WO2024068126A1

WO2024068126A1 - Decoupling element, and method for producing a component connection

Info

Publication number: WO2024068126A1
Application number: PCT/EP2023/072523
Authority: WO
Inventors: Andre DISCHER
Original assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
Priority date: 2022-09-26
Filing date: 2023-08-16
Publication date: 2024-04-04
Also published as: DE102022124591A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a decoupling element comprising a base element which extends along a longitudinal axis and which is formed by two partial elements which are positioned adjacent to one another along the longitudinal axis, the base element having a first positioning portion on its outer periphery and the base element having an opening which extends along the longitudinal axis, a retaining element being positioned in the opening, which retaining element forms a second positioning portion, the retaining element being designed to fix the partial elements to one another along the longitudinal axis.

Description

Decoupling element and method for producing a component connection

The present invention relates to a decoupling element, in particular a vibration decoupling element, and a method for producing a component connection.

Decoupling elements or vibration decoupling elements are used, for example, in vehicle construction to protect components or attachments from vibrations. The basic idea is that two components are not connected directly to one another, but rather indirectly via such a decoupling element, which then makes it possible to avoid or dampen vibration transmission from one element to the other, etc. Since such elements are sometimes high in operation and, above all,... are exposed to recurring loads, ensuring a sufficient service life is a major challenge. It is also important to design such elements in such a way that they are easy to assemble.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a decoupling element and a method for producing a component connection, in which, in addition to excellent vibration decoupling, good mountability and a long service life should be achieved at the same time.

This object is achieved by a decoupling element according to claim 1 and by a method according to claim 13. Further advantages and features emerge from the subclaims as well as the description and the attached figures.

According to the invention, a decoupling element, in particular a vibration decoupling element, comprises a base element which extends along a longitudinal axis and which is formed by two partial elements which are arranged along the longitudinal axis, wherein the base element has a first arrangement section on its outer circumference, in particular for a first component, and wherein the base element has an opening which extends along the longitudinal axis, wherein a holding element is arranged in the opening, which forms a second section, in particular for the arrangement of a second Component, and wherein the holding element is designed to fix the sub-elements to one another along the longitudinal axis. Advantageously, the multi-part nature of the base element enables particularly easy assembly. In addition, the holding element ensures that the sub-elements can be fixed to one another. It is or can be ensured that none of the sub-elements are lost during assembly of the decoupling element. The holding element can be inserted into the base element formed by the sub-elements and, according to one embodiment, can lock into at least one of the sub-elements, for example, in such a way that they are securely fixed to one another.

According to a preferred embodiment, the base element and the holding element are designed to be rotationally symmetrical. The same applies to the partial elements, which, as will be explained later, are expediently identical parts.

The first arrangement section is expediently designed as a circumferential groove. The groove cross section can be angular, trapezoidal, round, oval, etc. According to one embodiment, the first arrangement section has a constant or uniform contour in the circumferential direction, see the aforementioned “circumferential” groove. However, this is not absolutely necessary. Depending on the geometry of the component to be arranged, other shapes may also be possible and useful. In particular, the first arrangement section can also be designed, for example, as a web or projection, which is designed to engage in a corresponding groove of, for example, the first component.

According to a preferred embodiment, the first arrangement section is formed by two insert elements which are arranged in the sub-elements, in particular embedded there. A corresponding insert element is expediently arranged in each of the sub-elements, for example to form a circumferential groove with, for example, an angular cross-section. This two-part design has the advantage that a different material can be selected for the insert element(s) than for the sub-elements.

According to a preferred embodiment, the insert elements are made of a harder material than the base element or the sub-elements. According to one embodiment, the insert elements are made of a plastic, preferably for example polyamide. According to a preferred embodiment, these insert elements formed from the plastic are vulcanized into the sub-elements. Preferred materials for the sub-elements or the basic element are, for example, rubber materials such as EPDM (ethylene-propylene-diene rubbers). Preferred Shore hardnesses are in a range of 35-55 ShA, particularly preferably around 45 ShA.

According to one embodiment, the insert elements have a different color than the sub-elements. This ensures that the arrangement of the sub-elements along the longitudinal axis is not mixed up.

According to a preferred embodiment, the holding element is also made of a plastic, for example polyamide.

According to one embodiment, the base element, in particular on the front side, has an inner stop and an outer, each annular, axial stop, the inner stop being designed to be higher than the outer stop. In other words, the inner stop projects beyond the outer stop along the longitudinal axis. The inner stop is designed, for example, as an annular web which extends along the longitudinal axis. The same applies to the outer stop, which is arranged radially further out. Contact with another component or a fastener is effected in the axial direction via the inner stop. The decoupling element expediently has a small contact or stop surface indirectly via the inner stop, in other words it requires little installation space. In the axial direction, therefore, no large-area contact surface is provided, but rather only a more or less thin, in particular annular, web, which extends at least essentially along the axial direction or longitudinal direction.

The opening formed in the base element along the longitudinal axis is preferably cylindrical or tubular. It is used in particular to arrange the holding element. According to one embodiment, the opening has at least two webs oriented transversely to the longitudinal axis, on which the holding element is arranged, in particular radially. In this embodiment, the holding element does not rest on the base element over its entire surface, but only indirectly via the webs, i.e. only in certain areas. Since the webs are preferably designed to be thin-walled, this can with very good vibration decoupling, especially at high frequencies. According to a preferred embodiment, such a web is formed on one of the sub-elements along the longitudinal axis. Alternatively, several webs can also be provided, although these do not necessarily have to be oriented transversely to the longitudinal axis, but can also be inclined, oblique, or thread-shaped.

According to one embodiment, each sub-element has two webs along the longitudinal axis, with the respective outer web being shaped in such a way that it not only serves to arrange the holding element, but also acts as the aforementioned inner stop. For this purpose, the outer web is, for example, inclined or curved approximately towards a central or longitudinal axis of the base element. The advantages here are the previously mentioned lower installation space requirements due to the small radial diameter of the inner stop and the good vibration decoupling due to the non-full-surface arrangement of the holding element.

According to a preferred embodiment, the holding element has a tubular base body, on which a protective element, in particular a circular disk-shaped one, is formed on the front side, which extends transversely to the longitudinal axis, and which is designed to cover the base body at least in some areas on the front side. As already mentioned, the holding element is preferably made of a robust material, in particular a robust plastic, such as polyamide. The protective element can expediently cover the base element at least partially on the front side, so that any fastening means used to lock or fasten the decoupling element to a component cannot damage the soft and sensitive base element. In addition, the protective element expediently acts as a stop, which is necessary for fixing the sub-elements along the longitudinal axis.

According to one embodiment, the base body has a form-fitting element for fixing the partial elements, which is designed to interact with at least one of the partial elements in a form-fitting and/or force-fitting manner. The form-locking element, whereby several such form-locking elements can also be provided, is expediently designed to enable the holding element to be locked or the like with the base element or at least one of the sub-elements. This means that the holding element cannot be pulled out of the base element along the longitudinal axis without a certain amount of force.

According to one embodiment, the form-fitting element is designed as a projection directed circumferentially and radially outwards on the base body. This projection or extension is expediently designed to engage in a correspondingly designed engagement area of the base element or the sub-elements. The aforementioned construction can also be designed in the opposite way. Alternatively, for example, an engagement area in the form of a recess or the like is formed on the base body, in which a projection or extension of the base element or the sub-element engages.

As already mentioned, the sub-elements are preferably identical parts. This is particularly advantageous in terms of cost. As already mentioned, the insert elements preferably arranged or inserted in the sub-elements, which are preferably made of a low-wear or less wear-resistant material than the sub-elements, are designed in a different color in order to ensure or support correct installation or error-free assembly.

The invention also relates to a method for producing a component connection, wherein a first component and a second component are connected via a decoupling element according to the invention, wherein the decoupling element is only assembled when the component connection is produced. This approach is characterized in particular by very good installability. Above all, it can also be ensured that the decoupling element is not damaged or destroyed during assembly, for example by the application of impermissibly high forces. The assembly of the decoupling element expediently goes hand in hand with its arrangement on one of the components.

According to one embodiment, the method comprises the steps:

- Arranging a first sub-element in or at an opening of the first component from a first side, wherein the opening of the first component for example, round, in particular circular, although this does not necessarily have to be the case;

- arranging a second sub-element in or on the opening from an opposite second side;

- Arranging a holding element in the base element formed by the sub-elements;

- Arranging the second component in the second arrangement section formed by the holding element;

- Locking the second component relative to the decoupling element.

In this embodiment, the base element formed by the sub-elements has, for example, a groove-shaped and circumferential arrangement section on its outside, which cooperates in a form-fitting manner with the opening of the first component. The second component comprises, for example, a bolt or the like, which is guided through the second arrangement section formed by the holding element. The bolt has, for example, a groove or the like on the front side, in which a fastening element can be arranged. The decoupling element is thus fixed in the axial direction, i.e. along the aforementioned bolt. In this case, the protective element is expediently formed on the front side, which prevents the fastening element from directly contacting the base element and possibly damaging it.

As an alternative to the above-mentioned sequence, it is also possible to insert the retaining element through the first sub-element after it has been arranged, in order to then mount the second sub-element.

According to one embodiment, the method comprises the step:

Pre-tensioning the decoupling element along the longitudinal axis via the retaining element.

As already mentioned, a positive and/or non-positive connection is expediently provided between the holding element and the base element or at least one of the sub-elements, such as a latching or snap connection. According to one embodiment, this is designed in such a way that at the same time a compression or tensioning of the sub-elements along the longitudinal axis is caused. For this purpose, the shape and/or position of the engagement areas or the form-fitting elements are positioned accordingly. The aforementioned is supported Prestressing or compression also via the arrangement of the fastening element, which fixes the holding element indirectly via the protective element along the longitudinal axis relative to the bolt of the second component.

Further advantages and features result from the following description of embodiments of decoupling elements with reference to the attached figures.

Show it:

Fig. 1: a schematic view of an embodiment of two sub-elements which form a basic element;

Fig. 2: an embodiment of a holding element;

Fig. 3: the components known from Figures 1 and 2, assembled to form a decoupling element;

Fig. 4: another embodiment of a decoupling element.

Fig. 1 shows two sub-elements 40, which are arranged spaced apart from one another along a longitudinal axis L. The two sub-elements 40 are designed to form a basic element 10. For this purpose, they are arranged together along the longitudinal axis L, see also FIG. 3 in this regard. Each of the sub-elements 40 comprises an insert element 42, which forms a first arrangement section in the assembled state of the decoupling element. The insert elements 42 are preferably made of a harder, in particular more wear-resistant, material than the insert elements 40. It can be seen that each of the sub-elements 40 has an engagement area 24 on its inner peripheral surface, which serves for the positive and/or non-positive connection to a holding element 60, which is shown as an example in FIG.

Fig. 2 shows an embodiment of a holding element 60, which comprises a base body 66, which is tubular or cylindrical. Inside, the holding element 60 forms a second arrangement section 62 for arranging a component. At a first end, the holding element 60 has a protective element 64, which is designed as a circular disk-shaped element. At an opposite second end, the base body 66 has a form-fitting element 68, which is directed circumferentially and radially outwards and is designed as a type of projection.

Fig. 3 shows the partial elements 40 known from Figures 1 and 2 in the assembled state. In the present case, a three-part decoupling element can be seen, wherein the partial elements 40 are arranged along the longitudinal axis L, whereby a first arrangement section 12 is formed. In the partial elements 40, the holding element 60 is arranged along the longitudinal axis L, wherein the form-fitting element 68 interacts with the engagement region 24 in a form-fitting and/or force-fitting manner, whereby the partial elements 40 are arranged or fixed together along the longitudinal axis L. It is clear here that the protective element 64, which is designed on the one hand to protect and cover the front side of the base element 10, also acts as a stop.

4 shows a further embodiment of a decoupling element or a component connection, wherein two sub-elements 40 are arranged together along a longitudinal axis L and form a base element 10. This has a first arrangement section 12 on the outside. A holding element 60 is arranged in the base element 10. The holding element 60 has a tubular or cylindrical base body 66 and a protective element 64, which is formed on the front side and is designed, among other things, to axially shield the base element 10. In the present embodiment, the base body 60 does not rest flat on the base element 10 or the sub-elements 40. Instead, the sub-elements 40 each have webs 22, against which the holding element 60 or its base body 66 rests. The sub-elements 40 each have an inner stop 14 and an outer stop 16 on the front side. In this embodiment, the inner stops 14 are also web-shaped and subsequently also serve to arrange the holding element 60. The engagement areas 24, which are designed to cooperate with a positive locking element 68 of the retaining element 40, are in the present case between the webs 22 and the correspondingly shaped ones inner stops 14 formed. Reference numeral 70 indicates a first component which includes a bolt 72 which extends along the longitudinal axis L. What is not shown is that the bolt 72 has, for example, a groove in the area slightly above the protective element 64, in which a fastening element, such as a snap ring or the like, can be arranged. About the holding element 60 can the sub-elements 40 are prestressed along the longitudinal axis L. This pretension can be increased or at least ensured by the fastening element, not shown here. A second component, not shown here, which has, for example, a circular opening, can be arranged in the first arrangement section 12. Advantageously, the decoupling element does not have to be pressed into this opening in any way, but can be assembled there directly, for example by arranging the sub-elements 40 one after the other at the opening.

Reference symbol list

10 basic element

12 first arrangement section

14 inner (axial) stop

16 outer (axial) stop

20 Opening

22 Bridge

24 Intervention area

40 sub-element

42 insert element

60 Holding element

62 second arrangement section

64 Protective element

66 basic bodies

68 Form-locking element

70 first component

72 bolts

L longitudinal axis

Claims

Claims Decoupling element, comprising a base element (10) which extends along a longitudinal axis (L) and which is formed by two partial elements (40) which are arranged next to one another along the longitudinal axis (L), wherein the base element (10) has a first arrangement section (12) on its outer circumference, and wherein the base element (10) has an opening (20) which extends along the longitudinal axis (L), wherein a holding element (60) which forms a second arrangement section (62) is arranged in the opening (20), wherein the holding element (60) is designed to fix the partial elements (40) to one another along the longitudinal axis (L). Decoupling element according to claim 1, wherein the first arrangement section (12) is designed as a circumferential groove. Decoupling element according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first arrangement section (12) is formed by two insert elements (42) which are arranged, in particular embedded, in the partial elements (40). Decoupling element according to claim 3, wherein the insert elements (42) are made of a harder material than the base element (10). Decoupling element according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the base element (10) is made of a rubber material. Decoupling element according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the holding element (60) is made of a plastic, in particular polyamide.

7. Decoupling element according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the base element (10), in particular on each end face, has an inner stop (14) and an outer, each annular, axial stop (16), and wherein the inner stop (14) is higher than the outer stop (16).

8. Decoupling element according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the opening (20) has at least two webs (22) oriented transversely to the longitudinal axis (L), on which the holding element (60) is arranged radially.

9. Decoupling element according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the holding element (60) has a tubular base body (66), on the front side of which a circular disk-shaped protective element (64) is formed, which extends transversely to the longitudinal axis (L) and is designed to support the base body (66) to be covered at least in some areas on the front side.

10. Decoupling element according to claim 9, wherein the base body (66) for fixing the sub-elements (40) has a positive locking element (68), which is designed to interact with at least one of the sub-elements (40) in a positive and / or non-positive manner.

11. Decoupling element according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the positive locking element (68) is designed as a projection directed circumferentially and radially outwards on the base body (66).

12. Decoupling element according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sub-elements (40) are identical parts.

13. A method for producing a component connection, comprising a first component (70) and a second component, which are connected via a decoupling element according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the decoupling element is assembled when producing the component connection. A method according to claim 13, comprising the steps:

- Arranging a first sub-element (40) in or at an opening of the first component (70) from a first side; - Arranging a second sub-element (40) in or on the opening from an opposite, second side;

- arranging a holding element (60) in the base element (10) formed by the partial elements (40);

- arranging the second component in the second arrangement section (62) formed by the holding element (60);

- Locking the second component relative to the decoupling element. Method according to claim 13 or 14, comprising the step: - biasing the decoupling element along the longitudinal axis (L) via the holding element (60).