Self-tapping compression limiter

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11274692-B2
Application number	US-201916431157-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 4, 2019
Priority date	Jun 4, 2019
Publication date	Mar 15, 2022
Grant date	Mar 15, 2022

Abstract

A self-tapping compression limiter for a structure of an automotive vehicle. The limiter includes a body having a first end extending to a second end. The body has a bore formed through the first and second ends defining a longitudinal axis. The body has an outer wall having a shoulder radially extending from the outer wall and formed adjacent one of the first and second ends to reduce tolerance to the structure. The outer wall has a threaded portion formed about the longitudinal axis. The threaded portion is matingly cooperable with the structure to provide a positive lock interface between the limiter and the structure.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A self-tapping compression limiter for a structure of an automotive vehicle, the limiter comprising:
a body having a first end extending to a second end, the body having a bore formed through the first and second ends defining a longitudinal axis, the body having an outer wall having a shoulder radially extending from the outer wall to a contact portion configured to contact the structure, the shoulder being formed adjacent the first end to reduce tolerance to the structure, the second end being in contact with the vehicle, the outer wall having a threaded portion formed about the longitudinal axis, the threaded portion being matingly cooperable with the structure to provide a positive lock interface between the limiter and the structure; and
a bolt disposed through the bore of the body and to the vehicle to secure the structure to the vehicle.

2. The limiter of claim 1 wherein the inner wall comprises a shaped drive formed at one of the first and second ends allowing torque to be applied to the limiter.

3. The limiter of claim 2 wherein the shaped drive is a female hex drive.

4. The limiter of claim 1 wherein the outer wall comprises a shaped drive formed at one of the first and second ends allowing torque to be applied to the limiter.

5. The limiter of claim 4 wherein the shaped drive is a male hex drive.

6. The limiter of claim 1 wherein the body comprises steel, aluminum, brass, bronze, copper, or alloys thereof.

7. An automotive assembly with self-tapping compression limiter, the assembly comprising:
a structure having a flange with a first side and an opposing second side, the flange having a first bore formed through the first and second sides defining an internal wall having internal threads formed thereon; and
a limiter having a body, the body having a first end extending to a second end, the body having a second bore formed through the first and second ends defining a longitudinal axis, the body having an outer wall having a shoulder radially extending from the outer wall to a contact portion configured to contact the first side of the structure, the shoulder being formed adjacent the first end to reduce tolerance to the structure, the second end being in contact with the vehicle, the outer wall having a threaded portion formed about the longitudinal axis, the threaded portion of the outer wall and the internal threads of the internal wall being matingly cooperable to provide a positive lock interface between the limiter and the structure; and
a bolt disposed through the second bore of the body and to the vehicle to secure the structure to the vehicle.

8. The assembly of claim 7 wherein the inner wall comprises a shaped drive formed at one of the first and second ends to allow torque to be applied to the limiter.

9. The assembly of claim 7 wherein the shaped drive is a female hex drive.

10. The assembly of claim 9 wherein the outer wall comprises a shaped drive formed at one of the first end and second end to allow torque to be applied to the limiter.

11. The assembly of claim 10 wherein the shaped drive is a male hex drive.

12. The assembly of claim 7 wherein the internal wall comprises an internal diameter and the shoulder comprises an outer diameter greater than the internal diameter.

13. The assembly of claim 7 wherein the body comprises steel, aluminum, brass, bronze, copper, or alloys thereof.

14. A vehicle having an automotive assembly with self-tapping compression limiter, the vehicle comprising:
a chassis;
a body supported by the chassis, the body including a motor compartment and an occupant zone; and
an automotive assembly with self-tapping compression limiter disposed in the motor compartment, the assembly comprising:
a structure having a flange with a first side and an opposing second side, the flange having a first bore formed through the first and second sides defining an internal wall having internal threads formed thereon;
a limiter having a body, the body having a first end extending to a second end, the body having a second bore formed through the first and second ends defining a longitudinal axis, the body having an outer wall having a shoulder radially extending from the outer wall to a contact portion, the shoulder being formed adjacent the first end to interface with one of the first and second sides of the flange for reduced tolerance to the structure, the second end being in contact with the vehicle, the outer wall having a threaded portion formed about the longitudinal axis, the threaded portion of the outer wall and the internal threads of the internal wall being matingly cooperable to provide a positive lock interface between the limiter and the structure; and
a bolt disposed through the second bore of the body and to the vehicle to secure the structure to the vehicle.

15. The vehicle of claim 14 wherein the inner wall comprises a shaped drive formed at one of the first end and second end to allow torque to be applied to the limiter.

16. The vehicle of claim 15 wherein the shaped drive is a female hex drive.

17. The vehicle of claim 14 wherein the outer wall comprises a shaped drive formed at one of the first end and second end to allow torque to be applied to the limiter.

18. The vehicle of claim 17 wherein the shaped drive is a male hex drive.

19. The vehicle of claim 14 wherein the internal wall comprises an internal diameter and the shoulder having an outer diameter greater than the internal diameter.

20. The vehicle of claim 14 wherein the body comprises steel, aluminum, brass, bronze, copper, or alloys thereof.

Assignees

• Gm Global Tech Operations Llc

Inventors

• Karram Michael A
• Christensen Terrence J

Classifications

• F16B5/02 Primary

  by means of fastening members using screw-thread ({F16B5/0004 takes precedence}; construction of screw-threaded connections F16B25/00 - F16B39/00) · CPC title

• F16B41/002

  Measures against loss of bolts, nuts or pins (devices for fastening nuts to surfaces F16B37/04) · CPC title

• F16B31/02 Primary

  for indicating {the attainment of a particular tensile load} or limiting tensile load {(apparatus for, or method of, determining value of torque or twisting moment for tightening a nut or other member similarly stressed G01L5/24)} · CPC title

• F16B37/127

  and self-tapping · CPC title

• F16B5/025

  specially designed to compensate for misalignement or to eliminate unwanted play · CPC title