TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a connection apparatus for door tension arm system, which is based on polymer material and where metal parts, which lead to high production cost and design complexity during production and noise problems during usage, are eliminated and where design complexities and noise problem are eliminated and which is suitable for use in door tension arm systems and where weights are reduced and where the desired mechanical resistances are provided.

The present invention essentially relates to a connection apparatus which is based on polymer material and which is suitable for use in door tension arm systems for the related technical field.

PRIOR ART

In automotive sector, importance of using modern engineering tools increases every passing day. Product designs are realized in a more reliable manner thanks to modern engineering tools which provide gain in cost indirectly in terms of time and labor.

Door tension arm systems are mechanisms which provide opening of vehicle doors with a specific angle and which realize the function of locking the door at these positions.

In the present door tension arm systems, metal materials are used as raw material. Metal materials exist as raw material for providing the needed strength and abrasion resistances in door tension arm systems. Plastic-based coating materials are applied onto said metal materials. In the known state of the art, plastic molding onto the metal sheet material in the door tension arm system connection part exists in approximately all of the production processes. Plastic mold materials are applied onto metal materials for preventing noise complaints which occur in the direction of the feedback of the end user. However, this leads to increase of quality problems which occur due to production durations, production equipment, weight, tolerance which occurs between two parts, and adhesion problems. In the present art, it is known that the usage of metal materials as raw material in door tension arm systems and the usage of plastic-based coating materials on these materials lead to some technical problems. The first one of said technical problems is the production cost which occurs since two materials are used as raw material. Sheet materials are used for metal materials which are the basic raw material, and sheet materials are formed by means of laser cutting methods. Moreover, as the second step in production, adding of plastic materials for coating onto metal materials, obtained in this manner, leads to increase of the costs per part. Therefore, production of connection apparatus, which exists in door tension arm systems, as one-piece and in a single step shall lead to decrease of production costs.

In the present art, since metal and plastic-based materials are used in door tension arm systems, two-staged design has to be realized. The designer must have information about the design principles for both metal forming and plastic molding manufacturability. This unfavorable condition leads to both time loss and labor loss for production of door tension arm system with two materials.

The connection apparatus which exists in the door tension arm systems is prone to abrasion forces continuously during lifetime. The deformation which occurs due to said abrasion forces leads to stripping of the plastic coating from metal materials and/or damaging thereof. Therefore, in door tension arm systems, the metal material contacts the part which moves on the connection. This contact unfavorably affects the comfort at the door arm sensed by the customer and the sound heard by the customer, and leads to customer complaints.

The invention with patent number GB 2229668 A relates to a method for producing vehicle door tension arm. In said invention, in the mold which includes lever, support fibers flow to the mold space through a door at one end of the space, thus, the plastic material flows to the space in a longitudinal direction, and fills the space, and the molded arm is released from the mold after solidification. A metal engagement is placed to the mold space such that said metal engagement is formed in an integrated manner inside the lever. In said invention, the usage of additional metal material increases cost and process complexity because of production with two steps.

In the invention with patent number US 5173991 , plastic molding is applied onto metal bracket by means of a resistant plastic material. In the invention, plastic molding is applied onto an additional material. In the subject matter system, it is foreseen that a noise problem shall occur which results from the contact of metal material and the product rounded as the plastic material abrades during the product lifetime, and it is considered that this condition shall form disadvantage for the system.

A tension arm for vehicle door, which is the subject of the invention with patent number US 20150354259 A1 , comprises a body, a pivot connector and an end stopper. The body comprises pluralities of long structural fibers and a binder which provides connection of the structural fibers to each other. In the invention, in the plastic molding application realized on the core cell, the composite tension arm part shall bring problems like production difficulties, adhesion problems in plastic materials, non-homogenous product, and a product quality which is not sustainable or repeatable.

As a result, improvements are required in the related technical field for eliminating the technical problems like noise problems, design complexity and production cost which occur since the connection apparatus, which exist in door tension arm systems, are made of two different materials.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a connection apparatus which is compliant for use for door tension arm system, for eliminating the abovementioned disadvantages and for bringing new solutions and advantages to the related technical field.

The object of the present invention is to provide a connection apparatus which eliminates noise problems, design complexity and high production costs of door tension arm systems which exist in the related technical field, and which is produced from a single part and a single material.

The object of the present invention is to provide a connection apparatus produced from a single part and a single material and which provides suitability with the design by means of laser cutting of sheet materials used in connection apparatus which is compliant to door tension arm systems and which provides elimination of problems of tolerance compliancy with plastic materials used as coating material in the related technical field.

The object of the present invention is to provide a connection apparatus, which is suitable for use in door tension arm systems, which has sufficient strength and abrasion resistances. The object of the present invention is to provide a connection apparatus which enables reduction of weights of door tension arm systems since metal materials are not needed to be used as raw material.

The object of the present invention is to provide a connection apparatus where corrosion problems are eliminated in door tension arm systems since said door tension arm systems are obtained from a single part and a single material.

In order to provide all these advantages, the present invention relates to a connection apparatus for the door tension arm systems used particularly in automotive sector, which provides connection between the bracket fixed to the door and at least one body assembly part fixed to the vehicle body and which has the function of opening of vehicle doors at a specific angle and locking of the door at these positions by means of the housing element which exist in the body thereof. The subject matter connection apparatus has a structure made of a single material at a single step from at least one polymer-based engineering material. By means of this, a connection apparatus can be obtained which is made of single part and single material and which eliminates high production costs, design complexity and noise problems of door tension arm systems.

In a possible embodiment of the present invention, the connection apparatus comprises at least one of polyketone, polybutylene terephthalate and/or teflon material group as the polymer material.

In a possible embodiment of the present invention, the connection apparatus comprises polyketone as the polymer material. By means of this, in the door tension arm system, engineering materials, which have the needed mechanical, abrasion resistance and besides which can be easily formed and which shall not lead to noise problems, can be used as raw material for obtaining connection apparatus from a single material.

In a possible embodiment of the present invention, the connection apparatus comprises polyketone at a value between 50% and 90% by weight.

In a possible embodiment of the present invention, the connection apparatus comprises polyketone at a value between 75% and 85% by weight.

In a possible embodiment of the present invention, the connection apparatus comprises polybutylene terephthalate as the polymer material. In a possible embodiment of the present invention, the connection apparatus comprises polybutylene terephthalate at a value between 50% and 90%.

In a possible embodiment of the present invention, the connection apparatus comprises polybutylene terephthalate at a value between 75% and 85%.

In a possible embodiment of the present invention, the connection apparatus comprises glass fiber component. By means of this, tensile and impact resistances of the connection apparatus are increased. The connection apparatus comprises glass fiber component at a value between 10% and 20% by weight.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

In Figure 1 , the cross-sectional view of the door tension arm system used in the related technical field is given.

In Figure 2, the cross-sectional view of the subject matter connection apparatus which exists in the door tension arm system used in the related technical field is given.

In Figure 3, the cross-sectional view of the connection apparatus with two materials used in the present art is given.

In Figure 4, the cross-sectional view of the subject matter connection apparatus made of single material and single part is given.

REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 Door arm tension system

10 Bracket

20 Body assembly part

30 Connection apparatus

31 Housing

32 Connection apparatus hole

33 Body assembly part DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In this detailed description, the subject matter relates to a connection apparatus (30) which is suitable for use in door tension arm systems (1), and is explained with references to examples without forming any restrictive effect only in order to make the subject more understandable.

Products produced by means of different production methods give different responses to forces exerted thereon at application conditions, and they break, extend, bend, tear or fragment depending on the amplitude of the exerted load. “Mechanical resistance” is the whole of the reactions given by materials against forces like tensile, compression, etc.

“Abrasion resistance” describes the resistance of a material against friction. In terms of SI units, the abrasion ratio, the average force sharing and abrasion resistance are m/m, N, N/m respectively.

The present invention eliminates the present technical problems which exist in the door tension arm system (1) used in automotive and similar technical fields, and presents additional technical solutions and advantages for the related technical field. The cross- sectional view of the door tension arm system (1 ) used particularly in automotive sector is given as Figure 1. Accordingly, the door tension arm system (1) comprises at least one bracket (10). Said bracket (10) comprises at least one hole and is fixed in order to be assembled to the door body through at least one hole provided in its body. The door tension arm system (1) comprises a body assembly part (20) for being able to be fixed to the body of vehicles. Said body assembly part (20) comprises at least one hole for being able to be fixed to the vehicle body. Accordingly, the door tension arm system (1 ) is assembled to vehicles through the holes, which exist in the bracket (10), for fixing one side thereof to the door and through the holes, which exist in the body assembly part (20), for fixing the other side thereof to the body. In the door tension arm system (1), there is a connection apparatus (30) which provides connection between the bracket (10) and the body assembly part (20). Said connection apparatus (30) has functions of opening of vehicle doors at a specific angle and providing locking of the door at these positions. The connection apparatus (30) comprises at least one housing (31). Said housing(s) provide(s) staying of the doors at specific angles by entering the parts provided at the door arm tension arm system (1). In Figure 2, the connection apparatus (30) and the housing(s) (31) which exist in its body are shown in detail. Accordingly, the connection apparatus (30) comprises at least one hole (32) at specific diameters in order to be assembled to the bracket (10). The connection apparatus (30) comprises at least one body assembly part (33) at specific radius values for being assembled to the body assembly part (20). The connection apparatus (30) which exists in door tension arm systems (1) can be produced in various different designs; it can comprise more than one connection apparatus hole(s) (32), the shape of the body assembly part can change. However, the functions of the housing (31 ) hole (32) and body assembly parts (33) which exist in the connection apparatus (30) are the same. Therefore, the forms and designs of these elements which exist in the connection apparatus (30) do not exist within the scope of the subject matter, and do not delimit the subject matter.

The subject matter relates to a connection apparatus (30) which exists in the door tension arm system (1). The representative view of a connection apparatus (30) which exists in the present art is given as Figure 3. As shown here, the connection apparatus (30) is essentially produced from at least two materials. The connection apparatus (30) comprises at least one metal-based raw material for providing the desired mechanical and abrasion resistance values. Said metal material is essentially obtained from sheet materials. In order to prevent affecting of sheet materials from medium conditions and in order to provide elimination of the noise problems which result from these materials, the sheet materials are coated with at least one plastic-based material. Production of the connection apparatus (30) which exist in the door tension arm systems (1) from two materials like metal and plastic materials leads to various technical problems. As an advantage to all of these, the present invention presents a connection apparatus (30) where noise problems and designing difficulties are eliminated for the door tension arm systems (1) and besides which has sufficient mechanical and abrasion resistances.

In the invention, the connection apparatus (30) is obtained in a one-piece form without needing usage of metal materials as raw material. In Figure 4, the cross-sectional view of a connection apparatus (30) produced in one-piece form is given. Accordingly, the connection apparatus (30) is made of at least one plastic-based material. The invention owners have detected the need to use as raw material the engineering materials which have mechanical, abrasion resistance for obtaining connection apparatus (30) from a single material and which are easily formable and which shall not lead to noise problems. Accordingly, the connection apparatus (30) comprises at least one polymer material. Here, as said polymer material, at least one material selected from polyketone, teflon, polybutylene terephthalate, polymethyl methacrylate, polyvinyl fluoride, polycarbonate, polyoxymethylene, polymer material group is provided. In the invention, the connection apparatus (30) is preferably made of at least one polymer material, here, the connection apparatus (30) comprises at least one of polyketone, polybutylene terephthalate and/or teflon material group as said polymer material.

In the invention, the connection apparatus (30) is preferably a polymer-polymer composite material which comprises more than one polymer material. Said polymer-polymer materials are selected from polyketone, polybutylene terephthalate and/or teflon material group.

Preferably, the connection apparatus (30) is made of at least one polymer material, and comprises polybutylene terephthalate and/or polyketone polymer materials as component.

The connection apparatus (30) is preferably made of polyketone polymers.

The connection apparatus (30) preferably comprises polyketone material at a value between 50% and 95% by weight.

The connection apparatus (30) preferably comprises polyketone at a value between 75% and 85% by weight.

The connection apparatus (30) comprises polyketone, besides it comprises glass fiber component for increasing tensile and impact resistances of the final product.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the glass fiber component exists in the connection apparatus (30) at a value between 10% and 20% by weight.

The connection apparatus (30) is made of polybutylene terephthalate polymer material.

The connection apparatus (30) preferably comprises polybutylene terephthalate material at a value between 50% and 95% by weight.

The connection apparatus (30) preferably comprises polybutylene terephthalate material at a value between 75% and 85% by weight.

The connection apparatus (30) comprises polybutylene terephthalate, besides, it comprises glass fiber component for increasing tensile and impact resistances of the final product. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the glass fiber component exists in the connection apparatus (30) at a value between 10% and 20% by weight. The connection apparatus (30) can comprise additive components at a value between 1% and 5% by weight if preferred.

The connection apparatus (30) comprises master-batch components at a value between 1% and 5% by weight if preferred.

The subject matter connection apparatus (30) is made of a single material in a different manner from the connection apparatus (30) which exists in the present art. The connection apparatus (30) which exists in the present art are made of two materials, namely, metal and polymer materials, the connection apparatus (30) produced in this manner have technical problems.

The subject matter connection apparatus (30) does not comprise metal material. By means of this, the noise problem of the connection apparatus (30) is eliminated and the production costs thereof are reduced. Since the subject matter connection apparatus (30) is made only of polymer-based materials, design is facilitated and moreover, production costs decrease.

The subject matter connection apparatus (30) does not comprise two different materials; therefore, corrosion problems which may occur are eliminated.

The subject matter connection apparatus (30) does not comprise a metal-based material; the weight of the product is decreased since the subject matter connection apparatus (30) is made of polymer-based materials.

The non-adhesion problem, which is a problem faced in production of the connection apparatus (30) which exist in the present art, is eliminated since the subject matter connection apparatus (30) is produced from a single material.

The protection scope of the present invention is set forth in the annexed claims and cannot be restricted to the illustrative disclosures given above, under the detailed description. It is because a person skilled in the relevant art can obviously produce similar embodiments under the light of the foregoing disclosures, without departing from the main principles of the present invention.