Metal-Thread Tolerance Compensation Assembly for Misalignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tolerance compensation arrangements face limitations in achieving high strength connections due to reliance on plastic components, which can deform under increased forces, and require high precision to compensate for misalignment of fastening screws.
Innovation Solution
A tolerance compensation arrangement featuring a base element with metal components, including a first and second metal element with internal threads and a support element, along with a threaded sleeve and drag unit, allowing for a metal-metal connection that absorbs greater forces and compensates for misalignment through a releasable drag connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If plastic components are used in tolerance compensation arrangements, then cost-effectiveness is improved, but connection strength deteriorates due to deformation under increased forces
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines plastic and metal materials in a hybrid construction: the base element provides a plastic housing for cost-effectiveness and integration, while metal insert elements (first and second metal elements with internal threads) provide high strength for force transmission. This composite approach allows the tolerance compensation arrangement to achieve both economic advantages and high connection strength by assigning different materials to different functional requirements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If floating follower connection is used, then misalignment compensation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The follower connection is segmented into a follower element that can move independently within the adjustment unit. This floating follower is guided by guide surfaces that allow it to self-align and compensate for misalignment between the fastening screw and the adjustment unit, while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms.
3Strength
If metal components are used throughout, then connection strength is improved, but manufacturing cost deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of making the entire tolerance compensation arrangement from metal, the invention applies metal material locally only where high strength is critically needed - specifically in the first and second metal elements that directly transmit and bear the connection forces. The base element housing and other non-load-critical components remain in plastic, optimizing the overall cost-strength ratio by matching material properties to functional requirements.
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
This solution enables higher strength connections and wider application ranges while maintaining cost-effectiveness by ensuring force flow through metal components and accommodating misalignment, outperforming purely plastic-based solutions.
Implementation Method 1
a first metal element with a first internal thread and a second metal element with a second internal thread... an external thread forms a first thread pairing of a first thread direction with the first internal thread of the first metal element
Implementation Method 2
a follower unit arranged at least partially in the threaded sleeve, wherein... a fastening screw can be connected to the adjustment unit via the follower unit by a releasable follower connection
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention relates to a tolerance compensation assembly for fixing a first component to a second component with automatic compensation for tolerances in the distance between the first component and the second component. The tolerance compensation assembly comprises a base element, which has a first metal element having a first internal thread, a second metal element having a second internal thread and a metal supporting element arranged therebetween, and an adjusting unit, which comprises a threaded metal sleeve having an external thread and an entrainment unit, wherein the external thread forms with the first internal thread of the first metal element of the base element a first thread pairing of a first thread direction. A fixing screw can be inserted through an opening in the base unit and the adjusting unit and, via a second thread pairing of a second thread direction opposite to the first, can be screwed into the second internal thread of the second metal element of the base element. In addition, the fixing screw can be connected to the adjusting unit via the entrainment unit by means of a detachable entrainment connection, in order to co-rotate the adjusting unit as the fixing screw is screwed in and, as a result, to move into contact with the first component.