IP Library › Granted Patent US 10,718,367
Granted Patent B2
US 10,718,367 · App. 14/876,982 · Granted Jul 21, 2020

Component connection

Inventors: Alexander Laudan (Munich, DE); Mario Ernst (Geisenhausen, DE); Johann Van Niekerk (Munich, DE)
Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
F16B21/12F16B5/0628
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,718,367
App. No.
14/876,982
Granted
Jul 21, 2020
Kind
B2
Abstract

A form-fitting, detachable component connection includes a first component and a male securing element that has at least two spheres which are arranged coaxially to one another and interconnected, or two spherical sections which are arranged coaxially to one another and interconnected. The male element protrudes from the first component. A second component is arranged such that the male securing element projects into a recess of the second component. The second component includes at least one blocking recess through which or into which a blocking element extends which bears against the male securing element from outside and form-fittingly engages between the spheres or the spherical sections thus opposing removal of the second component from the male securing element.

Claims (41)

1. A form-fitting releasable component connection, comprising:

a first component;

a male securing element comprising at least two interconnected spheres or spherical portions disposed coaxially relative to one another, the male securing element being located on and projecting away from a wall of the first component;

a second component configured to be located on the wall of the first component and around the male securing element such that the male securing element on the first component protrudes into a clearance of the second component that is immediately adjacent to the wall of the first component; and

a blocking element configured to extend into or through the clearance,

wherein

the blocking element is removable from the second component,

the blocking element, when in an installed position on the second component, extends through a wall of the second component that is not parallel to the wall of the first component and engages the male securing element in a form-fitting manner between the at least two interconnected spheres or spherical portions such that the blocking element resists detachment of the second component from the first component, and

the second component is removable from the first component without passage of the blocking element over the male securing element in a direction away from the wall of the first component after removal of the blocking element from the second component.

2. The component connection according to claim 1 , wherein the at least two spheres or spherical portions are directly interconnected.

3. The component connection according to claim 1 , wherein the housing frame has a second wall mutually opposite the first wall, the second wall also having a passage through which or into which the blocking element extends.

4. The component connection according to claim 3 , wherein

the blocking element comprises two blocking arms, each blocking arm bearing from the outside on the male securing element on a mutually opposite side thereof.

5. The component connection according to claim 4 , wherein the blocking element is formed as a bracket element.

6. The component connection according to claim 3 , wherein the passages in the mutually opposite walls are formed in broad sides of the housing frame, the broad sides being shorter than longitudinal sides of the housing frame.

7. The component connection according to claim 1 , wherein

the blocking element comprises two blocking arms, each blocking arm bearing from the outside on the male securing element on a mutually opposite side thereof.

8. The component connection according to claim 1 , wherein the blocking element is flexural.

9. The component connection according to claim 1 , wherein

the blocking element includes a portion that protrudes from the second component and is at least partially bent around an exterior surface of the second component,

whereby the blocking element is captively secured in a force-fitting and/or form-fitting manner on the second component.

10. The component connection according to claim 1 , wherein the housing frame is configured to be one of an elongated frame, a rectangular frame, a square frame or a circular frame.

11. The component connection according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a mounting element configured for mounting a further component, the mounting element projecting from an external side of the second component.

12. The component connection according to claim 1 , wherein the male securing element is connected to the first component in a materially integral or form-fitting manner.

13. The component connection according to claim 1 , wherein the male securing element is integrally connected to the first component.

14. The component connection according to claim 1 , wherein the male securing element is at least partially injection-molded within the first component.

15. The component connection according to claim 1 , wherein the blocking element is formed of a round wire or of sheet metal as a cut-and-bend part.

16. The component connection according to claim 1 , wherein the first component is a vehicle body component.

17. The component connection according to claim 1 , wherein the first wall of the housing frame is perpendicular to the wall of the first component.

18. A form-fitting releasable component connection, comprising:

a first component;

a male securing element comprising at least two interconnected spheres or spherical portions disposed coaxially relative to one another, the male securing element being located on and projecting away from a wall of the first component;

a second component configured to be located on the wall of the first component and around the male securing element such that the male securing element on the first component protrudes into a clearance of the second component that is immediately adjacent to the wall of the first component; and

a blocking element configured to extend into or through the clearance,

wherein

the blocking element is removable from the second component,

the blocking element, when in an installed position on the second component, extends through a wall of the second component that is not parallel to the wall of the first component and engages the male securing element in a form-fitting manner between the at least two interconnected spheres or spherical portions such that the blocking element resists detachment of the second component from the first component,

the blocking element includes a portion that protrudes from the second component and is at least partially bent around an exterior surface of the second component,

the blocking element is captively secured in a force-fitting and/or form-fitting manner on the second component, and

the second component is removable from the first component without passage of the blocking element over the male securing element in a direction away from the wall of the first component after removal of the blocking element from the second component.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 7, 2015
From: LAUDAN, ALEXANDER; ERNST, MARIO; VAN NIEKERK, JOHANN
To: BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
Reel/Frame 036746/0085 →
Priority Claims (1)
DE 10 2013 211 993 · Jun 25, 2013 · national
Continuity (2)
Continuation PCTEP2014060428 · May 21, 2014
Related Publication 20160025126A1 · Jan 28, 2016
Cited By (1)
US 12,281,669