WASHER FOR COVERING OBlong HOLES

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a washer for covering elongated holes, in particular an asymmetrical, elongated or oval washer for (completely) covering elongated holes. The invention further relates to a method for covering elongated holes with such a washer and to an assembly, in particular a metal structure, in which elongated holes have been covered by such a method.

[0002] Slotted holes are often used to compensate for tolerances in assembly assemblies. This offers the advantage of reducing the manufacturing accuracy of the workpieces and preventing deformations, e.g. . by heat, which can be compensated for during construction.

[0003] Depending on the length of the slot, however, it may be difficult to completely cover it with standardized washers. This not only represents a visual flaw, but also has the technical disadvantage of potentially increasing surface pressure.

[0004] Symmetrically designed special washers must be relatively large to completely cover a long slotted hole and therefore require a correspondingly large installation space. For example, a standard washer according to ISO 7089 (outer diameter approximately twice the screw diameter) can only cover relatively short slots whose length is no more than 1.5 times the width. Considering a washer according to ISO 7093 (outer diameter approximately three times the screw diameter), the slotted hole should not be longer than twice its width.

[0005] Previously, correspondingly large slots were either not completely covered or very large discs were used, which required a correspondingly large amount of space.

[0006] DE 2901322 A1 describes a cover plate for an elongated hole in a component, with a round hole for the passage of a screw bolt passing through the elongated hole, characterized in that it has an elongated shape and the hole is arranged eccentrically in the longitudinal direction.

[0007] US 5,024 85 A relates to a housing coupling mechanism comprising a first housing whose first end abuts a second housing. The first housing includes a plurality of slots extending around the housing periphery and spaced apart from one another and arranged from the first end of the housing. The second housing includes a plurality of projections, each projection configured for coupling a fastener. Each fastener comprises a screw or threaded shaft and an associated plate that can be positioned to engage one of the slots in the first housing.

[0008] US 2007 / 104556 A1 discloses a fastening arrangement suitable for adaptation between at least two elements. A bolt comprises a head, a shank extending axially from the head, and a threaded portion extending axially from the shank. A first cam disc is non-rotatably attached to the shank of the bolt in a position adjacent to the head of the bolt. A second cam disc is non-rotatably attached to the shank of the bolt in a position adjacent to the threaded portion of the bolt. A threaded portion of a nut is threaded onto the threaded portion of the bolt, and a skirt portion of the nut displaces the second cam disc when the nut is tightened onto the bolt.

[0009] It is an object of the present invention to provide an alternative, more comfortable washer and a method for using such a washer, which avoids the disadvantages described above.

[0010] This object is achieved by a washer according to patent claim 1, a method according to patent claim 8 and an assembly according to patent claim 10.

[0011] A washer according to the invention for covering oblong holes comprises a washer body and a bore in the washer body, wherein the bore is arranged asymmetrically in the washer body with respect to a rotation on the washer body about its center point. This means that the center of the bore is next to the center of the washer. In the case of a round bore, this is therefore arranged eccentrically on the washer; in the case of an oblong hole as a bore, the center of the oblong hole is next to the center of the washer. The center of the washer is still in the area of ​​the bore (just not in its center). The asymmetry is of course not microscopically small, but larger than a manufacturing tolerance.

[0012] A method according to the invention for covering a slot in a component by means of a washer according to the invention comprises the following steps: Place the washer over the slotted hole and insert a cylindrical fastener (preferably a screw or rivet) through the washer hole and through the slotted hole. The fastener can be pushed through the washer first and then positioned over the slotted hole, or the washer can be placed over the slotted hole and the fastener pushed through the hole and slotted hole. Align the fastener in the slotted hole to a predetermined fastening position.

[0013] This fastening position depends on the type of structure for which the slot is used. In one structure, the fastener will be located at a position in the slot that is predetermined by the structure or the parts to be connected. Therefore, a "predetermined fastening position" exists. Alignment of the washer in an overlap position in which the slotted hole is completely covered, whereby in the event that it is not possible to cover the slotted hole in one orientation, the washer is rotated 180° around the fastening element.

[0014] The washer is then moved over the slotted hole until the slotted hole is completely covered. This can also be achieved by simply rotating the washer 180° around the fastener (i.e., around the surface normal of the slotted hole). If the washer has a slotted hole as a bore, the washer can also be moved along this long bore. Fasten the fastener so that the washer is clamped in the overlap position over the slotted hole.

[0015] Now the fastener is properly secured with the washer, i.e. screwed in the case of a screw and riveted in the case of a rivet.

[0016] The bore of the washer is preferably an elongated hole and preferably an additional, in particular round, washer is placed over the bore of the washer in such a way that the bore of the washer is completely covered.

[0017] Regarding the method, it should be noted that the invention depends on the covering of the elongated hole. Typically, however, two components are joined together, one of which has the elongated hole. With this method, it should be noted that an additional component is attached to the component containing the elongated hole using the fastening element. Typically, the additional component has a round hole, which can be covered with a simple round (additional) washer according to the state of the art.In the event that the additional component also has a slot, it is of course possible to use the method presented here with a washer according to the invention on each side of the connection, i.e., a first washer over the first slot and a second washer over the second slot, positioned according to the position of the respective slot, so that both slots are fully covered. The cross-section of the construction would then look as follows: first washer, first component with first slot, second component with second slot, second washer.

[0018] It is clear that the method is not applicable to oblong holes with dimensions that are much too large and washers with dimensions that are much too small. It is also clear that any hole can be covered with any washer, provided it is large enough. However, in practice, most oblong holes can be covered well and with minimal space requirements using a suitable washer according to the invention.

[0019] A mounting assembly according to the invention is preferably a metal structure, particularly preferably a rail vehicle, e.g., a locomotive or a railway carriage. The mounting assembly comprises at least one washer according to the invention, with at least two washers, namely at least one on each side of an elongated hole, being particularly preferred. This washer preferably covers an elongated hole of the mounting assembly, preferably over its entire surface. It can, in particular, have been attached using a method according to the invention, which can be noticed in practice in that the orientations of the washers depend on their position above the elongated hole.Such a mounting assembly has the advantage over the state of the art that, in addition to completely closing a slot and thus protecting it from environmental influences, it also ensures better mechanical strength, since the pressure of a fastening element can be directed over the entire edge of a slot.

[0020] Further, particularly advantageous embodiments and developments of the invention emerge from the dependent claims and the following description, wherein the claims of one claim category can also be developed analogously to the claims and description parts to form another claim category and, in particular, individual features of different embodiments or variants can be combined to form new embodiments or variants.

[0021] According to a preferred embodiment, the bore of the washer is formed as an elongated hole. The elongated hole has a length a and a width b, and a > b applies. It is preferred that the elongated hole has semicircular end regions, but it can theoretically also be rectangular (optionally with rounded corners). The ratio of length a to width b is preferably a / b ≤ 2, in particular a / b ≤ 1.5. It is preferred that the elongated hole is arranged mirror-symmetrically in the washer, preferably on its longitudinal axis.

[0022] The width of the hole in the washer should correspond to the width of the slotted hole to be covered and / or the diameter of the fastener to be used for fastening (slightly larger to allow the fastener to pass through the hole). While the slotted hole to be covered is not part of the invention, its dimensions are known, and a washer of the appropriate size simply needs to be used.

[0023] In contrast to a purely round hole, a slotted hole in the washer allows the washer to be moved over a slotted hole in a component along the shaft of a screw or rivet. This allows for more effective positioning than with a purely round hole, and the washer can be designed to be smaller and thus more space-efficient.

[0024] To ensure that the hole (in the form of an elongated hole) can be easily covered by a round (additional) washer, its length a should not exceed twice the width (i.e., the diameter of the hole). This allows covering with round (additional) washers according to ISO 7093 at any fastener position in the hole. If you want to use a round (additional) washer according to ISO 7089, the length should not exceed three-half the width.

[0025] According to a preferred embodiment, the washer is elongated, so that the length L of the washer is greater than its width B. This allows it to be manufactured with less material than a round (additional) washer and to cover an elongated hole in a more space-saving manner. It should be noted that to effectively cover an elongated hole with a width of y, a washer edge thickness of at most y on each side of the elongated hole is required (see ISO 7093 for the round case), and often an edge thickness of y / 2 is required (see ISO 7089 for the round case). If one considers a washer with a length L and a width B, L > 1.5B or preferably L < 3B is preferred. The upper dimension is only mentioned here, since most elongated holes are not excessively long and in practice almost all normal elongated holes can be covered within the preferred range of washer dimensions.

[0026] According to a preferred embodiment, the bore of the washer lies substantially on one half of the washer, but in any case more than 70%, in particular more than 80%, of the surface of the bore (e.g. of a slot) lies on one half of the washer. It is in accordance with the invention that part of the surface of the bore projects into the other side of the washer. The bore is positioned in the washer such that the center point (or better: the penetration point of the central longitudinal axis) of a screw that fits precisely into the bore, in any position in the bore, lies beyond the center point on the side of the washer on which the largest surface area of ​​the bore is located. The bore therefore projects, with regard to its longitudinal axis, no more than half the width of the bore into the other half. This means, for example,For an elongated hole with semicircular end sections with a radius of b / 2, the hole designed as an elongated hole should not protrude more than b / 2 into the other half of the washer (preferably less). With a hole arranged in this way, a washer can be made very small in relation to an elongated hole in a component and still cover the entire elongated hole, since the washer, as indicated above in the context of the method, can be rotated 180° above the elongated hole in order to effectively cover the elongated hole at any position of a screw in the elongated hole.

[0027] According to a preferred embodiment, the longitudinal axis of the bore with the length a (the bore again has the width b) lies on a longitudinal axis of the washer with the length L .This means that in an elongated washer the hole is arranged mirror-symmetrically to the longitudinal axis. Due to the asymmetric arrangement of the hole (with respect to the center of the washer, i.e. rotationally symmetrical asymmetry as required above), the washer has a shorter edge thickness with the length d on one side of the hole and a longer edge thickness with the length c on the opposite side of the hole along this longitudinal axis. The preferred value is c > 1.5 d. This means that if a round hole is dimensioned so that it has a width of 2d (i.e. the thinner edge of the washer is at least half the hole diameter, similar to an ISO 7089 washer, which would result in c > 3d), then the hole would protrude less than half beyond the center of the washer, e.g. a quarter of its diameter.A hole designed as an elongated hole with length a=c and width b=2d would extend over half of the washer with b / 2.

[0028] According to a preferred embodiment, which is based on a previous arrangement of the bore and the dimensions a, b (length and width of the bore) and c, d (width of the edges of the washer), the inner edge of the bore, which faces the longer edge thickness c, has a distance greater than 0.4(db) and / or less than 0.6(db), preferably of (db) / 2, from the center of the washer. This means that the edge of the bore can certainly protrude into the other half (if b>d), but also that the entire bore can lie beyond the centerline of the washer (if d>b). For most oblong holes, b>d is preferred, as this results in a very compact design of the washer and can cover a very large number of oblong holes.

[0029] According to a preferred embodiment, which is based on a previous arrangement of the bore and the dimensions a, b (length and width of the bore) and c, d (width of the edges of the washer), the length c of the longer edge thickness is: c ≥ a-b+2d. This results in a preferred washer with a length L (L=a+c+d if the bore lies on the longitudinal axis), which is very advantageously designed and can cover many elongated holes with minimal material expenditure (with a suitable washer width).

[0030] With an elongated washer and an asymmetrical design (with respect to rotation) with a relatively short elongated hole as the bore (e.g., completely coverable with a washer according to ISO 7089 or ISO 7093), complete coverage of elongated holes is possible at any tolerance level. The size of the washer and thus its space requirements can be reduced to a minimum. The installation position of the washer can be varied by rotating or sliding it as needed.

[0031] However, it should be noted again that for excessively long oblong holes, the washer should be dimensioned accordingly. Generally, for a hole with length a and width b, the edge thicknesses along the longitudinal axis (lengths c and d) should be selected such that c > 2d (or better, c > a-b+2d). To cover an oblong hole of length x, d > x / 2-a+b and c > x-a+b should be selected.

[0032] One advantage of the invention is that a slotted hole can be completely covered in any tolerance position, yet the dimensions of the disc can be reduced to a minimum. This improves both surface pressure and appearance.

[0033] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying figures using exemplary embodiments. In the various figures, identical components are provided with identical reference numerals. The figures are generally not to scale. They show: Figure 1 a preferred washer covering a slotted hole, in perspective view, Figure 2 multiple positions of a preferred washer over a slotted hole, Figure 3 the dimensions of a preferred washer, Figure 4 and Figure 5 the covering of a short slot with round washers according to the state of the art, Figure 6an example of a simple assembly in a perspective view.

[0034] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a preferred washer 1 according to the invention, which covers an elongated hole 3 in a component 2. The elongated hole 3 is covered over its entire surface and is therefore indicated by dashed lines. Even though it is clear that two components 2 are generally intended to be connected to one another using the screw 4 shown here as a fastening element 4, only one component 2 is shown here (the other could simply be hidden in perspective). In the perspective view, only the screw 4, the preferred washer 1, a standard round additional washer 5, and the component 2 are visible.

[0035] Figure 2shows several positions of a preferred washer 1 over a slotted hole 3, as it could be positioned using the method according to the invention. The view is now from the other side, as in Figure 1 shown, i.e. from the side of a component 2. one can see the shaft of the screw 4 and the elongated hole 3. The washer 1 is partially covered by the component here and is only visible through the elongated hole 3. Therefore, the outline of the washer 1 is shown here in dashed lines. However, the bore 6 in the washer 1 can be seen, which is shaped here as a short elongated hole so that it can be completely covered by means of a round additional washer 5 (covered by the component and washer according to the invention, indicated by dash-dotted lines in Figures A and B).

[0036] In Figure A, a screw 4 is located at the top end of the elongated hole 3. Here, as in the other figures, the washer 1 completely covers the elongated hole 3. The hole 6 is completely covered by the round additional washer 5.

[0037] In Figure B, a screw 4 is located in the upper half of the elongated hole 3. The washer 1 does not necessarily have to be moved relative to Figure A, as the hole 6 still allows this position of the screw 4. The hole 6 is also completely covered by the round additional washer 5 in this position of the screw 4. This also applies to the following figures, where the round additional washer 5 always covers the hole 6, but is no longer shown there.

[0038] In Figure C, a screw 4 is located in the center of the slotted hole 3. The washer 1 must be moved slightly downwards to completely cover the slotted hole 3.

[0039] In Figure D, a screw 4 is located in the center of the slotted hole 3. The washer 1 has been rotated 180° around the screw 4, starting from Figure C.

[0040] In Figure E, a screw 4 is located in the lower half of the elongated hole 3. The washer 1 has been moved slightly downwards for this purpose.

[0041] In Figure F, a screw 4 is located at the lowest end of the slotted hole 3. Here, too, the washer 1 completely covers the slotted hole 3, as in Figure A, only rotated by 180°.

[0042] It can be seen that in any position of the screw 4 in the slot 3, the slot can be completely covered by the washer 1.

[0043] Figure 3shows the dimensions of a preferred washer 1 with a washer body 1a and an elongated bore 6 in the washer body 1a. This bore 6 is arranged asymmetrically in the washer body 1a with respect to rotation on the washer body around its center point. Furthermore, the bore 6 is formed here as an elongated hole with a length a and a width b, where a / b is approximately 1.4. The washer 1 itself is also elongated, with the ratio between its length L and its width B (L / B) being 1.6.

[0044] The hole 6 lies essentially on one half of the washer 1 (indicated by dashed lines), but as can be seen, it does not protrude more than half the width b of the hole into the other half, but only approximately b / 4. The longitudinal axis of the hole 6 (here the axis designated a) with the length a lies on the longitudinal axis of the washer 1 with the length L (solid line). The asymmetrical arrangement of the hole 6 results in a shorter edge thickness on the washer 1 with the length d and a longer edge thickness with the length c, where c corresponds to approximately 2.1d. The inner edge of the hole 6 (here the left edge), which faces the longer edge thickness, has a distance of b > d greater than (db) / 2 from the center of the washer 1 (to the left since db<0). For the length c of the longer edge thickness, in this example c ≥ a-b+2d.

[0045] Figure 4 and Figure 5show the covering of a short slot 3 with round additional washers 5 according to the prior art. On the left is Figure 4 An additional washer 5 according to ISO 7089 with an outer diameter approximately twice the diameter of the bore. On the right is Figure 5 an additional washer 5 according to ISO 7093 with an outside diameter equal to three times the diameter of the bore.

[0046] The additional washers 5 are indicated once with a solid line and once with a dashed line. These are the two outermost positions that the additional washers 5 can assume to completely cover the respective elongated hole 3. For this purpose, the elongated hole 3 may not be longer than one and a half times the bore diameter b on the left and not longer than twice the bore diameter b on the right. With regard to the invention, the elongated hole 3 is an elongated bore 6 in a washer 1 according to the invention.

[0047] Figure 6shows an example of a simple mounting assembly 7 in a perspective view. The mounting assembly 7 is preferably a metal construction and can be many times more complex than shown, e.g. a metal tower or a rail vehicle. The mounting assembly 7 comprises, as can be seen, at least one washer 1 according to the invention, which preferably covers an elongated hole 3 of the mounting assembly 7 over its entire surface (therefore not shown here). A method according to the invention is preferred for the construction. Finally, it is pointed out again that the washers described in detail above, as well as the method, are merely exemplary embodiments which can be modified in a variety of ways by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention defined by the patent claims. Furthermore, the use of the indefinite articles "a" and "a" includes"One" does not exclude the possibility that the relevant features may be present multiple times. Likewise, terms such as "unit" do not exclude the possibility that the relevant components consist of several interacting subcomponents, which may also be spatially distributed.

Claims

1. Washer (1) for covering slots (3), comprising a disc body (1a) and a bore (6) in the disc body (1a), wherein the bore (6) is disposed in the disc body (1a) so as to be asymmetrical in terms of a rotation on the disc body (1a) about the centre of the latter, characterized in that the bore (6) by more than 70% lies on one half of the washer (1), and part of the area of the bore protrudes into the other side of the washer (1), wherein the bore (6) is positioned in the washer (1) in such a way that said bore (6) in terms of the longitudinal axis thereof does not protrude into the other half by more than half the width of the bore (6).

2. Washer according to Claim 1, wherein the bore (6) is shaped as a slot of which the length a and the width b are a > b, in particular having semicircular end regions, where preferably a / b ≤ 2, in particular a / b ≤ 1.5, wherein a longitudinal axis of the bore (6) with the length a and the width b lies on a longitudinal axis of the washer (1) with the length L, and as a result of the asymmetrical disposal of the bore (6) a shorter peripheral thickness of the washer (1) with the length d and a longer peripheral thickness of the washer (1) with the length c are present on this longitudinal axis, where c > 1.5 d.

3. Washer according to one of the preceding claims, which washer is shaped to elongate such that the length L of the washer (1) is greater than the width B of the latter.

4. Washer according to Claim 3, wherein preferably L > 1.5B and / or preferably L < 3B.

5. Washer according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the bore (6) lies substantially on one half of the washer (1) and the centre of the washer (1) lies in the region of the bore (6).

6. Washer according to one of Claims 2 to 5, wherein the inner periphery of the bore (6) that faces the longer peripheral thickness c has a spacing of more than 0.4(d-b) and less than 0.6(d-b), preferably of (d-b) / 2, from the centre of the washer (1).

7. Washer according to one of Claims 2 to 6, where the length c of the longer peripheral thickness is c ≥ a-b+2d.

8. Method for covering a slot (3) in a component (2) by means of a washer (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising the following method steps: - placing the washer (1) over the slot (3) and introducing a cylindrical fastening element (4) through the bore (6) of the washer (1) and through the slot (3); - aligning the fastening element (4) in the slot (3) to a predetermined fastening position; - aligning the washer (1) to an overlapping position in which the slot (3) is covered across the full area, wherein the washer (1), if an overlap with the slot (3) is not possible in one alignment, for this purpose is rotated by 180° about the fastening element (4); - fastening the fastening element (4) so that the washer (1) is clamped in the overlapping position above the slot (3).

9. Method according to Claim 8, wherein the bore (6) of the washer (1) is a slot, and additionally a further, in particular round, supplementary washer (5) is placed over the bore (6) of the washer (1) so that the bore (6) of the washer (1) is covered across the full area.

10. Assembly module (7), preferably a metal construction, particularly preferably a rail vehicle, comprising at least one washer (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 7, which preferably covers a slot (3) of the assembly module (7) across the full area and has in particular been attached by means of a method according to one of Claims 8 and 9.