from the Spreizdome 30 stand up and the cylindrical insides 36 exhibit.

Every decorative element 18 has one in a recess 20 usable insertion section 38 as well as one of this section 38 towering further section 40 on. From the bottom 42 of the insertion section 38 protrude anchoring projections 44 starting with a recording room 46 for receiving a spreader dome 30 form. Every anchorage advantage 44 is an anchorage deepening 28 assigned.

In mated condition of anchoring projection 44 and anchoring recess 28 the situation results according to the sectional view of 3 , It can be seen that the inside 36 an anchoring recess 28 is provided with a sawtooth profile, with a sawtooth profile on the outside 48 the recorded anchoring projection 44 cooperates to form a positive connection. This is supported by the spreader dome 30 , the anchoring lead 44 radially expands. This can be done by appropriate inclined surfaces on the outside of the Spreizdoms 30 and corresponding inclined surfaces on the inside of the receptacle 46 the anchoring projection 44 done or by the formation of a bead 50 be realized, as in 3 is shown.

The connection described here of an additional component, namely the decorative element 18 on a main component, namely the front panel 10 , has the advantage of an extremely simple design and easy installation. Beyond the two parts to be joined addition, no further elements o. The like. Parts are required, which still needs to be assembled and assembled after joining the parts to make the non-positive connection. The connection of the two parts is "leakproof" for electrostatic discharges, so that such discharges can not be transported through the components. Thus, the fastening device described here is particularly suitable for devices or units that can come into contact with electrostatic objects, as is basically the case with manually operated control units, namely, when the operator is electrostatically charged.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

Front panel (main component)

12

operating unit

14

Display of the operating unit

16

Operating elements of the operating unit

18

Decorative element (additional component) on front panel

19

Outside of the front panel

20

recess

22

Bottom of the recess

24

towering side edges of the recess

26

end flanks of the recess

28

Anchoring recess in the ground

30

Spreading dome in the anchoring recess

32

Reason for the anchoring recess

36

Inside of the anchoring recess

38

Insertion section of the ornamental element

40

another section of the decorative element

42

Bottom of the ornamental element

44

Anchoring projections on the underside of the ornamental element

46

Reception room of an anchoring projection

48

Outside of the anchoring projection

50

Bead on the spreader dome

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• US 5829825 [0002]
• US 5065960 [0002]
• US 4930279 [0002]

Claims (9)

Device for fastening an additional component to a main component such. B. a decorative and / or Fühlhilfeelements on the outside of a housing of a control unit for a vehicle component, with - a main component ( 10 ) with an outside ( 19 ), in which a recess ( 20 ) with a floor ( 22 ) and from this to the outside ( 19 ) rising flanks ( 24 . 26 ) is formed, wherein the bottom ( 22 ) and the flanks ( 24 . 26 ) form a closed surface, and - an additional component ( 18 ), one of the recess ( 20 ) recordable insertion section ( 38 ) with a bottom ( 42 ), which in from the recess ( 20 ) recorded state of the insertion section ( 38 ) the floor ( 22 ) of the recess ( 20 ), wherein in the ground ( 22 ) of the recess ( 20 ) at least one anchoring well ( 28 ) with an inside and an upright spreading dome ( 30 ) is formed, - being from the bottom ( 42 ) of the additional component ( 18 ) at least one anchoring projection having an outer side ( 44 ) for insertion into the at least one anchoring recess ( 28 ) under spreading of the anchoring projection ( 44 ) through the spreader dome ( 30 ) and wherein the inside ( 36 ) of the at least one anchoring well ( 28 ) and the outside ( 48 ) of the at least one anchoring projection ( 44 ) abut one another non-positively. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the inside ( 36 ) of the at least one anchoring well ( 28 ) and the outside ( 48 ) of the at least one anchoring projection ( 44 ) are structured to the interlocked state positive connection. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the recess ( 20 ) in one piece in the main component ( 10 ) is formed. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the additional component ( 18 ) has a closed surface. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the anchoring recess ( 28 ) as a substantially cylindrical blind hole and the anchoring projection ( 44 ) is formed as a substantially cylindrical sleeve. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the anchoring projection ( 44 ) is expandable. Apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the anchoring projection ( 44 ) is slotted. Apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the anchoring projection ( 44 ) is formed of a stretchable material. Device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the ground ( 22 ) of the recess ( 20 ) several anchoring recesses ( 28 ) with towering spreading domes ( 30 ) and that from the underside of the additional component ( 18 ) several anchoring projections ( 44 ), whereby each anchorage projection ( 44 ) of the additional component ( 18 ) an anchoring recess ( 28 ) of the recess ( 20 ) in the ground ( 22 ) of the main component ( 10 ) assigned.

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