DE102019119627A1 - Flow hole forming screw - Google Patents

Abstract

Use of a flow hole forming screw for the electrical and mechanical connection of an electrical conductor to an electrically conductive body component, the flow hole forming screw comprising a tapered threaded shaft extending in an axial direction and designed to cut a thread in a substrate (16) Screw head, and a functional section for fastening an electrical conductor, the functional section being arranged on the side of the screw head opposite the threaded shaft.

Description

The present invention relates to the use of a flow hole-forming screw and a method for producing an electrical and mechanical connection between an electrical conductor and an electrically conductive body component.

Flow hole forming screws, also called FDS ^® , are known in principle. Such screws are used, for example, to connect body components. The use of flow hole-forming screws has the advantage that no component preparations, such as pre-drilling or punching, are necessary. Instead, the screw can, for example, be screwed into two full-surface sheets lying one above the other. For this purpose, the screw is placed with its tip on the surface of the component, rotated and pressed against the surface of the component in the axial direction. The component heats up due to the friction generated between the tip of the screw and the component. When the component is sufficiently heated, the screw penetrates the component. The screw creates a thread in the component.

Known flow hole-forming screws have the disadvantage that they can only be used to connect components.

An object of the present invention is to provide a new application for a flow hole forming screw. In addition, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method with which an improved connection between a body component and an electrical conductor can be established.

The object is achieved by using a flow hole forming screw according to claim 1 and in particular in that a functional section is provided on the flow hole forming screw, which is arranged on a side of a screw head opposite a threaded shaft and that the flow hole forming screw for the electrical and mechanical connection of an electrical Conductor is used with an electrically conductive body component.

A basic idea of the present invention is therefore to add a further section to the screw head of the flow-hole-forming screw, which usually protrudes from the component, and to attach a cable to this section, so that electrical current from the cable is introduced into the body component via the electrically conductive flow-hole-forming screw can be. It has been found that a connection between the flow hole-forming screw and a body component, which is produced by flow hole molding, is well suited for the transmission of current, since it can be predicted well how good the conductivity of the connection between the flow hole forming screw and the body component will be. On the other hand, the use of a flow hole-forming screw for the electrical and mechanical connection of an electrical conductor to an electrically conductive body component has the advantage that, unlike conventionally used elements, one-sided accessibility is sufficient to introduce the flow hole-forming screw into the body component.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention can be found in the subclaims, the description and the drawings.

According to a first aspect, the functional section comprises a bolt. For example, a part formed with a corresponding opening can be pushed onto this bolt. The bolt is preferably in an axial direction, i.e. arranged in a main direction of extension of the threaded shaft. According to one embodiment, the bolt is designed as a threaded bolt. In this case, a part provided with a corresponding internal thread, for example a threaded nut, can be screwed onto the threaded bolt. The threaded nut can be designed in such a way that an electrical conductor, e.g. a cable that can be clamped between the threaded nut and the screw head. For this purpose, the threaded bolt is preferably designed such that the threaded nut can be screwed onto the threaded bolt until an end face of the threaded nut comes into contact with the corresponding end face of the screw head. The threaded nut and the screw head preferably form a flat contact.

According to one embodiment, the threaded nut has a flange on the side facing the screw head. This has the advantage that a clamping area between the screw head and the flange is enlarged and the electrical conductor can thus be clamped better.

Alternatively or additionally, the functional section can have an opening. For example, a bolt can be inserted into this opening. The bolt can be connectable to the electrical conductor. The opening can have an undercut, into which a prestressed element of a part can engage in order to produce a snap-snap connection. For example, this part can be connectable to the electrical conductor. The functional section can also be designed as a ring or eyelet, in which, for example, a hook that can be connected to the electrical conductor can engage. Alternatively, the electrical conductor can be connected directly to the ring or the eyelet.

According to a further aspect, the functional section can have a recess with an internal thread. For example, a threaded bolt can be screwed into the functional section. The internal thread preferably extends in the axial direction. The threaded bolt can be connected to the electrical conductor.

Alternatively or additionally, the functional section can have a substantially spherical section. The spherical section may, for example, be part of a ball joint, i.e. interact with a part with a ball socket. This part can then be rotated in all directions relative to the screw.

Between the screw head and the spherical section, a section with a reduced cross section compared to the spherical section is preferably provided. If the spherical section is part of a ball and socket joint, a possible relative movement between the screw and the part having the ball socket can thereby be increased.

It would also be conceivable to provide a ball socket on the functional section which forms a ball joint with a part having a ball.

According to one embodiment, a circumferential recess is formed in a contact surface of the screw head facing the threaded shaft. This depression serves as a receiving space for excess melt of the substrate, i.e. for melt of the body component produced by shaping the thread.

In order to prevent rotation between the flow-hole-forming screw and the body component and thus to prevent the flow-hole-forming screw from being unintentionally loosened, a contact surface of the screw head can be equipped with an anti-rotation device. For example, the circumferential depression can have a non-circular outer circumference. For example, the outer circumference can be a polygon, e.g. describe a hexagon.

As an alternative or in addition to this, the anti-twist device can comprise, for example, elevations extending in the radial direction on the contact surface. The elevations preferably divide the contact surface of the screw head into uniform circular sectors.

According to one aspect, the screw head has a substantially hexagonal cross section. The corners of the hexagonal cross section are preferably rounded or chamfered. Alternatively, the peripheral surface of the screw head can have teeth whose tooth thickness is preferably greater than their tooth height.

According to one of the aforementioned embodiments, the flow hole-forming screw can preferably be used to connect two components, in particular body components, to one another and to fasten an electrical conductor to the screw. Alternatively, the screw can be used to be screwed into a single body component and to be used to fasten an electrical conductor.

According to one aspect of the invention, the functional section of the flow hole-forming screw can be designed and arranged to be connected to ground. In particular, the functional section can thus be a ground bolt.

According to one embodiment, the flow hole-forming screw is coated by electrocoating. For example, the flow hole-forming screw with the body component connected to it can be transported through a KTL bath (KTL = cathodic dip coating) and thereby coated by electro-dipping. This has the advantage that the connection point between the flow hole-forming screw and the body component is less susceptible to corrosion. In this case, a contact point at which the flow hole-forming screw is to be brought into contact with the electrical conductor at a later point in time is preferably not coated by electrodeposition. In other words, the contact point is prevented from coming into contact with the coating agent.

This is preferably prevented by the threaded nut, in that it is screwed onto the flow-hole-forming screw before the electrocoating process in such a way that one end face of the threaded nut lies against the corresponding end face of the screw head, and the end faces thereby at least partially cover one another.

• - Bereitstellen einer fließlochformenden Schraube mit einem sich in einer axialen Richtung erstreckenden spitz zulaufenden Gewindeschaft, der dazu ausgebildet ist, ein Gewinde in ein Substrat zu schneiden, einem Schraubenkopf und einem Funktionsabschnitt zur Befestigung eines elektrischen Leiters, wobei der Funktionsabschnitt auf der dem Gewindeschaft entgegengesetzten Seite des Schraubenkopfes angeordnet ist,
• - Einbringen der fließlochformenden Schraube in das Karosseriebauteil unter Erzeugung eines Gewindes in dem Karosseriebauteil;
• - Herstellen einer elektrischen und mechanischen Verbindung zwischen dem elektrischen Leiter und dem Funktionsabschnitt der fließlochformenden Schraube.

The invention also relates to a method for producing an electrical and mechanical connection between an electrical conductor and an electrically conductive body component, comprising the steps:

• - Providing a flow hole-forming screw with a tapered threaded shaft extending in an axial direction, which is designed to cut a thread into a substrate, a screw head and a functional section for fastening an electrical conductor, the functional section being arranged on the side of the screw head opposite the threaded shaft,
• - Inserting the flow hole-forming screw in the body component with creating a thread in the body component;
• - Establishing an electrical and mechanical connection between the electrical conductor and the functional section of the flow hole-forming screw.

A basic idea of the present method is to use a flow hole forming screw to make an electrical connection between an electrical conductor, e.g. a cable, and a body component. Among other things, this has the advantage that a well predictable connection quality between the electrical conductor and the body component can be achieved.

According to one embodiment of the method, after the flow-hole-forming screw has been introduced into the body component, the flow-hole-forming screw is coated together with the body component by electrodeposition, a contact point on the flow-hole-forming screw for establishing electrical contact between the flow-hole-forming screw and the electrical conductor not being coated by the electrodeposition is coated. For example, the contact point can be covered while the body component is being coated. The contact point is preferably located on the end face of the screw head facing away from the contact surface.

Electrodeposition painting of the contact point is preferably prevented by a threaded nut screwed onto the functional section.

According to one embodiment, the flow hole-forming screw is screwed into a hollow profile. In contrast to conventional earth bolts, the choice of the flow hole-forming screw as the earth bolt makes it possible to connect such components which are only accessible from one side in a simple manner, electrically and mechanically, to an electrical conductor.

The body component is preferably part of an automobile body. However, it is understood that the use of the flow hole forming screw according to the invention is not limited to automotive applications. Rather, the use of the flow hole-forming screw according to the invention can also be used in shipbuilding, railroad construction or aircraft construction.

Each feature described as optional can be claimed as an invention in combination with any further feature described as optional.

• 1 eine perspektivische Darstellung einer erfindungsgemäßen fließlochformenden Schraube gemäß einer ersten Ausführungsform von schräg hinten;
• 2 eine perspektivische Darstellung der fließlochformenden Schraube von 1 von schräg vorne;
• 3 eine Rückansicht einer Hälfte der fließlochformenden Schraube von 1;
• 4 eine Seitenansicht der fließlochformenden Schraube von 1;
• 5 eine Vorderansicht einer Hälfte der fließlochformenden Schraube von 1;
• 6 ein Karosseriebauteil mit der fließlochformenden Schraube von 1 in einer zur Hälfte geschnitten dargestellten Seitenansicht;
• 7 eine perspektivische Darstellung einer erfindungsgemäßen fließlochformenden Schraube gemäß einer zweiten Ausführungsform von schräg hinten;
• 8 eine perspektivische Darstellung der fließlochformenden Schraube von 7 von schräg vorne;
• 9 eine Rückansicht einer Hälfte der fließlochformenden Schraube von 7;
• 10 eine zur Hälfte geschnitten dargestellte Seitenansicht der fließlochformenden Schraube von 7;
• 11 eine Vorderansicht einer Hälfte der fließlochformenden Schraube von 7;
• 12 ein Karosseriebauteil mit der fließlochformenden Schraube von 7 in einer zur Hälfte geschnitten dargestellten Seitenansicht;
• 13 eine perspektivische Darstellung einer erfindungsgemäßen fließlochformenden Schraube gemäß einer dritten Ausführungsform von schräg hinten;
• 14 eine perspektivische Darstellung der fließlochformenden Schraube von 13 von schräg vorne;
• 15 eine Rückansicht einer Hälfte der fließlochformenden Schraube von 13;
• 16 eine Seitenansicht der fließlochformenden Schraube von 13;
• 17 eine Vorderansicht einer Hälfte der fließlochformenden Schraube von 13;
• 18 ein Karosseriebauteil mit der fließlochformenden Schraube von 13 in einer zur Hälfte geschnitten dargestellten Seitenansicht;
• 19 eine perspektivische Darstellung von schräg hinten einer Baugruppe bestehend aus einer erfindungsgemäßen fließlochformenden Schraube und einer aufgeschraubten Gewindemutter;
• 20 eine perspektivische Darstellung der Baugruppe von 19 von schräg vorne;
• 21 eine Rückansicht einer Hälfte der Baugruppe von 19;
• 22 eine Seitenansicht der Baugruppe von 19; und
• 23 eine Vorderansicht der Baugruppe von 19.

The invention is described below on the basis of purely exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same features in the different embodiments are provided with identical reference numerals in order to facilitate the comparison of the different embodiments. Show it:

• 1 a perspective view of a flow hole-forming screw according to the first embodiment obliquely from behind;
• 2 a perspective view of the flow hole forming screw of 1 from diagonally in front;
• 3 a rear view of one half of the flow hole forming screw of 1 ;
• 4 a side view of the flow hole forming screw of 1 ;
• 5 a front view of one half of the flow hole forming screw of 1 ;
• 6 a body component with the flow hole forming screw from 1 in a side view shown in half cut;
• 7 a perspective view of a flow hole forming screw according to the invention according to a second embodiment from obliquely behind;
• 8th a perspective view of the flow hole forming screw of 7 from diagonally in front;
• 9 a rear view of one half of the flow hole forming screw of 7 ;
• 10 a half cut side view of the flow hole forming screw of 7 ;
• 11 a front view of one half of the flow hole forming screw of 7 ;
• 12 a body component with the flow hole forming screw from 7 in a side view shown in half cut;
• 13 a perspective view of a flow hole forming screw according to the invention according to a third embodiment from obliquely behind;
• 14 a perspective view of the flow hole forming screw of 13 from diagonally in front;
• 15 a rear view of one half of the flow hole forming screw of 13 ;
• 16 a side view of the flow hole forming screw of 13 ;
• 17 a front view of one half of the flow hole forming screw of 13 ;
• eighteen a body component with the flow hole forming screw from 13 in a side view shown in half cut;
• 19 a perspective view obliquely from the rear of an assembly consisting of a flow hole forming screw according to the invention and a screwed threaded nut;
• 20 a perspective view of the assembly of 19 from diagonally in front;
• 21 a rear view of one half of the assembly of 19 ;
• 22 a side view of the assembly of 19 ; and
• 23 a front view of the assembly of 19 ,

In the 1 to 6 is a flow hole forming screw 10 shown according to a first embodiment. The flow hole forming screw 10 includes one in an axial direction 12 extending tapered threaded shaft 14 , which is designed to thread into a substrate, for example a metal sheet 16 ( 6 ) to cut. In addition, the flow hole-forming screw 10 a screw head eighteen on the one axial end of the threaded shaft 14 is arranged. On the threaded shaft 14 opposite side of the screw head eighteen is a functional section 20 intended. The threaded shaft 14 , the screw head eighteen and the functional section 20 are formed in one piece with one another, ie they are made from one piece, for example by cold extrusion.

The threaded shaft 14 has a first section 22 on the circumferential side of which a self-tapping thread is formed. In addition, the threaded shaft 14 a second section 24 which is essentially conical and thus tapers. The through the second section 24 formed tip 26 is like in 6 can be seen rounded. This will reduce the friction when the substrate is heated 16 elevated.

At one of the top 26 distant area of the threaded shaft 14 there is a reduction in cross-section 28 ( 2 ). This forms together with a circumferential depression 30 in the screw head eighteen a recording room 32 for excess melt of the substrate 16 ,

The threaded shaft 14 facing side of the screw head eighteen is essentially flat and serves as a contact surface 34 for the substrate 16 , However, the investment area 34 an anti-twist device 36 in the form of several elevations extending in the radial direction 38 on. The screw head eighteen also has a screw-in section 40 on, which is radially offset from the contact surface 34 forming part of the screw head eighteen is arranged. This screw-in section 40 is designed as a hexagon. In other words, the screw-in section 40 a cross-section with six long edges. The corners between the edges are as in 3 can be seen, rounded or provided with a chamfer. On the screw-in section 40 can attack a screwdriver, not shown, around the flow hole forming screw 10 into the substrate 16 screwed.

On the threaded shaft 14 opposite side of the screw head eighteen the flow hole-forming screw tapers 10 stepwise. This is where the functional section begins 20 ,

With the flow hole forming screw 10 according to the first embodiment is the functional section 20 as a bolt 42 with circumferential thread, that is, designed as a threaded bolt. The threaded bolt 42 comprises a first bolt section 44 ( 4 ) who diminished oneself to the screw head eighteen has a tapering cross-section. The threaded bolt 42 also has a second bolt section 46 that is fully threaded. The threaded bolt 42 also includes a third bolt section 48 that is towards the free end of the threaded bolt 42 rejuvenated. The threaded bolt also defines 42 a fourth bolt section 50 with a constant reduced cross-section. The fourth bolt section 50 serves as protection when the flow hole forming screw 10 with the functional section 20 falls ahead on a hard surface.

In the 7 to 12 is a second embodiment of a flow hole forming screw according to the invention 110 shown. The threaded shaft 14 and the screw head eighteen are identical to the threaded shaft 14 and the screw head eighteen the first embodiment. However, this flow hole-forming screw has 110 about another functional section 120 , The functional section 120 has a substantially constant outside diameter. The functional section is on the front 120 with a screw forming in the axial direction of the flow hole 110 extending Opening or recess 152 fitted. This recess 152 which extends up to the screw head eighteen through the entire functional section 120 extends through, has a first hole portion 154 ( 10 ) in which an internal thread is formed. The recess also points 152 a second hole section 156 on which is closer to the screw head eighteen located as the first hole section 154 and which has no internal thread. The recess 152 can be made by drilling a face into the flow hole forming screw 110 is drilled in and then the internal thread is formed.

The 13 to eighteen show a third embodiment of a flow hole forming screw according to the invention 210 , In this embodiment, too, the threaded shaft 14 and the screw head eighteen identical to the threaded shaft 14 and the screw head eighteen the first embodiment. However, this embodiment has a further modified functional section 220 on. The functional section 220 includes a spherical section 258 over a section with a reduced cross-section 260 with the screw head eighteen connected is. The section with reduced cross-section 260 has a constant circular cross section and is therefore cylindrical. The spherical section 258 defines a flat end surface 262 that have a rear end of the flow hole forming screw 10 represents.

The 19 to 23 show an embodiment of an assembly consisting of a flow hole forming screw 310 and a threaded nut 364 , The flow hole forming screw 310 corresponds to the flow hole forming screw described above 10 except that an outer perimeter 366 the circumferential depression 30 not circular, but out of round.

The threaded nut 364 is on the threaded bolt 42 of the functional section 20 screwed. The threaded nut 364 has a flange on one of its two faces 368 ( 19 and 22 ) on. This flange 368 can with its face with a face of the screw head eighteen be brought into contact by the threaded nut 364 completely on the threaded bolt 42 is screwed on. Between the resulting contact surfaces of the threaded nut 364 and the screw head eighteen can be an electrical conductor 370 ( 19 ) are pinched. As a result, it is possible in a simple manner, the flow hole-forming screw 310 electrical and mechanical with the electrical conductor 370 connect to.

Further flow hole-forming screws with further functional sections are also conceivable. For example, a functional section with a ring or an eyelet could be used to be connected with a hook. Furthermore, a flow hole-forming screw can be provided, the functional section of which is provided with at least one axial or circumferential groove. It is also conceivable to provide a flow hole-forming screw with a functional section which has a radial through hole. A functional section with a clip and / or a functional section with an adhesive surface are also conceivable.

The flow hole forming screws described above can, as for example in eighteen shown, can be used to be screwed into a single component and then serve as a fastening option. However, it is also conceivable to use the flow-hole-forming screws to connect several components to one another and additionally to provide an attachment option. In particular, the flow hole-forming screws described above can be used to be screwed into a hollow profile, since only one-sided accessibility is necessary for setting the flow hole-forming screw.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

flow hole forming screw

12

axial direction

14

threaded shaft

16

substratum

18

screw head

20

function section

22

first section

24

second part

26

top

28

Necking

30

all-round deepening

32

accommodation space

34

contact surface

36

Escape protection

38

survey

40

male screw

42

bolt

44

first bolt section

46

second bolt section

48

third bolt section

50

fourth bolt section

110

flow hole forming screw

120

function section

152

recess

154

first hole section

156

second hole section

210

flow hole forming screw

220

function section

258

spherical section

260

Section with reduced cross section

262

flat end surface

364

threaded nut

366

outer periphery

368

flange

370

electrical conductor

Claims (12)

Use of a flow hole forming screw (10; 110; 210; 310) for the electrical and mechanical connection of an electrical conductor (370) to an electrically conductive body component (16), the flow hole forming screw (10; 110; 210; 310) comprising: a tapered threaded shaft (14) which extends in an axial direction (12) and is designed to cut a thread into a substrate (16), a screw head (18), and a functional section (20; 120; 220) for fastening the electrical conductor (370), the functional section (20; 120; 220) being arranged on the side of the screw head (18) opposite the threaded shaft (14). Use a flow hole forming screw after Claim 1 , characterized in that the functional section (20) comprises a threaded bolt (42). Use a flow hole forming screw after Claim 2 , characterized in that a threaded nut (364) is screwed onto the threaded bolt (42), by means of which the electrical conductor (370) is clamped between the screw head (18) and the threaded nut (364). Use a flow hole forming screw after Claim 3 , characterized in that the threaded nut (364) has a flange (368) on the side facing the screw head (18). Use of a flow hole-forming screw according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a circumferential recess (30) is formed in a contact surface (34) of the screw head (18) facing the threaded shaft (14), which recess serves as a receiving space (32) for excess melt of the substrate (16) is used. Use a flow hole forming screw after Claim 5 , characterized in that the circumferential recess (30) has a non-circular circumference, in particular the outer circumference (366). Use of a flow hole-forming screw according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a contact surface (34) of the screw head (18) is equipped with an anti-twist device (36), in particular elevations (38) extending in the radial direction. Use of a flow hole-forming screw according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the screw head (18) has a section with an essentially hexagonal cross section (40), in particular with flattened corners. Method for producing an electrical and mechanical connection between an electrical conductor (370) and an electrically conductive body component (16), comprising the steps: - Providing a flow hole forming screw (10; 110; 210; 310) with a tapered threaded shaft (14) which extends in an axial direction (12) and is designed to cut a thread into a substrate (16), a screw head (18) and a functional section (20; 120; 220) for fastening an electrical conductor (270), the functional section (20; 120; 220) being arranged on the side of the screw head (18) opposite the threaded shaft (14); - Introducing the flow hole-forming screw (10; 110; 210; 310) into the body component (16) while creating an internal thread in the body component (16); - Establishing an electrical and mechanical connection between the electrical conductor (370) and the functional section (20; 120; 220) of the flow hole-forming screw (10; 110; 210; 310). Procedure according to Claim 9 , characterized in that after the flow-hole-forming screw (10; 110; 210; 310) has been introduced into the body component (16), the flow-hole-forming screw (10; 110; 210; 310) is coated together with the body component (16) by electrocoating, wherein a contact point on the flow hole forming screw (10; 110; 210; 310) for production an electrical contact between the flow hole-forming screw (10; 110; 210; 310) and the electrical conductor is not coated by the electrocoating. Procedure according to Claim 10 , characterized in that a threaded nut (364) screwed onto the functional section (20; 120; 220) prevents electrodeposition of the contact point. Procedure according to Claim 11 , characterized in that the contact point is covered by the threaded nut during electrodeposition painting and is protected from coating.

Images