TOLERANCE COMPENSATION DEVICE

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a tolerance compensation device comprising a base element, a compensation element which is in threaded engagement with the base element and which forms a passage extending in an axial direction for a screw element, a nut into which the screw element can be screwed, and a holding element with a first leg holding the base element, a second leg holding the nut and a connecting section connecting the first and second legs, wherein the first and second legs are spaced from one another to form a receiving gap for receiving a component.

[0002] In a known tolerance compensation device of this type, the nut is inserted into the second leg via a recess in the second leg, which is located in the region of a front end of the second leg facing away from the connecting section, in a direction transverse to the axial direction, thus being inserted radially into the second leg. Furthermore, the retaining element of this known tolerance compensation device is intended to have high rigidity and a low degree of deformability.

[0003] The document EP 3 789 621 A1 discloses a tolerance compensation device according to the preamble of claim 1. The documents DE 103 62 429 B3 and DE 10 2018 201 496 A1 disclose related devices.

[0004] The invention is based on the object of creating a tolerance compensation device of the type mentioned above, which is characterized by greater economic efficiency.

[0005] This object is achieved by a tolerance compensation device having the features of claim 1.

[0006] Advantageous embodiments of the invention can be found in the dependent claims, the description and the drawing.

[0007] According to one embodiment, the second leg encloses the nut in such a way that the nut can only be inserted into the second leg in the axial direction. The nut is therefore not inserted radially from the front into the second leg, i.e. the second leg does not need to be open at its front end facing away from the connecting section. Consequently, the nut cannot fall out of the second leg and get lost, e.g. during transport of the tolerance compensation device to its assembly location. For example, the nut can be inserted through the first leg, from above, so to speak, into the second leg. It goes without saying that the first leg must have a sufficiently large passage through which the nut can be guided. Ideally, the passage fulfills a dual function in that it serves to accommodate the base element after the nut has been inserted into the second leg.

[0008] According to a further embodiment, the second leg completely encloses the nut in a plane oriented perpendicular to the axial direction. This helps prevent the nut from radially falling out of the second leg or being removed.

[0009] The nut is guided in the second leg in such a way that it can only move in one direction within a plane extending perpendicular to the axial direction. In other words, the nut only has play in one direction, for example, the direction in which the tolerance compensation device is pushed onto the component. This makes it possible to compensate for tolerances in the positioning of a hole provided in the component for the screw element.

[0010] The tolerance compensation device is made even more cost-effective if the holding element is made of a plastic material.

[0011] The retaining element is constructed in several parts. Specifically, the connecting section is formed by two separate connecting sections, in particular, one connecting section merging into the first leg and the other connecting section merging into the second leg.

[0012] To better adapt the width of the receiving gap to the thickness of the component to be accommodated, the connecting sections are movable relative to each other, particularly unidirectionally, in the axial direction. For example, the connecting sections can be in contact with each other via a sawtooth locking mechanism.

[0013] According to a further embodiment, the tolerance compensation device has at least one securing element by means of which a component received in the receiving gap can be secured to the tolerance compensation device.

[0014] For example, a securing element can be arranged in the entrance area and / or a securing element can be arranged in the end area of the receiving gap. Furthermore, a securing element can extend from the first leg into the receiving gap and / or a securing element can extend from the second leg into the receiving gap.

[0015] The securing element can, for example, comprise a locking tongue which is designed to cooperate with a locking projection formed on the component and / or to cooperate with a surface section of the component and / or to engage in a locking opening formed in the component.

[0016] In particular, the locking tongue can be elastic and have a free end pointing toward the connecting section, so that the locking tongue is deflected by the locking projection of the component when the component is inserted into the receiving gap and can lock behind the locking projection when the component reaches an end position in the receiving gap. Alternatively or additionally, the free end of the locking tongue can lock into a locking opening of the component.

[0017] In addition, the locking tongue can be elastic and have a free end pointing toward the connecting portion, which, when the component is in an end position in the receiving gap, is deflected by a surface portion of the component. The deflected locking tongue presses the component in the axial direction, which can improve the effect of a securing element arranged on the opposite side of the component, for example, the interaction between a locking tongue arranged on the opposite side of the component and the locking projection of the component.

[0018] The securing element can also comprise a locking wedge designed to engage a locking opening in the component. In particular, the locking wedge can be elastic and / or have a profile tapering in the axial direction to facilitate insertion into the locking opening.

[0019] An insert can be attached to the component, which serves to interact with the locking tongue and / or the locking wedge.

[0020] The invention is described below purely by way of example using possible embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. They show: Fig. 1A is a longitudinal sectional view of a first embodiment of a tolerance compensation device not according to the invention; Fig. 1B is a longitudinal sectional view of the tolerance compensation device of Fig. 1A with the component accommodated therein; Fig. 1C a perspective view of the tolerance compensation device of Fig. 1A ; Fig. 1 Top view of a holding element of the tolerance compensation device of Fig. 1A ; Fig. 2A a perspective view of a second embodiment of a tolerance compensation device according to the invention; Fig. 2B a longitudinal sectional view of the tolerance compensation device of Fig. 2A ; Fig. 2C a detailed view of Fig. 2B ; Fig. 3A a perspective view of a third embodiment of a tolerance compensation device and a component to be accommodated therein; Fig. 3B a perspective rear view of the tolerance compensation device of Fig. 3A ; Fig. 3C a perspective rear view of the tolerance compensation device of Fig. 3A with the component accommodated therein; Fig. 3 Longitudinal sectional view of the tolerance compensation device and the component to be accommodated from Fig. 3A ; Fig. 3E a longitudinal sectional view of the tolerance compensation device of Fig. 3A with a component received therein; Fig. 4A a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a tolerance compensation device and a component to be received therein; Fig. 4B a longitudinal sectional view of the tolerance compensation device of Fig. 4A with the component accommodated therein; Fig. 4C a longitudinal sectional view of the tolerance compensation device of Fig. 4A with the component accommodated therein; Fig. 4 Longitudinal section view of a variant of the tolerance compensation device of Fig. 4A with a component received therein; Fig. 5A a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of a tolerance compensation device and a component to be received therein; Fig. 5B a longitudinal sectional view of the tolerance compensation device of Fig. 5A with the component accommodated therein; Fig. 5C a longitudinal sectional view of a variant of the tolerance compensation device of Fig. 5A with the component accommodated therein; Fig. 5 Longitudinal section view of another variant of the tolerance compensation device of Fig. 5A with the component accommodated therein; Fig. 5E a longitudinal sectional view of another variant of the tolerance compensation device of Fig. 5A with a component received therein; Fig. 6A a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of a tolerance compensation device and a component to be received therein; Fig. 6B a plan view of the tolerance compensation device of Fig. 6A with the component housed therein.

[0021] In Fig. 1A bis 1D A first embodiment of a tolerance compensation device 10 is shown, not according to the invention. The tolerance compensation device 10 comprises a hollow cylindrical base element 12, which forms an internal thread 14. A compensating element 16, which is also hollow cylindrical and has an external thread 18 for this purpose, is screwed into the base element 12. The longitudinal center axes of the internal thread 14 and the external thread 18 define an axial direction.

[0022] The compensation element 16 forms a passage 20 extending in the axial direction, through which a screw element not shown in the figures, for example a screw or a threaded bolt, can be passed in order to be screwed into a nut 22 of the tolerance compensation device 10.

[0023] The orientations of the internal thread 14 and the external thread 18 on the one hand, and the threads of the screw element and the nut 22 on the other hand, are designed to be opposite, so that the compensating element 16 rotates out of the base element 12 when the screw element is screwed into the nut 22 in order to bridge a gap between two components to be connected to one another. For example, the screw element and the nut 22 can each have a right-hand thread, while the internal thread 14 and the external thread 18 are left-hand threads, or vice versa. To transmit torque from the screw element to the compensating element 16, a spring element 24 is arranged in the passage 20 and is in force-locking engagement with the screw element extending through the passage 20 and with the compensating element 16.

[0024] Both the base element 12 and the nut 22 are held in a holding element 26 of the tolerance compensation device 10. The holding element 26 is formed integrally from a plastic material and has a first leg 28 for receiving the base element 12 and a second leg 30 for receiving the nut 22.

[0025] The first leg 28 and the second leg 30 are axially spaced from each other, forming a receiving gap 32, and are connected to each other by an axially extending connecting section 34. On a rear side of the connecting section 34 facing away from the legs 28, 30, a plurality of axially extending grooves 36 are formed to prevent unnecessary material accumulation. It is understood that these grooves 36 can also extend perpendicular to the axial direction or even run obliquely to it and intersect.

[0026] The receiving gap 32 serves to receive a component 38, for example a body panel or a support structure, which is to be connected to another component located above the compensating element 16 and not shown in the figures. The receiving gap 32 has a main region 32a extending substantially perpendicular to the axial direction and an end region 32b adjoining the main region 32a and adjacent to the connecting section 34. The end region 32b extends on both sides of the main region 32a in the axial direction, in Fig. 1A und 1B i.e. upwards and downwards, whereby the receiving gap 32, seen in longitudinal section, takes on the shape of a horizontal T. However, a receiving gap 32 in the shape of a horizontal L would also be conceivable, in which case the end region 32b, starting from the main region 32a, would extend axially only in one direction, ie either upwards or downwards.

[0027] The width of the main area 32a of the receiving gap 32 does not necessarily have to be constant. Thus, the main area 32a can extend towards the free ends of the legs 28, 30, Fig. 1A und 1B i.e., to the left, for example, to facilitate sliding the tolerance compensation device 10 onto the component 38. Furthermore, the main region 32a can also expand slightly toward the end region 32b. In any case, the maximum width of the main region 32a, i.e., the largest dimension of the main region 32a as seen in the axial direction, is significantly smaller than the maximum width of the end region 32b, i.e., the largest dimension of the end region 32b as seen in the axial direction. In particular, the maximum width of the end region 32b can be two to three times as large as the maximum width of the main region 32a.

[0028] The nut 22 is a hexagonal flange nut which is embedded in a corresponding hexagonal recess 40 of the second leg 30. Viewed in the plane of the second leg 30, the nut 22 is completely enclosed by the second leg 30, so that the nut 22 cannot fall out of the second leg 30 either forwards or backwards, or to the side. Falling out in the direction of the first leg 28, ie in Fig. 1A bis 1C upwards, is not possible because the maximum width of the receiving gap 32 in the area of the nut 22, ie the maximum width of the main area 32a, is smaller than the axial dimension of the nut 22.

[0029] Accordingly, the nut 22 can only be inserted into the recess 40 in the axial direction. Fig. 1A bis 1D In the embodiment shown, the nut 22 is embedded in the recess 40 before the base element 12 is inserted into the first leg 28, specifically through a receptacle 41 of the first leg 28 for the base element 12. It is understood that the receptacle 41 must be large enough for the nut 22 to fit through it. Only after the nut 22 has been embedded in the recess 40 is the base element 12 then inserted into the receptacle 41 and fixed therein in a form-fitting, force-fitting, or material-fitting manner, for example by clipping, locking, or gluing.

[0030] How Fig. 1D shows, the recess 40 is not formed in the form of a regular hexagon, but is somewhat stretched in a radial direction, more precisely in a direction from the connecting section 34 towards the free ends of the legs 28, 30, in Fig. 1D indicated by arrow 42. This allows a certain movement of the nut 22 in the direction of arrow 42, and only in this direction. The nut 22 therefore has some play in the recess 40 in the direction of arrow 42, which facilitates the alignment of the nut 22 with a bore 44 provided in the component 38 and the screw element, and thus the positioning of the tolerance compensation device 10 on the component 38 as a whole.

[0031] In Fig. 1A bis 1C The tolerance compensation device 10 is shown in an initial or transport state, in which the tolerance compensation device 10 is delivered to an assembly site. In this state, the compensation element 16 is almost completely screwed into the base element 12. To prevent the compensation element 16 from being screwed too far into the base element 12 and becoming blocked therein, the holding element 26 forms an end stop 46 ( Fig. 1D ), which limits the screwing-in movement of the compensating element 16. In addition, the holding element 26 forms a spring tongue 48 which engages with the compensating element 16 in the initial state in order to prevent the compensating element 16 from being accidentally unscrewed from the base element 12. The spring tongue 48 therefore forms a transport lock. It is understood that the spring tongue 48 is dimensioned such that the compensating element 16 can overcome the spring tongue 48 and detach itself from it when a sufficiently large torque is applied, in particular when the screw element is passed through the compensating element 16 and exerts a torque on the compensating element 16 via the spring element 24 when screwed into the nut 22.

[0032] In Fig. 2A bis 2C a second embodiment of a tolerance compensation device 10 according to the invention is shown, which differs from the first embodiment described above essentially in the design of the holding element 26.

[0033] Thus, the first leg 28 of the holding element 26 of the second embodiment forms the base element 12 itself, ie the compensating element 16 is directly in threaded engagement with the first leg 28 of the holding element 26.

[0034] Secondly, the holding element 26 of the second embodiment is formed in two parts. More precisely, the connecting section 34 here is composed of a first connecting section 34a and a separate second connecting section 34b, with the first connecting section 34a merging into the first leg 28 and the second connecting section 34b merging into the second leg 30.

[0035] The first connecting section 34a and the second connecting section 34b engage via a sawtooth locking mechanism 50, which allows the first connecting section 34a and the second connecting section 34b to be displaced unidirectionally in the axial direction relative to one another, namely such that the legs 28, 30 are moved toward one another. Thus, the legs 28, 30 can be spaced apart at a maximum distance in a pre-assembled state and, after the tolerance compensation device 10 has been pushed onto the component 38, can be pushed together until the component 38 is received in the receiving gap 32 without play. In this way, the width of the receiving gap 32 can be easily adapted to components 38 of different thicknesses.Depending on the specific design of the connecting sections 34a, 34b and the sawtooth locking 50 provided thereon, the width of the receiving gap 32 can be varied, for example, in a range from 0 mm to 5 mm or even beyond.

[0036] In Fig. 3A bis 3E a third embodiment of a tolerance compensation device 10 is shown, which differs from the first embodiment in that the connecting section 34 of the holding element 26 is not formed as a solid wall here, but rather by two parallel spaced connecting webs 52, which define a window 54 between them, which provides access to the receiving gap 32 from the rear of the tolerance compensation device 10.

[0037] On the other hand, the Fig. 3A bis 3E The third embodiment of the tolerance compensation device 10 shown differs from the first embodiment in that a securing element is provided for securing the component 38 received in the receiving gap 32.

[0038] The securing element is, for example, an elastic locking tongue 56 which protrudes from the first leg 28 and extends obliquely downwards into the end region 32b of the receiving gap 32 in the direction of the connecting section 34, more precisely in the direction of the window 54.

[0039] Accordingly, in the region of the front end of the component 38 intended for insertion into the receiving gap 32, a locking projection 58 is formed which faces the locking tongue 56, ie points upwards in the direction of the first leg 28.

[0040] The locking tongue 56 and the locking projection 58 are adapted to one another in such a way that the locking tongue 56 is deflected in the direction of the first leg 28 by the locking projection 58 when the component 38 is inserted into the receiving gap 32, i.e. upwards in the figures, and, as soon as the component 38 reaches its end position in the receiving gap 32, i.e. is completely received in the tolerance compensation device 10, snaps back behind the locking projection 58 in order to engage behind it and thereby secure the component 38 against unintentional movement out of the tolerance compensation device 10.

[0041] In this state, the front end region of the component 38 forming the locking projection 58 projects into the window 54 defined by the connecting webs 52.

[0042] In Fig. 4A bis 4D Variants of a fourth embodiment of a tolerance compensation device 10 are shown, which differs from the second embodiment described above essentially in that, in addition to the already mentioned first locking tongue 56, it comprises a second locking tongue 57 which protrudes from the second leg 30 and extends in the direction of the connecting section 34, more precisely in the direction of the window 54, obliquely upwards into the end region 32b of the receiving gap 32, so that when the component 38 is inserted into the receiving gap 32, it is deflected in the direction of the second leg 30, i.e. downwards in the figures.

[0043] Depending on the design of the component 38, the deflected second locking tongue 57 can thus press the component in the axial direction towards the first leg 28, in Fig. 4B i.e. upwards, whereby the interaction between the first locking tongue 56 and the locking projection 58 of the component 38 and consequently the securing of the component 38 in the tolerance compensation device 10 is improved.

[0044] Alternatively, the component 38 can be Fig. 4C shown have a locking opening 60 into which the second locking tongue 57 can engage for additional securing of the component 38 in the tolerance compensation device 10.

[0045] Furthermore, at least one insert 66 can be attached to the component 38 ( Fig. 4D ). The insert 66 may have a substantially U-shaped cross-sectional profile, comprising a base and two opposing side walls of equal or different lengths, which are connected to the base at substantially right angles. The insert 66 may be made of metal or plastic.

[0046] The insert 66 can be dimensioned such that one side wall protrudes into a locking opening 60 of the component 38 and the other side wall into the bore 44 of the component 38, while the base of the insert 66 rests on an upper side of the component 38. The insert 66 thus ensures a regional increase in the thickness of the component 38, which on the one hand leads to a stronger clamping of the component 38 in the tolerance compensation device 10 and on the other hand promotes the locking of the second locking tongue 57 in the locking opening, thereby further improving the securing of the component 38 in the tolerance compensation device 10.

[0047] In Fig. 5A bis 5E Variants of a fifth embodiment of a tolerance compensation device 10 are shown, which differs from the second and third embodiments described above essentially in that the securing element comprises a locking wedge 62, 63. In particular, the securing element can comprise a first locking wedge 62, which protrudes from the first leg 28 and extends downwards into the receiving gap 32 in the drawings ( Fig. 5A und 5B ), or a second locking wedge 63, which protrudes from the second leg 30 and extends upwards into the receiving gap 32 in the drawings ( Fig. 5C ). A variant is also conceivable which has both such a first locking wedge 62 and such a second locking wedge 63 ( Fig. 5D ).

[0048] The respective locking wedge 62, 63 is designed to engage in a locking opening 60 formed in the component 38 and / or to cooperate with an insert 66 attached to the component 38.

[0049] In particular, the respective locking wedge 62, 63 can be flexible and have a cross-sectional profile which tapers downwards or upwards starting from the first leg 28 or from the second leg 20, respectively, wherein a straight side surface of the locking wedge 62 is located on a side of the locking wedge 62, 63 facing the connecting section 34 and an oblique side surface of the locking wedge 62, 63 is located on a side of the locking wedge 62, 63 facing away from the connecting section 34, ie on a side facing the entrance region of the receiving gap 32. In addition, the locking wedge 62, 63 can be designed such that a substantial part of the locking wedge 62, 63 projects into the receiving gap 32, so that as soon as the component 38 reaches its end position in the receiving gap 32, a section of the straight side surface of the locking wedge 62, 63 and a section of a side wall of the locking opening 60 are in contact.This enables particularly reliable securing of the component 38 in the receiving gap 32 of the tolerance compensation device 10.

[0050] The flexibility of the locking wedge 62, 63 and / or the volume portion of the locking wedge 62, 63 which projects into the receiving gap 32 are or is preferably selected such that both a problem-free insertion of the component 38 into the receiving gap 32 and also a secure wedging between the locking opening 60 and the locking wedge 62, 63 can be ensured.

[0051] In a case in which an insert 66 as described above is attached to the component 38, the locking wedge 62, 63 can have a notch on its side facing the connecting section 34, which has a cross-sectional profile widening in the direction of the receiving gap 32 ( Fig. 5E ). More specifically, the notch comprises a side surface facing the connecting portion 34 and a side surface facing away from the connecting portion 34.

[0052] Accordingly, when the component 38 reaches its final position in the receiving gap 32, a portion of the side surface of the notch facing the connecting portion 34 and a surface portion of the side wall of the insert 66 located in the locking opening 60 can be in contact, and a portion of the side surface of the notch facing away from the connecting portion 34 and a surface portion of the base of the insert 66 can be in contact. The previously described stronger clamping of the component 38 in the tolerance compensation device 10 by attaching the insert 66 to the component 38 and the additional wedging between the insert 66 and the locking wedge 62, 63 enables an even more secure fixation of the component 38 in the receiving gap 32 of the tolerance compensation device 10.

[0053] In particular, the notch can have an asymmetrical cross-sectional profile, i.e., an angle between the axial direction and the side surface facing the connecting section 34 can be smaller than an angle between the axial direction and the side surface facing away from the connecting section 34. In other words, the side surface facing away from the connecting section 34 can be flatter than the side surface facing the connecting section 34. This enables easier insertion of the component 38 into the receiving gap 32. In addition, when the component 38 is engaged in the receiving gap 32, the contact area between the notch and the insert 66 can be enlarged, which in turn ensures improved wedging between the insert 66 and the locking wedge 62, 63.

[0054] In Fig. 6A und 6B a sixth embodiment of a tolerance compensation device 10 is shown, which differs from the second embodiment described above essentially in that the two parallel spaced connecting webs 52, which define a window 54 between them, form a securing element.

[0055] Accordingly, in the region of the front end of the component 38 intended for insertion into the receiving gap 32, a locking anchor 64 pointing in the direction of the insertion movement is formed. More precisely, the locking anchor 64 protrudes essentially perpendicularly from an end face of the component 38. Viewed in the axial direction, i.e., viewed in a plan view of the component 38, the locking anchor 64 can have an essentially T-shaped cross-sectional shape, which comprises a longitudinal section protruding perpendicularly from the end face of the component 38 and an adjoining transverse section extending perpendicular to the longitudinal section and parallel to the end face.

[0056] The locking anchor 64 and the two spaced-apart connecting webs 52 are adapted to one another in such a way that when the component 38 is inserted into the receiving gap 32, more precisely when the locking anchor 64 is inserted into the window 54 formed by the connecting webs 52, the transverse section of the locking anchor 64 pushes the connecting webs 52 apart. As soon as the component 38 reaches its end position in the receiving gap 32, i.e., is completely received in the tolerance compensation device 10, the connecting webs 52 snap back into their original position behind the transverse section and engage behind the transverse section of the locking anchor 64, thereby securing the component 38 in the tolerance compensation device 10.

[0057] In order to facilitate the pushing apart of the two spaced connecting webs 52 of the connecting section 34 during the insertion of the component 38 into the receiving gap 32, the transverse section is rounded at its transverse ends.

[0058] Furthermore, the larger the transverse dimension of the transverse section of the locking anchor 64 and / or the less flexible the spaced connecting webs 52 are, the greater the force required to push the locking anchor 64 between the connecting webs 52. The maximum width of the transverse section of the locking anchor 64 and the flexibility of the connecting webs 52 are therefore preferably selected to ensure both problem-free insertion of the component 38 into the tolerance compensation device and secure anchoring of the locking anchor 64 to the connecting section 34.

[0059] It is understood that the various security elements described above can be implemented individually or in any combination with one another. Bezugszeichenliste

[0060] 10Tolerance compensation device 12Base element 14Internal thread 16Compensation element 18External thread 20Through 22Nut 24Spring element 26Holding element 28First leg 30Second leg 32Receiving gap 32aMain area 32bEnd area 34Connecting section 34aFirst connecting section 34bSecond connecting section 36Groove 38Component 40Recess 41Receptacle 42Arrow 44Borehole 46End stop 48Spring tongue 50Sawtooth locking 52Connecting web 54Window 56First locking tongue 57Second locking tongue 58Locking projection 60Locking opening 62First locking wedge 63Second locking wedge 64Locking anchor 66Insert

Claims

1. A tolerance compensation apparatus (10) comprising a base element (12); a compensation element (16) which is in threaded engagement with the base element (12) and which forms a passage (20) extending in an axial direction for a screw element; a nut (22) into which the screw element can be screwed; and a holding element (26) having a first limb (28) holding the base element (12), a second limb (30) holding the nut, and a connection section (34) connecting the first and second limbs (28, 30), wherein the connection section (34) is formed by two separate connection part sections (34a, 34b) which are displaceable in the axial direction relative to one another, and wherein the first and second limbs (28, 30) are spaced apart from one another while forming a reception gap (32) for receiving a component (38), characterized in that the nut (22) is guided in the second limb (30) such that it can be moved in only one direction within a plane extending at a right angle to the axial direction.

2. A tolerance compensation apparatus (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the connection part sections (34a, 34b) are unidirectionally displaceable in the axial direction relative to one another.

3. A tolerance compensation apparatus (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the connection part sections (34a, 34b) are in contact with one another via a sawtooth latching (50).

4. A tolerance compensation apparatus (10) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second limb (30) surrounds the nut (22) such that the nut (22) can be inserted into the second limb (30) only in the axial direction.

5. A tolerance compensation apparatus (10) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second limb (30) completely surrounds the nut (22) in a plane oriented at a right angle to the axial direction.

6. A tolerance compensation apparatus (10) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding element (26) is formed from a plastic material.

7. A tolerance compensation apparatus (10) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least one securing element which is in particular arranged in the end region (32b) of the reception gap (32) and by which a component (38) received in the reception gap (32) can be secured to the tolerance compensation apparatus (10).