Joining technique in concealed component regions

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for joining components to each other, comprising the steps of: positioning a pulling element (1) between the components, wherein a plurality of pins (3) with mushroom heads (5) are arranged on the pulling element (1) and keyhole-shaped openings (7) are provided in the second component such that a pin (3) inserted into a first region can be moved into a second region while the mushroom head (5) slides behind a covering element (9), so that the mushroom head (5) is blocked by the covering element (9); and joining the first and second components by inserting the mushroom heads (5) into the respective first regions of the first openings (7) and subsequently pulling on the strip-type pulling element (1) in order to move the pins (3) into the respective second regions in order to lock the respective mushroom heads (5) behind the respective covering elements (9).

Description

[0001] Joining technology on hidden component regions

[0002] The invention relates to a method for joining a first component and a second component to one another.

[0003] When a vehicle body part is to be joined from multiple components, such as a longitudinal member or side skirts for a vehicle currently being assembled, the problem often arises that the desired joining points are not directly accessible, particularly when the components form a hollow space between them at their desired joining points and are designed, for example, as sheet metal shells or extruded profiles. However, from a functional perspective, joining technology is often required in precisely those places where joining is not possible or can only be done on one side due to accessibility. When using conventional joining technology, special holes typically have to be provided in the components due to a lack of accessibility, which weakens the components accordingly.

[0004] Furthermore, conventional bonding agents cannot be used in such locations because the components cannot be secured due to a lack of access. This can lead to the so-called bark beetle effect during bonding, which prevents a sufficient bond from being achieved.

[0005] State-of-the-art solutions using a tension band to connect components are known.

[0006] In this context, DE 102017 005 041 A1 relates to a motor vehicle pillar or motor vehicle support, having at least one first molded part and at least one second molded part, wherein the first molded part and the second molded part are connected to one another so as to enclose a cavity, wherein at least one tension band is arranged in the cavity and is connected to at least one of the two molded parts on at least two opposite sides of the molded part.

[0007] The object of the invention is to simplify the joining of two components for vehicle body construction in inaccessible places.

[0008] The invention is based on the features of the independent claims. Advantageous developments and refinements are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0009] A first aspect of the invention relates to a method for joining a first component and a second component to one another, comprising the steps:

[0010] - Providing the first component and the second component;

[0011] - Positioning a tension element between the components, wherein a plurality of pins with mushroom heads are arranged on the tension element and the tension element is movably guided on the first component and is accessible from outside a contact surface between the first component and the second component, wherein openings are provided on the second component which are shaped such that a mushroom head can be inserted into the opening at a first region of a respective opening, and the respective opening tapers into a second region by means of a cover element covering a cavity such that the pin inserted into the first region can be moved from the first region into the second region while the mushroom head slides behind the cover element so that the mushroom head is blocked by the cover element;

[0012] - Joining the first and second components by inserting the mushroom heads into the respective first areas of the respective openings and then moving the pins into the respective second area to lock the respective mushroom head behind the respective cover element by pulling on the band-shaped tension element.

[0013] A second aspect of the invention relates to a method for joining a first component and a second component to one another, comprising the steps:

[0014] - Providing the first component and the second component;

[0015] - Positioning a tension element between the components, wherein a plurality of openings are arranged on the tension element and the tension element is movably guided on the first component and is accessible from outside a contact surface between the first component and the second component, wherein pins with mushroom heads are provided on the second component, wherein the openings are shaped such that a mushroom head can be inserted into the opening at a first region of a respective opening, and the respective opening tapers into a second region by means of a cover element covering a cavity such that the pin inserted into the first region can be moved from the first region into the second region while the mushroom head slides behind the cover element, so that the mushroom head is blocked by the cover element;

[0016] - Joining the first and second components by inserting the mushroom heads into the respective first areas of the respective openings and then moving the pins into the respective second area to lock the respective mushroom head behind the respective cover element by pulling on the band-shaped tension element.

[0017] The first aspect of the invention and the second aspect of the invention differ in that according to the first aspect of the invention, the pins with mushroom heads are arranged on the tension element, while according to the second aspect of the invention, these are arranged on the second component, while the associated openings with the cover elements are provided on the tension element.

[0018] However, what the first and second aspects of the invention have in common is that only the tension element needs to be pulled to activate the locking mechanism of the mushroom heads on the concealing elements of the openings. Pulling the tension element can be done from an easily accessible region, while the mushroom heads and the associated openings are located in regions of the components that are inaccessible when joined together.

[0019] For this purpose, a large number of pins are provided which have a radial extension at their heads, the so-called mushroom heads. The mushroom heads do not necessarily have to be rounded at the top, although this does make insertion into the respective first region of the openings easier. Once the pins with the mushroom heads have been inserted into the first regions of the openings in their axial direction, the pins can be moved in their radial direction in the plane of the opening in order to be moved into the tapered zone of the respective opening, so that the mushroom head, which has also been pushed into the opening, moves from the first region into the second region and comes to rest behind a respective cover element, by which it is held.

[0020] The openings therefore have a keyhole shape, with a first area defined by a first radius and a second area defined by a second radius smaller than the first radius. In the first area of ​​the opening, the respective pin with the mushroom head can be inserted into the opening. However, if this is moved transversely to the insertion direction into the second area, the respective mushroom head is pushed behind the cover element and secured by the cover element against falling out. The respective pin is thus arranged tensile-resistant on the cover element of each opening.

[0021] A positive connection is therefore created between the respective pin with mushroom head and the respective cover element at an opening, which can, however, be produced on site without direct accessibility, since the tension element only needs to be moved at its end by a suitable drive.

[0022] As an alternative to the mushroom-head pins, an external locking device can be used, for example a steel sheet strip as a tension element with a sawtooth section, which slides as an external shape under a corresponding pattern when the tension element is pulled.

[0023] An advantageous effect of the invention is that body assemblies can be joined that are inaccessible using currently known joining techniques, for example, when two assemblies, each with a cavity, are to be joined together. Direct accessibility at the joint, such as in such cavities, is not required; thus, no access holes or cross-sectional losses due to the provision of joining flanges are necessary. This enables a more robust component design. When connecting large components during assembly, the number of screws can be reduced by using this joining technique.

[0024] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the tension element is band-shaped.

[0025] It is possible that the components secured by tension elements may experience relative displacement during ferry operation or in the event of an accident, for example. To relieve the tension element in this case, it may be advisable to connect the first and second component groups in a form-fitting manner. A form-fitting connection between the first and second components is particularly possible through a circumferential contour in all directions:

[0026] According to a further advantageous embodiment, recesses are arranged on that of the components with a surface facing a respective upper side of the mushroom heads, into which recesses the mushroom heads slide when the first and the second component are joined together, so that the mushroom heads are held in a form-fitting manner in the recesses.

[0027] A positive connection is thus also achieved perpendicular to an axial direction of the respective pin.

[0028] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the pulling element is arranged movably in a guide channel.

[0029] If the component with the guide channel is an extruded profile, the guide channel for the tension element can be pressed directly onto the component. If a steel sheet is used for the component with the guide channel, the guide channel for the tension element can be attached using an additional component such as a cage. If the component with the guide channel is manufactured using additive manufacturing, the guide channel for the tension element can be pressed directly onto the component.

[0030] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the tension element is connected to a screw, wherein the tension element is displaced by tightening the screw.

[0031] According to a first variant, the screw is axially coupled to the tension element, so that when the screw is turned, the resulting axial movement of the screw or a nut on it leads to a corresponding pulling movement of the tension element, which moves the pins with the mushroom head from the first area of ​​the opening to the second area for locking. According to another variant, the screw is provided with an eccentric drive and therefore only needs to be turned half a turn to achieve the same locking effect.

[0032] According to a further advantageous embodiment, one of the following is used as the tension element:

[0033] - steel sheet strips;

[0034] - Plastic injection-molded part with metal bushings on the openings or pins - depending on what is provided on the tension element;

[0035] - Fiber-reinforced plastic injection-molded part with metal bushings on the openings or pins - depending on what is provided on the tension element;

[0036] - Plastic injection-molded part with metal bushings and continuous fiber; this advantageously enables higher tensile forces;

[0037] - Fabric tape which has eyelets if the openings are provided on the tension element.

[0038] The tension element is advantageously designed to be flexible and can therefore be used not only on planar but also on radially curved surfaces.

[0039] According to a further advantageous embodiment, inclined embossings are provided at the openings, so that when the respective pin is guided into the respective second region from a respective first region of a respective opening, the mushroom head slides on the inclined embossing and with increasing guidance of the pin into the respective second region, a tensile stress is created on the respective pin, so that the first component and the second component are pressed against one another.

[0040] According to a further advantageous embodiment, adhesive is applied between the first component and the second component, so that when the first component and the second component are pressed together, the adhesive is compressed.

[0041] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the pins are designed as at least one of the following: welding studs, press-in elements, screw elements, pins with centering point;

[0042] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the pins with their mushroom heads are each manufactured in one piece by additive manufacturing or as an injection-molded part or as a cast part.

[0043] Further advantages, features, and details will become apparent from the following description, which – where appropriate with reference to the drawings – describes at least one embodiment in detail. Identical, similar, and / or functionally equivalent parts are provided with the same reference numerals.

[0044] They show:

[0045] Fig. 1: A step in joining two components together according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0046] Fig. 2: The result of joining two components together according to Fig. 1;

[0047] Fig. 3: Perspective view of a section of joined components;

[0048] Fig. 4: A mushroom-headed pin used as an example in the process;

[0049] Fig. 5: An opening used as an example in the process;

[0050] Fig. 6: A tension element used as an example in the process with pins with mushroom heads inserted therein; and

[0051] Fig. 7: An alternative tension element with sawtooth structure.

[0052] The representations in the figures are schematic and not to scale.

[0053] Fig. 1 shows a starting position for joining two components. A tension element 1 is connected to a first component, but is mounted in a guide rail so that it can move relative to it. A screw 11 is arranged on the tension element 1, the screw head of which rests on the first component. If the screw is turned several turns, the nut, which is secured against rotation, on the external thread of the screw 11, through its axial movement, causes the tension element 1 to move to the left in the plane of the drawing due to the tensile force of the screw 11. The screw head is accessible from outside the first component, so that there is no need to create access between the two components. A keyhole-shaped opening is arranged on the tension element 1, the taper of which is created by a cover element 9. In the process for joining the two components together, a mushroom head 5 is first inserted into the protruding end of a pin 3 (in Fig.1 and Fig. 2 not shown) into the large first area of ​​the opening 7. The respective pin 3 with its respective mushroom head 5 is fixedly arranged on the second component. If the above-described movement of the tension element 1, caused by a rotating movement of the screw 11, occurs, the opening 7 moves around the pin 3 so that the pin 3 moves from the large first area of ​​the opening 7 in the direction of the opening tapered by the cover element 9. At the end of this movement, the mushroom head 5 is at the stop of the opening 7 and can no longer escape through it because the cover element 9 tapers the opening 7 so much that although the pin 3 still fits through the opening 7, the mushroom head 5 can no longer exit through the opening 7. This state is shown in Fig. 2.

[0054] Fig. 2 shows the fully tightened state of the screw 11, which has pulled the tension element 1 out of the space between the first and second components to such an extent that a respective pin 3 below a respective mushroom head 5 is at the stop of the respective opening 7. The cover element 9 prevents a respective pin 3 with its mushroom head 5 from emerging again towards the second component and the second component from detaching from the first component. In Fig. 2, the respective mushroom head 5 is shown in the foreground to clarify its position.

[0055] Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of the result of the joined components. Here, it can be seen how a respective mushroom head 5 is arranged at the upper end of each tenon 3. This mushroom head 5 does not necessarily have to have a convex curve on its upper side, but can also be flat. The decisive factor is the larger radius of the mushroom head 5 compared to the radius of the underlying tenon 3, which exceeds the tapered diameter of the opening 7 to such an extent that it can no longer slip through in the axial direction of the respective tenon 3, but is blocked by the cover element 9. By way of example, Fig. 3 shows two combinations of openings 7 and mushroom heads 5 arranged one behind the other. Fig. 4 shows an example tenon 3 with an adjacent mushroom head 5 in cross section in order to clarify the geometric contour.

[0056] In Fig. 5, an opening 7 is further shown by way of example, which has a first, large area in the left half of the image, through which a mushroom head 5 can be guided, while the right-hand tapered area of ​​the opening 7 is so narrow that the pin 3 can be moved therein, but the mushroom head 5 is secured axially against slipping out.

[0057] Fig. 6 shows, by way of example, a tension element 1 in its full length, which has a plurality of positive connections by means of pins 3 with mushroom heads 5. For the sake of simplicity and clarity, only one of the mushroom heads 5 is designated as such in Fig. 6.

[0058] Fig. 7 shows an alternative to using a pin and mushroom head. An external locking mechanism can be used, for example, a steel sheet strip as tension element 1 with a sawtooth section, which, as an external shape, slides under a corresponding pattern when tension element 1 is pulled. Part (A) shows an unlocked state of the system, while part (B) shows tension element 1 moved slightly in the direction of the dashed arrow 13. The positive locking of the external shape completely replaces the mushroom heads.

[0059] Although the invention has been illustrated and explained in detail by preferred embodiments, the invention is not limited by the disclosed examples, and other variations may be derived therefrom by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. It is therefore clear that a multitude of variations exist. It is also clear that exemplary embodiments are truly only examples and should not be construed as limiting the scope, possible applications, or configuration of the invention in any way.Rather, the preceding description and the description of the figures enable the person skilled in the art to implement the exemplary embodiments in concrete terms, whereby the person skilled in the art, with knowledge of the disclosed inventive concept, can make various changes, for example with regard to the function or the arrangement of individual elements mentioned in an exemplary embodiment, without departing from the scope of protection defined by the claims and their legal equivalents, such as further explanations in the description.

Claims

Patent claims 1. A method for joining a first component and a second component to each other, comprising the steps: - Providing the first component and the second component; - Positioning a tension element (1) between the components, wherein a plurality of pins (3) with mushroom heads (5) are arranged on the tension element (1), and the tension element (1) is movably guided on the first component and is accessible from outside a region between the components, wherein openings (7) are provided on the second component, which openings are shaped such that a mushroom head (5) can be inserted into the opening at a first region of a respective opening, and the respective opening tapers into a second region by means of a cover element (9) covering a cavity such that the pin (3) inserted into the first region can be moved from the first region into the second region, while the mushroom head (5) slides into the cavity behind the cover element (9), so that the mushroom head (5) is blocked by the cover element (9);- joining the first and the second component by inserting the mushroom heads (5) into the respective first regions of the respective openings (7) and then, by pulling on the band-shaped tension element (1), displacing the pins (3) into the respective second region for locking the respective mushroom head (5) behind the respective cover element (9); 2. A method for joining a first component and a second component to each other, comprising the steps: - Providing the first component and the second component; - Positioning a tension element (1) between the components, wherein a plurality of openings (7) are arranged on the tension element (1) and the Tension element (1) is movably guided on the first component and is accessible from outside a region between the components, wherein pins (3) with mushroom heads (5) are provided on the second component, wherein the openings (7) are shaped such that a mushroom head (5) can be inserted into the opening at a first region of a respective opening, and the respective opening tapers into a second region by means of a cover element (9) covering a cavity such that the pin (3) inserted into the first region can be moved from the first region into the second region while the mushroom head (5) slides into the cavity behind the cover element (9), so that the mushroom head (5) is blocked by the cover element (9); - Joining the first and the second component by inserting the mushroom heads (5) into the respective first areas of the respective openings (7) and then, by pulling on the band-shaped pulling element (1), displacing the pins (3) into the respective second area for locking the respective mushroom head (5) behind the respective cover element (9).

3. Method according to one of claims 1 to 2, wherein recesses are arranged on that of the components with a surface facing a respective upper side of the mushroom heads (5), into which recesses the mushroom heads slide when the first and the second component are joined, so that the mushroom heads are held in a form-fitting manner in the recesses.

4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the tension element (1) is arranged movably in a guide channel.

5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the tension element (1) is connected to a screw (11), wherein the tension element (1) is displaced by tightening the screw (11).

6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein one of the following is used as the tension element (1): - steel sheet strips; - plastic injection-molded part with metal bushings on the openings (7) or pins (3); - Fiber-reinforced plastic injection-molded part with metal bushings on the openings (7) or pins (3); - Plastic injection-molded part with metal bushings and continuous fiber - fabric tape; 7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein inclined embossings are provided on the openings (7) so that when the respective pin (3) is guided into the respective second region from a respective first region of a respective opening, the mushroom head (5) slides on the inclined embossing and with increasing guidance of the pin (3) into the respective second region, a tensile stress is created on the respective pin (3) so that the first component and the second component are pressed against one another.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein adhesive is applied between the first component and the second component such that when the first component and the second component are pressed together, the adhesive is compressed.

9. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the pins (3) are designed as at least one of the following: welding studs, press-in elements, screw elements, pins (3) with centering tip; 10. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the pins (3) with their mushroom heads (5) are each produced in one piece by additive manufacturing or as an injection-molded part or as a cast part.

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