U.S. patent application number 14/934797 was filed with the patent office on 2016-08-11 for fastening element for fixating two components at each other.
The applicant listed for this patent is BJB GmbH & Co. KG. Invention is credited to Olaf Baumeister, Herbert Beleke, Detlef Scholz, Karl-Wilhelm Vogt.
Application Number | 20160234958 14/934797 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51229789 |
Filed Date | 2016-08-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160234958 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Baumeister; Olaf ; et
al. |
August 11, 2016 |
FASTENING ELEMENT FOR FIXATING TWO COMPONENTS AT EACH OTHER
Abstract
A fastening element for fastening a first component at a second
component, the fastening element including a shaft which includes
at least one spring elastic support element which anchors the
fastening element at the second component; a shaft head which has a
larger diameter than the shaft and which is arranged at a first end
of the shaft; and a clamping element which clamps the first
component against the second component with a defined contact
pressure, wherein the first component is a circuit board which is
fitted with LEDs and includes a first pass through opening and the
second component is a lamp element which includes a recess which is
configured as a dead hole or a second pass through opening.
Inventors: |
Baumeister; Olaf; (Sundern,
DE) ; Beleke; Herbert; (Arnsberg, DE) ; Vogt;
Karl-Wilhelm; (Ense, DE) ; Scholz; Detlef;
(Soest, DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
BJB GmbH & Co. KG |
Arnsberg |
|
DE |
|
|
Family ID: |
51229789 |
Appl. No.: |
14/934797 |
Filed: |
November 6, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
PCT/DE2014/200230 |
May 21, 2014 |
|
|
|
14934797 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16B 5/125 20130101;
F21V 29/70 20150115; F21V 19/004 20130101; F16B 2/241 20130101;
F21Y 2101/00 20130101; F16B 21/086 20130101; F16B 5/06 20130101;
H05K 7/1417 20130101; F16B 2/24 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H05K 7/14 20060101
H05K007/14; F21V 19/00 20060101 F21V019/00; F16B 21/08 20060101
F16B021/08; F16B 5/12 20060101 F16B005/12; F16B 2/24 20060101
F16B002/24 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 15, 2013 |
DE |
202013006325.4 |
Jul 15, 2013 |
DE |
202013006326.2 |
Aug 24, 2013 |
DE |
202013007589.9 |
Feb 17, 2014 |
DE |
202014001330.6 |
Claims
1. A fastening element for fastening a first component at a second
component, the fastening element comprising: a shaft which includes
at least one spring elastic support element which anchors the
fastening element at the second component; a shaft head which has a
larger diameter than the shaft and which is arranged at a first end
of the shaft; and a clamping element which clamps the first
component against the second component with a defined contact
pressure, wherein the first component is a circuit board which is
fitted with LEDs and includes a first pass through opening and the
second component is a lamp element which includes a recess which is
configured as a dead hole or a second pass through opening, wherein
the clamping element is formed by a spring elastic clamping arm
which is displaceable in a spring elastic manner and which forms a
portion of the shaft head and which contacts a surface of the first
component, wherein the shaft is formed by three arms that are
integrally made from one piece of material, wherein the shaft head
is formed by three lobes, wherein each of the three lobes
respectively forms a portion of one respective arm of the three
arms, wherein the three arms are formed by two crimps in a stamped
blank along two deformation lines and the three lobes are provided
by two incisions along the two deformation lines, wherein a length
of the two incisions exceeds a length of the three lobes, wherein
the three lobes are formed respectively by crimps along a
respective deformation line that is oriented transversal to a
longitudinal axis of the shaft, and wherein the two incisions
separate arm sections of the three arms in a portion of the shaft
from each other, wherein the arm sections are displaceable in a
spring elastic manner relative to the longitudinal axis of the
shaft.
2. The fastening element according to claim 1, wherein the clamping
arm forms a portion of the shaft head and is sloped downward from
the longitudinal axis of the shaft towards a surface of the first
component, and wherein the clamping arm is forced into a movement
that builds up a spring reset force through contacting the surface
of the first component when the fastening element is inserted into
the recess.
3. The fastening element according to claim 1, wherein the at least
two of the three arms differ in length and a free end of a first
longer arm oriented away from the shaft head forms a support
element configured as a spring arm.
4. The fastening element according to claim 3, wherein the free end
of the first longer arm is crimped transversal to or opposite to an
insertion direction of the shaft.
5. The fastening element according to claim 3, wherein a free end
of a second shorter arm oriented away from the shaft head forms a
contact surface for the spring arm of the first longer arm.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of International
Application PCT/DE2014/200230 filed on May 21, 2014 claiming
priority from German patent applications
DE 20 2013 006 326.2 filed on Jul. 15, 2013, DE 20 2013 006 325.4
filed on Jul. 15, 2013, DE 20 2013 007 589.9 filed on Aug. 24,
2013, and DE 20 2014 001 330.6 filed on Feb. 17, 2014, all of which
are incorporated in their entirely by this reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates to a fastening element for fixating a
first component such as a circuit board fitted with a LED at a
second component such as a lamp element.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Fastening elements of this type are not known in the lamp
industry. Similar fastening elements, however, exist in the
automotive field. Reference is made herein for example to WO
2005/071273 A1. These fastening elements are typically used for
attaching inner fairing elements at a vehicle body. Thus, the inner
fairing element has a pass through opening for example a bore hole
which penetrates the inner fairing element in its entirety. On a
side of the body typically a sheet metal component is also provided
which includes a bore hole. The pass through opening of the inner
fairing element and the bore hole of the vehicle body are matched.
Then the fastening element typically also designated as an
expanding rivet is inserted into the bore hole through the pass
through opening. Anchoring the expanding rivet in the bore hole at
the vehicle body can be performed through friction locking, for
example by plastic lamellas which are configured at the shaft of
the fastening element. Interlocking connections are also feasible
in that interlocking hooks of the fastening element engage
interlocking recesses.
[0004] Mass produced lamps are typically produced with LEDs as
illuminants today. Particular LED types become more and more
common. Thus, it is typical to apply LEDs to printed circuit boards
and to provide these as components to the lighting industry for
further use. Though materials and shapes of the printed circuit
boards vary as well as the LEDs applied thereto with respect to
number and distribution, however, an attachment of the printed
circuit board at the lamp element is required in any case. An even
contact pressure of the printed circuit board at the surface of the
lamp element thus provides optimum heat dissipation from the
LEDs.
[0005] In the art connecting elements for circuit boards of this
type are known from DE 10 2008 005 823 B4 or DE 10 2012 003 520 B4.
These connection elements combine circuit board attachment with the
option of supplying voltage to the LEDs arranged on the circuit
board.
[0006] Though these connecting element combining fastening and
voltage supply are advantageous in many cases, fastening devices
are required for lamps which are useable for widely automated
production due to various circuit board designs and various
manufacturing methods. It is furthermore necessary that the
attachment devices support the circuit board of the LED under a
defined contact pressure on the lamp element in order to provide
good heat transfer.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] This object is achieved by a fastening element for fastening
a first component at a second component, the fastening element
comprising a shaft which includes at least one spring elastic
support element which anchors the fastening element at the second
component; a shaft head which has a larger diameter than the shaft
and which is arranged at a first end of the shaft; and a clamping
element which clamps the first component against the second
component with a defined contact pressure, wherein the first
component is a circuit board which is fitted with LEDs and includes
a first pass through opening and the second component is a lamp
element which includes a recess which is configured as a dead hole
or a second pass through opening, wherein the clamping element is
formed by a spring elastic clamping arm which is displaceable in a
spring elastic manner and which forms a portion of the shaft head
and which contacts a surface of the first component, wherein the
shaft is formed by three arms that are integrally made from one
piece of material, wherein the shaft head is formed by three lobes,
wherein each of the three lobes respectively forms a portion of one
respective arm of the three arms, wherein the three arms are formed
by two crimps in a stamped blank along two deformation lines and
the three lobes are provided by two incisions along the two
deformation lines, wherein a length of the two incisions exceeds a
length of the three lobes, wherein the three lobes are formed
respectively by crimps along a respective deformation line that is
oriented transversal to a longitudinal axis of the shaft, and
wherein the two incisions separate arm sections of the three arms
in a portion of the shaft from each other, wherein the arm sections
are displaceable in a spring elastic manner relative to the
longitudinal axis of the shaft.
[0008] It is an advantage of the invention that the described
fastening element provides the option to safely attach a circuit
board at a lamp element by simply inserting the shaft through the
pass through opening of the printed circuit board and into the
recess of the lamp element. Thus, the fastening element is
advantageously made from metal and thus formed by crimping a
stamped component. This way a high level of material stability is
provided for lamp elements that are very small compared to the non
related art known in the automotive industry. The attachment
elements proposed herein typically have a shaft head with a
diameter of 6 mm or less and a shaft length of not more than 7 mm
with a diameter of 3 mm at the most.
[0009] It is an essential advantage of the invention that the shaft
head itself forms the clamping element in that it includes a
clamping arm. The clamping function which provides a defined
contact of the 2 components, namely the LED circuit board and the
lamp element at one another is thus taken over by the clamping
head. Additional components which could make production and
assembly difficult are omitted.
[0010] In particular it is possible this way that the fastening
element which is provided by crimping a stamped sheet metal blank
which assures efficient fabrication.
[0011] It is provided that the clamping arm configured as a portion
of the shaft head is sloped downward starting from a shaft
longitudinal axis to the surface of the first component, wherein a
movement building up a spring reset force is forced upon the
clamping arm by contacting a surface of the first component when
inserting the fastening element into the recess.
[0012] In view of the fact that the shaft head is formed by lobes
which are arranged at one end of the shaft and configured so that
they contact the surface of the first component it becomes clear
that the arms which form the shaft head can be configured as
clamping arms so that they perform a double function. On the one
hand side the arms retain the fastening element on the first
component, on the other hand side the attachment arms apply a
clamping force for clamping the two components relative to each
other.
[0013] In particular it is provided that the shaft is formed by at
least two arms which are obtained by crimping a piece of sheet
metal along a first deformation line that is parallel to a
longitudinal axis of the shaft. It is furthermore provided in a
particular embodiment that the arms are obtained by an incision
along a deformation line that is parallel to the longitudinal axis
of the shaft and crimping the head ends of the arms thus obtained
into a position that is suitable for contacting the first
component, in particular into a position that is inclined relative
to the first component.
[0014] An embodiment is particularly advantageous which is
characterized in that the incisions separate arm sections in the
shaft portion from each other and that at least one of the arm
sections can be displaced in a spring elastic manner towards the
longitudinal axis of the shaft
[0015] The essential advantage of the spring elastic arm sections
of the shaft is that the spring elastic arm sections of the shaft
additionally support the clamping function of the shaft head. Thus,
when the fastening element moves through the cut out of the first
component into the recess of the second component, initially the
clamping arms of the shaft head contact the surface of the first
component.
[0016] When the clamping arms are inclined according to the
embodiment described supra from the shaft longitudinal axis towards
the surface of the first component they are displaced against the
insertion direction X building up a spring reset force and thus
already apply a particular clamping force. Additionally a
displacement of the spring elastic arm sections of the shaft in a
direction of the shaft longitudinal axis building up an additional
spring reset force leads to a reinforced clamping force which
impacts components that are to be attached at each other.
[0017] A third arm is provided which is obtained by crimping the
sheet metal along a second deformation line that is parallel to the
longitudinal axis of the shaft and wherein the third arm receives
the first arm between itself and the second arm, wherein the third
arm is advantageously shaped like the second arm, in particular
when the arms differ with respect to their length and a free end of
the first longer arm which is oriented away from the shaft head
forms the support element configured as a spring arm.
[0018] It is furthermore provided that the free end of the first
longer arm is oriented at least transversal to, advantageously
however against an insertion direction x of the shaft through
forming.
[0019] It is furthermore provided that the free end of the second
shorter arm that is oriented away from the shaft head forms a
contact surface for the spring arm of the first arm.
[0020] It is furthermore provided that an insulation element, for
example an elastomeric disc is arranged in a shaft direction below
the shaft head. This elastomeric disc advantageously includes a
central pass through opening through which the shaft of the
fastening element is run. This insulation element initially has the
function to insulate the metal head of the fastening element
relative to electrically conductive components like e.g. conductor
paths. When this is a spring elastic insulating element it can be
deformed in a spring elastic manner when inserting the fastening
element and it can impart a force that is directed against the
insertion direction.
[0021] When the shaft is formed by at least two arms as recited
supra which are obtained by crimping a piece of sheet metal along a
first deformation line that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of
the shaft this has a substantial advantage in that the shaft is
stabilized this way against bending and kinking forces.
[0022] When the arms differ in length and the free end of the first
longer arm forms the support element configured as a spring arm and
it is furthermore provided that the free end of the first longer
arm is formed by crimping at least transversal to, advantageously
however against an insertion direction of the shaft, it is assured
that the support element configured as a spring arm can be
fabricated in a simple and cost effective manner. By connecting the
spring arm at the first arm the spring arm can have a length that
is greater than the dead hole diameter which influences the spring
properties in a positive manner and which prevents a plastic
deformation.
[0023] The free end of the second shorter arm that is oriented away
from the shaft head can form a contact surface for the spring arm
of the first arm. The contact surface is thus arranged so that it
protects the spring elastic spring arm before it reaches a
displacement which exceeds the spring reset force and which causes
a plastic deformation. Thus, it is assured that the spring reset
force of the spring arm is sufficient to safely support the
fastening element in the recess at the lamp element to attach the
circuit board at the lamp element.
[0024] The shaft head is advantageously formed by arms which are
arranged at an end of the shaft that is oriented away from the
spring arm, in particular when the arms are obtained by an incision
along the deformation line parallel to the shaft longitudinal axis
and crimping the head ends of the arms thus obtained into a
position that is approximately transversal to the shaft
longitudinal axis. When the lobes are inclined with their ends
relative to their component they can take over the function of an
elastic insulating element when no such insulating element is used
and can impart axial clamping forces onto the components. This way
it is assured that the attachment element, in particular its head
can be produced in a simple and effective manner while crimping the
stamped blank.
[0025] In order to further improve stability of the shaft of the
fastener element it is provided that a third arm is provided which
is obtained by deforming the sheet metal along a second deformation
line that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft and
which receives the first arm between itself and the second arm.
Thus, it is provided that the third arm corresponds to the second
arm with respect to its configuration. Furthermore an embodiment is
preferred which is characterized in that the shaft formed from the
three arms has an approximately triangular cross section.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] Further advantages and a better comprehension of the
invention are apparent from the subsequent description of an
embodiment with reference to the drawing figures, wherein:
[0027] FIG. 1 illustrates a stamped blank for producing a fastener
element according to the invention;
[0028] FIG. 2 illustrates the fastener element according to the
invention after deforming the stamped blank;
[0029] FIG. 3 illustrates the fastening element according to FIG. 2
in a first side view;
[0030] FIG. 4 illustrates the fastening element according to FIG. 2
in a second side view;
[0031] FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of the fastening element
according to FIG. 2:
[0032] FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of the fastening element in
an installed condition;
[0033] FIG. 7 illustrates a sectional view according to the section
line A-A in FIG. 6;
[0034] FIG. 8 illustrates a top view of the illustration according
to FIG. 6;
[0035] FIG. 9 illustrates a sectional view along the section line
B-B in FIG. 8;
[0036] FIG. 10 illustrates an exploded view of lamp element,
circuit board and fastening element and an assembly tool;
[0037] FIG. 11 illustrates a vertical sectional view for
illustrating the effect of the assembly tool;
[0038] FIG. 12 illustrates the representation according to FIG. 10,
however with a disassembly tool;
[0039] FIG. 13 illustrates the disassembly process;
[0040] FIG. 14 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the
fastening element according to the invention in a first side
view;
[0041] FIG. 15 illustrates the fastening element according to FIG.
14 in a second side view;
[0042] FIG. 16 illustrates the fastening element in a sectional
view according to the section line A-A in FIG. 14;
[0043] FIG. 17 illustrates a top view of the fastening element
according to FIG. 14 in a mounted configuration; and
[0044] FIG. 18 illustrates a sectional view according to the
section line B-B in FIG. 17.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0045] A fastening element according to the invention is designated
overall with the reference numeral 10 and illustrated in a first
embodiment in FIGS. 1-12.
[0046] The fastening element 10 includes a shaft 11, a shaft head
12 which is arranged at an end of the shaft 11 and a spring arm 13
which is supported by a free end of the shaft 11 which is arranged
opposite to the shaft head 12.
[0047] The shaft 11 is formed by three arms that are integrally
connected in one piece, wherein the first arm has the reference
numeral 14, the second arm has the reference numeral 15 and the
third arm has the reference numeral 16. The shaft head 12 is formed
by three lobes, wherein the first lobe has the reference numeral
17, the second lobe has the reference numeral 18 and the third lobe
has the reference numeral 19. The first lobe 17 is part of the
first arm 14, the second lobe 18 is part of the second arm 15, and
the third lobe 19 is part of the third arm 16. The lobes 17, 18, 19
are thus oriented approximately transversal to a shaft longitudinal
axis L and are arranged offset relative to each other in the
embodiment illustrated herein under an approximately identical
circumferential angle. In particular the lobes 17, 18, 19 are
sloped from the shaft longitudinal axis L in a direction of the
surface of the first component 24 and configured spring elastic.
The lobes 17, 18, 19 are provided to contact the first component
24.
[0048] The fastening element 10 according to the invention is
formed from the stamped blank 22 of a piece of sheet metal. The
stamped blank is illustrated in FIG. 1. By crimping along the
deformation lines U1 and U2 which extend along the longitudinal
axis of the shaft the three arms 14, 15, 16 are formed. The second
arm 15 and the third arm 16 receive the first arm 14 between each
other. Thus, the second arm 15 and the third arm 16 are configured
shortened relative to first arm 14 at an end oriented towards the
spring arm 13. The deformation for obtaining the second arm 15 and
the third arm 16 thus occurs in the same direction, wherein both
arms are oriented towards each other with their free outer edges
oriented parallel to the shaft longitudinal axis.
[0049] The shaft head 12 or its three lobes 17, 18, 19 are obtained
by providing the stamped blank with two incisions S1 and S2. The
incisions are introduced at an end of the press blank 22 oriented
away from the spring arm 13 along the deformation lines U1 and U2.
The depth of the incisions S1 and S2 thus exceeds a length of the
lobes. Subsequently the lobes 17, 18, 19 have to be shaped along
the deformation line U4 until they are oriented approximately
transversal to the shaft longitudinal axis L and are oriented away
from the shaft longitudinal axis L. The deformation line U4 is
oriented approximately transversal to the shaft longitudinal axis
L.
[0050] The spring arm 13 is obtained in that the section of the
first arm 14 which is extended relative to the arms 15 and 16 is
bent over along the deformation line U3 until this section is
oriented against an insertion direction X of the fastening element
10. Thus the spring arm 13 is oriented along the free longitudinal
edges of the second and third arm 15, 16. The lower narrow sides 23
of the shorter arms 15, 16 form a contact surface for the spring
arm 13 wherein the contact surface forms an end point of a spring
elastic deflection movement of the spring arm 13 when inserting the
fastening element 10 into the recess of a lamp element 25 so that
the spring arm 13 is protected against a plastic deformation.
[0051] With reference to FIGS. 6-9 a function of the fastening
element 10 according to the invention is described in more detail.
FIGS. 6 and 8 illustrates the mounting situation of the fastening
element 10 in a side view and in a top view. The fastening element
10 supports a printed circuit board 24 on a lamp element 25 in the
cited illustrations. As apparent in particular from FIGS. 8 and 9
the printed circuit board 24 includes a pass through opening 26
which is arranged in alignment with a lamp element recess 27 herein
configured as a dead hole. The circuit board 24 contacts a top side
of the lamp element 25. The fastening element 10 was initially run
through the pass through opening 26 in insertion direction x with
the spring arm 13 forward and inserted into the dead hole recess
27. Thus, the spring arm 13 impacts the wall 28 of the recess 27
and is displaced by the wall 28 in a spring elastic manner in a
direction towards the first shaft arm 14. Thus, a spring force is
generated that is oriented against the displacement, wherein the
spring force presses the spring arm 13 against the wall 28 and thus
establishes a friction locking connection between the fastening
element 10 and the recess 27. This friction locking supports the
fastening element 10 against movements against the insertion
direction x. An interlocking connection is conceivable when the
recess 27 is provided with an inner circumferential groove or a
thread that is cut in.
[0052] The shaft head 12 which has a larger diameter than the pass
through opening 26 and the recess 27 contacts the circuit board top
side. The shaft head retains the circuit board 24 on the light
element 25 in this manner.
[0053] The shaft head 12 thus represents the clamping element 1. In
detail its lobes 17, 18, 19 respectively form a clamping arm. The
lobes are pressed into the recess 27 against the circuit board 24
when inserting the fastening element 10. Thus, the lobes 17, 18, 19
are deflected in a spring elastic manner from the idle positions
inclined relative to the circuit board 24 against the insertion
direction x. The lobes impart a force onto the conductor plate 24,
wherein the force is directed against the insertion direction x and
they clamp the circuit board 24, the spring arm 13 is used as a
reaction bearing, in a defined manner against the lamp element 25.
This is advantageous in that a defined heat transfer can be
obtained through the defined contact pressure force between the
circuit board 24 and the lamp element 25, wherein the heat transfer
provides heat dissipation from the circuit board 24 and thus from
the LEDs not illustrated herein to the lamp element 25 which is
used as a cooling element.
[0054] It is evident from FIG. 7 which represents a sectional view
according to the sectional line A-A in FIG. 6 that the shaft arms
14, 15, 16 provide an approximately triangular cross sectional
contour to the shaft based on their arrangement relative to each
other when the lobe depth is extended far enough so that the free
edges that are parallel to the longitudinal shaft axis of the
second and third shaft lobe 15, 16 contact each other.
Alternatively also here an approximately trapezoid cross sectional
contour is provided when the free edges of the second and third
shaft lobe 15, 16 which edges are parallel to a longitudinal axis
of the shaft are connected with one another by a straight line as
illustrated in FIG. 7.
[0055] FIGS. 10-13 illustrate the assembly method for the fastening
element 10 using a mounting tool 29 as well as a dismounting method
using a dismounting tool 30.
[0056] FIGS. 10 and 12 illustrate an exploded view of the mounting
situation and the dismounting situation of the fastening element
10. FIGS. 11 and 13 essentially correspond to the exploded view
according to FIG. 9, however they additionally show a mounting tool
29 or a dismounting tool 30.
[0057] The mounting tool 29 according to FIGS. 10 and 11 is
configured as a plunger whose operating surface 31 oriented towards
the circuit board includes a recess for receiving the shaft head
12. A centering mandrel 32 that is parallel to the longitudinal
shaft axis extends from the operating surface 31, wherein the
centering mandrel 32 engages a centering opening 33 at the shaft
head (c.f. FIG. 5, 8, 11). The operating surface 31 can be
magnetized in order to support the shaft head in the mounting tool
29. Thus, it is also conceivable that the centering mandrel 32 is
supported friction locking in the centering opening 33 so that the
centering mandrel support the fastening element 10 at the mounting
tool 29.
[0058] In order to mount the fastening element 10 the fastening
element 10 is applied to the operating surface 31 of the mounting
tool 29 and introduced with the shaft 11 forward through the pass
through opening 26 of the circuit board 24 into the recess 27 of
the lamp element 25. The lobes 17, 18, 19 of the shaft head 11 that
are inclined relative to the surface of the circuit board 24 impact
the top side of the circuit board and are displaced building up a
spring reset force. After completing the insertion movement the
spring arm supports the fastening element 10 in the recess 27
against the spring reset force of the lobes 17, 18, 19. The spring
reset force thus clamps the components 24 and 25 relative to each
other
[0059] One embodiment provides that only the shaft lobes 17, 18, 19
build up the spring reset force in that they are displaced against
the insertion direction x until they are approximately in a
horizontal position that is parallel to the top side of the circuit
board 24. However when incisions S1 and S2 like in the illustrated
embodiment are deeper than a length of the lobes 17, 18, 19 they
separate the sections of the arms 14, 15, 16 from each other that
are proximal to the shaft head. The arm sections are also
displaceable from each other in a spring elastic manner and thus in
a direction towards the shaft longitudinal axis L. When inserting
the fastening element 10 into the recess 27 the arm sections are
moved by the respective lobes 17, 18, 19 and by the insertion force
impacting the lobes in a direction of the longitudinal shaft axis
L. The spring reset force of the arm sections thus applied clamps
the components 24 and 25 through the lobes 17, 18, 19. A respective
lobe 17, 18, 19 forms a respective clamping arm with the associated
arm section.
[0060] Thus, it is even possible to configure the arm sections
spring elastic and to omit a spring force of the lobes 17, 18,
19.
[0061] After removing the mounting tool 29 the mounting process is
completed
[0062] Also for dismounting the fastening element 10 a tool is
provided. The tool has the reference numerals 30 and includes a
disengagement mandrel 35 which is pressed through a centering
opening 33 of the fastening element 10 into a receiving cavity 27
in order to disengage the fastening element 10. Thus, the
disengagement mandrel 35 impacts the spring arm 13 and presses the
spring arm 13 from its anchoring position in an insertion direction
causing a plastic deformation of the spring arm 13. Thus, the
friction locking between the spring arm 13 and the wall 28 is
disengaged from the recess 27 and the fastening element 10 can be
removed from the recess 27. This is advantageously also performed
by the dismounting tool 30 in that inserting the disengagement
mandrel 35 through the centering opening 33 into a shaft interior
causes a friction locking connection between the shaft arms 14, 15
and 16 and the outer surface of the disengagement mandrel 35. This
way the fastening element 10 follows the disengagement mandrel 35
when it is removed from the recess 27.
[0063] The guide embossing 36 of the first arm 14 will now be
appreciated (FIG. 13). This guide embossing forces the
disengagement mandrel 35 towards the free end of the spring arm 13
so that the disengagement mandrel 35 deforms the spring arm 13 in
the insertion direction. Thus, the guide embossing 36 prevents that
the disengagement mandrel 35 slips on the spring arm 13 in a
direction towards its deformation range which would generate a risk
that the shaft 11 is pressed deeper into the recess 27 instead of
providing a disengaging deformation of the spring arm 13.
[0064] FIGS. 14-18 illustrate a second embodiment of the invention.
The fastening element 10 is quite similar to the fastening element
10 according to the first embodiment. Therefore identical reference
numerals are used for analogous components and reference is made to
the preceding description. Subsequently mostly differences between
both embodiments are discussed.
[0065] The fastening element 10 according to the second embodiment
is also formed from a stamped blank, however it includes a shaft
with a shaft head 12, wherein the shaft 11 and the shaft head 12
are formed according to the first embodiment. In particular the
shaft 11 includes three shaft arms 14, 15 and 16 and the shaft head
12 is formed by three lobes 17, 18 and 19. Also in this embodiment
the shaft head 12 with its lobes 17, 18 and 19, optionally using
shaft arm sections that are divided from each other by incisions S1
and S2, is used as a clamping element. As can be derived from FIG.
16 the shaft 11 is essentially formed as a triangle or trapezoid
which significantly improves stability.
[0066] The essential difference between both embodiments can be
found in the support elements of the second embodiment. The first
embodiment is provided in particular for fixation in a dead hole of
a lamp element 25 and therefore includes only one spring arm 13
which mostly provides a friction locking engagement in the dead
hole.
[0067] The fastening element 10 according to FIGS. 14-18, however,
is provided for interlocking fixation. For this purpose at least
one of the shaft arms 14, 15 and 16 includes an interlocking
element 37, 38. In the present embodiment the shaft arms 15 and 16
respectively include an interlocking arm 37, the shaft arm 14
includes a interlocking spring 38. The interlocking elements 37, 38
are displaced relative to the shaft arms 14, 15 and 16 so that a
circumference is expanded and they are displaced from their idle
position in a spring elastic manner when they penetrate the pass
through opening 26 in a direction of the longitudinal shaft axis L.
The same occurs when the interlocking elements 37, 38 penetrate the
portion of the recess 27 of the lamp element 25.
[0068] Also the recess 27 of the lamp element 25 is configured as a
pass through opening in the second embodiment so that the end
section of the shaft 11 that is oriented away from the shaft head
12 can not only penetrate the pass through opening 26 of the
circuit board but also the recess of the lamp element 25. During
this insertion process in the insertion direction x the lobes 17,
18 and 19 forming the shaft head and/or the shaft arm sections that
are divided from each other by the incisions S1 and S2 go through a
spring elastic displacement and thus build up tension forces which
generate a defined contact pressure between the circuit board 24
and the lamp element 25. The insertion process in the insertion
direction is performed until the interlocking arms 37 and the
interlocking spring 38 have moved through the recess 27 and move
back into their resting positions. In this resting position the
interlocking arms 37 and the interlocking spring 38 reach behind or
below the bottom side of the lamp element 25 and thus fixate the
components 24 and 25 at each other. This can be derived in
particular from FIG. 18.
[0069] It is appreciated that the second embodiment only provides
an alternative fixation of the fastening element 10 in the recess
27, however the function and configuration of the clamping element
by the lobes 17, 18 and 19 of the shaft head 12 and/or the shaft
arm sections that are separated from each other are configured
identical to the first embodiment.
[0070] The bevel 39 at the interlocking arms 37 can be used to
compensate certain tolerances in the total thickness of the
components 24 and 25 without significantly influencing the clamping
function that is provided by the lobes 17, 18 and 19. Especially
during the typical use of plural fastening elements 10 the evenness
of the individual clamping forces is an essential feature for a
contact pressure over an entire surface.
REFERENCE NUMERALS AND DESIGNATIONS
[0071] 10 fastening element [0072] 11 shaft [0073] 12 shaft head
[0074] 13 spring arm [0075] 14 first arm [0076] 15 second arm
[0077] 16 third arm [0078] 17 first lobe [0079] 18 second lobe
[0080] 19 third lobe [0081] 20 insulating element [0082] 21
perforation [0083] 22 stamped blank [0084] 23 narrow sides [0085]
24 circuit board [0086] 25 lamp element [0087] 26 pass through
opening [0088] 27 recess [0089] 28 wall [0090] 29 mounting tool
[0091] 30 dismounting tool [0092] 31 operating surface [0093] 32
centering mandrel [0094] 33 centering opening. [0095] 35
disengagement mandrel [0096] 36 guide embossing [0097] 37
interlocking arm [0098] 38 interlocking spring [0099] 39 bevel of
37 [0100] L longitudinal shaft axis [0101] U1 deformation line 1
[0102] U2 deformation line 2 [0103] U3 deformation line 3 [0104] U4
deformation line 4 [0105] S1 incision 1 [0106] S2 incision 2 [0107]
x insertion direction
* * * * *