Screw for directly screwing together several components, component assembly and method for producing a component assembly

Abstract

Screw (10; 10a) for directly screwing several components (1, 2), with a first section (21) for forming a flow-drilled area on at least one component (1, 2) and a second section (22) for forming a threaded section in at least one of the components (1, 2), wherein the two sections (21, 22) connect to each other with respect to a longitudinal axis (13) of the screw (10; 10a), characterized in that the screw (10; 10a) consists of two separate sub-elements (11, 12) which connect to each other in the direction of the longitudinal axis (13) and are detachably connected to each other.

Description

State of the art

[0001] The invention relates to a screw for directly screwing together a plurality of components according to the preamble of claim 1. Furthermore, the invention relates to a component assembly comprising at least two components connected to one another by a screw and to a method for producing such a component assembly.

[0002] A screw according to the preamble of claim 1 is known from DE 103 48 427 A1. The known screw is used to connect two components without forming a pilot hole. A disadvantage of the known screw is that the underside of the screw facing away from the screw head is relatively pointed due to its function of forming the drilled area. After the component assembly has been formed, this area protrudes from the components on the side facing away from the screw head, without the tip of the screw having any further function. As a result, the component assembly is relatively thick in the area of ​​the screw. Furthermore, there is a risk of injury to persons who come into unintentional contact with the pointed area of ​​the screw protruding from the component assembly.It is therefore common practice to arrange such screws in such a way that the underside of the screw protruding from the component assembly is located in the area of ​​a normally inaccessible inside of a structure or in the area of ​​a cavity. Disclosure of the invention

[0003] Based on the prior art described, the object of the invention is to further develop a screw for directly screwing several components according to the preamble of claim 1 in such a way that the above-mentioned disadvantages or design limitations are avoided.

[0004] This object is achieved in a screw for directly screwing together a plurality of components with the features of claim 1 in that the screw consists of two separate sub-elements which adjoin one another in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the screw and are detachably connected to one another. Such a design of the screw makes it possible, after the component assembly has been formed, to separate the two sub-elements of the screw from one another in such a way that a section or region of the screw which would otherwise protrude from the underside (i.e. on the side facing away from a screw head) of the component assembly and which is without function after the component assembly has been formed is removed from the screw, so that on the one hand the height of the component assembly in the region of the screw is reduced, and on the other hand the risk of injury to people is reduced.

[0005] With direct screwing, the connection area between the two components is heated to a temperature that allows the material of the two components to be deformed by the screw. The screw has a first section for forming a flow-hole-formed area on the two components, to which a second section with a self-tapping thread is connected in the direction of a screw head. When the two components are connected using the screw, the first section of the screw digs into the material of the two components and forms an opening, which is then provided with a thread by the second section of the screw. The thread in the components enables a positive and / or non-positive connection between the two components using the screw.

[0006] Advantageous further developments of the screw according to the invention for directly screwing several components are set out in the subclaims.

[0007] While separating the two sub-elements of the screw after forming the component assembly requires that the two sub-elements be detachably connected to one another with respect to the longitudinal axis of the screw, forming the flow-hole-formed region on at least one of the components requires that a torque large enough to be transmitted via the screw is sufficient to displace the material of at least one component to form the hole. To transmit such a torque, it is therefore provided that the two sub-elements are connected to one another or arranged in a rotationally fixed manner with respect to the longitudinal axis of the screw.

[0008] In principle, any type of positive locking connection can be used to create such a connection between the two sub-elements, which is particularly easy to release in the longitudinal direction and rotationally fixed. Such positive locking connections can, in particular, feature known positive locking geometries such as Torx or Allen keys.

[0009] Depending on the area of ​​the screw in which the parting plane between the two sub-elements is located, it may be necessary for the two sections or sub-elements of the screw to be arranged in a precisely defined angular position relative to one another. This is the case, for example, if the parting plane is in the area of ​​the thread pitch or threaded section of the screw. In such a case, it is therefore provided that a form-locking connection is formed between the two sub-elements, which connects the two sub-elements to one another in just one single rotational angular position. Such a form-locking connection can be achieved, for example, by an asymmetrical design of the form-locking geometry.

[0010] To facilitate handling of the screw to form the component assembly, it is also advantageous if a clamping connection or a magnetic connection is formed between the two sub-elements in the longitudinal direction. In both cases, the two sub-elements of the screw remain connected to each other in the longitudinal direction at least until one sub-element is separated from the other sub-element by an external mechanical force using a suitable tool, or, for example, by heating to release the clamping connection.

[0011] It is furthermore particularly preferred if the partial element of the screw facing away from the screw head projects with an extension into a receptacle of the partial element integrally connected to the screw head.

[0012] Such a structural design has the particular advantage that after removal of the sub-element facing away from the screw head (with corresponding lengths of the sub-elements), no protrusion of the screw protrudes from the component assembly.

[0013] Furthermore, it is particularly preferred to position the parting plane on the screw in such a way that one sub-element of the screw forms the first section, i.e. a first functionality, and the second sub-element forms the second section, i.e. a second functionality. Such a design of the screw makes it possible in particular to optimize each of the two sub-elements or each of the two sections with regard to their functionality. In particular, it is then also possible, for example, to form the sub-element used to form the flow-hole-formed region in the component from a particularly hard material, for example, and / or to design the screw in such a way that the latter sub-element can be used as an interchangeable part with different screw (heads).In other words, this means that only a single sub-element is required to form the flow-hole-formed area, which interacts with a screw element to form the component assembly. The screw element comprises only the screw head and the section for forming the threaded portion. This design therefore forms a kind of modular system in which the single sub-element used to form the flow-hole-formed area on the components can always be reused.

[0014] In a similar way, the functionality of the two sub-elements can be optimized by making the two sub-elements from different materials.

[0015] The invention also encompasses a component assembly consisting of at least two components, in particular connected to one another by a screw according to the invention. According to the invention, such a component assembly is characterized by its design in that, after removal of one partial element of the screw, the underside of the screw facing away from a screw head of the screw is at least substantially flush with the component assembly, or the component assembly is formed on its underside by the partial element integrally connected to the screw head. This makes it possible for the material of the screw to at least substantially not protrude beyond the lower component.

[0016] To simplify the formation of the component assembly, it can also be provided that the component facing the screw is equipped with a pilot hole for the screw. This prevents gaps between the two components during the formation of the flow-drilled area and allows the two components to contact the facing surfaces.

[0017] Finally, the invention also encompasses a method for producing a component assembly as described above, wherein the method comprises at least the following steps: In a first step, a flow-hole-formed region is formed on at least one of the components by a threaded section of a screw. Subsequently, a partial element of the screw is separated from the screw on the side facing away from a screw head.

[0018] Further advantages, features and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments and from the drawings.

[0019] This shows in: Fig. 1 a screw for directly connecting several components in a side view, Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 each a longitudinal section through a screw according to Fig. 1 and a modified version of the screw, Fig. 4 to Fig. 6 different cross sections of a form-locking connection between the two sub-elements of a screw according to the Fig. 1, Fig. 7 to Fig. 9 the production of a component assembly by means of a screw during different phases, each in longitudinal section and Fig. 10 a longitudinal section through an opposite Fig. 9 modified component assembly.

[0020] Identical elements or elements with the same function are provided with the same reference numbers in the figures.

[0021] In the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 is a screw 10 for directly screwing several, in particular two, into the Fig. 7 to 10. The components 1, 2 are made in particular, and not restrictively, of metal. Both similar and dissimilar metals can be used. The screw 10 consists of two sub-elements 11, 12 that are detachably connected to one another. The two sub-elements 11, 12 are arranged one behind the other with respect to a longitudinal axis 13 of the screw 10. The first sub-element 11 of the screw 10 forms a first section 21 that is designed to form at least one flow-hole-formed region in at least one of the components 1, 2. On the side facing the second sub-element 12, the first sub-element 11 furthermore has part of a second section 22 that is designed to form a thread in the two components 1, 2. The second section 22 is thus designed in the manner of a thread, in particular in the form of a so-called self-tapping orself-tapping thread. The underside of the first sub-element 11 facing away from the second sub-element 12 is formed in the form of a tip 14.

[0022] In addition, it is mentioned that the first sub-section 11, in addition to the first section 21 and possibly the second sub-section 22, in particular between the two sections 21, 22 in an approximately cylindrical region 17 of the screw 10, can have a so-called calibration section.

[0023] The second sub-element 12 comprises, in addition to the second section 22 in the form of the thread with an upstream thread forming zone, which directly adjoins the second section 22 of the first sub-element 11, a screw head 15 with a tool geometry (not shown). The screw head 15 can be provided with a radially circumferential recess 16 on the underside facing the second section 22. The screw head 15 is designed to cooperate with a tool (not shown), via which both an axial force F acting in the direction of the longitudinal axis 13 and a torque M d is transferable.

[0024] The two sub-elements 11, 12 are detachably connected to one another in the axial direction in the region of a parting plane 25 running perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 13. As can be seen in particular from the illustration of the Fig. 2, the second sub-element 12 has a recess 26 on the end face facing the first sub-element 11, into which a pin-shaped extension 27 of the first sub-element 11 projects.

[0025] In the Fig. 4 to 6 show different cross sections of the second partial element 11 in the region of the recess 26. In the embodiment according to Fig. 4, the recess 26 is provided with a cross-section in the form of an Allen key 29. In contrast, the recess 26 in the Fig. 5 in the form of a star-shaped contour 31. In the Fig. Figure 6 illustrates the case in which the recess 26 has an asymmetrical contour 32 with respect to the longitudinal axis 13. Such a contour 32 ensures that the two sub-elements 11, 12 can only be positioned or connected to each other in a single rotational angle position.

[0026] Preferably, either a clamping connection or a magnetic connection is formed between the two sub-elements 11, 12, which connects the two sub-elements 11, 12 to one another in the axial direction. The connection between the two sub-elements 11, 12 is released either by simply pulling them out in the axial direction using a tool (not shown) or, for example, by heating the components to release the clamping connection. Furthermore, it is conceivable for the two sub-elements 11, 12 of the screw 10 to be made of different materials in order to optimize the two sub-elements 11, 12 in their respective tasks (formation of a flow-hole-formed area on at least one of the components 1, 2 or formation of a thread on the components 1, 2).

[0027] The Fig. The screw 10a shown in Figure 3 differs from the screw 10 in that the parting plane 25a is arranged in a region in which the first sub-element 11 has only the first section 21 for forming the flow-hole formed region (and possibly the calibration section).

[0028] In the Fig. Figures 7 to 9 illustrate the production of a component assembly 100, consisting of two plate-shaped components 1, 2, particularly in the area of ​​the screw 10a, and the screw 10a. In particular, it can be seen that the upper component 1 facing the screw head 15 is formed with a pilot hole 3, the diameter of which is slightly larger than the diameter of the two sections 21, 22. Fig. Figure 7 shows the state of the component assembly 100, in which a flow-hole-formed region has already been formed in the lower component 2 by means of the first section 21 of the screw 10a, with the second section 22 of the second sub-element 12 just entering the flow-hole-formed region or interacting with it. Depending on the material or hardness of the screw 10a and the lower component 2, it may be necessary or advantageous to heat the lower component 2, as is known per se from the prior art. Fig. Figure 8 shows the state in which the screw 10a has reached its axial end position relative to the two components 1, 2. In particular, it can be seen that the second section 22 or the second part element 12 of the screw 10a is approximately flush with the underside 5 of the lower component 2 or the flow-hole-formed area, or only slightly protrudes from it. Furthermore, it can be seen that after the connection has been formed, the first part element 11 has already been partially removed from the recess 26. In the Fig. Figure 9 shows the final state of the component assembly 100. In particular, it can be seen that the recess 26 is arranged on the underside of the screw 10a, on the side facing away from the screw head 15, while the first sub-element 11 is no longer connected to the screw 10a.

[0029] In the Fig.10 shows a component assembly 100a in which the upper component 2 facing the screw head 15 is formed without a pilot hole 5. In this case, the screw 10a serves to form a flow-hole-formed area in both components 1, 2.

[0030] The screw 10, 10a described so far can be modified or altered in many different ways without deviating from the inventive concept.

Claims

[1] Screw (10; 10a) for directly screwing a plurality of components (1, 2), with a first section (21) for forming a flow-hole-formed area on at least one component (1, 2) and a second section (22) for forming a threaded section in at least one of the components (1, 2), wherein the two sections (21, 22) adjoin one another with respect to a longitudinal axis (13) of the screw (10; 10a), characterized by that the screw (10; 10a) consists of two separate sub-elements (11, 12) which adjoin one another in the direction of the longitudinal axis (13) and are detachably connected to one another. [2] Screw according to claim 1, characterized by that the two sub-elements (11, 12) are arranged in a rotationally fixed manner relative to one another with respect to the longitudinal axis (13). [3] Screw according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that a positive connection (26, 27) is formed between the two partial elements (11, 12). [4] Screw according to claim 3, characterized bythat the positive connection (26, 27) is designed to connect the two partial elements (11, 12) to one another in only a single rotational angle position. [5] Screw according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by that the two sub-elements (11, 12) are connected to one another by a clamping connection or a magnetic connection. [6] Screw according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by that the partial element (11) facing away from a screw head (15) projects with an extension (27) into a receptacle (26) of the partial element (12) connected in one piece with the screw head (15). [7] Screw according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by that one sub-element (11) forms the first section (21) and the other sub-element (12) forms the second section (22). [8] Screw according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized bythat one sub-element (11) forms the first section (21) and a first part of the second section (22) and the other sub-element (12) forms a second part of the second section (22). [9] Screw according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by that the two sub-elements (11, !2) are made of different materials. [10] Component assembly (100; 100a) consisting of at least two components connected to one another by a screw (10; 10a) according to one of claims 1 to 9. [11] Component assembly according to claim 10, characterized by that the screw (10; 10a) is at least almost flush with the underside (5) of the component (1) facing away from the screw (10; 10a). [12] Component assembly according to claim 10 or 11, characterized by that a component (2) is provided with a hole (3) for passing the screw (10; 10a). [13] Component assembly according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterized bythat the side of the component assembly (100; 100a) facing away from the screw head (15) forms an outer side of the component assembly (100; 100a). [14] Method for producing a component assembly (100; 100a) according to one of claims 10 to 13, comprising at least the following steps: - Forming a flow-hole-formed region in at least one component (1, 2) for arranging a threaded section (22) of a screw (10; 10a) - separating a partial element (11) of the screw (10; 10a) on the side facing away from a screw head (15) of the screw (10; 10a) from the screw (10; 10a).

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