DE202023103264U1 - Partially openable protective element - Google Patents

Abstract

Protective element (11, 21, 31, 41) which is made of plastic with a thin wall thickness and is designed to at least temporarily cover an interface (1) of a machine, vehicle or system component (10), wherein the protective element has at least one covering surface (12, 22, 32, 42) and can be fixed to the interface via a holding device (14, 24, 34, 44), wherein at least one section (16, 25, 26, 35, 36, 45, 46) of the covering surface can be opened in order to process the interface, while the protective element with the remaining covering surface remains fastened to the interface via the holding device, characterized in that the at least one section is formed by a separate closure part (36) which is detachably fastened to the protective element so as to cover a recess (35), wherein the separate closure part is covered by a film (36) which is connected at least in sections to the further protective element. is formed.

Description

The present invention relates to a protective element made of plastic according to the preamble of claim 1.

Machine, vehicle or system components have interfaces that are protected from contamination and damage during transport and storage of the components by protective caps, protective plugs, flange covers and similar protective elements. The protective elements are removed from the interfaces and connection points immediately before the final assembly of the components.

The interfaces not only include mounting flanges, but can also have elements for transmitting mechanical, electrical and/or fluid forms of energy and interfaces for data transmission. Sometimes the interfaces also contain functional elements that have to be adjusted for the respective use.

In addition to the adjustment work, other preparatory work may also be required at an interface, such as greasing, sealing, equipping, checking, testing, repairing and converting.

For this preparatory work, the protective element is removed from the interface, which is thus completely unprotected and could be contaminated or damaged, especially by the machining operations.

The object of the invention is to develop a protective element for an interface, which makes it possible to carry out preparatory work with the best possible protection of the interface.

The object is achieved by a protective element according to claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention can be found in the subclaims referring back to this claim and in the following description of advantages and figures.

According to the invention, it is provided that at least a portion of a cover surface of the protective element can be opened in order to process the interface, while the protective element remains fastened to the interface with the remaining cover surface via a holding device.

• • Einstellen von Bauteilen innerhalb der Schnittstelle, um die Maschinen-, Fahrzeug- oder Anlagenkomponente auf den jeweiligen Einsatzfall vorzubereiten
• • Einbringen von Schmierstoffen, Klebstoffen, Dichtungen und/oder Isolierungen, die für die Verbindung mit anderen Komponenten und/oder Leitungen benötigt werden
• • Prüfen und/oder Testen der Schnittstelle
• • Umbauen und/oder Ausrüsten der Schnittstelle mit zusätzlichen Bauteilen
• • Reparieren und/oder Nachbearbeiten

For any preparatory work on the interface, the entire protective element does not have to be removed, but only the area of the interface on which work is to be carried out is exposed. The areas of the interface that remain covered are particularly protected against possible harmful effects of the processing. The actual protective element remains on the interface until the final assembly of the machine, vehicle or system component. By partially exposing the interface, various processing operations can be carried out:

• • Adjusting components within the interface to prepare the machine, vehicle or system component for the respective application
• • Introduction of lubricants, adhesives, seals and/or insulation required for connection to other components and/or lines
• • Checking and/or testing the interface
• • Modifying and/or equipping the interface with additional components
• • Repair and/or rework

• • einem aus dem Schutzelement heraustrennbaren Abschnitt
• • einer abziehbaren Abdeckung
• • einer kraftschlüssig über einen flanschartigen Rand des Abschnitts gestülpten zusätzlichen Schutzkappe
• • einem kraftschlüssig darin eingesetzten Schutzstopfen oder
• • einem formschlüssig eingesetzten Verschlusselement, wie z.B. Schraubkappe, Schraubstopfen oder Bajonettverschluss.

The essentially thin-walled protective element can be manufactured by injection molding or thermoformed from a plastic film. The at least one openable section can be formed therein by ...

• • a section that can be removed from the protective element
• • a removable cover
• • an additional protective cap that is placed over a flange-like edge of the section
• • a protective plug inserted into it with force fit or
• • a form-fitting closure element, such as a screw cap, screw plug or bayonet closure.

The above list is not exhaustive. In particular, combinations are also possible. In the sense of the invention, a respective opening method is to be selected so that contamination and/or damage to the interface does not occur when opening at least one section.

The at least one section can be located in an inner region of the protective element, so that the at least one section is completely surrounded by the further protective element. It can extend into the edge and thus form a recess that is open to the outside. Or the at least one section can be an outer peripheral edge section that can be removed from the protective element. Several sections can be formed in the protective element, which can be opened as desired.

• • zumindest einen Vorsprung, welcher mit radialen Klemmlamellen oder axialen Klemmrippen in eine Bohrung oder Vertiefung eingreift,
• • zumindest einen stegförmigen Rastnocken, der an einem Rand der Schnittstelle eingreift; oder/und
• • eine zumindest abschnittsweise umlaufende Schürze, die einen Flansch der Schnittstelle umgreift und radial innere Klemmnasen oder Rastnocken aufweist.

The holding device of the protective element can comprise:

• • at least one projection which engages with radial clamping lamellas or axial clamping ribs in a bore or recess,
• • at least one web-shaped locking cam that engages at one edge of the interface; and/or
• • an apron that runs around the entire circumference at least in sections, which surrounds a flange of the interface and has radially inner clamping lugs or locking cams.

In order to avoid unintentional removal of the entire protective element, it may be useful to press the protective element against the interface when opening at least one section. This can be done manually or by machine, just as the opening of at least one section can be done by machine or even automatically.

In a preferred further embodiment, it is provided that the at least one section is reclosable. The relevant section or the recess can be closed again after the processing to be carried out at the interface has been carried out. This is particularly advantageous if the final assembly takes place at a different location in time and/or space. The at least one section can be reinserted into the recess of the further protective element and in particular secured in a captive manner, for example by undercut areas engaging the edge of the recess.

In a preferred further embodiment, the at least one section is surrounded by the additional protective element in a frame-like manner. The frame ensures the integrity and stability of the additional protective element, even if the at least one section is open. The frame protects in particular a fastening flange of the interface when processing is carried out in the open area.

In a preferred further embodiment, it is provided that the at least one section has a gripping element. The at least one section can be detached from the further protective element more easily and in particular more quickly. The gripping element can be formed by a gripping tab that protrudes radially or axially from or up from the at least one section or by a protruding gripping dome.

In a preferred further embodiment, the at least one section is connected to the further protective element via a hinge. The at least one section can be opened and remains connected to the further protective element so that it cannot be lost. A film hinge is preferably formed.

In a preferred further embodiment, it is provided that the at least one section is integrated in one piece in the further protective element. The at least one section can be separated from the further protective element by a perforation or tear line and can be separated from the protective element in this way.

With the advantage that no connecting webs have to be torn, the at least one section can be formed by a recess in the protective element, which is closed by a closure part that is formed in one piece with the other protective element outside the recess and folded over onto the recess. In a thermoformed protective element, a recess is punched out for this purpose and closed by a closure part that is formed with the other protective element and connected via a web and which can be folded over and fastened onto the recess after thermoforming. In injection molding, a protective element is formed with a recess and a closure part that is connected in one piece via a web, whereby the closure part can be folded over and fastened onto the recess inside or outside the injection molding tool.

In a preferred further embodiment, it is provided that the at least one section is formed by a separate closure part which is detachably attached to the protective element, covering a recess. The separate closure part can be glued or welded to the further protective element or can be attached in a form-fitting and/or force-fitting manner by means of projections and/or undercuts. Standardized protective plugs or protective caps can be easily inserted into the recess of the protective element.

In a preferred further embodiment, the separate closure part is formed by a film that is at least partially connected to the further protective element. This can be a sealing film that is preferably sealed with its peripheral edge at least partially onto the further protective element and can be removed by hand, as is known from the field of food containers.

In a preferred further embodiment, the film is formed by an in-mould label (IML). IML can be integrated into the additional protective element using the injection molding process or the thermoforming process. This means that the subsequent sealing of the film is not necessary. During injection molding, the IML is placed in the mold and, when the protective element is formed, plastic is injected into the areas close to the edge so that at least one section is covered by the IML alone and a recess is exposed when the IML is removed. This is because appropriate material combinations can create an adhesive connection that allows the IML to be detached from the additional protective element.

In a preferred further embodiment, the separate closure part has a different color than the other protective element. The different color makes the closure part stand out visually from the other protective element, so that the section to be exposed can be found more easily.

In a preferred further design, the separate closure part is transparent so that one can see into the interface and connection point, for example to check whether a certain processing has already been carried out.

• 1 eine Schnitt- und Anschlussstelle in vereinfachter Darstellung;
• 2 eine erste Ausführungsform eines Schutzelements;
• 3 eine zweite Ausführungsform eines Schutzelements;
• 4 eine dritte Ausführungsform eines Schutzelements;
• 5 eine vierte Ausführungsform eines Schutzelements.

Further advantages and details of the invention can be found in the following description of the figures. Individual technical features of the embodiments described below can also be combined with previously described embodiments and the features of the independent claims and any further claims to form objects according to the invention. Where appropriate, functionally equivalent elements are provided with identical reference numbers. They show

• 1 an interface and connection point in a simplified representation;
• 2 a first embodiment of a protective element;
• 3 a second embodiment of a protective element;
• 4 a third embodiment of a protective element;
• 5 a fourth embodiment of a protective element.

The in 1 The interface 1 shown of a machine, vehicle or system component 10 (not shown in more detail) has a hexagonal fastening flange 5, which is provided with several fastening holes 6 and with its inner edge 8 delimits an access opening 7 to an inner area of the interface 1. In the interface and connection point, for example, a connection socket 2, a setting register 3 and a slot 4 are installed. These elements must be adapted to a respective use of the component 10 before the component is connected to other machine, vehicle or system components via the interface 1. The adaptations can be settings on the setting register 3, the insertion or replacement of an additional module in the slot 4 and/or the equipping of the connection socket 2 with a specific cable and contact set.

In the figures 2 , 3 , 4 and 5 various embodiments of protective elements 11, 21, 31, 41 for the interface 1 are shown. The adjustments mentioned can be made by partially opening the protective elements made of plastic with a thin wall thickness, whereby at least the fastening flange 5 remains covered and protected from unwanted contamination or damage. The protective elements are only completely removed during the final assembly of the machine, vehicle or system component 10.

2 shows a protective element 11 produced by injection molding. It has a cover surface 12 which is surrounded by an apron 13 as a holding device which engages under the fastening flange 5 with holding cams 14. In the cover surface 12, a section 16 is delimited by a perforation line 15, which can be separated from the cover surface 12 by means of an upstanding grip tab 17.

3 shows a protective element 21 thermoformed from a thin plastic film, the skirt 23 of which is provided with indented retaining cams 24 and the cover surface 22 of which has a punched-out recess 25. The recess 25 can be reversibly closed with a separate protective plug 26 having a grip tab 27. It is thus possible to provide a local access opening, for example to the connection socket 2 located underneath, and to close it again.

4 shows a frame-like protective element 31. The cover surface 32, which is surrounded by an apron 33 with indented retaining cams 34, has a recess 35 approximately the size of the access opening 7 of the interface 1. The recess 35 is covered by a sealing film 36 sealed onto a sealing edge 38. The sealing film 36 can be pulled off the further protective element 31 via a gripping tab 37 protruding from the protective element 31, so that the recess 35 of the protective element 31 is exposed for any processing of the interface 1.

5 shows a protective element 41 with a closure part 46 connected in one piece to a frame-like flange cover 42 via a web 47. Film hinges 48 are formed in the web 47 so that the closure part 46 can be folded from the flat, open position shown into a closure position in which the closure part 46 covers a recess 45 in the flange cover 42. The closure part 46 is provided for this purpose with a bulge 49 which snaps into the recess 45. A grip tab 50 opposite the web facilitates handling of the closure part 46. The closure element 41 can be thermoformed and punched out of a thin plastic film. The flange cover 42 is surrounded by an apron 43 which engages under the fastening flange 5 with indented retaining cams 44 as a holding device.

list of reference symbols

1

interface

2

connection socket

3

setting register

4

slot

5

mounting flange

6

mounting hole

7

access opening

8

inner edge

10

component

11

protective element

12

cover surface

13

apron

14

retaining cams

15

perforation line

16

Section

17

grip tab

21

protective element

22

cover surface

23

apron

24

retaining cams

25

recess

26

protective plugs

27

grip tab

31

protective element

32

cover surface

33

apron

34

retaining cams

35

recess

36

sealing foil

37

grip tab

38

seal edge

41

protective element

42

flange cover

43

apron

44

retaining cams

45

recess

46

closure part

47

web

48

film hinge

49

bulge

50

grip tab

Claims (9)

Protective element (11, 21, 31, 41) which is made of plastic with a thin wall thickness and is designed to at least temporarily cover an interface (1) of a machine, vehicle or system component (10), wherein the protective element has at least one covering surface (12, 22, 32, 42) and can be fixed to the interface via a holding device (14, 24, 34, 44), wherein at least one section (16, 25, 26, 35, 36, 45, 46) of the covering surface can be opened in order to process the interface, while the protective element with the remaining covering surface remains fastened to the interface via the holding device, characterized in that the at least one section is formed by a separate closure part (36) which is detachably fastened to the protective element so as to cover a recess (35), wherein the separate closure part is covered by a film which is at least partially connected to the further protective element (36) is formed. protective element according to claim 1 , characterized in that the film is formed by an in-mould label (IML). Protective element according to the generic term claim 1 or according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one section (16) is integrally integrated in the further protective element, wherein the at least one section is delimited from the further protective element by a perforation or tear line (15) and can be separated from the protective element (11) via this. Protective element according to one of the Claims 1 until 3 , characterized in that the at least one section (36) is resealable. Protective element according to one of the Claims 1 until 4 , characterized in that the at least one section (16, 36) is surrounded by the further protective element in a frame-like manner. Protective element according to one of the Claims 1 until 5 , characterized in that the at least one section has a gripping element (17, 37). Protective element according to one of the Claims 1 until 6 , characterized in that the at least one section has a different color than the further protective element. Protective element according to one of the Claims 1 until 7 , characterized in that the at least one section is transparent. Protective element according to one of the Claims 1 until 8 , characterized in that the at least one section is connected to the further protective element via a hinge.

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