Adapter component, component assembly and vehicle

Abstract

Adapter component (100) for a vehicle (1), comprising a base body (10) with a vehicle coupling section (11) for mechanically coupling the base body (10) to the vehicle (1) and a vehicle component fastening section (12) for fastening a vehicle component (200) to the base body (10), wherein the base body (10) has at least one predetermined breaking point (13), wherein the vehicle component fastening section (12) is configured on a first side of the base body (10) and the predetermined breaking point (13) is configured on a second side of the base body (10), characterized in that the first side is an opposite side of the base body (10) facing away from the second side, wherein the predetermined breaking point (13) is configured as a recess in the base body (10).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an adapter component for a vehicle, comprising a base body with a vehicle coupling section for mechanically coupling the base body to the vehicle, and a vehicle component fastening section for fastening a vehicle component to the base body.

[0002] Vehicle components with predetermined breaking points are known in the prior art. DE 10 2005 020 200 A1 discloses a component consisting of at least two plastics and intended in particular for use as an interior component in vehicles. According to a method described in DE 10 2005 020 200 A1, a base body is to be manufactured in a first step. This base body is provided with a recess into which the second plastic is injected. This part is referred to as an insert and is to be provided with a predetermined breaking point. A projection is formed in the insert, which forms a predetermined breaking point for the passage of an inflating airbag. Adapter components of this type are shown in DE 10 2009 049 361 A1 and DE 100 01 444 A1.

[0003] In the future, customers will be able to design and install vehicle components, such as interior and exterior parts, within certain frameworks, using 3D printing, for example. This requires that certain safety requirements are met. For example, it must be ensured that self-made, pointed, or sharp attachments do not cause injuries to people in or on the vehicle.

[0004] The object of the present invention is to at least partially address the problems described above. In particular, the object of the present invention is to provide an adapter component and a component assembly that enables customized production of add-on parts while adhering to defined safety standards.

[0005] The above object is achieved by the patent claims. In particular, the above object is achieved by the adapter component according to claim 1, the component assembly according to claim 6, and the vehicle according to claim 8. Further advantages of the invention emerge from the subclaims, the description, and the drawings. Features and details described in connection with the adapter component naturally also apply in connection with the component assembly according to the invention, the vehicle according to the invention, and vice versa, so that with regard to the disclosure of the individual aspects of the invention, reference is or can always be made to each other.

[0006] According to a first aspect of the present invention, an adapter component for a vehicle is provided. The adapter component comprises a base body. The base body comprises a vehicle coupling section for mechanically coupling the base body to the vehicle. Furthermore, the base body comprises a vehicle component fastening section for fastening a vehicle component to the base body. According to the invention, the base body comprises at least one predetermined breaking point.

[0007] In the adapter component according to the invention, the predetermined breaking point is designed on the base body and not, as is sometimes known in the prior art, on the add-on part. This makes it possible for customers to manufacture add-on parts of any design, for example in the form of 3D-printed parts, and to install them safely in the vehicle. A customized 3D-printed part can thus be fixedly positioned on an adapter component according to the invention or the base body, while the position of the predetermined breaking point always remains the same regardless of the positioning of the 3D-printed part. This means that the 3D-printed part can always fail at the same point via the adapter component in the event of a crash. In this way, crash and planning reliability on the one hand and customer individuality on the other are compatible.

[0008] The predetermined breaking point is designed as a recess in the base body. A predetermined breaking point is a structural element provided by a design, mechanical, or physical measure or configuration. In the event of damage or overload, the predetermined breaking point will fail in a targeted and predictable manner, thereby minimizing potential damage to the adapter component and, in particular, to the vehicle, or achieving a predefined function. The predetermined breaking point is preferably designed in the form of a notch or another recess in the base body.

[0009] The vehicle component is preferably an exterior or interior component. The vehicle component can be understood as an additive component and / or a printed component for printing onto the base body.

[0010] The adapter component is preferably designed for use in a motor vehicle, in particular in a passenger vehicle, but is not limited thereto.

[0011] According to a further development of the present invention, the base body is made of plastic or substantially of plastic. This allows the base body or adapter component to be provided cost-effectively. The adapter component is also particularly lightweight. Customer-specific 3D-printed parts can also be printed onto a plastic component particularly easily. The vehicle component attachment section can have a predefined roughness for this purpose. The roughness can be realized in the form of a predefined groove, scale, crest, and / or groove structure.

[0012] It may be further advantageous if, in an adapter component according to the invention, the vehicle component fastening section has at least one undercut section. The undercut section can be understood as a projection with at least one undercut. The vehicle component can be attached to the undercut section particularly easily in the form of an add-on part without removing the adapter component from the vehicle.

[0013] Furthermore, in an adapter component according to the present invention, the vehicle coupling section may have at least one locking element for locking the vehicle coupling section to the vehicle. The locking element makes it particularly easy to couple the adapter component to the vehicle.

[0014] Within the scope of the present invention, it has been found that it is advantageous if the vehicle component fastening section is configured on a first side of the base body and the vehicle coupling section is configured on a second side of the base body, wherein the first side is a side of the base body facing away from, in particular opposite, the second side. Because the vehicle component fastening section is located on a different side than the vehicle coupling section, mechanical interactions between the vehicle component fastening section and the vehicle coupling section can be kept to a minimum. Tests within the scope of the invention have shown that the vehicle component can be mounted particularly securely on the vehicle if the first side is a side of the base body opposite the second side.Opposite sides are sides of the body that point away from each other in different directions, comparable to opposite sides of a cube.

[0015] Furthermore, in an adapter component according to the invention, the vehicle component fastening section is configured on a first side of the base body and the predetermined breaking point is configured on a second side of the base body, wherein the first side is a side of the base body facing away from, and opposite to, the second side. Because the vehicle component fastening section is located on a different side than the predetermined breaking point, mechanical interactions between the vehicle component fastening section and the vehicle coupling section can be minimized. Tests within the scope of the invention have shown that the predetermined breaking point can be particularly effectively protected against accidental destruction if the first side is a side of the base body opposite the second side.

[0016] According to a further aspect of the present invention, a component assembly comprising an adapter component and a vehicle component is provided, wherein the adapter component is configured as described in detail above. The vehicle component is preferably a 3D-printed part.

[0017] The present invention further extends to a vehicle having an adapter component as described above, wherein the adapter component is coupled to the vehicle, in particular via the vehicle coupling section of the base body.

[0018] Thus, both the component assembly and the vehicle offer the same advantages as those described in detail with reference to the adapter component according to the invention. In particular, a motor vehicle can be provided in which customers can add their own 3D-printed parts within a high degree of design freedom while still maintaining a defined safety standard.

[0019] Further measures improving the invention will become apparent from the following description of various exemplary embodiments of the invention, which are schematically illustrated in the figures. All features and / or advantages apparent from the claims, the description, or the drawings, including structural details and spatial arrangements, may be essential to the invention both individually and in various combinations.

[0020] They show schematically: Fig. 1 is a sectional view through a vehicle with an adapter component according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 2 a sectional view through a vehicle with an adapter component according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Elements with the same function and mode of action are listed in the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 are each provided with the same reference numerals. The present invention is described by way of example using an adapter component for fastening an interior component in a vehicle interior. However, the invention should not be considered limited thereto.

[0022] Fig. 1 shows a sectional view through a vehicle 1 with a vehicle interior 2. The vehicle 1 is coupled to an adapter component 100. The adapter component 100 can therefore be understood as an integral part of the vehicle 1. The adapter component 100 has a base body 10 made of plastic. The base body has a vehicle coupling section 11 in the form of two locking pins for mechanically coupling the base body 10 to the vehicle 1. In addition, the base body 10 has a vehicle component fastening section 12 in the form of a fastening surface for fastening a vehicle component 200 to the base body 10. In addition, a wedge-shaped predetermined breaking point 13 is formed on the base body 10.

[0023] The vehicle component fastening section 12 is configured on a first side of the base body 10 and the vehicle coupling section 11 is configured on a second side of the base body 10, wherein the first side is a side of the base body 10 facing away from and opposite the second side.

[0024] The predetermined breaking point 13 is also formed on the second side of the base body 10. Accordingly, the predetermined breaking point 13 is also arranged opposite or facing away from the vehicle component fastening section 12.

[0025] In Fig. 1 further shows a component assembly 1000 comprising the adapter component 100 and a vehicle component 200 which is coupled to the adapter component 100 and configured in the form of an interior component in the vehicle interior 2.

[0026] In Fig.Figure 2 describes an adapter component 100 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. According to this embodiment, the vehicle component fastening section 12 has two undercut sections 14. The undercut sections 14 are each configured in the form of a projection having an undercut. A vehicle component 200 in the form of a 3D-printed part to be fastened to the base body 10 can thus be easily pushed onto the vehicle component fastening section 12 and secured in place. List of reference symbols 1 vehicle 2 Vehicle interior 10 basic bodies 11 Vehicle coupling section 12 Vehicle component fastening section 13 Predetermined breaking point 14 Undercut section 100 adapter components 200 vehicle components 1000 component composite

Claims

[1] Adapter component (100) for a vehicle (1), comprising a base body (10) with a vehicle coupling section (11) for mechanically coupling the base body (10) to the vehicle (1) and a vehicle component fastening section (12) for fastening a vehicle component (200) to the base body (10), wherein the base body (10) has at least one predetermined breaking point (13), wherein the vehicle component fastening section (12) is configured on a first side of the base body (10) and the predetermined breaking point (13) is configured on a second side of the base body (10), characterized by that the first side is a side of the base body (10) facing away from the second side, wherein the predetermined breaking point (13) is designed as a recess in the base body (10). [2] Adapter component (100) according to claim 1, characterized by that the base body (10) consists of plastic or essentially of plastic. [3] Adapter component (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the vehicle component fastening section (12) has at least one undercut section (14). [4] Adapter component (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the vehicle coupling section (11) has at least one locking element for lockingly connecting the vehicle coupling section (11) to the vehicle (1). [5] Adapter component (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by in that the vehicle component fastening section (12) is configured on a first side of the base body (10) and the vehicle coupling section (11) is configured on a second side of the base body (10), wherein the first side is a side of the base body (10) facing away from, in particular opposite, the second side. [6] Component assembly (1000) with an adapter component (100) and a vehicle component (200), wherein the adapter component (100) is designed according to one of the preceding claims. [7] Component assembly (1000) according to claim 6, characterized by that the vehicle component (200) is a 3D printed part. [8] Vehicle (1), in particular motor vehicle, with an adapter component (100) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the adapter component (100) is coupled to the vehicle (1), in particular via the vehicle coupling section (11) of the base body (10).

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