Method for fastening at least one connecting element to a component for a motor vehicle, fastening formation, method for fastening a sensor, sensor fastening formation, vehicle, welding device, and computer program

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for fastening at least one connecting element to a component for a motor vehicle. During the production of a welded joint, a deviation of the connecting element is compensated for. The invention also relates to a fastening formation, a method for fastening a sensor, a sensor fastening formation, a vehicle, a welding device, a computer program, and a computer-readable medium.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Method for fastening at least one connecting element to a component for a motor vehicle, fastening design, method for fastening a sensor, sensor fastening design, vehicle, welding device and computer program

[0003] Technical area

[0004] The invention relates to a method for fastening at least one connecting element to a component for a motor vehicle, a fastening design, a method for fastening a sensor, a sensor fastening design, a vehicle, a welding device and a computer program.

[0005] State of the art

[0006] The documents DE 102017 126 135 A1 and DE 102019 106 808 A1 disclose methods for fastening connecting elements to components for motor vehicles.

[0007] A particular disadvantage of the prior art devices is that the surface of the component causes a positional and / or orientation deviation of the connecting elements from their desired position and / or orientation.

[0008] Description of the invention, task, solution, advantages

[0009] It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide an alternative method compared to the prior art for fastening a connecting element to a component for a motor vehicle, which is characterized in particular in that it overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art methods. A further object is to provide a fastening design produced according to such a method. A further object is to provide a method for fastening a sensor. A further object is to provide a sensor fastening design produced according to such a method for fastening a sensor. A further object is to provide a vehicle with such a fastening design or such a sensor fastening design. A further object is to provide a welding device.A further object is to provide a computer program. A further object is to provide a computer-readable medium containing such a computer program.

[0010] The object with regard to the method for fastening a connecting element is achieved by a method having the features of claim 1.

[0011] One aspect of the invention relates to a method for fastening at least one connecting element to a component for a motor vehicle, wherein the at least one connecting element serves to accommodate a sensor. The method comprises the step of producing a welded connection between at least one connecting element and a component for a motor vehicle and the step of compensating for a deviation of the connecting element during the production of the welded connection.

[0012] This provides an alternative method which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art and is characterized in particular by its high precision, particularly independent of the shape of the surface of the component.

[0013] The method step according to which a welded connection is produced between at least one connecting element and a component for a motor vehicle means in particular that the at least one connecting element is fastened to the component by means of the welded connection. It is particularly advantageous if the at least one connecting element and the component are coordinated with one another in such a way that a welded connection can be produced between the at least one connecting element and the component. This coordination preferably comprises the dimensioning of the component and / or the dimensioning of the at least one connecting element and / or the choice of the material of the component and / or the choice of the material of the at least one connecting element. When selecting the materials, their property of being welded to one another is preferably taken into account.

[0014] It is also advantageous if several connecting elements are fastened to the component by means of the method for fastening at least one connecting element.

[0015] It is preferred if the sensor is a weight sensor. Using such a weight sensor, for example, the vehicle load, the vehicle weight, or an axle load of a vehicle can be determined. It is also possible to use the sensor to determine or measure mechanical stress on the component. Preferably, the sensor comprises an expansion element. Particularly preferably, a deformation of the component is transmitted to the sensor and / or the expansion element of the sensor by means of the connecting elements. Thus, the deformation of the component can be determined or measured by the sensor, whereby the vehicle load, the vehicle weight, or an axle load of a vehicle, as well as the mechanical stress on the component, can be determined using the sensor.

[0016] Preferably, the component is a load-bearing component and / or a component intended to be loaded for a motor vehicle. It is particularly preferred if the component is part of the force flow caused by the vehicle weight, or at least is intended for this purpose. It is also particularly preferred if the component is a chassis part or an axle for a motor vehicle or a motor vehicle. The method can preferably be performed on the component before or after it has been mounted on a motor vehicle.

[0017] Preferably, the at least one connecting element is at least one fastening element.

[0018] Preferably, the receptacle is a connection, a fastening, a clamp connection or a clamp fastening.

[0019] It is particularly preferred if the at least one connecting element is fastened to a surface of the component by means of the welded connection.

[0020] Furthermore, it is preferred if the at least one connecting element has a rotationally symmetrical inner or outer contour, in particular with the exception of a thread.

[0021] Preferably, after performing the method or after establishing the welded joint, a protective coating is applied to the connecting element. The protective coating primarily serves to protect the connecting element from a coating applied to the component, for example, painting or a corrosion protection coating. The protective coating is preferably a water-soluble wax compound or a cap, preferably made of a plastic. The protective coating is preferably removable. The protective coating preferably protects a thread of the connecting element.

[0022] A preferred embodiment is characterized in that the deviation is a positional deviation and / or orientation deviation. In other words, a deviation is a difference between the desired state and the actual state, wherein the term “state” refers in particular to the position or orientation of the at least one connecting element. A further preferred embodiment is characterized in that the at least one connecting element is a bolt, a sleeve, or a nut. Preferably, the bolt comprises an external thread, whereas in the case of a sleeve or a nut, the sleeve or the nut comprises an internal thread. The external thread of the bolt can serve to receive a corresponding nut in order to form a clamping connection for receiving the sensor between the nut and the component or a contact surface of the bolt, for example a bolt head.The internal thread of the sleeve or nut can accommodate a corresponding screw, creating a clamp connection between the screw head and the component, a contact surface of the sleeve or nut, to accommodate the sensor. The clamp connection can, in particular, be a clamp fastening. This creates a simple, cost-effective, and force-transmitting connection or fastening between the sensor and the component.

[0023] It is preferred if the bolt or screw diameters are selected such that the bolt or screws can be passed through the through openings of the sensor or its housing.

[0024] A further preferred embodiment is characterized in that the deviation is caused by the shape of the component's surface. For example, the surface may have local depressions, recesses, unevenness, or manufacturing inaccuracies. With the method according to the invention, complex machining or reworking of the component's surface is unnecessary, which reduces manufacturing costs.

[0025] A further preferred embodiment is characterized in that the deviation is determined by comparing an actual position with a target position and / or an actual position with a target position. Preferably, the target position is determined as a function of a reference position and / or the target position is determined by a reference position. The reference position and / or the reference position is preferably predetermined by a connecting element previously fastened to the component. This ensures that the connecting element to be fastened is in the correct position or in the correct position relative to the previously fastened connecting element. This is important so that the sensor can be mounted on the component without any tension using the two connecting elements.

[0026] A further preferred embodiment is characterized in that the compensation is performed during the production of the welded joint. The compensation preferably comprises a movement of the at least one connecting element during the production of the welded joint, in particular during a welding process that is included in the production of the welded joint. The movement is preferably a movement in the direction of the component. The movement is preferably performed during the production of the welded joint until the desired position and / or desired orientation of the at least one connecting element is reached.

[0027] A further preferred embodiment is characterized in that the compensation and / or the creation of the welded joint comprises a partial melting of the at least one connecting element and / or the surface of the component. In particular, this, in combination with the movement of the at least one connecting element, achieves sufficient compensation for the deviations. The melting serves to create the welded joint and to compensate for the deviation.

[0028] A further preferred embodiment is characterized in that the compensation comprises a change in the position and / or orientation of the at least one connecting element to the desired position and / or orientation of the at least one connecting element. A further preferred embodiment is characterized in that the production of the welded connection comprises a drawn arc welding process. In particular, in this way, the at least one connecting element and the component are used as a current-conducting electrode. The welding process is preferably drawn arc stud welding. During the welding process, the at least one connecting element is joined to the component.

[0029] The problem regarding the fastening structure is solved by the fastening structure according to claim 10. A preferred embodiment of the invention relates to a fastening structure produced according to the inventive method for fastening at least one connecting element to a component for a motor vehicle. In this way, a fastening structure is created that, despite an unsuitable surface of the component, is characterized by a high degree of accuracy with regard to the location or position of the connecting elements welded to the component.

[0030] The object relating to the method for fastening a sensor is achieved by the method according to claim 11. A preferred embodiment of the invention relates to a method for fastening a sensor, comprising the method steps according to the invention of the method for fastening at least one connecting element to a component for a motor vehicle, wherein the at least one connecting element is part of a clamp connection by means of which the sensor is fastened to the component. In this way, a largely tension-free fastening of the sensor is achieved. This refers in particular to tensions that are caused by deviations in the connecting element or elements and that can influence the measuring accuracy of the sensor, in particular negatively.

[0031] The object regarding the sensor mounting design is achieved by the sensor mounting design according to claim 12. A preferred embodiment of the invention relates to a sensor mounting design manufactured according to the inventive method for mounting the sensor. In this way, a largely tension-free mounting of the sensor is provided.

[0032] The object of the vehicle is achieved by a vehicle according to claim 13. A preferred embodiment of the invention relates to a vehicle with a sensor mounting configuration and / or mounting configuration. The vehicle is preferably a motor vehicle with an internal combustion engine or electric motor drive.

[0033] The object relating to the welding device is achieved by a welding device according to claim 14. A preferred embodiment of the invention relates to a welding device with a control unit which is adapted to carry out the steps of the method according to the invention for fastening at least one connecting element to a component for a motor vehicle. The welding device and the control unit are preferably adapted to carry out the steps of the method according to the invention for fastening at least one connecting element to a component for a motor vehicle. The welding device preferably also comprises further means which are adapted in this way. For example, a position monitoring device and / or orientation monitoring device which is part of the welding device is conceivable, wherein the monitoring device monitors or determines the deviation of the at least one connecting element.

[0034] The object relating to the computer program is achieved by a computer program according to claim 15. A preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention relates to a computer program which comprises instructions which cause the welding device according to the invention to carry out the method steps according to the invention for fastening at least one connecting element to a component for a motor vehicle. The computer program can preferably be executed on the control unit of the welding device and / or loaded into this control unit. The object relating to the computer-readable medium is achieved by a computer-readable medium according to claim 16. A preferred embodiment of the invention relates to a computer-readable medium on which the computer program according to the invention is stored. The computer-readable medium is preferably a non-volatile memory. The computer-readable medium is preferably a data carrier.

[0035] Advantageous further developments of the present invention are described in the subclaims and in the following description of the figures.

[0036] Short description of the drawings

[0037] The invention is explained in detail below using exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings. In the drawings:

[0038] Fig. 1 a vehicle and a welding device,

[0039] Fig. 2 a fastening design,

[0040] Fig. 3a a sensor mounting design, and

[0041] Fig. 3b shows another sensor mounting design.

[0042] Preferred embodiment of the invention

[0043] Figure 1 shows a vehicle 1 according to the invention and a welding device 5 according to the invention. The welding device 5 comprises a control unit 6, which is designed to operate the welding device and comprises a computer-readable medium 7 according to the invention, on which a computer program 8 according to the invention is stored. The computer-readable medium 7 is a non-volatile memory. The vehicle 1 is a motor vehicle with an electric drive. The vehicle 1 comprises a component 3a to which four connecting elements 4a are fastened, each by means of a welded connection. By means of the connecting elements 4a, which are designed as fastening elements, a sensor 2 is fastened to the component 3a by means of a clamp connection. The sensor 2 is a weight sensor, by means of which the vehicle weight of the vehicle 1 can be determined. The component 3a is a vehicle axle of the vehicle 1.The connecting elements 4a have been fastened to the component 3a by means of the welding device 5.

[0044] Figure 2 shows two of the connecting elements 4a from Figure 1. The connecting elements 4a are bolts, each of which has an external thread. The connecting elements 4a are fastened to the component 3a by means of a welded connection on the surface 3b of the component 3a. It can be seen that, due to melting of the left connecting element 4a, an unevenness of the surface 3b has been compensated for by the inventive method for fastening at least one connecting element 4a in such a way that a level line 9, which runs along a respective contact surface of the connecting elements, forms an ideal horizontal line. In other words, a deviation of the two connecting elements 4a has been compensated for by means of the inventive method.

[0045] Figure 3a shows a sensor mounting design according to the invention. One of the connecting elements 4a from Figure 2 can be seen, which is connected to the component 3a by means of a welded joint. Also visible is the sensor 2 from Figure 1, which is attached to the connecting element 4a and thus to the component 3a by means of a clamp connection. The adhesive connection is formed by means of the connecting element 4a and a nut 4b.

[0046] Figure 3b shows another sensor mounting configuration. It shows another connecting element 4c, which is attached to component 3a by means of a weld. Connecting element 4c is a nut, which, together with a screw 4d, forms a clamping connection for sensor 2.

[0047] The different features of the individual embodiments can also be combined with one another. For example, the different embodiments of the sensor mounting configuration shown in Figures 3a and 3b can jointly connect a sensor to a component. In other words, different connecting elements can be used in the embodiment shown in Figure 1.

[0048] The embodiments of Figures 1 to 3b are in particular not restrictive in nature and serve to clarify the inventive concept.

[0049] List of reference symbols

[0050] 1 Vehicle 2 Sensor

[0051] 3a Component

[0052] 3b Surface

[0053] 4a Connecting element

[0054] 4b Nut 4c Additional connecting element

[0055] 4c screw

[0056] 5 Welding device

[0057] 6 Control unit

[0058] 7 Computer-readable medium 8 Computer program

[0059] 9 Level line

Claims

Patent claims 1 . A method for attaching at least one connecting element to a component for a motor vehicle, wherein the at least one connecting element serves to accommodate a sensor, comprising the following steps: - Producing a welded connection between at least one connecting element and a component for a motor vehicle, characterized in that a deviation of the connecting element is compensated during the production of the welded connection.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the deviation is a position deviation and / or location deviation.

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the connecting element is a bolt, a sleeve or a nut.

4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the deviation is caused by the shape of the surface of the component.

5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the deviation is carried out by comparing an actual position with a desired position and / or an actual position with a desired position.

6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the compensation is carried out during the production of the weld joint.

7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the compensation and / or the production of the welded connection comprises a partial melting of the at least one connecting element and / or the surface of the component.

8. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the compensation comprises a change in the position and / or the location of the at least one connecting element to the desired position and / or the desired location of the at least one connecting element.

9. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the production of the welded joint comprises a drawn arc welding process.

10. A fastening structure produced by a method according to any one of the preceding claims.

11. A method for attaching a sensor, comprising the method steps according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 9 and attaching a sensor to the component by means of a clamping connection, wherein the at least one connecting element is part of the clamping connection by means of which the sensor is attached to the component.

12. Sensor mounting structure manufactured by the method of claim 11.

13. Vehicle with a sensor mounting configuration according to claim 12 and / or a mounting configuration according to claim 10.

14. Welding apparatus comprising a control device adapted to carry out the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

15. A computer program comprising instructions that cause the device of claim 14 to carry out the method steps according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

16. A computer-readable medium on which the computer program according to claim 15 is saved.

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