Loading device for installing in a body opening of a motor vehicle and method for installing a loading device

Abstract

The invention relates to a loading device (10) for mounting in a body opening of a motor vehicle, comprising a retaining element (13) which is designed to be fastened to a body part (11a) and which has a through opening (18). During installation, an interface element (15) for establishing a plug-in connection to a charging station and / or to a fuel delivery line for delivering fuel can be inserted into the opening (18). A sealing unit (19) is arranged on the rear side (16) of the holding element (13), which sealing unit surrounds a receiving region (15a) for the interface element (15), which receiving region is located behind the opening (18) of the holding element (13), whereby the inserted interface element (15) is sealed against the holding element (13). The sealing unit (19) is fixed to the holding element (13) in such a way that the sealing unit is covered by the interface element (15) after the interface element (15) is inserted, so that the sealing unit is invisible from the outside and is sealed towards the interface element (15).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a loading device for installation in a body opening of a motor vehicle and a method for installing a loading device in a body opening of a motor vehicle. Background Art

[0002] The loading device is suitable in particular for vehicles with an electric drive or a hybrid drive.

[0003] In vehicles with an electric or hybrid drive, electrical energy is stored in an electrical energy store, such as a battery. The battery is usually charged at a charging station, which is connected to a charging device of the vehicle by means of a charging cable for charging. The charging device comprises, for example, a charging socket as an interface element, to which a charging plug of a charging cable connected to the charging station is connected for charging the vehicle.

[0004] In order to refuel the vehicle, the loading device may, for example, include an interface element which receives a tank filling pipe or is connected to a fuel delivery line in another way.

[0005] In conventional charging devices, the interface element, which in the case of an electric charging device is formed, for example, by a charging socket, is arranged in a holding element, which is often also referred to as a charging tank, charging chamber or charging tray. A problem that often exists here is that water and dirt can penetrate from between the holding element or charging tank and the interface element located therein into the region of the vehicle located behind the charging chamber.

[0006] To solve this problem, a seal is usually provided between the holding element or charging tank and the interface element or charging socket so that the dry space behind the holding element is protected from moisture and dirt. In vehicles with such a dry space, the seal is usually implemented by means of a soft component sprayed onto the holding element.

[0007] However, the problem here is that the sealing area at the transition between the retaining element or charging tank and the interface element or charging socket does not meet the visual design requirements, which has a negative impact on the quality of the charging tank. In addition to the need for reliable seals and a high-quality appearance, there is another problem, namely that the tolerances of the components and the elastic deformation of the charging socket on the sealing plane must also be compensated. The charging socket can often only be installed with special measures because excessive installation forces occur here. In addition, the seal cannot be ensured in the boundary position because the sealing surface cannot be enlarged due to the standards to be complied with.

[0008] Document DE 10 2019 123 231 A1 of the same type describes a charging or refueling chamber for inserting into a body opening of a motor vehicle, the charging or refueling chamber having an outer chamber body and an inner chamber area, the inner chamber area surrounding a through-opening, into which a charging plug connector or a fuel tank pipe or a fuel tank filling tube for charging the battery of the motor vehicle can be inserted. The outer chamber body at least partially comprises a plastic material that is preferably opaque or only slightly translucent. The inner chamber area at least partially comprises a transparent or translucent plastic material and is formed integrally with the material of the outer chamber body. A sealing area in the form of a sealing lip is provided, which seals against the charging plug connector or the fuel tank pipe or the fuel tank filling tube. In this embodiment, the sealing area or the sealing lip and the inner chamber area have the same transparent soft component plastic material and are constructed integrally with each other.

[0009] DE 10 2014 115 907 A1 shows a charging device for an electrically drivable vehicle, the loading device comprising a charging tray with an inlet opening, a charging socket arranged in the charging tray, a closure cover pivotably supported in the charging tray, and a seal, the closure cover covering the inlet opening of the charging tray in a closed position and releasing the inlet opening in an open position. The seal is designed as a sealing ring extending around the charging socket. The closure cover has an annular projection, which contacts the sealing ring along the ring contour of the sealing ring when the closure cover is closed.

[0010] DE 20 2017 007 349 U1 describes a charging cover unit for closing a charging opening in the body of a vehicle having an electric drive and an electric energy storage device. The charging cover unit has a sealing element which seals the charging cover to the outer surface of the body in the closed position of the charging cover. The sealing element is designed as a deformable soft component. Summary of the invention

[0011] The object of the present invention is to provide a loading device and a method for installing the loading device in a body opening of a motor vehicle, by which the transition between the retaining element and the interface element is reliably sealed, which provides an attractive visual appearance and by which tolerances and elastic deformations of the charging socket in the sealing plane are preferably also compensated.

[0012] This object is achieved by a loading device for installation in a body opening of a motor vehicle, the loading device comprising a retaining element and a sealing unit, the retaining element being constructed for fixing to a body part and having a through opening, into which an interface element for establishing a plug-in connection with a charging station and / or with a fuel delivery line for delivering fuel can be inserted, the sealing unit being arranged on the rear side of the retaining element, the sealing unit surrounding a receiving area for the interface element located behind the opening in order to seal the inserted interface element toward the retaining element, the sealing unit being fixed or fixable to the retaining element so that the sealing unit is covered by the interface element after the interface element has been inserted, so that the sealing unit is not visible from the outside.

[0013] Preferably, the sealing unit comprises a first component consisting of a deformable material and a second component consisting of a hard or non-deformable material.

[0014] Advantageously, the first component is designed in such a way that it rests circumferentially against the inserted connection element.

[0015] The second component is preferably supported on the retaining element in order to press the first component circumferentially against the inserted interface element.

[0016] Preferably, the first part projects into a receiving area for the interface element located behind the opening.

[0017] Preferably, the sealing unit is fixed or fixable on the retaining element via a clip connection.

[0018] Advantageously, the sealing unit can be fixed to the retaining element by means of one or more elastic elements.

[0019] In particular, the elastic element snaps into the respectively associated connecting region by pressing the sealing unit onto the retaining element.

[0020] Preferably, the second component consists of an H-profile which is fixed or can be fixed to the retaining element.

[0021] Advantageously, the second component together with the first component fastened thereto extends rearwardly from the rear side of the retaining element, so that the sealing surface formed by the sealing unit and the connecting element is arranged behind the opening.

[0022] Preferably, the first component comprises one or more first sealing lips.

[0023] Advantageously, the first sealing lip extends into a receiving region for the interface element behind the retaining element to such an extent that it deforms during insertion of the interface element to rest circumferentially against an outer surface or circumference of the interface element behind the opening.

[0024] Advantageously, the first component comprises one or more second sealing lips, which are arranged between the second component and an edge region of the retaining element, which surrounds the opening and forms a circumferential contact surface for the sealing unit.

[0025] In particular, the contact surface is oriented parallel to the circumferential surface of the interface element.

[0026] Preferably, the circumferential contact surface points outwardly relative to the opening.

[0027] Advantageously, at least one first sealing lip is designed to be L-shaped and / or to form an angle.

[0028] Preferably, when the connecting element is inserted into the opening, the first section of the sealing lip extends obliquely opposite to the insertion direction.

[0029] Advantageously, when the connecting element is inserted into the opening, the second section of the sealing lip extends obliquely along the insertion direction.

[0030] Advantageously, the second section is located at the front end of the sealing lip.

[0031] According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for installing a loading device in a body opening of a motor vehicle is provided, the method comprising the following steps: providing a retaining element having a through opening, into which an interface element for establishing a plug-in connection with a charging station and / or with a fuel delivery line for delivering fuel can be inserted; fixing a sealing unit on the retaining element so that the sealing unit surrounds a receiving area for the interface element located behind the opening so as to seal the inserted interface element toward the retaining element; fixing the retaining element in the body opening; and inserting the interface element into the opening of the retaining element; wherein the sealing unit is covered by the interface element after the interface element is inserted, so that the sealing unit is not visible from the outside.

[0032] Preferably, the sealing unit is fixed to the retaining element by clamping.

[0033] Advantageously, a loading device according to the invention is used in the method. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] The embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings are as follows:

[0035] Figure 1 A front view shows a charging device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, which is installed in a motor vehicle and includes a charging socket;

[0036] Figure 2 Show Figure 1 Rear view of the loading device shown, but without the charging socket;

[0037] Figure 3 A partial perspective sectional view showing the loading device in the region of the sealing unit;

[0038] Figure 4 A partial perspective sectional view showing the loading device in the region of a clip connection for fixing the sealing unit;

[0039] Figure 5 Show Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view of a region of the loading device shown;

[0040] Figure 6 Show Figure 5 an enlarged partial view in the area of ​​the sealing unit; and

[0041] Figure 7 A schematic sectional view shows a variant of a sealing unit according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] In the drawings, the same or mutually corresponding elements are respectively indicated by the same reference numerals and will not be described again unless otherwise appropriate. The disclosure contained in the entire specification can be transferred to the same parts with the same reference numerals or the same component names according to the meaning. Modifications can be made without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention as defined by the claims.

[0043] The term "rear", e.g. behind the retaining element, behind the opening, etc., relates to the state of the loading device installed in the vehicle, starting from the outside of the vehicle towards the inside of the vehicle. It can also relate to the loading device or the retaining element itself, starting from its front side in the direction of the rear side and also beyond the rear side.

[0044] Figure 1 A loading device 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown, which is installed in a body opening of a motor vehicle 11. The loading device 10 is shown in a front view, wherein a closing cover or charging cover 12 of the loading device 10 is shown in an open state. The charging cover 12 is pivotably fastened to a retaining element 13, which is designed here as a charging tank, via a connecting arm 14. The charging cover serves to make an interface element 15, which is designed here as a charging socket 15, accessible from the outside of the motor vehicle 11 in the open state and to close the retaining element, which is designed as a charging tank 13, together with the charging socket 15 fixed therein, outwardly in the closed state.

[0045] Figure 2The holding element or charging tank 13 is shown in a rear view, i.e. looking towards its rear side 16. In the example shown here, the charging cover 12 is driven by a motor (not shown) which opens and closes the charging cover 12 via a transmission kinematic mechanism 17. The transmission kinematic mechanism 17 is provided with a housing and is mechanically coupled to the connecting arm 14.

[0046] But motor and transmission motion mechanism are not absolutely necessary, for example when charging cover is constructed to be opened and closed manually.Equally, charging cover is not absolutely necessary either.

[0047] The holding element or charging tank 13, which is designed to be fastened to the body part 11a of the motor vehicle 11, has a through opening 18, a connection element or charging socket 15 (see Figure 1 The charging socket 15 is used to establish a plug connection with a charging station in order to charge the battery of the motor vehicle 11.

[0048] A sealing unit 19 is fixed as an additional component on the rear side 16 of the charging tank 13, which surrounds a receiving area for the charging socket 15 behind the opening 18 of the charging tank 13. The charging socket 15 inserted into the opening 18 is sealed toward the charging tank 13 by the sealing unit 19. Here, the sealing unit 19 is fixed or can be fixed to the charging tank 13 so that the sealing unit is completely covered by the charging socket 15 after the charging socket 15 is inserted into the charging tank 13, so that the sealing unit is not visible from the outside.

[0049] In this way, the sealing unit 19 forms with its inner side 20 an extension of the contact surface between the charging tank 13 and the charging socket 15 to the rear, i.e. in the depth direction of the charging tank 13 or towards the interior of the vehicle. On the one hand, this has the advantage that the quality of the charging device 10 conveyed by its design and visible surface is not adversely affected by the seal or sealing element on the charging socket. In addition, a particular advantage is that by extending the contact surface or sealing surface of the charging socket 15 in the depth direction of the charging tank 13, tolerances between different vehicle parts on which the charging tank 13 and the charging socket 15 are fixed can be better compensated. For example, tolerance compensation between the charging socket and the charging tank can be carried out in the y direction and the x / z direction of the vehicle.

[0050] The sealing unit 19 is designed as a sealing ring and is fixed to the rear side 16 of the charging tank 13 via fixing elements 21 which form connecting elements and are designed as clip connections for clipping the sealing unit 19 to the charging tank 13 .

[0051] Furthermore, a sealing ring 22 is arranged on the rear side 16 of the charging tank 13 in the outer edge region of the charging tank in order to seal the charging tank 13 toward the outer body part 11 a .

[0052] The sealing unit 19 comprises two parts 23, 24 made of different materials. The first part 23 is made of a deformable material, while the second part 24 is made of a hard or non-deformable material. The first part 23 is located on the inner side 20 of the sealing device 19 and is arranged there so that it rests circumferentially on the inserted charging socket 15 or on the circumference of the charging socket.

[0053] The second component 24 of the sealing unit 19 surrounds the first component 23 on the outside of the first component and is arranged so that the second component is supported on the charging tank 13 based on its fixation on the charging tank 13, so that when the charging socket is inserted into the opening 18 of the charging tank 13, the first component 23 made of soft material is pressed against the outside or peripheral surface of the charging socket 15 in a circumferential manner.

[0054] Figure 3 The perspective view shows a section through a partial region of the charging tank 13, which has a sealing unit 19 fixed thereto in the region of the opening 18 of the charging tank 13. A second component 24 made of a hard material is fixed to the rear side 16 of the charging tank 13 by means of a fixing element 21 designed as a fixing clip.

[0055] The fixing elements 21 in the form of clips each form a projection on the rear side 16 of the charging tank 13, which extends rearward, i.e., in the depth direction of the charging tank 13. When the sealing unit is pressed onto the rear side 16 of the charging tank 13, the fixing elements 21 engage with the fixing section 25 of the second part 24 of the sealing unit 19.

[0056] like Figure 4 As shown in another perspective view, for this purpose, opposite insertion bevels 26 for inserting the fixing element 21 are formed in the fixing section 25. The fixing elements 21 each include a pair of elastic arms 27, which have obliquely extending front faces 28, which are configured so that when the sealing unit 19 is pressed onto the charging tank 13 by means of the insertion bevels 26, they are pressed toward each other and thus reach the fixing section 25. As soon as the sealing unit 19 reaches its final position when pressed onto the rear side 16 of the charging tank 13, the elastic arms 27 snap into the recesses 29 of the hard component 24 with their ends due to their restoring force.

[0057] Figure 5 and Figure 6 A partial area of ​​a charging device 10 is shown as a sectional view, which is installed in a body opening of a motor vehicle 11 and forms a charging cover system together with an inserted charging socket 15 , wherein Figure 6 The enlarged Figure 5 Part of area A.

[0058] like Figure 5As shown, the holding element configured as a charging tank 13 is fixed to the body part 11a of the motor vehicle 11 or to the side frame 30. The surrounding wall 31 of the charging tank 13, which extends obliquely downward or obliquely backward in the vehicle or conically, forms a recess 32 or a cavity, at the lower end or rear end of which an opening 18 for receiving the charging socket 15 is configured. The connection between the charging tank 13 of the motor vehicle 11 and the side frame 30 is sealed by a seal 22 positioned there.

[0059] The charging device 10 is covered on the outside of the vehicle by a charging cover 12 , which is shown here in the closed state.

[0060] The charging socket 15 located in the opening 18 of the charging tank 13 is fixed to an internally located vehicle body part 33, such as an internal frame part or an internal side frame of the motor vehicle 11. Since the charging tank 31 is fixed to a different vehicle body part from the charging socket 15, there is usually a positional tolerance of the charging socket 15 relative to the charging tank 13 in the depth direction, that is, in the direction toward the rear or toward the inside of the motor vehicle 11.

[0061] In the loading device 10 Figure 6 A sealing unit 19 is arranged in the partial area A shown in the enlarged view, and the sealing unit includes a soft part 23 and a hard part 24. The hard part 24 is constructed as an H-shaped profile, thereby achieving high rigidity, so that the hard part 24 forms a counterforce for the pressing force applied by the charging socket 15 located in the opening 18 of the charging tank 13 to the soft part 23. The sealing unit 19 ensures a high pressure for sealing the charging socket 15 through the design of its hard part 24.

[0062] Advantageously, the hard part 24 is made of the same material as the charging tank 13. However, other materials, preferably plastics and in particular thermoplastics, can also be used. The hard part 24 can also be constructed as one part or in one piece with the charging tank 13.

[0063] The second component 24 extends together with the first component 23 fixed thereto from the rear side 16 of the charging tank 13 to the rear, i.e. downward in the figure. As a result, an extended sealing surface is formed on the outer side of the charging socket 15, which is longer or extends further into the depth than the contact surface between the charging socket 15 and the charging tank 13 in the region of the opening 18 thereof. In other words, the sealing surface formed by the sealing unit 19 and the charging socket 15 adjacent thereto is arranged behind the charging tank 13 and its opening 18.

[0064] The soft part 23 comprises two sealing lips 34, 35, which extend into the receiving area 15a for the charging socket 15. That is, the sealing lips 34, 35 extend laterally behind the charging tank 13 into the receiving area 15a to such an extent that they are deformed when the charging socket 15 is inserted and, when the charging socket is positioned in the charging device 10, they abut against the circumference of the charging socket 15 behind the opening 18 (below the opening in the figure). Any other number of sealing lips 34, 35 can also be provided. The soft part 23 is preferably made of rubber, in particular of EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer).

[0065] Further sealing lips 37, 38 are arranged as part of the soft part 23 between the hard part 24 of the sealing unit 19 and the edge region 36 of the charging tank 13, which surrounds the opening 18 circumferentially and extends a distance to the rear or in the depth direction as a wall or flange on the rear side 16 of the charging tank. The edge region 36 forms on its outer side a circumferential contact surface 41 for the sealing unit 19, which is located on the inner side of the edge region 36 or the wall.

[0066] When sealing unit 19 is fastened to charging tank 13 , soft part 23 is deformed with its laterally protruding sealing lips 37 , 38 so that they are formed onto edge region 36 or its contact surface 41 and thus produce a seal between hard part 24 and edge region 36 .

[0067] Figure 7 Another embodiment of the invention is shown in which one of the two sealing lips 34 or 35 is designed in an L-shaped manner. That is, the sealing lip 35 forms an angle between a first section 39 of the sealing lip 35, which extends obliquely against the insertion direction E when the charging socket 15 is inserted into the charging device 10, and a second section 40 of the sealing lip 35, which extends obliquely toward the insertion direction when the charging socket 15 is inserted. The angle against or toward the insertion direction is approximately 40 to 50 degrees.

[0068] An example of a method for installing a loading device in a body opening of a motor vehicle is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0069] First, a holding element is provided, which in this example is designed as a charging tank 13 and has a through opening 18, into which an interface element for establishing a plug connection with a charging station and / or with a fuel supply line for supplying fuel can be inserted. In this example, the interface element is designed as a charging socket 15.

[0070] The sealing unit 19 is fastened to the holding element 13 in such a way that it surrounds a receiving area 15 a for the interface element 15 behind the opening 18 of the holding element 13 , so that an inserted interface element 15 is sealed toward the holding element 13 .

[0071] The retaining element 13 is fastened in a body opening of the motor vehicle 11 , in particular to a side frame 30 of the vehicle or to an externally situated frame element.

[0072] The interface element 15 is inserted into the opening 18 of the retaining element 13. In this case, the sealing unit 19 and in particular the soft part 23 of the sealing unit are covered by the interface element 15 after the insertion thereof, so that they are not visible from the outside.

[0073] The sealing unit 19 is preferably clipped onto the retaining element 13 in order to fix it thereon.

[0074] It is preferred, but not mandatory, that the method steps are performed in the order described.

[0075] In the method embodiments described herein, the loading device 15 is installed as described in detail above.

[0076] In the embodiments described in detail above, the charging device is designed for charging a vehicle and comprises a charging tank as a holding element and a charging socket as an interface element. In other embodiments, the charging device is designed for charging or refueling a vehicle with fuel. In this case, the holding element is designed as a refueling chamber and the interface element is designed as a receiving element with a fuel filling opening for connecting a fuel supply line to the vehicle.

[0077] The invention makes it possible to make the seal invisible on the charging tank. This results in a high-quality charging tank that forms a secondary surface. The loading device forms, for example, a charging cover system that seals the dry space behind it, while the soft parts are not visible. In addition, component tolerances and, for example, elastic deformations of the charging socket on the sealing plane when the charging plug is plugged in are compensated. Furthermore, the invention complies with the standard geometry of the charging socket.

[0078] Reference numerals list

[0079] 10 Loading device

[0080] 11 Motor Vehicles

[0081] 11a External body parts

[0082] 12 Closing cover or charging cover

[0083] 13 Holding element / charging tank

[0084] 14 Connecting arm

[0085] 15 Interface components / charging socket

[0086] 15a Reception area

[0087] 16 Rear side of charging tank

[0088] 17 Transmission mechanism

[0089] 18 Opening

[0090] 19 Sealing unit

[0091] 21 Fixing elements

[0092] 22 Sealing ring

[0093] 23. First component / soft component of sealing unit

[0094] 24 Second part / hard part of sealing unit

[0095] 25 Fixed segments

[0096] 26 Insert bevel

[0097] 27 Elastic Arm

[0098] 28 Inclined end face

[0099] 29 recess

[0100] 30 Side frame

[0101] 31 Wall of charging tank

[0102] 32 grooves

[0103] 33 Internal body parts

[0104] 34, 35 Sealing lip

[0105] 36 Marginal Area

[0106] 37, 38 Sealing lip

[0107] 39 First Segment

[0108] 40 Second Segment

[0109] 41 contact surface

[0110] E Insertion direction

Claims

1. A loading device for installation in a body opening of a motor vehicle, the loading device comprising a retaining element (13) and a sealing unit (19), the retaining element being designed to be fixed to a body part (11a) and having a through opening (18), into which an interface element (15) for establishing a plug connection with a charging station and / or with a fuel supply line for supplying fuel can be inserted, the sealing unit being used to seal the inserted interface element (15) towards the retaining element (13), characterized in that The sealing unit (19) is arranged on the rear side (16) of the retaining element (13) and surrounds a receiving area (15a) for the interface element (15) located behind an opening (18) of the retaining element (13); the sealing unit (19) is fixed or can be fixed to the retaining element (13) so that the sealing unit is covered by the interface element after the interface element (15) is inserted, so that the sealing unit is not visible from the outside.

2. The loading device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sealing unit (19) comprises a first component (23) made of a deformable material and a second component (24) made of a hard material, the first component (23) being constructed so that it rests circumferentially against an inserted interface element (15), and the second component (24) being supported on a retaining element (13) so as to press the first component (23) circumferentially against the inserted interface element (15).

3. The loading device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first component (23) projects with at least a partial section into the receiving area (15a) located behind the opening (18).

4. A loading device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The sealing unit (19) is fixed or can be fixed to the retaining element (13) via a clip connection.

5. The loading device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that: Second component (24) 5.

1. Made of an H-shaped profile which is fixed or can be fixed on a retaining element (13), or 5.

2. Constructed directly in one piece with the retaining element (13).

6. The loading device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that: The second component (24) together with the first component (23) fixed thereto extends rearwardly from the rear side (16) of the retaining element (13) so that the sealing surface formed by the sealing unit (19) and the interface element (15) adjacent thereto is arranged behind the opening (18).

7. The loading device according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the first component (23) 7.

1. comprising one or more first sealing lips (34, 35), which extend from the second component (24) into a receiving area (15a) for the interface element (15) located behind the retaining element (13) to such an extent that the first sealing lip is deformed when the interface element (15) is inserted so as to abut against the interface element (15) in a square shape behind the opening (18); and / or 7.

2. Comprising one or more second sealing lips (37, 38), which are arranged between the second component (24) and an edge region (36) of the retaining element (13), which surrounds the opening (18) and forms a circumferential contact surface (41) for the sealing unit (19).

8. The loading device according to claim 7, characterized in that: At least one first sealing lip (34, 35) is constructed to be L-shaped and / or to form an angle, and when the interface element (15) is inserted into the opening (18), a first section (39) of the sealing lip (35) extends obliquely opposite to the insertion direction (E) and a second section (40) of the sealing lip (35) extends obliquely along the insertion direction (E).

9. A method for installing a loading device in a body opening of a motor vehicle, the method comprising the following steps: A holding element (13) is provided, which has a through opening (18), into which an interface element (15) for establishing a plug connection with a charging station and / or with a fuel supply line for supplying fuel can be inserted; The sealing unit (19) is fixed on the retaining element (13) so as to seal the inserted interface element (15) toward the retaining element (13); securing a retaining element (13) in the vehicle body opening; and Inserting the interface element (15) into the opening (18) of the retaining element (13); It is characterized in that The sealing unit (19) is fixed to the retaining element (13) in such a way that it surrounds a receiving area (15a) for the interface element (15) located behind the opening (18). After the connection element (15) has been inserted, the sealing unit (19) is covered by the connection element, so that the sealing unit is not visible from the outside.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that The sealing unit (19) is fixed to the retaining element (13) by clamping and / or a loading device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 8 is used.

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