Fastening arrangement for a vehicle and method for manufacturing a fastening arrangement

Abstract

The invention relates to a fastening arrangement (2) for a vehicle with a holding arrangement (1) comprising several spaced-apart holding elements (3, 4) connected to one another by means of a connecting element (5). A screw nut (12, 13) is secured against rotation in a respective holding element opening (3.1, 4.1) at an end (E2) of each holding element (3, 4) opposite the connecting element (5). In an assembled state, the holding elements (3, 4) are guided, with the respective screw nut (12, 13) leading, through a first component opening (14.3, 14.4) of a first wall (14.1) of a double-walled sheet metal component (14) such that the screw nuts (12, 13) each engage a second component opening (14.5, 14.6) of a second wall (14.1) opposite the first wall (14.1).2) surrounding section of the sheet metal component (14) and a stop element (10, 11) arranged at the end (E1) of the respective retaining element (3, 4) facing the connecting element (5) abuts an outer surface of the first wall (14.1) facing away from the second wall (14.2). The retaining elements (3, 4) are secured against movement in the respective first component opening (14.3, 14.4) and the central axes of the component openings (14.3 to 14.6) and the respective nut opening (12.1, 13.1) of the associated nut (12, 13) are aligned.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a fastening arrangement for a vehicle.

[0002] The invention further relates to a method for producing such a fastening arrangement.

[0003] In automotive construction, it is necessary to attach high-strength threads to the body panels for the assembly of add-on parts. One option for attaching such high-strength threads to the body panels is to arrange weld nuts or self-piercing press-in nuts in the sheet metal. Add-on parts, such as chassis components or assemblies, are then screwed onto these weld nuts.

[0004] DE 10 2010 032 432 A1 discloses a weld nut that has a nut height and an outer diameter, and a threaded through-hole with a nominal diameter. The weld nut has a radially outer welding ring with a welding support surface on each of its two opposite end faces.

[0005] Furthermore, DE 10 2016 013 700 A1 discloses a weld nut comprising a base body made of aluminum with a screw opening. The screw opening has a concentric recess in which a threaded sleeve is secured. The sleeve is made of a material with a greater hardness than aluminum.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide a novel fastening arrangement for a vehicle and a novel method for producing a fastening arrangement for a vehicle.

[0007] The object is achieved according to the invention by a fastening arrangement which has the features specified in claim 1 and by a method for producing a fastening arrangement which has the features specified in claim 6.

[0008] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the subclaims.

[0009] The fastening arrangement for a vehicle according to the invention is characterized in that - a holding arrangement is present, - the holding arrangement has a plurality of spaced-apart holding elements, - the holding elements are each connected to one another at one of their ends by means of a connecting element, - the holding elements are each at least substantially sleeve-shaped and hollow inside and point in the same direction starting from the connecting element, - the holding elements are each closed at the end facing the connecting element, - a screw nut is secured against rotation in a respective retaining element opening at an end of the respective retaining element opposite the connecting element, - the retaining elements in an assembled state are guided with the respective screw nut first through a first component opening of a first wall of a double-walled sheet metal component in such a way that - the screw nuts each bear against a section of the sheet metal component surrounding a second component opening of a second wall opposite the first wall, wherein the second component openings each have a free cross-section which is at least as large as a free cross-section of a screw nut opening surrounded by an internal thread of the screw nut bearing against the respective second component opening, - a stop element arranged at the end of the respective holding element facing the connecting element rests against an outer side of the first wall facing away from the second wall, - the holding elements are secured against movement in the respective first component opening and - The center axes of the component openings and the respective screw nut opening of the corresponding screw nut are aligned.

[0010] The present fastening arrangement is particularly advantageous in that the screw nuts can be positioned and fastened to the sheet metal component by means of the retaining elements after the sheet metal component has been coated, for example, by means of cathodic immersion coating. Coating the screw nuts is not required. When using press-fit nuts and weld nuts, there is a risk that gaps and spaces will form between the press-fit nut and the sheet metal component, in which gaps a pickling agent required for the cathodic immersion coating can accumulate and remain. Such a pickling agent can cause corrosion on the sheet metal component. By using the present fastening arrangement and by only positioning it after the sheet metal component has been coated, the risk of corrosion can be minimized.The retaining arrangement remains on the sheet metal component after the nuts have been connected to a connecting partner, such as a bolt or screw. This fastening arrangement, particularly compared to press-fit nuts or weld nuts, allows for easy disassembly and replacement of the nuts during service or repair.

[0011] Furthermore, the connecting element connecting the two holding elements enables easy handling of the holding arrangement as well as correct and rotationally secure positioning of the holding elements and, consequently, the screw nuts relative to the first and second component openings. In particular, the connecting element is designed such that a distance between the holding elements in the region of the connecting element corresponds to a distance between the first component openings.

[0012] In addition, the closed design of the retaining elements at the end facing the connecting element prevents the penetration of foreign substances, particularly moisture and dirt, into the interior of the retaining elements. This results in a high level of protection of the retaining elements, the screw nuts, and the threads of screws or bolts engaging with them from environmental influences. This is particularly advantageous when the fastening arrangement is installed in positions on a vehicle exposed to moisture and dirt, where the retaining elements are arranged so that their longitudinal extent extends at least substantially in the direction of a vertical axis of the vehicle.

[0013] Embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to drawings.

[0014] Showing: Fig. 1 schematically shows a perspective view of a holding arrangement of a fastening arrangement for a vehicle, Fig. 2 schematically shows a further perspective view of the holding arrangement according to Fig. 1, Fig. 3 schematically shows an enlarged section of the holding arrangement according to Fig. 2, Fig. 4 schematically shows a perspective view of the holding arrangement according to Fig. 1 with screw nuts attached to it, Fig. 5 schematically shows a further perspective view of the holding arrangement with the screw nuts according to Fig. 4, Fig. 6 schematically shows a perspective view of a section of a sheet metal component of a vehicle, Fig. 7 schematically shows a sectional view of a fastening arrangement for a vehicle with the sheet metal component according to Fig. 6 and the holding arrangement with the screw nuts according to Fig. 4, Fig. 8 schematically shows a perspective view of the sectional view according to Fig. 7 and Fig. 9 schematically shows a sequence of a method for producing the fastening arrangement according to Fig. 7.

[0015] Corresponding parts are provided with the same reference numerals in all figures.

[0016] In the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 are various perspective views of a possible embodiment of a holding arrangement 1 of a Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 shows the fastening arrangement 2 for a vehicle in more detail.

[0017] The holding arrangement 1 comprises two spaced-apart holding elements 3, 4, which are connected to one another at one of their ends E1 by means of a connecting element 5. In embodiments not shown in detail, the holding arrangement 1 can also comprise more than two spaced-apart holding elements 3, 4, with a connecting element 5 being arranged between each two holding elements 3, 4.

[0018] The holding elements 3, 4 are each at least substantially sleeve-shaped and hollow on the inside. At the end E1 facing the connecting element 5, the holding elements 3, 4 are each closed with a cover 6, 7. In one possible embodiment, the covers 6, 7 are formed integrally with the holding elements 3, 4 and the connecting element 5. The covers 6, 7 are each designed such that edge portions of these surround a respective outer contour of the associated holding element 3, 4, protrude from it in a web-like manner in the manner of a flange, and each form a stop element 10, 11.

[0019] Furthermore, the holding elements 3, 4 each have several barbs 8, 9 on their outer contour in the area of ​​the end E1.

[0020] At an end E2 opposite the end E1, the holding elements 3, 4 each have a holding element opening 3.1, 4.1 with a hexagonal cross-section.

[0021] Fig. 3 shows an enlarged section of the holding arrangement 1 according to Fig. 2 in the region of such a barb 9 arranged on the holding element 4.

[0022] In the Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 are various perspective views of the holding arrangement 1 according to Fig. 1 with screw nuts 12, 13 attached to it.

[0023] The screw nuts 12, 13 have a hexagonal outer contour corresponding to the hexagonal inner contour of the respective retaining element opening 3.1, 4.1 and are arranged in a rotationally secure manner in the respective retaining element opening 3.1, 4.1. In particular, the screw nuts 12, 13 are pressed into the respective retaining element opening 3.1, 4.1 in such a way that they are held captively in the retaining element openings 3.1, 4.1.

[0024] Furthermore, the screw nuts 12, 13 each have a screw nut opening 12.1, 13.1, each of which is at least partially surrounded by an internal thread (not shown in detail). Furthermore, the screw nuts 12, 13 each have a web-shaped, flange-like stop element 12.2, 13.2, which rests against the end E2 of the associated retaining element 3, 4.

[0025] In Fig. Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a section of a possible embodiment of a double-walled sheet metal component 14 of a vehicle. The sheet metal component 14 is, for example, a body component that is painted and / or coated in a cathodic immersion bath.

[0026] The sheet metal component 14 has two opposing walls 14.1, 14.2. Two first component openings 14.3, 14.4 are formed in a first wall 14.1, and two second component openings 14.5, 14.6 are formed in a second wall 14.2.

[0027] The first component openings 14.3, 14.4 each have a circular cross-section which corresponds to or is complementary to a cross-section of the holding elements 3, 4 in the region of their ends E1.

[0028] The second component openings 14.5, 14.6 formed opposite the first component openings 14.3, 14.4 in the second wall 14.2 each have a circular cross-section which is at least as large as a free cross-section of the screw nut opening 12.1, 13.1 surrounded by the internal thread of the screw nut 12, 13.

[0029] The component openings 14.3 to 14.6 are arranged in particular in such a way that center axes of the respective opposite first component openings 14.3, 14.4 and second component openings 14.5, 14.6 are aligned.

[0030] The Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 show various views of a sectional view of a fastening arrangement 2 for a vehicle with the holding arrangement 1 and the screw nuts 12, 13 according to the Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 and the sheet metal component 14 according to Fig. 6.

[0031] The holding elements 3, 4 with the screw nuts 12, 13 fastened to them are each guided through one of the first component openings 14.3, 14.4 of the first wall 4.1 of the sheet metal component 14 in such a way that the screw nuts 12, 13 rest with their stop elements 12.2, 13.2 on a section surrounding the respective second component opening 14.5, 14.6 of the second wall 14.2 of the sheet metal component 14.

[0032] The stop elements 10, 11 of the holding elements 3, 4 each rest against an outer side of the first wall 14.1 facing away from the second wall 14.2. Furthermore, the connecting element 5 rests with one side on the outer side of the first wall 14.1, in particular over its entire surface. In one possible embodiment of the fastening arrangement 2, a surface shape of the side of the connecting element 5 facing the outer side of the first wall 14.1 corresponds to a surface shape of the outer side of the first wall 14.1.

[0033] The connecting element 5 ensures that the holding elements 3, 4 and consequently the screw nuts 12, 13 are positioned correctly and in a rotationally secure manner relative to the first and second component openings 14.3 to 14.6.

[0034] Furthermore, the barbs 8, 9 of the retaining elements 3, 4 rest against an inner side of the first wall 14.1 of the sheet metal component 14, facing the second wall 14.2, so that the retaining elements 3, 4 are secured by the screw nuts 12, 13 against movement out of the first component openings 14.3, 14.4 by a locking mechanism. The barbs 8, 9 simultaneously serve as positioning webs for the secure and rotation-proof positioning of the retaining elements 3, 4 on the sheet metal component 14. The center axes of the component openings 14.3, 14.4 and the center axes of the corresponding screw nut openings 12.1, 13.1 are aligned.

[0035] The fastening arrangement 2 thus designed enables the fastening of an add-on part, for example a chassis component or assembly, to an outer side of the second wall 14.2 of the sheet metal component 14 by means of screws, which are each brought into operative connection with the internal thread of one of the screw nuts 12, 13. The locking created by the barbs 8, 9 enables the secure fixation of the holding elements 3, 4 with the screw nuts 12, 13 to the sheet metal component 14 during the assembly process of the add-on part by means of the screws. After the assembly process, the holding arrangement 1 remains in the sheet metal component 14, with the screw connections protected from the ingress of moisture and dirt by the covers 6, 7.Thus, the holding arrangement 1 is particularly suitable for use in positions on a vehicle exposed to moisture and dirt, in which the holding elements 3, 4 are arranged in their longitudinal extent extending at least substantially in the direction of a vertical axis of the vehicle.

[0036] In Fig. 9 is a flow chart of a method for manufacturing the fastening arrangement 2 according to Fig. 7. To maintain clarity, the components of the fastening arrangement 2 are only partially provided with reference symbols.

[0037] In a first method step S1, the holding arrangement 1 is manufactured or made available.

[0038] In a second method step S2, a screw nut 12, 13 is fastened in a rotationally secure manner to the end E2 of the respective holding element 3, 4 opposite the connecting element 5 in the respective holding element opening 3.1, 4.1.

[0039] In a third method step S3, the holding elements 3, 4 are guided with the respective screw nut 12, 13 in front in a direction of movement R through the first component opening 14.3, 14.4 of the first wall 14.1 of the double-walled sheet metal component 14.

[0040] The movement in the direction of movement R is carried out in a fourth process step S4 until - the screw nuts 12, 13 each rest on a section of the sheet metal component 14 surrounding the respective second component opening 14.5, 14.6 and - the stop element 10, 11 arranged at the end E1 of the respective holding element 3, 4 facing the connecting element 5 comes to rest on the outside of the first wall 14.1 and - the barbs 8, 9 engage on the first wall 14.1 of the sheet metal component 14 in the area of ​​the corresponding first component opening 14.3, 14.4.

[0041] In the position thus achieved, the holding elements 3, 4 are secured against movement in the respective first component opening 14.3, 14.4 and the center axes of the component openings 14.3 to 14.6 and the respective screw nut opening 12.1, 13.1 of the associated screw nut 12, 13 are aligned. 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] DE 10 2010 032 432 A1

[0004] DE 10 2016 013 700 A1

[0005]

Claims

[1] Fastening arrangement (2) for a vehicle, characterized by , that - a holding arrangement (1) is present, - the holding arrangement (1) has a plurality of spaced-apart holding elements (3, 4), - the holding elements (3, 4) are each connected to one another at one of their ends (E1) by means of a connecting element (5), - the holding elements (3, 4) are each at least substantially sleeve-shaped and hollow inside and point in the same direction starting from the connecting element (5), - the holding elements (3, 4) are each closed at the end (E1) facing the connecting element (5), - a screw nut (12, 13) is fastened in a respective holding element opening (3.1, 4.1) in a rotationally secure manner at an end (E2) of the respective holding element (3, 4) opposite the connecting element (5), - the holding elements (3, 4) in an assembled state with the respective screw nut (12, 13) in front are each guided through a first component opening (14.3, 14.4) of a first wall (14.1) of a double-walled sheet metal component (14) in such a way that - the screw nuts (12, 13) each bear against a section of the sheet metal component (14) surrounding a second component opening (14.5, 14.6) of a second wall (14.2) opposite the first wall (14.1), wherein the second component openings (14.5, 14.6) each have a free cross-section which is at least as large as a free cross-section of a screw nut opening (12.1, 13.1) surrounded by an internal thread of the screw nut (12, 13) bearing against the respective second component opening (14.5, 14.6), - a stop element (10, 11) arranged at the end (E1) of the respective holding element (3, 4) facing the connecting element (5) bears against an outer side of the first wall (14.1) facing away from the second wall (14.2), - the holding elements (3, 4) are secured against movement in the respective first component opening (14.3, 14.4) and - The central axes of the component openings (14.3 to 14.6) and the respective screw nut opening (12.1, 13.1) of the associated screw nut (12, 13) are aligned. [2] Fastening arrangement (2) according to claim 1, characterized by that the holding elements (3, 4) each have at least one barb (8, 9) on their outer contour, which, in the mounted state of the respective holding element (3, 4), rests against an inner contour of the first wall (14.1) facing the second wall (14.2). [3] Fastening arrangement (2) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized bythat the screw nuts (12, 13) are pressed into the respective holding element opening (3.1, 4.1). [4] Fastening arrangement (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the screw nuts (12, 13) each have a hexagonal outer contour and the holding element openings (3.1, 4.1) each have a corresponding hexagonal inner contour. [5] Fastening arrangement (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that a surface shape of a side of the connecting element (5) facing the outside of the first wall (14.1) corresponds to a surface shape of the outside of the first wall (14.1). [6] Method for producing a fastening arrangement (2) for a vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that - a screw nut (12, 13) is fastened in a respective holding element opening (3.1, 4.1) in a rotationally secure manner at an end (E2) of the respective holding element (3, 4) opposite the connecting element (5), and - the holding elements (3, 4) are guided with the respective screw nut (12, 13) in front through the first component opening (14.3, 14.4) of the first wall (14.1) of the double-walled sheet metal component (14) - until the screw nuts (12, 13) each rest against a section of the sheet metal component (14) surrounding a second component opening (14.5, 14.6) of a second wall (14.2) opposite the first wall (14.1) and - until the stop element (10, 11) arranged at the end (E1) of the respective holding element (3, 4) facing the connecting element (5) comes to rest on the outer side of the first wall (14.1) facing away from the second wall (14.2), wherein - the holding elements (3, 4) are secured against movement in the respective first component opening (14.3, 14.4) and - The central axes of the component openings (14.3 to 14.6) and the respective screw nut opening (12.1, 13.1) of the associated screw nut (12, 13) are aligned.

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