U.S. patent application number 14/353213 was filed with the patent office on 2015-07-16 for method for producing a spindle drive for an adjusting element of a motor vehicle.
This patent application is currently assigned to BROSE SCHLIESSSYSTEME GMBH & CO. KG. The applicant listed for this patent is Brose Schliesssysteme GmbH & Co. KG. Invention is credited to Uwe Fischer, Robert Neundorf.
Application Number | 20150198200 14/353213 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47040624 |
Filed Date | 2015-07-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150198200 |
Kind Code |
A9 |
Fischer; Uwe ; et
al. |
July 16, 2015 |
METHOD FOR PRODUCING A SPINDLE DRIVE FOR AN ADJUSTING ELEMENT OF A
MOTOR VEHICLE
Abstract
A method for producing a spindle drive for an adjustable element
of a vehicle, wherein the spindle drive has a substantially tubular
spindle drive housing and two connections for diverting driving
movements, wherein at least one connection of the spindle drive has
a connection head which is connected to the spindle drive via a
connection neck which is thinner than the connection head. A
sealing cap for the spindle drive housing is provided with a
sealing opening, in order to install the sealing cap, the sealing
cap is pulled with the sealing opening thereof over the connection
head of a connection of the spindle drive, and the peripheral
region of the sealing opening is elastically deformed by the
engagement with the connection head and is therefore widened, and
that the peripheral region of the sealing opening is subsequently
deformed back elastically in frictionally sealing engagement with
the connection neck.
Inventors: |
Fischer; Uwe; (Sonneberg,
DE) ; Neundorf; Robert; (Ebersdorf, DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Brose Schliesssysteme GmbH & Co. KG |
Wuppertal |
|
DE |
|
|
Assignee: |
BROSE SCHLIESSSYSTEME GMBH &
CO. KG
Wuppertal
DE
|
Prior
Publication: |
|
Document Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20140270912 A1 |
September 18, 2014 |
|
|
Family ID: |
47040624 |
Appl. No.: |
14/353213 |
Filed: |
September 24, 2012 |
PCT Filed: |
September 24, 2012 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2012/003991 PCKC 00 |
371 Date: |
April 21, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
403/134;
277/300 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E05Y 2800/12 20130101;
E05Y 2201/11 20130101; F16J 15/3204 20130101; E05Y 2900/546
20130101; Y10T 403/32729 20150115; F16C 11/06 20130101; E05F 15/622
20150115; F16H 2025/2037 20130101; E05Y 2600/40 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F16C 11/06 20060101
F16C011/06; F16J 15/32 20060101 F16J015/32 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 21, 2011 |
DE |
10 2011 116 559.6 |
Claims
1. A method for producing a spindle drive for an adjustable element
of a motor vehicle, wherein the spindle drive has, along a
geometrical spindle drive axis, a substantially tubular spindle
drive housing and two connections for diverting driving movements,
wherein at least one connection of the spindle drive has a
connection head which is furthermore connected to the spindle drive
via a connection neck which is thinner than the connection head,
wherein a sealing cap for the spindle drive housing is provided
with a sealing opening, in that, in order to install the sealing
cap, in an installation step the sealing cap is pulled with the
sealing opening thereof over the connection head of a connection of
the spindle drive, and in that, in the process, the peripheral
region of the sealing opening is elastically deformed by the
engagement with the connection head and is therefore widened, and
in that the peripheral region of the sealing opening is
subsequently deformed back elastically in frictionally sealing
engagement with the connection neck.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sealing cap has a
cover-like section receiving the sealing opening and, subsequent
thereto, a sleeve-like section, and in that the sleeve section is
pulled or pushed in particular in a sealing manner over the tubular
spindle drive housing.
3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein an encircling web with
an axial height extent with respect to the spindle drive axis is
provided on the sealing cap around the sealing opening, said web
furthermore being brought during the installation step into
correspondingly axial, supporting and/or sealing engagement with
the spindle drive.
4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein, before the
installation step, the sealing cap is produced by 2-component
plastics injection molding.
5. A spindle drive for an adjustable element of a motor vehicle,
wherein the spindle drive has, along a geometrical spindle drive
axis, a substantially tubular spindle drive housing and two
connections for diverting driving movements, wherein at least one
connection of the spindle drive has a connection head which is
furthermore connected to the spindle drive via a connection neck
which is thinner than the connection head, wherein a sealing cap
for the spindle drive housing is provided with a sealing opening,
and in that the peripheral region of the sealing opening is in
frictionally sealing engagement with the connection neck.
6. The spindle drive as claimed in claim 5, wherein a spindle drive
motor and a spindle/spindle-nut mechanism connected downstream of
the spindle drive motor are arranged in the spindle drive
housing.
7. The spindle drive as claimed in claim 5, wherein the sealing
opening forms an expansion fit with the connection head and/or the
connection neck.
8. The spindle drive as claimed in claim 5, wherein the connection
head provides a component, in particular a ball socket, for a
ball/ball-socket mounting, which is furthermore coupled, in
particular coupled rotatably, to the spindle drive via the
connection neck.
9. The spindle drive as claimed in claim 5, wherein the sealing cap
has a cover-like section receiving the sealing opening and,
subsequent thereto, a sleeve-like section, and in that the sleeve
section is pulled or pushed over the tubular spindle drive
housing.
10. The spindle drive as claimed in claim 5, wherein an encircling
web with an axial height extent with respect to the spindle drive
axis is provided on the sealing cap around the sealing opening,
said web furthermore being supported in a correspondingly axial
manner on the spindle drive.
11. The spindle drive as claimed in claim 5, wherein the web is
furthermore supported in a sealing manner on the spindle drive.
12. The spindle drive as claimed in claim 5, wherein the sealing
cap is composed of a different material in the cover section than
in the sleeve section.
13. The spindle drive as claimed in claim 5, wherein the cover
section is connected to the sleeve section in an integrally bonded,
form-fitting or friction manner.
14. The spindle drive as claimed in claim 5, wherein the sealing
cap is composed of an elastic material, in particular of an
elastomer, at least in the region of the sealing opening.
15. The spindle drive as claimed in claim 5, wherein the material
of the sleeve section is harder and/or stiffer than the material of
the cover section.
16. The spindle drive as claimed in claim 7, wherein the sealing
opening is circular and, in the unfitted, undeformed state, has a
diameter which is at least 10% smaller, than the maximum diameter
of the connection head perpendicularly to the spindle drive
axis.
17. The spindle drive as claimed in claim 9, wherein the sleeve
section is pulled or pushed in particular in a sealing manner over
the tubular spindle drive housing.
18. The spindle drive as claimed in claim 11, wherein the
connection is mounted in a connection bearing, and in that the
associated bearing point is sealed off from the outside firstly by
the sealing peripheral region of the sealing opening and secondly
by the sealing web.
19. The spindle drive as claimed in claim 12, wherein the sealing
cap is produced by 2-component plastics injection molding.
20. The spindle drive as claimed in claim 14, wherein the sealing
cap is composed in its entirety of an elastic material, in
particular of an elastomer.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a national stage application under 35
U.S.C. 371 of International Patent Application Serial No.
PCT/EP2012/003991, entitled "Verfahren zur Herstellung eines
Spindelantriebs fur ein Verstellelement eines Kraftfahrzeugs,"
filed Sep. 24, 2012, which claims priority from German Patent
Application No. DE 20 2011 116 559.6, filed Oct. 21, 2011, the
disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a method for producing a
spindle drive for an adjustable element of a motor vehicle.
BACKGROUND
[0003] The spindle drive under discussion can be used for all
possible adjustable elements in a motor vehicle. Examples include a
tailgate, a rear cover, an engine hood, a side door, a loading
compartment flap, a sunroof or the like of a motor vehicle.
[0004] A known spindle drive (EP 1 862 628 A1) serves to adjust a
tailgate of a motor vehicle. The spindle drive is arranged in the
region of a rain channel assigned to the tailgate opening and has a
two-part spindle drive housing. During an adjustment of the spindle
drive, the two housing parts run telescopically one into the other.
The housing parts are correspondingly of tubular design.
[0005] The known spindle drive has two connections for diverting
driving movements, which connections are furthermore each connected
to the drive via a connection bearing. The connections each provide
a ball socket for a ball/ball-socket mounting. Accordingly the
connections have a connection head which receives the ball socket
and is mounted in the respective connection bearing via a
connection neck which is thinner than the connection head.
[0006] The connection regions of the known spindle drive regularly
constitute weak points in respect of the tightness of the drive
housing, in particular in respect of the ingress of dust and
moisture. This relates in particular to the bearing points there
for the connections. In this context, it is known to undertake
sealing measures, such as the retrospective insertion of butyl
cords or the like at the potential ingress points for dust or
moisture. Said measures are costly in respect of the sealing
material, time-consuming in respect of the installation process and
often inadequate in respect of the long-term sealing effect which
can be achieved.
[0007] The invention is based on the problem of specifying a method
for producing a drive for an adjustable element of a motor vehicle,
with which method the tightness of the drive housing can be
increased in a specific manner using simple structural means.
SUMMARY
[0008] The conceptual basis of the solution according to the
proposal is the use of a sealing cap for the spindle drive housing
with a sealing opening, the peripheral region of which, in the
fitted state, is in frictionally sealing engagement with the
connection neck of a connection of the spindle drive. In the
present case, the term "sealing" should always be understood to
mean in respect of avoiding the ingress of dust and moisture.
[0009] It has been identified according to the proposal that,
despite the configuration of the relevant connection with a
connection head and a connection neck which is thinner than the
connection head, the sealing cap can be installed particularly
simply and effectively in respect of the sealing.
[0010] In detail, it is proposed that, in order to install the
sealing cap, in an installation step the sealing cap is pulled with
the sealing opening thereof over the connection head of the
relevant connection of the spindle drive, that, in the process, the
peripheral region of the sealing opening is elastically deformed by
the engagement with the connection head and is therefore widened,
and that the peripheral region of the sealing opening is
subsequently deformed back elastically in frictionally sealing
engagement with the connection neck. It should be emphasized that,
within the context of the installation step, in addition to the
peripheral region any other regions of the sealing cap can also be
deformed.
[0011] The solution according to the proposal can be used in a
particularly simple production method with a sealing cap of
corresponding elastic configuration. In the simplest case, the
installation step according to the proposal is associated with a
single linear movement along the drive axis. The installation step
can then be readily carried out in an automated manner.
[0012] As a result of the fact that the peripheral region of the
sealing opening is automatically deformed back into the sealing
position thereof after being elastically widened, finishing work in
order to ensure adequate sealing is not required. The method
according to the proposal can therefore be carried out rapidly and
cost-effectively.
[0013] According to a further embodiment, a spindle drive with a
fitted sealing cap is included.
[0014] It is essential, according to this further teaching, that an
above-discussed sealing cap for the spindle drive housing is
provided with a sealing opening, wherein the peripheral region of
the sealing opening is in frictionally sealing engagement with the
connection neck.
[0015] According to the further teaching, it has been identified
that the connection neck itself can provide a sealing surface which
imposes particularly low demands on the seal, here the sealing cap.
According to the proposal, the equipping of the sealing cap with a
sealing opening is sufficient here, with it merely being necessary
to ensure a frictionally sealing contact of the peripheral region
of the sealing opening.
[0016] The above, frictionally sealing contact can be ensured in
that the sealing cap is composed of an elastic material, in
particular of an elastomer, at least in the region of the sealing
opening.
[0017] In an embodiment, the invention provides a method for
producing a spindle drive for an adjustable element of a motor
vehicle, wherein the spindle drive has, along a geometrical spindle
drive axis, a substantially tubular spindle drive housing and two
connections for diverting driving movements, wherein at least one
connection of the spindle drive has a connection head which is
furthermore connected to the spindle drive via a connection neck
which is thinner than the connection head, wherein a sealing cap
for the spindle drive housing is provided with a sealing opening,
in that, in order to install the sealing cap, in an installation
step the sealing cap is pulled with the sealing opening thereof
over the connection head of a connection of the spindle drive, and
in that, in the process, the peripheral region of the sealing
opening is elastically deformed by the engagement with the
connection head and is therefore widened, and in that the
peripheral region of the sealing opening is subsequently deformed
back elastically in frictionally sealing engagement with the
connection neck.
[0018] In an embodiment, the sealing cap has a cover-like section
receiving the sealing opening and, subsequent thereto, a
sleeve-like section, and in that the sleeve section is pulled or
pushed in particular in a sealing manner over the tubular spindle
drive housing.
[0019] In an embodiment, an encircling web with an axial height
extent with respect to the spindle drive axis is provided on the
sealing cap around the sealing opening, said web furthermore being
brought during the installation step into correspondingly axial,
supporting and/or sealing engagement with the spindle drive.
[0020] In an embodiment, before the installation step, the sealing
cap is produced by 2-component plastics injection molding.
[0021] In an embodiment, the spindle drive has, along a geometrical
spindle drive axis, a substantially tubular spindle drive housing
and two connections for diverting driving movements, wherein at
least one connection of the spindle drive has a connection head
which is furthermore connected to the spindle drive via a
connection neck which is thinner than the connection head, wherein
a sealing cap for the spindle drive housing is provided with a
sealing opening, and in that the peripheral region of the sealing
opening is in frictionally sealing engagement with the connection
neck.
[0022] In an embodiment, a spindle drive motor and a
spindle/spindle-nut mechanism connected downstream of the spindle
drive motor are arranged in the spindle drive housing.
[0023] In an embodiment, the sealing opening forms an expansion fit
with the connection head and/or the connection neck, in an
embodiment the sealing opening is circular and, in the unfitted,
undeformed state, has a diameter which is at least 10% smaller, or
at least 25% smaller, than the maximum diameter of the connection
head perpendicularly to the spindle drive axis.
[0024] In an embodiment, the connection head provides a component,
in particular a ball socket, for a ball/ball-socket mounting, which
is furthermore coupled, in particular coupled rotatably, to the
spindle drive via the connection neck.
[0025] In an embodiment, the sealing cap has a cover-like section
receiving the sealing opening and, subsequent thereto, a
sleeve-like section, and in that the sleeve section is pulled or
pushed over the tubular spindle drive housing, such as the sleeve
section is pulled or pushed in particular in a sealing manner over
the tubular spindle drive housing.
[0026] In an embodiment, an encircling web with an axial height
extent with respect to the spindle drive axis is provided on the
sealing cap around the sealing opening, said web furthermore being
supported in a correspondingly axial manner on the spindle
drive.
[0027] In an embodiment, the web is furthermore supported in a
sealing manner on the spindle drive, such as the connection is
mounted in a connection bearing, and in that the associated bearing
point is sealed off from the outside firstly by the sealing
peripheral region of the sealing opening and secondly by the
sealing web.
[0028] In an embodiment, the sealing cap is composed of a different
material in the cover section than in the sleeve section, and in an
embodiment the sealing cap is produced by 2-component plastics
injection molding.
[0029] In an embodiment, the cover section is connected to the
sleeve section in an integrally bonded, form-fitting or friction
manner.
[0030] In an embodiment, the sealing cap is composed of an elastic
material, in particular of an elastomer, at least in the region of
the sealing opening, and in some embodiments in that the sealing
cap is composed in its entirety of an elastic material, in
particular of an elastomer.
[0031] In an embodiment, the material of the sleeve section is
harder and/or stiffer than the material of the cover section.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0032] The invention is explained in more detail below with
reference to exemplary embodiments. In the drawing:
[0033] FIG. 1 shows, in a schematic side view, the rear region of a
motor vehicle with a spindle drive according to the proposal,
[0034] FIG. 2 shows, in a sectioned side view, the upper connection
region of the spindle drive according to FIG. 1 a) before the
installation of the sealing cap, b) during the installation of the
sealing cap and c) after the installation of the sealing cap,
and
[0035] FIG. 3 shows a) the sealing cap according to FIG. 2 and b) a
further sealing cap according to the proposal, in each case in a
perspective, partially sectioned view.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0036] The spindle drive illustrated in the drawing serves for the
motorized adjustment of an adjustable element 1, which is
configured as a tailgate, of a motor vehicle. However, the spindle
drive according to the proposal can be used for all possible
adjustable elements 1 of a motor vehicle. Examples which may be
mentioned here include a rear cover, an engine hood, a side door, a
loading compartment flap, a sunroof or the like of a motor
vehicle.
[0037] The spindle drive has a substantially tubular spindle drive
housing 3 along a geometrical spindle drive axis 2 and two
connections 4, 5 for diverting linear driving movements.
[0038] The spindle drive housing 3 is of two-part configuration and
is composed of an upper housing part 3a and a lower housing part
3b. The two housing parts 3a, 3b are of tubular configuration with
a substantially round cross section. The two housing parts 3a, 3b
run telescopically one into the other in a manner known per se
during adjustment of the spindle drive.
[0039] The two connections 4, 5 of the spindle drive are
respectively provided with a connection head 4a, 5a which is
furthermore connected to the spindle drive via a connection neck
4b, 5b which is thinner than the connection head 4a, 5a. In the
present case, the detail "thinner" should always be understood as
meaning with regard to the respective extent perpendicular to the
spindle drive axis 2. The connection neck 4b, 5b is aligned with
the drive axis 2.
[0040] The fact that the spindle drive always has a sealing cap 6
for the spindle drive housing 3, said sealing cap being provided
with a sealing opening 7, is essential. The peripheral region 7a of
the sealing opening 7 here is in frictionally sealing engagement
with the connection neck 4b. In principle, the two connections 4, 5
can each be assigned such a sealing cap 6. The proposal according
to the invention is explained below by way of the upper connection
4 in FIG. 1.
[0041] The linear driving movements which are diverted via the
connections 4, 5 are produced by a spindle drive motor (not
illustrated) and a spindle/spindle-nut mechanism (likewise not
illustrated) connected downstream of the spindle drive motor. With
regard to the basic construction of the spindle drive, reference
should be made to this extent to EP 1 862 628 A1 which belongs to
the applicant and the contents of which are hereby fully
incorporated in the subject matter of this application.
[0042] In the present case, the installation of the above sealing
cap 6 obtains very particular importance. The installation step for
installing the sealing cap 6 is illustrated in three sub-steps a),
b), c) in FIG. 2. First of all, the sealing cap 6 is positioned
over the associated connection 4. The sealing cap 6 is subsequently
drawn with the sealing opening 7 thereof over the connection head
4a of the connection 4 (FIG. 2b)). In the process, the peripheral
region 7a of the sealing opening 7 is elastically deformed by
engagement with the connection head 4a and is therefore widened,
which can readily be seen in the illustration according to FIG.
2b). Finally, the sealing cap 6 passes over the connection head 4a,
with the peripheral region 7a of the sealing opening 7 being
elastically deformed back in frictionally sealing engagement with
the connection neck 4b, i.e. in frictionally sealing contact with
the connection neck 4b. The state deformed back to this extent is
illustrated in FIG. 2c).
[0043] It can be gathered from the illustration according to FIG. 2
that the installation of the sealing cap 6 can proceed, in
particular, in an automated manner, with particularly little
outlay. This is in particular because the installation step can be
exclusively associated with a movement of the sealing cap 6 along
the spindle drive axis 2.
[0044] The design of the connection 4 and of the associated sealing
cap 6 obtains very particular importance to the solution according
to the invention. The sealing opening 7 can form an expansion fit
with the connection head 4a. In the present case, this means that
the connection head 4a can be guided through the sealing opening 7
only with an expansion of the peripheral region 7a of the sealing
opening 7. It is additionally provided that the sealing opening 7
also forms a corresponding expansion fit with the connection neck
4b, and therefore the frictional connection between the peripheral
region 7a of the sealing opening 7 and the connection neck 4b is
ensured.
[0045] In the configurations illustrated in FIG. 3, the sealing
opening 7 of the sealing cap 6 is of circular configuration. In
principle, any other geometries for the sealing opening 7 are
conceivable.
[0046] In the unfitted and undeformed state illustrated in FIG. 3,
the sealing opening 7 of the sealing cap 6 can have a diameter
which is at least 10% smaller, or at least 25% smaller than the
maximum diameter 8 of the connection head 4a perpendicular to the
spindle drive axis 2. In the present case, "maximum diameter 8 of
the connection head" means the maximum extent of the connection
head 4a perpendicular to the spindle drive axis 3.
[0047] Furthermore, provision can be made for the minimum diameter
9 of the connection neck 4b to be at least 10% smaller, in
particular at least 25% smaller, than the maximum diameter 8 of the
connection head 4a in each case perpendicular to the spindle drive
axis 2. Accordingly, "minimum diameter 9 of the connection neck"
means the minimum extent of the connection neck 4b perpendicular to
the spindle drive axis 2.
[0048] It can be gathered from the illustration according to FIG. 2
that the connection head 4a provides a component, a ball socket 10,
of a ball/ball-socket mounting, which is furthermore coupled, in
particular rotatably coupled, to the spindle drive via the
connection neck 4b. The ball/ball-socket mounting serves for the
coupling of the spindle drive in terms of drive to the adjustable
element 1, here to the tailgate 1, of the motor vehicle. In an
embodiment, the connection 4 consisting of the connection head 4a
and connection neck 4b is formed integrally, in particular from a
metal material.
[0049] The basic construction of the sealing cap 6 that is
illustrated in FIG. 3 is of interest. The sealing cap 6 can have a
cover-like section 11 which receives the sealing opening 7 and is
referred to below as "cover section". The cover section 11 is
adjoined by a sleeve-like section 12 which is referred to below as
"sleeve section". In the method according to the proposal, the
sleeve section 12 is drawn or pushed, in particular, in a sealing
manner over the tubular spindle drive housing 3, as can be gathered
from the illustration according to FIG. 2c). The extent to which
there is sealing here depends substantially on the design of the
spindle drive housing 3 and of the sleeve section 12 of the sealing
cap 6.
[0050] It can be gathered from the illustration according to FIG.
2b), in particular from the sectional illustration there along the
section line A-A, that the housing part 3a has a series of guide
grooves 13 which are in guiding engagement in a form-fitting manner
with corresponding formations (not illustrated) on the
corresponding housing part 3b.
[0051] In the embodiment of the sealing cap 6 illustrated in FIG.
3a), the sleeve section 12 is provided with inwardly projecting
webs 14 which, in the fitted state (FIG. 2c)), are in engagement in
a form-fitting manner with the guide grooves 13. With this
virtually ideal form-fitting connection between the housing part 3a
and the sleeve section 12, optimum sealing between the housing part
3a and the sleeve section 12 is ensured.
[0052] However, in some cases of use, an ideal sealing between the
housing part 3a and the sealing cap 6 is not desired at all. This
is the case, for example, if a certain lack of tightness for the
automatic drainage of liquid out from the spindle drive housing 3
is required. In such a case, provision can be made for the housing
according to FIG. 3b) to be pushed onto the housing part 3a not in
a form-fitting manner. A combination of the housing part 3a
illustrated in FIG. 2 with the sealing cap 6 illustrated in FIG.
3b) results in the guide grooves 13 being able to serve to a
certain extent as a drainage channel.
[0053] The illustration of the detail according to FIG. 2c) shows a
particularly interesting aspect of the solution according to the
proposal. Provision is made here for an encircling web 15 having an
axial height extent 16 with respect to the spindle drive axis 2 to
be provided around the sealing opening 7 on the inside of the
sealing cap 6, said web furthermore being brought during the
installation step into correspondingly axial, supporting and,
sealing engagement with the spindle drive. The web 15 here forms a
ring-like formation running around the sealing opening 7.
[0054] After the installation step, the web 15 is then furthermore
supported in a sealing manner on the spindle drive and thereby acts
in respect of the sealing effect thereof in series with the sealing
opening 7.
[0055] Furthermore, the above web 15 also has very particular
importance in conjunction with the coupling of the connection 4 to
the spindle drive. The connection 4 is namely mounted in a
connection bearing 17, wherein the associated bearing point 18 is
sealed off from the outside by the sealing peripheral region 7a of
the sealing opening 7 and by the sealing web 15. The web 15 here
acts on the connection bearing 17 substantially in the axial
direction with respect to the drive axis 2, while the peripheral
region 7a of the sealing opening 7 acts on the connection neck 4b
substantially in the radial direction with respect to the drive
axis 2. This can best be seen in the illustration according to FIG.
2c).
[0056] The sealing cap 6 can be configured in different materials.
In an embodiment, the sealing cap 6 in the cover section 11 always
consists of a different material than in the sleeve section 12,
wherein, in an embodiment, the sealing cap 6 is produced by
2-component plastics injection molding. In principle, multi-layered
materials, in particular sandwich materials, can also be used here
as the materials.
[0057] In principle, it is conceivable for the cover section 11 to
be connected to the sleeve section 12 in an integrally bonded,
form-fitting or frictional manner. In particular, adhesive bonds
are conceivable here.
[0058] The sealing cap 6 should be composed of an elastic material,
in particular of an elastomer, at least in the region of the
sealing opening 7. However, it is also conceivable for the sealing
cap 6 as a whole to be composed of an elastic material, in
particular of an elastomer. An example which may be mentioned here
is the elastomer PTS-Thermoflex-60 HH. The hardness (Shore A, ISO
868) can be between 50 and 65, in particular around 61.
[0059] In an embodiment, provision is finally made for the material
of the sleeve section 12 to be designed to be harder and/or stiffer
than the material of the cover section 11. This takes into account
the fact that, depending on the case of use, the sleeve section 12
may have less of a sealing function and more of a fastening
function.
* * * * *