CN214888146U

CN214888146U - Clearance compensation fastening assembly

Info

Publication number: CN214888146U
Application number: CN202023336636.3U
Authority: CN
Inventors: 孙玉祥
Original assignee: ARaymond Automotive Fasteners Zhenjiang Co ltd; A Raymond SARL
Current assignee: ARaymond Automotive Fasteners Zhenjiang Co ltd; A Raymond SARL
Priority date: 2020-12-31
Filing date: 2020-12-31
Publication date: 2021-11-26
Anticipated expiration: 2030-12-31

Abstract

The utility model provides a clearance compensation fastening components. The backlash compensation fastener assembly is adapted to be threadedly coupled to an externally threaded fastener to secure first and second components at a spacing and includes: a fastening nut adapted to be secured to the first component and defining a first channel in the longitudinal direction; a compensating bushing movably received within the first passage; a support bushing comprising a support section and a retaining section connected to each other, inner peripheral surfaces of the support section and the retaining section together defining a second channel in the longitudinal direction for receiving the externally threaded fastener. The support section is sleeved in the compensation bushing and is suitable for supporting the second component, the holding section is suitable for being in interference fit with the external thread fastener when the external thread fastener is screwed into the clearance compensation fastening assembly through the second channel, the holding section is made of thermoplastic elastomer, and the support section is made of polymer material harder than the material of the holding section. The clearance compensating fastening assembly may provide a suitable retention force.

Description

Clearance compensation fastening assembly

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to the field of fastener technology, and more particularly to a clearance compensation fastening assembly.

Background

In industrial applications, it is often necessary to fasten two components (e.g., two plates, a plate and a beam) at a certain distance. In such installation scenarios, it is necessary to use fasteners with adjustment to accommodate or compensate for the gap between the two components.

The fastener with the adjusting function is, for example, an adjustable nut, and the adjustable nut may include a fastening nut fixedly connected to one of the two components and a compensation bushing threadedly engaged with the fastening nut. The compensating bush has an abutment surface adapted to abut the other component. The compensating bush can be moved with the advance of the fastening bolt in a direction away from the fastening nut towards the other component, so that the distance between the abutment surface and the fastening nut is adjusted. In particular, when the fastening bolt is inserted into the compensating bush, a certain holding force may arise between the fastening bolt and the compensating bush due to engagement or fitting or the like, such that: during the screwing in of the fastening bolt, the compensating bush can rotate together with the fastening bolt, and the compensating bush can then be moved relative to the fastening nut by means of the threaded cooperation with the fastening nut in the direction opposite to the screwing in direction of the fastening bolt (i.e. towards the other component) in order to adapt or compensate for the play between the two components.

The amount of the holding force between the fastening bolt and the compensating bush is of great importance, among other things, for the compensating bush to fulfill its compensating function. In the existing design, the situation that the magnitude of the holding force is not proper often exists. For example, if the holding force is too large, after the abutment surface of the compensating bush abuts against the other component, the compensating bush will continue to move towards the other component to jack it up when the fastening bolt is screwed further in, i.e. clearance overcompensation occurs.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

The utility model discloses a solve the problem that exists among the above-mentioned prior art, provide an improved clearance compensation fastening components.

Therefore, the utility model provides a clearance compensation fastening components. The clearance compensation fastening assembly adapted to be threadably coupled to an externally threaded fastener to secure a first component and a second component to one another at a spacing, comprising: a fastening nut adapted to be secured to the first component and defining a first channel in a longitudinal direction; a compensating bushing movably received at least partially within the first channel; a support bushing including a support section and a retaining section connected to each other, an inner peripheral surface of the support section and an inner peripheral surface of the retaining section collectively defining a second passage in the longitudinal direction for receiving the externally threaded fastener; wherein the support section is at least partially nested within the compensation bushing and adapted to support the second component, the retention section is configured to be adapted to interference fit with the externally threaded fastener when the externally threaded fastener is threaded into the clearance compensation fastening assembly via the second channel, the retention section is made of a thermoplastic elastomer, and the support section is made of a polymeric material that is harder than a material of the retention section.

According to the utility model discloses a clearance compensation fastening components's supporting bush includes the different support section of material and keeps section two parts, can realize supporting second part respectively better and produce the function of suitable holding power with the cooperation of external screw thread fastener. Wherein, the material of retaining segment is thermoplastic elastomer for retaining segment can closely laminate and have certain elasticity with the external screw thread fastener, thereby can provide suitable holding power all the time, can provide less holding power relatively with for example the condition that adopts the metal material compares, and then prevents the clearance overcompensation, compares with for example the condition that adopts inelastic rigid plastic and can provide more stable holding power, prevents that the holding power decay is too fast and normally realize the compensation function. Moreover, the selection of materials for the support section and the retaining section of the support bushing allows the support bushing to be quickly molded by two-shot injection molding, simplifying the production process and reducing the production cost. In addition, the supporting bushing and the compensation bushing are separated parts, different clearance compensation ranges can be achieved by flexibly selecting the compensation bushings with different lengths, the applicability of the clearance compensation fastening assembly is improved, and the manufacturing cost is further reduced.

In accordance with the above-described concepts, the present invention may further include any one or more of the following alternatives.

In some alternatives, at least a portion of an inner peripheral surface of the retaining section tapers in a threading direction of the externally threaded fastener.

In some alternatives, the retaining section is provided at an end of the support section in the longitudinal direction.

In some alternatives, the bearing bush is made by two-shot moulding.

In some alternatives, the support section has at least one first stop portion and the retaining section has at least one second stop portion respectively, the first stop portion being adapted to engage with the respective second stop portion to prevent relative movement of the support section and the retaining section in the longitudinal and/or circumferential direction.

In some alternatives, the first stop portion is in the form of a recess or a protrusion extending in a longitudinal, transverse or circumferential direction, and the second stop portion is in the form of a protrusion or a recess extending in a longitudinal, transverse or circumferential direction, respectively.

In some alternatives, the support segment is an interference fit with the compensating bush and the support segment has a non-circular outer peripheral profile and the compensating bush has a non-circular inner peripheral profile that matches the non-circular outer peripheral profile of the support segment. The bearing segment and the compensating bush, by virtue of the non-circular profile fit, are able to prevent relative movement in the circumferential direction between the bearing segment and the compensating bush, thereby allowing effective torque transmission between the bearing bush and the compensating bush.

In some alternatives, at least a portion of an outer peripheral surface of the support section tapers in a threading direction of the externally threaded fastener.

In some alternatives, the outer peripheral surface of the support section is provided with at least one first clamping portion, the inner peripheral surface of the compensation bushing is correspondingly provided with at least one second clamping portion, and the first clamping portion and the corresponding second clamping portion are clamped with each other.

In some alternatives, the first snap-in portion is in the form of a bump or recess and the second snap-in portion is in the form of a recess or bump, respectively.

In some alternatives, the compensating bush is provided with a stop for preventing disengagement of the compensating bush from the first passage.

In some alternatives, the stop structure includes a stop ring and a through hole disposed adjacent a peripheral edge of the compensation bushing, the stop ring adapted to at least partially surround the peripheral edge of the compensation bushing through the through hole.

In some alternatives, the inner peripheral surface of the support section is provided with an internal thread that mates with the external thread of the externally threaded fastener. The internal threads of the support segments may enhance the threaded connection strength of the externally threaded fastener with the clearance compensation fastening assembly.

In some alternatives, the retention section is made of a thermoplastic elastomer.

According to the utility model discloses a clearance compensation fastening components's support section and holding section have different polymer materials to can realize supporting the second part respectively better and produce the function of suitable holding power with the cooperation of external screw thread fastener, and can reduce manufacturing cost through double-colored quick forming of moulding plastics. In addition, the whole structure of the clearance compensation fastening assembly is flexible and variable, and the clearance compensation fastening assembly has high applicability.

Drawings

Other features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood by alternative embodiments described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals identify the same or similar parts, and in which:

fig. 1 is a perspective view of a clearance compensating fastening assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 2 is an exploded view of a clearance compensating fastening assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 3A and 3B are different cross-sectional views of a clearance compensating fastening assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, respectively;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the support bushing and compensation bushing of a clearance compensation fastening assembly assembled together in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 5A and 5B are perspective and exploded views, respectively, of a support bushing of a clearance compensating fastening assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 6A to 6C are bottom, side and cross-sectional views, respectively, of a support bushing of a play compensating fastening assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 7A and 7B are perspective views from different angles, respectively, of a support section of a support bushing of a clearance compensating fastening assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 7C is a bottom view of a support section of a support bushing of a clearance compensating fastening assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 7D is a perspective view of a retaining section of a support bushing of a clearance compensating fastening assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 8A and 8B are a perspective view and a cross-sectional view, respectively, of a seal and a support bushing of a clearance compensating fastening assembly assembled together, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 9 is an exploded view of a compensating bushing of a clearance compensating fastener assembly in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 10 is a perspective view of a receiving member of a fastening nut of a clearance compensating fastening assembly in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 11 is a perspective view of a fastening component of a fastening nut of a clearance compensating fastening assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

fig. 12 is a perspective view of a support sleeve and a receiving member of a clearance compensating fastener assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

The practice and use of the embodiments are discussed in detail below. It should be understood, however, that the specific embodiments discussed are merely illustrative of specific ways to make and use the invention, and do not limit the scope of the invention. The description herein of the structural positions of the respective components, such as the directions of upper, lower, top, bottom, etc., is not absolute, but relative. When the respective components are arranged as shown in the drawings, these direction expressions are appropriate, but when the positions of the respective components in the drawings are changed, these direction expressions are changed accordingly.

In the present invention, the longitudinal direction of the component refers to the direction along the length of the component; the transverse direction of the component refers to a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the component; the circumferential direction of a cylindrical or annular component refers to the direction along the perimeter of the component; the radial direction of a cylindrical or circular ring-shaped component refers to the direction along the diameter of the component.

Fig. 1-12 illustrate a clearance compensating fastening assembly 100 and its component parts according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The lash compensation fastening assembly 100 is adapted to be threadably coupled with an externally threaded fastener (not shown) to secure first and second components (not shown) to one another at a spaced distance. The externally threaded fasteners may be in the form of bolts (exemplary embodiments of the invention are described below in terms of bolts), studs, and any other suitable form. The gap compensating fastening assembly 100 may be used to secure various forms of first and second components to one another, such as to secure first and second components, both in the form of panels, to one another, or to secure first and second components in the form of beams, to one another.

Referring to fig. 2, the clearance compensation tightening assembly 100 includes a tightening nut 102, a compensation bushing 104, and a support bushing 106. The fastening nut 102 is adapted to be fixed to a first component and defines a longitudinal direction D_LOf the first channel 108. The compensating bush 104 is movably received at least partially within the first passage 108. The support bushing 106 comprises a support section 110 and a holding section 112 connected to each other. The inner peripheral surface of the support section 110 and the inner peripheral surface of the retaining section 112 together define a longitudinal direction D for receiving a bolt_LAnd a second channel 114. Support partThe segment 110 is at least partially sleeved within the compensating bushing 104 and adapted to support a second component, the retaining segment 112 is configured to be adapted to be in an interference fit with the bolt when the bolt is threaded into the clearance compensating fastening assembly 100 via the second channel 114, the retaining segment 112 is made of a thermoplastic elastomer, and the support segment 110 is made of a polymeric material that is harder than the material of the retaining segment 112.

Specifically, referring to fig. 2 and 3B, in the illustrated embodiment, the fastening nut 102 includes a receiving member 116 and a fastening member 118, the fastening member 118 being removably connected to the receiving member 116. It will be appreciated that the receiving member 116 and the tightening member 118 of the tightening nut 102 may also be integrally formed.

Referring to fig. 9 and 10, in the illustrated embodiment, the receiving member 116 is cylindrical and defines a longitudinal direction D_LOf the first channel 108. Receiving member 116 may include a first relatively smaller diameter barrel section 120 and a second relatively larger diameter barrel section 122. An inner circumferential surface of the first barrel section 120 may be provided with an inner thread 123 and an outer circumferential surface of the compensating bush 104 is correspondingly provided with an outer thread 124 cooperating with the inner thread 123 of the first barrel section 120, such that the compensating bush 104, while rotating relative to the receiving part 116 of the fastening nut 102, can be rotated relative to the receiving part 116 in the longitudinal direction D_LAnd (6) moving. The receiving part 116 is composed of two cylinder sections with different diameters, which can allow an internal thread matched with the compensation bushing 104 to be arranged at only one cylinder section, thereby reducing the processing difficulty; while allowing a stop structure to be provided to prevent the compensating bush 104 from being completely unscrewed from the receiving part 116 (as will be further explained below).

Referring to fig. 11, in the illustrated embodiment, the tightening member 118 basically includes two plate-like elements 126, a nut element 128 and two anchoring arms 130. The two plate-like members 126 are opposed to each other and connected at one side to form a clamping space therebetween. At least a portion of the first component may be clamped in the clamping space. One of the plate-like elements 126 is provided with barbs 132 on both sides for fixing the fastening part 118 and the first part to each other, so that a pre-positioning of the gap-compensating fastening assembly 100 on the first part is achieved.

In the figureIn the illustrated embodiment, the nut member 128 is coupled to the other plate member 126. The nut member 128 defines a third passage 134 for receiving the bolt, and the passage wall of the third passage 134 is provided with internal threads 136 adapted to mate with the external threads of the bolt. Also, two plate-like elements 126 are each provided with an aperture 138. As shown in FIG. 3A, the second channel 114 defined by the support section 110 and the retaining section 112, the aperture 138 of the plate-like element 126 and the third channel 134 of the nut element 128 are in the longitudinal direction D_LAre aligned with each other such that a bolt can be threaded through the support section 110, the retaining section 112 and the plate member 126 to the nut member 128, thereby effecting a threaded connection of the bolt with the clearance compensating fastening assembly 100.

Referring to fig. 3B and 10-11, in the illustrated embodiment, two anchor arms 130 are respectively along the longitudinal direction D from both sides of the plate-like element 126_LExtending and symmetrically disposed with respect to each other for anchoring the fastening member 118 to the receiving member 116. Each anchor arm 130 is provided with a hook 140 at its free end. Accordingly, the circumferential wall of the second cylinder section 122 of the receiving part 116 is symmetrically provided with two openings 142 through its circumferential wall. The crook portions 140 of the anchoring arms 130 may be anchored to the circumferential wall of the receiving member 116 through corresponding openings 142 in the receiving member 116, respectively, so that the fastening member 118 is detachably connected to the receiving member 116.

Referring to fig. 5A-6C, in the illustrated embodiment, the support bushing 106 may include a support section 110 and a support sleeve disposed on the support section 110 in the longitudinal direction D_LAnd a retaining section 112 at the end of the upper. The split design of the support section 110 and the holding section 112 allows for more flexibility in the material selection and manufacturing process of the support section 110 and the holding section 112.

Referring to fig. 7A-7C, the support section 110 includes a generally cylindrical body portion 144 and an annular shoulder 146. The annular shoulder 146 of the support section 110 is adapted to support the second component. The support section 110 may be injection molded from a polymeric material that is harder than the material of the retaining section 112 to provide sufficient support for the second component.

Referring to fig. 2 and 3A, the support segment 110 and the compensating bush 104 are non-rotatable relative to each otherAre connected to each other. In some embodiments, the support section 110 may have an interference fit with the compensation bushing 104, and the support section 110 has a non-circular outer circumferential profile, and the compensation bushing 104 has a non-circular inner circumferential profile that matches the non-circular outer circumferential profile of the support section 110, such that the support section 110 and the compensation bushing 104 cannot rotate relative to each other after being fitted to each other, and thus torque may be better transmitted between the support bushing 106 and the compensation bushing 104. Alternatively, at least a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the support section 110 (e.g., the outer circumferential surface of the body portion 144) may be along the screwing direction D of the bolt_STapering, an interference fit with the compensating bushing 104 is achieved by inserting the support section 110 into the compensating bushing 104. In the illustrated embodiment, the outer circumferential profile of the body portion 144 of the support section 110 and the inner circumferential profile of the compensator bushing 104 are oblong (i.e., circular arcs at both ends with a straight line segment in the middle). It will be appreciated that the outer circumferential profile of the support section 110 and the inner circumferential profile of the compensating bush 104 may also be square, oval or any other suitable non-circular shape. In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 4, 7A and 9, the support section 110 and the compensation bushing 104 are snapped into each other such that the support section 110 and the compensation bushing 104 are connected to each other and cannot rotate relative to each other. Specifically, the outer peripheral surface of the support section 110 is provided with at least one first snap-in portion 148, the inner peripheral surface of the compensation bushing 104 is correspondingly provided with at least one second snap-in portion 150, and the first snap-in portion 148 and the corresponding second snap-in portion 150 are snapped into each other. In the illustrated embodiment, the first clip portion 148 is in the form of a bump, and the second clip portion 150 is correspondingly in the form of a recess (more specifically, in the form of a through hole). It will be appreciated that the non-rotatable connection between the support section 110 and the compensating bush 104 may also be achieved solely by a non-round profile interference fit or snap fit.

Referring to fig. 6C, in the illustrated embodiment, the inner peripheral surface of the support section 110 and the inner peripheral surface of the retaining section 112 together define a longitudinal direction D_LAnd a second channel 114. The inner circumferential surface of the body portion 144 of the support section 110 is partially provided with an internal thread 151 that mates with the external thread of the bolt to enhance the threaded connection strength of the bolt with the backlash compensating fastening assembly 100.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 6C, the inner peripheral surface of the holding section 112 at the inlet 152 for screwing the bolt is along the screwing direction D_STapered to guide the bolt into the retaining section 112 and to interference fit the retaining section 112 with the bolt. Specifically, the inner diameter of the retaining section 112 at the inlet 152 is in the screwing-in direction D_STapering, e.g., from greater than the outer diameter of the external thread of the bolt to less than the outer diameter of the external thread of the bolt, such that the retaining section 112 transitions from a clearance fit to an interference fit with the bolt as the bolt is threaded into the retaining section 112, thereby creating a retention force therebetween; the inner diameter of the remaining portion of the retaining section 112 remains substantially constant (alternatively, the inner diameter of the remaining portion may also be in the screwing-in direction D_STapered) so that the remainder of the retaining section 112 can maintain an interference fit with the bolt.

It should be understood that fig. 6C shows only an exemplary shape of the inner peripheral surface of the holding section 112, and alternatively, the inner peripheral surface of the holding section 112 may have any other suitable shape such as an arc shape or a wave shape, as long as the holding section 112 can be interference-fitted with the bolt.

Referring collectively to fig. 3A, the retaining force causes the compensator bushing 104, which is coupled to the support bushing 106, to rotate. Further, the external threads 124 of the compensating bush 104 may be counter-threaded to the external threads of the bolt such that: when the bolt rotates the compensating bush 104, the bolt and the compensating bush 104 can be moved in opposite directions, for example, the bolt is screwed in the screwing-in direction D_SWhile the compensating bush 104 and the associated supporting bush 106 move in the screwing-in direction D_SThe opposite direction until the annular shoulder 146 of the support bushing 106 abuts the second component, thereby enabling clearance compensation between the first and second components.

The material of the holding section 112 is selected such that: after the annular shoulder 146 of the support bushing 106 abuts the second component, the holding force between the holding section 112 and the bolt can gradually reach equilibrium with the pressing force of the second component against the support bushing 106 as the bolt is screwed further in, so that the support bushing 106 does not continue to move towards the second component, thereby avoiding gap overcompensation.

The retaining section 112 may be injection molded from a thermoplastic elastomer. The material of the thermoplastic elastomer may be such that: in the process of interference fit between the holding section 112 and the metal bolt, the holding section 112 and the bolt are always tightly attached and have certain elasticity, so that a stable and appropriate holding force can be generated between the holding section 112 and the bolt. The thermoplastic elastomer is, for example, an olefinic thermoplastic elastomer, a polyurethane thermoplastic elastomer, a polyester thermoplastic elastomer, a polyamide thermoplastic elastomer, or the like.

As described above, the support section 110 and the retaining section 112 of the support bushing 106 are made of different polymer materials, and this design enables the support bushing 106 to be quickly molded by two-shot injection molding, thereby simplifying the production process and reducing the production cost.

In order to prevent the support section 110 and the holding section 112 from following the longitudinal direction D_LAnd/or relative movement in the circumferential direction for better torque and force transmission, as shown in fig. 7A-7D, the support section 110 may have at least one

first stop portion

154a, 154b, and the retaining section 112 may correspondingly have at least one

second stop portion

156a, 156b, the

first stop portions

154a, 154b being adapted to engage with the respective

second stop portions

156a, 156 b.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 7A-7D, the support section 110 has a first restraint portion 154a in the form of a longitudinal protrusion and a first restraint portion 154b in the form of a transverse recess (in particular, in the form of a transverse through hole); accordingly, the holding section 112 has a second stop portion 156a in the form of a longitudinal recess and a second stop portion 156b in the form of a transverse projection. The first stopper portion 154a may engage with the second stopper portion 156a, thereby preventing relative movement of the support section 110 and the holding section 112 in the circumferential direction. Alternatively, the support section 110 has a plurality of first stopper portions 154a arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction, and the holding section 112 has a plurality of second stopper portions 156a arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction. The first stopper portion 154b may engage with the second stopper portion 156b, thereby preventing the support section 110 and the holding section 112 from following the circumferential direction and the longitudinal direction D_LAnd (4) relative movement.

It will be appreciated that the first stop portion may also be in the form of a recess or a projection extending in the circumferential direction, and the second stop portion correspondingly in the form of a projection or a recess extending in the circumferential direction. Various forms of the first limiting part and the second limiting part can be flexibly selected or combined according to actual needs.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 4 and 9, to prevent the compensating bushing 104 from disengaging from the first passage 108 of the fastening nut 102, the compensating bushing 104 may be provided with a stop structure. In the illustrated embodiment, the stop structure is disposed at the bottom of the compensating bush 104. The stop structure includes a stop ring 158 and a through hole 160 disposed adjacent a peripheral edge 159 of the compensator bushing 104. The stop ring 158 may at least partially surround the peripheral edge 159 of the compensation bushing 104 through the through hole 160. Thus, with combined reference to fig. 3B and 10, during the movement of the compensation bushing 104 away from the fastening nut 102, the stop ring 158 first moves the compensation bushing 104 in the second cylinder section 122 of the receiving part 116 of the fastening nut 102 and then abuts the transition 161 between the first cylinder section 120 and the second cylinder section 122, so that the compensation bushing 104 is prevented from being completely unscrewed from the receiving part 116. It will be appreciated that the stop structure may also be a stop projection provided at the bottom of the compensating bush 104.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 12, to enable the support bushing 106 and the associated compensation bushing 104 to be held in place in the receiving part 116 of the fastening nut 102 in an initial state, the lower surface of the annular shoulder 146 of the support bushing 106 is provided with a retaining tab 162 and the top of the corresponding receiving part 116 of the fastening nut 102 is provided with a retaining groove 164. The retaining tabs 162 may be inserted into the retaining grooves 164 to hold the support bushing 106 and the compensation bushing 104 in place. When the bolt is threaded in to apply torque to the support bushing 106, the retaining tabs 162 can deform out of the retaining grooves 164, allowing the support bushing 106 to rotate.

Further, in some embodiments, as shown in fig. 8A and 8B, the clearance compensation fastening assembly 100 further includes a seal 166. The seal 166 is secured at the annular shoulder 146 of the support sleeve 106. The seal 166 includes an annular seal body 168 and a plurality of catches 170, a plurality of clipsThe pawl 170 may be resiliently coupled with the seal body 168 to allow the seal body 168 to be longitudinally D relative to the plurality of pawls 170_LAnd (6) moving.

The seal body 168 has a central hole 171 through which a bolt passes, and includes a hole in a longitudinal direction D provided in the seal body 168_LAnd an annular sealing surface 172 and a sealing ring 174 on opposite sides thereof. In the illustrated embodiment, an annular sealing surface 172 is disposed about the central bore 171 and is adapted to sealingly abut a surface of the second component. A sealing ring 174 is disposed around the central bore 171 and is adapted to seal the annular gap between the bolt and the second passage 114. Specifically, during the screwing process, the sealing surface 172 is pressed against the surface of the second part and drives the sealing ring 174 into the annular gap, so as to achieve both the transverse direction and the longitudinal direction D_LSealing of (2).

In the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of dogs 170 extend in a radial direction of the seal body 168 and are spaced apart in a circumferential direction of the seal body 168. The plurality of catches 170 may snap into the annular shoulder 146 of the support sleeve 106. Referring collectively to fig. 2, each of the jaws 170 may also be provided with a snap-in hole 178, and correspondingly, the annular shoulder 146 may be provided with snap-in lugs 180, the snap-in holes 178 and the snap-in lugs 180 being engageable with each other to further enhance the strength of the connection of the seal 166 to the support sleeve 106.

The use of the clearance compensating fastening assembly 100 is described below in conjunction with fig. 1-12.

First, the fastening nut 102 of the backlash compensating fastening assembly 100 is pre-fixed in place on the first component. The bolt may then be threaded through an aperture (not shown) in the second component into the clearance compensating fastening assembly 100. In the screwing-in direction D of the bolt_SDuring the screwing-in process, the screw is first screwed through the second channel 114 of the support bush 106, the support bush 106 and the compensation bush 104 connected thereto are rotated by the holding force between the holding section 112 of the support bush 106 and the screw, and the compensation bush 104 and the support bush 106 are rotated in the screwing-in direction D by the threaded engagement between the compensation bush 104 and the receiving part 116 of the fastening nut 102_SMovement in opposite directionsI.e. towards the second part; thereafter, the bolt will be further passed through the aperture 138 of the plate-like element 126 and eventually threaded with the nut element 128, thereby clamping the second component between the head of the bolt and the clearance-compensating fastening assembly 100, while the seal 166 is compressed between the second component and the support bush 106 to achieve the transverse and longitudinal directions D_LThe double sealing effect of the above.

It should be understood that the embodiments shown in fig. 1-12 illustrate only the shape, size and arrangement of the various optional components of the clearance compensating fastening assembly in accordance with the present invention, however, it is merely illustrative and not limiting and that other shapes, sizes and arrangements may be employed without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

The technical content and technical features of the present invention have been disclosed above, but it should be understood that various changes and modifications of the concept disclosed above can be made by those skilled in the art under the inventive concept of the present invention, and all fall within the scope of the present invention. The above description of embodiments is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive, and the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A clearance compensating fastener assembly adapted for threaded connection with an externally threaded fastener to secure first and second components to one another at a spaced distance, the clearance compensating fastener assembly comprising:

a fastening nut adapted to be secured to the first component and defining a first channel in a longitudinal direction;

a compensating bushing movably received at least partially within the first channel;

a support bushing including a support section and a retaining section connected to each other, an inner peripheral surface of the support section and an inner peripheral surface of the retaining section collectively defining a second passage in the longitudinal direction for receiving the externally threaded fastener;

wherein the support section is at least partially nested within the compensation bushing and adapted to support the second component, the retention section is configured to be adapted to interference fit with the externally threaded fastener when the externally threaded fastener is threaded into the clearance compensation fastening assembly via the second channel, the retention section is made of a thermoplastic elastomer, and the support section is made of a polymeric material that is harder than a material of the retention section.

2. The clearance compensating fastener assembly of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of an inner peripheral surface of the retaining section is tapered in a threading direction of the externally threaded fastener.

3. The clearance compensating fastening assembly of claim 1, wherein the retaining section is provided at an end of the support section in the longitudinal direction.

4. The clearance compensating fastener assembly of claim 1, wherein the bearing bushing is made by two shot molding.

5. A gap compensating fastening assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the support section has at least one first stop portion and the retaining section has at least one second stop portion respectively, the first stop portions being adapted to engage with the respective second stop portions to prevent relative movement of the support section and the retaining section in the longitudinal and/or circumferential direction.

6. A gap compensating fastening assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein the first stop portion is in the form of a recess or a projection extending in a longitudinal, transverse or circumferential direction and the second stop portion is in the form of a projection or a recess, respectively, extending in a longitudinal, transverse or circumferential direction.

7. The clearance compensating fastener assembly of claim 1, wherein the support segment is an interference fit with the compensation bushing and the support segment has a non-circular outer peripheral profile and the compensation bushing has a non-circular inner peripheral profile that mates with the non-circular outer peripheral profile of the support segment.

8. The clearance compensating fastener assembly of claim 7, wherein at least a portion of an outer peripheral surface of the support section is tapered in a threading direction of the externally threaded fastener.

9. A gap compensating fastening assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 and 7, characterized in that the outer circumferential surface of the support section is provided with at least one first snap-in portion, and the inner circumferential surface of the compensating bush is correspondingly provided with at least one second snap-in portion, which first snap-in portions and the corresponding second snap-in portions snap-in to each other.

10. The clearance compensating fastening assembly of claim 9, wherein the first snap-fit portion is in the form of a bump or recess and the second snap-fit portion is in the form of a recess or bump, respectively.

11. A gap compensating fastening assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the compensating bush is provided with a stop for preventing removal of the compensating bush from the first passage.

12. The clearance compensation fastening assembly of claim 11, wherein the stop structure comprises a stop ring and a through hole disposed adjacent a peripheral edge of the compensation bushing, the stop ring adapted to at least partially surround the peripheral edge of the compensation bushing through the through hole.

13. A gap compensating fastening assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the inner peripheral surface of the support section is provided with an internal thread which mates with the external thread of the externally threaded fastener.