Fastening assembly for fastening two objects to each other

Abstract

The invention relates to a fixing assembly (10) for fixing two objects (2, 9) to each other, having a plastic flange (11) which is configured at a first object (2) and which bears against a second object (9), and having a screw (15) comprising a screw head (16) and a threaded shank (18), and to a sensor assembly (1) for a vehicle having such a fixing assembly (10), wherein the plastic flange (11) comprises a through-hole (12) through which the threaded shank (18) of the screw (15) is guided and screwed into a corresponding threaded hole (9.1) in the second object (9) such that the underside of the screw head (16) bears on the plastic flange (11) at a bearing region (13) at the edge of the through-hole (12), wherein a first wave-shaped contour (14) is introduced at the bearing region (13) of the plastic flange (11) and a second, harder wave-shaped contour (17) is introduced at the underside of the screw head (16), which, in the screwed state, plastically and elastically deforms the first wave-shaped contour (14) as a result of a preloading force and achieves a form-fit anti-loosening.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a fixing assembly for securing two objects to each other. The invention also relates to a sensor assembly for a vehicle having such a fixing assembly. Background Technology

[0002] Sensors known from existing technology (such as wheel speed detectors) and various other vehicle components are often screwed onto their respective carriers within a vehicle. Typically, for components with plastic flanges, metal bushings are injected or fitted into the plastic flanges. The aim is to create a threaded connection that is entirely preloaded by metal components, preventing the threaded connection from loosening under vehicle loads.

[0003] To prevent threaded connections from loosening under load, locking screws are also known from the prior art, which have teeth or ribs at the head of the screw. These teeth or ribs are plastically and / or elastically engaged in the metal substrate. For this purpose, the head of the screw is designed to be harder than the metal substrate. Furthermore, metal locking washers are known, which also prevent threaded connections from loosening under load or at least make them more difficult to loosen.

[0004] A sensor unit for a vehicle is known from patent document DE 10 2017 216 533 A1, which includes a holder comprising two buses, a measurement value provider, and a plug module. An internal electrical interface to the measurement value provider is constructed at the first end of the two buses. An external electrical interface for the plug module is constructed at the second end of the two buses. Furthermore, the plug module, the holder, and the orientation member are at least partially surrounded by a plastic injection-molded encapsulation. Additionally, a fixing module is formed at the plastic injection-molded encapsulation, the fixing module including a bushing injected into a plastic connecting plate. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The fastening assembly for securing two objects to each other according to the invention has the advantages that the screw does not loosen automatically under load and maintains residual preload in the threaded connection. Furthermore, the bushings known in the prior art for plastic flanges can be eliminated.

[0006] To prevent the auger from loosening automatically, the auger has a wavy profile below its head, which can be cost-effectively manufactured together with the auger during production. The plastic flange also has a matching wavy profile in the contact area as a counterpart, which can be manufactured in the injection mold without affecting cost. Thus, a form-fit anti-loosening mechanism is formed together with the auger. By constructing wavy profiles at the auger head and the plastic flange, it is advantageously unnecessary to use other components, such as locking washers, to prevent the auger from loosening automatically under load.

[0007] Embodiments of the present invention provide a fastening assembly for securing two objects to each other. The fastening assembly comprises: a plastic flange disposed on a first object and abutting against a second object; and a auger comprising a auger head and a threaded shank. The plastic flange includes a through-hole through which the threaded shank of the auger is guided and screwed into a corresponding threaded hole in the second object, such that the lower side of the auger head abuts against the plastic flange at an abutment area at the edge of the through-hole. Here, a first wave profile is introduced at the abutment area of ​​the plastic flange, and a stiffer second wave profile is introduced at the lower side of the auger head. In the tightened state, the second wave profile plastically and elastically deforms the first wave profile, and a form-fit anti-loosening is achieved due to the preload force.

[0008] Furthermore, a sensor assembly for a vehicle is proposed, comprising a sensor as a first object and a carrier as a second object. Here, the sensor and the carrier are fixed to each other by a fixing assembly.

[0009] Of course, in addition to vehicles, the embodiments of the fixing components according to the present invention can also be used to fix two objects to each other.

[0010] A sensor is currently understood as a structural unit comprising at least one sensor element arranged within a housing. The sensor housing can be secured to another object, such as a carrier, via a fixing module including a plastic flange. At least one sensor element is designed to directly or indirectly detect a physical variable or a change in a physical variable, and preferably convert it into a sensor electrical signal. This can be accomplished, for example, by transmitting and / or receiving sound waves and / or electromagnetic waves and / or by sensing a magnetic field or a change in a magnetic field and / or receiving satellite signals (e.g., GPS signals). Optical sensor elements are also feasible, such as photosensitive plates and / or fluorescent surfaces and / or semiconductors that detect the impact or intensity, wavelength, frequency, angle, etc., of received waves, for example, infrared sensor elements. Similarly, acoustic sensor elements, such as ultrasonic sensor elements and / or high-frequency sensor elements and / or radar sensor elements, and / or sensor elements that respond to magnetic fields, such as Hall effect sensor elements and / or magnetoresistive sensor elements and / or inductive sensor elements, which record changes in the magnetic field, for example, via a voltage generated by magnetic induction.

[0011] Advantageous improvements can be made to the fixing components and sensor components according to the invention for fixing two objects to each other by the measures and improvements listed below.

[0012] Of particular advantage is that the first camber of the first waveform profile and the second camber of the second waveform profile can be respectively greater than the thread camber of the threaded shank of the helical member. Because of the difference in camber between the waveform profile and the threaded shank, a preload force is generated in the tightened state. This effectively prevents the threaded connection from automatically unscrewing or loosening under load, or at least makes it more difficult to do so.

[0013] In an advantageous design of the fixing component, the first slope of the first waveform profile can be less than the second slope of the second waveform profile. Furthermore, the height of the second waveform profile can be greater than the height of the first waveform profile. This makes tightening the screw easier.

[0014] In another advantageous design of the fastening component, the plastic flange can be made of fiber-reinforced plastic as an injection-molded part. Fiber-reinforced plastic can withstand stronger loads along its fiber direction than perpendicular to it. Furthermore, the elongation characteristics of fiber-reinforced plastic along its fiber direction are less affected by temperature than those perpendicular to it. Additionally, fiber-reinforced plastic creeps and unloads more slowly when loaded or unloaded along its fiber direction than when loaded or unloaded perpendicular to it. Therefore, the fiber direction of the reinforcing fibers of the fiber-reinforced plastic can extend radially relative to the through-hole in the contact area of ​​the plastic flange to improve the reliability of anti-loosening. Consequently, the reinforcing fibers of the fiber-reinforced plastic can be oriented along the troughs and crests of the first wave profile, such that when the screw is loosened, the compressive load in the trough region and the tensile load in the crest region extend along the reinforcing fibers. This significantly improves the reliability of anti-loosening because the load along the fiber direction is greatest when the screw is loosened. This orientation of the reinforcing fibers can be achieved, for example, by appropriately selecting the injection point during the injection molding process.

[0015] In another advantageous design of the fastening assembly, the plastic flange can have a thickness ranging from 2 mm to 5 mm in the contact area. This further improves the creep and / or shrinkage characteristics of the plastic flange, and thus further improves the reliability of anti-loosening.

[0016] In advantageous designs of sensor assemblies, plastic flanges can be incorporated as part of the sensor's mounting module. For example, a mounting module with a plastic flange can be molded to or connected to the sensor housing. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and will be explained in more detail in the following description. In the drawings, the same reference numerals denote parts or elements that perform the same or similar functions.

[0018] Figure 1A schematic perspective sectional view of an embodiment of a sensor assembly according to the invention, having an embodiment of a fixing component according to the invention, is shown.

[0019] Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 A schematic perspective view of the screw element of the fixing assembly according to the present invention.

[0020] Figure 3 It shows Figure 1 A schematic perspective view of the screw element introduced into the through hole of the plastic flange according to the present invention.

[0021] Figure 4 It shows having Figure 1 A schematic perspective view of the sensor fixing module of the plastic flange of the fixing component according to the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0022] As from Figures 1 to 4 As can be seen, the illustrated embodiment of the fastening assembly 10 according to the invention for securing two objects 2 and 9 to each other includes: a plastic flange 11 constructed at the first object 2 and abutting against the second object 9, and a auger 15 including a auger head 16 and a threaded shank 18. The plastic flange 11 includes a through hole 12 through which the threaded shank 18 of the auger 15 is guided and screwed into a corresponding threaded hole 9.1 in the second object 9, such that the lower side of the auger head 16 abuts against the plastic flange 11 at an abutment area 13 at the edge of the through hole 12. Here, a first wave profile 14 is introduced at the abutment area 13 of the plastic flange 11, and a harder second wave profile 17 is introduced at the lower side of the auger head 16. In the tightened state, the second wave profile plastically and elastically deforms the first wave profile 14, and the form fit is prevented from loosening due to the preload force.

[0023] As from Figure 3 As can also be seen, the first slope A of the first waveform profile 14 and the second slope B of the second waveform profile 17 are respectively greater than the thread slope C of the threaded shank 18 of the screw member 15. Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, the first slope A of the first waveform profile 14 is less than the second slope B of the second waveform profile 17. Additionally, the height of the second waveform profile 17 is greater than the height of the first waveform profile 14.

[0024] In the illustrated embodiment of the fixing assembly 10, the plastic flange 11 is made of fiber-reinforced plastic as an injection-molded part and has a thickness in the contact area 13 ranging from 2 mm to 5 mm. (As shown from...) Figure 4As can also be seen, the fiber direction FR of the reinforcing fibers of the fiber-reinforced plastic extends radially relative to the through hole 12 in the contact area 13 of the plastic flange 11. Thus, the reinforcing fibers of the fiber-reinforced plastic are oriented along the troughs 14.1 and crests 14.2 of the first wave profile 14, so that when the screw 15 is released, the compressive load in the region of trough 14.1 and the tensile load in the region of crest 14.2 extend along the reinforcing fibers.

[0025] As from Figure 1 As can also be seen, in the illustrated embodiment, the fixing component 10 is used in the sensor assembly 1 for a vehicle to fix the sensor 2A, which is a first object 2, and the carrier 9A, which is a second object 9, to each other. (See from...) Figure 1 As can also be seen, the housing 7 of sensor 2A is introduced into the sensor receiving portion 9.2 of carrier 9A, which is implemented as a stepped hole, so that the plastic flange 11 is attached to carrier 9A.

[0026] As from Figure 1 As can also be seen, in the illustrated embodiment, the plastic flange 11 is configured as part of the mounting module 5 of the sensor 2A. The mounting module 5 with the plastic flange 11 is connected to the housing 7 of the sensor 2A below the plug receiving portion 3 that forms the external electrical interface of the sensor 2A. For this purpose, the mounting module 5 has an annular region (not shown) surrounding the housing 7 of the sensor. In an alternative embodiment of the sensor assembly 1 (not shown), the mounting module 5 with the plastic flange 11 is formed to the housing 7 of the sensor 2A below the plug receiving portion 3.

Claims

1. A fixing assembly (10) for securing two objects to each other, the fixing assembly having a plastic flange (11) and a screw (15), the plastic flange being constructed at a first object (2) and abutting against a second object (9), the screw including a screw head (16) and a threaded shank (18), wherein, The plastic flange (11) includes a through hole (12), and the threaded shank (18) of the auger (15) is guided through the through hole and screwed into the corresponding threaded hole (9.1) in the second object (9), such that the lower side of the auger head (16) abuts against the plastic flange (11) at the abutting area (13) at the edge of the through hole (12), wherein a first wave profile (14) is introduced at the abutting area (13) of the plastic flange (11), and a harder second wave profile (17) is introduced at the lower side of the auger head (16). In the tightened state, due to the preload force, the second wave profile plastically and elastically deforms the first wave profile (14) and achieves anti-loosening of the shape fit, wherein the first slope (A) of the first wave profile (14) is less than the second slope (B) of the second wave profile (17).

2. The fixing component (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first slope (A) of the first waveform profile (14) and the second slope (B) of the second waveform profile (17) are respectively greater than the thread slope (C) of the threaded rod portion (18) of the helical member (15).

3. The fixing component (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The height of the second waveform profile (17) is greater than the height of the first waveform profile (14).

4. The fixing component (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The plastic flange (11) is made of fiber-reinforced plastic and is an injection-molded part.

5. The fixing component (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that, The fiber direction (FR) of the reinforcing fibers of the fiber-reinforced plastic extends radially relative to the through hole (12) in the contact area (13) of the plastic flange (11).

6. The fixing component (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that, The reinforcing fibers of the fiber-reinforced plastic are oriented along the troughs (14.1) and crests (14.2) of the first waveform profile (14), such that when the auger (15) is released, the compressive load in the region of the trough (14.1) and the tensile load in the region of the crest (14.2) extend along the reinforcing fibers.

7. The fixing component (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The plastic flange (11) has a thickness in the contact area (13) ranging from 2 mm to 5 mm.

8. A sensor assembly (1) for a vehicle, the sensor assembly having a sensor (2A) as a first object (2) and a carrier (9A) as a second object (9), wherein, The sensor (2A) and the carrier (9A) are fixed to each other by a fixing component (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The sensor assembly (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that, The plastic flange (11) is constructed as part of the fixing module (5) of the sensor (2A).

10. The sensor assembly (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that, The fixing module (5) having the plastic flange (11) is formed to or connected to the housing (7) of the sensor (2A).

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