Bolt and fastening device

Abstract

A bolt for fastening an attachment element to a substrate is disclosed having a handle defining a fastening direction, a sealing element for sealing a contact area between the handle and the substrate, and a force transfer element for transferring a compressive force from the attachment element to the substrate.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of patent application 201880065196.9, filed on October 4, 2018. Technical Field

[0002] The present invention generally relates to an apparatus and method for fastening a bolt to a substrate, and such bolt. Background Technology

[0003] In various applications, numerous known devices and methods can be used to fasten various plugs to a substrate. For example, the plug is brought into contact with the substrate, and an electric current is applied to it. Once the current flows between the plug and the substrate, the plug is lifted from the substrate, forming an electric arc. The released energy causes the materials of both the plug and the substrate to partially liquefy. The current is then cut off, and the plug is immersed in the liquefied material until the material cools and solidifies. Subsequently, the plug is connected to the substrate in a material-bonded manner.

[0004] To provide the energy needed to liquefy the materials of the plug and the substrate in a sufficiently short time, known devices generate a high-intensity current and feed it to the plug via a suitably rated cable. To prevent oxidation of the liquefied material, a known method is to surround the contact point between the plug and the substrate with an inert gas.

[0005] For example, in construction or shipbuilding applications, threaded bolts of various sizes can be used to fasten items to a base. Some parameters of the fastening method, such as the duration and power of the current, need to be set by the user on the equipment to suit the bolts used. Finally, since the user visually assesses the quality of the connection between the bolt and the base, the connection quality also depends on the user's experience and skill.

[0006] When the bolt has a sealing ring, care should be taken to ensure that the sealing ring is fully compressed after tightening to achieve a sufficient seal. Furthermore, the sealing ring should not be over-compressed to avoid excessive deformation. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and / or method that can improve the fastening of the bolt to the substrate, and in particular, can reliably seal the fastening area.

[0008] This objective is achieved by a bolt for fastening an attachment element to a substrate, the bolt having a shank defining a fastening direction, a sealing element for sealing the contact area between the shank and the substrate, and a force-transmitting element for transmitting compressive force from the attachment element to the substrate. In some cases, the force-transmitting element is used to transmit attachment forces and / or lateral forces perpendicular to the fastening direction of the attachment element, and / or bending moments about an axis perpendicular to the fastening direction of the attachment element, and / or torques about an axis parallel to the fastening direction of the attachment element, to the substrate so that the sealing element is not subjected to a specific force or a specific moment / torque.

[0009] The sealing element is preferably made of an elastic material such as an elastomer (e.g., rubber or EPDM). The force transmission element is preferably made of a rigid material such as metal, alloy, ceramic, etc.

[0010] An advantageous embodiment is characterized in that the force transmission element has a bearing surface for carrying the attachment element on the force transmission element and a support surface for supporting the force transmission element on the substrate. Preferably, the distance between the bearing surface and the support surface in the fastening direction is equal to or greater than the length of the sealing element in the fastening direction.

[0011] Also preferably, the force transmission element has a contact pressure surface for pressing the sealing element against the substrate. Particularly preferably, the distance between the contact pressure surface and the support surface in the tightening direction is less than the length of the sealing element in the tightening direction. The ratio of the distance between the contact pressure surface and the support surface to the length of the sealing element is preferably between 50% and 90%.

[0012] An advantageous embodiment is characterized in that the cross-sectional area of ​​the sealing element perpendicular to the fastening direction decreases in the fastening direction. Therefore, the sealing area between the sealing element and the substrate increases with increasing contact pressure, and the sealing element is pressed against the substrate by this contact pressure.

[0013] An advantageous embodiment is characterized in that the bolt is a welding bolt, a fixing bolt, or a threaded bolt.

[0014] An advantageous embodiment is characterized in that the sealing element is constructed in an annular manner, wherein the sealing element abuts against the handle internally and / or against the force-transmitting element externally.

[0015] One advantageous embodiment is characterized in that the force transmission element is constructed in a ring-shaped manner.

[0016] One advantageous embodiment is characterized in that the sealing element and / or force transmission element is circular.

[0017] An advantageous embodiment is characterized in that the bolt has threads for tightly screwing the attachment element thereon.

[0018] An advantageous embodiment is characterized in that the bolt is inserted into a fastening device having a base and an attachment element. Preferably, the force transmission element is clamped in place between the attachment element and the base. Attached Figure Description

[0019] The present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings through exemplary embodiments, wherein: Figure 1 The welding equipment is shown schematically. Figure 2 A longitudinal cross-sectional view of the welded bolt is shown; Figure 3 A longitudinal cross-sectional view of the welded bolt is shown; and Figure 4 A longitudinal cross-sectional view of the welded bolt is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0020] Figure 1 A welding apparatus 10 for welding bolts 20 to a substrate 30 is schematically shown. The materials of the welding bolts 20 and the substrate 30 are conductive, particularly metallic. The welding apparatus 10 includes: a welding torch 40 having a trigger switch 41 in the form of a push-button switch; a welding unit 50; a first cable 61; a second cable 62 having connecting terminals 63; a power supply cable 64, for example, in the form of an electrical cable; an electrical communication line 65; a gas reservoir 70 in the form of a gas cylinder; a tubular gas supply line 71; and a gas hose 72.

[0021] A first cable 61 is used to supply current to the welding bolt 20 through the welding unit 50. A second cable 62 is used to electrically connect the substrate 30 to the welding unit 50 when the connecting terminal 63 is clamped to the substrate 30. When the welding bolt 20 contacts the substrate 30, the circuit is closed, allowing welding current, such as direct current or alternating current, to be applied to the welding bolt 20 through the welding unit 50. For this purpose, the welding torch 40 includes a welding current contact element (…). Figure 1 (Not shown in the image). The welding unit 50 includes means (not shown) for converting current from the power supply cable 64 into welding current. These means include, for example, a capacitor, a thyristor, a bipolar transistor with an insulated gate electrode, or other components from power electronic equipment, and an associated control unit with a microprocessor, thereby providing a welding current with the desired voltage and current intensity.

[0022] Gas supply line 71 and gas hose 72 are used to supply inert gas from gas reservoir 70 to the contact area between welding bolt 20 and substrate 30, thereby preventing the contact area from being oxidized by oxygen from the surrounding area during the welding operation. To control the airflow to the contact area, gas reservoir 70, gas supply line 71, welding unit 50, gas hose 72, or welding torch 40 include valves (not shown), particularly controllable valves.

[0023] The welding unit 50 has an input device 51 equipped with an actuation element 52 and an output device 53 equipped with a visual display element 54 and a wireless transmission unit. The input device 51 is used by the user of the welding equipment 10 to input parameters of the welding method performed by the welding equipment 10, such as the voltage, current intensity, power, and duration of the welding current, as well as the position and speed of the bolt. The output device 53 is used to output information to the user, such as information about the parameters of the welding method, information about detected emissions or other variables of the welding method, information about the quality of the welding operation, information about measures to improve the welding operation, information about the characteristics of the detected welded bolts, or information derived from the above variables, and / or suggestions or instructions for cleaning and / or maintaining the welding equipment 10, particularly the welding torch 40.

[0024] Communication line 65 is used for welding torch 40 (especially welding torch 40) Figure 1 Communication exists between the control device (not shown) and the welding unit 50 (particularly the control unit and / or input device 51 and / or output device 53). This communication allows for the exchange of information, such as parameters related to the welding operation, to achieve, for example, synchronization of the welding current with the movement of the welding bolt 20, or to facilitate synchronization. In an exemplary embodiment (not shown), communication between the welding torch and the welding unit is wireless (e.g., via radio) or via a first cable carrying the welding current.

[0025] The welding torch 40 has a housing 42 with an opening 46, and a handle 43 extending from the housing 42 with a trigger switch 41. The welding torch 40 also has a bolt holder 44 on which the welding bolt 20 is held during welding operations. For this purpose, the bolt holder includes, for example, two, three, four, or more resilient arms (not shown in detail), on which the welding bolt 20 is inserted and held by a clamping engagement. The welding torch 40 also has a welding current contact element for applying welding current to the welding bolt 20, which is integrated into the bolt holder 44, for example, in the form of one or more resilient arms.

[0026] The welding torch 40 also has a control device 99 for controlling various components and devices of the welding torch and welding unit 50. The control device 99 is used to control one or more parameters of the welding operation. For this purpose, the control device 99 includes various electronic components, such as one or more microprocessors, one or more temporary or permanent data memories, etc.

[0027] The welding torch 40 also has a bolt lifting device in the form of a first lifting magnet. When the bolt lifting device is actuated, it causes the bolt holder 44 to be subjected to a rearward (in) Figure 1 The force (upward) is directed away from the opening 46. The control device 99 communicates with the bolt lifting device via a signal line (not shown), thereby controlling the bolt lifting device, specifically actuating or stopping its operation.

[0028] The welding torch 40 also has a plug immersion device in the form of a spring element or a second lifting magnet. When the plug immersion device is actuated, it causes the plug holder 44 to be subjected to a forward (in) force. Figure 1 The force (downward) is directed toward the opening 46. The control device 99 communicates with the bolt-laying device via a signal line (not shown) to control the bolt-laying device, specifically to actuate or deactivate it. If the bolt-laying device is in the form of a spring element, the spring element is preferably tensioned when the bolt holder moves backward via the bolt-lifting device; thus, the spring element causes the bolt holder to move forward whenever the bolt-lifting device is deactivated.

[0029] In the welding method using welding equipment 10, a substrate 30 and a bolt 20 are first provided. In a further step, the user inputs information, such as desired parameters for subsequent welding operations, via an input device. In a further step, a welding current is applied to the welding bolt 20 between the welding bolt 20 and the substrate 30 via a first cable 61 and a second cable 62 through welding unit 50. In a further step, the welding bolt 20 is lifted from the substrate using a bolt lifting device while maintaining the flow of welding current between the welding bolt 20 and the substrate 30, thereby forming an electric arc between the welding bolt 20 and the substrate 30. Specifically, due to the heat generated by the electric arc, the material of the welding bolt 20 and / or the substrate 30 is subsequently partially liquefied. In a further step, the welding bolt 20 is immersed in the liquefied material of the welding bolt 20 or the substrate 30 using a bolt immersion device. Then, the liquefied material of the welding bolt 20 or the substrate 30 is solidified, thereby connecting the welding bolt 20 to the substrate 30 in a material-bonded manner.

[0030] Figure 2A longitudinal cross-sectional view through a fastening device 100 is shown, the fastening device 100 having an attachment element 150, a base 200, and a bolt 210 for fastening the attachment element 150 to the base 200. The bolt 210 has a handle 230 defining a fastening direction 220, a sealing element 240 for sealing a contact area 250 between the handle and the base, and a force transmitting element 260 for transmitting compressive force from the attachment element 150 to the base 200. The annular sealing element 240 abuts against the handle 230 internally and against the force transmitting element 260 externally, which is also annular.

[0031] The bolt 210 is configured, for example, as a weld bolt, a fixing bolt, or a threaded bolt, wherein the contact area 250 is in the form of a weld, a connection gap, or other joint, and is provided with threads 211. A retaining element 160 in the form of a nut is fastened to the bolt 210, in this example by screwing the retaining element 160 onto the threads 211, thereby securing the attachment element 150 to the bolt 210 and thus to the base 200.

[0032] The force transmission element 260 has a bearing surface 261 for carrying the attachment element 150 on the force transmission element 260, and a support surface 262 for supporting the force transmission element 260 on the substrate. The distance 'a' between the bearing surface 261 and the support surface 262 in the fastening direction 220 is the same as the length of the sealing element 240 in the fastening direction 220. Therefore, the force transmission element 260 can transmit the attachment force from the attachment element to the substrate without applying the entire attachment force to the sealing element. This clamps the force transmission element 260 into place between the attachment element 150 and the substrate 200.

[0033] The force transmission element 260 transmits contact pressure only to the sealing element 240, thereby pressing the sealing element 240 against the substrate 200. For this purpose, the force transmission element 260 has a contact pressure surface 263 such that, when the sealing element 240 is relaxed, the distance b between the contact pressure surface 263 and the support surface 262 in the tightening direction 220 is less than the length of the sealing element 240 in the tightening direction 220. The ratio of distance b to the length of the relaxed sealing element is, for example, 75%. The sealing element 240 is then compressed accordingly to perform its sealing function. The sealing effect is independent of the attachment force, that is, the sealing effect is independent of the force that holds the retaining element 160 to the plug 210.

[0034] Figure 3A longitudinal cross-sectional view through a plug 310 is shown, which is used to fasten an attachment element (not shown) to a substrate (not shown). The plug 310 has a shank 330 defining a fastening direction, a sealing element 340 for sealing the contact area between the shank 330 and the substrate, and a force-transmitting element 360 for transmitting compressive force from the attachment element to the substrate. The annular sealing element 340 abuts against the shank 330 internally and against the force-transmitting element 360 externally, which is also annular.

[0035] The force transmission element 360 has a bearing surface 361 for carrying the attachment element on the force transmission element 360, and a support surface 362 for supporting the force transmission element 360 on the substrate. Since the end face 341 of the sealing element 340 pointing towards the fastening direction is beveled, the cross-sectional area of ​​the sealing element 340 perpendicular to the fastening direction decreases in the fastening direction. Therefore, the sealing area between the sealing element 340 and the substrate increases with increasing contact pressure, through which the sealing element 340 is pressed against the substrate.

[0036] Figure 4 A longitudinal cross-sectional view through a plug 410 is shown, which is used to fasten an attachment element (not shown) to a substrate (not shown). The plug 410 has a shank 430 defining a fastening direction, a sealing element 440 for sealing the contact area between the shank 430 and the substrate, and a force-transmitting element 460 for transmitting compressive force from the attachment element to the substrate. The annular sealing element 440 abuts against the shank 430 internally and against the force-transmitting element 460 externally, wherein the force-transmitting element is also annular.

[0037] The force transmission element 460 has a bearing surface 461 for carrying the attachment element on the force transmission element 460 and a support surface 462 for supporting the force transmission element 460 on the substrate. Because the end face 441 of the sealing element 440 pointing towards the tightening direction has two surrounding recesses 4432, specifically grooves, the cross-sectional area of ​​the sealing element 440 perpendicular to the tightening direction decreases in the tightening direction. Therefore, the sealing area between the sealing element 440 and the substrate increases with increasing contact pressure, through which the sealing element 440 is pressed against the substrate.

[0038] Sealing elements are preferably manufactured by cutting sheet material, stamping, injection molding, or similar processes. In particular, when injection molding is used, specific molding offers advantages. Specific molding allows for a localized increase in the surface pressure of the sealing element and / or an improvement in the surface pressure along the contact pressure path, thereby ensuring sealing functionality even when the contact pressure path is altered.

[0039] To avoid potential damage to the coating on the substrate, in an exemplary embodiment not shown, the radially outer region of the sealing element protrudes between the force-transmitting element and the substrate. In other exemplary embodiments not shown, the sealing element and the force-transmitting element are integrally made of the same material. For example, through appropriate shaping (particularly through appropriate shaping such as...) Figure 4 The groove shown can achieve properties that are initially elastic along the contact pressure path and subsequently have greater stiffness.

[0040] The invention has been described based on examples of an apparatus for fastening a first article to a second article and a method of production for that apparatus. Features of the described embodiments can also be combined with each other as needed within a single fastening device or a single production method. It should be noted that the apparatus and method according to the invention are also suitable for other purposes.

Claims

1. A bolt for fastening an attachment element to a substrate, comprising: a shank defining a fastening direction; a sealing element for sealing a contact area between the shank and the substrate; and a force transmitting element for transmitting compressive force from the attachment element to the substrate, wherein the force transmitting element has a bearing surface for carrying the attachment element on the force transmitting element and a supporting surface for supporting the force transmitting element on the substrate, wherein the force transmitting element has a contact pressure surface for pressing the sealing element against the substrate, wherein the distance between the contact pressure surface and the supporting surface in the fastening direction is less than the length of the sealing element in the fastening direction, and wherein the cross-sectional area of ​​the sealing element perpendicular to the fastening direction decreases in the fastening direction.

2. The bolt according to claim 1, wherein the distance between the bearing surface and the supporting surface in the fastening direction is equal to or greater than the length of the sealing element in the fastening direction.

3. The plug according to claim 1, wherein the ratio of the distance between the contact pressure surface and the support surface to the length of the sealing element is between 50% and 90%.

4. The bolt according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bolt is a welding bolt, a fixing bolt, or a threaded bolt.

5. The plug according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing element is constructed in an annular manner, and the sealing element abuts against the handle internally and / or against the force-transmitting element externally.

6. The bolt according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the force transmission element is constructed in a ring-like manner.

7. The plug according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing element and / or the force transmission element is circular.

8. The bolt according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bolt has threads for tightly screwing the attachment element thereon.

9. A fastening device having a base, a bolt, and an attachment element, wherein the bolt is configured as a bolt according to any one of the preceding claims.

10. The fastening device of claim 9, wherein the force transmission element is clamped in place between the attachment element and the substrate.

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