CONNECTION BETWEEN TWO COMPONENTS WITH TOLERANCE COMPENSATION AND A CONNECTING METHOD THEREFOR

Abstract

A connection between at least a first component A and a second component B with an attachment arrangement with tolerance compensation between the first component A and the second component B. The entire connection is fixated via a blind rivet which is not nondestructively detachable while a compensating sleeve spans a distance between the first component A and the second component B.

Claims

1. A connection method for at least a first component A and a second component B by an attachment arrangement with tolerance compensation between the first component A and the second component B, which has the following steps: i. screwing in a compensating sleeve into a mating thread of a hole in the first component A, the outer thread of which is designed to fit the mating thread (Step 1), ii. inserting a blind rivet through a fastening opening in the second component B in an insertion direction into an interior through connection tube of the compensating sleeve until a rivet head of the blind rivet rests on the second component B opposite the compensating sleeve (Step 2), iii. turning the compensating sleeve in the mating thread in such a way that a distance between the first component A and the second component B is spanned (Step 3), iv. displacing a rivet mandrel of the blind rivet arranged in the through connection tube of the compensating sleeve so that a closing head of the blind rivet is formed adjacent to an end of the compensating sleeve facing away from the support collar and the second component B is fixated between the support collar and the set head of the blind rivet (Step 4).

2. The connection method according to claim 1, in which to span the distance T between the components A and B, the compensating sleeve is turned manually or by a tool or by the inserted blind rivet via a frictional and/or positive connection.

3. The connection method according to claim 1, with the further step of separating the rivet mandrel from the rivet mandrel head after the closing head has been formed (Step 5).

4. A connection method for at least a first component A and a second component B by an attachment arrangement with tolerance compensation between the first component A and the second component B, wherein the attachment arrangement has the following features: a compensating element similar to a sleeve, which: has, on a first axial end, a supporting end face with an entry opening into an interior tube and has, adjacent to a second axial end, an outer thread on a radial outer side or an inside thread on a radial inner side; a base element with a bearing face on a first axial base end facing away from the compensating element, which is connected with the second axial end of the compensating element via a frictional and/or positive connection on a second axial base end facing away from the bearing face, wherein the interior tube of the compensating element has a narrowing of its passage adjacent to the entry opening, which forms an axial undercut in the interior tube in the direction of the entry opening, and wherein the connection method has the following steps: i. placing (SI) the bearing face of the base element onto the first component A, ii. inserting (SIII) a tool or a blind rivet through the entry opening into the interior tube so that the tool or blind rivet is connected with the compensating element in a positive and/or frictional manner for transferring a rotation to the compensating element, iii. turning (SIV) the tool or the blind rivet and adjusting (SV) a length of the attachment arrangement to span a distance between the components A and B, iv. displacing (SVI) a rivet mandrel of the blind rivet arranged in the interior tube and forming a closing head of the blind rivet adjacent to the narrowing of the passage of the interior tube so that the second component B is fixated between the set head of the blind rivet and the supporting end face of the compensating element.

5. The connection method according to claim 4, with the further step of attaching (SII) the base element via the bearing face on the first component A by one of the following methods or a combination thereof: gluing, screwing, riveting, welding.

6. The connection method according to claim 4, with the further step of producing the positive connection between the narrowing of the passage and the tool or the rivet shaft to turn the compensating element.

7. The connection method according to claim 4, with the further step of producing the frictional connection between the narrowing of the passage and the tool or the rivet shaft to turn the compensating element.

8. The connection method according to claim 6, which also includes screwing a threaded shaft of the base element into an interior tube passing completely through the compensating element, which has the inside thread on a radial inner side adjacent to a second axial end.

9. The connection method according to claim 6, which also includes screwing a threaded sleeve with an inside thread onto the outer thread of the compensating element, which is arranged adjacent to the second end of the compensating element.

10. The connection method according to claim 4, in which the narrowing of the passage of the interior tube of the attachment arrangement provides a partial or complete circumferential radial bearing face on which a closing head of a blind rivet can be positively anchored in the direction of the entry opening.

11. The connection method according to claim 4, in which the narrowing of the passage of the attachment arrangement has an inner contour which is not rotationally symmetric, with which a rotation of a blind rivet or a tool is transferable to the compensating element.

12. The connection method according to claim 4, in which the narrowing of the passage of the attachment arrangement has an elastic radial inner side with which a frictional connection with a dragging element can be made.

13. The connection method according to claim 4, in which the interior tube of the attachment arrangement passes completely through the compensating element and includes the inside thread on the radial inner side adjacent to the second axial end.

14. The connection method according to claim 13, in which the base element of the attachment arrangement has a threaded bolt with a threaded shaft and a head, and an outer thread of the threaded shaft which forms the second axial base end is formed to fit the inside thread of the interior tube.

15. The connection method according to claim 14, in which the base element of the attachment arrangement is T-shaped in design and includes a plate-shaped head which extends radially beyond the threaded shaft and forms the bearing face facing away from the compensating element.

16. The connection method according to claim 4, in which the compensating element of the attachment arrangement has a cylindrical shaft with the interior tube on which the outer thread is provided adjacent to the second end of the compensating element on the radial outer side, and in which the interior tube is realized as a blind hole or as a through connection tube through the cylindrical shaft.

17. The connection method according to claim 16, in which the base element of the attachment arrangement includes a threaded sleeve with an inside thread which is designed to fit the outer thread of the compensating element.

18. The connection method according to claim 17, in which the base element of the attachment arrangement is T-shaped in design and has a plate-shaped support flange which extends radially on the end side from the threaded sleeve and forms the bearing face facing away from the compensating element.

19. The connection method according to claim 4, in which the compensating element of the attachment arrangement is T-shaped in design and has a radially extending support collar on the first axial end, which forms a bearing face facing away from the base element.

20. The connection method according to claim 4, wherein the attachment arrangement comprises an unset blind rivet with a rivet mandrel.

Description

5. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0054] The embodiments of the present disclosure are explained in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Showing:

[0055] FIG. 1 an embodiment of the connection between a first component and a second component having an attachment arrangement with tolerance compensation arranged between them,

[0056] FIG. 2 an embodiment of the connection between the first component and the second component with the attachment arrangement before the blind rivet for fixating the two components via the attachment arrangement has been placed and fixated,

[0057] FIG. 3 an embodiment of the compensating sleeve,

[0058] FIG. 4 a further embodiment of the compensating sleeve,

[0059] FIG. 5 an embodiment of the blind rivet,

[0060] FIG. 6 a further embodiment of the blind rivet,

[0061] FIG. 7 a further embodiment of the blind rivet,

[0062] FIG. 8 a further embodiment of the blind rivet,

[0063] FIG. 9 a flow diagram of the embodiment of the connection method,

[0064] FIG. 10 an embodiment of the attachment arrangement consisting of a sleeve-like compensating element in combination with a base element in the form of a threaded bolt with a head,

[0065] FIG. 11 a further embodiment of the attachment arrangement consisting of a sleeve-like compensating element in combination with a sleeve-like base element, which is screwed onto an outer thread of the compensating element, and

[0066] FIG. 12 a flow diagram of an embodiment of the connection method for the attachment arrangement according to FIGS. 10 and 11.

6. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0067] FIG. 1 shows a first component A and a second component B, which are securely connected to one another with an attachment arrangement with tolerance compensation between the components A, B. Tolerance compensation is understood to be the supportive spanning of a distance T between the two components A, B arranged opposite one another. During the production of the connection between the components A and B, the compensation of tolerance does not occur automatically. Instead, a bridging of the distance T between the components A, B is set selectively by means of a compensating sleeve 10 and afterward the connection is fixated.

[0068] The compensating sleeve 10 comprises a sleeve-like area 12 with an outer thread 14 and a through connection tube 16. A connection may be produced with the first component A via the outer thread 14. For this purpose, the outer thread 14 engages in a thread 32 which is provided in an opening 30 of the first component A.

[0069] According to a further embodiment, the opening 30 in the first component A comprises a radial inner wall with an inner thread fitting the outer thread 14. According to a further embodiment, a threaded sleeve 40 is situated in the opening 30. It may comprise a threaded shaft 42 on the radial inner side of which the thread 32 is provided. Moreover, the threaded sleeve 40 has a radial collar 44 in order to brace itself on the first component A. According to various design options, the threaded sleeve 40 is screwed into the opening 30 or pressed into it or glued into it or attached with a combination of the methods of attachment named.

[0070] Therefore, in order to produce a connection between the components A, B, the compensating sleeve 10 is screwed into the opening 30 with an inner thread or into the threaded sleeve 40 arranged in the opening 30 (Step S1 of the connection method). Then, the second component B may be arranged adjacent to the first component A. The compensating sleeve 10 is turned by means of the thread connection 14, 32 until the compensating sleeve 10 spans the distance T between the components A, B. Accordingly, the compensating sleeve 10 braces itself on the first component A via the thread connection 14, 32. An end of the compensating sleeve 10 facing toward component B braces itself on the second component B.

[0071] The end of the compensating sleeve 10 facing toward component B may be constituted by a support collar 18. The radial support collar 18 may rest on a side of the component B facing toward the compensating sleeve 10.

[0072] According to another embodiment, the compensating sleeve 10 is envisaged without a support collar. In this case, the sleeve-like area 12 is designed in a sufficiently stable manner so that it provides a supporting end face adjacent to the second component B. This end face then rests on component B in the same manner as the support collar 18 described above.

[0073] In order to compensate the distance T between the components A, B, the spacing sleeve 10 is screwed via its outer thread 14 into the thread 32 or out of it (Step S3).

[0074] According to various procedures, the compensating sleeve 10 is turned in the opening 30 of the first component A manually or with the aid of a tool and thus displaced axially.

[0075] According to a further embodiment, a blind rivet 50 is inserted first through a fastening opening 34 in component B in an insertion direction RE into the through connection tube 16 (Step S2). The blind rivet 50 may form a positive and/or frictional connection to the compensating sleeve 10. This connection enables turning the compensating sleeve 10 by turning the blind rivet 50, so that in this way too the axial position of the compensating sleeve 10 can be set with the reference to the first component A.

[0076] The blind rivet 50, 50, 50, 50 is shown in various embodiments in FIGS. 2 and 5-8. In all embodiments, it is comprised of a rivet mandrel 52 with a rivet mandrel head 54 and a rivet shaft 56 with a set head 58. In the set condition of the blind rivet 50, the rivet mandrel head 54 and an end of the rivet shaft 56 facing away from the set head 58 together form a closing head 60 (see FIG. 1, Step S4).

[0077] As already mentioned above, according to various embodiments the distance T between the components A, B is compensated or spanned by turning the blind rivet 50 in the compensating sleeve 10 (Step S3). For this purpose the through connection tube 16 may have a radial taper such that the compensating sleeve 10 forms a frictional connection with the rivet shaft 56 in the through connection tube 16. According to a further embodiment, the radial taper in the through connection tube 16 consists of an O-ring 70 which is arranged in a circumferential groove 72 (see FIG. 4). It may furthermore be preferable that the O-ring 70 is arranged adjacent to the support collar 18. It may also be preferred to position the O-ring 70 in another axial position in the through connection tube 16 as long as a frictional connection to the rivet shaft 56 can be produced at this axial position.

[0078] FIG. 3 shows an alternative embodiment for a radial taper of the through connection tube 16. In FIG. 3, the compensating sleeve 10 is screwed directly into the opening 30 of component A via the outer thread 14. The through connection tube 16 has a radially inward protruding bead 74 which can also be implemented as a circumferential web, a lip or a plurality of radial webs.

[0079] FIG. 2 shows a further embodiment of a dragging element 76. This is constituted by a plurality of axial webs. These axial webs are arranged at the end of the compensating sleeve 10, which is adjacent to the component B. Moreover, the axial webs are formed to be inclined or curved radially inward, so that they define a diameter which is formed smaller than the diameter of the through connection tube 16. Correspondingly, the rivet shaft 56 arranged between the axial webs and/or the rivet mandrel head 54 is held frictionally, so that the compensating sleeve 10 follows a turn of the blind rivet 50.

[0080] According to a further embodiment, which is shown in FIG. 6, the set head 58 has a drive means or propulsion agent 57. This propulsion agent 57 can be combined with all embodiments of the blind rivet 50. It is used for engagement of a tool with which the blind rivet 50 and, via the blind rivet 50, the compensating sleeve 10 are then turned and thus adjusted axially.

[0081] In this context, it may also be preferred to design a radial outer edge of the set head 58 as a propulsion agent. A propulsion agent may be a square or hexagon or another non-rotationally symmetric shape which is suited for the engagement of a tool.

[0082] According to a further embodiment, the rivet shaft 56 in FIG. 6 has a radial widening or expansion 61. This is envisaged as being radially springy or elastic inward. If one inserts the radially expanded or widened rivet shaft 56 into the through connection tube 16, the frictional connection to the compensating sleeve 10 is formed by the radial expansion 61. This frictional connection is able to be used only through the expansion 61 or through the expansion 61 in combination with the tapering of the through connection tube 16 discussed above.

[0083] The expansion 61 may be formed by an upsetting or compressing of the rivet shaft or by spring arms.

[0084] It may further be preferred that the turning together of the blind rivet 50 and compensating sleeve 10 take place via a positive connection between the through connection tube 16 and the rivet shaft 56, 56. The rivet shaft 56 may be formed with a polygonal cross-section, hexagonal, over its entire length or in a section 56. Correspondingly, the through connection tube 16 has a polygonal cross-section formed in a complementary manner to it. If the rivet shaft 56; 56 is inserted into the through connection tube 16, the geometries of the radial inner wall of the through connection tube 16 and the radial outer wall of the rivet shaft 56; 56, which are adapted to one another in a non-rotationally symmetric manner, form a positive connection security against rotation.

[0085] According to the embodiment in FIG. 7, a section 59 of the rivet shaft is formed in a hollow cylindrical manner, in order to support reshaping into the closing head 60 by the rivet mandrel head 54.

[0086] As soon as the compensating sleeve 10 has been set to fit and the distance between the components A, B is spanned, the rivet mandrel head 54 is axially displaced via the rivet mandrel 52. The closing head 60 is formed by this, and the components A, B are fixated to one another in a manner which is not nondestructively detachable (Step S4). In this connection, the component B is held between the set head 58 and the support collar 18 or in a supporting end face of the compensating sleeve 10. The component A is attached to the outer sleeve 10 via the thread connection.

[0087] Finally, the rivet mandrel 52 is separated from the rivet mandrel head 54 in a known manner (Step S5).

[0088] A further attachment arrangement 1, 1 is shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. The two components A, B are attached to one another by means of the attachment arrangement 1, 1. In this connection, the attachment arrangement 1, 1 spans the distance between the two components A, B. While a base element 150 is braced here on the first component A, a compensating element 110 is attached in the fastening opening 34 of the second component B in a manner which is not nondestructively detachable using a blind rivet 50. Since the base element 150 and the compensating element 110 are connected to one another in a frictional and/or positive manner, a distance between the components A, B can be spanned supportively by the combination of the compensating element 110 and the base element 150. Moreover, the frictional and/or positive connection between the compensating element 110 and the fastening element 150 enables the length of the attachment arrangement 1, 1 to be set to the distance between the two components A, B, as is explained below in more detail. This setting of the length of the attachment arrangement 1, 1 takes place in a non-automated manner during connection of the components A, B.

[0089] The compensating element 110; 110 is constructed in a manner similar to a sleeve, as can be seen based on the FIGS. 10 and 11. It comprises a cylindrical shaft 112 with a supporting end face 114 in the direction of the second component B. In an embodiment, the supporting end face corresponds only to the end face of the cylindrical shaft 112 (not shown) which faces toward the second component B. In the embodiment in FIGS. 10 and 11, the supporting end face 114 may be enlarged by a support collar 116 extending radially from the cylindrical shaft 112. Within the connection between the two components A, B, this braces itself on the second component B and relieves mechanical loads by doing so.

[0090] The cylindrical shaft 112 has an entry opening 118 in the end face 114 on its axial end facing toward the second component B. The entry opening 118 leads to an inner channel or interior tube 120 which may be arranged concentrically with respect to the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical shaft 112.

[0091] According to a first embodiment of the interior tube 120, this is formed as a through connection tube as can be seen in FIG. 10. This embodiment has the advantage that the compensating element 110; 110 can be formed as a threaded sleeve with an inner or inside thread 122 (see FIG. 10) and/or an outer thread 124 (see FIG. 11). A threaded bolt may be used as a base element 150 in combination with the inside thread 122. Here a threaded shaft 152 of the base element 150 is screwed into the inside thread 122 of the compensating element 110 while a head 154 of the threaded bolt is able to be braced on the first component A in a connection between two components A, B.

[0092] Of course, it may also be preferred to provide the interior tube 120a through connection tube in FIG. 10as two separate blind holes which extend from the opposingly arranged axial ends of the cylindrical shaft 112 (not shown). Since the two blind holes are not connected with one another, the interior tube 120 is not continuous. This avoids the passing of fluids or dirt through the interior tube 120, which supports the connection between the components A, B.

[0093] According to another embodiment, the cylindrical shaft 112 of the compensating element 110 is equipped with an outer thread 124 (see FIG. 11). The outer thread 124 may be used in combination with the base element 150, which has a threaded sleeve 156 with an inner or inside thread 158 (see FIG. 11).

[0094] According to a further embodiment of the threaded sleeve 156, this is equipped with an outer thread. The outer thread, like the threaded shaft 152, enables screwing in the threaded sleeve 156 into the interior tube 120 adjacent to the axial end of the cylindrical shaft 112 facing toward the base element 150. The threaded sleeve 156 has the advantage in general, and precisely with regard to the inside thread 158 used, that a larger thread diameter, for example compared to the threaded bolt 152, 154, ensures larger threaded surfaces for taking up and relieving mechanical stresses between the components A, B. It is also advantageous with reference to the space available between the components A, B to use the space-saving threaded bolt 152, 154 in place of the threaded sleeve 156.

[0095] The head 154 of the base element 150 has a bearing face 160 on its side facing toward the first component A. This rests on the first component A in a connection. The threaded sleeve 156 may comprise a plate-shaped support flange 162, which provides a bearing face on the first component A. Correspondingly, the base element 150 may be formed in a T-shape in the various embodiments. The same applies to the selected embodiments of the compensating element 110; 110.

[0096] The interior tube 120 may have a narrowing of the passage 121 adjacent to the entry opening 118. The narrowing of the passage 121 reduces the diameter of the interior tube 120 so that an undercut is formed in an axial direction of the interior tube 120. In this context, the interior tube 120 may be provided as a through connection tube or blind hole.

[0097] The narrowing of the passage 121 also may be a web or lip protruding radially inward into the interior tube 120. This radial web extends circumferentially or in sections from the radial inner wall of the interior tube 120. Correspondingly, the circumferential web or the individual sections arranged at regular intervals in the circumferential direction of the inner side of the interior tube form a bearing face which runs radially or approximately radially. This bearing face of the narrowing of the passage 121 constitutes an undercut in the axial direction of the interior tube 120.

[0098] A blind rivet 50 is used to fasten the attachment arrangement 1; 1 on the second component B with a component opening 34 as in the previously described embodiments. The blind rivet 50 is set in such a way that the closing head 60 forms adjacent to the narrowing of the passage 121 in the interior tube 120. Since the closing head 60 has an outer diameter which is larger than the free inner diameter of the narrowing of the passage 121, the closing head 60 is held on the narrowing of the passage 121 secured against pulling out. Correspondingly, the narrowing of the passage 121 forms an undercut in the axial direction for the closing head 60 of the blind rivet 50.

[0099] The closing head 60 of the blind rivet 50 may be fastened on the narrowing of the passage 121 in a positive manner in the interior tube 120. In addition to this, it may also be preferred that the closing head 60 be clamped in the interior tube 120 due to its radial expansion. This may lead to an additional friction-fit or frictional connection between the blind rivet 50 and the compensating element 110; 110.

[0100] In order to attach the two components A, B to one another via the attachment arrangement 1; 1, first the base element 150 with the bearing face 160 of the support flange 162 is placed on the first component A (SI). The fastening element 150 may be attached to the component A via the bearing face 160. According to various embodiments, the attachment takes place in step SII by gluing, welding, friction welding, riveting, screwing or by other known fastening options.

[0101] Since the components A, B to be connected to one another are arranged at a particular distance or with a certain tolerance with respect to one another, this distance must be spanned by the length of the attachment arrangement 1; 1. The distance is then spanned if the support flange 162 of the base element 150 are braced on the first component A and the support collar 116 of the compensating element 110; 110 is braced on the component B. According to the embodiments of the attachment arrangement 1; 1 described above, the compensating element 110; 110 and the base element 150 are coupled to one another via an adjustable thread connection.

[0102] To set the length of the attachment arrangement 1; 1, the compensating element 110; 110 is turned by means of a tool (not shown) or the rivet shaft 56 (Step SIV), which is inserted through the entry opening 118 into the interior tube 120 (Step SIII).

[0103] If the tool or the rivet shaft 56 is inserted into the interior tube 120, it passes the narrowing of the passage 121. The narrowing of the passage 121 may have a radial inner contour which is not rotationally symmetric in order to form a positive connection to the tool or rivet shaft. A contour which is not rotationally symmetric may be polygonal, oval, elliptical or similar in shape.

[0104] When a tool has the outer contour fitting to it, it also may be preferred to equip the rivet shaft 56 at least in sections with such a contour. This was already described with reference to the FIGS. 7 and 8.

[0105] According to a further embodiment, the narrowing of the passage 121 has an elastic area on a radial inner side. This elastic area may be ensured by a deformable profiling, an elastic coating and/or a radially deformable dimensioning of the narrowing of the passage 121. Correspondingly, a frictional connection between the tool/rivet shaft 56 and compensating element 110; 110 is formed with a tool (not shown) inserted into the interior tube 120 or a rivet shaft 56. The frictional connection enables transference of a rotation by the tool or rivet shaft 56 to the compensating element 110; 110 in the same manner as the positive connection described above.

[0106] As soon as the length of the attachment arrangement 1; 1 is set to the distance between the components A, B, the entry opening 118 is aligned with the opening 34 in the component B. For this the component B is arranged to fit with respect to the component or the attachment arrangement 1; 1 is positioned to fit between the already arranged components A, B.

[0107] In this context, it also may be preferred that the second component B is first arranged adjacent to the compensating element 110; 110 in order to subsequently set or adjust the length of the attachment arrangement 1; 1. The component opening 34 and entry opening 118 may be aligned with one another for this. After that the tool (not shown) or the rivet shaft 56 is inserted through the two openings 34, 118 in the narrowing of the passage 121 in order to set the length of the attachment arrangement 1; 1 to fit by means of turning.

[0108] If the rivet shaft 56 with a rivet mandrel 52 and rivet mandrel head 54 is not yet inserted into the interior tube 120 after length adjustment has taken place, the rivet shaft 56 is now inserted into the interior tube 120 through the component opening 34 and the narrowing of the passage 121 (Step SV). The length of the rivet shaft 56 is adapted in such a way that the rivet shaft 56 and the rivet mandrel head 54 extend past the narrowing of the passage 121 in the direction of the base element 150 in order to form a closing head 60.

[0109] Finally, the rivet mandrel 52 is displaced in an axial direction away from the base element in a known manner (Step SVI) and the closing head 60 is formed. Correspondingly, a positive and frictional connection may result between the component B, the blind rivet 50 and the compensating element 110; 110. This is because the set head 58 braces itself on the component B, and the component B and the compensating element 110; 110 are clamped between the set head 58 and closing head 60 via the narrowing of the passage 121.

[0110] This connection can only be detached or released if the blind rivet 50 is destroyed.