Connecting element for joining at least two extruded profiles

Abstract

The invention relates to a connecting element (1) for joining at least two extruded profiles (2, 3) of a vehicle body (4). The invention is characterized in that a sleeve (5) for joining the at least two extruded profiles (2, 3) is designed such that when a screw (6) is inserted through the sleeve (5) and screwed to at least one first extruded profile (2), the sleeve (5) expands, so that the expanded sleeve (5) can form a positive-locking connection with the second extruded profile (3). The invention further relates to a body assembly comprising at least two extruded profiles (2, 3).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a connecting element for connecting at least two extruded profiles. The invention also relates to a body assembly.

[0002] The body of a motor vehicle typically comprises various extruded profiles that are joined together. To create a permanent connection, welded joints are used in the current state of the art. For example, a MIG welding process can be used.

[0003] The disadvantage of a welding process is that it introduces heat into the extruded profiles. This leads to a reduction in the strength of the component, which can cause the extruded profiles to lose their load-bearing capacity.

[0004] As an alternative, EP 2 069 187 B1 discloses a support part for a front module of a motor vehicle. The support part comprises a connecting element designed as a hooking means to enable a positive connection between two cross members of the front module. However, this disadvantage is that only specially shaped cross members can be hooked together, and such a connection is limited in its application to specific components and specific geometries.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a connecting element for connecting at least two extruded profiles that overcomes the aforementioned disadvantages. In particular, heat input into the extruded profiles during the joining process is to be avoided.

[0006] According to the invention, this object is achieved by a connecting element having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and further developments emerge from the dependent claims. A body assembly is also described.

[0007] At the core of the connecting element according to the invention, a sleeve for connecting the at least two extruded profiles is designed such that when a screw is inserted through the sleeve and screwed to at least one first extruded profile, the sleeve expands, allowing the expanded sleeve to form a positive connection with the second extruded profile. The connecting element is designed for connecting at least two extruded profiles of a vehicle body.

[0008] According to the invention, a type of expansion sleeve is proposed which is expanded during a screw connection by the screw means, in particular by a screw shaft, and can therefore be pressed or connected in a form-fitting manner to at least one extruded profile.

[0009] The sleeve can have at least two sleeve sections, wherein a first sleeve section can contact the second extruded profile when the sleeve is expanded. The second sleeve section can serve as a kind of "joint section" and enable expansion of the first sleeve section. At least one recess can also be provided in the first sleeve section to facilitate expansion.

[0010] The second extruded profile preferably has a cylindrical wall against which the sleeve, in particular the first sleeve section, can be supported. The sleeve can therefore preferably be pressed or connected to a cylindrical wall of the second extruded profile. A type of insertion element which has such a cylindrical section can therefore be provided on the second extruded profile. Such an insertion section can be provided on any extruded profile at any position, so that the connecting element is suitable for any type and geometry of extruded profile. The insertion element can be tubular so that the sleeve can be inserted from one side and the screw means can be reached from the other side in order to screw it in.

[0011] Preferably, the sleeve can have a slot in at least one sleeve section, which is formed in the longitudinal direction of the sleeve. This simplifies the expansion of the sleeve. In a further embodiment, two opposing slots can be provided on the sleeve, so that the sleeve can be expanded from one end section of the sleeve.

[0012] According to a very advantageous development of the concept, the sleeve can be provided with a collar that can be arranged between the first and second extruded profiles when they are connected to one another. Preferably, the collar can be shaped such that it can only rest on the insertion section of the second extruded profile. Therefore, the insertion section is preferably also cylindrical, so that the connecting element can be guided through the insertion section and rest with the collar on one end of the insertion section.

[0013] During assembly, it can therefore be advantageous if the sleeve can be inserted into the insertion section from one side, specifically from the side with which the second extruded profile can subsequently be connected to the first extruded profile. The first extruded profile can then be brought into contact with the second extruded profile in such a way that the screw means can be screwed to the first extruded profile. This allows the sleeve to be pressed against the second extruded profile, in particular against the insertion section of the second extruded profile, thereby forming a positive connection.

[0014] According to an advantageous embodiment, the sleeve can be provided with a profile on an outer surface, at least in sections. This prevents the outer surface of the sleeve from sliding relative to the second extruded profile, i.e., in particular relative to the insertion section. The profile allows the sleeve to "claw" itself into the surrounding component after screwing, whereby the sleeve can thus "claw" itself into the second extruded profile.

[0015] A further advantageous embodiment can provide for at least one groove in the sleeve into which an adhesive can be injected in order to bond the sleeve to the second extruded profile in a materially integral manner. The groove can form part of the profiling or be designed as a groove formed separately therefrom. For example, two or more circumferential grooves can be provided which are formed circumferentially around the sleeve so that a "bead of adhesive" can be formed between the outer surface of the sleeve and the second extruded profile, that is to say in particular the insertion section. In this way, in addition to the press-in connection, an adhesive connection, thus a materially integral connection, can also be formed in order to permanently connect the extruded profiles to one another.

[0016] According to a very advantageous development of the concept, it can be provided that a screwing means is included that is pre-assembled with the sleeve. Accordingly, the screwing means, in particular a screw, can already be inserted into the sleeve and, as a complete element, can be inserted, for example, into the insertion section of the second extruded profile. This can eliminate work steps. To prevent the screwing means from falling out of the sleeve, a circumferential groove can be provided on the shaft of the screwing means, for example, which can be supported against an inner surface of the sleeve.

[0017] According to an advantageous embodiment, the screwing means can have a shaft with an enlarged diameter in the direction of the screw head. This ensures that the sleeve expands when the screwing means is moved relative to the sleeve, i.e., when the screwing means is screwed into the first extruded profile.

[0018] A further advantageous embodiment can provide for the screw means to be designed as an expansion screw, wherein a second shaft section is wider than a first shaft section. The second shaft section is therefore closer to the screw head than the first shaft section. The first shaft section thus lies in the sleeve when the screw means is not screwed to the extruded profile. When the screw means is finally screwed to the extruded profile, i.e. in particular screwed into the first extruded profile, the screw means moves relative to the sleeve and is, so to speak, drawn into the sleeve. As a result, the second shaft section comes into contact with an inner surface of the sleeve, whereby the second, wider shaft section triggers an expansion of the sleeve.As a result, an outer surface of the sleeve is pressed against the second extruded profile, that is to say in particular an insertion section, which enables a connection of the two extruded profiles.

[0019] The invention further relates to a body assembly comprising at least two extruded profiles. The extruded profiles are connected using at least one connecting element according to the invention.

[0020] According to a very advantageous development of the concept, the extruded profiles can be joined together without heat input. Advantageously, the connection can be made without a welded joint, thus preventing heat input into the components. This can prevent a reduction in the strength of the components. Advantageously, it is also possible to remove the fasteners again to replace individual extruded profiles, which would require considerable effort with a welded joint.

[0021] Further advantageous embodiments of the connecting element according to the invention and of the body arrangement also emerge from the exemplary embodiment which is illustrated in more detail below with reference to the figures.

[0022] Showing: Fig. 1 a sectional view through a connecting element; Fig. 2 a further sectional view through a connecting element; Fig. 3 a further sectional view through a connecting element; Fig. 4 an isometric view of a sleeve; and Fig. 5 a connecting element used in a vehicle body.

[0023] In the presentation of the Fig. 1 shows a possible embodiment of the connecting element 1. The connecting element 1 is designed to connect two extruded profiles 2, 3. For this purpose, the connecting element comprises a sleeve 5, which is preferably designed as an expansion sleeve. A screw means 6 can be guided through the sleeve 5 to enable the sleeve 5 to be expanded. In the illustration in Fig. 1, the screw means 6 is inserted in such a way that the sleeve 5 is not widened or spread open.

[0024] The sleeve 5 can comprise a collar 14 that can be arranged between the two extruded profiles 2, 3. This allows the sleeve 5 to be held in a defined manner on at least one of the extruded profiles 2, 3. In particular, a second extruded profile 3 can have an insertion section for this purpose, which can also be sleeve-shaped. The sleeve 5 can be inserted into this insertion section and, in particular, held in place at least in one direction of movement.

[0025] In Fig. 2, the sleeve 5 is shown in an expanded state. This is achieved in that the screw means 6 is screwed in upwards in the illustration, and is therefore screwed in particular to a first extruded profile 2. The sleeve 5 can thereby be expanded, wherein an outer surface, on which in particular a profiling 8 is located, can engage with the second extruded profile 3. The sleeve 5 can have at least two sleeve sections, wherein a first sleeve section can contact the second extruded profile 3 when the sleeve 5 is expanded. The second sleeve section can serve as a type of "joint section" and enable expansion of the first sleeve section. The profiling 8 is preferably formed only on the first sleeve section.

[0026] The screwing means 6 has, in particular, a shaft 11 with two shaft sections 12, 13, wherein the shaft section 12, which is closer to a screw head 15, is wider or has a larger diameter than a shaft section 13, which is further away from the screw head 15. When the screwing means 6 is screwed into the sleeve 5, the sleeve 5 can expand, as it is pushed outward by the second shaft section 12.

[0027] Another variant of the connecting element 1 is shown in Fig. 3. The same components are provided with the same reference numerals, so that no further details are required. In contrast to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, grooves 9 are provided on the outer surface of the sleeve 5, into which an adhesive 10 can be injected. This also allows a material-to-material connection to be established between the sleeve 5 and the second extruded profile 3.

[0028] Fig. Figure 4 shows an embodiment of the sleeve 5. The profiling 8 is visible on the outer surface, wherein the profiling is designed as circumferential grooves. One of the grooves 8 can also serve as a groove 9, wherein an adhesive 10 can be introduced. In this case, for example, a groove 8 can be made deeper. At one end section, the sleeve 5 has a collar 14, which is arranged between the two extruded profiles 2, 3 as shown in the Fig. 1 to 3 shown, can be positioned.

[0029] In Fig.5 shows the connecting means 1 arranged on a vehicle body 4. The sleeve 5 serves to connect a lower cross strut 17 to a flexible beam 18. A crash box 19 can also be provided on the flexible beam 18. Furthermore, a spacer sleeve 16 can be arranged such that the flexible beam 18 can be mounted spaced apart from the cross strut 17. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] EP 2 069 187 B1

[0004]

Claims

[1] Connecting element (1) for connecting at least two extruded profiles (2, 3) of a vehicle body (4), characterized by that a sleeve (5) for connecting the at least two extruded profiles (2, 3) is designed such that when a screwing means (6) is inserted through the sleeve (5) and screwed to at least one first extruded profile (2), the sleeve (5) is widened so that the widened sleeve (5) can form a positive connection with the second extruded profile (3). [2] Connecting element (1) according to claim 1, characterized by that the sleeve (5) has at least in one sleeve section a slot (7) which is formed in the longitudinal direction of the sleeve (5). [3] Connecting element (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the sleeve (5) has a collar (14) which can be arranged between the first and the second extruded profile (2, 3) when these are connected to one another. [4] Connecting element (1) according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized by that the sleeve (5) has a profiling (8) on an outer surface at least in sections. [5] Connecting element (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by that the sleeve (5) has at least one groove (9) into which an adhesive (10) can be injected in order to firmly connect the sleeve (5) to the second extruded profile (3). [6] Connecting element (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by that a screw means (6) is included which is pre-assembled with the sleeve (5). [7] Connecting element (1) according to claim 6, characterized by that the screw means (6) has a shaft (11) which has an enlarged diameter in the direction of the screw head. [8] Connecting element (1) according to one of claims 6 to 7, characterized bythat the screw means (6) is designed as an expansion screw, wherein a second shaft section (12) is wider than a first shaft section (13). [9] Body assembly comprising at least two extruded profiles (2, 3), characterized by that the connection of the extruded profiles (2, 3) is formed with at least one connecting element (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8. [10] Body assembly according to claim 9, characterized by that the extruded profiles (2, 3) are connected to each other without heat input.

Images