Fastening and alignment element for attaching a body panel to the body shell of a vehicle.

Abstract

Fastening and alignment element (10, 40) for fastening and aligning a body part (12, 42), in particular a front part or a rear part, on the body shell of a vehicle, wherein the fastening and alignment element (10, 40) can be mounted on the body shell, with at least one limiting element (16) which is designed and arranged to limit movement of the body part (12, 42) during assembly in a first direction, characterized in that the at least one limiting element (16) has a support area (18) for limiting the movement of the body part (12, 42) during assembly in the first direction and a bending area (20) for bending the limiting element (16) to fasten the body part (12, 42).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a fastening and alignment element for fastening and aligning a body part, in particular a front part or a rear part, on the body shell of a vehicle.

[0002] Furthermore, the invention relates to a vehicle with a body shell and a body part, in particular a front part or a rear part, wherein the body part is attached to and aligned with the body shell of the vehicle.

[0003] Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for attaching and aligning a body part, in particular a front part or a rear part, to the body shell of a vehicle.

[0004] When assembling body panels, such as front or rear sections, onto a vehicle's body shell, it is crucial that these panels are reliably fitted with tight tolerances. Tight tolerances reduce gaps at the transitions between different body panels. This is not only desirable from an aesthetic point of view but also influences airflow patterns along the vehicle's exterior.

[0005] During assembly, the alignment of body panels is typically achieved using corresponding pins and holes that are attached to or formed on the respective body panel or the body shell. During assembly, the body panel is aligned with the body shell by inserting the pins into the holes. This process usually results in tolerances, known as body shell tolerances, which can lead to the aforementioned gaps between the various body panels.

[0006] DE 60 2004 002 074 T2 and DE 103 48 128 A1 each disclose the subject matter of the preamble of claim 1.

[0007] From DE 10 2015 206 751 A1, a fastening arrangement is known for reducing damage to the bumper and side panel and / or fender of a motor vehicle connected by a support element at low speeds. The support element comprises a first support rail that can be attached to the side panel or fender and a second support rail that can be attached to the bumper, wherein at least one retaining element is provided that detachably connects the first support rail and the second support rail to each other.

[0008] DE 10 2013 112 846 A1 relates to an arrangement for attaching a first body part to a second body part of a motor vehicle, comprising a retaining strip attached to the first body part, a retaining element attached to the second body part and corresponding with the retaining strip in such a way that the retaining element can be placed on the retaining strip and brought into a defined assembly position, in particular slidably, and a number of fastening and / or positioning means designed in such a way that the two body parts can be positioned in the assembly position in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle, in a transverse direction of the vehicle and in a vertical direction of the vehicle and can be fastened to each other forming a gap.The fastening and / or positioning means comprise a first group of fastening and / or positioning means designed for fastening and / or positioning the retaining part on the retaining strip in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, a second group of fastening and / or positioning means designed for fastening and / or positioning the retaining part on the retaining strip in the transverse and vertical directions of the vehicle, and at least a third group of fastening and / or positioning means designed for fastening and / or positioning the retaining part on the retaining strip in the transverse and vertical directions of the vehicle.

[0009] DE 10 2011 117 326 A1 relates to an arrangement of an external attachment element, in particular a bumper, on a mounting bracket element of a motor vehicle, with at least one alignment device having an alignment opening provided on the side of one element, in particular the mounting bracket element, of another element, in particular the external attachment element, which is penetrated by the alignment part to form a gap in which a fixing element can be inserted. The invention further relates to a method for arranging such a bumper on a mounting bracket element of a motor vehicle.

[0010] From DE 10 2005 051 660 B4, a device is known on a fender connected to a guide element and a positioning pin on an insert in a bumper of a motor vehicle. The positioning pin projects vertically from the insert, receives the bumper, and is partially surrounded by a profile part on the guide element for its protection. A sheet metal edge of a sheet metal leg of the fender is supported in the profile part in an assembled position of the bumper with the fender.

[0011] Furthermore, DE 197 36 755 B4 discloses a fastening arrangement for an extended profile section on a support, in particular for a side bumper cover on a support profile attached to a motor vehicle body, with interlocking sections of the profile section and the support. These sections form a longitudinal edge web on the profile section side, pointing towards the support and slidably received by a longitudinal slot on the support side. In addition to the longitudinal slot and web, the sections of the extended profile section and the support also form sliding ramps that can be slid into one another in a longitudinal direction of the extended profile section and then interlock in the transverse direction, ensuring play in the direction of the width of the longitudinal slot. These sliding ramps have the same inclinations and, as they slide into one another, force an increasing approach of the extended profile section and the support in the transverse direction.

[0012] Based on the aforementioned prior art, the invention is therefore based on the objective of providing a fastening and alignment element for fastening and aligning a body part, a vehicle with such a fastening and alignment element and a method for fastening and aligning a body part, each of the aforementioned type, which enable simple attachment and alignment of body parts on the body shell of a vehicle.

[0013] The problem is solved according to the invention by the features of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0014] According to the invention, a fastening and alignment element for fastening and aligning a body part, in particular a front part or a rear part, to the body shell of a vehicle is provided, wherein the fastening and alignment element can be mounted on the body shell, with at least one limiting element which is designed and arranged to limit movement of the body part during assembly in a first direction.

[0015] According to the invention, a vehicle is further provided with a body shell and a body part, in particular a front part or a rear part, wherein the vehicle has a fastening and alignment element as described above, and the body part is attached and aligned to the body shell of the vehicle with the fastening and alignment element.

[0016] According to the invention, a method for attaching and aligning a body part, in particular a front part or a rear part, to the body shell of a vehicle is also included, comprising the steps of attaching one of the above fastening and alignment elements to the body shell, and attaching and aligning the body part with the fastening and alignment element, wherein the body part is moved in the first direction until the at least one limiting element limits a movement of the body part.

[0017] The basic idea of ​​the present invention is therefore to enable simple alignment and fastening of the body panel to the body shell using the fastening and alignment element. Alignment in the first direction can thus be achieved without the use of pins and holes and the associated body shell tolerances. Instead, the fastening and alignment element, through its limiting element, allows positioning with tighter tolerances. Thus, the fastening and alignment element enables positioning tolerances for the body panel that are not possible with the body shell. This improves the alignment of the body panel. The fastening and alignment element can, for example, be designed as a sheet metal element, which allows for manufacturing with tight tolerances.The at least one limiting element is preferably positioned facing an inner side of the body panel so that it is not visible. In principle, it is also possible for the at least one limiting element to be formed on the body panel itself. The front or rear panel could, for example, be a fender or a side panel of the vehicle.

[0018] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the fastening and alignment element has a guide area on which the body part can be guided in the direction of the at least one limiting element. The guide area is preferably a smooth surface on which the body part can be guided in the direction of the at least one limiting element. For example, the guide area can be arranged parallel to the first direction or at a small angle to the first direction to facilitate easy guidance of the body part.

[0019] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the fastening and alignment element comprises a plurality of limiting elements which are jointly designed and arranged to limit the movement of the body part during assembly in the first direction. The plurality of limiting elements allows for a uniform limitation of the body part's movement. Tilting of the body part can be avoided by ensuring that the body part comes into contact with several limiting elements during assembly.

[0020] In the invention, the at least one limiting element has a support area for limiting the movement of the body part during assembly in the first direction and a bending area for bending the limiting element to secure the body part. The support area is preferably arranged directly on a base body of the fastening and alignment element, i.e., in a close area relative to the base body, and the bending area is preferably arranged in a distant area relative to the base body of the fastening and alignment element.

[0021] For example, the limiting element can be designed as a sheet metal element that allows bending in the bending area. Preferably, the body part has a projection or opening that is engaged or penetrated by the bending area in the bent state in order to secure the body part.

[0022] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the fastening and alignment element comprises at least one stop element, which is designed and arranged to limit movement of the body panel during assembly in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. By virtue of the at least one stop element, in addition to the at least one limiting element, the body panel can be reliably positioned in two directions, thereby achieving a desired position of the body panel with high precision. In principle, it is also possible for the at least one stop element to be formed on the body panel itself. A position in a third direction can be defined, for example, by a contact surface on the fastening and alignment element.

[0023] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the at least one limiting element and / or the at least one stop element is designed and arranged as a spring element to generate a restoring force against deflection in the corresponding first and / or second direction by the body part. The spring action thus enables automatic positioning of the body part. When the body part exceeds a desired position, the limiting element or the stop element deflects, thereby generating a restoring force for the desired positioning of the body part. For example, the entire fastening and alignment element can be made from a single sheet of metal, and the at least one limiting element and / or the at least one stop element can be designed as tabs that spring in a plane of the sheet of metal.

[0024] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the fastening and alignment element comprises at least one positioning element for positioning the body panel in the first and / or second direction against the corresponding at least one limiting element and / or the at least one stop element. The positioning element can, for example, be designed as a spring tab that causes the body panel to shift in the corresponding first and / or second direction relative to the corresponding at least one limiting element and / or the at least one stop element. This automatically brings the body panel into contact with the at least one limiting element and / or the at least one stop element in its desired position. The spring tabs can engage in a corresponding recess in the body panel.

[0025] The invention is explained below by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings and preferred embodiments, wherein the features shown below can represent an aspect of the invention both individually and in combination.

[0026] They show: Fig. 1 a representation of a fastening and alignment element according to a first, preferred embodiment in a perspective view, Fig. 2 a partial representation of the fastening and alignment element made of Fig. 1 with a body panel in a perspective view, Fig. 3 a representation of a fastening and alignment element according to a second embodiment in a perspective view, Fig. 4 a partial representation of the fastening and alignment element made of Fig. 3 with a body panel in a perspective view,

[0027] The Fig. 1 to Fig. 2 relate to a fastening and alignment element 10 according to the invention in a first, preferred embodiment.

[0028] The fastening and alignment element 10, which alone in Fig. The mounting and alignment element 10, shown in Figure 1, serves to attach and align a body part 12, which here is designed as a front section, more precisely as a fender, to a vehicle (not shown in its entirety). More precisely, the body part 12 is attached to and aligned on the vehicle's body shell via the mounting and alignment element 10. A directional arrow 14 indicates the orientation on the vehicle towards its front. The mounting and alignment element 10 is a sheet metal component.

[0029] A limiting element 16 is formed and arranged on the fastening and alignment element 10 to limit movement of the body part 12 during assembly in a first direction. The limiting element 16 is positioned towards an inner side of the body part 12.

[0030] The limiting element 16 has a support area 18 for limiting the movement of the body part 12 during assembly in the first direction and a bending area 20 for bending the limiting element 16 to secure the body part 12. The support area 18 is located directly adjacent to a base body 22 of the fastening and alignment element 10, i.e., in close proximity to the base body 22. The bending area 20 is formed by an area located far from the base body 22 of the fastening and alignment element 10. The limiting element 16 is designed as a spring-loaded sheet metal element and is arranged to generate a restoring force against deflection in the first direction by the body part 12.

[0031] Furthermore, the fastening and alignment element 10 has a guide area 24 on which the body part 12 can be guided in the direction of the limiting element 16. The guide area 24 is a smooth surface on which the body part 12 can be guided in the direction of the limiting element 16. In this embodiment, the guide area 24 is parallel to the first direction.

[0032] In addition, a plurality of pins 26 are formed on the body part 12 for positioning, which extend through holes 28 of the fastening and alignment element 10.

[0033] Furthermore, the fastening and alignment element 10 includes a stop element 30, which is designed and arranged to limit movement of the body part 12 in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction during assembly. Additionally, the fastening and alignment element 10 includes a positioning element 32 for positioning the body part 12 in the second direction against the stop element 30. The positioning element 32 is designed as a spring tab that causes the body part 12 to shift in the second direction relative to the stop element 30. The positioning element 32 engages in a corresponding recess in the body part 12.

[0034] During the assembly of the body part 12 onto the vehicle body shell, the fastening and alignment element 10 is first attached to the body shell. The body part 12 is then attached to the fastening and alignment element 10 and aligned. During this process, the body part 12 is supported on the guide area 24 and moved in the first and second directions until the limiting element 16 restricts the movement of the body part 12 in the first direction, and the stop element 30 restricts the movement of the body part 12 in the second direction.

[0035] The Fig. 3 to Fig. Section 4 relates to a fastening and alignment element 40 according to a second embodiment of the invention. The fastening and alignment elements 10, 40 of the first and second embodiments are shaped differently, but their function is largely equivalent. Therefore, the same reference numerals are used for functionally identical parts.

[0036] The fastening and alignment element 40, which alone in Fig.Figure 3 shows a mounting and alignment element 40 used to attach and align a body part 42, which is designed here as a rear section, more precisely as a side section, to a vehicle. The rear section 42 is attached to and aligned with the vehicle's body shell via the mounting and alignment element 40. A directional arrow 14 indicates the orientation on the vehicle relative to its front. The mounting and alignment element 40 is a sheet metal component.

[0037] The fastening and alignment element 40 has a plurality of limiting elements 16 formed and arranged to limit movement of the body part 12 during assembly in a first direction. The limiting elements 16 are positioned in a direction towards an inner side of the body part 42.

[0038] The limiting elements 16 each have a support area 18 for limiting the movement of the body part 42 during assembly in the first direction and a bending area 20 for bending the respective limiting element 16 to secure the body part 42. The support area 18 is located directly adjacent to a base body 22 of the fastening and alignment element 40, i.e., in close proximity to the base body 22. The bending area 20 is located further away from the base body 22 of the fastening and alignment element 40. The limiting elements 16 are designed and arranged as spring-loaded sheet metal elements to generate a restoring force against deflection in the first direction by the body part 42.

[0039] Furthermore, the fastening and alignment element 40 has a guide area 24 on which the body part 42 can be guided in the direction of the limiting element 16. The guide area 24 is a smooth surface on which the body part 42 can be guided in the direction of the limiting element 16. In this embodiment, the guide area 24 is parallel to the first direction.

[0040] During the assembly of the body part 42 onto the vehicle body shell, the fastening and alignment element 40 is first attached to the body shell. The body part 42 is then attached to the fastening and alignment element 40 and aligned. During this process, the body part 42 is supported on the guide area 24 and moved in the first direction until the limiting element 16 restricts the movement of the body part 42 in that direction. Reference symbol list: 10 Fastening and alignment elements 12 Body part, front part, fender 14 Directional arrow 16 Boundary element 18 Support area 20 bending range 22 Basic shapes 24 Management area 26 pin 28 holes 30 stop element 32 Positioning element 40 Fastening and alignment elements 42 Body part, rear part, side part

Images