Arrangement of components with space-saving snap-in connection

Abstract

The present invention relates to a component arrangement structure (10) comprising a support element (11), a first component element (12) connected to the support element (11) via a first locking connection (14), and a second component element (13) connected to the first component element (12) via a second locking connection (15), wherein the first locking connection (14) includes a first locking hook (16) and the second locking connection (15) includes a second locking hook (17), the second locking hook (17) being form-locked around and engaging the first locking hook (16) to provide the second locking connection (15). The present invention also provides a vehicle having the corresponding component arrangement structure (10).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a component arrangement structure and a vehicle having a corresponding component arrangement structure. Background Technology

[0002] Locking connections are common for connecting components in a simple, cost-effective, and reliable manner. This type of component connection is also frequently used in vehicle manufacturing. Components can be connected to each other by individual locking elements, so-called clips, or by locking hooks that can be constructed as a single piece with the corresponding component and engage with a second component.

[0003] Sufficient structural space is typically required for each locking connection to ensure reliable locking. However, when connecting multiple individual components to form a common component arrangement, a large number of locking connections are usually needed, and the arrangement of such connections can pose significant challenges, especially in situations with limited structural space. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to further develop a component arrangement structure with multiple locking connections in an advantageous manner, and in particular to provide a space-saving arrangement structure.

[0005] To this end, the present invention proposes a component arrangement structure having a load-bearing element, a first component element, and a second component element. The first component element is connected to the load-bearing element via a first locking connection, and the second component element is connected to the first component element via a second locking connection. The first locking connection includes a first locking hook, and the second locking connection includes a second locking hook. The second locking hook engages the first locking hook in a locking manner to provide the second locking connection. The first component element is a holder for an ACC sensor.

[0006] The present invention also proposes a vehicle having a component arrangement structure, wherein the component arrangement structure is constructed according to the component arrangement structure described in the present invention.

[0007] Therefore, a component arrangement structure is provided, which has a load-bearing element, a first component element, and a second component element. The first component element is connected to the load-bearing element via a first locking connection, and the second component element is connected to the first component element via a second locking connection. The first locking connection includes a first locking hook, and the second locking connection includes a second locking hook. Furthermore, the second locking hook engages the first locking hook in a locking manner to provide the second locking connection.

[0008] Therefore, the component arrangement structure has at least three separate elements connected to each other by these two locking connections: a load-bearing element, a first component element, and a second component element.

[0009] The first component element is form-locked to the carrier element via a first locking connection, wherein the first locking hook is engaged with the carrier element in a form-locking manner. The first locking hook is referred to separately below. However, it is understood that the first locking connection may include not only one first locking hook, but also multiple first locking hooks constructed in the same manner and engaged with the carrier element to lock the first component element onto the carrier element.

[0010] For example, a first locking hook can be form-fitted into a carrier element to provide a first locking connection by giving the carrier element a side recess, on which the first locking hook can hook or engage for a form-fitting connection. The side recess can be formed, for example, by a recess or protrusion of the carrier element.

[0011] The second component element (at least in the area of ​​the locking connection) is not directly fixed to the load-bearing element, but is connected to the first component element, or more precisely, to the first locking hook, by means of a second locking hook connected by a second locking hook. Therefore, the second locking hook establishes a form-locking connection with the first locking hook by form-lockingly surrounding and engaging the first locking hook.

[0012] The second locking hook is mentioned in the following text. However, it can be understood that the second locking connection may include not only one second locking hook, but also multiple second locking hooks, which are constructed in the same way and engaged with the first component element to lock the second component element onto the first component element.

[0013] The described component arrangement structure allows for the use of structural space (including additional installation space required due to the elastic deformation of the respective locking hooks during installation) for two locking hooks sharing the same locking hook. Where necessary, its dimensions should be slightly larger than those used only for one of the two locking hooks, but in any case, its dimensions can be significantly smaller than the total dimensions required for the two locking hooks arranged in different locations. The described component arrangement structure is therefore particularly space-saving and can thus be used in areas with very limited structural space.

[0014] For example, the hook-shaped protrusion of the second locking hook can form-lockingly surround the head region of the engaging first locking hook. This means that the head region of the first locking hook forms a side recess, and the hook-shaped protrusion of the second locking hook can hook onto or engage with this side recess. Therefore, the second locking hook remains on the first locking hook.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the first locking hook may have an outer side facing away from the supporting element, which faces the inner side of the second locking hook. This means that the second locking hook and the first locking hook are arranged sandwiched between each other. For example, the two locking hooks may even be stacked sandwiched between each other. For example, in the installed state, the inner side of the second locking hook may at least partially, or entirely, rest on the outer side of the first locking hook.

[0016] For example, the first locking hook can be installed on the support element first, as this requires the elastic deformation of the first locking hook. During installation, the first locking hook must bypass the support element so that it can be locked or snapped into place with the support element in the final installation position. If the first and second components have been pre-locked to each other, this may be hindered by a second locking hook arranged outside the first locking hook.

[0017] However, if the first locking hook is installed, the second locking hook can then be inserted into the first locking hook without any problems, and a compact and space-saving component arrangement structure can be formed.

[0018] Of course, additional locking hooks can be provided, which are inserted into the second locking hook or the locking hook located below it in the same manner, as described for the second locking hook and the first locking hook. The locking hooks can be arranged in any number stacked on top of each other, wherein the lower locking hooks (similar to the first locking hook described above) are always installed first, and then the locking hooks located above them (similar to the second locking hook described above) are inserted into the lower locking hooks. In this way, a sandwich structure can be formed by any number of locking hooks. For this purpose, each locking hook can be constructed according to the description of the first or second locking hook. The given description can be applied similarly accordingly.

[0019] In principle, the described component arrangement can be used in all fields where interlocking connections are possible. It is preferred for vehicles, but can also be used for tools, machines, furniture, or building installations.

[0020] In principle, within the scope of this specification, all land, water, and air vehicles with corresponding component arrangements are considered vehicles. Among land vehicles, this can be used for both motorized and non-motorized vehicles, such as bicycles. Besides passenger cars and commercial vehicles, it can also be used for other motorized vehicles, such as wheelchairs, snowmobiles, tricycles, or quadricycles, and preferably for so-called tilting vehicles. Tilting vehicles are particularly understood as motorized vehicles such as motorcycles or similar motorcycles, such as scooters, especially tilting two-, three-, or four-wheeled scooters, scooters, or similar vehicles.

[0021] For example, this component arrangement structure can be used in vehicles to mount sensors onto the vehicle.

[0022] Therefore, the first component element can be a holder for a sensor, particularly a sensor for distance measurement, such as an adaptive cruise control sensor (ACC sensor). Sensors specifically include radio radar and / or ultrasonic and / or lidar sensors. In the installed state, the sensor is held by this holder.

[0023] According to a preferred embodiment, the second component element can be a cover for at least partially covering the first component element. Thus, for example, the cage and the sensor connected thereto can be completely or partially covered by the cover, preferably in the edge region of the sensor. For example, the sensor can be held between the cage and the cover in this manner.

[0024] In addition, a vehicle having a component arrangement structure is provided, wherein the component arrangement structure is constructed in accordance with this specification.

[0025] Furthermore, the load-bearing element can be connected to the vehicle structure, particularly to the hood and / or headlight assembly. The load-bearing element can be designed as a separate component and connected to the vehicle structure. However, it can also be connected or constructed as a single piece or component of the vehicle structure.

[0026] Preferably, the component arrangement structure is designed such that the sensor points in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Attached Figure Description

[0027] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. In the drawings:

[0028] Figure 1 A sectional view of the component arrangement structure according to this specification is shown.

[0029] Figure 2 shows Figure 1 Detailed view,

[0030] Figure 3 Showing according to Figure 1 A perspective view of the component arrangement structure, and

[0031] Figure 4 Showing according to Figures 1 to 3 A perspective view of the front of a vehicle with its component arrangement structure. Detailed Implementation

[0032] Figure 1A cross-sectional view of a component arrangement structure 10 with a space-saving locking connection is shown. The component arrangement structure 10 includes a support element 11 and a first component element 12, the first component element being connected to the support element 11 via a first locking connection 14. In other words, the first locking connection 14 establishes a locking connection between the support element 11 and the first component element 12 to secure the first component element 12 to the support element 11.

[0033] Furthermore, the component arrangement structure 10 includes a second component element 13, which is connected to the first component element 12 via a second locking connection 15. Accordingly, the second locking connection 15 establishes a locking connection between the first component element 12 and the second component element 13, so as to fix the second component element 13 to the first component element 12.

[0034] The first locking connection 15 includes a first locking hook 16. This first locking hook is constructed on the first component element 12, particularly as a single piece on the first component element. The second locking connection 14 includes a second locking hook 17. This second locking hook is constructed on the second component element 13, particularly as a single piece on the second component element.

[0035] In the installed state, the second locking hook 17 surrounds and engages the first locking hook 16 to provide a second locking connection 14 in a form-locking manner (between the two component elements 12, 13).

[0036] As particularly shown in Figure 2 Figure 1 Detailed view A and Figure 3 As can be seen in the perspective view of the component arrangement structure 10, for this purpose, the hook-shaped protrusion 17a of the second locking hook 17 locks around and engages the head region 16a of the first locking hook 16.

[0037] Furthermore, the first locking hook 16 is form-locked into the carrier element 11 to provide a first locking connection 14. For this purpose, the carrier element 11 may, for example, have a side recess 11a into which the first locking hook 16 can be engaged by means of a hook-shaped protrusion 16b. In the illustrated embodiment, the side recess 11a is provided by a recess, but it may also be provided by a protrusion appropriately constructed on the carrier element 11.

[0038] As can be seen from the figure, it is feasible for the described component arrangement structure 10 to share the structural space required for the two locking hooks 16 and 17 (including the additional installation space required due to the elastic deformation of the corresponding locking hooks 16 and 17 during installation).

[0039] In the illustrated embodiment, the first locking hook 16 has an outer side 16b (at least in the region of the first locking connection 14) facing away from the support element 11, which faces the inner side 17b of the second locking hook 17. Accordingly, the second locking hook 17 and the first locking hook 16 are arranged sandwiched between each other or stacked sandwiched between each other.

[0040] For installation, the first locking hook 16 can be first installed on the support element 11, as this requires the elastic deformation of the first locking hook 16. The first locking hook 16 must bypass the support element 11 during installation so that it engages or latches with the support element 11 in the final installation position. Otherwise, if the first component element 12 and the second component element 13 have already been pre-locked to each other, this will be obstructed by the second locking hook 17 arranged on the outer side 16b of the first locking hook 16.

[0041] However, if the first locking hook 16 has been installed, the second locking hook 17 can then be inserted into the first locking hook 16 without any problems, and a compact and space-saving component arrangement structure 10 can be formed.

[0042] Figure 4 A perspective view showing a portion of the front of a vehicle (not shown in more detail), the vehicle being constructed, for example, a motorcycle or a motorcycle-like vehicle.

[0043] The vehicle includes, according to Figures 1 to 3 An exemplary embodiment of the component arrangement structure 10 is described. Here, the first component element 12 may be a holder for a sensor, particularly for an ACC sensor pointing in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and / or in the direction of travel. Furthermore, the second component element 13 may be a cover for covering the first component element 12. When installed on a vehicle, the carrier element 11 may be connected to the vehicle structure 19, particularly to the front hood and / or headlight assembly. The connection of the carrier element to the vehicle structure or to components of the vehicle structure may be implemented in a multi-piece or single-piece manner.

[0044] Due to the component arrangement structure 10, the sensor 18 can be easily fixed to the support element 11 and is at least partially covered.

Claims

1. A component arrangement structure (10) having a load-bearing element (11), a first component element (12), and a second component element (13), wherein the first component element is connected to the load-bearing element (11) via a first locking connection (14), and the second component element is connected to the first component element (12) via a second locking connection (15), wherein the first locking connection (14) includes a first locking hook (16), and the second locking connection (15) includes a second locking hook (17), characterized in that, The second locking hook (17) engages the first locking hook (16) in a locking manner to provide a second locking connection (15), the first component element (12) is a retainer for the ACC sensor, the second component element (13) is a cover for at least partially covering the first component element (12), the ACC sensor is held between the retainer and the cover, and the carrier element (11) is connected to the vehicle structure (19).

2. The component arrangement structure (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The hook-shaped protrusion (17a) of the second locking hook (17) locks and surrounds the head region (16a) of the first locking hook (16) in a locking manner.

3. The component arrangement structure (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first locking hook (16) is engaged with the carrier element (11) in a form-locking manner to provide a first locking connection (14).

4. The component arrangement structure (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first locking hook (16) has an outer side (16b) facing away from the bearing element (11), and the outer side faces the inner side (17b) of the second locking hook (17).

5. A vehicle having a component arrangement structure (10), characterized in that, The component arrangement structure (10) is constructed according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The vehicle according to claim 5, characterized in that, The carrier element (11) is connected to the front cover and / or headlight assembly.

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