MOUNTING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR RELEASING A SNAP-IN CONNECTION

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a holding device for holding a component, wherein the holding device can be converted from a component holding mode to a component release mode by magnetic force, and a method for releasing a snap-in connection.

[0002] Such a holding device is known from German patent application DE 10 2006 060 074 A1. The solution proposed therein uses locking elements in the form of ferromagnetic, semi-ring-shaped metal discs, which are mounted under spring preload so that they can tilt into an annular groove of the component when a connection is made with it. To release the connection, the solution known from DE 10 2006 060 074 A1 provides that the component is pressed against the holding device by manually applying force, causing the component to move slightly further into the holding device. Simultaneously, a magnet is brought close to exert a magnetic force on the semi-ring-shaped metal discs, causing them to tilt and disengage from the annular groove. Once this has occurred, the component can be removed from the holding device. This solution has some disadvantages.For example, a certain amount of play must exist between the holding device and the component so that the component can be pushed further into the holding device to release it. Furthermore, once the semi-circular metal discs have engaged, the component is completely unsecured; that is, in the worst case, it can fall off if the component is released from the annular groove after the semi-circular metal discs have disengaged.

[0003] Document CN 108 105 236 A discloses a magnetically opening, invisibly mountable, two-component holding device. The first component comprises a sleeve with a concentrically arranged mandrel. An annular bead is located at the free end of the mandrel. The second component comprises another sleeve, the free end of which has a flanged ring. This flange limits the travel of a magnetic ring, which is axially movable on the outside of the sleeve of the second component. This sleeve is also axially slotted in its end section. Its inner diameter is selected such that the second sleeve can be slid onto the free end of the mandrel of the first component. The inner contour of the second sleeve is designed to positively engage the annular bead. When the magnetic ring is positioned at the end of the flanged ring, an inserted mandrel is secured.The opening and closing of the holder is achieved by an externally approached magnet which, depending on the polarity direction, can move the magnetic ring on the sleeve of the second component.

[0004] Document KR 101 895 522 B1 describes an assembly tool and method for a large screen that can be assembled from numerous individual screens in a tile-like fashion. This requires the ability to attach and remove the individual screen sections as closely as possible, which is conventionally very time-consuming. The document shows a locking device between a sleeve and a bolt, secured by locking elements. A piston, movably mounted within the bolt and containing a magnet and a spring, ensures this function.

[0005] Based on the prior art, the invention therefore aims to provide a generic holding device in which the locking position is not based on magnetic forces and only the opening process requires an external magnet.

[0006] This problem is solved by the features of the independent claims. Advantageous further developments and embodiments of the invention result from the dependent claims.

[0007] The holding device according to the invention is provided with movable locking elements for holding the component, the position of which is not affected by the magnetic force. Thus, even after the holding device is switched to component release mode, the locking elements initially remain in their engaged position within the component and only disengage when the component is removed from the holding device. Since the locking elements are not moved by the magnetic force, it is also unnecessary to create a corresponding freedom of movement by applying pressure to the component.

[0008] To enable this, the holding device has a locking element that inhibits movement of the locking means in a locked position during component holding mode and releases movement of the locking means in a released position during component release mode. Thus, according to the invention, the locking element is moved by magnetic force instead of the locking means.

[0009] Although an indirect drive of the locking element is of course also within the scope of the invention, for example via a ferromagnetic element articulated to the locking element, the locking element consists at least partially of ferromagnetic material.

[0010] This allows for direct drive and minimizes the number of components required.

[0011] Furthermore, the holding device will have a spring element that biases the locking element towards its locked position. The movement of the locking element into its release position caused by the magnetic force then occurs against the spring force of the spring element. This ensures that the locking element is in its locked position when no magnetic force is acting upon it, thus reliably preventing any unwanted disengagement of the locking mechanism in component-holding mode.

[0012] It has proven particularly advantageous if the locking elements are at least partially elastically deformable. For example, the locking elements can comprise a plurality of locking fingers made of plastic, arranged on a common locking element base plate, and the plastic being elastically deformable in the desired manner. Those skilled in the art recognize that the stiffness of the locking elements determines the force required to remove the component in component release mode.

[0013] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the holding device has a housing in which the locking means are arranged with play in a direction perpendicular to the approach direction with which the component is brought close to the holding device. Such play can be used to compensate for tolerances.

[0014] Furthermore, it can be advantageous for the mounting device to have a housing in which the locking elements are arranged, and for a damping element to be provided between the housing and the locking elements. This can, for example, achieve at least partial acoustic decoupling between the housing (and any other component to which it is assigned) and the component.

[0015] Optionally, the mounting device may be provided with a housing, and the locking element may rest against the housing in its locked position. This solution is particularly advantageous, though not limited to, when the aforementioned play is provided in the direction perpendicular to an approach direction, as the locking element is then fixed in its locked position relative to the housing, thus preventing, for example, unwanted rattling noises. The contact surface need not be flat. For instance, the locking element may have tooth-like projections in the corresponding areas opposite the housing, which are brought into contact with the housing to fix the locking element in place.

[0016] According to another embodiment of the invention, the holding device switches from component holding mode to component release mode without magnetic force and without damage when a force exceeding a predetermined threshold acts between the component and the locking elements. This creates an overload protection function that, for example, prevents the anchoring of the housing from being torn out of an aircraft wall element to which it is attached when excessive tensile forces occur. It is clear to those skilled in the art that the predetermined threshold can be set, for example, by selecting the locking and contact surfaces, the respective angles of these surfaces, the spring forces, and so on, to name just a few possible parameters.

[0017] The aforementioned problem is also solved by a method for releasing a snap-in connection between a mounting device, in particular a mounting device according to the invention, and a component, if the following steps are provided: generating a magnetic field near the mounting device; and applying a force that moves the mounting device and the component apart to release the snap-in connection. This is because, in this solution as well, the engagement of the locking elements that create the snap-in connection only occurs when the component is removed, and prior pressing of the component is not required, which is why no corresponding play is necessary.

[0018] Similar to the holding device according to the invention, it can also be advantageous here that the magnetic field exerts a magnetic force that moves a locking element from a locking position, in which it inhibits movement of locking means, to a release position, in which it releases the movement of the locking means.

[0019] In the inventive method, it is also preferred that the locking element is moved from the locked position to the released position against a spring force. In other words, the locking element is held securely in its locked position by a spring element as long as no corresponding magnetic force is acting upon it.

[0020] For the method according to the invention, it is considered advantageous that the locking elements are elastically deformed when the connection is released, when the locking element is in its release position and the force moving the holding device and the component apart is applied. The forces to be applied can again be determined by a suitable design of, for example, plastic locking fingers, whereby other design parameters also play a role.

[0021] Although the use of permanent magnets is also possible, at least in some embodiments of the method according to the invention, the magnetic field can be generated by an electromagnet that is activated to release the connection. Such an electromagnet can, for example, be integrated into a work glove. In this way, it can be ensured, in particular, that any holding devices are not accidentally put into a component release mode by an inadvertent proximity of a permanent magnet. Furthermore, it is possible to trigger a component release mode at a desired time only when the electromagnet is already perfectly positioned. This is useful, for example, when disassembling particularly heavy components that must be held by several people.If necessary, several holding devices can also be synchronously moved into component release mode by the synchronous activation of several correctly positioned electromagnets.

[0022] Although the method according to the invention is not limited to this, it is particularly applicable in the field of vehicle construction and especially in the field of aircraft construction, where the mounting device is then part of a first aircraft component (for example, an interior wall element) and the component is part of a second aircraft component (for example, a frame). The term "component" is to be interpreted broadly, and all conceivable design and fastening variants are considered, for example, integrated construction, gluing, welding, screwing, riveting, to name just a few possibilities.

[0023] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. They show:

[0024] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a holding device according to the invention, which can also be used within the framework of the method according to the invention; Figure 2 shows a perspective exploded view of the holding device. Figure 1 ; and Figure 3, a sectional view of the mounting device of Figure 1 with a held component, in component holding mode.

[0025] The following description of the drawings refers to the Figures 1 to 3 jointly referenced.

[0026] The illustrated mounting device 10 is designed to hold a [unclear] only in Figure 3 schematically indicated first aircraft component 28, to which the mounting device 10 is attached, with a likewise only in Figure 3to connect the schematically indicated second aircraft component 30. The second aircraft component 30 comprises component 12, which in turn has a pin 38. As in Figure 3 As can be seen, pin 38 has an annular groove 40 with angled groove walls. The lower end section of pin 38 is hemispherical, which, as explained in more detail below, facilitates the production of the connection, more precisely the snap-in connection.

[0027] The mounting device 10 comprises a housing base 20 and a housing cover 22 with a cover opening 36 that provides access to locking elements 14, which are designed to engage in the annular groove 40. The locking elements 14 comprise a locking element base plate 32, from which, in the illustrated embodiment, five locking fingers 14a - 14e arranged in a circle extend vertically upwards. The five locking fingers 14a - 14e thus form a kind of round cage, or a multiply slotted cup, depending on the perspective. The upper, free ends of the locking fingers 14a - 14e, as shown in the illustration, form a kind of funnel or collar. Furthermore, the locking fingers 14a - 14e are equipped with radially inwardly projecting locking lugs, of which the two in Figure 3The sections shown are designated with reference numerals 42a and 42c. The locking fingers 14a–14e are elastically deformable, at least in sections, such that they are bent radially outwards in a resilient manner when the pin 38 of component 12 is inserted from above into the funnel-shaped upper edge region. In the Figure 3 In the position shown, the pin 38 has already been moved downwards so far that the locking lugs 42a and 42b (and of course also the remaining 3 locking lugs) have springed back into the annular groove 40 of the pin 38.

[0028] A ferromagnetic locking element 16 surrounds the cage- or cup-shaped arrangement of the locking fingers 14a-14e and is pressed upwards by a spring element 18 (as shown) until teeth 48, 50 of the locking element 16 come into contact with the lower side of the housing cover 22, as shown. In the illustrated case, the spring element 18 is designed as a coil spring, which also surrounds the cage- or cup-shaped arrangement of the locking fingers 14a-14e, with the upper end of the spring bearing against the locking element 16 and the lower end of the spring bearing against the locking element base plate 32. Figure 3In the depicted locked position of the locking element 16, the locking element 16 prevents radial outward movement of the locking fingers 14a-14e, in this case by positively surrounding the upper funnel- or collar-shaped edge region of the locking fingers 14a-14e. Before it has assumed this locked position, the locking element 16 is displaced downwards against the spring force by the outwardly moving locking fingers 14a-14e when the pin 38 is inserted. The hemispherical underside of the pin 38 ensures that only minimal frictional losses occur when the locking fingers 14a-14e are forced apart, as only linear contact areas are formed.

[0029] The locking means 14, the locking element 16, and the spring element 18 are joined together by a clip 34 to form an assembly, the clip 34 also guiding the locking element 16 as it moves, as will be explained in more detail below. In any case, the assembly in question is arranged in the housing 20, 22 with lateral play, i.e., perpendicular to the approach direction of the component 12. The assembly can thus be moved laterally within the housing, for example, as a centering process when inserting the pin 38 into the locking means 14. In this way, positional tolerances can be compensated for to a certain extent.

[0030] Only in Figure 3A damping element 24, shown schematically, can be provided between the locking mechanism base plate 32 and the housing base 20 to achieve damping / acoustic decoupling between pin 38 and the housing. Corresponding measures can be taken, if necessary, at all contact points between the aforementioned assembly and the housing 20, 22.

[0031] In the illustrated embodiment, the component locking surface 46 (i.e., the lower groove wall of the annular groove 40) and the locking element locking surfaces (only the locking element locking surface 44a of the locking lug 42a is provided with a reference numeral) are chamfered in such a way as to provide overload protection. If a sufficiently strong upward tensile force acts on the component 12, this causes the locking fingers 14a - 14e to move outwards, thereby forcing the locking element 16 downwards against the spring force until the locking lugs of the locking elements 14 disengage from the annular groove 40, so that the pin 38 and thus the component 12 is released.

[0032] To release the snap-in connection between the mounting device 10 and the component 12, an electromagnet 26, brought close to the mounting device, is activated. This electromagnet then generates a downward-directed magnetic force on the ferromagnetic locking element 16. This magnetic force moves the locking element 16 downwards into its release position, contrary to the spring force exerted by the spring element 18. In the release position (not shown in the drawings), the locking element 16 releases the upper portion of the locking fingers 14a–14e, allowing the locking lugs of the locking fingers 14a–14e to be moved outwards by relatively moderate (compared to the overload case described above) upward-directed tensile forces acting on the component 12, until the locking lugs engage in the annular groove 40. Reference symbol list

[0033] 10 Mounting device 12 Component 14 Detent 14a - 14e Detent finger 16 Locking element 18 Spring element 20 Housing base 22 Housing cover 24 Damping element 26 Electromagnet 28 First aircraft component 30 Second aircraft component 32 Detent base plate 34 Clip 36 Cover opening 38 Pin 40 Ring groove 42 Detent lug 42c Detent lug 44 Detent lug locking surface 46 Component locking surface 48 Tooth 50 Tooth

Claims

1. Holding device (10) for holding a component (12), wherein the holding device (10) - can be transferred from a component holding mode to a component release mode by magnetic force, and; - has movable latching means (14) for holding the component (12), the position of which is not influenced by the magnetic force; and further - has a locking element (16) which inhibits movement of the latching means (14) in an inhibiting position in the component holding mode and which releases movement of the latching means (14) in a release position in the component release mode; and - the holding device (10) has a spring element (18) which pretensions the locking element (16) in the direction of its inhibiting position, and - the locking element (16) is thus in its inhibiting position without any magnetic force acting on it and reliably prevents any undesirable disengagement of the latching means in the component holding mode, characterized in that the locking element (16) consists at least in sections of ferromagnetic material and the latching means (14) are formed from a cage-like or cup-like arrangement of latching fingers (14a-14e) which are surrounded by the locking element (16); wherein the spring element (18) is designed as a coil spring which also surrounds the cage-like or cup-like arrangement of the latching fingers (14a-14e).

2. Holding device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the latching means (14) or latching fingers (14a-14e) are elastically deformable at least in sections.

3. Holding device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has a housing (20, 22) in which the latching means (14) or latching fingers (14a-14e) are arranged with play in a direction that runs perpendicular to an approach direction with which the component (12) is approached for mounting.

4. Holding device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has a housing (20, 22) in which the latching means (14) or latching fingers (14a-14e) are arranged, and in that a damping element (24) is provided between the housing (20, 22) and the latching means (14) or latching fingers (14a-14e).

5. Holding device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has a housing (20, 22) and in that the locking element (16) rests against the housing (20, 22) in its inhibiting position.

6. Holding device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it switches from the component holding mode to the component release mode without magnetic force and in a non-destructive manner when a force exceeding a predetermined threshold value acts between the component (12) and the latching means (14).

7. Method for releasing a snap-in connection between a holding device (10) according to one of the preceding claims and a component (12), comprising the following steps of: - generating a magnetic field in the vicinity of the holding device (10); and - applying a force that moves the holding device (10) and the component (12) apart to release the snap-in connection.

8. Method according to claim 7, characterized in that the magnetic field exerts a magnetic force which moves a locking element (16) from an inhibiting position, in which it inhibits movement of latching means (14) or latching fingers (14a-14e), into a release position, in which it releases the movement of the latching means (14) or latching fingers (14a-14e).

9. Method according to claim 8, characterized in that the transfer of the locking element (16) from the inhibiting position to the release position takes place against a spring force.

10. Method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the latching means (14) or latching fingers (14a-14e) are elastically deformed when the connection is released, if the locking element (16) is in its release position and the force moving the holding device (10) and the component (12) apart is applied.

11. Method according to one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the magnetic field is generated by an electromagnet (26) which is activated to release the connection.

12. Method according to one of claims 7 to 11, characterized in that the holding device (10) is part of a first aircraft component (28) and the component (12) is part of a second aircraft component (30).