Patent ID: 12258995

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An embodiment of a damping arrangement1consists of two identically constructed damping elements10as well as of only one sleeve50. Further components or elements may not be necessary for securing the damping arrangement1in an opening of a first component A. For the better comprehensibility, firstly, an embodiment of a damping element10is explained with reference being made toFIGS.1to7.

The damping element10may be configured disk-like and includes a central first thru-opening12with an inner diameter DI, a head portion14as well as a shaft portion30. In the known manner, the head portion14includes an upper side as well as a bottom side and has an outer diameter DAK(seeFIG.3). The shaft portion30with an outer diameter DASextends from the bottom side of the head portion14, which has an end facing the head and an end facing away from the head for this purpose. A first axial end of the damping element10is thus defined by the upper side of the head portion and a second axial end of the damping element10by the end, facing away from the head, of the shaft portion30. An axial height HDof the damping element is thus measured between the upper side of the head portion14adjacent to the central first thru-opening12and the second axial end, as is shown inFIG.4. The second axial end may include a chamfer at the radial outer side. This facilitates the inserting of the damping element10into the component opening of the first component.

The upper side of the head portion14is configured plane adjacent to the thru-opening12. In the further course radially outwardly, the head portion14is configured in an inclined manner in the direction of the shaft portion30. At the end of this inclined portion, a projection16is present which extends parallel to the longitudinal axis or to the shaft portion30, respectively, of the damping element10from the upper side in the direction of the end, facing away from the head, of the shaft portion30. As can be seen later, a bottom side of this projection16which may serve as abutment surface at the first component A adjacent to the opening in the first component A. Furthermore, ribs18for reinforcing the head portion14and thus the damping element10are provided at the bottom side of the head portion14. In the present example, six ribs18are provided which are spaced from each other evenly, as can be seen inFIG.2. For the better comprehensibility of the construction,FIGS.6and7show a sectional view of the damping element10, wherein the cut inFIG.6was made through the ribs18, but not inFIG.7.

As already mentioned above, the shaft portion30extends from the bottom side of the head portion14. The shaft portion30has a cylindrical form at the outside which can contain steps, as is shown inFIG.7. The steps serve for the facilitated inserting of the damping element10into the opening in the first component A as well as for the avoiding of notch effects during the contact between the first component A and the damping element10. Furthermore, the steps provide an abutment surface34, which in use abuts the component surface in addition to the bottom side of the projection16in the head portion. Thus, an insertion depth of the damping element10into the component opening is defined and limited in this way.

In the illustrated embodiment, the central first thru-opening12includes projections32, which are present at least in the shaft portion30. By means of these projections32, a reduction of the inner diameter DIof the central first thru-opening12is achieved, due to which a sleeve50that is later inserted therein can be fastened in there in a frictional and thus loss-proof manner. The damping element10includes a portion20with reduced inner diameter DIVadjacent to the upper side of the head portion14. The portion20with, in case of a central first thru-opening12being configured round, reduced inner diameter DIVcan be provided by a step, a chamfer or a combination of the two. InFIG.6, the portion20with reduced inner diameter is provided by a step in connection with a chamfer. The step which may be thereby formed serves as a partial, axial abutment surface or abutment edge for the only one sleeve50so that the only one sleeve50may be arrangeable in a defined depth in the damping element10. In the embodiment according toFIG.7, the portion20with reduced inner diameter DIVis provided by a chamfer. This includes the further advantage that in case of a compression of the damping element10, the danger of a shearing-off of this portion of the damping element10is reduced by the only one sleeve50. In this context, it should generally be considered that beside the completely circumferential configuration of the portion20, the same effect is achievable by non-continuous projections or the like, as long as a limitation of the insertion depth for the only one sleeve50is provided.

Due to the outer diameter DAKof the head portion, which is larger than a diameter of the opening in the first component A, it is guaranteed when using the damping element10that the respective damping element10does not fit through the opening in the first component A but abuts the edge portion of the opening. Thus, in use, the bottom side of the head portion14is arranged adjacent to the first component A. The opposite upper side of the head portion14is arranged adjacent to a connecting element, such as a connecting screw3or an associated disc5, in the later component connection. In this state, the shaft portion30, the outer diameter DASof which may correspond to the diameter of the opening in the first component A, extends at least partly into the opening in the first component A and abuts with its second axial end to the second axial end of the second damping element10that is arranged on the opposite component side.

For providing the desired damping function by the damping element10, the same may be made of an elastomer or a thermoplastic elastomer, having a shore A hardness between 40 and 80 shore A. By means of the corresponding material selection, the damping element10and thus the damping arrangement1as a whole can be adapted to the desired application field. Possible application fields lie within a temperature range between −40° C. and 200° C.

With reference toFIGS.8and9, a damping element10in connection with the only one sleeve50is now shown. In use, the only one sleeve50is arranged at least partly in the central first thru-opening12of the damping element10. The arrangement of the sleeve50in the central first thru-opening12takes place, as is described above, by means of a frictional and/or material connection.

Furthermore, an axial extension or height of the sleeve50in longitudinal direction of the damping element10is larger than an axial height HDof the damping element10. In order to maintain the damping properties, the axial height of the only one sleeve50is, however, smaller than the double of the axial height HDof the damping element10. When the portion20with reduced inner diameter is present, the axial height of the sleeve50may be the same as the double of the distance between the step which is formed by the portion20with reduced inner diameter and the second axial end of the damping element10. In this way, a compression of the damping element10in longitudinal direction of the damping arrangement1is implementable in case of a later block screwing where the only one sleeve50abuts the second component B on the one hand and the connecting screw3or associated disc5, respectively, on the other hand.

As material for the sleeve50, a metal or a thermoplastic is used. The material may be an electrically conductive material, e.g. a thermoplastic material with electrically conductive properties as well as with or without fiber reinforcement. As in the later use, the only one sleeve50abuts the second component on the one hand and a fastening element such as a connecting screw or a corresponding disc5on the other hand, the material selection takes place such that the sleeve50can take up the arising forces and transmit them.

FIG.10shows an embodiment of a damping arrangement1consisting of two identically constructed damping elements10and the only one sleeve50. A safe assembly of the damping arrangement1in the component opening of the first component A takes place via the only one sleeve50, alone, which is at least partly arranged in the shaft portion30of each damping element10. This is realized by providing the radially inwardly projecting projections32in the central first thru-opening12, which may be in the shaft portion30. In this way, it is guaranteed that the components damping element10and sleeve50of the damping arrangement1are fastened at each other in a loss-proof manner. Furthermore, in case of a pre-assembly of a sleeve50in a damping element10before the arranging of the damping element10in the opening of the first component A, the further processing may be facilitated, and the damping arrangement1may be processed in an automized manner.

With reference toFIGS.11and12, the manufacturing of a component connection by means of the damping arrangement1is explained. For this purpose, firstly, two identically constructed damping elements10are provided, which are intended to be fastened in an opening of a first component A, e.g. in an assembly flange of an oscillating-generating pump or a cord/cable channel. A material thickness of the first component adjacent to the component opening may lie between 1 and 3 mm. In a first step, the only one sleeve50is arranged in one of the damping elements10, provided that not one of the damping elements10already includes the only one sleeve50. After that, the damping element10which has been prepared in this manner with the only one sleeve50partly arranged in there is arranged adjacent to the opening of the first component A. The dimensioning of the outer diameter DASof the shaft portion of the damping element10with respect to the opening in the component A is such that in this context, the shaft portion30of the damping element10extends into the opening in the first component A.

The outer diameter DAKof the damping element10in the head portion is in turn chosen such that the damping element10abuts the first component A adjacent to the first opening. The abutment surface which is configured in this manner defines an abutment plane at the first component A, which is rectangular with regard to the longitudinal axis of the damping arrangement1.

Once one of the two identically constructed damping elements10with shaft portion30extending into the opening in the first component A has been arranged at a first component side, the other one of the two identically constructed damping elements10is arranged analogously at an opposite second component side. Both damping elements10are configured with an identical construction and may abut one another after plugging the second damping element10onto the only one sleeve50with the shaft portions30facing each other, i.e. they may abut one another with the axial ends facing one another and facing away from the head. The first component A may be arranged between the damping elements10and between the head portions14.

An advantage of this approach is that the manufacturing effort for the component connection is reduced due to the use of two identically constructed damping elements10. Furthermore, a worker may not have to pay attention to the correct assignment of the damping elements10during the assembly, when the only one sleeve50is not preassembled in one damping element10. Therefore, the danger of a defective assembly is also reduced. Furthermore, the possibility of the automated installation is given. Ultimately, the two damping elements10are thus only fastenable at each other via the only one sleeve50with first component A arranged in between. In this state, a first component A with a pre-assembled damping arrangement1is thus present in a component opening of the first component A.

After the preassembly of the damping arrangement1which has been carried out in this manner, a second component B is provided. This takes place at the same production location or at another production location, depending on the desired course of proceeding.

An opening of the second component B is aligned with the central first thru-opening12of the damping element10. After that, a connecting screw3as connecting element is guided through the central first thru-openings12and brought into engagement with a fastening portion7for the connecting screw3, wherein the fastening portion7includes for example an inner thread and is provided in or adjacent to the second component B. A radial tolerance compensation is realizable by the fact that even in the portion20with reduced inner diameter, the only one sleeve50has an inner diameter that is larger than the outer diameter of the connecting screw3. By that, the fastening of the two components A, B at each other may be facilitated, be it either by a worker or automatically.

An exemplary screwing takes place such that in an initial state, the only one sleeve50abuts an axial undercut in the central first thru-opening12. When now, the connecting screw3is tightened in the second component, a compression of the respective damping element10provides a damping effect both for axial as well as radial oscillations or vibrations. This construction clearly shows that with the damping arrangement1, a releasable screwing can be realized wherein in the tightly connected state of the two components A, B the only one sleeve50which may abut the second component on the one hand and on the other hand the connecting screw3or the associated disc5, respectively, so that a block screwing may be present. The use of a disc5with an outer diameter that may be bigger than the outer diameter of the opening in the first component A which has proven advantageous. Because in this way, the first component A does not release itself from the second component B, even in case of a failure of the damping arrangement1. Furthermore, the forces applied by the screwing on the damping arrangement1are distributed more evenly.

As can be seen inFIG.13, the sleeve150can be configured with a plurality of breakthroughs152in an alternative embodiment, through which the material of the damping element10extends radially inwardly. In this way, the sleeve150can be provided in a loss-proof manner in a damping element10. Furthermore, the manufacturing method of the damping arrangement is facilitated further by that, which becomes clear under consideration of the subsequent manufacturing method.

FIGS.14to19clarify a second embodiment of the damping arrangement100. In the damping element110, a plurality of first122and second breakthroughs124, each of which being configured round, are provided in the head portion of the damping element110instead of the ribs18of the damping element10. In the further design, the damping element110corresponds with the damping element10. Thus, the damping element110comprises the central first thru-opening112as well as the head portion114with the projection116. The portion120with reduced diameter is formed adjacent to the upper side of the head portion114.

The plurality of first breakthroughs122is arranged annularly in the outer portion of the head portion114. In the same manner, the plurality of second breakthroughs124is arranged in a radial inner portion of the head portion114, i.e. adjacent to the central first thru-opening112. As can be seen inFIG.18, the second breakthroughs124may also extend through the shaft portion30up to the second axial end of the damping element110. The providing of the breakthroughs122and124also provides the advantage that the stability of the damping element110is increased.

A third embodiment of the damping arrangement200is shown inFIGS.20to25. In contrast to the previous embodiments, here, the damping element210is not configured round but oval. Due to the oval design, a different damping in different directions can be realized. Apart from that, the damping element210, same as the previous embodiments, includes the central first thru-opening212as well as the head portion214with the projection216. Likewise, ribs218are provided at the head bottom side. Adjacent to the upper side of the head portion214, the portion220with reduced diameter is formed.

Finally,FIGS.26to31show a fourth embodiment of the damping arrangement300. The damping element310includes, same as in case of the previous embodiments, the central first thru-opening312as well as the head portion314with the projection316. Likewise, ribs318are provided at the head bottom side.

The damping arrangement310may distinguish from the previous embodiments with regard to the only one sleeve250. In this embodiment, it has a circumferential collar252, so that in the later use, no disc between the head of the connecting element3and the damping element310is necessary. In order to achieve a secure fastening of the sleeve250in the damping element310, the sleeve250may have a recess254which interacts with a corresponding projection of the damping element310. A fastening of the second damping element310takes place in the known manner on the piece of the only one sleeve250which projects from the first damping element310.

Now, with respect toFIG.32, a schematic course of procedure of a manufacturing method of a damping arrangement1is illustrated. Here, two identically constructed damping elements10are provided in a first step a. Before that, at the same time or after that, a providing of only one sleeve50takes place in step b as well as an arranging of the only one sleeve50in one of the damping elements10first and subsequently, in the remaining damping element10in step c.

The providing of the damping elements10in step a can be effected by injection molding of the damping elements10. Alternatively, the damping elements10can also be manufactured by means of vulcanization or extrusion. Principally, different manufacturing methods are possible. On the one hand, the damping elements10and the only one sleeve50can be provided separate of each other so that in step c, an inserting of the only one sleeve50into one of the damping elements10first and subsequently into the remaining damping element10takes place.

Alternatively, firstly, the only one sleeve50is arranged in an injection mold and one of the two damping elements10is produced by means of injection molding, i.e. the only one sleeve50is overmolded correspondingly. In this way, the only one sleeve50is arranged at the correct position in the damping element10, so that the separate arranging of the only one sleeve50in the damping element10is omitted. This facilitates the manufacturing method further. If the sleeve50is supposed to be produced of a thermoplastic, it can also be produced by means of injection molding. In this respect, the only one sleeve50may be produced in the same tool, so that the damping element10with the only one sleeve50may be producible in there in a 2K injection molding.

The second damping element10is also produced by means of injection molding, wherein there is no sleeve in the injection mold. In this case, an assembly may take place such that, the damping element10with the only one sleeve50preassembled therein may be at least partly arranged in the component opening until the bottom side of the head portion14rests upon the component upper side. Then, the remaining damping element10is plugged into the component opening from the other side of the first component A, causing the second damping element10also engaging with the only one sleeve50and the bottom side of the head portion14of the second damping element10abutting the opposite component upper side of the first component A.

In a further embodiment of the manufacturing method, the sleeve50may consist of a metal or a thermoplastic. The sleeve50may consist of an electrically conductive material, which may be of an electrically conductive thermoplastic with or without fiber reinforcement. By choosing the respective material, the damping arrangement1is adapted to the desired application field.

In a further embodiment of the manufacturing method, the providing of one of the two identically constructed damping elements10may take place by overmolding the only one sleeve50with a material of the damping element10with a shore A hardness between 40 and 80 shore A. By means of this approach, the only one sleeve50is overmolded when injection-molding the damping element10. In this context, the damping element10may be produced by means of vulcanization instead of injection molding. In this context, the only one sleeve150may include a plurality of breakthroughs152. In this way, the only one sleeve150may be arranged in a safe manner in one of the damping elements10, as is explained above.

Finally, and with respect toFIG.33, an embodiment of a connecting method of a first component A with a second component B is explained. Here, a first component A with damping arrangement1arranged in there is provided in a first step A1. In an alternative first step A2, a providing of a first component A and a damping arrangement1as well as an arranging of the damping arrangement1in an opening of the first component A takes place. In the subsequent second step B, a second component B with a second component opening is arranged in alignment with the first component opening. Finally, the connecting screw3is inserted in step C, so that the connecting screw3engages with a fastening portion7in or adjacent to the second component B.