FASTENING MODULE, METHOD FOR PRODUCING A FASTENING MODULE, AND METHOD FOR CONNECTING TWO COMPONENTS TO A FASTENING MODULE

Abstract

A fastening module, in particular for connecting two components, is provided. The module includes a housing device that defines a receiving space, a nut device that is arranged so as to be displaceable in the receiving space, and a screw device that is connected to the housing device in such a way that the fastening module is a pre-assembled module.

Claims

1. A fastening module, for connecting two components, comprising a housing device, which defines a receiving space, a nut device arranged so as to be displaceable in the receiving space, and a screw device connected to the housing device in such a way that the fastening module is a pre-assembled assembly.

2. The fastening module according to claim 1, wherein the connection between the screw device and the housing device is configured as a sliding mounting, wherein a screw head of the screw device is rotatably mounted and received in a screw head receiving region of the housing device, and wherein the screw device is fixedly placed in the axial direction by the mounting of the screw head in the screw head receiving region.

3. The fastening module according to claim 1, wherein a slope of an external thread of the screw device and a slope of an internal thread of the nut device at least slightly differ from one another, such that a self-inhibition between the threads is present upon transfer of a torque from the screw device to the nut device.

4. The fastening module according to claim 1, wherein the nut device comprises at least two retaining elements extending radially outward, wherein two plate-shaped components can be fixed between the retaining elements and the screw head receiving region in a final assembly position.

5. The fastening module according to claim 1, wherein the housing device is configured to be approximately rectangular in cross-section and comprises a bottom wall, which is connected to the screw head receiving region via two struts that are diametrically opposed to one another, wherein, in the region of the bottom wall, a pre-assembly receiving region for receiving the retaining elements is provided in a pre-assembly position, which is configured in such a way that, when a torque is applied to the screw device, the nut device is axially displaceable in the pre-assembly receiving region, wherein, after a predetermined displacement in the axial direction, the nut device is rotatable in the axial direction into an assembly region of the receiving space and the nut device is axially displaceable in the assembly region until a final assembly position is achieved.

6. The fastening module (1) according to claim 2, wherein the screw head receiving region in the region of the screw head comprises a radially circumferential groove with a semi-circular cross-section, wherein a radial outer edge of the screw head rotatably mounted therein is configured correspondingly.

7. The fastening module according to claim 5, wherein the pre-assembly receiving region is configured on one side of the housing device in the region of the receiving space, and the assembly region is configured on a side of the receiving space adjacent to the former side.

8. A method for producing a fastening module according to claim 1, comprising the following steps: producing the housing device, by injection molding, producing the nut device, by injection molding, producing the screw device, by injection molding, introducing the nut device into a receiving region of the housing device, and screwing the screw device into the nut device until a screw head of the screw device is rotatably received in a screw head receiving region of the housing device in such a way that a connection between the screw device and the housing device forms a sliding mounting, wherein the screw head is fixedly placed in the axial direction in the screw head receiving region.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that the method is carried out at least partially in a production plant.

10. A method for connecting two components to a fastening module according to claim 1, comprising the following steps: inserting a tool into a drive of the screw device of the fastening module, inserting the housing device of the fastening module, into two passages of two components to be connected, said openings being arranged in alignment with one another, applying a torque to a screw head of the screw device in such a way that the screw head is set into a rotational movement and remains fixed in an axial direction in a screw head receiving region of the housing device, wherein a nut device of the fastening module is first displaced in the axial direction and then transferred from a pre-assembly position into an assembly position by a rotational movement about a longitudinal screw axis, wherein the nut device in the assembly position is then moved in the axial direction until a final assembly position is achieved, in which at least one retaining element of the nut device fixes the two components to be connected between the screw head receiving region of the housing device and the retaining element.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0049] The invention will be described in more detail in the following on the basis of an exemplary embodiment shown in the figures. The figures show:

[0050] FIG. 1 a perspective view of a fastening module with a nut device in a pre-assembly position,

[0051] FIG. 2 a perspective view of the fastening module with the nut device upon transfer from a pre-assembly position into an assembly position,

[0052] FIG. 3 a perspective view of the fastening module with the nut device in an assembly position,

[0053] FIG. 4 a perspective view of the fastening module, two components to be connected to one another, and the nut device in a final assembly position,

[0054] FIG. 5 a further perspective view of the fastening module,

[0055] FIG. 6 a side-cut view of the fastening module,

[0056] FIG. 7 a further perspective view of the fastening module,

[0057] FIG. 8 a partially cut detail view of the fastening module,

[0058] FIG. 9 a further perspective view of the fastening module,

[0059] FIG. 10 a further perspective view of the fastening module,

[0060] FIG. 11 a further perspective view of the fastening module, and

[0061] FIG. 12 a further perspective view of the fastening module with two components connecting to each other in a final assembly position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0062] A fastening module 1 according to the invention comprises a housing device 2, a nut device 3, and a screw device 4 connected to the housing device (FIGS. 1 to 12).

[0063] The housing device 2 is configured to be approximately rectangular in cross-section. Furthermore, the housing device 2 defines a receiving space 5.

[0064] The housing device 2 comprises a bottom wall 6 with a first screw passage 7.

[0065] The bottom wall 6 is connected to a screw head receiving region 9 via two struts 8, which extend in the axial direction, are arranged in diametrical opposition to one another, and are integrally formed at corner edges of the bottom wall 6.

[0066] The housing device 2 comprises four side walls 10.

[0067] In two opposing side walls 10, a passage is provided in the region of the bottom wall, which respectively forms a pre-assembly receiving region 11.

[0068] In the two other side walls 10, which are arranged adjacent to the side walls 10 in which the pre-assembly receiving regions 11 are formed, an approximately rectangular passage is provided, which forms an assembly region 12.

[0069] The assembly region 12 extends approximately from the bottom wall 6 in the axial direction 20 until the screw head receiving region 9.

[0070] The pre-assembly receiving region 11 is connected to the assembly region 12 in such a way that an approximately L-shaped opening is formed in the side walls 10 of the housing device 2.

[0071] In the region in which the pre-assembly receiving region 11 is connected to the assembly region 12, a shoulder 13 extending in the axial direction is provided, which forms a first stop 13. The first stop extends in the axial direction 20 over a length of approximately 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm, and preferably of approximately 0.7 mm.

[0072] A second stop 14 extending in the axial direction is provided at a corner edge defining the assembly region 12, said second stop extending until the screw head receiving region 9.

[0073] The screw head receiving region 9 has an approximately circular disk shape and comprises a second screw passage 15, which opens into the receiving space 5.

[0074] The circular disk-shaped region of the screw head receiving region 9 is referred to as the axial stop 16. A mounting wall 17 extending in the axial direction is integrally formed in a radially circumferential manner on the circular disk-shaped axial stop 16. The mounting wall 17 is preferably configured to be semi-circular in cross-section, so that a groove is provided.

[0075] The nut device 3 is received and mounted in the receiving space 5. The nut device 3 is approximately circular in shape and is equipped with an internal thread 18.

[0076] Furthermore, two retaining elements 19 extending radially outward are integrally formed on the nut device. The retaining elements have retaining surfaces 21, which extend transversely or orthogonally to the axial direction 20.

[0077] The screw device 4 comprises a screw head 22 and a screw shank 23. An external thread 24 is formed on the screw shank.

[0078] The screw head 22 comprises a circular disk-shaped mounting section 25 via which the screw head 22 or the screw device 4 is received in the axial stop 16 and the mounting wall 17 of the pre-assembly receiving region 11 and rotatably mounted about a longitudinal axis 26. By mounting the screw head 22 in the screw head receiving region 9, the screw device 4 is fixed axially in place in the housing device 2.

[0079] At the circular disk-shaped mounting section 25, a drive 27 extending in the axial direction is integrally formed. The drive can be configured as a Torx drive, Allen drive, outer hex drive, Phillips drive, or cross drive.

[0080] The cylindrical drive 27 is connected to the mounting section 25 via stiffening struts 28.

[0081] In a pre-assembly position 29, the retaining elements 19 are arranged in the pre-assembly receiving region 11. In the pre-assembly position, the retaining elements 19 are approximately flush with the corresponding sidewall 10 in which the pre-assembly receiving region 11 is formed.

[0082] In an assembly position 30, the retaining elements 19 are arranged in the assembly regions 12, wherein their retaining surfaces 21 extend outwardly in a radial direction beyond the corresponding side wall 10 in which the assembly region 12 is formed.

[0083] In a final assembly position 31, the retaining elements 19 are arranged with the corresponding retaining surfaces 21 in the region of the screw head receiving region 9 of the housing device 2 in order to fix two components 32, 33 to be connected to one another and thus in order to connect them to one another.

[0084] In the following, a method for producing a fastening module as described above will be briefly described. This method includes the following steps:

[0085] producing a housing device, preferably by injection molding,

[0086] producing a nut device, preferably by injection molding,

[0087] producing a screw device, preferably by injection molding,

[0088] introducing the nut device into a receiving region of the housing device, and

[0089] screwing the screw device into the nut device until a screw head of the screw device is rotatably received in a screw head receiving region of the housing device in such a way that a connection between the screw device and the housing device forms a sliding bearing, wherein the screw head is fixedly placed in the axial direction in the screw head receiving region.

[0090] Here, a sequence of the production steps plays a subordinate role.

[0091] The method is preferably carried out at least partially and preferably entirely in a production plant.

[0092] It is provided in this case that the screw device is screwed into the nut in the axial direction to a defined extent or to a predetermined length or predetermined angle of rotation. Then, the screw device and the nut device are inserted or stuck together from above or via the first screw passage in the axial direction into the housing device until a screw jack in the screw head receiving region of the housing device clicks into place.

[0093] The screw device is then rotated counterclockwise so that the nut device rotates 90° and touches a stop surface. The screw device is then continuously rotated to a defined extent or a predetermined length or a predetermined angle of rotation until a final pre-assembly position of the nut device is achieved and the nut device is arranged or retained in a pre assembly receiving region.

[0094] The pre-assembly process is now complete, and the component is operational and, for example, can be sent as a module to a customer without changing a relative position of the individual components.

[0095] Furthermore, according to the present invention, a method for connecting two components to a fastening module as described above is provided. This method includes the following steps:

[0096] preferably, inserting a tool into a drive of a screw device of the fastening module,

[0097] inserting the fastening module, in particular a housing device of the fastening module, into two through-openings of two components to be connected, said openings being arranged in alignment with one another,

[0098] applying a torque to a screw head of the screw device in such a way that the screw head is set into a rotational movement and remains fixed in an axial direction in a screw head receiving region of the housing device, wherein a nut device of the fastening module is first displaced in the axial direction and then transferred from a pre-assembly position into an assembly position by a rotational movement about a longitudinal screw axis, wherein the nut device in the assembly position is then moved in the axial direction until a final assembly position is achieved, in which at least one retaining element of the nut device fixes the two components to be connected between the screw head receiving region of the housing device and the retaining element.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0099] 1 Fastening assembly

[0100] 2 Housing device

[0101] 3 Nut device

[0102] 4 Screw device

[0103] 5 Receiving space

[0104] 6 Bottom wall

[0105] 7 First screw through-passage

[0106] 8 Struts

[0107] 9 Screw head receiving region

[0108] 10 Side wall

[0109] 11 Pre-assembly receiving region

[0110] 12 Assembly region

[0111] 13 First stop

[0112] 14 Second stop

[0113] 15 Second screw through-passage

[0114] 16 Axial stop

[0115] 17 Mounting wall

[0116] 18 Internal thread

[0117] 19 Retaining elements

[0118] 20 Axial direction

[0119] 21 Retaining surface

[0120] 22 Screw head

[0121] 23 Screw shank

[0122] 24 External thread

[0123] 25 Mounting section

[0124] 26 Longitudinal axis

[0125] 27 Drive

[0126] 28 Stiffening struts

[0127] 29 Pre-assembly position

[0128] 30 Assembly position

[0129] 31 Final assembly position

[0130] 32 First component

[0131] 33 Second component

[0132] 34 Assembly direction