Apparatus and method for tolerance compensation

Abstract

An apparatus for positioning a first workpiece in a mechanical assembly at a predetermined distance from a second workpiece, the apparatus comprising a first component and a second component, the first component being tubular and having a hollow portion, the second component comprising a tubular sub-component configured to be at least partially inserted within the hollow portion of the first component, an outer diameter of the tubular sub-component is adjusted to an inner diameter of the hollow portion such that an outer surface of the tubular sub-component is in frictional contact with an inner surface of the hollow portion of the first component, where a first angular position of the second component about an axis of the device is defined, a first rotation of the second component in a first angular direction about an axis of the device from a first angular position drives the first component to rotate in the first angular direction about the axis at a first rotation angle from the first angular position to an intermediate angular position, a first rotation of the first member about the axis simultaneously causes movement of the first member along the axis towards the first workpiece such that the end of the device contacts the first workpiece.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of tolerance compensation. Background Art

[0002] It is usually necessary to precisely install two elements A and B fixed on different supports. These two elements A and B cannot be precisely positioned relative to each other mainly due to tolerances in the manufacturing process. In the case of activating an electronic device or switch that needs to be installed on one element B but is activated by another element A installed on a different support, this situation may cause problems. Such an imprecise positioning of elements A and B may cause a collision between the actuating feature and the sensor or switch because the end of the stroke will not be correctly positioned.

[0003] It is known to compensate for tolerances in the fixation of components, but not for tolerances at the end of stroke adjustment. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To this end, the present invention provides a device for positioning a first workpiece in a mechanical assembly at a predetermined distance from a second workpiece. The device is configured to be mounted on the second workpiece and inserted into a through-hole of the second workpiece in the mechanical assembly. The device includes a first component and a second component. The first component is tubular and has a hollow portion formed around the axis of the device. The second component includes a tubular sub-component configured to be at least partially inserted into the hollow portion of the first component. The outer diameter of the tubular sub-component of the second component is adjusted to the inner diameter of the hollow portion of the first component such that the outer surface of the tubular sub-component of the second component is in frictional contact with the inner surface of the hollow portion of the first component. Wherein, a first angular position of the second component around the axis of the device is defined such that a first rotation of the second component around the axis of the device by a first rotation angle in a first angular direction from the first angular position drives the first component to rotate around the axis in the first angular direction by the first rotation angle from the first angular position to an intermediate angular position. The first rotation of the first component around the axis simultaneously generates a movement of the first component along the axis towards the first workpiece such that the end of the device contacts the first workpiece in the mechanical assembly.

[0005] According to these settings, the distance separating the first workpiece and the second workpiece is determined, and the distance is a function of the size of the device in contact with the first and second workpieces, so that tolerances can be compensated.

[0006] The present invention is involved in implementing a method that includes forming a "zero" point, which means a reference point between the first workpiece and the second workpiece, and then setting an appropriate gap between the above-mentioned workpieces.

[0007] According to one embodiment, the present invention includes one or more of the following features, either individually or in any technically compatible combination.

[0008] The device is configured to be screwed onto the second workpiece.

[0009] The axis of the device is transverse to the main extension of the first workpiece and the main extension of the second workpiece.

[0010] A second angular position of the second component about the axis of the device is defined such that an intermediate angular position is between the first angular position and the second angular position, such that during a second rotation of the second component about the axis of the device in a first angular direction from the intermediate angular position to the second angular position, the first component remains in the intermediate angular position.

[0011] According to these settings, the distance separating the first workpiece and the second workpiece is determined based on the dimensions of the device in contact with the first workpiece and the second workpiece, and the device is in a second predetermined angular position such that tolerances can be compensated.

[0012] A third angular position of the second component about the axis of the device is defined between the first angular position and the second angular position such that a third rotation of the second component about the axis of the device in a second angular direction from the second angular position to the third angular position drives a third rotation of the first component about the axis in the second angular direction by a third rotation angle, and simultaneously produces a backward movement of the device along the axis of the device, producing a predetermined distance separating the first workpiece of the mechanical assembly from the end portion of the device.

[0013] According to these settings, the predetermined distance separating the first workpiece from the end portion of the device is a function of the third angular rotation and the pitch of the thread on the outer surface of the first component; the distance separating the first workpiece and the second workpiece itself can be determined based on the predetermined distance and the dimensions of the device such that tolerances can be compensated, for example in order to reduce or eliminate errors from tolerance dispersion in the direction of the axis.

[0014] A first stop position is located on the second workpiece of the mechanical assembly, the first stop position corresponding to the first angular position of the second component, and wherein a second stop position is located on the second workpiece of the mechanical assembly, the second stop position corresponding to the second angular position of the second component, and wherein a third stop position is located on the second workpiece of the mechanical assembly, the third stop position corresponding to the third angular position of the second component.

[0015] The second component includes a lever sub-component that is integrally fixed to the tubular sub-component to actuate the rotation of the tubular sub-component.

[0016] The lever sub-component is configured to contact the first stop position when the second component is in the first angular position, and wherein the lever sub-component is configured to contact the second stop position when the second component is in the second angular position, and wherein the lever sub-component is configured to contact the third stop position when the second component is in the third angular position.

[0017] With these settings, actuation of the device becomes easier.

[0018] The outer surface of the tubular sub-component of the second component includes at least one knurled area and walls, the knurled area being placed on a section having a plurality of contacts configured to slide on the inner surface of the hollow part of the first component, the inner surface of the hollow part having a groove shape including alternating inclined surfaces and walls, the inclined surfaces being such that when the second component rotates relative to the first component in a first angular direction, the plurality of contacts slide on the inclined surfaces, and the walls being configured to engage at least one of the plurality of contacts when the second component rotates relative to the first component in a second angular direction.

[0019] With these arrangements, the outer surface of the tubular sub-component of the second component is in frictional contact with the inner surface of the hollow part of the first component.

[0020] The end of the first component includes at least one protruding element.

[0021] The at least one protruding element includes a first protruding element and a second protruding element.

[0022] The first protruding element is made of an elastic material, such as rubber.

[0023] When the second protruding element contacts the first workpiece of the mechanical assembly, the first protruding element is compressed, and the compressed first protruding element is configured to apply a frictional torque on the first component, the frictional torque being greater than another opposing frictional torque generated by the frictional contact between the outer surface of the tubular sub-component of the second component and the inner surface of the hollow part of the first component, such that the second component rotates relative to the first component in a first angular direction while the rotation of the first component stops.

[0024] According to another aspect, the present invention provides an assembly including such a device and a second workpiece, wherein the device is mounted on the second workpiece and enters a through-hole of the second workpiece of the assembly.

[0025] The assembly may further include a first workpiece, for example.

[0026] According to another aspect, the present invention provides a vehicle door including such an assembly, wherein the assembly is a vehicle door opening assembly, the first workpiece is an opening actuation member located outside the door panel, and such a device is mounted on the second workpiece of the door opening assembly.

[0027] According to another aspect, the present invention provides a vehicle including such a vehicle door, such as this vehicle door.

[0028] According to another aspect, the present invention relates to a method for positioning a first workpiece in a mechanical assembly at a predetermined distance from a second workpiece, the method using a device mounted on the second workpiece and inserted into a hole (such as a through-hole) of the second workpiece in the mechanical assembly, the device being rotatably movable, for example, about an axis of the device, the device comprising a first member and a second member, the first member being tubular and including a hollow portion formed about the axis of the device, the second member including a tubular sub-member configured to be inserted into the hollow portion of the first member, the outer diameter of the tubular sub-member of the second member being adjusted to the inner diameter of the hollow portion of the first member such that the outer surface of the tubular sub-member of the second member is in frictional contact with the inner surface of the hollow portion of the first member, wherein a first angular position is in frictional contact with the inner surface of the hollow portion of the first member. Defining the second member about the axis of the device or the axis, the method comprising the following steps:

[0029] - Applying a first rotation of the second member about the axis of the device by a first rotation angle in a first angular direction from the first angular position, thereby driving the first member to rotate about the axis by the first rotation angle in the first angular direction from the first angular position to an intermediate angular position, the first rotation of the first member about the axis simultaneously generating a movement of the first member along the axis towards the first workpiece such that an end of the first member contacts the first workpiece of the mechanical assembly.

[0030] According to these settings, the distance separating the first workpiece and the second workpiece is determined, which distance is a function of the dimensions of the device in contact with the first and second workpieces, so that tolerances can be compensated.

[0031] According to an embodiment, a second angular position of the second member about the axis of the device is defined such that the intermediate angular position is between the first angular position and the second angular position, and the method further comprises the following steps:

[0032] - Applying a second rotation of the second member about the axis of the device in the first angular direction from the intermediate angular position to the second angular position, the first member remaining at the intermediate angular position.

[0033] According to these settings, the distance separating the first workpiece and the second workpiece is determined according to the dimensions of the device in contact with the first and second workpieces, and the device is in a second predetermined angular position such that tolerances can be compensated.

[0034] According to an embodiment, a third angular position of the second member about the axis of the device is defined between the first angular position and the second angular position, and the method further comprises the following steps:

[0035] - Apply a third rotation of the second component about the axis of the device in a second angular direction by a third rotation angle from the second angular position to the third angular position, the third rotation driving a third rotation of the first component about the axis in the second angular direction by the third rotation angle, and simultaneously generating a backward movement of the device along the axis of the device, thereby generating a predetermined distance separating the first workpiece of the mechanical assembly from the end portion of the device.

[0036] According to these settings, the predetermined distance separating the first workpiece from the end portion of the device is proportional to the third angular rotation and to the pitch of the thread on the outer surface of the first component; the distance separating the first workpiece and the second workpiece itself can be determined based on the predetermined distance and the dimensions of the device, thereby compensating for tolerances. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments given by way of illustration and not limitation with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like elements or elements having similar functions, and in which:

[0038] Figure 1 represents a door opening assembly including two workpieces A and B, the two workpieces A and B needing to be precisely positioned relative to each other such that a sensor or switch placed on the second workpiece B can be actuated by an actuating feature AF attached to the first workpiece A.

[0039] Figure 2 represents Figure 1 the assembly in which a protruding element at the first end of the first component of the device according to an embodiment of the present invention contacts the first workpiece A of the mechanical assembly, such that external friction is applied to the first component of the device.

[0040] Figure 3 represents Figure 1 and Figure 2 the assembly in a configuration in which a new distance between protruding elements at the first end of the first component of the device is determined.

[0041] Figure 4 represents a perspective view of the components of a device for compensating for tolerances according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] Figure 5 represents an exploded view of the components of a device for compensating for tolerances according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] Figure 6 represents a cross-section of a tubular sub-component of the second component of a device for compensating for tolerances according to an embodiment of the present invention.​​​​​​

[0044] Figure 7 represents the cross-section of the hollow part of the second component of the device for compensating tolerances according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] Figure 8 represents a more detailed cross-section of the hollow part of the second component of the device for compensating tolerances according to an embodiment of the present invention, particularly representing the outer surface of the tubular sub-component of the second component that is in frictional contact with the inner surface of the hollow part of the first component.

[0046] Figure 9 represents the second component of the device, where the lever sub-component is in the first stop position.

[0047] Figure 10 represents according to Figure 9 the cross-sectional view of the mechanical assembly according to the cross-sectional plane AA-AA shown in, the mechanical assembly being in a configuration where the lever sub-component of the second component of the device is in the first stop position.

[0048] Figure 11 represents the second component of the device, where the lever sub-component is in the third stop position.

[0049] Figure 12 represents according to Figure 11 the cross-sectional view of the mechanical assembly according to the cross-sectional plane CC-CC shown in, the mechanical assembly being in a configuration where the lever sub-component of the second component of the device is in the third stop position.

[0050] Figure 13 represents a perspective view of the mechanical assembly in a different configuration, where the lever sub-component of the second component of the device is in a different stop position.

[0051] Figure 14 is a schematic diagram presenting the sequence of steps of the method according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Description

[0052] Figure 1 represents a mechanical assembly including two workpieces A and B that need to be precisely positioned relative to each other such that a sensor or switch placed on the second workpiece B can be actuated by an actuating feature AF attached to the first workpiece A. The first workpiece A has a first main extension and the second workpiece B has a second main extension, and the first main extension of the first workpiece A and the second main extension of the second workpiece B are movable relative to each other along a movement axis that is transverse to the first main extension of the first workpiece A and the second main extension of the second workpiece B.

[0053] ​​​​​​​​For example, the mechanical assembly can be a door opening assembly, where the first workpiece A can be an opening actuation area located on the outer side of the door panel P, such as a brand logo, and the actuation feature AF is a pin attached to the inner side of the opening actuation area and protruding from the inner side of the opening actuation area, such that the pressure F applied on the opening actuation area causes displacement of the attachment feature AF, as Figure 3 shown, and this displacement can be detected by the sensor S, or a switch S attached to the second workpiece B of the mechanical assembly can be actuated. The sensor S can be, for example, a strain gauge, such as a piezoelectric sensor.

[0054] Correct actuation of the sensor or switch S by the actuation feature AF requires precise adjustment of the distance D between the first workpiece A and the second workpiece B of the mechanical assembly, as Figure 3 shown, to compensate for manufacturing process tolerances associated with the manufacture and assembly of different components of the mechanical assembly.

[0055] To this end, the device 1 is provided with the second workpiece B to adjust the relative distance D between the first workpiece A and the second workpiece B, such that manufacturing process tolerances can be compensated for.

[0056] Figure 4 A perspective view of the components of the device 1 is presented.

[0057] The device 1 includes a first component 12 and a second component 13, which are assembled together around the axis AX of the device 1. The device 1 is configured to be mounted on the second workpiece B and can be rotationally moved, for example, around the axis AX of the device 1; for example, the axis AX is transverse to the first main extension of the first workpiece A and transverse to the second main extension of the second workpiece B, and moves relative to the second workpiece B and / or the first workpiece A, for example.

[0058] The first component 12 has a first end, which can be provided with, for example, a first protruding element 11 made of an elastic material (such as rubber), such that the protruding element can serve as a buffer for the first end of the first component 12. The first end of the first component 12 can also be provided with a second protruding element 11'.

[0059] The first component 12 of the device is tubular around the axis AX of the device 1, where the outer surface is provided with, for example, a thread 14, which is configured to engage with a complementary thread on the second workpiece B of the mechanical assembly, such that when the first component 12 of the device 1 rotates around the axis AX of the device 1 in a first angular direction, the first component 12 moves forward along the axis AX of the device 1 in the direction of the first end of the device 1 and towards the first workpiece A of the mechanical assembly, and when the first component 12 of the device 1 rotates around the axis AX of the device 1 in a second angular direction (the second angular direction is opposite to the first angular direction), the first component 12 moves backward along the axis AX of the device 1 relative to the first workpiece A of the mechanical assembly.

[0060] In other words, the device 1 is mounted in a hole (such as a through-hole) of the second workpiece B of the mechanical assembly by the first part 12 of the device 1, such that the device 1 can move along the axis AX of the device 1 towards the first workpiece A and, correspondingly, away from the first workpiece A, the axis AX being, for example, transverse to the main extension of the second workpiece B; the device 1 can be screwed into the through-hole of the second workpiece B such that when the first part 12 rotates in a first angular direction, it moves forward towards the first workpiece A and when the first part 12 rotates in a second angular direction, it moves backward away from the first workpiece A.

[0061] The second part 13 of the device 1 comprises a lever sub-part 17 and a tubular sub-part 16, the outer diameter Dl of the tubular sub-part 16 of the second part 13 being adjusted to the inner diameter Db of the hollow part 15 of the first part 12, the hollow part 15 being formed around the axis AX of the device 1 such that the tubular sub-part 16 of the second part 13 of the device 1 is configured to be received at least partially within the hollow part 15 of the first part 12 of the device 1; the outer surface 18 of the tubular sub-part 16 of the second part 13 is in frictional contact with the inner surface of the hollow part 15 of the first part 12. The lever sub-part 17 is fixed to the tubular sub-part 16 such that the tubular sub-part 16 can be driven to rotate around the axis AX of the device 1 in a first angular direction and a second direction respectively. The tubular sub-part 16 may include an external part 21 which is held outside the hollow part 15 of the first part 12.

[0062] Furthermore, the frictional contact is produced by the interaction of a first profile of the inner surface of the hollow part 15 of the first part 12 of the device 1 with a second profile of the outer surface 18 of the tubular sub-part 16 of the second part 13; the first profile and the second profile are such that when the tubular sub-part 16 rotates around the axis AX of the device 1 in a first angular direction A1, while the first part 12 of the device 1 is held fixed, for example, by some external friction, the outer surface 18 of the tubular sub-part 16 slides relative to the inner surface of the hollow part 15 of the first part 12; and when the tubular part 16 rotates in a second angular direction A2 opposite to the first angular direction A1, the frictional contact resistance increases such that the rotation of the tubular sub-part 16 in the second angular direction A2 can drive the rotation of the first part 12 in the second angular direction A2, provided that the external friction is lower than the frictional contact resistance.

[0063] As Figure 8As shown, in order to obtain frictional contact resistance, the outer surface 18 of the tubular sub-component 16 has, for example, a knurled area which is placed on a flexible section 19 having a plurality of contact points 20 which will slide on the inner surface of the hollow part 15 of the first component 12, the inner surface having, for example, a groove shape which includes alternating inclined planes R and walls W, the inclined planes R being for better sliding of the plurality of contact points 20 in a first angular direction A1 and the walls W being for increasing the engagement of the plurality of contact points 20 in a second angular direction A2. A large number of contacts with different interference amounts avoid "step-step" behavior.

[0064] As described above, the device 1 is screwably mounted through the first component 12 of the device 1 into a through-hole of a second workpiece B of a mechanical assembly such that when the first component 12 is rotated in a first angular direction and a second direction respectively, the device 1 moves forward towards the first workpiece A and moves backward from the first workpiece A transversely to the main extension direction of the second workpiece B along the axis AX of the device 1. The amplitude of the movement of the device 1 along the axis AX is proportional to the rotation angle of the first component 12 of the device 1. The amplitude of the forward movement can be such that the first component 12 of the device 1 contacts the first workpiece A of the mechanical assembly.

[0065] The tubular sub-component 16 driven to rotate about the axis AX of the device 1 by the lever sub-component 17 can drive the first component to rotate in a first angular direction and accordingly in a second direction, depending on the frictional contact generated by the interaction of the first profile of the inner surface of the hollow part 15 of the first component 12 of the device 1 and the second profile of the outer surface 18 of the tubular sub-component 16 of the second component 13 of the device 1.

[0066] As in Figure 9 is shown, the second workpiece B is provided with three stop positions S1, S2, S3 for the lever sub-component 17 of the second component 13 of the device 1.

[0067] The first stop position S1 refers to the initial angular position of the lever sub-component 17 and thus the initial angular position of the second component 13 of the device 1 in the first step 101 of the tolerance compensation method 100 according to another aspect of the present invention, as Figure 9 and Figure 10 shown, which will be described in more detail below.

[0068] When the lever sub-component 17 of the second component 13 of the device 1 is placed in the first stop position S1, the second protruding element 11' at the first end of the first component 12 of the device 1 is separated from the first workpiece A of the mechanical assembly by a first distance D1, as Figure 10 shown. Due to the tolerance interference of different manufacturing processes on the mechanical assembly, the first distance D1 is not precisely known; as Figure 10As shown, it can be, for example, 3 mm. In addition, the first protruding element 11 does not contact the first workpiece A of the mechanical assembly.

[0069] Therefore, in the configuration where the lever sub-component 17 is in the first stop position S1, as Figure 9 and Figure 10 shown, the second component 12 of the device is subject to external friction substantially from the threads of the threaded through-hole of the second workpiece B, and this external friction is lower than the internal friction generated by the frictional contact resulting from the interaction between the first profile of the inner surface of the hollow part 15 of the first component 12 of the device and the second profile of the outer surface 18 of the tubular sub-component 16 of the second component 13.

[0070] In the next step 102 of the tolerance compensation method 100, the lever sub-component 17 of the second component 13 of the device 1 rotates in the first angular direction A1 such that the second component 13 drives the first component 12 of the device 1 to rotate, provided that the external friction remains lower than the internal friction.

[0071] When the first component 12 rotates, it moves along the axis AX of the device towards the first workpiece A of the mechanical assembly until the first protruding element 11 at the first end of the first component 12 contacts the first workpiece A of the mechanical assembly, such that the external friction applied to the first component 12 increases until it is higher than the internal friction at a certain point. The first protruding element 11 is compressed such that when the second protruding element 11' at the first end of the first component 12 contacts the first workpiece A, the external friction applied to the first component 12 becomes higher than the internal friction. In other words, and more appropriately described, the compressed first protruding element 11 is configured to apply a frictional torque on the first component 12, and this frictional torque is greater than the other opposite frictional torque generated by the frictional contact between the outer surface 18 of the tubular sub-component 16 of the second component 13 and the inner surface of the hollow part 15 of the first component 12, such that the second component 13 rotates relative to the first component 12 in the first angular direction A1 while the rotation of the first component 12 stops.

[0072] In this configuration, as Figure 2 shown, the position of the second protruding element 11' at the first end of the first component 12 of the device 1 is the reference position of the first workpiece A. The "reference position" is defined as when the second protruding element 11' (which, for example, includes or forms a rigid pin) of the component 12 contacts the workpiece A, as Figure 4 shown. This is generated by an example where the protruding element 11 can be compressed enough to ensure that the second protruding element 11' (such as a rigid pin) always contacts the workpiece A at a certain point during rotation. This is, for example, because the first protruding element 11 has a limited stiffness to allow the contact between the second protruding element 11' and the workpiece A.

[0073] The device 1 is configured, for example by carrying out a tuning and / or adjustment method, such as a sizing method, such that the first protruding element 11 is compressed so that the external friction exerted on the first part 12 becomes higher than the internal friction when the second protruding element 11' at the first end of the first part 12 is in contact with the first workpiece A of the mechanical assembly.

[0074] The method may include adjusting the Shore hardness and / or the compression ratio of the rubber material 11 and / or the shape of the protrusions on the knurled surface, for example adjusting all three, for example in order to achieve the sought-after friction limit.

[0075] For example, adjusting the Shore hardness and / or the compression ratio of the protruding element 11 (for example a rubber element), and / or adjusting the shape of the knurled area, for example the contact points 20 of the knurled surface or the shape of the protrusions, for example adjusting them in combination.

[0076] The tuning method may include a first tuning step and / or a second tuning step. The first tuning step may be carried out by a computer device, for example by a processor, and may include, for example, a finite element analysis in order to provide tuning parameters, such as the parameters described in detail above. The second tuning step is carried out, for example, after the first tuning step. The second tuning step may include experimental tuning, for example using a prototype, in order to provide tuning parameters, such as the parameters described in detail above.

[0077] From that moment on, as the lever sub-component 17 continues to rotate, the second part 13 of the drive device 1 rotates and the outer surface 18 of the tubular sub-component 16 of the second part 13 now slides relative to the inner surface of the hollow part 15 of the first part 12 such that the first part 12 is no longer driven to rotate.

[0078] Thus, the configuration in which the second protruding element 11' at the first end of the first part 12 is in contact with the first workpiece A of the mechanical assembly is maintained until the lever sub-component 17 reaches the second stop position S2.

[0079] In the next step 103 of the tolerance compensation method 100, the lever sub-component 17 of the second part 13 of the device 1 rotates in a second angular direction A2 from the second stop position S2 to a third stop position S3, as Figure 11As shown, the third stop position S3 is positioned between the stop position S1 and the stop position S2. When the lever sub-component 17 of the second component 13 of the device 1 rotates in the second angular direction A2, the frictional contact resistance generated by the interaction between the first contour of the inner surface of the hollow portion 15 of the first component 12 and the second contour of the outer surface 18 of the tubular sub-component 16 of the second component 13 is higher than the external friction applied to the first component 12 by the thread of the threaded hole and the action of the first protruding element 11 compressed by the first workpiece A of the mechanical assembly. Therefore, the second component 13 of the device 1 drives the first component 12 of the device to rotate by an angle determined by the position of the third stop position S3 relative to the position of the second stop position S2. The rotation of the first component 12 of the device 1 causes the device 1 to move backward along the axis AX of the device, thereby generating a new distance D3, as Figure 12 shown, separating the first workpiece A of the mechanical assembly from the second protruding element 11' of the first component 12. Considering the pitch of the thread 14 of the second component 12, the rotation angle of the first component 12 from the second stop position S2 to the third stop position S3 precisely determines the new distance; this new distance is precisely known, while in the first step of the method, the distance is unknown.

[0080] According to these settings, the tolerance has been compensated in the final configuration of the mechanical assembly, where the distance between the device 1 and the first workpiece A on the second workpiece B is precisely known.

[0081] The third stop position S3 can be, for example, a clamping element fixed to the second workpiece B of the mechanical assembly; as Figure 13 shown, such a clamping element 21 is configured to allow the lever sub-component 17 to pass over when the lever sub-component 17 rotates from the first stop position S1 to the second stop position S2 in the first angular direction A1, and to stop the rotation of the lever sub-component 17 when the lever sub-component 17 rotates in the opposite direction from the second stop position S2 in the second angular direction A2.

Claims

1. A device (1) for positioning a first workpiece (A) at a predetermined distance from a second workpiece (B) in a mechanical assembly, the device (1) being configured to be mounted in a through - hole of the second workpiece (B) mounted to the mechanical assembly, the device (1) comprising a first member (12) and a second member (13), the first member (12) being tubular and having a hollow portion (15) formed around an axis (AX) of the device (1), the second member (13) comprising a tubular sub - member (16), the tubular sub - member (16) being configured to be at least partially inserted inside the hollow portion (15) of the first member (12), an outer diameter (Dl) of the tubular sub - member (16) of the second member (13) being adjusted to an inner diameter (Db) of the hollow portion (15) of the first member (12) such that an outer surface (18) of the tubular sub - member (16) of the second member (13) is in frictional contact with an inner surface of the hollow portion (15) of the first member (12), wherein, Define a first angular position of the second component (13) about the axis (AX) of the device (1) such that a first rotation of the second component (13) about the axis (AX) of the device (1) by a first rotation angle in a first angular direction (A1) from the first angular position drives the first component (12) to rotate by the first rotation angle about the axis (AX) in the first angular direction (A1) from the first angular position to an intermediate angular position, and the first rotation of the first component (12) about the axis (AX) simultaneously causes the first component (12) to move along the axis (AX) towards the first workpiece (A), such that the end of the device (1) contacts the first workpiece (A) of the mechanical assembly.

2. The device (1) according to claim 1, wherein, A second angular position of the second component (13) about the axis (AX) of the device (1) is defined such that the intermediate angular position is between the first angular position and the second angular position, and such that during a second rotation of the second component (13) about the axis (AX) of the device (1) from the intermediate angular position to the second angular position in the first angular direction (A1), the first component (12) remains at the intermediate angular position.

3. The device (1) according to claim 1, wherein, A third angular position of the second component (13) about the axis (AX) of the device (1) is defined between the first angular position and the second angular position, such that a third rotation of the second component (13) about the axis (AX) of the device (1) from the second angular position to the third angular position in a second angular direction (A2) drives the first component (12) to rotate by the third rotation angle about the axis in the second angular direction (A2), and simultaneously causes a backward movement of the device (1) along the axis (AX) of the device (1), thereby creating a predetermined distance (D3) separating the first workpiece (A) of the mechanical assembly from the end of the device (1).

4. The device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, A first stop position (S1) is located on the second workpiece (B) of the mechanical assembly, the first stop position (S1) corresponding to the first angular position of the second component (13), and wherein a second stop position (S2) is located on the second workpiece (B) of the mechanical assembly, the second stop position (S2) corresponding to the second angular position of the second component (13), and wherein a third stop position (S3) is located on the second workpiece (B) of the mechanical assembly, the third stop position (S3) corresponding to the third angular position of the second component (13).

5. The device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The second component (13) includes a lever sub-component (17) that is integrally fixed to the tubular sub-component (16) to actuate the rotation of the tubular sub-component (16).

6. The device (1) according to claim 5, dependent on claim 4, wherein, The lever sub-component (17) is configured to contact the first stop position when the second component is in the first angular position, and wherein the lever sub-component (17) is configured to contact the second stop position when the second component is in the second angular position, and wherein the lever sub-component (17) is configured to contact the third stop position when the second component is in the third angular position.

7. The device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein, The outer surface (18) of the tubular sub-component (16) of the second component (13) includes at least one knurled area placed on a section (19) having a plurality of contact points (20), the plurality of contact points (20) being configured to slide on the inner surface of the hollow portion (15) of the first component (12), the inner surface of the hollow portion (15) having a groove shape including alternating inclined surfaces (R) and walls (W), the inclined surfaces (R) being such that when the second component (13) rotates relative to the first component (12) in the first angular direction (A1), the plurality of contact points (20) slide on the inclined surfaces, and the walls (W) being configured to engage at least one of the plurality of contact points (20) when the second component (13) rotates relative to the first component (12) in the second angular direction (A2).

8. The device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein, The end of the first component (12) includes at least one protruding element (11, 11').

9. The apparatus (1) according to claim 8, wherein, The at least one protruding element (11, 11') includes a first protruding element (11) and a second protruding element (11').

10. The apparatus (1) according to claim 9, wherein, The first protruding element (11) is made of an elastic material such as rubber.

11. The device (1) according to any one of claims 9 or 10, wherein, When the second protruding element (11') contacts the first workpiece (A) of the mechanical assembly, the first protruding element (11) is compressed, and the compressed first protruding element (11) is configured to apply a frictional torque on the first component (12), the frictional torque being greater than another opposing frictional torque generated by the frictional contact between the outer surface (18) of the tubular sub-component (16) of the second component (13) and the inner surface of the hollow portion (15) of the first component (12), such that the second component (13) rotates relative to the first component (12) in the first angular direction (A1) while the rotation of the first component (12) stops.

12. An assembly comprising the device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, the second workpiece (B), the device being mounted in a through-hole of the second workpiece (B) of the assembly on the second workpiece (B).

13. The assembly according to the preceding claims, further comprising the first workpiece (A).

14. A vehicle door, comprising the component according to claim 13, wherein, The assembly is a door opening assembly, the first workpiece (A) being an opening actuating member located outside the door panel (P), and the device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10 being mounted on the second workpiece (B) of the door opening assembly.

15. A vehicle comprising the door according to claim 12.

16. A method (100) for positioning a first workpiece (A) at a predetermined distance from a second workpiece (B) in a mechanical assembly, the method using a device (1) mounted in a through - hole of the second workpiece (B) in the mechanical assembly, the device (1) comprising a first part (12) and a second part (13), the first part (12) being tubular and including a hollow portion (15) formed around an axis (AX) of the device (1), the second part (13) including a tubular sub - part (16) configured to be inserted into the hollow portion (15) of the first part (12), an outer diameter (Dl) of the tubular sub - part (16) of the second part (13) being adjusted to an inner diameter (Db) of the hollow portion (15) of the first part (12) such that an outer surface (18) of the tubular sub - part (16) of the second part (13) is in frictional contact with an inner surface of the hollow portion (15) of the first part (12), wherein, Defining a first angular position of the second part (13) about the axis (AX) of the device (1), the method (100) comprising the following step (101): - Applying a first rotation (101) to the second part (13) of a first rotation angle about the axis (AX) of the device (1) in a first angular direction (A1) from the first angular position, thereby driving the first part (12) to rotate the first rotation angle about the axis (AX) in the first angular direction (A1) from the first angular position to an intermediate angular position, the first rotation of the first part (12) about the axis (AX) simultaneously generating a movement of the first part (12) along the axis (AX) towards the first workpiece (A), such that the end of the first part (12) comes into contact with the first workpiece (A) of the mechanical assembly.

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