WO2008058581A2

WO2008058581A2 - Arrangement for sealing a passageway, and mounting method

Info

Publication number: WO2008058581A2
Application number: PCT/EP2007/007367
Authority: WO
Inventors: Karol Lednicky; Thorsten Meyer; Björn Spangemacher
Original assignee: Daimler Ag
Priority date: 2006-11-11
Filing date: 2007-08-22
Publication date: 2008-05-22
Also published as: WO2008058581A3; DE102006053265A1

Abstract

Disclosed is an arrangement (21) for sealing a passageway (15) for a steering column (3) in a partition (7) between an engine compartment (11) an an interior space (9). Said sealing arrangement (21) comprises a sealing collar (23) that surrounds the steering column (3) and seals the passageway (15) as well as means for fastening the sealing collar (23) to the partition (7) in the mounted position. The sealing arrangement (21) is characterized in that the fastening means and the sealing collar (23) are formed by separate parts.

Description

Sealing arrangement for sealing a passage opening and

assembly method

The invention relates to a sealing arrangement for sealing a passage opening for a steering column in a partition between an engine compartment and an interior, in particular a passenger compartment, according to the preamble of claim 1, and a method for assembling a seal assembly, in particular according to one of claims 1 to 13, according to Claim 14.

From DE 198 57 392 Al discloses a seal arrangement of the type mentioned here. This serves to seal an end wall passage opening between an engine compartment and an interior of a vehicle. The passage opening serves to pass through a steering column. The seal assembly has a fixable on the end wall passage opening, the steering column enclosing sealing sleeve, which is formed elastically. For the purpose of securing the sealing collar in the region of the passage opening and simultaneous sealing of the gap between the sealing collar and the passage opening, the sealing collar on its outer peripheral surface on a circumferential, nutformige recording, at the edge of an elastically deflectable retaining projection is provided. To attach the sealing sleeve, this is radially against the Edge of the passage opening displaced, whereby the end wall engages in the groove. Here, the HaItevorsprung is deflected on the end wall, so that the material-related restoring forces press the retaining projection against the end wall, whereby the sealing sleeve is held on the end wall. It has been found that the mounting of the sleeve at the passage opening is difficult, since the sleeve must be pushed manually circumferentially uniformly on the edge of the passage opening in order to achieve the desired sealing and holding action. The sealing collar must be displaced in the radial direction to the longitudinal axis of the steering column. This leads in particular in mass production again and again to the fact that the end wall is not arranged as desired over the entire circumference of the sealing sleeve in the receptacle, so that penetration of moisture and dirt from the engine compartment in the interior of the vehicle can not be excluded.

It is an object of the invention to provide a seal assembly of the type mentioned, which does not have these disadvantages.

To solve the problem, a sealing arrangement with the features of claim 1 is proposed. This is characterized in that the means for fixing the at least partially elastically formed sealing sleeve in the region of the partition wall passage opening and the steering column enclosing the sealing wall passage opening sealing sealing collar are formed by separate parts. The primary task of the sealing collar thus consists in the gap seal, while the primary function of the fixing means is the simple fixation of the sealing collar on the end wall in the region of the passage opening. As a result, the fixing means and the sealing sleeve can each on their desired function, namely the fixation of the sealing sleeve or sealing of the gap, to be optimized. The sealing arrangement according to the invention differs from the known sealing arrangement in particular in that not at the same place with the same means both a holding and a sealing function is realized. The seal assembly according to the invention is characterized by a high reliability and can be mounted in a simple manner.

In a preferred embodiment of the sealing arrangement it is provided that the fixing means are provided on a tubular adapter part. When installed, the adapter part engages in the partition passage opening. To ensure that the gap between the adapter part and the passage opening has only a small height and is preferably uniform over the circumference of the adapter part, the adapter part has an outer contour adapted to the contour of the passage opening, which is preferably circular. The adapter part is thus guided with only a slight radial clearance in the passage opening. The sleeve-shaped adapter part, which encloses the steering column, can be produced inexpensively from plastic material or metal, in particular sheet metal. Depending on the configuration of the fixing means provided on the adapter part, the adapter part may optionally be formed in one piece.

Particularly preferred is an embodiment of the seal assembly in which the fixing means comprise at least one latching element for latching with a provided on the partition wall locking counter-element. Preferably, the latching connection is designed so that it acts automatically, that is to attach the sealing sleeve in the region of the passage opening, only a relative movement between the locking element and the locking counter-element is required. The arrangement and configuration of the locking element and the locking counter-element are preferably such that the automatic locking takes place by a relative movement of the adapter part in the axial direction of the steering column. The locking connection is preferably designed so that when locking the fitter an acoustic and / or haptic feedback on the proper locking is given. With an appropriate arrangement of the fixing in the field of partition they can be taken from the engine compartment of the fitter's inspection, whereby the fitter can additionally or alternatively make an optical control of Verrastzustands.

In principle, it is possible that the latching element is provided either on the adapter part or in the region of the partition wall passage opening, while the latching counter element is accordingly arranged on the respective other component.

Furthermore, an embodiment of the seal assembly is preferred, which is characterized in that the fixing means have at least one coupling point for a displacement of the adapter part in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the steering column serving mounting aid. To produce the latching connection between the adapter part and the dividing wall, it is necessary to push or pull the adapter part into the dividing wall through-opening. The assembly aids may be, for example, hooks, bands or the like, by means of which a tensile force is exerted on the adapter part. Here, the coupling point, for example, from a Einhakόse be formed, which allows for the production of the locking connection between the adapter part and the partition wall, a release of the mounting tool from the adapter part. Other variants of the assembly aids are conceivable. In a preferred embodiment, it is provided that the at least one coupling point for the assembly aid is arranged so that the assembly aid from the engine compartment forth can be actuated and optionally also can be recognized. To produce the latching connection, the installer applies a tensile force to this assembly aid, as a result of which the adapter part inserted into the passage opening from the passenger compartment is drawn into the passage opening. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, it is provided that, when the adapter part moves into the passage opening, the adapter part and, if appropriate, the sealing collar are rotationally aligned in a predetermined installation position by the fitter or suitable guides.

Further advantageous embodiments of the seal assembly will become apparent from combinations of the dependent claims, the description and the drawings features.

The subject matter of the invention also relates to a method for mounting a sealing arrangement for sealing a passage opening for a steering column in a partition wall between an engine compartment and a vehicle interior, with the features of claim 14.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings.

Show it: Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a detail of an embodiment of a steering device in the region of a body partition wall passage opening and

Fig. 2 shows a detail of an embodiment of a

Coupling points for mounting tool having adapter parts in perspective view.

Figure 1 shows a section of an embodiment of a steering device 1 for vehicles, in particular passenger vehicles, which comprises a steering column 3, which is installed in a motor vehicle 5. Of the motor vehicle, only a partition 7 can be seen, which separates a vehicle interior 9 from an engine compartment 11. The partition 7 is connected to the body shell or part thereof.

The partition wall 7 has a passage which is penetrated by a tubular holding part 13. The holding part 13 has a passage opening 15 for the passage of the steering column 3. The tubular holding part 13 is fixedly secured to the partition wall 7, for example by means of a StoffSchlussverbindung, that is, the holding part 13 is welded to the partition wall 7, soldered and / or glued. These fastening means for the holding part 13 simultaneously serve to seal the gap between the holding part 13 and the partition 7 so far that dirt and moisture can not penetrate from the engine compartment 11 into the interior 9. The holding member 13 has at its the vehicle interior 9 facing the end of a circumferential, radially outwardly projecting flange 17 which in this embodiment, a curved in radial Direction to the insertion direction of the steering column 3 in the through hole 15 arranged sealing surface 19, whose function will be discussed in more detail below. The interior 9 facing the end portion of the holding part 13 has a total of a trumpet / funnel shape.

Due to the non-destructive releasable connection between the holding part 13 and the partition wall 7, the holding part 13 forms quasi a part of the partition wall 7 and thus of the body shell. Alternatively to the embodiment described above, the holding part 13 may also be formed on the partition wall 7.

For sealing the passage opening 15, a sealing arrangement 21 is provided, of which an advantageous embodiment is shown in FIG. The seal assembly 21 is here formed in two parts and has a steering column 3 enclosing, at least partially elastic sealing sleeve 23 and a tubular adapter part 25. The adapter part 25 is provided with means for fixing the sealing collar 23 in the installation position on the partition wall 7, which are formed in this embodiment of a plurality of locking elements 27, which are each distributed at a distance from each other over the circumference of the adapter part 25. In the illustration according to FIG. 1, two of the latching elements 27 can be seen. Preferably, at least two or three locking elements 27 are provided. These are identical. The latching elements 27 are provided on an engine compartment 11 facing end face 29 of the adapter part 25 and each have a in the radial direction to the steering column longitudinal axis 31 elastically deflectable locking arm 33 provided thereon locking lug 35. The locking elements 27 each still have one Handling section 37 on which a fitter attack by hand and the locking elements 27 can shift from its latching position, as shown in Figure 1, in a release position to remove the adapter part 25 again from the holding part 13.

The adapter part 35 is provided at its the latching elements 27 having end portion with a slope, that is, the end face 29 does not extend in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal center axis of the adapter part 25 but at an angle thereto. It remains to be noted that in the embodiment of the adapter part 25 shown in Figure 1, the locking elements 27 are integrally formed on the adapter part 25 and the end face 29 quasi spring.

The adapter part 25 has at its end opposite the locking elements 27 a circumferential, radially outwardly projecting mounting flange 39, which serves, inter alia, for fastening the sealing sleeve 23 in a pre-assembly step, which will be discussed in more detail below.

The sealing collar 23 comprises a tubular central portion 41, which may be made of a dimensionally stable material, in particular a suitable plastic. The outer side of the central portion 41 springs from a connecting portion 43, at the free end of a circumferential sealing ring 45 is provided. The connecting portion 43 is formed umschlagbar, that is, it can be turned over in the illustration of Figure 1 to the right extent that the sealing ring 45, for example, facing away from the adapter part 25 Ring surface 47 of the central portion 41 comes to rest. This allows the insertion of the sealing collar 23 in the adapter part 25 and that far until the middle portion 41 abuts against the mounting flange 39. To fix the sealing collar 23 on the adapter part 25, the collar-shaped connecting section 43 is subsequently folded over, whereby the sealing ring 45 comes to lie on the side of the fastening flange 39 facing away from the middle section 41. The foldable connecting portion 43 is formed so that it remains in this folded position in this position, does not reset itself, so that the sealing sleeve 43 is securely held on the adapter part 25. In this case, the fastening flange 39 is arranged between the middle section 41 and the sealing ring 45, as can be seen from FIG.

At the middle portion 41 of the sealing collar 23 is followed in the direction of the engine compartment 9 to a smaller diameter longitudinal section 49, which engages in the installed state of the sealing sleeve 23 in the adapter part 25 passing through passage. On the outside of the longitudinal portion 49 are circumferential, projecting in the radial direction sealing edges 51 and 53 are provided, which are seen in the axial direction of the steering column arranged one behind the other. This configuration of the longitudinal section 49 serves to ensure that the longitudinal section 49 does not abut the entire surface of the peripheral surface of the passage in the adapter part 25, but only along the sealing edges 51 and 53. This ensures that the mounting forces to be applied by a fitter for inserting the sealing collar 23 in the adapter part 25 are only relatively small. The outer diameter of the longitudinal section 49 in the region of the sealing edges 51 and 53 is thus greater than the inner diameter of the passage in the adapter part 25, so that the sealing edges 51 and 53 during insertion of the Seal cuff 23 in the adapter part 25 sealingly against the inner peripheral surface of the adapter part 25 create. Despite their elasticity, the sealing edges 51 and 53 still have at least such a high degree of dimensional stability that the sealing collar 23 is simultaneously centered when inserting the longitudinal section 49 into the adapter part 25.

At both end portions of the sealing collar 23, a sleeve-shaped guide and sealing member 55A and 55B is respectively provided, which are formed so that the height of the gap between the rotatably mounted steering column 3 and the guide and sealing parts 55A and 55B is small, so that Ingress of moisture and dirt into the interior of the sealing sleeve 23 in spite of the rotational movement of the steering column 3 relative to the fixed sealing sleeve 23 can be practically excluded. The guide and sealing parts 55 are here connected via longitudinal connecting portions 57A and 57B to the longitudinal portion 49 and the middle portion 41, respectively. The longitudinal connecting portions 47 may alternatively be formed to the embodiment shown in Figure 1 in each case as an elastic, accordion foldable bellows, which may consist of rubber or plastic.

The above-described sliding guide between the guide and sealing parts 55A and 55B and the steering column 3 is known, for example from DE 198 57 392 Al, so that will not be discussed here in detail.

It is still to be noted that the sealing collar 23 is rotationally symmetrical about the longitudinal central axis 31 of the steering column 3. In the installed state of the adapter part 25, the latching elements 27 are latched to a latching counter element, namely the holding part 13. The holding part 13 has for this purpose at its end opposite the flange 17 edge-open recesses 59 and one for each locking element 27. By means of the recesses 59 ensures that the adapter part 25 is not latched in any position on the holding part 13, but preferably only in a predetermined installation position. For this purpose, only a corresponding latching arrangement of the recesses 59 and a corresponding arrangement of the latching elements 27 must be selected over the circumference of the adapter part 25, so that the adapter part 25 can be latched thereto only in a relative position to the holding part 13. The recesses 59 simultaneously serve to prevent rotation of the adapter part 25, since in the latched state, the latching elements 27 abut against the side edges of the respective recess 59 and thereby prevent the adapter part 25 from twisting. As can be seen from Figure 1, engage the locking elements 27 in the latched state in the respective recess 59 a. The locking lugs 35 engage behind an edge 61 in the region of the recess 59, whereby the adapter part 25 is secured against an excerpt from the passage opening 15 in the direction of the vehicle interior 9.

In order to be able to draw the adapter part 25 from the engine compartment 11 into the passage opening 15, at least one coupling point for a suitable mounting aid is provided on the adapter part 25. 2 shows a section of an embodiment of the adapter part 25 is shown. Evident is the engine compartment 11 in the installed state facing end portion of the adapter part 25. The end face 29 of the adapter part 25 is provided with recesses 61st provided, in each of which a coupling point 63 described above is arranged for a mounting tool. The coupling points 63, which are arranged offset by 180 ° to each other in the circumferential direction of the adapter part 25, here are formed by tabs, at the free end, which protrude beyond the end face 29 of the adapter part 25 Einhakösen 65 are provided, to which the or the assembly aids , For example, hooks or bands, are attachable. Preferably, the embodiment shown in Figure 1 of the adapter part 25 with such or similar coupling points 63, as described with reference to FIG 2, provided.

For mounting the sealing arrangement 21 described with reference to FIG. 1: In a pre-assembly step, the sealing collar 23 is connected to the adapter part 25 to form a mounting unit. For this purpose, the sealing collar 23 is inserted into the adapter part 25 ahead of the longitudinal direction 49 in the case of the connecting section 43 folded down in the direction opposite to the direction of insertion. When inserting the provided with the sealing edges 51, 53 longitudinal portion 49, the sealing sleeve 23 centered in the adapter part 25 by the sealing edges 51, 53 create a sealing against the wall of the passage of the adapter part 25. The adapter part 25 is pushed so far until it abuts with its central portion 41 against the mounting flange 39 on the adapter part 25. Then, the sealing ring 45 having

Turned over connecting portion 43, whereby the sealing ring 45 comes on the side facing away from the central portion 41 of the mounting flange 39 into abutment. By forming the card seat described above, the sealing sleeve 23 is held securely on the adapter part 25, that is, this can not be deducted from the adapter part 25 without considerable effort in the axial direction. The way To a mounting unit connected parts are now introduced from the vehicle interior 9 forth in the passage opening 15 of the partition. The fact that the provided on the partition flange 17 is not perpendicular to the outside, but has a corresponding curvature, push the locking elements 27 during insertion of the adapter part 25 in the passage opening 25 against the sealing surface 19 on the flange 17 and 25 upon further displacement of the adapter part in the axial direction of the steering column in the radial direction inwardly bent bent / deflected. After the detents 35 of the locking elements 27 have passed the edge 60 in the region of the recess 59, the elastic locking arms 33 of the locking elements 27 automatically spring back outwards, so that their latching nose 35 comes into engagement with the edge 60, whereby the adapter part 25 is firmly on Holding part 13 and thus attached to the partition wall 7. In the latched state, the sealing ring 45 of the sealing collar 23 is clamped between the mounting flange 39 on the adapter part 25 and the partition wall-side sealing surface 19, whereby the gap between the adapter part 25 and the through hole 15 is sealed so that the ingress of gases, liquids and dirt from the engine compartment 11th can be excluded in the vehicle interior 9. It is clear that the arrangement of the locking elements, locking counter-element and the sealing surface 19 must be coordinated so that a locking of the locking elements 27 with the partition 7 or in the embodiment shown in Figure 1 with the holding part 13 is only when the sealing ring 45 already clamped between the mounting flange 39 and the flange 17 and compressed to a certain extent.

The proper locking of the latching connection between the locking elements 27 and the holding part 13, the installer of Check the engine compartment 11 optically and / or haptically. After successful latching of the adapter part 25 with the partition wall 7, the assembly aids are removed from the coupling points on the adapter part 25.

The sealing arrangement described above is designed so that it is readily usable for automatic cockpit assembly in mass production of a motor vehicle. The interconnected to a mounting unit sealing sleeve 23 and adapter part 25 are threaded together with the steering column 3 from the vehicle interior 9 forth in the through hole 15 and stored in this. The sealing collar 23 with the adapter part 25 is located on the steering column 3 at the bottom. As a result of this insertion process of the steering column 3 described above, the adapter part 25 with the sealing collar 23 is deposited directly in front of or in the holding part 13. In the next assembly step, the fitter takes from the engine compartment 11 ago the assembly aids and pulls with their help the adapter part 25 in the passage opening 15. By the increased train to the assembly aids of the carding seat of the sealing sleeve 23, ie in the described with reference to FIG 1 embodiment of the sealing ring 45, clamped between the holding part 13 and the adapter part 25.

Claims

claims

1. A sealing arrangement (21) for sealing a passage opening (15) for a steering column (3) in a partition wall (7) between an engine compartment (11) and an inner space (9), with a steering column (3) enclosing, the passage opening ( 15) sealing sealing collar (23) and with means for fixing the sealing collar (23) in the installation position on the partition wall

(7), characterized in that the fixing means and the sealing collar (23) are formed by separate parts.

2. Sealing arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the fixing means are provided on a tubular adapter part (25).

3. Sealing arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the fixing means comprise at least one latching element (27) for -vorzugsweise selbsttätigen- latching with a on the partition (7) provided locking counter-element.

4. Sealing arrangement according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the adapter part (25) has at least one coupling point (63) for a displacement of the adapter part (25) in the direction of the longitudinal axis (31) of the steering column (3) serving mounting aid.

5. Sealing arrangement according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the adapter part (25) has a mounting flange (39) for attachment of the sealing collar (23).

6. Sealing arrangement according to claim 5, characterized in that the fastening flange (39) at one end of the adapter part (25) and the at least one latching element (27) at the other end of the adapter part (25) is provided.

7. Sealing arrangement according to one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the adapter part (25) is provided at its front end with an introduction into the passage opening (15) facilitating insertion.

8. Sealing arrangement according to one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that the adapter part (25) is integrally formed.

9. Sealing arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in that the sealing collar (23) engages with a longitudinal section (49) in a passage passing through the adapter part (25).

10. Sealing arrangement according to claim 9, characterized in that on the outside of the longitudinal portion (49) at least one circumferential, radially projecting sealing edge (51) is provided.

11. Sealing arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the sealing collar (23) is designed to be flexible and on its outer side a circumferential sealing ring (45) which is provided at the free end of a convertible connecting portion (43).

12. Sealing arrangement according to claim 11, characterized in that in the installed state of the sealing collar (23) of the connecting portion (43) surrounds the mounting flange (39) on the adapter part (25) and the sealing ring (45) -as seen in the axial direction- in the rear grip assembly located with the mounting flange (39).

13. Sealing arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the installed state of the sealing collar (23) of the sealing ring (45) between the mounting flange (39) on the adapter part (25) and a partition wall side sealing surface (19) is clamped.

14. Method for mounting a seal assembly for

Sealing a passage opening for a steering column in a partition wall between an engine compartment and an interior, which encloses a steering column, in the installed state, the passage opening sealing sealing collar and means for fixing the sealing collar in the installed position on the partition wall, wherein the sealing sleeve and the fixing non-destructively from each other are separable parts, with the following steps:

Bonding the sealing collar and fixing means in a pre-assembly step to a mounting unit,

- Introducing this mounting unit in the bulkhead through hole, and

- Displacement of the mounting unit in the axial direction of the steering column to a designated installation position.