Connecting device for connecting a length-adjustable unit to an assembly, method for producing the connecting device

Abstract

Connecting device (10) for connecting a length-adjustable unit to an assembly to support movement of the assembly by the unit, wherein the connecting device (10) a. comprises a screw element (40) that can be screwed onto the unit by rotating about a longitudinal axis (LA) of the connecting device (10), and b. comprises a plug-in element (30) that can be plugged onto the assembly by translating orthogonally to the longitudinal axis (LA), c. wherein the plug-in element (30) comprises a ball socket, an eyelet, a ball stud, or a bolt for plugging onto the assembly, d. wherein the plug-in element (30) is secured against translation along the longitudinal axis (LA) on the screw element (40), and e. wherein the plug-in element (30) is rotatable about the longitudinal axis (LA) relative to the screw element (40) in an operating state of the connecting device (10), characterized in that f.the connecting device (10) comprises a securing element (50) which secures the plug element (30) to the screw element (40) against rotation about the longitudinal axis (LA) in an assembled state of the connecting device (10),g. wherein the securing element (50) can be released from the plug element (30) and / or from the screw element (40) by a release torque applied to the plug element (30) relative to the screw element (40) along the longitudinal axis (LA), in order to transfer the connecting device (10) from the assembled state into the operating state.

Description

Technical FieldThe invention relates to a connecting device for connecting an adjustable-length unit to a unit for supporting a movement of the unit by the unit, wherein the connecting device comprises a screw element that can be screwed to the unit by a rotation about a longitudinal axis of the connecting device and a plug element that can be plugged to the unit by a translation orthogonal to the longitudinal axis. The plug element is secured to the screw element against translation along the longitudinal axis and is rotatable about the longitudinal axis relative to the screw element in an operating state of the connection device.The invention also relates to a method for producing the connection device.Prior ArtConnection devices of the generic type are known, for example, from the publication EP 2 807 398 B1. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3, 5 and 6 in EP 2 807 398 B1, the screw element is first connected to the plug element before the two are screwed together to one end of the assembly. Since the plug element is rotatable about the longitudinal axis relative to the screw element, the tool for screwing the connection device to the unit must engage directly on the screw element. For easy engagement with the tool, for example with a pipe wrench which is pushed over the plug element onto the screw element, the screw element projects radially with respect to the longitudinal axis over the plug element, which disadvantageously causes an increased material consumption for producing the screw element and an increased space requirement for the connection device.In further embodiments in EP 2 807 398 B1 or in DE 10 2020 115 326 A1, either the screw element is screwed to the unit before the screw element is connected to the plug element, or the plug element has latching elements, by means of which it is connected to the unit directly and without a screw element. In these embodiments, the plug element must be constructed in multiple parts and substantially more complex than in the first embodiment, whereby the connection device is made more expensive and a greater risk of malfunctions arises.Technical TaskThe object of the invention is to create a unit for connecting a length-adjustable unit to a unit for supporting a movement of the unit through the unit and a cost-effective production method for the connecting device, wherein the connecting device is intended to be reliable, cost-effective and space-saving.Technical SolutionThe present invention provides a terminal device according to claim 1, which achieves the technical object. The object is also achieved by a method according to claim 10. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.The connection device is designed for connecting a length-adjustable unit to a unit for supporting a movement of the unit through the unit.The unit is, for example, a linear drive, in particular a spindle drive, or a spring, in particular a gas pressure spring.The assembly is, for example, a body or a flap, in particular pivotable, movable relative to the body, in particular a door, a bonnet or a luggage compartment flap.The connection device comprises a screw element that can be screwed to the unit by a rotation about a longitudinal axis of the connection device. Preferably, the screw element can be screwed onto the unit such that the longitudinal axis of the connection device coincides with a stroke axis of the unit along which the unit can be adjusted in length. As a result, the connecting device can be screwed to one end of the assembly along the lifting axis, so that the entire length of the assembly along the lifting axis can be used for moving the assembly.The screw element comprises, for example, an internal thread that can be screwed onto the unit or an external thread that can be screwed into the unit.The screw element preferably consists of a metal, in particular of a steel or of aluminum. As a result, the screw element offers the necessary strength in order to form a reliable screw connection with the unit.The connection device comprises a plug element which can be plugged onto the assembly by translation orthogonally to the longitudinal axis. The plug element preferably comprises a ball socket or an eyelet for plugging onto the assembly, in particular onto a ball stud or a bolt of the assembly. Alternatively, the plug element can comprise a ball stud or a bolt for insertion into a ball socket or an eyelet of the assembly.The plug element preferably consists of a polyamide or of a fiber-reinforced plastic, for example of a glass fiber-reinforced polyamide. The materials mentioned ensure a stable, reliable and low-friction connection to the assembly.The plug element is secured against translation along the longitudinal axis on the screw element, preferably in a form-fitting manner. The securing ensures that the plug element does not become detached from the screw element when the unit is adjusted in length.The plug element is rotatable about the longitudinal axis relative to the screw element in an operating state of the connection device. As a result, the plug element of the connection element fastened to the assembly can be aligned to fit for plugging onto the assembly in the operating state without having to disconnect the screw connection of the screw element to the assembly for this purpose.The screw element can have, for example, a web which extends annularly around the longitudinal axis and which engages in a groove of the plug element which extends annularly around the longitudinal axis. Alternatively, the plug element can have a web which extends annularly around the longitudinal axis and engages in a groove of the screw element which extends annularly around the longitudinal axis. Both alternatives ensure in a simple manner a connection of the plug element to the screw element which is secured against translation along the longitudinal axis and is rotatable about the longitudinal axis.The connection device comprises a securing element which secures the plug element against rotation about the longitudinal axis in an assembled state of the connection device on the screw element. As a result, a tool for screwing the connection element to the unit can engage on the plug element, as a result of which the screw element can be designed to be more material-saving and space-saving.The securing element can be detached from the plug element and / or from the screw element by a release torque applied to the plug element relative to the screw element along the longitudinal axis in order to transfer the connection device from the mounted state into the operating state. This ensures that the plug element is rotatable about the longitudinal axis relative to the screw element in the operating state.The loosening torque is preferably greater than a screwing torque for screwing the connection device to the unit. As a result, in one working step using the same tool acting on the plug element, for example using a pipe wrench or using a socket wrench, the connection device can first be screwed to the assembly with the screwing torque and then the securing element can be released with the releasing torque.DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTSThe securing element preferably comprises a projection fastened to the plug element or to the screw element. In the assembled state, the projection engages in a form-fitting manner in a depression of the screw element or of the plug element, which depression is shaped complementarily to the projection, against rotation about the longitudinal axis. The protrusion is shearable by the loosening torque from the male and female members to which the protrusion is attached. By shearing the projection from the element, the projection is easily and reliably released from the element, so that the connection device changes from the mounted state to the operating state. Due to the positive connection of the projection with the depression, the plug element is reliably secured against rotation relative to the screw element in the assembled state.The protrusion is preferably fastened to the plug element. The plug element is usually made of plastic, so that a shearable projection, which for simple production preferably likewise consists of plastic, can be fastened particularly easily to the plug element.The securing element preferably comprises a plurality of, for example two, three, four or five, projections which can be configured like the described offset. The projections are preferably uniformly distributed in the circumferential direction about the longitudinal axis. With multiple protrusions, the disengagement torque for shearing the protrusions can be adjusted in a broader range, more easily and accurately, and more uniform mechanical load of the plug member and the screw member is achieved, so that these members are not damaged when shearing the protrusions.A plurality of the protrusions may form a knurl. Knurling, for example on a surface of the plug element and / or of the screw element encircling the longitudinal axis, brings about a particularly large-area and thus material-preserving transmission of torque between the plug element and the screw element.The protrusion preferably comprises a pin oriented along the longitudinal axis, wherein the depression preferably comprises a bore shaped complementarily to the pin or a punched hole shaped complementarily to the pin.The simple shape of a pin makes it particularly easy to produce the projection and it is particularly easy to set a predetermined loosening torque with which the pin can be sheared off from the element to which it is fastened.The projection is preferably integral with the element of plug element and screw element, to which the projection is fastened. As a result, the projection can be produced particularly easily together with the plug element or screw element, for example by injection molding. In addition, the one-piece configuration brings about a particularly accurately reproducible release torque with which the projection can be sheared off.The protrusion preferably consists of a polyamide, of a fiber-reinforced plastic and / or of a tempered plastic. The materials mentioned ensure a reliable securing of the plug element against rotation about the longitudinal axis relative to the screw element in the assembled state and a well-defined release torque for shearing off the projection. The reproducibility of the solution torque is further increased by tempering the plastic.The protrusion preferably comprises a predetermined breaking point, wherein the protrusion at the predetermined breaking point is shearable by the release torque from the element of plug element and screw element to which the protrusion is fastened. The predetermined breaking point, for example in the form of a material tapering or a material weakening, which preferably adjoins the element to which the projection is fastened, allows a particularly clean shearing off of the projection with a particularly accurately reproducible release torque.The screw element is preferably pot-shaped and comprises a jacket wall encircling the longitudinal axis and a pot base aligned orthogonally to the longitudinal axis. An inner side of the jacket wall of the unit has, for example, an internal thread for screwing the screw element to the longitudinally adjustable unit.The pot-shaped screw element has a protrusion protruding radially to the longitudinal axis beyond the jacket wall. The protrusion can be, for example, a web encircling the longitudinal axis and / or a section of the pot base.The protrusion engages in a form-fitting manner against translation along the longitudinal axis in an annular groove of the plug element encircling the longitudinal axis. As a result, the plug element is secured to the screw element in a simple manner against translation along the longitudinal axis and is rotatable about the longitudinal axis relative to the screw element in the operating state of the connection device.The pot-shaped screw element preferably has on its upper side facing away from the pot base a rim projecting radially to the longitudinal axis beyond the jacket wall. With the rim, the pot-shaped screw element has the shape of a cylinder hat. The rim stabilizes the connection of the screw element to the unit that can be adjusted in length and can serve, for example, as a contact surface for a helical spring of the unit, which is a spindle drive, for example.The plug element preferably abuts the brim, wherein the protrusion is arranged on the brim, or the depression shaped complementarily to the protrusion is arranged in the brim. In the rim, the depression, for example in the form of a punched hole along the longitudinal axis through the rim, can be produced particularly easily.Alternatively, the projection can be arranged on the jacket wall or the pot base, or the depression shaped complementarily to the projection can be arranged in the jacket wall or in the pot base.The rim of the screw element preferably protrudes radially to the longitudinal axis further beyond the jacket wall than the protrusion of the screw element. As a result, a securing element arranged on the rim can secure the plug element up to a higher release torque against rotation about the longitudinal axis relative to the screw element due to the longer lever arm relative to the longitudinal axis. Consequently, the securing element can be smaller and less expensive for a given release torque.The method according to the invention serves for producing a connection device according to the invention.The method comprises providing the screw element of the connection device and generating the depression in the screw element.The method comprises injection molding the screw element with a plastic to form the plug element of the connection device from the plastic, wherein the plastic penetrates into the depression to form the protrusion of the securing element of the connection device. In this way, in one working step, the plug element and the securing element can be formed and connected to the screw element.The generation of the depression preferably comprises a punching or a drilling of the depression into the screw element, in particular through the screw element. In this way, the depression can be produced particularly quickly and easily.The method preferably comprises tempering the plastic. The thermal treatment reduces the scattering width of material properties of the plastic, so that the release torque for shearing off the projection from the plug element can be adjusted in a particularly accurately reproducible manner.Brief Description of the DrawingsFurther advantages, goals and properties of the invention are explained with reference to the following description and attached drawings, in which the subject matter according to the invention is shown by way of example. FIG. 1 shows a schematic longitudinal section of a connection device according to the invention. FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of the screw element of a connection device according to the invention. FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of the plug element of a connection device according to the invention. FIG. 4 shows a schematic view of a connection device according to the invention. FIG. 5 shows a further schematic view of a connection device according to the invention.FIG. Figure.1FIG. 1 shows a schematic longitudinal section along the longitudinal axis LA of a connection device 10 according to the invention.The connection device 10 comprises a screw element 40 which can be screwed to a length-adjustable unit, not shown, by a rotation about the longitudinal axis LA of the connection device 10, and a plug element 30 which can be plugged to a subassembly, not shown, by a translation orthogonal to the longitudinal axis LA. For plugging to the subassembly, the plug element 30 comprises, for example, a ball socket 31.The plug element 30 is secured to the screw element 40 against translation along the longitudinal axis LA and is rotatable about the longitudinal axis LA relative to the screw element 40 in an operating state of the connection device 10 that is not shown.The screw element 40 is pot-shaped and comprises a jacket wall 42 encircling the longitudinal axis LA and a pot base 43 aligned orthogonally to the longitudinal axis LA, wherein the screw element 40 has a protrusion 44 projecting radially to the longitudinal axis LA beyond the jacket wall 42 and which can be, for example, a web of the pot base 43 encircling the longitudinal axis LA.The protrusion 44 engages in a form-fitting manner against translation along the longitudinal axis LA in an annular groove 32 of the plug element 30 encircling the longitudinal axis LA.The connection device 10 comprises a securing element 50 which secures the plug element 30 against rotation about the longitudinal axis LA in a shown mounting state of the connection device 10 on the screw element 40, wherein the securing element 50 is releasable from the plug element 30 and / or from the screw element 40 by a release torque applied to the plug element 30 relative to the screw element 40 along the longitudinal axis LA in order to transfer the connection device 10 from the mounting state into the operating state.The securing element 50 comprises a projection 51 fastened to the plug element 30, wherein the projection 51 engages in a form-fitting manner in the assembled state in a depression 41 of the screw element 40 shaped complementarily to the projection 51 against a rotation about the longitudinal axis LA, wherein the projection 51 can be sheared off from the plug element 30 by the release torque.The projection 51 is, for example, a pin oriented along the longitudinal axis LA and integral with the plug element 30.The pot-shaped screw element 40 has, on its upper side facing away from the pot base 43, a rim 45 projecting radially with respect to the longitudinal axis LA beyond the jacket wall 42, wherein the plug element 30 preferably bears against the rim 45, wherein the depression 41 shaped complementarily to the projection 51 is preferably arranged in the rim 45.The rim 45 of the screw element 40 preferably protrudes radially to the longitudinal axis LA further beyond the jacket wall 42 than the protrusion 44 of the screw element 40.FIG. Figure.2FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of the screw element 40 of a connection device 10 according to the invention.FIG. Figure.3FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of the plug element 30 of a connection device 10 according to the invention.FIG. Figure.4FIG. 4 shows a schematic view of a connection device 10 according to the invention. The connection device 10 can be configured as shown in FIG. 1.FIG. Figure.5FIG. 5 shows a further schematic view of a connection device 10 according to the invention. The connection device 10 can be configured as shown in FIG. 1.List of Reference Numerals10 Connecting device 30 Plug element 31 Ball socket 32 Annular groove 40 Screw element 41 Depression 42 Jacket wall 43 Pot base 44 Projection 45 Rim 50 Securing element 51 Projection LA Longitudinal axis

Claims

Connection device (10) for connecting a length-adjustable unit to a module for supporting a movement of the module by the unit, wherein the connection device (10) comprises a. a screw element (40) which can be screwed to the unit by a rotation about a longitudinal axis (LA) of the connection device (10), and b. a plug element (30) which can be plugged to the module by a translation orthogonal to the longitudinal axis (LA), c. wherein the plug element (30) comprises a ball socket, an eyelet, a ball stud or a bolt for plugging to the module, d. wherein the plug element (30) is secured to the screw element (40) against a translation along the longitudinal axis (LA), and e. wherein the plug element (30) is rotatable about the longitudinal axis (LA) relative to the screw element (40) in an operating state of the connection device (10), characterized in that f. the connection device (10) comprises a securing element (50) which secures the plug element (30) against rotation about the longitudinal axis (LA) in an assembled state of the connection device (10) on the screw element (40), g. wherein the securing element (50) is releasable from the plug element (30) and / or from the screw element (40) by a release torque applied to the plug element (30) relative to the screw element (40) along the longitudinal axis (LA) in order to transfer the connection device (10) from the assembled state into the operating state.Connection device (10) according to claim 1, a. wherein the securing element (50) comprises a protrusion (51) fastened to the plug element (30) or to the screw element (40), b. wherein the protrusion (51), in the mounted state, positively engages in a depression (41), shaped complementarily to the protrusion (51), of the screw element (40) or of the plug element (30) against rotation about the longitudinal axis (LA), c. wherein the protrusion (51) is shearable by the release torque from the plug element (30) or from the screw element (40).The connector device (10) of claim 2, wherein the protrusion (51) comprises a pin aligned along the longitudinal axis (LA).Connection device (10) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the protrusion (51) is integral with the plug element (30) or with the screw element (40).Connection device (10) according to one of Claims 2 to 4, wherein the protrusion (51) consists of a polyamide, of a fibre-reinforced plastic and / or of a tempered plastic.Connection device (10) according to one of Claims 2 to 5, a. wherein the projection (51) comprises a predetermined breaking point, b. wherein the projection (51) at the predetermined breaking point can be sheared off from the plug element (30) or from the screw element (40) by the release torque.Connection device (10) according to one of Claims 2 to 6, a. wherein the screw element (40) is pot-shaped and comprises a casing wall (42) which extends around the longitudinal axis (LA) and a pot base (43) which is aligned orthogonally to the longitudinal axis (LA), b. wherein the screw element (40) has a protrusion (44) which protrudes beyond the casing wall (42) radially with respect to the longitudinal axis (LA), c. wherein the protrusion (44) engages in a form-fitting manner against translation along the longitudinal axis (LA) in an annular groove (32) of the plug element (30) which extends around the longitudinal axis (LA).Connection device (10) according to claim 7, a. wherein the pot-shaped screw element (40) has, on its upper side facing away from the pot base (43), a rim (45) projecting radially with respect to the longitudinal axis (LA) beyond the jacket wall (42), b. wherein the plug element (30) bears against the rim (45), c. wherein the projection (51) is arranged on the rim (45), or the depression (41), which is shaped complementarily to the projection (51), is arranged in the rim (45).Connection device (10) according to claim 8, wherein the rim (45) of the screw element (40) protrudes radially to the longitudinal axis (LA) further beyond the jacket wall (42) than the protrusion (44) of the screw element (40).Method for producing a connection device (10) according to one of Claims 2 to 9, comprising the following steps: a. providing the screw element (40) of the connection device (10), b. producing the depression (41) in the screw element (40), c. injection-moulding the screw element (40) with a plastic to form the plug element (30) of the connection device (10) from the plastic, wherein the plastic penetrates into the depression (41) to form the projection (51) of the securing element (50) of the connection device (10).The method of claim 10, wherein creating the recess (41) comprises punching or drilling the recess (41) into the screw member (40).The method of claim 10 or 11, wherein the method comprises annealing the plastic.

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