Connecting element for connecting two components without play, and vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a connecting element (18) for connecting two components without play, which connecting element comprises: a first connection surface (20) which, in the connected state, lies against a contact surface of one of the components; and a second connection surface (24) which, in the connected state, lies against a contact surface of the other component, wherein the first connection surface (20) and / or the second connection surface (24) has at least one protrusion (32) which, in the connected state, penetrates into the contact surface of one of the components such that an interlocking and frictional connection is produced between the component and the connecting element (18). The invention also relates to a vehicle having at least two components which are screwed to one another, wherein at least one such connecting element (18) is arranged between the components.

Description

[0001] Connecting element for the play-free connection of two components and vehicle

[0002] The invention relates to a connecting element for connecting two components without play, comprising a first connecting surface that, in the connected state, bears against one of the components and a second connecting surface that, in the connected state, bears against a contact surface of the other component. Furthermore, the invention relates to a vehicle comprising at least two components that are screwed together, wherein at least one such connecting element is arranged between the components.

[0003] In vehicle construction, it is common practice to bolt two components to be connected, such as an axle carrier and an engine mount. To prevent corrosion, the connecting surfaces of the components are coated with a corrosion protection coating, such as a cathodic dip coating, also known as a KTL coating. Due to the coating, a tight fit between the two components cannot be guaranteed despite increased torque. This results in micro-movements between the two components, which are noticeable in the driving behavior.

[0004] One way to prevent micro-movements is to create a clean surface by removing the coating. However, this is not possible due to the required corrosion protection.

[0005] Another way to prevent micro-movements between two components is to provide interlocking contours on the components. An example of this is disclosed in DE 10 2006 052 837 A1. This document shows a device for supporting an assembly in a motor vehicle. The device has an elastic bearing and a bracket, wherein the elastic bearing and the bracket each have at least one connecting surface and these are connected to one another by a detachable connection. The connecting surfaces have a periodically repeating, regular three-dimensional profile, wherein the profile of the connecting surface of the elastic bearing and the profile of the connecting surface of the bracket correspond in such a way that, in the assembled state, they can be periodically snapped into one another.

[0006] Furthermore, US 2,206,223 discloses a joint with two parts, the connecting surfaces of which are each provided with a corresponding profile, so that the profiles interlock when assembled.

[0007] WO 2014 / 041197 A1 discloses a device for connecting two components that have engagement structures on two mutually facing connecting surfaces. The components have at least two pairs of opposing circular engagement structures, each extending over an arc angle of no more than 180°, each having at least one open end, and arranged such that the circular arc center of the engagement structures of one pair is different from the circular arc center of the engagement structure of any other pair. At least two connectors are provided, each having engagement structures complementary to the engagement structures of one pair, which can be rotated from the open ends into the two engagement structures of the pair.

[0008] The compounds known from the state of the art have the disadvantage that they are complex and expensive to produce.

[0009] The present invention is based on the object of creating a connecting element and a vehicle which enable a play-free connection between two components in a simple and cost-effective manner.

[0010] To solve the problem, a connecting element having the features of claim 1 and a vehicle having the features of claim 10 are proposed.

[0011] Advantageous embodiments of the connecting element are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0012] According to a first aspect of the invention, a connecting element for connecting two components without play is proposed. The connecting element has a first connecting surface, which, in the connected state, bears against a contact surface of one of the components, and a second connecting surface, which, in the connected state, bears against a contact surface of the other component. The first connecting surface and / or the second connecting surface has at least one elevation, which, in the connected state, digs into the contact surface of one of the components, thus creating a positive and non-positive connection between the component and the connecting element.

[0013] The digging protrusion creates a firm, positive fit between the connecting element and the component. This prevents micro-movements between the two components in a simple and cost-effective manner. In contrast, the prior art creates a positive fit by having one of the components have at least one protrusion that engages a corresponding recess in the other component.

[0014] In the context of the invention, digging in means that the elevation penetrates into the contact surface of one of the components and leaves a depression there.

[0015] Advantageously, the components and the connecting element are screwed together. The raised portion digging into a contact surface creates a secure, positive fit without over-determining the screw connection. To screw the components and the connecting element together, the connecting element can have a through-hole for passing a screw element through it, which can be screwed into one of the components and inserted into an opening in the other component.

[0016] Advantageously, the first contact surface and / or the second contact surface are formed as a flat surface. The first contact surface and / or the second contact surface can be provided with a coating, for example, a cathodic dip coating, as corrosion protection.

[0017] Advantageously, one of the components is an axle carrier and the other component is an engine mount. The axle carrier is advantageously made of a metal, in particular aluminum. Furthermore, the engine mount is advantageously made of a metal with a coating in the form of a cathodic dip coating as corrosion protection. Alternatively, the components can be struts, shear panels, and / or mandrel rings. In an advantageous embodiment, both connecting surfaces have at least one elevation that, when connected, digs into the corresponding contact surface of the components, thus creating a positive and non-positive connection between the components and the connecting element.

[0018] In an advantageous embodiment, each connecting surface has at least three raised portions. This creates a sufficiently strong, positive and force-locking connection between the connecting element and the components, effectively preventing micro-movements between the components.

[0019] In an advantageous embodiment, the at least one elevation is formed as a circular elevation. If the connecting surfaces have multiple elevations, these are formed as concentric circular elevations. This means that the circular elevations have the same center point but different radii. The circular elevation can have a diameter between 13 mm and 38 mm.

[0020] In an advantageous embodiment, the at least one protrusion has a height between 0.4 mm and 0.6 mm. This allows the protrusion to dig sufficiently deep into the contact surface of the component to create a secure positive fit.

[0021] In an advantageous embodiment, the connecting element is designed as a disk. In this case, a disk is understood to be a cylindrical body whose radius is greater than its thickness. Furthermore, the connecting element is advantageously designed as an annular disk.

[0022] In an advantageous embodiment, the connecting element has a thickness between 1 mm and 2 mm.

[0023] In an advantageous embodiment, the connecting element has a diameter between 30 mm and 40 mm.

[0024] In an advantageous embodiment, the connecting element has a through-hole for passing a screw element through which to screw the components and the connecting element together. Thus, the connecting element lies within the screw connection between the two components.

[0025] In an advantageous embodiment, the connecting element has at least one fastening opening for passing a fastening element through which to fasten the connecting element to one of the components. Furthermore, the connecting element advantageously has four fastening openings for passing four fastening elements through which to fasten the connecting element to one of the components. The fastening element can be a screw element.

[0026] In an advantageous embodiment, the connecting element is made of stainless steel or a cast material.

[0027] According to a further aspect of the invention, a vehicle is proposed. The vehicle has at least two components that are bolted together, with at least one connecting element according to the invention arranged between the components.

[0028] Advantageously, the connecting element is arranged within the screw connection between the components.

[0029] Furthermore, the connecting element is advantageously connected to one of the components or to both components, in particular screwed.

[0030] Advantageously, one of the components is an axle carrier and the other is an engine mount. Furthermore, the components can be struts, shear panels, and / or mandrel rings.

[0031] Below, a vehicle, a connecting element, and other features and advantages are explained in more detail using an exemplary embodiment, which is schematically illustrated in the figures. Here:

[0032] Fig. 1 a vehicle;

[0033] Fig. 2 is a side view of a schematic section of an engine mount and a schematic section of an axle mount, which are screwed together, wherein a connecting element is arranged between the engine mount and the axle mount;

[0034] Fig. 3 is a plan view of the connecting element with circular elevations;

[0035] Fig. 4 is a plan view of a contact surface of the axle carrier after disassembly with depressions due to the elevations of the connecting element digging into the contact surface; and

[0036] Fig. 5 is a plan view of a contact surface of the engine mount after disassembly with depressions due to the elevations of the connecting element being dug into the contact surface.

[0037] In Fig. 1, a vehicle 10 is shown which has a drive machine designed as an internal combustion engine and / or as an electric motor.

[0038] The vehicle 10 comprises two components 11, namely an engine mount 12, schematically illustrated in Fig. 2, and an axle mount 14, schematically illustrated in Fig. 2, which are bolted together via a screw element 16. Alternatively, the vehicle 10 may comprise struts, shear panels, and / or dome rings as components 11, which are bolted together via a screw element 16.

[0039] The motor mount 12 is made of metal and serves to accommodate a drive motor (not shown). To protect the motor mount 12 from corrosion, it is coated with a cathodic dip coating.

[0040] The axle carrier 14 is made of aluminum and is used to connect an axle (not shown) to the engine mount 12.

[0041] As can also be seen in Fig. 2, a connecting element 18 is arranged between the engine mount 12 and the axle mount 14, which serves to connect the engine mount 12 and the axle mount 14 to one another without play.

[0042] The connecting element 18 has a first connecting surface 20, which in the connected state rests against a contact surface 22 of the engine mount 12, and a second connecting surface 24, which in the connected state rests against the contact surface 22 of the axle mount 14.

[0043] As can be seen particularly in Fig. 3, the connecting element 18 is designed as an annular disc 26 with a central through-opening 28. The connecting element 18 is made of stainless steel or a cast material and has a thickness between 1 mm and 2 mm and a diameter between 30 mm and 40 mm.

[0044] The connecting element 18 further has four fastening openings 30 and three protrusions 32 projecting from the connecting surfaces 20, 24. The protrusions 32 are circular and arranged concentrically to one another. The protrusions 32 have a height between 0.4 mm and 0.6 mm.

[0045] The connecting element 18 is connected to the axle carrier 14 via the fastening openings 30. For this purpose, the axle carrier 14 has bores 34 corresponding to the fastening openings 30. For connection, fastening elements (not shown), such as screw elements, are inserted into the fastening openings 30 and screwed into the bores 34.

[0046] For screwing the engine mount 12 and the axle mount 14 together, the engine mount 12 has a threaded bore 36, and the axle mount 14 has an opening 38, which, when assembled, correspond to the through-hole 28 of the connecting element 18. The screw element 16 is inserted into the opening 38 and the through-hole 28 and screwed into the threaded bore 36.

[0047] During screwing, the protrusions 32 dig into the contact surfaces 22 of the engine mount 12 and the axle mount 14, leaving recesses 40 corresponding to the protrusions 32, as can be seen in Figures 4 and 5. This creates a firm, positive fit between the engine mount 12 and the axle mount 14 without over-determining the screw connection. As a result, micro-movements between the engine mount 12 and the axle mount 14 are effectively prevented. List of Reference Symbols

[0048] vehicle

[0049] component

[0050] Engine mount

[0051] Axle carrier Screw element Connecting element First connecting surface Contact surface Second connecting surface Washer Through hole Fastening hole Elevation Bore Threaded hole Opening Recess

Claims

Claims 1 . Connecting element (18) for the play-free connection of two components (11), which has a first connecting surface (20) which, in the connected state, bears against a contact surface (22) of one of the components (11), and a second connecting surface (24) which, in the connected state, bears against a contact surface (22) of the other component (11), wherein the first connecting surface (20) and / or the second connecting surface (24) has at least one elevation (32) which, in the connected state, digs into the contact surface (22) of one of the components (11), so that a positive and non-positive connection is created between the component (11) and the connecting element (18).

2. Connecting element according to claim 1, characterized in that each connecting surface (20, 24) has at least three elevations (32).

3. Connecting element according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the at least one elevation (32) is designed as a circular elevation (32).

4. Connecting element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one elevation (32) has a height between 0.4 mm and 0.6 mm.

5. Connecting element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting element (18) is designed as a disc.

6. Connecting element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting element (18) has a thickness between 1 mm and 2 mm.

7. Connecting element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting element (18) has a diameter between 30 mm and 40 mm.

8. Connecting element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting element (18) has a through-opening (28) for passing through a screw element (16) in order to screw the components (11) and the connecting element (18) together.

9. Connecting element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting element (18) has at least one fastening opening (30) for passing through a fastening element in order to fasten the connecting element (18) to one of the components (11).

10. Vehicle (10) comprising at least two components (11) which are screwed together, wherein at least one connecting element (18) according to one of claims 1 to 9 is arranged between the components (11).

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