Fastening system for connecting an exterior trim part to a supporting structure of a motor vehicle

Abstract

Fastening system for connecting an outer trim part (1) to a supporting structure (2) of a motor vehicle, wherein the outer trim part (1) has an integrally formed holding device (3) for receiving and fastening an electronic unit (4), characterized in that an adjusting element (5) is provided for adjusting the relative position of the outer cladding part (1) to the supporting structure (2), wherein the adjusting element (5) is fixedly connected to the supporting structure (2) in a form-fitting and / or material-locking manner and, wherein the adjusting element (5) is connected to the outer cladding part (1) via at least one locking connection (6, 7) having a plurality of locking steps, wherein the locking connection (6, 7) is formed by a tab (6) on the adjusting element (5) and by a tab receptacle (7) on the outer cladding part (1) or by a tab on the outer cladding part (1) and by a tab receptacle on the adjusting element (5), wherein the plurality of locking steps of the locking connection (6, 7) are realized by individual locking elements (8) on the tab (6) and by individual counter-locking elements (8') in the tab receptacle (7) interacting with the locking elements (8) of the tab (6), so that the adjustment of the relative position of the outer cladding part (1) to the supporting structure (2) is possible in the individual locking steps and along the insertion direction (D) of the locking connection (6, 7), wherein the at least one locking connection (6, 7) is provided at a distance of less than 10 cm from the holding device (3).

Description

The present invention relates to a fastening system for connecting an outer cladding part to a supporting structure of a motor vehicle, wherein the outer cladding part has a holding device formed integrally for receiving and fastening an electronics unit.A corresponding fastening system is known from document DE 10 2011 112 327 A1.In a fastening system known from the prior art, there is a disadvantage in that no distortion- and / or stress-free installation is possible and the outer cladding part has to absorb position or component tolerances of the supporting structure. This results in dimensional deviations, component failures or optical impairment due to excessively large gap dimensions or deformations of the outer cladding part. Furthermore, the electronics unit (radar sensor, LIDAR sensor, etc.) accommodated in a holding device may be impaired in function if it is no longer correctly oriented in relation to the motor vehicle if the supporting structure and the exterior cladding part are installed on the motor vehicle.The invention therefore addresses the problem of specifying a fastening system having the features described at the beginning which, compared with the prior art, ensures a possibility for compensating tolerances and at the same time ensures the functionality of electronic units accommodated in the holding device.According to the invention, this object is achieved by a fastening system for connecting an outer cladding part to a supporting structure of a motor vehicle, wherein the outer cladding part has a holding device formed integrally for receiving and fastening an electronic unit, wherein an adjusting element is provided for adjusting the relative position of the outer cladding part to the supporting structure, wherein the adjusting element is connected to the supporting structure in a fixed manner in a positively locking and / or materially bonded manner, and wherein the adjusting element is connected to the outer cladding part via at least one latching connection having a plurality of latching steps, wherein the latching connection is formed by a tab on the adjusting element and by a tab receiver on the outer cladding part or by a tab on the outer cladding part and by a tab receiver on the adjusting element, wherein the plurality of latching steps of the latching connection is formed by individual latching elements on the tab and by individual latching elements, In this case, counter-latching elements interacting with the latching elements of the tab can be realized in the tab receptacle, so that the setting of the relative position of the outer cladding part to the supporting structure in the individual latching steps and along the insertion direction of the latching connection is made possible, wherein the at least one latching connection is provided at a distance of less than 10 cm, preferably of less than 5 cm, from the holding device. The fastening system according to the invention enables a stress-free bearing of the outer cladding part on the supporting structure and simultaneously enables, by positioning the holding device at a distance of less than 10 cm, preferably of less than 5 cm, from the latching connection, the position tolerances of an electronic unit accommodated in the holding device to be observed. Preferably, the at least one latching connection is provided directly on the holding device. An electronic unit accommodated in the holding device can comprise, for example, a radar transmitting and receiving unit, a LIDAR transmitting / receiving unit or a camera.In a variant of the invention, a fixing element for finally fixing a final relative position of the outer cladding part to the supporting structure can additionally be provided, wherein the fixing element clamps the tab and the tab receptacle against one another.In a further variant of the invention, this fixing element can comprise a clip nut and a screw corresponding to the clip nut or, this fixing element can comprise an expanding rivet. In a further variant of the invention, the tab can have an elongated hole, which is oriented in the insertion direction, for the passage of the corresponding screw or the split rivet.In a further variant of the invention, the adjusting element can be a separately formed component.In a further variant of the invention, the support structure can be beam-shaped in the connection region to the setting element and a subsection of the setting element can be U-shaped in cross section and this subsection of the setting element can engage over the beam-shaped support structure in the connection region. In addition, at least one insertion bevel can be provided on the subsection which is U-shaped in cross section, which facilitates the connection of the setting element and the supporting structure.In a further variant of the invention, the supporting structure can be a subregion of a bending cross member or a subregion of a crash management system of a motor vehicle.In a further variant of the invention, at least one further latching connection, oriented diametrically opposite to the latching connection, can be provided between the setting element and the outer cladding part, which is formed by an additional tab on the outer cladding part and by an additional tab receptacle on the setting element or by an additional tab on the setting element and by an additional tab receptacle on the outer cladding part. In the present case, conversely means that the insertion directions of the latching connection and the further latching connection are the same, but in the case where an additional tab is provided on the outer cladding part and an additional tab receptacle is provided on the adjusting element, a tab receptacle is provided on the outer cladding part and a tab is provided on the adjusting element. And vice versa, if an additional tab is provided on the adjusting element and an additional tab receptacle is provided on the outer cladding part, a tab is provided on the outer cladding part and a tab receptacle is provided on the adjusting element.In a further variant of the invention, the outer cladding part and the holding device can be formed as a one-piece plastic injection molded part.In a further variant of the invention, the outer cladding part can be a bumper cladding or a radiator cladding or a front panel or a stiffening structure for a bumper cladding or a stiffening structure for a radiator cladding or a stiffening structure for a front panel. A front panel is that part of a vehicle in place of which the grille has been located in combustion vehicles. In particular in electric vehicles, this front panel is no longer designed as an air inlet to the radiator (which is no longer present here), but rather is provided as a design element in the vehicle center.The front panel or the bumper cladding can preferably be formed from a transparent or translucent polymer material that is transparent or translucent to visible or infrared light. The transparent or translucent polymer material can comprise in particular polycarbonate, polymethyl methacrylate, polystyrene (for example PS, ABS, ASA), thermoplastic polyester (for example PET, PBT), polypropylene (PP) or a biopolylymer (for example cellulose acetate, polyhydroxybutyrate, polylactic acid, polyhydroxyalkaonate).Exemplary EmbodimentsThe invention is explained below with reference to drawings which merely represent exemplary embodiments. They show schematically: FIG. 1 shows a front view of a fastening system with an electronic unit; FIG. 2 is a rear oblique view of the fastening system shown in FIG. 1 ; FIG. 3 is a rear plan view of the fastening system shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional illustration through the fastening system from FIG. 3 along section line B-B; FIG. 5 shows a further cross-sectional illustration through the fastening system from FIG. 3 along the section line A-A; FIG. 6 shows a front view of the adjusting element of the fastening system; FIG. 7 is a rear oblique view of the adjusting element shown in FIG. 6; FIG. 8 is a rear oblique view of the exterior cladding part with the holding device; FIGS. 9-11 show detailed views of the at least one latching connection of the fastening system.In the figures, identical or functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference numerals.FIGS. 1 to 3 show a fastening system for connecting an outer cladding part 1 to a supporting structure 2 of a motor vehicle, wherein the outer cladding part 1 has a holding device 3 formed integrally for receiving and fastening an electronics unit 4 (here a radar transmitting / receiving unit).An adjustment element 5 is provided for adjusting the relative position of the outer cladding part 1 to the support structure 2, wherein the adjustment element 5 is connected to the support structure 2 in a fixed, positive and / or materially bonded manner (cf. also cross section in FIGS. 4 and 5 ).The adjusting element 5 is connected to the outer cladding part 1 via at least one latching connection 6, 7 having a plurality of latching steps, wherein the latching connection 6, 7 is formed by a tab 6 on the adjusting element 5 and by a tab receptacle 7 on the outer cladding part 1. Alternatively, the at least one latching connection could also be formed by a tab on the outer cladding part 1 and by a tab receptacle on the adjusting element 5.The plurality of latching stages of the latching connection 6, 7 are realized by individual latching elements 8 on the tab 6 and by individual counter-latching elements 8' in the tab receptacle 7 interacting with the latching elements 8 of the tab 6, such that the setting of the relative position of the outer cladding part 1 to the supporting structure 2 is made possible in the individual latching stages and along the insertion direction D of the latching connection 6, 7. As can be seen in FIG. 4, the latching elements 8 and the counter latching elements 8' are designed as complementary toothings.The at least one latching connection 6, 7 is provided at a distance of less than 10 cm from the holding device 3. In the present case, the latching connection 6, 7 is arranged directly on the holding device 3 (cf. for example FIG. 3 ).In addition, a fixing element 9 is provided for finally fixing a final relative position of the outer cladding part 1 to the supporting structure 2, wherein the fixing element 9 clamps the tab 6 and the tab receptacle 7 against one another. The fixing element 9 comprises, for example, a clip nut 9' and a screw corresponding to the clip nut 9'. FIGS. 9 to 11 show different stages of fixing by means of the fixing element 9. In FIG. 9, first of all the clip nut 9' arranged on the outer cladding part 1 can be seen-an overview of this installation situation is shown in FIG. 8. In FIG. 10, the latching connection 6, 7 to the setting element 5 is now realized. For the final fixing of the final relative position of the outer cladding part 1 to the supporting structure 2, the fixing element 9 is supplemented by a screw corresponding to the clip nut 9', and the tab 6 and the tab receptacle 7 are clamped against one another.Alternatively, the fixing element 9 could also comprise, for example, an expanding rivet.The tab 6 has an elongated hole 6' oriented in the insertion direction for passing through the screw (or alternatively the split rivet) (cf. for example FIGS. 10 and 11 ).The adjusting element 5 is a separately formed component, as can be seen in particular in FIGS. 6 and 7.The support structure 2 is beam-shaped in the connection region to the adjustment element 5, and a subsection of the adjustment element 5 is U-shaped in cross section. This subsection of the adjusting element 5 overlaps the beam-shaped supporting structure 2 in the connection region (cf. FIGS. 4, 5 and 7 ).The supporting structure 2 is a subregion of a bending cross member or a subregion of a crash management system of a motor vehicle.At least one further latching connection 10, 11 oriented in the opposite direction to the latching connection 6, 7 is provided between the adjusting element 5 and the outer cladding part 1, which is formed by an additional tab 10 on the outer cladding part 1 and by an additional tab receptacle 11 on the adjusting element 5 (cf. FIGS. 1, 6 and 8 ). Alternatively, this further latching connection is formed by an additional tab on the adjusting element 5 and by an additional tab receptacle on the outer cladding part 1.The outer cladding part 1 and the holding device 3 are formed as a one-piece plastic injection molded part.The exterior trim part 1 may be a bumper trim or a radiator trim or a front panel or a reinforcing structure for a bumper trim or a reinforcing structure for a radiator trim or a reinforcing structure for a front panel.References included in the specificationThis list of documents cited by the applicant has been produced in an automated manner and is only included for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent application or utility model application. The DPMA does not take any adhesion for any faults or omissions.Patent Literature citedDE 10 2011 112 327 A1

[0002]

Claims

Fastening system for connecting an outer cladding part (1) to a supporting structure (2) of a motor vehicle, wherein the outer cladding part (1) has a holding device (3) formed integrally for receiving and fastening an electronics unit (4), characterized in that an adjusting element (5) is provided for adjusting the position of the outer cladding part (1) relative to the supporting structure (2), wherein the adjusting element (5) is connected to the supporting structure (2) in a fixed manner in a positive and / or materially bonded manner, and wherein the adjusting element (5) is connected to the outer cladding part (1) via at least one latching connection (6, 7) having a plurality of latching stages, wherein the latching connection (6, 7), The locking device of the locking device according to the invention is provided in the form of a clip (6) on the adjusting element (5) and a clip receiver (7) on the outer cladding part (1) or a clip on the outer cladding part (1) and a clip receiver on the adjusting element (5), wherein the plurality of latching stages of the latching connection (6, 7) are realized by individual latching elements (8) on the clip (6) and by individual counter-latching elements (8') in the clip receiver (7) interacting with the latching elements (8) of the clip (6), such that the setting of the relative position of the outer cladding part (1) to the supporting structure (2) is made possible in the individual latching stages and along the insertion direction (D) of the latching connection (6, 7), wherein the at least one latching connection (6, 7) is provided at a distance of less than 10 cm from the holding device (3).Fastening system according to Claim 1, characterized in that a fixing element (9) is provided for the final fixing of a final position of the outer cladding part (1) relative to the supporting structure (2), wherein the fixing element (9) clamps the tab (6) and the tab receptacle (7) against one another.Fastening system according to Claim 2, characterized in that the fixing element (9) comprises a clip nut (9') and a screw corresponding to the clip nut (9'), or in that the fixing element (9) comprises an expanding rivet.Fastening system according to Claim 3, characterized in that the tab (6) has an elongated hole (6'), which is oriented in the insertion direction, for the screw or the expansion rivet to pass through.Fastening system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adjusting element (5) is a separately formed component.Fastening system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the supporting structure (2) is beam-shaped in the connection region to the adjusting element (5) and a subsection of the adjusting element (5) is U-shaped in cross section, and in that this subsection of the adjusting element (5) overlaps the beam-shaped supporting structure (2) in the connection region.Fastening system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the supporting structure (2) is a subregion of a bending cross member or a subregion of a crash management system of a motor vehicle.Fastening system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one further latching connection (10, 11), oriented in the opposite direction to the latching connection (6, 7), is provided between the adjusting element (5) and the outer cladding part (1), which is formed by an additional tab (10) on the outer cladding part (1) and by an additional tab receptacle (11) on the adjusting element (5) or by an additional tab on the adjusting element (5) and by an additional tab receptacle on the outer cladding part (1).Fastening system according to Claim 8, characterized in that the outer cladding part (1) and the holding device (3) are designed as a one-piece injection-moulded plastics part.Fastening system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outer cladding part (1) is a bumper cladding or a radiator cladding or a front panel or a stiffening structure for a bumper cladding or a stiffening structure for a radiator cladding or a stiffening structure for a front panel.

Images