Fastening aid for fastening component to carrier component, and method and device for attaching such fastening aid

Abstract

According to the invention, a fastening aid is provided for fastening a component to a carrier component, in particular to a body of a motor vehicle. The fastening aid comprises a plate-shaped carrier body consisting of a hard part having a fastening side and an attachment side, wherein the attachment side is a side through which the fastening aid is attached to the carrier part. The fastening aid further comprises a soft part disposed on the attachment side, wherein the soft part is made of an adhesive material that can be activated by the carrier body. A fastening element is arranged on the fastening side, which fastening element can be connected to a counter-fastening element of the component.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a fastening aid for fastening a component to a carrier component, in particular to a body of a motor vehicle, and to a method and a device for attaching such a fastening aid.

[0002] Recent developments in the construction of motor vehicle bodies provide for the manufacture of large parts or the entire body of the body as a single piece, in particular in a casting process. This manufacturing process is significantly easier when as few grooves, recesses, undercuts and / or fastening points as possible are provided on the part to be produced. As a result, the casting mold can be constructed in a much simpler manner. However, these fastening points are necessary in order to fasten components such as plastic panels or fixtures for wiring harnesses to the body.

[0003] A closing disk for sealingly closing an opening of a carrier part, in particular on a motor vehicle, is known from the unpublished German patent application DE 10 2022 120 370.0 The closing disk comprises a closing side on which an adhesive material is arranged.

[0004] The problem addressed by the invention is to provide a fastening aid for fastening a component to a carrier component, in particular to a body of a motor vehicle, and a method and a device for attaching such a fastening aid, wherein the fastening aid is of simple and functional construction and is therefore inexpensive to manufacture.

[0005] A further problem addressed by the invention is to provide a fastening aid for fastening a component to a carrier component, in particular to the body of a motor vehicle, and a method and a device for attaching such a fastening aid, wherein the attachment of the fastening aid can be carried out in a simple, precise, flexible and reliable manner.

[0006] A further problem addressed by the invention is to provide a fastening aid for fastening a component to a carrier component, in particular to a body of a motor vehicle, and a method and a device for attaching such a fastening aid, wherein a plurality of fastening aids can be attached quickly one after the other.

[0007] One or more of these problems are solved by the features of the independent claims. Advantageous configurations are specified in the respective dependent claims.

[0008] According to the invention, a fastening aid for fastening a component to a carrier component, in particular to a body of a motor vehicle, is provided. The fastening aid comprises a plate-shaped carrier body consisting of a hard component with a fastening side and an attachment side, wherein the attachment side is the side via which the fastening aid is attached to the carrier component. The fastening aid also comprises a soft component arranged on the attachment side, wherein the soft component is made of an adhesive material that can be activated by the carrier body. A fastening element is arranged on the fastening side, which fastening element can be connected to a counter-fastening element of the component.

[0009] With the aid of the fastening aid, the component can be fastened to any position on the carrier component. On the carrier component itself, the component does not require fastening means, such as undercuts or catch lugs. By means of the fastening aid, the fastening means are provided on the carrier component in the form of fastening elements. The carrier component can thus be constructed simply. So that any previously required texturing structures serving as fastening means are no longer necessary and can be omitted in the manufacture of the carrier component. This makes production much simpler and therefore less expensive. In particular, texturing structures such as undercuts are difficult to introduce into the carrier component during the manufacture of such a carrier component and require additional work steps or laboriously designed tools. This is particularly true when the carrier component is a body element to be cast in one piece. But not only is the production of the carrier component simplified. The planning of the carrier component prior to production can also be faster, since the design of the carrier component is less complex.

[0010] The fastening of the component at any position on the carrier component is possible, since the fastening aid itself can be attached to any position on the carrier component. The fastening aid also does not require any fastening means on the carrier component. The fastening aid comprises an adhesive material, by means of which the fastening aid can be attached to the carrier component. The fastening aid is therefore very flexible and easy to use. There is no need to introduce the fastening means to the carrier component after the fact, for example by boring of a hole. At the same time, the fastening aid can be easily attached to the surface of difficult-to-machine materials, such as metals, by means of the adhesive material.

[0011] An activatable adhesive material is understood to mean an adhesive material which develops its adhesive effect as soon as activation energy is introduced. The activation energy in particular ensures that the adhesive material melts and, after solidification, bonds to the surface in a material-locking manner. However, it can also be provided that the adhesive material develops its adhesive effect without melting.

[0012] Since the soft part is made of an adhesive material that can be activated by the carrier body, the handling of the fastening aid is very simple. The fastening aid can be precisely arranged as long as the soft part has not yet been activated and can be precisely fastened to the intended target if the fastening aid does not have to be moved again.

[0013] For example, with known fastening aids, the protective foil must be peeled off before attachment. Such fastening aids do not comprise an adhesive material that can be activated by the carrier body.

[0014] Since the fastening element can be flexibly attached to the carrier component at any position, the position of application can also be adjusted in a short time, for example to compensate for the overlap of another component. It is also provided that the fastening element can be designed as required. In this way, the fastening element to be provided with the aid of the fastening aid can be changed in a short time. This can be particularly helpful in the construction of prototypes.

[0015] The carrier body may be of substantially smooth form (except for the fastening elements) and may comprise only soft parts. The term "smooth" is understood to mean that the carrier body does not have any grooves, recesses or undercuts, in particular on the fastening side (except for the fastening elements) and on the attachment side. In addition, this feature may mean that the soft parts are only arranged on the surface of the attachment side and that the soft parts are not arranged on the radial or tangential circumferential edges of the carrier body. This results in a very simple construction of the fastening aid.

[0016] For example, the plate-shaped and preferably smooth carrier body can be disc-shaped.However, the carrier body can also have any other shape, such as an oval, elliptical or polygonal shape.

[0017] The carrier body may have a smooth fastening side (except for the fastening elements) and a likewise smooth attachment side and a smooth radial circumferential side wall, so that the surface of the carrier body is formed by only these three smooth surfaces.

[0018] Likewise, the carrier body (except for the fastening elements) may also be of a flat or planar shape.For example, the carrier body may have a planar fastening side (except for the fastening elements) and a planar attachment side as well as a planar radial circumferential side wall.

[0019] The carrier body can be manufactured in an injection molding process. Preferably, the carrier body and the fastening element are manufactured in one piece and are made of the same material, so that the carrier body can be manufactured together with the fastening element in an injection molding process. However, it is also possible for the fastening element to be made of a different material than the carrier body and to be fixedly connected thereto.

[0020] A completely flat or planar surface is understood to mean that it has no undercuts, catches, edges etc. However, on the fastening side and / or the attachment side, during production by means of a two-component injection molding process, gates for producing fastening aids by means of an injection molding process and openings for introducing soft components over hard components can be provided.

[0021] The soft component may be constructed so that it is non-sticky or has no adhesive properties when delivered so that contaminants cannot adhere to it.

[0022] The carrier body and the fastening element can be made of PPT (polytrimethylene terephthalate) or PPA (polyphthalamide), in particular with glass fibers, and in particular from recycled materials. Polyamides and other thermoplastics that can be processed in an injection molding method are also possible in order to form the carrier body and the fastening element.

[0023] The soft parts can be made of TPE (thermoplastic elastomer) or TPS (terephthalic acid) and in each case of a heat-activatable adhesive or EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate). Ethyl vinyl acetate copolymer (EVAC or EVA) is a copolymer made of ethylene and vinyl acetate.

[0024] If the fastening aid is made of plastic, it has a high sealing ability and high water-repellent properties.

[0025] The fastening aid may be made of a heat-resistant material, in particular a heat-resistant plastic. The fastening aid may be made of a recycled material.

[0026] The soft component is designed with regard to material and thickness in order to achieve a high holding force after bonding.

[0027] The soft component can be activated by one or more of the following activation methods:

[0028] - preferably with the aid of ultrasonography,

[0029] - by means of electromagnetic radiation, in particular by means of infrared light, wherein the carrier body is configured so as to be transparent to the electromagnetic radiation and the soft component is configured so as to be opaque to the electromagnetic radiation,

[0030] - With the help of hot air,

[0031] - by means of induction, wherein the carrier body is configured such that an electric current can be induced which heats the carrier body and / or wherein an electric current is induced which heats the carrier part in the region of the fastening aid, or

[0032] - With the help of physical pressure.

[0033] Preferably, different activation methods are provided such that they introduce a high energy input into the adhesive material. Thus, the adhesive material is activated quickly and the fastening aid can be attached quickly.

[0034] When electromagnetic radiation is used as an activation method, the carrier body is made of a material that is substantially transparent for electromagnetic radiation. This is primarily understood to mean a material that is not electrically conductive. As a result, the electromagnetic radiation can reach the soft component almost unhindered in order to activate the soft component. At the same time, the soft component can be made of an electromagnetic radiation absorbing material. As a result, the electromagnetic radiation is absorbed by the soft component and outputs energy to the soft component, thereby heating it.

[0035] If the soft component is activated by hot air, it is advantageous if the soft component has a lower melting temperature than the hard component. Therefore, the hard component does not melt when the soft component is activated.

[0036] In the case of an activation method by means of induction, the carrier body can be made of a material in which an electric current can be induced which heats the carrier body. In particular, this is at least a semi-metallic material.

[0037] The carrier part can also be made of a material such that an electric current can be induced into the carrier part, which current heats the carrier part in the region of the fastening aid. The phrase "in the region of the fastening aid" means an area of ​​the surface of the carrier part to which the fastening aid is to be applied and which is large enough (but not too large) to activate the soft part.

[0038] It can also be provided that both the carrier body and the carrier part are made of a material in which an electric current can be induced.

[0039] In the activation methods by means of ultrasound, electromagnetic radiation, hot air and induction, it is preferably provided that the soft component is activated by the carrier body. However, it can also be provided that the soft component is activated by the carrier component as long as the structural configuration of the carrier component allows.

[0040] The fastening element may be configured as one of the following elements:

[0041] - a pin, with or without a catch element molded thereon,

[0042] - a bushing having a blind hole, with or without an internal thread, with or without at least one arresting element molded thereon,

[0043] a bolt having at least one movable wing element molded thereon, the at least one movable wing element being configured so as to act as a barb for a counter-fastening element,

[0044] - a bolt, with or without an external thread,

[0045] -hook,

[0046] - Eyelets,

[0047] - Capture lugs, or

[0048] -Undercut.

[0049] The fastening element may be configured so as to form a bayonet closure together with a corresponding counter-fastening element.

[0050] The fastening elements can be configured as required. Since any of the fastening elements can subsequently be attached to the finished carrier part with the aid of the fastening aid, the carrier part can be produced consistently for different applications. The fastening means required for a specific application can be provided by different designs of the fastening elements with the aid of the fastening aid.

[0051] The counter-fastening element to be attached to the fastening element is configured so as to correspond to the fastening element so that it can be fastened to the fastening element. That is, for example, if the fastening element has a thread, the counter-fastening element is also configured so as to have a thread.

[0052] In a top plan view onto the fastening side, the fastening element may be limited to a central region of the fastening side, so that the fastening aid on the fastening side may be in contact with the activation device circumferentially at an edge region of the fastening side.

[0053] In a top plan view of the fastening side, the fastening element is preferably limited to a central area of ​​the fastening side. This means that the fastening element has no textured structure extending beyond the central area of ​​the fastening side so that the activation device cannot be placed on the fastening side. The activation device is preferably a device that can be placed completely circumferentially on the edge area of ​​the fastening side in order to activate the soft component. In this arrangement, the fastening element is preferably received from the cavity of the activation device so that the activation device can reach the surface of the fastening side.

[0054] It is also possible that the activation means does not circumferentially contact the surface of the fastening side. It can be provided that individual areas of this surface remain free. Overlapping textured elements of the fastening element can then also protrude into these areas without disrupting the positioning of the activation means on the surface of the fastening side.

[0055] The fastening aid may have a shape that is complementary to a surface of the carrier part.

[0056] The plate-shaped carrier body can have a curved shape or other shape, so that it can also be placed on non-planar surfaces, wherein full-surface contact between the attachment side, in particular the adhesive material, and the surface is still ensured.

[0057] The carrier body may comprise a texturing structure on the attachment side, wherein areas are provided on which no soft component is arranged.

[0058] The soft component can be arranged completely on the closed side. The soft component can alternatively be an annular disc or a circular annular disc or arranged in any pattern on the attachment side. Here, it can be arranged that the soft component covers about at least 10% or about at least 20% or about at least 30% or about at least 40% or about at least 50% or about at least 60% or about at least 70% or about at least 80% or about at least 90% or about at least 100% of the surface of the attachment side of the carrier body.

[0059] The larger the surface area covered by the soft component on the attachment side of the carrier body, the higher the holding force of the fastening aid after bonding.

[0060] The soft component may be configured so as to terminate substantially flush with the tangential or radial circumferential sidewalls of the carrier body. Rods or other shapes may also be provided on the attachment side constraining the soft component, wherein the soft component here also terminates substantially flush with these shapes.

[0061] The soft component may comprise a texturing on the attachment side, wherein drainage channels are configured in the texturing, the drainage channels extending at least partially substantially outwardly towards an edge of the carrier body.

[0062] Excess air can be discharged by means of the discharge channel, which accumulates in particular when the fastening aid is arranged between the soft component and the surface to be applied. During the melting process of the soft component, this air can be forced outwards along the discharge channel by the soft component itself. This can be advantageous when pressure is exerted on the fastening side of the carrier body. In this way, the air is pressed out.

[0063] Melted adhesive material and / or foreign matter which may have occurred during the application process can also be removed via the discharge channel.

[0064] Preferably, the discharge channels extend substantially radially outwards. For example, the textured structure can be configured as a corrugated structure, a diamond structure or a honeycomb structure and thus as a guide structure with at least substantially radially outwardly extending discharge channels which can be connected to one another.

[0065] The carrier body can have a wall thickness of at most 5 mm or at most 4 mm or at most 3 mm or at most 2 mm or at most 1 mm.

[0066] It can also be provided that the carrier body has a wall thickness of at most 0.9 mm or at most 0.8 mm or at most 0.7 mm or at most 0.6 mm or at most 0.5 mm. In order to compensate for the weakening associated with a thinner wall thickness of the carrier body, the carrier body can include reinforcing ribs which extend radially in the circumferential direction and are spaced equidistantly from one another in the radially outward direction.

[0067] The carrier body may be disc-shaped and preferably has a diameter of 40 mm or 30 mm or 20 mm.

[0068] A through hole may be provided in the carrier body, which through hole extends from the attachment side to the fastening side and in which the soft component is arranged, in order to establish a material-locked connection between the carrier body and the soft component when the soft component is cured.

[0069] By this arrangement, the bond between the hard component and the soft component is enhanced. This means that after activation of the soft component, it is more difficult to separate the soft component from the hard component. In this way, the carrier body is prevented from being torn from the soft component by a force effect, in particular a tensile effect, on the fastening element.

[0070] It can also be provided that the fastening element comprises at least one cavity and / or at least one through hole, in which the soft component is also arranged. Thus, once the soft component is activated, the bond between the hard component and the soft component is additionally enhanced.

[0071] The through-holes may each comprise a contour, in particular a widening on the fastening side, in which the soft component is arranged in order to establish a positive-locking connection between the carrier body and the soft component when the soft component is cured.

[0072] This arrangement provides a further strengthening of the bond between the hard component and the soft component when the soft component is activated.Thus, after activation of the soft component, a greater force effect, in particular a stretching effect, is necessary in order to separate the carrier body from the soft component.

[0073] Furthermore, a device is provided for attaching a fastening aid as described above to a carrier part, in particular to a body of a motor vehicle. The device comprises a reservoir for holding fastening aids with soft parts, in particular fastening aids of different types. The device also comprises a travel device in order to supply one of the fastening aids from the reservoir to an activation device. In addition, the device comprises an activation device for arranging the fastening aid at a position to be attached on the carrier part and for generating ultrasonic waves or for generating electromagnetic waves or for generating hot air or for generating an induced voltage or for generating a physical pressure in order to activate the soft part and attach the fastening aid.

[0074] The reservoir can be configured as a cassette comprising a traveling cylinder, by means of which the fastening aid can be moved into the forwardmost position of the reservoir.

[0075] The activation device is configured to arrange the fastening aids at the location to be attached and then directly attach them using one of the activation methods. The activation device comprises a head element configured to receive and fix the fastening aids and to activate the soft component at the same time.

[0076] Furthermore, the activation device comprises a replaceable component which can be attached depending on the activation method. The component comprises the means necessary to provide a specific activation method.

[0077] The travel device is configured to supply the fastening aid from the reservoir to the activation device. For this purpose, the travel device may include a travel cylinder, which can receive the fastening aid at the forwardmost position of the reservoir and move it towards the head element of the activation device. The reservoir and the activation device are preferably arranged relative to each other so that the forwardmost position of the reservoir is arranged horizontally adjacent to the head element of the activation device. The travel device therefore only has to travel a short and straight path.

[0078] The storage, the activation device and the travel device are preferably coupled to each other so that they form a unit. This unit preferably includes a moving device, by which it can be moved in order to reach different positions on the carrier part. For this purpose, the unit can be mounted on a movable robot arm.

[0079] The activation device is in particular an ultrasonic welding device having a sonotrode configured to output ultrasonic waves.

[0080] The advantages described above with reference to the fastening aid apply analogously to the device according to the invention for attaching such a fastening aid.

[0081] Furthermore, a method for attaching a fastening aid as described above to a carrier component, in particular to a body of a motor vehicle, is provided, which has a device for attaching such a fastening aid as described above. The method comprises the following steps:

[0082] - retaining the fastening aid in a reservoir,

[0083] - providing one of the fastening aids from the reservoir for use with a travelling device,

[0084] - supplying the fastening aid to the activation device by means of the travel device,

[0085] - arranging the fastening aid at the location to be attached on the carrier part by means of the activation device, and

[0086] - Attaching the fastening aid at the location to be attached by activating its soft part by means of the activation device.

[0087] By means of the method, fastening aids can be attached quickly one after the other in different locations.

[0088] The method provides for activating the soft component, preferably by means of ultrasound or electromagnetic radiation (in particular infrared light), or hot air or an induced voltage induced into the carrier body of the fastening aid and / or into the carrier part, or physical pressure. The activation of the soft component activates the adhesive effect of the soft component, thereby producing an adhesive (material-locked) connection between the fastening aid and the carrier part.

[0089] Furthermore, the method provides that the activation of the soft component takes place via the carrier body of the fastening aid. When the activation takes place via electromagnetic radiation, the carrier body is correspondingly designed to be transparent. If the activation is carried out by means of an induced voltage to be induced in the carrier body, the carrier body is designed at least partially metallically so that a current can be induced.

[0090] The advantages described above with reference to the fastening aid and the device for attaching such a fastening aid apply analogously to the method according to the invention for attaching a fastening aid with such a device.

[0091] Other problems, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the description and exemplary embodiments as shown in the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings show:

[0092] Figure 1 is a perspective top view of a schematic diagram of a fastening aid according to the invention having a fastening element in the form of a bolt with wing elements;

[0093] Figure 2 is a schematic side cutaway view of a fastening aid according to the invention having a fastening element in the form of a bolt with wing elements;

[0094] Figure 3 is a perspective top view of a schematic diagram of a fastening aid according to the invention having a fastening element in the form of a pin on which a catch element is molded;

[0095] Figure 4 is a schematic side cutaway view of a fastening aid according to the invention having a fastening element in the form of a pin on which a capture element is molded;

[0096] Figure 5 is a perspective top view of a schematic diagram of a fastening aid according to the invention having a fastening element in the form of a bushing on which a catch element is molded;

[0097] Figure 6 is a schematic side cutaway view of a fastening aid according to the invention having a fastening element in the form of a bushing on which a capture element is molded;

[0098] Figure 7is a perspective top view of a schematic diagram of a soft component of a fastening aid according to the invention; and

[0099] Figure 8 is a schematic side-section of a soft component of a fastening aid according to the present invention.

[0100] In the following, a fastening aid 1 ( ) for fastening a component to a carrier component, in particular to a body of a motor vehicle, is described in more detail. Figures 1 to 8 ).

[0101] The fastening aid 1 comprises a completely disc-shaped carrier body 2. The carrier body 2 is made of a hard component and comprises a fastening side 3 and an attachment side 4. The attachment side 4 is the side by which the fastening aid 1 is attached to the carrier component. The hard component is a stable plastic material.

[0102] In the center of the fastening side 3, a fastening element 5 is molded onto the carrier body 2. The carrier body 2 and the fastening element 5 are formed integrally, so that they can be manufactured in an injection molding process.

[0103] The fastening element 5 can be configured as desired. The fastening element 5 can be a bolt 6 on which a plurality of movable wing elements 7 are molded, which are configured to act as barbs for the counter-fastening element ( Figure 1 and 2 It is also possible to arrange that the fastening element 5 is a pin 8 on which a catch element 9 is molded ( Figure 3 and 4 The fastening element 5 can also be a bushing 10 on which a blind hole 11 and a catch element 12 are molded ( Figure 5 and 6 ).

[0104] The fastening side 3 (except for the fastening elements 5 ) and the attachment side 4 are configured so as to be smooth and rounded in a top view.

[0105] The soft component 13 is arranged so as to completely cover the surface of the attachment side 4. The soft component 13 is made of an activatable adhesive material. If activation energy is applied, the adhesive material exerts its adhesive effect and can be attached to the carrier body.

[0106] The soft component 13 has a structured surface 14 on the side facing away from the attachment side 4. Due to the textured structure 14, the soft component 13 does not adhere well to the carrier component yet before activation, whereby the soft component can still be easily removed.

[0107] A plurality of through holes 15 are provided in the carrier body 2. The through holes 15 extend from the attachment side 4 to the fastening side 3 and are filled with the soft component 13. In addition, a widening portion 16 is provided on the fastening side 3, and the soft component 13 is also arranged in the fastening side ( Figure 7 and 8If the soft component 13 is activated, the soft component 13 in the through-hole 15 and in the widening 16 creates an additional material-locking and positive-locking connection between the carrier body 2 and the soft component 13 .

[0108] An apparatus for attaching a fastening aid 1 as discussed above to a carrier component, in particular to a bodywork of a motor vehicle, is described in more detail below (not shown).

[0109] The device comprises a vertically arranged elongated and cylindrical reservoir and an activation device arranged adjacent thereto. The activation device is also elongated in shape and arranged vertically. In the vertical lower region, a horizontally extending travel device is provided.

[0110] The storage, the activation means and the travel means are coupled to each other and form a unit. The unit is connected to a moving device (not shown) by means of which the unit can be moved in space.

[0111] Furthermore, the reservoir is configured as a box for holding a plurality of vertically arranged fastening aids 1. The fastening aids 1 each comprise a fastening side 2 with a fastening element 5 and an attachment side 4 with a soft component 13. The fastening aids 1 are held together with the attachment side 4 in the direction of the carrier part.

[0112] The reservoir comprises a travel cylinder by means of which the fastening aid 1 can be moved into the frontmost position of the reservoir. The frontmost position is the position of the fastening aid 1 to be attached next in sequence by the device. In each case, this position is at the end of the reservoir closest to the carrier part.

[0113] A first holding device is provided in order to fix the fastening aid 1 in this position and to feed the travel device 23. For this purpose, the first holding device can release the fixed fastening aid 1 in the forwardmost position, whereby the fastening aid 1 can be received by the travel device.

[0114] The travel device comprises a travel unit, by means of which the fixing unit can be moved horizontally between a frontmost position on the reservoir 21 and the activation device. By means of the fixing unit, the fastening aid 1 can be received by the first holding device and fixed on the reservoir.

[0115] The activation device thus comprises a second holding device, by means of which the fastening aid 1 can be received by the activation device.The fixing unit can also be configured so as to form the second holding device.

[0116] The movable unit is configured in order to move the activation device towards the carrier part so that the fastening aid 1 can be arranged on the carrier part by means of the activation device, with the soft part 13 being in the first position.

[0117] In the present exemplary embodiment, the activation device is configured as an ultrasonic welding device. At the end facing the carrier part, the activation device comprises a sonotrode, through which ultrasonic waves can be transmitted.

[0118] If the fastening aid 1 is attached to the carrier part by means of ultrasound, the unit consisting of the reservoir, the activation device and the travel device can be moved to the next position where the fastening aid 1 is to be arranged.

[0119] A sonotrode may have the following features:

[0120] - Cycle time < 1 second (0.2 seconds welding)

[0121] -Ultrasonic welding electrode pressure: ±200N

[0122] - Temperature generated on hot melt adhesive: 110 to 140°C

[0123] - Ambient temperature in which the sonotrode is preferably operated: -30°C to 50°C

[0124] - Maximum ambient temperature in which the sonotrode can operate: -40°C or 80°C.

[0125] Furthermore, a method for attaching a fastening aid 1 as described above to a carrier part, in particular to a body of a motor vehicle, will be described in more detail with an apparatus for attaching such a fastening aid 1 as described above.

[0126] The unit consisting of the reservoir, the activation device and the travel device 23 is in a neutral position above the carrier part. The term "unit" means that the reservoir, the activation device and the travel device are coupled to each other and can move together.

[0127] A plurality of vertically arranged fastening aids 1 are held in an elongated cylindrical reservoir. The fastening aids 1 each comprise a fastening side 2 with a fastening element 5 and an attachment side 4 with a soft component 13. The fastening aids 1 are held together with the attachment side 4 in the direction of the carrier component.

[0128] By means of the travel cylinder, the fastening aid 1 is progressively moved towards the frontmost position of the reservoir. The frontmost position is the position of the fastening aid 1 to be attached next in sequence by the device. In each case, this position is at the end of the reservoir closest to the carrier part.

[0129] In the forwardmost position, a fastening aid 1 of the running device is provided.

[0130] By means of the travelling device, the fastening aid 1 is received and transported horizontally to the activation device.

[0131] The activation device receives the fastening aid 1 and places the fastening aid 1 at the position to be attached on the carrier part so that the soft part 13 is in contact with the carrier part. The arrangement of the fastening device is achieved by a substantially vertical movement of the activation device towards the carrier part. With the help of the activation device, a slight clamping pressure can be applied to the fastening aid 1.

[0132] By means of the sonotrode of the activation device, ultrasonic waves are generated after the arrangement. The soft component 13 is exposed to the ultrasonic waves and is thus activated. By the activation, the soft component 13 melts and is connected to the carrier component.

[0133] After the fastening aid 1 has been attached to the carrier part, the activation device is moved back to the neutral position. From this position, the attachment of the next fastening aid 1 can begin, wherein the unit consisting of the reservoir, the activation device and the travel device is moved together to the next position in which the fastening aid will be arranged on the carrier part.

[0134] After attachment of the fastening aid 1 , a quality control can be provided by optical inspection or by tensile testing (by applying a tensile force to the fastening aid 1 ).

[0135] Reference numerals list

[0136] 1 Fastening auxiliary parts

[0137] 2 Carrier body

[0138] 3 Fastening side

[0139] 4 Attachment side

[0140] 5 Fastening elements

[0141] 6 bolts

[0142] 7-wing element

[0143] 8 pins

[0144] 9 Capture Elements

[0145] 10 Bushing

[0146] 11 Blind hole

[0147] 12 Capture Components

[0148] 13 Soft components

[0149] 14 Textured Structure

[0150] 15 Through Holes

[0151] 16 Widening

Claims

1. A fastening aid (1) for fastening a component to a carrier component, in particular to a body of a motor vehicle, comprising a plate-shaped carrier body (2) made of a hard component, having a fastening side (3) and an attachment side (4), wherein the attachment side (4) is the side via which the fastening aid (1) is attached to the carrier component, and a soft component (13) arranged on the attachment side (4), wherein the soft component (13) is made of an adhesive material that can be activated by the carrier body (2), A fastening element (5) is arranged on the fastening side (3) and can be connected to a counterfastening element of a component.

2. The fastening aid (1) according to claim 1, Features The soft component (13) can be activated by one or more of the following activation methods: - preferably with the aid of ultrasonography, - by means of electromagnetic radiation, in particular by means of infrared light, wherein the carrier body (2) is designed so as to be transparent to the electromagnetic radiation and the soft component (13) is designed so as to be opaque to the electromagnetic radiation, - With the help of hot air, - by means of induction, wherein the carrier body (2) is configured such that an electric current can be induced which heats the carrier body (2) and / or wherein an electric current is induced which heats the carrier part in the region of the fastening aid (1), or - With the help of physical pressure.

3. The fastening aid (1) according to claim 1 or 2, Features The fastening element (5) is configured as one of the following elements: - a pin, with or without a catch element (12) molded thereon, a bushing (10) having a blind hole (11), with or without an internal thread, with or without at least one arresting element (12) molded thereon, a bolt (6) having at least one movable wing element (7) molded thereon, the at least one movable wing element being configured so as to act as a barb for a counter-fastening element, - a bolt (6), with or without an external thread, -hook, - Eyelets, - Capture lugs, - Undercut, or The fastening element (5) is configured so as to form a bayonet closure together with a corresponding counter-fastening element.

4. The fastening aid (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, Features In a top plan view of the fastening side (3), the fastening element (5) is limited to a central area of ​​the fastening side (3), so that the fastening aid (1) on the fastening side (3) can be in contact with the activation device (22) circumferentially at the edge area of ​​the fastening side (3).

5. The fastening aid (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, Features The fastening aid (1) has a shape complementary to the surface of the carrier part.

6. The fastening aid (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, Features The carrier body (2) comprises a texturing structure (14) on the attachment side (4), wherein areas are provided on which no soft component (13) is arranged.

7. The fastening aid (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, Features The soft component (13) comprises a texturing (14) on the attachment side (4), wherein drainage channels are configured in the texturing (14), the drainage channels extending at least partially substantially outwardly towards the edge of the carrier body (2).

8. The fastening aid (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, Features A through hole (15) is provided in the carrier body (2), the through hole extending from the attachment side (4) to the fastening side (3) and the soft component (13) is arranged in the through hole so as to establish a material locking connection between the carrier body (2) and the soft component (13) when the soft component (13) is cured, wherein the through hole (15) preferably each includes a contour, in particular a widened portion on the fastening side (3), and the soft component (13) is arranged in the widened portion so as to establish a positive locking connection between the carrier body (2) and the soft component (13) when the soft component (13) is cured.

9. A device for attaching a fastening aid (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8 to a carrier part, in particular to the body of a motor vehicle, comprising A reservoir for holding a fastening aid (1) having a soft part (13), in particular fastening aids (1) of different types, travel means for supplying one of the fastening aids (1) from the reservoir to the activation device, and The activation device is used to arrange the fastening aid (1) at the position to be attached on the carrier part, and to generate ultrasound, electromagnetic waves, hot air, induced voltage or physical pressure to activate the soft part (13) and attach the fastening aid (1).

10. A method for attaching a fastening aid (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8 to a carrier part, in particular to the body of a motor vehicle, having a device according to claim 9 for attaching such a fastening aid (1), the method comprising - retaining the fastening aid (1) in a reservoir, - providing one of the fastening aids (1) from the reservoir for use in a travelling device, - supplying the fastening aid (1) to the activation device by means of the travel device, - arranging the fastening aid (1) at the location to be attached on the carrier part by means of the activation device, and - Attaching the fastening aid (1) at the location to be attached by activating the soft part (13) of the fastening aid (1) by means of the activation device.

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