Integrated Fastening Element for Tolerance Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fastening devices with tolerance compensation are complex to manufacture and assemble due to separate adjustment and driver elements, requiring multiple components and assembly steps.
Innovation Solution
A single-piece adjustment element integrated with the receiving element, featuring a detachable latching connection and non-round peripheral contours for alignment, simplifies the structural design and assembly by allowing a common wrench attachment and automatic tolerance compensation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate adjustment element and driver element are used, then tolerance compensation function is achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the adjustment element and driver element into a single integrated fastening element. The adjustment element includes both the adjustment portion with drag section and the driver portion with clamping sections, eliminating the need for separate components. This merging maintains the tolerance compensation function while reducing device complexity and the number of parts to be assembled.
2Reliability
If separate adjustment element and driver element are used, then tolerance compensation is achieved, but assembly process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the driver portion directly into the adjustment element, the patent eliminates the assembly step of connecting separate driver and adjustment components. The single-piece construction allows the fastening element to be installed as one unit, significantly simplifying the assembly process while maintaining the tolerance compensation capability through the integrated drag section and clamping sections.
3Device complexity
If one-piece adjustment element is used, then manufacturing and assembly are simplified, but alignment and positioning precision may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates non-round peripheral contours on both the adjustment portion and driver portion flanges. These asymmetric shapes include protrusions and recesses that must align in specific angular positions during assembly. This asymmetric design ensures precise angular positioning and alignment of the integrated fastening element, preventing incorrect installation while maintaining the simplicity of the one-piece construction.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Simplifies the manufacturing and assembly process while ensuring reliable automatic tolerance compensation, reducing the complexity of the fastening device and enhancing handling and installation efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the drag arms (46) are arranged in such a way that they can form a drag connection with the screw (6)... the adjustment element (4) can be moved into an end position serving as a transport and installation position
Implementation Method 2
a releasable latching connection is formed by a latching projection (20) on the receiving element (2) and by correspondingly distributed latching recesses (40) on the adjustment element (4)
Data Source
Figure 1~6
Figure 7~9
Figure 10
AI summary
The fastening system for two components (A, B) which automatically compensates for tolerances (S) between them comprises a hollow rivet (2) which is pushed through bores in the components and has an internal thread (28) A hollow adjusting bolt (4) with an external thread (48) is screwed into this. A fastening bolt (6) is then passed through the adjusting bolt and into a threaded bore at the base of the rivet, the threads (54, 56) on the fastening bolt and in the bore running in the opposite direction to that on the adjusting bolt and the thread it engages with. An independent claim is included for an assembly comprising the hollow rivet and the adjusting bolt.