Fastening arrangement for attaching components to structural components of vehicles

Abstract

A fastening arrangement (100) for fastening components to a structural component (210) of a vehicle (200) is described. The fastening arrangement (100) comprises a first base element (10) and at least one self-locking nut (30) having a longitudinal axis (36) and a fastening side (37). The first base element (10) has at least one fastening pin (11) extending from a surface of the first base element (10). The at least one fastening pin (11) is configured to extend through a through-hole (21) in the structural component (210) and to protrude from the structural component (210) when the fastening arrangement (100) is attached to the structural component (210). The fastening pin (11) has a first thread (13).The self-locking nut (30) is configured to be pushed onto the fastening pin (11) in a first direction (40) with the fastening side (37) of the nut (30) facing forward. The self-locking nut (30) has, at least in sections, a second thread (31) that matches the first thread (13) and is configured to block withdrawal of the nut (30) in a second direction (41), opposite to the first direction (40), after the nut (30) has been pushed on.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELDThe present disclosure relates to a fastening arrangement for fastening components to a structural component of a vehicle, for example to a frame or stringer of an aircraft.BACKGROUND ARTIn the manufacture of vehicles, particularly aircraft, many components are attached to structural components of the vehicle. For example, brackets or clamps for attaching insulation mats or other insulation components, electrical lines, interior trims, etc. are attached to the stringers and ribs of aircraft. Such holders comprise, for example, an arrangement of two plates with corresponding component fastening elements, to which components to be fastened can be fastened. The plates are usually either adhesively bonded to the stringer or frame (or also to other structural components of the aircraft) and / or riveted to the stringer (or another structural component), for example using titanium rivets.The adhesive bonding requires a special surface treatment, which is time-consuming. Riveting the holder to the corresponding structural components also takes a great deal of time during assembly. In addition, individual titanium rivets have a relatively low weight per se, but this adds up to a relevant weight in mass over the entire aircraft. However, one of the main efforts in aviation is always weight minimization, as is known.DESCRIPTIONAccordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a fastening arrangement for fastening components to structural components of vehicles, which allows a rapid assembly, reduces weight and is easily remanufacturable.This object is achieved by a fastening arrangement according to claim 1. Further embodiments are evident from the dependent claims and from the following description.According to a first aspect, a fastening arrangement for fastening components to a structural component of a vehicle is described. The attachment assembly includes a first base member, and at least one self-locking nut having a longitudinal axis and an attachment side. The first base member includes at least one mounting pin extending from a surface of the first base member. The attachment pin is configured to extend through a through hole in the structural component and protrude from the structural component when the attachment assembly is attached to the structural component. The fastening pin has a first thread extending at least over an end section of the fastening pin. The self-locking nut is configured to be slid onto the mounting pin with the mounting side of the nut leading in a first direction along the longitudinal axis. The self-locking nut has, at least in sections, a second thread that matches the first thread and is configured to block, after the nut has been pushed on, a pulling-off of the nut in a second direction, opposite to the first direction.The first base member and an optional second base member, as described further below, are each configured to abut a side of a structural component, such as a stringer in an aircraft. The first and optional second base elements can preferably be plate-shaped.However, any other suitable shape which enables attachment of structural components is also conceivable and possible. For example, the first base member and the optional second base member may also be only round or other shaped heads (such as a bolt head) that overlap a corresponding through hole in the structural component such that the mounting pin attached to the first base member may extend through a corresponding opening in the structural component without the first base member and the optional second base member attached to the other side of the structural components sliding through the opening in the structural component. It is merely to be ensured that the self-locking nut (which is described in detail further below) can rest on the structural component, or if such is provided, on the second base element, in the mounted position, i.e. if a second base element is provided, it is to be ensured that a correspondingly large contact surface is present on the second base element. The first base element and the optional second base element thus form a type of clamp which is attached to the structural component and which is configured to receive and reliably hold components (such as, for example, insulation mats or other insulation components, electrical lines, interior trims, but also any other conceivable component which is to be attached to the structural component).The at least one fastening pin is an elongate element which extends from the first base element and is in particular dimensioned (i.e. has a corresponding length) such that, in the assembled state, it extends through both the structural component and, if a second base element is provided, through this optional second base element (i.e. through its corresponding through-hole) which is mounted on the opposite side of the structural components (i.e. on the side of the structural components which lies opposite the first base element), such that a protrusion is still present on which the self-locking nut can be mounted. The length of this protrusion depends, of course, on whether only a first base element is used (in this case the self-locking nut rests directly on the structural component in the mounted position) or whether a second base element is used (in this case the self-locking nut rests on the second base element and the fastening pin must of course be designed to be correspondingly longer). The end section which has the first thread is formed in particular on the protrusion formed in this way on the fastening pin.The self-locking nut (hereinafter for simplicity only "nut") has a longitudinal axis and a fastening side. The fastening side corresponds to the side of the nut which is pushed onto the fastening pin. After application, the nut locks only when it is slid onto the fastening pin with the fastening side in front. In general, the nut is a type of nut which has an internal thread matching the fastening pin. However, the internal thread is manufactured, i.e. provided in the nut, in such a way that the internal thread can increase its diameter when the nut is pushed onto the fastening pin (i.e. that the second thread of the nut can slide through on the first thread of the fastening pin, so that the nut can be pushed onto the fastening pin first without a rotation, but only by a simple pushing-on movement, and then prevents the pulling off from the fastening pin (by mechanically blocking the possibility of the second thread of the nut reducing its diameter). For this purpose, the nut is constructed in multiple parts and manufactured from an elastic or deformable material. In general, the second thread of the nut is not a thread that is continuous over the entire inner diameter, but is constructed in multiple parts, as described further below with reference to corresponding embodiments. The nut thus uses a similar principle to a cable tie, for example, so that the nut does indeed receive the fastening pin with the fastening side in front in the first direction when being pushed onto the fastening pin, but can no longer be easily pulled off from the fastening pin after being pushed on. However, it is still possible to screw off the nut. Optionally, therefore, an additional solution safety device is provided which prevents an accidental turning of the nut from the fastening pin, as also described further below.According to an embodiment, the mounting assembly further includes a second base member. The second base member is configured to be attached to a side of the structural component opposite the first base member.The second base member has at least one through hole configured to receive the at least one mounting pin extending through the through hole in the structural component such that the at least one mounting pin protrudes from the second base member when the mounting assembly is attached to the structural component.The second base element and the first base element thus form, as already described above, a type of clamp which is attached to the structural component. The use of such a second base element makes it possible, in particular, for components to be attached on both sides of the structural component via the fastening arrangement. The specific arrangement of the second base element has already been described in detail further above (there together with the first base element as optional).According to an embodiment, the self-locking nut comprises an outer portion and an inner portion. The outer portion surrounds the inner portion. The inner portion has the second thread in the form of an internal thread.In particular, the inner portion with the outer portion can be arranged so as to be elastic or displaceable in another manner with respect to the outer portion, such that the corresponding change of the thread diameter is made possible by a displacement of the inner portion with respect to the outer portion during the sliding-on.The outer section is preferably a continuous section, which preferably has an outer shape corresponding to standard tools. For example, the outer portion may have a hex outer shape in cross section that is shaped to correspond to corresponding lugs of a ratchet, a wrench, or any other suitable tool. However, this is only an example. The outer shape can also have, for example, a rectangular shape or another polygonal shape, which matches corresponding tools. In addition, it is also conceivable, for example, for the outer shape to be round and to have a corrugation which enables manual tightening and loosening. It is also conceivable for the side facing away from the fastening side to have a screwdriver receptacle or the like. Generally, the outer shape of the outer portion may have a shape similar to, for example, a standard nut.While the outer portion has a fixed shape, the inner portion is flexible with respect to the outer portion. The inner section has the second thread on a side facing away from the outer section. The inner section is configured such that it deforms when it is pushed onto the fastening pin in such a way that the thread diameter of the second thread increases such that the second thread slides over the first thread without a rotational movement. However, during the pulling, the force effect resulting therefrom along the longitudinal axis can deform the inner portion such that the outer portion prevents the inner portion from increasing its thread diameter, so that the second thread cannot slip over the first thread and the pulling (without rotational movement) is blocked. In principle, any suitable geometry of the inner section relative to the outer section is possible for this purpose, such as, for example (without being limited thereto), the embodiment described further below with tapering corresponding surfaces of the outer section and of the inner section together with longitudinally displaceable partial sections of the inner section.According to a further embodiment, the inner section has at least two partial sections which are separate from one another and are each connected to the outer section.Such a separation into partial sections enables the partial sections to move away from one another in the radial direction and thereby to increase the thread diameter of the second thread. The partial sections of the inner section are separated from one another in particular along the longitudinal axis of the nut at least in a region facing the fastening side, so that partial sections of the second thread are produced which are separated from one another in the circumferential direction. As a result, the partial sections can move outward in the radial direction relative to one another on the fastening side and thus make it possible for the second thread to slide through the first thread during pushing on. Any division of the inner section is possible.For example, the inner section can be divided into 2, 4, 6, 8, or even more partial sections. Generally, the inner portion is disposed and configured within the outer portion such that the inner portion can translate or expand outwardly at any location about the perimeter in the unlocked position, i.e., the inner portion can move toward the outer portion. For this purpose, a corresponding gap or a free space is provided between the inner portion and the outer portion, which gap or free space reduces in the locked position due to the force effect which arises when attempting to pull the nut off the fastening pin, so that the inner portion can move away from the fastening pin at least not so far that the first thread and the second thread become disengaged.As an alternative to an inner section divided into partial sections, it is also conceivable that the inner section is made of a relatively hard rubber, for example, and is configured in one piece for this purpose.According to a further embodiment, the at least two part sections separated from one another are each connected to the outer section via a flexible connecting arm. The flexible connecting arm of each subsection enables a linear displacement of the corresponding subsection along the longitudinal axis of the nut relative to the outer section.The respective flexible connecting arm is provided in particular on the side facing away from the fastening side and connects the respective subsection there to the outer section. The flexible connecting arm can be, for example, a bendable or elastic connecting arm which leads to the respective subsection deforming / displacing in such a way when attempting to pull the nut off the fastening pin that the respective subsection displaces within the outer section in such a way that the outer section blocks the second thread (the thread of the nut) from being loosened from the first thread (the thread of the fastening pin). An inner contour of the outer section is designed for this purpose such that the partial sections of the inner section in the locked position do not have sufficient space to move radially away from the fastening pin in such a way that the first and the second thread are detached from one another. This prevents the nut from being pulled off the fastening pin.According to a further embodiment, the outer section of the nut has a circumferential inner surface which tapers along the longitudinal axis of the nut towards the fastening side of the nut. The inner portion has a circumferential outer surface which is configured corresponding to the inner surface and, in an unfixed state of the nut, has a distance from the inner surface which decreases when the inner portion is displaced relative to the outer portion along the longitudinal axis in the first direction, whereby the self-locking nut is blocked and thereby the extraction of the nut in the second direction is prevented.The fact that the encircling outer surface of the inner section and the encircling inner surface of the outer section are shaped so as to correspond to one another can mean, in particular, that the encircling inner surface and the encircling outer surface in the unlocked state, i.e. before the self-locking nut is applied to the fastening pin, run at least substantially parallel and at a distance from one another. The corresponding distance between the inner surface of the outer portion and the outer surface of the inner portion allows the inner portion (or in corresponding embodiments the sections thereof) to move outward toward the outer portion when the fastening pin is inserted, thereby increasing the diameter of the second thread (i.e., the thread of the inner portion). In this case, the inner section or the partial sections thereof is displaced outwards by the fastening pin. The second thread can thus slide over the first thread (i.e. the thread of the fastening pin), so that the nut can be pushed onto the fastening pin without a rotational movement. At positions during the sliding-on, in which the first thread and the second thread fit together, the thread prongs of the second thread lie in the thread recesses of the first thread and vice versa, i.e. the threads are connected / snapped together. The self-locking nut and the fastening pin thus work together according to the principle of a cable tie.During the fastening operation, the inner portion is displaced with respect to the outer portion along the longitudinal axis of the nut in the first direction, i.e. in the direction of the fastening side. For this purpose, the nut can, for example, first be pushed onto the fastening pin until it abuts on the corresponding surface, i.e. either directly on the structural component or, if such is provided, on the second base element, and then be tightened with a slight rotational movement. In this case, the subsection rotates linearly via the second thread on the first thread in the direction of the fastening side of the nut. Since the circumferential inner surface of the outer section and the circumferential outer surface of the inner section are tapered with respect to one another along the longitudinal axis of the nut towards the fastening side of the nut, the distance between the inner surface of the outer section and the outer surface of the inner section is thereby reduced, so that the inner section (or the partial sections thereof) can no longer move radially outwards (or at least no longer so far radially outwards that the first thread can become detached from the second thread), and a removal of the self-locking nut from the fastening pin is thereby prevented. The nut can only be unscrewed for removal. Alternatively to a final rotational movement, it is also conceivable that the outer section of the nut is formed from a material which is elastic in the direction of the longitudinal axis, so that the nut can be pressed with a certain force so far onto the fastening pin that the inner section moves towards the fastening side with respect to the outer section and thus reaches as close as possible to the fastening side and is then prevented from being released in the same way by the tapered corresponding surfaces. However, these are only examples. In principle, any suitable configuration of the inner section and of the outer section is conceivable, which enables a linear displacement of the inner section relative to the outer section to the fastening side.According to a further embodiment, the fastening arrangement further comprises a release securing means which prevents the nut from being released from the fastening pin by preventing the nut from rotating relative to the fastening pin.Such a solution securing means can be formed, for example, by wedge securing washers (as described below) or else by wire cables which connect a plurality of the self-securing nuts to one another and thus prevent a substantial rotation of the individual self-locking nuts with respect to the respective fastening pins. In general, any means is possible which prevents a rotation of the self-locking nut with respect to the fastening pin (in particular a rotation counter to the tightening direction, which would lead to a loosening of the nut).According to another embodiment, the solution lock includes a pair of wedge lock washers that prevent rotation of the nut relative to the mounting pin, wherein one of the wedge lock washers is attached to the nut and the other of the wedge lock washers is attached to the mounting pin.Such a pair of wedge lock washers comprises two washers, for example in the manner of a washer, which have mutually matching and intermeshing toothings. One of the wedge locking washers is fixedly attached to the fastening pin and the other wedge locking washer is fixedly attached to the nut. Alternatively, the toothing of the nut-side wedge lock washer can also be integrated into the nut and the toothing of the fastening pin-side wedge lock washer can be provided either (for example as a protruding element around the circumference of the fastening pin) on the fastening pin or, if such is provided, on the second base element (for example a surface of the base element with which the nut comes into contact in the fully assembled position). If no second base element is used, it is also conceivable that the toothing of the fastening-pin-side wedge lock washer is provided on the structural component itself around the corresponding through hole. The tooth arrangements of the two wedge lock washers are oriented and manufactured in such a way that they only allow a rotation in the tightening direction of the first thread and of the second thread and block a rotation counter to the tightening direction. For this purpose, in particular a wedge angle of the toothings of the wedge securing disks (the toothings are formed in the form of encircling wedges) can be greater than the pitch angle of the first thread of the fastening pin and of the second thread of the nut. As a result, the two wedge locking washers effectively block a rotation of the nut with respect to the fastening pin counter to the tightening direction, because the threaded connection of the nut does not move the nut during a rotation counter to the first direction along the longitudinal axis so far that the wedge locking washers are sufficiently separated from one another and become free-wheeling.According to a further embodiment, the fastening arrangement further comprises at least two self-locking nuts. The first base member and the second base member are each configured as a plate-like member. The first base member includes at least two mounting pins. The first base member and the second base member are configured to abut opposing surfaces of the structural component. The at least two mounting pins extend perpendicularly from a surface of the first base member and are configured to each extend through a corresponding aperture in the structural component.Such an arrangement with at least two fastening pins enables a fixed attachment of the fastening arrangement, which also prevents a rotation of the base elements. Since, in addition, a rotation of the fastening pins about the respective axis of rotation of the first and second threads is thereby also prevented, this arrangement further contributes to preventing a release of the self-locking nuts by a turning of the same counter to the tightening direction of the threaded connection.It should be noted that the at least two fastening pins alternatively do not necessarily have to extend from the same base element. If a second base element is used, it is optionally also conceivable that, in the case of two fastening pins, one of the fastening pins extends from the first base element and the other fastening pin extends from the other base element. The respective other base element then has a correspondingly arranged through-hole for the respective fastening pin. If more than two fastening pins are provided, more than one of the fastening pins can also extend from such an optional second base element. In principle, any suitable combination is possible in this case. Arranging one of the fastening pins on the first base element and the second fastening pin on the second base element (or else a plurality of fastening pins on the first base element and a plurality of fastening pins on the second base element) can, for example, enable simultaneous bi-handed mounting of both self-locking nuts and thus further reduce the mounting time.According to another embodiment, at least one of the first base member and the optional second base member includes a component attachment member configured to attach a component to the corresponding base member.Such a component attachment member may comprise any suitable member for attaching components to the respective base member. For example, corresponding pins, hooks, mounting holes, pins with hook tips, clamps, or the like can be provided on the respective base element, which enable, for example, the attachment / retention of cabling, insulation, claddings, or any other component to the respective base element and thus to the structural component to which the fastening arrangement is attached.According to a further embodiment, the at least one nut comprises at least one of the following materials: flexible thermoplastic materials, flexible rubber materials or elastomers, and flexible metallic alloys. The at least one fastening pin comprises at least one of the following materials: flexible or non-flexible thermoplastic materials, flexible rubber materials, metallic alloys with aluminum, steel, titanium and / or magnesium, and ceramic materials.This or a similar choice of material enables the functionality described herein of the fastening arrangement, in particular the fastening of the self-locking nut to the fastening pin, and provides a stable connection of the individual components.According to a second aspect, an aircraft is disclosed. The aircraft comprises a casing and at least one structural component, for example in the form of a stringer or a bulkhead, and at least one fastening arrangement according to any of the embodiments described herein. The attachment assembly is attached to the structural component to connect at least one component to the structural component as described herein.In summary, the invention provides a fastening arrangement for fastening components to structural components of a vehicle. It should be noted, however, that the mounting arrangement, although described herein mainly with respect to vehicles and thereby in particular aircraft, is of course also suitable for other applications requiring a mounting of components to another component. For example, the fastening arrangement could also be used in buildings or on infrastructure components. The disclosed fastening arrangement enables a quick and simple, in particular toolless, mounting of the fastening arrangement on a structural component (such as a stringer or bulkhead or another structural component in an aircraft). The fastening arrangement dispenses with heavy elements such as titanium rivets or the like, which can add up to a considerable weight, in particular in aircraft, owing to the multiplicity of fastening arrangements / clamps used there. Some or all of the components of the fastening arrangement can be manufactured, for example, under 3D printing and thus cost-effectively and quickly. The fastening arrangement provides a stable fastening which is secured against accidental detachment but, unlike for example glued or riveted joints, can be easily detached and reused.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURESExemplary embodiments will be discussed in more detail below with reference to the appended drawings. The representations are schematic and not true to scale. Like reference numerals refer to like or similar elements. The following are shown: FIG. 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a fastening arrangement with a riveted connection according to the prior art. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a mounting assembly according to the present disclosure. FIG. 3 shows an exemplary self-locking nut used in the fastening arrangement from FIG. 2 in a plan view. FIG. 4 shows the self-locking nut from FIG. 3 in a cross-sectional view along the section line A-A of FIG. 3. FIG. 5 shows the self-locking nut from FIGS. 3 and 4 immediately after the attachment to a fastening pin of the fastening arrangement from FIG. 2, but before the fastening pin comes into contact with an inner section of the self-locking nut. FIG. 6 shows the self-locking nut from FIGS. 3 to 5, while the nut is pushed onto a fastening pin and an inner section of the nut interacts with the fastening pin. FIG. 7 shows the self-locking nut from FIGS. 3 to 6 after the nut has been completely pushed onto a fastening pin. FIG. 8 shows the self-locking nut from FIGS. 3 to 7 after the nut has been fully pushed onto the fastening pin and locked. FIG. 9 shows a self-locking nut which is locked to a fastening pin and additionally comprises a release securing means in the form of wedge securing discs. FIG. 10 shows an aircraft with the fastening arrangement of FIG. 2, which is attached to a structural component of the aircraft.DETAILED DESCRIPTIONFIG. 1 schematically shows a cross-sectional view of a fastener assembly 300 for attaching components to a structural component 210 (e.g., a stringer 210 of an aircraft) having a riveted joint according to the prior art. The fastening arrangement comprises a first base element 10 and an optional second base element 20 (the fastening arrangement of the prior art can in principle also be configured without a second base element 20), each with a component fastening element 60 to which components can be fastened. The first base member 10 and the second base member 20 have aligned through holes that are arranged to mate with corresponding holes / through holes in the structural components 210. A rivet 70 in the form of a titanium rivet 70 is inserted and riveted through these matching through holes in both the base elements 10, 20 and the structural component 210 in order to connect the base element and thus the fastening arrangement 300 to the structural component 210 and to fasten it thereto.Riveting the fastening arrangement 300 of the prior art is time consuming and thus cost intensive. In addition, the titanium rivets 70 are relatively heavy and therefore contribute to a considerable increase in weight, particularly in aircraft (where a multiplicity of such fastening arrangements 300 are used). The prior art mounting arrangement 300 is also relatively time consuming and complicated to remove if necessary.FIG. 2 shows a fastening arrangement 100 which is improved compared with the fastening arrangement 300 of the prior art from FIG. 1 in a schematic cross-sectional view. The attachment assembly 100 is shown in a cross-sectional view in a configuration attached to a structural component 210 (e.g., a stringer 210 or other structural component of an aircraft).The fastening arrangement 100 likewise comprises a first base element 10 and an (optional) second base element 20, which in the configuration shown are configured in the manner of a plate and bear flush against the structural component 210. Although described below with a first base element 10 and a second base element 20, it should be noted that the fastening arrangement 100 can of course also be configured without the second base element 20, i.e. only with the first base element 10. The structural component 210 has through holes 21. However, only one of the base members 10, 20 (here, the second base member 20) has through holes 21 which are formed in alignment with the through holes in the structural component 210. The other (first) base element 10 in the configuration shown has two fastening pins 11 which are formed integrally with the first base element 10. The overall diameter of the two fastening pins 11 is dimensioned such that the fastening pins 11 fit through the corresponding through hole 21 in the (optional) second base element 20 and through a through hole 21 in the structural component 210. The fastening pins 11 each have an end section 12 which is provided with a first thread 13. The fastening pins 11 extend both through the structural component 210 and through the (optional) second base element 20 and form there, on the side facing away from the structural component 210, a protrusion in the form of the end section 12. The self-locking nuts 30 allow rapid mounting by sliding on the respective fastening pin 11, as will also be described with reference to Figures 3 to 8. The disclosed fastener assembly 100 of FIG. 2 dispenses with rivets 70 (FIG. 1 ) are quick to attach and thus reduce assembly time, reduces the weight of the fastener assembly 100 by dispensing with titanium rivets, and the self-locking nuts 30 also allow for easy disassembly, if desired, but still provide a stable connection to the structural component 210.The mounting assembly 100 also includes a component mounting member 60 on each of the base members 10, 20 which, in the configuration shown, are shown as differently sized pins. Generally, each of the component fasteners 60 may be configured in any suitable shape. In particular, the component fasteners 60 may be configured as pins, hooks, threaded and non-threaded mounting holes, pins with hook tips, clamps, combinations thereof, or the like. This list is, however, only exemplary in nature. The component fasteners 60 serve to receive and retain components to be attached to the structural components 210, such as cabling, insulation, panels, equipment, wiring ducts, or any other component. The illustrated pins are merely exemplary to illustrate the function of the mounting assembly 100. Also, only one of the base members 10, 20 may include a component fastener 60, the two base members 10, 20 may include different or identical component fasteners 60, and one or both of the base members 60 may also include at least two component fasteners 60.FIGS. 3 and 4 show an exemplary self-locking nut 30 used in the attachment assembly of FIG. 2. FIG. 3 shows the self-locking nut 30 in a plan view. FIG. 4 shows a cross section of the self-locking nut 30 from FIG. 3 along the section line A-A. In the following, FIGS. 3 and 4 will be described together.The self-locking nut 30 has an outer portion 32 and an inner portion 33 formed from a plurality (here four) of sections 34. The partial sections 34 are separated from one another at least in an upper region (FIG. 3 shows the self-locking nut 30 from this upper side). In a lower region, the partial sections 34 of the inner section 34 are connected to the outer section 32 via corresponding connecting arms 35. The connecting arms 35 are preferably flexible to allow translation of the inner portion 33 (i.e., the sub-portions 34) relative to the outer portion along the longitudinal axis 36 of the nut 30. The outer section 32 of the nut 30 has a circumferential inner surface 38 which tapers in FIG. 4 upwards towards a fastening side 37 (corresponding to the side which is placed on the corresponding base element 10, 20; cf. FIG. 2 ) so that a diameter of the outer section decreases towards the fastening side 37. The inner portion 33 or the partial portions 34 thereof have a circumferential outer surface 39 which is shaped in a manner corresponding to the inner surface 38 of the inner portion 32, i.e. in the unfixed position which is shown in FIG. 4 but also FIG. 5, the circumferential outer surface 39 of the inner portion 33 runs at least substantially parallel to the circumferential inner surface 38 of the outer portion 32. In the non-fastened position, illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the circumferential inner surface 38 of the outer section 32 is at a distance 43 from the circumferential inner surface 39 of the inner section 33 (or the sections 34 thereof). This distance 43, along with the flexible connecting arms 35, allows the sections 34 to move radially outward (i.e., in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 36 (FIG. 4 )) toward the outer section 32. As a result, the fastening pin 11 (FIG. 2 ) can displace the inner portion 33 or the partial portions 34 thereof such that the first thread 13 can slide past the second thread 32, which is illustrated in FIG. 6 and described further below.As can be seen in FIG. 3, the outer section 32 has a hexagonal outer contour. This facilitates gripping and sliding on the nut 30 (as described below) and also makes it possible to release the nut 30 with a hex key (for example a ratchet with a corresponding attachment or a jaw key), if necessary. The hexagonal shape is, however, only exemplary. The outer contour or outer shape can also have any other shape, for example a rectangular shape or any other polygonal shape. It is also conceivable, for example, for the outer shape to be round and to be provided with a corrugation in order to facilitate gripping and pushing and turning by hand. However, these are only examples. In principle, any other external shape is possible.FIG. 5 shows the nut 30 immediately after it has been placed on a fastening pin 11 (cf. also FIG. 2 ), but before the fastening pin 11 comes into contact with the inner portion 22 with its partial portions 34. In this position, there is still no change in the nut 30.FIG. 6 shows the nut 30 when being pushed onto the fastening pin 11 after the nut 30 has been pushed far enough onto the fastening pin 11 so that the fastening pin 11 displaces the partial sections 34 of the inner section 33 radially outwards. The partial sections 34 thus slide over the fastening pin 11, for which reason the nut 30 can be pushed onto the fastening pin 11 without a rotational movement despite the first thread 13 and the second thread 31.FIG. 7 shows the nut 30 after it has been completely pushed onto the fastening pin 11. In this position, the fastening side 37 essentially rests on a surface of the corresponding base element 10, 20 (in FIG. 2 of the base element 20) or, if no second base element 20 is provided, on the structural component 210 itself. The threads 13, 31 now engage in each other, but the nut 30 is not yet locked on the fastening pin 11 and can theoretically still be drawn off.FIG. 8 shows the nut 30 from FIG. 7 after it has been locked and can no longer be pulled off. For this purpose, the nut 30 was slightly rotated in the direction of a tightening rotational direction 44, which is predetermined by the threaded connection. The inner section 33 or the partial sections 34 thereof are thereby displaced in the first direction 40 via the fastening pin 11 (because of the threaded connection) in the direction of the fastening side 37. When the partial sections 34 are displaced along the direction 40, the distance 43 between the inner surface 38 and the outer surface 39 decreases due to the configuration of the circumferential inner surface 38 and the circumferential outer surface 39 that is tapered in the direction of the fastening side 37. the inner section 33 (or the partial sections 34 thereof) can therefore no longer (or at least no longer sufficiently) displace radially outwards in such a way that the first thread 13 disengages from the second thread 31. The nut 30 is therefore locked and can no longer be easily removed.FIG. 9 shows the nut 30 locked on a fastening pin 11 as described with reference to FIG. 8, but supplemented by a release lock 50, here with a pair of wedge lock washers 51, 52. a first wedge lock washer 51 is fixedly attached to the fastening pin 11 and a second wedge lock washer 52 is attached to the nut 30 such that it is in contact with the outer section 52. The wedge locking washers 51, 52 have mutually matching tooth arrangements. The first wedge lock washer 51 is fixedly attached to the mounting pin 11 and the other wedge lock washer 52 is fixedly attached to the nut 30. Alternatively, the toothing of the nut-side wedge lock washer 52 may also be integrated into the nut 30, and the toothing of the fastening pin-side wedge lock washer 52 may be provided either (for example as a protruding element around the circumference of the fastening pin 11) on the fastening pin 11 or also on the second base element 20 (for example a surface of the base element 20 with which the nut 30 comes into contact in the fully assembled position). In addition, the wedge securing disks 51, 52 can also be placed on the fastening pin 11 as detached disks before the nut 30 is placed on. The wedge locking disks then have, as shown, corresponding outer toothings which wedge on the nut 30 and the second base part 20. The tooth arrangements of the two wedge lock washers 51, 52 are oriented and manufactured such that they only permit a rotation in the tightening direction of the first thread 13 and the second thread 31 and block a rotation counter to the tightening direction. For this purpose, in particular a wedge angle 53 of the toothings of the wedge securing disks 51, 52 (the toothings are formed in the form of encircling wedges) can be greater than the pitch angle 54 of the first thread 13 and of the second thread 31 of the nut. As a result, the two wedge locking washers 51, 52 effectively block a rotation of the nut 30 with respect to the fastening pin 11 counter to the tightening direction, because the threaded connection of the nut 30 with the fastening pin 11 does not move the latter during a rotation counter to the first direction 40 along the longitudinal axis 36 to such an extent that the wedge locking washers 51, 52 are sufficiently released from one another and become free-wheeling.Alternatively, any other solution securing means 50 can also be provided. For example, a plurality of nuts 30 may be connected to one another in any suitable manner by means of thin wire cables, in order to prevent rotation of the nuts 30 with respect to the respective fastening pin 11.FIG. 10 shows an aircraft 400 having a casing 410 and a stringer 210, shown by way of example and in exaggerated form, as structural component 210, as described herein. A fastening assembly 100 according to any of the embodiments described herein is attached to the stringer 210 to secure components there.Additionally, it should be noted that "comprising" or "having" does not exclude other elements or steps and "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. It should also be noted that features or steps that have been described with reference to one of the above exemplary embodiments can also be used in combination with other features or steps of other exemplary embodiments described above. Reference signs in the claims should not be regarded as limiting.LIST OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS10 first base element 11 fastening pin 12 end section 13 first thread 20 second base element 21 through hole 30 self-locking nut 31 second thread 32 outer section 33 inner section 34 partial sections 35 connecting arms 36 longitudinal axis (of the nut) 37 fastening side (of the nut) 38 inner surface (of the outer section of the nut) 39 outer surface (of the inner section of the nut) 40 first direction 41 second direction 43 distance 44 tightening rotational direction 50 release securing means 51, 52 wedge securing washers 53 wedge angle 54 pitch angle 60 component fastening element 70 rivets (prior art) 100 fastening arrangement 200 vehicle, aircraft 210 structural component, stringer 300 fastening arrangement (prior art) 400 aircraft 410 sheath

Claims

A fastening assembly (100) for fastening components to a structural component (210) of a vehicle (200), the fastening assembly (100) comprising: a first base member (10); and at least one self-locking nut (30) having a longitudinal axis (36) and a fastening side (37); wherein the first base member (10) has at least one fastening pin (11) extending from a surface of the first base member (10); and wherein the fastening pin (11) is configured to extend through a through hole (21) in the structural component (210) and protrude from the structural component (210) when the fastening assembly (100) is attached to the structural component (210); wherein the fastening pin (11) has a first thread (13) extending at least over an end portion (12) of the fastening pin (11); wherein the self-locking nut (30) is configured to be pushed with the fastening side (37) of the nut (30) first onto the fastening pin (11) in a first direction (40) along the longitudinal axis (36); and wherein the self-locking nut (30) has at least in sections a second thread (31) matching the first thread (13) and is configured to block, after the pushing on of the nut (30), a pulling off of the nut (30) in a second direction (41), opposite the first direction (40).The mounting assembly (100) of claim 1, further comprising a second base member (20), wherein the second base member (20) is configured to be attached to a side of the structural component (210) opposite the first base member (10); and wherein the second base member (20) comprises at least one through hole (21) configured to receive the at least one mounting pin (11) extending through the through hole (21) in the structural component (210) such that the at least one mounting pin (11) protrudes from the second base member (20) when the mounting assembly (100) is attached to the structural component (210).The fastening arrangement (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the self-locking nut (30) comprises an outer portion (32) and an inner portion (33); wherein the outer portion (32) surrounds the inner portion (33); and wherein the inner portion (33) comprises the second thread (31) in the form of an inner thread.Fastening arrangement (100) according to claim 3, wherein the inner portion (33) has at least two part portions (34) which are separate from one another and are each connected to the outer portion (32).The fastening arrangement (100) according to claim 4, wherein the at least two part sections (34) separated from each other are each connected to the outer section (32) via a flexible connecting arm (35); wherein the flexible connecting arm (35) of each part section (34) allows a linear displacement of the corresponding part section (34) along the longitudinal axis (36) of the nut (30) relative to the outer section (32).The fastening arrangement (100) according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the outer portion (32) of the nut (30) has a circumferential inner surface (38), which tapers along the longitudinal axis (36) of the nut (30) towards the fastening side (37) of the nut (30); and wherein the inner portion (33) has a circumferential outer surface (39), which is configured corresponding to the inner surface (38) and in an unfixed state of the nut (30) has a distance (43) from the inner surface (38), which decreases when the inner portion (33) is displaced relative to the outer portion (32) along the longitudinal axis (36) in the first direction (40), whereby the self-locking nut (30) is blocked and thereby the pulling off of the nut (30) in the second direction (41) is prevented.The fastening arrangement (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a release securing means (50) which prevents the nut (30) from being released from the fastening pin (11) by preventing the nut (30) from rotating relative to the fastening pin (11).The mounting assembly (100) of claim 7, wherein the release retainer (50) includes a pair of wedge lock washers (51, 52) that prevent rotation of the nut (30) relative to the mounting pin (11), one of the wedge lock washers (51, 52) being mounted to the nut (30) and the other of the wedge lock washers (51, 52) being mounted to the mounting pin (11).The fastening assembly (100) of any preceding claim, further comprising at least two self-locking nuts (30); wherein the first base member (10) and the second base member (20) are each configured as a plate-like member; wherein the first base member (10) comprises at least two fastening pins (11); wherein the first base member (10) and the second base member (20) are configured to abut opposite surfaces of the structural component (210); and wherein the at least two fastening pins (11) extend perpendicularly from a surface of the first base member (10) and are configured to each extend through a corresponding opening in the structural component (210).The mounting assembly (100) of any preceding claim, wherein at least one of the first base member (10) and the second base member (20) includes a component mounting member (60) configured to attach a component to the corresponding base member (10, 20).The fastening arrangement (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one nut (30) comprises at least one of the following materials: flexible thermoplastic materials; flexible rubber materials or elastomers; and flexible metallic alloys; and wherein the at least one fastening pin (11) comprises at least one of the following materials: flexible or non-flexible thermoplastic materials; flexible rubber materials; metallic alloys with aluminum, steel, titanium, and / or magnesium; and ceramic materials.

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