Patent ID: 12247602

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

References to items in the singular should be understood to include items in the plural, and vice versa, unless explicitly stated otherwise or clear from the text. Grammatical conjunctions are intended to express any and all disjunctive and conjunctive combinations of conjoined clauses, sentences, words, and the like, unless otherwise stated or clear from the context. Recitation of ranges of values herein are not intended to be limiting, referring instead individually to any and all values falling within and/or including the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value within such a range is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. In the following description, it is understood that terms such as “first,” “second,” “top,” “bottom,” “side,” “front,” “back,” “upper,” “lower,” and the like are words of convenience and are not to be construed as limiting terms. For example, while in some examples a first side is located adjacent or near a second side, the terms “first side” and “second side” do not imply any specific order in which the sides are ordered.

The terms “about,” “approximately,” “substantially,” or the like, when accompanying a numerical value, are to be construed as indicating a deviation as would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art to operate satisfactorily for an intended purpose. Ranges of values and/or numeric values are provided herein as examples only, and do not constitute a limitation on the scope of the disclosure. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (“e.g.,” “such as,” or the like) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the disclosed examples and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the disclosure. The terms “e.g.,” and “for example” set off lists of one or more non-limiting examples, instances, or illustrations. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any unclaimed element as essential to the practice of the disclosed examples.

The term “and/or” means any one or more of the items in the list joined by “and/or.” As an example, “x and/or y” means any element of the three-element set {(x), (y), (x, y)}. In other words, “x and/or y” means “one or both of x and y”. As another example, “x, y, and/or z” means any element of the seven-element set {(x), (y), (z), (x, y), (x, z), (y, z), (x, y, z)}. In other words, “x, y, and/or z” means “one or more of x, y, and z.”

The present disclosure relates to a fastening apparatus as well as to a method for the production of such a fastening apparatus. In one example, disclosed is a fastening apparatus where an outer casing wall of the pin portion of the pin device comprises at least one and preferably two diametrically opposed fastening portions for radially abutting against a recess of a carrier component, wherein the fastening portions are formed from a second plastic component that is softer in comparison to the first plastic component.

Due to the construction according to the disclosure, the pin portion of the pin device can be inserted into a recess easily and with low assembly forces, in particular in a through-opening or a blind hole (bore).

Due to the fact that, by means of the pin device, the at least one fastening portion can be expanded in the radial direction and the fastening portion is formed from a second plastic component (soft component) that is softer in comparison to the first plastic component (hard component), relatively high retaining forces can be achieved by means of the fastening apparatus according to the disclosure. The softer second plastic component can also contain sticky material or a corresponding sticky coating in order to increase the frictional forces.

The fastening apparatus according to the disclosure can in particular be configured as a blind hole fixation for recesses or bores having a small diameter.

By means of the fastening apparatus, a component can be fastened to a carrier component in a clamping manner. Additionally and/or alternatively, components to be fastened to the pin device can also be arranged or integrally connected thereto, or corresponding retaining devices, such as cable or conduit holders, can be molded onto the pin device in order to connect it to a carrier component by means of the fastening apparatus.

Due to the fact that the fastening portions are produced from a soft component or a second plastic component that is softer than the first plastic component, relatively high frictional forces occur between the fastening portions and a recess of a carrier component, which ensure a secure and reliable fixation of the pin portion of the fastening apparatus in a carrier component.

The fastening portions can be exposed to a force acting outwardly in the radial direction by arranging the pin portion of the pin device in the receiving space of the bushing device, wherein the fastening portions can preferably extend in the axial direction.

By means of the pin portion of the pin device, the bushing portion of the bushing device and the fastening portions molded thereon are expanded in the radial direction in order to securely connect the fastening apparatus to a recess of a carrier component.

By removing the pin portion of the pin device from the receiving space of the bushing device or by exposing the fastening apparatus to a force acting counter to the assembly direction or in the axial direction of the fastening apparatus, the fastening apparatus according to the disclosure can also be easily disassembled.

The bushing portion of the bushing device can comprise at least one and preferably two diametrically opposed expansion grooves extending in the axial direction, which are preferably arranged in the region between the fastening portions, wherein the expansion grooves can be at least partially configured so as to taper conically in the axial direction.

By providing the expansion grooves, an expansion of the bushing portion of the bushing device in the radial direction is facilitated.

In addition, the insertion of the pin device into the receiving space of the bushing portion of the bushing device is facilitated by the configuration of the expansion grooves that tapers conically in the axial direction at least in portions.

The fastening apparatus according to the disclosure is provided in particular for motor vehicles for the fastening of plate-like elements, such as paneling parts or cable harnesses. Furthermore, the pin portion can have a contour or can be contoured in cross-section, and the receiving space can be configured so as to correspond to this contour in cross-section, wherein a central portion of the pin device is approximately cylindrical, and wherein two expansion portions, which are approximately rectangular in cross-section and extend in the axial direction, are molded onto the cylindrical portion for expanding the expansion grooves.

The pin portion and the receiving space thus have cross-sections configured so as to approximately correspond to one another, so that the pin portion can be inserted into the receiving space according to the key/keyhole principle. The expansion portions of the pin portion facilitate the expansion of the bushing portion of the bushing device.

The fastening portions can be formed in an approximately half-shell shape in cross-section and preferably have retaining ribs extending in the axial direction. The retaining ribs can be approximately semi-circular in cross-section. Due to the clearances between the retaining ribs, the assembly force of the pin portion and thus the fastening apparatus can be reduced, because the soft component of the fastening portions can be displaced during the radial expansion into the clearances.

The bushing device can comprise at one end a flange portion for abutting against a carrier component, wherein the flange portion can comprise radially circumferential retaining edges. By means of the flange portion, a component can be fastened to a carrier component in a clamping manner, for example.

The pin device can comprise a lid portion onto which radially circumferential catching means are molded, which are configured so as to correspond to the retaining edges, and wherein the lid portion can be connected to the flange portion of the bushing device via the catching means and fixes the pin portion in the axial direction.

By providing a lid portion and/or connecting the pin device to the bushing device, an unintended release of the fastening apparatus from a carrier component is safely and reliably prevented, because the pin portion of the pin device is positionally fixed in the axial direction in the receiving space of the bushing portion of the bushing device. The bushing device and the pin device can be connected to one another integrally and in a hinged manner, preferably via a film hinge.

Due to the fact that the bushing device and the pin device are integrally connected to one another, the fastening apparatus can be delivered as an assembly to a user, and there is no risk of one of the two components being lost. In addition, assembly is facilitated by the integral connection of the bushing device and the pin device, in particular when these two components are hinged to one another via a hinge, in particular a film hinge, or also by the flexibility of a corresponding connecting portion between the bushing device and the pin device. The bushing portion of the bushing device can have a diameter of at least 3 mm to 6 mm, and preferably 3 mm to 5 mm.

The fastening apparatus according to the disclosure is thus particularly suitable for assembly in recesses with a particularly small diameter of a carrier component. Furthermore, the bushing portion can have a radially circumferential insertion slope at an end opposite the flange portion. By providing such an insertion slope, an introduction of the fastening apparatus into a recess of a carrier component is simplified.

The flange portion can have an annular sealing device on a side facing in the direction of the bushing portion for sealing abutment against a carrier component, wherein the sealing device is preferably formed integrally with the fastening portions. By means of the sealing device, the fastening apparatus can be configured so as to be water-tight or sealing against a recess of a carrier component.

The fastening apparatus can be produced from two different plastics by way of a two-component injection molding process, so that a bushing device and a pin device are formed from a first plastic component and fastening portions are formed from a second plastic component that is softer in comparison to the first plastic component.

The fastening apparatus1according to the disclosure is described and illustrated in greater detail on the basis of a first exemplary embodiment ofFIGS.1through7. Specifically,FIGS.1and2illustrates, respectively, perspective views of a fastening apparatus according to the disclosure in a pre-assembly position and in a final assembly position, without the component and carrier component.FIG.3illustrates a perspective side-cut view of the fastening apparatus in a final assembly position mounted in a carrier component with a component fastened by means of the fastening apparatus.FIG.4illustrates a perspective view of the fastening portions of the fastening apparatus, whileFIG.5illustrates a perspective view of the fastening apparatus according to the disclosure in a pre-assembly position.FIG.6illustrates a perspective view of the fastening apparatus according to the disclosure in a state when arranged in a recess of a carrier component or an intermediate fastening position with a component, whileFIG.7illustrates the view fromFIG.6in a final assembly position.

The fastening apparatus1is configured for fastening a component2to a carrier component3. The fastening apparatus1comprises a bushing device4and a pin device5. The bushing device4comprises at one end a flange portion6, onto which a bushing portion7is integrally molded. An insertion opening8is configured in the flange portion6. The insertion opening8opens into a receiving space9delimited by the bushing portion7.

The receiving space9and the insertion opening8have a central circular portion10in cross-section, on which two expansion grooves11, which are approximately rectangular and extend in the axial direction12, are formed on diametrically opposed sides. The expansion grooves11are configured as recesses extending in the axial direction12in a casing wall of the bushing portion7.

In a side view, the expansion grooves11can first have an approximately parallel linear portion13, to which a conically tapering portion14is adjoined in an assembly direction, to which a further linear portion15is adjoined.

In the region between the expansion grooves11, fastening portions17, which extend in an axial direction12and are configured in an approximately half-shell shape in cross-section, are formed on an outer casing wall16of the bushing portion7.

The fastening portions17are produced from a second plastic component which is softer in comparison to a first plastic component from which the bushing device4and the pin device5are formed.

At an end opposite the flange portion6, the bushing device comprises a radially circumferential insertion slope18. The insertion slope18is approximately conical in cross-section. Radially circumferential retaining edges20are formed on the flange portion6. The flange portion6of the bushing device4is connected to a lid portion21of the pin device5via one or two connecting portions19. The lid portion21comprises radially circumferential catching means22for connecting with the retaining edges20of the flange portion6.

Furthermore, a pin portion23extending in the axial direction12is integrally molded onto the lid portion21of the pin device5. The pin portion23is configured in cross-section so as to approximately correspond to the cross-section of the insertion opening8or the cross-section of the receiving space9. Accordingly, the pin portion23and the receiving space9are configured according to a key/keyhole principle in a cross-section orthogonally to the assembly direction28or to a longitudinal direction.

The pin portion23comprises a cylindrical portion24extending in the axial direction12, wherein two expansion portions25, which are approximately rectangular in cross-section and extend in the axial direction12, are molded onto the cylindrical portion24.

Onto a side of the flange portion6facing in the direction of the carrier component3, an annular sealing device26can be molded, which, like the fastening portions17, is made from the second plastic component (soft component), which is softer than the first plastic component (hard component).

The fastening apparatus can be produced from two different plastics by way of a two-component injection molding process, so that a bushing device and a pin device are formed from a first plastic component and fastening portions are formed from a second plastic component that is softer in comparison to the first plastic component.

In the following, a method for assembling the fastening apparatus1according to the disclosure is briefly explained.

First, the bushing portion7of the fastening apparatus1is arranged in a recess27of a carrier component and, in particular in the axial direction12or in an assembly direction28, is inserted linearly into the latter.

In the context of the present disclosure, an assembly direction28is defined as a direction in which the fastening apparatus is inserted into a recess27of a carrier component, wherein the assembly direction28extends orthogonally to a surface of a carrier component delimiting the recess27.

The pin device is then folded 180 degrees in the direction of the bushing device4, and the pin portion23is introduced into the receiving space9of the bushing portion in the assembly direction28or in the axial direction12.

The expansion portions25of the pin portion slide in the expansion grooves11of the bushing portion, such that the fastening portions17are expanded or displaced outwardly in the radial direction.

In this way, the fastening portions formed from a soft component then abut against a recess of a carrier component and fix the fastening apparatus1in the recess27of the carrier component3due to the greater frictional forces.

According to the present disclosure, there is further provided a method of producing a fastening apparatus as described above, wherein the fastening apparatus is produced from two different plastics by way of a two-component injection molding process, so that a bushing device and a pin device are formed from a first plastic component and fastening portions are formed from a second plastic component that is softer in comparison to the first plastic component.

The above-cited patents and patent publications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. Where a definition or the usage of a term in a reference that is incorporated by reference herein is inconsistent or contrary to the definition or understanding of that term as provided herein, the meaning of the term provided herein governs and the definition of that term in the reference does not necessarily apply.

While the present method and/or system has been described with reference to certain implementations, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the present method and/or system. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from its scope. For example, block and/or components of disclosed examples may be combined, divided, re-arranged, and/or otherwise modified. Therefore, the present method and/or system are not limited to the particular implementations disclosed. Instead, the present method and/or system will include all implementations falling within the scope of the appended claims, both literally and under the doctrine of equivalents.