Method of attaching an electronic identification device to a vehicle, and identification device

Abstract

The invention relates to a method of attaching an electronic identification device having an electronic identification means to a vehicle body, which comprises the following steps: a) prior to at least one of the steps painting and galvanizing the body, the identification device is attached to the body by means of a spacer in such a way that the identification device is spaced away from the body; b) following painting and galvanizing, the identification device is permanently arrested on the body without being detached in the meantime from the body. The invention further relates to an electronic identification device for being attached to a vehicle body by means of the method proposed.

1 . A method of attaching an electronic identification device having an electronic identification means to a vehicle body, said method comprising the following steps: 
 a) prior to at least one of the steps painting and galvanizing said body, said identification device is attached to said body by means of a spacer in such a way that said identification device is spaced away from said body;    b) following painting and galvanizing, said identification device is permanently arrested on said body without being detached in the meantime from said body.    
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein in step a) said identification means is connected to said body.  
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein there are provided a plastic member resistant to bending and an attachment means which is inserted in step a) into a mounting hole in said body, said plastic member acting as a spacer.  
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein in step b) said identification means is arrested on said body by means of a one-way latching connection.  
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein in step b) said identification means is non-detachably arrested on said body.  
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said identification means comprises a transponder provided for reading out data stored on said identification means and detachably coupled with said identification means, said transponder and said identification means forming a unit which is attached to said body in step a).  
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein said identification means comprises an expendable protective housing for said transponder which surrounds the latter, and wherein in a step c) said protective housing and said transponder are removed from said identification means, said transponder being reused by it being coupled with other identification means.  
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said electronic identification means includes a memory chip.  
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said identification device is attached to said body at such a place that it hangs down from said body during painting.  
     
     
         10 . An electronic identification device for being attached to a vehicle body having a mounting hole by means of a method comprising the following steps: 
 a) prior to at least one of the steps painting and galvanizing said body, said identification device is attached to said body by means of a spacer in such a way that said identification device is spaced away from said body;    b) following painting and galvanizing, said identification device is permanently arrested on said body without being detached in the meantime from said body,    said identification device comprising 
 an identification means,  
 a spacer which is formed by a plastic member and which has an attachment for arresting said spacer on said body, and  
 a non-detachable attachment for permanently arresting said identification means directly on said body.  
   
     
     
         11 . The identification device according to  claim 10 , wherein said spacer is one of a plastic band and a plastic cord.  
     
     
         12 . The identification device according to  claim 11 , wherein said plastic member has a free end at which a flexible disc is provided, in particular so as to be not shiftable with respect to said plastic member, said disc being adapted to the geometry of said mounting hole such that it may be forced through said hole in order to engage behind an edge of said hole.  
     
     
         13 . The identification device according to  claim 10 , wherein a first latching connection in the form of a one-way latching connection is provided by means of which said identification means can be arrested on said body.  
     
     
         14 . The identification device according to  claim 13 , wherein said one-way latching connection is a bayonet lock which comprises teeth on said edge surrounding said mounting hole and counter teeth on said identification means.  
     
     
         15 . The identification device according to  claim 14 , wherein said teeth and said counter teeth are adapted to each other such that they latch with each other upon arresting and prevent said identification means from moving in a direction of detachment.  
     
     
         16 . The identification device according to  claim 14 , wherein said teeth and said counter teeth are adapted to each other such that after having latched they rest against each other with an axial prestress.  
     
     
         17 . The identification device according to  claim 14 , wherein said teeth on said edge of said mounting hole are radially protruding metal tabs having an axial slope, a counter tooth on said identification means being able to be guided along said slope and guided under a neighbored tooth by turning said identification means, said tooth in said arrested position engaging behind said counter tooth in a latching manner by means of its slope.  
     
     
         18 . The identification device according to  claim 10 , wherein it comprises a transponder detachably connected with said identification means as well as a protective housing surrounding said transponder, said identification device forming a preassembled unit.  
     
     
         19 . The identification device according to  claim 18 , wherein a second latching connection is provided by means of which said protective housing is connected with said identification means, said transponder being provided between said protective housing and said identification means.  
     
     
         20 . The identification device according to  claim 19 , wherein said second latching connection is a screw-and-latch connection comprising a nose and a latching tab for said nose, said latching tab being adapted to said nose such that it is destroyed when said identification means is detached from said protective housing.  
     
     
         21 . The identification device according to  claim 19 , wherein a first latching connection is provided between said identification means and said body, said first latching connection and said second latching connection having opposite directions of rotation for closing said latching connections.