DE102024206639A1 - Fastening device, fastening system and motor vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

Fastening device (1) for fastening at least one component (2) to a support element (4) of a motor vehicle, which can be inserted into an opening (5) in the support element (4) and comprises a fastening element (10) extending along a longitudinal axis (11) and insertable into the opening along an insertion direction (70), comprising at least one tension element (50) and at least one compression element (40), wherein at least one shaped element (30) projecting outwards at an angle from the fastening element (10) with respect to the longitudinal axis (11) is arranged on the fastening element, and wherein the shaped element (30) is mechanically connected or connectable to a fixing section of the fastening device by means of the tension element (50), wherein the compression element (40) is movable parallel to the longitudinal axis (11) of the fastening element relative to the fastening element and the compression element (40) can exert a force mechanically on the tension element (50) such that the force exerted in the tension element (50) is converted into tensile forces (83) in the end regions (52) of the tension element (50) is transformed, wherein a tensile force (83) acting in an end region (52) of the tension element (50) adjoining the form element (30) acts on the form element (30) with a component in the direction of the longitudinal axis (11) of the fastening element and thereby elastically deforms the form element (30) and/or the fastening element and reduces the overhang of the form element (30).

Description

The invention relates to a fastening device and a motor vehicle equipped therewith and a method for at least partially dismantling a component mounted on a support element by means of the fastening device.

Safety in motor vehicles is of paramount importance, and the reliability of fastening devices plays a crucial role. Fastening devices are used in motor vehicles, among other things, to secure trim elements, such as interior trim panels, to the supporting structure. They must reliably prevent the trim element from detaching, both to maintain an attractive interior and to prevent passengers from being endangered by loose trim elements.

During operation, these fastening devices must withstand stresses such as vibrations and oscillations, as well as short-term mechanical impacts from within or without, such as those occurring in an accident. Furthermore, such fastening devices should be quick and easy to install and remove to ensure cost-effectiveness in production and maintenance.

Fasteners surrounding airbags and/or securing trim panels near airbags are particularly critical. A secure hold on the trim panels is essential for the proper functioning of the airbags. Furthermore, it must be ensured that the trim panels are not thrown towards a passenger when an airbag inflates.

Various approaches to fastening trim elements in motor vehicles are known in the prior art. For example, the DE 20 2006 007 873 U1 A fastening element that can be inserted into an opening in a supporting wall to fasten a component to a supporting wall, with a base section having several bending sections, wherein the bending sections are each bent around several bending axes when the fastening element is inserted, thus providing the fastening element with high holding forces.

In the DE 600 19 472 T2 An airbag head protection device is disclosed. This device is provided with a pillar trim covering an airbag, which is folded and located between a pillar section and a roof side rail section on the inside of a vehicle and is mounted to the body of the pillar section. The pillar trim is formed in one piece, comprising a body section having a mounting seat cap that can be fitted to the body of the pillar section, and a door section located at the top end and adapted to be pushed and opened by the airbag as it inflates for expansion. The mounting seat may include a clamping section that can be inserted along an insertion direction into a retaining hole in the vehicle body, thus assuming a first and a second retention state.

The present invention is based on the objective of providing a fastening device, a motor vehicle equipped therewith, and a method for at least partially dismantling a component mounted on a support element by means of the fastening device, which enable the dismantling of securely fastened components in the motor vehicle in a cost-effective, fast and convenient manner, together with a defined fixing function of the respective component.

The problem is solved according to the invention by the fastening device according to claim 1, by the motor vehicle according to claim 9, and by the method according to claim 10. Advantageous embodiments of the fastening device are specified in dependent claims 2 to 8.

A first aspect of the invention is a fastening device designed for fastening at least one component to a support element of a motor vehicle and which can be inserted into an opening in the support element. The device comprises a fastening element extending along a longitudinal axis and insertable into the opening along an insertion direction, and at least one tension element and at least one compression element. At least one shaped element projecting outwards at an angle from the fastening element with respect to the longitudinal axis is arranged on the fastening element to prevent movement of the fastening element against the insertion direction through the opening in the support element. The shaped element is mechanically connected or connectable to a fixing section of the fastening device by means of the tension element. The compression element is movable relative to the fastening element parallel to its longitudinal axis, and the compression element can exert a force on the tension element such that the force exerted in the tension element is converted into tensile forces in the end regions of the tension element. An end section adjoining the shaped element is formed. The tensile force acting on the form element, with a component directed towards the longitudinal axis of the fastener, is exerted by the tension element. This elastically deforms the form element and/or the fastener, reducing the overhang of the form element so that the fastener can be removed through the opening.

The overhang can be reduced to such an extent that it is less than the radial extent of the clear width of the opening.

By removing the fastening device, the component can also be detached from the support element and thus removed. The fastening device or fastening element can also be referred to as a clip.

Both the support element and the fastening element to be attached can each have an opening into which the fastening device can be inserted simultaneously to mechanically fix the fastening element to the support element. The opening of the support element and the opening of the component can be aligned and, for example, coaxially aligned with each other. The component and the support element may, if necessary, be in mechanical contact.

Alternatively, the fastening device can be mechanically connected to the component to be fastened, or the fastening device can be an integral part of the component, and by inserting the fastening device into the opening of the support element, the component can be directly attached to the support element. For example, the fastening element of the fastening device can be formed from the component, with the longitudinal axis of the fastening element being oriented substantially perpendicular to the surface of the component that abuts the support element.

The load-bearing element can be part of the vehicle's load-bearing structure, which could refer to, for example, the body. For instance, the load-bearing element could be the vehicle's A-pillar. The component can also be a trim element, such as an interior trim element, like an airbag cover.

In its undeformed state, the form element projects transversely to the longitudinal axis of the fastening element, at least at its end, beyond the radial extent of the clear width of the opening in the support element, so that slipping or pulling out of the fastening element against the insertion direction through the opening of the support element and, if necessary, through the opening of the component is prevented.

The form element can also be shaped such that, when the fastener is inserted into the opening of the support element, the form element elastically deforms from the wall of the opening under mechanical force, reducing its distance, at least in sections, to the longitudinal axis of the fastener. However, after passing through the opening, the form element elastically returns to its original position. This allows assembly without applying a compressive force to the compression element and thus without moving the compression element on the tension element. In contrast, disassembly requires applying a force to the compression element to make it act on the tension element and reduce the position of the form element, at least in sections, relative to the longitudinal axis of the fastener.

The form element can be essentially straight in its undeformed state and have an angle between 5° and 90°, e.g. 30°, with respect to the longitudinal axis of the fastening element, the angle being open towards the component.

The compression element can be movable along its longitudinal axis. The force exerted by the compression element on the tension element can be a compressive force, which is converted into a tensile force in the tension element and which acts with at least one component perpendicular to the longitudinal axis with respect to the structural element connected to the tension element.

If necessary, to disassemble the fastening device, the pressure force must be applied to the pressure element parallel to the longitudinal axis of the fastening element and at the same time the fastening element must be moved against the insertion direction.

The longitudinal axis of the fastening element and the insertion direction can run parallel, possibly congruently.

The fixing section of the fastening device can be, on the one hand, an area of the fastening element or an area of the pressure element, and on the other hand, for example, another shaping element.

The end section of the tensile element can be bent. This means the end section can be bent around the shaped element, for example, around an end section of the shaped element. be or be arranged in such a way that the tension element engages behind the form element in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis.

The component may have a predetermined bending point, which is introduced into the component, for example, by a reduction in cross-section. Such a predetermined bending point can help the component to deform and/or shift in a controlled manner under tensile stress.

The molded element can be made of an elastic material with a modulus of elasticity of, for example, 0.2 GPa to 90 GPa.

In one embodiment, the fastening element, the forming element, the pressure element, and the tension element of the fastening device are all made of metal, although a plastic version for at least one of the elements is not excluded. The fastening element and the forming element can, for example, be integral parts of a sheet metal component. The tension element can also be made of sheet metal.

The fastening device allows a component to be securely attached to a support element, while enabling easy disassembly of the component. Because disassembly of the fastening device or the component requires moving the pressure element onto the tension element, the fastening device is protected against unintentional slippage from the opening in the support element, thus increasing the safety against accidental detachment of the component. This is achieved, among other things, by ensuring that the movement of the pressure element includes at least one component that runs along the insertion direction, while the fastening device is disassembled in the opposite direction to the insertion direction.

Optionally, a component is attached to a support element with several fastening devices according to the invention.

It is also possible that the pressure element is a separable component of the fastening device. For example, the pressure element could be a tool that can be inserted into the fastening device for disassembly and is movable along the longitudinal axis of the fastening element.

The fastening element can have a substantially vertex-shaped form with at least two legs connected to each other at a vertex, wherein in the undeformed state the legs project transversely to the longitudinal axis of the fastening element at least sectionally beyond the radial extent of the clear width of the opening in the supporting element.

In this case, the legs project beyond the radial extent of the clear width of the opening when viewed on the plane in which the opening lies.

The apex can define a maximum at a vertex area. Furthermore, the longitudinal axis of the fastener and the insertion direction can point towards the apex, with the fastener being inserted into the opening of the support element with the apex first.

The fastening element can, for example, essentially form a V-shape with two legs.

In another embodiment, there are more than two legs that are connected at the apex, with several legs being arranged parallel to each other and/or projecting in different directions with respect to the longitudinal axis of the fastening element.

At least one form element can be arranged on a leg and/or at the vertex and project outwards at an angle from the fastening element with respect to the fastening element's longitudinal axis. The form element may project transversely to the longitudinal axis in the same direction as the leg on which the respective form element is arranged. This could be the direction in which the leg, when installed, projects beyond the radial extent of the opening's clear width.

In the undeformed state, which corresponds to a stress-free state, the cantilever angle of the form element with respect to the longitudinal axis is greater than the cantilever angle of the leg with respect to the longitudinal axis, at least in the area of the leg on which the form element is arranged.

The legs of the fastening element can be made of an elastic material with a modulus of elasticity of, for example, 0.2 GPa to 90 GPa.

In their undeformed state, the legs can project transversely to the longitudinal axis of the fastening element, at least partially, beyond the radial extent of the clear width of the opening in the supporting element, so that the legs, when inserted, The corners of the fastening element in the opening of the supporting element are elastically deformed by mechanical force from the wall of the opening and their position is shifted at least section by section towards the longitudinal axis of the fastening element.

In their undeformed state, the legs may exhibit an angle between 5° and 45°, e.g. 15°, with respect to the longitudinal axis of the fastening element in certain areas.

Furthermore, the legs can be formed, for example, by a curved sheet metal component, in which the apex is formed by a curvature.

Due to the vertex-shaped form of the fastening element, the fastening element can be easily inserted into the opening of the support element, whereby the elastic deformation allows the legs to be pushed through the opening and then an elasticity-related return movement occurs and thus a spreading of the legs, which ensures an undercut on the support element and thus a secure hold of the fastening element in the opening.

The compression element can have a substantially rod-shaped form, with an extension in a principal direction of extension, wherein the compression element can be arranged or is arranged in the principal direction of extension parallel to the longitudinal axis of the fastening element and is movable along the principal direction of extension in the direction towards the tension element.

For example, the pressure element may be, at least in part, a cylindrical rod. The rod may be arranged on the fastening element, or may be arranged, in such a way that its main direction of extension is congruent with the longitudinal axis of the fastening element.

In an advantageous embodiment, the fastening device comprises a guide for the guided movement of the pressure rod. This can be implemented, for example, by a guide groove on the fastening element that runs parallel to its longitudinal axis, or by a guide opening in the fastening element.

In the case of a fastener with multiple legs, several guide grooves may be present. For example, one guide groove may be located on the inside of each leg.

It is possible that at least two legs connected at a vertex extend between two planes, with the form element being arranged outside the space bounded by the two planes and projecting in the same direction transverse to the longitudinal axis as the leg on which the form element is arranged.

The design element can be located on a leg and/or at the vertex and extend outside the space bounded by two planes. For example, the leg can extend to one of the aforementioned planes, and the design element can be attached to the leg from that plane onward.

The aforementioned planes can be parallel. Furthermore, the longitudinal axis of the fastening element can also be located in the space between the two planes.

Due to the described arrangement of the form element outside the space bounded by two planes, the form element can be elastically deformed by the tensile force of the tension element in such a way that at least the end region of the form element has the same or a smaller distance transverse to the longitudinal axis as the leg in this section of the fastening element, whereby when comparing the distances transverse to the longitudinal axis, the distances to be measured are parallel. This makes it possible to disassemble the fastening device through the opening in the support element and, if applicable, through the opening in the building element, without an obstructive step being formed between the leg and the form element that could catch on the wall of the opening in the support element and/or, if applicable, on the wall of the opening in the building element.

In an advantageous embodiment, the fastening element has at least a first and a second forming element, wherein the tension element connects the end regions of the two forming elements to each other or the end regions of the two forming elements can be connected to the tension element, so that the fixing section of the fastening device is formed by one of the two forming elements.

Consequently, a tensile force acting in the tension element can deform the two form elements and/or the fastening element, thereby displacing the form elements in certain areas in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the fastening element, which can reduce the overhang so that the fastening device can be disassembled through the opening.

The compression element can exert a force, for example a compressive force, essentially at its center on the tension element, whereby the exerted force is converted into a tensile force in the tension element, which acts with respect to the end regions of the tension element. Locally at the point of force transmission between the compression and tension elements, the tensile force can be oriented essentially perpendicular to the compression force.

The second form element can, for example, be positioned on the fastening element on a side opposite the first form element and also project outwards at an angle. Thus, the form elements can move towards each other in certain areas under the described force.

By positioning the tension element between two form elements, the positions of both form elements can be shifted simultaneously and uniformly along the longitudinal axis. Furthermore, the overhang of the form elements can be reduced by using only one tension element on two different sides of the fastening element.

In one embodiment, the fastening element has a shoulder at its end which extends substantially transversely to the longitudinal axis of the fastening element and is designed to form a stop when the fastening element is arranged in the opening in the support element, thereby blocking one translational degree of freedom of the fastening element in the direction along the insertion direction relative to the support element.

The shoulder can extend in different directions perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the fastening element. Furthermore, the shoulder can extend within a boundary plane of the fastening element that runs perpendicular to its longitudinal axis.

If the fastening element is arranged in mutually aligned openings of the building element and the supporting element, the shoulder can project at least in one direction transverse to the longitudinal axis beyond the radial extent of the clear opening in the building element, thereby enabling a stop on the building element.

Furthermore, the step can extend in a boundary plane of the fastening element that runs transversely to the longitudinal axis and is opposite to the insertion direction.

If the fastening element is an integral part of the component, then, when the fastening element is arranged in the opening of the support element, the shoulder can project beyond the radial extent of the clear opening in the support element in at least one area, transverse to the longitudinal axis, thus enabling a stop against the support element on the side facing away from the fastening element. Furthermore, in this case, the wall of the component itself can form the shoulder, and the component can therefore have a stop function against the support element, thereby blocking one translational degree of freedom of the fastening element in the direction of insertion relative to the support element.

In the case of a vertex-shaped fastening element, the shoulder can be formed by chamfers on the legs, for example, at each end of the legs opposite the vertex. If the legs are deformed by the arrangement of the fastening element in the opening of the supporting structure, the shoulder, in its deformed state, continues to project transversely to the longitudinal axis beyond the radial extent of the clear opening in the supporting element and/or structural element, thus providing the stop function on the supporting element or structural element.

The shoulder allows the fastener to be inserted into the opening of the support element and, if necessary, into the opening of the component up to a defined point. This prevents the fastener from slipping through the opening of the support element. Furthermore, a flat shoulder minimizes the fastener's protrusion on the component side.

Furthermore, it is possible that the pressure element of the fastening device, in an unloaded state, projects beyond the shoulder and thus beyond the fastening element. This allows a compressive force to be conveniently introduced into the pressure element at the projecting area, in order to move the pressure element onto the tension element and thereby create a tensile force in the tension element.

The pressure force can be applied to the pressure element manually or with a tool designed for this purpose.

In the event that the pressing force can be applied with a tool, this tool may have an additional pliers function, and the fastening device is designed accordingly. This ensures that the tool can pull the fastening device out of the opening of the support element and, if applicable, the opening of the component.

It may be provided that the fastening element has a constriction section on its legs formed by a curvature of the respective leg, which is arranged at least partially closer to the longitudinal axis of the fastening element than adjacent sections of the respective leg, wherein, when the fastening element is arranged in the opening in the support element, the constriction section can be positioned on the wall of the opening and, by widening the adjacent sections of the legs, at least the translational degree of freedom of the fastening element along the longitudinal axis of the fastening element can be blocked.

The adjacent sections of the respective leg are understood to be those sections that connect to the constriction section along the longitudinal axis.

In this process, the sections of the legs adjacent to the constriction section form an undercut and thus a positive fit at the opening of the supporting element and/or at the opening of the component due to an elastic restoring effect of the legs, which blocks the said degree of freedom as long as the legs maintain their radial positions with respect to the longitudinal axis of the fastening section.

When the constriction section is arranged on the wall of the opening of the supporting element, the legs can be partially elastically deformed and exert a compressive force on the wall of the bore.

The blockage can be released by further or additional elastic deformation of the legs, thus shifting their positions section by section further along the longitudinal axis of the fastener. If necessary, applying a tensile force to the fastener in or against the insertion direction and correspondingly moving the fastener in or against this direction can mechanically press the adjacent sections of the leg against the wall of the opening, thereby elastically displacing the legs along the longitudinal axis of the fastener until the leg's transverse dimension is less than the radial dimension of the clear opening in the supporting structure and/or the component. This elastic deformation can therefore release the blockage.

The constriction section can, for example, be formed by curves in two opposing legs. Furthermore, the constriction section can lie on a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis, so that when the constriction section is arranged in the wall of the opening, the longitudinal axis of the fastening element is essentially perpendicular to the opening.

In the case of an end shoulder on the fastener, the shoulder can form part of the constriction section by having a component that extends along the longitudinal axis, thus forming a section closer to the longitudinal axis than an end portion of the shoulder. The remaining constriction section can be directly connected to the shoulder. In this case, the blockage can only be released by applying a force to the fastener opposite to the insertion direction and moving the fastener in the opposite direction.

The constriction section contributes to a secure hold of the fastener in the opening of the support element, as it prevents unwanted movement of the fastener along or against the insertion direction relative to the support element.

In another embodiment, the tension element and the pressure element are integral components of a common actuating component, wherein the pressure element is movable parallel to the longitudinal axis of the fastening element and the tension element adjoining it can be subjected to tensile stress.

The pulling element, as part of the actuating element, can be attached to the shaped element by means of a bent end section. The bend can engage behind the shaped element in a direction transverse to its longitudinal axis.

In one embodiment, the tension element has two bent end regions and is attached to a form element in each case.

By designing the pressure element and the pull element as a single actuating component, separate guidance and attachment of the pressure element can be eliminated, thus simplifying the fastening device and the mounting of the pressure element on the fastening element.

Alternatively, the tension element can be attached to the compression element, for example in a middle section of the tension element.

Furthermore, the fastening device can have at least two tension elements, wherein the compression element is shaped in such a way that the compression element can act mechanically on several tension elements with one force.

In this process, a force, such as a compressive force, can be applied to several tensile elements simultaneously.

In the case of two tension elements, these can extend into different spaces, each defined by two parallel planes, whereby the planes of the first tension element can be parallel to the planes of the second tension element. Within these spaces, the elastic deformation of the respective form element attached to the tension element, caused by the tensile force, and possibly also the elastic deformation of the tension element itself, can occur.

In one embodiment, four forming elements are present, with each pair of forming elements connected by a tension element. The pressure element is configured to exert a mechanical force on these two tension elements.

A pressure element, which can act on at least two tension elements simultaneously, makes it possible to arrange several elastically displaceable form elements on different sides of the fastening element in a simple manner.

The pressure element can, for example, essentially have a T-shape, in which a first section of the pressure element forms the central web of the T-shape, which can be arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis of the fastening element, and a second section extends essentially transversely to the central web and thus forms the crossbar of the T-shape.

In this way, each end section of the second segment can exert a force on one of the two tension elements.

Alternatively, the first web-shaped section and the second crossbeam-shaped section can be two separate components, namely a web element and a crossbeam element, wherein the web element is configured to exert a mechanical force on the crossbeam element in order to move the crossbeam element parallel to the longitudinal axis of the fastening element. The crossbeam element can be the compression element configured to exert a force on at least one tension element, or the crossbeam element and at least one tension element can be part of a common actuating element configured to exert a force on at least one tension element.

The central web element can be designed with a disassembly tool that is separable from the other components of the fastening device and can be inserted along the longitudinal axis of the fastening element to disassemble the fastening device. This design allows for more material-efficient manufacturing of the fastening device and also saves costs, as fewer central web elements are required.

Another aspect of the invention is a motor vehicle comprising at least one fastening device according to the invention.

The motor vehicle can be at least partially electrically powered, and possibly autonomously operable.

Furthermore, the motor vehicle may include at least one airbag. The airbag may be arranged between the support element and the component and/or in a cavity of the component.

The airbag can expand and exit from a cavity at least partially covered by the component, thus protecting a passenger, without the component attached to the support structure detaching completely. This is because at least one structural element secures the mounting device against slipping entirely out of the opening in the support structure. The high degree of security of the mounting device may therefore help prevent the component from impacting the passenger's head when the airbag is deployed.

The direction of the compressive force required to disassemble the fastener can, at least in one component, run opposite to the disassembly direction of the component and thus towards the airbag. This prevents the airbag deployment from directly or indirectly subjecting the compressive element to such a mechanical load that a tensile force is introduced into the tension element, causing the component to deform elastically and the fastener to be unintentionally released by the airbag.

For example, the fastening device can attach a component designed as an airbag cover to a support element designed as an A-pillar.

The vehicle can comprise several load-bearing elements and components, the components being mounted on the respective load-bearing element with at least one fastening device.

A further aspect of the invention is a method for at least partially disassembling a component mounted on a support element of a motor vehicle by means of a fastening device according to one of claims 1 to 8, in which the pressure element is moved parallel to the longitudinal axis of the fastening element relative to the fastening element and thereby mechanically acts on the tension element with such a force that the force exerted in the tension element is converted into tensile forces in the end regions of the tension element, wherein a tensile force acting in an end region of the tension element adjoining the forming element acts on the forming element with a component in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the fastening element, so that the forming element and/or the fastening element is elastically deformed and the overhang of the forming element is reduced, and in that the fastening device is guided through the opening against the insertion direction and thus disassembled.

If necessary, a compressive force must be applied to the pressure element and an opposing tensile force to the fastening element simultaneously to remove the fastening device from the opening.

The process can be carried out, at least partially, with a specially designed tool. This tool can, for example, be operated manually and, on the one hand, cause the pressure element to move towards the tension element and, on the other hand, grip the fastening device similarly to pliers and guide it out of the opening of the support element and, if necessary, out of the opening of the component.

The method of at least partially disassembling a component from a supporting element of a motor vehicle allows a component to be removed in a simple and convenient manner, for example in a service situation, while ensuring safety against unwanted detachment of the component.

The invention will be explained below with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

• 1: eine Seitenansicht einer ersten Ausführungsform einer Befestigungseinrichtung in einem ersten Zustand;
• 2: eine Seitenansicht der ersten Ausführungsform der Befestigungseinrichtung in einem zweiten Zustand;
• 3: eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Befestigungselements einer zweiten Ausführungsform der Befestigungseinrichtung;
• 4: eine perspektivische Ansicht einer dritten Ausführungsform der Befestigungseinrichtung in einem ersten Zustand;
• 5: eine perspektivische Ansicht der dritten Ausführungsform der Befestigungseinrichtung in einem zweiten Zustand;
• 6: eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Bauelements, das mittels der dritten Ausführungsform der Befestigungseinrichtung an einem Tragelement befestigt ist; sowie
• 7: eine perspektivische Ansicht einer vierten Ausführungsform der Befestigungseinrichtung.

They show

• 1 : a side view of a first embodiment of a fastening device in a first state;
• 2 : a side view of the first embodiment of the fastening device in a second state;
• 3 : a perspective view of a fastening element of a second embodiment of the fastening device;
• 4 : a perspective view of a third embodiment of the fastening device in a first state;
• 5 : a perspective view of the third embodiment of the fastening device in a second state;
• 6 : a perspective view of a component that is attached to a support element by means of the third embodiment of the fastening device; and
• 7 : a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the fastening device.

1 Figure 1 shows a side view of a first embodiment of a fastening device. 1. The fastening device 1 is shown in a first undeformed and stress-free state. The fastening device 1 comprises a fastening element 10, which is designed with a vertex. The fastening element 10 has a first leg 12 and a second leg 13, which are connected to each other at a vertex 14 as part of a vertex region 15 and project outwards with respect to a longitudinal axis 11 of the fastening element 10. A shaped element 30 is arranged on each of the first leg 12 and second leg 13, with both shaped elements 30 also projecting outwards with respect to the longitudinal axis 11. While the legs 12, 13 have a cantilever angle of 15° with respect to the longitudinal axis 11 of the fastening element 10, the shaped elements 30 have a cantilever angle of 30° with respect to the longitudinal axis 11 of the fastening element 10. The fastening element 10 has a constriction section 24, which is realized by curvatures in the legs 12, 13. The constriction section 24 is arranged closer to the longitudinal axis 11 of the fastening element 10 than adjacent sections of the legs 12, 13. The fastening device 1 can be arranged in an opening of a support element (not shown) and in an opening of a component (also not shown) to fasten the component to the support element. For this purpose, the fastening device 1 is inserted into both openings along the insertion direction 70. The two form elements 30 and the legs 12, 13 are inserted into the openings, whereby both are elastically deformed by mechanical force against the wall of the openings and thereby displaced in the direction of the longitudinal axis 11. After insertion, the form elements 30 and the legs 12, 13 can expand again, whereby the overhang is then greater than the radial extent of the clear width of the opening(s), thus forming undercuts behind the walls forming the opening(s). The constricted section 24 serves to be positioned against the wall of the opening of the supporting element and, if applicable, the opening of the structural element, so that its adjacent sections of the legs 12, 13 can prevent the fastening element 10 from slipping out of the openings. Immediately adjacent to the constricted section 24 is a step 20, which is formed by end bends 21 on the legs 12, 13. The step 20 can act as a stop against the opening of the support element (not shown) or the opening of the component (not shown), thus preventing the fastening device 1 from sliding through the openings along the insertion direction 70. The fastening device 1 also comprises a compression element 40, designed as a round bar 41, which is arranged along or parallel to the longitudinal axis 11, and a tension element 50, which connects the two form elements 30 at their ends and is oriented essentially transversely to the longitudinal axis 11.

In 2 is a side view of the first embodiment of the fastening device 1 of 1 The second state is shown. This state differs in that the compression element 40 has been moved along the longitudinal direction 11 of the fastening element 10 towards the vertex 14. The compression element 40 exerts a compressive force 81 on the tension element 50 such that the tension element 50 deforms elastically, and the compressive force 81 is converted into tensile forces 83 with respect to the end regions of the tension element 50. In the illustrated case, the tensile forces 83 act transversely to the longitudinal axis 11 in the end regions of the tension element 50. Since the tension element 50 is connected to a form element 30 at each of its end regions, the tensile forces 83 cause an elastic deformation of the form elements 30, so that their overhang has decreased and they now, like the legs 12, 13, have an overhang angle of 15° with respect to the longitudinal axis 11 of the fastening element 10. In the view shown, the form elements 30 are located in front of the legs 12, 13. With a cantilever angle of 15°, the cantilever width of the form elements 30 is less than the radial extent of the clear width of an opening in a support element (not shown) and an opening in a component (also not shown), into which the fastening device 1 for attaching the component to the support element can be inserted. Consequently, the fastening device 1 can be inserted through the opening of the support element and the opening of the component, contrary to the insertion direction 70, without the form elements 30 obstructing it. Therefore, the component can be detached from the support element and thus disassembled.

3 Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a fastening element 10 of a second embodiment of the fastening device 1. Of the in 1 and 2 The fastening element 10 shown here differs from the fastening elements 10 shown in the illustrations in that it has a total of four shaped elements 30. While the legs 12, 13 are arranged in a space between two parallel planes, the shaped elements 30 are arranged outside this space at the apex 15. Furthermore, the fastening element 10 includes a guide device 22, which is formed by a guide opening 23 on the inner sides of each of the two legs 12, 13 of the apex-shaped fastening element. The guide opening 23 serves to move a pressure element (not shown here) along the longitudinal axis 11 of the fastening element 10. The wall of the guide opening 23 forms a kind of guide groove that serves to guide the pressure element.

In 4 Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a third embodiment of the fastening device 1 in a first undeformed and stress-free state. It is evident that the fastening element 10, apart from not being equipped with any guide device, does not deviate from the fastening element 10 of 3 differs. The in 4 The fastening device 1 shown has two tension elements 50, each connecting two form elements 30. The compression element 40 has a T-shape, comprising a central web 42 arranged along the longitudinal axis and a transverse beam 43 arranged transversely to it.

5 shows a perspective view of the third embodiment of the fastening device 1 of 4 in a second state. The pressure element 40 is starting from the in 4 The position shown is moved along or parallel to the longitudinal direction 11 of the fastening element 10 towards the apex 14. During this movement, the crossbeam 43 of the compression element 40 exerts a compressive force 81 simultaneously and centrally on the two tension elements 50, so that the tension elements 50 elastic deformation occurs, and the compressive force 81 is converted into tensile forces 83 with respect to the end regions of the tension elements 50. In the illustrated case, the tensile forces 83 act transversely to the longitudinal axis 11 in the end regions of the tension element 50.

6 Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a component 2, which is attached to a support element 4 by means of the third embodiment of the fastening device 1. Here, the fastening device 1 is inserted into an opening 6 of a component 2 designed as a cladding element 3 and into an opening 5 of a support element 4. The component 2 is arranged on the support element 4 such that the openings 5 and 6 are aligned. It can be seen that the constricting section 24 is located on the wall of the opening 5 in the support element 4 and on the wall of the opening 6 in the component 2, and that the adjacent sections of the legs 12 and 13, by means of their projection, which is greater than the radial extent of the clear width of the openings 5 and 6, secure the fastening device 10 against slipping out, at least against the insertion direction 70. It is also evident that, as a second safety function, the overhang of the form elements 30 is greater than the radial extent of the clear width of the openings 5, 6. This ensures that, in the event of elastic deformation of the legs 12, 13 and a displacement of the legs 12, 13 towards the longitudinal axis 11 of the fastening element 10, the fastening device 1 can only be disassembled against the insertion direction 11 when the compression element 40 is moved onto the tension elements 50 and exerts a compressive force on the tension elements 50 in such a way that the compressive force is converted into tensile forces with respect to the end regions of the tension elements 50 and the tensile forces cause a reduction in the overhang of the form elements 30.

7 Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the fastening device 1. The embodiment shown differs from the fastening device 1 of 4 , 5 and 6 insofar as the two tension elements 50 and the T-shaped pressure element 40 are integrated components of a common actuating component 60. The end regions 52 of the two tension elements 50 are angled and engage behind the respective form element 30 in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis 11 of the fastening element 10. The angled end regions 52 thus ensure the force transmission between the tension elements 50 and the respective form elements 30.

Reference symbol list

1

Fastening device

2

component

3

Trim element

4

Supporting element

5

Opening in the support element

6

Opening in the component

10

Fastener

11

Longitudinal axis

12

First thigh

13

Second thigh

14

vertex

15

crown area

20

Paragraph

21

chamfer

22

Management system

23

Opening of the tour

24

Constriction section

30

Form element

40

Pressure element

41

Round rod

42

central walkway

43

Crossbeam

50

Tension element

52

End area of the tension element

60

Actuating component

70

Insertion direction

81

Pressure

83

traction

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 20 2006 007 873 U1 [0005]
• DE 600 19 472 T2 [0006]

Claims (10)

Fastening device (1) designed for fastening at least one component (2) to a support element (4) of a motor vehicle and insertable into an opening (5) in the support element (4), comprising a fastening element (10) extending along a longitudinal axis (11) and insertable into the opening (5) along an insertion direction (70), and at least one tension element (50) and at least one compression element (40), characterized in that at least one shaped element (30) projecting outwards at an angle from the fastening element (10) with respect to the longitudinal axis (11) is arranged on the fastening element (10) to prevent movement of the fastening element (10) against the insertion direction (70) through the opening (5) in the support element (4), and that the shaped element (30) is mechanically connected or connectable to a fixing section of the fastening device (1) by means of the tension element (50), wherein the compression element (40) is parallel to the longitudinal axis (11) of the fastening element (10) relative to is movable to the fastening element (10) and the pressure element (40) can mechanically act on the tension element (50) with such a force that the force exerted in the tension element (50) is converted into tensile forces (83) in the end regions (52) of the tension element (50), wherein a tensile force (83) acting in an end region (52) of the tension element (50) adjoining the form element (30) acts on the form element (30) with a component in the direction of the longitudinal axis (11) of the fastening element (10) and thereby elastically deforms the form element (30) and/or the fastening element (10) and reduces the overhang of the form element (30) so that the fastening device (1) can be disassembled through the opening (5). Fastening device (1) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the fastening element (10) has a substantially vertex-shaped form with at least two legs (12, 13) connected to each other at a vertex (14), wherein in the undeformed state the legs (12, 13) project transversely to the longitudinal axis (11) of the fastening element (10) at least sectionally beyond the radial extent of the clear width of the opening (5) in the support element (4). Fastening device (1) at least according to Claim 2 , characterized in that at least two legs (12,13) connected at a vertex (14) extend between two planes, wherein the form element (30) is arranged outside the space bounded by the two planes and cantilevers in the same direction transverse to the longitudinal axis (11) as the leg (12,13) on which the form element (30) is arranged. Fastening device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fastening element (10) has at least a first and a second forming element (30), wherein the tensioning element (50) connects the end regions of the two forming elements (30) to each other or the end regions of the two forming elements (30) can be connected to the tensioning element (50), so that the fixing section of the fastening device (1) is formed by one of the two forming elements (30). Fastening device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fastening element (10) has a shoulder (20) at its end which extends substantially transversely to the longitudinal axis (11) of the fastening element (10) and is configured to form a stop when the fastening element (10) is arranged in the opening (5) in the support element (4), thereby blocking a translational degree of freedom of the fastening element (10) in the direction along the insertion direction (70) relative to the support element (4). Fastening device (1) according to one of the Claims 2 until 5 , characterized in that the fastening element (10) has on its legs (12, 13) a constriction section (24) formed by a curvature of the respective leg (12, 13), which is arranged at least partially closer to the longitudinal axis (11) of the fastening element (10) than adjacent sections of the respective leg (12, 13), wherein when the fastening element (10) is arranged in the opening (5) in the support element (4) the constriction section (24) can be positioned on the wall of the opening (5) and thereby at least the translational degree of freedom of the fastening element (10) along the longitudinal axis (11) of the fastening element (10) can be blocked by widening the adjacent sections of the legs (12, 13). Fastening device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tension element (50) and the pressure element (40) are integral components of a common actuating component (60), wherein the pressure element (40) is movable parallel to the longitudinal axis (11) of the fastening element (10) and thereby the tension element (50) adjoining it can be subjected to tensile stress. Fastening device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fastening device (1) has at least two tension elements (50), wherein the compression element (40) is shaped such that the compression element (40) can act mechanically on several tension elements (50) with a force. motor vehicle comprising at least one fastening device (1) according to one of the Claims 1 until 8 . Method for at least partial disassembly of a fastening device (1) according to one of the Claims 1 until 8 a component (2) mounted on a support element (4) of a motor vehicle, wherein the pressure element (40) is moved parallel to the longitudinal axis (11) of the fastening element (10) relative to the fastening element (10) and thereby acts mechanically on the tension element (50) with such a force that the force exerted in the tension element (50) is converted into tensile forces (83) in the end regions (52) of the tension element (50), wherein a tensile force (83) acting in an end region (52) of the tension element (50) adjoining the form element (30) acts on the form element (30) with a component in the direction of the longitudinal axis (11) of the fastening element (10), so that the form element (30) and/or the fastening element (10) deform elastically and the overhang of the form element (30) is reduced, and that the fastening device (1) is guided through the opening (5) against the insertion direction (70). and is therefore dismantled.