Fixing system for fixing a first component to a second component of a vehicle and vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a fixing system (22) for fixing a first component to a second component of a vehicle (10), comprising at least one fixing element (24) for fixing the first component to the vehicle (10), wherein the fixing element (24) has a fixing element (28) that can be inserted into an opening (36) in the second component in order to fix the first component in at least one direction. Furthermore, the invention relates to a vehicle comprising at least one first component and at least one second component, wherein the first component is fixed to the second component by means of such a fixing system (22).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a fixing system for fixing a first component to a second component of a vehicle, comprising at least one fastening element for fixing the first component to the vehicle. The invention further relates to a vehicle comprising at least one first component and a second component, wherein the first component is fixed to the second component by means of such a fixing system.

[0002] During vehicle manufacturing, individual components must be aligned to ensure consistently small gaps between them. This can be achieved using additional components or alignment systems.

[0003] Such an alignment system is known from DE 10 2005 057 116 B4. This patent discloses a device for aligning a structural component of a motor vehicle, comprising a first component, a second component to be aligned relative to the first component in a first direction, an eccentric key that can be inserted into and removed from a hole in the first component and is arranged such that its eccentric section causes only movement of the second component when the eccentric key is rotated, and at least one guide device designed such that the movement of the second component caused by the eccentric key is only parallel to the first direction. The second component has a thickened area in which the eccentric section of the inserted eccentric key is located.

[0004] Furthermore, DE 10 2014 113 808 A1 discloses a system for elastically averaged alignment, comprising a first component, which includes a first alignment member and an alignment element that is fixed with respect to a surface of the first alignment member and extends outwards from it, and a second component, which includes a second alignment member and an elastically deformable alignment opening that is fixed with respect to the second alignment member. The elastically deformable alignment opening is configured and arranged to engage with the alignment element in an interference fit, deformable and jointly, wherein the elastically deformable alignment opening comprises three or more elastically deformable alignment features.When the alignment element is inserted into the elastically deformable alignment opening, portions of the three or more elastically deformable alignment features deform elastically to an elastically averaged final configuration that aligns the first alignment member with the second alignment member in four planar orthogonal directions.

[0005] Another system for elastically averaged alignment is known from DE 10 2014 113 724 A1. This system comprises a first component with an alignment element and a second component with an inner wall defining an alignment opening. The alignment opening is configured to receive the alignment element and couple the first component to the second component. The alignment element has at least one retaining element configured to engage with the second component to assist in holding at least one section of the alignment element within the alignment opening. The alignment element is made of an elastically deformable material, such that when inserted into the alignment opening, it elastically deforms to an elastically averaged final configuration to assist in aligning and stiffening the first and second components in a desired orientation.

[0006] The present invention is based on the objective of creating a fixing system and a vehicle that enable improved alignment of one component to another component.

[0007] To solve the problem, a fixing system with the features of claim 1 and a vehicle with the features of claim 8 are proposed.

[0008] Advantageous designs of the fixing system and the vehicle are the subject of the respective dependent claims.

[0009] According to a first aspect of the invention, a fixing system for fixing a first component to a second component of a vehicle is proposed. The fixing system comprises at least one fastening element for attaching the first component to the vehicle, wherein the fastening element includes a fixing element that can be inserted into an opening of the second component to fix the first component in at least one direction.

[0010] The fixing element thus fixes a position of the first component in at least one first direction. This allows the first component to be aligned relative to the second component in at least one other direction, preferably orthogonal to the first direction in which the first component is fixed. Consequently, the fixing system enables improved alignment of the two components relative to each other. For the purposes of the invention, the direction in which the component is fixed can also be referred to as the first direction, and the other direction in which the component is movable can be referred to as the second component.

[0011] The first component can be a trim piece, such as a kidney grille, radiator grille, or radiator mesh. The second component can be a headlight housing.

[0012] The at least one direction, or first direction, can be a longitudinal direction of the vehicle corresponding to an X-direction in a vehicle coordinate system, a transverse direction of the vehicle corresponding to a Y-direction in a vehicle coordinate system, or a vertical direction of the vehicle corresponding to a Z-direction in a vehicle coordinate system. The at least other direction, or second direction, can be a longitudinal direction of the vehicle corresponding to an X-direction in a vehicle coordinate system, a transverse direction of the vehicle corresponding to a Y-direction in a vehicle coordinate system, or a vertical direction of the vehicle corresponding to a Z-direction in a vehicle coordinate system, wherein the second direction is orthogonal to the first direction.

[0013] The fixing element is advantageously inserted into the opening in a form-fit and / or force-fit manner. Thus, the fixing element can be inserted into the opening.

[0014] In an advantageous embodiment, the fastening element has a fastening tab via which the first component can be attached to the vehicle, in particular by screwing it in place. This allows the first component to be connected to the vehicle with sufficient strength.

[0015] In an advantageous embodiment, the fixing element secures the first component in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle. This allows the first component to be moved to the left or right in a transverse direction of the vehicle for positioning. The position in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle is fixed by the fixing element. The longitudinal direction of the vehicle corresponds to the X-axis and the transverse direction to the Y-axis in a vehicle coordinate system.

[0016] In an advantageous embodiment, the fastening element has a fastening tab with at least one elongated hole extending in a transverse direction of the vehicle. A screw element for fastening the first component to the vehicle can be inserted into this slot. In the unfastened state, the first component is slidable along the elongated hole in the transverse direction of the vehicle for alignment. This allows the first component to be moved left or right in the transverse direction of the vehicle to adjust for gap alignment before being tightened. The fixing element secures the first component in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, thus fixing its position in this direction. The screw element can be designed as a screw that is inserted into the elongated hole and screwed into a thread provided in a vehicle part to fasten the first component to the vehicle.

[0017] In an advantageous embodiment, the fixing element has a pin that can be inserted into the opening. The pin thus fixes the position of the first component in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. For this purpose, the pin can be inserted into the opening by means of a positive and / or force-fit connection.

[0018] In an advantageous embodiment, the pin has a tapered cross-section. This makes it easier to insert the pin into the opening.

[0019] In an advantageous embodiment, the fixing element projects from the fastening element in a vertical direction of the vehicle. In particular, the fixing element projects downwards in the vertical direction of the vehicle, that is, towards an engine compartment. The vertical direction of the vehicle corresponds to a Z-axis in a vehicle coordinate system.

[0020] In an advantageous embodiment, the fixing element is designed as an integral part of the fastening element. Thus, the fixing element, in particular the pin, is materially and metallurgically bonded to the fastening element, in particular the fastening tab.

[0021] In an advantageous embodiment, the fixing element, in particular the pin, and the fastening element, in particular the fastening tab, are made of a metal or a plastic, in particular a fiber-reinforced plastic.

[0022] According to a further aspect of the invention, a vehicle is proposed which has at least one first component and at least one second component, wherein the first component is fixed to the second component by means of a fixing system according to the invention.

[0023] In an advantageous embodiment, the first component is designed as a cladding part, for example as a vehicle kidney grille, a radiator grille or a radiator mesh.

[0024] In an advantageous embodiment, the second component is designed as a headlight housing. Thus, the opening in which the fixing element is inserted is formed in the headlight housing. This fixes the position of the first component, in particular the trim piece, in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle by inserting the pin into the opening provided in the housing.

[0025] In an advantageous embodiment, the vehicle comprises three components: a left headlight or left front light, a right headlight or right front light, and a trim piece, such as a kidney grille, positioned between them. Two vertical gaps are formed between the central trim piece, which can be a single component, and the two headlights. To ensure that the two gaps are of equal size, a fixing element is inserted into the opening of each headlight housing, thus fixing the position of the kidney grille in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. This allows the kidney grille to be moved laterally to the left or right before being screwed in place, using the screw element inserted into the elongated hole of the mounting bracket, in order to achieve an equally sized gap on both sides.

[0026] The following section explains a vehicle, a fixing system, and other features and advantages in more detail using an exemplary embodiment, which is schematically depicted in the figures. This shows: Fig. 1. A front view of a vehicle; and Fig. 2 An enlarged perspective view of a vehicle kidney arranged between two headlights with two fixing systems for fixing and aligning the vehicle kidney to the headlights.

[0027] In Fig. Figure 1 shows a vehicle 10 which has a drive machine designed as an internal combustion engine and / or as an electric motor.

[0028] The vehicle 10 has two headlights 12 in one front and a fairing part 14 in the form of a vehicle kidney 15 arranged between the two headlights 12.

[0029] Each of the headlights 12 has a housing 16 in which a light source (not shown) for generating light rays is arranged and which is closed by a light disc 18.

[0030] The kidney grille 15 serves as an air intake for the combustion engine and / or electric motor. Between the central kidney grille 15 and the two headlights 12 are two vertical gaps 20. To ensure that the two gaps 20 are of equal size, the kidney grille 15 must be aligned. For this purpose, the kidney grille 15 has two Fig. 2 fixation systems shown 22 on.

[0031] Each fixing system 22 has a fastening element 24 in the form of a fastening tab 26 for fastening the radiator grille 14 to the vehicle 10 and a fixing element 28 projecting downwards from the fastening tab 26 in a vehicle vertical direction Z.

[0032] As in Fig.As can be seen in Figure 2, the fastening tab 26 has an elongated hole 30 which extends in a transverse direction Y of the vehicle and into which a screw element 32 is inserted for fastening the vehicle kidney grille 15 to the vehicle 10.

[0033] The fixing element 28 is designed as an integral part of the fastening element 24; that is, the fastening element 24 and the fixing element 28 are materially and metallurgically bonded to each other. Both the fastening element 24 and the fixing element 28 are made of a metal or a plastic, in particular a fiber-reinforced plastic.

[0034] The fixing element 28 has a pin 34 with a tapered cross-section. The pin 34 projects downwards from the fastening element 24 in a vehicle vertical direction Z, wherein the pin 34 is inserted into an opening 36 of the housing 16 in a form-fit and / or force-fit manner to fix the vehicle kidney grille 15 in a vehicle longitudinal direction X.

[0035] The following describes a possible method for aligning and attaching the kidney grille 15 to the two headlights 12. First, the kidney grille 15 is positioned between the two headlights 12 such that the pins 34 are inserted into the openings 36 of the housings 16. Then, the screw elements 32 are inserted into the elongated holes 30 and screwed in so that the kidney grille 15 remains movable relative to the two headlights 12. This allows the kidney grille 15 to be moved to the left or right in the transverse direction Y of the vehicle relative to the two headlights 12, thus enabling the adjustment of equal gaps 20 on the left and right. The pins 34 inserted into the openings 36 fix the kidney grille 15 in the longitudinal direction X of the vehicle.After the radiator grille 14 is positioned in the transverse direction Y of the vehicle such that the two joints 20 are of the same size, the screw element 32 is screwed on so that the vehicle kidney grille 15 is attached to the vehicle 10.

[0036] Thus, the fixing system 22 according to the invention makes it possible to fix the vehicle kidney grille 15 in the longitudinal direction X of the vehicle and to move it in the transverse direction Y of the vehicle. This makes it possible to adjust two equally sized gaps 20 between the vehicle kidney grille 15 and the headlights 12. Reference symbol list 10 vehicles 12 headlights 14. Trim part 15 vehicle kidney 16 cases 18 Light disc 20 joint 22 Fixation system 24 Fastening element 26 Mounting tab 28 fixing element 30 slotted holes 32 screw element 34-pin 36 Opening X Vehicle longitudinal direction Y Vehicle transverse direction Z Vehicle lifting direction QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 10 2005 057 116 B4

[0003] DE 10 2014 113 808 A1

[0004] DE 10 2014 113 724 A1

[0005]

Claims

[1] Fixing system (22) for fixing a first component to a second component of a vehicle (10), comprising at least one fastening element (24) for fixing the first component to the vehicle (10), wherein the fastening element (24) has a fixing element (28) that can be inserted into an opening (36) of the second component to fix the first component in at least one direction. [2] Fixing system (22) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the fixing element (28) fixes the first component in a vehicle longitudinal direction X. [3] Fixing system (22) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized by, that the fastening element (24) has a fastening tab (26) with at least one elongated hole (30) extending in a transverse direction Y of the vehicle and into which a screw element for fastening the first component to the vehicle (10) can be inserted, wherein in the unfastened state the first component is displaceable for alignment along the elongated hole (30) in the transverse direction Y of the vehicle. [4] Fixing system (22) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the fixing element (28) has a pin (34) which can be inserted into the opening (36). [5] Fixing system (22) according to claim 4, characterized by , that the pin (34) has a tapered cross-section. [6] Fixing system (22) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the fixing element (28) projects away from the fastening element (24) in a vehicle vertical direction Z. [7] Fixing system (22) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the fixing element (28) is designed as an integral part of the fastening element (24). [8] Vehicle (10) comprising at least one first component and at least one second component, wherein the first component is fixed to the second component by means of a fixing system (22) according to any one of claims 1 to 7. [9] Vehicle (10) according to claim 8, characterized by , that the first component is designed as a cladding part (14). [10] Vehicle (10) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized by , that the second component is designed as a housing (16) of a headlight (12).

Images