EP3537917A2

EP3537917A2 - A connection apparatus

Info

Publication number: EP3537917A2
Application number: EP17917308.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Gokmen OZTURK; Erkan PEKCAKAR; Nihat Yildirim; Gokhan BALDAN; Berkan GULTEKIN
Original assignee: Ford Otomotiv Sanayi AS
Current assignee: Ford Otomotiv Sanayi AS
Priority date: 2016-11-08
Filing date: 2017-11-07
Publication date: 2019-09-18
Also published as: TR201615998A2; WO2019013720A2; EP3537917A4; WO2019013720A3; RU2019117760A

Abstract

The present invention relates to a connection apparatus (1) which enables to mount parts together without the need for a connection means, which does not require the use of additional parts in order to conceal the parts performing the connection after the installation, and which removes the necessity of using an auxiliary tool by the operator during installation.

Description

A CONNECTION APPARATUS

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a connection apparatus which enables to mount parts to each other.

Prior Art

Connection members are the members that connect two or more elements to each other. As example to these, welding, solder, rivet, bolt, pin, pivot, cam, shaft and close fit connections can be given. Strength, usage types and costs of these elements are different from each other. Connection members are chosen depending on the place and purpose of use. Connection members such as welding, solder and rivet cannot be demounted and reused after they are used once. Some connection members such as bolt can be mounted, demounted and used again and again. The Japanese patent document no. JP2004293728 (A), known in the state of the art, discloses an adapter which enables to mount parts on the inner surface of the vehicle. The adaptor has a handled form and is used in fixing parts on the inner surface. In the adapter, the first auxiliary member is fitted into the aperture on the inner surface of the vehicle and coupled with the wall. The second auxiliary member is coupled with the first member over the inner surface. The second member is provided with screw holes for mounting the parts. The first member is provided with the main body part, coupling part, pressing surface coupling with the inner surface and rod screw. The bolt is coupled to the rod screw while entering the hole. Comparing the document in the state of the art with the inventive document, the invention of the application the invention of the application differs from the document in the known state of the art in that it provides for mounting with clips and buttons, the clips have arms and limiting arms, which act as a spring when force is applied, the limiting arms prevent the clip from being inserted into the part during disassembly, clip and button structure can be mounted and disassembled. The advantages of the invention include; that the invention of the application has two parts, it has a spider structure which prevents damage to the assembled surface during demounting, it does not require the use of an auxiliary tool during mounting and does not require visually hiding fasteners after assembly. The Chinese utility model document CN204366294 (U), which is known in the state of the art, discloses an auxiliary means which is used for manual mounting on the outer side wall of the vehicle. The auxiliary means is fixed to the mating surface and the support base. By means of the magnetic device used in the auxiliary means, deformation which can occur after manual installation is prevented and thus it is ensured that there is no need for intervention afterwards. Appearance quality has been ensured and productivity has increased. When the document in the known state of the art is compared with the reference document, the inventions are similar due to prevention of deformation that may occur later on the vehicle surface during assembly by using an auxiliary means. However, when the technical features of the two inventions are examined, the two inventions are different in that that a magnetic device is used as an auxiliary means in the document which is known in the state of the art, the assembly is performed with clips and buttons, there are arms and limiting arms on the clip and the arms and limiting arms serve as spring when they are under force, the limiting arms can prevent the clip from moving into the piece, the clip and the button structures are able to mount and dismount each other. In the invention of the application, mounting of parts is performed with the clips and buttons that are interlocking. The clip has arms, restraining ears and a recess. By means of the elasticity of the arms in the clip in the application, it applies a pressure on the part to be assembled and creates a spring effect. It is clear that the inventions are quite different from each other when the technical characteristics of both documents are taken into consideration.

The Chinese patent document CN103381585 (A), which is known in the state of the art, discloses a circular auxiliary device used in screwing a vehicle wheel. The auxiliary tool has bolts, securing auxiliary surface and four securing rods. Operators do not need screwing, turning or torsion. The auxiliary tool is pneumatically driven with appropriate torque. When the document in the known state of the art and the reference document are compared, it is obvious that the two documents are different from each other. While the invention of the application and the document in the state of the art are similar in terms of the similar structure, they differ in that the clip and the button can be mounted to and demounted from each other. However, the invention differs from the document in the known state of the art, due to the fact that the clip and button assembly can be assembled and disassembled, the arms and restraining arms are provided on the clip and they serve as spring when they are under force, the restraining arms prevent the clip from moving into the part during disassembly, and that the clip and the button structure can mount and demount each other. The advantages of the invention include; that the invention of the application has two parts, it has a spider structure which prevents damage to the assembled surface during demounting, it does not require the use of an auxiliary tool during mounting and does not require visually hiding fasteners after assembly.

In the state of the art, there are various fasteners for mounting parts together, such as screw and bolted connections, nailed and snap-on connections, riveted connections. The assembly of the parts that are preferred to be assembled is usually accomplished by various elements such as screws, bolts, and nails. External apparatus are required for assembly with these elements. In addition, after the assembly is complete, additional parts are used to prevent the user from seeing the used elements. The prior art does not include a connection apparatus that allows the parts to be assembled without the need for any connection means, which does not require the use of additional parts in order to conceal the parts that perform the post connection and which eliminates the need for the operator to use an auxiliary tool during the installation and provides ergonomic gain at this time.

Objects of the Invention

The object of the invention is to provide a connection apparatus, which does not require the use of additional parts in order to conceal the parts performing the connection after the assembly

Another object of the invention is to provide a connection apparatus, which removes the necessity of the use of the auxiliary vehicle by the operator and provides ergonomic gain in this regard.

A further object of the invention is to provide a connection apparatus, which saves time by removing the use of additional apparatus. Brief Description of the Invention

In order to fulfill the object of the present invention, a connecting device as defined in the first claim and the other dependent claims provides a preferred mounting of a button on a plate without the use of additional elements. The tip of the button, which is passed through a face of the plate to a hole on the plate, is placed in the recess on the body from the other surface of the plate. The user presses on the body, allowing the end of the button to pass through the recess. During the application of force, the elements forming the arms approach the plate surface. The force is cut after the button is placed in the recess. With the cutting of the force, the elements of the arms are moved away from the plate surface and the button is fixed on the plate. Detailed Description of the Invention

A connection device provided in order to fulfill the object of the invention shown in the accompanying figures, wherein;

Figure 1. Perspective view of the connecting member from an angle.

Figure 2. Perspective view of the connecting member from another angle. Figure 3. Perspective view of the connecting member and plate from an angle.

Figure 4. Perspective view of the connection element and the plate with the button mounted on it.

Figure 5. Perspective view of the connection element and the plate with the button mounted on it, from another angle.

Figure 6. Perspective view of the plate on which the connection apparatus is mounted.

The parts in the figures are numbered one by one and the reference numbers are given below.

1. Connection apparatus

2. Connection member

21. Body

211. Recess

22. Restrainer

23. Arm

231. Contact piece

232. Body Part

233. Coupling part

234. Cavity

235. Flag 3. Button

P. Plate

D. Hole A connection apparatus (1) which enables to mount parts together without the need for a connection means, which does not require the use of additional parts in order to conceal the parts performing the connection after the installation, and which removes the necessity of using an auxiliary tool by the operator during installation essentially comprises;

- at least one body (21) in contact with a face of the plate (P) and to which the user exerts a force during assembly,

at least one restrainer (22) which prevents from passing through the hole (D) on the plate (P) during disassembly,

parts that enable to fix the button (3) to the plate (P) which are

· a contact piece (231) which contacts the plate (P) and whose angle with the plate (P) during assembly is narrowed,

• a body part (232) which provides connection with the body (21) and whose angle with the plate (P) during installation is narrowed,

• a connection member (2) having at least one arm (23) comprising an coupling part (233) that couples the contact piece (231) and the body part (232) and has a cavity (234) thereon to prevent deformation during assembly,

at least one button (3) mounted with the connection member (2) and fixed at the location where it is positioned.

In one embodiment of the invention, the connection member (2) is provided. The connection member (2) comprises a body (21). The body (21) is a structure that contacts the plate (P) and on which the user applies a force. The body (21) is preferably circular. A recess (211) is located in the center part of the body (21). The recess (211) is the area where the tip of the button (3) enters. The recess (211) may be in the preferred geometry depending on the shape of the button (3). In this embodiment of the present invention, the recess (211) is circular.

In one embodiment of the invention, there is a restrainer (22). The restrainer (22) prevents the connecting element (2) from entering the hole (D) on the plate (P) and moving it to the front of the plate (P) during demounting of the button (3) from the plate (P). In this embodiment of the invention, the restrainer (22) is integral with the body (21). Preferred number of restrainers (22) may be present on the body (21). In this embodiment of the invention, there are three restrainers (22). Each restrainer (22) remains between the two arms (23).

In one embodiment of the invention, the arm (23) is provided. The arm (23) creates a spring effect during mounting, which ensures that the button (3) to be firmly connected to the plate (P). In this embodiment of the invention, there are preferably four arms (23). Arms (23) are identical. The arms (23) are positioned at certain intervals around the body (21). The arms (23) are preferably integral with the body (21). The arm (23) comprises a contact piece (231). The contact piece

(231) is a member of the arm (23), which contacts the plate (P). When the contact piece (231) is in the free state, it is almost perpendicular to the ground. If the user applies a force to the body (21), the contact piece (231) flexes and the angle made by the plate (P) narrows down. If the force is interrupted, it returns to its former state. The connection of the arm (23) with the body is made by the body part

(232) . When the body part (232) is in the free state, it is almost perpendicular to the ground. If the user applies a force to the body (21), the body part (232) will flex and the angle with the plate (P) will be narrowed. If the force is interrupted, it will return to its former state. Between the contact piece (231) and the body part (232), there is a coupling piece (233). The coupling piece (233) stands parallel to the ground. If the user applies a force to the body (21), the distance between the coupling piece (233) and the plate (P) is reduced. If the force is interrupted, the distance to the plate (P) increases and it returns to its original state. There is a cavity (234) on the coupling piece (233). The cavity (234) allows the arms (23) to return to their original state without deformation during assembly or disassembly. There is a flag (235) on the faces of contact piece (231) and the coupling piece (233) facing the plate (P) and at the edge they join. The flag (235) prevents breaks which may occur during the assembly or disassembly due to flexing.

The use of a connection apparatus (1) in this embodiment of the invention is performed as follows.

In case of mounting; the button (3) to be connected to the plate (P) is placed in the hole (D) on the plate (P). After the button (3) is placed on the plate (P), the connection member (2) is positioned on the back face of the plate (P) so that the tip of the button (3) getting out from the rear side of the hole (D) corresponds to the cavity (211) of the body (21). The user applies a force on the body (21) after the connection element (2) is placed on the plate (P). During application of force by the user, the contact pieces (231) and the body parts (232) of the arms (23) stretch. The angle between the contact piece (231) and the plate (P) and the angle between the body part (232) and the plate (P) narrows and the coupling piece (233) approaches the plate (P) while applying force to the body (21). When sufficient force is applied, the tip of the button (3) passes through the recess (211) and the button (3) is fixed to the plate (P).

In case of disassembly, the button (3) connected to the hole (D) on the plate (P) is separated from the plate (P) by being pulled in the opposite direction of entering the hole (D). At this time, the passage of the connection member (2) through the hole (D) by the effect of the force enabling separation of the button (3) from the plate (P) is achieved by means of the restrainers (22).

With the connection apparatus (1) of the present invention, mounting can be performed without a need for any complex mounting apparatus and/or pieces such as cover or bezel. Removing the use of connection pieces (bolts, nuts, screws, rivets, etc.) and the devices used for their mounting (air pistol, screwdriver, rivet machine, etc.), which are used for the mounting of parts (button (3) etc.) together with the connection apparatus (1), allows the operator to mount without using any tools.

Claims

A connection apparatus (1) which enables to mount parts together without the need for a connection means, which does not require the use of additional parts in order to conceal the parts performing the connection after the installation, and which removes the necessity of using an auxiliary tool by the operator during installation, characterized by;

at least one body (21) in contact with a face of the plate (P) and to which the user exerts a force during assembly,

parts that enable to fix the button (3) to the plate (P) by creating a spring effect during mounting which are

• a contact piece (231) which contacts the plate (P) and whose angle with the plate (P) during assembly is narrowed,

at least one button (3) mounted with the connection member and fixed at the location where it is positioned.

A connection apparatus (1) according to Claim 1, characterized by the body (21) having a circular geometry, including a recess (211) at its center depending on the form of the button (3).

A connection apparatus (1) according to Claim 1, characterized by the restrainer (22) which is integrated with the body (21) and each of which is located between two arms (23). A connection apparatus (1) according to Claim 1, characterized by a contact piece (231) perpendicular to the ground when in a free state, which stretches towards the plate (P) and its angle with the plate (P) narrows when the user applies a force to the body (21).

A connection apparatus (1) according to Claim 1, characterized by the body part (232) perpendicular to the ground when in a free state, which stretches towards the plate (P) and its angle with the plate (P) narrows when the user applies a force to the body (21).

A connection apparatus (1) according to Claim 1, characterized by the coupling piece (233) parallel to the ground, the distance of which with the plate (P) decreases when the user applies a force to the body (2), and the distance of which with the plate (P) increases and which returns to its original state when the force is interrupted.

A connection apparatus (1) according to Claim 1, characterized by a flag (235), which is located on the faces of contact piece (231) and the coupling piece (233) facing the plate (P) and at the edge they join, and which prevents breaks.