U.S. patent application number 11/790366 was filed with the patent office on 2007-11-01 for fastening component, in particular a spacer element.
This patent application is currently assigned to ElringKlinger AG. Invention is credited to Gerald Heiselbetz.
Application Number | 20070251061 11/790366 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38328410 |
Filed Date | 2007-11-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070251061 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Heiselbetz; Gerald |
November 1, 2007 |
Fastening component, in particular a spacer element
Abstract
A fastening component, a spacer element in particular, for
structural components such as heat shields (25, 37) with a
strip-like enclosing element (1) for application in certain
sections on a heating element (3) to be shielded, has on the
enclosing component (1) spring-loaded connecting components (21) by
means of which the enclosing element (1) may be fastened on the
heating element (3) so as to be stationary.
Inventors: |
Heiselbetz; Gerald;
(Langenzenn, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ROYLANCE, ABRAMS, BERDO & GOODMAN, L.L.P.
1300 19TH STREET, N.W., SUITE 600
WASHINGTON,
DC
20036
US
|
Assignee: |
ElringKlinger AG
|
Family ID: |
38328410 |
Appl. No.: |
11/790366 |
Filed: |
April 25, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
24/278 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F01N 2260/20 20130101;
F01N 13/18 20130101; F16L 59/12 20130101; Y10T 24/1439
20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
24/278 |
International
Class: |
A44B 1/04 20060101
A44B001/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 28, 2006 |
DE |
10 2006 019 852.2 |
Claims
1. A fastening component, in particular a spacer element, for
structural components such as heat shields (25, 37) having a
strip-like enclosing component (1) for application in certain
sections to a heating element (3) to be shielded and having
spring-loaded connecting points (21) provided by means of which the
enclosing component (1) may be fastened on the heating element (3)
so as to be stationary.
2. The fastening component according to claim 1, characterized in
that the enclosing component is in the form of a band clamp (1) the
length of which is dimensioned so that it surrounds the outer
circumference of the heating element (3) in part, by preference to
approximately one-half the enclosing length.
3. The fastening component according to claim 2, wherein the
connecting components are in the form of flat tensioning springs
(21) which extend away from the band clamp (1) as extensions of
such band clamp.
4. The fastening component according to claim 3, wherein the
tensioning springs are in a form (21) such that they are applied
under spring tension to the heating element (3) by way of a
tensioning area (23) on the heating element (3) enclosed and
wherein they are bent outward area away from the heating element
(3) between the tensioning area (23) and their free end (33).
5. The fastening component according to claim 4, wherein the band
clamp (1) is shaped in partial length areas so as to follow the
course of the outer circumference of the heating element (3) and in
other partial length areas is provided with bending sections (9,
11, 17) for extension at a distance from the heating element
(3).
6. The fastening component according to claim 5, wherein the band
clamp (1) has on both ends (5) an end bending section (17) spaced
on each end thereof a distance from the heating element (3).
7. The fastening component according to claim 6, wherein the
tensioning springs (21) extend from an area (19) spaced at a
distance from the heating element (3) of the end bending sections
(17) to the tensioning area (23) diagonally to the outer surface of
the heating element (3) enclosed.
8. The fastening component according to claim 2, wherein the band
clamp (1) has on both ends (5) an extension (7) extending from the
outer circumference of the enclosed heating element (3) to the
extension bent outward which forms fastening points for built-on
components such as heat shields (25).
9. The fastening component according to claim 8, wherein the
fastening points on the extensions (7) are provided, for formation
of a threaded joint, with a heat shield (25) having at least one
screw hole, preferably with a forced-in nut (29) mounted
thereon.
10. The fastening component according to claim 9, wherein there is
provided on the band clamp (1), in the area of bending sections (9,
11) between its ends (5), a bolting element (15) spaced a distance
from the enclosed heating element (3) for fastening of a second
heat shield (37).
11. The fastening component according to claim 10, wherein each of
the first and second heat shields (25, 37) forms at least in part
an encapsulation of approximately one-half the enclosing areas of
the heating element (3) diametrically opposite each other.
12. The fastening component according to claim 2, wherein the
strip-like band clamp (1) is formed to be integral with the
spring-loaded connecting springs (21), by preference a band clamp
of a stainless steel possessing elastic properties.
Description
[0001] The invention relates to a fastening component, in
particular a spacer element, for structural components such as heat
shields.
[0002] Structural components such as heat shields which form a
shielding system or part of a shielding system are widely employed
in motor vehicle technology in particular in order to protect
heat-sensitive structural elements such as sensors, fuel lines,
pressure sensors, etc. from thermal overloading. While the heat
developed by an economical performance-optimated diesel engine on
the cylinder or crankshaft housing may be low, such is by no means
the case with "hot zones" such as those in exhaust gas manifolds,
turbochargers, catalytic converters, etc., so that heat shields
must be present in the appropriate places. This applies especially
in the area of catalytic converters, which represent strong heat
sources because of their high temperature in individual phases.
[0003] Heat sources such as these often necessitate more or less
complete encapsulation, it being essential for the heat shields
forming the encapsulation to be fastened in a predetermined
position, the spacing desired between the heat shield and the hot
heating element being ensured at least in partial areas. It is
found difficult in many instances to meet this requirement. What
may be involved, for example, are installation situations in which
there are no fastening options for unambiguous positioning of heat
shields. Assembly itself of heat shields may also be difficult and
time consuming because sufficient free space is not available in a
particular engine compartment.
[0004] In connection with these problems the object of the
invention is to provide a fastening component permitting fastening
of the structural components in question in a clear-cut position a
distance from a heating element at low installation cost.
[0005] It is claimed for the invention that this object is obtained
by means of a fastening component according to patent claim 1 in
its entirety.
[0006] The invention accordingly provides that the fastening
component has a strip-shaped enclosing component which in turn may
be mounted on the heating element by means of spring-loaded
connecting components. The enclosing element may thus be "clipped"
onto the heating element by a simple and convenient method. This
may also be accomplished with low installation cost in the event of
confined spatial relationships. The clipped-on enclosing element
then forms the base, that is, the primary mounting positions, for
suitable heat shields, for example, for the purpose of effecting
encapsulation of a catalytic converter forming a heating
element.
[0007] By preference the enclosing component is in the form of a
band clamp the length of which is such that it encloses the outer
circumference of the heating element, such as the round body of a
catalytic converter, over approximately one-half of the enclosing
length. An enclosing component of this shape makes it convenient to
clip the component on from the side and ensures adequate fixation
on the heating element, in particular if, as claimed for the
invention, an advantageous exemplary embodiment, the connecting
components are in the form of leaf tension springs which extend
away from both ends of the band clamp as extensions of the
latter.
[0008] By preference the tensioning springs are shaped so that they
are in tensioning contact with the enclosed heating element by way
of one free end and so that they are bent outward away from the
heating element between the tensioning area and its free end. In
addition to their tensioning function proper, that is, fastening
the enclosing component, the tensioning springs may also form a
spacer element for a heat shield by their end area bent outward
and/or may be engaged with such a shield in such a way that an
anchorage is formed which is flexible or may permit a specified
relative movement of the heat shield.
[0009] In especially advantageous exemplary embodiments the band
clamp forming the enclosing element is shaped in partial length
areas following the trace of the outer circumference of the heating
element and in other partial length areas is provided with bending
sections for extension at a distance from the heating element.
Hence, suitable configuration of the bending sections results in
simplicity in production of spacer elements for heat shields in
contact with such elements.
[0010] By preference the band clamp has on both ends a bending
section spaced a distance from the heating element. The
configuration may be such that the tensioning springs extend from
an area of the bending sections spaced a distance from the heating
element areas diagonally to the outer surface of the heating
element. This makes available a spring path suitable for
compensating for thermal dimension changes.
[0011] In exemplary embodiments in which the band clamp has on both
ends an extension bending at an angle outward from the outer
circumference of the heating element enclosed, such extensions may
form fastening points for built-on components such as heat shields,
for example, by provision on the extensions of at least one
threaded opening, preferably with a nut mounted on it, for
formation of a screw coupling.
[0012] The configuration arrived at may be such that a screw
connection element spaced a distance from the heating element for
fastening a second heat shield is provided on the band clamp in the
area of the ends between the bending sections of the latter.
[0013] It is especially advantageous for the configuration arrived
at in an exemplary embodiment such as this to be such that the
first and the second heat shield form at least partial
encapsulation of approximately one half of the enclosing areas of
the heating element positioned diametrically opposite each other.
This results both in essentially complete encapsulation of the
heating element involved and in cohesion of the shielding system
formed in this manner, in that fastening of the heat shields
results both from closed linkage of the enclosing component by
means of the tensioning springs and from the circumstance that the
two heat shields connected to the enclosing component enclose
(encapsulate) the heating element on sides opposite each other.
[0014] The enclosing component may be produced simply and
cost-efficiently by forming the strip-shaped band clamp and the
tensioning springs serving as spring-loaded connecting components
in one piece, preferably of high-grade steel possessing elastic
properties.
[0015] The invention will be described in detail in what follows on
the basis of an exemplary embodiment illustrated in the drawing, in
which
[0016] FIG. 1 presents a perspective oblique view of an exemplary
embodiment of the fastening component claimed for the invention
mounted on a cylindrical catalytic converter housing, only a
partial length area is shown;
[0017] FIG. 2 an end view drawn on a larger scale than that in FIG.
1, of the open end of a catalytic converter housing, there being
connected to the fastening component a first and a second heat
shield which constitute encapsulation of the catalytic converter
housing;
[0018] FIG. 3 a diagonal perspective view much larger than that in
FIG. 2 showing only the area designated as III in FIG. 2, a screw
connection between the fist heat shield and the fastening component
being shown only in part;
[0019] FIG. 4 the partial length area shown in FIG. 1 of the
catalytic converter housing with heat shield mounted on it, its
screw connection to the fastening component not being shown,
and
[0020] FIG. 5 a presentation similar to that of FIG. 4, but of the
second side opposite that of the heat shield of FIG. 4, with the
heat shield connected to the fastening component.
[0021] The invention will be explained in what follows on the basis
of an exemplary embodiment in which the fastening component claimed
for the invention for positioning of structural elements is
provided in the form of a first and a second heat shield which
forms an encapsulation on the outer side of the catalytic
converter. The invention is, of course, suitable for positioning of
structural elements of other kinds.
[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates the fastening component in the form of a
band clamp 1 in the form of a sheet metal possessing elastic
properties, by preference of stainless steel. The band clamp 1 is
fastened to elastic parts (not shown in FIG. 1) described in detail
in what follows, with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, on the
cylindrical outer circumference of the catalytic converter 3. As is
to be seen in FIG. 2, the measured length of the band clamp 1 is
such that it extends over approximately one-half of the
circumference of the catalytic converter 3. Each of the two ends 5
of the band clamp 1 has a flat extension 7 projecting radially
outward in relation to the circular curvature of the band clamp
1.
[0023] As is shown in FIG. 2, and especially in FIG. 3, the band
clamp 1 does not have over its entire length a circular extension
following the external circumference of the catalytic converter 3
but rather has bending sections at which the band clamp 1 is spaced
a distance from the enclosed catalytic converter 3. Such is the
case of the area of length positioned in the center between the
ends 5, where there is formed by bending sections 9 and 11 (FIG. 2)
a level section of length 13 radially offset outward which forms a
spacer element and a support for a bolting element 15. In addition,
there is in front of each end 5 of the band clamp 1 a bending
section 17 displaced radially outward by the ends 5 of the band
clamp, so that a spacer element is formed, of which one, designated
19, is to be seen in FIG. 3.
[0024] At each end 5 of the band clamp 1 there extends from the
spacer element 19 a length of a flat tensioning spring 21 serving
as an extension of the band clamp 1. As is shown with particular
clarity in FIG. 3, the respective tensioning spring 21 extends
diagonally radially inward and adjoins a tensioning area 23 under
spring tension on the outer circumference of the catalytic
converter 3. If the band clamp 1 is clipped onto the catalytic
converter 3 from the side, that is, into the position shown in FIG.
1, the band clamp 1 is immobilized on the tensioning area 23 by the
force of tensioning springs 21.
[0025] As a further development of the mounting process for
encapsulation of the catalytic converter 3 a first heat shield 25,
which, as is to be seen in FIG. 4, is more or less in the form of a
half-shell, is connected to the band clamp 1 clipped onto the
catalytic converter 3. As has already been pointed out, the band
clamp 1 has on each of its ends 5 an extension 7 running outward at
a angle. These extensions form a mounting position for the first
heat shield 25, which, as is to be seen in FIG. 4, analogously to
the extensions 7 of the band clamp 1, has extensions 27 extending
at an angle laterally outward. These extensions 27, provided with
bolt holds, may be bolted onto the extensions 7 on the band clamp
1, specifically, by means of a bolting fixture which in each
instance has a forced in nut 29 and fixing bolt 31 (the latter has
been omitted from FIG. 3).
[0026] As is shown the most clearly in FIG. 3, the flat springs 21
are bent radially outward in an arc in their section extending to
the free end 33 and adjoining the tensioning area 23 and are
engaged by their outer end 33 in a recess 35 (shown only in FIG. 3)
in the first heat shield 25. The dimensions of the recess 35 are
such that a relative movement may be executed in the
circumferential direction in order to compensate for thermal
changes in dimension. As is to be seen in FIGS. 2 and 4, the heat
shield 25 is provided with local curvatures and shaped so that its
interior is spaced at least in some sections a distance from the
catalytic converter 3 enclosed.
[0027] In order to complete the encapsulation, there is presented
in FIG. 5 a diagonal elevational view of a second heat shield 37
which, like the first heat shield 25, forms a partial shell,
fastened to it by means of the locking element 15 on the band clamp
1 (the part of total bolting element operating in conjunction with
the bolting element for the second heat shield 37 is not shown in
the figures). As is illustrated by FIG. 2 in particular, not only
is the second heat shield 37 on the band clamp 1 immobilized by way
of the bolting element 15 but also spaced at a distance from the
catalytic converter 3 engaged by the spacer elements of the band
clamp 1, which arise from its bending sections 9, 11, and 17. The
band clamp 1 itself is fixed not only in position on the catalyst 3
both by the tensioning springs 21 but is secured from pulling away
from the catalytic converter 3 in that the first heat shield 25
encloses the area surrounding the catalyst 3 not enclosed by the
band clamp 1. The second heat shield 37, which is associated with
the area enclosing the catalytic converter 3 surrounded by the band
clamp 1, also is unequivocally fixed in position by the connection
with the bolting element 15 and is spaced relative to the catalytic
converter 3 as desired a distance from the surrounded catalytic
converter 3 by means of spacer elements (19 in FIG. 3 and section
13 in FIG. 2).
* * * * *