TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The invention relates to a fastening device for the fastening of an attachment part to a carrier component, in particular for the fastening of a vehicle component to a vehicle body.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Fastening devices of this type are used in the automobile sector in order to fasten a very wide variety of attachment parts to a vehicle body or to another carrier component. For example, lines or trim panels can be fastened to the carrier component via such a fastening device. Known fastening devices are, for example, adhesively bonded to the carrier component. Although, in this case, an opening is not necessary for the insertion of the fastening device into the carrier component, such an adhesive connection is not reversible and generally withstands only small pull-off forces. Also known are fastening devices which can be inserted into an opening in the carrier component and engage with detent action on the opening of the carrier component via detent means. Although such fastening devices with detent means can be fitted in a simple manner, they likewise frequently do not ensure a sufficient resistance to pull-off forces.

SUMMARY

[0003] Starting from the explained prior art, the invention is based on the object of providing a fastening device which is connectable to the carrier component by application of small installation forces and when connected to the carrier component withstands high pul I -off forces.

[0004] The invention achieves the object by a fastening device as claimed in claim 1 and by a system as claimed in claim 10. Advantageous refinements are the subject matter of the dependent claims, the description and the figures.

[0005] The fastening device as claimed in the invention for the fastening of an attachment part to a carrier component, in particular of a vehicle component to a vehicle body, comprises an outer part with elastic detent means for engaging with detent action on an opening of the carrier component, and comprises an inner part which is received in the outer part so as to be displaceable in a linear installation direction from a release position into a blockage position, wherein the fastening device can, by virtue of the outer part together with the inner part received in the release position being moved in the linear installation direction, be placed into a pre-installed position inserted into the opening of the carrier component, in which pre-installed position the detent means of the outer part engage with detent action on the opening of the carrier component, and wherein the fastening device can, by subsequent movement of the inner part into the blockage position, be placed into a fully installed position, wherein the inner part, in the release position, releases the detent means of the outer part and, in the blockage position, blocks the detent means of the outer part such that the fastening device cannot be detached from the carrier component by movement in a linear uninstallation direction opposite to the linear installation direction.

[0006] As claimed in the invention, an in particular two-part fastening device is consequently provided with an inner part and an outer part. The inner part is in particular a receiving opening of the outer part in the release position, and the protruding fastening section is designed, in particular for the line holder or a trim panel. An outer contour of the outer part can be formed in a corresponding manner to the opening in the carrier component, in particular the opening in the carrier component and the outer contour of the outer part can be substantially cylindrical.

[0007] For the fastening of the attachment part to the carrier component, first of all the fastening device, by means of its outer part, is inserted in the installation direction into an opening in the carrier component, wherein the detent means of the outer part engage with detent action on the opening. The detent means can comprise, for example, one or more elastic detent arms, wherein, when the outer part is inserted into the opening, the detent arm or the detent arms come into contact with an opening edge of the opening and can be deformed inward from an inoperative position in the direction of the receiving opening of the outer part. In particular, the outer part can have two mutually opposite detent arms or three detent arms distributed uniformly over a circumference of the outer part. After the detent arm or the detent arms have passed through the opening in the carrier component, they can pass back into their inoperative position and here engage behind the opening edge with detent action, in particular in conjunction with an abutment edge of the outer part that follows the detent arm or the detent arms in the uninstallation direction. The outer part is therefore secured on the carrier component and is in the pre-installed position. The inner part is already connected here to the outer part, specifically in the release position. In the release position, the inner part does not block the detent means of the outer part, and in particular detent arms provided as detent means can possibly be furthermore deformed inward in the direction of the receiving opening. In particular, the outer part can be detached again from the carrier component by a movement along the linear uninstallation direction. Starting from the pre-installed position, the inner part can be displaced relative to the outer part and therefore relative to the carrier component along the installation direction from the release position into the blockage position. In the blockage position, the inner part, in particular the insertion section of the inner part, can enter further into the outer part than in the release position. In said fully installed position, the inner part blocks the detent means of the outer part. Detaching of the outer part from the carrier component is therefore no longer possible, at least not without being destroyed. If the abovementioned detent arms are to be provided as the detent means, the inner part in the blockage position can in particular prevent the detent arm or the detent arms from being deformed inward in the direction of the receiving opening. The attachment part can already be connected to the inner part before the fastening device is inserted into the opening of the carrier component. The attachment part can subsequently also be connected to the inner part.

[0008] Owing to the blockage as claimed in the invention of the detent means of the outer part in the blockage position of the inner part, secure holding of the fastening device on the carrier component is ensured. The fastening device can therefore withstand high pull-off forces. Since the fastening device is inserted together with the inner part into the opening in the carrier component in the release position, simple installation with small installation forces is nevertheless possible. It is particularly advantageous that a connection of the fastening device to the carrier component - and therefore in particular also a connection of the attachment part to the carrier component - takes place by an installation movement merely along a straight line, namely along the linear installation direction. This permits particularly simple and rapid installation since the fastening device merely has to be pressed into the opening in the carrier component. Despite the two-part configuration of the fastening device, no movement is therefore necessary in a further direction than in the linear installation direction, in particular no rotation of one or more parts of the fastening device. In particular, such an installation can take place in an automated manner. [0009] As claimed in one refinement, first retaining means are provided for retaining the inner part in the release position in the outer part, and second retaining means are provided for retaining the inner part in the blockage position in the outer part. The inner part can therefore be retained on the outer part both in the release position and in the blockage position. At least the retaining connection produced by the first retaining means is releasable, and therefore the inner part can be adjusted from the release position into the blockage position. However, the first retaining means can apply a certain resistance against a relative movement between inner part and outer part, and the inner part can consequently be held in the release position by the retaining means counter to a movement in the installation direction in such a manner that a movement of the inner part into the blockage position is possible only by application of a defined installation force. In the release position, the inner part can initially be retained in the outer part via the first retaining means and, during its movement from the release position into the blockage position along the installation direction, can leave the connection to the outer part via the first retaining means and, in the blockage position, can be retained in the outer part via the second retaining means. The inner part can be fixed by the retaining means in particular in relation to a movement in the uninstallation direction. The first and second retaining means permit a secure connection of the inner part to the outer part in the release position and in the blockage position. It is thus possible, for example, for the fastening device to be simply manufactured and mounted with the inner part in the release position. In the blockage position, the secure holding of the inner part in the outer part and therefore a secure blockage of the detent means of the outer part are ensured.

In particular, three first retaining means and three second retaining means can be provided, wherein the retaining means can each be distributed uniformly over the outer circumference of the inner part or the inner circumference of the outer part. The first retaining means and the second retaining means can be arranged offset with respect to each other along the installation direction, i.e. can follow one another. The inner part can therefore be inserted further into the outer part in the blockage position than in the release position. The first retaining means and/or the second retaining means can each have retaining elements which are arranged on the inner part and on the outer part and interact with one another.

[0010] As claimed in a refinement in this respect, the first retaining means and/or the second retaining means have at least one elastic retaining arm and at least one retaining edge which engages with detent action with the at least one elastic retaining arm. The at least one retaining arm engages with detent action with the retaining edge in particular via a retaining projection arranged on the retaining arm. By means of the engagement of retaining arm and retaining edge with detent action, the inner part can therefore be retained in the release position or in the blockage position. Owing to the elastic configuration of the retaining arm, the latter can simply be disengaged from the respective retaining edge and the inner part can therefore be displaced relative to the outer part in particular from the release position into the blockage position. For example, the first retaining means can comprise an elastic retaining arm formed on the inner part and a retaining projection arranged on the outer part. Similarly, the second retaining means can comprise an elastic retaining arm formed on the inner part and a retaining projection arranged on the outer part. The elastic retaining arm of the first and/or of the second retaining means can also be formed on the outer part and the retaining edge can also be formed on the inner part. The retaining arms of the first retaining means and the retaining arms of the second retaining means can be the same. Alternatively, the retaining edges of the first retaining means and the retaining edges of the second retaining means can be the same.

[0011] As claimed in a further refinement, the first retaining means are designed such that the inner part, in the pre-installed position of the fastening device, is moved by an opening edge of the opening of the carrier component out of the release position such that the inner part can be moved into the blockage position. The inner part is therefore no longer retained in the release position, but rather can be displaced from the release position into the blockage position in particular without a significant effort. This particularly facilitates the installation since the necessary installation force is reduced. Therefore, just by inserting the fastening device into the carrier component, the retaining force of the first retaining means can be essentially reduced to zero. Such a detaching of the inner part retained in the release position from the release position can take place in particular by deformation of possibly provided detent arms. Thus, as claimed in a refinement in this regard, the at least one elastic retaining arm of the first retaining means is designed to be deformed in the pre-installed position of the fastening device by an opening edge of the opening of the carrier component such that the engagement of the retaining arm with detent action with the retaining edge of the first retaining means is eliminated. The at least one retaining arm provided in particular on the inner part can thus be deformed inward into the inner part in the release position of the inner part by means of the opening edge of the carrier component and the retaining projection of the retaining arm can come out of contact with the retaining edge which is in particular arranged on the outer part. When the fastening device is inserted with the outer part into the opening in the carrier component, the opening edge therefore presses the at least one retaining arm inward and eliminates the engagement of the retaining arm with detent action with the retaining edge of the first retaining means. The inner part is therefore no longer retained in the release position, but rather can be displaced from the release position into the blockage position with little effort. This particularly facilitates the installation since the necessary installation force is reduced, as mentioned.

[0012] As claimed in one refinement, the inner part has an insertion section, and the outer part has a receiving opening which receives the insertion section, and the inner part has a fastening section, which adjoins the insertion section in the uninstallation direction, for the fastening of the attachment part. As already mentioned at the beginning, the inner part can be accommodated with an insertion section in the receiving opening of the outer part - specifically to different depths, depending on whether the inner part is in the release position or in the blockage position. Inner part and outer part are connected to each other via the insertion section and the receiving opening. Counter to the installation direction, a fastening section can adjoin the insertion section. The fastening section can consequently be located above the insertion section and can project over the outer part. The fastening section can have, for example, a bolt, a screw or a line holder.

[0013] As claimed in a further refinement, the insertion section of the inner part has at least one blockage element which is designed to, in the blockage position of the inner part, prevent a deformation of the detent means of the outer part in an inward direction in the direction of the receiving opening of the outer part. The detent means can in particular have one or more detent arms which can be deformed inward when the outer part is inserted into the opening in the carrier component, as explained at the beginning. The at least one blockage element formed on the insertion section can prevent such a movement in the blockage position. For example, the at least one blockage element can be designed so as to correspond at least in sections to an inner contour of the at least one detent arm, said inner contour being directed toward the receiving opening of the outer part. [0014] As claimed in a further refinement, the inner part has an abutment section for abutment against the carrier component, wherein the abutment section preferably has a seal edge for the sealed closure of the opening of the carrier component. The abutment section of the inner part can lie against a first side of the carrier component, in particular via an abutment edge, while the detent means of the outer part lie against the carrier component from a second side of the carrier component that lies opposite the first side. The carrier component is therefore retained in a clamped manner between outer part and inner part. A seal edge can be provided here on the abutment section, wherein the seal edge can in particular form the abutment edge. It can be prevented via the seal edge that dirt and/or water can pass onto that side of the carrier component which has the abutment section, and therefore in particular into the vehicle interior.

[0015] As claimed in a further refinement, the fastening section comprises a line holder, or a bolt extending in particular in the uninstallation direction, for the connection to the attachment part, in particular for the connection to a line holder. The attachment part can consequently be a line which is received in the line holder. The attachment part can also be a line holder which is designed in turn for receiving lines. The attachment part can also be an interior trim of a vehicle interior that is attached as a carrier component in particular to a vehicle body. The fastening section can also have other connecting means for attaching attachment components. The bolt can be provided with a thread.

[0016] The system as claimed in the invention comprises a carrier component, in particular a vehicle body, and an above-described fastening device. Furthermore, the system can comprise an attachment part to be fastened to the carrier component, in particular a vehicle component. As already mentioned, the attachment part can be a line, a line holder, an interior trim or the like. In the pre-installed position, the detent means of the outer part engage with detent action on an opening of the carrier component. In the blockage position of the inner part, said detent means are blocked and the fastening device is therefore mounted securely on the carrier component.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] An exemplary embodiment of the invention will be explained below with reference to figures, in which:

[0018] Fig. 1 shows an inner part of a fastening device as claimed in the invention, [0019] Fig. 2 shows an outer part of the fastening device as claimed in the invention,

[0020] Fig. 3a shows a sectional view through the fastening device with the inner part in the release position,

[0021] Fig. 3b shows the fastening device in the pre-installed position, and

[0022] Fig. 3c shows the fastening device in the fully installed position.

[0023] Unless stated otherwise below, the same reference signs denote identical objects.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] The figures show an exemplary embodiment of the fastening device as claimed in the invention, with figure 1 merely showing the inner part and figure 2 merely showing the outer part of the fastening device.

[0025] The inner part 10 which can be seen in figure 1 comprises an insertion section 12, an abutment section 14 and a fastening section 16, which follow one another in an uninstallation direction D that is opposed to an installation direction M. The insertion section 12 has three elastic retaining arms 18 each having a retaining projection 19. The retaining arms 18 extend along the installation direction M and together with blockage elements 20, which likewise extend in the installation direction M, form a substantially cylindrical outer contour of the insertion section 12. The detent projections 19 protrude here radially outward beyond the outer contour of the insertion section 12. The abutment section 14 has an abutment edge, which is designed as a seal edge 15, for butting against a carrier component 40 (see figs. 3a-3c). The fastening section 16 is designed as a threaded bolt and serves for receiving an attachment part, not illustrated, such as, for example, an interior trim of a vehicle or a line holder. The insertion section 12 is designed for reception in a receiving opening 22 in the outer part 20 illustrated in figure 2.

[0026] The outer part 20 likewise has an abutment section 24 and has a receiving section 26, wherein the receiving section 26 bounds the receiving opening 22 with an inner contour of cylindrical design corresponding to the outer contour of the insertion section 12 of the inner part 10. In addition, the outer part 20 has three elastic detent means which are designed as detent arms 28, extend along the installation or uninstallation direction M, D and have detent heads 29. The receiving section 26 has three upper retaining openings 30 which are distributed over its circumference and have upper retaining edges 32 and three lower retaining openings 34 which are arranged offset in the installation direction M with respect to the upper retaining openings 30 and have lower retaining edges 36. The retaining openings 30, 34 and the retaining edges 32, 36 are distributed over the circumference of the receiving section 26 in a manner corresponding to the distribution of the detent arms 18 of the inner part 10, with not all the retaining openings and retaining edges being visible in the figures. The detent arms 28 are distributed over the circumference of the receiving section 26 in a manner corresponding to the distribution of the blockage elements 20 of the inner part 10.

[0027] The retaining arms 18 with their retaining projections 19 form, together with the upper retaining edges 32 of the upper retaining openings 30, first retaining means which retain the inner part 10 in the outer part 20 in the release position. Together with the lower retaining edges 36 of the lower retaining openings 34, the retaining arms 18 with their retaining projections 19 form second retaining means which retain the inner part 10 in the outer part 20 in the blockage position. The retaining arms 18 with their retaining projections 19 are consequently part of the first retaining means and of the second retaining means. Since the first retaining means and the second retaining means are arranged offset with respect to one another along the installation direction, the first retaining means can be understood as meaning upper retaining means and the second retaining means as lower retaining means.

[0028] When the inner part 10 is inserted with its insertion section 12 into the insertion opening 22 of the outer part 20 in the installation direction M, outer surfaces of the retaining projections 19, which outer surfaces are inclined in the installation direction M, enter into contact with the abutment section 24 and are deformed inward from the inoperative position apparent in fig. 1. The retaining projections 19 subsequently engage outward, by reverse deformation, in the retaining openings 30 of the outer part 10 in the inoperative position, with the retaining projections 19 engaging with detent action on the upper retaining edges 32. The inner part is therefore in the release position which can be seen in fig. 3a. A further movement of the inner part 10 along the installation direction M is initially prevented here via edges of the retaining openings 30 lying opposite the upper retaining edges 32. [0029] In said release position of the inner part, the entire fastening device is inserted into an opening 42 in the carrier component 40. The detent arms 28 enter into contact here with an opening edge of the opening 42 and are deformed inward from an inoperative position, which can be seen in fig. 1, in the direction of the receiving opening 22 of the outer part 20. After passing through the opening 42, the detent arms 28 engage with detent action by means of their detent heads 29 behind the carrier component, wherein the carrier component is now clamped between the detent heads 29 and the opposite abutment section 24. The fastening device is now in the pre-installed position which can be seen in fig. 3b. In said pre-installed position, the retaining projections 19 now enter into contact with the opening edge of the opening 42 in the carrier component 40, as a result of which the retaining arms 18 of the inner part 10 are deformed inward in the direction of the arrow, indicated by V. The deformation is not directly apparent in fig. 3b, but rather is illustrated by the overlap of the retaining projection 19 visible there with the carrier component 40. The engagement of the retaining projections 19 with detent action with the upper retaining edges 32 is thus eliminated. Movement of the inner part 10 further into the outer part in the installation direction M is now very easily possible. Only very small installation force has to be applied.

[0030] By means of a further movement of the inner part 10 in the installation direction M relative to the outer part 20, the inner part consequently enters further into the outer part 20 until the retaining projections 19 engage in the retaining openings 34 and engage with detent action on the retaining edges 36. In said fully installed position which can be seen in fig. 3c, the inner part 10 is completely inserted into the outer part 20, and the seal edge 15 of the inner part 10 lies in a sealing manner against a surface of the carrier component 40. The blockage elements 20 forming the outer contour of the inner part lie here against the inner contour of the detent arms 18 (or are at least located in the vicinity thereof) and therefore block the detent arms 18 by preventing a movement of the detent arms 18 inward in the direction of the receiving opening 22. The inner part 10 therefore reaches its blockage position. The fastening device therefore cannot be detached from the carrier component by movement in the linear uninstallation direction opposite to the linear installation direction without being destroyed. Consequently, the fastening device as claimed in the invention can withstand very high pull-out forces acting in the uninstallation direction. [0031] The fastening device as claimed in the invention is consequently connectable to the carrier component by application of small installation forces and, in the installed position, withstands even high pull-out forces. The installation of the two-part fastening device is particularly simple since the fully installed position can be reached by movement of the outer part or the inner part along just one linear installation direction.

List of Designations

10 Inner part

12 Insertion section

14 Abutment section

15 Seal edge

16 Fastening section

18 Retaining arms

19 Retaining projections

20 Outer part

22 Receiving opening

24 Abutment section

26 Receiving section

28 Detent arms

29 Detent heads

30 Upper retaining openings

32 Upper retaining edges

34 Lower retaining openings

36 Lower retaining edges

40 Carrier component

42 Opening

M Installation direction

D Uninstallation direction

V Deformation direction