Component arrangement for a motor vehicle and method for mounting a component arrangement

Abstract

The invention relates to a component arrangement (1) for a motor vehicle, having a first component (2) and a second component (3) fastened to the first component (2) by means of a screw connection (9), wherein a thread (12) of the screw connection (9) interacts in a form-fitting manner with a mating thread (14) of the first component (2) and a contact surface (15) of the screw connection (9) rests against a mating contact surface (16) of the second component (3) in an annular contact region (17) engaging around a longitudinal centre axis of the screw connection (9). According to the invention, a safeguarding structure (18) of the screw connection (9) is provided in the contact surface (15), said safeguarding structure resting against the second component (3) to safeguard against rotation and only partially penetrating the contact region (17) in the radial direction with respect to the longitudinal centre axis. The invention also relates to a method for mounting a component arrangement (1) for a motor vehicle.

Description

[0001] Component arrangement for a motor vehicle and

[0002] Method for assembling a component assembly

[0003] DESCRIPTION:

[0004] The invention relates to a component assembly for a motor vehicle, comprising a first component and a second component fastened to the first component by means of a screw connection, wherein a thread of the screw connection interacts positively with a mating thread of the first component, and a contact surface of the screw connection bears against a counter-contact surface of the second component in an annular contact area encompassing a longitudinal center axis of the screw connection. The invention further relates to a method for assembling a component assembly for a motor vehicle.

[0005] For example, the prior art document DE 103 26 617 B4 is known. This describes a wheel bearing for a non-driven vehicle axle, preferably a trailer axle, with a rotationally fixed steering knuckle and a bearing seat formed thereon for the inner ring of an at least double-row tapered roller bearing that rotatably supports a wheel hub on the steering knuckle, as well as with a screw element that can be screwed to the free end of the steering knuckle and acts axially against the inner ring of the outer tapered roller bearing, wherein the steering knuckle is provided with an internal thread centrally within the bearing seat, into which the screw element engages with an external thread portion. It is provided that the screw element engages behind a projection arranged on the inside of the wheel hub and projecting radially towards the steering knuckle.Furthermore, the document DE 202015 100 920 U1 discloses a locking washer for arrangement on a flat screw head surface, comprising an annular washer body, on the upper side of which, facing the base, a locking profile is formed. The locking profile is formed from partial surfaces set at an angle to one another, which define continuously arranged, radially outwardly extending, wavy, raised locking edges. The partial surfaces are designed and arranged such that rotation of the screw head surface relative to the locking profile under axial pressure causes lubricant located on the washer body to be discharged radially outward. The locking washer is positioned on a screw such that the surface of the washer body provided with the locking profile rests against the flat screw head surface of the screw.

[0006] It is an object of the invention to propose a component arrangement for a motor vehicle which has advantages over known component arrangements, in particular ensuring a fluid-tight connection between the two components, preferably even after loosening the screw connection and re-fastening the components to one another by means of the screw connection.

[0007] This is achieved according to the invention with a component arrangement for a motor vehicle having the features of claim 1. It is provided that a securing structure of the screw connection is present in the contact surface, which secures it against rotation against the second component and, in particular continuously in the circumferential direction with respect to the longitudinal center axis, only partially penetrates the contact area in the radial direction with respect to the longitudinal center axis.

[0008] Advantageous embodiments with expedient further developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims. It is pointed out that the exemplary embodiments explained in the description are not restrictive; rather, any variations of the features disclosed in the description, the claims and the figures are feasible. The component arrangement is preferably a component of the motor vehicle, but can of course also be present separately from it. Basically, the component arrangement has the first component, the second component and the screw connection, wherein the two components are fastened to one another or are fastened to one another by means of the screw connection. For this purpose, the thread of the screw connection engages the mating thread of the first component, such that the screw connection is held in a form-fitting manner on the first component.The two components and the screw connection are arranged in such a way that the two components are held together by the interaction of the thread of the screw connection with the mating thread of the first component. For example, the first component bears against the second component with a contact shoulder, wherein the screw connection is arranged and configured in such a way that it holds the contact shoulder of the first component against the second component or presses the contact shoulder against the second component. In this respect, the second component is preferably held in a form-fitting manner between the first component, in particular its contact shoulder, and the screw connection, in particular a screw head of a screw of the screw connection.

[0009] The screw connection has the contact surface with which it is supported on the counter contact surface of the second component. The contact surface rests on the counter contact surface in the annular contact area. The contact area is understood in particular to be an area in which the contact surface rests on the counter contact surface and the counter contact surface rests on the contact surface. The contact area encompasses the longitudinal center axis of the screw connection or the longitudinal center axis of the screw. In the radial direction immediately outside the contact area, the screw connection is spaced from the second component, in particular is continuous in the circumferential direction with respect to the longitudinal center axis. Additionally or alternatively, in the radial direction immediately inside the contact area, the screw connection is spaced from the second component, preferably again is continuous in the circumferential direction.This means in particular that the contact surface or the screw connection as a whole rests on the second component exclusively in the contact area and is spaced apart from the contact area from the second component.

[0010] To ensure reliable and permanent fastening of the two components to one another using the screw connection, the screw connection is secured against accidental loosening. For this purpose, the locking structure is designed in the contact surface, which rests against the second component, namely the counter-contact surface, to prevent rotation. During assembly of the component arrangement, i.e., when the two components are fastened to one another using the screw connection, the locking structure plastically deforms the second component, digging into it so that it is circumferentially secured with a positive fit relative to the second component. This ensures that the screw connection is secured against rotation and effectively prevents accidental loosening of the screw connection.

[0011] Due to the plastic deformation, a counterstructure to the securing structure forms on the second component, which in particular is present as a negative structure to the securing structure. This counterstructure remains even after the screw connection is loosened. If the screw connection is loosened and the two components are subsequently fastened together again using the screw connection, the first counterstructure remains on the second component and a second counterstructure forms because the securing structure is once again pressed against the second component, causing it to plastically deform. The securing structure now only engages the second counterstructure and no longer the first counterstructure. If the first counterstructure penetrates the contact area continuously in the radial direction, moisture can penetrate between the components along the counterstructure and promote corrosion.

[0012] To prevent this, the securing structure is designed in such a way that a sealing area is always created that runs continuously in the circumferential direction, so that the penetration of moisture is reliably prevented, even after the screw connection has been loosened and the components have been reattached to one another. To this end, the securing structure only partially penetrates the contact area in the radial direction, in particular continuously in the circumferential direction with respect to the longitudinal center axis. In this respect, the securing structure does not extend over the entire contact area in the radial direction, but is preferably designed in such a way that at least one continuous line always remains in the circumferential direction in which the securing structure is not present. Along this line, there is always a sealing line contact with the second component.The only partial penetration of the contact area by the securing structure in the radial direction is thus implemented continuously in the circumferential direction.

[0013] The securing structure is particularly designed such that the sealing area extends continuously in the circumferential direction, regardless of the orientation of the screw connection or the securing structure relative to the second component, even if the securing structure is arranged multiple times on the second component in different orientations. This ensures a tight connection between the two components by means of the screw connection, even when the components are reattached to one another.

[0014] The component arrangement can represent any part of the motor vehicle. For example, the first component is a shaft or shaft journal, and the second component is a wheel bearing component or a component connected to the wheel bearing component. The wheel bearing component is, for example, an inner race of the wheel bearing. The component connected to the wheel bearing component is, for example, a wheel hub, which is rotatably mounted on a wheel carrier of the motor vehicle using the wheel bearing. However, the component arrangement can also be used profitably at other locations on the motor vehicle.

[0015] A further development of the invention provides that the component arrangement is designed such that, when the first component and the second component are fastened to one another by means of the screw connection, the securing structure forms a counter-structure in the counter-contact surface of the second component for positive-locking anti-twist protection, wherein the counter-structure, in particular continuously in the circumferential direction, only partially penetrates the contact area in the radial direction. This has already been pointed out above. The (first) counter-structure is present in the counter-contact surface or on the second component. It is produced by plastically deforming the second component and is therefore permanently present on it, in particular even after the screw connection has been loosened. Analogous to the securing structure from which it is formed, the counter-structure only partially penetrates the contact area in the radial direction and preferably continuously in the circumferential direction.This achieves the advantages already mentioned.

[0016] A further development of the invention provides that the component arrangement is designed such that, during a subsequent fastening of the first component and the second component to one another by means of the screw connection, the securing structure forms a further counter-structure in the counter-contact surface of the second component for positive-locking anti-twist protection, wherein the further counter-structure, in particular continuous in the circumferential direction, only partially penetrates the contact area in the radial direction. The counter-structure can also be referred to as the first counter-structure and the further counter-structure as the second counter-structure. The first counter-structure is formed during the first fastening of the two components to one another and the second counter-structure is formed during a subsequent second fastening of the two components to one another by plastic deformation of the second component.

[0017] The two counterstructures are arranged offset from one another, since the screw connection can usually no longer be attached in such a way that the securing structure re-engages with the first counterstructure. However, as already explained, this means that the first counterstructure remains on the second component without the securing structure sealingly engaging it. Instead, the securing structure now seals the second counterstructure, allowing moisture to penetrate between the components through the first counterstructure. In the application example mentioned, this can lead to corrosion of the drive shaft and / or a shaft-hub connection between the drive shaft and the second component. This is reliably prevented with the described design of the securing structure.

[0018] A further development of the invention provides that the screw connection has a screw with the thread, wherein the securing structure is present on a screw head of the screw or on a washer resting on the screw head. According to a first variant, the screw connection therefore has the screw, on whose screw head the securing structure is produced, namely on the side of the screw head facing the second component. In a second variant, the screw connection has the screw and the washer, and the securing structure is produced on the washer, again on the side facing the second component. A further securing structure can have the washer on its side facing the screw head, so that the washer is provided with securing structures on both sides in order to effectively prevent the screw from loosening or the screw connection from coming loose.Both variants of the component arrangement reliably prevent the penetration of moisture between the components.

[0019] A further development of the invention provides that the contact area has a securing area and a sealing area, wherein the securing structure is produced within the securing area and outside the sealing area, and the contact surface and the counter-contact surface abut one another in the sealing area. The contact area is thus composed of at least the securing area and the sealing area, in particular exclusively of the securing area and the sealing area. The securing structure is present exclusively within the securing area and does not extend into the sealing area.After assembly of the component assembly, i.e., after the two components have been secured together by means of the screw connection, the contact surface and the counter-contact surface abut each other in the sealing area. Preferably, they abut each other continuously, in particular, continuously in an imaginary annular surface, which, for example, lies entirely in an imaginary plane or is present as a surface of revolution with the longitudinal center axis as the axis of rotation. Particularly preferably, the contact surface and the counter-contact surface in the sealing area are each completely flat. With such a design, the advantages described are reliably achieved.

[0020] A further development of the invention provides that the sealing area is annular, wherein the sealing area completely encompasses the securing area in the circumferential direction or the securing area completely encompasses the sealing area in the circumferential direction. The annular shape of the sealing area has the advantage that it is rotationally symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal central axis and accordingly the securing structure is always present outside the sealing area, i.e. exclusively in the securing area, regardless of the orientation of the screw connection. Preferably, the securing area is also annular. In particular, the sealing area and the securing area border directly on one another, in particular continuously in the circumferential direction. It can be provided that the sealing area completely encompasses the securing area in the circumferential direction or - conversely - the securing area surrounds the sealing area.Preferably, viewed in the circumferential direction, the sealing area is arranged on the side of the securing area that faces the external environment of the component assembly, in particular on a side that is exposed to environmental influences from the external environment. This reliably prevents moisture from penetrating between the components.

[0021] A further development of the invention provides that the securing region extends on its side facing away from the sealing region up to an edge of the contact region, or that the contact region, in addition to the sealing region, comprises a further sealing region located on the side of the securing region facing away from the sealing region. In a first variant, it is therefore provided that the securing region completely penetrates the contact region, starting from the sealing region, so that the counterstructure created by the securing structure opens into a region in which the screw connection is arranged at a distance from the second component.In the second variant, there is an additional sealing area in addition to the sealing area, with the two sealing areas continuously enclosing the contact area between them in the circumferential direction, so that the securing area, viewed in the radial direction, is located between the sealing area and the additional sealing area. This achieves a particularly reliable seal between the two components.

[0022] A further development of the invention provides that the securing structure has at least one securing projection projecting beyond the contact surface, in particular at least one securing web. The securing structure can, in principle, be designed as desired. However, it at least has the securing projection, which serves to plastically deform the second component during assembly of the component arrangement. For this purpose, the securing projection projects beyond the contact surface. For example, the contact surface lies continuously in an imaginary plane or in an imaginary rotational surface with the longitudinal central axis as the rotational axis.

[0023] The securing projection is present, for example, as a securing web, i.e., it has a greater extension in a first direction than in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and than in a third direction perpendicular to both the first direction and the second direction. For example, the securing web runs in a radial direction, in particular, it is aligned in a radial direction such that a longitudinal center axis of the securing web intersects the longitudinal center axis of the screw connection, in particular, it is perpendicular to it. Preferably, the securing structure has a plurality of securing projections, which are arranged, for example, evenly distributed in the circumferential direction. This achieves particularly good security against loosening of the screw connection.A further development of the invention provides that the first component is a shaft with a toothing, and the second component has a mating toothing that engages with the toothing. The first component and the second component are thus secured to one another by means of the toothing and the mating toothing, in particular in the circumferential direction relative to an axis of rotation about which the shaft and the second component are rotatably mounted. For example, the shaft of the second component has the contact shoulder on one side and is clamped to the second component by means of the screw connection on the other, so that the contact shoulder is held on the second component or pressed against it.In particular, the shaft only partially penetrates the second component in the axial direction with respect to the longitudinal central axis, so that a cavity is present which is delimited in the radial direction outwards by the second component, in the axial direction on the one hand by the shaft and in the axial direction on the other hand by the screw connection.

[0024] The screw connection or the screw of the screw connection penetrates the cavity, starting from one end face of the second component, where the mating surface of the second component is located, all the way to the first component, where the thread of the screw connection interacts with the mating thread of the shaft. In other words, the screw of the screw connection is screwed into the shaft, with the mating thread being an internal thread for this purpose. Alternatively, a design is of course possible in which the first component or the shaft has an external thread, onto which the screw connection with the internal thread is screwed. In this case, the two components are reliably fastened to one another.

[0025] The invention further relates to a method for assembling a component arrangement for a motor vehicle, in particular a component arrangement according to the statements in the context of this description, wherein the component arrangement has a first component and a second component fastened to the first component by means of a screw connection, and wherein a thread of the screw connection is brought into positive engagement with a mating thread of the first component and is arranged via a contact surface of the screw connection in an annular contact area encompassing a longitudinal center axis of the screw connection on a counter contact surface of the second component.It is provided that a securing structure of the screw connection is present in the contact surface, which is arranged adjacent to the second component to prevent rotation and, in particular in the circumferential direction with respect to the longitudinal center axis, only partially penetrates the contact area in the radial direction with respect to the longitudinal center axis.

[0026] The advantages of such a procedure or such a design of the component arrangement have already been pointed out. Both the component arrangement and the method for its assembly can be further designed according to the explanations in this description, so reference is made to these in this regard.

[0027] The features and feature combinations described in the description, in particular the features and feature combinations described in the following description of the figures and / or shown in the figures, can be used not only in the respective combination specified, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the invention. Thus, embodiments are also considered to be encompassed by the invention that are not explicitly shown or explained in the description and / or the figures, but which follow from or can be derived from the explained embodiments.

[0028] The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings, without limiting the invention. In the drawings:

[0029] Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a component arrangement for a motor vehicle, with a first component, a second component and a screw connection for fastening the two components to one another. Figure 1 shows a component arrangement 1 for a motor vehicle. The component arrangement 1 has a first component 2 and a second component 3, wherein the first component 2 in the illustrated embodiment is in the form of a shaft and the second component 3 is a wheel bearing component or a component connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the wheel bearing component. The two components 2 and 3 are coupled to one another in a rotationally fixed manner, namely in that an external toothing 4 of the first component 2 engages an internal toothing 5 of the second component 3. For this purpose, the first component 2 extends into a recess 6 in the second component 3. The first component 2 is preferably arranged such that it bears against the second component 3 with a contact shoulder (not visible here).When the contact shoulder rests against the second component, the first component 2 extends only partially through the recess 6, leaving a cavity 7. This cavity is bounded radially outwardly by the second component 3 with respect to a rotational axis of the first component 2, namely by an inner wall 8 bounding the recess 6.

[0030] In order to secure the two components 2 and 3 to one another, they are fastened together by means of a screw connection 9, which has a screw 10, of which only a shaft 11 with a thread 12 is shown here, and a washer 13 that engages around the shaft 11 of the screw 10. The screw connection 9 is arranged such that its thread 12 engages in a mating thread 14 of the first component 2. The screw connection 9 is tightened during assembly of the component arrangement 1 until the two components 2 and 3 are braced against one another. For this purpose, on the one hand, the first component 2 rests against the second component 3 with the aforementioned contact shoulder, and on the other hand, the screw connection 9 is supported on the second component 3 with a screw head of the screw 10 or - as shown here - with the washer 13.In this case, a contact surface 15 of the screw connection 9 rests against a counter-contact surface 16 of the second component, namely across a contact area 17. The contact area 17 is understood to mean exclusively the area in which the contact surface 15 rests against the counter-contact surface 16 and, conversely, the counter-contact surface 16 rests against the contact surface 15. Away from the contact area 17, the second component 3 and the screw connection 9 are spaced apart from each other.

[0031] To prevent accidental loosening of the screw connection 9, it has a securing structure 18, which in the illustrated embodiment has a plurality of securing projections 19, of which only a few are identified by way of example. The securing projections 19 are provided in particular as securing webs, which are radially aligned, so that an imaginary extension of each securing projection 19 intersects a longitudinal center axis of the screw connection 9 or the shaft 11, in particular is perpendicular to it. During assembly of the component arrangement 1, the securing structure 18 bears against the second component 3, namely in the counter-contact surface 16. The screw connection 9 is tightened until the second component 3 is plastically deformed by the securing structure 18, namely with the formation of a counter-structure 20.If the component arrangement 1 is dismantled, i.e. the screw connection 9 is loosened from the two components 2 and 3, the counter structure 20 remains on the second component 3.

[0032] When the component assembly 1 is reassembled, i.e., when the two components 2 and 3 are reattached to one another by means of the screw connection 9, a further counterstructure 21 is embossed into the second component 3 analogous to the counterstructure 20, while the counterstructure 20 remains on the second component 3. If the second counterstructure 20 penetrates the entire contact area 17 in the radial direction, moisture from an external environment 22 can penetrate between the second component 3 and the screw connection 9 into the cavity 7 and cause corrosion there.

[0033] To prevent this even when the two components 2 and 3 are reattached to one another by means of the screw connection 9, the contact area 17 has a securing area 23 and a sealing area 24. The securing structure 18 is present in the sealing area 23, or the counter-structure 20 is formed by the securing structure 18 on the second component 3. In contrast, the sealing area 24 is free of a securing structure, so that in the sealing area 24, the contact surface 15 and the counter-contact surface 16 bear against one another continuously and uninterruptedly in the circumferential direction, in particular flatly.

[0034] This is achieved by the securing structure 18 not being continuous in the radial direction or not extending continuously through the contact area 17. In the illustrated embodiment, the sealing area 24 surrounds the securing area 23, so that the sealing area 24 is located on the side of the securing area 23 facing the external environment 22. Accordingly, the penetration of moisture is prevented because the counterstructure 20 is also not continuous in the radial direction on the second component 3.

[0035] It can be seen that, in the illustrated embodiment, the securing structure 18 extends beyond the securing region 23, i.e., it protrudes radially inward beyond the securing region 23. Accordingly, viewed in the radial direction, the securing structure 18 partially overlaps the cavity 7. This means that the counterstructures 20 and 21 penetrate the inner wall 8, forming openings. This reliably secures the screw connection 9 against unintentional loosening and prevents moisture from penetrating the component assembly 1.

[0036] LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS:

[0037] 1 Component arrangement

[0038] 2 1. Component

[0039] 3 2nd component

[0040] 4 External gearing

[0041] 5 Internal gearing

[0042] 6 Recess

[0043] 7 Cavity

[0044] 8 Interior wall

[0045] 9 Screw connection

[0046] 10 screw

[0047] 11 shaft

[0048] 12 threads

[0049] 13 Washer

[0050] 14 counter threads

[0051] 15 contact surface

[0052] 16 Counter contact surface

[0053] 17 Investment area

[0054] 18 Security structure

[0055] 19 Safety projection

[0056] 20 Counterstructure

[0057] 21 Counterstructure

[0058] 22 Outdoor environment

[0059] 23 Security area

[0060] 24 Sealing area

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS:

1. Component arrangement (1) for a motor vehicle, comprising a first component (2) and a second component (3) fastened to the first component (2) by means of a screw connection (9), wherein a thread (12) of the screw connection (9) interacts in a form-fitting manner with a mating thread (14) of the first component (2) and a contact surface (15) of the screw connection (9) bears against a mating contact surface (16) of the second component (3) in an annular contact region (17) encompassing a longitudinal central axis of the screw connection (9), characterized in that a securing structure (18) of the screw connection (9) is present in the contact surface (15), which securing structure bears against the second component (3) to prevent rotation and only partially penetrates the contact region (17) in the radial direction with respect to the longitudinal central axis.

2. Component arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the component arrangement (1) is designed such that the securing structure (18) forms a counter-structure (20) in the counter-contact surface (16) of the second component (3) for positive-locking anti-twist protection when the first component (2) and the second component (3) are fastened to one another by means of the screw connection (9), wherein the counter-structure (20) only partially penetrates the contact area (17) in the radial direction.

3. Component arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the component arrangement (1) is designed such that the securing structure (18) forms a further counter-structure (21) in the counter-contact surface (16) of the second component (3) for positive-locking anti-twist protection during a subsequent fastening of the first component (2) and the second component (3) to one another by means of the screw connection (9), wherein the further counter-structure (21) only partially penetrates the contact area (17) in the radial direction.

4. Component arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the screw connection (9) has a screw (10) having the thread (12), wherein the securing structure (18) on a screw head of the screw (10) or on a washer (13) resting on the screw head.

5. Component arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact area (17) has a securing area (23) and a sealing area (24), wherein the securing structure (18) is produced within the securing area (23) and outside the sealing area (24) and in the sealing area (24) the contact surface (15) and the counter-contact surface (16) abut one another.

6. Component arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sealing region (24) is annular, wherein the sealing region (24) completely surrounds the securing region (23) in the circumferential direction or the securing region (23) completely surrounds the sealing region (24) in the circumferential direction.

7. Component arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the securing region (23) extends on its side facing away from the sealing region (24) up to an edge of the contact region (17), or that the contact region (17) comprises, in addition to the sealing region (24), a further sealing region which is present on the side of the securing region (23) facing away from the sealing region (24).

8. Component arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the securing structure (18) has at least one securing projection (19) projecting beyond the contact surface (15).

9. Component arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first component (2) is a shaft with a toothing (4) and the second component (3) has a counter toothing (5) engaging with the toothing (4).

10. A method for assembling a component arrangement (1) for a motor vehicle, in particular a component arrangement (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the component arrangement (1) has a first component (2) and a second component (3) fastened to the first component (2) by means of a screw connection (9), and wherein a thread (12) of the screw connection (9) is brought into positive engagement with a mating thread (14) of the first component (2) and a contact surface (15) of the screw connection (9) is arranged in an annular contact area (17) encompassing a longitudinal center axis of the screw connection (9) so as to bear against a counter-contact surface (16) of the second component (3), characterized in that a securing structure (18) of the screw connection (9) is present in the contact surface (15),which is arranged adjacent to the second component (3) to prevent rotation and only partially penetrates the contact area (17) in the radial direction with respect to the longitudinal central axis.

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