EP2427348A2

EP2427348A2 - Joining assembly for joining a first joining element to a second joining element of a vehicle

Info

Publication number: EP2427348A2
Application number: EP10702671A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Guido Opperbeck; Ralf Schmidt
Original assignee: HBPO GmbH
Current assignee: HBPO GmbH
Priority date: 2009-05-05
Filing date: 2010-02-03
Publication date: 2012-03-14
Also published as: US20120077137A1; MX2011011587A; DE102009019730A1; MX2011011586A; WO2010127884A3; WO2010127925A1; MX339845B; WO2010127884A2; US20120183346A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a joining assembly for joining elements of a vehicle, comprising a first joining element (10) and at least one second joining element (20), wherein a holding device (30) is provided, by way of which the joining elements (10, 20) can be connected to each other to form the joining assembly. According to the invention, the holding device (30) comprises a receiving structure (31, 32) on which at least one adhesive member (40) is arranged, which can be brought into at least two states. In a first state, the adhesive member (40) allows an adjustment of the second joining element (20) on the first joining element (10). The change from the first state into a second state can be activated by means, wherein in the second state, the adhesive member (40) is cured, whereby fixation of the joining elements (10, 20) to each other can be achieved.

Description

Joining arrangement for joining a first joining partner with a second joining partner of a vehicle

Description

The invention relates to a joining arrangement for joining joining partners of a vehicle with a first joining partner and at least one second joining partner, wherein a holding device is provided, via which the joining partners are connectable to form the joining arrangement. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for joining joining partners of a vehicle having a first joining partner and at least one second joining partner, wherein a holding device is provided, via which the joining partners are connected to form the joining arrangement.

From DE 10 2007 016 925 A1 a front end module for vehicles is known, which has a mounting bracket which is fastened to a body part of the vehicle. Furthermore, a light unit is arranged on the mounting bracket, wherein the attachment of the lighting unit via a holding device, in particular a holding arm takes place. Thus, the mounting bracket forms the first joining partner and the lighting unit the second joint partner. The holding arm which forms the holding device can be brought between a pre-assembly position and a final assembly position. To compensate for existing tolerances in the assembly of the mounting bracket on the vehicle, a corresponding adjustment of the light unit is necessary on the mounting bracket. After the lighting unit has been adjusted for predetermined contouring to the adjacent body parts of the vehicle, via fastening means, in particular screw connections, a final fixation of the lighting unit, whereby a considerable installation effort and in particular a considerable adjustment arises.

Object of the present invention is to provide a joining arrangement for joining joining partners of a vehicle, in which the assembly effort, in particular the cost of adjusting two joining partners to each other on a vehicle, is reduced.

To solve this problem, a joining arrangement with the features of claim 1 is proposed. In the dependent claims preferred developments are carried out.

According to the invention, the holding device has a receiving structure on which at least one adhesive element is arranged, which can be brought into at least two states, wherein in a first state, the adhesive element allows an adjustment of the second joining partner on the first joining partner, and via means the change from the first state can be activated in a second state, wherein in the second state, the adhesive element is cured, whereby a fixing of the joining partners to each other can be achieved.

The essence of the invention is that the joining partners can be fastened to one another or to a vehicle, wherein at the same time it is ensured that the joining partners have a predetermined contouring relative to one another, in particular relative to the vehicle and thus to an adjacent body part of the vehicle. By the adhesive element, which is arranged on the receiving structure and in its first state allows an adjustment of at least one of the joining partners, a reliable and secure positioning of the joining partner can be ensured on the vehicle. In the first state of the Adhesive element is the receiving structure in a pre-assembly, in which the joining partner according to the adjacent body parts of the vehicle, such as fenders, hood, etc., can be aligned. If a corresponding adjustment of the light unit by the worker is carried out, the change from the first state to the second state is activated via means. With this change of state, the adhesive element hardens. In this case, the receiving structure is already in its final assembly position. In the cured state of the adhesive element, ie, when the adhesive element has reached its second state, a joining partner has reached a final position on the motor vehicle, which corresponds to the desired position. A final fixation of the joining partner is thus achieved in a simple manner.

It may be expedient if the funds are implemented as external funds. The external means may be energy that activates the change from the first state to the second state via a change of the environmental conditions. This can be done for example by access of light, sound, humidity or exclusion of atmospheric oxygen. The external means may be chemical means, in particular a liquid, and / or electrical means and / or mechanical means and / or air contact and / or means in the form of energy supply, in particular thermal energy to increase the temperature of the adhesive element, preferably introduced from external heat transfer and / or by means of electromagnetic radiation, in particular light energy, and / or by means of sound energy, in particular ultrasound and / or by means of microwaves and / or by means of induction. In principle, adhesives are known which can be converted by energy input from the first state to the second state. If energy is introduced into the mass of the adhesive, curing of the adhesive can take place, and the two joining partners are fixed to one another.

In particular, it is known and can be advantageously used here that by the same or different means, in particular external means, a transfer of the adhesive from the second state back to the first state is possible, so that, for example, after a fixation of the joining partners to each other again a state of the adhesive element can be reached, in which the two joining partners are again adjustable to each other. It is particularly advantageous that the change from the first state to the second state of the adhesive element takes place without much effort. If the lighting unit is in its desired, adjusted position, the worker does not have to fix the lighting unit to the mounting bracket, for example by means of additional mechanical fastening elements, such as screws etc. The adhesive element only has to be brought into its second state, wherein in the second state, the adhesive element is almost cured and thus ensures the final fixation of the light unit to the mounting bracket.

According to a preferred embodiment of the front-end module, the holding device can be arranged on the mounting carrier and / or on the lighting unit. Advantageously, the receiving structure is constructed in several parts, wherein a first receiving structure on the mounting bracket and a second receiving structure is arranged on the lighting unit. In order to ensure a particularly compact design, it is advantageous that the adhesive element of the geometry of the receiving structure is adjusted accordingly. If the front-end module is installed in the vehicle, the multi-part receiving structure, in which the adhesive element is also located, favors a particularly reliable and simple adjustment of the lighting unit until the final assembly position of the receiving structure in which the lighting unit is correspondingly adjusted in the first state of the adhesive element Change to the second state of the adhesive element takes place. In particular, the receiving structure can form a cavity in which the adhesive element adapted to the cavity is received, wherein the adhesive element is preferably viscous in the first state.

With further advantage, the adhesive element can be formed from a hotmelt, in particular the adhesive element can be formed from a reactive hotmelt and / or from an encapsulated polyurethane and / or from an epoxy adhesive and / or from an acrylate adhesive. In particular, the receiving structure may be constructed in several parts, wherein at least one first receiving structure on the first joining partner and a second receiving structure on the second joining partner is arranged and / or formed on this and / or formed by itself. According to a development of the invention, the first receiving structure is formed as an opening and / or the second receiving structure as a rod-shaped element, wherein in particular the opening receives the preferably embodied as a cylindrical body adhesive element and / or the adhesive member comprises the rod-shaped element, so that the rod-shaped element preferably extends into the opening. The adhesive element may be embodied as a cylindrical body which can be inserted correspondingly into the opening of the first receiving structure. Other geometric shapes are also conceivable, which means that the opening and the rod-shaped element in addition to a circular cross-sectional geometry, for example, rectangular, square, etc. may be performed. The adhesive element is adapted according to the geometry of the opening and the rod-shaped element of the receiving structure.

With further advantage, the second receiving structure can be T-shaped, wherein the rod-shaped element has two mutually opposite ends, wherein at both ends in each case a first receiving structure is arranged, and wherein the holding device is preferably form-fitting and / or non-positively attachable to the mounting bracket and wherein the rod-shaped element has in particular only to one side a free end to which the first receiving structure can be arranged. It is likewise conceivable for the first receiving structure and / or the second receiving structure to form a common component with the mounting carrier and / or the lighting unit.

The first receiving structure and the second receiving structure are structurally designed such that translational and rotational movements of the joining partners to their mutual preferred edges or the preferred edges on the adjacent body parts of the vehicle are possible. In this case, the adhesive element can be made viscous in the first state. During the adjustment of, for example, the lighting unit in the first state of the adhesive element, the adhesive element is preferably plastically deformable. If the desired final assembly position is reached after the adjustment of the lighting unit, the subsequent activation of the state change of the adhesive element takes place. Due to the high manufacturing tolerances the viscous adhesive element favors that on a corresponding adjustment of the lighting unit a clean joint pattern to the adjacent body parts such as fenders, bumper outer edge, hood, etc. arises. It is also conceivable to trigger a change of the adhesive element in the second state via internal means. Here, the adhesive element may have at least two chambers or the two chambers form a cavity, wherein in the first chamber, a first component of an adhesive and in the second chamber is a second component of an adhesive. Preferably, a wall element is provided which separates the chambers from each other in the non-activated state of the adhesive element and is movable for activation of the adhesive element, that a mixing of the first and the second component of the adhesive is possible, wherein the wall element is movably mounted in particular on the adhesive element and at a defined attack area can be activated from the outside. The wall element can, for. B. be mounted movably on the adhesive element, and be brought to a defined attack area from the outside to its working position. Advantageously, monomers are present in both components, these are basic building blocks of the polymer formed during the mixing. One of the two components may, for example, resin monomers or a so-called binder, while the other component may contain hardeners. As further ingredients of the components stabilizers, thixotropic agents, accelerators, other additives, and / or dyes or fillers may be used. The wall element can also be designed as a membrane which permits a mixing of the two components after the final assembly.

With particular advantage, the joining arrangement for joining prefabricated assemblies of a vehicle, in particular a front end module, a rear end module, a tailgate, a door module and / or a bumper, in particular a bumper cover to a body part of a vehicle, a light unit with or on a mounting bracket and / or or a cockpit unit in the vehicle to be trained. The joining assembly according to the invention for joining prefabricated assemblies of a vehicle is basically advantageous if the assembly has components that must maintain an exact position to each other or the assembly must have an exact location to the body part of the vehicle, for example, to comply with gap dimensions. If a lighting unit, for example a headlight, is located in a front-end module, and if the front-end module is fastened to a body part of the vehicle via its mounting bracket, the headlight forms with others Body parts Gaps or other interfaces that must be complied with great accuracy. Through a plurality of subsequently fastened together components quickly summed up dimensional tolerances, so that a special advantage arises when with the holding device according to the invention and the adhesive element received therein an adjustment of the assembly is made possible without the holding device and the adhesive element must still be reached manually , According to the invention, if external means are used to activate a change of the adhesive element from the first state to the second state, a unique adjustment position of the assembly (s) can be "frozen." The external means for activating the state change of the adhesive element can be designed such that For example, a worker may not simultaneously have to maintain an adjustment position to simultaneously initiate activation of the change of state of the adhesive element The external means may include, for example, time-bound activation, activation by mechanical action, or by the introduction of energy controlling operating element can be controlled.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the first receiving structure may be formed as a sleeve and / or the second receiving structure as a cylindrical member, wherein the cylinder member extends into the sleeve and wherein the adhesive member is preferably formed like a hollow cylinder and is disposed between the sleeve and the cylinder member.

In this case, advantageously, the sleeve can be clipped by means of a clip connection with the first joining partner, wherein the adhesive member is preferably such between the sleeve and the cylinder element can be arranged that the adhesive element is inserted into the sleeve before making the clip connection and after making the clip connection in the sleeve in particular is arranged captive in the first state of the adhesive element.

According to yet another embodiment, the first receiving structure may be formed as a flange with a counterpart and / or the second receiving structure as a mushroom-shaped inner part, wherein the counterpart has a half-shell-shaped receiving space in which the mushroom-shaped inner part is receivable. Preferably, one or more locking means are provided by which the counterpart is latched to the flange and wherein the adhesive member is received in the half-shell-shaped receiving space and wherein in particular a sealing element is provided which surrounds the mushroom-shaped inner part in the region of the outlet from the counterpart.

It is also conceivable that the first receiving structure is designed as a mounting tab which extends in a tab plane, wherein the second receiving structure is preferably designed as a mounting sleeve which erstrecht in a sleeve axis through the mounting tab and into which preferably a connecting element can be introduced wherein in particular the sleeve axis forms a surface normal to the tab plane.

In particular, it is advantageous that the mounting bracket has a tab upper part and a tab bottom, which can be arranged to form the cavity against each other, so that an adhesive element is receivable in the cavity, wherein further in the tab upper part, a sealing element and in Laschenunterteil a sealing element is added and wherein the Mounting tab in particular on the first joint partner is clipped.

According to a further embodiment, the first receiving structure as a cup-shaped body with a counterpart and / or the second receiving structure may be formed as a cylindrical inner part which extends into the cup-like body and wherein the adhesive member between the cup-shaped body and the cylindrical inner part is arranged wherein the counterpart in particular has a sealing structure.

With further advantage, a heating element can be provided, which is arranged in and / or on the adhesive element or at least in the cavity and which is designed for heating the adhesive element, such that the heating element or the means forms to the change of the adhesive element from the first To activate state to a second state. With the heating element, heat can be introduced into the adhesive element, whereby a change from the first state to the second state of the adhesive element can be activated. The heating element may be in the form of a resistive element which heats up by applying a voltage and thereby generating a current flow. Is the heating element bordered or adjacent to the adhesive element Heating element on the adhesive element by this is also included in the cavity, the heat is introduced into the adhesive element by heat transfer from the heating element in the adhesive element.

According to a possible embodiment, the first joining partner may form a mounting bracket for a light unit of a vehicle and the second joining partner the light unit itself, wherein the holding device has a receiving structure on which at least one adhesive element is arranged, which can be brought into at least two states, wherein in one first state, the adhesive element allows adjustment of the light unit on the mounting bracket and via means the change from the first state to a second state can be activated, in the second state, the adhesive element is cured, whereby a fixation of the light unit can be achieved on the mounting bracket.

Furthermore, the stated object is achieved by a method for mounting a front end module on a body part of a vehicle according to the features of claim 20. Further embodiments of the method are given according to the further subclaims.

According to the invention, a method for joining joining partners of a vehicle with a first joining partner and at least one second joining partner is proposed, wherein a holding device is provided, via which the joining partners are connected to form the joining arrangement. In particular, the holding device has a receiving structure, on which at least one adhesive element is arranged, which can be brought into at least two states, wherein in a first state, an adjustment of the first joining partner relative to the second joining partner is made, and via means a change from the first state is activated in a second state, wherein in the second state, the adhesive element is cured, whereby a fixation of the joining partners to each other is achieved.

In particular, a method for mounting a front end module to a body part of a vehicle with a mounting bracket is proposed on which a light unit is arranged via a holding device, wherein the mounting bracket is mounted together with the light unit to a structural part of the body part. Here, the Holding device on a receiving structure on which at least one adhesive element is arranged, which can be brought into at least two states, wherein in a first state of the adhesive element, an adjustment of the light unit on the body part is possible, and the use of means the change from the first state into one second state is activated and starts a curing process of the adhesive element, wherein in the second state, the adhesive element is cured, whereby a fixing of the lighting unit on the mounting bracket and on the body part is achieved.

The particular advantage of the method according to the invention is that the assembly costs can be reduced. On the one hand, a speedy adjustment of the lighting unit in the first state of the adhesive element on the body part can be achieved. On the other hand, a secure fixation of the light unit on the mounting bracket and the body part can be achieved if, after the adjustment of the light unit, the final assembly position of the light unit is achieved on the body part of the vehicle. The final fixation takes place only via means which trigger a change from the first state to the second state of the adhesive element.

The inventive method can be used in particular when the first joining partner is designed as a mounting bracket and the second joining partner as the body part of a vehicle, the mounting bracket, the basic structure of a front end module, a rear end module, a tailgate, a door module and / or a bumper, in particular a Bump cover and / or a cockpit unit forms and / or the second joining partner forms a lighting unit, which is arranged on the mounting bracket.

Advantageously, the means are designed as external means. The external agent may preferably be energy, in particular heat, light, in particular UV radiation, sound and / or induction.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the external means may be embodied as a fluid which is added to the adhesive element after the adjustment of the light unit, in particular via channels which are arranged on the holding device, on the mounting carrier and / or on the body part. Advantageously, the change from the first state to the second state of the adhesive element (hardening process) lasts less than 60 seconds, preferably less than 10 seconds.

According to a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, a suction device for adjusting the lighting unit and / or during the change from the first to the second state of the adhesive element is provided, which contacts the lighting unit. The worker can make a corresponding adjustment of the light unit via the suction device. Likewise, by fixing the position of the suction device or another receiving device, the lighting unit can be held in its desired final assembly position during the curing process of the adhesive element.

Advantageously, the adhesive element serves in the first state for adjusting the lighting unit as a kind of hinge means and in the second state as a pure fixing means for the lighting unit.

The holding device can advantageously be designed such that a translatory and a rotational movement of the lighting unit in the first state of the adhesive element is possible. The lighting unit may be, for example, a separate daytime running light, a fog light or a headlight of a motor vehicle. Here, the lighting unit is movable in all directions of movement for adjustment, wherein expediently the adhesive element is compressed in some areas in its first state.

It is also conceivable that in the first state of the adhesive element, a second receiving structure, which is arranged on the lighting unit, a movement path relative to a first receiving structure, which is arranged on the mounting bracket, performs for adjustment, wherein the movement path preferably up to 3 mm, especially preferably up to 10 mm. As a result, existing manufacturing tolerances can be reliably compensated. Further advantages, features and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description in which a possible embodiment of the invention is described in detail with reference to the drawings. Show it:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a joining arrangement using the example of a

Frontendmoduls, wherein a first joining partner is formed by a mounting bracket and a second joining partner by a lighting unit, wherein the lighting unit is not attached to the mounting bracket,

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a

Holding device with a first receiving structure in the form of an opening, wherein in the opening an adhesive element is inserted,

3 is a partial view of the lighting unit, on which a second receiving structure of the holding device is arranged, on which the first receiving structure of the mounting support is attached,

4 is a partial view of the lighting unit of FIG. 1,

5 is a further partial view of the lighting unit of FIG. 1,

6 is a side view of the lighting unit of FIG. 1,

Fig. 7 is a further perspective view of the lighting unit, the am

Mounting bracket is attached,

Fig. 8 is a further perspective view of the lighting unit without

Mounting bracket

9 is a schematic side view of the first and second receiving structure, 10 a, b is a schematic representation of a further embodiment of an adhesive element to be used for the holding device,

Fig. 1 1 another embodiment of the holding device in which the first

Receiving structure is formed as a sleeve and the second receiving structure as a cylindrical element,

Fig. 12a shows another embodiment of the holding device in which the first

Receiving structure as a flange with a counterpart and the second receiving structure is formed as a mushroom-shaped inner part,

12b, the embodiment of the holding device of FIG. 12a in a non-mounted, perspective view,

13 shows a further embodiment of the holding device in a perspective view, in which the first receiving structure as

Mounting tab and the second receiving structure is designed as a mounting sleeve,

14 shows the embodiment according to FIG. 13 in a cut, two-dimensional view, FIG.

15 shows the mounting tab of the embodiment of FIG. 13 in a perspective, flying view,

Fig. 16 shows another embodiment of the holding device in which the first

Receiving structure is formed as a cup-shaped body and the second receiving structure as a cylindrical inner part and

Fig. 17 shows the embodiment of the holding device according to FIG. 16 in a non-assembled, perspective view. 1 shows a perspective view of a joining arrangement using the example of a front-end module, wherein a first joining partner 10 is formed by a mounting bracket 10 and a second joining partner 20 by a lighting unit 20. The illustrated embodiment of the holding device 30 can also be used for other joining arrangements, for example, the first joining partner 10 as mounting bracket 10 and the second joint partner 20 may be designed as a body part of a vehicle, wherein the mounting bracket 10, the basic structure of a front end module, a rear end module, a tailgate, a door module and / or a bumper, in particular a bumper cover forms.

A front end module for vehicles extends substantially over the entire width of the motor vehicle and is mounted in the front region thereof. The front-end module, which is not shown in its entirety according to FIG. 1, has an elongated mounting bracket 10, which is only partially shown. The mounting bracket 10 has in addition to the inclusion of, for example, a cooling unit and a bumper at opposite end portions of each recordings for mounting lamp units 20. According to the illustrated embodiment, the lighting unit 20 is formed as a headlight and has a housing which is fastened via a holding device 30 on the mounting bracket 10, which is shown as shown in accordance with a first embodiment.

As clearly shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the receiving structure 31, 32 is constructed in several parts. According to this embodiment, the receiving structure 31, 32 has a first receiving structure 31, which can be attached to the mounting bracket 10. The first receiving structure 31 is designed with an opening 31 a, which is explicitly shown in Fig. 2. In this opening 31 a, an adhesive member 40 is used, which is designed in the present embodiment as a cylindrical body. The second receiving structure 31 has a T-shaped foot portion 31 b, which during insertion of the lighting unit 20 to the mounting bracket 10 of FIG. 1 in a corresponding receiving opening 1 1, which is adapted to the foot portion 31 b is inserted. Various positive and / or non-positive fastening alternatives are also conceivable. If the adhesive element 40 is located within the opening 31a of the first receiving structure 31, the first receiving structure 31 is fastened together with the adhesive element 40 to the second receiving structure 32 of the lighting unit 20 (see FIG. 3). In the illustrated embodiment, the second receiving structure 32 is formed as a rod-shaped element 32a. Here, the second receiving structure 32 is T-shaped, wherein the rod-shaped element 32a has two mutually opposite ends, and wherein at both ends in each case the first receiving structure 31 is arranged with the respective adhesive member 40.

According to FIGS. 1 and 3, the lighting unit 20 has a receiving structure 31, 32 in the lower area, the upper area of the lighting unit 20 being equipped with two receiving structures 31, 32, which are illustrated in FIG. 4 as follows.

The first receiving structure 31 is designed with an opening 31 a, in which the cylindrical adhesive member 40 is already inserted. The second receiving structure 32 has a free end only on one side, to which the first receiving structure 31 with the adhesive element 40 can be fastened. Furthermore, the first receiving structure 31 has an opening 31 c, which serves for fastening the receiving structure 31, 32 on the mounting bracket 10, which is shown schematically in Fig. 5. The mounting bracket 10 is also designed with a corresponding opening 12, which is shown in Fig. 1. About a shown in Fig. 5 screw member 33 which is guided through the openings 12, 31 c, an attachment of the receiving structure 31, 32 of the upper portion of the lighting unit 20 on the mounting bracket 10 can be realized.

After the lighting unit 20 is secured in accordance with their receiving structures 31, 32 on the mounting bracket 10, which can be done for example via snap-in connections or additional fasteners, the actual adjustment of the light unit 20 is carried on the mounting bracket 10 and to the adjacent body parts of the vehicle, the immediate the lighting unit 20 are located. In this case, the adhesive element 40 can be brought into two states. In a first state, an adjustment of the lighting unit 20 due to the existing manufacturing tolerances. This is indicated schematically in FIGS. 6 and 9. The adjustment of the lighting unit 20 can be done in all directions of movement, which are shown with the coordinate shown in Fig. 6, done. in this connection For example, the adhesive element 20 can be compressed in regions in its first state, which is indicated in FIG. 9. The second receiving structure 32 of the lighting unit 20 may perform a movement path relative to the first receiving structure 31 of the mounting bracket 10 for adjustment, wherein the movement path in the present embodiment may be +/- 3 mm.

If the desired final assembly position of the lighting unit 20 is reached after the adjustment, the change from the first state to the second state of the adhesive element 40 takes place via external means. During the change to the second state, the adhesive element 40 hardens. In the present embodiment, the external means is energy externally supplied to the adhesive member 40, thereby activating the change from the first state to the second state. This z. B. UV light can be used. Heat and / or sound can alternatively be used as energy resources. This depends on the material used of the adhesive element 40. Also, the use of a 2-component adhesive is conceivable. A fluid constituting the second component is added to the adhesive member 40 after the adjustment of the lighting unit 20. Subsequently, the already described change of the adhesive element 20 in its second state.

In order to effect a reliable adjustment of the lighting unit 20, a suction device may be provided, which is contacted with the lighting unit 20. By an appropriate movement of the suction device, an adjustment of the lighting unit 20 is thus conceivable in a simple manner.

The activation of the change of state of the adhesive element is also conceivable via internal means, to which reference is now made to FIGS. 10a and 10b. As can be seen, the adhesive member 40 has a first 41 and a second chamber 42. In the first chamber 41, a first component of an adhesive and in the second chamber 42, a second component of an adhesive is included. The chambers 41, 42 are separated from each other in Fig. 10a by a movable wall 43, which is in its rest position. The lighting unit is in its final assembly position, the worker can attack on an externally accessible area 44 of the wall 43 and thus convert the wall 43 in an activation position. The chambers 41, 42 can thus communicate with each other, whereby a mixing of the two adhesive components takes place and a curing process the glue mixture starts. As a result, a fixation of the light unit to the mounting bracket is also reliably achieved.

FIG. 1 shows a further embodiment of the holding device 30. Therein, the first receiving structure 31 is designed as a sleeve 31b 'and the second receiving structure is designed as a cylindrical element 32b, wherein the cylindrical element 32b extends into the sleeve 31b'. The adhesive member 40 is formed like a hollow cylinder and arranged between the sleeve 31 b 'and the cylinder member 32 b. The sleeve 31 b 'is clipped by means of a clip connection 50 with the first joining partner 10, wherein the adhesive member 40 is disposed between the sleeve 31 b' and the cylinder member 32 b, that the adhesive member 40 before making the clip connection 50 in the sleeve 31 b ' can be used and after making the clip connection 50 in the sleeve 31 b 'in particular in the first state of the adhesive member 40 is arranged captive.

Alternatively, the sleeve 31 b 'can also be arranged on the second joining partner 20. Both the cylinder member 32b and the sleeve 31b 'have a collar 81, 82 to prevent leakage of the material of the adhesive member 40, regardless of its condition.

12a shows in a cutaway, two-dimensional view and FIG. 12b in a singular, perspective view another embodiment of the holding device 30, in which the first receiving structure 31 as a flange 31f with a counterpart 31f and the second receiving structure 32 as a mushroom-shaped inner part 32f is. The counterpart 31 f has a half-shell-shaped receiving space 61, in which the mushroom-shaped inner part 32f is receivable. Further, latching means 62 are shown, which are peripherally mounted on the flange 31f, wherein the counterpart 31f can be latched by the latching means 62 with the flange 31 f. The adhesive member 40 is received in the half-shell-shaped receiving space 61 by this is adapted to the half-shell shape. In order to prevent the adhesive element 40 from emerging from the receiving space 61 in the viscous, first state, a sealing element 60 is provided which encloses the mushroom-shaped inner part 32f in the region of the exit from the counterpart 31f. When the adhesive member 40 is transferred from the first to the second state, the adhesive member 40 adheres to both the flange 31f and the mating piece 31f. consequently are placed on the strength of the locking means 62 no greater requirements. The strength of the locking means 62 need only be sufficient to keep the counterpart 31f on the flange 31f during the adjustment in the first state of the adhesive element 40.

Figures 13, 14 and 15 show a further embodiment of the embodiment of the holding device 30. The first receiving structure 31 is designed as a mounting tab 31 d, which extends in a tab plane. Furthermore, the second receiving structure 32 is formed as a mounting sleeve 32d, the right in a sleeve axis 70 by the mounting tab 31 d therethrough. To connect the mounting sleeve 32d with the second joining partner 20, a connecting element 75 in the form of a screw in the mounting sleeve 32d can be introduced. The sleeve axis 70 forms a surface normal to the tab plane, wherein the sleeve axis 70 pierces an inner part 83, which enters into a firm connection with the mounting sleeve 70 when the connecting element 75 is inserted into the mounting sleeve 32d.

The mounting sleeve 32d may be embodied, for example, as an expansion sleeve which forms both a firm bond with the inner part 83 and with the second joining partner 20 by spreading.

As shown in FIG. 13, the first joining partner 10 has a clip arrangement 84, so that the mounting tab 31 d can latch in the clip arrangement 84 by means of a latching arrangement 85. The latching arrangement 85 has two cylindrical elements and two latching hooks, via which the mounting sleeve 32d with the clip assembly 84 in the first joining partner 10 can enter into a rigid connection.

In FIGS. 14 and 15 it is illustrated that the mounting tab 31d is formed from a tab top 71 and a tab bottom 72, so that the formation of a cavity is created by arranging tab top 71 and tab bottom 72 against each other. An adhesive element 40 can now be accommodated in this cavity, with a sealing element 73 also being arranged in the upper flap part 71 and a sealing element 74 in the lower flap part 72. The mounting tab 31 d forms together with the inner part 83 and the sealing elements 73 and 74 a closed cavity in which the preferably viscous adhesive element 40 is used captive and in particular leak-proof can be. The upper flap part 71 and the lower flap part 72 can be latched, clipped, welded or glued together, for example, after the adhesive element 40 has been introduced into the cavity formed on the inside.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, a heating element 76 is provided which is arranged, for example, in the adhesive element 40 or accommodated therein. The heating element 76 is configured to heat the adhesive member 40 such that the heating element 76 forms the means or means for transferring the adhesive member 40 from the first condition to the second condition. As shown in Figures 14 and 15, the heating element 76 is designed as an electric heating element 76, and there is shown an electrical connection 86, by means of which an electric current can flow through the heating element 76 and after heating of the heating element 76 via a handle member 87 from Heating element 76 can be removed.

The heating element 76 can be designed as a resistance wire or of a flat material with an electrical resistance, which heats up when a current is applied via the electrical connection 86. By the heat thus released, the adhesive member 40 is heated, whereby according to the invention the means for activating the change from the first to the second state of the adhesive member 40 is formed.

The heating element 76 shown can be used in any embodiment of the adhesive element 40 according to each further illustrated embodiment of the present invention, so that the arrangement of the heating element 76 in the illustrated embodiment of the holding device 30 according to the figures 13, 14 and 15 is only an example and in each other possible embodiment of the present invention can be implemented in the same or similar manner. In particular, the cavity, in which the adhesive member 40 is received, at the same time receive the heating element 76, so that this is arranged only adjacent to the adhesive member 40, wherein based on heat conduction in the same manner heat can be introduced into the adhesive member 40.

Figures 16 and 17 show a final embodiment of the embodiment of the holding device 30. According to this embodiment, the first receiving structure forms

31 a cup-like body 31 e with a counterpart 31 e '. The second recording structure

32 is formed as a cylindrical inner part 32 e, which in the cup-shaped body 31 e extends into it. The adhesive member 40 is designed like a hollow cylinder and arranged between the cup-shaped body 31 e and the cylindrical inner part 32e. To mount the holding device 30, the adhesive element 40 is first inserted into the cup-shaped body 31 e, then the cylindrical inner part 32 e is inserted into the adhesive element 40 on the inside. Finally, the counterpart 31 e 'is attached to the cup-like body 31 e, for example via a clip connection or a bayonet closure, the counterpart 31 e' having a sealing structure 80 which seals the cavity formed between the cup-shaped body 31 e and the cylindrical inner part 32 e, for sealingly receiving the adhesive member 40 between the cup-shaped body 31e and the cylindrical inner member 32e. Furthermore, the cylindrical inner part 32e shows a head section with a knurling 88 in order to create a positive connection of the cylindrical inner part 32e in the adhesive element 40.

The invention is not limited in its execution to the above-mentioned preferred embodiment. Rather, a number of variants is conceivable, which makes use of the illustrated solution even with fundamentally different types of use. All of the claims, the description or the drawings resulting features and / or advantages, including design details, spatial arrangements and method steps may be essential to the invention both in itself and in various combinations.

Bezu qszei chen l iste

first joining partner, mounting bracket receiving opening of the mounting bracket opening of the mounting bracket second joining partner, lighting unit

Holding device first receiving structure a opening b foot area b 'sleeve c opening d mounting lug e cup-shaped body e' counterpart f flange f counterpart

second receiving structure a rod-shaped element b cylindrical element d mounting sleeve e cylindrical inner part f mushroom-shaped inner part

screw element

Adhesive element first chamber second chamber wall, wall element attack range

clip connection

Sealing element half-shell-shaped receiving space

latching means

sleeve axis

Lasch shell

Lasch base

sealing element

connecting element

heating element

sealing structure

collar

inner part

clips arrangement

detent arrangement

Electrical connection

handle element

knurling

Claims

Patent claims

1. assembly for joining joining partners of a vehicle comprising: a first joining partner (10) and at least one second joining partner (20), wherein a holding device (30) is provided, via which the joining partners (10, 20) connectable to form the joint assembly characterized in that the holding device (30) has a receiving structure (31, 32) on which at least one adhesive element (40) is arranged, which can be brought into at least two states, wherein in a first state, the adhesive element (40) a Adjustment of the second joining partner (20) on the first joining partner (10) allows, and means the change from the first state to a second state can be activated, in the second state, the adhesive element (40) is cured, whereby a fixation of the joining partners (10, 20) is achievable to each other.

2. assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the means are external means, preferably chemical means, in particular a liquid, and / or electrical means and / or mechanical means and / or air contact and / or means in the form of energy supply, in particular heat energy , introduced preferably from external heat transfer and / or by means of electromagnetic radiation, in particular light energy, and / or by means of sound energy, in particular ultrasound and / or by means of microwaves and / or by means of induction.

3. Joining arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the adhesive element (40) of the geometry of the receiving structure (31, 32) is adapted, in particular, that the receiving structure (31, 32) forms a cavity in which the cavity adapted adhesive element (40) is received, wherein the adhesive member (40) is preferably viscous in the first state.

4. assembly according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the adhesive element (40) is formed from a hotmelt, in particular from a reactive hotmelt and / or an encapsulated polyurethane and / or an epoxy adhesive and / or an acrylate adhesive ,

5. Joining arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receiving structure (31, 32) is constructed in several parts, wherein at least one first receiving structure (31) on the first joining partner (10) and a second receiving structure (32) on the second joining partner (20 ) is arranged and / or formed on this and / or formed by this itself.

6. Joining arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adhesive element (40) has at least two chambers (41, 42) or that the two chambers (41, 42) form the cavity, wherein in the first chamber (41) a first component of an adhesive and in the second chamber (42) is a second component of an adhesive.

7. assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that a wall element (43) is provided which in the non-activated state of the adhesive member (40) the chambers (41, 42) separated from each other and for activation of the adhesive member (40) is movable in that a mixing of the first and the second component of the adhesive is possible, wherein the wall element (43) is movably mounted in particular on the adhesive element (40) and can be activated from the outside at a defined engagement area (44).

8. joint arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the joining arrangement for joining prefabricated modules of a vehicle, in particular a front end module, a rear end module, a tailgate, a door module and / or a bumper, in particular a bumper cover to a body part of a vehicle, a lighting unit (20) with or on a mounting bracket (10) and / or a cockpit unit in the vehicle, is formed.

9. joining arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first receiving structure (31) as an opening (31 a) and / or the second receiving structure (32) as a rod-shaped element (32 a) is formed, wherein in particular the opening (31 a) preferably embodied as a cylindrical body adhesive member (40) and / or wherein the adhesive member (40) comprises the rod-shaped element (32 a), so that the rod-shaped element (32 a) preferably in the opening (31 a) extends.

10. Joining arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second receiving structure (32) is T-shaped, wherein the rod-shaped element (32a) has two mutually opposite ends, wherein arranged at both ends in each case a first receiving structure (31) is, and wherein the holding device (30) is preferably fastened positively and / or non-positively on the mounting bracket (10) and wherein the rod-shaped element (32a) in particular only to one side has a free end to which the first receiving structure (31) can be arranged is.

11. joining arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the first receiving structure (31) as a sleeve (31 b ') and / or the second receiving structure (32) as a cylindrical element (32 b) is formed, wherein the cylinder element ( 32b) extends into the sleeve (31 b ') into and wherein the adhesive element (40) is preferably formed as a hollow cylinder and between the sleeve (31 b') and the cylinder member (32 b) is arranged.

12. joining arrangement according to claim 1 1, characterized in that the sleeve (31 b ') by means of a clip connection (50) with the first joining partner (10) is verclipsbar, wherein the adhesive member (40) preferably between the sleeve (31 b' ) and the cylinder element (32b) can be arranged that the adhesive element (40) before making the clip connection (50) in the sleeve (31 b ') is inserted and after making the clip connection (50) in the sleeve (31 b') in particular in the first state of the adhesive element (40) is arranged captive.

13. joining arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the first receiving structure (31) as a flange (31f) with a counterpart (31f) and / or the second receiving structure (32) as a mushroom-shaped inner part (32f) is formed, wherein the counterpart (31f) has a half-shell-shaped receiving space (61) in which the mushroom-shaped inner part (32f) is receivable.

14. joining arrangement according to claim 13, characterized in that latching means (62) are provided, wherein the counterpart (31f) with the flange (31f) by the latching means (62) can be latched and wherein the adhesive member (40) in the half-shell-shaped receiving space (61 ) and wherein in particular a sealing element (60) is provided, which surrounds the mushroom-shaped inner part (32f) in the region of the exit from the counterpart (31f).

15. Joining arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the first receiving structure (31) as a mounting tab (31 d) is executed, which extends in a tab plane, the second receiving structure (32) preferably as a mounting sleeve (32 d) is formed, in a sleeve axis (70) through the mounting tab (31 d) through erstrecht and in the preferably a connecting element (75) can be introduced, in particular the sleeve axis (70) forms a surface normal to the tab plane.

16. assembly according to claim 15, characterized in that the mounting tab (31 d) has a tab upper part (71) and a tab bottom part (72), which are arranged to form the cavity against each other, so that an adhesive member (40) is receivable in the cavity , wherein further in the tab upper part (71) a sealing element (73) and in the tab base (72) a sealing element (74) is received and wherein the mounting tab (31 d) in particular on the first joining partner (10) can be clipped.

17. Joining arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the first receiving structure (31) as a cup-shaped body (31 e) with a counterpart (31 e ') and / or the second receiving structure (32) as a cylindrical inner part (32 e ) is formed, which extends into the cup-like body (31 e) into and wherein the adhesive member (40) between the cup-shaped body (31 e) and the cylindrical inner part (32e) is arranged, wherein the counterpart (31 e ') in particular a sealing structure (80).

18. joining arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a heating element (76) is provided, which is arranged in and / or on the adhesive element (40) or at least in the cavity and which is designed for heating the adhesive element (40), such that the heating element (76) forms the means or means for activating the change of the adhesive element (40) from the first state to a second state.

19. joining arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first joining partner (10) as a mounting bracket (10) for a lighting unit (20) of a vehicle and the second joint partner (20) is designed as a light unit (20) of the vehicle, wherein the holding device (30) has a receiving structure (31, 32) on which at least one adhesive element (40) is arranged, which can be brought into at least two states, wherein in a first state the adhesive element (40) is an adjustment of the lighting unit (20 ) on the mounting bracket (10) and via means the change from the first state to a second state can be activated, wherein in the second state, the adhesive element (40) is cured, whereby a fixing of the lighting unit (20) on the mounting bracket (10) can be achieved.

20. A method for joining joining partners of a vehicle with a first joining partner (10) and at least one second joining partner (20), wherein a holding device (30) is provided, via which the joining partners (10, 20) are interconnected to form the joint assembly , characterized in that the holding device (30) has a receiving structure (31, 32) on which at least one adhesive element (40) is arranged, which can be brought into at least two states, wherein in a first state, an adjustment of the first joining partner ( 10) relative to the second joining partner (20) is made, and via means a change from the first state to a second state is activated, wherein in the second state, the adhesive element (40) is cured, whereby a fixation of the joining partners (10, 20) to each other is achieved.

21. A method according to claim 20, characterized in that the first joining partner (10) as mounting bracket (10) and the second joint partner (20) is designed as a body part of a vehicle, wherein the mounting bracket (10) the basic structure of a front end module, a rear end module, a tailgate , a door module and / or a bumper, in particular a bumper cover and / or a cockpit unit forms and / or the second joining partner (20) forms a lighting unit (20) which is arranged on the mounting bracket (10).

22. The method according to claim 20 or 21, characterized in that the holding device (30) is designed such that a translational and a rotational movement of the second joining partner (20) relative to the first joining partner (10) in the first state of the adhesive element (40) is possible or that for adjustment of the second joining partner (20) is movable in all directions of movement, wherein the adhesive element (40) is partially compressed in its first state, wherein the movement path is preferably up to 3 mm, more preferably up to 10 mm.

23. The method according to any one of claims 20 to 22, characterized in that the external means is designed as a fluid which is added to the adhesive element (40) after the adjustment of the second joining partner (20), in particular by channels on at least one of Joining partners (10, 20) are arranged, in particular, the curing process takes less than 60 seconds, preferably less than 10 seconds.

24. The method according to any one of claims 20 to 23, characterized in that the adhesive element (40) in the first state for adjusting the second joining partner (20) on the first joining partner (10) as a hinge means and in the second state as a fixing means for the second joint partner ( 20) is used.