Holding clip and gripping device for gripping and orienting such holding clip

Abstract

The invention relates to a holding clip (1) having a gripping region (10) which has two positioning elements (15, 16) which face away from each other. The positioning element (15, 16) has at least one slope (17, 18) on the periphery, which slope is complementary to the slope (21, 22) of the gripping jaw (6, 7) of the gripping device (3). Thus, during gripping, the holding clip (1) can be easily gripped, oriented and centered.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a holding clip with a gripping region which is configured to be gripped by a clamping device. Furthermore, the invention relates to a clamping device for clamping and orienting one holding clip according to any of the preceding claims, the clamping device having two clamping jaws which are movable relative to one another.

[0002] Holding clips with a clamping device are known, for example, from EP 3796493 A1. The holding clip has a pine tree profile for attachment to another component, and an attachment bar. The attachment bar serves as an attachment wire element. The clamping device clamps the holding clip to the attachment bar, so that the end of the latter protrudes. However, the disadvantage is that the holding clip can be displaced or held in different positions in the clamping device.

[0003] Furthermore, holding clips and a tool for placing the holding clips are known from DE 19633058 A1. The holding clip has two handles, each with a wrapping for attachment to another component. The tool has a channel into which the holding clip is inserted, so that the handles are compressed. Thereby, the possible shape of the holding clip is limited. Furthermore, the holding clip can be twisted in the tool, so that a precise positioning cannot be guaranteed.

[0004] The invention is based on the problem of further developing the initially described type of holding clip, so that the holding clip is reliably centered and oriented when clamped using a clamping device. Furthermore, a clamping device is to be created which allows a reliable orientation and centering of the holding clip when the holding clip is clamped in place.

[0005] According to the invention, the first problem described above is solved in that the gripping region has at least one positioning element which protrudes or is recessed, at least one slope extends over the entire circumference of the at least one positioning element, and the at least one slope is inclined with respect to the axis of the positioning element.

[0006] By means of this embodiment, the gripping region is separated from the other components of the holding clip. Thus, the regions of the holding clip which lie outside the gripping region can be configured in almost any desired manner. This separation allows the production of a holding clip which is standardized for different functional criteria in the gripping region, such as a bracket for a wire section or the attachment of components, for example components of a motor vehicle, to a structure. Thanks to the invention, the shape of the gripping region is such that the slopes of the gripping region can be configured to correspond to the slopes of the clamping device. The slopes can optionally extend linearly or be arched. During the gripping, and thus during the clamping using the clamping device, the holding clip is reliably centered and oriented.

[0007] According to a further advantageous further development of the invention, the holding clip is designed in a particularly simple manner if the protruding positioning element has an arched conical or pyramidal shape.

[0008] If the material thickness of the retaining clip is sufficient, according to another advantageous further development of the invention, if the recessed positioning element has a funnel shape, a protruding positioning element can be easily avoided.

[0009] According to another advantageous further development of the invention, the retaining clamp has a particularly simple design if at least one positioning element is configured to be non-circular in cross-section. With this embodiment, at least one positioning element allows for easy gripping by means of a ramp and correspondingly shaped gripping claws. Due to the non-circular configuration of the positioning element, the retaining clamp can be easily held without rotation. In its simplest case, at least one positioning element is configured to be rectangular in cross-section.

[0010] According to another advantageous further development of the invention, if the retaining clip has positioning elements on its opposite sides, a particularly tilt-resistant grip can be ensured.

[0011] According to another advantageous further development of the invention, if the axes of the two positioning elements are aligned, the positioning elements can withstand a large force.

[0012] According to another advantageous further development of the invention, if at least one positioning element protrudes from the attachment rod for attaching to the wire element, it helps to further simplify the design structure of the retaining clip.

[0013] According to another advantageous further development of the invention, if the gripping area of ​​the retaining clip is symmetrically configured with two similar positioning elements, the retaining clip can be gripped in any desired orientation. With this embodiment, it is not necessary to orient the retaining clip in the clamping device.

[0014] It should be possible to grasp the asymmetrical retaining clip in the correct position using the clamping device. According to another advantageous further development of the invention, if the gripping area of ​​the retaining clip is configured asymmetrically, the orientation of the retaining clip in the clamping device can be easily ensured, wherein this orientation is intended. For example, an asymmetrical configuration of the gripping area can be obtained by having the gripping area with only one positioning element or having different positioning elements on different sides.

[0015] According to the invention, the second problem mentioned above (i.e., creating a clamping device that can reliably orient and center the clamp during placement) is solved by having at least one clamping claw with a clamping element configured to correspond to a positioning element of the retaining clip.

[0016] With this configuration, the gripping device and the retaining clamp are shaped in their adjacent areas in such a way that, during gripping, the gripping element supports the positioning element in each spatial direction. Thus, the retaining clamp can reliably orient and center itself during gripping and holding.

[0017] According to another advantageous further development of the invention, if at least one clamping element has a slope that has a structure complementary to the slope of the retaining clamp, the clamping device has a particularly simple structure in design.

[0018] According to another advantageous further development of the invention, reliable anti-tilt clamping of the retaining clamp can be easily achieved if the direction of movement of the clamping element extends along the axial direction of at least one positioning element during gripping.

[0019] According to another advantageous further development of the invention, if each gripper has a gripping element, the retaining clamp can be gripped particularly reliably.

[0020] This invention allows for various embodiments. To further illustrate its basic principles, two embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, which will be described below. The drawings show...

[0021] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a device for mounting retaining clips on in-line components.

[0022] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Enlarged view of a portion of the clamping device and the retaining clamp of the equipment.

[0023] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A side view of the clamping device during the gripping and holding process.

[0024] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A top view of the clamping device during the gripping and holding process.

[0025] Figure 5 This is another embodiment of the retaining clamp and clamping device.

[0026] Figure 1A device for placing a retaining clip 1 on a wire element 2 (shown in dashed lines) is shown, using a clamping device 3 for the retaining clip 1. The clamping device 3 has two clamping claws 6 and 7 respectively arranged on disc elements 4 and 5. The disc elements 4 and 5 have a central recess 8 for the wire element 2 and an opening 9 for introducing the wire element 2. Thus, the disc elements 4 and 5 with the opening 9 are configured in a C-shape. The disc elements 4 and 5 can rotate relative to each other, thereby moving the clamping claws 6 and 7 toward or away from each other. In order to move the retaining clip 1 relative to the wire element 2 in a planned orientation, the disc elements 4 and 5 can rotate synchronously with the retaining clip 1. In addition, the disc elements 4 and 5 can move in a guide (not shown) perpendicular to the axis of the wire element 2.

[0027] Figure 2 Displayed at a larger scale Figure 1 The clamping device 3 includes clamping claws 6 and 7, and a retaining clip 1 before clamping. The retaining clip 1 has a gripping area 10, a functional area 11 with two attachment rods 12 and 13, and a fastening portion 14. The fastening portion 14 serves to fasten the retaining clip 1 to a structure (not shown), such as a body panel of a motor vehicle, and has a hook-shaped profile. Alternatively, as known in the prior art, the fastening portion 14 can also be a pine tree profile or have a handle with a wrapping. The attachment rods 12 and 13 serve as contacts. Figure 1 The wire element 2 is shown in the diagram. The wire element 2 can be attached to these attachment rods 12, 13 using, for example, adhesive tape. Alternatively, the functional area 11 may also have engagement tools or clamps for attaching to other components.

[0028] The gripping area 10 has two positioning elements 15 and 16 that face away from each other and protrude from each other. The positioning elements 15 and 16 are arranged on a common axis shown by a dashed line. Furthermore, the positioning elements 15 and 16 have a rectangular shape in cross-section resembling a pyramidal stump, with slopes 17 and 18 extending along their entire perimeter. Due to their rectangular shape, the positioning elements 15 and 16 are constructed to be non-circular.

[0029] The gripping jaws 6 and 7 of the gripping device 3 have gripping elements 19 and 20, which are configured to correspond to the positioning elements 15 and 16 of the retaining clamp 1. The gripping elements 19 and 20 have slopes 21 and 22 configured to complement the slopes 17 and 18 of the retaining clamp 1. The gripping elements 19 and 20 press against the positioning elements 15 and 16 along their axial direction to grip the retaining clamp 1. Due to the complementary shapes of the gripping elements 19 and 20 and the positioning elements 15 and 16, the retaining clamp 1 is reliably gripped, centered, and oriented during gripping. The gripping elements 19 and 20 have slits 23 and 24 guided to the slopes 21 and 22, thereby allowing for slight elasticity.

[0030] Figure 3 andFigure 4 The two views show the state when the retaining clip 1 is held in place by the clamping device 3. The retaining clip 1 is held by the clamping device 3 on each spatial axis.

[0031] Figure 5 Another embodiment of the retaining clip 101 and the clamping device 103 is shown, which is consistent with... Figures 1 to 4 The difference is that the retaining clip 101 has a functional area 111 with a cable tie 125. To ensure the retaining clip 101 is held in the correct position, the gripping area 110 has two different positioning elements 115, 116 configured asymmetrically. (See attached...) Figure 2 As described, one of the positioning elements 115 is configured to protrude on one side of the gripping area 110. The positioning element 116 on the other side is configured to be recessed and has a funnel shape. The gripping device 103 has gripping elements 119 and 120 configured to complement the positioning elements 115 and 116. (The last sentence appears to be incomplete and possibly refers to a different context.) Figures 2 to 4 As in the embodiments, the slopes 119 and 120 of the clamping elements 106 and 107 and the slopes 117 and 118 of the positioning elements 115 and 116 extend over their entire circumference.

Claims

1. A holding clamp (1, 101) having a gripping area (10, 110) which is configured to be gripped by a clamping device (3, 103), characterized in that The gripping region (10, 110) has at least one protruding or recessed positioning element (15, 16, 115, 116), at least one slope (17, 18, 117, 118) extends over the entire circumference of the at least one positioning element (15, 16, 115, 116), and the at least one slope (17, 18, 117, 118) is inclined relative to the axis of the positioning element (15, 16, 115, 116).

2. The retaining clip of claim 1, wherein The protruding positioning element (15, 16, 115) has an arched, conical or pyramidal shape.

3. The retaining clip of claim 1 or 2, wherein, The recessed positioning element (116) has a funnel shape.

4. Retaining clip according to at least one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The at least one positioning element (15, 16, 115, 116) is configured to be non-circular in cross-section.

5. Retaining clip according to at least one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The holding clip (1, 101) has a positioning element (15, 16, 115, 116) on each of two sides facing away from each other.

6. Retaining clip according to at least one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that The axes of the two positioning elements (15, 16, 115, 116) are aligned.

7. Retaining clip according to at least one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that The at least one positioning element (15, 16) protrudes from an attachment bar (12, 13) for attachment to a wire element (2).

8. Retaining clip according to at least one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that The gripping region (10) of the holding clip (1) is symmetrically configured with two similar positioning elements (15, 16).

9. Retaining clip according to at least one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that The gripping region (110) of the holding clip (101) is asymmetrically configured.

10. A clamping device (3, 103) for clamping and orienting a holding clip (1, 101) according to any one of the preceding claims, the clamping device (3, 103) having two clamping jaws (6, 7, 106, 107) movable relative to each other, characterized in that At least one of the gripping jaws (6, 7, 106, 107) has a gripping element (10, 20, 119, 120) configured to correspond to the positioning element (15, 16, 115, 116) of the holding clip (1, 101).

11. The clamping device of claim 10, wherein The at least one gripping element (10, 20, 119, 120) has a slope (21, 22, 121, 122) configured to complement the slope (17, 18, 117, 118) of the holding clip (1, 101).

12. The clamping device according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that During gripping, the direction of movement of the gripping element (10, 20, 119, 120) extends along the direction of the axis of the at least one positioning element (15, 16, 115, 116).

13. The clamping device according to at least one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that Each of the gripping jaws (6, 7, 106, 107) has a gripping element (10, 20, 119, 120).

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