Component for a motor vehicle lighting device, connecting arrangement and method for releasing a connecting arrangement

Abstract

The present invention relates to a component (1) for a motor vehicle lighting device, comprising a joining section (10) with an adhesive channel (11) for forming an adhesive connection with a joining web (21) of a second component (2). According to the invention, the joining section (10) has a solvent channel (12) connected to the adhesive channel (11).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a component for a motor vehicle lighting device, comprising a joining section with an adhesive channel for forming an adhesive connection with a joining web of a second component, an associated connecting arrangement, in particular with a housing and a cover lens of a motor vehicle lighting device, and a method for releasing such a connecting arrangement. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] Automotive lighting devices such as headlights or taillights comprise a housing that is sealed on the light-emitting side with a transparent or translucent cover lens. Typically, the connecting arrangement is formed with an adhesive bond, with the housing or the cover lens having a joining section with an adhesive-filled adhesive channel, and the respective joining partner having a corresponding joining web that extends into the adhesive channel and the adhesive contained therein. The adhesive channel and the joining web are preferably formed completely circumferentially, so that the housing interior is sealed off from the operating environment in a media-tight manner by the adhesive bond and the cover lens.

[0003] Disadvantageously, such connecting arrangements cannot be subsequently removed, so that opening the front of the motor vehicle lighting device, for example for maintenance or repair purposes, by removing the cover lens is not possible without causing damage.

[0004] The document DE 10 2008 020 880 A1 discloses a joint for a housing of a lighting device or a sensor of a motor vehicle, wherein the housing is releasably closed with a closure element, wherein a hot-melt adhesive is introduced as a sealing compound between the joining partners formed by the housing and the closure element, which is applied to one of the joining partners in such a way that the sealing compound remains on this joining partner when the connection is released. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0005] It is the object of the present invention to propose an alternative embodiment of a generic component for a motor vehicle lighting device and a connection arrangement based thereon, which is characterized by a practical detachability.

[0006] This object is achieved by a component according to claim 1, an associated connection arrangement according to claim 7, and a method for releasing such a connection arrangement according to claim 8. Advantageous developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0007] The technical teaching of the invention discloses a component for a motor vehicle lighting device, comprising a joining section with an adhesive channel for forming an adhesive connection with a joining web of a second component, wherein the joining section according to the invention has a solvent channel connected to the adhesive channel.

[0008] The invention is based on the idea of ​​creating a structure with the solvent channel through which a solvent can be injected into the adhesive channel. The solvent is suitable for softening the adhesive located in the adhesive channel, so that the adhesive bond can be subsequently released if necessary. The solvent channel is arranged on the adhesive channel in such a way that it is externally accessible in an associated connection arrangement. Preferably, the solvent channel is connected exclusively to the adhesive channel and is otherwise insulated from the operating environment in a light- and media-tight manner, so that suitable access points for injecting the solvent only need to be introduced when necessary.

[0009] Advantageously, the solvent channel extends essentially along the entire length of the adhesive channel. This provides a large contact surface for the solvent injected into the solvent channel, thus supporting rapid and full-surface softening of the adhesive. In particular, the solvent channel is connected to the adhesive channel essentially along its entire length.

[0010] Another advantage is that the solvent channel has such a narrow channel width that it cannot be penetrated by the adhesive used to create the bond. The channel width must therefore be adapted to the viscosity of the intended adhesive in its uncured state and selected to be so narrow that the adhesive applied into the adhesive channel during the bond formation does not flow into the solvent channel, or at least not to a significant extent, leaving it free for subsequent solvent injection. For example, the solvent channel can be slit-like, with a channel width of approximately 0.5 mm to 2 mm and a channel depth of 3 mm to 50 mm.

[0011] In an advantageous embodiment, the joining section has at least one access section intended to open an external access to the solvent channel, in particular by means of a bore, wherein the access section has a structure that locally stiffens the solvent channel. The external access to the solvent channel is preferably only opened when needed, and the access section ensures sufficient mechanical stability, for example, to drive a bore into the solvent channel without damaging other areas of the joining section. Preferably, the joining section has a plurality of regularly spaced access sections, so that a corresponding plurality of external accesses to the solvent channel can be opened.

[0012] In particular, the component according to the invention is designed as a housing of a motor vehicle lighting device, and the second component, as the associated joining partner with the corresponding joining web, is formed by a cover lens. Alternatively, the component according to the invention is designed as the cover lens and the second component as the housing.

[0013] The invention further relates to a connecting arrangement comprising a first component according to one of the aforementioned embodiments and a second component, wherein an adhesive connection is formed between the joining section of the first component and a joining web of the second component, wherein the joining web protrudes into the adhesive channel filled with an adhesive, and wherein the solvent channel is free of adhesive. In particular, the connecting arrangement is formed with a housing and a cover lens of a motor vehicle lighting device.

[0014] Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for releasing such a connection arrangement, wherein the method comprises at least the following steps: - Providing the connection arrangement, - Opening at least one external access to the solvent channel, in particular by drilling into the at least one access section, - injecting a solvent into the solvent channel via at least one external access, - Wait for the adhesive to soften by reacting with the solvent, and - Separating the first component and the second component from each other.

[0015] A solvent with sufficient fluidity should be used to wet the solvent channel and flow through it to and into the adhesive channel. The solvent softens the solidified adhesive, but ideally, the solvent should not attack the materials used for the components.

[0016] After removing the housing and lens assembly, the interior of the housing is accessible from the outside for maintenance or repair work on a component of the automotive lighting device housed therein. Following such a work, the adhesive channel can be cleaned, filled with fresh adhesive, and the lens can be reconnected to the housing. EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0017] The invention is illustrated below using an exemplary embodiment with reference to the figures and the accompanying description. They show schematically: Fig. 1a, Fig. 1b: sectional views of an embodiment of the connecting arrangement according to the invention, and Fig. 2a - 2c: an illustration of the method according to the invention for releasing the connecting arrangement.

[0018] Fig. 1a and Fig. 1b show sectional views of an exemplary embodiment of the connecting arrangement 100 according to the invention, which comprises a first component 1 in the form of a housing of a motor vehicle lighting device, and a second component 2 in the form of a cover lens. The housing interior is located on the right side of the image, the external operating environment is on the left side of the image, and the light exit side of the motor vehicle lighting device is on the side of the upper edge of the image.

[0019] The first component 1 comprises the joining section 10 with the adhesive channel 11, which is filled with the adhesive 3, wherein the joining web 21 of the second component 2 projects into the adhesive channel 11 and the adhesive 3, so that an adhesive connection is formed. The joining section 10 also has the solvent channel 12 according to the invention, which is connected to the adhesive channel 11, wherein the solvent channel 12 is free of adhesive 3. The joining section 10 with the adhesive channel 11 and the solvent channel 12 preferably extends along the entire circumference of the first component 1, so that the latter is completely sealed in a media-tight manner on the front side by the adhesive connection and the second component 2. The solvent channel 12 is connected along its entire length to the adhesive channel 11 in the manner shown in FIG. Fig. 1a and Fig. 1b shown manner.

[0020] Fig. 1b shows a section through an access section 13 which is provided for opening an external access to the solvent channel 12, in particular by means of a bore, wherein the access section 13 has a rib-like structure which locally stiffens the solvent channel 12.

[0021] Fig. 2a, Fig. 2b and Fig. 2c illustrate method steps of the method according to the invention for releasing a connection arrangement according to the embodiment.

[0022] Fig. Figure 2a shows the connection arrangement with an open external access 14 to the solvent channel 12, for which purpose a corresponding bore was introduced into the access section 13. In particular, several such access sections 13 are arranged along the circumference of the joining section 10, and a corresponding plurality of external accesses 14 are opened.

[0023] Fig. Figure 2b shows the injection of solvent 4 via the external access 14 into the solvent channel 12, for which purpose the solvent 4 has a suitably high fluidity. Via the solvent channel 12, the solvent 4 reaches the connected adhesive channel 11 and thus reacts with the adhesive 3 disposed therein.

[0024] Fig. Figure 2c shows the situation after waiting for the adhesive 3 to soften by reacting with the solvent 4 that has penetrated the adhesive channel 11, and after the first component 1 and the second component 2 have been separated from each other. The softened adhesive 3 no longer exerts any significant adhesive effect on the joining web 21, so that the second component 2 can be lifted upward from the first component 1, as shown. List of reference symbols 1 (first) component 10 Joining section 11 Adhesive channel 12 Solvent channel 13 Access section 14 external access 2 second component 21 joining bridge 3 Adhesive 4 Solvents 100 connection arrangement

Claims

[1] Component (1) for a motor vehicle lighting device, comprising a joining section (10) with an adhesive channel (11) for forming an adhesive connection with a joining web (21) of a second component (2), characterized by that the joining section (10) has a solvent channel (12) connected to the adhesive channel (11). [2] Component (1) according to claim 1, characterized by that the solvent channel (12) extends substantially along the entire length of the adhesive channel (11). [3] Component (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the solvent channel (12) is connected to the adhesive channel (11) substantially along its entire length. [4] Component (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the solvent channel (12) has such a small channel width that it cannot be penetrated by an adhesive (3) provided for establishing the adhesive connection. [5] Component (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by in that the joining section (10) has at least one access section (13) which is provided for opening an external access (14) to the solvent channel (12), in particular by means of a bore, wherein the access section (13) has a structure which locally stiffens the solvent channel (12). [6] Component (1) according to one of the preceding claims, designed as a housing or as a cover plate of a motor vehicle lighting device. [7] Connecting arrangement (100) comprising a first component (1) according to one of the preceding claims and a second component (2), wherein an adhesive connection is formed between the joining section (10) of the first component (1) and a joining web (21) of the second component (2), wherein the joining web (21) projects into the adhesive channel (11) filled with an adhesive (3), and wherein the solvent channel (12) is free of adhesive (3). [8] Method for releasing a connection arrangement (100) between a first component (1) and a second component (2), in particular between a housing and a cover lens of a motor vehicle lighting device, at least comprising the following steps: - Providing a connection arrangement (100) according to claim 7, - opening at least one external access (14) to the solvent channel (12), in particular by drilling into the at least one access section (13), - injecting a solvent (4) via the at least one external access (14) into the solvent channel (12), - Waiting for the adhesive (3) to soften by reaction with the solvent (4), and - Detaching the first component (1) and the second component (2) from each other.

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