Locking device for fixing two components of a motor vehicle together without tools, and motor vehicle with such a locking device

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a fixing device for fixing two components of a motor vehicle to one another without the use of tools, and to a motor vehicle having such a fixing device.

[0002] Fixing devices for the tool-free fastening of two components of a motor vehicle are known in various designs from the prior art. For example, two components are secured together using a clip connection. A first component is slid onto a second component along a first joining direction and clipped together.

[0003] A disadvantage of the known locking devices has been that, due to manufacturing requirements, the locking device components must have sufficient play to accommodate a locking element in a recess. As a result, noise can never be completely avoided during operation of the vehicle.

[0004] To address this problem, prior art fastening devices are known in which two components are additionally secured to each other by a manually operable fastening device, such as a screw connection. This increases the time required to assemble two components.

[0005] The generic DE 102014207120 A1 is known from the DPMA search report on the priority-establishing DE 102020215603.4.

[0006] An object of an embodiment of the invention is to propose a fixing device for fixing two components of a motor vehicle to one another without tools, as well as a motor vehicle with such a fixing device, in which a relative movement of the two components in the assembled state is reduced.

[0007] This object is achieved by a fastening device for the tool-free fastening of two components of a motor vehicle to one another, with at least one rear gripping means arranged on a first component, which has a coupling section and, at a free end, a head section which comprises an enlarged cross-section with respect to the coupling section, with at least one receptacle arranged on a second component, which receptacle comprises a continuous recess which has a first region into which the rear gripping means can be inserted with the free end into the recess along a first joining direction and can be arranged in an intermediate joining position, and which comprises a second region which is accessible via the first region and which, viewed transversely to the first joining direction, has a cross-section which is smaller than the cross-section of the head section of the rear gripping means,and in which the engaging means with its coupling section can be moved from the intermediate joining position along a second joining direction running transversely or obliquely to the first joining direction and can be arranged in a final joining position in which the engaging means with its coupling section is arranged entirely or at least partially in the second region of the recess and movement counter to the first joining direction is at least limited by the head section arranged on a side of the receptacle facing away from the first component, and with at least one locking element arranged on the first component and / or on the second component and which, at least upon reaching the final joining position, forms a locking contour arranged on the second component or first component to prevent relative movement of the first component and the second component counter to the second joining direction.

[0008] Because the locking element prevents relative movement of the first component to the second component in the final joining position by forming a rear engagement in the second joining direction, the rear engagement means is also secured against movement counter to the second joining direction in the final joining position. This reduces the manufacturing tolerance requirements for the receiving and rear engagement means, while simultaneously reducing play between the rear engagement means and the receiving means in the final joining position.

[0009] In one embodiment of the fixing device, the second joining direction runs transversely to the first joining direction. The head section of the engaging means is inserted into the first region of the recess in the receptacle along the first joining direction, such that it engages, in particular completely, through a wall of the receptacle encompassing the recess. By transferring the engaging means from the intermediate joining position transversely to the first joining direction, i.e. along the second joining direction, the head section is guided in such a way that it touches or has a gap with the wall of the receptacle encompassing the recess, said head section forming an engaging engagement opposite to the first joining direction by bearing against the wall. As a result, movement of the engaging means by the head section is prevented as soon as the coupling section is arranged in the second region of the recess.

[0010] According to the invention, the rear gripping means is designed such that the at least one rear gripping means is hook-shaped and / or that the coupling section extends in or obliquely to the first joining direction and the head section continues the coupling section in an angled or bent manner, extending transversely or obliquely to the first joining direction.

[0011] This makes it easy to implement the coupling section and the head section of the rear gripping means. Furthermore, both the coupling section and the head section can have the same cross-section transverse to the direction of extension. In this case, the rear gripping means can be manufactured, for example, by bending a strip-shaped body.

[0012] An at least virtually play-free arrangement of the rear engagement means in the receptacle can be achieved if the cross section transverse to the first joining direction of the second region of the recess is designed to correspond, in particular complement, to the cross section of the coupling section of the rear engagement means. In this case, the rear engagement means with the coupling section rests flatly or linearly against one, two, or three inner surfaces of the second region of the recess in the final joining position.

[0013] In order to further reduce a relative movement from the first component to the second component in the mutually fixed state in or against the first joining direction, it proves to be advantageous if the receptacle comprises at least one wedge-shaped or arc-shaped slotted guide which widens in the direction of the second joining direction and which is arranged on the side facing away from the first component and adjacent to the second region of the recess and against which the head section of the rear engagement means rests at least in the final joining position.

[0014] As a result, the head section of the rear gripping means is clamped in the direction of the holder when transferred from the intermediate joining position to the final joining position.

[0015] In order to further reduce the risk of noise development during operation of the motor vehicle, a further development of the fixing device provides that the receptacle comprises a damping means on the side facing away from the first component, against which the head section rests at least in the final joining position and / or that the head section comprises a damping means on the side facing the receptacle in the final joining position, with which the head section rests against the receptacle at least in the final joining position.

[0016] The damping means can, for example, comprise the wedge- or arch-shaped expansion of the mount. By providing a damping means, the risk of noise generated by a relative movement of the first component to the second component can be reduced.

[0017] The risk of noise generation can be further reduced and the quality of the fastening of the first component to the second component can be improved if the fastening device comprises at least one spring means which can be arranged or is arranged between the first component and the second component and by means of which the first component and the second component can be tensioned away from one another, at least in the final joining position, with a force acting in or obliquely to the first joining direction.

[0018] In a further development of the fixing device, it is provided that the at least one locking element is elastically displaceable with respect to the first joining direction and / or that the locking element and the spring means form a common one-piece component.

[0019] If the locking element can be elastically displaced with respect to the first joining direction and / or if the locking element and the spring means form a common one-piece component, the fixing device can be made compact and an automatic transfer of the locking element into or behind the locking contour can be ensured.

[0020] If the locking element and the spring means form a common one-piece component, the fixing device can be designed with reduced components.

[0021] The locking contour can be of any technical design, provided that it fulfils the function of fixing the locking element in the final joining position in such a way that the combination of locking contour and locking element fixes the first component and the second component against a relative movement opposite to the second joining direction.

[0022] In one embodiment of the fixing device, it is provided that the locking contour arranged on the second component or on the first component comprises a recess into which the locking element can be locked at least in the final joining position transversely to the second joining direction and / or that the locking contour arranged on the second component or on the first component comprises a raised portion along which the locking element can slide when transferred from the intermediate joining position to the final joining position and can be brought out of engagement with the raised portion upon reaching the final joining position in order to project in the direction of the second component or towards the first component.

[0023] By implementing the locking contour in both ways, either as a recess or as a raised area, it is possible to ensure that the locking element stops in the final joining position.

[0024] The term "respectively" is used according to its original meaning. That is, if the locking contour is arranged on the first component, the locking element is arranged on the second component. Accordingly, the locking element is arranged on the second component if the locking contour is arranged on the first component. This places the locking contour and the locking element, and their arrangement, in a relationship to one another, resulting in a correspondingly opposite, particularly complementary, arrangement of the further component.

[0025] In a further development of the latter embodiment, it proves to be advantageous if the locking contour comprises a ramp-like cross-section, through which the locking element can be displaced in a direction transverse to the second joining direction when transferred from the intermediate joining position to the final joining position.

[0026] By providing a ramp-like cross section of the locking contour, the locking element, in particular if it is formed integrally with the spring element, can be displaced transversely to the second joining direction, i.e. in particular in the direction of the first joining direction, during the transfer of the first component to the second component in the direction of the second joining direction in order to lock behind or on the locking contour in the final joining position, i.e. after overcoming the locking contour.

[0027] The risk of noise generation can be further reduced if the first component and the second component in the intermediate joining position are in contact with each other at least in sections, in particular over a large area.

[0028] In embodiments of the fixing device, it is provided that the receptacle and / or the locking element can be fixed or secured releasably or non-releasably to the second component and / or that the at least one engagement means and / or the locking contour can be fixed or secured releasably or non-releasably to the first component.

[0029] If the receptacle and / or the locking element can be releasably secured to the second component, they can be screwed or similarly attached. If the at least one engagement means and / or the locking contour can be releasably secured to the first component, they can be simply screwed to the first component. If the receptacle, the locking element, the engagement means, and / or the locking contour are permanently attached to the first component or the second component, they can be glued, welded, or soldered, for example.

[0030] In a further development of the fixing device, a non-detachable connection of the individual components is provided, in particular in that the receptacle, the locking element and / or the second component form a one-piece common component and / or in that the at least one rear engagement means, the locking contour and / or the first component form a one-piece common component.

[0031] The second component can, for example, comprise a bent sheet metal part in which the receptacle and / or the locking element comprise a punching or bending punching section.

[0032] Furthermore, it is conceivable that the engagement means and the locking contour, which together with the first component form a single, common component, are manufactured in the course of an injection molding process.

[0033] Both of the options outlined above allow the fixing device to be designed with reduced components and in a compact manner.

[0034] The stability of the arrangement of the first component on the second component can be improved if the fixing device comprises at least two rear engagement means and at least one locking element arranged between the at least two rear engagement means and / or at least two receptacles and at least one locking contour arranged between the at least two receptacles.

[0035] The first component and the second component can comprise any desired components of the motor vehicle. In one embodiment of the securing device, the first component comprises a panel and / or the second component comprises a frame element of the motor vehicle.

[0036] Finally, the object is achieved by a motor vehicle having at least one first component, at least one second component and at least one fixing device having at least one of the aforementioned features, by means of which the first component can be fixed to the second component without tools.

[0037] Further features, details and advantages of the invention emerge from the appended patent claims, from the drawings and the following description of a preferred embodiment of the fixing device.

[0038] The drawing shows: Figure 1A perspective front view of a first embodiment of the fixing device with the first component and the second component in the intermediate joining position; Figure 2A perspective front view of the embodiment according to Figure 1 with first component and second component in the final joining position; Figure 3A perspective front view of a first component of the fixing device according to Figure 1 ; Figure 4A perspective front view of a second component of the fixing device according to Figure 1 .

[0039] The figures show a securing device, designated overall by reference numeral 2, for securing two components of a motor vehicle to one another without the use of tools. A first component 4 can be secured to a second component 6 by the securing device 2. For this purpose, the first component 4, in the exemplary embodiment shown in the figures, comprises two rear engagement means 8 and a locking contour 10 arranged between the two rear engagement means 8. These interact with a receptacle 12 and a locking element 14 on the second component 6.

[0040] To join the first component 4 to the second component 6, the first component 4 is inserted with the two engagement means 8 along a first joining direction 16 into a continuous recess 18 of the receptacle 12. This recess comprises a first region 20 through which the engagement means 8 with a coupling section 22 and a head section 24 can be inserted.

[0041] In the embodiment shown in the figures, the head section 24 of the rear gripping means 8 continues the coupling section 22 in a direction angled obliquely to the joining direction 16.

[0042] Figure 1 shows the securing device 2, in which the first component 4 and the second component 6 are in an intermediate joining position. In this position, the engaging means 8, with its head section 24 and the coupling section 22, is inserted through the first region 20 of the recess 18. The locking element 14 rests against the locking contour 10.

[0043] Figure 2 shows the fixing device 2 according to Figure 1, in which the first component 4 was moved relative to the second component 6 in a second joining direction 26. The second joining direction 26 runs transversely to the first joining direction 16. By moving the first component 4 along the second joining direction 26, the engagement means 8 with its coupling section 22 is displaced into a second region 28 of the recess 18. The head section 24 of the engagement means 8 is in this case disengaged from the second region 28 of the recess 18 and engages behind the recess 18 on the side of the receptacle 12 facing away from the first component 4. As a result, the first component 4 is limited against movement counter to the first joining direction 16 with respect to the second component 6.

[0044] When the first component 4 is transferred in the direction of the second joining direction 26, the second component 4 reaches a final joining position in which the coupling section 22 rests against the end of the second region 28 of the recess 18. In this final joining position, the locking element 14 is arranged with respect to the locking contour 10 in such a way that it forms a rear grip against a relative movement of the first component 4 and the second component 6 counter to the second joining direction 26.

[0045] In the exemplary embodiment of the securing device 2 shown in the figures, the second region 28 of the recess 18 is configured, with respect to its cross section transverse to the first joining direction 16, such that it corresponds, in particular complements, to a cross section of the coupling section 22 of the rear engagement means 8. This ensures that the rear engagement means 8, with its coupling section 22, abuts against three sides of the second region 28 of the recess 18.

[0046] In the embodiment shown in the figures, the locking element 14 comprises a spring means 30, by means of which a force can be built up between the first component 4 and the second component 6 in the first joining direction 16 in order to clamp both parts away from each other.

[0047] To further improve the clamping between the first component 4 and the second component 6, the receptacle 12 comprises at least one wedge-shaped or arcuately widening slot 32 in the direction of the second joining direction 26, which is arranged on the side facing away from the first component 4 in the second region 28 of the recess 18 of the receptacle 12. The head section 24 of the rear engagement means 8 rests against this slot 32 in the final joining position.

[0048] In the embodiment shown in the figures, in particular as shown in Figure 3As can be seen, the locking contour 10 comprises a protrusion 34, against which the locking element 14 is moved from the intermediate joining position ( Figure 1 ) into the final joining position ( Figure 2 ) and, upon reaching the final joining position, can be brought out of engagement with the elevation 34 in order to form a rear grip with the locking contour 10 designed as an elevation 34. This creates a relative movement between the first component 4 and the second component 6 counter to the second joining direction 26.

[0049] In the exemplary embodiment shown in the figures, the first component 4, the rear engagement means 8, and the locking contour 10 comprise a common component. The receptacle 12, the locking element 14, and the second component 6 also comprise a common, one-piece component.

[0050] The features of the invention disclosed in the above description, in the claims and in the drawings can be essential both individually and in any combination in the realization of the invention in its various embodiments. List of reference symbols

[0051] 2Fixing device 4First component 6Second component 8Rear grip 10Locking contour 12Receptacle 14Locking element 16First joining direction 18Recess 20First area 22Coupling section 24Head section 26Second joining direction 28Second area 30Spring means 32Link 34Elevation

Claims

1. Fixing device (2) for the tool-free fixing of two components of a motor vehicle to one another, with at least one rear gripping means (8) arranged on a first component (4), which has a coupling section (22) and at a free end a head section (24) which has an expanded cross-section with respect to the coupling section (22), with at least one receptacle (12) arranged on a second component (6), which has a continuous recess (18) which has a first region (20) into which the rear gripping means (8) can be inserted with the free end into the recess (18) along a first joining direction (16) and can be arranged in an intermediate joining position, and which has a second region (28) which is accessible via the first region (20) which, viewed transversely to the first joining direction (16), has a cross-section which is smaller than the cross-section of the Head section (24) of the rear gripping means (8), and in which the rear gripping means (8) with its coupling section (22) can be moved from the intermediate joining position along a second joining direction (26) running transversely or obliquely to the first joining direction (16) and can be arranged in a final joining position in which the rear gripping means (8) with its coupling section (22) is arranged entirely or at least in sections in the second region (28) of the recess (18) and movement against the first joining direction (16) is at least limited by the head section (24) arranged on a side of the receptacle (12) facing away from the first component (4), and with at least one latching element (14) which is arranged on the first component (4) and / or on the second component (6) and which, at least when the final joining position is reached, has a latching contour (10) arranged on the second component (6) or first component (4) and engages behind against a Relative movement of the first component (4) and second component (6) against the second joining direction (26), characterized in that the at least one rear gripping means (8) is hook-shaped and / or that the coupling section (22) extends in or obliquely to the first joining direction (16) and the head section (24) continues the coupling section (22) at an angle or bent over, running transversely or obliquely to the first joining direction (16).

2. Fixing device (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that the cross section transverse to the first joining direction (16) of the second region (28) of the recess (18) is designed to correspond, in particular complementarily, to the cross section of the coupling section (22) of the rear gripping means (8).

3. Fixing device (2) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receptacle (12) comprises at least one wedge-shaped or arcuately widening slot (32) in the direction of the second joining direction (26), which is arranged on the side facing away from the first component (4) and adjacent to the second region (28) of the recess (18) and against which the head section (24) of the rear gripping means (8) rests at least in the final joining position.

4. Fixing device (2) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receptacle (12) comprises a damping means on the side facing away from the first component (4), against which the head section (24) rests at least in the final joining position and / or that the head section (24) comprises a damping means on the side facing the receptacle (12) in the final joining position, with which the head section (24) rests against the receptacle (12) at least in the final joining position.

5. Fixing device (2) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least one spring means (30) which can be arranged or is arranged between the first component (4) and the second component (6) and by means of which the first component (4) and the second component (6) can be tensioned away from one another at least in the final joining position with a force acting in or obliquely to the first joining direction (16).

6. Fixing device (2) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one locking element (14) is elastically displaceable with respect to the first joining direction (16) and / or that the locking element (14) and the spring means (30) form a common one-piece component.

7. Fixing device (2) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking contour (10) arranged on the second component (6) or on the first component (4) comprises a recess into which the locking element (14) can be locked at least in the final joining position transversely to the second joining direction (26) and / or that the locking contour (10) arranged on the second component (6) or on the first component (4) comprises a raised area (34) along which the locking element (14) can slide when transferred from the intermediate joining position to the final joining position and can be disengaged from the raised area (34) when the final joining position is reached in order to project in the direction of the second component (6) or the first component (4).

8. Fixing device (2) according to claim 7, characterized in that the locking contour (10) comprises a ramp-like cross-section through which the locking element (14) can be displaced in a direction transverse to the second joining direction (26) when transferred from the intermediate joining position to the final joining position.

9. Fixing device (2) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first component (4) and the second component (6) rest against one another at least in sections, in particular over their entire surface, in the intermediate joining position.

10. Fixing device (2) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receptacle (12) and / or the locking element (14) can be or are fixed to the second component (6) in a detachable or non-detachable manner and / or that the at least one rear grip means (8) and / or the locking contour (10) can be or are fixed to the first component (4) in a detachable or non-detachable manner.

11. Fixing device (2) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receptacle (12), the locking element (14) and / or the second component (6) form a one-piece common component and / or that the at least one rear gripping means (8), the locking contour (10) and / or the first component (4) form a one-piece common component.

12. Fixing device (2) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least two rear gripping means (8) and at least one locking element (14) arranged between the at least two rear gripping means (8) and / or by at least two receptacles (12) and at least one locking contour (10) arranged between the at least two receptacles (12).

13. Fixing device (2) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first component (4) comprises a panel and / or that the second component (4) comprises a frame element of the motor vehicle.

14. Motor vehicle with at least one first component (2), at least one second component (4) and with at least one fixing device (2) according to one of claims 1 to 14, by means of which the first component (4) can be fixed to the second component (6) without tools.