System for compensating axial tolerances

Abstract

The invention relates to a system for compensating axial tolerances of an element, in particular an elongate element, comprising a component having a circumferential surface arranged to cooperate with the element along a main extension direction of the element, wherein the element is arranged at least partially in a guide, and wherein the element can be fixed by means of the component by a rotational movement thereof perpendicular to the main extension direction of the element.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a system for compensating axial tolerances.

[0002] The invention further relates to a component comprising a peripheral surface which can be arranged in cooperation with an element along a main extension direction of the element.

[0003] Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for producing a component.

[0004] Although generally applicable to systems for compensating axial tolerances, the following invention is explained using systems for compensating axial tolerances in automotive engineering.

[0005] Manual screw elements have become known for axial tolerance compensation of components in the automotive sector. These tolerance compensation elements are mounted on a first component and comprise a stop that is operatively connected to a screw. By turning the screw, the stop can be moved to a second component, so that it abuts the second component. In this way, an axial offset can be bridged.

[0006] A disadvantage of this is that these tolerance compensation elements can often only be operated from an unfavourable position when installed.

[0007] DE 10 2012 011 750 A1 also discloses a system for compensating tolerances. An eccentric screw is screwed into a thread. This allows tolerance compensation because the screw compensates for radial displacement in different directions, depending on the angle of rotation, while screwing into the thread.

[0008] The disadvantage is that the stop torque can only be adjusted to a limited extent. Another disadvantage is that the design is complex and expensive. Another disadvantage is that the screw has a thread, resulting in a non-uniform stop surface for the element to be compensated.

[0009] An object of the present invention is therefore to provide a system for compensating axial tolerances and a component that can be adjusted quickly and easily. A further object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing a component that can be carried out simply, quickly, and cost-effectively.

[0010] In one embodiment, the present invention achieves the above-mentioned objects with a system for compensating axial tolerances of a, in particular elongated, element, comprising a component having a circumferential surface arranged to cooperate with the element along a main extension direction of the element, wherein the element is arranged at least partially in a guide, and wherein the element can be fixed by means of the component by a rotational movement thereof perpendicular to the main extension direction of the element.

[0011] In one embodiment, the present invention achieves the above-mentioned objects with a component, in particular for use in a system according to one of claims 1-9, comprising a peripheral surface which can be arranged in cooperation with a, in particular elongate, element along a main extension direction of the element, wherein the element can be fixed by means of a rotational movement of the component perpendicular to the main extension direction of the element.

[0012] In one embodiment, the present invention achieves the above-mentioned objects with a method for producing a component according to claim 10, wherein the component is produced by injection molding.

[0013] One of the advantages achieved is that tolerances can be compensated, with an adjustable applied torque to compensate for system tolerances. Another advantage is that the system can be adjusted quickly. Another advantage is that the system is cost-effective to manufacture.

[0014] The expression "cooperatingly arranged along a main extension direction of the element" is to be understood in the broadest sense and refers, in particular in the claims, preferably in the description, to the element having a main extension that is arranged in particular along the longest extension of the element, wherein the component is arranged in particular on a surface of the element that intersects the main extension direction. In particular, the component is arranged on an end face of the element. The main extension direction of the element corresponds in particular to the axial direction of the element and / or the main extension direction of the guide. In order to introduce a rotational movement or a torque from the component into the element, any geometry, recessed and / or raised, with or without positive locking, is possible on the component and / or on the element.

[0015] Further features, advantages and further embodiments of the invention are described below or will become apparent thereby.

[0016] According to an advantageous development of the invention, the peripheral surface of the component is eccentrically designed. The component can be moved axially by means of the eccentrically designed peripheral surface. As long as the eccentric region of the peripheral surface does not rest against an end face of the element, no axial tolerances of the element are compensated. By rotating the component, the eccentric region of the peripheral surface can be rotated toward the element. The eccentric region of the peripheral surface presses against the element and moves it along the guide. One advantage of this is that an axial movement of the element can be easily provided by rotating the component.

[0017] According to a further advantageous development of the invention, a locking device is provided for preventing movement in an opposite circumferential direction for the component. In other words, the component can be rotated in a first circumferential direction, but rotation of the component in a second circumferential direction opposite to the first circumferential direction can be prevented. One advantage of this is that the component cannot be rotated in an undesired direction by the element. This prevents axial tolerances from becoming uncompensated.

[0018] According to a further advantageous development of the invention, the locking device has a latching device. The locking device can thus latch into place and prevent rotation of the component. In this way, a cost-effective locking device can be provided.

[0019] According to a further advantageous development of the invention, the locking device, in particular the locking device, is designed to provide at least a stepwise prevention of movements in the opposite circumferential direction of the component. One advantage of this is that a discrete movement of the component in the circumferential direction is enabled.

[0020] According to a further advantageous development of the invention, the locking device has locking teeth. For example, the locking device can be designed in the form of a clip having a plurality of teeth. The teeth can engage in corresponding recesses on the component and thus lock into place. The recesses are designed such that the teeth can be moved along the recesses in one direction of rotation, but not in the opposite direction. One advantage of this is that a locking device can be provided in a simple manner.

[0021] According to a further advantageous development of the invention, the component is rotatably secured in an opening of another component by means of a positive connection, in particular by means of a detachable connection, preferably by means of a clip connection. For example, the component can be inserted into the other component and locked there. It is also conceivable for a bearing to be provided on the component, which is secured to the other component, so that the component is rotatably mounted relative to the other component. One advantage of this is that the component can be easily secured to the other component.

[0022] According to a further advantageous development of the invention, the component has at least one predetermined breaking point. The component and the element can be connected to one another via the predetermined breaking point. During assembly, the predetermined breaking point can then break, allowing the element to be secured. Thus, the element and the component can be positioned together. One advantage of this is that arranging the element and the component on the further element is simplified.

[0023] According to a further advantageous development of the invention, a torque limiter is provided. For example, the eccentric region of the peripheral surface of the component could have a predetermined breaking point, so that the eccentric region of the peripheral surface can break off at a high applied torque. It is also conceivable for the connection between the component and the further component to be released at a defined torque. This prevents an undesirably high force from acting on the element and thus damaging it.

[0024] Further important features and advantages of the invention emerge from the subclaims, from the drawings and from the associated description of the figures.

[0025] It is understood that the features mentioned above and those to be explained below can be used not only in the combination specified in each case, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0026] Preferred embodiments and embodiments of the present invention are illustrated in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the following description.

[0027] It shows in schematic form Fig. 1a a system according to an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 1b shows the compensated tolerance system according to an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 a component according to an embodiment of the present invention; and Fig. 3 a system in the assembled state according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Fig. Figure 1a shows in schematic form a system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] The system 1 comprises a component 2 and an element 3. The component 2 has a circular shape, which has an eccentric region 4 of a circumferential surface 13, wherein the eccentric region 4 of the circumferential surface 13 is rounded. The component 2 can, in particular, have an egg-shaped cross-section. A recess 5 is formed in the component 2, here in the form of a hexagon. The component 2 can be rotated, for example by inserting a pin (not shown) into the recess 5 and then rotating it. On one of the sides 6 opposite the eccentric region 4 of the circumferential surface 13, teeth 7 are arranged, which can engage in a locking device 18. By means of the locking device 18, the component 2 can be rotated in the circumferential direction 11a (in Fig. 1 clockwise), but not counter to the circumferential direction 11a in the direction of an opposite circumferential direction 11b. For this purpose, the locking device 18 can be pressed against the teeth 7 of the component 2, for example by a spring or an elastic material, wherein the teeth 7 are designed such that they can overcome a restoring force of the locking device 18 upon rotation of the component 2 in the circumferential direction 11a, but not upon rotation of the component 2 counter to the circumferential direction 11a in the direction of the opposite circumferential direction 11b.

[0030] It is also conceivable to design system 1 without element 3 or the vertical main extension direction, and to provide tolerance compensation directly on the counterpart or the associated installation space using an eccentric. Additionally, instead of element 3, a lever with a joint can be designed, for example in the form of a plunger.

[0031] The component 2 is further arranged on the element 3. The element 3 is elongated with a round cross-section and, in particular, has the shape of a rod. The element 3 is held by a guide 8, which allows movement of the element 3 in an axial direction 9, but prevents movement of the element 3 in a radial direction, i.e., perpendicular to the axial direction 9. The axial direction 9 corresponds to the main extension direction 9 of the element 3, since the extension of the element 3 is greatest in this direction.

[0032] The element 3 can have a tolerance 23 with respect to a stop 10, although the exact size of the tolerance 23 can be unknown. In order to compensate for this tolerance 23, the component 2 can be rotated in the circumferential direction 11a. The axis of rotation 24 for the rotation in the circumferential direction 11a is in particular perpendicular to the main direction of extension 9 of the element 3. As a result, the eccentric region 4 of the circumferential surface 13 is rotated in the direction of the element 3 until the eccentric region 4 of the circumferential surface 13 abuts or makes contact with the element 3, in particular with an end face 21 of the element 3. If the component 2 is rotated further in the circumferential direction 11a, the eccentric region 4 of the circumferential surface 13 moves the element 3 in the direction of the stop 10 until the element 3 abuts the stop 10. The guide 8 ensures that the element 3 only moves in the axial direction 9.In this way, the axial tolerance 23 of element 3 is compensated. Thus, the system 1 compensates for an axial tolerance 23 of element 3 by rotating the component 2. Such an arrangement, in which the axial tolerance 23 is compensated, is shown in . Fig. 1b shown.

[0033] The tolerance 23 that can be compensated by the component 2 can depend on the shape and size 22 of the eccentric region 4 of the circumferential surface 13. The size 22 of the eccentric region 4 of the circumferential surface 13 corresponds to the extension between the eccentric region 4 of the circumferential surface 13 and the rotation axis 24 of the component 2.

[0034] When the eccentric region 4 of the circumferential surface 13 presses against the element 3, a force is applied to the element 3. This force depends on a torque applied to the component 2 during the rotation of the component 2. To limit the force acting on the element 3, a torque limiter can be provided, which prevents an excessive torque from acting on the component 2 and thus an excessive force from being exerted on the element 3.

[0035] For example, the recess 5 could be made of a material that yields or breaks when a defined torque is applied, so that no more torque can be applied via the recess 5 than the desired level. It is also conceivable that the eccentric region 4 of the circumferential surface 13 deforms when an undesirably large torque is applied. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the locking device 18 is unlocked when an undesirably large torque is applied, so that the component 2 can rotate in the opposite direction to the direction of rotation 4.

[0036] Since the component 2 has to be rotated less than one revolution to compensate the tolerance, the compensation of the tolerance 23 can be done easily and quickly.

[0037] Element 3 and component 2 can - as in Fig. 1a, are initially connected by a connecting piece 12, wherein the connecting piece 12 is designed as a predetermined breaking point. The connecting piece 12 allows the element 3 and the component 2 to be assembled together. The component 3 can then be rotated to compensate for the axial tolerances 23 of the element 3. In the process, the connecting piece 12 breaks in the predictable manner, thus releasing the connection between the element 3 and the component 2.

[0038] Fig. 2 shows a device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] The component 2 has a circumferential surface 13 which is eccentrically formed due to the eccentric region 4. When the component 2 is rotated along the circumferential direction 11a, the circumferential surface 13 of the eccentric region 4 can be pressed against an element (not shown in Fig. 2), especially one end face of the element, in order to move it.

[0040] On a lower side, a fastening device, here in the form of a clip 14, is arranged, with which the component 2 can be attached to another component (not shown in Fig. 2). For this purpose, the clip 14 has two legs 15a, 15b, which have a cross-sectional enlargement 17 in an end region 16. By pressing the legs 15a, 15b together, the clip 14 can be inserted into an opening and secured there. The legs 15a, 15b can then be moved back to their original position. The cross-sectional enlargement 17 then prevents the component 2 from being pulled out of the opening.

[0041] In the component 2 according to Fig. 2, the teeth 7 are arranged in an elevated position compared to the circumferential surface 13, ie the teeth 7 do not extend in the axial direction over the entire circumferential surface 13, but only over a part, for example 50%. It is also conceivable that the teeth 7 are arranged directly on the circumferential surface 13.

[0042] The component 2 can, in particular, be manufactured in one piece. For example, it can be produced by extrusion or injection molding.

[0043] Fig. 3 shows a system in an assembled state according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] The system 1 comprising a component 2 and an element 3 is shown in an assembled state. Here, the clip 14 protrudes into an opening 19 of a further component 20. The cross-sectional enlargement 17 prevents the component 2 from being moved out of the opening 19. The clip 14 mounts the component 2 so that the component 2 is rotatable, in particular rotatable against the end face 21 of the element 3. It is possible for the further component 20 to have the stop 10, which defines the tolerance 23 with respect to the element 3. It is also conceivable for another further component (not shown) to have the stop 10.

[0045] The locking device 18 is arranged on the further component 20 and engages with the teeth 7 of the component 2. If the axial tolerance 23 is compensated, a restoring force can be exerted on the component 2 by the element 3, which could cause the component 2 to rotate backward. This is prevented by the engagement of the locking device 18 with the teeth 7 of the component 2.

[0046] In summary, the present invention has at least one of the following advantages and / or provides the following features: - Easy tolerance compensation. - Cheap production. - Torque limitation. - Fast compensation of tolerance.

[0047] Although the present invention has been described using preferred embodiments, it is not limited thereto but can be modified in many ways. List of reference symbols 1 system 2 Component 3 elements 4 eccentric area 5 Recess 6 Page 7 teeth 8 Guide 9 Main direction of extension 10 stops 11a Circumferential direction 11b Circumferential direction 12 connecting piece 13 Circumferential surface 14 clips 15a, 15b legs 16 End area 17 Cross-sectional enlargement 18 locking device 19 Opening 20 additional components 21 Front side 22 Size of the eccentric area 23 Tolerance 24 axis of rotation 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 2012 011 750 A1

[0007]

Claims

[1] System (1) for compensating axial tolerances (23) of a, in particular elongate, element (3), comprising a component (2) which has a circumferential surface (13) which is arranged to cooperate with the element (3) along a main extension direction (9) of the element (3), wherein the element (3) is arranged at least partially in a guide (8), and wherein the element (3) can be fixed by means of the component (2) by a rotational movement thereof perpendicular to the main extension direction (9) of the element (3). [2] System (1) according to claim 1, characterized by that the peripheral surface (13) of the component (2) is eccentric. [3] System (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that a locking device (18) is arranged to prevent movements in an opposite circumferential direction (11b) for the component (2). [4] System (1) according to claim 3, characterized bythat the locking device (18) has a locking device. [5] System (1) according to one of claims 3-4, characterized by that the locking device (18), in particular the latching device, is designed to provide at least step-by-step prevention of movements in the opposite circumferential direction (11b) of the component (2). [6] System (1) according to claim 5, characterized by that the locking device (18) has a locking toothing (7). [7] System (1) according to one of claims 1-6, characterized by that the component (2) is rotatably fixed in an opening of a further component (20) by means of a positive connection, in particular by means of a detachable connection, preferably by means of a clip connection (14). [8] System (1) according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized by that the component (2) has at least one predetermined breaking point (12). [9] System (1) according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized by that a torque limitation is provided. [10] Component (2), in particular for use in a system (1) according to one of claims 1-9, comprising a peripheral surface (13) which can be arranged in cooperation with a, in particular elongate, element (3) along a main extension direction (9) of the element (3), wherein the element (3) can be fixed by means of a rotational movement of the component (2) perpendicular to the main extension direction (9) of the element (3). [11] Method for producing a component (2) according to claim 10, characterized by that the component (2) is manufactured by injection molding.

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