Method and apparatus for holding an assembly for mounting on structural parts
AssigneeBmw AG
InventorsHassan Batani, Axel Temmesfeld, Eduard Greindl
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An arrangement for holding of assembly that can be mounted on structural parts, particularly of a radiator module on the body of motor vehicles. Connecting elements used for holding the assembly are constructed to be guided to the structural part while interacting in a self-locking manner with the structural part.
Claims12
Process for mounting a first assembly to a second assembly by means of an arrangement of the type comprising:
- at least one connecting element, said connecting element having structure for receiving and holding said first assembly, and structure for interlockingly coupling with said second assembly;
- and
- structure for guiding said at least one connecting element along a direction that is parallel with a mounting direction of said first assembly, into an interlock position relative to said second assembly;
- said structure for interlockingly coupling being adapted to interact with said second assembly in a self locking manner, upon movement of said at least one connecting element along said direction that is parallel with said mounting direction, into said interlock position;
- wherein said first assembly is a radiator module and said second assembly is a motor vehicle body, and where said radiator module enters into said vehicle body from an underside thereof;
- said process comprising the steps of:
- positioning two supporting brackets on a mounting assembly carrier;
- positioning said radiator module in an installation position on supporting surfaces of said supporting brackets;
- inserting said radiator module into said vehicle body along a straight path, by means of the mounting assembly carrier, said supporting brackets being positioned relative to the vehicle body by way of centering devices;
- and
- the supporting brackets being locked on flanges by detent noses, which automatically engage with through openings when said supporting bracket reaches a mounting position.
An arrangement for mounting a radiator module on a motor vehicle body by way of relative movement of the radiator module and vehicle body in a substantially linear mounting direction, said arrangement comprising:
- at least one body vehicle side flange including at least one through opening, said side flange extending essentially transversely of the mounting direction,
- and at least one radiator module support bracket having spaced tongues guided along opposite transverse sides of the vehicle side flange during mounting movement in the mounting direction, said tongues being configured to rest elastically against the respective vehicle side flange and including detent noses which self lockingly engage in a spaced relationship within the vehicle side flange through opening.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.