COMPONENT HOLDER

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a component holder that is preferably designed for use in an aircraft, but can also be used in a similar function in land vehicles. The component holder is particularly useful for attaching insulation material or insulation mats to the interior walls of such vehicles. TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

[0002] In vehicle construction, particularly in aircraft and railway vehicles, the interior fittings are installed as pre-assembled elements after the fuselage or bodyshell has been manufactured. Cable runs, media lines, and insulation can be installed between the vehicle's outer shell and the curtain walls. Large-area mats are attached to the inside of the outer wall, particularly for thermal insulation and soundproofing, and are usually attached at specific points rather than across the entire surface. This facilitates assembly and later replacement. It is common practice to attach individual component holders to specific, specially designed points. These can be used to attach insulation mats, but also cable harnesses or other components. A component holder thus forms a type of anchor point or interface for the mechanical attachment of a component to a substrate such as the supporting structure of a vehicle. STATE OF THE ART

[0003] To avoid the disadvantage of additional holes, particularly in the supporting structure of aircraft, the prior art provided a variety of special sheet metal parts such as angles, double angles, Z-angles or tabs, which were attached at one of their structural ends, preferably to pre-designed riveting points. The other end of the sheet metal part has a fastening point that supports the insulation mats. This primarily ensures that a certain distance can be achieved between the inner surface of the fuselage and the insulation mat (or the component to be fastened). This can be adjusted by dimensioning the sheet metal parts mentioned above. The disadvantage here is that a large number of different sheet metal parts must be kept in stock to achieve the flexibility described.

[0004] Prior art US 2020 / 263728 A1 shows interconnectable locking components, each consisting of a half-shell lower part and a spherical upper part. The half-shell lower part of a second locking component can therefore be pushed onto the upper part of a first locking component and snaps into place like a ball joint. The first locking component can thus be tilted relative to the second, as far as the ball joint mechanically permits.

[0005] A special feature of these locking components is that the spherical upper part has a series of axially parallel longitudinal channels, which are equally spaced around the circumference. The lower half-shell has ribs inside, which are also axially parallel and of uniform width. This combination of ribs and channels interlocks when two locking components are plugged together, thus preventing the two locking components from being rotated relative to each other, but without interfering with tilting.

[0006] US Pat. No. 7,584,582 describes a component holder whose base can be attached flat to a wall or to a frame using a bracket. It features a screw stud onto which a matching eyelet is slid as a component holder. The eyelet is held in place by a retaining washer that is screwed through the eyelet onto the screw stud.

[0007] Document US 2013 / 034 406 A1 shows a screw with vibration-damping properties. A first sub-element of the screw body can be screwed into a base part via a thread in the end area. A component holder is held between the first and a second sub-element, whereby the component holder is not clamped but held magnetically suspended. A magnet is arranged in each sub-element in such a way that a third magnet, which is installed in the component holder and arranged between the other magnets, experiences a repulsive force from them.

[0008] The object of the invention is to provide a modular component holder that continues the advantages of the prior art but avoids its complexity. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Such a component holder according to claim 1 has a modular design and comprises a base part and a plug-on element that can be locked to the base part and has a component receptacle arranged thereon. The base part is intended for attachment to the supporting structure of the vehicle and is also initially attached individually to its designated attachment point. The matching plug-on element can be connected to the base part at a later time by locking. In particular, no further securing devices such as pins, fasteners, or adhesives are necessary for this type of locking. Locking refers to connections such as bayonet locks, snap and latch connections, and clips. A locking mechanism in the form of a bayonet lock is preferably provided.

[0010] The mechanical interface, i.e., the type and dimensions of the locking elements, are the same for all plug-in elements for a given base part. This means that differently designed base parts can be connected to a plug-in element from a wide variety of variants depending on the application (e.g., on the supporting structure of an aircraft fuselage or on walls, edges, or frames). "Different" refers to both the height, design, and type of component attachment. The mechanical interface remains identical in each case.

[0011] The base part has a substantially bowl-shaped, circular basic form, with the upper edge of this bowl containing the aforementioned holding and locking elements. The upper end refers to the free end with the interface when installed, while the lower end corresponds to the connection plane or surface with a wall or substructure. A base part is preferably manufactured from plastic by injection molding. However, a version made of metal such as aluminum by deep drawing, pressing, and stamping is also conceivable. A combination is also possible, as a plastic-encapsulated metal part.

[0012] The lockable plug-in element has a substantially dome-shaped basic structure. "Dome-shaped" or "dome" refers to a substantially half-shell basic shape with a lower, closed ring as the edge and a curvature spanning this edge. This curvature is not formed as a perfect, closed spherical shell; it is constructed from ribs or frames or faceted surfaces. The height of the dome, i.e., the distance from the zenith of the dome to the plane defined by the edge, can vary depending on the task and intended use of the component holder and is an inventive advantage.

[0013] The lower edge of the dome features retaining and locking elements that are mechanically and functionally complementary to those of the base part and can interact with them to form a locking mechanism. In the sense of the above explanations, this lower edge therefore complements the mechanical interface of the base part. The upper edge of the shell and the lower edge of the dome thus interact during locking.

[0014] It should be emphasized that the "shell with attachable, lockable dome" design offers several specific advantages over the state of the art. In contrast to a central locking system, e.g., via a pin, the force is transferred from the component support to the substrate (interior wall, substructure) via the edges of the dome and shell. Tensile and compressive stresses, as well as tilting moments, are equally well distributed and transferred in all directions. The choice of material and design of the component support or dome can be specifically designed to be both elastic and rigid.

[0015] The component holder is integrally formed on the clip-on element and provides the mechanical connection between the clip-on element and the vehicle component to be mounted.

[0016] The integral connection facilitates the transfer of forces from the component support to the dome. In particular, the component support will be positioned at the zenith of the dome on the outside, thus facing away from the dome, perpendicular to the plane defined by the lower edge of the clip-on element.

[0017] To ensure the symmetrical force distribution described above, the dome is formed from at least three frames offset at an angle around the circumference. Frames are webs with a cross-section that can be round, rectangular, tubular, or U-shaped, for example. These frames run from the lower edge of the dome to the base of the component support at the zenith of the dome. The zenith refers to the apex of the dome; on the outside of the dome, the base of the component support is located at the apex.

[0018] Particularly preferred is the dome, which is formed from four frames offset by 90° (around the circumference). This design has proven advantageous in terms of torsional rigidity and material consumption.

[0019] The frame design between the lower edge of the dome and its apex / zenith, depending on the width of the frames, leaves areas or surfaces between adjacent frames and the lower edge of the dome that essentially have a curved triangular shape. These fields are designed as material-free openings. This saves material and weight without compromising structural strength. A type of thin membrane can be provided in these fields if technically necessary.

[0020] It is advantageous to produce the push-on element as an injection-molded plastic element. As is well known to experts, the properties of a plastic can now be adjusted within a wide range. For example, additives can influence properties such as (cold) toughness, solvent resistance, or fire resistance. Aggregates such as glass or carbon fibers, in particular, enable high-strength designs of push-on elements. Examples of such plastics are PEEK, PPS, and PEI.

[0021] Preferably, the base of the shell or base part will have a central circular opening that allows the passage of a fastener with which the base part is attached to an interior wall or substructure. To further increase the modularity of the system, the base part can have a centrally arranged receiving opening for an adapter ring in the base of the shell. This allows a shell to be alternatively provided with different adapter rings, allowing use with a variety of differently sized fasteners. In addition, the adapter ring can be designed as an insulating component that can be inserted into the receiving opening with a form-fitting fit. Particularly preferably, the adapter ring is held in the receiving opening by a clamp fit. This loss protection increases handling safety.

[0022] Depending on the design, the adapter ring can also have tubular elements (to guide a fastener) or sealing elements, ribs or other functional elements.

[0023] From what has been described so far, it is clear that the shell-dome principle creates a common interior space with a shared internal volume when the base part, plug-in element, and adapter ring are assembled. This space encloses the head of a fastener for the base part like a cage. This protects not only the head of the fastener but also, for example, the insulation mats to be inserted. The dome shape allows the mat or a fastened component a rounded support surface when assembled.

[0024] The actual component holder on the outside of the clip-on element, especially in the case of insulation mats, is designed as a mandrel with a plurality of locking elements arranged in a ring around the shaft. Insulation mats for aircraft are usually prefabricated, flexible, flat mats and feature eyelets at the designated attachment points for inserting pins of the type described. The (removable) attachment is then achieved by rings that are pushed over the mandrels and engage with a locking element. Alternatively, the eyelet itself can interact with the locking elements. The length of the mandrel varies depending on the thickness and type of insulation mat (thermal or electrical insulation and / or acoustic absorption layer).

[0025] Alternatively, a component holder can also be designed as an eyelet, as a screw element with external thread, as a nut element with internal thread, as a clamp or adhesive point, as a cable holder, as a pipe or cable guide. SHORT NAME OF THE FIGURES

[0026] Figure 1 shows the base part of a component holder. Figure 2 shows an example of an adapter ring. Figure 3 shows a first embodiment of a plug-on element in an oblique top view. Figure 4 shows a second embodiment of a plug-on element with omissions. Figure 5 shows a partial cross-section through the first embodiment with some omissions. Figure 6 shows a third embodiment in oblique view. Figure 7 shows the second embodiment in oblique view with details. DESCRIPTION OF THE CHARACTERS

[0027] The figures show various embodiments of base part 100 and plug-on elements 300, which together form the basic configuration of a component holder. The features of the Figures 3 to 7are functionally identical, but structurally presented in different variations and perspectives. To avoid repetition, only the relevant differences are sometimes mentioned.

[0028] Figure 1shows a base part 100 with its shell-shaped basic structure. In the embodiment shown, the shell 150 consists of a flat base 160 and a cylindrical side wall 170. The base 160 has a (stepped here) receiving opening 140 for an adapter ring 600. The upper edge 110 of the shell 150 or of the base part 100 is shown here with four holding elements 120, 120',... and locking elements 130, 130',... These are arranged in pairs one behind the other on the circumference and form a first part of four locking units of a bayonet closure. The holding elements 120, 120', ... are shown as radially outwardly projecting pins. The locking elements 130 are shown as rectangular incisions in the upper end edge 110 of the side wall 170. The interaction with a plug-on element 300 is explained further below.

[0029] Figure 2shows an adapter ring 600 for insertion into the receiving opening 140 of a base part 100. It is shown with a step 610, which allows more precise centering and improved load distribution in a receiving opening, as in Figure 1 shown, allowed.

[0030] Figure 3shows the first embodiment of a slip-on element in a view obliquely from above. From top to bottom, the component holder 500 can be seen, which is designed as a short mandrel with three annular locking elements 510. The component holder merges into the zenith of the dome, which is formed here from four frames 400, 400' to 400‴. The shape of the dome is designed here as a rather flat hood. The frames 400 to 400‴ open into a common edge region 310, which forms the lower end of the slip-on element 300. The upper edge of the edge region is complexly designed and offers various stop surfaces, which here function as holding elements 330. Locking tongues assume the function of the locking elements 320 ... 320"'.

[0031] The locking tongues and stop surfaces are the functional partners of the projecting pins (holding elements 120) and notches (locking element 120) in the base part 100 according to Figure 1.

[0032] The thick arrow in Figures 3 and 4 describes the sequence of movements of joining the plug-on element 300 and the base part 100. It can be seen from Figure 4 understand better.

[0033] In Figure 4 Only a quarter of a slip-on element 300 is shown in a view obliquely from below. The thick arrow helps to understand the interaction of the holding and locking elements 120, 130, 320, 330 (...). The lower edge 310 of the slip-on element 300 has as many guide slots 370 as the associated base part 100 has holding elements 120 (pins). The guide slots 370 are shown here as radially outward-facing recesses in the lower edge region 310 of the dome; the width and depth are selected to be slightly larger than the dimensions of the pins (holding elements 120) of the base part. The orientation of the guide slots 370 is vertical, relative to the plane defined by the edge region 310 of the slip-on element 300.

[0034] The smallest inner diameter of the edge area 310 is selected to be slightly larger than the diameter of the shell 150 at the upper edge 110 (measured without the pins / retaining elements 120, ...), so that the slip-on element 300 can be slid onto the base part. On the inside of the dome, a U-shaped groove 390 is formed from a guide strip 380, here designed as part of the frame 400, the part of the frame 400 closest to the edge, and the upper area of ​​the edge 310. In the installed state, the upper edge 110 of the base part 100 rests in this groove 390, thus serving as a depth limiter during assembly. In this position, the pin (retaining element 120, in Figure 4not shown) can be pushed further in the direction of the arrow over the edge 310 of the plug-on element 300 by a rotating movement. This upper end of the edge 310 thus forms the holding element 320 for the pin (holding element 120 of the base part 100). At the same time, the locking element 330, designed as a resilient finger, slides over the upper edge 110 of the base part 100 until it can engage in a recess (locking element 130), thus fixing the relative position of the plug-on element 300 and the base part 110 and preventing them from becoming loose. Depending on the design of the plug-on element and the choice of locking mechanism, the design can be similar or different. The advantages realized in the present invention are tool-free assembly and a self-locking lock. Depending on the task, it can be implemented as a releasable or non-releasable lock. The preferred approach here is a bayonet lock with the elements described.

[0035] In Figure 3 The locking element 330' is provided with a small semicircular tab. This allows the locking mechanism to be released by lifting it.

[0036] In Figure 5 A plug-on element is shown, the dome of which has the shape of Figures 3 and 4 adopts, but shows a different component holder 500. The mandrel is slimmer, and its base 350 merges into the zenith of the dome in a cup-like manner. The locking elements on the mandrel are flatter. This design is particularly recommended for a somewhat more elastic mandrel / component holder 500, because the cup-shaped base improves the transmission of forces into the dome. The locking elements and frame arrangement correspond to Figures 3 and 4, as does the functionality.

[0037] Figure 6 shows a plug-on element 300 with a more curved dome 340 than the Figures 3-5. The frames 400, 400',... have a shape reminiscent of an S-curve and converge at the base point 355 of the component holder 500. This figure also schematically shows the area 360, which describes the fields between two adjacent frames 400, 400' and the lower edge 310. The field is curved, similar to the S-shape of the frames 400, with a rounded tip near the base point 355.

[0038] In Figure 7 the field 360 is more compressed due to the flatter dome of the plug-on element 300 (similar Figure 5 ).

Claims

1. Component holder, comprising - a base part (100) and a plug-in element (300) that can be locked to the base part (100), having a component receptacle (500) arranged on and integrally formed with the plug-in element (300), - the base part (100) has a substantially shell-shaped, circular basic shape, wherein the upper edge (110) of this shell has holding and locking elements (120, 120', ... 130, 130', ...); and - the lockable plug-in element (300) has a substantially dome-shaped basic structure (340), wherein the lower edge region (310) of the dome (340) has holding and locking elements (320, 320', ... 330, 330'...) which are designed to be mechanically and functionally complementary to those of the base part (100) and can interact with the latter in a locking manner, characterized in that - the dome (340) is formed from at least three frames (400, 400', ...) that are angularly offset at the periphery and these frames extend from the lower edge region (310) of the dome (340) to the base point of the component receptacle at the zenith (350) of the dome (340), and - fields (360, 360'...) between two adjacent frames (400, 400', ...) each and the lower edge region of the dome (310) are designed as material-free openings and have a substantially curved triangular shape.

2. Component holder according to claim 1, characterized in that the component receptacle is arranged on the outside at the zenith (350) of the dome (340) and points in a direction away from the dome (340), which direction extends normal to the plane defined by the lower edge region (310) of the plug-in element (300).

3. Component holder according to claims 1-2, characterized in that the dome (340) is formed from four frames (400, 400', 400", 400‴) offset by 90° in each case.

4. Component holder according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plug-in element (300) is designed as an injection-molded element made of plastic.

5. Component holder according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base part (100) is produced i) from plastic by injection molding, ii) from metal by punching, deep drawing, pressing or iii) as a metal part that is encapsulated in plastic.

6. Component holder according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base part (100) has a centrally arranged receiving opening (140) for an adapter ring (600) in the bottom of the shell.

7. Component holder according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adapter ring (600) is designed as an insulating component that can be inserted in a form-fitting manner into the receiving opening (140).

8. Component holder according to claim 6, characterized in that the adapter ring (600) is held in the receiving opening (140) by an interference fit.

9. Component holder according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the assembled state of the base part (100), plug-in element (300) and adapter ring (600), the interior of the shell and the interior of the dome form a common internal volume.

10. Component holder according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the component receptacle (500) is designed as a mandrel having a plurality of annular latching elements (510, 510'...).

11. Component holder according to one or more of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the component receptacle (500) is designed as an eyelet, as a screw element with an external thread, as a nut element with an internal thread, as a clamp, as an adhesive point, as a cable holder, as a conduit or cable guide.

12. Component holder according to one or more of claims 1-10, characterized in that the component receptacle (500) is designed to be connected to a flexible, flat mat which is designed as a thermal or electrical insulation and / or acoustic absorption layer.