Fastening arrangement with tolerance compensation, and method for pre-assembly and assembly

Abstract

The present invention relates to a fastening arrangement for fastening a component A to a component B with automatic tolerance compensation between the components A and B. The fastening arrangement comprises a fixable base element into which a mounting screw can be screwed via a first thread pair, and an adjusting element with an external thread that can be screwed into the base element via a second thread pair, wherein a first and a second anti-rotation safeguard are provided between the base element and the adjusting element, wherein said anti-rotation safeguards can be used to prevent detachment of the adjusting element from the base element during transport as well as locking of the adjusting element with the base element.

Claims

1. Fastening arrangement for fastening a component B at a component A with automatic tolerance compensation between the components A and B comprising the following features: a basic element fixable at component A, wherein a fastening screw is screwable into the basic element via a first thread pairing, an adjusting element having an external thread, which is screwable into the basic element via a second thread pairing, wherein a first and a second anti-twist protection are provided between the basic element and the adjusting element by means of which a respective releasing of the adjusting element from the basic element during a transport and a locking of the adjusting element with the basic element is prevented, and the basic element of which comprises at a front surface facing the adjustment element at least one recess which is engageable by the first and/or the second anti-twist protection of the adjusting element, and the first anti-twist protection is a web arranged springy in axial direction of the adjusting element by which a locking connection with the basic element is creatable which is releasable by rotation.

2. Fastening arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the second anti-twist protection is a web protruding in radial direction of the adjusting element, which blocks a further screwing-in of the adjusting element into the basic element.

3. Fastening arrangement according to claim 2, the web of which has a compression surface having a normal oriented almost tangential with respect to the adjusting element by means of which a surface of at least one recess at the basic element may be abutted.

4. Fastening arrangement according to claim 1, the at least one recess of which extends over a rotation angle range so that the one recess is engageable by the first and second anti-twist protections at the same time.

5. Fastening arrangement according to claim 4, the recesses of which comprise a first and a second surface, respectively, which are arranged angularly and non-symmetrically with respect to each other.

6. Fastening arrangement according to claim 5, wherein the first surface of the recess is arranged in a larger angle as the second surface with respect to the longitudinal axis of the basic element.

7. Fastening arrangement according to claim 1, the at least one recess of which comprises a first and a second surface, respectively, which are arranged angularly and non-symmetrically with respect to each other.

8. Fastening arrangement according to claim 7, wherein the first surface of the recess is arranged in a larger angle as the second surface with respect to the longitudinal axis of the basic element.

9. Fastening arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the adjusting element is formed as one-part or as multi-part component and which comprises a central dragging-safeguard-component.

10. Fastening arrangement according to claim 9, wherein the central dragging-safeguard-component is formed in a toroidal shape having at least one radially inwardly protruding dragging arm as well as the first and second anti-twist protections which protrude radially outwardly.

11. Fastening arrangement according to claim 9, wherein the adjusting element comprises a threaded sleeve and a disc, wherein the dragging-safeguard-component is fixed between the disc and the threaded sleeve by means of a fastening sleeve.

12. Fastening arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the adjusting element is formed as one-part component and which comprises a central dragging-safeguard-component and wherein the adjusting element is produced as a one piece plastic component.

13. A connection between component A and component B which has been produced by means of the fastening arrangement according to claim 1 in combination with a fastening screw.

14. A method for pre-assembly of the fastening arrangement according to claim 1, comprising the following steps: screwing-in (A1) of the adjusting element into the basic element, locking (A2) of the first anti-twist protection of the adjusting element in a first recess at the basic element and blocking (A3) of the second anti-twist protection of the adjusting element in a second recess at the basic element so that a locking of the adjusting element and the basic element is prevented.

15. Method for assembly of the fastening arrangement according to claim 1, comprising the following steps: releasing (B1) at least the first and/or the second anti-twist protection between basic element and adjusting element, fixing (B2) the basic element at component A, screwing-in (B3) of the fastening screw through an opening in component B and through the adjusting element installed in the basic element into the basic element so that tolerances between the components A and B are compensated automatically and wherein a releasing (B1) of at least the first and/or second anti-twist protection takes place between the basic element and the adjusting element, and screwing (B4) the fastening screw tightly into the basic element so that the components A and B are fixed at each other.

16. Fastening arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the second anti-twist protection is a web protruding in radial direction of the adjusting element, which blocks a further screwing-in of the adjusting element into the basic element.

17. Fastening arrangement according to claim 16, the web of which has a compression surface having a normal oriented almost tangential with respect to the adjusting element by means of which a surface of at least one recess at the basic element may be abutted.

Description

4. SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

(1) The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It shows:

(2) FIG. 1 a preferred embodiment of the assembled fastening arrangement between the two components A and B,

(3) FIG. 2 an exploded view of a preferred embodiment of the fastening arrangement consisting of basic element and adjusting element,

(4) FIG. 3 a preferred embodiment of the adjusting element,

(5) FIG. 4 a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the basic element,

(6) FIG. 5 a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the adjusting element,

(7) FIG. 6 a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the fastening arrangement having a first anti-twist protection,

(8) FIG. 7 an detail enlargement of FIG. 6,

(9) FIG. 8 a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the fastening arrangement having a second anti-twist protection,

(10) FIG. 9 a detail enlargement of FIG. 8,

(11) FIG. 10 an exploded view of the preferred embodiment of the adjusting element,

(12) FIG. 11 a preferred embodiment of the dragging-safeguard-component in strip shape,

(13) FIG. 12 a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the dragging-safeguard-component in ring shape,

(14) FIG. 13 a preferred embodiment of a method for pre-assembling the fastening arrangement, and

(15) FIG. 14 a preferred embodiment of the method for assembling the fastening arrangement.

5. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(16) FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the fastening arrangement according to the invention for fastening a component B at a component A with automatic tolerance compensation between the components A and B. The fastening arrangement comprises therefore a basic element 10 which is fixed in an opening of the component A. An adjusting element 30 is connected to the basic element 10 via a screw connection. According to the rotational direction of the adjusting element 30, the common axial length of the basic element 10 and the adjusting element 30 varies, whereby tolerances between the two adjacent components A, B are compensable.

(17) In the assembled state of the fastening arrangement, the adjusting element 30 supports itself at the second component B. The components A and B as well as the fastening arrangement 10, 30 are connected to each other via a mounting screw or fastening screw 80. Therefore, the fastening screw 80 is screwed into a threaded portion 14 in the basic element 10 (see below).

(18) While the basic element 10 consists of plastic or metal, it is preferred to make the basic element 10 from steel. This material choice ensures a sufficient stability, resistance with respect to chemical, mechanical and thermal aggressive media and ensures further a reliable fastening within component A. Preferably, the basic element 10 is realized as locking nut, welding nut or blind rivet nut. It is further preferred to fix the basic element 10 as nut having an external thread within the component A. According to a further alternative, the basic element 10 is glued into the opening of the component A.

(19) As can be seen from FIGS. 2 and 6, the basic element 10 comprises an internal thread portion 14 having a first thread direction cooperating with the thread of the fastening screw 80. Adjacent to the threaded portion 14, the inner side of the basic element 10 comprises an internal thread 12 having a second thread direction opposite to the first thread direction. The internal thread 12 cooperates with an external thread 42 of a sleeve 40 of the adjusting element 30. Therefrom it follows that at the screwing-in of the fastening screw 80 into the thread portion 14 the adjusting element 30 is screwed out of the basic element 10 via the second thread pairing. A rotation of the adjusting element 30 together with the fastening screw 80 is realized by means of at least one dragger 56 which makes a frictional connection between the adjusting element 30 and the fastening screw 80.

(20) The basic element 10 comprises at its end facing the adjusting element 30 a front surface 16. Preferably, a plurality of recesses 20 is formed at this front surface 16, preferably at least two notches which are offset with respect to each other for 120°. According to a preferred embodiment, a circumferential flange 18 provides the front surface 16 at which three notches 20 are provided which are equally spaced from each other. It is also preferred to form the notches 20 without circumferential flange 18 at the front surface 16 of the basic element 10.

(21) According to a further preferred embodiment (not shown) only one recess 20 is provided in which the first and the second anti-twist protection (see below) take effect. For this purpose, for example this recess 20 extends over a specific rotation angle range to ensure a safe engagement of the first and the second anti-twist protection in this recess, even with clearance. According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, an arbitrary number of recesses 20 are provided which are spaced from each other equally or non-equally. This plurality of recesses 20 is preferably arranged so that the first and the second anti-twist protection (see below) engage the recesses 20 simultaneously or with a timely offset with respect to each other.

(22) These notches 20 cooperate with the first and the second anti-twist protection 52, 54 which serve as transport safeguard 52 of the adjusting element 30 in the basic element 10 and as lock safeguard 54 between the basic element 10 and the adjusting element 30 (see below).

(23) According to FIGS. 2, 3 and 10, the adjusting element 30 consists preferably of a threaded sleeve 40 which is connected to a disc 60 via a pressed sleeve 70 and a dragging-safeguard-component 50. The threaded sleeve 40 has an external thread 42 cooperating with the internal thread 12 of the basic element 10. As already mentioned above, the internal thread 12 and the external thread 42 have the second thread direction which is opposite to the thread direction of the first thread pairing between the fastening screw 80 and the thread portion 12. The adjusting element 30 supports itself at the component B via the disc 60, as illustrated in FIG. 1. The disc 60 and the threaded sleeve 40 consist of metal, preferably steel, wherein application-oriented also other metals or plastics are usable. Although a multi-part construction is preferred here, the adjusting element 30 may also be provided as one-piece plastic component.

(24) According to FIG. 10, the disc comprises an inner opening 62 having a chamfered portion 64. Preferably, the chamfered portion is formed knurled so that the interference fit of the pressed sleeve 70 within the opening 62 is supported. The pressed sleeve 70 comprises also a circumferential, preferably structured, portion 72 supporting a frictional connection between the pressed sleeve 70, dragging-safeguard-component 50 and threaded sleeve 40. The pressed sleeve 70 is forced into the threaded sleeve 40 in axial direction through the opening 62 and through the preferably torus shaped curved dragging-safeguard-component 50 and is fixed there by frictional connection. In this manner, the disc 60, the dragging-safeguard-component 50 and the threaded sleeve 40 are connected to each other reliably and form the adjusting element 30.

(25) The dragging-safeguard-component 50 preferably consists of a springy material as for example spring steel to ensure the functionality of the dragging arms 56 (see below). In this context, it is preferred to manufacture the dragging-safeguard-component 50 as punched and bended part. Alternatively thereto, all other springy materials are usable.

(26) In FIGS. 3 and 5, the following details are visible: the at least one dragging arm 56 in the inside of the adjusting element 30, the pressed sleeve 70 as well as the two anti-twist protections 52, 54. Both anti-twist protections 52, 54 serve as transport safeguard 52 for the fastening of the basic element 10 and the adjusting element 30 to each other and as lock safeguard 54 for preventing a hard or not releasable screwing-in of the adjusting element 30 into the basic element 10. As part of the dragging-safeguard-component 50, the transport safeguard 52 and the lock safeguard 54 project beyond the radial outer edge of the threaded sleeve 40 between the threaded sleeve 40 and the disc 60 (cf. FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, 9).

(27) Preferably, the transport safeguard 52 and the lock safeguard 54 are spaced from each other by an angle of around 120°, wherein the lock safeguard 54 is located upstream of the transport safeguard 52 viewed in the screw-in direction I of the adjusting element 30 into the basic element 10. The transport safeguard 52 and the lock safeguard 54 may preferably also be arranged spaced in an angle larger or smaller as 120° with respect to each other. It is also preferred to realize the transport safeguard 52 and the lock safeguard 54 in only one radial protruding element of the adjusting element 30 to support a compact design or structure.

(28) The transport safeguard 52 and the lock safeguard 54 cooperate with the at least one recess or notch 20 (see above), which are spaced from each other according to the angular distance of the transport safeguard and the lock safeguard 54 to ensure the simultaneous engagement of the transport safeguard 52 and the lock safeguard 54 each in one or in a common notch 20. It is also preferred that the transport safeguard 52 and the lock safeguard 54 engage in recesses 20 which are spatially displaced with respect to each other. This engagement occurs simultaneously or with offset from each other.

(29) According to a preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, the notches 20 consist of two surfaces 22, 24 arranged angularly to each other. According to an embodiment of the present invention, these surfaces 22, 24 are formed and arranged non-symmetrically to each other, wherein also a symmetrical arrangement of the surfaces 22, 24 may be used.

(30) According to an embodiment of the present invention, the surface 24 of the notch 20 which is located upstream in screw-in direction I is arranged in a smaller angle β with respect to the longitudinal axis L of the basic element 10 compared to the surface 22, which is arranged in the angle α with respect to the longitudinal axis L of the basic element 10. This alignment of the surface 22 supports a releasing of the transport safeguard 52 during assembly of the fastening arrangement between the components A and B.

(31) Further, the surface 24 which is arranged steeper with respect to the longitudinal axis L of the basic element 10 provides a blocking plane for the lock safeguard 54 (cf. FIG. 9). It is also preferred to extend the notch/recess 20 shown in FIG. 9 over a specific circumferential portion (not shown). A such formed notch/recess 20 ensures the simultaneous engagement of the transport safeguard 52 and the lock safeguard 54, wherein the transport safeguard 52 and the lock safeguard 54 may be realized in only one common radial web or in two separate radial webs. The circumferentially extended recess/notch 20 provides a specific rotatory clearance between the adjusting element 30 and the basic element 10.

(32) The transport safeguard 52 is preferably formed as springy web 52 protruding radially outwardly with respect to the outer edge of the threaded sleeve 40. For supporting the springy movability of the web 52 and thus its locking in the notch 20, the web 52 extends preferably in tangential direction with respect to the threaded sleeve 40 and opposite to the screw-in direction I. It is also preferred to arrange the web 52 extending tangential in screw-in direction I. The web 52 comprises further according to an embodiment a wavy protrusion directed in the direction of the basic element 10 which engages the respective notch 20. This wavy shape of the web 52 ensures that the web 52 may enter the notch 20 from both sides without problems, meaning at a clockwise rotation and at an anti-clockwise rotation of the adjusting element 30.

(33) An embodiment of the lock safeguard 54 is shown in FIG. 9. The lock safeguard 54 is also a web protruding radially outwardly with respect to the threaded sleeve 14. The lock safeguard 54 is preferably arranged inclined in the direction of the basic element 10 so that the lock safeguard 54 encloses with the longitudinal axis L of the adjusting element 30 an angle <90°. Further, the lock safeguard 54 comprises a compression surface 55, the surface normal of which extends almost in tangential direction with respect to the threaded sleeve 40. When the adjusting element 30 is screwed into the basic element 10 and the lock safeguard 54 thus displaced in the direction of the recess 20, the compression surface 54 abuts at a specific angular position the surface 24. Thereby, a further screwing-in and locking of the adjusting element 20 in the basic element 10 is blocked. This blocking function is preferably ideally when the compression surface 52 and the surface 24 are arranged parallel to each other.

(34) Further it should be considered that preferably the lock safeguard 54 is arranged in a radial plane which is spaced more from the disc 60 as the radial plane in which the transport safeguard 52 is arranged. In this manner, the lock safeguard 54 blocks effectively and reliably against a locking of adjusting element 30 and basic element 10 while simultaneously an easy releasable locking of the transport safeguard 52 in the chamber 20 is ensured.

(35) From the above described construction of the fastening arrangement and its individual components results the following method for pre-assembly of the fastening arrangement for preparing the future installation of the fastening arrangement between the two components A and B. First of all, the adjusting element 30 is screwed into the basic element 10 (step A1). After the adjusting element 30 has been screwed deep enough into the basic element 10, the first anti-twist protection, especially the transport safeguard 52, of the adjusting element 30 locks or snaps into the first recess or notch 20 at the basic element 10 (step A2). As the adjusting element 30 may be screwed further into the basic element despite of the locking or snapping of the transport safeguard 52 into the notch 20, a blocking of the second anti-twist protection or lock safeguard 54, respectively, of the adjusting element 30 in a second recess or notch 20, respectively, at the basic element 10 follows after further screwing-in the adjusting element 30 into the basic element 10 so that the locking of adjusting element 30 and basic element 10 is prevented (step A3) (cf. the flowchart according to FIG. 13).

(36) The compact and space-saving construction of the adjusting element 30 is based partly on the usage of the dragging-safeguard-component 50 (cf. FIGS. 10 to 12). Preferably, the dragging-safeguard-component 50 is punched as a straight extending part according to FIG. 11 from a springy metal and bended or curved. Preferably, the dragging-safeguard-component 50 according to FIG. 11 consists of spring steel while although other robust springy materials are suitable. The dragging-safeguard-component 60 is thus preferably present as punched and bended part made from spring steel.

(37) For simplifying the manufacturing or production of the fastening arrangement, first of all the dragging-safeguard-component 50 according to FIG. 11 is punched and bended or curved. Thereafter, the open annular or toroidal shape of the dragging-safeguard-component 50 according to FIG. 12 is created. This dragging-safeguard-component 50 formed preferably with toroidal shape comprises the dragging arms 56 having a wavy shape with a radially inwardly directed protrusion (cf. FIG. 12). According to an embodiment, the dragging-safeguard-component 15 comprises at least one dragging arm 56 which is arranged in the inside of the threaded sleeve 40 after assembly. It is further preferred to arrange two or three dragging arms 56 in the threaded sleeve 40. In the installed state, the draggers 56 constrict the inner width of the threaded sleeve 40 so that its inner diameter is smaller than an outer diameter of the fastening screw 80. Thereby, the fastening screw 80 turns or rotates the adjusting element as long as the adjusting element 30 abuts component B.

(38) At the side facing the disc 60, the dragging-safeguard-component 50 comprises an open circumferential toroidal shaped strip 55 at which the dragging arms 56 and the anti-twist protections 52, 54 are fixed. The toroidal shaped strip 55 has a polygonal shape for simplifying its production and may thus be adapted to any arbitrary opening. Further, and by bending or curving the polygonal shape, it is prevented that the toroidal shaped strip 55 springs back, i.e. deforms back to the straight shape according to FIG. 11.

(39) At the toroidal shaped strip 55, a circumferential toroidal collar 58 is arranged at the side facing away from the dragger. This toroidal collar 58 consists of equally spaced or radially outwardly protruding little flags, which will be hold in the future adjusting element 30 between the disc 60 and the threaded sleeve 40 in a clamping manner. The dragging-safeguard-component is fixed via the pressed sleeve 70 clamping the toroidal collar 55 between the disc 60 and threaded sleeve 40 as well as the toroidal shaped strip 55 between the pressed sleeve 70 and the inner wall of the threaded sleeve 40. From this, a stable and reliable arrangement of the dragging arms 56 as well as the anti-twist protections 52, 54 in the fastening arrangement results.

(40) For mounting or assembling the fastening arrangement according to the invention between the two components A and B, the following steps are necessary. First of all, preferably the fastening arrangement consisting of adjusting element 30 and basic element 10 is transported to the customer. The transport safeguard 52 and the lock safeguard 54 take effect at this solely or commonly. At the customer, the basic element 10 is installed, assembled or fixed in component A (step B2), wherein the adjusting element 30 was released from the basic element 10 and thus also the transport safeguard 54 and/or the lock safeguard 54 previously (opt. B1). Thereafter, preferably the adjusting element 30 is installed again in the basic element 10 to be able to transport the whole arrangement to component B secured by the transport safeguard 52 and/or the lock safeguard 54.

(41) In step B3, the fastening screw 80 is screwed into the basic element 10 via an opening in component B and via the adjusting element 30 installed in the basic element 10 so that tolerances between the components A and B are compensated automatically. Simultaneously, the transport safeguard 52 and/or the lock safeguard 54 are released at the beginning of this procedure (B1). In step B4, tightening of the fastening screw 80 in the basic element 10 takes place so that the components A and B are fixed at each other (cf. FIG. 14).