Product with automatically assemblable parts
Patent Information
- Application Number
- EP2024714795
- Authority / Receiving Office
- EP · EP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2023-04-17
- Filing Date
- 2024-03-11
- Publication Date
- 2025-11-26
AI Technical Summary
Existing assembly processes, particularly in manufacturing technology, face challenges in automating the joining of parts due to the inability of machines to accurately position components as precisely as humans, leading to difficulties in creating a locking mechanism that also aids in automatic centering in both transverse directions.
The design features projections and receptacles with symmetrical trapezoidal contours that taper in the insertion direction, allowing for precise alignment and locking, with locking hooks and lugs forming a stable connection while minimizing the overall height and enabling easy release through troughs.
This configuration enables automatic centering and locking of parts during assembly, providing a stable and space-efficient solution that allows for precise component guidance without the need for additional latching or screw connections, facilitating easier disassembly.
Smart Images
Figure EP2024056332_24102024_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] Description
[0002] Product with parts that can be assembled automatically
[0003] The present invention is based on a (multi-part) product,
[0004] - the product comprising a first and a second part which are connected to each other by locking,
[0005] - wherein the first part has a first base body from which a number of projections extend, so that the projections define an insertion direction,
[0006] - wherein the second part comprises a second base body in which a number of receptacles are arranged,
[0007] - wherein, when the first part is locked to the second part, one of the projections of the first part is inserted in the insertion direction into one of the receptacles of the second part,
[0008] - whereby locking hooks are arranged on the projections and locking lugs are arranged on the second part in the area of the receptacles,
[0009] - when the projections are fully inserted into the receptacles, the locking hooks and the locking lugs each form a locking connection,
[0010] - wherein the projections and the receptacles are matched to one another in such a way that, at the start of the insertion of the projections into the receptacles, the projections have a play in the receptacles in a transverse plane extending orthogonally to the insertion direction both in a first transverse direction and in a second transverse direction orthogonal to the first transverse direction, which play gradually decreases to zero when the projections are inserted into the receptacles, starting from an initial value greater than zero.
[0011] The insertion direction is a signed direction .
[0012] The projections are inserted into the receptacles in the insertion direction, and any removal of the projections from the receptacles occurs in the opposite direction to the insertion direction. The locking connections are therefore designed in such a way that they can simultaneously guide, position, and center the first part relative to the second part.
[0013] Such products are known. Reference can be made purely to US Pat. No. 11,287,097 B1 as an example.
[0014] From DE 10 2006 061 703 A1 a product is known which has a first and a second part which are connected to one another by locking. The first part has a first base body from which a number of projections extend, so that the projections define an insertion direction. The second part has a second base body in which a number of receptacles are arranged. In the locked state, one of the projections of the first part is inserted in the insertion direction into one of the receptacles of the second part, and locking hooks are arranged on the projections and locking lugs are arranged on the second part in the region of the receptacles. Furthermore, the locking hooks and the locking lugs each form a locking connection in the locked state.
[0015] US 10 857 954 B1 and EP 3 112 220 A1 contain essentially similar disclosures.
[0016] In manufacturing technology, there is a growing trend towards automating assembly processes, for example using robots. For automated assembly, special attention must be paid to joining the parts. Especially for delicate assembly tasks, humans are usually superior to machines. This is because humans can carry out precise positioning based on visual perception and sometimes on a certain level of sensitivity. The machine, on the other hand, be it a robot or another machine, simply carries out its pre-programmed movements and cannot detect whether the first part and / or the second part are arranged in exactly the right position. It is therefore necessary to design the parts of the product in such a way that the individual parts of the product center themselves automatically during joining with the help of guides, lead-in chamfers and other positioning aids.
[0017] The object of the present invention is to create possibilities by means of which such automatic centering in both transverse directions can be combined in a simple manner with a locking mechanism, so that the respective positioning aid also effects a locking connection at the same time.
[0018] This object is achieved by a product having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the product are the subject of dependent claims 2 to 8.
[0019] According to the invention, a product of the type mentioned at the outset is designed in that the projections and the receptacles, viewed in the transverse plane, have the contour of symmetrical trapezoids with a respective long side and a respective short side and that the long and short sides run in the first transverse direction.
[0020] This design essentially represents a dovetail that tapers in the direction of insertion.
[0021] The projections extend over a length as viewed in the direction of insertion. Preferably, the projections and the receptacles are matched to one another in such a way that the play when the projections are inserted into the receptacles assumes a value of zero essentially over the entire length of the projections. Due to this design, the projections, when fully inserted into the receptacles, bear against the inner surfaces of the receptacles over a large area. This results in a very stable attachment of the first part to the second part (or vice versa).
[0022] Preferably, the mounts are open or thinner-walled in the area of the short sides of the trapezoids than in the area of the long sides of the trapezoids. This allows the overall height of the mounts in the second transverse direction to be kept as low as possible.
[0023] Preferably, the locking hooks are positioned along the long sides of the trapeze. This solution is particularly simple to implement.
[0024] Preferably, when the first and second parts are separated from each other, the locking hooks are arranged within the volumes defined by the trapezoids, and the locking lugs are arranged resiliently on the second base body. This measure further reduces the overall height of the receptacles in the second transverse direction.
[0025] Preferably, the first part has recesses in transition areas from the projections to the first base body, via which recesses the locking hooks and / or the locking lugs can be bent and thus the respective locking connection can be released. This facilitates the release of the locking connections. For example, a screwdriver can be easily inserted using the recesses.
[0026] Preferably, the first part is the housing of an electronic assembly, and the second part is a front cover of the electronic assembly. This situation represents a particularly common application of the present invention. This applies particularly when a heat sink for cooling electronic power components is arranged in the housing.
[0027] The above-described properties, features and advantages of this invention, as well as the manner in which they are achieved, will become clearer and more readily understood in connection with the following description of the embodiments, which are explained in more detail in conjunction with the drawings. In this case, in a schematic representation: FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an electronic module in an assembled state,
[0028] FIG 2 the assembly of FIG 1 before connecting,
[0029] FIG 3 the assembly of FIG 1 from the side,
[0030] FIG 4 shows a section through the assembly of FIG 1 along a line AA in FIG 3 ,
[0031] FIG 5 a section through the assembly of FIG 1 along a line BB in FIG 3
[0032] FIG 6 shows a view of a second base part in a rough and not to scale view from the direction AA in FIG 3,
[0033] FIG 7 a first base part and a second base part in the region of a projection and a receptacle from a first transverse direction,
[0034] FIG 8 shows the first and second base parts of FIG 7 from the second transverse direction,
[0035] FIG 9 is a plan view of the first base part of FIG 7 in the region of a projection opposite to an insertion direction,
[0036] FIG 10 is a plan view of the second base part of FIG 7 in the insertion direction,
[0037] FIG 11 shows a modification of the second base part of FIG 10,
[0038] FIG 12 a (conceivedly infinitely thin) strip of the projection of the first base part of FIG 7,
[0039] FIG 13 a section through a projection arranged in a receptacle,
[0040] FIG 14 is a perspective transparent view of a first base part and a second base part in the region of a projection and a receptacle,
[0041] FIG 15 a detail D according to FIG 5 and
[0042] FIG 16 a detail E according to FIG 3 .
[0043] FIGS 1 to 5 show different representations of the same
[0044] Product . Figures 1 to 5 are therefore explained together below . Reference will only be made to an individual one of Figures 1 to 5 in individual cases if a particular detail can be seen particularly well in this figure . In the example of Figures 1 to 5, the product is designed as an electronic module . The fact that the product is designed as an electronic module is purely an example . The product could also be designed differently, for example purely mechanically.
[0045] According to FIGS. 1 to 5, the product comprises a first part 1 and a second part 2. In the present case, the first part 1 is the housing of the electronic assembly, in which a heat sink 3 (FIG. 4) is arranged, which serves to cool electronic power components. The second part 2 is a front cover of the electronic assembly. However, it could also be other parts. Furthermore, the product can comprise further parts in addition to the first part 1 and the second part 2.
[0046] The first part 1 has a base body 4, from which - see in particular FIG. 2 - a number of projections 5 extend. The base body 4 is referred to below as the first base body 4. The projections 5 thus define an insertion direction x. The insertion direction x is the direction in which the projections 5 extend away from the first base body 4.
[0047] The second part 2 also has a base body 6, hereinafter referred to as the second base body 6. A number of receptacles 7 are arranged in the second base body 6, as shown in FIG. 6.
[0048] In order to connect the first and the second part 1, 2 to one another, the projections 5 are inserted into the receptacles 7 in the insertion direction x. In this case, there is one receptacle 7 for each projection 5. If necessary (for example for reasons of compatibility with different types of first parts 1) there may be more receptacles 7 than projections 5. In this case, the surplus receptacles 7 are unused. When the projections 5 are fully inserted into the receptacles 7, the two parts 1, 2 lock together and are thereby connected to one another.
[0049] The following will first address the design of the projections 5 and the receptacles 7, as far as the insertion of the projections 5 into the receptacles 7 is concerned. The locking mechanism will be discussed later. In this case, only one of the projections 5 and the associated receptacle 7 will be explained below. Analogous explanations apply to the other projections 5 and the corresponding receptacles 7. Furthermore, a coordinate system with the directions x, y and z is introduced. The coordinate system is a right-hand Cartesian coordinate system. The direction x is, as already defined, the insertion direction x. The directions y and z are orthogonal to the insertion direction x and also orthogonal to one another. They will be referred to below as the first and second transverse directions y, z. The two transverse directions y, z relate to the respective projection 5 and the respective receptacle 7.They can therefore have different directions for a different projection 5 and a different receptacle 7. However, since the insertion direction xj is uniform for all projections 5 and receptacles 7, the two transverse directions y, z always define the same transverse plane.
[0050] The general principle is that the projection 5 and the receptacle 7 are matched to each other in such a way that
[0051] - that the projection 5 has a play in the receptacles 7 both in the first transverse direction x and in the second transverse direction y at the beginning of the insertion of the projection 5 into the receptacles 7,
[0052] - that the play gradually decreases when inserting the projection 5 into the seat 7 and
[0053] - that the clearance assumes the value zero at the latest when the projection 5 is fully inserted into the recess 7 .
[0054] When the projection 5 is inserted into the receptacle 8, the play gradually decreases from an initial value which is greater than zero in both transverse directions y, z to zero.
[0055] The projection 5 extends over a length L as viewed in the insertion direction x (see FIGS. 7 and 8). Preferably, the projection 5 and the receptacle 8 are even matched to one another in such a way that the play upon insertion of the projection 5 into the receptacle 7 essentially simultaneously assumes the value zero over the entire length L of the projection 5.
[0056] According to the illustration in FIGS 7 to 12, the projection 5 has the contour of a symmetrical trapezoid when viewed in the transverse plane defined by the two transverse directions y and z. In FIGS 7 and 8, reference numeral 8 designates a line along which a (notionally infinitely thin) strip is "cut out" of the projection 5. The strip is illustrated in FIG 12. In particular, FIG 12 shows the shape of the trapezoid particularly clearly. FIG 13 shows the specific section for the specific design of the assembly of FIGS 1 to 5.
[0057] The trapezoid has a long side 8 and a short side 9. The long and short sides 8, 9 run in the first transverse direction y. However, due to the gradual tapering of the projection 5, the cross-section decreases further and further towards the front. The tapering can, in particular, be linear. The respective receptacle 7 is designed to match the associated projection 5.
[0058] By using the contour of a symmetrical trapezoid, it is possible for the receptacle 7 to be open in the region of the short side 9 of the trapezoid ( FIG 10 ) or at least to be thinner-walled than in the region of the long side of the trapezoid ( FIG 11 ).
[0059] The design of the projections 5 and the receptacles 7 will now be discussed, as far as the locking of the projections 5 in the receptacles 7 is concerned. According to FIG 2 - see also FIG 14 - locking hooks 11 are arranged on the projections 5. Corresponding to this - see in particular FIG 15 - locking lugs 12 are arranged on the second part 2 in the area of the receptacles 7. When the projections 5 are fully inserted into the receptacles 7, the locking hooks 11 and the locking lugs 12 each form a locking connection. The locking hooks 11 are arranged, as can be seen from FIG 14, in the area of the long sides 10 of the trapezoids, specifically within the volume circumscribed by the trapezoids. In the specific embodiment, this applies both when the first and second parts 1, 2 are detached from one another and when the first and second parts 1, 2 are connected to one another.As a result, the corresponding arrangement of the locking hook 11 is also evident in FIG. 13, because the locking lug 12 is visible there within the volume defined by the trapezoids. FIG. 15 also shows this situation.
[0060] The locking lug 12 is arranged resiliently on the second base body 2 according to FIG. 15. In particular, the locking lug 12 is connected to the second base body 6 via a relatively narrow web 13, so that the web 13 lifts slightly during the process of connecting the two parts 1, 2. This lifting is indicated in FIG. 15 by an arrow 14.
[0061] To release the respective locking connection, the first part 1 has a recess 15 in a transition region from the respective projection 5 to the first base body 4 (see FIGS. 1 to 3, 7, 8, and 14 to 16). The recess 15 allows the respective locking hook 11 and / or the respective locking lug 12 to be bent, thereby releasing the respective locking connection. In particular, a conventional screwdriver can be used in the region of the recess 15.
[0062] In summary, the present invention relates to the following facts: A product has a first and a second part 1, 2 which are connected to one another by locking. The first part 1 has a first base body 4, from which a number of projections 5 extend, so that the projections 5 define an insertion direction x. The second part 2 has a second base body 6, in which a number of receptacles 7 are arranged. When the first part 1 is locked to the second part 2, one of the projections 5 of the first part 1 is inserted in the insertion direction x into one of the receptacles 7 of the second part 2. Locking hooks 11 are arranged on the projections 5, and locking lugs 12 are arranged on the second part 2 in the region of the receptacles 7. When the projections 5 are fully inserted into the receptacles 7, the locking hooks 11 and the locking lugs 12 each form a locking connection.The projections 5 and the receptacles 7 are coordinated with one another in such a way that the projections 5, when the projections 5 are first inserted into the receptacles 7, have play in the receptacles 7 in a transverse plane orthogonal to the insertion direction x in two mutually orthogonal transverse directions y, z. When the projections 5 are inserted into the receptacles 7, the play gradually decreases to zero, starting from an initial value greater than zero. Viewed in the transverse plane, the projections 5 and the receptacles 7 have the contour of symmetrical trapezoids with a respective long side 10 and a respective short side 9. The long and short sides 10, 9 run in the first transverse direction y.
[0063] The present invention has many advantages. In particular, the projections 5 of the present invention, in conjunction with the receptacles 7, provide a positioning aid, a guide, and a holding and locking function. Because the projections 5 and the receptacles 7 fulfill all three tasks simultaneously, a space-saving design is achieved which ensures precise component guidance during joining. The recesses 15 enable quick and easy unlocking of the locking mechanisms. The locking connections are almost invisible when connected. Both the projections 5 and the receptacles 7 can be designed to be stable, in particular so that they do not deform during joining. Further locking mechanisms or screw connections are not required.
[0064] Although the invention has been illustrated and described in detail by the preferred embodiment, the invention is not limited by the disclosed examples and other variations can be derived therefrom by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.
Claims
Patent claims 1. Product, - wherein the product comprises a first and a second part (1, 2) which are connected to one another by locking, - wherein the first part (1) has a first base body (4) from which a number of projections (5) extends so that the projections (5) define an insertion direction (x), - wherein the second part (2) has a second base body (6) in which a number of receptacles (7) are arranged, - wherein, when the first part (1) is locked to the second part (2), one of the projections (5) of the first part (1) is inserted in the insertion direction (x) into one of the receptacles (7) of the second part (2), - wherein locking hooks (11) are arranged on the projections (5) and locking lugs (12) are arranged on the second part (2) in the region of the receptacles (7), - wherein, when the projections (5) are fully inserted into the receptacles (7), the locking hooks (11) and the locking lugs (12) each form a locking connection, - wherein the projections (5) and the receptacles (7) are matched to one another in such a way that, at the beginning of the insertion of the projections (5) into the receptacles (7), the projections (5) are positioned in the receptacles (7) in a direction orthogonal to the insertion direction (x) extending transverse plane seen both in a first transverse direction (y) and in a direction transverse to the first transverse direction (y) orthogonal second transverse direction (z) have a play which, when the projections (5) are inserted into the receptacles (7), starting from an initial value greater than zero, gradually decreases to zero, characterized in that the projections (5) and the receptacles (7) have the contour of symmetrical trapezoids with a respective long side (10) and a respective short side (9) when viewed in the transverse plane and in that the long and short sides (10, 9) run in the first transverse direction (y).
2. Product according to claim 1, characterized in that the projections (5) extend over a length (L) as seen in the insertion direction (x) and that the projections (5) and the receptacles (7) are coordinated with one another in such a way that the play when inserting the projections (5) into the receptacles (7) essentially simultaneously assumes the value zero over the entire length (L) of the projections (5).
3. Product according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the receptacles (7) are open or thinner-walled in the region of the short sides (9) of the trapezes than in the region of the long sides (10) of the trapezes.
4. Product according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the locking hooks (11) are arranged in the region of the long sides (10) of the trapezes.
5. Product according to one of the above claims, characterized in that the locking hooks (11), when the first and the second part (1, 2) are detached from each other, are arranged within the volumes circumscribed by the trapezoids and the locking lugs (12) are arranged resiliently on the second base body (6).
6. Product according to one of the above claims, characterized in that the first part (1) has recesses (15) in transition areas from the projections (5) to the first base body (4), via which a bending of the locking hooks (11) and / or the locking lugs (12) and thereby a release of the respective locking connection is possible.
7. Product according to one of the above claims, characterized in that the first part (1) is the housing of an electronic assembly and the second part (2) is a front cover of the electronic assembly.
8. Product according to claim 7, characterized in that a heat sink (3) serving to cool electronic power components is arranged in the housing.