SELF-POSITIONING SCREW JOINT

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a vehicle component with a bearing bush system for mounting the vehicle component on a fastening portion of a vehicle. The vehicle component includes a bearing bush which has an internal thread, and a bearing bush receptacle which is configured to at least partially accommodate the bearing bush, wherein the bearing bush is configured to be at least partially shifted in the bearing bush receptacle by means of an interaction between the internal thread of the bearing bush and a bearing screw, in order to enter into engagement with the fastening portion. The disclosure furthermore relates to the use of the vehicle component, and to a method for the mounting of the vehicle component.

Claims

1. A vehicle component with a bearing bush system for mounting the vehicle component on a fastening portion of a vehicle, the vehicle component comprising: a bearing bush comprising an internal thread; and a bearing bush receptacle configured to at least partially accommodate the bearing bush, wherein the bearing bush is configured to be at least partially shifted in the bearing bush receptacle by an interaction between the internal thread of the bearing bush and a bearing screw, in order to enter into engagement with the fastening portion.

2. The vehicle component as claimed in claim 1, furthermore comprising a holding plate of the vehicle component, wherein the holding plate is designed such that the fastening portion is mounted between the bearing bush receptacle and the holding plate and, following the interaction with the internal thread of the bearing bush, the bearing screw at least partially extends through the holding plate.

3. The vehicle component as claimed in claim 2, wherein, following the interaction of the bearing screw with the internal thread of the bearing bush, the bearing bush at least partially extends through the holding plate.

4. The vehicle component as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bearing bush comprises at least one fixing portion and the bearing bush receptacle comprises at least one fixing surface, wherein, upon the interaction of the bearing screw with the internal thread of the bearing bush, the fixing portion enters into engagement with the at least one fixing surface in order to produce a rotational securing of the bearing bush within the bearing bush receptacle.

5. The vehicle component as claimed in claim 4, wherein the fixing portion is configured, upon the interaction of the bearing screw with the internal thread of the bearing bush, to enter into engagement with the at least one fixing surface by cutting or biting into same.

6. The vehicle component as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bearing bush receptacle has at least one holding element designed to hold the bearing bush in the bearing bush receptacle prior to the interaction of the bearing screw with the internal thread of the bearing bush, and wherein the at least one holding element is at least partially elastic.

7. The vehicle component as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bearing bush has at least one first stop surface, the normal vector of which runs substantially parallel to an axis of the bearing bush, and wherein the bearing bush receptacle has at least one positioning element which is configured, upon the interaction of the bearing screw with the internal thread of the bearing bush to at least partially contact the at least one first stop surface.

8. The vehicle component as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bearing bush comprises, at one end of the bearing bush, at least one second stop surface, the normal vector of which runs substantially parallel to an axis of the bearing bush, and wherein the at least one second stop surface is designed, upon the interaction of the bearing screw with the internal thread of the bearing bush, to at least partially contact a screw head of the bearing screw.

9. The vehicle component as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bearing bush is composed of at least one of a metal, a plastic, and a composite material.

10. The vehicle component as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bearing bush is formed integrally.

11. The vehicle component as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bearing bush system furthermore comprises a latching device configured to block a release of the bearing screw following the interaction of the bearing screw with the internal thread of the bearing bush.

12. A method for using a vehicle component with a bearing bush system for mounting the vehicle component on a fastening portion of a vehicle, the method comprising: providing the vehicle component, the vehicle component including a bearing bush including an internal thread and a bearing bush receptacle configured to at least partially accommodate the bearing bush, wherein the bearing bush is configured to be at least partially shifted in the bearing bush receptacle by an interaction between the internal thread of the bearing bush and a bearing screw, in order to enter into engagement with the fastening portion; and interacting the bearing screw with the internal thread of the bearing bush in the bearing bush receptacle to at least partially shift the bearing bush, resulting in the bearing bush at least partially entering into engagement with the fastening portion.

13. A method for mounting a vehicle component with a bearing bush system on a fastening portion of a vehicle, the method comprising: providing a bearing bush having an internal thread; and accommodating the bearing bush in a bearing bush receptacle of the vehicle component; and interacting a bearing screw with the internal thread of the bearing bush in the bearing bush receptacle to at least partially shift the bearing bush, resulting in the bearing bush at least partially entering into engagement with the fastening portion.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] Aspects of the disclosure are described in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments which are illustrated in figures, in which:

[0035] FIG. 1A shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the bearing bush;

[0036] FIG. 1B shows a cross-section view of the bearing bush from FIG. 1A;

[0037] FIG. 2A shows a cross-sectional view of the vehicle component with a bearing bush receptacle;

[0038] FIG. 2B shows a perspective view of the vehicle component from FIG. 2A along the axis of the bearing bush receptacle;

[0039] FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a vehicle component in an unmounted operating state; and

[0040] FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the vehicle component from FIG. 3 in a mounted operating state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] FIG. 1A shows a perspective view of a bearing bush 10 according to one embodiment. The bearing bush 10 is of substantially cylinder-shape design and includes a bore which runs through the bearing bush 10 and is provided with an internal thread 11. The bore of the bearing bush 10 can alternatively be provided without or at least only partially with an internal thread 11. At least the inner surface of the bore can be formed here from a softer material than the complementary bearing screw 40 (see FIG. 3 et seq.), and therefore, as the bearing screw 40 is screwed into the bore of the bearing bush 10, said bearing screw bites or cuts into the inner surface of the bore of the bearing bush 10.

[0042] The bearing bush 10 furthermore has an encircling fixing portion 12 which protrudes in relation to the rest of the bearing bush 10 radially with respect to an axis A1 of the bearing bush 10. The fixing portion 12 is formed here with a multiplicity of wedges or wedge-shaped projections 12A which extend along the fixing portion 12 parallel to the axis A1 of the bearing bush 10. The wedges 12A are configured in particular to at least partially bite into a complementary fixing surface 22 of a bearing bush receptacle 21 (see FIG. 2 et seq.). The bearing bush 10 furthermore has a first stop surface 13, the normal vector of which may extend substantially along the axis A1 of the bearing bush 10, and wherein the first stop surface 13 encircles the bearing bush 10. In the embodiment shown, the fixing portion 12 is adjacent to the first stop surface 13. In order to simplify cutting in or biting in of the wedges 12A of the fixing portion 12, at the boundary with the first stop surface 13 at least one of the wedges 12A can have an angled surface, the normal vector of which forms an acute angle with the normal vector of the first stop surface 13. In a further embodiment, the normal vector of the first stop surface 13 can form an acute angle with the axis A1 of the bearing bush 10.

[0043] FIG. 1A furthermore shows a second stop surface 14 of the bearing bush 10, which stop surface is formed at one end of the bearing bush 10 and has a normal vector which may extend substantially parallel to the axis A1 of the bearing bush 10. The second stop surface 14 is adjacent to a guide region, in particular in the form of an oblique wall 15 which at least partially is designed in the manner of a cone or in a tapering manner and separates the second stop surface 14 from the internal thread 11. Such an oblique wall 15 in the manner of a cone permits a more rapid and secure introduction of a complementary bearing screw 40 into the internal thread 11.

[0044] FIG. 1B shows a cross-sectional view of the bearing bush 10 from FIG. 1A, wherein in particular the profile of the axis A1 of the bearing bush 10 is shown by way of illustration. FIG. 1B furthermore shows that the bearing bush 10 in particular has at least mirror symmetry with respect to a plane which runs through the axis A1 of the bearing bush 10. An installation process can be simplified by such a design of the bearing bush 10 since a precise alignment of the bearing bush 10 during the introduction of the bearing bush 10 into the bearing bush receptacle 21 can thereby be avoided. The bearing bush 10 can therefore be introduced, in particular even without site contact, into the bearing bush receptacle 21.

[0045] FIG. 2A shows a cross-sectional view of a vehicle component 20 with a bearing bush receptacle 21 according to one embodiment. In this illustrative example, the vehicle component 20 is configured as a radiator element, and can be formed from a plastic or composite material. However, any other vehicle component is also conceivable. The vehicle component 20 has a bearing bush receptacle 21 which extends through the vehicle component 20. The bearing bush receptacle 21 is designed here substantially cylindrically, and in particular is configured so as to accommodate a bearing bush 10. For this purpose, the bearing bush receptacle 21 has fixing surfaces 22 which protrude inward with a thickness D into the bearing bush receptacle 21 radially with respect to an axis A2 of the bearing bush receptacle 21. The bearing bush receptacle 21 has a multiplicity of (e.g. three) fixing surfaces 22 which are arranged at substantially identical distances in an encircling direction. While such a substantially symmetrical arrangement of the fixing surfaces 22 is not necessary with regard to the function thereof, a symmetrical arrangement can assist good centering of the bearing bush 10 in the bearing bush receptacle 21. The fixing surfaces 22 are designed in particular to enter into engagement with the fixing portion 12 of the bearing bush 10 by said fixing portion cutting or biting into the fixing surfaces 22. To assist the cutting-in or biting process, the fixing surfaces 22 can each have an angled guide portion 23, wherein a normal vector of the fixing surfaces 22 forms an acute angle with a normal vector of the respective guide portion 23.

[0046] The bearing bush receptacle 21 furthermore has one or more positioning elements 24 which are designed to enter into contact with the first stop surface 13 in a mounted operating state. The positioning elements 24 are designed here in particular as blocks which protrude inward in the radial direction with respect to the axis A2 of the bearing bush receptacle 21. For this purpose, the positioning elements 24 are arranged at a first opening of the bearing bush receptacle 21, which opening is adjacent to the fastening portion 30 in a mounted operating state (see FIG. 3 et seq.). However, the positioning elements 24 can be arranged at any position within the bearing bush receptacle 21. In the embodiment shown, the positioning elements 24 are substantially directly adjacent to the fixing surfaces 22. In further embodiments, however, arrangements are also possible in which the positioning elements 24 and the fixing surfaces 22 are not directly adjacent to one another and/or are arranged displaced relative to one another in the encircling direction. The arrangement shown can be produced in particular in a simple manner. In the embodiment shown, the number of positioning elements 24 is equal to the number of fixing surfaces 22, wherein different numbers are also possible.

[0047] The bearing bush receptacle 21 furthermore has one or more holding elements 25 which are configured to hold the bearing bush 10 in the bearing bush receptacle 21. For this purpose, the holding elements 25 are arranged at an opening of the bearing bush receptacle 21, which opening lies opposite the first opening at which the one or more positioning elements 24 are formed. The holding elements 25 are designed here in particular as wedges or blocks protruding inward in the radial direction with respect to the axis A2 of the bearing bush receptacle 21. In the embodiment shown, three holding elements 25 are formed in the bearing bush receptacle 21, with, however, also fewer or more holding elements 25 being possible. The holding elements 25 can be arranged here in a predetermined relationship to the fixing surfaces 22 or as desired in the encircling direction.

[0048] The vehicle component 20 furthermore has a fastening portion receptacle 26 which is formed at the first opening of the bearing bush receptacle 21 and is configured to receive or enter into contact with the fastening portion 30 of a vehicle (see FIG. 3 et seq.).

[0049] The vehicle component 20 furthermore includes a holding plate 27 which is arranged substantially opposite the bearing bush receptacle 21 with respect to the fastening portion receptacle 26. The holding plate 27 here is in particular part of the vehicle component 20 or is fixedly connected thereto, and can be composed of the same material as the vehicle component 20. The holding plate 27 furthermore includes at least one holding plate opening 28 which is centered with respect to the axis A2 of the bearing bush receptacle 21 and extends through the holding plate 27. The holding plate opening 28 is configured to guide the bearing screw 40 (see FIG. 3 et seq.) and/or can at least partially accommodate the bearing bush 10 in the mounted operating state.

[0050] Alternatively, however, the holding plate 27 can also be designed as a separate component which, after the fastening portion 30 has been accommodated in the fastening portion receptacle 26, is connected to the vehicle component 20, for example by adhesive bonding, clamping and/or screwing, such that the fastening portion 30 is mounted between the bearing bush receptacle 21 and the holding plate 27. By this means, greater flexibility and movement clearance can be ensured for the installation of the vehicle component 20.

[0051] FIG. 2B shows a perspective view of the vehicle component 20 from FIG. 2A from a viewing direction along the axis A2 of the bearing bush receptacle 21. The arrangement of the holding elements 25 and of the positioning elements 24 in the bearing bush receptacle 21 is emphasized here. Positioning elements 24 and holding elements 25 are in particular in each case formed at equal distances from one another in the bearing bush receptacle 21. In the embodiment shown, the positioning elements 24 and holding elements 25 are furthermore designed in such a manner that there is in particular no overlap between positioning elements 24 and holding elements 25 along the viewing direction. By this means, a process for manufacturing the vehicle component 20, and in particular of the bearing bush receptacle 21, is simplified.

[0052] FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of a vehicle component 20 in an unmounted operating state according to one embodiment. The bearing bush 10 is illustrated here as being accommodated in the bearing bush receptacle 21, wherein the axis A1 of the bearing bush 10 and the axis A2 of the bearing bush receptacle 21 are identical in this unmounted operating state, or form the axis A of the bearing bush system. The bearing bush 10 is in particular completely accommodated in the bearing bush receptacle 21 and is held in the bearing bush receptacle 21 by the holding elements 25. In this unmounted operating state, the fixing portion 12 of the bearing bush 10 has not yet entered into engagement with the fixing surfaces 22. The positioning elements 24 are configured to lie substantially from the outside against the bearing bush 10 in the radial direction with respect to the axis A of the bearing bush system. The bearing bush 10 can therefore be precisely guided in the bearing bush receptacle 21 during the interaction between internal thread 11 and bearing screw 40, and a possible tilting of the bearing bush 10 can be prevented.

[0053] FIG. 3 furthermore shows a fastening portion 30 of the vehicle, to which fastening portion the vehicle component 20 is intended to be fastened. In this embodiment, the fastening portion 30 is designed substantially in the manner of a plate, for example as a body sheet, and is accommodated in the fastening portion receptacle 26 of the vehicle component 20 between the bearing bush receptacle 21 and the holding plate 27. The fastening portion 30 here has at least one fastening hole 31 which is configured to at least partially accommodate the bearing screw 40. The fastening portion 30 and the fastening hole 31 are designed here in such a manner that the fastening portion 30 enters at least partially into contact with the positioning elements 24 in the unmounted state. Or, the fastening portion 30 and the fastening hole 31 are designed here in such a manner that a largest inner radius of the bearing bush receptacle 21 is larger than a largest inner radius of the fastening hole 31. Furthermore, the fastening hole 31 is designed to at least partially accommodate the bearing bush 10 in a mounted operating state.

[0054] FIG. 3 furthermore shows the bearing screw 40 which is illustrated suspended over the bearing bush system. A screw head 41 of the bearing screw 40 is configured here such that a radius or an outer circumference of the screw head 41 is larger than a radius or an inner circumference of the holding plate opening 28. By this means, in a mounted operating state, the screw head 41 and the holding plate 27 can enter into contact in such a manner that the interaction between bearing screw 40 and internal thread 11 shifts the bearing bush 10 within the bearing bush receptacle 21. Furthermore, a substantially uniform contact between screw head 41 and holding plate 27 can make it possible to seal the bearing bush system to the outside and therefore to protect same from penetration of in particular liquid.

[0055] The bearing bush 10, the bearing bush receptacle 21, the holding plate opening 28, the fastening hole 31 and the bearing screw 40 are illustrated together in a manner substantially centered along the axis A of the bearing bush system.

[0056] FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the vehicle component 20 from FIG. 3 in a mounted operating state. In the mounted operating state, the bearing screw 40 is at least partially screwed into the internal thread 11 of the bearing bush 10. By means of this interaction between bearing screw 40 and internal thread 11, the bearing bush 10 has been shifted within the bearing bush receptacle 21, as a result of which the fixing portion 12 has entered into engagement with the fixing surfaces 22, in particular by the fixing portion 12 cutting or biting into the fixing surfaces 22. Alternatively, the fixing portion 12 can also enter into engagement with the fixing surfaces 22 in particular by the fixing surfaces 22 cutting or biting into the fixing portion 12. By means of the fixing surfaces 22 and the fixing portion 12 entering into engagement, a rotational movement of the bearing bush 10 within the bearing bush receptacle 21 during the interaction between bearing screw 40 and internal thread 11 and in the mounted operating state is prevented or blocked. This in particular simplifies the mounting of the vehicle component 20 on the fastening portion 30 since tightening of bearing bush 10 and bearing screw 40 on both sides is not necessary, and instead tightening of the bearing screw 40 on one side is sufficient for the mounting.

[0057] FIGS. 3 and 4 furthermore show by way of illustration a method for the mounting of a vehicle component 20 with a bearing bush system on a fastening portion 30 of a vehicle. In particular, a bearing bush 10 is provided which has an internal thread 11. The bearing bush 10 is accommodated in the bearing bush receptacle 21 of the vehicle component 20, wherein here the bearing bush 10 is in particular at least partially inserted into the bearing bush receptacle 21 until the holding elements 25 latch to or enter into engagement with the bearing bush 10 and hold same in the bearing bush receptacle. By this means, in particular falling of the bearing bush 10 out of the bearing bush receptacle 21 is prevented or blocked. An interaction or screwing of the bearing screw 40 with or into the internal thread 11 of the bearing bush 10, which is accommodated in the bearing bush receptacle 21, brings about an at least partial shifting of the bearing bush 10 along the axis A1 of the bearing bush 10. By this means, the bearing bush 10 at least partially enters into engagement with the fastening portion 30 or with the fastening portion 30 and the holding plate 27, as a result of which the vehicle component 20 is fastened to or mounted on the fastening portion 30 of the vehicle.

[0058] In the embodiment illustrated, the first stop surfaces 13 of the bearing bush 10 are at least partially in contact with the positioning element 24. By this means, the positioning elements 24 can be pressed against the fastening portion 30 by the shifted bearing bush 10, as a result of which secure mounting of the vehicle component 20 is ensured.

[0059] There is a first clearance between the bearing bush 10 and the fastening portion 30, the first clearance, however, may have a width of not more than approximately 2 mm, more particularly of not more than approximately 1 mm, most particularly of a maximum of approximately 0.2 mm. By this means, in particular wear of the fastening portion 30 during operation of the vehicle can be reduced. Furthermore, there is a second clearance between the second stop surface 14 and the screw head 41 of the bearing screw 10. By this means, it is possible to firmly tighten the bearing screw 40 and therefore to clamp the fastening portion 30 between the positioning elements 24 and the holding plate 27 or the screw head 41. The second clearance may have a width of no more than approximately 2 mm, more particularly of no more than approximately 1 mm, most particularly of a maximum of approximately 0.2 mm. In this connection, the second stop surface 14 also serves in particular as a protection device against overtensioning of the bearing screw 40, which could damage the bearing bush system, since the second stop surface 14 blocks further screwing in of the bearing screw 40 as soon as the second stop surface 14 enters into contact with the screw head 41.

[0060] Furthermore, it is possible to seal off the bearing bush system to the outside in a liquid or dust-tight manner. For this purpose, sealing means could be provided, for example between screw head 41 and holding plate 27 and/or between the first stop surface 13 and the positioning elements 24, which sealing means can be of encircling design for this purpose, and/or a liquid or dust-tight thread could be used.

[0061] The aspects mentioned above are, however, not only limited to the embodiments described in the above paragraphs and in the figures, but rather can each have any combination of the features described.