EP1718875A1

EP1718875A1 - Connecting unit

Info

Publication number: EP1718875A1
Application number: EP05731046A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Wilhelm Winkler
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Spirit2go GmbH
Priority date: 2004-02-26
Filing date: 2005-02-25
Publication date: 2006-11-08
Also published as: CN1926340A; DE202004002953U1; JP2007524051A; US20070274777A1; WO2005083274A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a connecting unit which is used to quickly connect various types of components or to quickly fix components to other components and which can be detached in an easy and quick manner with simple means even when there is a large amount of dirt or corrosion and which can provide a reliable, permanent connection. The inventive connecting unit comprises a journal provided with at least two stops with a joint area arranged between the stops and a counter element interacting with the stops of the journal. The counter element has a recess for the joint area of the journal and a wedge-shaped outer contour which is formed by outer surfaces of the counter elements oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the journal when the journal and counter element are joined together in an appropriate manner.

Description

connecting unit

The invention relates to a connecting unit with a pin and a counter element cooperating with it. The connection unit serves for releasably connecting a plurality of components or for fastening a plurality of components to a device provided with a connection unit according to the invention.

Such connection units are known from the prior art. They can be divided into detachable units and non-detachable units. Examples of detachable connection units are nut-screw connections or bolt-wedge connections known from framework construction or, for example, scaffolding.

In the case of screw connections, the components to be connected to one another have through openings placed at suitable points. The screws are pushed through these through openings until the head of the screws lies against one of the components to be connected. The length of the screw is dimensioned such that it protrudes through the components to be connected. If necessary, a nut is screwed onto the free threaded end of the screw opposite the head of the screw with the interposition of suitable washers and / or spring washers. By tightening the nut on the thread of the screw, the components to be connected between the screw head and the nut are braced against one another in a known manner by the increase in the thread. In addition to headed screws, the use of threaded rod material with nuts is known. It is also known to use to provide structures provided with a thread on components of any kind so that any components are to be fastened by means of a nut matching the thread.

Screw connections are used in all areas of technology in multiple designs and variations. A disadvantage of screw connections known from the prior art is that they screw together, for example due to dirt or corrosion, and can only be removed with great effort or no longer. If the threaded areas of the screw that are not covered by the nut are exposed to wear, as is the case, for example, with screw connections on agricultural machines, where the screw connections come into contact with and are pulled through sand or soil, the exposed thread areas are subject to wear the screw, as well as the tool attachment surfaces of the nut a not inconsiderable wear, which can lead to the uselessness or complete destruction of these structures. The consequence is that these screw connections can no longer be loosened using the tools provided for this purpose and must be destroyed, for example, with cut-off machines in order to detach the components connected by the screw connection. Even in cases in which corrosion or wear has not yet resulted in the screw connection being completely stuck or in the destruction of its external structures, it is always necessary to carefully remove any adhering dirt before loosening the screw connection, otherwise this will result in loosening of the Nut can get into the space between the nut and screw and there can destroy the thread or lead to a difficult loosening or even sticking. Even slight deformations on the thread of the screw or nut can make it difficult to loosen the connection or prevent it.

Wedges of any kind are also known from the prior art. Examples of wedges can be found in half-timbered buildings or in modern scaffolding. Such wedges have a pin-like element which is inserted through openings in the elements to be connected. The pin-like element has a contour forming a stop at one end. This contour can either by a pin-like element located head or be formed by any other, widening the diameter of the pin-like element. At its end opposite the stop, the pin-like element is provided with a through opening which runs transversely to the longitudinal axis. The position and the dimension of the through opening are matched to the thickness of the elements to be connected to one another and to the dimensions of a wedge-shaped counter element. The wedge-shaped counter element is driven through the through opening located in the pin element and, due to its wedge-shaped shape, is jammed with the through opening and the adjacent body edges of the components to be connected.

A disadvantage of such wedge connections known from the prior art is that the cross sections between the wedge and the peg or the components to be connected via forces are relatively small, so that the wedge or the passage opening located in the peg element deform due to the relatively high compressive stresses present can and the connection is difficult to solve disadvantageously. The passage opening in the pin element tends to clog with dirt particles when used in a dirty environment.

Starting from this known state of the art, it is the aim of the present invention to enable a connecting unit for quickly connecting any components to one another or for quickly attaching components to other components, which can be easily and quickly restored with simple means even in the case of heavy soiling or corrosion is solvable, but at the same time creates a secure and permanent, permanent connection.

This object is achieved according to the invention by a connecting unit which has a pin provided with at least two stops with a joining area located between the stops and a counter element interacting with one of the stops of the pin, the counter element having a receptacle for the joining area of the pin and a has a wedge-shaped outer contour, which is due to the intended assembly of Pin and counter element transverse to the longitudinal axis of the pin oriented outer surfaces of the counter element is formed.

Components to be connected by means of the connecting unit according to the invention have through openings. The dimensions of these through openings are matched to the dimensions of the pin of the connecting unit. The dimensions of the pin and the stops of the pin are dimensioned such that the pin and one of the stops can be inserted through the through openings of the components to be connected, while the remaining stop is dimensioned such that it cannot be passed through the through opening of the components and forms a stop abutting against the end component. The length of the pin and the position and length of the joining area formed between the stops of the pin are also matched to the strength or number of components to be connected. The position and the dimensions of the joining area are dimensioned such that when the pin is properly positioned in the through openings of the components to be connected, the joining area is positioned partially inside and partially outside the through opening of a component placed on the end.

The strength of the counter element interacting with the pin and its wedge-shaped outer contour are also matched to the position and dimensions of the joining area of the pin element, the position and dimensions of its stops and also the dimensions of the components to be connected to one another. To connect the components, the pin is inserted through the through openings in the components until the larger of the two stops abuts a body contour of one of the components. In this position, the end of the pin, which is opposite the larger of the stops, protrudes through the through opening of the opposite component, so that the joining region of the pin is partly placed inside and partly outside of this through hole. The wedge-shaped counter element can be pushed onto the joining area of the pin placed in this way. Due to the above-mentioned coordination of the counter element with the components to be connected and the pin, the structure formed from the pin, counter element and components to be connected can be wedged. This comes across Counter element on the smaller of the two stops of the pin. Due to its wedge-shaped outer contour, the counter element jams with the smaller of the stops of the pin element and the component adjacent to the counter element. The strength of this clamping is determined by the strength of the slope of the wedge-shaped outer contour of the counter element, its strength / thickness and its position relative to the pin. The clamping forces caused by the jamming of the counter element and the smaller of the stops of the pin are introduced via the pin onto the other stop of the pin and from this into the components to be connected. In order to influence the strength of the jamming of the connecting unit with the components to be connected, the counter element is driven onto the pin with one or more blows of a suitable tool. The clamping force achieved in this way ensures that the components are securely and permanently connected to one another and to the connecting unit. Due to the high clamping forces that can be achieved, stresses that occur in practice with such connections, such as vibrations, do not lead to the connection unit being released. By a suitable dimensioning of the pin and the counter element, the connection unit can advantageously be adapted to any load case. To release the connection unit, it is sufficient to use a suitable tool to perform one or more blows on the counter element against the joining direction thereof with the pin. As a result, the jamming between the pin and the counter element of the connection unit on the one hand and the connection unit and the components to be connected on the other hand is released. Any dirt or corrosion deposited on the connection unit may not prevent the connection unit from loosening quickly.

Of course, it can also be provided that the pin of the connection unit is provided as a pin-shaped extension on any component. Like a peg described above, such a peg-like extension likewise has a joining area between two stops. One of the stops can advantageously be formed by a contour of the component having the peg-like extension. By the pin of the connection unit as a pin-shaped extension on any component is provided, any other components can be fastened to the component having the pin by means of the connecting unit according to the invention.

Another embodiment of the invention provides that the receptacle of the counter element tapers in a wedge shape in the direction of the increasing thickness of the wedge-shaped outer contour and the joining area of the pin is wedge-shaped to match the receptacle of the counter element. With such a connecting unit, the slope of the wedge-shaped outer contour runs opposite the slope of the receptacle. The opposite slope of the two contours advantageously ensures that a secure and permanent jamming of the counter element and the pin is ensured, while too much jamming, or an excessive expulsion of the counter element on the pin due to the opposite slope of the receptacle is prevented. The clamping forces present in the connection unit or between the connection unit and the components to be connected can advantageously be set precisely and reproducibly with such a connection unit. Excessive pushing of the counter element onto the pin and associated plastic deformation of the counter element or the pin are advantageously prevented. The joining area of the pin is wedge-shaped in order to accommodate the counter element. In this way, surface pressures between the pin and the counter element, which could reach a height damaging the pin or the counter element, are avoided. The clamping force between the counter element and the pin is transmitted to a relatively large area by the suitably coordinated wedge contours of the joining area of the pin and the accommodation of the counter element, which leads to a reduction in the existing surface pressures.

A particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the joining area is formed by grooves made in the pin. The grooves are oriented towards each other in such a way that the joining area has the wedge-shaped cross section already mentioned above. For example, the joining area can be formed by two grooves made at opposite points of the pin. It is also conceivable that more than two grooves are made in the pin. For example, by inserting eight grooves, four wedge-shaped joining areas are formed Cross-sectional shapes brought about on the pin. These joining areas are placed in different angular positions with respect to one another, so that there are several possibilities, in the example given four possibilities, for placing the counter element on the pin. The base surfaces of the grooves run parallel to the longitudinal axis of the pin and in a wedge shape relative to one another. According to a further embodiment, at least two grooves are made in the shaft. These grooves are advantageously opposite one another.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the pin has a head and a shaft. The head and the shaft are dimensioned so that the head of the pin can form the larger of the two stops of the pin. The head can have a shape adapted to the respective use of the connecting unit. In this context, cylindrical heads with any circumferential contours are conceivable, for example round, square or hexagonal heads. The head of the shaft can also be designed as a countersunk head or lenticular head. The dimensions of the shaft, i.e. H. its cross-sectional shape, diameter and length are matched to the dimensions of the components to be connected. The cross-sectional shapes of the shaft are of any type, for example the shaft has a round, square or square cross-section. The joining area is attached to the shaft of the tenon. Instead of the head of the pin, a second joining area can alternatively be provided, onto which a second counter element can be attached. This second counter element then acts as a stop instead of the head.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the radial side surfaces of the grooves form a right angle with the longitudinal axis of the pin in the tangential direction. Such grooves can be introduced in a simple manner in the pin by z. B. a milling cutter is moved in a known manner transversely to the longitudinal axis of the pin with appropriate infeed. Pins with such groove shapes can be combined with counter elements with any wedge angle and have a wide range of applications. Alternatively, it can be provided that the radial side surfaces of the grooves with respect to a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis of the pin by the wedge angle of the wedge-shaped Outer contour of the counter element are inclined. By means of such inclined side surfaces of the grooves, it is advantageously achieved that the counter element lies flat against the side surface forming the stop of the pin. In this way, the clamping force required to securely clamp the connecting unit is distributed over as large an area as possible and the surface pressures present are minimized.

According to a further form of the invention, the counter element is formed by a wedge-shaped incision. The angle of inclination of the wedge-shaped incision corresponds to the angle of inclination of the joining contour of the pin to be used with the counter element. Such a counter element can be placed quickly and easily on the pin and is easy to clamp with it, even under difficult access conditions.

Alternatively, it is provided that the receiving of the counter element is formed by an elongated through opening in the counter element which tapers in a wedge shape transversely to the direction of penetration. The cross section of the through opening is dimensioned such that a problem-free and simple passage of the pin of the counter element with the smaller of the stops is possible. Such a counter element advantageously prevents it from being lost when the connecting unit is released, since the seat of the counter element on the pin is ensured with a sufficiently high degree of security even in the non-wedged state. Furthermore, the assembly and fastening of the connection unit or the counter element on the pin can be facilitated, if necessary, under difficult access conditions, in that the counter element is initially only loosely placed on the pin by means of its through-opening and remains there with a sufficiently high level of security and then subsequently with the Pin is wedged.

It is advantageously provided that the receptacle is formed by two circular through openings spaced apart from one another and by a wedge-shaped region connecting the through openings to one another. Such a receiving structure can be produced simply and inexpensively using conventional manufacturing methods. In addition, such a configuration of the receptacle of the counter element offers the possibility of the wedge-shaped surfaces converging of the wedge-shaped area in the event of wear or damage that may be present after prolonged use in a simple manner. This is particularly the case when the two circular through openings have a larger diameter than the maximum or minimum distance between the surfaces forming the wedge-shaped region.

A particularly advantageous embodiment of the connecting unit according to the invention has a compensating element. This compensating element can be designed with any external contours, but advantageously has a shape similar to the counter element. The compensating element has an opposite slope to the slope of the counter element. If the compensating element and the counter element are placed on the pin in the intended manner, the side surfaces of the counter element and the compensating element facing away from one another run parallel to one another. In this way, a particularly stable connection of counter and compensating element with the pin or the components to be connected, which is also provided with the appropriate dimensions, is advantageously made possible. The connection and clamping forces between the respective elements of the connection unit and the components to be connected are advantageously transmitted via partial surfaces lying flat on one another and stops of the elements, as a result of which a good transmission of these forces is ensured and existing surface pressures are minimized.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the compensating element can be placed on the pin next to the counter element. For this purpose, the dimensions of the joining area of the pin are matched to the dimensions of the counter element and compensating element.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the counter element has two wedge-shaped elements with opposite slopes. These elements are connected to one another in a suitable manner, so that a displacement of the elements relative to one another is made possible when actuated. It can be provided that the elements are linearly displaced relative to one another or alternatively rotated relative to one another, so that in this way the total strength of the counter element can be varied to achieve suitable clamping forces.

According to a further embodiment, the connecting unit has a securing element for securing the counter element on the pin. This securing element can be implemented, for example, in the form of a rubber stopper, which can be inserted into the joint area remaining between the counter element and the peg when the counter element and the peg are properly assembled and prevents loss of the counter element in the event of any unintentional loosening. In particular, however, the securing element protects against contamination. No dirt penetrates into the free spaces, in particular no solidifying dirt that could hinder loosening. Of course, the securing element can consist of any suitable material. However, materials with corresponding elastic properties are advantageously used for the securing element, which, due to their elasticity, adapt to the space remaining between the counter element and the peg and clamp themselves in place. In the event that the securing element is intended to counteract an independent loosening, it is advantageously to be designed to be harder.

The connection unit according to the invention can of course consist of any materials. Material combinations are also conceivable. In this context, the use of metal, plastics of any kind, wood or composite materials should be mentioned. The selection of the materials used in each case takes place according to material-specific properties and is tailored to the respective application of the connecting unit according to the invention. For example, the durability of the connection or its releasability can be influenced via the elasticity of the materials used. The use of plastics offers possibilities in terms of weight optimization. When using metal materials for the connecting unit according to the invention, there is of course also the possibility of using any metal materials.

Further properties and features of the present invention result from the following description of some preferred exemplary embodiments based on the figures. These exemplary embodiments serve only for the purpose of explanation and are not restrictive. It shows:

1 is a counter element of the invention in a plan view and a side sectional view,

2 shows a pin of the invention in two side views rotated by 90 °,

3 shows a second embodiment of the counter element according to the invention in a top view and a sectional view,

4 shows the connection unit according to the invention in the assembled state for connecting two components in a side sectional view,

5 the connection unit according to the invention in the assembled state in a top view,

6 shows the connecting unit from FIG. 4 in the assembled state with a compensating element,

7 shows a use of a connecting unit according to the invention with spacer elements,

8 shows a further embodiment of the connecting unit according to the invention in the assembled state in a side sectional view,

9 shows a cross section through the joining area of a pin of a connecting unit according to the invention with a plurality of wedge-shaped joining contours placed at different angular positions and

10 shows a further embodiment of the connection unit according to the invention.

1 shows the counter element 1 of the present connection unit according to the invention. The counter element 1 has a rectangular outer contour and is provided with a receptacle 2 on one side. The receptacle 2 is formed by a wedge-shaped incision 4. The counter element 1 has an essentially U-shaped shape with a connecting region 5 and two lateral extensions 6a, 6b. An alternative, but preferred embodiment of the counter element 1 is shown in FIG. 3. In this embodiment, the receiving contour 2 of the counter element 1 is formed by two through openings 3. The through openings 3 have a different diameter and are connected to one another by means of a wedge-shaped connecting region 7. Both the wedge-shaped notch 4 of the counter element 1 shown in FIG. 1 and the wedge-shaped connecting region 7 of the counter element 1 shown in FIG. 3 are inclined by a wedge angle β with respect to the longitudinal axis 8 of the counter element 1. In the lateral sectional view in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 it can be seen that the outer contour of the counter element 1 is also wedge-shaped. The pitch angle of the wedge-shaped outer contour of the counter element 1 is marked with α. It is essential that, as can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 3, the pitch angles α and β have mutually directed opening angles. This means that with decreasing width of the receiving contour 2, more precisely the wedge-shaped incision 4 or the wedge-shaped connecting region 7, the material thickness of the counter element 1 increases in the lateral cross section.

2 shows a pin 9 of the connecting unit according to the invention. The pin has a head 10 and a shaft 11. The shaft 1 is provided with two grooves 12, 13. The distance a of the grooves 12, 13 from the head 10 of the pin 9 and the length I of the groove are matched to the dimensions of the components to be connected. It can be seen that the base surfaces 14a, 14b of the grooves 12, 13 run parallel to the longitudinal axis 15 of the pin 9, but are inclined relative to one another. The inclination angle γ present between the base surfaces 14a, 14b of the grooves 12, 13 corresponds to twice the value of the wedge angle β of the counter element 1. The head 10 of the pin 9 is designed as a countersunk head in the exemplary embodiment shown, but can have any other cross-sectional shapes.

4 shows the connection unit according to the invention in the assembled state for connecting two components 16, 17. The components 16, 17 have Through openings. The pin 9 of the connecting unit according to the invention is pushed through these through openings until the head 10 of the pin 9 bears against a correspondingly shaped contour of the component 16, forming a stop. The pin 9 can be centered relative to the component 16 by means of the head 10. The joining area 18 of the pin 9 formed by the grooves 12, 13 lies partly inside the through opening of the component 17 and partly outside this through opening. By varying the groove length I and the distance a of the joining region 18 from the head 10 of the pin 9, the connecting unit or the pin 9 can be adapted to different thicknesses of the components 16, 17. As shown in FIG. 6, this adaptation to different dimensions of the components 16, 17 to be connected can also be realized by interposing suitable spacer elements 19. The counter element 1 lies with its wedge-shaped outer contour on the one hand on the component 17 and on the other hand on the pin-side surface 20 formed by the grooves 12, 13, which acts as a second stop. The connecting unit according to the invention can be wedged onto the side face of the counter element 1 marked with 21 and releasable onto the side face of the counter element 1 marked with 22 by means of one or more blows with a hammer.

As shown in FIG. 2, the radial side surfaces 20 of the grooves 12, 13 run parallel to one another and at a right angle to the longitudinal axis 15 of the pin 9. As shown in FIG. 2 with the dashed line, there is also the possibility that the pin-side radial Side surface 20 of the grooves 12, 13 extends at an angle of 90 ° + α relative to the longitudinal axis 15 of the pin. In this way, the course of the radial side surface 20 of the grooves 12, 13 corresponds exactly to the course of the wedge surface of the counter element 1 inclined by the wedge angle α when the pin 9 and the counter element 1 are mounted as intended. In this way there is an improved transmission of force between the counter element 1 and the pin 9 guaranteed. As an alternative to the oblique course of the radial side surface 20 of the grooves 12, 13, a compensating element likewise having a wedge angle α can be used.

As can be seen in FIG. 5, the counter element 1 can be mounted on the pin 9 when the connection unit is installed as intended by means of a securing element. mentes 23 are saved. The securing element 23 is preferably made of a material with elastic properties such as rubber or plastic and is used in the through opening 3 of the counter element 1.

8 shows a further advantageous embodiment of the connection unit according to the invention. The pin 9 does not have a head 10 as in the exemplary embodiments mentioned, but is designed as a rod-shaped element. The pin 9 penetrates two components 16, 17 to be connected to one another through through openings provided in the components 16, 17. As already explained above, the pin 9 is provided with a counter element 1 which interacts with the joining region 18. Instead of the head 10, the pin 9 is provided with a further joining area 26, onto which a second counter element 25, which is similar to the counter element 1, can be pushed. By pushing the counter elements 1 and 25, the components 16, 17, the pin 9 and the counter elements 25, 1 are braced against one another and the connection unit is fastened.

FIG. 9 shows a cross section vertical to the longitudinal axis 15 of the pin 9. The pin 9 is cut in the area of one of the joining areas 26, 18. Wedge-shaped contours offset from one another by 90 ° in the radial direction are formed in the pins. The wedge-shaped contours are identified by the reference symbols 27, 28, 29 and 30. By superimposing the wedge-shaped contours 27, 28, 29 and 30, the cross-sectional profile of the joining area 18, 26 of the pin 9, which is hatched in FIG. 9, is obtained. Counter elements 1, 25 according to the invention can be pushed onto this joining area from four different directions.

10 shows a further embodiment of the connecting element according to the invention. The pin 9 is designed as a pin-shaped extension of any component 31. As already described above, the pin 9 has a joining area 18. A counter element 1 in the form already described can be pushed onto this joining area 18. A component 16 can be fastened on the component 31 with the aid of the pin 9 and the counter element 1. Resilience calculations, in which a preferred embodiment of a connection unit according to the invention was compared with a conventional screw connection according to the prior art, showed that its maximum load capacity was only about 1.7% below that of a comparable screw connection. By varying the wedge angle, it is possible to produce a connection unit according to the invention with the same load capacity as a conventional screw connection.

B e z u q s z e i c h e n l i s t e

1 counter element 21 side surface of the counter element

2 receiving contour 22 side surface of the counter element

3 through opening 23 securing element

4 wedge-shaped incision 24 compensating element

5 Connection area 25 counter element

6a, b lateral extensions 26 joining area

7 wedge-shaped connecting area 27 wedge-shaped contour

8 longitudinal axis of the counter element 28 wedge-shaped contour

9 pins 29 wedge-shaped contour

10 head 30 wedge-shaped contour

11 shaft 31 component

12 groove α wedge angle

13 groove ß wedge angle

14a, b base areas of the grooves Y wedge angle

15 Longitudinal axis of the pin I groove length

16 Component a distance between joining area and head

17 component d1 diameter pin

18 Joining area d2 diameter head

19 Spacer D inner diameter through opening

20 radial side surface

Claims

Patent claims

1.Connection unit which has a pin provided with at least two stops with a joining area located between the stops and a counter element cooperating with one of the stops of the pin, the counter element having a receptacle for the joining area of the pin and a wedge-shaped outer contour, which by intended assembly of the pin and the counter element is formed transversely to the longitudinal axis of the pin oriented outer surfaces of the counter element.

2. Connection unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the receptacle of the counter element tapers in a wedge shape in the direction of the increasing thickness of the wedge-shaped outer contour and the joining region of the pin is wedge-shaped to match the receptacle of the counter element.

3. Connection unit according to one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the joining region of the pin is formed by grooves made in it.

4. Connection unit according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the pin has a head and a shaft.

5. Connection unit according to claim 4, characterized in that one of the radially oriented side surfaces of the grooves form one stop and the head of the pin the other stop.

6. Connection unit according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the base surfaces of the grooves run parallel to the longitudinal axis of the pin and relative to one another in a wedge shape.

7. Connection unit according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that at least two grooves are made in the pin.

8. Connection unit according to one of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that the grooves lie opposite one another.

9. Connection unit according to one of claims 3 to 8, characterized in that the radial side surfaces of the grooves enclose a right angle with the longitudinal axis of the pin in the tangential direction.

10. Connection unit according to one of claims 3 to 8, characterized in that the radial side surfaces of the grooves are inclined relative to a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis of the pin by the wedge angle of the wedge-shaped outer contour of the counter element.

11. Connection unit according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the receiving of the counter element is formed by a wedge-shaped incision.

12. Connection unit according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the receptacle of the counter element is formed by an elongated through opening tapering in a wedge shape transversely to the direction of penetration in the counter element.

13. Connection unit according to claim 12, characterized in that the receptacle is formed by two circular through openings spaced apart from one another and a wedge-shaped region connecting the through openings to one another.

14. Connection unit according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the connection unit has a compensating element.

15. Connection unit according to claim 14, characterized in that the compensating element can be placed on the pin next to the counter element.

16. Connection unit according to one of claims 14 or 15, characterized in that the compensating element has a wedge-shaped outer contour.

17. Connection unit according to one of claims 14 to 16, characterized in that the wedge angle of the compensating element corresponds to the wedge angle of the counter element.

18. Connection unit according to one of claims 14 to 17, characterized in that the wedge slope of the compensating element is reversed to the wedge slope of the counter element.

19. Connection unit according to one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that the counter element has two wedge-shaped elements with opposite slopes.

20. Connection unit according to claim 19, characterized in that the wedge-shaped elements of the counter element are linearly displaceable relative to each other.

21. Connection unit according to claim 19, characterized in that the two wedge-shaped elements of the counter element are rotatable relative to each other.

22. Connection unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connection unit has compensating elements for adapting the clamping length present between the stops of the pin to different dimensions of the components to be connected.

23. Connection unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connection unit has a securing element, for example a rubber stopper, for securing the counter element on the pin.

24. Connection unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pin has two spaced apart joining areas.

25. Connection unit according to claim 24, characterized in that at least one counter element can be placed on each of the joining areas.

26. Connection unit according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pin, counter element, spacer elements and / or compensating elements consist essentially of a metallic material.

27. Connection unit according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pin, counter element, spacer elements and / or compensating elements consist essentially of a plastic.