WO2023030670A1

WO2023030670A1 - Mounting aid element for small parts

Info

Publication number: WO2023030670A1
Application number: PCT/EP2022/000075
Authority: WO
Inventors: Marko Veselcic
Original assignee: LANIOL GmbH
Priority date: 2021-09-03
Filing date: 2022-08-29
Publication date: 2023-03-09
Also published as: DE102021004481A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a mounting aid element (10, 50, 72) for small parts, comprising an elongated body (14) which has a first axial end, wherein a first end face (16) of the first end has at least two molded areas (18), and a second axial end of the body (14) is designed as a holding element. Each molded area (18) has a clamping element (28) which is arranged at a distance to the first end face (16) in the axial direction of the body (14) by means of an elongated spacer element (30). Additionally, each clamping element (28) has at least one clamping surface (32) facing the first end face (16). Finally, each clamping surface (32) is arranged at an identical distance to the first end face (16), and a plate-shaped region, which has a specified thickness, of a component can be firmly clamped between the clamping surfaces (32) and the first end face (16) if necessary.

Description

Small parts assembly aid

Description

The invention relates to an auxiliary assembly element for small parts with a longitudinally extended body which has a first axial end, a first end face of the first end having at least two projections and a second axial end of the body being designed as a holding element, each of the projections having a clamping element which with an elongate spacer member spaced axially from the first face of the body, each clamping member having at least one clamping surface facing the first face, and each of the clamping faces being equally spaced from the first face.

It is known that small parts in assembly include, for example, screws, tools, tool system parts such as bits or nuts, or components such as housings or housing parts, which a fitter can lift, operate or use with one hand or with an auxiliary tool can move. This means that a fitter can, for example, magnetically grab a screw as a small part with a screwdriver as an auxiliary tool and move it to a desired location. However, this also means that a fitter can, for example, grab a housing part as a small part with pliers as an auxiliary tool and bring it to a desired location, as auxiliary tools or assembly aids are therefore to be understood as tools that can grip, hold or move a small part for assembly.

A disadvantage of the previously known auxiliary tools is that they usually

5 only fulfill one technical function, for example either screwing in a screw with a screwdriver, whereby the screwdriver cannot hold the screw at the same time. This means that the screw cannot be screwed in in every desired position without first falling off the screwdriver or without the screw being inserted with a second auxiliary tool, for example pliers.

keep ok is. Because even during a screwing-in process in a horizontal direction, the screw usually simply falls off the screw-in tool, for example a screwdriver, due to the effect of gravity. To prevent this, assembly aids are used, in the simplest case, for example, the fitter's hands or pliers, which hold the screw while it is being screwed in. The screw

15 or the screwdriver can also be magnetic, so that certain screws adhere magnetically to the screwdriver. However, this limits the choice of material for the screws considerably and also does not work in every screwing direction and only with comparatively small screws whose weight is so low that the magnetic forces can hold the screws.

>o

But even when assembling small parts in places that allow only limited access to the screwing point, for example at the end of narrow gaps or in recesses of molded parts or housings, it can easily happen that small parts held magnetically by the screwing tool through un-

>5 intended contact with the housing or the molded part and possibly remain in a place that is no longer accessible. Especially when inserting screws in electrical control cabinets, for example in control cabinets for low-voltage systems up to 1000V, small metal parts lost in this way can lead to considerable disadvantages during commissioning or during operation

50 operation of the control cabinet, for example by creating a short circuit when or through falling.

Proceeding from this state of the art, it is the object of the invention to specify an auxiliary element for the assembly of small parts which has the smallest possible radial spatial has needs and through which a small part can be brought into its intended position and there in a desired position is at least durable even with limited access to an assembly point. The object is achieved by an auxiliary assembly element for small parts of the type mentioned at the outset. This is characterized in that a component with a plate-like area of a specific thickness can be clamped as required between the clamping surfaces and the first end face. The basic idea of the invention is that basically two functions can be fulfilled with the small parts assembly aid element according to the invention, on the one hand the function of holding or positioning small parts and/or on the other hand the function as a screwing tool. Small parts are held by clamping a plate-like part to a small part which is clamped between the clamping element and the first end face. The jamming is therefore a non-positive connection. The points at which the jamming occurs on the small parts assembly aid are advantageously in the axial direction to the first end face. The jamming thus takes place within the comparatively small radial expansion of the small parts assembly aid element and the previous opening and closing of a pair of pliers for holding small parts and the associated radial space requirements are no longer necessary. The clamping surfaces can be located parallel to the first end face or the clamping surfaces continuously reduce their distance from the first end face in the direction of the spacer element. In any case, the clamping surfaces of all projections are spaced apart from the first end face in the same way.

In a further development of the small parts assembly aid, provision is made for the holding element to be in the form of a handle. In this configuration, the auxiliary assembly element for small parts is implemented as a one-piece assembly tool for small parts, so that both the screwing or turning function and the holding function are provided in one tool.

A development of the small parts assembly aid provides that the holding element as a connecting element for detachable connection to a tool holder or is designed as a screw head drive. In particular, systemic connection elements such as a square socket (nut), hexagon socket (Allen key), hexagon socket (bit) or the like come into consideration as the connection element. Then the use of the small parts assembly tool is particularly easy with a system

5 tool or a cordless screwdriver with an adapter element for connecting elements. However, the retaining element can also be designed as an internal thread or external thread, possibly also with locking elements, for example for connection to an assembly system from the Preising company, type 6099. Another variant of the small parts assembly aid element is characterized in that the second axial end has a second end face , Which has at least one screw head drive. In this configuration variant, further screw head drives can be implemented particularly easily on the second end face. Corresponding recesses are provided in the second end face, for example

15 for a Phillips screw drive or a slotted screw drive or both. Likewise, a well-known hexagon socket or square socket drive can be provided in the end face.

An alternative configuration of the small parts assembly aid also provides that at least one axial partial area of a lateral surface of the body is configured as a drive element. This can be, for example, an embodiment as an external hexagon or external square drive, which is implemented on the lateral surface somewhere between the first and the second end.

>5 In a preferred embodiment of the small parts assembly aid, the clamping element and/or the spacer element are designed to be flexible and resilient. In this way, the clamping force with which a small part can be clamped on the auxiliary element for assembling small parts can be predetermined. In addition, a torque can be specified in this way, which is for the jamming of the small parts assembly auxiliary element with the

?o Small part is at least necessary. The same torque is also required in order to detach the small parts assembly auxiliary element from the small part again at a later point in time if necessary. The advantage lies in particular in the fact that an operator of a tool with the small parts assembly tool over the specified Torque can determine whether the small part is already connected to the small parts assembly auxiliary element or not.

A further variant of the auxiliary element for assembling small parts provides that a holding finger, comprising the spacer element and the clamping element, is configured in the form of a hook, T, plate or mushroom. In the case of a hook-shaped retaining finger, in particular the advantages already mentioned above can be achieved. With a T-shaped, plate-shaped or mushroom-shaped configuration of the retaining finger, there is the additional advantage that the small part can be jammed on the small parts assembly aid element in both directions of rotation of the small parts assembly aid element about its longitudinal axis. This means that jamming is possible with both clockwise and counterclockwise rotation of the small part. Here, too, the clamping force or the predefinable torque 15 can be predetermined via a corresponding configuration as described above.

A further development of the small parts assembly aid element is characterized in that the side of the clamping element pointing towards the first end face has at least one groove, an indentation, a clamping lug or a latching lug. In this way, a latching connection can be implemented, so that in addition to a non-positive clamping connection, a positive latching connection can also or alternatively be implemented. For this purpose, a corresponding groove, an indentation, a clamping lug or a locking lug only has to be attached to one clamping side of the small part.

On the one hand, this advantageously improves the connection between the small part and the auxiliary assembly element for small parts. On the other hand, it is possible for an operator to feel the locking process and thus receive haptic feedback about an existing secure connection between the two components. A predefinable torque can also be set in this way.

According to a further embodiment of the auxiliary element for assembling small parts, the body has a through-hole in the direction of its axial extension between the first and a second end face at the second end. In this embodiment variant, it is possible to hold a small part with the small parts assembly aid element and at the same time insert another tool through the through-hole. tool or another small part in the direction of the small part being held. This is particularly advantageous for complex assembly tasks or when, for example, the held small part has to be brought to a specific position and held there, with a screw passing through the through-hole at the same time.

5 can be brought to a position to be screwed there.

Further advantageous configuration options can be found in the further dependent claims. The invention, further embodiments and further advantages are to be described in more detail on the basis of the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings.

Show it

Fig. 1 a first small parts assembly aid, i5 Fig. 2 an assembly tool,

3 shows an arrangement of a second auxiliary assembly element for small parts and a cap screw,

4 shows a plan view of a holding plate,

5 shows a third small parts assembly element,

>0 Fig. 6 is a perspective view of an arrangement and

7 shows another perspective view of the arrangement.

1 shows a three-dimensional view of a first auxiliary assembly element 10 for small parts, which has an elongate body 14 along a central axis 12 . At

A first end face 16 of a first axial end of the body 14 has six retaining fingers 18 formed thereon. It has been found that although basically two retaining fingers 18 are completely sufficient as projections, a larger number of retaining fingers 18 improve the handling of the first small parts assembly aid 10 and a number of six retaining fingers 18 is particularly advantageous. A

The second axial end of the body 14 has a second end face 22, with a lateral surface area of the body 14 adjoining the second end face 22 being configured with an external thread 24 as a retaining element, which begins on the second end face 22 and ends at a fixing element 26. In a further lateral surface area between the external thread 24 and the first end face 16 is designed as an external hexagon 20 and in such a way as a drive element for the first auxiliary assembly element 10 for small parts. An open-end wrench, for example, can be attached to such a drive element in order to rotate the first auxiliary assembly element 10 5 about its central axis 12 particularly easily or with a correspondingly high torque.

Each of the six retaining fingers 18 has a clamping element 28 which is spaced apart from the first end face 16 by a spacer element 30 . The distance between a clamping surface 32, which faces the first end face 16, and the first end face 16 can be specified over a length of the spacer element 30 and can therefore be determined. The

The distance is either chosen to be constant, so that the clamping surface 32 is located parallel to the first end face 16, or the distance has a predetermined value at a point that has the greatest distance from the spacer element 30, with the value for the distance then in the direction of the spacer element 30 continuously lower. In any case, the distance is selected such that a component, which at least partially has a plate-like area with a certain thickness, can be clamped between the clamping surfaces 32 and the first end face 16 as required, i.e. can be non-positively connected to the first auxiliary assembly element 10 for small parts.

>o The first small parts assembly auxiliary element 10 also has a through hole 34, which accordingly extends from the second end face 22 to the first end face 16 and is designed in the example shown as a hexagon socket through hole. This has the advantage that the through-hole 34 is used as a further drive for the first auxiliary element 10 for assembling small parts

>5, for example by using an Allen key or a ratchet. A further advantage of this arrangement is that the auxiliary assembly element 10 for small parts can also be used as a hexagonal drive for conventionally manufactured hexagonal screws or nuts without using the holding device according to the invention.

50

It is also easy to imagine, but not shown in the figure, that the clamping surfaces 32 have lug-shaped or teardrop-shaped projections that serve as locking lugs and, for example, snap into a corresponding complementary recess in the plate-like area of the component. This way is in addition to the clamping connection realizes a latching connection, which additionally connects the component with a form-fitting connection to the first auxiliary assembly element 10 for small parts.

A further advantage of the first auxiliary assembly element for small parts is to be described on the basis of a special assembly tool 36, type 6609 from the Preising company, shown in FIG. For this purpose, the assembly tool 36 has a handle 38 which, if necessary, can be pivoted by up to 90 degrees relative to its longitudinal axis via a joint 40 . The assembly tool 36 has an indentation with an internal thread 42 at one axial end, with two grooves 44 being formed in a front end surface 46 of the assembly tool 36 . The internal thread 42 is intended to receive the external thread 24 of the first small-parts assembly aid element 10 by appropriate screwing, the first small-parts assembly aid element 10 being screwed into the assembly tool 36 until

5 until the fixing element 26 is located in the grooves 44 and in this way an anti-twist device against unintentional detachment of the first small parts assembly aid element 10 from the assembly tool 36 is produced.

The indentation with the internal thread 42 extends over an entire length io of a support part 48, i.e. it is a continuous indentation through the support part 48. If the first small parts assembly aid element 10 is now screwed into the assembly tool 36 and the handle 38 is pivoted by 90° against the support part 48, result in the through-hole 34 and the through-formation of a through-hole through which a tool, for example a

'5 a shaft of a screwdriver with a screw can be inserted. At the same time, however, the function of holding and the function of rotating a small part are retained with the first auxiliary assembly element 10 for small parts.

3 shows an arrangement of a second auxiliary assembly element 50 for small parts and a head screw 52. The second auxiliary assembly element for small parts 50 is equipped with a standardized bit connection 51 as a connecting element and can therefore be connected particularly easily to a system element holder, for example a screw bit holder. Instead of the standardized bit connection, a large number of alternative drive elements, such as Phillips, longitudinal slot, Torx, Torx-Plus, external hexagon or internal hexagon connection elements can be provided.

In the example shown, the second auxiliary assembly element for small parts 50 also has the six approximately L-shaped retaining fingers 18 on a side facing the head screw 52, which are arranged in such a way that when the second auxiliary assembly element for small parts 50 moves axially in the direction of the sixth head screw 66, the second Reach through recesses 54, wherein during a rotational movement of the second auxiliary assembly element for small parts 50 about the central axis 12 in the direction of a free end of the retaining fingers 18, the clamping element 28 of the retaining fingers 18 engages behind a head plate 54 and in this way between the clamping element 38 and the first end face 16 of the auxiliary auxiliary assembly element for small parts 50 stuck. This ensures that the head screw 52 is firmly but detachably connected to the second small parts assembly aid element 50 and it is thus also ensured that the head screw 52 follows every movement of the second small parts assembly aid element 50 . Thus, the cap screw 52 can be safely guided and positioned in any spatial direction and can be screwed into a desired position in a desired spatial direction.

4 shows a plan view of a disk-shaped holding plate 56. The figure is intended to clarify the basic structure of a holding plate 56 or a corresponding holding area on a small part or a housing that is to be assembled. Six recesses 58 can be seen in the retaining plate 56, with a first circle 60 being drawn into the figure on their radially outer boundary for emphasis and a second circle 62 on their radially inner boundary radially inner limits of the recesses 58 are each located on a circular arc. Again to clarify what the recesses 58 look like in a top view, one of the recesses 58, namely in the recess 58a, shows a first 64 and a second circular drill hole 66, which were used to produce the second recess 58a. It is clear here that the approximately 8-shaped recess 58 was created by the intersection or overlapping of the circular areas of the boreholes. Now, for example, the first small parts assembly aid element 10 with the six retaining fingers 18 can be placed on the retaining plate 56 in such a way that the retaining fingers 18 each dip into a recess 58, reach through it and can be moved from a first position to a second position 5 by a clockwise rotary movement are. In the first position, it is possible for the holding fingers 18 to dip into the recesses 58 and to reach through them. In the second position, the retaining fingers 18 are clamped on the retaining plate 56 and are thus firmly but releasably connected to the retaining plate 56 . In addition to clamping the retaining plate 56 on the auxiliary assembly element 10 for small parts, a locking lug 68 is provided, which is located in a waist of the 8-shaped recess 58 by a radially inner projection. To release the small parts assembly aid element 10 from the holding plate 56, this is simply turned counterclockwise so that the jam is released and the holding fingers 18 can be removed from the recesses 58 again. Instead of clamping, the retaining plate 56 and/or the retaining fingers 18 can also be designed for a latching connection. In addition, a mounting opening 70 is also provided in the holding plate 56 . Here, for example, a tool such as a screwdriver with a longitudinal slot drive, a Phillips drive or a hexagon socket drive can reach through in order to turn a screw located in the housing. The figure is intended to make clear in particular >o how an auxiliary assembly element 10 for small parts can be clamped or latched on small parts or on housings or housing parts, as will be described in more detail in the following figures.

FIG. 5 shows a third small parts assembly element 72 in which the holding element >5 is designed as a handle 74 with an extension piece 76 . The holding fingers 18 can also be seen on the first end face 16 in this figure. Furthermore, a second through-hole 78 extends from the first end face 17 to a radial area of the extension piece 76. The function of this second through-hole 78 is to be explained in more detail in the following figures. so

6 shows a perspective view of an arrangement 80 of a screwdriver 82 for a screw with a Torx drive and of the third auxiliary assembly element 72 for small parts, which has a connection device 84 with a pick-up element for electrical connection to a live connection element of an electrical system. The third auxiliary assembly element 72 for small parts is firmly clamped with the holding fingers 18 to a holding plate 56 integrated in a housing area on the housing. The result of this is that the connection device 84 automatically follows every movement of the third auxiliary assembly element 72 for small parts.

5 Screwdriver 82 is shown in a position in which it is only necessary to move screwdriver 82 along an imaginary longitudinal axis of its longitudinal extension in order to drive the Torx driver 82 through the second through-hole 78 and through the mounting opening 70 of the retaining plate underneath 56 to move, for example, to turn a screw located there in the o housing of the connection device 84 .

FIG. 7 shows a further perspective view of the arrangement 80, the connection device 84 being electrically connected with its pick-off element to a connection part of a box terminal 86. The frame clamp 86 is again

I5 rum connected to a conductor rail 88, which is, for example, a live part of a switchgear.

Reference character list

>o 10 first small parts assembly aid element

12 central axis

14 bodies

16 first face

18 holding fingers

’5 20 external hexagon

22 second face

24 external thread

26 fixing element

28 clamping element

50 30 spacers

32 clamping surfaces

34 through hole

36 assembly tool

38 handle 40 joint

42 female thread

44 grooves

46 end face

5 48 support part

50 second small parts assembly auxiliary element

51 bit connection

52 head screw

54 headstock io 56 retaining plate

58 recesses

60 first circle

62 second circle

64 first borehole

I5 66 second well

68 detent

70 mounting hole

72 third small parts assembly auxiliary element

74 handle

>o 76 extension piece

78 second through hole

80 arrangement

82 screwdrivers

84 connection device

>5 86 box clamp

88 ladder rail

Claims

patent claims

1. Auxiliary assembly element for small parts (10, 50, 72) with a longitudinally extending body (14) which has a first axial end, with a first end face (16) of the first end having at least two projections (18), with a second axial end of the body (14) is designed as a holding element, each of the projections (18) having a clamping element (28) which is spaced from the first end face (16) in the axial direction of the body (14) by an elongate spacer element (30), each The clamping element (28) has at least one clamping surface (32) pointing towards the first end face (16), and each of the clamping surfaces (32) being equally spaced from the first end face (16), characterized in that a component with a plate-like area of a certain thickness between the clamping surfaces (32) and the first end face (16) can be clamped if necessary.

2. Small parts assembly auxiliary element (10, 50, 72) according to claim 1, characterized in that the holding element is designed as a handle (38, 74).

3. Small parts assembly auxiliary element (10, 50, 72) according to claim 1, characterized in that the holding element is designed as a connecting element (51) for releasably connecting to a tool holder.

4. Small parts assembly auxiliary element (10, 50, 72) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second axial end has a second end face (22) having at least one screw head drive.

5. Small parts assembly auxiliary element (10, 50, 72) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one axial portion of a lateral surface of the body is designed as a drive element (20).

6. Small parts assembly aid element (10, 50, 72) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamping element (28) and / or the spacer element (30) is flexible and yielding.

7. Small parts assembly aid element (10, 50, 72) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each projection is designed as a retaining finger (18), and that a retaining finger (18) having the spacer element (30) and the clamping element (28) hook-shaped, T-shaped, plate-shaped or mushroom-shaped.

8. Small parts assembly aid element (10, 50, 72) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first end face (16) facing side of the clamping element (28) has at least one groove, an indentation, a clamping or a locking lug.

9. Small parts assembly aid element (10, 50, 72) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the body (14) has a through-hole (34, 78) in the direction of its axial extension between the first end face (16) and an axial or radial area at the second end.