Hollow Screw Adjusting Element for Tolerance-Compensated Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing adjustment elements for attaching components to structural components, such as vehicle lights, are complex, space-consuming, and require multiple parts, leading to high manufacturing complexity and installation effort.
Innovation Solution
A sleeve-like hollow screw with an external thread and a radially inwardly projecting fastening collar, combined with an axial support sleeve, allows for secure attachment and positioning of components by rotating the hollow screw, providing axial and rotational freedom while compensating for tolerances using a support washer and threaded bolt.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a hollow screw with external thread and adjusting element is used for attachment, then lateral tolerance compensation is achieved, but the device complexity and space consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the hollow screw and the adjusting element into a single integrated component. The adjusting element is formed as one piece with the hollow screw body, eliminating the need for separate adjusting elements and reducing the total number of components while maintaining both attachment and adjustment functions
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated adjusting hollow screw serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both the attachment fastening element and the adjustment mechanism. The external thread provides attachment functionality while the internal cavity and movable plug provide adjustment functionality, making the component multi-functional
2Manufacturing precision
If a hollow screw with external thread and adjusting element is used, then lateral tolerance compensation is achieved, but the space available in the motor vehicle is excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the hollow screw and the adjusting element into a single integrated component. The adjusting element is formed as one piece with the hollow screw body, eliminating the need for separate adjusting elements and reducing the total number of components while maintaining both attachment and adjustment functions
Solution Approach 2:
The adjusting plug is nested within the hollow screw cavity. The plug moves axially within the hollow screw body, allowing adjustment functionality to be contained within the volume of the hollow screw itself rather than requiring additional external space
3Ease of operation
If an axially fixed swivel joint is used between mounting sleeve and hollow screw, then rotational freedom is achieved, but the manufacturing precision requirements and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the hollow screw and the adjusting element into a single integrated component. The adjusting element is formed as one piece with the hollow screw body, eliminating the need for separate adjusting elements and reducing the total number of components while maintaining both attachment and adjustment functions
Solution Approach 2:
The plug can move axially within the hollow screw cavity, providing dynamic adjustment capability. This axial movement of the plug allows for continuous adjustment of the attachment position without requiring complex swivel joints or precision-machined distance maintainers
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention discloses an adjusting element 1 with which a component can be fastened and positioned in space, which has the following features: a. a sleeve-like hollow screw 10 with a first 6 and a second axial end 8 and an external thread 12, on which a component A can be held and positioned in the axial direction of the hollow screw 10; b. adjacent to the first axial end 6, the hollow screw 10 has an integrally formed and radially inwardly projecting fastening collar 20, which surrounds a tubular fastening opening 16 of the hollow screw 10; and c. within the tubular fastening opening 16 an axial support sleeve 40 is arranged, so that the hollow screw 10 can be rotatably fastened with a fastening means 90 to a component S which passes through the axial support sleeve 40.