DE102008033595A1 - Method for establishing connection between thermoplastic housing parts of air guiding housing of vehicle-air conditioning system, involves deforming components at area that grips opening in rear side in irreversible ductile manner - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves positioning components i.e. housing parts (2, 3), such that the sleeve type area extends via an opening of one of the housing parts (2), where the other housing part (3) has a sleeve type area (7') with an outer diameter, which corresponds maximum to an inner diameter of the opening. The housing parts lie together and are deformed at an area that grips the opening in a rear side in an irreversible ductile manner using a deforming tool (W) of the sleeve type area, where the deformed area is formed by a thermoplastic material. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a connection element for connecting of components (2) an arrangement of two components.

Description

The The invention relates to a method for producing a compound between two components, in particular housing parts according to the Preamble of claim 1.

Known For example, the use of dowels in conjunction with screws for attaching holders o. Ä. At one Wall.

From the DE 32 48 739 A1 For example, there is known a method of pin jointing parts in which the shank-and-headed joint pin is deformed by means of a mandrel displacing in the shank cavity. The cross-section larger from the head side into the cavity, opposite the cavity cross-sectional pin presses the shell wall of the shaft in threaded grooves of the fastening part a form-fitting manner. Here, a component is held on the fastening part of the preformed head of the connecting pin. In this case, the head can be designed to be retractable, ie it is bevelled in the direction of the shaft and arranged in a conical depression of the component to be attached to the fastening part, so that the surface of the component and the head lie in one plane.

Another fastening device for connecting two components is known from DE 35 06 127 A1 known. In this fastening device, the one component has a wall-bound receptacle for a fastening part. It is provided with a deformation section for an elastically deformable wall part of the receptacle, which lies on insertion of the fastening part into the receptacle in the path of movement of the deformation section and engages behind the other component in the elastically deformed layer. As a fastening part here is a screw whose head forms a deformation portion and the receptacle, formed by two elastic, opposing wall parts, elastically or at least substantially elastically expands, so that the ends of the receptacle engage behind the opening in the other component.

It It is the object of the invention to provide a method for producing a connection between two components, in particular between two housing parts, for To provide, which is simple and inexpensive is. In particular, the components should, without a change the design is provided, even for different Types of connection, such as screwed or welded connections, be suitable for the formation of joints.

These Task is solved by a method with the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of Dependent claims.

According to the invention a method for establishing a connection between two components by means provided plastic deformation, wherein the first component has an opening has, the second component a hülsenarti conditions range with an outer diameter which is at most the inner diameter corresponds to the opening, the two components in such a way be positioned that the sleeve-like area itself extends through the opening and the two components together abut, and with the help of a tool the sleeve-like Area irreversibly plastically to an area behind the opening is deformed. Due to the plastic deformation can on screws be waived, but remains optional, whether for additional Fuse at least at heavily loaded joints as necessary Tool for the production of plastically deformed, engaged area used screws in the joint remain or not. A waiver of screws allows a cost and weight saving.

Of the deformed area is preferred by a thermoplastic material educated. However, the deformed area can also be changed by another, plastic be formed deformable material, especially if it is both deformed by pressure as well as by ultrasound in conjunction with pressure is.

The Tool for carrying out the method has prefers a threaded area, which in an extension the sleeve-like portion extending portion is screwed, and a protruding edge disposed adjacent to the threaded portion is. The tool is preferably after the reshaping of the sleeve-like area unscrewed into a trailing area, However, it may also be a part of the tool, in particular in shape a screw, remain in the component.

Especially the use of a screw thread area for the generation of a counterforce to the sleeve-like area deforming Force also causes a contraction of the two components, so that only a Vorpositionierung the same, but not a prior tightening, is required because the contraction is taken over by the thread area.

alternative can also be used for connecting the two components Ultrasonic working tool which uses the sleeve-like area heated sufficiently, leaving a plastic deformation possible, particularly preferably without the requirement to apply a counter pressure to prevent unwanted deformation in avoid other areas of the components.

According to the invention a connecting element for connecting two components is provided, the is integrally formed on one of the components, a having a plastically deformable sleeve-like region, which differs from an investment area of the component for a another, first component extending out, being on the opposite Side of the contact area a hollow cylindrical portion is formed. The required length of the hollow cylindrical area is in the case of a screwing a tool or a possibly also remaining screw due to the force required to deform of the sleeve-like area.

at removed tool in the case of a purely mechanical deformation is preferably formed in the hollow cylindrical portion of an internal thread.

in the The invention is based on several embodiments explained in detail with reference to the drawing. Show it:

1 a perspective view of two housing parts to be joined together, in a first process step,

2 a section through the arrangement of 1 .

3 a perspective view of two housing parts to be joined together, in a second process step,

4 a section through the arrangement of 3 .

5 a perspective view of two housing parts to be joined together, in a third process step,

6 a section through the arrangement of 5 .

7 a perspective view of two interconnected housing parts,

8th a section through the arrangement of 7 .

9 a perspective view of two housing parts to be joined together, in a first method step according to the second embodiment,

10 a section through the arrangement of 9 .

11 a perspective view of two housing parts to be joined together, in a second process step,

12 a section through the arrangement of 11 .

13 a perspective view of two interconnected according to the second embodiment housing parts,

14 a section through the arrangement of 13 .

15 a perspective view of two housing parts to be joined together, in a first method step according to the third embodiment,

16 a section through the arrangement of 15 .

17 a perspective view of two interconnected according to the third embodiment housing parts, and

18 a section through the arrangement of 17 ,

A multi-part housing 1 , In this case, the air duct housing a vehicle air conditioning, has a first housing part 2 and one with the first housing part 2 undetachably connected second housing part 3 on. In the present case, there are both housing parts 2 and 3 made of thermoplastic materials. Between the adjacent housing parts 2 and 3 are several connection points 4 provided, which are the two housing parts 2 and 3 firmly connect with each other, wherein in the drawing only one of them is exemplified.

The two housing parts 2 and 3 each have a circumferential, substantially at right angles to the outside extending edge 2 ' respectively. 3 ' on, with the edges 2 ' and 3 ' lie flat against each other. Here is on a side surface of the edge 2 ' of the first housing part 2 a substantially parallel to the interior side edge extending rib 2 '' provided, which towards the edge 3 ' protrudes perpendicular to the side surface. Correspondingly, it is on the edge 3 ' of the second housing part 3 a substantially parallel to the interior side edge extending groove 3 '' provided in which in the correctly positioned state of the housing parts 2 and 3 the rib 2 '' is arranged. In the present case, the groove depth is selected larger than the fin height, but the groove width and rib thickness correspond to one another, so that a sealing function between the housing parts 2 and 3 is achieved.

In the area of joints 4 are both edges 2 ' . 3 ' slightly widened, being in the edge 2 ' of the first housing part 2 a circular opening 5 is trained. The edge 3 ' of second housing part 3 On the other hand, one points away from the edge 2 ' of the first housing part 2 extending end closed, hollow cylindrical area 6 and an extension of the central longitudinal axis of the hollow cylindrical portion 6 in the opposite direction from the edge 3 ' from extending area 7 on, the area being 7 through the opening 5 in the margin 2 ' of the first housing part 2 extends and the edge 2 ' engages, leaving the two housing parts 2 and 3 are firmly connected. The thickness of the area 7 is here in the area of the opening 5 a little lower than at the back end. The area 7 forms a funnel-like opening to the interior of the end closed hollow cylindrical area 6 , where the outermost edge area of the area 7 parallel to the side surface of the edge 2 ' runs. The area 7 is substantially symmetrical to the central longitudinal axis of the hollow cylindrical region 6 educated. groove 3 '' and rib 2 '' run inside the housing inside the widened trained edge areas. On the through the opening 5 extending range 7 is also referred to below as the backend area 7 Referenced.

The above description of the completed connection arrangement is - unless explicitly stated - drive for all three Ver described below to form the trailing area 7 valid. In all of the embodiments described below is the trailing area 7 , which on the second housing part 3 is formed, produced by means of a substantially plastic material deformation. The material deformation can be done here cold, exclusively by applying appropriate forces, or with the help of particular local heating in conjunction with compressive forces.

The preparation of the compound according to the first embodiment is in the 1 to 6 shown. In a first step ( 1 and 2 ) are the two housing parts 2 and 3 correctly positioned, with the still undeformed area 7 ' , which later becomes the trailing area 7 forms, is formed like a sleeve and through the opening 5 protrudes. This sleeve-like area 7 ' has a significantly smaller wall thickness than the hollow cylindrical area 6 on the other side of the edge 2 ' on, in the present case, the wall thickness of the sleeve-like area 7 ' further reduced to its free end. Between the inner circumference of the opening 5 and the outer periphery of the sleeve-like portion 7 ' is how out 2 can be seen, sufficient clearance available to relatively large manufacturing tolerances in the housing parts 2 and 3 to enable. Along the central longitudinal axis of the hollow cylindrical area 6 and the sleeve-like area 7 ' is introduced as a forming tool W, a threaded bolt having a threaded portion which is inserted into the sleeve-shaped portion and - due to the smaller inner diameter - in a second step (see 3 and 4 ) in the hollow cylindrical area closed at the end 6 is screwed, wherein the thread length is shorter than the free length of the hollow cylindrical portion 6 is. The threaded portion of the forming tool W is connected to a hexagon, which in the present case is designed as a bit of an electric screwdriver (not shown). Between the threaded region and the hexagonal region, a vertically projecting edge is formed, wherein a 45 ° bevel is provided between the threaded region and the edge in the present case.

The threaded portion cuts, when the forming tool is rotated by the electric screwdriver, a thread in the inner circumference of the hollow cylindrical portion 6 , whereby the edge with its side facing the threaded portion in contact with the free end of the sleeve-like portion 7 ' arrives. Upon further screwing the sleeve-like edge 7 ' cold formed, which makes it thicker and is pressed out like a bead (see 4 ). Here, the hollow cylindrical area is used 6 in particular, the leadership of the forming tool and for applying a counterforce, which ensures that the components abut each other. When a maximum torque is exceeded, the screwing is terminated and the threaded area again from the hollow cylindrical area 6 unscrewed. Here, the maximum torque is dimensioned such that the thread of the threaded portion does not destroy the self-tapped threads in the hollow cylindrical area.

Since the deformation of the sleeve-like edge 7 ' essentially plastic, remains after removal of the forming tool W (see 5 and 6 ) a beaded area which covers the trailing area 7 forms and the opening 5 in the first housing part 2 engages behind. Thus, the sleeve-like edge forms 7 ' a connecting element, which is plastically deformed to produce the compound.

According to the second embodiment, in the 9 to 14 is shown, the deformation of the sleeve-like region takes place 7 ' essentially by means of ultrasound, which softens the corresponding area, so that it is simply mechanically with the help of the sonotrode of the forming tool W plastic in the trailing area 7 can be transformed. For ease of understanding, the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment are used in the description of the second Ausfüh approximately for the same or equivalent elements.

Also in this case the two Ge housing parts 2 and 3 positioned so that the sleeve-like area 7 ' through the opening 5 sticks out and the two edges 2 ' and 3 ' in flat contact with each other. As tool W, the activated sonotrode becomes along the central longitudinal axis of the sleeve-like region 7 ' and the hollow cylindrical portion 6 towards the end of the sleeve-like area 7 ' proceed with slight pressure in the same direction until the desired path has been passed through, thereby ensuring that the sleeve-like area 7 ' was sufficiently deformed to the trailing area 7 to form and the two housing parts 2 and 3 secure to each other.

In the present case, the shape of the sonotrode corresponds essentially to that of the tool according to the first exemplary embodiment, ie it is in the region in which the sonotrode strikes the end of the sleeve-like region 7 ' a 45 ° cone provided, which merges outwardly into a flat area, but is centered by a rounded tip - in contrast to the threaded portion of the tool according to the first embodiment. In contrast to the tool of the first embodiment, the planar region has an outer edge region, which protrudes with a curved transition perpendicular over the planar region. This edge area forms the outer end of the trailing area 7 (please refer 12 ).

Also in this case, the tool performs a plastic deformation of the sleeve-like region 7 ' to the hintergreifenden area 7 ,

According to a third embodiment, which in the 15 to 18 is shown, and essentially corresponds to the first embodiment ent, the tool W is formed in several parts, wherein the threaded portion is formed together with vertically projecting edge by a screw with a trained trained head. The second part of the tool is formed by an electric screwdriver or the like (not shown) which engages the head of the screw and rotates the same until a maximum torque is reached at which the screw is screwed in sufficiently deep and the sleeve-like area 7 ' to the hintergreifenden area 7 deformed. In contrast to the previous embodiments, in the present case remains a part of the tool, namely the screw in the housing, but holds the connection without a screw, ie in a modification, the screw is removed again, for example, to save weight. Of course, joints with and without screws can be provided on a housing, in particular in the more heavily loaded areas, the screws remain in the housing and reinforce the joints. Also in this case, the screw makes a substantially plastic deformation of the through the opening 5 protruding sleeve-like area in contrast to DE 35 06 127 A1 according to which the two opposing wall parts are elastically pressed apart by the inserted screw at their ends.

Even though above exclusively a one-sided closed hollow cylindrical The area described may be the sleeve-like area opposite area also open at the bottom hollow cylindrical be educated. Essential here is only the leadership in the direction of the central longitudinal axis of the sleeve-like Area, so that when screwing a screw or a thread area evenly over the entire circumference to an opening behind Area can be reshaped.

1

casing

2

first housing part

2 '

edge

2 ''

rib

3

second housing part

3 '

edge

3 ''

groove

4

junction

5

opening

6

hollow cylindrical Area

7

Area

7 '

sleeve-like Area

W

Tool

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list The documents listed by the applicant have been automated generated and is solely for better information recorded by the reader. The list is not part of the German Patent or utility model application. The DPMA takes over no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• - DE 3248739 A1 [0003]
• - DE 3506127 A1 [0004, 0044]

Claims (11)

Method for producing a connection between two components by means of plastic deformation, characterized in that the first component ( 2 ) an opening ( 5 ), the second component ( 3 ) a sleeve-like region ( 7 ' ) having an outer diameter which is at most equal to the inner diameter of the opening ( 5 ), the two components are positioned such that the sleeve-like region ( 7 ' ) through the opening ( 5 ) and the two components ( 2 . 3 ) abut each other, and with Hillfe a tool (W) of the sleeve-like area ( 7 ' ) irreversibly plastically to an opening ( 5 ) area ( 7 ) is deformed. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that that the deformed area by a thermoplastic is formed. A method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the tool (W) has a threaded portion, which in an extension of the sleeve-like portion ( 7 ' ) extending area ( 6 ) is screwed, and adjacent to the threaded portion a protruding edge is arranged. Method according to claim 3, characterized in that the tool (W) after the reshaping of the sleeve-like region ( 7 ' ) into a trailing area ( 7 ) is unscrewed. Method according to claim 3, characterized in that a helical part of the tool (W) after the reshaping of the sleeve-like region ( 7 ' ) into a trailing area ( 7 ) remains in the component and the other part of the tool is reused. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized that the tool (W) works with ultrasound. Connecting element for connecting two components, wherein the connecting element in one piece on one of the components ( 3 ) is formed, a plastically deformable sleeve-like area ( 7 ' ) which extends from an abutment region of the component ( 3 ) for another, first component ( 2 ), wherein on the opposite side of the contact area a hollow cylindrical area ( 6 ) is trained. Arrangement of a first and a second component ( 2 . 3 ), comprising at least one connection point ( 4 ), to which a connecting element according to claim 7 on the second of the components ( 3 ) is provided, which with the sleeve-like area ( 7 ' ) through an opening ( 5 ) in a contact area of the first component ( 2 ) protrudes, the hollow cylindrical area ( 6 ) away from the junction ( 4 ), and the sleeve-like region ( 7 ' ) to one the opening ( 5 ) area ( 7 ) is transformed. Arrangement according to claim 8, characterized in that in the hollow cylindrical area ( 6 ) An internal thread is formed. Arrangement according to claim 8 or 9, characterized that the connecting element is cold-formed. Arrangement according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the engaging region ( 7 ) is annular, wherein it extends over a running in the interior of the opening connecting portion with the hollow cylindrical portion ( 6 ) and the contact surface of the second component ( 3 ) is integrally connected.