Snap connection

Abstract

A snap connection (16) for attaching a second unit (14, 18) to a first unit (14, 18) by snapping a snap-in element (22) provided on the first unit (14, 18) with an engaging element (20) provided on the second unit (14, 18), wherein the engaging element (20) comprises: a claw (28) designed to restrict the movement of the second unit (14, 18) relative to the first unit (14, 18) in a distance direction, an elastic support (30) designed to hold the claw (28) so that it is movable in a release direction in which the claw (28) is released from the latching with the locking element (22), wherein the release direction intersects the removal direction, and an actuating section (38) which is provided on the elastic carrier (30) and is designed to release a locking of the engaging element (20) with the locking element (22), wherein the actuating section (38) has at least a part (40) which overlaps the claw (28) in the remote direction, characterized in that the actuating section (38) is designed to project beyond the locking element (22) in a direction opposite to the release direction, that the claw (28) has a first length (L1) extending in the release direction, and that the actuating section (38) is designed to project a second length (L3) which is equal to or greater than the first length (L1) in a direction opposite to the release direction beyond the detent element (22).

Description

Background of the invention; Field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a snap-fit ​​connection. Description of the state of the art

[0002] Snap-fit ​​assembly is a technique for joining two elements, as described in JP 2002 - 106 533 A.

[0003] US 2010 / 0015821A1 discloses a snap-fit ​​connection for locking a first element to a second element, wherein the first element has an engaging element and the second element has a latching element. The engaging element has a detent projection and an actuating section. During engagement, the detent projection engages a detent lug of the latching element, and the actuating section is received in an opening of the latching element. Actuating the actuating section in a release direction releases the detent, allowing the engaging element to move perpendicular to the release direction.

[0004] WO 2017 / 134 766 A1 shows a snap-fit ​​connection with an engaging element and a detent element. The engaging element comprises a detent projection and an actuating section. When the engaging element and the detent element engage, the detent projection contacts a detent lug of the detent element.

[0005] US 7,878,822 B2 discloses a snap-fit ​​connection with a detent element and an engaging element. The detent element includes detent lugs configured to engage with detent projections of the engaging element. The engaging element further comprises an actuating section.

[0006] US 6 992 901 B1 discloses a shielding device for electronic equipment with a latching connection and JP 2001 - 308 555 A discloses a housing with a snap-fit ​​connection. Summary of the invention

[0007] A snap-fit ​​connection allows two elements to easily lock together. However, with some snap-fit ​​designs, releasing this connection can be difficult. For example, the snap-fit ​​connection described in JP 2002-106533A must be destroyed or deformed to release the lock. Once a snap-fit ​​connection is destroyed, it cannot be reused. Even if a snap-fit ​​connection is released from its locked state by deforming it, this can be time-consuming and require considerable effort. In particular, such deformation requires a significant force.

[0008] It is therefore an object of the present invention to propose a snap connection which ensures an easy operation for releasing the snap connection from the latched state.

[0009] This problem is solved by the snap-fit ​​connection with the features of claim 1 and the connection system with the features of claim 6. Preferred embodiments of the invention are set forth in the dependent claims.

[0010] The present invention provides a snap connection which ensures an easy process for releasing the snap connection from the locked state.

[0011] The above and further tasks, features and advantages of the present invention will become even clearer from the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated by way of example. Brief description of the drawings Fig. Figure 1A is a perspective view of a control unit and a display unit according to an embodiment, Fig. 1B is a perspective view of the same elements from a different viewpoint than the one shown. Fig. 1A, Fig. 2 is a top view of the control and display unit according to the embodiment, Fig. Figure 3 is a perspective view (state 1) of a snap connection according to the embodiment, Fig. 4 is a section along line IV-IV in Fig. 3, Fig. Figure 5 is a perspective view (state 2) of the snap connection according to the embodiment, and Fig. 6 is a section through the snap connection along line IV-IV in Fig. 3, when an actuating element of the embodiment is pressed. Description of preferred embodiments

[0012] The present invention is described in more detail below with reference to a preferred embodiment and the accompanying drawings. The directions described below follow the arrows shown in the drawings. [Version]

[0013] Fig. Figure 1A is a perspective view of a controller 10 and a display unit 12 in one embodiment. Fig. 1B is a perspective view of these elements from a different angle than the one in Fig. 1A. Fig. Figure 2 is a top view of the control unit 10 and the display unit 12 of the embodiment.

[0014] The controller 10 is, for example, a numerical controller that performs a calculation function. According to the present embodiment, the controller 10 has a housing 14 (second unit) that accommodates a printed circuit board or the like with an electrical circuit mounted thereon. The controller 10 is mounted on a housing (chassis) 18 (first unit) of a display unit 12, which, according to the present embodiment, has a display screen (not shown) via a snap-fit ​​connection 16.

[0015] The snap connection 16 consists of an engaging element 20, which is provided on the housing 14 of the controller 10, and a latching element 22, which is provided on the housing 18 of the display unit 12 and is designed to latch with the engaging element 20. Note that an engaging element 20 can also be provided on the housing 18 of the display unit 12 and a latching element 22 on the housing 14 of the controller 10.

[0016] In this embodiment, an engaging element 20 is provided on both the first and second surfaces 24 and 26 of the housing 14 of the controller 10, while two snap-in elements 22 are provided on the housing 18 of the display unit 12 such that they correspond to the positions of the engaging elements 20 on the housing 14 of the controller 10. The number of engaging elements 20 formed on each of the first and second surfaces 24 and 26 can be two or more.

[0017] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, in the present embodiment the engaging elements 20 are arranged such that the snap connection 16 on the first surface 24 and the snap connection 16 on the second surface 26 are positioned offset from each other in the front-to-back direction (arrangement direction). This configuration makes it easier for the user to recognize and verify the correct orientation when attaching the housing 14 of the controller 10 to the housing 18 of the display unit 12. This allows the user to easily attach the housing 14 of the controller 10 to the housing 18 of the display unit 12. In some cases, the engaging element 20 provided on the first surface 24 and the engaging element 20 provided on the second surface 26 can be positioned such that the engagement elements 20 are not offset from each other.

[0018] The snap-fit ​​connection 16 of the present embodiment will now be explained in more detail. For the sake of simplicity, a description will be given of the engaging element 20, which is arranged on the first surface 24 of the housing 14 of the control unit 10, and of the latching element 22, which engages the aforementioned engaging element 20 in the Fig. 1A and Fig. 1B is assigned. Note that the description also applies similarly to the elements on the second surface 26 if the orientations, i.e. the front, back, left and right directions, are reversed.

[0019] Fig. Figure 3 is a perspective view (state 1) of the snap connection 16 according to the embodiment. Fig. 4 is a section along line IV-IV in Fig. 3. Fig. Figure 5 is a perspective view (state 2) of the snap connection 16 of the embodiment. Fig. Figure 5 shows a state in which the housing 14 of the controller 10 and the housing 18 of the display unit 12 are released from the latched state.

[0020] The engaging element 20 has two claws 28 (a first claw 28a and a second claw 28b) which prevent the housing 14 of the controller 10 from moving upwards or in the direction in which it is being moved away from the housing 18 of the display unit 12. Furthermore, the engaging element 20 has an elastic support 30 provided on the housing 14 of the controller 10 to support the first and second claws 28a, 28b.

[0021] The first and second claws 28a, 28b are arranged separately from each other. Furthermore, the first and second claws 28a, 28b are configured to be symmetrical to each other in a planar view, i.e., when the snap connection 16 is viewed from the left in the drawing. Accordingly, the first and second claws 28a, 28b have the same length in the front-back direction and the same length in the left-right direction. Hereinafter, the length of claw 28 in the left-right direction is also referred to as the "first length L1" (see Figure 1). Fig. 4) If it is not necessary to distinguish between the first claw 28a and the second claw 28b, both claws are also simply referred to as "claw 28".

[0022] The elastic support 30 is an elastic element that extends downwards from the housing 14 of the controller 10 to the housing 18 of the display unit 12 and has a length L2. The elastic support 30, being elastic, can be easily bent to the right when a force F directed to the right is applied to it (see Figure 1). Fig. 6), and is difficult to break, even when bent. Thus, the elastic support 30 carries the claw 28 in such a way that it can be moved to the right, i.e., in a direction that intersects the removal direction of the housing 14, and in a release direction in which the claw is released from the detent with the locking element 22. In the present embodiment, a distal end 32 of the elastic support 30 carries the claw 28, but the claw 28 can also be carried by a section of the elastic support 30 other than the distal end 32.

[0023] The elastic support 30 has a cut-out section 36 which is shaped such that it extends downwards by a defined length from a base 34 of the elastic support 30 (cf. Fig. 4 and Fig. 6) Providing the cut-out section 36 facilitates the bending of the elastic beam 30. The shape of the cut-out section 36, including its specified length, can be modified as needed. In some cases, the elastic beam 30 may not have a cut-out section 36.

[0024] The elastic support has an actuating section 38 of the snap connection 16. The actuating section 38 has a defined thickness relative to the left-right direction. The actuating section 38 is positioned between the two claws 28. Therefore, at least a portion 40 of the actuating section 38 overlaps the two claws 28 in the distance direction. In other words, the claws 28 and the portion 40 of the actuating section 38 are spaced a distance L2 in the distance direction from the base 34 of the elastic support 30. The portion 40 of the actuating section 38 that overlaps the claws 28 in the distance direction can be marked so that the user can easily distinguish it.

[0025] The locking element 22 consists of two plate-shaped columns 42 extending upwards from the housing 18 of the display unit 12, and a pair of receiving sections 44 (a first receiving section 44a and a second receiving section 44b) extending towards each other in the left-right direction from the respective columns 42. The first receiving section 44a and the second receiving section 44b have the same length in the front-back direction. Furthermore, the first receiving section 44a and the second receiving section 44b are separated from each other by an intervening vertical slot 46. If there is no subsequent need to distinguish between the first receiving section 44a and the second receiving section 44b, they are also simply referred to as "receiving section 44".

[0026] The first claw 28a is engaged with the first receiving section 44a. The second claw 28b is engaged with the second receiving section 44b. When the claw 28 is engaged with the receiving section 44, the positional relationship between the claw 28 and the receiving section 44 is such that the claw 28 is located on the lower side and the receiving section 44 on the upper side. Thus, the engaging element 20 and the locking element 22 are locked together. Furthermore, the movement of the housing 14 of the control unit 10 in the away direction from the housing 18 of the display unit 12 is restricted by the claws 28. Note that the shape of the column 42 and the receiving section 44 can be modified as appropriate. Additionally, the locking element 22 can have a recessed section instead of the receiving section 44, into which the claw 28 is inserted.

[0027] The first claw 28a and the second claw 28b of the embodiment are symmetrical to each other, with the actuating section 38 located between them. The first receiving section 44a and the second receiving section 44b have the same length in the front-to-back direction. Therefore, when the claws 28 are engaged with the receiving sections 44, an approximately equal load is applied to the first claw 28a and the second claw 28b in the present embodiment. This reduces the probability of a large load being applied to only one of the two claws 28, thus reducing the risk of damage to the claws 28.

[0028] The actuating section 38 is positioned in the slot 46 when the claws 28 of the engaging element 20 are hooked with the receiving sections 44 of the locking element 22. In this state, the actuating section 38, which has a defined thickness in the left-right direction, projects beyond the locking element 22 to the left or in a direction opposite to the release direction by a second length L3, which is equal to or greater than the first length L1 (“second length L3” ≥ “first length L1”).

[0029] Fig. 6 is a section through the snap connection 16 along line IV-IV in Fig. 3, when the actuating section 38 of the embodiment is pressed.

[0030] The user can press the actuating section 38 from the left side. A force F directed to the right acts on the actuating section 38 when it is pressed from the left. When the force F directed to the right is applied to the actuating section 38, the elastic support 30 bends to the right. This separates the claws 28, which are supported by the elastic support 30, from the receiving sections 44 and releases the latch between the engaging element 20 and the locking element 22. Thus, in this embodiment, the latch between the engaging element 20 and the locking element 22 is simply released by applying the force F directed to the right to the actuating section 38.

[0031] From a levering perspective, the snap connection 16 in the present embodiment is also configured such that the part 40 (point of action) of the actuating section 38, as well as the claws 28, are spaced a distance L2 from the base 34 (pivot point) of the elastic support 30. Therefore, compared to a case where the actuating section 38 is closer to the base 34 of the elastic support 30 than the claws 28, it is easier to bend the elastic support 30 further with less force.

[0032] As described above, in the present embodiment, the actuating section 38 also projects to the left of the locking element 22 by a second length L3. This allows the user to simply push part 40 of the actuating section 38 to the right by the second length L3 with their hand (finger) without using a special tool (e.g., a special clamping device). The user can, for example, intuitively push part 40 of the actuating section 38 by the second length L3 to push the actuating section 38 until their finger, which is pushing the actuating section 38, touches the locking element 22. The second length L3 is equal to or greater than the first length L1. Therefore, the user can simply move the claws 28 to the right by more than the first length L1 to release the locking between the engaging element 20 and the locking element 22.

[0033] By moving the housing 14 of the controller 10 in the remote direction in the state in which the latching between the engaging element 20 and the latching element 22 is released, the housing 14 of the controller 10 is removed from the housing 18 of the display unit 12, as shown in Fig. Figure 5 shows that when the housing 14 of the control 10 is moved in the remote direction, the actuating section 38 moves along the slot 46. Therefore, the movement of the actuating section 38 in the remote direction is not obstructed by the detent element 22. [Modified examples]

[0034] Although the above embodiment has been described as an example of the present invention, it is understood that various modifications or improvements to the embodiment can be made. It also follows from the scope of the claims that the embodiment supplemented by such modifications and improvements is encompassed by the technical scope of the invention.

[0035] For example, in this embodiment, the first claw 28a and the second claw 28b are arranged symmetrically to each other, with the actuating section 38 positioned between them from the left. However, the first claw 28a and the second claw 28b need not necessarily be symmetrical to each other if the actuating section 38 is positioned between them from the left. Similarly, the first receiving section 44a and the second receiving section 44b need not necessarily be symmetrical to each other, nor does the actuating section 38 need to be positioned between them from the left. For example, the first claw 28a and the first receiving section 44a can be made shorter in the front-to-back direction than in this embodiment, while the second claw 28b and the second receiving section 44b can be made longer in the front-to-back direction than in this embodiment. [Invention resulting from the embodiment]

[0036] Inventions derived from the above embodiment and the modified examples are described below.

[0037] In the snap-fit ​​connection (16) for attaching a second unit (14, 18) to a first unit (14, 18) by engaging a snap-fit ​​element (22b) provided on the first unit (14, 18) with an engaging element (20) provided on the second unit (14, 18), the engaging element (20) comprises: a claw (28) configured to restrict the movement of the second unit (14, 18) relative to the first unit (14, 18) in a distance direction; an elastic support (30) configured to support the claw (28) so that it is movable in a direction intersecting the distance direction and in a release direction in which the claw is released from the snap-fit ​​with the engaged element (22); and an actuating section (38) provided on the elastic support (30). and is designed to release a locking action of the engaging element (20) with the locking element (22),wherein the actuating section (38) has at least a part (40) that overlaps the claw (28) in the remote direction.

[0038] This configuration provides a snap connection (16) which ensures a simple operation to release the latch.

[0039] The claw (28) can be supported by a distal end (32) of the elastic carrier (30). Thus, the claw (28) and the actuating section (38) are located furthest from the base (34) (of the second unit 14, 18) of the elastic carrier (30) in the distal direction. Therefore, a small force is sufficient to bend the elastic carrier (30).

[0040] The engaging element (20) can have two claws (28), the actuating section (38) can be arranged such that the part (40) is positioned between the two claws (28), and the locking element (22) can be designed to engage with the two claws (28). This configuration can reduce the risk of an event in which only one of the claws (28) is separated to a large extent from the locking element (22), while the other is not separated far enough from the locking element (22).

[0041] The two claws (28) can be arranged symmetrically to each other, with the actuating section (38) positioned between the claws. This configuration allows a load to act evenly on the two claws (28), which engage with the locking element (22).

[0042] The locking element (22) can have a slot (46) extending in the removal direction, and the actuating section (38) can be arranged in the slot (46) when the engaging element (20) and the locking element (22) engage with each other. This configuration reduces the risk of the locking element (22) obstructing the movement of the actuating section (22) in the release direction.

[0043] The actuating section (38) can be designed such that it projects beyond the detent element (22) in a direction opposite to the release direction. This makes it possible to simply press the actuating section (38).

[0044] The claw (28) can have a first length (L1) extending in the release direction, and the actuating section (38) can be designed to project beyond the detent element (22) by a second length (L3) equal to or greater than the first length (L1) in the direction opposite to the release direction. This makes it easier for the user to press the actuating section (38) further than the first length (L1) in the release direction.

[0045] The second unit (14, 18) can have at least two engagement elements (20), each of which has the actuating section (38), and the first unit (14, 18) can have at least two detent elements (22) that correspond to the positions of the engaging elements (20). This makes it possible to attach the second unit (14, 18) more securely to the first unit (14, 18).

[0046] The second unit (14, 18) can have a first surface (24) and a second surface (26) facing each other and separated by a distance. The first surface (24) and the second surface (26) can each have one of the engaging elements (20), and the engaging element (20) on the first surface (24) and the engaging element (20) on the second surface (26) can be offset from each other on the first surface (24) and the second surface (26) in the direction of arrangement that intersects the direction of separation. This makes it easier for the user to recognize and verify the correct orientation of the fastening of the first unit (14, 18) relative to the second unit (14, 18).

[0047] One of the first and second units (14, 18) can be a housing (14) of a controller (10) and the other can be a housing (18) of a display unit (12). This makes it possible to easily attach the controller (10) to the display unit (12) and to easily remove the controller (10) from the display unit (12).

Claims

[1] A snap connection (16) for attaching a second unit (14, 18) to a first unit (14, 18) by snapping a snap-in element (22) provided on the first unit (14, 18) with an engaging element (20) provided on the second unit (14, 18), wherein the engaging element (20) comprises: a claw (28) designed to restrict the movement of the second unit (14, 18) relative to the first unit (14, 18) in a distance direction, an elastic support (30) designed to hold the claw (28) so that it is movable in a release direction in which the claw (28) is released from the latching with the locking element (22), wherein the release direction intersects the removal direction, and an actuating section (38) which is provided on the elastic carrier (30) and is designed to release a locking of the engaging element (20) with the locking element (22), wherein the actuating section (38) has at least a part (40) which overlaps the claw (28) in the remote direction, characterized by , that the actuating section (38) is designed to project beyond the locking element (22) in a direction opposite to the release direction, that the claw (28) has a first length (L1) extending in the release direction, and that the actuating section (38) is designed to project a second length (L3) which is equal to or greater than the first length (L1) in a direction opposite to the release direction beyond the detent element (22). [2] The snap connection (16) according to claim 1, wherein the claw (28) is supported by a distal end (32) of the elastic carrier (30). [3] The snap connection (16) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the claw (28) of the engaging element (20) has two claws (28), wherein the actuating section (38) is arranged such that the part is positioned between the two claws (28), and wherein the locking element (22) is designed to lock into each of the two claws (28). [4] The snap connection (16) according to claim 3, wherein the two claws (28) are arranged so that they are symmetrical to each other and the actuating section (38) is arranged between the claws (28). [5] The snap connection (16) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the locking element (22) has a slot (46) extending in the remote direction, and wherein the actuating section (38) is arranged in the slot (46) when the engaging element (20) and the locking element (22) lock together. [6] A connection system comprising a first unit (14, 18), a second unit (14, 18) and the snap connection (16) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the engaging element (20) of the second unit (14, 18) has at least two engaging elements (20) each having the actuating section (38), and wherein the locking element (22) of the first unit (14, 18) has at least two locking elements (22) such that they are assigned positions of the engaging elements (20). [7] The connection system according to claim 6, wherein the second unit (14, 18) has a first surface (24) and a second surface (26) which are facing each other and are spaced apart from each other, wherein the first surface (24) and the second surface (26) each have at least one of the interlocking elements (20), and wherein the engaging element (20) provided on the first surface (24) and the engaging element (20) provided on the second surface (26) are offset from each other in an arrangement direction which intersects the distance direction on the first surface (24) and the second surface (26). [8] The connection system according to one of claims 6 or 7, wherein one of the first and second units (14, 18) is a housing of a controller (10) and wherein another of the units (14, 18) is a housing of a display unit (12).

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