METHOD FOR PRODUCING A VEHICLE COMPONENT, AND VEHICLE COMPONENT PRODUCED ACCORDING TO SAID METHOD

Abstract

A method for producing a vehicle component (10), in which a joint housing (1) is inserted in a predetermined insertion direction (13) into a through-hole (12) of a structural component (11). The insertion of the joint housing (1) into the through-hole (12) in the insertion direction (13) terminates when an stop element (6) of the joint housing (1) abuts against the structural component (11). After the insertion, the joint housing (1) is connected to the structural component (11) in a materially-merged manner. To reduce the complexity and/or the production costs, the method includes the joint housing (1) being inserted into the through-hole (12) with its housing bottom (4) first.

Claims

1-12. (canceled)

13. A method of producing a vehicle component (10), the method comprising: inserting a joint housing (1) into a through-hole (12) of a structural component (11) in a predetermined insertion direction (13), terminating insertion of the joint housing (1) into the through-hole (12) when a stop element (6) of the joint housing (1) contacts the structural component (11), connecting the joint housing (1) to the structural component (11), in a materially-merged manner, after insertion of the joint housing, and inserting the joint housing (1) into the through-hole (12) with a housing bottom (4) first.

14. The method according to claim 13, further comprising joining the joint housing (1) and the structural component (11) to one another, in the materially-merged manner, via at least one direction component in a direction opposite to the insertion direction (13), and the joint housing (1) and the structural component (11) are connected in the material-merged manner starting from a side (15) of the structural component (11) that faces away from the stop element (6) in a direction toward the stop element (6).

15. The method according to claim 13, further comprising joining the joint housing (1) and the structural component (11) to one another by a materially-merged connection, the materially-merged connection being a weld seam, starting from a side (15) of the structural component (11) that faces away from the stop element (6) and extends as far as into the stop element (6).

16. The method according to claim 13, further comprising completely joining a contact zone (17) of the joint housing (1) to the structural component (11) by materially-merging via welding.

17. The method according to claim 13, further comprising producing a materially-merged connection (19), between the joint housing (1) and the structural component (11), by a beam-welding process.

18. The method according to claim 13, further comprising, before the joint housing (1) is inserted, forming the stop element (6) as a step projecting outward from an outside of the joint housing (1) such that the stop element (6) surrounds the joint housing (1) radially relative to a central longitudinal axis (2).

19. The method according to claim 13, further comprising press-fitting the joint housing (1) when the joint housing is inserted into the through-hole (12).

20. The method according to claim 15, further comprising, after at least one of insertion of the joint housing (1) into the through-hole (12) and the materially-merged connection of the joint housing (1) to the structural component (11), forming a securing element (18) on and outside of the joint housing (1) for additional securing of the joint housing (1) onto the structural component (11).

21. The method according to claim 20, further comprising arranging the securing element (18) in an area of a side (15) of the structural component (11) that faces away from the stop element (6) such that the structural component (11) is at least one of held and clamped between the stop element (6) and the securing element (18).

22. The method according to claim 20, further comprising forming the securing element (18) as a projection extending outward from an outside of the joint housing (1), such that the securing element (18) extends all around the joint housing (1), and radially relative to a central longitudinal axis (2).

23. The method according to claim 13, further comprising forming a holding groove (21) for fitting a rim (28) of a sealing bellows (27) between a housing rim (8) of the joint housing (1) and at least one of the stop element (6) and a side (14) of the structural component (11) in contact with the stop element (6), and the housing rim projects radially, relative to a central longitudinal axis (2), and surrounds a housing opening (3) of the joint housing (1).

24. A vehicle component produced by a method including inserting a joint housing (1) into a through-hole (12) of a structural component (11) in a predetermined insertion direction (13); terminating insertion of the joint housing (1) into the through-hole (12) when a stop element (6) of the joint housing (1) contacts the structural component (11); following insertion of the joint housing, connecting the joint housing (1) to the structural component (11) in a materially-merged manner; and inserting the joint housing (1) into the through-hole (12) with a housing bottom (4) first; and the materially-merged connection (19), between the joint housing (1) and the structural component (11), extending over an entirety of a contact zone (17), between the joint housing (1) and the structural component (11), as far as the stop element (6).

25. A method of producing a vehicle component (10), the method comprising: providing a joint housing having a closed end and an opposite open end; providing a structural component having a through-hole; inserting the joint housing into the through-hole (12) of a structural component (11) in an insertion direction (13) such that the closed end of the joint housing enters the through-hole of the structural element first; terminating the insertion of the joint housing (1) into the through-hole (12) when an stop element (6) of the joint housing (1) contacts the structural component (11) such that the closed end of the joint housing is located on a first side of the structural component and the open end of the joint housing is located on an opposite second side of the structural component; and materially merging the joint housing to the structural component from the first side of the structural component to form a materially merged connection between the joint housing and the structural component.

26. The method according to claim 25, further comprising welding the joint housing to the structural component, from the first side of the structural component, such that a weld root of the materially merged connection is located on the first side of the structural component.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] Below, the invention is explained in greater detail with reference to the figures, in which the same indexes refer to the same, similar or functionally equivalent components or elements, and which show:

[0038] FIG. 1: A sectional side-view of a joint housing for a method and vehicle component according to the invention,

[0039] FIG. 2: A sectional side-view of a vehicle component according to the invention with the joint housing according to FIG. 1,

[0040] FIG. 3: A portion of the sectional side-view of the vehicle component according to the invention shown in FIG. 2,

[0041] FIG. 4: A sectional side-view of the vehicle component according to the invention shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, with a joint, and

[0042] FIG. 5: A perspective side-view of the vehicle component according to the invention shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0043] FIG. 1 shows a sectional side-view of a joint housing 1 for a method and vehicle component according to the invention. The joint housing 1 is essentially pot-shaped. In this example embodiment the joint housing 1 is produced from sheet-metal by a deep-drawing process. The joint housing 1 has a central longitudinal axis 2. The joint housing 1 is formed rotationally-symmetrically relative to the central longitudinal axis 2. Furthermore, the joint housing 1 extends in the axial direction of the central longitudinal axis 2.

[0044] The joint housing 1 has a housing opening 3 in the direction of the central longitudinal axis 2, and a housing bottom 4 is arranged opposite the housing opening 3. In this example embodiment the housing bottom 4 is formed integrally with the joint housing 1.

[0045] At its outer peripheral surface the joint housing 1 has a contact zone or connection zone 5. In this example embodiment the connection zone 5 is cylindrical. The connection zone 5 is designed to be in contact with a rim of a through-hole in a structural component (not shown here) that corresponds with the connection zone 5.

[0046] Furthermore, the joint housing 1 has an stop element 6. In this example embodiment the stop element 6 is in the form of a step extending radially outward relative to the central longitudinal axis 2. The stop element 6 has an abutment surface 7 that extends at right-angles to the central longitudinal axis 2. Starting from the abutment surface 7 the stop element 6 extends in the axial direction of the central longitudinal axis 2 toward the housing opening 3. Thus, in the connection zone 5 the joint housing 1 has a smaller outer diameter than in the area of the outward-projecting stop element 6. Starting from the connection zone 5 and in the axial direction of the central longitudinal axis 2 in the direction toward the housing bottom 4, the outer diameter of the joint housing 1 decreases to form a cone-like or funnel-shaped area of the joint housing 1.

[0047] The housing opening 3 is surrounded by a housing rim 8 of the joint housing 1. The housing rim 8 projects radially or perpendicularly outward relative to the central longitudinal axis 2. Thus, in the area of the housing rim 8 the joint housing 1 has its maximum outer diameter. The housing rim 8 is a distance away from the stop element 6 in the axial direction of the central longitudinal axis 2. As a result, a holding-groove section 9 is formed between the stop element 6 and the housing rim 8. In the area of the holding groove section 9 the outer diameter of the joint housing 1 is smaller than the outer diameter in the area of the housing rim 8 but larger than the outer diameter in the area of the connection zone 5.

[0048] FIG. 2 shows a sectional side-view of a vehicle component 10 with the joint housing 1 according to FIG. 1. The vehicle component 10 comprises a structural component 11. In this example embodiment the structural component 11 is in the form of a sheet metal component or flange. The structural component 11 has a through-hole 12. Into the through-hole 12 has been inserted the joint housing 1 according to FIG. 1, in the insertion direction indicated by the arrow 13. As shown by the insertion direction 13 the joint housing 1 is inserted into the through-hole 12 with the housing bottom 4 first. The insertion of the joint housing 1 ends or stops as soon as the stop element 6 of the joint housing 1 comes in contact with the structural component 11. Then, the abutment surface 7 of the stop element 6 according to FIG. 1 bears against a first side 14 of the structural component 11. Facing away from the first side 14 and the stop element 6, the structural component 11 has a second side 15.

[0049] The through-hole 12 forms a rim 16 of the structural component 11. The rim 16 of the structural component 11 is in contact with the connection zone 5 of the joint housing 1. Thus, the rim 16 and the connection zone 5 form a common contact zone 17. In this example embodiment, relative to the inside diameter of the through-hole 12 the connection zone 5 is slightly oversized. Accordingly, in the insertion direction 13 the joint housing 1 has to be press-fitted into the through-hole 12. By virtue of a press-fit the joint housing 1 is held by friction force in the through-hole 12 of the structural component 11.

[0050] After the joint housing 1 has been inserted into the through-hole 12, the joint housing 1 and the structural component 11 are joined to one another in the contact zone 17 in a materially-merged manner.

[0051] Then, a securing element 18 is produced for additionally securing the joint housing 1 to the structural component 11. The securing element 18 is formed integrally with the joint housing 1. The securing element 18 is arranged in the area of the second side 15 of the structural component 11 that faces away from the stop element 6. In this case the securing element 18 is in the form of a projection or bead extending outward from the outer peripheral surface of the joint housing 1. The securing element 18 surrounds the joint housing 1 radially relative to the central longitudinal axis 2. The securing element 18 is formed by deformation, specifically by upsetting the material. The securing element 18 co-operates with the second side 15 of the structural component 11. In the area of the securing element 18 the outer diameter of the joint housing 1 is larger than in the connection zone 5. By virtue of the co-operation of the stop element 6 and the securing element 18 a form-enclosing connection of the joint housing 1 to the structural component 11 is produced. At the same time additional security against working loose is provided. While the stop element 6 ensures that the joint housing 1 is secured in the insertion direction 13 in a form-enclosed manner, the securing element 18 ensures that the joint housing 1 is secured in the direction opposite to the insertion direction 13, again in a form-enclosed manner.

[0052] Alternatively to this sequence, after the joint housing 1 has been inserted into the through-hole 12 the securing element 18 is produced first, and only then are the joint housing 1 and the structural component 11 joined in the contact zone 17 by a materially-merging method. In this case, however, the difficulty may arise that the securing element 18 restricts access for the materially-merged connection. In that case it may be necessary to weld through the securing element 18, at least in part.

[0053] FIG. 3 shows an enlarged portion of the sectional side-view of the vehicle component 10 according to FIG. 2. In the contact zone 17 a materially-merged connection 19 is made. In this example embodiment the materially-merged connection 19 is in the form of a weld seam. Specifically, the materially-merged connection 19 is produced by laser welding. For this, starting from the second side 15 of the structural component 11 the materially-merged joint 19 is realized in the form of a weld seam made from one side in the contact zone 17. Starting from the second side 15, the materially-merged connection 19 extends toward the stop element 6 and into the latter. Thus, the whole of the contact zone 17 between the joint housing 1 and the structural component 11 is connected in the materially-merged manner. In detail, referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the connection zone 5 of the joint housing 1 is connected to the rim 16 of the through-hole 12 and the abutment surface 7 of the joint housing 1 to the first side 14 of the structural component 11 in a materially-merged manner, in particular by welding. Thus, a weld seam root 20 is located in the area of the stop element 6.

[0054] The housing rim 8, the holding groove section 9 and part of the first side 14 of the structural component 11 form a holding groove 21. The holding groove 21 serves to enable the fitting of a rim of a sealing bellows (not shown here).

[0055] FIG. 4 shows a sectional side-view of the vehicle component 10 according to FIGS. 2 and 3, with a joint 22. In this example embodiment the joint 22 is a ball joint. The joint 22 has an inner joint part 23. The inner joint part 23 has a bearing area 24. In this case the bearing area 24 is in the form of a joint ball. Moreover, the bearing area 24 is arranged inside the joint housing 1. The inner joint part 23 has a joint stud 25, which extends out of the housing opening 3. In this example embodiment the inner joint part 23 is in the form of a ball stud. Inside the joint housing 1 is arranged a joint shell or bearing shell 26. The bearing shell 26 is made of a plastic material. In this example embodiment the inner joint part 23 with its bearing area 24 has been snapped into the bearing shell 26. Then, the bearing shell 26 together with the inner joint part 23 has been inserted into the joint housing 1. Alternatively, the bearing shell 26 can be inserted into the joint housing first and the inner joint part 23 is then inserted into the joint housing 1, whereby the bearing area 24 is fitted into the bearing shell 26.

[0056] Once the inner joint part 23 has been inserted, the rim 8 of the housing has been deformed or rolled over to close the joint 22. In this case the housing rim 8 is bent inward toward the central longitudinal axis 2. In that way the bearing area 24 is held reliably in the joint housing 1.

[0057] Thereafter, a sealing bellows 27 is fitted over the inner joint part 23 and fixed onto the joint housing 1. Thus, the sealing bellows 27 extends between the joint housing 1 and the inner joint part 23, so that the housing opening 3 is covered. A rim 28 of the sealing bellows 27 on the joint housing side engages in the holding groove 21. In addition or alternatively, the rim 28 may comprise a locking ring (not shown here). Furthermore, the sealing bellows 27 is in seal-forming contact against a rim 29 on the side of the inner joint part 23. For this, the rim 29 can have a locking ring (not shown here).

[0058] FIG. 5 shows a perspective side-view of the vehicle component 10 according to the invention, shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. For greater clarity, the joint 22 with the inner joint part 23 and the sealing bellows 27 are omitted. According to this example embodiment, with the joint 22 and the inside part of the joint 23 and sealing bellows 27, the vehicle component 10 is in the form of a flange joint.

INDEXES

[0059] 1 Joint housing [0060] 2 Central longitudinal axis [0061] 3 Housing opening [0062] 4 Housing bottom [0063] 5 Connection zone [0064] 6 Stop element [0065] 7 Abutment surface [0066] 8 Housing rim [0067] 9 Holding groove section [0068] 10 Vehicle component [0069] 11 Structural component [0070] 12 Through-hole [0071] 13 Insertion direction [0072] 14 First side [0073] 15 Second side [0074] 16 Rim [0075] 17 Contact zone [0076] 18 Securing element [0077] 19 Materially-merged connection [0078] 20 Weld seam root [0079] 21 Holding groove [0080] 22 Joint [0081] 23 inner joint part [0082] 24 Bearing area [0083] 25 Joint stud [0084] 26 Bearing shell [0085] 27 Sealing bellows [0086] 28 Rim [0087] 29 Rim