Tolerance Compensation Fastener for Confined-Space Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tolerance compensation arrangements are laborious to install and prone to mistakes due to complex assembly requirements and limited adaptability to different fastening thread positions, especially when fastening components outside edge portions or in confined spaces.
Innovation Solution
A tolerance compensation arrangement featuring a sleeve-like base element with an inner thread, an adjusting element with a supporting collar and a dragging element, and a holding structure with locking and supporting features that allow for automatic compensation of tolerances through a fastening screw, enabling easy installation and adaptability to various fastening structures without the need for specialized tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a tolerance compensation arrangement with a blind rivet nut and cage element is used, then the fastening can be performed, but the assembly becomes laborious and prone to installation mistakes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the blind rivet nut and cage element into a single integrated base element with an integrated fastening collar, eliminating the need for separate assembly steps and reducing installation complexity while maintaining fastening reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The base element serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the blind rivet nut function, the cage element function, and the fastening collar function, allowing a single component to replace multiple separate parts and simplify the overall assembly process
2Strength
If a tolerance compensation arrangement with a bayonet lock is used, then the cage element can be fastened to the blind rivet nut, but the installation becomes laborious and space-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex bayonet lock mechanism from the design, replacing it with a simpler integrated fastening collar that achieves the same fastening strength without requiring additional installation space or complex rotational locking actions
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated fastening collar uses a simple press-fit or snap-fit design that is easier to install than the bayonet lock, sacrificing the reusable rotational locking feature for the benefit of significantly reduced installation complexity and space requirements
3Stability of the object's composition
If a tolerance compensation arrangement with a two-stepped fastening collar is used, then the cage can be fastened form-fit, but the assembly of individual parts remains laborious
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the two-stepped fastening collar design into the integrated base element, maintaining the form-fit stability benefits of the stepped structure while eliminating the need to assemble separate cage elements and collars, thereby simplifying the manufacturing process
4Device complexity
If a tolerance compensation arrangement with limited reach is used, then the structure remains simple, but it cannot be used for fastening threads outside edge portions
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated base element with its extended fastening collar design provides universal applicability, allowing the same simple structure to be used for fastening threads both at edge portions and in the middle of components, thereby increasing adaptability without significantly increasing structural complexity
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
The solution simplifies the installation process by allowing for automatic tolerance compensation and adaptability to different fastening structures, reducing the risk of installation errors and improving the ease of use in confined spaces.
Implementation Method 1
which may have at least one radially inwardly projecting spring arm, which narrows the passage channel
Implementation Method 2
consist of an adjustment bush with a so-called dragging section which is capable of entering into a frictional connection with a fastening screw
Data Source
AI summary
A tolerance compensation arrangement enables fastening two components with compensation of tolerances between the components. The arrangement includes a base element with a passage opening, an inner thread, an adjusting element with a supporting collar and with a thread sleeve having an outer thread which matches the inner thread. On a first front side of the base element, the adjusting element is screwed into the passage opening and on a second front side of the base element, a holding structure faces away from the adjusting element. The holding structure has at least one locking web and a supporting structure, so that via a lateral or an axial insert opening in the front-sided holding structure, a fastening structure configured with two steps is fastenable friction-fit and form-fit in the holding structure an opening in the front-sided holding structure.