CN112283232A

CN112283232A - System for introducing a force from a fastening element into a plastic component and method for producing a system

Info

Publication number: CN112283232A
Application number: CN202010641084.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 布伦特·布劳尔; 马特·卡尔森; 丹尼尔·斯坦霍普; 马特·斯托兹曼
Original assignee: Eco Holding 1 GmbH
Current assignee: Eco Holding 1 GmbH
Priority date: 2019-07-13
Filing date: 2020-07-06
Publication date: 2021-01-29
Anticipated expiration: 2040-07-06
Also published as: DE102020116676A1; CN112283232B

Abstract

The invention relates to a system (1) for introducing a force from a fastening element (6) into a plastic component (4), comprising the plastic component (4), a force limiting element (5) embedded in the plastic component (4), a fastening element (6) for fastening the plastic component (4) to a body, wherein the fastening element (6) is configured such that it can be guided through the force limiting element (5), and wherein the plastic component (4) has a retaining means (7) which is provided such that it protrudes at least partially into an interior (8) of the force limiting element (5) in order to fix the fastening element (6) guided through the force limiting element (5). The invention also relates to a method for producing the inventive system (1), comprising the following steps: providing a force limiting element (5), embedding the force limiting element (5) in the plastic component (4), and guiding the fastening element (6) through the force limiting element (5).

Description

System for introducing a force from a fastening element into a plastic component and method for producing a system

Technical Field

The invention relates to a system for introducing a force from a fastening element into a plastic component, comprising the plastic component, a force limiting element embedded in the plastic component, and a fastening element for fastening the plastic component to a body. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing such a system.

Background

Such systems with force limiting elements or pressure limiting means are well known in the art.

US2016/0356291a1, for example, discloses a pressure limiting device for limiting the pressure exerted by a fastening element during fastening of an assembly on a body. The pressure limiting device here comprises a sleeve configured in a cylindrical shape with openings at both ends, and a septum coupled to the inner surface of the sleeve. The spacer is deformed between a first configuration and a second configuration, the first configuration defining a slit in the spacer having a width less than a diameter of the fastening element. The slit is thus widened according to the diameter of the fastening element, so that the fastening element is held in the sleeve by the spring force exerted by the spacer.

As another example, US 6457925B1 discloses a force limiting device for minimizing the pressure of a bolt on a first workpiece secured to a second workpiece. In this case, the force limiting device includes an elongated sleeve defining a longitudinal axis extending between the scarf end of the first work piece and the lead-in end of the hole. The end that engages the first component has a flange that prevents the bolt from moving past, wherein the elongated sleeve has a retaining section that defines an inner diameter. The second section extends through a hole in a second workpiece. The second workpiece has a defined inner diameter that is less than the inner diameter of the retaining section and a pressure stop surface that extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis between the retaining section and the second section. The force-limiting device further comprises a bolt-holding device which is accommodated in the long sleeve, wherein the bolt newspaper device can accommodate the bolt in such a way that the bolt is prevented from falling out of the long sleeve when the force-limiting device is introduced into the first and second workpieces. The force limiting device further comprises a knurled surface extending around a section of the second section.

Such systems are complex in construction and application and often do not provide sufficient retention of the system or fastening elements.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the present invention is therefore to improve the above-mentioned force limiting device in terms of structure and function, and to overcome at least one of the above-mentioned disadvantages.

According to one aspect, the object is achieved by a system for introducing a force from a fastening element into a plastic component. The system comprises a plastic component, a force-limiting device embedded in the plastic component, a fastening element for fastening the plastic component to the body, wherein the fastening element is designed in such a way that it can be guided through the force-limiting element, and wherein the plastic component has a retaining means which is arranged in such a way that it projects at least partially into the interior of the force-limiting element in order to fix the fastening element guided through the force-limiting element.

The improved system has the following advantages: the fastening element is preassembled by means of the holding device and is transported together with the plastic component. The fastening element is preferably pressed or screwed into the plastic component. Thus, the user does not have to additionally purchase, store or reinforce the fastening element. The assembly time for the user when using the system is also significantly reduced by the preassembled fastening elements. Since the retaining means project into the interior of the force limiting element, the force limiting element is also held firmly in the plastic component and thus fulfils a dual function.

Within the meaning of the present document, the concept of plastic component relates to each plastic element which is to be arranged on a body by means of fastening elements. For example, plastic holding devices made by injection molding are mounted on fixed or immobile bodies by means of, for example, bolts. In the automotive industry, this is used, for example, in actuators of camshaft adjusters. The holding device of such an actuator here corresponds to an injection-molded plastic element which is mounted on a body in the form of a motor vehicle body or an engine block with steel bolts.

In an advantageous embodiment, the force limiting element is embedded in the plastic component by injection molding. For injection molding, the material is liquefied or softened by means of an injection molding machine and injected under pressure into a molded workpiece, i.e., an injection molded workpiece. The material is then returned to the solid state by cooling or a crosslinking reaction and can be removed as a finished product from the injection-molded workpiece. In order to achieve the connection with the force-limiting element, the latter is also placed in the injection-molded workpiece. Due to the over-injection, the resulting connection between the plastic component and the force-limiting element is particularly firmly and sealingly configured. Since the embedding of the force-limiting element and the simultaneous production of the plastic component together with the holding means is carried out in this case, the production process of the system is particularly efficient and cost-effective due to the overmoulding.

According to the invention, the force limiting element can also be of sleeve-shaped design. The force limiting element may also have an elliptical, square or triangular shape.

According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the force limiting element has at least one first recess. The recess is configured, for example, as a slit, slot or groove. In principle, the recess can have all forms that can be cast around the plastic component during connection with the plastic component. The force-limiting element is held particularly stably in the plastic component by the recess. The liquefied plastic can thus flow through the recess into the interior of the sleeve-like force-limiting element.

Here, the first recess is preferably arranged on the first opening of the force limiting element. The force-limiting element can therefore flow around or surround the first opening during injection molding of the liquefied plastic component without covering the bearing surface for the body to which the plastic component is to be fastened. The advantage is therefore the functionally advantageous structure of the system and the particularly robust placement of the force-limiting element in the plastic component. Due to the arrangement of the recess at the opening, the recess is produced simply and, due to the dimensions of the recess, the degree of inflow of the liquefied plastic and other process variables of the injection molding can be influenced.

On the basis of this, the force limiting element preferably has at least one second recess, wherein the second recess is arranged at the second opening of the force limiting element. The first and second openings are preferably arranged opposite to each other. The force-limiting element is thereby enclosed or flowed around on both sides or at both openings, without covering the bearing surface for the body. The placement of the force-limiting element is thus more stable and provides additional inflow openings into the interior of the force-limiting element for the liquefied plastic.

According to the invention, the fastening element is advantageously designed as a threaded fastening means, such as a screw, a bolt or a shank. Threaded fastening means are general fastening elements which can be easily provided and are therefore particularly well suited for use in force limiting devices. The fastening element preferably has a head and a shank, wherein the external thread projecting from the shank is formed on a section of the shank spaced apart from the head. A fastening element with such a structure and introduced into the plastic component provides particularly good retention. Such a holding force is obtained by the co-operation of the holding means and the projecting external thread, as long as the external thread is pressed or screwed through the force-limiting element provided with the holding means. Thus, the fastening element is not lost. At the same time, the fastening element can also be moved in a direction different from the axial direction and the rotational direction in such a position. In short, the fastening element has a clearance. This can be illustrated in particular by the shank section between the head and the protruding thread, since the diameter of the shank section is smaller than the diameter of the shank section of the protruding thread. The fastening element can thereby be introduced into the fastening opening of the body and/or placed there particularly simply and conveniently.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the retaining means forms an inner diameter in the force limiting element, which is smaller than the outer diameter of the projecting external thread. Thereby, a loss or dropping of the fastening means is prevented, the threaded section of the shank is pressed or screwed through the force limiting element, which comprises the inner diameter reduced by the retaining means.

In a preferred embodiment, an internal thread is formed in the holding means or can be introduced into the holding means. In the case of an internal thread, a fastening element, preferably a screw, which is designed with an external thread, can be screwed into the plastic component. In this way, the fastening element can be guided through the plastic component particularly precisely and without application of force. The internal thread can be introduced, for example, by means of a fastening element configured with an external thread when the fastening element is screwed into the plastic component for the first time. Thus, no additional auxiliary means, such as a threading tool, are required for introducing the internal thread, except for a screwdriver, which may be required for fastening the plastic component. Both of the embodiments mentioned significantly simplify the preassembly of the fastening element in the plastic component. Furthermore, the later introduction of the internal thread reduces the precision and tolerance requirements when manufacturing the plastic component.

In a further preferred embodiment, the holding means is constructed in one piece with the plastic component. The one-piece construction means that the different elements, here the plastic component and the holding means, are constructed in one piece or in one piece. Thus, according to the invention, no components other than plastic components are required for the retaining function. This involves cost advantages in terms of production, in particular because the plastic component and the holding means do not have to be connected in a separate processing step.

According to an additional embodiment, the holding means has a holding element which is designed to be placed on the handle. The retaining elements can be integrated into the interior of the force limiting element, for example, in any desired number or from any desired direction. The retaining element can be designed, for example, as a tongue, and the tongue tip can be designed for placement on the fastening element.

The retaining means are also preferably placed sealingly on the fastening element. Such a sealing function is particularly important to protect the body to which the sealing assembly is fastened from moisture, pressure or other external influences. Thus, the retention device fulfills a triple function. As already mentioned, the retaining means retain the force-limiting element and the fastening means in the plastic component and protect the body from external influences.

According to a further aspect, the object is achieved by a method for producing a system according to one of the above-described embodiments. The method has similar advantages as the system according to the invention and comprises the following steps: providing a force limiting element; the force limiting element is embedded in the plastic component and the fastening element is introduced through the force limiting element.

The improved process has the following advantages: the fastening element is preassembled by means of the holding device and is transported together with the plastic component. The fastening element is preferably pressed or screwed into the plastic component. This considerably simplifies the fastening for the user, since additional purchase, storage or reinforcement of the fastening element is not necessary. The assembly time when using the system is also significantly reduced for the user. The holding means are integrated in one working step during the injection molding of the plastic component, thereby simplifying the manufacture of the system itself to a greater extent. Therefore, there is no need to supplement other components in other work steps.

In an advantageous embodiment, the embedding is carried out by injection molding with liquefied plastic. As already mentioned, the resulting connection between the plastic component and the force-limiting element is thus particularly firmly and hermetically designed.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the retaining means flows into the interior of the force-limiting element with the force-limiting element embedded in the plastic component. Thereby, the arrangement of the holding means is simplified and a particularly efficient and accurate manufacturing is ensured. The simultaneous embedding of the force limiting element and the provision of the retaining means contributes to efficiency and cost advantages in the manufacture of the system as a whole.

According to an additional embodiment, the spacer means introduced into the force limiting element limits the inflow of the retaining means during embedding in the plastic component. Thereby, the penetration depth of the inflowing plastic into the interior of the force-limiting element is precisely controlled. Thus, the quality of the system and the reliability of the method are further improved.

Furthermore, the internal thread is preferably introduced into the holding means during introduction. As already mentioned, the internal thread is preferably introduced by means of a fastening element which is formed with an external thread when the fastening element is first screwed into the plastic component. Thus, no additional auxiliary means and/or working steps are required for introducing the internal thread.

Further advantages of the invention emerge from the description and the drawings.

Drawings

The invention is explained in more detail below on the basis of exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings.

In the figure:

fig. 1 shows a longitudinal section of a system according to the invention;

fig. 2 shows a detail II of fig. 1 in a top view;

fig. 3 shows a detail III from fig. 1 in a perspective view.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows a longitudinal section through a system 1 according to the invention. For the purposes of illustration, the upper side 2 and the lower side 3 are first defined. The concept of the upper side 2 and the lower side 3 is also used to illustrate the individual components in fig. 1 as well as in other figures. The system 1 comprises a plastic component 4 in which a force limiting element 5 is embedded. It is noted that both the plastic component 4 and the force limiting element 5 may have other configurations or shapes than those shown here. The force limiting element 5 may be sleeve-shaped. It may also have an elliptical, square or triangular shape. Furthermore, the system 1 comprises a fastening element 6, which is guided here partially from the upper side 2 through the plastic component 4 and the force limiting element 5.

The plastic component 4 has retaining means 7 which are formed integrally with the plastic component 4 and are arranged in such a way that they project into the interior 8 of the force-limiting element 5. The force limiting element 5 has a first sleeve opening 9 and a second sleeve opening 10, wherein the first sleeve opening 9 is arranged on the upper side 2 and the second sleeve opening 10 is arranged on the lower side 3 of the force limiting element 5. The sleeve-like force-limiting element 5 is furthermore formed with a first bearing surface 11 on the upper side 2 and a second bearing surface 12 on the lower side 3. Some of the first recesses 13 are designed such that they sink into the first bearing surface 11, and some of the second recesses 14 are designed such that they sink into the second bearing surface 12. In this case, in particular, three first recesses 13 and three second recesses 14 are involved, which are not all visible here due to the longitudinal section. The plastic component 4 protrudes through the

recesses

13, 14 and partially into the interior 8 of the force-limiting element 5. The plastic component 4 is connected in one piece with the retaining means 7 at the first sleeve opening 9 by means of the first recess 13. The retaining means 7 only extend in the longitudinal direction over a lower section of the interior 8.

The fastening element 6, which is designed here as a threaded fastening means, preferably a bolt, comprises a head 15 on the upper side 2, from which a shank 16 extends toward the underside 3. The shank 16 is in principle dimensioned in terms of its diameter such that it has some play with respect to the holding means 7. Since the retaining means 7 only extends in the longitudinal direction above the lower section of the interior 8, the gap is dimensioned such that the fastening element 6 can be introduced into a body opening, not shown here, or placed there, particularly simply. The body hole is provided in the body to which the plastic component 4 is to be fastened or mounted. Further, in a state where the force limiting device 1 is completely fastened, the head 15 is placed on the first bearing surface 11 and the second bearing surface 12 is placed on the main body. The force-limiting device 5 thus fulfills its function of improving the introduction of the force caused by the fastening element 6 into the plastic component 4 to be fastened to the body.

The fastening element 6 furthermore has an external thread 17, which is formed on a section of the shank 16 spaced apart from the head 15. The external thread 17 is arranged such that it protrudes from the shank 16. Accordingly, the holding means 7 has a corresponding internal thread 18, which is not visible here. The internal thread 18 is introduced here into the retaining means 7 when the fastening element 6 is first threaded or screwed in.

As is apparent from fig. 1, the fastening element 6 is guided through the plastic component 4 and the force-limiting element 5 to such an extent that the projecting external thread 17 is arranged below the retaining means 7 or at a distance therefrom toward the underside 3. Thus, the fastening element 6 is not loosened by the plastic component 4 or falls off from it, for example during transport. The retaining means 7 retain the fastening element 6. The plastic component 4 and the connected retaining means 7 also ensure the embedding and the stable retention or placement of the force limiting element 5.

The plastic component 4 with the embedded force-limiting element 5 is shown in a top view in fig. 2. This corresponds to the view of the upper side 2 of fig. 1 without the fastening element 6. Thus, a first bearing surface 11 is visible from the sleeve-shaped force-limiting element 5, which is delimited by three countersunk recesses 13. Here, it is also evident again in fig. 2 that the plastic component 4 projects through the first recess 13 and into the interior 8 of the force limiting element 5. The plastic component 4 is thereby connected in one piece with the retaining means 7 (here in particular four retaining means 7) arranged in the interior 8.

As can be seen first of all in fig. 2, the retaining means 7 are also connected to one another in the force limiting element 5 or in the interior 8 by means of a connecting section 19. As a result, the force limiting element 5 is particularly well embedded in the plastic component 4 and is therefore particularly stably held.

Fig. 3 shows the force-limiting element 5 in a perspective view. The overall design of the force-limiting element 5 is therefore first of all apparent in fig. 3, wherein the design of the force-limiting element 5 is described once again here. The sleeve-like force-limiting element 5 extends from a first bearing surface 11 arranged on the upper side 2 to a second bearing surface 12 arranged on the lower side 3. The force limiting element 5 forms an interior 8 which extends from a first sleeve opening 9 provided on the upper side 2 to a second sleeve opening 10 provided on the lower side 3. Three first recesses 13 arranged symmetrically to one another sink into the first bearing surface 11. The three second recesses 14 are recessed into the second bearing surface 12 and are each arranged in the longitudinal direction relative to one of the first recesses 13. The function and purpose of the force limiting element 5 has been discussed fully in the description with respect to fig. 1 and 2.

All features shown in connection with the various embodiments of the invention can be set in other combinations under the subject-matter of the invention in order to achieve the advantageous effects of these features at the same time. The scope of protection of the invention is set forth in the claims and is not limited to the features set forth in the description or shown in the drawings.

Claims

1. System (1) for introducing a force from a fastening element (6) into a plastic component (4), the system comprising:

a plastic component (4) is provided,

a force limiting element (5) embedded in the plastic component (4),

a fastening element (6) for fastening the plastic component (4) to a body, wherein the fastening element (6) is configured such that it can be guided through the force limiting element (5) and

wherein the plastic component (4) has a retaining means (7) which is provided to protrude at least partially into an interior (8) of the force-limiting element (5) in order to fix the fastening element (6) guided through the force-limiting element (5).

2. System (1) according to claim 1, wherein the force limiting element (5) is embedded in the plastic component (4) by injection moulding.

3. System (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the force limiting element (5) is configured sleeve-like.

4. System (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the force limiting element (5) has at least one first recess (13).

5. System (1) according to claim 4, wherein the first recess (13) is provided at a first opening (9) of the force limiting element (5).

6. System (1) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the force limiting element (5) has at least one second recess (14), wherein the second recess (14) is provided at a second opening (10) of the force limiting element (5).

7. System (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the fastening element (6) is configured as a threaded fastening means.

8. System (1) according to claim 7, wherein the fastening element (6) has a head (15) and a shank (16), wherein an external thread (17) protruding from the shank is configured in a section of the shank (16) spaced apart from the head (15).

9. System (1) according to claim 8, wherein the retaining means (7) forms an inner diameter in the force limiting element (5) which is smaller than an outer diameter of the protruding external thread (17).

10. System (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the retaining means (7) are constructed in one piece with the plastic component (4).

11. System (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the holding means (7) has a holding element configured to be placed on the handle (16).

12. System (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the retaining means (7) are configured to be sealingly placeable on the fastening element (6).

13. Method for manufacturing a system (1) according to one of claims 1 to 12, the method comprising the steps of:

-providing a force limiting element (5),

-embedding the force limiting element (5) in a plastic component (4), and

-guiding the fastening element (6) through the force limiting element (5).

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the embedding is performed by injection molding with liquefied plastic.

15. Method according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the retaining means (7) flows into the interior (8) of the force limiting element (5) with the force limiting element (5) embedded in the plastic component (4).

16. Method according to one of claims 13 to 15, wherein a spacer means introduced into the force limiting element (5) limits the inflow of the retaining means (7) during embedding into the plastic component.