Protective element and component arrangement

Abstract

Protective element, in particular elastic protective element, comprising a tubular or hose-shaped base body, wherein the base body has a first fastening section on which a fastening means is arranged or can be arranged, and wherein the base body forms or comprises an additional element which covers the first fastening section at least partially.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a protective element, in particular an elastic protective element, and a component arrangement.

[0002] Protective elements of the type in question are used for placement between components that are movably mounted relative to one another. Their task is to protect the components, or the space between the components, or components arranged there, from external influences such as dirt or the like. Such protective elements are typically attached to the respective components with a form-fitting and / or force-fitting connection. For various reasons, it may be necessary for this attachment to be invisible.

[0003] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a protective element and a component connection, wherein the actual fastening of the protective element to the respective component is as invisible as possible.

[0004] This object is achieved by a protective element according to claim 1 and by a component connection according to claim 7. Further advantages and features emerge from the subclaims as well as the description and the attached figures.

[0005] According to the invention, a protective element, in particular an elastically designed protective element, comprises a tubular or hose-shaped base body, wherein the base body has a first fastening section on which a fastening means is or can be arranged on the outside, and wherein the base body forms or comprises an additional element which covers the first fastening section at least in regions. The term “covered” is to be understood in particular to mean that the first fastening section and the fastening means arranged thereon are at least partially invisible, preferably not completely visible, on the fully installed protective element. In other words, the first fastening section or the fastening means is shielded by the additional element. This not only achieves an attractive external appearance.The first fastening section, or the fastening element located there, can also be protected from external influences such as dirt. In addition, a very tight connection of the protective element to the component can be achieved, as the fastening is carried out "conventionally." The fastening element is preferably arranged circumferentially on the fastening section and acts radially inward toward the respective component.

[0006] Typically, the base body has a second fastening section. A fastening means is also arranged or can be arranged on this section. An additional element can also be formed in the area of ​​the second fastening section. Depending on the design of the protective element, it is quite possible for it to have several additional fastening sections, whereby additional elements can also be formed in the area of ​​these fastening sections.

[0007] The base body preferably forms the additional element integrally. This means that the protective element as such is formed in one piece, i.e., is not composed of multiple components or the like. The base body is preferably formed from an elastic material, or at least partially formed from an elastic material, such as a rubber material or a plastic material. The base body is produced, for example, by injection molding or extrusion.

[0008] Preferably, the additional element on the base body is formed as a circumferential extension or as a circumferential lip or tab, which is arranged radially spaced from the first or respective fastening section. The protective element extends, for example, along a longitudinal axis L. The fastening sections are formed, for example, as round, oval, or even circular, but optionally also angular extensions, on which the fastening means are arranged or can be arranged on the outside. A force can expediently be generated via the fastening means, directed radially inward, which presses the respective fastening sections against a corresponding section of the respective component.Relative to the aforementioned longitudinal axis, the additional element(s) is / are advantageously arranged somewhat further outward than the fastening sections and dimensioned such that it covers the respective fastening sections or the fastening means arranged there. Space is created between the additional element and the respective fastening section for the arrangement of the fastening means.

[0009] The fastening means can, as already mentioned, be arranged “conventionally”. For fastening sections as described above, cable ties or hose clamps are suitable, for example, although these examples are not intended to be exhaustive. These can conveniently be attached safely and reliably to the protective element. The additional element, like the entire protective element, is elastic or connected to the base body and can be moved or folded outwards without effort, thereby freeing access to the respective fastening section. Advantageously, such a protective element can therefore be arranged tightly and, on the other hand, can also be checked retrospectively without great effort, in particular to ensure that the fastening means is properly attached.

[0010] According to a preferred embodiment, the protective element is a bellows or is designed in the manner of a bellows. A bellows is a protective element that is deformable, at least in some areas, in an accordion-like manner.

[0011] The invention also relates to a component arrangement comprising a first component and a second component, which are arranged so as to be movable relative to one another, and wherein a protective element according to the invention is arranged between the components. The protective element is fastened to the first component and to the second component via its fastening sections. In the region of at least one fastening section, an additional element is expediently formed, which covers the respective fastening section or the fastening means arranged there or shields it from the outside. It is therefore not visible.

[0012] Conveniently, the first component has an extension to which the first fastening section of the protective element is fastened, and wherein the additional element covers the extension.

[0013] According to a preferred embodiment, the first component and the additional element are designed congruently with one another such that the additional element rests flush or flat against the first component. This not only achieves an attractive appearance, but also protects the underlying fastening means or the respective fastening section from external influences, such as dirt. The fastening means or the fastening section can be accessed from beneath the additional element, for example, by folding it back or away.

[0014] As already mentioned, the components are arranged so that they can move relative to each other. If the two components move relative to each other, the elastic protective element can deform. The two components can also be arranged so that they can move relative to each other. This means that one component is mounted on the other, for example, via a correspondingly designed and oriented axis of rotation.

[0015] According to one embodiment, a shaft runs within the components. The components are thus designed to enclose the shaft, at least in part.

[0016] According to a preferred embodiment, the components are part of a swing arm of a motor vehicle, such as a motorcycle, wherein the shaft is a cardan shaft. The protective element provides good protection for the cardan shaft, which runs within the components, since the fastening sections of the protective element are easily accessible and can thus be securely fastened. Cable ties or hose clamps are preferably used as fastening elements. At the same time, the fastening area can be shielded or concealed by the additional element, which, on the one hand, achieves an attractive external appearance. Depending on the embodiment, additional elements can also be provided on both fastening sections of the protective element.

[0017] Further advantages and features emerge from the following description of an embodiment of a protective element or a component arrangement with reference to the attached figures.

[0018] They show: Fig. 1: an embodiment of a component arrangement in section; Fig. 2: those from the Fig. 1 known representation in a side or external view.

[0019] Fig. 1 shows a sectional view of an embodiment of a component arrangement comprising a first component 10 and a second component 20. A protective element comprising a base body 30 is arranged between the components 10 and 20. The protective element comprises a first fastening section 31 and a second fastening section 32, which bear against corresponding extensions 12 and 22 of the components 10 and 20. The fastening is effected via fastening means 40. These can be, for example, hose clamps or cable ties, etc. In the region of the first fastening section 31, an additional element 34 is advantageously formed, which covers or overlaps the first fastening section 31 and the fastening means 40 arranged there, in particular shields it. The components 10 and 20 are arranged such that they can move relative to one another. The components 10 and 20 can also be arranged such that they can move relative to one another.This is schematically indicated by the axis of rotation indicated by the reference symbol D, about which the component 20 can be rotatably mounted on the first component 10. However, the first component 20 is only shown in sections here, so that the actual connection of the component 20 to the component 10 is not visible in this case. The entire component arrangement extends along a longitudinal axis L. A shaft, for example, is arranged along this axis. According to a preferred embodiment, the components 10 and 20 are, for example, components of a swing arm of a motorcycle. A cardan shaft, for example, extends along the longitudinal axis L.

[0020] Fig. 2 shows the Fig.1 shows a known component arrangement in an external view, i.e., not in section. It can be seen that the additional element 34 conceals the underlying attachment of the protective element. The second attachment section 32 and the fastening means 40 arranged there are visible from the outside. Access can be made possible, for example, by folding the additional element 34 open or back. It is possible to check whether the fastening means is correctly attached, etc. The external arrangement of the protective element on the respective components 10 and 20 enables a tight, in particular watertight, connection of the protective element and thus excellent protection against external influences. List of reference symbols 10 first component 12 extension 20 second component 22 extension 30 basic bodies 31 first fastening section 32 second fastening section 34 Additional element 40 fasteners D axis of rotation L Longitudinal axis

Claims

[1] Protective element, in particular an elastic protective element, comprising a tubular or hose-shaped base body (30), wherein the base body (30) has a first fastening section (31) on which a fastening means (40) is arranged or can be arranged, and wherein the base body (30) forms or comprises an additional element (34) which covers the first fastening section (31) at least in regions. [2] Protective element according to claim 1, wherein the base body (30) integrally forms the additional element (34). [3] Protective element according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the base body (30) is formed from an elastic material. [4] Protective element according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the additional element (34) completely covers the first fastening section (31). [5] Protective element according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the additional element (34) is designed as a circumferential extension or as a circumferential lip or tab which is arranged radially spaced from the first fastening section (31). [6] Protective element according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the protective element is a bellows, and wherein the fastening means (40) is a cable tie or a hose clamp. [7] Component arrangement, comprising a first component (10) and a second component (20) which are arranged to be movable relative to one another, and wherein a protective element according to one of the preceding claims is arranged between the components (10, 20). [8] Component arrangement according to claim 7, wherein the first component (10) has an extension (12) to which the first fastening section (31) is fastened, and wherein the additional element (34) covers the extension (12). [9] Component arrangement according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the additional element (34) lies flush with the first component (10). [10] Component arrangement according to one of claims 7 to 9, wherein a shaft runs within the components (10, 20). [11] Component arrangement according to claim 10, wherein the components are components of a swing arm of a motorcycle, and wherein the shaft is a cardan shaft.

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