CZ308756B6 - Device for selectively tightening an adjustable element and a bolts - Google Patents

Abstract

Device (1) for selectively tightening two coaxially arranged elements, for example, an adjustable element (13) and a bolt (14) of a car tail light, the screw (14) is located concentrically in the inner part of the adjustable element (13). The position of the inner shaft (2) is manually adjustable in the axial direction, the adjustable element (13) and the screw (14) can be tightened independently with a single tool, either by the first end (8) of the inner shaft (2), or by the first end (11) of the housing (5).

Description

PATENT FILE (11) Document number:

308 756 (19)

CZECH REPUBLIC

OFFICE OF INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY

(21) Application number: 2020-108 (22) Logged in: 03/03/2020 (40) Published: (Bulletin No. 17/2021) 04/28/2021 (47) Granted: 03/17/2021 (24) Notice of award in the Gazette: (Bulletin No. 17/2021) 04/28/2021

(13) Document's type: B6 (51) Int. Cl .:

B25B 13/48 (2006.01)

B25B 21/02 (2006.01)

B25B 23/142 (2006.01) (56) Relevant documents:

EP 1997955; US 5,490,439; GB 2486415; US 4106371; EP 0323166; US 4,565,112; US 1389468; EP 2445682.

(73) Patent holder:

ŠKODA AUTO a.s., Mladá Boleslav, Mladá

Boleslav II, CZ (72)

South Stránský, Mnichovo Hradiště, CZ

Jan Brynych, Mlada Boleslav, Mlada Boleslav II,

CZ (54) Title of the invention:

Equipment for selective tightening of adjustable element and screw (57)

Device (1) for selectively tightening two coaxially arranged elements, for example an adjustable element (13) and a screw (14) of a car tail lamp, the screw (14) being located concentrically in the inner part of the adjustable element (13). The position of the inner shaft (2) is manually adjustable in the axial direction, whereby the adjustable element (13) and the screw (14) can be tightened independently with a single tool either by means of the first end (8) of the inner shaft (2) or by the first end ( 11) housings (5).

Device for selective tightening of the adjustable element and the screw

Field of technology

The invention relates to the problem of independently tightening two elements of a car's tail lamp with a single tool.

Prior art

At present, the rear group lamp of vehicles is adjusted using two separate tools. For assembly, the adjustable element and the center screw must be adjusted independently. To adjust the central screw, it is necessary to secure the adjustable element against rotation with another tool. To adjust the adjustable element, on the other hand, it is necessary to secure the central screw against rotation.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,565,112 A discloses a device which comprises an outer sleeve which serves to hold a nut and a pin which is pressed towards the screw. However, the center pin cannot be manipulated and the pin cannot be pushed or moved away from the screw. It is also not possible to transmit torque to the screw with the pin, and therefore the center screw cannot be adjusted.

US 1389468 A discloses a device for tightening an inner nut, which is located in the inner part of the device, the outer part of the device being shaped in shape with a washer during tightening, thus preventing its movement during tightening. The device, however, does not allow control of torque transmission to the inner or outer nut as required.

EP 2445682 A1 discloses a device for tightening screws with a central hole in which an inducing member is located. The device allows you to tighten the screw to the exact torque. To tighten, the outer sleeve is slid onto the screw head of the corresponding shape. The device includes a shaft that is terminated to abut the indicating screw member. At the beginning of tightening, the outer bushing rotates and the shaft also rotates. After a certain tightening, the movement of the shaft is prevented by friction with the upper surface of the screw. The outer sleeve continues to rotate and the correct moment by which the screw is tightened is determined on the basis of the angular displacement relative to the stationary indicating member. However, the solution does not allow manual adjustment of the shaft position as required. The end of the shaft, which is pressed against the inducing member by a spring, is constantly connected to the inducing member during tightening. It is not possible to manually adjust the axial position of the shaft so that the end can come into contact with the inducing member as required, and thus transmit torque only to the screw or only to the inducing member. Therefore, the device could not be used to assemble the rear light of a car.

A solution that allows one of the screw connection elements to be adjusted independently is also disclosed in European patent document EP 1997955 B1. This solution discloses a tightening device which comprises an outer sleeve firmly connected to an arm to be tightened, this sleeve serving to attach a fixed part of the track switch. It further comprises an inner sleeve mounted concentrically, which is adapted to hold the nut, the inner sleeve being rotatably movable about its central axis by means of a hydraulic motor. The disadvantage of the solution is that it is not adapted for rotation by an external nozzle. Furthermore, it is necessary to use hydraulic fluid to rotate the inner sleeve, which increases the weight and cost, while at the same time reducing the accuracy and reliability of the tightening device. Furthermore, the document does not publish instructions on how to rotate the separately adjustable element and the central screw.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,490,439 A discloses a solution for a tightening tool device which comprises a sleeve adapted to hold, for example, an adjustable element, the sleeve being rotatably rotatable about its axis and the transmission of torque being effected by a planetary gearbox from an electric motor. A rotationally movable torque transmission tool is located concentrically with this sleeve. This tool is connected to an electric motor via a planetary motor

- 1 CZ 308756 B6 gearbox. The disadvantage of this solution is the need to use electrical energy to drive the tightening tool and the complicated design of the planetary gearbox.

British patent document GB 2486415 A discloses a tightening tool for independent tightening of a bolt and nut, which consists of three coaxial shafts which are connected to each other by rolling elements located in the grooves of these shafts. The central shaft is provided with an end for receiving a nut, while the rotation of the outer shaft does not rotate the inner shaft, which is adapted to hold the screw. In this case, the rolling elements ensure that the inner sleeve and screw do not rotate. However, this solution does not allow the screw or nut to rotate selectively.

Therefore, it would be desirable to come up with a solution that would allow the rear lamp to be adjusted so that the center screw and the outer adjustable member are operated independently with a single tool.

The essence of the invention

The above-mentioned drawbacks are to some extent eliminated by the device for the selective tightening of the adjustable element and the screw, the screw being located concentrically in the inner part of the adjustable element. The device for selectively tightening the adjustable element and the screw comprises an inner shaft, a lid with a handle, a housing with a flange and a resilient element. The inner shaft includes a first end of the inner shaft with a shaped element adapted to transmit torque to the bolt, further comprising a second end of the inner shaft that includes a shaped element adapted to receive a tightening tool. Between the first end of the inner shaft and the second end of the inner shaft is an area with an increased diameter of the inner shaft. This area with an increased diameter of the inner shaft allows the transmission of force from the resilient element to the shaft. The housing includes a through hole and further includes a first end of the housing with a shaped element adapted to transmit torque to the adjustable member and includes a flange at its second end. The flange is used to connect the lid to the housing. The other end of the housing includes an area with an increased inner diameter of the housing. The diameter of the area with the increased inner diameter of the housing is larger than the diameter of the area with the increased diameter of the shaft. The handle cover includes a through hole that has a smaller diameter than the area with the increased diameter of the inner shaft. The inner shaft is coaxially positioned in the housing such that the first end of the inner shaft is near the first end of the housing and the area with the increased diameter of the inner shaft is in the area with the increased inner diameter of the housing. There is a resilient element between the area with the increased diameter of the inner shaft and the area with the increased diameter of the housing. The resilient element defines the position of the inner shaft relative to the housing. The lid with the handle is attached to the flange, the other end of the inner shaft protruding through the hole in the lid out of the lid. The other end of the shaft is thus accessible for attachment to a tightening tool or a torque screwdriver.

The inner shaft of the device for selectively tightening the adjustable element and the screw is adjustable between the first and second positions. In the first position, the first end of the inner shaft is closer to the cover and in the second position, the first end of the inner shaft is further away from the cover. In the first position, the potential energy of elasticity of the spring element is less than in the second position. The change in the potential elastic energy of the spring dementia is given by the relation:

r ^x f

ΔΕ _ρ - - I (—kx ^ dx where E _p is the potential elastic energy of the spring element, L is the stiffness of the spring element, x is the coordinate in the direction of the axis of movement of the inner shaft and serves in relation as a system configuration variable, x is the initial position of one of ends of the spring element ax / is the end position of the same end of the spring element.

By axially moving the inner shaft, contact and torque transmission between can be controlled

- 2 GB 308756 B6 first end of the inner shaft and the groove of the screw.

Preferably, the shaped element of the first end of the housing comprises a replaceable n-edge with protruding pins. Interchangeable n-edges allow compatibility with adjustable elements with different geometries.

Preferably, the shaped element at the first end of the inner shaft comprises any of a group of cross, flat, torx or hex points. The type of tip is selected according to the type of screw groove in order to allow the most efficient transmission of torque when the shaped element of the first end of the inner shaft is in contact with the screw groove.

Preferably, the shaped element comprises a second end of the inner shaft of the n-edges. The n-edge rod allows torque to be transmitted from the tightening tool.

The handle is preferably adapted to be gripped by the hands and protrudes away from the flange. The handle can thus be used to manually develop a relatively high torque.

Explanation of drawings

The essence of the invention is further elucidated on the basis of examples of its implementation, which are described with the aid of the accompanying drawings, where:

Fig. 1 shows a device for selectively tightening an adjustable element and a screw;

Fig. 2 shows the individual components of the device for the selective tightening of the adjustable element and the screw;

Fig. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the individual components of the device for the selective tightening of the adjustable element and the screw;

Fig. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of a device for selectively tightening an adjustable element and an internal shaft screw in a first position;

Fig. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of a device for selectively tightening an adjustable element and an internal shaft screw in a second position;

Fig. 6 shows a view of the first end of the inner shaft in the device for selectively tightening the adjustable element and the screw;

Fig. 7 shows a view of the other end of the inner shaft in a device for selectively tightening an adjustable element and a screw;

Fig. 8 shows a screw in an adjustable element.

Examples of embodiments of the invention

The invention will be further elucidated on the basis of exemplary embodiments with reference to the respective drawings. The main parts of the device for selectively tightening the adjustable element 13 and the screw 14 are described below with reference to Fig. 3.

The inner shaft 2 comprises a first end 8 of the inner shaft 2 and a second end 9 of the inner shaft 2. In an exemplary embodiment, the first end 8 of the inner shaft 2 is provided with a torx-type tip having the shape of a six-armed rose. In alternative embodiments, the first end 8 of the inner shaft 2 is provided with a cross, flat, hex or other tip, which is adapted to transmit a torsional

The shape of the groove of the screw 14 is compatible with the first end 8 of the inner shaft 2. The second end 9 of the inner shaft 2 is in the exemplary embodiment provided with a hexagon and serves for connection to a torque screwdriver or other clamping device. The inner shaft 2 further comprises a region 10 with an increased diameter of the inner shaft 2. The region with an increased diameter of the inner shaft allows the transmission of force from the resilient element.

The housing 5 comprises a first end 11 of the housing 5, which in the exemplary embodiment is a hexagon with protruding pins from the holes in the hexagon. The hexagon surfaces are used for attachment to the housing 5, so that torque can be transmitted. The pins are made with an overlap with respect to the holes in the hexagon, which means that they are firmly secured in the hexagon. The pins projecting from the hexagon of the first end 11 of the housing 5 are compatible with the holes in the adjustable element 13. On the other side of the housing 5 is a flange 6 which contains four regularly spaced holes in a circle. The other end of the housing 5 further comprises a region 12 with an increased inner diameter of the housing 5. In an exemplary embodiment, the diameter of the region 12 with an increased inner diameter of the housing 5 is made with clearance relative to the region 10 with the increased diameter of the inner shaft 2 to minimize friction.

The lid 3 comprises holes for attachment to the flange 6 and a handle 4. The holes in the lid 3 are equally evenly spaced from the center as the holes in the flange 6. Through the holes in the lid 3 and in the flange 6, the lid 3 is firmly connected to the flange by a screw connection 6, and thus the housing 5. The handle 4 is a gripping element and in the exemplary embodiment the lid 3 comprises four handles 4. The handle 4 projects from the axis of the lid 3 to increase the torque from the user.

The assembly of the individual components is illustrated with reference to FIGS. 2 to 5. The inner shaft 2 is located in the housing 5 and is secured against sliding out by a cover 3. The enlarged diameter region 10 of the inner shaft 2 is located in the enlarged inner diameter region 12. In the region 12 with the increased diameter of the housing 5, there is a resilient element 7, which in the exemplary embodiment is a compression coil spring. In the exemplary embodiment, the resilient element 7 abuts at one end on the region 12 with increased housing diameter and at the other end on the region 10 with increased diameter of the inner shaft 2. The spring element 7 thus pushes the inner shaft 2 towards the cover 3. In the exemplary embodiment the spring element 7 acts on the inner element by force even if the inner shaft 2 abuts the cover 3. It follows that without the action of a force on the inner shaft 2, the position of the inner shaft 2 is fixed.

Next, the function of the device 1 for selectively tightening the adjustable element 13 and the screw 14 is described. As follows from the arrangement of the individual members, the inner shaft 2 is partially axially movable in the housing 5 and can be in two characteristic positions. The tightened elements are an adjustable element 13 and a screw 14, shown in Fig. 8.

The inner shaft 2 in the first position is shown in Fig. 4. In this position no force acts on the inner shaft 2 and the first end 8 of the inner shaft 2 is located inside the housing 5. When tightening, the first end 11 of the housing 5 abuts the holes in the adjustable element 13. However, the first end 8 of the inner shaft 2 is not in contact with the groove of the screw 14. Therefore, only the adjustable element 13 is tightened in the first position of the inner shaft 2. In the first position of the inner shaft 2, tightening is performed by manually turning the handle 4. of the shaft 2 is transmitted from the user via the handles 4 on the cover 3 to the housing 5 via screw connections between the cover 3 and the flange 6. Furthermore, the torque is transmitted from the housing 5 to the adjustable element 13 via the first end 11 of the housing 5.

Thus, in the first position of the inner shaft 2, the inner shaft 2 does not transmit torque and is not manipulated in any way. Only the adjustable element 13 is tightened.

To tighten the screw 14, the inner shaft 2 must be moved to the second position, which is shown in Fig. 5. In the second position of the inner shaft 2, a force acts on the second end 9 of the inner shaft 2 towards the first end 11 of the housing 5. The applied force must be sufficient so that the first end 8 of the inner shaft 2 abuts the groove of the screw 14. In an exemplary embodiment, a torque screwdriver is attached to the second end 9 of the inner shaft 2, which the user pushes and thereby moves the inner shaft 2 from the first to

- 4 CZ 308756 B6 second position. The distance by which the inner shaft 2 can be moved between the first and second positions is determined by the size of the area 12 with increased housing diameter 5, the position of the cover 3 and the spring element 7. The movement of the inner shaft 2 in the axial direction is stopped after the force is applied. with an increased diameter of the inner shaft 2 on the fully compressed spring element 7. Thus, in the second position the first end 8 of the inner shaft 2 abuts the groove in the screw 14 and also the first end 11 of the housing 5 abuts the holes in the adjustable element 13. In the second position of the inner shaft 2 both the screw 14 and the adjustable element 13 can be tightened. To tighten the screw 14, torque is applied with a torque screwdriver to the inner shaft 2 via the second end 9 of the inner shaft 2. The torque is further transmitted from the inner shaft 2 to the screw 14 via the first end 8 of the inner shaft 2. As required, the rotation or prevention of the movement of the adjustable element 13 is controlled by the handle 4. In this way, the adjustable element can be selectively tightened. 13 and / or screw 14 with one tool. In the exemplary embodiment, the tightening tool is a torque screwdriver, alternatively a drill, torque wrench, conventional wrench or other device can be used to transmit torque to the inner shaft 2 via the other end 9 of the inner shaft 2.

In alternative embodiments, the first end 11 of the housing 5 is formed by elements other than pins and is formed with the housing 5 as one component. In other embodiments, the first end 8 of the inner shaft 2 is cross-shaped, flat, hex, socket or other point according to the groove shape of the screw 14 that is tightened. In other embodiments, the second end 9 of the inner shaft 2 is designed as a gripping element, and thus the device 1 for selectively tightening the adjustable element 13 and the screw 14 can be used without a torque screwdriver. In other embodiments, the spring element 7 is formed by a piston or other component which acts against the movement of the inner shaft 2 towards the first end 11 of the housing 5. In other embodiments the spring element 7 is not part of the device 1 for selectively tightening the adjustable element 13 and the screw 14.

Industrial applicability

The device described above for the selective tightening of the adjustable element and the screw and the method of adjustment can be used mainly for assembling lamps in automobiles, where it is necessary to handle the adjustable element and the screw separately. The device for selective tightening of the adjustable element and the screw significantly shortens the construction time and allows the assembly of the lamp with a single tool.

Claims (6)

Device (1) for selectively tightening an adjustable element (13) and a screw (14), the screw (14) being located concentrically in the inner part of the adjustable element (13), characterized in that it comprises an inner shaft (2), a cover (3) with a handle (4), a housing (5) with a flange (6) and a resilient element (7), the inner shaft (2) comprising a first end (8) of the inner shaft (2) with a shaped element adapted to transmit torque into the screw (14), further comprising a second end (9) of the inner shaft (2) that includes a shaped element adapted to receive a tightening tool, further between the first end (8) of the inner shaft (2) and the second end (9) of the inner shaft. shaft (2) comprises an area (10) with an increased diameter of the inner shaft (2), the housing (5) comprising a through hole and further comprising a first end (11) of the housing (5) with a shaped element adapted to transmit torque to the adjustable element ( 13) and comprises at its other end a flange (6), the other end of the housing (5) z comprises an area (12) with an increased inner diameter of the housing (5), the cover (3) with the handle (4) comprising a through hole having a smaller diameter than the area (10) with an increased diameter of the inner shaft (2), the inner shaft ( 2) is coaxially placed in the housing (5) so that the first end (8) of the inner shaft (2) is located close to the first end (11) of the housing (5) and the area (10) with increased diameter of the inner shaft (2) is located in the region (12) with the increased inner diameter of the housing (5) and between the region (10) with the increased diameter of the inner shaft (2) and in the region (12) with the increased diameter of the housing (5) there is a resilient element (7), the lid (3) with the handle (4) is attached to the flange (6), the other end (9) of the inner shaft (2) projecting out of the lid (3) through an opening in the lid (3). Device (1) for selectively tightening an adjustable element (13) and a screw (14) according to claim 1, characterized in that the inner shaft (2) is positionable between the first and second positions, the first end (8) being in the first position ) of the inner shaft (2) closer to the cover (3) and in the second position the first end (8) of the inner shaft (2) is further away from the cover (3), while in the first position the potential elastic energy of the spring element (7) is less than in second position. Device (1) for selectively tightening an adjustable element (13) and a screw (14) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shaped element of the first end (11) of the housing (5) is exchangeable n-edges with protruding pins. Device (1) for selectively tightening an adjustable element (13) and a screw (14) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shaped element at the first end (8) of the inner shaft (2) is any of a group of cross, flat , torx or hex points. Device (1) for selectively tightening an adjustable element (13) and a screw (14) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shaped element of the second end (9) of the inner shaft (2) is n-edged. Device (1) for selectively tightening an adjustable element (13) and a screw (14) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the handle (4) is adapted to grip hands and protrudes away from the flange (6).