Tolerance compensation element for a screw connection and method for constructing a screw connection with automatic tolerance compensation

Abstract

The present invention relates to a tolerance compensation element (1) for a screw connection (100) between a first component (2) and a second component (3) by means of a screw (4), in particular for a screw connection between a housing of a lighting device and a body part of a motor vehicle, wherein the tolerance compensation element (1) is provided for accommodation in a pocket-like mounting interface (21) of the first component (2) and comprises at least the following sections: - a front-side contact section (11) for flat contact with the second component (3), wherein the contact section (11) has a through hole (12) for the passage of the shaft of the screw (4), - a threaded portion (13) with an internal thread for engagement with the thread of the screw (4), and - at least two expansion sections (14) which extend between the contact section (11) and the threaded section (13), wherein the expansion sections (14) can be deformed by screwing the screw (4) into the threaded section (13) when the contact section (11) bears against the second component (3) while expanding, such that frictional and / or positive-locking connections can be formed between the expansion sections (14) and the mounting interface (21).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a tolerance compensation element for a screw connection and a method to be carried out therewith for constructing a screw connection with automatic tolerance compensation between two components, in particular between the housing of a lighting device and a body part of a motor vehicle. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] When constructing screw joints, compensating for dimensional or positional tolerances of the joining partners is a frequently encountered challenge in practice. One application example from automotive engineering is the assembly of components, such as a headlight, to a body part as a supporting structure, where the joining partners must be screwed together across a joint gap subject to tolerances.

[0003] Tolerance compensation devices are known in the prior art, which enable automatic compensation of tolerances during automated assembly and screwing of the joining partners. One such device is disclosed, for example, in document DE 10 2016 106 006 A1. The device is to be pre-assembled on a first component and comprises a base element and a compensating element threadedly engaged therewith, which has an end face for contact with a second component as the joining partner. After the two components are placed in a joining arrangement, a screw is passed through a bore in the second component, a passage of the compensating element, and a bore in the first component, and is screwed into a lock nut.The rotational movement of the screw when screwed into the lock nut is transmitted to the compensating element via a friction drive element mounted in the passage of the compensating element, so that the compensating element is rotated out of the base element in the direction of the second component until the end face comes into contact with the second component, bridging the joint gap and establishing a connection between the first component and the second component. By tightening the screw, the end face of the compensating element is pressed against the second component with a defined force, whereby the friction between the end face and the second component is intended to prevent the compensating element resting against the second component from rotating back into the base element. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0004] It is the object of the present invention to propose an alternative embodiment of a means for tolerance compensation, which is characterized in particular by a comparatively simple structural design and reliable handling.

[0005] This object is achieved by a tolerance compensation element according to claim 1 and an associated method for constructing a screw connection with automatic tolerance compensation according to claim 10. Advantageous developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0006] The technical teaching of the invention discloses a tolerance compensation element for a screw connection between a first component and a second component by means of a screw, wherein the tolerance compensation element is provided for receiving in a pocket-like mounting interface of the first component and comprises at least the following sections: - a frontal contact section for flat contact with the second component, wherein the contact section has a through hole for the passage of the shaft of the screw, - a threaded portion with an internal thread for engagement with the thread of the screw, and - at least two expansion sections which extend between the contact section and the threaded section, wherein the expansion sections can be deformed by screwing the screw into the threaded section when the contact section rests on the second component, with expansion, such that frictional and / or positive-locking connections can be formed between the expansion sections and the mounting interface.

[0007] The invention is based on the idea of ​​providing the tolerance compensation element with deformable expansion sections which, starting from an initial shape in which the tolerance compensation element can be displaced in order to bridge the joint gap in the mounting interface, spread outwards after the frontal contact of the tolerance compensation element when the screw is further screwed in and come into physical contact with the wall of the mounting interface, so that the tolerance compensation element is clamped in the mounting interface.

[0008] The method to be carried out with the tolerance compensation element according to the invention for constructing a screw connection with automatic tolerance compensation comprises at least the following steps: - Providing the first component with a pocket-like mounting interface for receiving the tolerance compensation element, wherein the mounting interface has means for securing the tolerance compensation element against rotation, in particular grooves for receiving the expansion sections, - Inserting the tolerance compensation element into the mounting interface, - Placing the first component and the second component into a joining arrangement, - Inserting the shaft of a screw through a hole in the second component and through the through hole in the contact section of the tolerance compensation element, - Screwing the screw into the threaded section of the tolerance compensation element until the contact section rests against the second component, and - further screwing in of the screw while spreading the expansion sections and forming frictional and / or positive connections between the expansion sections and the mounting interface, in particular until the threaded section rests against the contact section.

[0009] The process of screwing in the screw is therefore characterized by two phases. First, the tolerance-related joint gap between the mounting interface and the second component is bridged by pulling the tolerance compensation element out of the mounting interface section by section in the direction of the second component as the screw is screwed into the threaded section until its frontal contact section rests against the second component. To do this, the tolerance compensation element must be secured against rotation with respect to the mounting interface. For this purpose, the pocket-like mounting interface can, for example, be designed with suitable longitudinal grooves to accommodate the expansion sections. As the screw is screwed in further, the threaded section is brought closer to the contact section blocked on the second component, whereby the intermediate expansion sections are deformed.The expansion sections are expanded outward toward the wall of the mounting interface, particularly the groove base. Ultimately, a pre-stressed physical contact is created between the expansion sections and the mounting interface, and / or the expansion sections cut into the mounting interface, forming a frictional or positive-locking connection.

[0010] In an automated assembly process using a screwdriving robot, the two phases of the screwing process can be identified based on the different screwing torques. In particular, the end of the screwing process can be defined by the contact of the threaded section with the contact section, which is characterized by a sharp increase in the screwing torque.

[0011] The tolerance compensation element is preferably formed as a single piece, in particular as a stamped and bent part with a deep-drawn portion. Such a single-piece tolerance compensation element can be manufactured cost-effectively and is easier to handle than the multi-piece tolerance compensation devices known in the prior art.

[0012] In an advantageous embodiment, the tolerance compensation element comprises a conical section that is hollow conical and extends between the threaded section and the expansion sections, wherein the threaded section and the conical section share a common longitudinal axis. The longitudinal axis corresponds to the screw axis of the screw connection to be constructed. The conical section creates a stiffening effect, ensuring that no undesired deformation of the threaded section of the tolerance compensation element occurs during the second phase of the screwing-in process, but rather that the deformation is limited to a spreading of the expansion sections.

[0013] Particularly advantageously, the tolerance compensation element is designed such that the expansion sections partially overlap the conical section in an orthogonal projection onto a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. This results in the outer surface of the conical section coming into physical contact with the expansion sections during the second phase of the screwing-in process, in which the conical section and the threaded section are displaced along the longitudinal axis toward the contact section, and gradually expanding them in the manner of an expansion cone.

[0014] In particular, the expansion sections are evenly spaced from one another along the circumference of the threaded section. For example, if the tolerance compensation element has two, three, or four expansion sections, these are arranged at intervals of approximately 180°, 120°, or 90° around the longitudinal axis of the threaded section.

[0015] Preferably, the expansion sections are each beveled, in particular multiply beveled, such that at least some sections of them have a zigzag shape. This allows the expansion sections to be compressed like a spring during the second phase of the screwing-in process.

[0016] For example, the expansion sections each have at least one claw designed to cut into the mounting interface, forming positive connections. As the expansion sections expand, the claws come into physical contact with the wall of the mounting interface, particularly the groove bases, and cut into them locally during the further screwing process.

[0017] Furthermore, securing means can be provided that pre-fix the tolerance compensation element in the mounting interface, thus preventing it from accidentally falling out during further handling. For example, the tolerance compensation element can have a cam on the underside with a slight oversize to the mounting interface.

[0018] In one embodiment as a stamped and bent part, a sheet metal development part underlying the tolerance compensation element comprises at least the following sections: - a central, disc-shaped deep-drawn section for forming the threaded section and / or the conical section, - at least two strip-shaped folding sections extending from the deep-drawn section to form the spreading sections, and - disc-shaped or plate-shaped end sections with through holes arranged at the end of each bending section to form the contact section.

[0019] The threaded and / or conical sections are formed onto the deep-drawn section in deep-drawing processes, and by appropriate bending and / or folding of the folded sections, the end sections are brought into flat contact with one another, whereby the through holes in the end sections are aligned with one another and with the internal thread in the threaded section. EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0020] The invention is illustrated below by exemplary embodiments based on the figures and the accompanying description. They show schematically: Fig. 1a: Sectional view of a first embodiment of the tolerance compensation element according to the invention, Fig. 1b: Top view of the first embodiment, Fig. 2: Top view of the sheet metal development part underlying the first embodiment, Fig. 3: Top view of the first embodiment in arrangement on the first component, Fig. 4a - 4c: sectional views of the joining arrangement in the inventive construction of a screw connection with the first embodiment, Fig. 5a - 5b: sectional views of the joining arrangement in the inventive construction of a screw connection with a second embodiment of the tolerance compensation element according to the invention, and Fig. 6: Top view of the sheet metal development part underlying the second embodiment.

[0021] Fig. 1a and Fig. 1b show schematic representations of a first embodiment of the tolerance compensation element 1 according to the invention, wherein Fig. 1b a top view and Fig. 1a a sectional view (according to section line AA in Fig. 1b) shows.

[0022] The one-piece tolerance compensation element 1 comprises the front-side contact section 11 with the through hole 12, the threaded section 13 with an internal thread, the hollow cone-shaped cone section 15 and the two expansion sections 14.

[0023] The contact section 11 is intended for flat contact with a joining partner, and the through hole 12 is centered around the longitudinal axis Z of the threaded section 13, so that an inserted screw can be brought into threaded engagement with the internal thread of the threaded section 13.

[0024] The conical section 15 is hollow conical in shape and extends between the threaded section 13 and the spreading sections 14, wherein the longitudinal axis Z is common to the threaded section 13 and the conical section 15.

[0025] The two expansion sections 14 are each beveled several times, such that they have a zigzag shape in some sections. The expansion sections 14 partially overlap the conical section 15 in an orthogonal projection onto a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis Z.

[0026] The tolerance compensation element 1 is designed as a stamped and bent part with a deep-drawn portion, and Fig. Figure 2 shows a schematic plan view of the underlying sheet metal development part 5. This comprises the central, disc-shaped deep-drawn section 51, the two strip-shaped folded sections 52 extending from it, and the disc-shaped end sections 53 arranged at the end of both folded sections 52. The threaded section (13) and the conical section (15) have been formed in the deep-drawn section 51 by means of deep drawing and thread cutting. The folded sections 52 are folded along the folding lines 55, so that the spreading sections (14) are formed with a zigzag shape. By folding the folded sections 52, the two end sections 53 come into flat contact with one another and form the contact section (11). The two through holes 54 are arranged in alignment with one another and centered around the longitudinal axis (Z) of the threaded section (13).

[0027] Fig. 3 shows a schematic plan view of the first embodiment of the tolerance compensation element 1 arranged on the first component 2, and Fig. 4a to Fig. 4c show corresponding sectional views (corresponding to the section line BB in Fig. 3) of the joining arrangement with the second component 3 in the inventive construction of the screw connection 100 with automatic tolerance compensation. The first component 2 can be designed, in particular, as a housing of a lighting device, and the second component 3 as a body part of a motor vehicle.

[0028] The tolerance compensation element 1 is received on the first component 2 in the pocket-like mounting interface 21, wherein the mounting interface 21 has the two grooves 22 as a means for securing the tolerance compensation element 1 against rotation, for which purpose the spreading sections 14 are received in the grooves 22.

[0029] After the first component 2 and the second component 3 have been brought into the joining arrangement shown, a joining gap with tolerances exists between the top side of the mounting interface 21 and the bottom side of the second component 3, which is bridged by the tolerance compensation element 1. For this purpose, the shaft of the screw 4 is inserted through the bore on the second component 3 and through the through hole 12 in the contact section 11 and screwed into the threaded section 13 until the Fig. 4a, in which the head of the screw 4 rests on the washer on the second component 3.

[0030] When screwing the screw 4 further into the threaded section 13, the entire tolerance compensation element 1 is pulled section by section out of the mounting interface 21 until the joint gap is bridged and the contact section 11 rests against the second component 3 ( Fig. 4b).

[0031] In the subsequent second phase of the screwing-in process, the threaded section 13 and the conical section 15 are brought closer to the blocked contact section 11 along the longitudinal axis Z, whereby the conical section 15 comes into physical contact with two "prongs" of the expansion sections 14 and successively deforms them while expanding. In the process, the expansion sections 14 come into physical contact with the mounting interface 21 in the groove bases, thereby forming a frictional connection. The mounting interface 21, which is typically made of a plastic, can also be locally pressed or cut into by the tolerance compensation element 1, which is in particular metallic, so that a positive connection is created. The screwing-in process is completed at the latest when the threaded section 13 rests on the underside of the contact section 11. This completes the Fig. 4c, in which the tolerance compensation element 1 has automatically bridged the joint gap between the first component 2 and the second component 3 during the screwing in of the screw 4.

[0032] Fig. 5a and Fig. 5b show schematic sectional views of the joining arrangement in the inventive construction of a screw connection 100 with a second embodiment of the tolerance compensation element 1 according to the invention (analogous to the representations in Fig. 4a or Fig. 4c), and Fig. 6 shows a schematic plan view of the underlying sheet metal development part 5. In contrast to the first embodiment, the second embodiment does not have a conical section, but rather the threaded section 13 merges directly into the expansion sections 14. The expansion sections 14 each have a plurality of claws 16, which cut into the bases of the groove 22 during the second phase of the screwing-in process when the expansion sections are expanded, so that in the final screw connection 100, positive-locking connections are present between the tolerance compensation element 1 and the mounting interface 21 ( Fig. 5b).

[0033] The claws 16 are formed by bending the claw sections 56 by approximately 90°, starting from the underlying sheet metal development part 5. Advantageously, the claw sections 56 are bent by less than 90°, such that the expansion sections 14 in the area of ​​the claws 16 are somewhat wider than the cross-section of the groove 22. In this case, the claws 16 are deformed, particularly elastically, at the grooves 22 when the tolerance compensation element 1 is inserted into the mounting interface 21, resulting in a clamping effect that pre-fixes the tolerance compensation element 1 in such a way that it is secured against unintentional falling out during further handling, for example, when the first component 2 is moved into the joining arrangement relative to the second component 3. List of reference symbols 1 tolerance compensation element 11 Annex section 12 through holes 13 Threaded section 14 Spreading section 15 Cone section 16 claws 2 first component 21 Mounting interface 22 grooves 3 second component 4 screw 41 Washer 5 Sheet metal development part 51 deep-drawing section 52 bending section 53 final section 54 through hole 55 Bending line 56 claw section 100 screw connections AA cutting line BB cutting line Z longitudinal axis 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 2016 106 006 A1

[0003]

Claims

[1] Tolerance compensation element (1) for a screw connection (100) between a first component (2) and a second component (3) by means of a screw (4), in particular for a screw connection between a housing of a lighting device and a body part of a motor vehicle, wherein the tolerance compensation element (1) is provided for receiving in a pocket-like mounting interface (21) of the first component (2) and comprises at least the following sections: - a front-side contact section (11) for flat contact with the second component (3), wherein the contact section (11) has a through hole (12) for the passage of the shaft of the screw (4), - a threaded portion (13) with an internal thread for engagement with the thread of the screw (4), and - at least two expansion sections (14) which extend between the contact section (11) and the threaded section (13), wherein the expansion sections (14) can be deformed by screwing the screw (4) into the threaded section (13) when the contact section (11) bears against the second component (3) while expanding, such that frictional and / or positive-locking connections can be formed between the expansion sections (14) and the mounting interface (21). [2] Tolerance compensation element (1) according to claim 1, characterized by that the tolerance compensation element (1) is formed in one piece. [3] Tolerance compensation element (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by in that the tolerance compensation element (1) comprises a conical section (15) which is hollow conical and extends between the threaded section (13) and the spreading sections (14), wherein the threaded section (13) and the conical section (15) have a common longitudinal axis (Z). [4] Tolerance compensation element (1) according to claim 3, characterized by that the spreading sections (14) partially cover the conical section (15) in an orthogonal projection onto a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (Z). [5] Tolerance compensation element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the spreading sections (14) are each bevelled. [6] Tolerance compensation element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the spreading sections (14) are each bent several times in such a way that they have a zigzag-shaped course at least in sections. [7] Tolerance compensation element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the spreading sections (14) each have at least one claw (16) which is provided for cutting into the mounting interface (21) to form positive connections. [8] Tolerance compensation element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the tolerance compensation element (1) is designed as a stamped and bent part with a deep-drawn portion. [9] Tolerance compensation element (1) according to claim 8, characterized by that a sheet metal development part (5) underlying the tolerance compensation element (1) comprises at least the following sections: - a central, disc-shaped deep-drawn section (51) for forming the threaded section (13) and / or the conical section (15), - at least two strip-shaped folded sections (52) extending from the deep-drawn section (51) for forming the spreading sections (14), and - disc-shaped or plate-shaped end sections (53) arranged at the end of each bending section (52) to form the contact section (11). [10] Method for constructing a screw connection (100) with automatic tolerance compensation between a first component (2) and a second component (3), comprising at least the following steps: - Providing a tolerance compensation element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, - Providing the first component (2) with a pocket-like mounting interface (21) for receiving the tolerance compensation element (1), wherein the mounting interface (21) has means for securing the tolerance compensation element (1) against rotation, in particular grooves (22) for receiving the expansion sections (14), - Inserting the tolerance compensation element (1) into the mounting interface (21), - placing the first component (2) and the second component (3) in a joining arrangement, - inserting the shaft of a screw (4) through a hole in the second component (3) and through the through hole (12) in the contact section (11) of the tolerance compensation element (1), - screwing the screw (4) into the threaded section (13) of the tolerance compensation element (1) until the contact section (11) rests against the second component (3), and - further screwing in the screw (4) while spreading the expansion sections (14) and forming frictional and / or positive connections between the expansion sections (14) and the mounting interface (21), in particular until the threaded section (13) rests against the contact section (11). [11] Method according to claim 10, characterized by that the first component (2) is designed as a housing of a lighting device and the second component (3) is designed as a body part of a motor vehicle.

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