Gasket for covering long holes

Abstract

The invention relates to a grommet (1) for covering a long hole (3), comprising a grommet body (1a) and an eyelet (6) in the grommet body (1a), wherein the eyelet (6) is arranged asymmetrically in the grommet body (1a) in terms of a rotation about the center of the grommet body (1a). The invention also relates to a method for covering a long hole with such a grommet and to an assembled component, in particular a metal structure, wherein a long hole has been covered with such a grommet.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The invention relates to a washer for covering a long hole, in particular an asymmetric, elongated (or rather micro-elongated) or oval washer for (completely) covering a long hole. The invention also relates to a method for covering a long hole by means of such a washer and to an assembly, in particular a metal structure, in which a long hole has been covered by means of such a method. BACKGROUND

[0002] Long holes are often used for tolerance compensation in assemblies. This offers the advantage in the case of bolted or riveted connections that the workpieces have to have a lower manufacturing precision or that deformations, for example due to heat, can be compensated in the structural design.

[0003] A problem that can arise depending on the length of the long hole is that the long hole cannot be completely covered by a standard washer. This is not only an aesthetic defect, but also has technical disadvantages, leading to possibly increased surface pressure.

[0004] Special washers of symmetrical design have to be relatively large in order to completely cover a long hole, and therefore require a correspondingly large installation space. For example, a conventional washer according to the ISO 7089 standard (outer diameter approximately twice the diameter of the bolt) can only cover a relatively short long hole, the length of which does not exceed 1.5 times the width. If a washer according to the ISO 7093 standard (outer diameter approximately three times the diameter of the bolt) is considered, the length of the long hole must not exceed twice the width thereof.

[0005] Hitherto, either the correspondingly large long hole has not been completely covered or a very large washer with a correspondingly large space requirement has been used. SUMMARY

[0006] The technical problem addressed by the invention is to provide an alternative, more comfortable washer and a method for using such a washer, by means of which the aforementioned disadvantages are avoided.

[0007] The technical problem is solved by the washer according to the invention, the method according to the invention and the assembly according to the invention.

[0008] The washer for covering a long hole according to the invention comprises a washer body and an eyelet in the washer body, wherein the eyelet is arranged asymmetrically in the washer body in terms of rotation on the washer body about the centre of the washer body. This means that the centre of the eyelet is located next to the centre of the washer. Thus, in the case of a circular eyelet, the eyelet is arranged eccentrically on the washer, and in the case of a long hole as an eyelet, the centre of the long hole is located next to the centre of the washer. The centre of the washer can here absolutely still be located in the region of the eyelet (only not in the centre of the eyelet). This asymmetry is of course not minor, but greater than the manufacturing tolerances.

[0009] The method for covering a long hole in a grommet covering member according to the application comprises the following steps:

[0010] - placing the grommet over the long hole and inserting a cylindrical fixing element, preferably a bolt or a rivet, through the eye of the grommet and through the long hole.

[0011] Here the fixing element can first be pushed through the grommet and subsequently the set is positioned over the long hole, or the grommet is placed over the long hole and the fixing element is pushed through the eye and the long hole.

[0012] - orienting the fixing element in the long hole to a predetermined fixing position.

[0013] The fixing position depends on the type of structure served by the long hole. In one structure the fixing element will be located on a site of the long hole which is predetermined by the structure or the component to be connected. Thus there is a "predetermined fixing position".

[0014] - orienting the grommet to a covering position in which the long hole is covered flush, wherein for this purpose the grommet is rotated 180° around the fixing element if in one orientation the long hole cannot be covered.

[0015] Here the grommet is moved over the long hole until the long hole is covered flush. This can also occur by simply rotating the grommet 180° around the fixing element, i.e. around the face normal of the long hole. If the grommet has a long hole as an eye, the grommet can additionally also be moved along this longer eye.

[0016] - fixing the fixing element such that the grommet is clamped over the long hole in the covering position.

[0017] Here the fixing element is fixed with the grommet as specified, i.e. in the case of a bolt a bolt connection is made and in the case of a rivet a riveting is made.

[0018] The eye of the grommet is here preferably a long hole, and preferably an additional, in particular circular, additional grommet is additionally placed over the eye of the grommet such that the eye of the grommet is covered flush.

[0019] It is important in this method that the long hole is covered. But usually two components are connected together, wherein one of the components has a long hole, i.e. it is understood in this method that also a further component is fixed with a fixing element on the component where the long hole is located. Usually this further component has a round hole which can be covered by a simple round (additional) washer according to the prior art. If this further component should also have a long hole, it is of course possible to position a washer according to the invention on each side of the connection in correspondence with the position of the associated long hole, i.e. to position a first washer above a first long hole and a second washer above a second long hole, so that both long holes are covered in their entirety. In this case, the structure appears in cross-section as follows: first washer, first component with first long hole, second component with second long hole, second washer.

[0020] It is clear that this method cannot be applied for long holes which are too large and washers which are too small. It is also clear that any hole can be covered with a washer which is large enough. But in practice, most long holes can be well covered with a suitable washer according to the invention and with minimal space requirement.

[0021] The assembled component according to the invention is preferably a metal structure, particularly preferably a rail vehicle, for example a locomotive or a railway car. The assembled component comprises at least one washer according to the invention, wherein at least two washers, i.e. at least one washer on each side of the long hole, are particularly preferred. The washer covers here preferably the long hole of the assembled component, preferably in its entirety. The washer can in particular have been installed by the method according to the invention, which in practice can be seen in that the orientation of the washer depends on its position above the long hole. The advantage of such an assembled component compared to the prior art is that in addition to completely closing the long hole and thus protecting it from the environment, also a better mechanical strength is ensured, because the pressure of the fixing element can be conducted onto the entire edge of the long hole.

[0022] Further particularly advantageous design proposals and extensions of the invention are given by the following description, wherein the design proposals according to one aspect of the invention can also be extended analogously to the design proposals and descriptions of the different aspects, and in particular, individual features from the different embodiments or variants can also be combined into new embodiments or variants.

[0023] According to a preferred embodiment, the eyelet of the washer is shaped as a slot. The slot has a length a and a width b, and a > b applies. Here, the slot preferably has semicircular end regions, but in principle the slot can also be rectangular (with rounded corners if necessary). It is preferable that a / b < 2, in particular a / b < 1.5, applies for the ratio of the length a to the width b. It is preferable that the slot is arranged mirror-symmetrically in the washer, preferably on the longitudinal axis of the washer.

[0024] The width of the eyelet in the washer should correspond to the width of the slot to be covered and / or the diameter of the fastening element that is to be used for fastening (the width of the eyelet should be somewhat larger than the diameter of the fastening element, so that the fastening element can be passed through the eyelet). Although the slot to be covered is not part of the invention, the dimensions of the slot are known, and it is simply a matter of using a washer with the appropriate dimensions.

[0025] Unlike a purely circular eyelet, a slot as an eyelet in a washer allows the washer to be moved over the slot in the component along the shank of a bolt or rivet. More efficient positioning can thereby be achieved compared to the case of a purely circular eyelet, and the washer can be designed to be smaller and thus more space-saving.

[0026] In order to enable the eyelet (in the form of a slot) to be covered in a simple manner by a circular (additional) washer, the length a of the eyelet should not exceed twice the width (i.e. the diameter of the eyelet). Thus, covering can be achieved in any position of the fastening element in the eyelet by a circular (additional) washer according to ISO 7093. If a circular (additional) washer according to ISO 7089 is to be used, the length should not exceed 3 / 2 times the width.

[0027] According to a preferred embodiment, the washer is shaped elongated, whereby the length L of the washer is greater than the width B of the washer. Thus, the washer can be produced more material-savingly than a circular (additional) washer and can cover a slot more space-savingly. It should be noted for this that, in order to effectively cover a slot having a width y, the washer requires at most an edge thickness of y on each side of the slot (see ISO 7093 for the circular case), and generally an edge thickness of y / 2 (see ISO 7089 for the circular case). If a washer having a length L and a width B is considered, it is preferable that L > 1.5B, or preferably L < 3B. Here, only the upper limit is mentioned, because most slots are not excessively long, and the preferred range of washer dimensions can cover almost all standard slots in practice.

[0028] According to a preferred embodiment, the eye of the washer is located substantially on one half (or half part) of the washer. Here, the expression "substantially" means that more than 70%, in particular more than 80% of the area of the eye (e.g. a slot) is located on one half of the washer. However, it is preferred here that a part of the area of the eye can absolutely protrude into the other half of the washer. It is preferred, however, that the eye is positioned in the washer such that the center (or better: the penetration point of the middle longitudinal axis) of the bolt which fits exactly into the eye is outside (or beyond) the center of the washer on the side of the washer on which the largest area of the eye is present. Thus, the eye preferably does not protrude more than half of the width b of the eye with respect to its longitudinal axis into the other half. This means for a slot with a semicircular end region with a radius of b / 2, for example, that the eye designed as a slot does not protrude more than b / 2 (preferably less) into the other half of the washer. With an eye arranged thus, the washer can be designed very small with respect to the slot in the component, and the washer can still cover the entire slot, since the washer can be rotated 180° over the slot as described above in the context of the method in order to effectively cover the slot in any position of the bolt in the slot.

[0029] According to a preferred embodiment, the longitudinal axis of the eye with the length a (which in turn has a width b) is located on the longitudinal axis of the washer with the length L. This means that for an elongated washer, the eye is arranged mirror-symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis. Due to the asymmetric arrangement of the eye (asymmetric with respect to the center of the washer, i.e. asymmetric with respect to the aspect of rotational symmetry as required above), on this longitudinal axis, the washer comprises a shorter edge thickness with the length d on one side of the eye and a longer edge thickness with the length c on the opposite side of the eye. It should preferably apply here that c > 1.5d. This means that when the dimensions of the circular eye are designed with a width of 2d (i.e. the thinner edge of the washer is at least half of the diameter of the eye, similar to the ISO 7089 washer, which would result in c > 3d), the eye protrudes less than said half out of the center of the washer, for example, the eye protrudes a quarter of its diameter out of the center of the washer. An eye designed as a slot with the length a = c and the width b = 2d would protrude b / 2 out of one half of the washer.

[0030] According to one preferred embodiment based on the preceding hole arrangement and the dimensions a, b (length and width of the hole) and the dimensions c, d (width of the gasket edge), the inner edge of the hole facing the longer edge thickness c has a distance to the center of the gasket of more than 0.4 (d-b) and / or less than 0.6 (d-b), preferably (d-b) / 2. This means that the edge of the hole can absolutely extend into the other half (when b>d), but the entire hole can also be located outside the center line of the gasket (when d>b). For most long holes, b>d is preferred, since this forms a very compact type of construction of the gasket and absolutely many long holes can be covered with the gasket.

[0031] According to one preferred embodiment based on the preceding hole arrangement and the dimensions a, b (length and width of the hole) and the dimensions c, d (width of the gasket edge), the following applies for the length c of the longer edge thickness: c≥a-b+2d. This achieves a preferred gasket with a length L (L=a+c+d when the hole is located on the longitudinal axis) which is very advantageously designed and can cover many long holes with the least material expenditure (in the case of a suitable width of the gasket).

[0032] By the asymmetrical design of the elongated gasket and the relatively short long hole (in terms of rotation) as hole (which can be completely covered, for example, with a gasket according to ISO 7089 or ISO 7093), the long hole can be completely covered in any tolerance position. Here, the dimensions of the gasket and thus the space requirement of the gasket can be minimized. Depending on the requirements, the installation position of the gasket can be changed by rotation or shifting.

[0033] But it is noted in this connection that in the case of excessively long long holes the corresponding dimensioning of the gasket should be chosen. In general, here for a hole with a length a and a width b the edge thicknesses on the longitudinal axis (length c and d) should be chosen such that c>2d (or better c>a-b+2d). In order to cover a long hole with a length x, d>x / 2-a+b and c>x-a+b should be chosen.

[0034] An advantage of the invention is therefore that the long hole can be completely covered in any tolerance position and the dimensions of the gasket can still be minimized. This improves not only the surface pressure, but also the appearance. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0035] The invention is explained in more detail below on the basis of embodiments with the aid of the drawings. Identical parts in different drawings are provided with the same reference signs here. The drawings are not drawn to scale as a rule. In the drawings:

[0036] Figure 1 a perspective top view of a preferred gasket covering a long hole is shown,

[0037] Figure 2 a plurality of positions of the preferred gasket above the long hole are shown,

[0038] Figure 3 the dimensions of the preferred gasket are shown,

[0039] Figure 4 and Figure 5 a shorter long hole is shown covered with a round gasket according to the prior art,

[0040] Figure 6 a perspective view showing an example of a simple assembly. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] Figure 1 a perspective view showing a preferred gasket 1 according to the application, which gasket covers a long hole 3 in a component 2. The long hole 3 is here covered completely and is therefore shown with dashed lines. Although it is clear that the two components 2 should normally be connected by the bolt 4 shown here as a fixing element 4, only one component 2 is shown here (the other component can also simply be obscured in perspective terms). In the perspective top view, only the bolt 4, the preferred gasket 1, a standard round additional gasket 5 and the component 2 can be seen.

[0042] Figure 2 a plurality of positions of the preferred gasket 1 on the long hole 3 are shown, as the gasket can be positioned, for example, by means of the method according to the application. Here, the view is from the side shown in Fig. 1, i.e. from the side of the component 2. The shank of the bolt 4 and the long hole 3 can be seen. The gasket 1 is here partly obscured by the component and can only be seen through the long hole 3. The outline of the gasket 1 is therefore shown here with dashed lines. However, the eyelet 6 in the gasket 1 can be seen, which eyelet is here shaped as a shorter long hole, so that this long hole can be completely covered by a round additional gasket 5 (which additional gasket is obscured by the component and the gasket according to the application and is shown in Fig. A and Fig. B with a dotted line). Figure 1

[0043] In Fig. A, the bolt 4 is located at the uppermost end of the long hole 3. Here and in the other figures, the gasket 1 completely covers the long hole 3. The eyelet 6 is completely covered by the round additional gasket 5.

[0044] In Fig. B, the bolt 4 is located in the upper half of the long hole 3. For this, the gasket 1 does not necessarily have to be moved relative to Fig. A, since the eyelet 6 still allows this position of the bolt 4. In this position of the bolt 4, the eyelet 6 is also completely covered by the round additional gasket 5. This also applies to the following figures, in which the round additional gasket 5 always covers the eyelet 6, but is not drawn there any more.

[0045] ​In Figure C, the bolt 4 is located in the middle of the long hole 3. For this, the washer 1 has to be moved slightly downwards in order to cover the long hole 3 completely.

[0046] In Figure D, the bolt 4 is located in the middle of the long hole 3. Here, the washer 1 has been rotated by 180° around the bolt 4 starting from Figure C.

[0047] In Figure E, the bolt 4 is located in the lower half of the long hole 3. For this, the washer 1 has been moved slightly downwards.

[0048] In Figure F, the bolt 4 is located at the very bottom end of the long hole 3. Here, the washer 1 also covers the long hole 3 completely as in Figure A, only rotated by 180°.

[0049] It can be seen that in any position of the bolt 4 in the long hole 3, the long hole can be covered completely by the washer 1.

[0050] Figure 3 The dimensions of a preferred washer 1 are shown, which has a washer body 1a and an elongated eyelet 6 in the washer body 1a. The eyelet 6 is arranged asymmetrically in the washer body 1a in terms of a rotation around the centre of the washer body on the washer body. Furthermore, the eyelet 6 is here shaped as a long hole, which has a length a and a width b, wherein a / b is approximately 1.4. The washer 1 itself is also shaped elongated, wherein the ratio of the length L and the width B of the washer (L / B) is equal to 1.6.

[0051] The eyelet 6 lies substantially on one half of the washer 1 (shown with dashed lines), but as can be seen, it extends into the other half by no more than half the width b of the eyelet, but only approximately b / 4. The longitudinal axis of the eyelet 6 with the length a (here the axis with the marking a) lies on the longitudinal axis of the washer 1 with the length L (continuous line). Due to the asymmetric arrangement of the eyelet 6, a shorter edge thickness with the length d and a longer edge thickness with the length c are produced on the washer 1, wherein c is approximately equal to 2.1d. The inner edge of the eyelet 6 facing the longer edge thickness (here the left edge) has a distance of more than (d-b) / 2 with respect to the centre of the washer 1 in the case of b>d (to the left due to d-b<0). In this example, it applies for the length c of the longer edge thickness that c≥a-b+2d.

[0052] Figure 4 and Figure 5 A shorter long hole 3 is shown covered with a circular additional washer 5 according to the prior art. In the left-hand Figure 4 An additional washer 5 according to the ISO 7089 standard is shown in the right-hand Figure 5 An additional washer 5 according to the ISO 7093 standard is shown in the right-hand

[0053] The additional gasket 5 is shown once with a solid line and once with a dashed line. This is the two outermost, or farthest, positions that the additional gasket 5 can have in order to completely cover the respective elongated hole 3. To this end, on the left, the length of the elongated hole 3 must not exceed 1.5 times the eyelet diameter b, while on the right, the length of the elongated hole must not exceed twice the eyelet diameter b. In terms of the present invention, the elongated hole 3 is the elongated eyelet 6 in the gasket 1 according to the invention.

[0054] Figure 6 A perspective view showing an example of a simple assembly 7. The assembly 7 is preferably a metal structure and can be many times more complex than shown, for example a metal tower or a rail vehicle. As can be seen, the assembly 7 comprises at least one gasket 1 according to the invention, which preferably covers the elongated hole 3 of the assembly 7 completely (so that this elongated hole is not visible here). The method according to the invention is preferably used for structural design.

[0055] Finally, it is again pointed out that the gaskets and methods described in detail above are only embodiments, which a person skilled in the art can modify in different ways, without departing from the scope of the invention. Furthermore, the use of the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude that a plurality of the relevant features can also be present. Likewise, terms such as "unit" do not exclude that the relevant component is composed of a plurality of sub-components that act together, which can also be distributed in space, if necessary.

Claims

1. A grommet (1) for covering a long hole (3), comprising a grommet body (1a) and an eyelet (6) in the grommet body (1a), wherein The eyelet (6) is arranged asymmetrically in the ring body (1a) in terms of a rotation about the center of the ring body (1a), characterized in that more than 70% of the eyelet (6) lies on one half of the gasket and a part of the face of the eyelet projects into the other side of the gasket (1), wherein the eyelet (6) is positioned in the gasket such that the eyelet (6) projects into the other half by no more than half of the width of the eyelet (6) about its longitudinal axis.

2. The gasket of claim 1, wherein, The eyelet (6) is shaped as a slot having a length a and a width b, wherein a > b, wherein the longitudinal axis of the eyelet (6) having the length a and the width b lies on the longitudinal axis of the gasket (1) having the length L and, due to the asymmetric arrangement of the eyelet (6), there is a shorter edge thickness of the gasket (1) having the length d and a longer edge thickness of the gasket (1) having the length c on the longitudinal axis, wherein c > 1.5 d.

3. The gasket of claim 2, wherein, The slot has semicircular end regions.

4. The gasket of claim 2, wherein, a / b ≤ 2.

5. The gasket of claim 4, wherein, a / b ≤ 1.

5.

6. The gasket of claim 1, wherein, The gasket is shaped elongated such that the length L of the gasket (1) is greater than the width B of the gasket.

7. The gasket of claim 6, wherein, L > 1.5 B and / or L < 3 B.

8. The gasket according to claim 1, wherein The eyelet (6) lies essentially on one half of the gasket (1) and the center of the gasket (1) lies in the region of the eyelet (6).

9. The gasket of claim 2, wherein, The inner edge of the eyelet (6) facing the longer edge thickness c has a distance of more than 0.4 (d-b) and less than 0.6 (d-b) with respect to the center of the gasket (1).

10. The gasket of claim 9, wherein, The distance is (d-b) / 2.

11. The gasket of claim 2, wherein, For the length c of the longer edge thickness applies: c ≥ a-b+2d.

12. A method for covering a slot (3) in a component (2) by a gasket (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising the steps: - placing the gasket (1) over the slot (3) and inserting a cylindrical fixing element (4) through the eyelet (6) of the gasket (1) and through the slot (3), - orienting the fixing element (4) in the slot (3) to a predetermined fixing position, - orienting the gasket (1) to a covering position in which the long hole (3) is covered flush, wherein For this purpose, if the slot (3) cannot be covered in one orientation, the gasket (1) is rotated by 180° about the fixing element (4), - fixing the fixing element (4) such that the gasket (1) is clamped over the slot (3) in the covering position.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein, The eyelet (6) of the gasket (1) is a slot and additionally a further additional gasket (5) is placed over the eyelet (6) of the gasket (1) such that the eyelet (6) of the gasket (1) is covered entirely.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein, The additional gasket (5) is circular.

15. An assembly (7) comprising at least one gasket (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

16. The assembled group (7) according to claim 15, wherein, The assembly is a metal structure.

17. The assembly (7) according to claim 15, wherein The assembly is a rail vehicle.

18. The assembly (7) according to claim 15, wherein The gasket entirely covers a slot (3) of the assembly (7).

19. The assembly (7) according to claim 15, wherein The gasket has been installed by a method according to any one of claims 12 to 14.

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