DE102017127009B3 - Component, its use and method for connecting a component - Google Patents

Abstract

Component (10) having a first and a second connection region (16, 17) for connection to further components (20), wherein the component (10) is formed completely or partially from a thermoplastic material, characterized in that the component (10) a forming region (18) which is deformable at a temperature above the glass transition temperature of the thermoplastic material so that the spatial position of the first and the second connecting portion (16, 17) relative to each other is changeable.

Description

The present invention relates to a component having a first and a second connection region for connection to other components, in particular as a structural element of a land vehicle, aircraft or watercraft, wherein the component is wholly or partially formed from a thermoplastic material.

The invention further relates to the use of the component as a structural element of a land vehicle, aircraft or watercraft.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for connecting the component to a first and a second connection component, in particular in the manufacture of a land vehicle, aircraft or watercraft.

In recent years, especially in aircraft, but also in the construction of land and water vehicles and in other technical fields, an increased use of components made of plastic materials as an alternative to metallic components. As a result, a significant weight reduction can be achieved while maintaining high mechanical stability of the components, which can be achieved in particular by fiber reinforcement of the plastic material.

The connection of the individual components, e.g. the construction elements in a load-bearing structure of a vehicle, either by known mechanical connection means such as rivets, screws or bolts, by means of gluing, or in the case of thermoplastic plastic materials by welding the abutting connecting portions of the components. In all cases, the components to be connected should abut each other as free of play as possible in order to ensure a largely stress-free construction of the assembly. Since a production of the plastic components with correspondingly small tolerances is usually not possible, a tolerance compensation must take place when connecting the components in many cases, e.g. by using joining pastes (so-called shimming) or by mechanical post-processing. When riveting or screwing the components, these tolerance problems mean that the corresponding boreholes can only be produced immediately before the components are joined, and not during the manufacture of the components.

The problems described above lead to the assembly of assemblies by connecting the individual components is time consuming and expensive. In particular, it is hardly possible to automate the assembly process.

The DE 10 2007 019 305 A1 discloses a fastener assembly for securing a component to an aircraft fuselage.

The DE 10 2009 045 202 B4 discloses a modular carbody for a passenger rail vehicle.

The invention is therefore based on the object to propose a component with which the problems mentioned are solved when connecting several components.

This object is achieved in the component of the type mentioned in the present invention, that the component has a forming region which is deformable at a temperature above the glass transition temperature of the thermoplastic material so that the spatial position of the first and the second connection region is changeable relative to each other.

The forming region of the component according to the invention makes it possible in a simple manner to achieve a tolerance compensation during the assembly process. For this purpose, the plastic material is heated in the forming area and deformed so that both connection regions of the component abut respectively on the corresponding connection region of a connection component. The components can then be connected to each other stress-free. Also, the positions of existing holes in the components to be joined can be brought into line with each other.

According to a preferred embodiment, the component extends with its largest dimension along a longitudinal axis, wherein the first and the second connection region are each arranged terminally with respect to the longitudinal axis, and wherein the deformation region is arranged between the two connection regions. With such a structure of the component even a relatively small deformation in the forming area allows a significant tolerance compensation by moving the two terminal connection areas relative to each other.

Conveniently, the component has a uniform cross-sectional profile substantially over its entire length. This cross-sectional profile may have a width direction and a height direction oriented perpendicular to each other and to the longitudinal axis, wherein the height-to-width ratio is preferably in the range of 1: 2 to 1: 5.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the component has a C-profile or an H-profile. Such components are used in particular as construction elements for the supporting structure of vehicles used, for example, as frames, spars or stringers in aircraft and shipbuilding.

In the case of a C-profile or H-profile (or another component having a cross-sectional profile with a height and width), the deformation region is preferably deformable such that the component can be bent about an axis that runs essentially in the height direction of the cross-sectional profile. In such a deformation, the mechanical stability of the component, in particular against bending about an axis in the width direction, remains substantially unaffected.

Preferably, the first connection region has a first connection surface and the second connection region has a second connection surface. The first and the second connection surface are preferably substantially planar surfaces which are in particular parallel to each other. This allows connection to a corresponding flat surface of a connection component, wherein the connection component may be e.g. can be a similar component or a plate-shaped component such as a wall element.

Conveniently, the forming area is deformable so that the angle and / or the distance along a surface normal between the first and the second connection surface are changeable. For example, in a component having the above-mentioned cross-sectional profile, a change in the angle may be achieved by bending the component about an axis in the height direction, while changing the distance of the connecting surfaces along a surface normal by bending the component about two such axes in the longitudinal direction of the Component are spaced apart, can be achieved.

The surface normal of the first and / or the second connection surface is preferably oriented substantially in a width direction of a cross-sectional profile of the component.

The thermoplastic material of the component according to the invention is conveniently a so-called high-performance thermoplastic. The plastic material is preferably selected from polyether ketones, in particular PEEK, polyetherimides, polyamideimides, polyphenylene sulfides, polyethersulfones and mixtures thereof.

The thermoplastic material preferably has a fiber reinforcement. Preferred reinforcements are glass fibers, carbon fibers and aramid fibers.

The invention further relates to the use of a component according to the invention as a structural element of a vehicle, aircraft or watercraft, in particular for the supporting structure. With particular advantage, the component according to the invention can be used as a frame, as a spar or as a stringer.

The invention is also based on the object to propose a method for connecting a component, in which a tolerance compensation is possible in a simple manner.

• - Verbinden des ersten Verbindungsbereichs des erfindungsgemäßen Bauteils mit dem ersten Anschlussbauteil,
• - Erwärmen des Umformbereichs auf eine Temperatur oberhalb der Glasübergangstemperatur des thermoplastischen Kunststoffmaterials,
• - Verformen des Umformbereichs, um eine Toleranz zwischen dem zweiten Verbindungsbereich des Bauteils und dem zweiten Anschlussbauteil ganz oder teilweise auszugleichen, und
• - Verbinden des zweiten Verbindungsbereichs des Bauteiles mit dem zweiten Anschlussbauteil.

This object is achieved in the method of the type mentioned in the present invention in that it comprises the steps:

• Connecting the first connection region of the component according to the invention to the first connection component,
• Heating the forming area to a temperature above the glass transition temperature of the thermoplastic material,
• Deforming the deformation area in order to completely or partially compensate for a tolerance between the second connection region of the component and the second connection component, and
• - Connecting the second connection region of the component with the second connection component.

Conveniently, the forming area is heated to a temperature between the glass transition temperature and the melting temperature of the thermoplastic material. In this case, the temperature can be chosen so that the desired deformation is made possible, without affecting the structural integrity of the forming area.

The heating may conveniently take place by means of a heating element which is brought into contact with the forming area, in particular by means of a heating mat. In this way a controlled energy input is ensured and excessive heating of the component is avoided.

In one embodiment of the method, the component is connected to the connection components by means of mechanical connection means, in particular by means of rivets, bolts or screws. In this case, the component and the connection components may have preformed boreholes whose positions can be made to coincide during deformation of the deformation area.

In a further embodiment of the method, the connection of the component to the connection components takes place via a cohesive connection, in particular by means of gluing or welding.

The connection components can generally be formed from any material. Preferably, in particular when welding the components, the connection components are wholly or partly formed from a thermoplastic material, in particular from the same material as the component according to the invention.

Further advantages and preferred embodiments of the method according to the invention have already been explained in connection with the component according to the invention.

The embodiment described below is used in conjunction with the figures to further explain the invention.

• 1: Perspektivische Darstellung eines erfindungsgemäßen Bauteils und eines Anschlussbauteils vor dem Verbinden;
• 2: Draufsicht auf das Bauteil und das Anschlussbauteil gemäß 1;
• 3: perspektivische Darstellung des erfindungsgemäßen Bauteils und des Anschlussbauteils nach dem Verbinden; und
• 4: Draufsicht auf das Bauteil und das Anschlussbauteil gemäß 3.

They show in detail:

• 1 : Perspective view of a component according to the invention and of a connection component before the connection;
• 2 : Top view of the component and the connection component according to 1 ;
• 3 : perspective view of the component according to the invention and of the connection component after connection; and
• 4 : Top view of the component and the connection component according to 3 ,

The 1 and 2 show a schematic representation of an embodiment of a component according to the invention 10 and a connection component to be connected thereto 20 before the two components are connected together. The component 10 and the connection component 20 belong to an assembly, not shown, which is in particular a part of the supporting structure of a land vehicle, air vehicle or watercraft.

The component 10 is a structural element of this supporting structure which extends with its largest dimension along a longitudinal axis. In cross section, the component 10 a C-profile on with a vertically extending web 12 and straps extending in the width direction 14 , The ratio of the width of the straps 14 to the height of the bridge 12 is about 1: 3.

The component 10 is made of a thermoplastic material, such as PEEK.

The component 10 has a first connection area 16 and a second connection area 17 on, which are respectively arranged terminally with respect to the longitudinal axis. The connection areas 16 and 17 each comprise a planar connecting surface passing through respective portions of the web 12 of the component 10 be formed.

The component 10 is about its first connection area 16 connected to a further connection component of the assembly, which is not shown in the figures, whereby the spatial position of the first connection region 16 is fixed. Over the second connection area 17 is the component 10 with the connection component 20 , which is plate-shaped, to connect, wherein the second connection region 17 due to manufacturing tolerances not on the connection component 20 is applied, but between the components a distance 22 to be bridged. The distance 22 is in the 2 to recognize in the plan view.

To the component 10 with the connection component 20 nevertheless tension-free with compensation of the distance 22 To be able to connect, the component has 10 in a section between the two connection areas 16 and 17 a forming area 18 on. For connecting the second connection area 17 with the connection component 20 according to the method of the invention is the thermoplastic material of the component 10 in the forming area 18 heated and deformed so that the second connection area 17 while compensating for the tolerance on the connection component 20 is present and can be connected to this, for example by means of welding, when the connection component 20 is also formed of a thermoplastic material, or by mechanical connection means.

The 3 and 4 show the component according to the invention 10 and the connection component 20 after the connection in a perspective view and in a plan view.

The forming area 18 Although in the figures for clarity of the adjacent sections of the component 10 delimited, the component 10 However, it is made entirely of the same thermoplastic material. The position of the forming area 18 , ie, the area heated in the implementation of the method, is chosen so that even a small deformation a relatively large change in the spatial positions of the connecting areas 16 and 17 relative to each other is possible. At the same time the deformation of the mechanical stability of the component 10 as little as possible. This is also ensured in the present embodiment in that the component 10 deformed when deformed about two spaced apart axes extending in the height direction 12 the cross-sectional profile of the component 10 extend. The mechanical stability against bending of the component 10 around an axis in the width direction 14 remains essentially unaffected.

The heating of the thermoplastic material in the forming area 18 occurs at a temperature between the glass transition temperature and the melting temperature of the plastic material. For example, in the case of PEEK, this corresponds to a temperature range of about 140 to about 340 ° C. The ideal heating temperature is chosen so that the plastic material sufficiently softens for the required deformation, but the component 10 sufficiently dimensionally stable to ensure its structural integrity. In the case of PEEK, for example, the forming area can be heated to a temperature of about 280 ° C. in order to carry out the method according to the invention.

The heating of the forming area 18 can be done by means of a heating mat, with the forming area 18 is brought into contact. In this way, the desired temperature can be achieved relatively accurately.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

component

12

Footbridge (height direction)

14

Straps (width direction)

16

First connection area

17

Second connection area

18

forming region

20

connection component

22

Distance (tolerance)

Claims (19)

Component (10) having a first and a second connection region (16, 17) for connection to further components (20), wherein the component (10) is formed completely or partially from a thermoplastic material, characterized in that the component (10) a forming region (18) which is deformable at a temperature above the glass transition temperature of the thermoplastic material so that the spatial position of the first and the second connecting portion (16, 17) relative to each other is changeable. Component (10) after Claim 1 , wherein the component (10) extends with its largest dimension along a longitudinal axis, wherein the first and the second connection region (16, 17) are respectively arranged terminally with respect to the longitudinal axis, and wherein the deformation region (18) between the two connection regions (16, 17) is arranged. Component (10) after Claim 2 wherein the component (10) has a uniform cross-sectional profile over its entire length. Component (10) after Claim 3 wherein the member (10) in the cross-sectional profile has a width direction (14) and a height direction (12) oriented perpendicular to each other and to the longitudinal axis, and wherein the width to height ratio is in the range of 1: 2 to 1: 5 , Component (10) after Claim 3 or 4 wherein the component (10) has a C-profile or an H-profile. Component (10) after Claim 4 or 5 , wherein the forming area (18) is deformable so that the component (10) is bendable about an axis which extends in the height direction (12) of the cross-sectional profile. The component (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first connection region (16) has a first connection surface and the second connection region (17) has a second connection surface. Component (10) after Claim 7 wherein the first and second bonding surfaces are planar surfaces. Component (10) after Claim 7 or 8th wherein the forming area (18) is deformable such that the angle and / or the distance along a surface normal between the first and the second connecting surface are changeable. Component (10) after Claim 9 wherein the surface normal of the first and / or the second connecting surface (16, 17) in a width direction (14) of a cross-sectional profile of the component (10) is oriented. Component according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the thermoplastic plastic material is selected from polyether ketones, polyetherimides, polyamide-imides, polyphenylene sulfides, polyethersulfones and mixtures thereof. A component (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the thermoplastic plastics material has a fiber reinforcement. Use of a component (10) according to one of the preceding claims as a structural element of a land vehicle, aircraft or watercraft. Method for connecting a component (10) according to one of the preceding claims with a first and a second connection component (20), comprising the steps: - connecting the first connection region (16) of the component (10) to the first connection component, - heating the deformation region (18) to a temperature above the glass transition temperature of the thermoplastic material, Deforming the deformation area (18) in order to completely or partially compensate for a tolerance between the second connection region (17) of the component and the second connection component (20), and - connecting the second connection region (17) of the component (10) to the second connection component ( 20). Method according to Claim 14 wherein the forming area (18) is heated to a temperature between the glass transition temperature and the melting temperature of the thermoplastic resin material. Method according to Claim 14 or 15 wherein the heating takes place by means of a heating element, which is brought into contact with the forming area (18). Method according to one of Claims 14 to 16 wherein the joining of the component (10) with the connection components (20) takes place by means of mechanical connection means. Method according to one of Claims 14 to 16 , Wherein the connection of the component (10) with the connection components (20) via a cohesive connection. Method according to one of Claims 14 to 18 , Wherein the connection components (20) are wholly or partially formed of a thermoplastic material.

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