Fastening device for a vehicle part, fastening system with such a fastening device, motor vehicle and method for fastening a vehicle part

Abstract

A fastening device (100) for a vehicle part (18) is proposed. The fastening device (100) comprises a sheet metal strip (20) with an opening (24) and a frame (22) that can be attached to the sheet metal strip (20). The frame (22) has at least one notch (13) with a rear wall and at least one side wall, a hook (10) arranged in the rear wall of the notch (13), and at least one clip device (12a, 12b) arranged in the at least one side wall of the notch (13). The hook (10) defines an engagement direction (z) and is configured to engage in the opening (24) of the sheet metal strip (20). The notch (13) is arranged in a butt direction (x) perpendicular to the engagement direction (z).The notch (13) is designed to receive the sheet metal strip (20), in particular to receive it in a form-fitting manner, and to counteract movement of the frame (22) relative to the sheet metal strip (20) in the third spatial direction (y) perpendicular to the hooking direction (z) and the impact direction (x). Furthermore, the at least one clip device (12a, 12b) is designed to counteract movement of the frame (22) relative to the sheet metal strip (20) in the impact direction (x) up to a predefined impact force (S).

Description

[0001] The invention generally relates to the field of fastening methods for one or more vehicle parts. More specifically, the invention relates to a fastening device for a vehicle part, a fastening system comprising such a fastening device, a motor vehicle comprising such a fastening system, and a method for fastening a vehicle part to a vehicle.

[0002] In a motor vehicle, numerous vehicle parts are mounted and / or attached to the exterior of the vehicle. For example, a fresh air flap is mounted in the front area of ​​a vehicle. In this case, a fresh air flap is an element through which air can flow, through which ambient air is specifically directed to a radiator module arranged behind it in order to remove heat from the vehicle's cooling circuit. Elements or vehicle parts mounted on the exterior of the vehicle, such as a fresh air flap, can be exposed to impacts, for example in the event of a crash or if the vehicle is parked incorrectly. If an impact occurs against such a vehicle part, this can quickly lead to damage to the vehicle part itself and / or the vehicle part arranged behind it. Damage can occur in particular if the impact force of such an impact can be transmitted to the vehicle parts.

[0003] DE 10 2016 205 853 A1 proposes an arrangement of a fresh air flap which reduces the risk of damage to the fresh air flap and a cooler module arranged behind it in the event of forces acting in the vehicle's longitudinal direction against the direction of travel.

[0004] From DE 10 2010 002 373 A1 an air device for a motor vehicle is known, which provides that the air flap is rotatably mounted on a support structure so that an impact force can be absorbed.

[0005] DE 10 2019 113 161 A1 describes another air flap system which provides for the air flap to be attached to a vehicle frame using an elastic element.

[0006] From DE 10 2007 019 481 A1 a front-end module for a vehicle to which a pedestrian protection cross member is assigned is known.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to at least partially remedy the disadvantages described above when fastening a vehicle part. In particular, the object of the present invention is to reduce and, in particular, to minimize damage that can occur in the event of an impact against the exterior of a vehicle. It is also the object of the present invention to provide a fastening device for a vehicle part which makes it possible to protect the vehicle part and / or vehicle parts arranged behind it from damage in the event of an impact against the exterior of the vehicle, in particular to protect vehicle parts from damage.

[0008] The above object is achieved by a fastening device having the features of claim 1, by a fastening system having the features of claim 10, by a motor vehicle having the features of claim 11 and by a method for fastening a vehicle part to a motor vehicle having the features of claim 12. Further features and details of the invention emerge from the subclaims, the description and the drawings. Features and details described in connection with the fastening device according to the invention naturally also apply in connection with the fastening system according to the invention, the motor vehicle and / or the method and vice versa, so that with regard to the disclosure of the individual aspects of the invention, reference is or can always be made reciprocally.

[0009] Embodiments of the invention can advantageously provide a fastening device for a vehicle part which enables damage to the vehicle part to be minimized.

[0010] A first aspect of the present invention relates to a fastening device for a vehicle part. The fastening device comprises a sheet metal strip with an opening and a frame attachable to the sheet metal strip. The frame has at least one notch with a rear wall and at least one side wall, a hook arranged in the rear wall of the notch, and at least one clip device arranged in the at least one side wall of the notch. The hook defines a hooking direction and is configured to hook into the opening of the sheet metal strip. The at least one clip device is arranged predominantly parallel to a joint direction. The joint direction is preferably predominantly perpendicular to the hooking direction.The notch is configured to receive the sheet metal strip, in particular to receive it in a form-fitting manner, and to counteract movement of the frame relative to the sheet metal strip in the third spatial direction running perpendicular to the hooking direction and the impact direction. Furthermore, the at least one clip device is configured to counteract movement of the frame relative to the sheet metal strip in the impact direction up to a predefined impact force.

[0011] In other words, a recess or notch can be provided in the frame of the fastening device, which has a rear wall and at least one side wall, preferably two side walls. In the context of the present disclosure, a notch can be a depression, an offset, or the like. The sheet metal strip can be received in such a depression or offset, so that the frame can be held by the sheet metal strip in a predefined position. To hold the frame in a predefined position, various holding elements can be provided, wherein at least a clip device and a hook can be provided as the holding element. Thanks to such a holding element, the frame can be prevented from moving in all three spatial directions. The hook can counteract vertical movement, i.e., movement in the hooking direction, in particular towards the floor.This means that the frame can be held against downward movement by means of the hook. The notch, or the depression or cut in the frame, itself can act against lateral movement, since laterally, i.e., the sheet metal strip rests laterally against the side wall of the notch. A vertical movement can correspond to a movement along the hooking direction, i.e., the z-direction. A lateral movement can correspond to a movement along the third spatial direction, i.e., the y-direction. The at least one clip device can counteract a frontal movement, i.e., a forward movement of the frame relative to the sheet metal strip, wherein the clip device can counteract up to a predefined impact force. The impact force can have a vector component in all three spatial directions, but preferably has its largest vector component in the impact direction, i.e., in the x-direction., essentially perpendicular to a surface that can be spanned by the vehicle part.

[0012] In the context of the present disclosure, the frame may be a support element or connecting element. If the fastening device is arranged on the front of the vehicle, the third spatial direction, i.e., the y-direction, may also be referred to as a transverse direction of the vehicle. The hooking direction, i.e., the z-direction, may be referred to as a vertical direction of the vehicle.

[0013] The sheet metal strip can be a vehicle element that is part of the vehicle and / or is attached to a cross member. The sheet metal strip can be L-shaped, with the longer web of the L-shaped sheet metal strip being designed to be received in the notch and the smaller web of the L-shaped sheet metal strip being designed to be attached to a cross member or side member of the vehicle.

[0014] Such a fastening device can advantageously absorb the forces of a shock or impact, minimizing damage to the vehicle component. Such a fastening device allows the vehicle component to be released when an impact or shock occurs, minimizing damage.

[0015] In addition, such a fastening device and in particular the hook of the frame can absorb forces in the hooking direction, i.e. in the z-direction during driving.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the fastening device, the notch has two side walls. Furthermore, at least two clip devices are provided, which are each arranged opposite one another in a side wall of the notch in the third spatial direction, in particular arranged opposite one another in such a way that the sheet metal strip can be arranged, in particular in a form-fitting manner, between the two clip devices.

[0017] In other words, the notch can be U-shaped, with the two webs / legs of the U-shaped notch corresponding to the two side walls of the notch. A clip device can be arranged in each of the two side walls of the notch of the frame. The two side walls of the notch can be spaced apart from one another such that the distance is equal to or greater than the width of the sheet metal strip. Alternatively or additionally, the rear wall of the notch can have the same or greater width than the width of the sheet metal strip. In the present case, the width refers to a span or a dimension in the third spatial direction, i.e., in the lateral direction.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the fastening device, the at least one clip device and in particular the at least two clip devices is / are designed to buckle and / or bend when the predefined impact force is exceeded.

[0019] In other words, the clip device(s) can be configured to be elastic in the third spatial direction. In particular, the clip device(s) can be flexibly mounted on the respective side wall of the notch. A recess can also be provided in the corresponding side wall of the notch, so that the corresponding clip device can be pressed into the recess upon bending. The clip device can therefore be configured to be lever-like.

[0020] This advantageously prevents the impact force from being absorbed by the vehicle component. The impact force can be absorbed at least partially by bending the clip device(s).

[0021] According to one possible embodiment of the fastening device, the notch has at least one centering element in the at least one side wall, which is configured to receive the sheet metal strip in a centered manner in the notch. This advantageously allows the sheet metal strip to be received in the notch in a form-fitting manner.

[0022] According to a possible further embodiment of the fastening device, the notch further comprises a stop surface. The sheet metal strip, and in particular the end face of the sheet metal strip, are configured to rest against the stop surface. This can facilitate, in particular, the assembly of the frame to the sheet metal strip or vice versa. This, in turn, enables precise positioning of the frame relative to the sheet metal strip or vice versa.

[0023] According to one embodiment of the fastening device, the notch has an insertion bevel. The insertion bevel can serve to easily connect the frame to the sheet metal strip, or vice versa.

[0024] According to an alternative or additional embodiment of the fastening device, the frame is formed as a single piece and / or as an injection-molded part. This can enable simple manufacturing of the frame and provide an improved fastening device.

[0025] According to an alternative or additional embodiment of the fastening device, the sheet metal strip has a fastening hole for fastening the sheet metal part to the frame. The frame can also have a fastening hole, whereby both fastening holes can be aligned with each other when the sheet metal strip lies in the notch or the end face of the sheet metal strip lies on the stop surface of the notch. The fastening hole of the sheet metal strip can serve to accommodate a fastener for fastening the sheet metal strip to the frame. This can prove particularly advantageous if an impact force has already occurred against the fastening device and / or the vehicle part and the clip device(s) have been bent, because then additional fastening of the frame to the sheet metal strip can be achieved thanks to the fastening hole. The fastening hole can be used in the event of repairs.

[0026] According to a further alternative or additional embodiment of the fastening device, the at least one clip device and in particular the at least two clip devices each have a bevel configured to define the predefined impact force. In the context of the present disclosure, the bevel of the clip device can refer to a rounded or oriented surface of the clip device, which enables the sheet metal strips to trigger a bending or lateral movement of the clip device(s). This advantageously enables damage to the vehicle part to be minimized by releasing the frame from the sheet metal strip.

[0027] A second aspect of the present invention relates to a fastening system. The fastening system comprises the fastening device, as described above and below, and a vehicle part that is fastened to the frame, in particular in the frame. The vehicle part is, in particular, an air duct, such as a fresh air flap.

[0028] All advantages which have been explained with reference to the fastening device according to the first aspect of the present invention apply equally to the fastening system according to the second aspect of the present invention.

[0029] To connect the vehicle part, in particular the air duct, to the frame, the frame and / or the vehicle part can have connecting elements and / or contact areas. In particular, the frame and the vehicle part have the largest possible contact area. This enables the transmission of large forces between the vehicle part, in particular the fresh air flap, and the frame. The frame can transmit these forces to the clip device(s) of the fastening device, whereby, if the predefined impact force is exceeded, the forces can be absorbed by bending the clip device(s), thus releasing the frame.

[0030] A third aspect of the present invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising at least one fastening system as described above and below.

[0031] All advantages which have been explained with respect to the fastening device according to the first aspect of the present invention and / or with respect to the fastening system according to the second aspect of the present invention apply equally to the fastening system according to the third aspect of the present invention.

[0032] A fourth aspect of the present invention relates to a method for fastening a vehicle part, in particular for releasably fastening a vehicle part, to a motor vehicle by means of a fastening device, as described above and below. The method comprises the following steps: • Inserting the sheet metal strip into the at least one notch in the frame, in particular using a centering element. The sheet metal part can be inserted (initially) at an angle relative to a surface spanned by the frame into the notch. For this purpose, an insertion bevel can be provided in the upper area (relative to gravity) of the notch, for example. • Hooking the metal strip with the frame hook in the hooking direction. For this purpose, the hook can protrude from the back wall of the notch and / or protrude from the back wall of the notch. The hook can form a surface inclined toward the back wall. Such an inclined surface of the hook can also serve as a guide surface when hooking the metal strip. • Clipping the sheet metal strip into at least one clip device of the frame in the direction of impact.

[0033] When an impact force occurs that is greater than a predefined impact force, a movement of the frame in the impact direction is triggered, and the at least one clip device bends in the third spatial direction.

[0034] All advantages which have been explained in relation to the fastening device according to the first aspect of the present invention, in relation to the fastening system according to the second aspect of the present invention and / or in relation to the motor vehicle according to the third aspect of the present invention apply equally to the fastening system according to the fourth aspect of the present invention.

[0035] It should be noted that the steps of the method can occur at least partially simultaneously. Furthermore, the frame can be moved by the operator relative to the sheet metal strip. The steps of the method can refer to relative movements of the sheet metal strip to the frame or vice versa.

[0036] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description, in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in detail with reference to the drawings. The features mentioned in the claims and in the description may be essential to the invention individually or in any combination.

[0037] In the following, embodiments of the invention are described with reference to the figures. They show: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a fastening system according to an embodiment, and Fig. 2 a schematic representation of a motor vehicle in a side view according to an embodiment.

[0038] Similar, similarly acting, identical, or identically functioning elements are provided with the same reference numerals in the figures. The figures are merely schematic and not to scale.

[0039] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a fastening system according to an embodiment. The fastening system comprises a fastening device 100 and a vehicle part 18. Although in the embodiment of the Fig. 1, the vehicle part 18 of the fastening system is an air duct 19, other vehicle parts 18 are conceivable for the fastening system. In particular, this refers to vehicle parts 18 that are attached to the exterior of the motor vehicle 200 and may be subjected to an impact force S from a collision.

[0040] The fastening device 100 has a sheet metal strip 20 with an opening 24 and a frame 22 that can be fastened to the sheet metal strip 20. The frame 22 can be said to be in an assembled state when it is fastened to the sheet metal strip 20. The frame 22, which can be formed as a single piece as an injection-molded part, has a notch 13 that can be L-shaped, for example, if it is arranged laterally on the frame 22, or U-shaped. With an L-shaped notch 13, it can prove advantageous to provide two such notches 13, for example, on the two lateral sides of the frame 22. The notch 13 can be an offset or a recess. The notch 13 therefore has a rear wall and at least one side wall. The rear wall of the notch 13 is preferably arranged in the impact direction x, ie, in the x-direction, offset from a surface spanned by the frame 22.In other words, the notch 13 is arranged in the abutment direction x, which runs perpendicular to a hooking direction z. The notch 13 is designed to receive the sheet metal strip 20, preferably in a form-fitting manner. A hook 10 is arranged in or on the rear wall of the notch 13. The hook 10 is preferably an injection-molded part and forms an inclined surface 21 that is inclined towards the rear wall. The inclined surface 21 can serve to guide the sheet metal strip 20 into the notch 13 of the frame 22 when assembling or fastening the frame 22 with the sheet metal strip 20. The hook 10 therefore defines a hooking direction z. In other words, the hook 10 specifies a hooking direction z of the sheet metal strip 20 and / or the frame 22. The hook 10 is designed to hook into the opening 24 of the sheet metal strip 20. The opening 24 of the sheet metal strip 20 is therefore adapted to the size of the hook 10.

[0041] In the assembled state, a movement of the frame 22 relative to the sheet metal strip 20 in the third spatial direction y, also called the lateral direction, running perpendicular to the hooking direction z and the impact direction x, can be prevented by means of the notch 13 or by the reception of the sheet metal strip 20 in the notch 13. In other words, the notch 13 is designed to counteract a movement of the frame 22 relative to the sheet metal strip 20 in the lateral direction.

[0042] In the embodiment of the Fig. 1, the notch 13 is U-shaped and therefore has two side walls. A clip device 12a, 12b is arranged on each of the two side walls of the notch 13. In the view of Fig. 1, a left clip device 12a and a right clip device 12b can be mentioned. The two clip devices 12a, 12b are configured to counteract a movement of the frame 22 relative to the sheet metal strip 20 in the impact direction x up to a predefined impact force S. For this purpose, the two clip devices 12a, 12b are arranged predominantly parallel to the impact direction x. In other words, the two clip devices 12a, 12b can have a longitudinal structure that extends predominantly parallel to the impact direction. Furthermore, the clip devices 12a, 12b are configured to releasably fasten the frame 22 to the sheet metal strip 20 in the impact direction x. Thanks to the clip devices 12a, 12b, the frame 22 can be released from its attachment to the sheet metal strip 20 if the predefined impact force S is exceeded. This allows damage to the frame 22 and / or the vehicle part 18 to be limited in the event of an impact.In this way, vehicle parts 18 which are located in the direction of impact x behind the air duct 19 or fresh air flap and / or the frame 22 can also be protected from damage.

[0043] To facilitate the release of the fastening of the frame 22 to the sheet metal strip 20, each of the two clip devices 12a, 12b may be provided with a bevel 21 or a rounded surface. This allows the predefined impact force S to be defined or adjusted. The two clip devices 12a, 12b of the Fig. 1 can bend if the predefined impact force S is exceeded. The two clip devices 12a, 12b can bend towards the corresponding side wall so that the distance between the bent clip devices 12a, 12b in the y-direction corresponds at least to the width in the y-direction of the sheet metal strip 20. In this way, the frame 22 can be released from the sheet metal strip 20. The side walls of the notch 13 can be designed such that the clip devices 12a, 12b can bend or press into the side walls. Recesses or incisions can be provided for this purpose. Furthermore, the clip devices 12a, 12b can have a bending arm or a lever arm. The predefined impact force S can also be defined via such a bending arm and / or lever arm.The easier the clip devices 12a, 12b can be bent or deformed, the smaller the predefined impact force S at which the frame 22 can be released from the sheet metal strip 20.

[0044] Notch 13 of the Fig. 1 further comprises four centering elements 16, wherein two centering elements 16 are provided per side wall. The centering elements 16 are designed to center the sheet metal strip 20 in the notch 13 y-direction. The notch 13 further comprises a stop surface 17 with three guide ribs or guide means 15. The sheet metal strip 20 and in particular the end face, ie, in the view of Fig. 1, the lower side of the sheet metal strip 20, is (are) configured to rest on the stop surface 17. This can also predetermine the position of the sheet metal strip 20 in the z-direction. When the sheet metal strip 20 rests on the stop surface 17, the hook 10 is hooked into the opening 24 of the sheet metal strip 20. The guide ribs can serve to support the worker when assembling or fastening the frame 22 to the sheet metal strip 20 or vice versa, so that, for example, blind assembly is possible. As support for assembling or fastening the frame 22 to the sheet metal strip 20 or vice versa, an insertion bevel 11 can be provided in the notch 13, in particular in the rear wall of the notch 13. This makes it possible to define an insertion angle when mounting the frame 22 on the sheet metal strip 20 or vice versa, with which the sheet metal strip 20 can be pushed into the notch 13 or the frame 22 can be pushed up on the sheet metal strip 20.

[0045] Should an impact force S exceeding the predefined impact force S have acted on the fastening system and the frame 22 and in particular the clip device(s) 12a, 12b have been damaged as a result, the frame 22 can still be fastened to the sheet metal strip 20 using a fastening hole 14. This represents an exceptional case, but can nevertheless ensure that the frame 22 can be fastened to the sheet metal strip 20, or vice versa, in any case. The fastening hole 14 can be designed to accommodate a fastening means, in particular a screw.

[0046] Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of a motor vehicle 200 in a side view according to an embodiment. The Fig. The fastening system described in 1 is located within the Fig. 2 front part of the motor vehicle 200 marked with a dashed line.

[0047] Additionally, it should be noted that the terms "comprising" and "having" do not exclude other elements, and the indefinite articles "a" or "an" do not exclude a plurality. Furthermore, it should be noted that features and steps described with reference to one of the above embodiments may also be used in combination with other features and steps of other embodiments described above. Reference signs in the claims are not to be considered limitations. List of reference symbols 10 hooks 11 insertion bevel 12a, 12b Clip device 13 Notch 14 mounting hole 15 leadership tools 16 Centering element 17 Stop surface 18 vehicle part 19 Air duct 20 metal strips 21 slope 22 frames 24 Opening 100 fastening device 200 motor vehicles S impact force FR direction of travel x Direction of impact y third spatial direction z Hooking direction

Claims

[1] Fastening device (100) for a vehicle part (18), comprising a sheet metal strip (20) with an opening (24) and a frame (22) attachable to the sheet metal strip (20), wherein the frame (22) has at least one notch (13) with a rear wall and at least one side wall, a hook (10) arranged in the rear wall of the notch (13) and at least one clip device (12a, 12b) arranged in the at least one side wall of the notch (13), wherein the hook (10) defines a hooking direction (z) and is adapted to hook into the opening (24) of the sheet metal strip (20), wherein the at least one clip device (12a, 12b) is arranged predominantly parallel to a thrust direction (x), and wherein the notch (13) is designed to receive the sheet metal strip (20) and to counteract a movement of the frame (22) relative to the sheet metal strip (20) in the third spatial direction (y) extending perpendicular to the hooking direction (z) and the impact direction (x), and wherein the at least one clip device (12a, 12b) is configured to counteract a movement of the frame (22) relative to the sheet metal strip (20) in the impact direction (x) up to a predefined impact force (S). [2] Fastening device (100) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the notch (13) has two side walls, and at least two clip devices (12a, 12b) are provided, which are arranged opposite one another in the third spatial direction (y) in a side wall of the notch (13), in particular are arranged opposite one another in such a way that the sheet metal strip (20) can be arranged, in particular in a form-fitting manner, between the two clip devices (12a, 12b). [3] Fastening device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the at least one clip device (12a, 12b) and in particular the at least two clip devices (12a, 12b) is / are designed to buckle and / or bend when the predefined impact force (S) is exceeded. [4] Fastening device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the notch (13) has at least one centering element (16) in the at least one side wall, which is designed to receive the sheet metal strip (20) centered in the notch (13). [5] Fastening device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the notch (13) further comprises a stop surface (17), wherein the sheet metal strip (20) and in particular the end face of the sheet metal strip (20) is adapted to lie on the stop surface (17). [6] Fastening device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the notch (13) has an insertion bevel (11). [7] Fastening device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the frame (22) is in one piece and / or is formed as an injection-molded part. [8] Fastening device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the sheet metal strip (20) has a fastening hole (14) for fastening the sheet metal part (20) to the frame (22). [9] Fastening device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the at least one clip device (12a, 12b) and in particular the at least two clip devices (12a, 12b) each have a bevel (21) which is designed to define the predefined impact force (S). [10] Fastening system (100), comprising the fastening device (100) according to one of the preceding claims and a vehicle part (18) which is fastened to the frame (22), wherein the vehicle part (18) is in particular an air duct (19). [11] Motor vehicle (200) comprising at least one fastening system (100) according to claim 10. [12] Method for fastening a vehicle part (18) to a motor vehicle (200) by means of a fastening device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 9, comprising the following steps: • (S1) Inserting the sheet metal strip (20) into the at least one notch (13) of the frame (22), in particular by means of a centering element (16), • (S2) Hooking the sheet metal strip (20) with the hook (10) of the frame (22) in the hooking direction (z), • (S3) clipping the sheet metal strip (20) into the at least one clip device (12a, 12b) of the frame (22) in the impact direction (x), and wherein upon the occurrence of an impact force (S) which is greater than a predefined impact force (S), a movement of the frame (22) in the impact direction (x) is triggered, and the at least one clip device (12a, 12b) bends in the third spatial direction (y).

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