COMPONENT ARRANGEMENT WITH SPACE-SAVING LOCKING CONNECTION

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a component arrangement according to the preamble of patent claim 1 and to a vehicle with a corresponding component arrangement.

[0002] Snap-in connections are widely used for connecting components easily, cost-effectively, yet reliably. This type of component connection is also widely used in automotive engineering. Components can be connected either with separate snap-in elements, so-called clips, or via snap-in hooks, which can be formed integrally with the respective component and engage with a second component.

[0003] Each snap-in connection typically requires sufficient space to ensure secure locking. However, if several individual components are to be connected to form a common component assembly, a large number of snap-in connections are usually required, the arrangement of which can be particularly challenging in confined spaces.

[0004] A generic component arrangement is known from FR 2 896 729 A1.

[0005] An object of the invention is therefore to advantageously further develop a component arrangement with a plurality of snap-in connections, in particular to provide a space-saving arrangement.

[0006] This object is achieved with a component arrangement according to the subject matter of patent claim 1 and a vehicle having the features of patent claim 6. Advantageous embodiments emerge from the respective dependent patent claims.

[0007] Accordingly, a component assembly is provided comprising a carrier element and a first component element connected to the carrier element by means of a first locking connection, and a second component element connected to the first component element by means of a second locking connection, wherein the first locking connection comprises a first locking hook and the second locking connection comprises a second locking hook. Furthermore, the second locking hook engages the first locking hook in a form-fitting manner to provide the second locking connection.

[0008] Accordingly, the component arrangement has at least three separate elements which are connected to one another via the two snap-in connections: the carrier element, the first component element and the second component element.

[0009] The first component element is positively connected to the carrier element by means of the first locking connection, in which the first locking hook engages the carrier element. In the following, this will be referred to as a first locking hook. However, it is understood that the first locking connection can comprise not only a first locking hook but also a plurality of first locking hooks, which are designed in the same way and engage with the carrier element in order to lock the first component element to the carrier element.

[0010] For example, the first locking hook can be positively engaged with the support element to provide the first locking connection, in that the support element has an undercut into which the first locking hook can be hooked or engaged for the positive connection. The undercut can be formed, for example, by a recess or an extension of the support element.

[0011] The second component element, on the other hand, is not directly attached to the support element (at least in the area of ​​the snap-in connections), but is positively connected to the first component element, or more precisely, to the first snap-in hook, by means of the second snap-in hook of the second snap-in connection. The second snap-in hook thus establishes a positive connection with the first snap-in hook by engaging around it.

[0012] In the following, reference will be made to a second locking hook. However, it is understood that the second locking connection may comprise not only one second locking hook, but also a plurality of second locking hooks, which are configured in the same way and engage with the first component element to lock the second component element to the first component element.

[0013] With the described component arrangement, it is possible to use the installation space required for each locking hook, including any additional mounting space required due to elastic deformation of the respective locking hook during assembly, for both locking hooks. If necessary, this space may need to be slightly larger than for just one of the two locking hooks, but it can in any case be significantly smaller than would be required if the two locking hooks were arranged at different locations. The described component arrangement is therefore particularly space-saving and can therefore also be used in applications with very limited installation space.

[0014] The component arrangement in the vehicle is intended for attaching a sensor to the vehicle.

[0015] The first component element is a holding frame for the sensor, in particular for a distance measurement sensor, such as an Adaptive Cruise Control sensor (ACC sensor for short). This includes, in particular, radar and / or ultrasonic and / or lidar sensors. The sensor is held by the holding frame when installed.

[0016] For example, a hook-shaped extension of the second locking hook can engage a head portion of the first locking hook in a form-fitting manner. This means that the head portion of the first locking hook forms an undercut into which the hook-shaped extension of the second locking hook can hook or engage. The second locking hook thus holds onto the first locking hook.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the first locking hook can have an outer side facing away from the support element, which outer side faces an inner side of the second locking hook. This means that the second locking hook and the first locking hook are arranged in a sandwich-like manner. For example, the two locking hooks can even be sandwiched one on top of the other. For example, the inner side of the second locking hook can, in the installed state, rest at least partially, i.e., partially or completely, on the outer side of the first locking hook.

[0018] For example, the first locking hook can be mounted on the support element first, as this requires elastic deformation of the first locking hook. The first locking hook must deflect from the support element during assembly in order to engage or snap into the support element in the final installed position. This might be hindered by the second locking hook arranged on the outside of the first locking hook if the first and second components were already locked together beforehand.

[0019] However, once the first locking hook has been installed, the second locking hook can then be easily attached to the first locking hook, creating a compact and space-saving component arrangement.

[0020] Of course, further locking hooks can be provided, which are plugged onto the second locking hook or onto the locking hook arranged below it in the same way as described for the second locking hook and the first locking hook. Any number of locking hooks can be arranged one above the other, with the lower locking hook (analogous to the first locking hook described) always being mounted first and then the locking hook arranged above it (analogous to the second locking hook described) being plugged onto the lower locking hook. In this way, a sandwich-like structure can be created from any number of locking hooks. For this purpose, each of the locking hooks can be designed according to the description of the first or second locking hook. The given description is applicable analogously.

[0021] In principle, the described component arrangement can be used in all areas where snap-in connections are possible. It is primarily used in vehicles, but also in tools, machines, furniture, or building installations.

[0022] For the purposes of this description, vehicles are generally considered to be all land, water, and air vehicles with a corresponding component arrangement. Land vehicles can be used for both motorized vehicles and non-motorized vehicles, such as bicycles. In addition to passenger cars and trucks, other motorized vehicles, such as wheelchairs, snowmobiles, tricycles, or quads, as well as, preferably, so-called tilting vehicles, are also possible. Tilting vehicles include, among others, motorcycles or motorcycle-like motor vehicles, such as scooters, in particular tilting two-, three-, or four-wheeled scooters, or the like.

[0023] According to a preferred embodiment, the second component element can be a covering part for at least partially covering the first component element. For example, the support frame and the sensor connected thereto can be completely or partially covered by the covering part, preferably in edge regions of the sensor. For example, the sensor can be held between the support frame and the covering part in this way.

[0024] Furthermore, a vehicle with a component arrangement is provided, wherein the component arrangement is designed according to the description.

[0025] Furthermore, the support element can be connected to a vehicle structure, in particular to a front mask and / or a headlight assembly. The support element can be designed as a separate component and connected to the vehicle structure. However, the support element can also be connected or formed integrally or in one piece with the vehicle structure or a component of the vehicle structure.

[0026] Preferably, the component arrangement is designed such that the sensor points in a vehicle longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

[0027] The invention will be explained in more detail below using an exemplary embodiment with reference to the drawings. In the drawings: Fig. 1: a sectional view of a component arrangement according to the description, Fig. 2: a detailed view of Fig. 1 , Fig. 3: a perspective view of the component arrangement according to Fig. 1 , and Fig. 4: a perspective view of a vehicle front with the component arrangement according to the Fig. 1 bis 3 .

[0028] Fig. 1 shows a sectional view of a component assembly 10 with a space-saving snap-in connection. The component assembly 10 comprises a carrier element 11 and a first component element 12, which is connected to the carrier element 11 by means of a first snap-in connection 14. In other words, the first snap-in connection 14 establishes a snap-in connection between the carrier element 11 and the first component element 12 in order to fasten the first component element 12 to the carrier element 11.

[0029] Furthermore, the component assembly 10 comprises a second component element 13, which is connected to the first component element 12 by means of a second locking connection 15. Accordingly, the second locking connection 15 establishes a lockable connection between the first component element 12 and the second component element 13 in order to fasten the second component element 13 to the first component element 12.

[0030] The first locking connection 15 comprises a first locking hook 16. This is formed on the first component element 12, in particular integrally formed thereon. The second locking connection 14 comprises a second locking hook 17. This is formed on the second component element 13, in particular integrally formed thereon.

[0031] In the installed state, the second locking hook 17 engages positively around the first locking hook 16 to provide the second locking connection 14 (between these two component elements 12, 13).

[0032] As particularly in the Fig. 2 shown detailed view A for Fig. 1 and in the perspective view of the component arrangement 10 in Fig. 3 As can be seen, a hook-shaped extension 17a of the second locking hook 17 engages positively around a head region 16a of the first locking hook 16.

[0033] In addition, the first locking hook 16 is in positive engagement with the support element 11 to provide the first locking connection 14. For this purpose, the support element 11 can, for example, have an undercut 11a into which the first locking hook 16 can engage with a hook-shaped extension 16b. The undercut 11a is provided by a recess in the illustrated embodiment, but can also be provided by an extension suitably formed on the support element 11.

[0034] As can be seen from the figures, with the described component arrangement 10 it is possible to use the installation space required for the respective locking hook 16, 17, including an assembly space which is additionally required due to an elastic deformation of the respective locking hook 16, 17 during assembly, for both locking hooks 16, 17.

[0035] In the illustrated embodiment, the first locking hook 16 has an outer side 16b facing away from the carrier element 11 (at least in the region of the first locking connection 14), which faces an inner side 17b of the second locking hook 17. Accordingly, the second locking hook 17 and the first locking hook 16 are arranged in a sandwich-like manner relative to one another or lie on top of one another in a sandwich-like manner.

[0036] For assembly, the first locking hook 16 can first be mounted on the support element 11, since this requires elastic deformation of the first locking hook 16. The first locking hook 16 must deflect from the support element 11 during assembly in order to engage or snap into engagement with the support element 11 in the final installed position. This would otherwise be hindered by the second locking hook 17 arranged on the outer side 16b of the first locking hook 16 if the first component element 12 and the second component element 13 were already locked together beforehand.

[0037] However, once the first locking hook 16 has been mounted, the second locking hook 17 can then be easily plugged onto the first locking hook 16, creating the compact and space-saving component arrangement 10.

[0038] Fig. 4 shows a perspective, partially illustrated view of a vehicle front of a vehicle designed as an example as a motorcycle or as a motorcycle-like vehicle (not further illustrated).

[0039] This includes an exemplary embodiment of the component arrangement 10 according to the Fig. 1 bis 3 . Here, the first component element 12 can be a holding frame for a sensor, in particular for an ACC sensor pointing in the vehicle's longitudinal direction and / or in the direction of travel. Furthermore, the second component element 13 can be a trim part for covering the first component element 12. When installed on the vehicle, the support element 11 can be connected to a vehicle structure 19, in particular to a front mask and / or a headlight arrangement of the vehicle. The connection of the support element to the vehicle structure or to a component of the vehicle structure can be designed in multiple parts or in one piece.

[0040] Thanks to the component arrangement 10, the sensor 18 can be easily attached to the support element 11 and at least partially covered.

Claims

1. Component arrangement (10) having a carrier element (11) and a first component element (12), which is connected to the carrier element (11) by means of a first latching connection (14), and a second component element (13), which is connected to the first component element (12) by means of a second latching connection (15), wherein the first latching connection (14) comprises a first latching hook (16) and the second latching connection (15) comprises a second latching hook (17), wherein the second latching hook (17) engages form-fittingly around the first latching hook (16) to provide the second latching connection (15), characterized in that the first component element (12) is a holding frame for a sensor (18).

2. Component arrangement (10) according to Claim 1, characterized in that a hook-like extension (17a) of the second latching hook (17) engages form-fittingly around a head region (16a) of the first latching hook (16).

3. Component arrangement (10) according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first latching hook (16) is form-fittingly engaged with the carrier element (11) to provide the first latching connection (14).

4. Component arrangement (10) according to at least one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the first latching hook (16) has an outer side (16b) that faces away from the carrier element (11) and faces an inner side (17b) of the second latching hook (17).

5. Component arrangement (10) according to at least one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the second component element (13) is a trim part for at least partially encasing the first component element (12).

6. Vehicle having a component arrangement (10), characterized in that the component arrangement (10) is configured according to one of Claims 1 to 5.

7. Vehicle according to Claim 6, characterized in that the carrier element (11) is connected to a vehicle structure (19), in particular to a front fairing and / or a front headlamp arrangement.