Nut with cage

Abstract

The invention relates to a nut (110) having a holder (120) made of sheet metal, which has a holding section (122) that holds the nut (110) and a clamping section (121) that supports the holding section (122), wherein the holding section (122) is designed with a circumferentially closed opening (123), in which the nut (110) is arranged in a rotationally fixed manner. The opening (123) has a plurality of tabs (124) designed as sheet metal stretches, which lie against a lateral torque transmission face (114) of the nut (110).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] According to the preamble of claim 1, the present invention relates to a nut having a retainer or retainer made of sheet metal. Background Technology

[0002] Specifically, cages made of sheet metal are known in the prior art, which are particularly effective in holding nuts in an inaccessible position when tightening or loosening engaged bolts (or similar objects), thus preventing the nuts from rotating. The unit formed by the nut and the cage is also called a cage nut.

[0003] The closest patent document, DE 10 2005 059 523 A1, describes a so-called flange cage nut. This flange cage nut includes a common flange nut (1) having a drive component (2) that is hexagonal in top view. The flange cage nut also includes a retainer (3) arranged on the nut (1), the retainer being formed by stamping and bending a sheet metal sheet that has been folded multiple times. The retainer (3) has a clamping portion (3a) and a retaining portion (3b). The retaining portion (3b) consists of a flat sheet metal having a circumferentially closed opening in which the hexagonal drive component (2) of the nut (1) is precisely fitted and positioned in a manner resistant to relative rotation.

[0004] For further information on the prior art, see patent documents WO 2012 / 156271 A9, DE 10 2011000 660A1 and DE 691 00 071T2. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In the nut of the invention having the cage of claim 1, the cage is designed such that a high holding force, or a high reaction (holding) torque, can be applied to the nut. Additional features of the invention are derived from the dependent patent claims, the following description of the invention (which explicitly includes features described as "example," "preferred," "especially," etc.), and the drawings.

[0006] This invention provides a nut, particularly a metal one, with a cage made of sheet metal (therefore referring to a unit or connector consisting of a nut and a cage, also known as a cage nut). The cage has a retaining section (retaining portion) for retaining the nut and a clamping section (clamping portion) for supporting the retaining section (e.g., relative to the vehicle body). The retaining section is designed with a circumferentially closed opening in which the nut is arranged in a manner that resists relative rotation, or in other words, the opening surrounds the nut in a manner that resists relative rotation. According to the invention, the opening in the retaining section of the cage has a plurality of tabs designed as sheet metal tension portions, particularly tongue-shaped tabs, which abut against the (outer) lateral torque transmission surface or tool contact surface of the nut.

[0007] The tabs designed for the tensioning portion of the sheet metal are arranged on the inner edge of the opening and extend at least partially along the axial direction of the nut, and therefore can also be referred to as vertical tabs. Preferably, the tabs are evenly distributed circumferentially, with one tab provided for each torque-transmitting surface of the nut. The nut is preferably a quadrilateral or hexagonal nut, especially a hexagonal flange nut, wherein preferably each of the four or six torque-transmitting surfaces on the nut has a tab provided at the cage. However, it is also possible to provide one tab for every two torque-transmitting surfaces of the nut.

[0008] Due to the clamping action, the tabs generate a very high retaining force to axially hold the nut in the cage and also facilitate the application of a reaction torque on the nut (for torque support). The planar contact between the tabs and the nut reduces the formation of scratches and debris during pre-assembly (i.e., when the nut is inserted into the opening of the cage), especially on coated nuts (see below). This also reduces the risk of corrosion.

[0009] The opening (in the retaining section of the cage) is preferably designed to be at least partially larger than the nut. Therefore, the nut is not precisely fitted into the opening, but rather there is a gap between them, at least in the relevant section, which allows for a small degree of freedom of movement (clearance). This gap, or degree of freedom of movement, facilitates pre-assembly and reduces the formation of scratches and debris. This gap is preferably at most a few tenths of a millimeter wide.

[0010] Nuts may have a coating, especially an anti-corrosion coating (e.g., galvanized). The measures mentioned above (planar contact and / or gaps between the plates, or degrees of freedom of movement) can largely prevent the coating from being scratched or worn away.

[0011] The opening (in the retaining section of the cage) is preferably designed with additional shape-locking elements that abut or engage with the edge regions between the torque-transmitting surfaces on the nut, with gaps or voids where necessary (see above). Preferably, additional shape-locking elements are provided at each edge, or if necessary, only at every two edges of the nut. The number of tabs and additional shape-locking elements can vary, but it is preferred to provide the same number of tabs and additional shape-locking elements, arranged between the tabs (e.g., six tabs and six additional shape-locking elements). The additional shape-locking elements preferably project from the edge of the opening toward the nut and, particularly, extend in the plane of the retaining section. The additional shape-locking elements are capable of transmitting very high torques, or reaction torques (for torque support).

[0012] In particular, the design incorporates functional separation, meaning the tab is primarily intended to axially secure the nut within the cage, while the additional form-locking element is primarily intended for torque support. When the bolts engaged in the nut are tightened or loosened, the tabs can elastically deform, thus torque support is essentially achieved solely through the additional form-locking element.

[0013] The additional shape-locking element is preferably designed in a fork shape at its end facing the nut, particularly having two corresponding sharp corners or dovetail shapes, which are respectively abutted or fitted on both sides next to the edge of the nut (the edge is formed between the torque transmission surfaces). The inner region of these fork-shaped ends (especially the area between the two sharp corners or dovetail shapes) is preferably designed to be rounded or chamfered in order to reduce notch effects and, in particular, to avoid notch stress.

[0014] The nut is preferably designed with an M10, M12, or M14 internal thread (or larger). Therefore, relatively high tightening and loosening torques are sometimes set, which can be supported by a cage.

[0015] The spiral retainer is preferably designed as a one-piece sheet metal part (stamped and formed), and especially made of spring steel sheet. The sheet metal preferably has a thickness of 1.0 mm to 1.5 mm. Attached Figure Description

[0016] The invention is explained in more detail below in a non-limiting manner with reference to two embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. The features shown in the drawings and / or explained below may be general features of the invention, or even independent of specific combinations of features, and may accordingly improve the invention. Furthermore, features of the embodiments may be combined with each other.

[0017] Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of a nut with a threaded retainer according to the invention in two separate views.

[0018] Figure 2 A second embodiment of a nut with a retainer according to the present invention is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0019] In Figure 1, the nut 110 is exemplarily designed as a hexagonal nut with a flange 111 (so-called a hexagonal flange nut) and a plastic insert 112 (so-called a lock nut) serving as an anti-loss device. The retainer 120, designed as a one-piece sheet metal piece, has a flat retaining section 122 for retaining the nut 110 and a clamping section (clamping spring) 121 supporting the retaining section 122. The retaining section 122 is designed with a circumferentially closed opening 123 in which the nut 110 is located against torque. The opening 123 may also have a different profile. A pre-assembled unit (cage nut) consisting of the nut 110 and the retainer 120 is indicated by 100.

[0020] The opening 123 in the retaining section 122 of the cage 120 is designed to be partially larger than the nut 110, such that a gap 130 exists between the two in the relevant section, as... Figure 1b As shown in the top view. The clearance 130 allows for a small number of degrees of freedom of movement between the nut 110 and the cage 120.

[0021] The opening 123 has multiple tabs 124, which are designed as sheet metal stretching sections or as approximately flange-shaped sections standing upright in the axial direction. These tabs abut against the torque transmission surface 114 on the outside of the nut 110 and securely clamp the nut 110 therebetween. (Like from...) Figure 1b As can be seen in the top view, the tabs 124 are cut off on both sides so that they can bounce better in the radial direction.

[0022] The opening 123 is designed to also have an additional shape-locking element 125, which is arranged between the tabs 124 and abuts against the edge 115 or edge region 115' of the nut 110. The additional shape-locking element 125 is designed in a fork shape. The V-shaped inner region at the fork end has a rounded 126 to prevent notch stress. In a no-load or no-torque state, the additional shape-locking element 125 is spaced apart from the nut 110 by a gap 130 (see above).

[0023] As explained above, the tab 124 is essentially configured for axial fixation of the nut 110, and the additional form-locking element 125 is essentially configured for torque support. When the bolt engaged in the nut 110 is tightened or loosened, a torque M acts on the nut 110 (see [link to documentation]). Figure 1bAs a result, the first piece 124 elastically deforms until the gap-based void between the nut 110 and the retainer 120 is overcome, and then torque support is achieved by the additional shape-locking element 125.

[0024] Figure 2 The embodiment shown differs primarily from the embodiment shown in Figure 1 in that the nut 110 and the retaining section 122 of the retainer 120 have different relative orientations, and only three tabs 124 are provided, which abut against every two torque transmission surfaces 114 of the nut 110. However, similar to the embodiment in Figure 1, a total of six additional form-locking elements 125 are provided, thereby enabling the application of substantially the same reaction torque on the nut 110. The opening 123 may also have a different profile.

Claims

1. A nut (110) having a retainer (120) made of sheet metal, the retainer having a retaining section (122) for retaining the nut (110) and a clamping section (121) for supporting the retaining section (122), wherein, The retaining section (122) is designed with a circumferentially closed opening (123), in which the nut (110) is arranged to resist relative rotation. The opening (123) is characterized by having a plurality of tabs (124) designed as sheet metal tension sections, the tabs abutting against the lateral torque transmission surface (114) of the nut (110), wherein the tabs (124) axially fix the nut (110) in the retainer (120) by means of clamping action. The opening (123) is designed to be partially larger than the nut (110), thereby allowing for relative rotation within the relevant section. There is a gap (130) between the opening and the nut, the opening (123) being designed with an additional shape-locking element (125) abutting the nut (110) in an edge region (115') between the torque transmission surfaces (114), the additional shape-locking element (125) being forked at its end toward the nut (110), wherein the additional shape-locking element (125) is provided for torque support, and in a no-load or no-torque state, the additional shape-locking element (125) is spaced apart from the nut (110) by the gap (130).

2. The nut (110) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The nut (110) is designed as a quadrilateral or hexagonal nut, wherein a tab (124) is provided for each torque transmission surface (114) of the nut (110).

3. The nut (110) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The nut (110) is designed as a quadrilateral or hexagonal nut, wherein a tab (124) is provided only for each pair of torque transmission surfaces (114) of the nut (110).

4. The nut (110) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The nut (110) has a coating.

5. The nut (110) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inner region of the fork-shaped end is designed to have a rounded (126) shape.

6. The nut (110) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The nut (110) is designed to have an internal thread of M10, M12 or M14.

7. The nut (110) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The retainer (120) is manufactured as a one-piece sheet metal part.

Images