TUBULAR SLEEVE

Abstract

A tubular sleeve is provided, in particular for use as a force-absorbing sleeve. The sleeve includes a casing wall having a through-opening, wherein the sleeve is formed from plastic, and a modulus of elasticity of the plastic is between 15,000 MPa and 25,000 MPa.

Claims

1. A tubular sleeve, for use as a force-absorbing sleeve, having a casing wall and a through-opening, wherein the sleeve is formed from plastic, and the plastic has a modulus of elasticity between 15000 MPa and 25000 MPa.

2. The tubular sleeve according to claim 1, wherein the sleeve is resistant to heat deformation in a temperature range of −40° C. to 125° C.

3. The tubular sleeve according to claim 1, wherein the plastic is a semi-aromatic polyamide, such as PPA, PA6/6T, PA6/9T, or PA6/6I), PPS, PPSU, PSU, with or without fiberglass content, wherein the fiber content is preferably between 20 vol. % and 60 vol. %.

4. The tubular sleeve according to claim 1, wherein the sleeve is formed in two parts from two identical sleeve elements.

5. The tubular sleeve according to claim 1, wherein the sleeve elements in the region of the through-opening comprise anti-rotation elements extending in an axial direction.

6. The tubular sleeve according to claim 1, wherein the sleeve elements are connected to one another via connecting means in order to form the sleeve.

7. A fastening system comprising a sleeve according to claim 1 and a screw having a screw size between M5 and M8.

8. The fastening system according to claim 7, wherein a portion having a diameter enlarged opposite the screw shank is configured on a screw shank of the screw as an anti-loss feature, wherein the portion comprises a knurling or a ring element or a thread.

9. A method for assembling a component in an engine compartment of a motor vehicle, wherein a sleeve according to claim 1 is used for assembling the component.

10. A method for producing a component in a 2-component injection-molding process, wherein firstly a sleeve according to claim 1 is injection-molded with ribs extending in the axial direction of the sleeve on an outer side of the casing wall, and thereafter the sleeve is over-molded in the region of the ribs, in order to position the sleeve securely on a component.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0062] The present invention will be described in further detail below on the basis of the exemplary embodiments shown in the figures. The figures show:

[0063] FIG. 1 a perspective view of a tubular sleeve according to the invention,

[0064] FIG. 2 a further perspective view of the tubular sleeve from FIG. 1,

[0065] FIG. 3 a perspective view of the tubular sleeve according to a second embodiment,

[0066] FIG. 4 a further perspective view of the tubular sleeve from FIG. 3,

[0067] FIG. 5 a perspective view of the tubular sleeve according to a third embodiment,

[0068] FIG. 6 a further perspective view of the tubular sleeve from FIG. 5,

[0069] FIG. 7 a laterally cut view of a tubular sleeve according to a fourth embodiment,

[0070] FIG. 8 a perspective partially laterally cut view of a component having a tubular sleeve and a screw from FIG. 7,

[0071] FIG. 9 a perspective laterally cut view of the component having the tubular sleeve and a screw from FIG. 7,

[0072] FIG. 10 a perspective view of a tubular sleeve according to a fifth embodiment,

[0073] FIG. 11 a laterally cut view of the tubular sleeve from FIG. 10,

[0074] FIG. 12 a perspective view of a screw having an anti-loss feature according to a first exemplary embodiment,

[0075] FIG. 13 a perspective view of a screw having an anti-loss feature according to a second exemplary embodiment,

[0076] FIG. 14 a perspective view of a screw having an anti-loss feature according to a third exemplary embodiment,

[0077] FIG. 15 a perspective view of a tubular sleeve according to a sixth exemplary embodiment,

[0078] FIG. 16 a perspective exploded view of the sleeve from FIG. 15,

[0079] FIG. 17 a further perspective exploded view of the sleeve,

[0080] FIG. 18 a perspective view of a sleeve element of the tubular sleeve, and

[0081] FIG. 19 a perspective plan view of anti-rotation elements of the sleeve.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0082] In the following, a tubular sleeve 1 according to the invention is briefly described according to a first exemplary embodiment (FIGS. 1 and 2). The technical features of the exemplary embodiments can be combined as desired with one another, insofar as technically possible.

[0083] The tubular sleeve 1 is provided for use as a force-absorbing sleeve.

[0084] In addition, the tubular sleeve is formed from a plastic that relaxes only a little in a temperature range of −40° C. to 125° C. Typically, temperatures of −40° C. to 125° C. can occur in an engine compartment of an automobile. This corresponds to the common temperature ranges for an engine compartment of an automobile.

[0085] The tubular sleeve 1 comprises a base body having a casing wall 2, in which a through-opening 3 extending in an axial direction 17 is formed.

[0086] At one end of the base body of the sleeve 1, an approximately annular contact portion 4 for abutment on a component surface or a screw head is provided.

[0087] Furthermore, radially outwardly extending and longitudinally extending ribs 6 are provided on the casing wall 2.

[0088] In the following, a tubular sleeve 1 according to a second exemplary embodiment is described (FIGS. 3 and 4). Unless described otherwise, the tubular sleeve 1 according to the second exemplary embodiment has the same technical features as the tubular sleeve 1 according to the first exemplary embodiment.

[0089] According to the second exemplary embodiment, it is provided that the tubular sleeve 1 comprises a contact portion 4 at both ends lying in the axial direction 5.

[0090] In the following, a tubular sleeve 1 according to a third exemplary embodiment is briefly described (FIGS. 5 and 6). Unless described otherwise, the tubular sleeve according to the third exemplary embodiment has the same technical features as the tubular sleeve 1 according to the first and second exemplary embodiments.

[0091] The tubular sleeve 1 according to the third exemplary embodiment is configured like the tubular sleeve 1 according to the first exemplary embodiment, wherein no ribs are provided on the casing wall 2, and accordingly the latter is flat or smooth in configuration.

[0092] Furthermore, according to the present invention, a fastening system 7 is provided (FIGS. 8 and 9). The fastening system comprises a tubular sleeve 1 (FIG. 7) and a screw 8, which are arrangeable in a corresponding component 13.

[0093] In particular, it is provided that the tubular sleeve 1 is arranged in a through-opening of the component 13. According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, it can be provided that the tubular sleeve 1 and the component are produced in a 2-component injection-molding process.

[0094] In the following, a tubular sleeve 1 according to a fourth exemplary embodiment is briefly described in further detail (FIGS. 7 to 9).

[0095] The tubular sleeve 1 according to the fourth exemplary embodiment substantially corresponds to the tubular sleeve according to the first exemplary embodiment, wherein a radially circumferential and radially extending collar 9 is formed in the through-opening 3 for retaining a screw 8.

[0096] The collar 9, in conjunction with a correspondingly configured screw, forms an anti-loss or transport-safety feature for a screw.

[0097] Furthermore, at an end opposite the contact portion 4, the sleeve 1 comprises an annular stopping portion 24, which extends in radially circumferential direction and extends towards the through-opening. This stopping portion forms an axial limit for a screw 8 received in the through-opening 3.

[0098] FIGS. 10 and 11 show a tubular sleeve 1 according to a fifth exemplary embodiment, which approximately corresponds to the tubular sleeve 1 according to the first exemplary embodiment.

[0099] In addition, the stopping portion 24 is configured in the region of the contact portion 4.

[0100] On the screw 8, a portion 11 can be configured having a diameter which is increased relative to the screw shank 10 as an anti-loss feature (FIGS. 12 to 14).

[0101] For example, the portion 11 can be formed as a radially extending annular portion 11 (FIG. 12).

[0102] Furthermore, the portion 11 can also have a knurling (FIG. 13).

[0103] In addition, there is also the possibility that the portion 11 is a portion of the screw shank 10 that has a reduced diameter compared to a threaded portion 12.

[0104] In the following, a tubular sleeve 1 according to a sixth exemplary embodiment (FIGS. 15 to 19) is described. To the extent technically possible and unless otherwise described, this tubular sleeve 1, as well as the tubular sleeves 1 described above, can also comprise all technical features of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention described above. The same technical features bear the same reference numerals.

[0105] According to the sixth exemplary embodiment, the tubular sleeve 1 is formed from two symmetrically formed sleeve elements 14, 15.

[0106] The sleeve elements 14, 15 comprise an annular disc-shaped base wall 16. For example, the base wall 16 can form a contact portion 4 as described above.

[0107] Furthermore, the through-opening 3 is formed in the base wall 16.

[0108] In the region of the passage opening 3, anti-rotation elements 18, 19 extending in an axial direction 17 are diametrically opposed to one another. The anti-rotation elements 18, 19 are configured in a manner that takes an annular, segmented in shape when viewed from above. Each anti-rotation element 18, 19 extends over an angular range of 90°.

[0109] The two sleeve elements 14, 15 can be connected to one another via connecting means in order to form the tubular sleeve 1.

[0110] As the connecting means 20, tapered pins 21 or webs having a similar effect can be provided. In the present exemplary embodiment, the connecting means 20 are configured as tapered pins that extend in an axial direction 17 and are integrally formed with the anti-rotation elements 18, 19.

[0111] In the annular disc-shaped base wall 15, 16, corresponding connecting recesses 22 are formed in the central region between the two anti-rotation elements 18, 19, said connecting recesses preferably being conically formed.

[0112] The connecting recesses 22 are configured correspondingly to the pins 21, wherein a slight interference fit or a predetermined excess is provided in order to connect the two sleeve elements 14, 15 to one another.

[0113] Furthermore, the anti-rotation elements 18, 19 can be integrally formed in radially outwardly extending rib portions 23 that have the same technical effect as the ribs 6 described in the above exemplary embodiments.

[0114] Furthermore, according to the invention, a method for assembling a component in the engine compartment of a motor vehicle is provided, wherein a sleeve 1 according to the invention is used for the assembly of the component.

[0115] In addition, a method for producing a component is provided in a 2-component injection-molding process, wherein a sleeve according to the invention is firstly produced by means of a first injection-molding process and subsequently, by over-molding the casing wall 2 of the tubular sleeve 1, a component 13 is formed at least regionally or also completely.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0116] 1 Tubular sleeve [0117] 2 Casing wall [0118] 3 Through-opening [0119] 4 Abutting portion [0120] 5 Axial direction [0121] 6 Ribs [0122] 7 Fastening system [0123] 8 Screw [0124] 9 Collar [0125] 10 Screw shank [0126] 11 Portion [0127] 12 Thread [0128] 13 Component [0129] 14 Sleeve element [0130] 15 Sleeve element [0131] 16 Base wall [0132] 17 Axial direction [0133] 18 Anti-rotation element [0134] 19 Anti-rotation element [0135] 20 Connecting means [0136] 21 Pins [0137] 22 Connecting recess [0138] 23 Rib portion [0139] 24 Stopping portion