Tolerance Compensation Assembly With Elastic Transport Locking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tolerance compensation devices face challenges in securely transporting the compensation element attached to the base element without accidental detachment during transport, and in adapting the base element as a customer interface with minimal effort.

Innovation Solution

The tolerance compensation device incorporates an elastically deformable transport securing means in the compensation element that temporarily deforms to screw into the base element, with features like end stops and radially projecting collars to secure the elements together, allowing for easy transportation and adaptation as a customer interface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the compensation element is screwed into the base element during transport, then the compensation element is secured against unintentional detachment, but the base element becomes more complex and harder to adapt to customer specifications

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransport securingVSAvoidbase element complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The transport securing function is extracted from the base element and transferred to the compensation element. The compensation element now carries the elastically deformable transport securing device that engages with stops on the base element, allowing the base element to remain simple and easily adaptable to customer interfaces while the compensation element handles the securing function during transport.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If the compensation element is designed with transport securing features, then it can be securely transported without accidental detachment, but the manufacturing complexity of the compensation element increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransport securingVSAvoidcompensation element manufacturing
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The transport securing device utilizes elastic deformation as a key parameter change. The elastically deformable material allows the securing device to temporarily deform during the screwing operation to overcome stops, then return to its original shape to lock the compensation element in place. This approach achieves reliable transport securing through material property selection rather than complex structural design, maintaining ease of manufacture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If the base element is permanently installed on the component as a customer interface, then it integrates well with the component, but transporting the component with the compensation element becomes more difficult due to potential detachment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecustomer interface integrationVSAvoidtransport securing
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The compensation element is pre-assembled and screwed into the base element before the base element is permanently installed on the customer's component. The elastically deformable transport securing device is activated in advance during this pre-assembly stage, creating a locked connection that prevents accidental detachment during subsequent handling and transport to the customer's facility. The securing function is performed preliminarily, before final installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 design ensures the compensation element remains securely attached during transport and simplifies integration into system components, enabling reliable function and easy adaptation to customer specifications.

Implementation Method 1

the compensation element has at least one elastically deformable transport securing device, which is designed such that it must overcome the stop under temporary deformation in order to screw the compensation element into the base element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4095396B1Tolerance compensating device
Publication Date: 2023.09.06 WITTE AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
  • EP4095396B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP4095396B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP4095396B1 patent drawingFigure 2C~2F

AI summary

The invention relates to a tolerance compensation device for bridging a gap between two components to be joined together, comprising a base element and a compensation element that can be screwed into the base element, wherein the base element forms at least one stop and the compensation element has at least one elastically deformable transport securing means, which is designed in such a way that it must overcome the stop under temporary deformation in order to screw the compensation element into the base element.