Connecting element, reinforcing element and connecting arrangement

Abstract

Connecting element (10) for fastening to a support element (22) that is part of a vehicle body, wherein the connecting element (10) has a connecting portion (12) via which the connecting element (10) can be coupled to the support element (22) by means of a punching or riveting process, wherein the connecting element (10) has at least one securing portion (14) via which the connecting element (10) can be additionally secured to the support element (22), wherein the connecting element (10) is formed in one piece, so that the securing portion (14) and the connecting portion (12) are integrally coupled to one another, wherein the securing portion (14) is arranged spatially separated from the connecting portion (12), wherein the securing portion (14) protrudes laterally from the connecting portion (12), wherein the securing portion (14) is a flag or a plate-like portion,and wherein the securing section (14) has a securing surface (20) with which the connecting element (10) can be additionally welded to the carrier element (22).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a connecting element for attachment to a support element, a reinforcing element for contact with a support element and a connecting arrangement.

[0002] Various connecting elements are known from the prior art that are coupled to a carrier element by means of a joining process. These can be stamped or press-fit elements such as nuts, bolts or similar, which are coupled to the carrier element via a stamping or riveting process.

[0003] Typically, such connecting elements are used in automotive engineering, where they are connected to a carrier plate that is part of the vehicle body.

[0004] To create a strong and secure connection between the fastener and the supporting element, a high degree of coordination is required during the punching or riveting process. Since the strength of the connection is solely ensured by the punching or riveting process, process reliability is correspondingly reduced, as any deviation from the predefined coordination leads to a decrease in connection quality. Furthermore, the fasteners and the supporting sheet must have a certain material thickness to withstand the forces required during the joining process.

[0005] DE 10 2012 017 289 A1 shows a riveting element which is punched through one of the sheet metal parts to join two sheet metal parts and which works together with a separately designed die.

[0006] DE 10 2010 042 803 A1 discloses a plug connection formed by two fixing elements, by which two separate sheets, on each of which one of the fixing elements is arranged, are positively connected to each other.

[0007] DE 10 2012 001 087 A1 shows a functional element and a separately designed pressure disc that work together to clamp a component between the pressure disc and the functional element.

[0008] DE 40 19 193 A1 discloses a blind rivet with a tubular rivet sleeve with a head, wherein an adhesive is applied at least partially to the contact surface of the head and / or to the outside of the rivet sleeve in order to provide anti-rotation protection, a seal and, if necessary, corrosion protection.

[0009] From DE 10 2012 011 020 A1, a self-piercing rivet for joining components is known. The self-piercing rivet has a head section and a shank section adjoining the head section in a longitudinal direction, wherein the shank section has a punched edge at an end facing away from the head section, and wherein the head section has a larger outer diameter at a head end section facing away from the shank section than the shank section.

[0010] DE 101 52 068 A1 discloses a rivet for a tight rivet joint with a sealing and / or adhesive compound between the rivet outer surface and the rivet hole inner surface for bonding components.

[0011] In DE 197 37 966 A1, an adhesive connection between two components using a curable adhesive is disclosed, wherein one of the components has molded-on spacer elements that come into contact with the other component in the area of ​​an adhesive surface and thereby form an adhesive gap with a predetermined adhesive gap width.

[0012] EP 3 747 568 A1 shows a blind rivet fastener connection with a blind rivet fastener having a shank and a setting head, and a joining arrangement having a surface and an opening through which the shank is guided.

[0013] From DE 10 2009 053 848 A1, a nail for axially driving into at least one non-pre-drilled component without rotation is known, preferably for joining two or more components. The nail comprises a nail head, a nail shank, and a nail tip.

[0014] DE 10 2009 045 934 A1 discloses a profile system which has at least one connecting profile for connecting at least two plate elements, wherein the connecting profile is essentially U-shaped or I-shaped and has at least one engagement means for a positive, force-fit and / or material-fit connection with the plate elements.

[0015] DE 102 20 100 A1 shows an edge-side connection area of ​​two sheets, wherein the sheets are connected to each other in a way that allows them to be slidably connected to each other in the connection area formed by two overlapping flanges of the sheets.

[0016] From DE 10 2008 026 356 A1 a component connection is known with a first component having a first hole and a second component having a second hole and a blind rivet.

[0017] The object of the invention is to enable a more reliable connection using simple means.

[0018] The object of the invention is achieved by a connecting element for attachment to a support element that is part of a vehicle body, wherein the connecting element has a connecting section via which the connecting element can be coupled to the support element by means of a punching or riveting process, and wherein the connecting element has at least one securing section via which the connecting element can be additionally secured to the support element, wherein the securing section is spatially separate from the connecting element, wherein the securing section projects laterally from the connecting section, wherein the securing section is a flag or a plate-like section, and wherein the securing section has a securing surface with which the connecting element can be additionally welded to the support element.

[0019] The basic idea of ​​the invention is to create an additional joining option, thereby simplifying conventional joining processes such as punching or riveting. The demands placed on the conventional joining process can be reduced accordingly, allowing it to be carried out with less effort and thus more cost-effectively. According to the invention, the quality of the connection between the connecting element and the support element no longer depends solely on the joining process, but can be improved, particularly retrospectively, via the additional securing section. Due to the additional connection, increased strength of the connecting element on the support element can be achieved. Consequently, the connecting element itself or the support element can be made of a thinner material, thus saving material and weight.

[0020] According to the invention, the connecting element is formed in one piece, so that the locking section and the connecting section are coupled together as a single unit. This ensures that a secure connection exists between the locking section and the connecting section. Furthermore, this guarantees that no excessively large manufacturing tolerances occur between the locking section and the connecting section, which would negatively affect the overall strength.

[0021] Depending on the design and size of the securing section, the strength of the connection between the connecting element and the supporting element can be influenced. Furthermore, depending on the design of the laterally projecting securing section, a greater spatial separation can occur, so that the connecting element is secured to the supporting element at some distance from the connecting section via the securing section. This can be advantageous in cases where the connecting element is typically subjected to one-sided loads.

[0022] One aspect of the invention provides that the connecting section has a contact surface over which the connecting element rests against the support element, and which is preferably circular in shape. The force is transferred to the support element via this contact surface during the joining process. The larger the contact surface, the more evenly the force can be applied. A circular contact surface can also serve to ensure homogeneous force application. Overall, the design of the contact surface can influence the force application and thus the strength of the connection.

[0023] Furthermore, the connecting element can have a main axis that, in the coupled state, is essentially perpendicular to the support element, wherein the locking section is also essentially perpendicular to the main axis, and wherein, in particular, the main axis is defined by a bolt section or an opening. This geometry ensures, on the one hand, that the locking section is spatially separated from the connecting section that is usually used for fastening. On the other hand, it ensures that the locking section can lie flat against the support element after the joining process.

[0024] Furthermore, the safety section can be a flag or a saucer-shaped section.

[0025] The securing section can have a securing surface that allows the connecting element to be additionally secured to the support element, particularly by welding. The securing section can be coupled to the support element via the securing surface by means of a weld point. Alternatively or additionally, the securing surface can also serve as an adhesive surface, so that an adhesive is used between the support element and the connecting element for additional securing. Depending on the size of the securing surface, several weld points or securing connection points can also be provided, via which the securing section is additionally secured to the support element.

[0026] In particular, the connecting element can be a riveted element or a punched element. These elements are especially suitable for additional securing, as they are coupled to a support element using a classic joining process.

[0027] Furthermore, the object of the invention is achieved by a reinforcing element for attachment to a support element, wherein the reinforcing element comprises a connecting element of the aforementioned type, which is preferably formed integrally with the reinforcing element. Accordingly, the reinforcing element can also be manufactured more reliably. In addition, the reinforcing element can be further secured to the support element, as already described. The connecting element provided in or on the reinforcing element can preferably be stamped in. This also allows manufacturing tolerances to be minimized.

[0028] Furthermore, the object of the invention is achieved by a connection arrangement comprising at least one support element and a connecting element of the aforementioned type and / or a reinforcing element of the aforementioned type. This connection can exhibit correspondingly higher strength because the connecting element and / or the reinforcing element can be additionally secured to the support element. The joining process, which is in particular a punching or riveting process, can be simplified because the strength requirements for the joining process can be reduced. The strength of the connection can be increased, in particular positively influenced, due to the additional securing.

[0029] Further advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description and the drawings, to which reference is made. The drawings show: Fig. 1 a connecting element according to the invention in a first embodiment, Fig. 2 a connection arrangement according to the invention with a connecting element according to the invention according to the first embodiment, Fig. 3a an alternative variant of the connecting element according to the invention in the first embodiment, Fig. 3b a further variant of the connecting element according to the invention of the first embodiment Fig. 4 a connecting element according to a second embodiment according to the invention, and Fig. 5 a reinforcing element according to the invention.

[0030] In Fig. Figure 1 shows a connecting element 10 according to a first embodiment, which has a connecting section 12 with which the connecting element 10 can be attached to a support element not shown here.

[0031] In the embodiment shown, the connecting element 10 is designed as a nut which is punched into the support element.

[0032] The connecting element 10 also has a securing section 14, which serves to additionally secure the connecting element 10 to the support element.

[0033] The connecting section 12 has a contact surface 16, over which the connecting element 10, in particular over its connecting section 12, rests flat against the support element or over which the connecting element 10 is joined to the support element, as shown below. Fig. 2 will be explained later.

[0034] The connecting section 12 further features a central opening 18 through which a principal axis A passes. The central opening 18 is surrounded by the circularly shaped contact surface 16, so that a homogeneously distributed force is transferred to the support element during the joining process of the connecting element 10.

[0035] The locking section 14 extends laterally from the connecting section 12, and the locking section 14 is a flag. The locking section 14 is aligned with the connecting section 12 of the connecting element 10 such that it is perpendicular to the main axis A.

[0036] Furthermore, the securing section 14 has a securing surface 20, via which the securing section 14 can also bear against the support element, provided that the connecting element 10 is coupled to the support element. The securing surface 20 is aligned parallel to the contact surface 16 of the connecting section 12, but may be axially offset from the contact surface 16.

[0037] From the Fig. Figure 1 also shows that the safety section 14 and the connecting section 12 are coupled together in one piece, so that the entire connecting element 10 is formed in one piece.

[0038] In Fig. 2 The connecting element 10 according to the first embodiment is arranged on a support element 22 which has a mounting surface 24. The support element 22 and the connecting element 10 attached to it form a connection arrangement 25.

[0039] The connecting element 10 can be coupled to the support element 22 via a conventional joining process, which can be a riveting process. In the illustration shown, the connecting element 10 is depicted in its initial state.

[0040] As from Fig. As can be seen from Figure 2, the connecting element 10 rests with its contact surface 16 against the fastening surface 24. The connecting element 10 has been riveted to the support element 22, particularly during the joining process, so that the contact surface 16 has at least partially axially displaced or mechanically shaped the fastening surface 24, thus already attaching the connecting element 10 to the support element 22.

[0041] Additionally, the connecting element 10 rests against the mounting surface 24 via its locking surface 20. The axial offset between the contact surface 16 and the locking surface 20 is specifically chosen such that, after the joining process, the locking surface 20 makes essentially full contact with the mounting surface 24.

[0042] The connecting element 10 can be secured to the support element 22 via the laterally projecting locking section 14 in addition to the conventional joining process, for example by welding the locking section 14 to the support element 22. For this purpose, an additional weld point 26 can be provided to secure the connecting element 10 to the support element 22. Multiple weld points 26 can also be provided. The weld point 26 is typically located at least 6 mm from the edge surrounding the central opening 18, in particular the section of the edge that is closest to the weld point 26. The 6 mm distance can therefore represent a minimum distance.

[0043] Additionally or alternatively, a laser welding and / or an SG seam 28 (shielded gas welding) may be provided.

[0044] Furthermore, the securing surface 20 can be additionally or alternatively bonded to the fastening surface 24 of the support element 22.

[0045] The securing surface 20 has a minimum area of ​​8 mm x 8 mm, i.e. 64 mm². 2 , especially 12 mm x 12 mm.

[0046] In the Fig. 3a and Fig. Figure 3b shows further variants of the connecting element 10 according to the first embodiment.

[0047] The two versions differ in that in Fig. 3a the connecting element 10 has several locking sections 14, two of which are shown in full and a third is indicated by dashed lines.

[0048] The securing sections 14 can differ in their axial offset from the mounting surface 16. This depends on the specific installation situation and the support element 22 to which the connecting element 10 is to be attached.

[0049] In general, this allows the securing area 20 to be increased, as it is composed of the total areas of the respective securing sections 14. The strength of the connection arrangement 25 can thus be increased, since each securing section 14 can be additionally secured with the support element 22.

[0050] In Fig. 3b is the connecting element 10 from Fig. 1 is shown, with another variant shown as a dashed line.

[0051] In this dashed-line variant, the locking section 14 is designed as a plate-like section that radially surrounds the connecting section 12. The locking section 14 is therefore designed as a disc-shaped ring element.

[0052] This creates a maximum securing area of ​​20, over which a correspondingly high additional securing force can be achieved.

[0053] In Fig. Figure 4 shows a second embodiment of the connecting element 10, which is a stamping element having a bolt section 30.

[0054] The bolt section 30 extends perpendicularly to the contact surface 16 of the connecting section 12 and passes through the support element not shown here accordingly.

[0055] The connecting element 10 according to the second embodiment also has a locking section 14 which has a locking surface 20.

[0056] In the embodiment shown, the securing section 14 is also designed as a laterally projecting flag, which is perpendicular to the main axis A of the connecting element 10, which is defined by the longitudinal extent of the bolt section 30.

[0057] In this embodiment, the locking section 14 is designed such that the locking surface 20 is not only parallel to the contact surface 16 of the connecting section 12, but lies in the same plane.

[0058] Alternatively, the securing surface 20 can also have a step towards the mounting surface 16, i.e., be axially offset with respect to the main axis A towards the mounting surface 16.

[0059] In analogous manner to the two variants of the first embodiment of the connecting element 10, which are described in the Fig. 3a and Fig. As shown in Figure 3b, the connecting element 10 according to the second embodiment can also have several locking sections 14 arranged at different radial positions. Alternatively, the locking section 14 can also be disc-shaped or ring-shaped.

[0060] In general, at least one safety section 14 can have any shape.

[0061] In Fig. Figure 5 shows a reinforcing element 32 which is formed from a plate-shaped element 34 and includes a connecting element 10.

[0062] In the illustrated embodiment, the connecting element 10 is formed integrally with the plate-shaped element 34, so that the entire reinforcing element 32 is a single piece. The plate-shaped element 34 thus simultaneously constitutes the securing section 14. The securing surface 20 is correspondingly large. Due to the size of the securing section 14, several weld points can be provided to secure the reinforcing element 32 to a support element (not shown here). The connecting element 10 can, in particular, be formed in the reinforcing element 32 by a stamping process.

[0063] The reinforcing element 32 may in particular be a reinforcing plate, which is typically intended for connection to a support element.

[0064] The reinforcing element 32 and in particular the plate-shaped element 34 can have any shape and size.

[0065] Alternatively, the reinforcing element 32 can have a connecting element 10 in the form of a punched element, as shown in the Fig. 4 is shown.

[0066] Furthermore, a connection arrangement 25 may be provided which has a reinforcing element 32 which is provided as an alternative or supplement to the connecting element 10.

[0067] In general, it is possible to manufacture the connection arrangement 25 more simply, since the requirements for the joining process, i.e., the punching or riveting process, are lower in order to achieve a sufficiently strong connection between the connecting element 10 or the reinforcing element 32 and the support element 22. The requirements are lower because additional securing is possible via at least one securing section 14, which provides additional strength to the connection arrangement 25, particularly retroactively.

[0068] The connecting elements 10 can be designed to save material, in particular their connecting sections 12.

[0069] Furthermore, the support elements 22 can also have a correspondingly smaller material thickness, since the connecting elements 10 or the reinforcing elements 32 are joined with less force. This is possible because the additional securing via the at least one securing section 14 provides the necessary force for the connection arrangement 25.

[0070] The process reliability during the production of the connection arrangement 25 can be increased accordingly.

Claims

[1] Connecting element (10) for attachment to a support element (22) that is part of a vehicle body, wherein the connecting element (10) has a connecting section (12) via which the connecting element (10) can be coupled to the support element (22) by means of a punching or riveting process, wherein the connecting element (10) has at least one locking section (14) via which the connecting element (10) can additionally be secured to the support element (22), wherein the connecting element (10) is formed in one piece, such that the locking section (14) and the connecting section (12) are coupled to each other in one piece, wherein the locking section (14) is arranged spatially separate from the connecting section (12), wherein the locking section (14) projects laterally from the connecting section (12), wherein the locking section (14) is a flag or a plate-like section,and wherein the securing section (14) has a securing surface (20) with which the connecting element (10) can additionally be welded to the support element (22). [2] Connecting element (10) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the connecting section (12) has a contact surface (16) over which the connecting element (10) rests on the support element (22), which is in particular circular in shape. [3] Connecting element (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the connecting element (10) has a principal axis (A) which in the coupled state is substantially perpendicular to the support element (22), wherein the locking section (14) is formed substantially perpendicular to the principal axis (A), and wherein in particular the principal axis (A) is defined by a bolt section (30) or an opening (18). [4] Connecting element (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the connecting element (10) is a rivet element or a punch element. [5] Reinforcing element (32) for attachment to a support element (22), wherein the reinforcing element (32) has a connecting element (10) according to one of the preceding claims, which is in particular formed integrally with the reinforcing element (32). [6] Connection arrangement (25) with at least one support element (22) and a connecting element (10) according to one of claims 1 to 4 and / or a reinforcing element (32) according to claim 5.

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