Method for manufacturing a connection for an equipment component of a vehicle

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a connecting portion (26a, 26b) for an equipment component for a vehicle, the equipment component being in the form of a headrest or armrest, the method comprising the steps of: providing a connecting member (14) and a retaining member (13a, 13b); introducing a gap (21) into the retaining member, wherein the gap forms a plane (E1); extending a deformable region (22) of the retaining member surrounding the gap from the plane, such that the gap expands and forms a support (25a, 25b); arranging the connecting member in the gap; shaping the deformable region rearward toward the plane such that the gap narrows and the retaining member is at least force-locked to the connecting member; the cross-sectional shape of the gap and the cross-sectional shape of the connecting member are configured such that, after the connecting member is arranged in the gap, a form-locked connecting portion is formed in addition to the force-locked connecting portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a method for manufacturing a connecting part and a retaining part for an equipment component of a vehicle. In the context of this invention, a vehicle refers to an air transport vehicle, a land transport vehicle, or a water transport vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] To date, welding has been commonly used to join components of the frame that secure arm supports or headrest support clamps. This has disadvantages, including microstructural changes due to the welding process, which can lead to undesirable properties affecting the product. Furthermore, these components often have coatings that are damaged during welding and require costly recoating afterwards. Additionally, the welding method limits material selection. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The objective of this invention is to provide a method for manufacturing shaft connections in which a heat-affected zone that has adverse properties to the component is not generated.

[0004] Furthermore, the task is to provide a method in which the coating is not damaged.

[0005] Furthermore, the task is to provide a method in which materials can be flexibly selected for the combination of connecting mating parts.

[0006] This task is solved by a method for manufacturing a connecting part for a vehicle equipment component, which is in the form of a headrest or armrest.

[0007] The method for manufacturing the connecting part includes the following steps:

[0008] A connecting component and at least one retaining component are provided. The retaining component may be, for example, made of sheet metal.

[0009] A gap is introduced into the retaining member, wherein the arch of the gap forms a plane.

[0010] The region surrounding the gap of the retaining member extends from the plane, that is, it is shaped in such a way that the gap is enlarged and forms a support. The region extends, for example, in a frustoconical or convex shape. In principle, this region can be shaped towards both sides relative to the opening.

[0011] The connecting member is arranged in a gap in the support. For example, the end region of the connecting member is arranged in the support such that the end region passes through the gap.

[0012] The region deforms rearward toward the plane, reducing the gap and ensuring that the component is force-locked to the connecting component. Besides force-locked connections, other connection methods, such as adhesive bonding, can also be used.

[0013] The advantage of the method according to the invention is that heating is not required during the manufacturing of the joint, which could adversely affect the structure or damage any existing coating. Furthermore, flexible material selection is possible for the components to be joined, as it is not limited by the necessary applicability of the welding method.

[0014] For example, an additional component is fixed to a retaining component. This additional component is used to additionally create at least one force-locking fixation to absorb force and discharge the force through the retaining component, to which the additional component is fixed.

[0015] The gap is introduced jointly on both the attachment and the retaining component. When the gap is manufactured separately, the attachment and retaining components are then fixed to each other such that the openings overlap. Alternatively, the attachment and retaining components are first fixed to each other and then the gap is jointly created in both components.

[0016] The method is characterized by extending the regions of the additional and retaining components surrounding the gap before or after fixing the additional and retaining components. If the extension is performed after the additional and retaining components are fixed to each other, the extension can be performed in only one direction. If the regions on the two components extend separately, it is possible that the extended region of the additional component extends in the same direction as the extended region of the retaining component, or alternatively, the region extends in the opposite direction.

[0017] For example, the areas of the additional component and the retaining component extend in opposite directions relative to the longitudinal axis of the support. In this way, a very strong connection can be achieved between the connecting component and the structural assembly of the additional and retaining components.

[0018] Furthermore, according to the present invention, the cross-section of the gap and the cross-section of the connecting member are constructed such that, after the connecting member is arranged in the gap, a form-locking connecting part is formed in addition to the force-locking connecting part.

[0019] According to a second aspect, the present invention also relates to a frame for an arm support or center console for an armrest, wherein at least one connecting member is fixed to a first retaining member by a first connecting portion and to a second retaining member by a second connecting portion, wherein at least one connecting portion is constituted by a connecting portion constructed according to the method of the first aspect of the invention.

[0020] According to a third aspect, the present invention relates to a support rod clamp for a headrest, comprising two retaining rods and a crossbar. The end regions of the crossbar are fixed together with a connecting portion to the end regions of each retaining rod. The connecting portion is manufactured according to the method of the first aspect of the invention.

[0021] Various embodiments of the present invention are also described by way of example in the following description of the accompanying drawings. Here, for clarity, whenever different embodiments are involved, the same or similar parts or elements or areas are indicated by the same reference numerals, partially with the addition of lowercase letters.

[0022] The features described with reference to only one embodiment may also be provided within the scope of the invention and in every other embodiment of the invention. Such modified embodiments, even if not shown in the drawings, are also included in the invention.

[0023] All disclosed features are essential to this invention. Therefore, the disclosure of the prior art apparatus is also included in the entirety of this application. Attached Figure Description

[0024] In the attached image:

[0025] Figure 1 A perspective view of the arm support portion of the handrail is shown.

[0026] Figure 2 A perspective view of a frame with an arm support featuring an insert is shown.

[0027] Figure 3 Showing according to Figure 2 Perspective view of a frame without embeddings.

[0028] Figure 4 Showing according to Figure 3 Side view of the frame.

[0029] Figure 5 Showing according to Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of the cutting line AA.

[0030] Figure 6 Showing according to Figure 5 A partial diagram of line B in the local area.

[0031] Figure 7 Showing according to Figure 6 A partial illustration shows the region being pressed backward into the plane.

[0032] Figure 8 Showing according to Figure 3 A perspective view of the frame, in which there are force-locking and form-locking connections between the connecting parts and the retaining parts. Detailed Implementation

[0033] exist Figure 1 The image shows an arm support 10 of an armrest, including a cover 11. The cover may include, for example, a plastic shell and, if necessary, a mat. The arm support 10 is pivotally supported about a pivot axis a on a structure of the vehicle (not shown).

[0034] Arm support 10 according to Figure 2 The arm support 10 includes a frame 12 having two retaining members 13a and 13b and a connecting member 14. The connecting member 14 is configured as a shaft in this example. The retaining members 13a and 13b are arranged in the lateral regions 15a and 15b of the arm support 10. The rear region 16 of the arm support 10 is capable of being supported on a vehicle structure in a manner not shown. The front region 17 forms the free end of the arm support 10. Figure 2 Structural component 18 can also be seen, which may be made of plastic and serves to stabilize and provide an arm support surface. In the front region 17, structural component 18 connects retaining components 13a and 13b.

[0035] The connecting member 14 forms a connection between the retaining members 13a and 13b. In the present case, the auxiliary member 19a is fixed to the retaining member 13a and the auxiliary member 19b is fixed to the retaining member 13b, but the auxiliary members 19a and 19b are not strictly necessary for the present invention.

[0036] Each retaining member 13a and 13b undergoes the method steps as a single member, wherein a gap 21 is introduced into the retaining member. A deformable region 22 adjacent to the gap 21 extends from a plane E1 formed by the walls of the retaining member 13a or 13b, such that the arch of the gap 21 forms a protrusion of the reference plane E1 (see...). Figure 3 In the same manner, auxiliary components 19a and 19b are provided with a gap 23, and a deformable region 24 adjacent to the gap 23 extends from the plane E2 formed by the wall of the auxiliary component 19a or 19b, such that the arch of the gap 21 forms a protrusion of the reference plane E2.

[0037] The auxiliary component 19a is then fixed to the retaining component 13a such that the gaps 21 and 23 are aligned with the central axis m oriented perpendicular to plane E1. This fixing can be achieved using common methods. If welding methods must be avoided due to heat effects, form-locking fixing methods such as riveting or threaded connections can be considered. The gaps 21 and 23 respectively form supports 25a and 25b for the end regions 20a and 20b of the connecting component 14. Figure 3 The corresponding end regions 20a and 20b pass through the gaps 21 and 23.

[0038] exist Figure 3, Figure 4 and Figure 5 In this configuration, the connecting component 14 and end regions 20a and 20b are arranged in their supports 25a and 25b. In the extended positions of the deformable regions 22 and 24, the end regions can be arranged with gaps in the voids 21 and 23. (The last sentence appears to be incomplete and possibly refers to a different configuration.) Figure 6 The enlarged portion of support 25a is described below, and another forming method for manufacturing the connection should be described next.

[0039] Using a tool not shown, force F1 is applied along direction y2 to deformation region 22, and force F2 is applied along direction y1 to deformation region 24 (see...). Figure 6 Here, deformation region 22 deforms into plane E1 and deformation region 24 deforms into plane E2. Force-locking portions are formed between connecting member 14 and retaining member 13a, and between connecting member 14 and auxiliary member 19a, thereby creating a fixed connecting portion 26a (see...). Figure 7 ).

[0040] exist Figure 8 The frame 12, which has connecting parts 26a and 26b, can be seen in the image. Between the unit composed of retaining member 13a and auxiliary member 19a, and the unit composed of retaining member 13b and auxiliary member 19b, and the connecting member 14, force can be transmitted along the x, y, or z directions and along the rotational directions u1 and u2 via the connecting parts 26a and 26b. To transmit force along the rotational direction, a form-locking connection is additionally formed between the connecting member 14 and the unit composed of the retaining member and auxiliary member.

[0041] According to an alternative implementation, auxiliary components 19a and 19b are omitted, for example.

[0042] In this embodiment, according to Figure 6 The protruding deformation region 22 of the support 25a protrudes along direction y1 relative to plane E1, and the protruding deformation region 24 protrudes along direction y2 relative to plane E2. According to an alternative embodiment, the two deformation regions 22 and 24 may also protrude along direction y1 or alternatively along direction y2.

[0043] All of the foregoing embodiments can, for example, be applied to a support rod clamp according to another alternative, wherein a first retaining rod and a second retaining rod constitute the retaining member and a crossbar connecting the retaining rods constitutes the connecting member. The connection between the end regions of the retaining rods and the crossbar can be produced using the same method as in this embodiment.

Claims

1. Method for producing a connection (26a, 26b) of an equipment part for a vehicle, in the form of a headrest or an armrest, comprising the following method steps: - providing a connection part (14) and a holding part (13a, 13b); - forming a plane (El) from the interspace (21); - extending a deformation region (22) of the holding part (13a, 13b) surrounding the interspace (21) out of the plane (El) such that the interspace (21) is enlarged and a seat (25a, 25b) is formed; - arranging the connection part (14) in the interspace (21); - backshaping the deformation region (22) towards the plane (El) such that the interspace (21) is reduced and the holding part (13a, 13b) is at least force-locked connected with the connection part (14); - wherein the cross-sectional shape of the interspace (21) and the cross-sectional shape of the connection part (14) are configured such that, after arranging the connection part (14) in the interspace (21), a form-locked connection (26a, 26b) is formed in addition to the force-locked connection (26a, 26b). - fixing an auxiliary part (19a, 19b) on the holding part (13a, 13b). The void portion (21) is introduced into the holding member (13a, 13b), wherein - carrying out the introduction of the interspace on the auxiliary part (19a, 19b) and the holding part (13a, 13b) jointly or separately and fixing the auxiliary part (19a, 19b) and the holding part (13a, 13b) to one another such that the interspaces overlap. - carrying out the extension of the deformation region of the auxiliary part (19a, 19b) and the holding part (13a, 13b) before or after fixing the auxiliary part (19a, 19b) and the holding part (13a, 13b). - carrying out the extension of the deformation region of the auxiliary part (19a, 19b) and the holding part (13a, 13b) in opposite directions (yl, y2) with respect to a longitudinal axis (m) of the seat (25a, 25b). - at least one connection (26a, 26b) is produced according to the method of any one of claims 1 to 5. - at least one connection (26a, 26b) is produced according to the method of any one of claims 1 to 5.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, ​ 3. The method of claim 2, wherein, ​ 4. The method of claim 2, wherein, ​ 5. The method of claim 2, wherein, ​ 6. Arm support part with a frame (12) comprising at least a first holding part (13a) and a second holding part (13b) and at least one connecting part (14) forming a connection (26a, 26b) with the first holding part (13a) and a connection with the second holding part (13b), characterized in that, ​ 7. A support pole clamp having a first holding part (13a) and a second holding part (13b) and a connecting part (14) which forms a connection (26a, 26b) with each holding part (13a, 13b), characterized in that ​

Images