CN112283232B

CN112283232B - System for introducing force from a fastening element into a plastic component and method for producing a system

Info

Publication number: CN112283232B
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: 2023-05-12
Anticipated expiration: 2040-07-06
Also published as: DE102020116676A1; CN112283232A

Abstract

The invention relates to a system (1) for introducing a force from a fastening element (6) into a plastic component (4), comprising a 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 designed 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 arranged 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). The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing the system (1) according to the invention, 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 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 a 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 devices 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 to a body. The pressure limiting device here comprises a sleeve configured in a cylindrical shape with openings at both ends and a spacer coupled to the inner surface of the sleeve. The septum is deformable between a first configuration and a second configuration, the first configuration defining a slit in the septum 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 elastic force exerted by the spacer.

As another example, US 6457925B1 discloses a force limiting device for minimizing the pressure of a bolt pair on a first workpiece fastened to a second workpiece. In this case, the force limiting means comprises a long sleeve defining a longitudinal axis extending between the scarf end of the first workpiece and the lead-in end of the bore. The end engaged with the first member has a flange that prevents the plug from moving past, wherein the long sleeve has a retaining section defining an inner diameter. The second section extends through an aperture in the second workpiece. The second workpiece has a defined inner diameter that is smaller than the inner diameter of the holding section and a pressure stop surface that extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis between the holding section and the second section. The force limiting device further comprises a key retaining device received in the long sleeve, wherein the key newspaper device may receive the key in such a way that the key 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 includes a knurled surface extending about a section of the second section.

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

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 forces from a fastening element into a plastic component. The system comprises a plastic component, a force limiting device embedded in the plastic component, and a fastening element for fastening the plastic component to the body, wherein the fastening element is designed such that the fastening element can be guided through the force limiting element, and wherein the plastic component has a retaining means which is arranged such that it protrudes 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 the retaining means and 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 consolidate the fastening elements. The assembly time when using the system is also significantly reduced for the user by the preassembled fastening elements. Since the retaining means protrude into the interior of the force limiting element, the force limiting element is also firmly held in the plastic component and thus performs a dual function.

Within the meaning of the present document, the concept of plastic component relates to every plastic element that should be arranged on a body by means of fastening elements. For example, plastic holding devices made by injection molding are mounted on a fixed or immovable body by means of, for example, bolts. In the automotive industry, this is used, for example, in the actuator of a camshaft adjuster. The holding device of such an actuator corresponds here to an injection-molded plastic element which is mounted on a body in the form of a motor vehicle body or an engine block by means of 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 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 crosslinking reactions and can be removed from the injection molded work piece as a finished product. In order to achieve a connection to the force limiting element, the force limiting element is also placed in the injection-molded workpiece. The connection between the resulting plastic component and the force-limiting element is particularly strong and sealingly constructed as a result of the over-injection. Since in this case the embedding of the force limiting element and at the same time the production of the plastic component together with the retaining means are carried out, the production process of the system is particularly efficient and low-cost due to the over-injection molding.

According to the invention, the force limiting element can also be configured as a sleeve. 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 slot, a long hole or a groove. In principle, the recess may have all forms which can be poured around the plastic component during connection with the plastic component. The force limiting element is held in a particularly stable manner in the plastic component by the recess. The liquefied plastic can thus flow through the recess into the interior of the sleeve-shaped force limiting element.

Here, the first recess is preferably arranged on the first opening of the force limiting element. The force limiting element can thus be enclosed at or flow around 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 thus a functionally advantageous structure of the system and a particularly stable 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 size 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 disposed opposite each other. The force limiting element is thereby surrounded or flown around on both sides or at both openings without covering the bearing surface for the body. Thus, the placement of the force limiting element is more stable and provides an additional inflow opening for the liquefied plastic into the interior of the force limiting element.

According to the invention, the fastening element is advantageously configured as a threaded fastening means, such as a screw, a bolt or a long 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 an external thread protruding from the shank is formed on a section of the shank spaced apart from the head. The fastening element having such a structure and being introduced into the plastic component provides particularly good holding forces. Such a holding force results from the interaction of the holding means and the protruding 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 position in a direction different from the axial direction and the direction of rotation. In short, the fastening element has a gap. 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 thus 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 form an inner diameter in the force limiting element, which is smaller than the outer diameter of the protruding external thread. Thereby, the loss or fall of the fastening means is placed, the threaded section of the shank is pressed or screwed through the force limiting element, which comprises the inner diameter reduced by the holding 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 provided 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 applying force. The internal thread can be introduced, for example, by means of a fastening element configured with an external thread when first screwed into the plastic component. Thus, no additional auxiliary devices, such as threading tools, are required to introduce the internal threads, other than a screwdriver that may be required to tighten the plastic component. The two embodiments mentioned significantly simplify the preassembly of the fastening element in the plastic component. In addition, the later introduction of internal threads reduces the precision and tolerance requirements in the manufacture of plastic components.

In a further preferred embodiment, the holding means is constructed in one piece with the plastic component. By one-piece construction is meant that the different elements, in this case the plastic component and the holding means, are constructed in one piece or as one piece. Thus, according to the present invention, no components other than plastic components are required for the holding function. This has the cost advantage of being produced, in particular because the plastic component and the retaining means do not have to be connected in a separate processing step.

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

The holding means is also preferably placed sealingly on the fastening element. Such a sealing function is particularly important to protect the body to which the seal assembly is secured from moisture, pressure or other external influences. Thus, the holding device satisfies the 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 another aspect, the object is achieved by a method for producing a system according to one of the embodiments described above. 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 guided through the force limiting element.

The improved method has the following advantages: the fastening element is preassembled by the retaining means and transported together with the plastic component. The fastening element is preferably pressed or screwed into the plastic component. The fastening is thereby significantly simplified for the user, since no additional purchase, storage or reinforcement of the fastening element is 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, no additional components are required in other working steps.

In an advantageous embodiment, the embedding is performed by injection molding with liquefied plastic. As already mentioned, the connection between the plastic component produced thereby and the force limiting element is particularly strong and is constructed in a sealing manner.

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 generally contributes to the efficiency and cost advantages in manufacturing the system.

According to an additional embodiment, the spacer means introduced into the force limiting element limit the inflow of the retaining means during the embedding into the plastic component. The depth of penetration of the inflowing plastic into the interior of the force-limiting element is thereby 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 the introduction. As already mentioned, the internal thread is preferably introduced by means of a fastening element configured with an external thread when first screwed into the plastic component. Thus, no additional auxiliary devices and/or working steps are required to introduce the internal thread.

Other advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and 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 through 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 of fig. 1 in a perspective view.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows a longitudinal section through a system 1 according to the invention. For illustration purposes, the upper side 2 and the lower side 3 are defined first. The concepts of the upper side 2 and the lower side 3 are also used to illustrate the individual components in fig. 1 and 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 the embodiments shown here as desired. The force limiting element 5 may be configured as a sleeve. 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 constructed in one piece with the plastic component 4 and are arranged such that they protrude 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-shaped 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. The first recesses 13 are designed such that they sink into the first support surface 11, and the second recesses 14 are designed such that they sink into the second support surface 12. In particular, three first recesses 13 and three second recesses 14 are referred to here, which are not all visible due to the longitudinal sectional view. The plastic component 4 protrudes through the

recesses

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

The fastening element 6 is here configured as a threaded fastening means, preferably a screw, which comprises a head 15 on the upper side 2, from which a shank 16 extends toward the lower side 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 extend in the longitudinal direction only over the lower section of the interior 8, the size of the gap is such that the fastening element 6 is particularly simple to introduce into a main body bore, not shown here, or to place there. 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 fastening of the force limiting device 1 is completed, 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 fulfils 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. Correspondingly, the holding means 7 have a corresponding internal thread 18, which is not visible here. The internal thread 18 is introduced into the holding means 7 during the first penetration or screwing in of the fastening element 6.

As is clear from fig. 1, the fastening element 6 is guided through the plastic component 4 and the force-limiting element 5 in such a way that the protruding external thread 17 is arranged below the holding means 7 or at a distance therefrom toward the underside 3. The fastening element 6 is thus not loosened by the plastic component 4 or falls off from said plastic component, for example during transport. The holding means 7 hold the fastening element 6. The plastic component 4 and the connected holding means 7 also ensure the insertion and stable holding or placement of the force limiting element 5.

The plastic component 4 and the embedded force limiting element 5 are 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. The first bearing surface 11, which is delimited by three sunk recesses 13, is thus visible from the sleeve-shaped force limiting element 5. It is again evident here in fig. 2 that the plastic component 4 protrudes 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 holding means 7 (here in particular four holding 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. The force limiting element 5 is thereby particularly well embedded in the plastic component 4 and is thus particularly stably held.

Fig. 3 shows the force limiting element 5 in a perspective view. The overall construction of the force limiting element 5 is thus defined for the first time in fig. 3, wherein the construction of the force limiting element 5 is described again here. The sleeve-shaped force limiting element 5 extends from a first bearing surface 11 provided on the upper side 2 to a second bearing surface 12 provided 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, which are arranged symmetrically to one another, sink into the first support surface 11. The three second recesses 14 are immersed in the second support 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 fully discussed in the description with respect to fig. 1 and 2.

All the features shown and described in connection with the various embodiments of the invention can be set in other combinations under the subject matter according to the invention in order to achieve the advantageous effects of these features at the same time. The scope 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. A system (1) for introducing a force from a fastening element (6) into a plastic component (4), the system comprising:

a plastic component (4),

a force limiting element (5) which is 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 to be guided through the force limiting element (5) and

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

wherein the force limiting element (5) has at least one first recess (13),

wherein the first recess (13) is arranged at a first opening (9) of the force limiting element (5),

wherein the force limiting element (5) has at least one second recess (14), wherein the second recess (14) is arranged at a second opening (10) of the force limiting element (5),

wherein the holding means (7) are connected to one another in the force limiting element (5) or in the interior (8) by means of a connecting section (19),

wherein the shank (16) has a certain play relative to the holding means (7),

wherein the fastening element (6) is designed as a threaded fastening device,

wherein the fastening element (6) has a head (15) and a shank (16), wherein an external thread (17) protruding from the shank is formed in a section of the shank (16) spaced apart from the head (15),

wherein the retaining means (7) form an inner diameter in the force limiting element (5), which is smaller than the outer diameter of the protruding external thread (17).

2. The system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the force limiting element (5) is embedded into the plastic component (4) by injection molding.

3. The system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the force limiting element (5) is configured as a sleeve.

4. The system (1) according to claim 2, wherein the force limiting element (5) is configured as a sleeve.

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

6. The system (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the holding means (7) has a holding element configured to be placed on the handle (16).

7. The system (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the holding means (7) are configured to be placed sealingly on the fastening element (6).

8. Method for manufacturing a system (1) according to one of claims 1-7, 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).

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the embedding is performed in liquefied plastic by injection molding.

10. Method according to claim 8, wherein the retaining means (7) flow into the interior (8) of the force limiting element (5) with the force limiting element (5) embedded in the plastic component (4).

11. Method according to claim 9, wherein the retaining means (7) flow into the interior (8) of the force limiting element (5) with the force limiting element (5) embedded in the plastic component (4).

12. Method according to one of claims 8 to 11, 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.