CONNECTING PART

Abstract

The invention relates to a connecting part for the functional connection of a functional element (rod joint head) to a component (actuating lever) which has at least one first through-opening arranged along a first longitudinal axis of the component. The connecting part comprises a base plate with a fastening surface extending along a second longitudinal axis between a first end section and a second end section and which can be placed flat against an end region of the component, and a functional surface opposite the fastening surface; a connecting element arranged on the functional surface and coupleable to the functional element; and a fastening means arranged on the fastening surface, which extends in the direction of the component during use and can be brought into a releasable connection position with the component via the at least one first through-opening.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a connecting part or connecting clip or adapter for connecting a functional element, in particular a joint head for coupling to a rod assembly, to a component, in particular a sensor lever or an actuating lever of a sensor. background

[0002] For a range of safety and comfort-enhancing vehicle equipment such as active chassis, level control systems and automatic headlight range control, it is often necessary to record the respective inclination of the vehicle or other angular changes. Such angle measuring devices usually use ball joints (e.g. joint head / socket) which couple the actuating lever of the sensor to a corresponding rod. Such angle measuring devices are generally known and are used as standard as part of a rod for sensor control in vehicles. Figure 1 shows such an angle measuring device 10 where, for example, a metallic rotor 16 connected to an actuating lever 14 of the sensor is moved via a circuit board 12 in order to influence an electromagnetic field in such a way that a field change can be registered as a function of the lever position of the sensor, which change is then assigned to a corresponding angular range.

[0003] To form the ball joint, the actuating lever 14 has, for example, a ball stud 18 which is then coupled to a corresponding joint socket 20 of the rod assembly 22. The ball studs 18 are often subsequently attached or mounted to the actuating lever 14. For this purpose, the ball studs made of metal or plastic, for example, can be attached to the actuating lever by screwing, riveting, welding or another suitable force-fitting, form-fitting or material-locking connection. The ball studs can also be formed integrally with the actuating lever using suitable manufacturing processes. A disadvantage, however, is that the previously known force-fitting, form-fitting or material-locking ball studs require additional components (screws, threads, etc.) or material (adhesive, welding material, etc.), as well as additional connection steps in order to functionally attach the ball stud to the actuating lever.As a result, the previously known ball studs (or other joint components) are either permanently connected to the operating lever or require complex assembly and disassembly steps to ensure secure fixation.

[0004] If the rod end (ball stud or socket) is damaged or defective, the entire sensor assembly usually has to be replaced, as repairing the damaged actuating lever is often not cost-effective. Disassembling and reassembling the ball stud often requires tools and additional fasteners, which is time-consuming and therefore increases costs.

[0005] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a connecting part, ie a connecting clip or adapter clip, for connecting a functional element, in particular a joint head, to a component, in particular a sensor lever or an actuating lever, which is not only simply constructed but can also be securely and reliably fastened to a suitable component, e.g. an actuating lever, in the simplest way and with few assembly movements.

[0006] A further object of the present invention is to provide a connecting part, ie a connecting clip or adapter clip, for connecting a functional element, in particular a joint head, to a component, in particular a sensor lever or an actuating lever, which can form an easily detachable but immediately operational connection with a component suitable for this purpose, e.g. actuating lever.

[0007] A further object of the invention is to provide a connecting part, ie a connecting clip or adapter clip, for connecting a functional element, in particular a joint head, to a component, in particular a sensor lever or an actuating lever, which can be produced simply and inexpensively.

[0008] A further object of the present invention is to provide a connecting part, ie a connecting clip or adapter clip, which represents an alternative to devices known from the prior art. Summary of the invention

[0009] One or more of these objects are achieved by the features of independent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are specified in the dependent subclaims.

[0010] According to one embodiment, a connecting part is provided for the functional connection of a functional element (rod joint head) to a component (actuating lever) that has at least one first through-opening arranged along a first longitudinal axis of the component. This connecting part comprises: a base plate with a fastening surface extending along a second longitudinal axis between a first end section and a second end section and which can be placed flat against an end region of the component, and a functional surface opposite the fastening surface; a connecting element arranged on the functional surface and which can be coupled to the functional element, and a fastening means arranged on the fastening surface, which extends in the direction of the component during use and can be brought into a detachable connection position with the component via the at least one first through-opening.

[0011] The fastener, which can be releasably connected to at least one through-hole present in the component, allows the connecting part to be reliably and easily attached to the component. In particular, the fastener extending in the direction of the component allows for an extremely simple assembly step, meaning the connecting part can be securely attached to the component with a simple movement. The simple design and the preferably integral, one-piece connecting part allow for particularly cost-effective production.

[0012] Advantageously, the fastening means comprises at least one locking device for engaging behind a surface of the component facing away from the fastening surface. Furthermore, the locking device has at least one plug-in element that can be inserted into the first through-opening and has two locking elements arranged elastically deflectably on opposite sides of the plug-in element and, in the connected position, positively engaging behind the surface of the component facing away from it.

[0013] Advantageously, the plug-in element is arranged along the second longitudinal axis in the direction of the first end portion of the base plate and extending perpendicularly from the fastening surface. Furthermore, the cross-sectional profile of the plug-in element is complementary to the cross-sectional profile of the first through-opening.

[0014] The plug-in link thus simplifies the functional alignment between the connecting part and the component before the plug-in link releasably engages the through-hole of the component. The plug-in link's cross-section, which complements the through-hole, improves the positive connection between the connecting part and the component. This allows even high forces to be securely transmitted between the connecting part and the component without the connecting part shifting or even detaching from the component.

[0015] Advantageously, the locking device comprises at least one, and preferably both, of the edge regions arranged laterally relative to the second longitudinal axis, a locking element each having an elastically deflectable locking arm for positively engaging behind the remote surface of the component in the connecting position.

[0016] The locking arms, which engage laterally on the component edge, combined with the snap-in plug-in element, create a particularly secure attachment between the component and the connecting part. The connecting part, which is snapped into place at three points and the positive fit between the plug-in element and the first through-hole, can withstand particularly high tensile and torsional forces between the connecting part and the component in the connected position.

[0017] Advantageously, the fastening means further comprises a hook which is spaced apart from the plug-in member along the second longitudinal axis and extends in the direction away from the first end section of the base plate and is suitable for positively engaging behind the remote surface of the component. In a preferred embodiment, the hook has an L-shaped cross-sectional profile and, in the connected position, is spaced apart from the plug-in member so that it can be inserted into a second through-opening arranged along the first longitudinal axis of the component. Furthermore, the fastening means formed on the base plate can be brought into the connected position with the component by a pivoting movement of the base plate about the hook engaging in the second through-opening.

[0018] The outward-facing hook can be easily inserted into the second through-hole with a single assembly movement, providing an appropriately spaced pivot point for the pivoting movement that engages the plug-in link in the first through-hole. This further simplifies the assembly of the connecting part, as the user can attach the connecting part to the component (i.e., the actuating lever with corresponding through-holes) with a simple insertion and pivoting movement, ideally with one hand.

[0019] Advantageously, a spring element extending in the direction of the component in the connecting position is arranged on an edge region of the first end section of the base plate, which spring element is suitable for providing a prestressing force between the connecting part and the component in the connecting position.

[0020] The preload caused by the spring element between the connecting part engaged in the component prevents or at least minimizes possible rattling noises from the connecting part attached to the component (e.g. during operation or actuation of the sensor). The spring element can simply be formed as a leaf spring on an edge region of an end section of the base plate. For example, the spring element can be a simple flat projection that extends diagonally forwards from the edge region, i.e. in the connected position towards the component. The flat projection can be elastically deflected in such a way that a preload force acts between the connecting part and the component in the connected position due to the spring element.

[0021] Advantageously, a positioning wall is formed on one, and preferably both, of the edge regions arranged laterally relative to the second longitudinal axis. In the connected position, this wall extends in the direction of the component and engages an edge region of the component in a contacting manner. The lateral positioning wall provides additional reinforcement of the fastening element, which can counteract possible torques of the connecting part.

[0022] Preferably, the connecting part is formed from at least one plastic (1k or 2K), e.g. by an injection molding process. Short description of the characters

[0023] The following description of preferred embodiments of the invention serves to explain it in more detail in conjunction with the drawings. They show: Fig. 1 (prior art) an example arrangement of a sensor device known from the prior art (a) with a rod coupled via a ball joint and (b) the opened sensor device with an actuating lever; Fig. 2 shows an actuating lever of a sensor device suitable for fastening the connecting part of the present invention (a) in a perspective top view, (b) in a perspective bottom view, and (c) in a perspective top view of a sectional view along section plane CC; Fig. 3 shows an embodiment of the connecting part, or connecting clip or adapter clip, of the present invention (a) in a perspective front view, and (b) in a perspective bottom view; Fig. 4 the connecting part Fig. 3 in a (a) top view, (b) side view, (c) front view and (d) bottom view; Fig. 5 (a) a perspective sectional view of the connecting part of Fig. 4 along section plane AA, and (b) a perspective sectional view of the connecting part from Fig. 3 along section plane BB; Fig. 6 shows a connecting part of the present invention mounted on an operating lever (without sensor device), ie the connecting part is in a connecting position with the operating lever, (a) in a perspective top view and (b) in a perspective bottom view; Fig. 7 the connecting part attached to the operating lever Fig. 6, (a) in a sectional view along section plane DD, and (b) in a sectional view along section plane EE, and Fig. 8 is a schematic sectional side view of the connecting part of the present invention after insertion of the hook into the second through-hole of the actuating lever, an arrow indicates the subsequent pivoting movement which connects the plug member and lateral locking arms to the actuating lever in a locking manner. Description of one or more embodiments

[0024] Special terms such as "right," "left," "top," "bottom," "front," "rear," "up," and "down" indicate directions in the accompanying figures with respect to the respective component, device, or apparatus when operably assembled. The terms "inside" and "outside" indicate directions with respect to a geometric central axis or center of a respective described component, device, or apparatus, the meaning of which will be apparent from the description. The terms connector, connector clip, adapter clip, and clip are used interchangeably.

[0025] Furthermore, the terms “connected”, “attached”, “coupled”, “mounted” describe direct connections between two links or components, i.e. without an intermediate link, but also indirect connections between links or components, i.e. with at least one intermediate link.

[0026] Furthermore, unless otherwise stated, the use of ordinal adjectives such as "first", "second", "third", etc., merely indicates different instances of the same objects and does not imply that these objects must be in any particular order, neither temporally, spatially, nor in any particular ranking.

[0027] The example described here of an embodiment of the connecting part 100 for a sensor device (such as a headlight range adjustment) with an actuating lever is representative of all possible variations of the invention, ie the connecting part is not limited to special actuating levers for sensor devices, but all suitable joint couplings between a functional element and a component can be used.

[0028] An actuating lever 200 suitable for the embodiment of the invention described here is shown in Fig. 2. The actuating lever 200 comprises a flat lever arm 208 extending from a pivot bearing region 202 along a first longitudinal axis 204 to a coupling region 206. The pivot bearing region 202 is typically rotatably coupled to the angle measuring device (not shown), with the free end of the lever arm 208 comprising a coupling region for fastening the connecting part 100 of the present invention. The actuating lever 200 has a first through-opening 210 arranged along the first longitudinal axis 204 and a second through-opening 212 spaced from the first through-opening 210 along the first longitudinal axis in the direction of the free end of the coupling region 206.In the example described here, the first through-opening has a rectangular opening profile and the second through-opening has a square opening profile. The opening profiles can also have any other shape suitable for the fastening means of the connecting part 100 of the present invention. The actuating lever 200 described here is tapered toward the free end.

[0029] Referring to the Fig. 3, Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, an example of an embodiment of a connecting part 100, also known as a connecting clip or adapter clip or simply clip, which is specifically suitable for the previously described actuating lever 200 of an angle measuring device of a headlight range adjustment is now described.

[0030] The connecting clip 100 comprises a base plate 102 which extends between a first end section 106 and a second end section 108 along a second longitudinal axis (i.e., the plate longitudinal axis) 104. In the present example, the base plate 102 tapers towards the second end section 108. The base plate 102 comprises a fastening surface 110 arranged at the bottom and a functional surface 112 arranged at the top opposite the fastening surface 110. Both surfaces, i.e., the fastening surface 110 and the functional surface 112, are planar. A joint head 114 is arranged on the functional surface 112 at the second end section 108 and extends orthogonally to the functional surface 112. The joint head 114 is designed such that it can form a ball joint with a corresponding counterpart, i.e., a joint socket, of a rod assembly.However, it is clear to the expert that the joint head can also form any other functional element for connection to a corresponding counterpart of the rod.

[0031] At the second end portion 108, directly opposite the joint head 114, a hook element 116, also referred to as a hook, extends orthogonally away from the fastening surface 110. The hook 116 is directed forward from the second end portion 108 in an L-shape, with a front stop surface 120 of the hook 116 arranged flush with the edge of the base plate 102. On the rear wall 122 of the hook 116, a centrally arranged rib element 118 is formed, which is beveled towards the end of the hook, to reinforce the strength of the hook 116. The bevel of the rib element 118 thus allows the insertion of the hook 116 into the corresponding second through-opening 212 (see Fig. 2) of the actuating lever 200 without impeding the subsequent pivoting movement of the clip 100. The spacing between the hook 116 and the plug-in member 124 is configured to correspond to the distance between the first and second through-openings 210, 212 of the actuating lever 200. In an alternative embodiment, the hook can also be directed rearwardly from the second end portion 108 in an L-shape, i.e., toward the first end portion 106. This allows the hook 116 to engage around the front edge region of the lever arm even without a second through-opening 212.

[0032] At the first end portion 106 of the base plate 102, a locking device extending orthogonally from the fastening surface 110 is arranged, which can be releasably fastened to the lever arm 208 in connection with the first through opening 210.

[0033] The locking device comprises a plug-in member 124 extending from the fastening surface 110 and arranged on the first end section 106 along the second longitudinal axis 104, and two opposing locking arms 126 which are arranged laterally to the plug-in member 124 on the edge region of the base plate 102.

[0034] The plug-in member 124 has a cross-section complementary to the first through-opening 210 (e.g., rectangular), so that the plug-in member 124 can be inserted through the first through-opening 210 with minimal play. An elastically deflectable locking element 128 is arranged on each of two opposite side surfaces of the plug-in member 124. The opposing locking elements 128 are designed to engage behind the lower surface of the lever arm 208 in the connected position in a releasably secured manner. This means that the locking elements 128 are only elastically deflected inward when the plug-in member 124 penetrates the first through-opening 210, and then snap shut elastically engaging behind the lever arm when it exits the first through-opening 210.At the same time, when the plug-in element 124 is inserted, the locking arms 126 are deflected laterally outwards by the edge region of the base plate 102, in order then to snap back into place after the plug-in element 124 has completely penetrated into the first through-opening 210, engaging behind the lever arm.

[0035] Fig. Figure 5 (b) shows the profile of the locking device in detail in a sectional view along a section plane BB. The locking arms 126 and locking element 128 are designed and dimensioned to match the corresponding actuating lever 200.

[0036] Parallel to the locking arms 126, two positioning walls 130 are formed on the edge region of the base plate 102, spaced from the locking arms 126 toward the first end portion 106. The laterally arranged positioning walls 130 reinforce the connection between the connecting part 100 and the actuating lever 200, and in particular the lateral stability of the connection exposed to varying forces (due to rotation of the lever).

[0037] A spring element 132 is arranged at the edge region of the first end section 106 of the base plate 102 such that, in the connected position, a preload is exerted between the actuating lever 200 and the connecting clip 100. This preload prevents rattling noises caused by movement between the actuating lever 200 and the connecting clip 100. The spring element of the embodiment of the invention described here is designed as an elastically deflectable projection that extends obliquely downward from the edge region of the base plate 102 (i.e., in the direction of the lever arm 208). The dimensions of the spring element 132 (length, width, thickness, material) are accordingly selected such that, in the connected position, a desired clamping force acts between the actuating lever 200 and the connecting clip 100.

[0038] The connecting clip 100 is preferably made of a durable plastic, but can also be molded from a metal or a combination of different materials. The connecting clip 100 is preferably manufactured cost-effectively using an injection molding process.

[0039] Referring to the Fig. 6, Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 the attachment and removal of the connecting clip 100 is now described.

[0040] Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 show the connecting clip 100 in the connecting position with the operating lever 200 once from above ( Fig. 6(a)) and once from below ( Fig. 6(b)). As shown in the figure, the hook 116 is hooked into the front second through-opening 212, the plug-in member 124 is engaged in the first through-opening 210 via its locking elements 128, and the locking arms are engaged laterally on the edge of the base plate 102. The connecting part 100 is pre-tensioned and fastened to the actuating lever 200 by the spring element 132, which presses on the lever arm 208 against the engaging locking device. This results in a rattle-free connection, which is further reinforced by the laterally attached positioning wall 130.

[0041] Fig.8 illustrates the assembly movement required to attach the connecting clip 100 to a suitable actuating lever 200 (i.e., with appropriately spaced and dimensioned through-openings). For this purpose, the hook 116 of the connecting clip 100 is simply inserted into the second through-opening 212, and the base plate 102 and the plug-in member 124 arranged thereon are inserted directly into the first through-opening 210 via the engaging hook 116 acting as a pivot point until the spring element 132 contacts the upper surface of the lever arm 208. The corresponding locking elements 128 and locking arms 126 are thereby elastically deflected inwards and outwards, respectively. When the spring element 132 contacts the surface of the lever arm 208, the locking elements 128 are still inserted in the first through-opening 210, and the locking arms 126 are still laterally deflected against the edge region of the base plate 102.A compressive force exerted on the second end portion 108 of the functional surface 112 and counteracting the contacting spring element 132 then pushes the plug-in member 124 with the locking elements 128 and the laterally arranged locking arms 126 through the lever arm 208 until the locking elements 128 and locking arms 126 snap out of the lower surface of the lever arm 208 and counteract the force applied by the spring element 132. The connecting part 100 is now in the connecting position.

[0042] The connecting clip 100 can be released from the lever arm 208 by simply pressing in the locking elements 128 and simultaneously deflecting the locking arms 126 laterally. The base plate 102 is then simply pivoted around the hook 116, which is still located in the second through-opening 212, until the hook 116 can be released from engagement with the second through-opening 212 and pulled out. The connecting part 100 and the actuating lever designed to match the connecting part 100 together form a mounting arrangement according to the invention that can / could be used for a wide variety of sensor devices and / or rods. List of reference symbols 10 Angle measuring device 12 circuit board 14 operating levers 16 Rotor 18 ball studs 20 acetabulum 22 rods 100 connecting part, clip 102 Base plate 104 second longitudinal axis 106 first final section 108 second final section 110 mounting surface 112 functional area 114 Rod end 116 hooks 118 Rib element 120 stop surface 122 rear wall 124 plug-in link 126 locking arms 128 locking element 130 Position wall 132 spring element 200 operating levers 202 Pivot bearing area 204 first longitudinal axis 206 Coupling area 208 lever arm 210 first passage opening 212 second passage opening

Claims

[1] A connecting part for the functional connection of a functional element to a component which has at least one first through-opening arranged along a first longitudinal axis of the component, comprising: a base plate with a fastening surface extending along a second longitudinal axis between a first end section and a second end section and which can be placed flat against an end region of the component, and a functional surface opposite the fastening surface; a connecting element arranged on the functional surface and which can be coupled to the functional element, and a fastening means arranged on the fastening surface, which extends in the direction of the component during use and can be brought into a detachable connection position with the component via the at least one first through-opening. [2] A connecting part according to claim 1, characterized bythat the fastening means comprises at least one locking device for engaging behind a surface of the component facing away from the fastening surface. [3] A connecting part according to claim 2, characterized by that the locking device has at least one plug-in member which can be inserted into the first through-opening and which has two locking elements which are arranged elastically deflectably on opposite sides of the plug-in member and which, in the connecting position, engage behind the opposite surface of the component in a form-fitting manner. [4] A connecting part according to claim 3, characterized by that the plug-in member is arranged along the second longitudinal axis in the direction of the first end portion of the base plate and extending perpendicularly from the fastening surface. [5] A connecting part according to one of claims 3 and 4, characterized by that the cross-sectional profile of the plug-in member is complementary to the cross-sectional profile of the first through-opening. [6] A connecting part according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized by that the locking device comprises at least one, and preferably both, of the edge regions arranged laterally relative to the second longitudinal axis, a locking element each having an elastically deflectable locking arm for positively engaging behind the remote surface of the component in the connecting position. [7] A connecting part according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterized by that the fastening means has a hook which is spaced apart from the plug-in member along the second longitudinal axis and extends away from the first end section of the base plate and which is suitable for positively engaging behind the remote surface of the component. [8] A connecting part according to claim 7, characterized bythat the hook has an L-shaped cross-sectional profile and is spaced apart from the plug-in member in the connecting position so that it can be inserted into a second through-opening arranged along the first longitudinal axis of the component. [9] A connecting part according to claim 8, characterized by that the fastening means formed on the base plate is brought into the connecting position with the component by a pivoting movement of the base plate around the hook engaging in the second through-opening. [10] A connecting part according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that a spring element extending in the direction of the component in the connecting position is arranged on an edge region of the first end section of the base plate, which spring element is suitable for providing a prestressing force between the connecting part and the component in the connecting position. [11] A connecting part according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat on one, and preferably both, of the edge regions arranged laterally relative to the second longitudinal axis, a positioning wall is formed which, in the connecting position, extends in the direction of the component and engages an edge region of the component in a contacting manner.

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