Product with components that can be automatically assembled

Abstract

A product has a first and a second component (1, 2) connected to each other by locking. The first component (1) has a first base body (4) from which a number of projections (5) project such that the projections (5) define an insertion direction (x). The second part (2) has a second main body (6) in which a number of receptacles (7) are arranged. When the first part (1) is locked to the second part (2), one of the projections (5) of the first part (1) is inserted into one of the receptacles (7) of the second part (2) in an insertion direction (x). A locking hook (11) is arranged on the projection (5), and a locking lug (12) is arranged on the second part (2) in the region of the receptacle (7). The locking hook (11) and the locking lug (12) each form a locking connection when the projection (5) is completely inserted into the receptacle (7). The projection (5) and the receiving part (7) coordinate with each other in such a way that the projection (5) has a gap in the receiving part (7) in two mutually orthogonal transverse directions (y, z) at the beginning of insertion of the projection (5) into the receiving part (7) when viewed in a transverse plane running orthogonally to the insertion direction (x). When the projection (5) is inserted into the receiving part (7), the gap gradually decreases to zero from an initial value greater than zero. When viewed in a transverse plane, the projection (5) and the receptacle (7) have a symmetrical trapezoidal profile with respective long sides (10) and respective short sides (9). The long and short sides (10, 9) extend in a first transverse direction (y).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a (multi-piece) product.

[0002] -The product has a first component and a second component that are interconnected by a locking mechanism.

[0003] -The first component has a first base, and a certain number of protrusions extend from the first base, such that the protrusions define the insertion direction.

[0004] -The second component has a second base, in which a certain number of housing components are arranged.

[0005] - Wherein, when the first component and the second component are locked, one of the protrusions of the first component is inserted into one of the receiving parts of the second component along the insertion direction.

[0006] -A locking hook is provided on the protrusion, and a locking lug is provided on the second component in the area of ​​the receiving component.

[0007] -When the protrusion is fully inserted into the receiving component, the locking hook and locking lug form a locking connection.

[0008] -The protrusion and the receiving element are coordinated such that when viewed in a transverse plane extending orthogonally to the insertion direction, at the beginning of the protrusion's insertion into the receiving element, the protrusion has a gap in the receiving element in a first transverse direction and in a second transverse direction orthogonal to the first transverse direction, and this gap gradually decreases to zero from an initial value greater than zero as the protrusion is inserted into the receiving element. Background Technology

[0009] The insertion direction is a labeled direction. The protrusion is inserted into the housing along the insertion direction, and the protrusion is disengaged from the housing in the opposite direction to the insertion direction.

[0010] Therefore, the locking connection is designed so that it can also guide, position, and center the first component relative to the second component.

[0011] This product is known. US 11 287 097 B1 can be cited purely exemplarily.

[0012] A product is known from DE 10 2006 061 703 A1, which has a first component and a second component interconnected by locking. The first component has a first base from which a number of protrusions extend, such that the protrusions define an insertion direction. The second component has a second base in which a number of receiving members are arranged. In the locked state, one of the protrusions of the first component is inserted into one of the receiving members of the second component along the insertion direction, and a locking hook is arranged on the protrusion, and a locking lug is arranged on the second component in the region of the receiving member. Furthermore, the locking hook and the locking lug form a locking connection in the locked state.

[0013] The same disclosures are given in US 10 857 954 B1 and EP 3 112 220 A1.

[0014] In manufacturing technologies, there is a growing demand for automated assembly processes, such as the use of robots. For automated assembly, particular attention must be paid to the joining of parts. Especially in precision assembly tasks, humans often outperform machines. This is because humans are able to perform precise positioning well based on visual perception and sometimes tactile sensitivity. Machines, however, (whether robots or other machines) can only perform pre-programmed movements, and they cannot detect whether the first and / or second parts are precisely positioned correctly. Therefore, it is necessary to design multiple parts of a product so that individual parts are automatically centered during assembly using guides, insertion tilts, and other positioning aids. Summary of the Invention

[0015] The purpose of this invention is to provide a feasible solution by which an automatic centering and locking mechanism in two lateral directions can be combined in a simple manner and method, thereby enabling the corresponding positioning aids to also provide a locking connection.

[0016] This objective is achieved by a product having the features of claim 1. Advantageous designs of this product are the subject of dependent claims 2 to 8.

[0017] According to the invention, products of the type mentioned in the opening section are designed such that, when viewed in a transverse plane, the protrusions and the receiving element have symmetrical trapezoidal profiles, the trapezoids having corresponding long sides and corresponding short sides, and the long sides and short sides extending along a first transverse direction.

[0018] Therefore, this design essentially provides a dovetail tenon that tapers when viewed along the insertion direction.

[0019] Viewed along the insertion direction, the protrusion extends a certain length. Preferably, the protrusion and the receiving member are coordinated such that when the protrusion is inserted into the receiving member, the gap is essentially zero along the entire length of the protrusion. With this design, when the protrusion is fully inserted into the receiving member, the protrusion abuts against the inner side of the receiving member with a large area. This results in a very stable engagement of the first component with the second component (or vice versa).

[0020] Preferably, the containment is open in the region of the shorter side of the trapezoid or has thinner walls compared to the region of the longer side of the trapezoid. This allows the structural height of the containment in the second lateral direction to be kept as small as possible.

[0021] Preferably, the locking hook is arranged in the region of the long side of the trapezoid. This solution can be implemented with particular simplicity in terms of design.

[0022] Preferably, when the first and second components are disengaged from each other, the locking hook is arranged within the volume surrounded by the trapezoid, and the locking lug is also arranged on the second base in a spring-elastic manner. This measure further reduces the structural height of the housing in the second lateral direction.

[0023] Preferably, the first component has a groove in the transition region from the protrusion to the first base, through which the locking hook and / or locking lug can be bent, thereby disengaging the corresponding locking connection. This makes disengaging the locking connection easier. For example, a screwdriver can be applied in a simple manner by means of the groove.

[0024] Preferably, the first component is the housing of the electronic assembly, and the second component is the front cover of the electronic assembly. This provides a particularly common application scenario for the invention. This is especially applicable when a heat sink for cooling electronic power devices is arranged within the housing. Attached Figure Description

[0025] The above-described features, characteristics, and advantages of the present invention, as well as the ways and methods of implementing them, become clearer and more readily understood in conjunction with the following description of the embodiments, which are explained in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Here, schematic diagrams are provided:

[0026] Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of the electronic components in their assembled state is shown.

[0027] Figure 2 Showing the connection before Figure 1 Components,

[0028] Figure 3 Shown from the side Figure 1 Components,

[0029] Figure 4 Show along Figure 3 Line AA runs through Figure 1 Cross-sectional view of the component.

[0030] Figure 5 Show along Figure 3 The line BB runs through the middle. Figure 1 Cross-sectional view of the component.

[0031] Figure 6 Enlarged and not scaled, showing from Figure 3 A view of the second base component observed along the direction of line AA.

[0032] Figure 7 A first base component and a second base component are shown in the region of the protrusion and the housing in the first lateral direction.

[0033] Figure 8 Shown from the second lateral direction Figure 7 The first base component and the second base component.

[0034] Figure 9 Shown in the raised area in the direction opposite to the insertion direction Figure 7 A plan view of the first base component.

[0035] Figure 10 Shown in insertion direction Figure 7 A plan view of the second base component.

[0036] Figure 11 Show Figure 10 A variant design of the second base component,

[0037] Figure 12 Show Figure 7 The first base component has raised (ideally infinitely thin) strips.

[0038] Figure 13 A cross-sectional view of a protrusion arranged throughout the housing is shown.

[0039] Figure 14 This shows a perspective view of the first base component and the second base component in the area of ​​the protrusion and the housing.

[0040] Figure 15 Showing according to Figure 5 Detail D, and

[0041] Figure 16 Showing according to Figure 3 Details E. Detailed Implementation

[0042] Figures 1 to 5 Different views of the same product are shown. Therefore, Figures 1 to 5The following explanations will be provided together. Reference will only be made in exceptional cases if the relevant details can be identified particularly well from the accompanying drawings. Figures 1 to 5 A single view within.

[0043] exist Figures 1 to 5 In the example, the product is designed as an electronic component. This case of a product being designed as an electronic component is purely exemplary. Products can also be designed in different ways, such as purely mechanically.

[0044] according to Figures 1 to 5 The product has a first component 1 and a second component 2. Here, the first component 1 is the housing of the electronic components, and a heat sink 3 is arranged in the housing. Figure 4 The heat sink is used to cool electronic power devices. The second component 2 is the front cover of the electronic assembly. Of course, the second component can also be other components. In addition, the product can include other components besides the first component 1 and the second component 2.

[0045] The first component 1 has a base 4, and a certain number of protrusions 5 extend from the base, see in particular. Figure 2 The substrate 4 is referred to below as the first substrate 4. Thus, the protrusion 5 defines the insertion direction x. The insertion direction x is the direction in which the protrusion 5 extends away from the first substrate 4.

[0046] The second component 2 also has a base 6, which is hereinafter referred to as the second base 6. Figure 6 A certain number of containment components 7 are arranged in the second base 6.

[0047] To connect the first component 1 and the second component 2, the protrusion 5 is inserted into the receiving member 7 along the insertion direction x. Here, there is one receiving member 7 for each protrusion 5. If necessary, for example, for compatibility with different types of first components 1, the number of receiving members 7 can exceed the number of protrusions 5. In this case, the extra receiving members 7 are not used. When the protrusion 5 is fully inserted into the receiving member 7, the two components 1 and 2 lock together and are thus connected.

[0048] Below, the design of the protrusion 5 and the housing 7 will first be explained in relation to the insertion of the protrusion 5 into the housing 7. Locking will be explained later. Here, only a single protrusion 5 and its associated housing 7 will be explained. Similar implementations are used for other protrusions 5 and their corresponding housings 7. Furthermore, a coordinate system with x, y, and z directions is introduced. This coordinate system is a right-handed Cartesian coordinate system. As previously defined, direction x is the insertion direction x. Directions y and z are orthogonal to the insertion direction x and to each other. Hereinafter, directions y and z will be referred to as the first lateral direction y and the second lateral direction z. The two lateral directions y and z are associated with the corresponding protrusion 5 and the corresponding housing 7. Therefore, different protrusions 5 and different housings 7 can have different directions. However, since the insertion direction x is uniform for all protrusions 5 and housings 7, the two lateral directions y and z always define the same lateral plane.

[0049] As a general principle, the protrusion 5 and the housing 7 are coordinated with each other, so that...

[0050] - At the beginning of the insertion of the protrusion 5 into the receiving member 7, the protrusion 5 has a gap in the receiving member 7 in the first lateral direction x and in the second lateral direction y.

[0051] - As protrusion 5 is inserted into receiving member 7, the gap gradually decreases, and

[0052] - When the protrusion 5 is fully inserted into the housing 7, the gap eventually reaches zero.

[0053] Therefore, when the protrusion 5 is inserted into the receiving part 8, the gap gradually decreases from an initial value that is greater than zero in both lateral directions y and z to zero.

[0054] Observed along the insertion direction x, protrusion 5 extends through a length L (see...) Figure 7 and Figure 8 Preferably, the protrusion 5 and the receiving member 8 are coordinated such that when the protrusion 5 is inserted into the receiving member 7, the gap is essentially zero along the entire length L of the protrusion 5.

[0055] according to Figures 7 to 12 In the view shown, observed in a lateral plane defined by two lateral directions, y and z, protrusion 5 has a symmetrical trapezoidal profile. Figure 7 and Figure 8 In the attached figure, reference numeral 8 indicates the following line along which a strip (theoretically infinitely thin) is "cut" out from protrusion 5. This strip... Figure 12 As shown in the image. Specifically, Figure 12 The shape of the trapezoid is shown particularly clearly. Figure 13 Show Figures 1 to 5 A specific cross-sectional view of a component with a specific design.

[0056] The trapezoid has a long side 8 and a short side 9. The long side 8 and the short side 9 extend along the first transverse direction y. However, as the protrusion 5 gradually tapers, the cross-section always decreases further forward. This tapering is particularly linear. The corresponding receiving element 7 is designed to match the associated protrusion 5.

[0057] By using a symmetrical trapezoidal outline, it is feasible for the housing 7 to be open in the region of the shorter side 9 of the trapezoid. Figure 10 ), or at least have thinner walls compared to the region along the longer side of the trapezoid ( Figure 11 ).

[0058] The design of protrusion 5 and containment 7 will now be explained below regarding the locking of protrusion 5 within containment 7.

[0059] according to Figure 2 See also Figure 14 A locking hook 11 is arranged on the protrusion 5. Correspondingly, see especially... Figure 15 A locking lug 12 is arranged on the second component 2 in the area of ​​the housing 7. When the protrusion 5 is fully inserted into the housing 7, the locking hook 11 and the locking lug 12 form a locking connection. Figure 14 As can be seen, the locking hook 11 is arranged in the region of the long side 10 of the trapezoid, that is, within the volume enclosed by the trapezoid. In a specific design, this applies to both the case where the first component 1 and the second component 2 are separate from each other, and the case where the first component 1 and the second component 2 are connected to each other. Therefore, from Figure 13 The corresponding arrangement of the locking hook 11 can also be seen in the middle, because the locking lug 12 can be identified there within the volume surrounded by the trapezoid. Figure 15 This situation is also shown.

[0060] according to Figure 15 The locking lug 12 is spring-loaded onto the second base 2. Specifically, the locking lug 12 is connected to the second base 6 via a relatively narrow tab 13, such that the tab 13 is slightly raised during the connection of the two components 1 and 2. This raising occurs... Figure 15 The middle part is indicated by arrow 14.

[0061] To disengage the corresponding locking connection, the first component 1 has a groove 15 in the transition region from the corresponding protrusion 5 to the first base 4, see [reference]. Figures 1 to 3 , Figure 7 , Figure 8 and Figures 14 to 16 The corresponding locking hook 11 and / or the corresponding locking lug 12 can be bent via the groove 15, thereby disengaging the corresponding locking connection. In particular, a standard screwdriver can be used in the area of ​​the groove 15.

[0062] In summary, the present invention relates to the following design:

[0063] A product has a first component 1 and a second component 2 interconnected by locking. The first component 1 has a first base 4 from which a number of protrusions 5 extend, such that the protrusions 5 define an insertion direction x. The second component 2 has a second base 6 in which a number of receiving elements 7 are arranged. When the first component 1 is locked to the second component 2, one of the protrusions 5 of the first component 1 is inserted into one of the receiving elements 7 of the second component 2 along the insertion direction x. A locking hook 11 is arranged on the protrusion 5, and a locking lug 12 is arranged on the second component 2 in the region of the receiving element 7. When the protrusion 5 is fully inserted into the receiving element 7, the locking hook 11 and the locking lug 12 respectively form a locking connection. The protrusion 5 and the receiving element 7 are coordinated such that, when viewed in a transverse plane extending orthogonally to the insertion direction x, at the beginning of the insertion of the protrusion 5 into the receiving element 7, the protrusion 5 has gaps in the receiving element 7 in two mutually orthogonal transverse directions y and z. As the protrusion 5 is inserted into the receiving element 7, these gaps, starting from an initial value greater than zero, gradually decrease to zero. When viewed in a transverse plane, the protrusion 5 and the receiving member 7 have symmetrical trapezoidal outlines, each trapezoid having a corresponding long side 10 and a corresponding short side 9. The long side 10 and the short side 9 extend along the first transverse direction y.

[0064] This invention offers numerous advantages. Specifically, the protrusion 5, in cooperation with the receiving element 7, provides positioning assistance and guidance, as well as retention and locking functions. Because the protrusion 5 and the receiving element 7 simultaneously perform all these tasks, a space-saving design is achieved, enabling precise component guidance during assembly. The locking connection is quickly and easily unlocked via the groove 15. In the connected state, the locking connection is virtually invisible. The protrusion 5 and the receiving element 7 can be stably designed so that they remain particularly resistant to deformation during assembly. No additional locking or screw connections are required.

[0065] Although the invention has been explained and described in detail through preferred embodiments, the invention is not limited to the disclosed examples, and those skilled in the art can derive other variations therefrom without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A product, -in, The product has a first component and a second component (1, 2) that are interconnected by locking. -The first component (1) has a first base (4) and a certain number of protrusions (5) extending from the first base, such that the protrusions (5) define the insertion direction (x). -The second component (2) has a second base (6) in which a certain number of housing components (7) are arranged. - Wherein, when the first component (1) is locked with the second component (2), one of the protrusions (5) of the first component (1) is inserted into one of the receiving parts (7) of the second component (2) along the insertion direction (x). -A locking hook (11) is provided on the protrusion (5), and a locking lug (12) is provided on the second component (2) in the region of the receiving member (7). - Wherein, when the protrusion (5) is fully inserted into the receiving member (7), the locking hook (11) and the locking lug (12) respectively form a locking connection. - Wherein, the protrusion (5) and the receiving member (7) are coordinated such that, when viewed in a transverse plane extending orthogonally to the insertion direction (x), at the beginning of the insertion of the protrusion (5) into the receiving member (7), the protrusion (5) has a gap in the receiving member (7) in a first transverse direction (y) and in a second transverse direction (z) orthogonal to the first transverse direction (y), and as the protrusion (5) is inserted into the receiving member (7), the gap gradually decreases from an initial value greater than zero to zero. Its features are, When viewed in the transverse plane, the protrusion (5) and the receiving member (7) have symmetrical trapezoidal outlines, the trapezoids having corresponding long sides (10) and corresponding short sides (9), and the long sides and the short sides (10, 9) extend along the first transverse direction (y).

2. The product according to claim 1, characterized in that, When viewed along the insertion direction (x), the protrusion (5) extends through a length (L), and the protrusion (5) and the receiving member (7) are coordinated such that when the protrusion (5) is inserted into the receiving member (7), the gap is substantially zero along the entire length (L) of the protrusion (5).

3. The product according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The containment member (7) is open in the region of the short side (9) of the trapezoid or has a thinner wall compared to the region of the long side (10) of the trapezoid.

4. The product according to claim 1, 2, or 3, characterized in that, The locking hook (11) is arranged in the region of the long side (10) of the trapezoid.

5. The product according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, When the first component and the second component (1, 2) are disengaged from each other, the locking hook (11) is arranged within the volume surrounded by the trapezoid, and the locking lug (12) is arranged on the second base (6) in a spring-elastic manner.

6. The product according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The first component (1) has a groove (15) in the transition region from the protrusion (5) to the first base (4), through which the locking hook (11) and / or the locking lug (12) can be bent, thereby disengaging the corresponding locking connection.

7. The product according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The first component (1) is the housing of the electronic component, and the second component (2) is the front cover of the electronic component.

8. The product according to claim 7, characterized in that, A heat sink (3) for cooling electronic power devices is arranged in the housing.

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