DE102020125085B4 - Pre-assembled assembly for use in connecting two components and method for producing a pre-assembled assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

Pre-assembled assembly (1) comprising at least one first component (2) having a top side (2') and a bottom side (2"), with at least one joining opening (8) and at least one compensating device (7) which is axially adjustable in the direction of a main axis (HA), 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 passage (6.2), and wherein the compensating element (6) is at least partially received in a receiving space of the bushing element (5) and is movable in the axial direction relative to the bushing element (5), wherein the bushing element (5) has a contact section (5.1) which forms a contact surface (5.11) and rests with the contact surface (5.11) against the top side (2') of the first component (2), wherein the bushing element (5) has a joining and securing section (5.2) which adjoins the first contact section (5.1) along the main axis (HA). which extends at least into the joining opening (8) of the first component (2) and is at least partially received in the joining opening (8), and wherein the bushing element (5) is fastened to the first component (2) via the joining and securing section (5.2) in a rotationally secured and captive manner, characterized in that the assembly (1) comprises a nut element (4), wherein the nut element (4) is formed by a nut element (4) arranged on the underside (2") of the first component (2) and connected to the underside (2") of the first component (2), wherein the nut element (4) is held on the first component (2) in a rotationally secured and captive manner and is fixed immovably in the axial direction.

Description

The invention relates to a pre-assembled assembly, in particular for use for the adjustable connection of two components according to the preamble of patent claim 1, and to a method for producing a pre-assembled assembly according to the preamble of patent claim 12. The invention also relates to a method for clamping two components using a pre-assembled assembly according to claim 15, and to an arrangement comprising at least one pre-assembled assembly and a second component connected to the pre-assembled assembly according to claim 16.

In many areas of mechanical engineering and equipment manufacturing, especially in vehicle construction or in the manufacture of household appliances, it is often necessary to connect or clamp at least two components together at a predetermined distance from each other. 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 to clamp the components to be connected together using appropriate clamping and fastening devices with tolerance compensation. Such fastening devices with tolerance compensation are well known. For example, 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 as well as a spacer consisting of a threaded sleeve and a drum nut, wherein in the method the clamping nut and the threaded sleeve are first fixed to the first component by inserting a rivet collar provided on a front side of the clamping nut through a joining opening of the first component into the threaded sleeve and deforming it there into a deformed rivet collar which engages behind an undercut of the threaded sleeve.

Furthermore, for example, a fastening device is known which consists of a clamping nut which rests on the outside of a first component, a clamping bolt which rests on the outside of a second component and engages in the clamping nut, and an axially adjustable spacer which is formed by a threaded sleeve which is supported on the inner surface of the first component and by a drum nut which engages with an external thread in the internal thread of the threaded sleeve and rests 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 for transmitting a limited torque, so that when the clamping bolt is turned, the distance between the components is initially set by turning the drum nut, and then when a required distance is reached, a further increase in the distance between these components and a rotation of the drum nut with the clamping bolt are prevented, and the components are clamped via the clamping bolt which increasingly engages in the clamping nut. A disadvantage of the known clamping and fastening device, however, is that the threaded sleeve must be fixed to the first component by means of hook-like sections engaging in the first component and, in addition, the clamping nut must be placed as an individual part on the clamping bolt that passes through the openings in the components and in the spacer and must be secured against turning with the clamping bolt during clamping using a suitable tool.

From the DE 20 2007 008 643 U1 A screwing element for screwing two components with a variable distance from one another is known, which has a base nut with a first internal thread and a compensating bush that can be screwed in the axial direction relative to the base nut by means of a second internal thread in the base nut. The compensating bush is designed as a resistance element in its inner circumference.

The EN 10 2017 130 605 A1 discloses a tolerance compensation arrangement with clamping lock, which comprises a one-piece base element and an adjustment unit with a fastening sleeve accommodated therein.

The object of the invention is to provide an assembly for use in connecting two components, which enables components to be fastened and clamped while avoiding the disadvantages of known clamping and fastening devices. To solve this problem, an assembly is designed in accordance with patent claim 1. A method for producing a pre-assembled assembly according to the preamble of patent claim 12 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 pre-assembled assembly comprising at least one first component having a top side and a bottom side with at least one joining opening, as well as at least one compensating device which is arranged in the direction direction of a main axis is axially adjustable. The compensation device comprises at least one bushing element and a compensation element which interacts with the bushing element and has a clamping screw feedthrough. The compensation element is at least partially accommodated in a receiving space of the bushing element and is movable in the axial direction relative to the bushing element. The bushing element has a contact section which forms 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 extends at least into the joining opening of the first component and is at least partially accommodated in the joining opening. The bushing element is attached to the first component via the joining and securing section in a manner which is secured against rotation and loss.

The pre-assembled 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. The present pre-assembled assembly advantageously makes connecting the at least two components much easier, since the compensation device is also securely held on the assembly via the loss- and rotation-proof fastening of the bushing element to the first component. This advantageously means that additional means for fixing the bushing element and/or the compensation element accommodated in the bushing element are not required. When clamping the components by screwing in a clamping screw or a clamping bolt, it is not necessary to secure the compensation device. The rotation-proof fastening is advantageously such that it can withstand extremely high loads and forces.

The compensation device is such that the compensation element is at least partially accommodated in the receiving space of the socket element in such a way that the compensation element is axially movable, in particular displaceable in the direction of the main axis, for adjusting or setting the desired distance between two components to be connected or for tolerance compensation, but is held sufficiently firmly or securely in the socket element that it is secured against falling out, in particular secured against loss, in the socket element, for example by means of a corresponding clamp fit.

It is particularly advantageous if the socket element is connected directly and immediately to the first component via its joining and securing section. The socket element is thus attached directly to the first component and is secured against twisting and also against falling out or being lost. For example, the connection secured against twisting and losing can be produced by permanent material deformation. Depending on the materials used to produce the component or the socket element, in particular depending on their hardness, the material of the component in an area surrounding the joining opening and/or the material of the joining and securing section of the socket element can be permanently deformed. The anti-twisting device can also be designed or supported by the joining opening and/or an outer peripheral shape of the joining and securing section of the socket element having a shape that deviates from a circular shape, for example.

Components in the sense of the present invention can preferably be components made from a flat material made of metal or plastic, for example from a steel sheet, wherein the components have a certain, predetermined component thickness, in particular sheet thickness. In this case, the component can preferably also be designed as a pressed, punched and/or joined part, wherein the manufacture of the present prefabricated assembly in the sense of the invention can also be viewed as a sub-step of the production process of the component, whereby the number of production steps can be reduced, for example in series production. 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.

In the sense of the present invention, a joining opening is preferably formed by a pre-hole or pre-drilled hole in the component, which can be designed, for example, as a through hole or as a continuous hole. However, the joining opening can also be designed in the form of a joining recess or depression, which is introduced into the component from the top side, 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 formed into the component, whereby such a passage can already be pre-formed in the component or is formed into the component directly during the manufacture of the pre-assembled assembly. For example, such a passage can be made by means of flow drilling or flow forming. inserted into the component and formed with or without an internal thread.

According to a preferred embodiment, the bushing element is pressed directly onto 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 area of the joining and securing section and/or an edge area of the first component surrounding the joining opening being permanently deformed by the pressing. For example, the press-in length can depend on the component thickness, in particular the sheet thickness, and can be specified in particular as a relative size in relation to the component thickness. For example, the press-in length can correspond to between approximately 20% and 100% of the component thickness, preferably approximately one third of the component thickness or half the component thickness. However, the press-in length can also correspond approximately to the component thickness. The component thickness or sheet thickness can thus be greater than, equal to or less than the press-in length.

The joining and securing section of the socket element always engages in the joining opening over a certain area and, for example, reaches through the joining opening of the first component, which is preferably designed as a continuous pre-hole, so that the joining and securing section ends with a free end 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 socket element thus extends completely through the component, with its upper socket section, which accommodates the compensating element, protruding from the top of the component and at the same time with its free end of the joining and securing section protruding 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 at 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 fitting, in particular press fitting.

Preferably, the bushing element is 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 passage. The drum screw 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 thread and external thread, and thus in the present pre-assembled or prefabricated assembly advantageously no additional securing means are required, for example to prevent the compensating device from being lost.

It is also understood that it is also advantageous for the internal thread of the threaded sleeve and the external thread of the drum screw to be designed as a left-handed thread, with a clamping nut and clamping screw used when the assembly is used to connect a second component interacting via right-handed corresponding threads. This means that the external thread of the clamping screw can easily be brought into engagement with the internal thread of the clamping nut. This effectively prevents the drum screw from turning when the clamping 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 passage, wherein the torque required to penetrate the driver means by means of the clamping screw is greater than the loosening torque required to release the clamping fastening of 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 smaller than the friction torque that arises between the free front end of the drum screw and the second component when the system is installed.

Preferably, the compensating element 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.

To additionally support or improve the anti-twisting protection, the bushing element can advantageously be provided with profiling or knurling on the contact surface and/or on the outside of the joining section adjoining the contact section and extending into the joining opening.

According to a preferred embodiment, the pre-assembled assembly is provided with a component or by the component itself, in particular by sections of the component designed for this purpose, an engagement section is provided for the holding or clamping engagement of a clamping screw or a clamping bolt. Such a clamping screw or such a clamping bolt is used using the pre-assembled module 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 can have, for example, a hole as an engagement section that is matched to the geometry of the clamping screw or clamping bolt. When using a thread-forming or self-tapping clamping screw, this forms a thread in the hole and thus comes into thread engagement. In the case of components with a smaller component thickness or smaller component strength, in particular with flat materials such as sheet metal, a so-called flow drilling screw or "flow drill screw" can preferably also be used as a clamping screw, which, when screwed into the component, almost automatically forms a passage with a corresponding internal thread, 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 corresponding properties, in particular with corresponding material hardness and/or corresponding deformation or flow properties. Alternatively, in the case of sheet metal components with a smaller component thickness, a corresponding passage can already be pre-formed, with or without an internal thread. The passage is produced or formed using a flow drilling process, which is also known as the flow drill process. The formation of the passage can take place during the manufacture of the component in an upstream manufacturing or processing step or alternatively directly during or during the manufacture of the existing pre-assembled component.

According to the invention, the preassembled assembly also comprises a nut element.

According to the invention, the nut element is formed as a nut element arranged on the underside of the first component and connected to the first component. The nut element arranged on the underside of the first component is held on the first component in a rotationally secured and captive manner and is fixed immovably in the axial direction. When the assembly is manufactured, the nut element is initially provided as a separate element and is fed from the underside of the component and brought into contact with the component, while, preferably at the same time, the compensation 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 portion of the nut element.

The nut element arranged on the underside of the first component is formed, for example, by a weld nut that is attached to the first component by welding. The welding ensures that the nut element is firmly connected to the component and is therefore secured against twisting and loss and is fixed axially immovably. The welding can be carried out 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 that is fastened by pressing it into the joint opening of the first component. In particular, such a nut element designed as a press-in nut has a joining section that extends into the joint opening of the component and can be permanently deformed, in particular by pressing, adjacent to the support section. The joining section of the nut element is also pressed into the joint 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 joint opening opposite one another in relation to the component, each with a 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 inserting it into the joining opening.

It is also possible that the nut element arranged on the underside of the first component is 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-twisting protection, the nut element is preferably provided with profiling 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 pre-assembled assembly comprising at least a first component 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 that interacts with the bushing element, the compensating element being at least partially received in a receiving space of the bushing element and being movable in the axial direction relative to the bushing element. In the method, the compensating device is first fed to an upper side of the first component in order to set the compensating device. A special aspect of the method is that the compensating device is positioned during the setting process in such a way that the bushing element rests against the upper side of the first component with a contact surface of a contact section and engages into the joining opening with a joining and securing section that adjoins the contact section along the main axis and is finally fastened directly to the first component in a rotationally and loss-proof manner by the setting process.

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

Preferably, pressing is carried out during the setting process, whereby the bushing element is pressed in particular into the joining opening. To this end, a suitable pressing tool, for example a pressing tool having 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 region of the joining opening in such a way that a connection secured against loss and rotation is produced by pressing, in particular by permanent material deformation.

According to the invention, a nut element is set at the same time during the setting process, 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 rests coaxially flush with the compensation device and the joining opening with a support surface of a support section against the underside of the first component and is secured against rotation and loss, fixed immovably in the axial direction, to the first component. In this embodiment in particular, accessibility is provided from both sides for the two-sided setting process.

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

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 drilling”, as already described above in connection with the pre-assembled module.

The present invention also relates to a method for clamping two components using a pre-assembled module as described above. In this case, at least the first component and the compensation device are provided via the pre-assembled module. Furthermore, the second component is provided and its underside is brought into contact with a contact surface of a compensation element of the compensation device. In this case, an assembly or fastening hole in the second component is aligned with a clamping screw leadthrough. A clamping screw is then guided from an upper side of the second component through the assembly or fastening hole and the clamping screw leadthrough adjoining in the direction of a main axis and screwed into an internal thread of a nut element provided on an underside of the first component and fastened in a loss-proof and twist-proof manner, whereby the second component is clamped to the first component.

The invention further relates to an arrangement comprising at least one pre-assembled assembly as described above and a second component connected to the pre-assembled assembly, wherein the first and the second component are clamped to one another at a predetermined distance adjusted by the spacing device of the assembly. For this purpose, a clamping screw engages, which rests with a screw head on an external upper side of the second component and is secured by a clamping screw passage of the compensating element, into a clamping nut arranged on the underside of the first component or into a nut element provided in the assembly.

The expression “essentially” or “approximately” or “ca.” in the sense of the invention means deviations from the exact value by +/- 10%, preferably by +/- 5% and/or deviations in the form of changes that are insignificant for the function.

Further developments, advantages and possible applications of the invention also emerge from the following description of embodiments and from the figures. All described and/or illustrated features, either individually or in any combination, are fundamentally the subject of the invention, regardless of their summary in the claims or their reference back. 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 exemplary embodiments and the figures. They show:

• 1 in a simplified schematic sectional view a preassembled module according to an embodiment of the invention;
• 2 in a simplified schematic sectional view of a preassembled module according to an alternative embodiment of the invention;
• 3 in a simplified schematic sectional view of a preassembled module according to a further alternative embodiment of the invention;
• 4 in a simplified schematic sectional view, a preassembled module 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 manufactured using the assembly;
• 6a - 6c various designs of bushing elements;
• 7a , b in 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 module according to still further alternative embodiments of the invention.

In the figures, the reference number 1 generally designates a pre-assembled or prefabricated assembly, which is shown in the examples of the figures in various embodiments and which is particularly intended for use in connecting two components, which are generally designated 2 and 3 in the figures, wherein the components 2, 3 are to be connected, in particular clamped together, at a predetermined, adjustable distance from one another. The prefabricated assembly 1 is therefore also to be understood as a tolerance compensation unit, via which the components 2, 3 to be connected can be adjusted, depending on requirements, in the range between a minimum distance d1 (see, for example, 5 ) and a maximum distance d2, i.e. the distance can be adjusted by a certain amount, in particular also for axial tolerance compensation, ie for tolerance compensation in the direction of a main axis HA of a compensation device 7 of assembly 1, as sketched in the figures.

In all embodiments shown in the figures, the pre-assembled assembly 1 comprises at least one first component 2 having an upper side 2' and a lower side 2", which is equipped with at least one joining opening 8. The component can, for example, be a component made from a metallic flat material, for example from sheet steel, e.g. part of a vehicle body.

The pre-assembled assembly 1 further comprises the compensation device 7 already mentioned above, which is arranged in the area of the joining opening 8 of the first component 2 and is connected to it, in particular fastened to the component 2. The compensation device 7 is axially adjustable in the direction of the main axis HA, in particular to adjust the distance between the first component 2 and the second component 3 to be clamped thereto using the assembly 1 or to compensate for it during clamping, in particular by axial tolerance compensation.

For this purpose, the compensation device 7 has at least one bushing element 5 and a compensation element 6 which interacts with the bushing element 5 and has a central clamping screw passage 6.2 through which a clamping screw 9 required for clamping the second component (see 5 ) can be guided. The compensating element 6 is at least partially accommodated in a receiving space of the bushing element 5, which is designed, for example, as a central recess, and is movable in the axial direction, namely along the main axis HA, relative to the bushing element 5, in particular axially displaceable, in order to thereby in particular In this case, however, it is ensured at the same time that the compensating element 6 is held securely in the state in which it is at least partially received in the bushing element 5 at the same time or despite the axial displacement, in particular it is secured against falling out or being lost, for example by means of a corresponding clamp 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. Adjoining the contact section 5.1, namely 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 into the joining opening 8 of the first component 2 and is at least partially received in the joining opening 8. The bushing element 5 is secured against rotation and loss 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 of an edge region of the component 2 surrounding the joining opening 8. Whether the deformation(s) are formed in the joining and securing section 5.2 and/or in the edge region of the component 2 surrounding the joining opening 8 depends, for example, on the respective processes used to manufacture the bushing element 5 and the component 2 materials used, in particular the deformability and/or hardness of these materials.

The socket element 5 of the 1 to 4 shown embodiments of the assembly 1 is each connected to the component 2 by pressing, in particular by pressing into the joining opening 8 of the component 2, using a suitable pressing tool. The pressing of the bushing element 5 into the joining opening 8 of the component 2 can, for example, take place in one operation with the production of the first component 2 itself, which is preferably designed as a pressed, punched and/or joined part, whereby the production of the prefabricated assembly 1 is also possible in one operation with the production of the first component 1. By pressing in or by the permanent deformation(s) generated during pressing of the bushing element 5 into the joining opening 8 of the component 2, the bushing element 5 and via this also the compensation device 7 are connected or fastened to the component directly, in a rotationally fixed and captive manner.

To further improve or support the anti-twisting feature, the bushing element 5 can preferably be additionally 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 from the 6a to 6c With reference to the 6a to 6c is in each case under Part A of the respective 6a to 6c a variant of a bushing element 5 with different knurls or profiles is shown. A corresponding enlarged section as well as a bottom view of the joining and securing section 5.2 are shown in parts B and C of the 6a to 6c .

The bushing element 5 connected to the component 2 by pressing can also be understood in this case as a press-in element or press-in bush. The bushing element is pressed in over a predetermined press-in length, which depends, among other things, on the component thickness, in particular on a sheet 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 for the joining and securing section 5.2 not only to extend into the joining opening 8 of the component 2, but to reach through it completely and to end flush with the underside 2" of the component with a free end or to protrude beyond the underside 2". Alternatively, depending on the application, it can be advantageous for the joining and securing section 5.2 to be pressed in over only part of the component thickness. In the 7a and 7b Two examples with different press-fit lengths are shown, whereby the component thickness is determined according to 7a larger and according to 7a is smaller than the press-in length.

In the examples of 1 to 4 The pressed-in bushing element 5 is designed as a threaded sleeve 5 with an internal thread 5.3. An external thread of the compensating element 6 engages in the internal thread 5.3, which in the examples of 1 to 4 is designed as a drum nut 6 and together with the threaded sleeve 5 forms the axially adjustable compensation device 7. The drum nut 6 comprises the clamping screw leadthrough 6.2 and has a contact section 6.1 on the top, 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 component 3 to be connected to the first component 2 at the predetermined, adjustable or compensable distance. To clamp the second component 3 (see e.g. 5 ) a clamping screw 9 with clamping screw head 9.1 is passed through the clamping screw passage 6.2 and engages in a thread of a nut arranged on the underside 2" of the first component 2.

To produce assembly 1, for example, the threaded sleeve 5 is first cut in the area the joining opening 8 of the component 2, so that the opening of the threaded sleeve 5 is arranged congruently or essentially congruently with the joining opening 8, which is preferably designed as a pre-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, which is inserted into the threaded sleeve 5, whereby the threaded sleeve 5 is fixed to the component 2 in a captive manner and secured against twisting. After 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 the engagement of the clamping screw 9, wherein the nut element 4 is arranged on the underside 2" of the first component 2 opposite the compensation device 7 with respect to the component 2 and rests against the underside 2" of the first component 2 with a support surface 4.11 formed by a support section 4.1 of the nut element 4. The nut element 4 has an internal thread in its central through-hole 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 compensation device 7, so that the through-hole and internal thread of the nut element 4 are oriented concentrically to the main axis HA. The nut element 4 is held on the first component 2 in a manner secured against rotation and loss and is 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 joint opening 8 of the first component 2. The nut element 4 comprises a joint section 4.2 which adjoins the support section 4.1 in the axial direction along the main axis HA and extends into the joint opening 8. The pressing in of the nut element 4 can be carried out in a similar manner to that described above in connection with the bushing element 5. Similarly, analogous to the bushing element 5, profiling or knurling can also be provided on the nut element 4 to improve or support the anti-twisting on its support surface 4.11 and/or on the outside of its joint section 4.2, for example as shown in 6a to 6c for the socket element 5. In the example of the 2 the elements pressed into and thereby fastened on the opposite sides of the component 2, namely the bushing element 5 on the upper side 2' and the nut element 4 on the lower side 2", are each anchored in the component 2 over a predetermined press-in length, wherein the press-in length is in each case slightly smaller than approximately half the component thickness.

The nut element 4 can be set and pressed in during the manufacture of the assembly 1 using a two-sided setting process at the same time as the socket element 5 is set and pressed in. For this purpose, access is provided from both sides, so that the elements, namely the nut element 4 and the socket element 5, are fed in from both sides. The nut element 4 and the socket element 5 are preferably set and pressed in in one operation, particularly preferably in one operation with the manufacture of the component 2.

Following the example of 3 the nut element 4 arranged on the underside 2" of the first component 2 is a weld nut which is fastened directly and firmly by welding to the first component 2, as well as being secured against rotation and loss, and which is in particular fixed axially immovably.

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

With reference to the 8th and 9 Further variants of assembly 1 are shown, whereby 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. The nut element 4 is provided in this variant by the component 2 itself, in particular by a nut section provided in the component 2. According to the example of the 9 the nut element 4 is formed by a cage nut. Although not shown in the figures, according to alternative embodiments the nut element 4 can also be formed by a clip nut fastened by inserting it into the joining opening 8.

In analogy to the 8th In the example shown, components 2 can be used with a suitable If the component thickness or component strength is sufficient, 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 a hole matched to the geometry of the clamping screw 9 or the clamping bolt, wherein a thread-forming or self-tapping clamping screw 9 is used here, which forms a thread in the hole and finally comes into thread engagement via it.

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 pre-formed, with or without an internal thread.

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

When assembled, the nut element 4, the threaded sleeve 5, the drum nut 6 and the clamping bolt 9 are arranged on the same axis as one another and with the main axis HA. The clamping bolt 8, which extends through the clamping screw passage 6.2 of the drum nut 6, is provided with a driver sleeve made, for example, of plastic, which, in the manner described in more detail below, initially causes the drum nut 6 to rotate when the clamping screw 9 is rotated about the axis HA, before the components 2 and 3 are clamped via the clamping screw 9. 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 opposing threads, i.e. the external thread of the clamping screw 9 and the internal thread of the clamping nut or the 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 interacting with this internal thread are left-hand threads.

To produce the arrangement starting from the prefabricated assembly 1 and the attached second component 3, the clamping screw 9 is then inserted from the side facing away from the nut element 4 or the clamping nut 4 at least into the drum nut 6 and rotated in the sense of screwing it into the nut element 4. In this case, the drum nut 6 is initially rotated via, for example, the driver sleeve 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 as a result the distance d1, d2 between the components 2 and 3 is also increased until the required final distance is reached and a further change in the distance between the components 2 and 3 is no longer possible, for example also by means of elements or components (not shown) that fix the final distance. The further rotation of the clamping screw 9 then causes it to be increasingly screwed into the nut element 4 and finally to firmly clamp 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 form a rigid spacer between the components 2 and 3 and both components 2 and 3 are firmly clamped 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 is understood that numerous changes and modifications are possible without departing from the inventive concept underlying the invention.

List of reference symbols

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

Bushing element

5.1

Investment section

5.11

Contact surface

5.2

Joining and securing section

5.3

inner thread

6

Compensating element

6.1

Investment section

6.11

Contact surface

6.2

Clamping screw feedthrough

7

Compensation 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

Claims (16)

Pre-assembled assembly (1) comprising at least one first component (2) having a top side (2') and a bottom side (2"), with at least one joining opening (8) and at least one compensating device (7) which is axially adjustable in the direction of a main axis (HA), 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 passage (6.2), and wherein the compensating element (6) is at least partially received in a receiving space of the bushing element (5) and is movable in the axial direction relative to the bushing element (5), wherein the bushing element (5) has a contact section (5.1) which forms a contact surface (5.11) and rests with the contact surface (5.11) against the top side (2') of the first component (2), wherein the bushing element (5) has a joining and securing section (5.2) which adjoins the first contact section (5.1) along the main axis (HA). which extends at least into the joining opening (8) of the first component (2) and is at least partially received in the joining opening (8), and wherein the bushing element (5) is fastened to the first component (2) via the joining and securing section (5.2) in a rotationally secured and captive manner, characterized in that the assembly (1) comprises a nut element (4), wherein the nut element (4) is formed by a nut element (4) arranged on the underside (2") of the first component (2) and connected to the underside (2") of the first component (2), wherein the nut element (4) is held on the first component (2) in a rotationally secured and captive manner and is fixed immovably in the axial direction. Pre-assembled assembly (1) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the bushing element (5) is pressed directly with the first component (2). Pre-assembled assembly (1) according to Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the joining and securing section (5.2) of the bushing element (5) is pressed into the joining opening (8) of the first component (2) over a predetermined press-in length. Pre-assembled assembly (1) according to Claim 3 , characterized in that at least one region of the joining and securing section (5.2) and/or an edge region of the first component (2) surrounding the joining opening (8) is permanently deformed. Pre-assembled assembly (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the joining and securing section (5.2) of the socket element (5) passes through the joining opening (8) of the first component (2) and terminates with a free end substantially flush with the underside (2") of the first component (2) or protrudes in the direction of the main axis (HA) beyond the underside (2") of the first component (2). Pre-assembled assembly (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bushing 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 leadthrough (6.2), wherein the drum screw or grub screw has an external thread engaging in the internal thread (5.3) of the threaded sleeve. Pre-assembled 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 component (2) in a second component (3) to be connected at a predetermined distance. Pre-assembled assembly (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bushing element (5) is provided with profilings or knurling on the contact surface (5.11) and/or on the outside of the joining section (5.2) adjoining the contact section (5.1) and extending into the joining opening (8). Pre-assembled assembly (1) according to one of the preceding claims, 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 press-in nut fastened by pressing into the joining opening (8) of the first component (2), a clip nut fastened by inserting into the joining opening (8) or a nut element fastened by press fitting, in particular by press fitting with the joining and securing section (5.2) of the bushing element (5) protruding beyond the underside (2") of the first component (2). Pre-assembled assembly (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the nut element (4) arranged on the underside (2") of the first component (2) rests against the underside (2") of the first component (2) with a support surface (4.11) formed by a support section (4.1) of the nut element (4). Pre-assembled assembly (1) according to Claim 10 , characterized in that the nut element (4) is provided with profilings or knurling on the support surface (4.11) and/or on the outside on a joining section (4.2) adjoining the support section (4.1) and extending into the joining opening (8). Method for producing a pre-assembled assembly (1) comprising at least one first component (2) with at least one joining opening (8) and at least one compensating device (7) which is axially adjustable in the direction of a main axis (HA), 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 wherein the compensating element (6) is at least partially received in a receiving space of the bushing element (5) and is movable 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 to an upper side (2') of the first component (2), wherein the compensating device (7) is positioned during the setting process in such a way that the bushing element (5) rests against the upper side (2') of the first component (2) with a contact surface (5.11) of a contact section (5.1) and is connected to the contact section with a contact surface (5.12) of a contact section (5.1) along the main axis (HA). (5.1) adjoining joining and securing section (5.2) engages into the joining opening (8) and is fastened directly to the first component (2) in a rotationally and loss-proof manner by the setting process, characterized in that a nut element (4) is set at the same time during the setting process, the setting process being carried out as a two-sided setting process in which the nut element (4) is fed to an opposite underside (2") of the first component (2) and positioned in such a way that the nut element (4) rests coaxially in alignment 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 fastened to the first component (2) in a rotationally and loss-proof manner, fixed immovably in the axial direction. Procedure according to Claim 12 , characterized in that during the setting process a pressing is carried out and the bushing element (5) is pressed into the joining opening (8). Procedure according to Claim 12 or 13 , characterized in that the nut element (4) is pressed into the joining opening (8) by pressing during the two-sided setting process, wherein the nut element (4) is pressed in in particular by pressing a joining section (4.2) adjoining the support section (4.1) and engaging into the joining opening (8). Method for clamping two components (2, 3) using a pre-assembled assembly (1) according to one of the Claims 1 until 11 , wherein at least the first component (2) and the compensation device (7) connected thereto are provided via the pre-assembled module (1), wherein the second component (3) is also provided and brought with its underside (3") into contact with a contact surface (6.11) of a compensation element (6) of the compensation device (7) and in the process an assembly or fastening hole of the second component (3) is aligned with a clamping screw lead-through (6.2), wherein a clamping screw (9) is guided from an upper side (3') of the second component (3) through the assembly or fastening hole and the clamping screw lead-through (6.2) adjoining in the direction of a main axis (HA) and is screwed into an internal thread of a nut element (4) provided on an underside (2") of the first component (2) and fastened in a loss-proof and twist-proof manner and is thereby clamped to the first component (2). Arrangement comprising at least one pre-assembled module (1) according to one of the Claims 1 until 11 and a second component (3) connected to the pre-assembled assembly (1), wherein the first and the second component (2, 3) are clamped to one another at a predetermined distance adjusted by the compensating device (7) of the assembly (1), and wherein for this purpose a clamping screw (9), which rests with a screw head (9.1) on an external upper side (3') of the second component (3) and is guided through a clamping screw passage (6.2) of the compensating element (6), engages in a nut element (4) provided on the assembly (1).

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