DE102017216597A1 - joint assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

Connecting arrangement with a first workpiece (11) and a second workpiece (12) which are connected by a plurality of fasteners (20) spaced from each other. In the region of each fastening element (20), a spacer (30-37) for adjusting the distance (a) between the workpieces (11, 12) is arranged between the first workpiece (11) and the second workpiece (12). The fastening elements (20) connect the workpieces (11, 12) to each other with a predetermined prestress transmitted via the spacers (30-37), at least one spacer (31-37) having at least one deformable section (41-47). It is the deformation of the workpieces (11, 12) can be prevented by tolerance differences in fasteners are degraded by plasticization.

Description

The invention relates to a connection arrangement with a first workpiece and a second workpiece, which are connected to each other by means of a plurality of fasteners spaced from each other. In the region of each fastener, a spacer for adjusting the distance between the workpieces is disposed between the first workpiece and the second workpiece, and the fasteners connect the workpieces to each other with a predetermined preload transmitted through the spacers.

In connection arrangements, with which workpieces are connected to each other over a larger area or a larger area with a plurality of fasteners such as screws, there is a risk that the interconnected workpieces deform if the gap is not constant at all joints. Such spacing tolerances present in this case may be caused, for example, in the production of the workpieces to be joined together, such as, for example, by a delay during welding. In order to counteract a deformation of the workpieces in their connection, so far, for example, at each joining contact point a distance corresponding to the local distance is inserted. However, this is expensive because it is necessary to determine in advance the necessary height of the spacer via a measurement of the distance.

On this basis, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved connection arrangement with a first workpiece and a second workpiece and a spacer suitable for this purpose. This is achieved according to the invention by the teaching of the independent claim. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

To achieve the object, a connection arrangement is proposed, with a first workpiece and a second workpiece, which are connected to each other by means of a plurality of fasteners spaced from each other. In the region of each fastener, a spacer for adjusting the distance between the workpieces is disposed between the first workpiece and the second workpiece, and the fasteners connect the workpieces to each other with a predetermined preload transmitted through the spacers. At least one spacer has at least one plastically and / or elastically deformable section, which is deformable when the predetermined preload of the fastener is exceeded while reducing the distance between the two workpieces. The spacer transmits the predetermined bias over the reduced distance between the first workpiece and the second workpiece.

The proposed solution allows the use of uniform spacers in a connection assembly to connect two workpieces at a designated distance with each other, without the risk of deformation of the workpieces and without a complex determine the tolerance of the distance at the attachment point and choice of a corresponding spacer. This follows from the fact that the height of the proposed spacer is adjustable according to the biasing force acting on this. Thus, for example, in the case of a tolerance-induced reduced distance between the two joining partners at the fastening point, a prestress resulting from the reduced spacing already acts on a spacer arranged there. Adds to this bias nor the applied by the fastener bias, the predetermined bias of the fastener is exceeded and the plastically and / or elastically deformable portion of the spacer deforms accordingly, thus reducing the distance between the two workpieces. Under the effect of the predetermined bias no further deformation of the spacer takes place, so that the predetermined bias voltage is transmitted between the two workpieces. In this way, a deformation of the workpieces is prevented in case of deviations of the distance dimensions.

Such connection arrangements with two workpieces, which are connected to one another with a plurality of fastening elements such as screws or rivets at a distance, are used, for example, in the body construction. In this case, in a connection arrangement, all spacers used can be formed with a plastically and / or elastically deformable section. In other connection arrangements, the use of one or more known spacers without plastically and / or elastically deformable portion and only one or more spacers with plastically and / or elastically deformable portion may be useful.

In the region of each fastener, a spacer for adjusting the distance between the workpieces is arranged between the workpieces. Usually, such spacers will be represented by in particular rotationally symmetrical sleeves which each surround a fastening element. However, other forms of spacers are possible, such as, for example, in cross-section arbitrarily shaped blocks or spacers crescent-shaped cross-section, which are movable in the manufacture of the connection arrangement between the workpieces and after insertion of the fastener and before applying the bias voltage to the fastener can be arranged.

Embodiments of spacers with a plastically and / or elastically deformable portion, which is deformable when the predetermined preload of the fastener is exceeded while reducing the distance between the two workpieces are described below in connection with advantageous embodiments of the connection arrangement.

In one embodiment of the connection arrangement, the at least one plastically and / or elastically deformable section of the at least one spacer has at least one cross-sectional reduction, the material of the spacer being plastically and / or elastically deformable in the region of the at least one cross-section reduction when a predetermined compressive stress is exceeded the height of the spacer is reduced. The cross-section of the spacer is so far reduced in the region of the reduction in cross-section that the spacer deformed by the increased pressure when exceeding the predetermined bias in this area, thereby reducing the increased, acting on this area voltage.

In one embodiment of the connection arrangement, the at least one plastically and / or elastically deformable section of the at least one spacer has at least one recess, whereby the material of the spacer, which adjoins at least one recess, in particular in a direction arranged transversely to the axis of the fastening element, contributes Exceeding a predetermined compressive stress is plastically and / or elastically deformable, whereby the height of the spacer can be reduced. In this embodiment, the spacer in the area next to a recess and in particular in a direction acting in the axial direction of the fastener biasing force in a plane which is arranged transversely to the axis of the fastener, so greatly weakened that the spacer by the increased pressure at an exceeding of deformed predetermined bias voltage in this area, thereby reducing the increased, acting on this area voltage. In particular, in the case of an arrangement of a plurality of recesses, these or at least a plurality of recesses are arranged in a plane transverse to the axis of the fastening element.

In one embodiment of the connection arrangement, the at least one plastically and / or elastically deformable section of the at least one spacer at least partially has a second material different from the further material of the spacer, which has a lower modulus of elasticity and / or a higher plasticity than the further material of the spacer having. The material and its arrangement in the region of the plastically and / or elastically deformable portion is in particular chosen so that the spacer deformed in this section by the increased pressure at an exceeding of the predetermined bias in this area, and thereby the increased on this Area acting stress degrades, however, the predetermined compressive stress between the two workpieces transmits.

In one embodiment of the connection arrangement, the at least one plastically and / or elastically deformable portion of the at least one spacer has a cross-sectional reduction, which engages in a second element and when exceeding the predetermined bias of the fastener to form a plastic and / or elastic deformation in the direction the axis of the fastening element relative to the second element is displaceable. In such an embodiment, not only does the material, in conjunction with its geometric configuration, permit plastic and / or elastic deformation of the spacer, but between the spacer and a second member, utilizing the plastic and / or elastic properties of the spacer material, a frictional engagement between used the spacer and a second element which can be overcome by the spacer at an increased bias to reduce an increased, acting in the direction of the axis of the fastener tension.

In one embodiment of this connection arrangement, the plastically and / or elastically deformable portion of the at least one spacer is conically formed in the region of the cross-sectional reduction. The conical section may cooperate in a likewise conical section of the second element or, for example, also with a cylindrical section of the second element.

In one embodiment of a connection arrangement with a conical section, the at least one spacer is formed in two parts. In such an embodiment, the two parts of the spacer cooperate on the conical section. In the same way, however, also arranged on a conical portion of the spacer workpiece a suitable have geometric design, so that the conical portion of the spacer interacts directly with the adjoining workpiece. In this case, the conical section is displaceable due to the reduction in cross-section of the plastically and / or elastically deformable portion of the at least one spacer relative to the first and / or the second workpiece to reduce the increased, acting in the direction of the axis of the fastener tension.

If a conical section of the spacer interacts directly with an adjacent workpiece, in particular depending on the selection of the materials of the spacer and the adjoining workpiece and / or the geometry of the two interacting elements, a plastic and / or elastic deformation, in particular also adjacent thereto Workpiece done.

In one embodiment of such a connection arrangement, the plastically and / or elastically deformable portion of the at least one spacer has a plurality of conical elements. Depending on the intended use and the design options of the at least one spacer, the use of a plurality of conical elements may be advantageous to reduce the increased stress of the fastener.

In a further aspect of the invention, a spacer for at least one previously described connection arrangement is proposed, in which the spacer has at least one plastically and / or elastically deformable portion which is deformable when a predetermined bias voltage is exceeded while reducing the distance between two workpieces. The spacer transmits the predetermined bias over a reduced by the deformation distance between the first workpiece and the second workpiece.

• 1a eine schematische Darstellung einer beispielhaften Verbindungsanordnung von oben;
• 1b eine schematische Darstellung der beispielhaften Verbindungsanordnung aus 1a von der Seite;
• 2 eine schematische Darstellung eines Befestigungselements einer beispielhaften Verbindungsanordnung gemäß dem Stand der Technik;
• 3 eine schematische Darstellung eines Befestigungselements einer beispielhaften erfindungsgemäßen Verbindungsanordnung;
• 4 eine schematische Darstellung eines Befestigungselements einer weiteren beispielhaften erfindungsgemäßen Verbindungsanordnung;
• 5 eine schematische Darstellung eines Befestigungselements einer weiteren beispielhaften erfindungsgemäßen Verbindungsanordnung;
• 6 eine schematische Darstellung eines Befestigungselements einer weiteren beispielhaften erfindungsgemäßen Verbindungsanordnung;
• 7 eine schematische Darstellung eines Befestigungselements einer weiteren beispielhaften erfindungsgemäßen Verbindungsanordnung;
• 8 eine schematische Darstellung eines Befestigungselements einer weiteren beispielhaften erfindungsgemäßen Verbindungsanordnung; und
• 9 eine schematische Darstellung eines Befestigungselements einer weiteren beispielhaften erfindungsgemäßen Verbindungsanordnung.

Other features, advantages and applications of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the figures. It shows

• 1a a schematic representation of an exemplary connection arrangement from above;
• 1b a schematic representation of the exemplary connection arrangement of 1a of the page;
• 2 a schematic representation of a fastener of an exemplary connection arrangement according to the prior art;
• 3 a schematic representation of a fastener of an exemplary connection assembly according to the invention;
• 4 a schematic representation of a fastener of another exemplary inventive connection arrangement;
• 5 a schematic representation of a fastener of another exemplary inventive connection arrangement;
• 6 a schematic representation of a fastener of another exemplary inventive connection arrangement;
• 7 a schematic representation of a fastener of another exemplary inventive connection arrangement;
• 8th a schematic representation of a fastener of another exemplary inventive connection arrangement; and
• 9 a schematic representation of a fastener of another exemplary inventive connection assembly.

1a shows a schematic representation of a section of an exemplary connection arrangement 10 from above. A first workpiece 11 is doing with a second workpiece 12 over a variety of fasteners 20 interconnected, with in 1a only three fasteners 20 are shown. In the embodiment, a flat first workpiece 11 on a second workpiece 12 attached in the form of a carrier. As in 1b , a schematic representation of the exemplary connection arrangement 1a recognizable from the side, the first workpiece has 11 a distance deviation resulting from an upstream production step, by which the distance in the region of the central fastening element 20 from the second workpiece 12 is lower than in the region of the outer fasteners 20 , A fastening of the workpiece 11 on the workpiece 20 in compliance with the intended distance to the spacer elements 30 would lead to a deformation of the workpieces 11 and 12 to lead. A according to the proposed connection arrangement 10 executed spacer element 30 allows an adjustment of the height of the middle spacer element 30 and thus avoids deformation of the workpieces 11 and 12 ,

2 shows a schematic representation of a fastener 20 in the form of a screw of an exemplary connection arrangement according to the prior art. The connection arrangement has a first workpiece 11 and a second workpiece 12 on, which by means of a plurality of fasteners 20 spaced apart from each other, wherein in 2 only one fastener 20 is shown. In the area of the fastener 20 is between the first workpiece 11 and the second workpiece 12 a spacer 30 arranged for adjusting the distance between the workpieces. The fastener connects the workpieces 11 and 12 so with a predetermined, transmitted via the spacer bias with each other. The spacer 30 is in this known in the prior art embodiment, a hollow cylindrical sleeve whose height is the intended distance between the first workpiece 11 and the second workpiece 12 equivalent. To a deformation of the corresponding 1a trained workpieces 11 and 12 To avoid, so far are spacers 30 with varying heights a used, and so any shape deviations of the workpieces 11 and 12 balanced.

3 shows a schematic representation of a fastener 20 in the form of a screw of an exemplary connection arrangement according to the invention 10 , On the fastener 20 is in 3 a spacer 31 arranged, which has a plastically and / or elastically deformable portion 41 which, in this embodiment, almost over the entire height of the spacer 31 enough. The spacer 31 has continuous recesses 51 in the form of holes, which in particular the material, in a direction transverse to the axis of the fastener arranged direction of a recess 51 adjacent, when a predetermined compressive stress is plastically / and or elastically deformable. In this way is the height of the spacer 31 reducible. Accordingly, such a spacer allows 31 in that when the predetermined pretension of the fastening element is exceeded 20 the section 41 of the spacer 31 while reducing the distance a between the two workpieces 11 and 12 is deformable. The spacer 31 continues to transmit the predetermined bias the fastener 20 about the reduced distance a between the first workpiece 11 and the second workpiece 12 ,

4 shows a schematic representation of a fastener 20 a further exemplary connection arrangement according to the invention 10 , Mode of operation and structure of the illustrated section of the connection arrangement 10 correspond to the functioning and the structure of the spacer 31 out 3 , This in 4 shown spacer 32 is different from the one in 3 shown spacer 31 in that this three over the entire height of the spacer 32 distributed plastically and / or elastically deformable sections 42 having, each of a circumferential cross-sectional reduction 52 be formed in the form of a recess. The material of the spacer 32 is in the area of cross-sectional reduction 52 upon exceeding a predetermined compressive stress plastically / and or elastically deformable, whereby the height of the spacer 32 is reduced accordingly.

5 shows a schematic representation of a fastener 20 a further exemplary connection arrangement according to the invention 10 , Mode of operation and structure of the illustrated section of the connection arrangement 10 correspond to the functioning and the structure of the spacers 31 and 32 out 3 and 4 , This in 5 shown spacer 33 differs from the spacers 31 . 32 in that the plastically and / or elastically deformable section 43 of the spacer 33 one of the other material of the spacer 33 different, second material, which has a lower modulus of elasticity and / or a higher plasticity than the further material of the spacer 33 having.

In the same way, it is at a corresponding 5 trained embodiment also possible that the spacer 33 including the deformable section 43 made of a homogeneous material and the deformable section 43 due to the cross-sectional reduction shown a higher plasticity than the other spacer 33a which causes the section 43 of the spacer 33 can deliberately plasticize when exceeding the predetermined bias, with the height of the spacer 33 reduced. In both embodiments of the spacer 33 can change the properties of the section 43 be adjusted specifically over the wall thickness. The biasing force of the fastener 20 is transmitted safely over the wider cross-section.

6 shows a schematic representation of a fastener 20 a further exemplary connection arrangement according to the invention 10 , Mode of operation and structure of the illustrated section of the connection arrangement 10 correspond to the functioning and the structure of the spacers 31 to 33 from the 3 to 5 , This in 6 shown spacer 34 differs from the spacers 31 to 33 in that the plastically and / or elastically deformable section 44 of the spacer 34 has a cross-sectional reduction, which in a second element, here in the recess 11a of the workpiece 11 engages and when exceeding the predetermined bias of the fastener 20 under formation of a plastic and / or elastic deformation of the deformable portion 44 in the direction of the axis A of the fastener 20 opposite the workpiece 11 is displaceable. The plastically and / or elastically deformable section 44 of the spacer 34 is conical in the area of the cross-sectional reduction. In this embodiment, in addition to the recess 11a on the workpiece 11 a plastic and / or elastic deformation take place.

7 shows a schematic representation of a fastener 20 a further exemplary connection arrangement according to the invention 10 , Mode of operation and structure of the illustrated section of the connection arrangement 10 correspond to the functioning and the structure of the spacers 31 to 34 from the 3 to 6 , This in 7 shown spacer 35 has an operating principle similar to that of the spacer 34 and differs from the spacer 34 in that the plastically and / or elastically deformable section 45 of the spacer 35 several (number of variable) conical elements 55 which, in a second element, here in recesses 11b of the workpiece 11 intervenes. According to the embodiment of the spacer 34 is the spacer 35 upon exceeding the predetermined bias of the fastener 20 forming a plastic and / or elastic deformation of the deformable portion 45 or the conical elements 55 in the direction of the axis A of the fastener 20 opposite the workpiece 11 displaceable. Also in this exemplary embodiment, in addition to the recess 11b on the workpiece 11 a plastic and / or elastic deformation take place.

8th shows a schematic representation of a fastener 20 a further exemplary connection arrangement according to the invention 10 , Mode of operation and structure of the illustrated section of the connection arrangement 10 correspond in particular to the functioning and the structure of the spacer 35 out 7 , This in 8th shown spacer 36 is different from the spacer 35 in that it is formed in two parts. The plastically and / or elastically deformable section 46 of the spacer 36 has in addition to several (number of variable) conical elements 56 also a second element 56a with recesses 56b in which in each case a conically formed element 56 intervenes. According to the embodiment of the spacer 35 is the spacer 36 upon exceeding the predetermined bias of the fastener 20 forming a plastic and / or elastic deformation of the deformable portion 46 or the conical elements 56 in the direction of the axis A of the fastener 20 opposite the workpiece 11 displaceable. Accordingly, in this exemplary embodiment analogous to 6 and 7 in addition also at the recess 56b on the second element 56a a plastic and / or elastic deformation take place.

9 shows a schematic representation of a fastener 20 a further exemplary connection arrangement according to the invention 10 , Mode of operation and structure of the illustrated section of the connection arrangement 10 basically correspond to the mode of operation and the structure of the spacers 31 to 36 from the 3 to 8th , This in 9 shown spacer 37 is also formed in two parts. The plastically and / or elastically deformable section 47 of the spacer 37 is through an interaction of the designs of the two parts 37a and 37b of the spacer 37 educated. So is the part 37a an inner cone 57a and at the part 37b an engaging outer cone in this 57b educated. In the area of the inner cone 57a has the part 37a furthermore longitudinal slots 57c on which a plastic and / or elastic deformation of the deformable portion 47 of the spacer 37 enable. When exceeding the predetermined bias of the fastener 20 is the spacer 37 thus plastically and / or elastically deformable, whereby the two parts 37a and 37b are mutually displaceable and so the height of the spacer 32 is reducible.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

joint assembly

11

first workpiece

11a, b

recess

12

second workpiece

20

fastener

30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37

spacer

33a

Part of the spacer 33

37a, 37b

Part of the spacer 37

41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47

deformable section

51

recess

52, 54, 55, 56

Necking

53

second material

56a

second element

56b

Recess of the second element 56a

57a

inner cone

57b

outer cone

57c

longitudinal slots

a

distance

A

Axis of the fastener

Claims (10)

Connecting arrangement with a first workpiece (11) and a second workpiece (12), which by means of a plurality of fasteners (20) spaced from each other are interconnected, wherein in the region of each fastener (20) between the first workpiece (11) and the second workpiece (12) a spacer (30-37) for adjusting the distance (a) between the workpieces (11, 12) is arranged and the fastening elements (20) the workpieces (11, 12) with a predetermined, through the spacers (30-37). 37) interconnected bias, characterized in that at least one spacer (31-37) has at least one plastically and / or elastically deformable portion (41-47), which when exceeding the predetermined bias of the fastener (20) while reducing the Distance (a) between the two workpieces (11, 12) is deformable, and the spacer (31-37) over the predetermined bias over transmits the reduced distance (a) between the first workpiece (11) and the second workpiece (12). Connecting arrangement according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the at least one plastically and / or elastically deformable portion (41-47) of the at least one spacer (32-37) at least one cross-section reduction (52), wherein the material of the spacer (32-37) in the region at least one cross-section reduction (52) plastically and / or elastically deformable when a predetermined compressive stress is exceeded, whereby the height of the spacer (32-37) can be reduced. Connecting arrangement according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one plastically and / or elastically deformable portion (41) of the at least one spacer (31) has at least one recess (51), whereby the material of the spacer (31), the in particular in a transversely to the axis (A) of the fastener (20) arranged direction adjacent to this at least one recess (51) is plastically and / or elastically deformable when a predetermined compressive stress is exceeded, whereby the height of the spacer (31) can be reduced. Connecting arrangement according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one plastically and / or elastically deformable portion (43) of the at least one spacer (33) at least partially a different material from the other material of the spacer, second material (53), which has a lower modulus of elasticity and / or a higher plasticity than the further material of the spacer (33). Connecting arrangement according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one plastically and / or elastically deformable section (44, 45, 46, 47) of the at least one spacer (34, 35, 36, 37) has a cross-sectional reduction (54, 55 , 56, 57a), which engages in a second element (11, 56a, 37b) and when exceeding the predetermined bias of the fastener (20) to form a plastic and / or elastic deformation in the direction of the axis (A) of the fastener (20) relative to the second element (11, 56a, 37b) is displaceable. Connecting arrangement according to Claim 5 , characterized in that the plastically and / or elastically deformable portion (44, 45, 46, 47) of the at least one spacer (34, 35, 36, 37) is conically formed in the region of the cross-sectional reduction. Connecting arrangement according to one of Claims 5 or 6 , characterized in that the at least one spacer (36, 37) is formed in two parts. Connecting arrangement according to Claim 5 or 6 , characterized in that the conical portion (44, 45a, 46a) due to the reduction in cross-section of the plastically and / or elastically deformable portion (44, 45, 46) of the at least one spacer (34, 35, 36) relative to the first and / or the second workpiece (11) is displaceable. Connecting arrangement according to one of Claims 5 to 8th , characterized in that the plastically and / or elastically deformable portion (45, 46) of the at least one spacer (35, 36) has a plurality of conical elements (55, 56). Spacer for a connection arrangement (10) according to one of Claims 1 to 9 , characterized in that this at least one plastically and / or elastically deformable portion (41-47) which is deformable when exceeding a predetermined bias to reduce the distance (a) between two workpieces (11, 12), and the spacer (31-37) the predetermined bias transmits over a reduced distance (a) between the first workpiece (11) and the second workpiece (12).

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