Tolerance compensation device

Abstract

A tolerance compensation device (compensation nut) is provided. The tolerance compensation device includes: a base component having a tubular fastening portion having an internal thread for receiving a bolt-type fastening element, the internal thread being designed as a right-hand thread, and a tubular connecting portion connected to the compensation component, the outer peripheral wall of the connecting portion having an outer thread connected to the compensation component; and a compensation component having a flange-type adjusting element, the inner peripheral wall of the adjusting element having a thread designed corresponding to the outer thread of the connecting portion, and a sleeve-type anti-rotation element arranged in a through opening of the adjusting element, the outer peripheral wall of the anti-rotation element being non-rotatably connected to the inner peripheral wall of the tubular connecting portion. The compensation component is designed to predetermine the distance in the axial direction between the base component and a contact wall of the compensation component extending orthogonally to the axial direction.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a tolerance compensation device.

[0002] A fastening element receptacle or stop is disclosed in EP 2 162 625 B1. In this adjustable stop, the position of the contact surface can be preset by means of a threaded section and a "torsion-proof section".

[0003] EP 3 653 823 A1 describes an adjustable stop device for a vehicle door or hood. The stop device comprises a base component and an adjusting component, wherein the adjusting component is connected to the base component via a thread and can thereby rotate relative to the base component about a device axis. Furthermore, a stop component is provided, which is designed to contact the vehicle door when it is closed and provide a contact surface for the vehicle door. The stop component is connected to the adjusting component, and the axial position of the contact surface can be adjusted by rotating the adjusting component relative to the base component about the device axis.

[0004] For example, DE 10 2012 102 906 A1 describes an anti-rotation protection device for a compensating element.

[0005] DE 10 2008 062 894 B4 describes an anti-rotation protection device, which involves a drive sleeve made of plastic with a non-circular outer surface and a correspondingly conformed mating surface on a lower part.

[0006] Tolerance elements or tolerance compensation devices are designed to automatically compensate for gaps that occur between vehicle body components, thereby providing a corresponding amount of play between the components. However, this requires the use of gauges on the assembly line to set the clearance value or play. Tolerance compensation is usually achieved by automatically readjusting the tolerance element, which is readjusted via screws.

[0007] DE 10 2021 100 676 A1 proposes a retaining element or tolerance compensation device for fastening an attachment component. Further retaining elements are disclosed in DE 10 2018 10 88 29 and DE 10 2018 10 88 30. Further fastening or retaining devices are disclosed in EP 0840 021 A1, WO 2016 / 126284 A1, DE 10 2015 103 491 A1, DE 10 2019 114 008 A1, and US Pat. No. 5,492,388.

[0008] The object of the present invention is to provide a tolerance compensation device which is safe and reliable in operation.

[0009] A further object of the present invention is to provide an alternative to the tolerance compensating devices (compensating nuts) known from the prior art.

[0010] One or more of these objects are achieved by the features of independent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are given in the respective dependent claims.

[0011] According to the present invention, a tolerance compensating device (compensating nut) is provided. The tolerance compensating device includes: a base component having a tubular fastening portion, wherein the fastening portion has an internal thread for receiving a bolt-type fastening element, wherein the internal thread is designed as a right-hand thread, and a tubular connecting portion for connecting to the compensating component, wherein the outer peripheral wall of the connecting portion has an outer thread for connecting to the compensating component; and a compensating component having a flange-type adjusting element, wherein the inner peripheral wall of the adjusting element has a thread designed corresponding to the outer thread of the connecting portion, and wherein a sleeve-type anti-rotation element is arranged in a through-opening of the adjusting element, wherein the outer peripheral wall of the anti-rotation element is non-rotatably connected to the inner peripheral wall of the tubular connecting portion, wherein the compensating component is designed to predetermine the distance in the axial direction between the base component and a contact wall of the compensating component extending orthogonally to the axial direction.

[0012] By means of the tolerance compensation device according to the invention and the coupling according to the invention between the base component and the compensation component, the distance in the axial direction between the base component and the contact wall provided for contact with the carrier member can be preset.

[0013] In such devices, it is usually recommended to use corresponding gauges, especially distance gauges, to generate the desired gap size. However, this is laborious, time-consuming, and costly. Tolerance elements therefore require effort and time to use measuring devices to define the desired gap size.

[0014] In contrast, in the present invention, the corresponding distance between the contact wall of the base component and the compensation component can be pre-set in a non-rotatable manner, so that the tolerance compensation device can be easily connected to the component to be fastened or the carrier component. The component to be fastened is then fastened to the carrier component or component and can then be fixed to the carrier component or component with the desired clearance size relative to the surrounding components using the screw-type fastening elements.

[0015] In the context of the present invention, a screw-type fastening element is a screw with a metric right-hand thread or a screw with a corresponding thread or the like.

[0016] By means of the non-rotatable connection of the outer circumferential wall of the anti-rotation element to the inner circumferential wall of the tubular connecting portion, a predetermined distance between the base component and the contact wall can be adjusted safely and reliably.

[0017] In EP 2 162 625 B1, the threaded section and the "torsion-resistant section" are arranged one after another in the axial direction, requiring a large amount of assembly space. In contrast, in the present invention, similar regions between the connecting portion of the compensation component and the base component are arranged so as to almost completely overlap each other in the initial position, thereby enabling the corresponding assembly space to be significantly smaller. As a result, the tolerance compensation device is designed to be extremely compact.

[0018] The invention proposes that the screw-out length or distance in the axial direction between the contact walls of the base component and the compensating component, which extend perpendicularly to the axial direction, is not automatically preset by means of a screw, but rather is manually preset. An anti-rotation element, preferably formed from a soft component, serves as a protection against loosening, but can deform inwards due to its design when the fastening element or the spacer bolt is rotated. Subsequently, a rotationally fixed connection (preferably a frictional connection or a form-fitting connection) is established with the inner circumferential wall of the tubular connecting part to maintain the set position. When the fastening screw is then screwed in, the set position can no longer be changed, which is also impossible because once the screw has entered the soft component, it prevents deformation of the soft component.

[0019] This solves the problem that many car manufacturers have to use large and bulky gauges to set the desired gap size on the production line. In addition, the gap size can be lost during maintenance in the workshop.

[0020] Thus, in the tolerance compensating device according to the present invention, a distance can be pre-set to provide the desired gap size between the body components and / or trim parts during assembly. The tolerance compensating device is thus designed to compensate for both tightening tolerances and tolerances caused by play, particularly in automotive manufacturing, for example, in the area of ​​vehicle lamps. During vehicle assembly, the value of the play between the two components is measured, and the tolerance compensating device can be configured to determine this value, resulting in a pre-defined play. The lamp can then be tightened immediately, without wasting time using gauges on the OEM assembly line.

[0021] The tolerance compensation device according to the invention therefore operates according to a completely different principle of action compared to the devices known from the prior art.

[0022] The external thread of the outer peripheral wall of the connecting portion can be designed as a left-hand thread or a right-hand thread for connection to the compensation device. In the tolerance compensation device (compensating nut) of the type according to the present invention, the threads do not necessarily extend in opposite directions. Two right-hand threads can also be used, because the two threads do not necessarily interact directly with each other. In existing compensation nuts, in which the distance adjustment is automatically performed by the fastening bolt driving the compensation bolt, the direction of rotation of the external thread is forcibly predetermined as a left-hand thread. However, this concept no longer requires one bolt to drive another bolt.

[0023] The connection between the outer circumferential wall of the anti-rotation element and the inner circumferential wall of the tubular connecting portion can be designed as a friction-fit connection, wherein the two circumferential walls have corresponding coefficients of friction relative to one another.

[0024] This friction coefficient can be provided by suitable material selection of the outer peripheral wall of the counter-rotating element and the inner peripheral wall of the tubular connecting part.

[0025] By rotating the flange-like adjusting element, the user can easily set the distance between the base component and the contact wall in the axial direction.

[0026] Rotation about the corresponding thread line causes the contact wall to be displaced relative to the base wall with an accuracy of up to 0.04 mm.

[0027] The connection between the outer peripheral wall of the anti-rotation element and the inner peripheral wall of the tubular connecting part can preferably be designed as a form-fitting connection. For this purpose, the corresponding peripheral wall preferably has tabs and recesses designed correspondingly to each other and extending in the axial direction.

[0028] By connecting the outer circumferential wall of the anti-rotation element and the inner circumferential wall of the tubular connecting part, a desired distance between the base element and the compensation element in the axial direction can again be releasably preset and / or non-rotatably maintained.

[0029] The tab is preferably arranged on the outer peripheral wall of the anti-rotation element and may have a substantially semicircular cross section. Accordingly, a groove having a substantially semicircular cross section is arranged on the inner peripheral wall of the tubular connecting portion of the adjusting element.

[0030] Alternatively, instead of these tabs, other suitable structures (e.g., hemispheres) or tabs with other, suitable cross-sections may be provided. In addition, recesses or grooves may be formed on the inner circumferential wall of the anti-rotation element, and tabs may be formed on the inner circumferential wall of the tubular connecting portion.

[0031] The compensating element can preferably be designed as a two-component injection-molded part, wherein the adjusting element can be formed from a hard component and the sleeve-shaped anti-rotation element can be formed from a soft component, for example TPE (thermoplastic elastomer).

[0032] The compensating element can be produced quickly and easily using a two-component injection molding method.

[0033] The sleeve-type anti-rotation element may have a through-opening extending in the axial direction, wherein elastic deformation of the sleeve-type anti-rotation element is prevented by arranging a fastening element in the through-opening, which elastic deformation may cause the connection between the outer peripheral wall of the anti-rotation element and the inner peripheral wall of the tubular connecting part to loosen.

[0034] Thus, as soon as the corresponding fastening element is introduced into the through-opening, blocking of the rotating element is immediately ensured. Consequently, no additional components are required and the device according to the invention is simple in construction.

[0035] A radially inwardly extending and preferably radially circumferentially extending tab can be provided in the axially extending through-opening of the sleeve-type anti-rotation element, which tab is intended to engage in the external thread of the fastening element. Thus, the tab, which engages inwardly from the soft component into the thread of the screw, forms a sealing lip that prevents water from penetrating along the screw.

[0036] The base device may preferably have a clip-type configuration, wherein the component to be fastened can be arranged between the base device and the compensation device in a receiving recess extending substantially orthogonally to the axial direction.

[0037] By the clip-like design, the tolerance compensation device can be attached to the component to be fixed in a simple manner.In the region of the through-opening of the tolerance compensation device, such a component also has a corresponding through-recess for passing the fastening element therethrough.

[0038] DE 10 2021 100 676 A1 proposes a retaining element or tolerance compensation device for fastening an attachment component. The retaining element comprises a base element, wherein the base element has a plate-shaped fastening element for connecting to the attachment component; a threaded element integrally formed on the fastening element and having a through-opening; and a threaded sleeve having an internal thread designed to correspond to the thread of the threaded element, wherein a receiving element for receiving a fastening mechanism is arranged in the region of the through-opening with the internal thread and connected to the threaded sleeve, and wherein a locking element extending radially outward is provided on the receiving element to prevent relative movement between the threaded element and the threaded sleeve during transport of the retaining element. With regard to the connection of the retaining element to the component, reference is hereby made to this document in its entirety.

[0039] The tolerance compensation device according to the invention can therefore be connected to a component in a similar manner.

[0040] Alternatively, the base means can also have latching means for connection to the component to be fastened.

[0041] Furthermore, a captive fixing means can be provided which defines an end stop for a rotational movement of the compensating means relative to the base means, wherein a stop element is provided on the base means and a mating stop element is provided on the compensating means.

[0042] The captive fixing means also forms an end stop for the above-mentioned rotational movement.

[0043] The advantages of the tolerance compensation device according to the invention can be briefly summarized as follows.

[0044] - Presettable gap sizes can be adjusted individually for different vehicles;

[0045] - Eliminate the use of gauges on the assembly line (saving time and costs);

[0046] - Small assembly space;

[0047] - Waterproof due to soft components;

[0048] - The upper part (compensation component) and the lower part (base component) are shaped to match for positioning;

[0049] -The captive bolt blocks this location.

[0050] The invention will be described in more detail with the aid of a design example shown in the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

[0051] Figure 1 shows an exploded perspective view of a tolerance compensation device according to the present invention according to a first design example, the tolerance compensation device comprising a base component and a compensation component,

[0052] Figure 2 A lateral sectional view of the tolerance compensation device according to the invention is shown in an initial state,

[0053] Figure 3 shows a cross section along line AA showing the connection between the base device and the compensation device,

[0054] Figure 4 shows a lateral sectional view of a tolerance compensation device in a final assembled state with a component to be fixed, a carrier component and a fastening element with a predefined distance,

[0055] Figure 5Another side sectional view showing the tolerance compensation device with the fastening element, and

[0056] Figure 6 A tolerance compensation device according to the invention is shown according to a second design example.

[0057] Below we use the first design example ( Figures 1 to 5 ) to describe the tolerance compensation device 1 according to the present invention in more detail.

[0058] The tolerance compensation device 1 comprises a base component 2 and a compensation component 3 .

[0059] The base element 2 is designed in a clip-like manner and has a compensating leg 4 and a fastening leg 5, which are designed approximately in a plate-like manner and are arranged parallel to each other and spaced apart. Alternatively, other suitable latching means for connecting to a component may also be provided.

[0060] The compensating leg 4 and the fastening leg 5 are connected to each other via a connecting leg 6. In the region between the compensating leg 4 and the fastening leg 5, a receiving recess 7 is provided for receiving a part of a component 8 to be fastened.

[0061] A fastening portion 9 is integrally formed on the side of the fastening leg 5 facing away from the receiving recess 7. The fastening portion 9 has an internal thread 10 for receiving a screw-type fastening element 11. The internal thread 10 is designed as a metric right-hand thread.

[0062] A tubular connecting portion 12 for connection to the compensating element 3 is provided on the side of the compensating leg 4 facing away from the receiving recess 7 .

[0063] The outer peripheral wall 13 of the connecting portion 12 has an external thread 14 for connecting to the compensation device 3. The external thread 14 is preferably designed as a left-hand thread. Alternatively, the thread can also be designed as a right-hand thread.

[0064] In the context of the present invention, it is proposed that the threads are designed to extend in opposite directions. Thus, it is theoretically also possible that the internal thread 10 is designed as a left-hand thread and the external thread 14 is designed as a right-hand thread.

[0065] The compensating device 3 has a flange-shaped adjusting element 15 . The inner peripheral wall 16 of the adjusting element 15 has an inner thread 29 designed to correspond to the outer thread 14 of the connecting part 12 .

[0066] An elastic and / or flexible sleeve-like anti-rotation element 18 is arranged in the through-opening 17 of the adjustment element 15 .

[0067] The outer circumferential wall 19 of the anti-rotation element 18 has webs 21 extending radially around the periphery and at equal distances from one another in the axial direction 20 .

[0068] The inner peripheral wall 16 of the tubular connecting part 12 has recesses 22 extending radially around the periphery and at equal intervals from one another in the axial direction 20 . The recesses 22 are designed correspondingly to the webs 21 .

[0069] In the context of the present invention, it can also be provided that a recess 22 is provided on the anti-rotation element 18 and that correspondingly a web 21 is provided on the inner circumferential wall 16 of the tubular connecting part 12 .

[0070] The sleeve-like anti-rotation element 18 has a fastening element through-opening 23 which extends in the axial direction 20. The fastening element through-opening 23 is also axially aligned in the compensating leg 4.

[0071] Inserting the fastening element 11 into the fastening element through-opening 23 prevents elastic and / or flexible deformation of the sleeve-type anti-rotation element 18. This deformation of the anti-rotation element 18 in the direction of the through-opening causes the connection between the outer peripheral wall 19 of the anti-rotation element 18 and the inner peripheral wall 16 of the connecting part 12 to be loosened.

[0072] Arranged in the fastening element through-opening 23 of the sleeve-like anti-rotation element 18 is a connecting web 24 which extends radially inwards and preferably circumferentially in the radial direction and is intended to engage in an external thread or a screw of the fastening element 11 .

[0073] Furthermore, a stop element 25 of a captive fixing device 26 is provided on the compensating leg 4 of the base device 2 .

[0074] A corresponding counter-stop element 28 of the captive fixing means 26 is formed on the outer peripheral wall 27 of the adjustment element 15. The captive fixing means 26 also forms an end stop.

[0075] The stop element is designed as an arm extending substantially in the axial direction. The counterpart stop element 28 can be a projection formed integrally on the adjustment element.

[0076] If the compensating element 3 is rotated relative to the base element 2 via the corresponding screw connection or if the two components are rotated relative to each other, the mating stop element 28 eventually strikes the stop element 25 and thus limits the rotational movement between the base element 2 and the compensating element 3. This also ensures that the base element 2 and the compensating element 3 cannot separate from each other during transport in the assembled state.

[0077] The tolerance compensation device 1 can preferably be produced from plastic by means of an injection molding method. The compensation element 3 is preferably designed as a two-component injection-molded part, wherein the adjustment element 15 is formed from a hard component and the sleeve-like anti-rotation element 18 is formed from a soft component (for example TPE).

[0078] The following briefly describes the compensation device according to the present invention according to the second design example ( Figure 6 ).

[0079] The tolerance compensating device 1 according to the second design example corresponds substantially to the tolerance compensating device 1 according to the first design example. Unless otherwise stated, identical components are present and are accordingly denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0080] In the tolerance compensating device 1 according to the second design example, the connection between the outer peripheral wall 19 of the anti-rotation element 18 and the inner peripheral wall 16 of the tubular connecting part 12 is designed as a friction-fit connection. The friction-fit connection is provided by the outer peripheral wall 19 and the inner peripheral wall 16 having corresponding friction coefficients relative to each other.

[0081] Therefore, the locking area between the compensating component and the base component preferably prevents rotational movement of the compensating component through a form-fitting fit. Loss of position during transport or due to shaking is impossible. When the compensating component is rotated manually or with a tool, the anti-rotation element (TPE component) deforms toward the center, allowing further rotation. It then latches back into the connection and is secured by a form-fitting fit. In this way, the predefined value of the distance and the resulting gap size can be predefined. According to a second design example with a friction-fit connection, the inner and outer peripheral walls 16 and 19 are designed as smooth surfaces. There are no elements that latch into one another. Furthermore, the soft component does not deform inward during rotation. The present invention merely requires that the friction generated by the appropriately large contact surface between the soft component and the inner peripheral wall 16 is so great that the tightening / compensating bolt cannot rotate on its own, requiring a certain torque to be applied manually or with a tool to rotate and adjust its position. While this variant may lose the bolt's locking function, it does allow for completely continuous and variable adjustment of the gap size.

[0082] Inserting the fastening element 11 into the fastening element through-opening 23 prevents elastic and / or flexible deformation of the sleeve-type anti-rotation element 18. Alternatively, a pin or another locking component can also be provided for this purpose instead of a screw.

[0083] Alternatively, the trim part or the body component can also be fastened by clipping a pin into the base part.

[0084] List of Reference Numerals

[0085] 1 Tolerance compensation device

[0086] 2 Base components

[0087] 3 Compensation devices

[0088] 4 Compensation Legs

[0089] 5 Fasten the legs

[0090] 6 Connecting Legs

[0091] 7 Receiving recess

[0092] 8 Components

[0093] 9 Fastening part

[0094] 10 Internal thread

[0095] 11 Fastening elements

[0096] 12 Connection part

[0097] 13 Outer wall of connecting portion

[0098] 14 External thread

[0099] 15. Regulating element

[0100] 16 Inner wall

[0101] 17 Through opening

[0102] 18 Anti-rotation element

[0103] 19 Outer wall of the anti-rotation element

[0104] 20 Axial direction

[0105] 21 Splice

[0106] 22 recess

[0107] 23 Fastening element through-opening

[0108] 24 Connecting tabs

[0109] 25 Stop element

[0110] 26 Captive fixing device / end stop

[0111] 27 outer wall

[0112] 28 Matching stop element

Claims

1. A tolerance compensation device (1), comprising: Base device (2) and compensation device (3), The base device has a tubular fastening portion (9), wherein the fastening portion (9) has an internal thread (10) for receiving a bolt-type fastening element (11), wherein the internal thread (10) is designed as a right-hand thread, and a tubular connecting portion (12) for connecting to the compensation device (3), wherein the outer peripheral wall (13) of the connecting portion (12) has an external thread (14) for connecting to the compensation device (3); and The compensating device (3) has a flange-type adjusting element (15), wherein the inner peripheral wall (16) of the adjusting element (15) has a thread designed corresponding to the outer thread (14) of the connecting part (12), and wherein a sleeve-type anti-rotation element (18) is arranged in the through-opening (17) of the adjusting element (15), and wherein the outer peripheral wall (19) of the anti-rotation element (18) is non-rotatably connected to the inner peripheral wall (16) of the tubular connecting part (12), wherein the compensating device (3) is designed for presetting the distance in the axial direction (20) between the base device (2) and a contact wall of the compensating device (3) extending orthogonally to the axial direction (20); A form-fitting connection is provided between the outer peripheral wall of the anti-rotation element and the inner peripheral wall of the tubular connecting portion, wherein the form-fitting connection comprises one of: (i) a tab on the outer peripheral wall and a recess on the inner peripheral wall, or (ii) a tab on the inner peripheral wall and a recess on the peripheral wall, wherein the tab and the recess are designed to correspond to each other.

2. The tolerance compensation device (1) according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The tabs and recesses are semicircular in cross section.

3. The tolerance compensation device (1) according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The sleeve-type anti-rotation element (18) has a through-opening (17) extending in the axial direction (20), wherein elastic deformation of the sleeve-type anti-rotation element (18) is prevented by arranging a fastening element (11) in the through-opening (17), which elastic deformation leads to a loosening of the connection between the outer peripheral wall (19) of the anti-rotation element (18) and the inner peripheral wall (16) of the tubular connecting part (12).

4. The tolerance compensation device (1) according to claim 1, It is characterized in that A radially inwardly extending and radially circumferential connecting web (24) is provided in a through-opening (17) of the sleeve-type anti-rotation element (18) extending in the axial direction (20), and is used to engage in an external thread (14) of the fastening element (11).

5. The tolerance compensation device (1) according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The base device (2) has a clip-type configuration, wherein the component to be fastened can be arranged between the base device (2) and the compensation device (3) in a receiving recess (7) extending orthogonally to the axial direction (20), or wherein The base component (2) is provided with a latching device for connecting with a component to be fastened.

6. The tolerance compensation device (1) according to claim 1, It is characterized in that A captive fixing device (26) is provided, which forms an end stop to limit the rotational movement between the compensation device (3) and the base device (2), wherein a stop element (25) is provided on the base device (2) and a matching stop element (28) is provided on the compensation device (3).

7. The tolerance compensation device (1) according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The external thread (14) of the outer peripheral wall (13) of the connecting portion (12) is designed as a left-hand thread or a right-hand thread for connection with the compensation device (3).

8. The tolerance compensation device (1) according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The compensating element (3) is designed as a two-component injection-molded part, wherein the adjusting element (15) is formed from a hard component and the sleeve-like anti-rotation element (18) is formed from a soft component.

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