Spring element

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11506233-B2
Application number	US-202117401120-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 12, 2021
Priority date	Aug 13, 2020
Publication date	Nov 22, 2022
Grant date	Nov 22, 2022

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a spring element for a device for compensating for tolerances between a first component and a second component, wherein the spring element comprises: at least two axial webs extending in the direction of a longitudinal center axis of the spring element and spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction of the spring element, each of which, viewed in the direction of the longitudinal center axis of the spring element, has two opposite end sections connected by an intermediate section, wherein the end sections of an axial web have at least approximately the same radial distance from the longitudinal center axis of the spring element and the intermediate section arranged between these end sections has a different radial distance from the longitudinal center axis; and at least one connecting ring which connects the axial webs to one another.

First claim

I claim:

1. A spring element for a device for compensating for tolerances between a first component and a second component, the spring element comprising:
at least two axial webs extending in the direction of a longitudinal center axis of the spring element and spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction of the spring element, each one of the at least two axial webs, viewed in the direction of the longitudinal center axis of the spring element, has two opposite end sections connected by an intermediate section, wherein the end sections of an axial web have at least approximately the same radial distance from the longitudinal center axis and the intermediate section arranged between these end sections has a different radial distance from the longitudinal center axis;
at least one connecting ring which connects the axial webs to one another; and
at least one claw section which is spaced apart in the axial direction from the end sections of the axial webs and which extends obliquely outward with respect to the longitudinal center axis.

2. The spring element according to claim 1 ,
wherein the radial distances between the end sections of an axial web are greater than a maximum radial distance of the intermediate section arranged between these end sections.

3. The spring element according to claim 1 ,
wherein at least one claw section emerges from the connecting ring and/or from one of the axial webs.

4. The spring element according to claim 1 ,
wherein the or each claw section tapers in the direction of its free end.

5. The spring element according to claim 1 ,
wherein a free end of the or each claw section points in the direction of a center plane of the spring element which is oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal center axis.

6. The spring element according to claim 1 ,
wherein the connecting ring connects the axial webs to one another in the region of one of their end sections, while the other opposite end sections are not connected by a connecting ring.

7. The spring element according to claim 1 ,
wherein the connecting ring connects the axial webs to one another in the region of their intermediate sections.

8. The spring element according to claim 1 ,
wherein a first connecting ring connects the axial webs in the region of one of their end sections and a second connecting ring connects the axial webs in the region of their other opposite end sections.

9. The spring element according to claim 7 ,
wherein a center plane of the spring element oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal center axis defines a first half and a second half of the spring element, wherein at least one claw section of the first half of the spring element faces at least one claw section of the second half of the spring element.

10. The spring element according to claim 9 ,
wherein the spring element is designed to be mirror-symmetrical with respect to the center plane.

11. The spring element according to claim 8 ,
wherein a center plane of the spring element oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal center axis defines a first half and a second half of the spring element, wherein at least one claw section of the first half of the spring element faces at least one claw section of the second half of the spring element.

12. The spring element according to claim 11 ,
wherein the spring element is designed to be mirror-symmetrical with respect to the center plane.

13. The spring element according to claim 1 ,
wherein the or each connecting ring has a slot.

14. The spring element according to claim 13 ,
wherein the slots of all connecting rings are axially aligned.

15. A device for compensating for tolerances between a first component and a second component with a base element, a compensation element which engages with the base element and in which a passage for a connecting means is formed, and a spring element which is arranged in the passage of the compensation element, the spring element comprising:
at least two axial webs extending in the direction of a longitudinal center axis of the spring element and spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction of the spring element, each one of the at least two axial webs, viewed in the direction of the longitudinal center axis of the spring element, has two opposite end sections connected by an intermediate section, wherein the end sections of an axial web have at least approximately the same radial distance from the longitudinal center axis and the intermediate section arranged between these end sections has a different radial distance from the longitudinal center axis;
at least one connecting ring which connects the axial webs to one another; and
at least one claw section which is spaced apart in the axial direction from the end sections of the axial webs and which extends obliquely outward with respect to the longitudinal center axis.

16. The device according to claim 15 ,
wherein the spring element for arrangement in the passage can be inserted into the passage in an installation direction and the end sections are upstream of the or each claw section in the installation direction.

17. The device according to claim 16 ,
wherein the spring element for arrangement in the passage can be inserted into the passage in an installation direction and at least one claw section locks against displacement of the spring element in a direction opposite to the installation direction.

Assignees

• Witte Automotive Gmbh

Inventors

• Spickenheier Klaus

Classifications

• F16F1/36

  made of rubber or other material having high internal friction, {e.g. thermoplastic elastomers (spring units consisting of several springs F16F3/08)} · CPC title

• F16B5/025 Primary

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

• F16F1/02 Primary

  made of steel or other material having low internal friction {(characterised by their special construction from fibre-reinforced plastics F16F1/366; spring units consisting of several springs F16F3/02; making springs from wire B21F35/00)}; Wound, torsion, leaf, cup, ring or the like springs, the material of the spring not being relevant · CPC title

• F16B37/08

  Quickly-detachable {or mountable} nuts, e.g. consisting of two or more parts; Nuts movable along the bolt after tilting the nut · CPC title

• F16B5/0233 Primary

  allowing for adjustment perpendicular to the plane of the plates · CPC title