DE102020125085A1 - Subassembly for use in connecting two components and method of making a subassembly - Google Patents

Abstract

Described is a preassembled assembly (1) comprising at least one first component (2) having an upper side (2') and an underside (2"), with at least one joining opening (8) and at least one compensating device (7), which in the direction of a main axis (HA) is axially adjustable. The compensating device (7) comprises at least one bushing element (5) and a compensating element (6) which interacts with the bushing element (5) and has a clamping screw bushing (6.2), the compensating element (6) being at least partially in a The socket element (5) has a contact section (5.1) forming a contact surface (5.11) and lies with the contact surface (5.11) against the upper side (5). 2') of the first component (2).According to a particular aspect of the invention, the bushing element (5) has an abutment along the main axis (HA) on the first contact section (5.1). closing joining and securing section (5.2), which extends at least into the joining opening (8) of the first component (2) and is at least partially accommodated in the joining opening (8). The socket element (5) is secured against rotation and secured against loss on the first component (2) via the joining and securing section (5.2).

Description

The invention relates to a preassembled assembly, in particular for use in the adjustable connection of two components according to the preamble of patent claim 1 and to a method for producing a preassembled assembly according to the preamble of patent claim 14. The invention also relates to a method for clamping two components under Use of a preassembled assembly according to Claim 18 and an arrangement comprising at least one preassembled assembly and a second component connected to the preassembled assembly according to Claim 19.

In many areas of mechanical engineering and device manufacture, especially in vehicle construction or in the manufacture of household appliances, it is often necessary to connect or brace at least two components to one another at a predetermined distance from one another. For example, the at least two components can be made of flat material, in particular components made of sheet steel, e.g. body parts.

It is known that the components to be connected are clamped together using appropriate clamping and fastening devices with tolerance compensation. Such fastening devices with tolerance compensation are well known. For example, describes the WO 2015/024556 A1 a method for producing an assembly in which two components are clamped together using a clamping nut and a clamping bolt and a spacer consisting of a threaded sleeve and a drum nut, with the method initially fixing the clamping nut and the threaded sleeve to the first component by a rivet collar provided on an end face of the clamping nut is introduced through a joining opening of the first component into the threaded sleeve and is deformed there into a deformed rivet collar which engages behind an undercut of the threaded sleeve.

Furthermore, a fastening device is known, for example, which consists of a clamping nut lying on the outside of a first component, of a clamping bolt lying on the outside of a second component and engaging in the clamping nut, and of an axially adjustable spacer, which consists of a spacer located on the inner surface of the first component supporting threaded sleeve and is formed by a drum nut which engages with an external thread in the internal thread of the threaded sleeve and abuts against the inner surface of the second component. The drum nut and the threaded sleeve have a left-hand thread. The drum nut is connected to the clamping bolt via a driver sleeve to transmit a limited torque, so that when the clamping bolt is rotated by turning the drum nut, the distance between the components is first set and then, when a required distance is reached, the distance between these components is increased further and the drum nut is also rotated with the clamping bolt are prevented and the clamping of the components takes place via the clamping bolt increasingly engaging in the clamping nut. The disadvantage of the known clamping and fastening device, however, is that the threaded sleeve has to be fixed to the first component by hook-like sections engaging in the first component and, moreover, the clamping nut has to be placed as an individual part on the clamping bolt passing through the openings in the components and in the spacer and during clamping must be secured against turning with the clamping bolt using a suitable tool.

The object of the invention is to provide an assembly for use when connecting two components, which allows components to be fastened and/or braced while avoiding the disadvantages of known tensioning and/or fastening devices. To solve this problem, an assembly according to claim 1 is designed. A method for producing a preassembled assembly according to the preamble of patent claim 14 is also provided. The invention also relates to a method for clamping two components using a pre-assembled assembly and an arrangement comprising at least one pre-assembled assembly and a second component connected to the pre-assembled assembly.

The present invention provides a preassembled assembly that includes at least one first component having an upper side and an underside with at least one joining opening, and at least one compensating device that is axially adjustable in the direction of a main axis. The compensating device comprises at least one bushing element and a compensating element which interacts with the bushing element and has a clamping screw bushing. The compensating element is accommodated at least partially in a receiving space of the bushing element and can be moved in the axial direction with respect to the bushing element. The socket element has a contact section forming a contact surface and rests with the contact surface against the upper side of the first component. According to a particular aspect of the invention, the bushing element has a joining and securing section, which adjoins the first contact section along the main axis and which at least fits into the joining opening of the first Component extends and is at least partially accommodated in the joint opening. In this case, the socket element is secured against rotation and secured against loss on the first component via the joining and securing section.

The preassembled assembly according to the invention, which can also be referred to as a prefabricated assembly in the present case, is available in particular for use in connecting two components that are to be connected at a predetermined, adjustable distance from one another. Advantageously, the connection of the at least two components is made significantly easier with the present preassembled assembly, since the compensating device is also held securely on the assembly via the captive and twist-proof attachment of the bushing element to the first component. As a result, additional means for fixing the bushing element and/or the compensating element accommodated in the bushing element are advantageously not required. When clamping the components by screwing in a clamping screw or clamping bolt, it is not necessary to secure the compensating device. The anti-twist fastening is advantageous in such a way that it also withstands extremely high loads and the effects of force.

The compensating device is such that the compensating element is at least partially accommodated in the receiving space of the bushing element in such a way that the compensating element can be moved axially, in particular in the direction of the main axis, to adjust or set the desired distance between two components to be connected or to compensate for tolerances is held sufficiently firmly or securely in the bushing element that it is secured against falling out, in particular secured against loss, in the bushing element, for example by means of a corresponding press fit.

The bushing element is particularly advantageously connected directly and directly to the first component via its joining and securing section. The socket element is thus fastened directly to the first component, specifically secured against twisting and also against falling out or getting lost. For example, the connection secured against twisting and loss can be produced by permanent material deformations. Depending on the materials used to manufacture the component or bushing element, in particular depending on their hardness, the material of the component can be permanently deformed in an area surrounding the joining opening and/or the material of the joining and securing section of the bushing element. The anti-twist device can also be designed or supported in that the joining opening and/or an outer peripheral shape of the joining and securing section of the bushing element have a shape that deviates from the circular shape, for example.

Components within the meaning of the present invention can preferably be components produced from a flat material made of metal or plastic, for example from sheet steel, the components having a specific, predetermined component thickness, in particular sheet thickness. In this case, the component can preferably also be designed as a pressed, stamped and/or joined part, with the production of the present prefabricated assembly within the meaning of the invention also being able to be regarded as a sub-step of the production process of the component, which, for example, in series production, reduces the number of production steps can be reduced. In the present understanding, however, the component can alternatively also be a component that deviates from the flat shape, for example a cast component with a large component thickness, which can also be referred to as a structural body.

According to the present invention, a joining opening is preferably formed by a pre-drilled hole or pre-drilled hole in the component, which can be designed, for example, as a through-drilled hole or as a continuous perforation. In the present case, however, the joining opening can also be in the form of a joining recess or indentation, which is introduced into the component from the top, for example, and does not open the component continuously, for example. According to the present understanding, it is also possible for the joining opening to be formed by a passage molded into the component, wherein such a passage can already be preformed in the component or is formed into the component directly during manufacture of the preassembled assembly. For example, such a passage can be introduced into the component by means of flow drilling or flow forming and can be formed with or without an internal thread.

According to a preferred embodiment variant, the socket element is pressed directly with the first component. The joining and securing section of the bushing element is particularly preferably pressed into the joining opening of the first component over a predetermined press-in length, with at least one region of the joining and securing section and/or an edge region of the first component surrounding the joining opening being particularly preferably permanently deformed by the pressing . For example, the pressed-in length can depend on the component thickness, in particular sheet metal thickness, and can in particular be specified as a relative variable in relation to the component thickness. For example, the press-in length can be between about 20% and 100% correspond to the component thickness, preferably about one third of the component thickness or half the component thickness. However, the pressed-in length can also correspond approximately to the component thickness. The component thickness or sheet metal thickness can thus be greater than or equal to or smaller than the press-in length.

In any case, the joining and securing section of the socket element engages over a certain area in the joining opening and, for example, reaches through the joining opening of the first component, which is preferably designed as a continuous pre-punched hole, so that the free end of the joining and securing section is essentially flush with the underside of the first component or protrudes beyond the underside of the first component in the direction of the main axis. In this latter variant, the bushing element thus extends completely through the component, with its top bushing section accommodating the compensating element protruding from the top of the component and at the same time protruding with its free end of the joining and securing section from the underside of the component. The socket element is arranged on both sides of the component, in particular accessible for further elements, for example connecting elements. In preferred variants, a connecting section can be formed on the free end of the joining and securing section protruding on the underside of the component, via which, for example, a connecting element, in particular a nut element or a clamping nut, can be connected, for example by a fit, in particular a press fit.

The bushing element is preferably formed by a threaded sleeve with an internal thread and the compensating element is formed by a drum screw or grub screw with a clamping screw bushing. In this case, the barrel or grub screw has an external thread that engages in the internal thread of the threaded sleeve. It goes without saying that the compensating element is securely held, in particular secured, in the bushing element via the corresponding threads, namely internal threads and external threads, and thus advantageously no additional securing means are required in the present preassembled or prefabricated assembly group, for example to prevent the compensating device from being lost.

It is also understood that, for example, the internal thread of the threaded sleeve and the external thread of the drum screw are advantageously designed as counterclockwise threads, with a clamping nut and clamping screw used when using the assembly to connect a second component interacting via corresponding clockwise threads. As a result, the external thread of the clamping screw can be brought into engagement with the internal thread of the clamping nut without any problems. This effectively prevents the drum screw from turning when the tensioning screw is screwed in.

In one embodiment of the invention, driver means, for example in the form of a driver sleeve, an adhesive or similar suitable driver means for receiving a clamping screw, can be accommodated in the clamping screw bushing, with the torque required to penetrate the driver means using the clamping screw being greater than that required to loosen the jammed attachment the loosening torque required for the drum screw in the threaded sleeve. The driver means are also advantageously designed in such a way that the torque required to penetrate the driver means by means of the clamping screw is less than the frictional torque occurring between the free front end of the drum screw and the second component when it is in contact.

The compensating element preferably has a contact section with a contact surface for the contact of a second component to be connected to the first component at a predetermined distance.

For additional support or improvement of the anti-twist protection, the bushing element can advantageously be equipped with profiles or knurling on the contact surface and/or on the outside on the joining section adjoining the contact section and reaching into the joining opening.

According to a preferred variant of the preassembled assembly, an engagement section for the holding or clamping engagement of a clamping screw or a clamping bolt is provided on the component or by the component itself, in particular by sections of the component designed for this purpose. Such a clamping screw or such a clamping bolt is used using the preassembled assembly when clamping a second component to the first component.

Particularly in the case of components with a suitable, sufficient component thickness or component strength, the component as an engagement section can have a perforation that is matched to the geometry of the clamping screw or the clamping bolt, for example. When using a thread-forming or self-tapping clamping screw, this forms a thread in the hole and thus engages the thread. For components with a lower component thickness or lower component strength, especially with flat materials such as sheet metal, a so-called flow drilling screw or "flow drill screw" can preferably be used as a clamping screw, which forms a passage with a corresponding internal thread almost automatically when screwed into the component, so that thread engagement also occurs here. The use of flow drilling screws or “flow drill screws” can preferably be provided for components that are made of materials with appropriate properties, in particular with appropriate material hardness and/or appropriate deformation or flow properties. Alternatively, in the case of sheet-metal components with a smaller component thickness, a corresponding passage can already be preformed, with or without an internal thread. In this case, the passage is produced or formed by a flow drilling method, which is also known as a flow drill method. The formation of the passage can take place during manufacture of the component in an upstream manufacturing or processing step, or alternatively directly during or during the manufacture of the present preassembled assembly.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment variant of the invention, the preassembled assembly also includes, in particular, a nut element.

In this case, the nut element can be provided by a nut section provided in the first component. The nut section can be provided by the first component itself, particularly in the case of design variants in which the component is a component that deviates from the flat shape and has a large component thickness, particularly preferably in the case of cast components. In the case of thinner components, the nut section is formed, for example, by a passage. In the present case, an engagement section with an internal thread as described above is also to be understood as a nut section.

Alternatively, the nut element is provided as a nut element which is arranged on the underside of the first component and is connected to the first component. In this case, the nut element arranged on the underside of the first component is particularly preferably held on the first component, secured against rotation and secured against loss, and in particular fixed immovably in the axial direction. When the assembly is manufactured, the nut element is initially provided as a separate element and fed from the underside of the component and brought into contact with the component, while, preferably at the same time, the compensating device is fed from the top of the component and brought into contact with the component .

The nut element arranged on the underside of the first component preferably rests against the underside of the first component with a support surface formed by a support section of the nut element.

The nut element arranged on the underside of the first component is formed, for example, by a weld nut fastened to the first component by welding. As a result of the welding, the nut element is materially connected to the component and is thus secured against twisting and loss as well as fixed in an axially non-displaceable manner. The welding can be done by seam or spot welding or by welding predetermined strips.

Alternatively, the nut element arranged on the underside of the first component can be a press-in nut fastened by being pressed into the joining opening of the first component. In particular, such a nut element designed as a press-in nut has, adjoining the support section, a joining section which extends into the joining opening of the component and which can be permanently deformed, in particular by pressing. The joining section of the nut element is also pressed into the joining opening of the first component over a predetermined press-in length. For example, the bushing element and the nut element can be pressed into the joining opening opposite one another in relation to the component, each with a respective press-in length of approximately half the component thickness.

The nut element arranged on the underside of the first component can also be a clip nut fastened by being inserted into the joining opening.

It is also possible for the nut element arranged on the underside of the first component to be a nut element fastened by a press fit, in particular by a press fit with the joining and securing section of the socket element protruding beyond the underside of the first component.

Again, to support or improve the anti-rotation lock, the nut element is preferably provided with profiles or knurling on the support surface and/or on the outside of the joining section.

The present invention also relates to a method for producing a preassembled assembly comprising at least one first component with at least one joining opening and at least one compensating device that can be adjusted axially in the direction of a main axis. The balancing device comprises at least one bushing element and a compensating element that interacts with the bushing element, the compensating element being accommodated at least partially in a receiving space of the bushing element and being movable relative to the bushing element in the axial direction. In the method, in order to set the compensating device, the compensating device is first fed in at an upper side of the first component. A particular aspect of the method is that the compensating device is positioned during the setting process in such a way that the bushing element rests with a contact surface of a contact section against the upper side of the first component and with a joining and securing section adjoining the contact section along the main axis in the joining opening engages in and is finally attached directly to the first component by the setting process, secured against twisting and captive.

The first component used in the present method preferably has a pre-punched hole as a joining opening, which is introduced into the component before the setting process of the compensating device. The joining opening can also be made in the component, for example by flow drilling, in the course of the manufacturing process for producing the preassembled assembly, for example also in one operation with the setting process.

Pressing is preferably carried out during the setting process, with the bushing element being pressed in particular into the joining opening. For this purpose, a suitable pressing tool, for example a pressing tool with a suitable pressing stamp and/or a suitable die, is used to act on the joining and securing section of the bushing element and/or on an edge area of the joining opening in such a way that a pressing, in particular connection created by permanent material deformation and secured against loss and rotation.

A nut element is preferably set at the same time during the setting process, with the setting process being carried out as a two-sided setting process in which the nut element is fed to an opposite underside of the first component and positioned in such a way that the nut element is coaxially aligned with the compensating device and the joining opening with a support surface a support section bears against the underside of the first component and is secured against rotation and captive, in particular fixed immovably in the axial direction, on the first component. Accessibility from both sides for the two-sided setting process is given in particular in this embodiment variant.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment variant, the nut element is pressed into the joint opening during the two-sided setting process by pressing, the nut element being pressed in particular by pressing a joint section adjoining the support section and extending into the joint opening. In this preferred embodiment variant, for example, the pressing of the joining and securing section of the bushing element and the pressing of the joining section of the nut element also take place in one work step, in particular simultaneously using a suitable pressing tool that acts with a pressing effect on both the bushing element and the nut element at the same time can.

Alternatively, in the present method, a nut section can be introduced into the component, for example by forming a passage by means of flow drilling or “flow drill”, as has already been described above in connection with the preassembled assembly.

The present invention also relates to a method for clamping two components using a preassembled assembly as described above. In this case, at least the first component and the compensating device are provided via the preassembled assembly. Furthermore, the second component is provided and its underside is brought into contact with a contact surface of a compensating element of the compensating device. In this case, a mounting or fastening bore of the second component is aligned with a clamping screw bushing. A clamping screw is then guided from an upper side of the second component through the assembly or fastening bore and the clamping screw bushing that follows in the direction of a main axis and is screwed into an internal thread of a nut element provided on an underside of the first component and secured against loss and rotation, whereby the second Component is braced with the first component.

It goes without saying that here too the nut element can be provided as a nut section of the component itself, preferably also in the form of a passage formed in the component. The internal thread of the nut element or of the nut section can be available as a prefabricated internal thread or can be formed when the clamping screw is screwed in, for example when using a thread-forming or self-tapping clamping screw.

The invention further relates to an arrangement comprising at least one preassembled assembly as described above and with the preassembled th assembly connected second component, wherein the first and the second component are braced in a adjusted by the spacing device of the assembly predetermined distance from each other. For this purpose, a clamping screw, the screw head of which rests against an external upper side of the second component and is guided through a clamping screw bushing of the compensating element, engages in a clamping nut arranged on the underside of the first component or in a nut element provided in the assembly.

For the purposes of the invention, the expression “substantially” or “approximately” or “approximately” means deviations from the exact value in each case by +/-10%, preferably by +/-5% and/or deviations in the form of for the Function minor changes.

Further developments, advantages and possible applications of the invention also result from the following description of exemplary embodiments and from the figures. All of the features described and/or illustrated are fundamentally the subject matter of the invention, either individually or in any combination, regardless of how they are summarized in the claims or how they relate back to them. The content of the claims is also made part of the description.

• 1 in vereinfachter schematischer Schnittdarstellung eine vormontierte Baugruppe gemäß einer Ausführungsform der Erfindung;
• 2 in vereinfachter schematischer Schnittdarstellung eine vormontierte Baugruppe gemäß einer alternativen Ausführungsform der Erfindung;
• 3 in vereinfachter schematischer Schnittdarstellung eine vormontierte Baugruppe gemäß einer weiteren alternativen Ausführungsform der Erfindung;
• 4 in vereinfachter schematischer Schnittdarstellung eine vormontierte Baugruppe gemäß einer noch weiteren alternativen Ausführungsform der Erfindung;
• 5 in stark vereinfachter Darstellung eine Ansicht einer Anordnung aus zwei miteinander verspannten Bauteilen, die unter Verwendung der Baugruppe hergestellt ist;
• 6a - 6c verschiedene Ausführungsformen von Buchsenelementen;
• 7a, b in vereinfachter schematischer Schnittdarstellung eine vormontierte Baugruppe bei unterschiedlichen Einpresslängen und
• 8, 9 jeweils in vereinfachter schematischer Schnittdarstellung eine vormontierte Baugruppe gemäß noch weiterer alternativer Ausführungsformen der Erfindung.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the figures of exemplary embodiments. Show it:

• 1 in a simplified schematic sectional view, a preassembled assembly according to an embodiment of the invention;
• 2 in a simplified schematic sectional view, a preassembled assembly according to an alternative embodiment of the invention;
• 3 in a simplified schematic sectional view, a preassembled assembly according to a further alternative embodiment of the invention;
• 4 in a simplified schematic sectional view, a preassembled assembly according to yet another alternative embodiment of the invention;
• 5 in a highly simplified representation, a view of an arrangement of two components clamped together, which is produced using the assembly;
• 6a - 6c various embodiments of bushing elements;
• 7a, b in a simplified schematic sectional view, a pre-assembled assembly with different press-in lengths and
• 8th , 9 each in a simplified schematic sectional view of a preassembled assembly according to yet further alternative embodiments of the invention.

In the figures, the reference numeral 1 generally designates a preassembled or prefabricated subassembly, which is shown in the examples of the figures in different embodiment variants and which is intended in particular for use or for use in connecting two components which are shown in the figures are generally denoted by 2 and 3, the components 2, 3 being connected to one another at a predetermined, adjustable or adjustable distance, in particular to be clamped together. The prefabricated assembly 1 is therefore also to be understood as a tolerance compensation unit, via which the components 2, 3 to be connected, depending on the requirements, can be in the range between a minimum distance d1 (see, for example, 5 ) and a maximum distance d2 can be braced, i.e. the distance can be adjusted by a specific amount, in particular also for axial tolerance compensation, i.e. for tolerance compensation in the direction of a main axis HA, sketched in the figures, of a compensation device 7 of assembly 1.

In all the embodiment variants shown in the figures, the preassembled assembly 1 comprises at least one first component 2, which has an upper side 2' and an underside 2'' and is equipped with at least one joining opening 8. The component can, for example, be made of a flat metal material, for example sheet steel be manufactured component, eg part of a vehicle body.

The pre-assembled assembly 1 also includes the compensation device 7 already mentioned above, which is arranged on the first component 2 in the region of the joining opening 8 and is connected to it, in particular fastened to the component 2 . The compensating device 7 is axially adjustable in the direction of the main axis HA, in particular to set the distance between the first component 2 and the second component 3 to be braced using the assembly 1 or to compensate for the bracing, in particular by axial tolerance compensation.

For this purpose, the compensating device 7 has at least one bushing element 5 and a compensating element 6 which interacts with the bushing element 5 and has a central clamping screw bushing 6.2, through which a clamping required when clamping the second component screw 9 (see 5 ) can be performed. The compensating element 6 is accommodated at least partially in a receiving space of the bushing element 5 embodied, for example, as a central recess and can be moved in the axial direction, namely along the main axis HA, relative to the bushing element 5, in particular axially displaceable, in order in particular to enable tolerance compensation. At the same time, however, it is ensured that the compensating element 6 is held securely at the same time or despite the axial displaceability in the state at least partially received in the bushing element 5, in particular secured against falling out or losing, for example by a corresponding press fit.

The bushing element 5 has a contact section 5.1 forming a contact surface 5.11 and rests with the contact surface 5.11 against the upper side 2' of the first component 2. Following the contact section 5.1, along the main axis HA in the direction of the underside 2" of the first component 2, the bushing element 5 has a joining and securing section 5.2, which extends at least partially into the joining opening 8 of the first component 2 is received in the joining opening 8. The bushing element 5 is secured against rotation and captively secured to the first component 2 in particular via the joining and securing section 5.2, in particular directly connected to the component 2, for example by material deformation, in particular by permanent deformation of the joining and Securing section 5.2 and/or an edge area of the component 2 surrounding the joining opening 8. Whether the deformation(s) is/are formed in the joining and securing section 5.2 and/or in the edge area of the component 2 surrounding the joining opening 8 depends, for example, on the respective production of the socket element 5 and the component 2 used n materials, in particular also on the deformability and/or the hardness of these materials.

The socket element 5 in the 1 until 4 The embodiment variants of the assembly 1 shown are each connected to the component 2 by pressing, in particular by being pressed into the joining opening 8 of the component 2, specifically by means of a suitable pressing tool. The bushing element 5 can be pressed into the joining opening 8 of the component 2, for example, in one operation with the manufacture of the first component 2 itself, which is preferably designed as a pressed, stamped and/or joined part, which also enables the production of the prefabricated Assembly 1 in one operation with the production of the first component 1 is possible. By pressing or by the permanent deformation(s) of the bushing element 5 produced during the pressing into the joining opening 8 of the component 2, the bushing element 5 and also the compensating device 7 are directly, non-rotatably and captively connected to the component or attached to it.

To further improve or support the anti-twist device, the bushing element 5 can preferably additionally be provided with knurling and/or profiling in the area of the contact surface 5.1 and/or in the area of the joining and securing section 5.2, as can be seen in FIGS 6a until 6c is evident. With reference to the 6a until 6c is in each case under part A of the respective 6a until 6c a variant of a socket element 5 is shown with different knurling or profiles. Parts B and C of FIG 6a until 6c .

The bushing element 5 connected to the component 2 by pressing can also be understood here as a press-in element or press-in bush. The bush element is pressed in over a predetermined press-in length, which depends, among other things, on the component thickness, in particular on a sheet metal thickness of the component 2 and/or on a length of the joining and securing section 5.2 in the direction of the main axis HA. Depending on the application, it can be advantageous that the joining and securing section 5.2 not only extends into the joining opening 8 of the component 2, but also reaches through it completely and ends flush with a free end on the underside 2" of the component or over the underside 2 " protrudes. Alternatively, depending on the application, it can be advantageous that the joining and securing section 5.2 is only pressed in over part of the thickness of the component. In the 7a and 7b two examples with different press-in lengths are shown, with the component thickness according to 7a bigger and according to 7a is smaller than the press-in length.

In the examples of 1 until 4 the pressed-in socket element 5 is designed as a threaded sleeve 5 with an internal thread 5.3. In the internal thread 5.3 engages an external thread of the compensating element 6, which in the examples of 1 until 4 is designed as a drum nut 6 and together with the threaded sleeve 5, the axially adjustable compensating device 7 forms. The drum nut 6 includes the clamping screw bushing 6.2 and has a contact section 6.1 on the upper side, namely at its end facing away from the component 2, and above it provides a contact surface 6.11 for the contact of the second structure to be connected to the first component 2 at the predetermined, adjustable or compensable distance partly 3 ready. For bracing the second component 3 (see e.g. 5 ) a clamping screw 9 with a clamping screw head 9.1 is passed through the clamping screw bushing 6.2 and engages in a thread of a nut arranged on the underside 2" of the first component 2.

To produce the assembly 1, for example, the threaded sleeve 5 is first positioned in the area of the joining opening 8 of the component 2, so that the opening of the threaded sleeve 5 is arranged congruently or substantially congruently with the joining opening 8, which is preferably designed as a pre-punched hole, and the joining and securing section 5.2 extends into the joining opening 8 . This is followed by pressing with a suitable tool, for example a stamp-like tool inserted into the threaded sleeve 5 , as a result of which the threaded sleeve 5 is fixed on the component 2 so that it cannot be lost and is secured against twisting. Following this, for example, the drum nut 6 is inserted into the threaded sleeve 5, preferably screwed in, completely or essentially completely. The drum nut 6 is already secured in the threaded sleeve 9 and pre-assembled with it.

In the examples of 2 , 3 and 4 the prefabricated assembly 1 already includes a nut element 4 for engaging the clamping screw 9, with the nut element 4 being arranged in relation to the component 2 opposite the compensating device 7 on the underside 2" of the first component 2 and having a support section 4.1 of the Nut element 4 formed support surface 4.11 against the underside 2 "of the first component 2 is present. The nut element 4 has an internal thread in its central through bore for the corresponding engagement of the external thread of the clamping screw 9 or the clamping bolt and is aligned, in particular coaxially, with respect to the joining opening 8 of the component and with respect to the compensating device 7, so that the through bore and internal thread of the nut element 4 are oriented concentrically to the main axis HA. The nut element 4 is secured against rotation and secured against loss on the first component 2 and fixed immovably in particular in the axial direction, namely along the main axis HA.

In the example according to 2 the nut element 4 is formed by a press-in element or by a press-in nut, which is fastened to the component 2 by being pressed into the joining opening 8 of the first component 2 . For this purpose, the nut element 4 comprises a joining section 4.2, which adjoins the supporting section 4.1 in the axial direction along the main axis HA and extends into the joining opening 8. The nut element 4 can be pressed in in a manner analogous to that described above in connection with the socket element 5 . Similarly to the socket element 5, profiling or knurling can also be provided on the nut element 4 to improve or support the anti-twist device on its support surface 4.11 and/or on the outside of its joining section 4.2, for example as shown in FIG 6a until 6c shown for the socket element 5. In the example of 2 the elements pressed into the opposite sides of the component 2 and thus fastened, namely the socket element 5 on the upper side 2' and the nut element 4 on the underside 2", are each anchored in the component 2 over a predetermined press-in length, with the press-in length being slightly smaller in each case than about half a component thickness.

The setting and pressing in of the nut element 4 can take place simultaneously with the setting and pressing in of the socket element 5 when the assembly 1 is being manufactured by means of a two-sided setting process. For this purpose, there is accessibility from both sides, so that the elements, namely the nut element 4 and the socket element 5, can be fed in from both sides. The nut element 4 and the bushing element 5 are preferably set and pressed in one operation, particularly preferably in one operation with the production of the component 2.

According to the example of 3 the nut element 4 arranged on the underside 2" of the first component 2 is a welded nut which is fixed directly and cohesively by welding to the first component 2 and is secured against rotation and loss, which is fixed in particular so that it cannot be displaced axially.

The example of 4 Figure 1 again shows a preferred alternative embodiment of an assembly 1 in which the nut member 4 is a nut member 4 fastened by a press fit. In the variant shown, the joining and securing section 5.2 of the bushing element 5 extends completely through the joining opening of the component 2 and the nut element is 4 in particular by means of a press fit with the free end of the joining and securing section 5.2 of the bushing element, which protrudes beyond the underside 2" of the first component 2 5 connected or attached.

With reference to the 8th and 9 are shown other variants of the assembly 1, according to the example of 8th the component 2 has a shape that deviates from the flat shape with a large component thickness and is formed in particular by a cast component into which the bushing element 5 is pressed. In this variant, the nut element 4 is provided by the component 2 itself, in particular by a nut section provided in the component 2 . According to the example of 9 the nut element 4 is formed by a cage nut. Although not shown in the figures, according to alternative embodiment variants, the nut element 4 can also be formed by a clip nut fastened by being inserted into the joining opening 8 .

By analogy with the 8th In the example shown, in the case of components 2 with a suitable, sufficient component thickness or component strength, an engagement section for the holding or clamping engagement of the clamping screw 9 or the clamping bolt can also be provided as the nut section 4, for example in the form of one that is matched to the geometry of the clamping screw 9 or the clamping bolt Perforation, in which case a thread-forming or self-tapping clamping screw 9 is used, which forms a thread in the perforation and finally comes into threaded engagement.

In the case of sheet-metal components 2 with a smaller component thickness or smaller component strength, the nut section can also be provided via a passage formed in the component. It is possible, for example, to use so-called flow drilling screws or "flow drill screws" as the clamping screw 9, which when screwed into the component 2 almost automatically forms a passage with a corresponding internal thread, so that thread engagement also occurs here. Alternatively, in the case of sheet-metal components with a smaller component thickness, a corresponding passage can already be preformed, with or without an internal thread.

In the exemplary embodiments described, in which the bushing element 5 is designed as a threaded sleeve and the compensating element 6 is designed as a drum nut, the second component 3 is placed on the desired bracing of the second component 3 with the first component 2 so that its underside 3" rests against the end of the drum nut 6 protruding from the threaded sleeve 5 rests against its contact surface 6.11 and the clamping or threaded bolt 9 with head 9.1 is inserted from the top 3' of the component 3 into an assembly or fastening bore of the second component 3 and into the clamping screw bushing 6.2 A corresponding arrangement of components 2, 3 clamped together, which is produced using the present preassembled assembly 1, is shown in FIG 5 shown in part A with the first distance d1 set between the components 2, 3, namely a minimum distance, and in part B of the 5 with a second distance d2 set between the components 2, 3, namely a maximum distance.

The nut element 4, the threaded sleeve 5, the drum nut 6 and the clamping bolt 9 are arranged coaxially with one another and with the main axis HA when the arrangement is assembled. In the case of the clamping bolt 8 reaching through the clamping screw passage 6.2 of the drum nut 6, a driver sleeve made of plastic, for example, is provided which, in the manner described in more detail below, when the clamping screw 9 is rotated about the axis HA, first causes the drum nut 6 to rotate as well, before the clamping screw 9 the clamping of the components 2 and 3 takes place. The external thread of the clamping screw 9 and the internal thread of the nut element 4 on the one hand and the internal thread 5.3 of the threaded sleeve 5 and the external thread of the drum nut 6 interacting with this internal thread on the other hand are opposite threads, i.e. the external thread of the clamping screw 9 and the internal thread of the clamping nut or nut element 4 are for example right-hand threads, while the internal thread 5.3 of the threaded sleeve 5 and the external thread of the drum nut 6 cooperating with this internal thread are left-hand threads.

To produce the arrangement based on the prefabricated assembly 1 and the second component 3 placed on it, the clamping screw 9 is then inserted at least into the drum nut 6 from the side facing away from the nut element 4 or the clamping nut 4 and is turned in the sense of screwing it into the nut element 4 . In this case, the drum nut 6 is initially rotated via the driver sleeve, for example, in such a way that it is increasingly moved out of the threaded sleeve 5 due to the left-hand thread of the drum nut 6 and the threaded sleeve 5, and this also increases the distance d1, d2 between the components 2 and 3 is increased until the required final distance is reached and a further change in distance between the components 2 and 3 is no longer possible, for example by means of elements or components which are not shown and fix the final distance. The further turning of the clamping screw 9 then causes it to be increasingly screwed into the nut element 4 and finally a firm clamping of the components 2 and 3 in that the threaded sleeve 5 supported against the component 2 and the drum nut 6 supported against the component 3 become rigid Form spacers between the components 2 and 3 and both components 2 and 3 are clamped firmly together on their opposite sides by the clamping bolt 9 or its head piece 9.1 and the clamping nut 4.

The invention has been described above using exemplary embodiments. It goes without saying that numerous changes and modifications are possible without departing from the inventive idea on which the invention is based.

Reference List

1

pre-assembled assembly

2

first component

2'

top

2"

bottom

3

second component

3'

top

3"

bottom

4

Nut element, clamping nut

4.1

support section

4.11

support surface

4.2

joining section

5

socket element

5.1

investment section

5.11

contact surface

5.2

Joining and securing section

5.3

inner thread

6

compensation element

6.1

investment section

6.11

contact surface

6.2

clamping screw bushing

7

compensating device

8th

joint opening

9

clamping screw, clamping bolt

9.1

screw head

d1

first distance, minimum distance

d2

second distance, maximum distance

HA

main axis

QUOTES INCLUDED IN DESCRIPTION

This list of documents cited by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent Literature Cited

• WO 2015/024556 A1 [0003]

Claims (19)

Pre-assembled assembly (1) comprising at least one first component (2) having an upper side (2') and an underside (2"), with at least one joining opening (8) and at least one compensating device (7) which extends in the direction of a main axis (HA ) is axially adjustable, wherein the compensating device (7) comprises at least one bushing element (5) and a compensating element (6) which interacts with the bushing element (5) and has a clamping screw bushing (6.2), and wherein the compensating element (6) is at least partially in a receiving space of the The bushing element (5) is accommodated and can be moved in the axial direction in relation to the bushing element (5), the bushing element (5) having a contact section (5.1) forming a contact surface (5.11) and having the contact surface (5.11) against the upper side (2') of the first component (2), characterized in that the socket element (5) along the main axis (HA) to the first contact section (5.1) subsequent joining and securing ng section (5.2) which extends at least into the joining opening (8) of the first component (2) and is at least partially accommodated in the joining opening (8) and that the bushing element (5) is secured against rotation via the joining and securing section (5.2) and is captively attached to the first component (2). Pre-assembled assembly (1) after claim 1 , characterized in that the socket element (5) is pressed directly with the first component (2). Pre-assembled assembly (1) after claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the joining and securing section (5.2) of the bushing element (5) is pressed over a predetermined press-in length into the joining opening (8) of the first component (2). Pre-assembled assembly (1) after claim 3 , characterized in that at least one area of the joining and securing section (5.2) and/or an edge area of the first component (2) surrounding the joining opening (8) is permanently deformed. Preassembled assembly (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the joining and securing section (5.2) of the socket element (5) reaches through the joining opening (8) of the first component (2) and has a free end which is essentially flush with the Underside (2") of the first component (2) terminates or protrudes in the direction of the main axis (HA) over the underside (2") of the first component (2). Preassembled assembly (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the socket element (5) is formed by a threaded sleeve with an internal thread (5.3) and that the compensating element (6) is formed by a drum screw or grub screw with a clamping screw bushing (6.2). , wherein the drum or grub screw has an external thread engaging in the internal thread (5.3) of the threaded sleeve. Preassembled assembly (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the compensating element (6) has a contact section (6.1) with a contact surface (6.11) for the contact of a second component to be connected to the first component (2) at a predetermined distance (3) has. Preassembled assembly (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bushing element (5) on the contact surface (5.11) and/or on the outside on the joining section (5.2 ) is equipped with profiling or knurling. Preassembled assembly (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the assembly (1) further comprises an engagement portion for engaging a clamping screw (9) or a nut element (4), wherein in the case of an intended engagement portion this by a first Component (2) provided, preferably formed by flow drilling section is provided and in the case of a provided nut element (4) this is provided by a nut section provided in the first component (2) or as a on the underside (2") of the first component ( 2) arranged and connected to the first component (2) nut element (4) is provided. Pre-assembled assembly (1) after claim 9 , characterized in that the nut element (4) arranged on the underside (2") of the first component (2) is secured against rotation and secured against loss on the first component (2) and is fixed immovably in particular in the axial direction. Pre-assembled assembly (1) after claim 9 or 10 , characterized in that the nut element (4) arranged on the underside (2") of the first component (2) is a weld nut fastened by welding to the first component (2), a nut which is pressed into the joining opening (8) of the first component ( 2) fastened press-in nut, one fastened by inserting it into the joint opening (8). clip nut or a nut element fastened by a press fit, in particular by a press fit with the joining and securing section (5.2) of the socket element (5) that protrudes beyond the underside (2") of the first component (2). Preassembled assembly (1) according to one of claims 9 until 11 , characterized in that the nut element (4) arranged on the underside (2") of the first component (2) has a supporting surface (4.11) formed by a supporting section (4.1) of the nut element (4) against the underside (2") of the first component (2) is present. Pre-assembled assembly (1) after claim 12 , characterized in that the nut element (4) on the support surface (4.11) and/or on the outside on a joint section (4.2) adjoining the support section (4.1) and extending into the joint opening (8) is provided with profiles or knurling. Method for producing a preassembled assembly (1) comprising at least one first component (2) with at least one joining opening (8) and at least one compensating device (7) which can be adjusted axially in the direction of a main axis (HA), the compensating device (7) at least one bushing element (5) and a compensating element (6) that interacts with the bushing element (5), and wherein the compensating element (6) is at least partially accommodated in a receiving space of the bushing element (5) and can be moved in the axial direction relative to the bushing element (5). , wherein in the method for setting the compensating device (7) the compensating device (7) is first fed on an upper side (2') of the first component (2), characterized in that the compensating device (7) is positioned during the setting process in such a way that that the socket element (5) bears against the upper side (2') of the first component (2) with a contact surface (5.11) of a contact section (5.1). t and engages in the joining opening (8) with a joining and securing section (5.2) adjoining the contact section (5.1) along the main axis (HA) and is attached directly to the first component (2) by the setting process, secured against rotation and secured against loss. procedure after Claim 14 , characterized in that pressing is carried out during the setting process and the bushing element (5) is pressed into the joining opening (8). procedure after Claim 14 or 15 , characterized in that a nut element (4) is set at the same time during the setting process, with the setting process being carried out as a two-sided setting process in which the nut element (4) is fed on an opposite underside (2") of the first component (2) and such is positioned in such a way that the nut element (4) is coaxially aligned with the compensating device (7) and the joining opening (8) with a support surface (4.11) of a support section (4.1) against the underside (2") of the first component (2) and is secured against rotation and secured against loss, in particular fixed in an immovable manner in the axial direction, on the first component (2). Procedure according to one of Claims 14 until 16 , characterized in that the nut element (4) is pressed into the joint opening (8) during the two-sided setting process by pressing, the nut element (4) being pressed in particular by pressing a piece adjoining the support section (4.1) and engaging into the joint opening (8). Joining section (4.2) is pressed. Method for clamping two components (2, 3) using a preassembled assembly (1) according to one of Claims 1 until 13 , wherein at least the first component (2) and the compensating device (7) connected thereto are provided via the preassembled assembly (1), wherein the second component (3) is also provided and its underside (3") is in contact with a contact surface ( 6.11) of a compensating element (6) of the compensating device (7) and a mounting or fastening bore of the second component (3) is aligned with a clamping screw bushing (6.2), with a clamping screw (9) being removed from a top side (3') of the second component (3) through the assembly or fastening bore and the clamping screw bushing (6.2) adjoining it in the direction of a main axis (HA) and into an engagement section of the first component (2) or into an internal thread on a bottom side (2") of the Nut element (4) provided in the first component (2) and secured against loss and rotation is screwed in and is thereby braced with the first component. Arrangement comprising at least one preassembled assembly (1) according to one of Claims 1 until 13 and a second component (3) connected to the preassembled assembly (1), the first and the second component (2, 3) being braced at a predetermined distance from one another adjusted by the compensating device (7) of the assembly (1) and being a tightening screw (9) with a screw head (9.1) resting against an external upper side (3') of the second component (3) and being guided through a tightening screw bushing (6.2) of the compensating element (6), into a tightening nut or into a Assembly (1) intended nut element (4) or engages an engaging portion provided on the first member (2).

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