Connecting device for end cap to housing, lighting device for motor vehicle, and method for replacing end cap

Abstract

The invention relates to a connection device (100) for an end cap (1) to a housing (2), the end cap (1) being connected to the housing (2) via a first adhesive connection (3) having a circumferential adhesive layer (30). According to the invention, the connecting device (100) has means for forming a second adhesive connection (4) between the end cap (1) and the housing (2), said second adhesive connection having a circumferential adhesive layer (40). The invention also relates to a lighting device for a motor vehicle, in particular a headlight, and to a method for replacing an end cap (1) of a connecting device (100).

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a connecting device for an end cap on a housing, an associated lighting device for a motor vehicle, and a method for replacing an end cap of the connecting device according to the present invention. Background Art

[0002] A lighting device for a motor vehicle has an end cap, typically made of plastic, which closes the housing of the lighting device on the light-emitting side. The accommodation of the end cap on the housing is usually achieved by an adhesive connection portion that also ensures the sealing inside the housing. For this purpose, one of the mating parts includes a circumferentially surrounding groove that has an adhesive accommodated therein to form an adhesive layer, and a circumferentially surrounding flange-shaped section is constructed on this mating part and extends into the adhesive layer.

[0003] In the prior art, it is generally not provided to replace the end cap, or the end cap can only be replaced at high cost. This is based on the background that a non-dissolvable two-component type is usually used as the adhesive because only in this way can the lasting stability and integrity of the adhesive connection portion be achieved under the actual operating conditions, especially in the case of heating. Soluble adhesives, such as hot melts, are only suitable when used in combination with additional fixing mechanisms, such as clips, fasteners or bolts. When replacing the end cap, in order to disassemble these fixing mechanisms, heat the adhesive and clean the adhesive residue in the groove before accommodating a new adhesive layer, an undesirably high cost is incurred. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide an alternative design of a connecting device for an end cap on a housing, which in particular provides for the replacement of the end cap.

[0005] This object is achieved by a connecting device according to claim 1. Advantageous improvements of the present invention are given in the dependent claims.

[0006] The present invention is based on a known connecting device for an end cap on a housing, which is realized by an adhesive connection portion having a circumferentially surrounding adhesive layer, and includes the technical teaching that the connecting device has a mechanism for constructing a second adhesive connection portion having a circumferentially surrounding adhesive layer between the end cap and the housing.

[0007] The basic concept of the present invention lies in considering the replaceability of the end cap during manufacturing, and the mating parts of the connecting device are configured such that two functionally equivalent adhesive joints with a surrounding adhesive layer can be constructed between them. On the factory side, a first adhesive layer is formed by using an especially insoluble adhesive, and the end cap is accommodated on the housing through this first adhesive layer to form a first adhesive joint. On the other hand, the second adhesive joint is optionally constructed only during the possible replacement of the end cap, i.e., after the first adhesive joint is disassembled by mechanical action. The mechanism for constructing the second adhesive joint especially includes a circumferentially surrounding groove for accommodating the adhesive layer on one of the mating parts, i.e., on the end cap or the housing, and a suitable mating section, such as a flange-shaped mating section, on the other mating part, where this mating section extends into the adhesive layer. Preferably, the mechanism for constructing the second adhesive joint is arranged inside the first adhesive joint, i.e., the first adhesive joint forms a seal against the operating environment.

[0008] Advantageously, therefore, with the connecting device according to the present invention, the replacement of the end cap can be achieved when needed, for example, when the end cap is damaged or in order to access the components accommodated in the housing for maintenance or replacement.

[0009] In particular, the end cap and / or the housing have circumferential flanges, which are provided for being accommodated in the respective adhesive layers to construct the respective adhesive joints. For example, the adhesive layer of the first adhesive joint is accommodated on the housing, and the end cap has a circumferential flange, which extends into the adhesive layer and thus forms the joint surface of the first adhesive joint on the end cap side.

[0010] In an advantageous embodiment, the end cap or the housing includes a connecting section having two circumferential grooves, thereby forming an outer groove and an inner groove, where the adhesive layer of the first adhesive joint is accommodated in the outer groove, and the inner groove is provided for accommodating the adhesive layer of the second adhesive joint. These two grooves especially extend parallel to each other. Associated mating sections, such as circumferentially surrounding flanges, are molded on the other mating part, and these flanges extend into the grooves. The first adhesive joint is formed by means of the adhesive layer accommodated in the outer groove (the associated flange extends into this adhesive layer). Similarly, when needed, a second adhesive joint can be constructed between the end cap and the housing by injecting an adhesive into the inner groove to form an adhesive layer surrounding the flange.

[0011] In another embodiment, the end cap and the housing each include a connecting section having a surrounding groove, thereby forming an internal groove and an external groove. Among them, the adhesive layer of the first adhesive connection portion is received in the external groove, and the internal groove is provided for receiving the adhesive layer of the second adhesive connection portion. Preferably, the outer edge of the internal groove forms a surrounding flange that extends into the external groove and the adhesive layer of the first adhesive connection portion received in the external groove. Thus, a particularly compact connecting device is formed, which, for example, occupies only a very small structural space in the vehicle body when used in a lighting device of a motor vehicle.

[0012] Advantageously, the connecting section has surrounding predetermined breaking points, and these predetermined breaking points are provided for disassembling the first adhesive connection portion. The connecting section can be separated by mechanical action along the predetermined breaking points, thereby disassembling the connecting device and the end cap can be removed for replacement.

[0013] In addition, for example, a sealing mechanism, especially a sponge rubber element, can be received in the internal groove. Thus, when the first adhesive connection portion is disassembled, the internal groove remains protected from possible contamination.

[0014] The invention also relates to a lighting device for a motor vehicle, especially a headlamp, which includes an end cap and a housing, wherein the end cap and the housing constitute a connecting device according to the invention according to one of the above embodiments.

[0015] The end cap is usually formed of polycarbonate here, and the first adhesive connection portion is based on an insoluble two-component adhesive. In addition, the connecting device according to the invention can be suitably used in a sensor device of a motor vehicle, such as a radar distance sensor for detecting the driving environment.

[0016] The invention also relates to a method for replacing the end cap of the connecting device according to the invention, which at least includes the following steps:

[0017] - Disassemble the first adhesive connection portion and remove the end cap to be replaced;

[0018] - Introduce a surrounding adhesive layer;

[0019] - Arrange a new end cap on the housing to form a second adhesive connection portion.

[0020] The first adhesive connection is removed, in particular by mechanical action, wherein the first adhesive connection is irreversibly destroyed. Preferably, for this purpose, the connection section on the end cap and / or the housing separates along a predefined breaking point, thereby forming a clean and distinct separation line. When introducing the adhesive layer for the second adhesive connection, in particular, the same type of adhesive as for the first adhesive connection can be used. After introducing the adhesive layer, the new end cap is arranged on the housing in substantially the same position as the replaced end cap, such that the engagement section, in particular in the form of a circumferential flange, is pressed into the new adhesive layer. After the adhesive layer has cured, the second adhesive connection is formed. For example, metal clips can be expediently stapled in order to fix the engagement mating parts to one another during curing. Description of the Drawings

[0021] The following, in connection with the description of the preferred embodiments of the invention and the appended Figure 1 drawings, shows in detail additional measures for improving the invention. The drawings show in schematic partial cross-sections:

[0022] Figure 1 a housing for a connecting device according to the invention;

[0023] Figure 2 a first embodiment of the connecting device;

[0024] Figure 3 a second embodiment;

[0025] Figures 4a to 4d steps of a method according to the invention;

[0026] Figure 5 a third embodiment;

[0027] Figure 6 the third embodiment after replacing the end cap. Detailed Description of the Invention

[0028] Figure 1 shows a housing 2 for a connecting device according to the invention with an end cap. The housing 2 includes a connecting section 20a having two circumferential grooves 22, 23, thereby forming an outer groove 22 and an inner groove 23. The outer groove 22 is provided for receiving the adhesive layer of the first adhesive connection, and the inner groove 23 is provided for receiving the adhesive layer of the second adhesive connection. For removing the first adhesive connection, a circumferential predefined breaking point 5 is provided in the bottom of the outer groove 22, along which the connecting section 20a can separate.

[0029] Figure 2 shows a first embodiment of a connecting device 100, which is based on according Figure 1housing 2, and the end cap 1 is received on the housing. The end cap 1 is connected to the housing 2 by a first adhesive connection portion 3 having a surrounding adhesive layer 30, wherein the adhesive layer 30 is received in an external groove 22. A surrounding flange 11 is molded on the connection section 10a of the end cap 1, and the flange extends into the external groove 22 and is received in the adhesive layer 30, thereby constructing the first adhesive connection portion 3. The flange 11 and the external groove 22 with the adhesive layer 30 surround the end cap 1 and the housing 2 especially over the entire circumference, so that the interior of the housing 2 is sealed relative to the operating environment. According to the invention, an arrangement for constructing a second adhesive connection portion with a surrounding adhesive layer is formed by an internal groove 23 and a protruding flange 12. During the replacement process, by separating the first adhesive connection portion 3 and removing the end cap 1, the internal groove 23 is exposed and accessible for being filled with a new adhesive.

[0030] Figure 3 shows a second embodiment corresponding to the first embodiment of the connecting device 100, differing in that a sealing mechanism 6, such as a sponge rubber element, is additionally received in the internal groove 23. In addition to improving the sealing of the interior of the housing 2, the sealing mechanism 6 is especially used for keeping the internal groove 23 clean, so as to provide a clean surface for the adhesive layer to be received in the second adhesive connection portion when needed. Figure 2

[0031] Figure 4a Starting from the connecting device 100 according to the first or second embodiment, shows the housing 2 after the first adhesive connection portion 3 has been disassembled and the end cap 1 to be replaced has been removed, as the first step of the method according to the invention. In order to disassemble the first adhesive connection portion 3, the connection sections 10a, 20a are separated circumferentially along a predetermined breaking point 5, for example by a fine cutting grinding wheel ("precision drilling and grinding tool (Dremel)") or a similar tool.

[0032] Figure 4b shows the state after a surrounding adhesive layer 40 has been introduced into the internal groove 23. The adhesive used here preferably corresponds to the adhesive of the original first adhesive connection portion 3, so that a second adhesive connection portion 4 that is functionally substantially equivalent can be constructed.

[0033] Figure 4c Figure 4d shows the newly formed connecting device after a new end cap 1b has been arranged on the housing 2 so as to form a second adhesive connection portion 4 by means of the flange 12 received in the adhesive layer 40. The new end cap 1b corresponds to a new component here. Alternatively, shows a newly formed connecting device in which the original end cap 1 is reused.

[0034] Figure 5 ​Shows a third embodiment of the connecting device 100, wherein the end cap 1 and the housing 2 each include connecting sections 10b, 20b having surrounding grooves 14, 24. Thereby, an external groove 14 and an internal groove 24 are formed, wherein the adhesive layer 30 of the first adhesive connection 3 is received in the external groove 14, and the internal groove 24 is provided for receiving the adhesive layer of the second adhesive connection. The connecting section 20b of the housing 2 includes a flange 21, which is received in the adhesive layer 30, and the flange 13 of the connecting section 10b extends into the internal groove 24. In order to disassemble the first adhesive connection 4, a surrounding predetermined breaking point 5 is provided, along which the connecting section 20b can be separated as desired. This third embodiment has an advantageous compact structural form.

[0035] Starting from the third embodiment of the connecting device 100 according to Figure 5 , Figure 6 the state of replacing the end cap 1b is shown. After the connecting section 20b is separated along the predetermined breaking point 5, the internal groove 24 remains to receive the adhesive layer 40 of the second adhesive connection 4.

[0036] All of the above - shown embodiments of the connecting device 100 according to the present invention are particularly suitable for use in lighting devices for motor vehicles, such as headlamps. Here, the housing is used to receive the corresponding light module, and the light emitted by the lighting device during operation exits through the end cap. With the connecting device 100 according to the present invention, the end cap 1 can be replaced using a simple mechanism, for example, when damaged by a stone impact. In addition, the replaceability of the end cap 1 enables access to the inside of the housing 2 for, for example, maintenance purposes of the light module.

[0037] List of reference numerals

[0038] 100 Connecting device

[0039] 1, 1b End cap

[0040] 10a, 10b Connecting section

[0041] 11, 12, 13 Flange

[0042] 14 External groove

[0043] 2 Housing

[0044] 20a, 20b Connecting section

[0045] 21 Flange

[0046] 22 External groove

[0047] 23 Internal groove

[0048] 24 Internal groove

[0049] 3 First adhesive connection part

[0050] 30 Adhesive layer

[0051] 4 Second adhesive connection part

[0052] 40 Adhesive layer

[0053] 5 Predetermined breaking point

[0054] 6 Sealing mechanism

Claims

1. A device (100) for connecting an end cap (1) to a housing (2), wherein: The end cap (1) is connected to the housing (2) via a first adhesive connection (3) having a circumferential adhesive layer (30), characterized in that the connecting device (100) has means for forming a second adhesive connection (4) having a circumferential adhesive layer (40) between the end cap (1) and the housing (2).

2. The connection device (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The end cap (1) and / or the housing (2) have circumferential flanges (11, 12, 13, 21) which are provided for being received in the respective adhesive layers (30, 40) to form the respective adhesive connections (3, 4).

3. The connection device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The end cap (1) or the housing (2) comprises a connecting section (20a) having two circumferential grooves (22, 23), thereby forming an outer groove (22) and an inner groove (23), wherein an adhesive layer (30) of a first adhesive connection (3) is accommodated in the outer groove (22) and the inner groove (23) is provided for accommodating an adhesive layer (40) of a second adhesive connection (4).

4. The connection device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The end cap (1) and the housing (2) respectively include connecting sections (10b, 20b) having a surrounding groove (14, 24), thereby forming an outer groove (14) and an inner groove (24), wherein an adhesive layer (30) of a first adhesive connection (3) is accommodated in the outer groove (14), and the inner groove (24) is provided for accommodating an adhesive layer (40) of a second adhesive connection (4).

5. The connection device (100) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that: The connecting sections (20a, 20b) have circumferential predetermined breaking points (5) which are provided for disassembling the first adhesive connection (3).

6. The connection device (100) according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that: The sealing means (6), in particular a sponge rubber element, is accommodated in the inner grooves (23, 24).

7. A lighting device for a motor vehicle, in particular a headlamp, comprising an end cap (1) and a housing (2), characterized in that: The end cap (1) and the housing (2) form a connecting device (100) according to any one of the above claims.

8. A method for replacing an end cap (1) of a connection device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising at least the following steps: - dismantling the first adhesive connection (3) and removing the end cap (1) to be replaced; - introducing a surrounding adhesive layer (40); and - Arranging a new end cap (1 b) on the housing (2) to form a second adhesive connection (4).

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that When the first adhesive connection (3) is disassembled, the connecting sections (20a, 20b) are separated along the predetermined breaking point (5).

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