Device for compensating for tolerances

Abstract

Device (10) for compensating tolerances between a first component (18) and a second component (20), comprising a base element (12) defining a longitudinal center axis (A), a compensating element (14) threaded in engagement with the base element (12), and a retaining element (16) rigidly connected to the base element (12) for holding the device (10) on the first component (18), wherein the retaining element (16) comprises a base body (22), characterized in that the base body (22) defines a frame (50) in the circumferential direction with a pair of opposing frame walls (52), wherein each frame wall (52) is associated with a support wall (24) spaced apart from it, which, in the state of the device (10) being held on the first component (18), has an upper edge (28) facing away from the second component (20) and comprises a deflection section (32),which can be deflected against a restoring force along a deflection curve (B) that is not oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal center axis (A).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for compensating tolerances between a first component and a second component, comprising a base element which defines a longitudinal central axis, a compensating element which is in threaded engagement with the base element and a holding element which is fixedly connected to the base element for holding the device on the first component, wherein the holding element comprises a base body.

[0002] A device of this type is generally known, for example from DE 10 2012 221 228 A1, and is used in the automotive sector, for example when mounting a railing on the roof of a vehicle. The device specifically serves to compensate for tolerances in the distance between a roof panel of the motor vehicle (first component) and an underlying support structure (second component) in the direction of the longitudinal center axis. For this purpose, the device is clipped into a recess provided in the roof panel using its holding element and the compensating element is rotated out of the base element until it rests downwards on the underlying support structure and clips of the holding element that engage below the roof panel rest upwards on the roof panel. A section of the base element projects upwards above the roof panel and forms a contact surface for the railing to be mounted.

[0003] Further devices for compensating tolerances are disclosed, for example, in EP 2 376 791 B1, EP 1 297 265 B1, DE 33 04 569 C1, DE 10 2012 007 996 A1 or EP 2 003 346 A2.

[0004] To ensure the device can be easily clipped into the recess in the roof skin, the clips of the retaining element are designed to be relatively soft. However, this is problematic in that the clips can easily deform if the compensating element, which is already engaged with the support structure, is further unscrewed from the base element. This can happen at high torques, which can occur particularly when unscrewing the compensating element using a tool specifically designed for this purpose.Such undesirable deformation of the clips results in the base element projecting an undefined distance above the roof panel, which in turn means that the railing, which is usually fixed to the roof by means of several devices, has an uneven gap to the roof panel over its length, which not only impairs the external appearance but also the function of a seal arranged between the railing and the roof panel.

[0005] An object of the invention is to provide a device which can be mounted with little effort and, in the mounted state, ensures a defined projection of the base element over the first component on a side facing away from the second component.

[0006] The object is achieved by the features of claim 1 and in particular in that a support wall is formed on the base body, which, when the device is held on the first component, has an upper edge facing away from the second component and which comprises a deflection section which can be deflected against a restoring force along a bending line which is not oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal central axis.

[0007] The invention is based on the general idea of ​​transferring a force exerted on the base element and the holding element in the assembled state of the device by supporting the compensating element on the second component to the first component via a support wall formed on the base element, which forms a deflection section that can be deflected along a bending line that is not oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal center axis and preferably runs diagonally through the support wall. Due to the bending line not being perpendicular to the longitudinal center axis, the deflection section can be deflected with comparatively little force in a direction transverse to the longitudinal center axis required for mounting the device in the recess of the first component and can be clipped into the first component.At the same time, the supporting wall exhibits greater stability in the direction of the longitudinal center axis and can thus transmit greater forces in this direction without undesirable deformation. As a result, the base element of the device, which is held on the first component and supported on the second component, always protrudes beyond the first component by a defined amount on the side facing away from the second component. Thus, by using several devices according to the invention, a railing with a constant gap along its length can be easily mounted on the roof of a motor vehicle.

[0008] Advantageous embodiments of the invention can be found in the dependent claims, the description and the drawings.

[0009] The base element, the compensating element, and the retaining element can be made of a plastic, such as polyoxymethylene. However, it is also conceivable to manufacture the base element and the compensating element, in particular, from a metal material.

[0010] The base element and the retaining element are preferably firmly connected to each other in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner, for example, by pressing. However, it is also conceivable to connect the base element and the retaining element by means of a material bond, for example, by gluing. Furthermore, it is also possible, in principle, to form the base element and the retaining element as a single piece.

[0011] Advantageously, the supporting wall has a constant wall thickness. However, it is also conceivable for the supporting wall to have different wall thicknesses, whereby the wall thickness can become narrower, particularly towards the outside, to facilitate insertion of the device into the recess of the first component. It is also conceivable for the deflection section to have a different, in particular thinner, wall thickness than a section of the supporting wall that is not deflected.

[0012] Preferably, the supporting wall has an outer edge with an extension component parallel to the longitudinal center axis, wherein the outer edge and the bending line are spaced apart from one another. The distance between the outer edge and the bending line defines a lever length.

[0013] Advantageously, the distance between the outer edge and the bending line increases toward the upper edge. Since less force is required to deflect a lever with a longer lever length, the force required to deflect the deflection section toward the upper edge decreases, resulting in a degressive force distribution when clipping the device into the first component.

[0014] Furthermore, the outer edge does not necessarily have to run parallel to the longitudinal center axis. In particular, the distance between the outer edge and the longitudinal center axis can increase toward the upper edge.

[0015] According to an embodiment not according to the invention, the bending line runs from a region in which the upper edge emerges from the base body, diagonally through the supporting wall in the direction of the outer edge.

[0016] Advantageously, a pair of support walls spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction of the base body is provided. In particular, a pair of support walls is provided on each opposite side of the base body. It proves advantageous if two pairs of support walls are arranged diametrically opposite one another on the base body, although it is also possible to arrange two pairs of support walls non-diametrically opposite one another. In principle, it is also conceivable for more than two pairs of support walls to be formed on the base body. Furthermore, it is conceivable to form only one support wall of a pair of support walls with a deflection section.

[0017] Clipping the device into the recess of the first component is further facilitated by the fact that the distance between the supporting walls of a pair of supporting walls increases towards the upper edge, so that the supporting walls diverge upwards, so to speak.

[0018] A secure clipping of the device to the first component is also achieved if the distance between the supporting walls of a pair of supporting walls increases outwards from the base body. In other words, the supporting walls of a pair of supporting walls spread outwards from the base body, whereby their deflection sections can be pressed together to insert the device into the recess. With a correspondingly adapted contour of the recess, this ensures that the upper edges of the supporting walls forming the supporting surfaces lie at least partially beneath a region of the first component that delimits the recess and can be effectively supported against it.

[0019] Preferably, the support walls of a pair of support walls are curved away from each other. This curvature ensures that the support walls only abut the edge of the first component bordering the recess with their outer edges. This causes the deflection sections to deflect with maximum leverage when the device is inserted into the recess, minimizing the force required to clip the device into place.

[0020] Since the part of the recess that accommodates the base body of the holding element will always be slightly larger than the base body, the device clipped into the recess may rotate around the longitudinal center axis by an angle µ when the compensating element is rotated out of the base element. In order to ensure optimal support of the support walls on the first component despite such a rotation, the support walls can be aligned at different angles α, β to a plane that contains the longitudinal center axis and extends centrally between the origins of the support walls on the base body. The angle α, which is advanced as seen in the direction of rotation, is advantageously smaller than the angle β by the angle µ, so that after the device has been rotated by the angle µ in the recess, the support walls are aligned at least approximately symmetrically with the recess.The origin is defined here as an area of ​​a retaining wall where it emerges from the base body.

[0021] Advantageously, in order to limit a rotation of the device accommodated in the recess of the first component about the longitudinal central axis, which can be caused by the compensation element being unscrewed from the base element, a set of first rotation limiting surfaces is provided on the holding element, in particular in order to limit the rotational movement to the mentioned angle μ.

[0022] In addition, a set of second rotation limiting surfaces can be provided on the holding element in order to limit a rotation of the device accommodated in the recess of the first component about the longitudinal central axis also in a direction which is opposite to a rotational movement caused by the unscrewing of the compensating element from the base element.

[0023] Furthermore, the retaining element can form a projection at an end of the base body facing away from the second component, which projection, together with the upper edge of the support wall, serves to secure the device to the first component. The projection and the upper edge are spaced apart from one another such that they can accommodate an edge region of the first component that defines the recess. Ideally, the distance between the projection and the upper edge is at least approximately adapted to the thickness of the edge region of the first component.

[0024] Advantageously, the set of first rotation limiting surfaces and / or the set of second rotation limiting surfaces are formed between the projection and the upper edge, viewed in the direction of the longitudinal center axis.

[0025] According to one embodiment of the invention, the base body defines a frame in the circumferential direction with a pair of opposing frame walls, each frame wall being associated with a support wall spaced therefrom. Each support wall can be aligned substantially parallel to its frame wall.

[0026] Preferably, each supporting wall comprises two deflection sections facing away from each other, which are defined by a web extending in the direction of the longitudinal central axis and connecting the supporting wall and the frame wall, and by a console facing the second component and connecting the supporting wall and the frame wall.

[0027] Preferably, the bending line of each deflection section runs diagonally from an end of the web facing away from the second component through the retaining wall in the direction of a region of an outer edge of the retaining wall facing the second component.

[0028] To prevent the device from falling through the recess in the first component, an extension extends outward from each deflection section. The extensions of a supporting wall preferably merge into a projection connecting the extensions, which can project beyond an edge region of the first component bordering the recess.

[0029] Furthermore, a counterbearing is formed on each deflection section, which forms a support surface spaced from an extension in the direction of the longitudinal central axis. The extensions and counterbearings of a supporting wall serve to secure the device to the first component. The extensions and the support surfaces of the counterbearings are spaced from one another in such a way that they can accommodate an edge region of the first component that defines the recess between them. Ideally, the distance between the extension and the support surface is at least approximately adapted to the thickness of the edge region of the first component.

[0030] For radially fixing the holding element to the first component, resilient positioning surfaces can be provided in order to support the device received in the recess of the first component against an edge of the first component delimiting the recess.

[0031] Preferably, the positioning surfaces comprise a set of first positioning surfaces formed on the support wall between the counter bearing and the extension of each deflection section. Additionally or alternatively, a set of second positioning surfaces may be provided, which are formed on extensions of frame walls facing the support walls and extending at least approximately perpendicular to the support walls.

[0032] To disassemble the device from the first component, engagement features, particularly for a tool such as pliers, can be provided on the extensions, allowing the deflection sections to be deflected against their restoring force. The projection can thereby protect the first component from damage caused by the tool.

[0033] The invention is described below purely by way of example based on possible embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. They show: Fig. 1 an exploded view of a device according to the invention according to a first embodiment; Fig. 2 a side view of the device of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 a perspective view of the device of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 a partial sectional view of the device of Fig. 1, wherein the device is received in a recess of a first component and a compensating element of the device is supported on a second component; Fig. 5 a plan view of the underside of a holding element of the device of Fig. 1, which is housed in a smaller recess; Fig. 6 a plan view of the underside of a holding element of the device of Fig. 1, which is housed in a larger recess; Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a device according to a second embodiment; and Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a holding element of the device of Fig. 7.

[0034] In Fig. 1 shows a device 10 according to the invention according to a first embodiment. The device 10 comprises a base element 12, which defines a longitudinal center axis A, a compensating element 14 and a holding element 16 and serves to compensate for tolerances between a first component 18, e.g. a roof panel of a motor vehicle, and a second component 20, e.g. a support structure located beneath the roof panel (see Fig. 4).

[0035] The base element 12 and the compensating element 14 are in threaded engagement with each other, so that by rotating the compensating element 14 about the longitudinal central axis A, the compensating element 14 can be turned out of the base element 12 in the direction of the second component 20 in order to be supported there by means of a stop disc 21 ( Fig. 4).

[0036] The holding element 16 comprises a base body 22 pressed onto and / or glued to the base element 12, with two diametrically arranged pairs of support walls 24, which form an origin 26 where they emerge from the base body 22. Of course, the number of support walls 24 can deviate from four. The support walls 24 can also be formed at a different location on the base body 22.

[0037] The support walls 24 each have an upper edge 28 facing away from the stop disc 21 or, in the assembled state of the device 10, from the second component 20, which here defines a support surface 29.

[0038] Each of the support walls 24 further has an outer edge 30 and comprises a deflection section 32 which can be deflected against a restoring force and is separated from a rigid section 34 by a bending line B.

[0039] Based on Fig. 1, Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 it can be seen that the bending line B runs from an area in which the support surface 29 of a support wall 24 emerges from the base body 22, diagonally through the support wall 24 in the direction of its outer edge 30, wherein in Fig. 3, the bending line B is shown as an example only on one supporting wall 24. In other words, the distance between the bending line B and the outer edge 30 increases toward the upper edge 28.

[0040] The distance between the longitudinal center axis A and the outer edge 30 of each supporting wall 24 also increases in the direction of the upper edge 28, the supporting walls 24 are, as it were, flared upwards.

[0041] How Fig. 2, the distance between the support walls 24 of a pair of support walls 24 decreases downwards toward the stop plate 21. In other words, the support walls 24 of a pair diverge upwards. In addition, the support walls 24 of each pair of support walls 24 are curved away from each other ( Fig. 5 and Fig. 6)

[0042] Fig. 3 shows the device 10 partially inserted into a recess 36 of the first component 18. Due to the decreasing distance between the support walls 24 of a pair of support walls 24 in the direction of the stop disc 21, each pair of support walls 24 has an undersize relative to the recess 36 in an area facing the stop disc 21 and an oversize relative to the recess 36 in an area facing away from the stop disc 21, which effect is further enhanced by the curvature of the support walls 24.

[0043] Accordingly, the device 10 can be inserted without force into the recess 36 to a depth at which the outer edges 30 of the support walls 24 come into contact with an edge of the first component 18 that defines the recess 36. From this point on, greater force is required to further insert the device 10, since further insertion of the device 10 can only occur by compressing the support walls 24.

[0044] If the device 10 is pressed further into the recess 36 by applying a force along the longitudinal center axis A in the direction of the second component 20, the deflection sections 32 of the support walls 24 are deflected by the edge of the first component 18 delimiting the recess 36 against their restoring force along the bending line B as the device 10 progresses into the recess 36. In the present exemplary embodiment, this means that the deflection sections 32 of a pair of support walls 24 are moved towards one another when the device 10 is inserted into the recess 36, while the outer edges 30 of the support walls 24 slide along the edge of the first component 18 delimiting the recess 36.

[0045] Thus, when clipping the device 10 into the recess 36, essentially two forces must be overcome: firstly, a frictional force between the outer edges 30 of the support walls 24 and the edge of the first component 18 defining the recess 36, and secondly, the restoring force of the deflection sections 32. The maximum sum of these forces preferably does not exceed 40 to 50 N, which corresponds to a force typically tolerable for one-handed assembly. The force required to deflect the deflection sections 32 decreases progressively with increasing penetration depth of the device 10 into the recess 36, since, due to the diagonal bending line B, the lever length with which the deflection sections 32 are deflected becomes increasingly larger in the direction of the upper edge 28.

[0046] After passing through the recess 36, the deflection sections 32 return to their original rest positions as a result of the restoring force and engage behind the edge region of the first component 18 delimiting the recess 36, ie the device 10 is now clipped into the first component 18.

[0047] Fig. 4 shows the device 10 after clipping into the first component 18 and in a final assembly state in which both the support walls 24 are supported on the underside of the first component 18 and the compensating element 14 is turned out of the base element 12 and is supported by the stop disc 21 against the second component 20.

[0048] For axially securing the first component 18 to the holding element 16, radially outwardly projecting projections 38 are provided on the base body 22, which are axially spaced from the support surface 29 of the support walls 24 and, together with the support walls 24, form a receptacle for the first component 18.

[0049] The projections 38 are formed at an end of the holding element 16 facing away from the second component 20, specifically in the form of four projecting shoulders that are evenly distributed around the base body 22, offset from the supporting walls 24. It is understood that the projections 38 can also, in principle, be aligned with the supporting walls 24, i.e., can be arranged directly above them. Furthermore, the number of projections 38 can deviate from four.

[0050] In an end region of the base element 12 facing the second component 20, a circumferentially encircling, radially projecting collar 40 is formed ( Fig. 1). The collar 40 has, on a side facing the second component 20, recesses 42 distributed in the circumferential direction, which extend radially inward from an outer side of the collar 40, so that a portion of the collar 40 facing away from the second component 20 protrudes relative to the recesses 42.

[0051] As can be seen from the sectional view of Fig. As can be seen in Figure 4, the recesses 42 serve to accommodate locking projections 44 of the holding element 16, which are formed between two support walls 24 facing the second component 20. The locking projections 44 engaging in the recesses 42 additionally secure the holding element 16 against axial displacement relative to the base element 12.

[0052] As already mentioned, the compensating element 14 can be rotated out of the base element 12 by rotating it about the longitudinal center axis A, which can cause a rotation of the device 10 in the recess 36 of the first component 18, especially if a hole pattern of the recess 36 deviates from a standard hole pattern due to production reasons. The rotation of the device 10 is greater the larger the actual recess 36a, 36b is compared to a recess 36 with standard dimensions ( Fig. 5 and Fig. 6).

[0053] To limit the rotation of the device 10 about the longitudinal central axis A caused by unscrewing the compensating element 14, a set of first rotation-limiting surfaces 46 is formed on the holding element 16. Furthermore, a set of second rotation-limiting surfaces 48 is provided, which limit rotation of the device 10 in the opposite direction.

[0054] Each set of rotation limiting surfaces 46, 48 includes a pair of rotation limiting surfaces 46a, 48a formed in close proximity to the support walls 24, and a pair of rotation limiting surfaces 46b, 48b formed remote from the support walls 24. The pairs of rotation limiting surfaces 46b, 48b formed remote from the support walls 24 have different dimensions viewed outwardly from the base body 22, with the pair of rotation limiting surfaces 46b associated with the set of first rotation limiting surfaces 46 being larger in size outwardly than the pair of rotation limiting surfaces 48b associated with the set of second rotation limiting surfaces 48.

[0055] Both sets of rotation-limiting surfaces 46, 48 are formed between the support walls 24 and the projection 38, viewed in the direction of the longitudinal center axis A. Since, in the clipped-in state of the device 10, the first component 18 is received between the support walls 24 and the projection 38, the rotation-limiting surfaces 46, 48 can strike against the edge of the first component 18 delimiting the recess 36 when the device 10 is rotated.

[0056] Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 show the holding element 16 accommodated in the recess 36 from below, ie from the perspective of the second component 20 looking in the direction of the schematically shown first component 18. In Fig. 5, the actual recess 36a (solid line) is smaller than the recess 36 with standard size (broken line), whereas in Fig. 6 the actual recess 36b (solid line) is larger than the recess 36 with standard size (broken line).

[0057] If the actual recess 36a is smaller than the recess 36 with standard dimensions ( Fig. 5), when inserting the device 10 into the recess 36, both sets of rotation limiting surfaces 46, 48 contribute to a correct alignment of the support walls 24, so that in the assembled state of the device 10 there is the largest possible overlap between the support walls 24 and the first component 18.

[0058] When the compensating element 14 is unscrewed from the base element 12, the holding element 16 rotates, due to the perspective in Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 from below in a counterclockwise direction, and the set of first rotation limiting surfaces 46 strikes the first component 18, thereby limiting the rotational movement of the holding element 16.

[0059] As shown by Fig. 5, the supporting walls 24 of a pair of supporting walls 24 are aligned at different angles α, β to a plane E, which contains the longitudinal central axis A and which extends centrally between the origins 26 of the supporting walls 24. In the Fig. In the situation shown in Figure 5, the plane E coincides with a plane F which is spanned by a longitudinal axis L of the recess 36 and the longitudinal center axis A, since the actual recess 36a is smaller than a recess 36 with standard dimensions and therefore at least does not allow any significant rotation of the holding element 16.

[0060] How Fig. As shown in Figure 5, the angle β following the angle α in the direction of rotation is greater than the angle α, with the difference between the angle α and the angle β defining a differential angle µ. The angles α, β between the supporting walls 24 and the plane E are equal to the angles α, β between the supporting walls 24 and the plane F.

[0061] Due to the asymmetrical alignment of the supporting walls 24 to plane F, the supporting wall 24, which is aligned at the larger angle β, has a larger overlap with the first component 18. The supporting wall 24, which is aligned at the smaller angle α, in contrast, has a smaller overlap with the first component 18.

[0062] If the device 10 is seated in a recess 36b which is larger than a recess 36 with standard dimensions, a greater rotation of the holding element 16 is possible, wherein the rotation is limited to the difference angle µ by the set of first rotation limiting surfaces 46.

[0063] A rotation of the retaining element 16 by the differential angle µ also causes a rotation of the support walls 24 by the same angle. Consequently, the plane E is also rotated relative to the plane F by the differential angle µ. As a result, the angle β between one support wall 24 and the plane F decreases by the differential angle µ, whereas the angle α between the plane F and the other support wall 24 increases by the differential angle µ, so that, as a result, both support walls 24 have an approximately equal overlap with the inner surface of the first component 18.

[0064] The Fig. 5 and Fig. The examples shown in Figure 6 are extreme positions of the retaining element 16 in the recess 36, which can occur with a maximum negative and a maximum positive deviation of the actual recess 36a, 36b from the recess 36 with standard dimensions. Of course, the rotation of the retaining element 16 can be less than the angle µ with corresponding dimensions of the actual recess 36a, 36b.

[0065] Fig. Figure 7 shows a second embodiment of the device 10 according to the invention, which comprises a base element 12, a compensating element 14, and a holding element 16 with a base body 22. As in the first embodiment, the base element 12 and the compensating element 14 are threadedly engaged.

[0066] The base body 22 defines a frame 50, which comprises two pairs of opposing frame walls 52. On the inner sides of the frame walls 52 facing the base element 12, a pair of spring-loaded mandrels 54 are formed, in this case a total of four pairs of spring-loaded mandrels 54 ( Fig. 8). The pins 54 serve to secure the base element 12 to the holding element 16 in a rotationally secure manner, in that the pins 54 engage with a knurling 56 formed on a lateral surface of the base element 12 in the form of grooves running parallel to the longitudinal center axis A and clamp the base element 12.

[0067] For additional axial securing of the holding element 16 to the base element 12, four locking projections 44 are also provided in corner areas of the frame 50 for locking with the base element 12 ( Fig. 8).

[0068] It is understood that the number of pairs of spring-loaded pins 54 and the number of locking projections 44 may vary from four each, and the pairs of spring-loaded pins 54 and the locking projections 44 may also be mounted at other suitable locations. Furthermore, in principle, another method of fastening the base element 12 to the holding element 16 is also conceivable, such as by gluing.

[0069] How Fig.8 shows, the frame walls 52 of one of the pairs of opposing frame walls 52 are each assigned a substantially parallel, spaced-apart support wall 24, which is connected to the respective frame wall 52 by a web 58 in an area adjacent to an upper edge 28 of the support wall 24 and by a bracket 60 in an area facing the second component 20. The web 58 runs parallel to the longitudinal center axis A and is attached centrally to the frame wall 52 and the support wall 24. The bracket 60, on the other hand, extends across the entire width of the support wall 24.

[0070] Each supporting wall 24 forms two deflection sections 32 facing away from each other and pointing away from the web 58, each of which is separated from a rigid section 34 by a bending line B. Each bending line B extends diagonally from the web 58 through the supporting wall 24 toward a region of an outer edge 30 of the supporting wall 24 facing the second component 20.

[0071] To increase the rigidity of the rigid sections 34, each bracket 60 forms stiffening sections 62 extending from the web 58 and diagonally outward in the direction of the second component 20, wherein the gradients of the stiffening sections 62 are steeper than the gradients of the diagonally extending bending lines B.

[0072] From each deflection section 32 of a supporting wall 24, an extension 64 extends outward from the base element 12 in the region of the upper edge 28 of the supporting wall 24. The extensions 64 of a supporting wall 24 merge into a projection 38 connecting the extensions 64.

[0073] Furthermore, two counterbearings 66, which project increasingly outwardly in the direction of the upper edge 28 and form support surfaces 29, are formed on each support wall 24, specifically in the region of the outer edges 30 of the deflection sections 32. The counterbearings 66 are axially spaced from the projection 38 in the direction of the second component 20 and, together with the projection 38, form a receptacle for the first component 18.

[0074] Furthermore, each support wall 24 is curved outwardly from the web 58 in the direction of its two outer edges 30. As a result, when the device 10 is not clipped onto the first component 18, each support wall 24 has a certain oversize in the region of its outer edges 30 compared to a recess 36 (not shown here) of the first component 18. When the device 10 is clipped onto the first component 18, each support wall 24 presses, at least in sections between the extensions 64 and the counter bearings 66, resiliently against an edge of the first component 18 delimiting the recess 36, in order to define a set of first positioning surfaces 68a there, which contribute to the positioning of the device 10 in the recess 36.

[0075] In addition, those frame walls 52 that run at least approximately perpendicular to the support walls 24 form a set of second resilient positioning surfaces 68b in the region of their corners facing the support walls 24 and remote from the second component 20 in order to position the device 10 in the recess 36. The set of second positioning surfaces 68b is located, as viewed in the direction of the longitudinal center axis A, at a height that lies between the projection 38 and the counter bearing 66, so that the set of second positioning surfaces 68b presses against the edge of the first component 18 that delimits the recess 36 when the device 10 is in the assembled state.

[0076] By pressing both the set of first positioning surfaces 68a and the set of second positioning surfaces 68b against the edge of the first component 18 delimiting the recess 36, they contribute to the radial positioning of the device 10 in the recess 36 and ensure a sufficient overlap between the support surfaces 29 and the first component 18, even in the case of recesses 36 subject to tolerances.

[0077] When the device 10 is clipped into the recess 36 of the first component 18, the counter bearings 66 come into contact, from a certain depth, with the edge of the first component 18 that delimits the recess 36. By applying a force to the device 10 along the longitudinal center axis A in the direction of the second component 20, the device 10 is pressed further into the recess 36, whereby the deflection sections 32 are deflected via the counter bearings 66 against the restoring force of the deflection sections 32. In the present exemplary embodiment, this means that the two deflection sections 32 of the support wall 24 are deflected in the direction of the frame wall 52 when the device 10 is inserted into the recess 36, while the counter bearings 66 slide along the edge of the first component 18 that delimits the recess 36.

[0078] The force to be applied to deflect the deflection sections 32 decreases degressively with increasing penetration depth of the device 10 into the recess 36, since due to the diagonal bending line B a lever length with which the deflection sections 32 are deflected becomes increasingly larger in the direction of the upper edge 28.

[0079] After passing through the recess 36, the deflection sections 32 and thus also the counter bearings 66 formed thereon return in the direction of their original rest positions due to the restoring force of the deflection sections 32, so that the support walls 24 press at least in sections against the edge region of the first component 18 delimiting the recess 36 and the support surfaces 29 of the counter bearings 66 engage behind the edge region of the first component 18 delimiting the recess 36.

[0080] For disassembly of the device 10 clipped into the first component 18, an engagement feature 70 is formed on each of the extensions 64, which serves to deflect the deflection sections 32 against their restoring force with the aid of a tool (not shown), for example pliers, so that the device 10 can be pulled out again from the recess 36.

[0081] To ensure that the tool does not damage the first component 18 when disassembling the device 10, the projection 38 is widened outwards to serve as protection. List of reference symbols 10 Device 12 Basic element 14 Compensating element 16 Holding element 18 first component 20 second component 21 Stop disc 22 basic bodies 24 retaining wall 26 Origin 28 upper edge 29 Support surface 30 outer edge 32 deflection section 34 rigid section 36 recess 38 cantilever 40 collars 42 recesses 44 locking projection 46 Set of first rotation limiting surfaces 48 Set of second rotation limiting surfaces 50 frames 52 frame wall 54 Thorn 56 knurling 58 jetty 60 console 62 stiffening section 64 extension 66 Counter bearings 68 positioning surfaces 70 Attack Feature α angle β angle µ Differential angle A Longitudinal center axis B bending line E Level F Level L Longitudinal axis

Claims

[1] Device (10) for compensating tolerances between a first component (18) and a second component (20), comprising a base element (12) which defines a longitudinal central axis (A), a compensating element (14) which is in threaded engagement with the base element (12) and a holding element (16) which is firmly connected to the base element (12) for holding the device (10) on the first component (18), wherein the holding element (16) comprises a base body (22), characterized byin that the base body (22) defines a frame (50) with a pair of opposing frame walls (52) in the circumferential direction, each frame wall (52) being assigned a support wall (24) spaced therefrom, which, when the device (10) is held on the first component (18), has an upper edge (28) facing away from the second component (20) and which comprises a deflection section (32) which can be deflected against a restoring force along a bending line (B) which is not oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal central axis (A). [2] Device according to claim 1, characterized by that the support wall (24) has an outer edge (30) with an extension component parallel to the longitudinal center axis (A), wherein the outer edge (30) and the bending line (B) are spaced apart from one another. [3] Device according to claim 2, characterized by that the distance between the outer edge (30) and the bending line (B) increases in the direction of the upper edge (28). [4] Device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized by that the outer edge (30) does not run parallel to the longitudinal center axis (A), in particular wherein a distance between the outer edge (30) and the longitudinal center axis (A) increases in the direction of the upper edge (28). [5] Device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by that each support wall (24) comprises two deflection sections (32) pointing away from one another, which are defined by a web (58) extending in the direction of the longitudinal center axis (A) and connecting the support wall (24) and the frame wall (52), and by a bracket (60) facing the second component (20) and connecting the support wall (24) and the frame wall (52). [6] Device according to claim 5, characterized bythat the bending line (B) of each deflection section (32) runs from an end of the web (58) facing away from the second component (20) diagonally through the support wall (24) in the direction of a region of an outer edge (30) of the support wall (24) facing the second component (20). [7] Device according to one of claims 5 or 6, characterized by that an extension (64) extends outwards from each deflection section (32), in particular wherein the extensions (64) of a supporting wall (24) merge into a projection (38) connecting the extensions (64). [8] Device according to claim 7, characterized by that engagement features (70), in particular for a tool, are provided on the extensions (64) for deflecting the deflection sections (32) against their restoring force. [9] Device according to at least one of claims 5 to 8, characterized bythat a counter bearing (66) is formed on each deflection section (32), which counter bearing forms a support surface (29) spaced from an extension (64) as seen in the direction of the longitudinal central axis (A). [10] Device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by that resilient positioning surfaces (68) are provided in order to support the device (10) received in a recess (36) of the first component (18) against an edge of the first component (18) delimiting the recess (36). [11] Device according to claim 9 and 10, characterized byin that the positioning surfaces (68) comprise a set of first positioning surfaces (68a), wherein the first positioning surfaces (68a) are formed on the support wall (24) between the counter bearing (66) and the extension (64) of each deflection section (32), and / or comprise a set of second positioning surfaces (68b), wherein the second positioning surfaces (68b) are formed on extensions of frame walls (52) facing the support walls (24) and running at least approximately perpendicular to the support walls (24).

Images