WO2003038293A1

WO2003038293A1 - Nut

Info

Publication number: WO2003038293A1
Application number: PCT/EP2002/012023
Authority: WO
Inventors: Reinhold Opper; Wolfgang Werner
Original assignee: Newfrey Llc
Priority date: 2001-10-31
Filing date: 2002-10-28
Publication date: 2003-05-08
Also published as: DE10153699A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a nut (1), in particular a nut (1) which may be welded or soldered on, which comprises a head section (10) with an external diameter (AD) and a fixing end (3), opposite the head section (10), with an internal diameter (ID). The head section (10) has a threaded section (2) with an internal thread (4) and is characterised in that the external diameter (AD) for the threaded section (2) is smaller than the internal diameter (ID) of the fixing end (3). In said nut (1) the advantageous properties of a screwed connection are combined with the advantages of elastic connections and economical production.

Description

mother

The invention relates to a nut, in particular a weldable or solderable nut.

It is known to provide nuts with a fastening end in order to fasten them on a metallic workpiece. The mother can e.g. can be attached by welding or soldering. The thread can be used to create a detachable screw connection between two workpieces.

Known types of nut are characterized by a high stiffness of the nut, which prevents self-locking of the nut and vibration decoupling between the workpieces to be fastened together. The use of materials for known mother species is high. They are usually made of wire material or rods, whereby a hole has to be drilled for the thread. Due to the comparatively high manufacturing costs, nuts have to be dispensed with in some cases, although one would like to take advantage of a screw connection.

It is also known in the prior art to form mounting elements from a sheet metal, which are welded to a workpiece. Workpieces of this type are connected to one another by clamping. However, such connections have the disadvantage that they do not have the advantageous properties of screw connections. Although clamp connections are comparatively elastic, they usually do not achieve the maximum tensile forces that can be absorbed, which are typical for screw connections.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a nut with which a screw connection can be produced and which has a particular elasticity.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a nut that offers a weight advantage and is inexpensive to manufacture.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a nut that can be welded on particularly well. This object is achieved by a mother with the features of claim 1. Advantageous further developments and refinements, which can be used individually or in combination with one another, are the subject of the dependent claims.

The nut according to the invention has a head section with an outer diameter and a fastening end opposite the head section with an inner diameter, the head section comprising a threaded section with an internal thread, and is characterized in that the outer diameter of the threaded section is smaller than the inner diameter of the fastening end , The nut is advantageously weldable or solderable.

With the help of the fastening end, the nut is fastened to a workpiece. The attachment can be done, for example, by welding, soldering or gluing. A screw connection can be produced using the threaded section with an internal thread. The feature that the outside diameter of the threaded section is smaller than the inside diameter of the fastening end gives the nut according to the invention particular elasticity. The spring properties of the nut ensure that the nut is self-locking and allow a screw inserted into the nut to be adjusted in the internal thread of the nut in the event of an angular misalignment. If the nut is welded on, the comparatively large distance between the fastening end and the internal thread in relation to the overall height of the nut prevents the internal thread from becoming dirty by welding spatter, which can impair the functionality of the internal thread. The nut according to the invention can be formed or beaten from sheet metal or from a tube or cold. Function and form can be positively influenced by shaping processes. In contrast to extrusion, sheet metal forming, securing and clamping functions can be used in the element. It is particularly advantageous if the nut is formed from a sheet metal or from a tube, since this considerably reduces the weight of the nut and the nut can be manufactured inexpensively. The internal thread can be pressed or cut. The mother of the invention is self-locking due to its elasticity. Due to the reduced mass of the nut, wear in the feed hose and in the receiver is reduced during automated feeding. The reduced mass allows, for example, the construction of lighter bodies in the automotive industry. The packaging containers of the nuts can be smaller be chosen, which among other things also reduces logistics costs. Due to the asymmetry in the axial direction, a better position detection of the nut during sorting in the feeder is achieved. Because the tensile force is transmitted to the component via a widened ring, the nut can transmit greater torques. The bowl shape prevents welding spatter or welding bubbles from getting into the internal thread. In addition, the shape of the cup means that no arc can form at a through hole in the sheet metal, which could prevent a screw from being passed through the through hole and make it impossible to screw the screw into the thread.

In a special embodiment of the nut according to the invention, the wall thickness of the threaded section essentially corresponds to the wall thickness of the fastening end. Material is saved due to the substantially uniform wall thickness, which has an advantageous weight-reducing effect.

In an advantageous embodiment of the nut according to the invention, the difference between the inside diameter of the fastening end and the outside diameter of the threaded section corresponds approximately to the wall thickness of the fastening end. This results in sufficient elasticity as well as sufficient rigidity of the nut.

In a special embodiment of the invention, the nut has at least one sheet-metal strip which is integral with the threaded section and which is bent around the outside of the threaded section from an outer edge and ends in a fastening end below the threaded section.

By bending the sheet metal strip, an overall height of the nut can be achieved which is much greater than the sheet thickness, which saves material and the nut can be punched in an inexpensive manner, so that the hole drilling process for the internal thread, which is common in known weldable nuts, is achieved is simplified. The weight of the mother is comparatively low. The weight reduction is between 30 to 70%. For example, in the case of an M6 nut, the weight is reduced by 67%.

Due to the elasticity of the nut, a screw can adapt in the threaded section, for example with a small angular misalignment. The transmission of vibrations is reduced. If the nut is preloaded on the workpiece side, the axial elasticity results self-locking of the nut in the direction of the thread axis. The elasticity makes a washer or a snap ring unnecessary. The elasticity of the nut causes an even distribution of the forces on the threads of the internal thread, which leads to a lower notch effect. The material is thus protected against fatigue.

In one embodiment of the invention, there are a plurality of sheet metal strips of the same type which are bent around the threaded section and which, separated from one another by slots, surround the threaded section like a cage. Due to the type of slots, especially their number, shape and length, the stiffness of the nut can be variably specified within wide limits. With the aid of the slots, a wide variety of forms of the nut can be produced by bending without the sheet metal strips bending or causing the sheet to expand or crack. In particular, the shape of the nut is not limited to cylindrical shapes, but asymmetrical, curved or angled shapes can be achieved. Such shapes enable two workpieces to be connected at any angle to one another.

In a special embodiment of the invention, the nut has at least two, in particular at least four, metal strips. With the help of the metal strips, depending on the shape, in particular their number and their length, the elasticity of the nut can be specified within wide limits.

In a further special embodiment of the invention, the metal strips are at the same distance from one another. A uniform distribution of the metal strips results in a uniform distribution of the forces acting on the nut on the respective metal strips, which has an advantageous effect on the strength of the nut. According to yet another special embodiment of the invention, the sheet metal strips are formed with the same length. The same length ensures even soldering or even welding of the nut.

The nut advantageously has a cylindrical outer shape with a rounded head section. The rounded head section prevents injury to a workpiece to be attached due to sharp edges of the nut, and better detection of the position of the nut with fully automatic feeding of the nut is achieved. It is particularly advantageous if the threaded section has a collar that receives the thread. The collar extends the thread length beyond the thickness of the sheet. This increases the stability of the screw connection.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the collar tapers in a funnel shape towards the internal thread. The funnel-shaped collar makes it easy to screw a screw into the nut.

In a further embodiment of the nut according to the invention, at least one additional slot is provided, which extends from the threaded section towards the fastening end. With the help of such an additional slot, the elasticity of the nut with respect to an expandable diameter of the internal thread is increased. With the help of the additional slot, tension can also be achieved with a screw to be screwed into the nut, thus preventing the screw from loosening independently.

In a special embodiment of the invention, at least two, in particular at least four, additional slots are provided. The elastic properties of the threaded section can be predetermined by the number and type of additional slots. Furthermore, it can be used to prevent the screw from being loosened independently by screwing it into the internal thread.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the additional slots are at the same distance from one another. With the same distance, a uniform force distribution is achieved on the screwed screw in the internal thread. In a still further embodiment of the nut according to the invention, the additional slots have the same length. A uniform force distribution is also achieved by the same length.

For the production, the mechanical properties and for soldering or welding the nut onto a workpiece, it is expedient for the nut to be made of metal, in particular of a sheet metal which is thin relative to the size of the nut.

In a special embodiment of the nut, namely for special applications, the axis of the internal thread is sometimes also inclined to the axis of the fastening. supply forming. In a further special embodiment of the invention, the axis of the internal thread is perpendicular to the axis of the fastening end. Since the nut according to the invention is formed from a sheet metal, it is possible with simple means to produce rotationally asymmetrical, in particular angled, nuts in a simple manner. By suitable punching of the sheet metal or corresponding bending of the sheet metal strips, a wide variety of shapes of the nut are possible in a simple manner.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the sheet metal strips have spring structures. The spring structures are impressed by cutouts and / or impressions. With this, the elasticity of the mother can be influenced, e.g. further elasticity of the nut can be effected axially in the direction of the screw connection to be achieved.

In a special embodiment of the invention, the head section is closed. A screw connection is sealed by the closed head section. In this way it is possible to achieve tight and elastic screw connections with the nut.

Further advantageous configurations and special features that can occur individually or in combination are explained with the aid of the following drawing. However, the drawing is not intended to limit the invention, but is only intended to illustrate the invention by way of example.

They show schematically:

1 shows a weldable nut according to the invention welded onto a workpiece in a perspective oblique view;

Fig. 2 shows a mother of Figure 1 in plan view.

3 shows a weldable nut according to the invention welded on its side onto a workpiece in a perspective oblique view;

4 shows a nut in longitudinal section along the section line IV-IV according to FIG. 3; 5 shows a welded-on nut according to the invention according to FIG. 1 from the side;

6 shows a nut according to FIG. 5 in longitudinal section;

7 shows a nut according to the invention according to FIG. 1 with additional slots;

8 shows a nut according to FIG. 7 in a perspective oblique view;

9 shows a nut according to the invention with spring structures in a perspective oblique view from below;

10 shows a nut according to the invention with cutouts for producing spring structures in a side view;

11 shows a nut according to FIG. 10 in longitudinal section;

12 shows a further nut according to the invention in longitudinal section;

13 shows a sealed nut according to the invention in longitudinal section; and

Fig. 14 is a sealed nut of FIG. 13, which is welded to a workpiece.

1 shows a perspective view of a nut 1 according to the invention. The nut 1 has a fastening end 3 with which it is welded to a workpiece 7. For this purpose, sheet metal strips 5, which start from a threaded section 2 with an internal thread 4 and an axis A, are bent around the outside of an outer edge of the threaded section 2, so that they each end below the threaded section 2 in the fastening end 3. Slits 11 are formed between the metal strips 5. The nut 1 has a cylindrical outer shape with a rounded head section 10. With the help of the rounded head section 10, a risk of injury from sharp edges of the nut is avoided. The threaded section 2 has a collar 9 which has the internal thread 4. The shape of the sheet metal strip 5 according to the invention saves material, in contrast to weld nuts made from solid material. The thread retraction advantageously lies freely in the center of the nut, so that a screw, for example in the event of an angular offset, winch 4 can adjust. Vibrations occurring are reduced or avoided by the elasticity of the nut 1. The elasticity of the nut 1 also better compensates for an elastic linear expansion of a screw. The internal thread 4 can advantageously be pressed or cut. Attack surfaces such as support elements can be arranged in the form of beads or struts.

FIG. 2 shows a nut according to the invention according to FIG. 1 in a top view. Around the internal thread 4 in the threaded section 2, five sheet metal strips 5 are bent from the threaded section 2 to the workpiece 7.

3 shows a nut 1 according to the invention, in which the axis A of the internal thread 4 is perpendicular to the axis B of the fastening end 3. The axis B of the fastening end 3 is defined by the fastening end 3 or is defined by the vertical on the fastening surface of the workpiece 7, to which the nut 1 is fastened with its fastening end 3. The two axes are at an angle of 90 ° to each other. Such an angled nut 1 can also be produced according to the invention with simple means by punching and then deforming the metal strips 5. With an angled nut, two workpieces can be attached at an oblique angle. Of course, any other angle between 0 and 180 ° can be realized.

Fig. 4 shows the nut according to the invention in longitudinal section along the section line IV-IV of FIG. 3, wherein a weld 8 between the fastening end and the workpiece 7 can be seen. The metal strips 5 form a cage around the internal thread 4. It can be seen very clearly that the axis A of the internal thread 4 is perpendicular to the axis B of the fastening end 3. The axis B is perpendicular to the surface on which the nut 1 is attached.

5 and 6 show a nut 1 according to the invention, the metal strips 5 being welded at the fastening end 3 on the workpiece 7 at the welding point 8. The threaded section 2 has a rounded head section 10. By soldering the sheet metal strips 5 to their respective fastening ends 3, high stability and rigidity of the nut 1 is achieved despite the slots 11 between the respective sheet metal strips 5. On the right-hand side of the nut 1, a slot 11 can be seen from the threaded section 2 to the fastening end 3. The nut 1 is arranged above a through-bore 13. 7 and 8 show a nut 1 according to the invention with additional slots 6 which are attached to the threaded section 2 and extend in the direction of the fastening end 3. With the help of these additional slots 6, the flexibility of the nut 1 with regard to its diameter is increased.

9 shows a nut 1 according to the invention with additional spring structures 12 in the perspective oblique view from below. The spring structures 12 are punched out in the sheet-metal strip 5 through bulbous cutouts. Such outbreaks 14 and impressions specifically create weak points and thus a spring action of the nut 1. Due to the spring action of the nut 1, a screw in the threaded section 2 can adapt, e.g. with angular misalignment. If the nut 1 is preloaded on the workpiece side, the elasticity of the nut 1 is self-locking. The spring effect leads to a reduced transmission of vibrations. The uniform distribution of the forces on the threads of the internal thread 4 caused by the elasticity of the nut 1 leads to a lower notch effect and the nut 1 is protected against fatigue.

A nut 1 according to the invention with cutouts 14 for producing spring structures 12 is shown in side view in FIG. 10 and in longitudinal section in FIG. 11. The inside diameter ID of the fastening end 3 is larger than the outside diameter AD of the threaded section 2. The wall thickness WG of the threaded section 2 is essentially as large as the wall thickness WB of the fastening end 3. The sheet metal strips 5 are separated from one another at the fastening end 3 by slots 11 and point out Breakouts 14 or impressions that lead to an additional spring action. The spring action enables self-locking of the nut 1, compensation for linear expansion of a screw and adjustment of the nut 1 for angular misalignment of a screw.

FIG. 12 shows a further nut 1 according to the invention in longitudinal section, the head section 10 having a collar 9 pointing away from the fastening end 3. The inner diameter LD of the fastening end 3 is approximately a wall thickness WB of the fastening end 3 greater than the outer diameter AD of the threaded section 2. The wall thickness WG of the threaded section 2 is essentially as large as the wall thickness WB of the fastening end 3. The nut 1 is with its fastening end 3 welded to a welding point 8 on a workpiece 7. The workpiece 7 is designed as a sheet metal strip 5, which has a through hole 13. Due to the distance between the fastening end 3 and the internal thread 4, even with a comparatively low overall height of the nut 1, welding spatter is prevented from reaching the internal thread 4 when the nut 1 is welded on and contaminate it. The head section 10 advantageously has a chamfer 15 which facilitates the insertion of the screw from the side facing away from the workpiece. The mother 1 according to the invention is self-locking due to its elasticity. It has a lower operating weight and can be manufactured in a simple and inexpensive manner. The weight reduction in mother 1 is between 30 to 70%. For M6 threads, for example, it is about 67%. With automated feeding, the low mass of the nut reduces wear in the feed hose and in the receiver. Due to the asymmetry of the nut 1 in the axial direction, a better position detection of the nut 1 is achieved when sorting in the feeder. The widened ring, which arises from the large inner diameter ID of the fastening end 3 and through which the tensile force is transmitted to the workpiece 7, permits transmission of larger torques. The cup shape also prevents welding spatter or welding bubbles from getting into the internal thread 4 and contaminating it. The distance between the welding point 8 and the through-bore 13 of the sheet 5 prevents an arc from forming at the edge of the through-bore 13.

13 shows a sealed nut 1 according to the invention in longitudinal section with a fastening end 3, a threaded section 2 with an internal thread 4 and a head section 10, the head section 10 being closed. Due to the closed head section 10 and the feature that the outer diameter AD of the threaded section 2 is Heiner than the inner diameter ID of the fastening end 3, elastic screw connections can be produced with the nut 1, which are sealed at the same time.

FIG. 14 shows the sealed nut 1 according to FIG. 13, the nut 1 being welded onto a workpiece 7 which has a through bore 13. Since the distance between the welding point 8 and the through hole 13 is comparatively large, it is prevented that welding spatter or welding bubbles clog the through hole or contaminate the internal thread 4 of the nut 1. With such a nut 1, a further part, for example a cable lug 17, can be fixed with a screw 16. - left

be increased. Here, with the help of the seal and the elastic properties of the nut 1, an elastic and at the same time sealed screw connection is achieved.

The nut 1 according to the invention, in particular a weldable or solderable nut 1, has a head section 10 with an outer diameter AD and a fastening end 3 opposite the head section 10 with an inner diameter ID, the head section 10 comprising a threaded section 2 with an internal thread 4, and drawing is characterized in that the outer diameter AD of the threaded portion 2 is smaller than the inner diameter ID of the fastening end 3. In the nut 1 according to the invention, the advantageous properties of a screw connection are combined with the advantages of elastic connections and inexpensive manufacture.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 mother

2 threaded section

3 fastening ends

4 internal threads

5 metal strips

6 additional slot

7 workpiece

8 weld or solder joint

9 collar

10 head section

11 slot

12 spring structures

13 through hole

14 outbreaks

15 chamfer

16 screw

17 cable lug

A axis of thread abs

B axis of attachment

ID inside diameter of the fastening end 3

OD outer diameter of the threaded section 2

WG wall thickness of the threaded section 2

WB wall thickness of the fastening end 3

Claims

claims

1. nut (1), in particular a weldable or solderable nut (1), with a head portion (10) with an outer diameter (AD) and one

Head section (10) opposite fastening end (3) with an inner diameter (ID), the head section (10) comprising a threaded section (2) with an internal thread (4), characterized in that the outer diameter (AD) of the threaded section (2) is smaller than the inside diameter (ID) of the fastening end (3).

2. Nut (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the wall thickness (WG) of the threaded portion (2) substantially the wall thickness (WB) of the

Fastening end (3) corresponds.

3. Nut (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the difference between the inner diameter (LD) of the fastening end (3) and the outer diameter (AD) of the threaded portion (2) approximately the wall thickness (WB) of

Fastening end (3) corresponds.

4. Nut (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the nut (1) has at least one sheet-metal strip which is integral with the thread portion (2) and which is from an outer edge of the thread portion (2) on the outside thereof is bent around and ends below the threaded section (2) in a fastening end (3).

5. nut (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a plurality of similar around the threaded portion (2) bent

Sheet metal strip (5) is present which, separated from one another by slots (11), surrounds the threaded section (2) like a cage.

6. nut (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that at least 2 sheet metal strips (5), in particular at least 4 sheet metal strips (5), are present.

7. Nut according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the sheet metal strips (5) lie at the same distance from each other.

8. Nut according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the sheet metal strips (5) have the same length.

9. nut (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the nut (1) has a cylindrical outer shape with a rounded head portion (10).

10. nut (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the threaded portion (2) has a collar (9) receiving the internal thread (4).

11. Nut (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the collar (9) tapers in a funnel shape towards the internal thread (4).

12. Nut (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one additional slot (6) is provided which extends from the threaded portion (2) towards the fastening end (3).

13. Nut (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that the at least 2 additional slots (6), in particular at least 4, additional slots (6) are provided.

14. Nut (1) according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the additional slots (6) are at the same distance from each other.

15. nut (1) according to claim 12, 13 or 14, characterized in that the additional slots (6) have the same length.

16. Nut (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the nut (1) is made of metal.

17. Nut (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the axis (A) of the internal thread (4) is inclined to the axis (B) of the fastening end (3).

18. Nut (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the axis (A) of the internal thread (4) is perpendicular to the axis (B) of the fastening end (3).

19. Nut (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sheet metal strips (5) have spring structures (12) to increase the elasticity of the nut (1).

20. Nut (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the nut (1) is formed from a sheet metal.

21. Nut (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the head section (10) is closed.