Threaded bolt and hinge assembly having such threaded bolt

Abstract

The present invention relates to a threaded bolt for a hinge assembly, the threaded bolt comprising a cylindrical base. The cylindrical base comprises a first truncated cone protrusion and a second truncated cone protrusion adjacent to the first truncated cone protrusion at its outer circumference. The diameter of the side of the first truncated cone protrusion facing the second truncated cone protrusion is smaller than the diameter of the side of the second truncated cone protrusion facing the first truncated cone protrusion. The first truncated cone protrusion comprises teeth at its circumference, the teeth protruding in a radial direction beyond an imaginary continuation of the second truncated cone protrusion. The present invention also relates to a hinge assembly having such a threaded bolt.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a threaded bolt for a hinge assembly and a hinge assembly having the threaded bolt. Background Art

[0002] A hinge assembly for a motor vehicle is known from the prior art, which is used to pivotally connect a motor vehicle door to the body of the motor vehicle. The known hinge assembly comprises a first hinge element and a threaded bolt. The threaded bolt is arranged in a through hole of the first hinge element in such a way that the end surface of the bolt, which includes the surrounding toothing, abuts against the first hinge element. The toothing cuts into the first hinge element. This prevents the threaded bolt from rotating relative to the first hinge element, so that in order to fix the threaded bolt to the first hinge part, the threaded element can be turned into the threaded bolt without the threaded bolt rotating together with the threaded element.

[0003] However, during the service life, the toothing regularly cuts further into the first hinge part. This causes the threaded connection to loosen.

[0004] DE 1768521 U describes a hinge with a rotating bolt, which is arranged directly above a lower rotating sleeve with a projection, and on which an upper rotating sleeve rests in a sliding manner.

[0005] A hinge assembly for pivotally supporting a vehicle body component using a support bolt is known from DE 198 49 056 C1. Summary of the invention

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide a threaded bolt which can be reliably fixed to a first hinge part by means of a threaded element over a long period of time, i.e., in the first hinge part, the threaded connection of the threaded bolt to the threaded element does not loosen during the service life. In addition, the object of the present invention is to provide a hinge assembly having such a threaded bolt.

[0007] This object is achieved by a threaded screw and a hinge assembly.

[0008] Therefore, according to the present invention, a threaded bolt for a hinge assembly is provided, by means of which a motor vehicle door can be pivotably fixed at the body of the motor vehicle. The hinge assembly comprises a cylindrical base body. The cylindrical base body has a first truncated cone protrusion and a second truncated cone protrusion adjacent to each other at its outer circumference. The diameter of the side of the first truncated cone protrusion facing the second truncated cone protrusion is smaller than the diameter of the side of the second truncated cone protrusion facing the first truncated cone protrusion. Therefore, the first truncated cone protrusion is retracted relative to the second truncated cone protrusion in the axial direction. The first truncated cone protrusion comprises at least one tooth at its outer circumference. The tooth extends outwardly in the radial direction so that the tooth protrudes in the axial direction beyond the imaginary continuation of the peripheral surface of the second truncated cone protrusion. Therefore, when the second truncated cone protrusion is extended in the direction of the first truncated cone protrusion at the peripheral surface of the second truncated cone protrusion, the tooth will protrude laterally. Therefore, when the tooth is mounted at the first hinge part, the tooth can cut into the first hinge part. Thus, the threaded bolt is secured against rotation relative to the first hinge part about a rotation axis extending axially of the threaded bolt.

[0009] Therefore, the core concept of the present invention is to offset the first truncated conical protrusion inwardly in the radial direction relative to the second truncated conical protrusion via a step portion, thereby constructing a hollow space between the first hinge part and the first truncated conical protrusion, and to provide teeth for the first truncated conical protrusion, which cut into the first hinge part when the threaded bolt is installed at the first hinge part.

[0010] In the context of the present invention, the term “tooth” describes an element which projects in radial direction beyond the circumferential surface of the threaded bolt, in particular beyond the circumferential surface of the first frustoconical projection.

[0011] The teeth may taper outwardly in a radial direction so that they may cut into the first hinge part. Thus, the threaded bolt is secured against rotation relative to the first hinge part.

[0012] For example, the teeth have a triangular profile.

[0013] The outer circumference of the second truncated cone-shaped projection rests on the first hinge part in an annular manner in the installed state. Therefore, compared with the known hinge assembly, the risk of loosening of the connection between the threaded bolt and the first hinge part is reduced because the possibility of the second truncated cone-shaped projection cutting into the first hinge part is eliminated.

[0014] When the teeth are pressed into the first hinge part, material bulging occurs regularly. Since the bulging material is collected in the hollow space formed between the threaded bolt and the first hinge part in the installed state, the bulging material does not affect the connection between the threaded bolt and the first hinge part even during disassembly and reassembly. This prolongs the possible service life of the threaded bolt.

[0015] For example, the first frustoconical protrusion and the second frustoconical protrusion taper towards the same axial direction.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment of the threaded bolt according to the present invention, the base body comprises a blind hole into which the threaded member can be screwed. Thus, the threaded bolt can be fixed at the first hinge part.

[0017] The blind hole can be a threaded hole.

[0018] The blind hole extends, for example, in the axial direction of the threaded bolt.

[0019] The blind hole can be introduced into the threaded bolt from a side which is closer to the first truncated-conical projection than to the second truncated-conical projection and is therefore open.

[0020] In one exemplary embodiment, a threaded bolt according to the invention comprises two teeth.

[0021] The teeth may be arranged opposite one another.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment, the threaded bolt according to the invention comprises three teeth.

[0023] The teeth can be arranged at regular intervals relative to one another.

[0024] The invention further relates to a hinge assembly, in particular a hinge assembly for a motor vehicle. The hinge assembly comprises a first hinge part having a through hole and a hinge eyelet. The hinge eyelet is truncated cone-shaped. The hinge eyelet is arranged at an axial end of the through hole. The hinge assembly further comprises a threaded bolt as described above. The teeth of the threaded bolt are pressed into a wall defining the hinge eyelet, i.e. surrounding the hinge eyelet on the circumferential side, so that the second truncated cone-shaped projection is flatly placed against the wall defining the hinge eyelet. Here, a hollow space is constructed between the first truncated cone-shaped projection and the wall.

[0025] The hinge assembly according to the invention has the same advantages as the threaded bolt described above, so that reference is made to the statements concerning the threaded bolt at this point.

[0026] At least a portion of the second frustoconical projection can bear laterally in the circumferential direction against a portion of the wall that delimits the hinge eye.

[0027] For example, a hinge eye is a recess which is delimited laterally by walls and is open at the top and bottom.

[0028] The wall can have the same inclination as the first truncated cone-shaped projection and / or the second truncated cone-shaped projection. Therefore, the second truncated cone-shaped projection can be flatly placed on the wall.

[0029] The hinge eye can have such an extension in the axial direction that the first frustoconical projection and the second frustoconical projection can be arranged in the hinge eye.

[0030] The extension of the hinge eye in the axial direction corresponds, for example, to the sum of the extension of the first frustoconical projection in the axial direction and the extension of the second frustoconical projection in the axial direction.

[0031] In a preferred embodiment, the hinge assembly according to the present invention comprises a threaded member, which is threadedly connected with the threaded bolt in the through hole, and is particularly screwed into the blind hole of the threaded bolt.

[0032] For example, the screw is introduced into the through-hole from the side opposite the hinge eye.

[0033] For example, the threaded bolt is introduced into the through-opening from the side of the hinge eye in such a way that at least a part of the second frustoconical projection rests in an annular manner on a part of the wall which delimits the hinge eye.

[0034] Thus, for example, the threaded element and the threaded bolt are introduced into the through-opening from different sides.

[0035] In an exemplary embodiment of the hinge assembly according to the present invention, the hollow space is truncated cone-shaped. Therefore, the hollow space has the shape of a ring that tapers in the axial direction.

[0036] In a preferred embodiment of the hinge assembly according to the invention, the outer circumference of the second truncated cone-shaped projection and the wall defining the hinge eye are smooth, i.e., have no unevenness, in particular no teeth. Therefore, the outer circumference of the second truncated cone-shaped projection and the wall defining the hinge eye are in contact with each other in a surface-like manner, so that they form a fluid-tight connection. Therefore, no fluid, such as salt water, can penetrate into the hollow space. This prolongs the service life of the hinge assembly. Paint applied in the context of motor vehicle construction cannot penetrate into the hollow space either, which simplifies the painting process.

[0037] In a preferred embodiment, the hinge assembly according to the invention comprises a second hinge part which is pivotably connected to the first hinge part by means of a threaded bolt.

[0038] The first hinge part is fixed to the body of the motor vehicle, for example, and is particularly screwed to the body. The second hinge part is fixed to the door of the motor vehicle, for example, and is particularly screwed to the door.

[0039] Alternatively, the first hinge part can be fastened to the door, in particular screwed to the door, and the second hinge part can be fastened to the body of the motor vehicle, in particular screwed to the body. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] The present invention will be explained in more detail below based on the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings:

[0041] Figure 1 A perspective view showing a hinge assembly according to the present invention;

[0042] Figure 2 A perspective view showing a threaded bolt, a first hinge part and a threaded member of a hinge assembly according to the present invention;

[0043] Figure 3 A front view showing a threaded bolt of a hinge assembly according to the present invention; and

[0044] Figure 4 Shown along Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the line III-III passing through the threaded bolt, the first hinge part and the threaded member of the hinge assembly according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] Figure 1 A hinge assembly 2 for a motor vehicle according to the invention is shown. The hinge assembly 2 is used to pivotably connect a motor vehicle door (not shown) to a body (not shown) of the motor vehicle.

[0046] The hinge assembly 2 comprises a first hinge part 18, a second hinge part 36, a threaded bolt 4, a screw 16, a bushing (not shown) and a fixing element 38. The first hinge part 18 is pivotably connected to the second hinge part 36 via the threaded bolt 4, the screw 16 and the bushing pushed onto the cylindrical base 6 of the threaded bolt 4. The fixing element 38 fixes the second hinge part 38 to the threaded bolt 4. The second hinge part 36 is fixed to the motor vehicle door.

[0047] The first hinge part 18 is fixed to the body of the motor vehicle by means of two screws (not shown). For this purpose, the first hinge part 18 comprises a connecting plate 28. The connecting plate 28 has two recesses 30 in which the screws are arranged when the first hinge part 18 is mounted on the body.

[0048] The first hinge part 18 comprises a support cylinder 32 having a through hole 20. The hinge eye 22 adjoins the through hole 20 on the end side. The hinge eye 22 is delimited laterally (i.e. in the radial direction) by a wall 24 and is open downwardly and upwardly (i.e. in the axial direction). The hinge eye 22 has a circular cross section. The wall 24 which delimits the hinge eye 22 laterally extends obliquely. Therefore, the diameter of the hinge eye 22 tapers from one end of the support cylinder 32 (at which the hinge eye 22 is arranged) in the direction of the other end of the support cylinder 32, thereby configuring a truncated cone shape.

[0049] Especially from Figure 3 A single illustration of a threaded bolt 4 in Figure 4 Along the lines shown in Figure 2 Line III-III passes through Figure 2 As can be seen in the cross-sectional view of the hinge assembly 2 shown in FIG, the cylindrical base body 6 of the threaded bolt 4 includes a first truncated cone protrusion 8 and a second truncated cone protrusion 10 at the outer circumference. The inclination of the second truncated cone protrusion 10 is the same as the inclination of the wall 24. Therefore, the second truncated cone protrusion 10 rests on the wall 24 in a flat manner in the installed state.

[0050] The first truncated cone protrusion 8 and the second truncated cone protrusion 10 are adjacent to each other. The diameter of the side of the first truncated cone protrusion 8 facing the second truncated cone protrusion is smaller than the diameter of the side of the second truncated cone protrusion 10 facing the first truncated cone protrusion 8. Therefore, the peripheral surface of the first truncated cone protrusion 8 is retracted relative to the peripheral surface of the second truncated cone protrusion 10 in the radial direction. The connecting section 34 connects the peripheral surface of the first truncated cone protrusion 8 with the peripheral surface of the second truncated cone protrusion 10. The first truncated cone protrusion 8, the second truncated cone protrusion 10 and the connecting section 34 thus configure a stepped shape.

[0051] The first truncated cone-shaped projection 8 comprises three teeth 12 at its outer circumference. The teeth 12 are arranged at regular intervals relative to each other. The imaginary connecting line of the teeth 12 thus forms an equilateral triangle. The teeth 12 taper outwardly in the radial direction. Therefore, the teeth 12 can be embedded in the wall 24 defining the hinge eyelet 22.

[0052] It is also conceivable that the frustoconical projection 8 comprises more or fewer teeth 12 .

[0053] In the radial direction, the teeth 12 extend accordingly far enough that they project in the axial direction beyond the imaginary continuation of the circumferential surface of the second truncated cone-shaped projection 10. Thus, when the second truncated cone-shaped projection 12 rests on the wall 24 defining the hinge eye 22, the teeth can cut into the wall 24. Thus, the threaded bolt 4 is secured against rotation relative to the first hinge part 18 about an axis of rotation extending along the axial direction of the threaded bolt. This makes it possible to screw the threaded element 16 into or out of the blind hole 14 of the cylindrical base body 6 without the threaded bolt 4 rotating together with the threaded element 16, so that the threaded bolt 4 and the threaded element 16 can be fixed at the first hinge part 18.

[0054] The screw 16 is introduced into the through hole 20 from the side opposite to the hinge eyelet 22. Thus, the screw 16 is introduced into the through hole 20 from the other side than the threaded bolt 4 (see FIG. Figure 2 ).

[0055] By cutting the teeth 12 into the wall 24, the material of the first hinge part 18 is raised. Since the first truncated cone-shaped projection 8 is set back in the radial direction relative to the second truncated cone-shaped projection 10, a truncated cone-shaped annular hollow space 26 is formed between the first truncated cone-shaped projection 8 and the wall 24 defining the hinge eyelet 22. The hollow space 26 is therefore delimited in the radial direction by the first truncated cone-shaped projection 10 and the wall 24. The raised material can remain in the hollow space 26 without negatively affecting the connection between the threaded bolt 4 and the first hinge part 18. It is therefore possible to remove the threaded bolt 4 from the first hinge part 18 and then reinstall it. Therefore, the hinge assembly 2 according to the invention has a long service life and can be used many times.

[0056] The second truncated cone-shaped projection 10 has a smooth outer circumference. The wall 24 defining the hinge eye 22 is also designed to be smooth, i.e., without teeth and unevenness. Therefore, the outer circumference of the second truncated cone-shaped projection 10 rests on the wall 24 in an annular manner and thus fluid-impermeable in the installed state. Therefore, no fluid, such as salt water, can reach the hollow space, which further extends the service life of the hinge assembly 2 according to the invention. In addition, the paint applied in the context of motor vehicle construction cannot penetrate into the hollow space. This simplifies motor vehicle construction.

[0057] Reference numerals list

[0058] 2 Hinge assembly

[0059] 4 thread bolt

[0060] 6 Columnar base

[0061] 8 first truncated cone-shaped protrusion

[0062] 10 Second truncated cone-shaped protrusion

[0063] 12 teeth

[0064] 14 Blind hole

[0065] 16 Threaded parts

[0066] 18 First hinge part

[0067] 20 Through Holes

[0068] 22 Hinge eyelets

[0069] 24 wall

[0070] 26 Hollow Space

[0071] 28 Connecting plate

[0072] 30 Space

[0073] 32 Support column

[0074] 34 Connection section

[0075] 36 Second hinge part

[0076] 38 Fixing elements

Claims

1. A threaded bolt for a hinge assembly, the threaded bolt comprising a cylindrical base (6), characterized in that: The cylindrical base body (6) comprises, on its outer circumference, a first truncated cone-shaped protrusion (8) and a second truncated cone-shaped protrusion (10) adjacent to the first truncated cone-shaped protrusion (8), wherein the diameter of the side of the first truncated cone-shaped protrusion (8) facing the second truncated cone-shaped protrusion (10) is smaller than the diameter of the side of the second truncated cone-shaped protrusion (10) facing the first truncated cone-shaped protrusion (8), and the first truncated cone-shaped protrusion (8) comprises at least one tooth (12) on its circumference, the at least one tooth protruding in a radial direction beyond an imaginary continuation of the second truncated cone-shaped protrusion (10).

2. The threaded bolt according to claim 1, characterized in that The base body (6) comprises a blind hole (14) into which a threaded element (16) can be screwed.

3. The threaded bolt according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: Two teeth (12) or three teeth (12) are provided.

4. A hinge assembly comprising a first hinge part (18) having a through hole (20) and a hinge eyelet (22) in the shape of a truncated cone, characterized in that: A threaded bolt (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 3 is provided, wherein the tooth (12) is pressed into a wall (24) of the first hinge part (18) which defines the hinge eyelet (22), so that the second truncated cone-shaped projection (10) rests on the wall (24) and a hollow space (26) is constructed between the first truncated cone-shaped projection (8) and the wall (24).

5. The hinge assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that: A threaded element (16) is provided, which is threadedly connected to the threaded bolt (4) in a blind hole (14) of a cylindrical base body (6) of the threaded bolt (4).

6. The hinge assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that: The hollow space (26) is in the shape of a truncated cone.

7. The hinge assembly according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that: The outer peripheral surface of the second truncated cone-shaped protrusion (10) and the wall (24) defining the hinge eyelet (22) have no unevenness.

8. The hinge assembly according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that: The second hinge part (36) of the hinge assembly is rotatably fixed to the threaded bolt (4).

9. The hinge assembly according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that: The first hinge part (18) is fixed to the body of the motor vehicle or to the door of the motor vehicle.

10. The hinge assembly according to claim 8, characterized in that: The second hinge part is fastened to a door of the motor vehicle or to a body of the motor vehicle.

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