Assembly for a motor vehicle and method for assembling an assembly

Abstract

The invention relates to an assembly (1) for a motor vehicle, comprising a first component (2) and a second component (3) which is fastened to the first component (2) by means of a threaded connection (9), a thread (12) of the threaded connection (9) interacting with a mating thread (14) of the first component (2) in a form-fitting manner, the contact surface (15) of the threaded connection part (9) bears against the mating contact surface (16) of the second component (3) in an annular contact region (17) surrounding the longitudinal center axis of the threaded connection part (9). According to the invention, a locking structure (18) of the threaded connection (9) is provided in the contact surface (15), said locking structure resting against rotation on the second component (3) and only partially penetrating the contact region (17) in the radial direction with respect to the longitudinal center axis. The invention further relates to a method for assembling an assembly (1) for a motor vehicle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an assembly / component assembly for a motor vehicle, the assembly comprising a first component and a second component fastened to the first component by means of a threaded connector, wherein the thread of the threaded connector engages with the mating thread of the first component, and the mating surface of the threaded connector abuts against the mating surface of the second component within an annular abutment region surrounding the longitudinal central axis of the threaded connector. Furthermore, this invention relates to a method for assembling an assembly for a motor vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] For example, DE 103 26 617 B4 is known from the prior art. This document describes a wheel bearing assembly for a non-drive axle (preferably a trailer axle), the wheel bearing assembly having: a non-rotatable steering knuckle; a bearing housing designed at the steering knuckle for the inner ring of at least two rows of tapered roller bearings, the tapered roller bearings rotatably supporting the wheel hub at the steering knuckle; and a threaded element that is threaded to the free end of the steering knuckle and acts axially on the inner ring of the outer tapered roller bearing, wherein the steering knuckle is centrally located within the bearing housing and the threaded element engages with the internal thread using an external threaded portion. It is specified that the threaded element clamps from the rear a protrusion arranged inside the wheel hub and projecting radially toward the steering knuckle.

[0003] Furthermore, document DE 20 2015 100 920 U1 discloses a locking washer for arrangement on a flat screw head surface. This locking washer includes an annular washer base with a locking profile formed on the upper side of the washer base facing a support. Specifically, the locking profile is formed by angled partial faces that define a surrounding, radially outwardly extending, wavy locking edge. These partial faces are designed and arranged such that, under axial pressure, lubricant on the washer base is radially displaced by rotation of the screw head surface relative to the locking profile. The locking washer is positioned on the screw such that the locking profiled surface of the washer base abuts against the flat screw head surface. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide an assembly for motor vehicles that has advantages over known assemblies, particularly in ensuring a fluid-tight connection between two components, preferably ensuring a fluid-tight connection even after the threaded connection is loosened and the components are tightened together again by means of the threaded connection.

[0005] According to the invention, this is achieved by an assembly for a motor vehicle having the features described in claim 1. Here, a locking structure with a threaded connection is provided in the abutment surface, which abuts against the second member to prevent rotation, and—partially continuously in the circumferential direction based on the longitudinal centerline—only partially penetrates the abutment area in the radial direction based on the longitudinal centerline.

[0006] Advantageous designs of the invention with suitable improvements are given in the dependent claims. It should be noted that the embodiments described in the specification are non-limiting; rather, any variations of the features disclosed in the specification, claims, and drawings may be implemented.

[0007] Preferably, the assembly is a component of a motor vehicle, but it can also exist independently of the motor vehicle. In principle, the assembly has a first member, a second member, and a threaded connector, wherein the two members can be fastened to each other or be fastened to each other by means of the threaded connector. For this purpose, the thread of the threaded connector engages with the mating thread of the first member, thereby form-locking the threaded connector at the first member. Here, the two members and the threaded connector are arranged such that the two members are held together by the combined action of the thread of the threaded connector and the mating thread of the first member. For example, the first member abuts against the second member using a shoulder, wherein the threaded connector is arranged and designed such that the threaded connector holds the shoulder of the first member at the second member, specifically causing the shoulder to press against the second member. Therefore, the second member is preferably form-locked between the first member (especially the shoulder of the first member) and the threaded connector (especially the screw head of the screw of the threaded connector).

[0008] The threaded connector has a contact surface that supports the threaded connector on a mating contact surface of a second member. The contact surface abuts against the mating contact surface within an annular contact area. The contact area is specifically understood as the area in which the contact surface abuts against the mating contact surface and the mating contact surface also abuts against the contact surface. The contact area surrounds the longitudinal axis of the threaded connector, specifically the longitudinal axis of the screw. Directly outside the contact area in the radial direction, the threaded connector is spaced apart from the second member, particularly continuously spaced circumferentially with respect to the longitudinal axis. Additionally or alternatively, directly inside the contact area in the radial direction, the threaded connector is spaced apart from the second member, preferably also continuously spaced circumferentially. This specifically means that the contact surface or the threaded connector generally abuts against the second member only within the contact area, and is spaced apart from the second member outside the contact area.

[0009] To ensure a reliable and continuous fastening of the two components together using a threaded connector, the connector is locked to prevent accidental loosening. For this purpose, a locking structure is designed into the mating surface, which rests against the second component, i.e., on the mating surface, to prevent rotation. During assembly, i.e., when the two components are fastened together using the threaded connector, the locking structure causes plastic deformation of the second component, i.e., it is recessed into the second component, thereby forming a circumferential lock-in relative to the second component. This prevents rotation of the threaded connector and effectively avoids accidental loosening.

[0010] Through this plastic deformation, a mating structure of the locking mechanism is formed at the second member, which exists specifically as a negative structure of the locking mechanism. This mating structure remains even after the threaded connection is loosened. That is, if the threaded connection is loosened and the two members are subsequently fastened together again by means of the threaded connection, the first mating structure remains at the second member, forming a second mating structure, because the locking structure again compresses the second member, thereby causing plastic deformation of the second member. Now, the locking structure only engages in the second mating structure and no longer engages in the first mating structure. If the first mating structure penetrates the contact area radially, moisture may reach between the members along the mating structure and promote corrosion.

[0011] To avoid this, the locking structure is designed such that a sealing area is always established that extends uninterruptedly in the circumferential direction, reliably preventing moisture penetration, even after the threaded connection has loosened and the two components have been tightened back together. For this purpose, the locking structure—partially continuous in the circumferential direction relative to the longitudinal centerline—only partially penetrates the abutment area in the radial direction. Therefore, instead of extending over the entire abutment area in the radial direction, the locking structure is preferably designed such that at least one continuous line in the circumferential direction is always maintained where the locking structure is not present. A line contact with the seal of the second component is always present along this line. Thus, the partial penetration of the locking structure into the abutment area in the radial direction is continuous in the circumferential direction.

[0012] In particular, the locking structure is designed such that the sealing area extends continuously in the circumferential direction regardless of the orientation of the threaded connector or locking structure relative to the second member, even if the locking structure is arranged on the second member multiple times with different orientations. Thus, when the members are re-fastened together, a sealed connection between the two members via the threaded connector is ensured.

[0013] The assembly can be any part of the vehicle. For example, the first component exists as an axle or journal, and the second component exists as a wheel bearing component or a component connected to a wheel bearing component. For example, the wheel bearing component is the inner ring of a wheel bearing. The component connected to the wheel bearing component is, for example, a wheel hub, which is rotatably supported at the wheel hub bracket of the motor vehicle by means of a wheel bearing. However, it is also advantageous to use this assembly in other parts of the motor vehicle.

[0014] An improved embodiment of the invention specifies that the assembly is designed such that, when the first and second components are fastened together by means of a threaded connector, a locking structure forms a mating structure in the mating surface of the second component to form-lock and prevent rotation, wherein the mating structure—partially continuously in the circumferential direction—only partially penetrates the mating area in the radial direction. This has already been mentioned above. (First) The mating structure is located in the mating surface, or on the second component. The mating structure is established by the plastic deformation of the second component and therefore persists on the second component, especially after the threaded connector is loosened. Similar to the locking structure (which forms the mating structure), the mating structure only partially penetrates the mating area in the radial direction, and preferably only partially penetrates the mating area in the radial direction continuously in the circumferential direction. This achieves the advantages already mentioned.

[0015] An improved embodiment of the invention specifies that the assembly is designed such that, when the first and second components are subsequently fastened together by means of a threaded connector, a locking structure forms an additional mating structure in the mating surface of the second component to form a locking mechanism to prevent rotation. This additional mating structure only partially penetrates the mating area in the radial direction, particularly in the circumferential direction, continuously penetrating only partially in the radial direction. The mating structure may also be referred to as the first mating structure, and the additional mating structure may also be referred to as the second mating structure. The first mating structure is formed at the second component due to the plastic deformation of the second component during the first fastening of the two components together, and the second mating structure is formed at the second component due to the plastic deformation of the second component during the subsequent second fastening of the two components together.

[0016] Here, the two mating structures are arranged staggered because threaded connections can no longer typically be installed such that the locking structure re-engages with the first mating structure. However, this means that, as already described, the first mating structure remains at the second member, and the locking structure is not sealed into the first mating structure. Instead, the locking structure is now sealed into the second mating structure, allowing moisture to potentially reach between the members through the first mating structure. In the mentioned application example, this could lead to corrosion of the joint shaft and / or the hub connection between the joint shaft and the second member. The design of the described locking structure reliably avoids this situation.

[0017] An improved embodiment of the invention specifies that the threaded connector includes a threaded screw, wherein a locking structure is located at the screw head or at a washer abutting the screw head. Thus, according to the first variant, the threaded connector has a screw with a locking structure formed at the screw head, i.e., on the side of the screw head facing the second member. In the second variant, the threaded connector has a screw and a washer, and the locking structure is formed on the washer, also on the side facing the second member. The washer may have an additional locking structure on its screw-head-facing side, thus providing locking structures on both sides of the washer to effectively prevent the screw from loosening or the threaded connector from becoming loose. Through these two variants of the assembly, moisture penetration between the components is reliably prevented.

[0018] An improved embodiment of the invention specifies that the abutment area has a locking area and a sealing area, wherein the locking structure is manufactured within the locking area and outside the sealing area, and the abutment surface and the mating abutment surface abut against each other in the sealing area. That is, the abutment area consists of at least the locking area and the sealing area, and in particular only the locking area and the sealing area. The locking structure exists only within the locking area and does not extend into the sealing area. After assembling the assembly, i.e., after the two components are fastened together by means of threaded fasteners, the abutment surface and the mating abutment surface abut against each other in the sealing area, preferably continuously in a ground-like manner, in particular continuously in an imaginary annular surface, which, for example, lies entirely in an imaginary plane or exists as a plane of rotation having a longitudinal central axis (as the axis of rotation). Particularly preferably, for this purpose, the abutment surface and the mating abutment surface are each continuously flat in the sealing area. With this design, the explained advantages are reliably achieved.

[0019] An improved embodiment of the invention specifies that the sealing region is annular, wherein the sealing region completely surrounds the locking region circumferentially, or the locking region completely surrounds the sealing region circumferentially. The annular design of the sealing region has the advantage that the sealing region is rotationally symmetrical about the longitudinal central axis; correspondingly, regardless of the orientation of the threaded connection, the locking structure is always located outside the sealing region, i.e., only within the locking region. Preferably, the locking region is also annular. In particular, the sealing region and the locking region are directly adjacent to each other, especially continuously adjacent to each other circumferentially. It can be specified that the sealing region completely surrounds the locking region circumferentially, or conversely, the locking region completely surrounds the sealing region circumferentially. Preferably, viewed circumferentially, the sealing region is arranged on the side of the locking region facing the external environment of the assembly, especially on the side exposed to environmental influences from the external environment. This reliably prevents moisture from penetrating between the components.

[0020] An improved embodiment of the invention specifies that the locking region extends to the edge of the abutment region on its side opposite to the sealing region, or the abutment region includes an additional sealing region besides the sealing region, located on the side of the locking region opposite to the sealing region. Therefore, in the first variant, the locking region completely penetrates the abutment region from the sealing region, thereby allowing the mating structure established by the locking structure to pass into the region where the threaded connector and the second member are spaced apart. In the second variant, in addition to the sealing region, there is an additional sealing region, which continuously receive the abutment region circumferentially between them, so that the locking region, viewed radially, lies between the sealing region and the additional sealing region. This achieves a particularly reliable seal between the two members.

[0021] An improved embodiment of the invention specifies that the locking structure has at least one locking protrusion protruding from the abutment surface, particularly at least one locking rib. In principle, the locking structure can be designed arbitrarily. However, the locking structure at least has a locking protrusion for plastically deforming the second component during assembly. For this purpose, the locking protrusion protrudes from the abutment surface. For example, the abutment surface may be continuously located in an imaginary plane or an imaginary plane of rotation having a longitudinal central axis as its axis of rotation.

[0022] For example, the locking protrusion is designed as a locking rib, i.e., having a larger extension dimension in the first direction than in the second direction perpendicular to the first direction and in a third direction perpendicular to both the first and second directions. For example, the locking rib extends radially, particularly oriented radially, so that the longitudinal center axis of the locking rib intersects with, and is particularly perpendicular to, the longitudinal center axis of the threaded connection. Preferably, the locking structure has multiple locking protrusions, for example, arranged uniformly in the circumferential direction. This provides a particularly secure prevention of loosening of the threaded connection.

[0023] An improved embodiment of the invention specifies that the first member is a toothed shaft, and the second member has mating teeth that mesh with the teeth. Thus, the first and second members are fixed to each other by means of the teeth and mating teeth, particularly in the circumferential direction based on the axis of rotation on which the shaft and the second member are rotatably supported. For example, on the one hand, the shaft has a shoulder for the second member; on the other hand, the shaft is pulled together with the second member by means of a threaded connection, thereby holding the shoulder at or pressing against the second member. In particular, the shaft only partially penetrates the second member in the axial direction based on the longitudinal central axis, thus creating a cavity that is radially outwardly defined by the second member, and axially defined on one hand by the shaft and on the other hand by the threaded connection.

[0024] The threaded connector, specifically the screw of the threaded connector, penetrates the cavity from the end of the second component where the mating contact surface is located, all the way to the first component, where the thread of the threaded connector interacts with the mating thread of the shaft. In other words, the screw of the threaded connector is screwed into the shaft, where, for this purpose, the mating thread is designed as an internal thread. Alternatively, of course, a design can be adopted in which the first component or shaft has external threads, and the threaded connector is screwed onto these external threads by means of its internal threads. In this case, a reliable fastening of the two components to each other is achieved.

[0025] The present invention also relates to a method for assembling an assembly for a motor vehicle, particularly an assembly according to embodiments within the scope of this specification, wherein the assembly has a first member and a second member fastened to the first member by means of a threaded connector, the threads of the threaded connector engaging in a locking manner with the mating threads of the first member, and arranged to abut against the mating mating surface of the second member in an annular abutment region surrounding the longitudinal axis of the threaded connector via a mating surface of the threaded connector. It is specified that a locking structure for the threaded connector is present in the mating surface, the locking structure being arranged to abut against the second member to prevent rotation, and—partially continuously in the circumferential direction based on the longitudinal axis—only partially penetrating the mating region in the radial direction based on the longitudinal axis.

[0026] The advantages of this approach or this design scheme for the assembly have been pointed out. Not only the assembly but also the method for assembling the assembly can be further designed according to the embodiments within the scope of this specification, and thus these embodiments are referred to in this regard.

[0027] The features and combinations thereof described in the specification, and especially those described and / or shown in the following description of the drawings, may be used not only in the given combinations but also in other combinations or individually, without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, embodiments not explicitly shown or explained in the specification and / or drawings but which can be derived from or inferred from the explained embodiments are also considered to be included within the scope of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0028] The present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the embodiments shown in the figures, but the invention is not limited thereto. Wherein:

[0029] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an assembly for a motor vehicle is shown, the assembly including a first component, a second component, and a threaded connector for fastening the two components. Detailed Implementation

[0030] Figure 1An assembly 1 for a motor vehicle is shown. Assembly 1 includes a first member 2 and a second member 3, wherein, in the illustrated embodiment, the first member 2 exists as a shaft, and the second member 3 exists as a wheel bearing member or as a member non-rotatably connected to a wheel bearing member. These two members 2 and 3 are non-rotatably connected to each other in such a way that the external teeth 4 of the first member 2 mesh with the internal teeth 5 of the second member 3. For this purpose, the first member 2 extends into a recess 6 in the second member 3. Preferably, the first member 2 is arranged to abut against the second member 3 using a shoulder that is not visible here. When the shoulder abuts against the second member, the first member 2 only partially extends through the recess 6, thus leaving a cavity 7. This cavity is defined outwardly in a radial direction relative to the axis of rotation of the first member 2 by the second member 3, i.e., by the inner wall 8 defining the recess 6.

[0031] To secure the two components 2 and 3 together, they are fastened together by means of a threaded connector 9, which includes a screw 10 (of which only the shank 11 with threads 12 is shown here) and a washer 13 surrounding the shank 11 of the screw 10. The threaded connector 9 is arranged such that it engages with the mating threads 14 of the first component 2 by means of its threads 12. During assembly of the assembly 1, the threaded connector 9 is tightened such that the two components 2 and 3 are pulled together. For this purpose, on the one hand, the first component 2 rests against the second component 3 using the previously mentioned abutting shoulder, and on the other hand, the threaded connector 9 is supported against the second component 3 by means of the screw head of the screw 10 or (as shown here) by means of the washer 13. Here, the abutting surface 15 of the threaded connector 9 rests against the mating abutting surface 16 of the second component, that is, in abutting area 17. Therefore, the abutment area 17 is understood only as the area where the abutment surface 15 abuts against the mating abutment surface 16, and conversely, the mating abutment surface 16 also abuts against the abutment surface 15. Apart from the abutment area 17, the second member 3 and the threaded connector 9 are spaced apart from each other.

[0032] To prevent accidental loosening of the threaded connector 9, the threaded connector has a locking structure 18, which in the illustrated embodiment has a plurality of locking protrusions 19, of which only a few are shown here by way of example. In particular, the locking protrusions 19 exist as radially oriented locking ribs, such that the imaginary extension of each locking protrusion 19 intersects with, and is particularly perpendicular to, the longitudinal central axis of the threaded connector 9, specifically the shank 11. When assembling the assembly 1, the locking structure 18 rests against the second member 3, that is, against the mating abutment surface 16. Tightening the threaded connector 9 to such an extent that the second member 3 is plastically deformed by the locking structure 18, thus forming the mating structure 20. If the assembly 1 is disassembled, that is, the threaded connector 9 is loosened from the two members 2 and 3, the mating structure 20 is left at the second member 3.

[0033] When assembly 1 is reassembled, i.e., when the two components 2 and 3 are fastened together again by means of threaded connector 9, an additional mating structure 21 similar to mating structure 20 is imprinted in the second component 3, while mating structure 20 remains in the second component 3. If the second mating structure 20 penetrates the entire contact area 17 radially, moisture from the external environment 22 may pass between the second component 3 and threaded connector 9 into the cavity 7 and cause corrosion there.

[0034] To prevent this from happening again when the two components 2 and 3 are fastened together again by means of the threaded connector 9, the abutment area 17 has a locking area 23 and a sealing area 24. A locking structure 18 is present in the locking area 23, specifically, a mating structure 20 is formed at the second component 3 by the locking structure 18. The sealing area 24 has no locking structure, so that in the sealing area 24, the abutment surface 15 and the mating abutment surface 16 abut each other continuously and uninterruptedly in the circumferential direction, especially in a surface-to-surface manner.

[0035] This is achieved by designing the locking structure 18 as not penetrating in the radial direction, specifically not through the contact area 17. In the illustrated embodiment, the sealing area 24 surrounds the locking area 23, such that the sealing area 24 is located on the side of the locking area 23 facing the external environment 22. Moisture penetration is correspondingly prevented because the mating structure 20 is also not penetrating in the radial direction at the second member 3.

[0036] As can be seen, in the illustrated embodiment, the locking structure 18 extends beyond the locking region 23, that is, it extends radially inward beyond the locking region 23. Therefore, the locking structure 18 partially overlaps with the cavity 7 when viewed radially. This means that the mating structures 20 and 21 penetrate the inner wall 8 in the form of an entrance. Thus, on the one hand, the threaded connection 9 is reliably locked to prevent accidental loosening, and on the other hand, moisture is prevented from seeping into the assembly 1.

[0037] List of reference numerals in the attached diagram:

[0038] 1 assembly

[0039] 2 First Component

[0040] 3 Second component

[0041] 4 External teeth

[0042] 5. Internal teeth

[0043] 6 notches

[0044] 7 cavity

[0045] 8 Inner Wall

[0046] 9 threaded connectors

[0047] 10 screws

[0048] 11 handles

[0049] 12 thread

[0050] 13 Washers

[0051] 14 mating threads

[0052] 15 backrests

[0053] 16. Matching and adhering to the back surface

[0054] 17 Adhesion Area

[0055] 18 locking structures

[0056] 19 Locking Protrusions

[0057] 20 Fitting Structure

[0058] 21. Fitting Structure

[0059] 22 External Environment

[0060] 23 Locking Area

[0061] 24 Sealed area.

Claims

1. An assembly (1) for a motor vehicle, the assembly comprising a first member (2) and a second member (3) fastened to the first member (2) by means of a threaded connector (9), wherein, The thread (12) of the threaded connector (9) and the mating thread (14) of the first member (2) work together in a locking manner. The abutting surface (15) of the threaded connector (9) abuts against the mating abutting surface (16) of the second member (3) in an annular abutting area (17) surrounding the longitudinal central axis of the threaded connector (9). The characteristic feature is that a locking structure (18) of the threaded connector (9) is provided in the abutting surface (15). The locking structure abuts against the second member (3) to prevent rotation. The locking structure only partially penetrates the abutting area (17) in the radial direction based on the longitudinal central axis.

2. The assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The assembly (1) is designed such that when the first member (2) and the second member (3) are fastened together by means of the threaded connector (9), the locking structure (18) forms a mating structure (20) in the mating abutment surface (16) of the second member (3) to prevent rotation in a form-locking manner, the mating structure (20) only partially penetrating the abutment area (17) in the radial direction.

3. The assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The assembly (1) is designed such that when the first member (2) and the second member (3) are subsequently fastened together by means of the threaded connector (9), the locking structure (18) forms an additional mating structure (21) in the mating contact surface (16) of the second member (3) to form a locking mechanism to prevent rotation, the additional mating structure (21) only partially penetrating the contact area (17) in the radial direction.

4. The assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The threaded connector (9) includes a screw (10) having threads (12), wherein a locking structure (18) is provided at the screw head of the screw (10) or at a washer (13) abutting against the screw head.

5. The assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The contact area (17) has a locking area (23) and a sealing area (24), wherein the locking structure (18) is manufactured inside the locking area (23) and outside the sealing area (24), and the contact surface (15) and the mating contact surface (16) are in contact with each other in the sealing area (24).

6. The assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The sealing area (24) is annular, and the sealing area (24) completely surrounds the locking area (23) in the circumferential direction, or the locking area (23) completely surrounds the sealing area (24) in the circumferential direction.

7. The assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The locking region (23) extends on its side away from the sealing region (24) to the edge of the abutment region (17), or the abutment region (17) includes an additional sealing region in addition to the sealing region (24), the additional sealing region being located on the side of the locking region (23) away from the sealing region (24).

8. The assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The locking structure (18) has at least one locking protrusion (19) protruding from the abutment surface (15).

9. The assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The first component (2) is a shaft with teeth (4), and the second component (3) has mating teeth (5) that mesh with the teeth (4).

10. A method for assembling an assembly (1) for a motor vehicle, particularly an assembly (1) according to any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein, The assembly (1) has a first member (2) and a second member (3) fastened to the first member (2) by means of a threaded connector (9), wherein the thread (12) of the threaded connector (9) is engaged in a locking manner with the mating thread (14) of the first member (2), and the abutment surface (15) of the threaded connector (9) is arranged to abut against the mating abutment surface (16) of the second member (3) in an annular abutment area (17) surrounding the longitudinal central axis of the threaded connector (9), characterized in that a locking structure (18) of the threaded connector (9) is provided in the abutment surface (15), the locking structure being arranged to abut against the second member (3) to prevent rotation, and only partially penetrating the abutment area (17) in the radial direction based on the longitudinal central axis.

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