TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a locking plate unit and a vehicle comprising such a locking plate unit. The invention more specifically relates to a locking plate unit configured to counter rotational torque applied on the unit during mounting. BACKGROUND

Locking plates of various types are commonly known for locking components of screw joints, such that they do not unintentionally loosen when being attached to a structure of some sort. Such locking plates are typically adapted to lock two screws/bolts or nuts arranged in parallel and are typically arranged between the screws/nuts while mounting the screws/nuts. With a plurality of components mounting/tightening of the screw/nut may be complicated. Many known locking plates are arranged under the screw head or the nut, such that it is clamped between the screw/nut and the structure when the screw/nut is tightened. This, however, will make the screw/nut protrude more from the structure to which it is attached, which could be a problem in narrow spaces. Document US720769 A shows such a locking plate for nuts, which is arranged and clamped underneath the nuts. Locking plates are also commonly known, which are arranged to counter rotational torque applied on the screw/nut during the fastening of the screw/nut. For example, when attaching a screw joint to a structure, a screw is typically passed through a hole in the structure from one direction and a nut is arranged on the screw from the other direction. When the nut is tightened on the screw the applied rotational torque must be countered by holding the screw head or the screw will start rotating. A locking plate countering the torque may thus be advantageous when arranging screw joints in narrow spaces where it is difficult to fit a tool to manually counter the torque. One problem that exists with locking plates irrespective of its purpose is that it is difficult to dismantle the locking plate and thereby difficult to dismount the screw/nut from the side where the locking plate is located. This restricts disassembly to be performed from only one direction. Document US3490508 A shows a nut or bolt retainer consisting of a removable locking plate with fork- shaped end portions. The locking plate is bendable and can thus be removed by applying a force under the plate and bending it upwards. Document DE1 143364 B discloses a locking plate consisting of an M-shaped sheet metal adapted to be used with a specific type of hexagonal screw or nut, wherein the locking plate is adapted to fit into a slot in the screw head/nut. The locking plate can be removed by bending the legs of the locking plate.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Despite known solutions in the field, there is still a need to develop a locking plate unit, which facilitates mounting and dismounting of standard screw joints from an arbitrary axial direction.

An object of the present invention is to achieve an advantageous locking plate unit, which facilitates the mounting of a screw joint to a structure, specifically in narrow spaces. Another object of the present invention is to achieve an advantageous locking plate unit, which facilitates the dismounting of a screw joint, specifically in narrow spaces.

The herein mentioned objects are achieved by a locking plate unit and a vehicle comprising such a locking plate unit according to the independent claims. According to an aspect of the present invention a locking plate unit adapted to be attached to a structure is provided. The locking plate unit comprising a locking plate; a first fastener and a second fastener, each fastener comprising a hexagonal portion, wherein the locking plate comprises a first end section; a second end section and a centre section between the two end sections, wherein the centre section of the locking plate is arranged between the hexagonal portions of the fasteners to counter a rotational torque applied on any of the fasteners to prevent rotation of the fasteners. The fasteners are adhered to the locking plate at a first adhesion point between the hexagonal portion of the first fastener and the first end section of the locking plate and at a second adhesion point between the hexagonal portion of the second fastener and the second end section of the locking plate.

The first fastener and the second fastener may be a screw, bolt or a nut and is suitably a part of a screw joint adapted to be attached to a structure. When the locking plate unit is attached to a structure, a second part of a screw joint is suitably engaged with each fastener of the locking plate unit and a rotational torque is thereby applied on the fasteners. By arranging the locking plate such that the centre section is positioned between the hexagonal portions of the two fasteners the centre section counters the rotational torque and the forces are absorbed by the centre section of the locking plate. This way, the need of manually countering the rotational torque is avoided and the mounting of the locking plate unit is facilitated. Also, since the locking plate and the fasteners are adhered to each other the locking plate unit is an integrated unit and thus only a single component needs to be handled. Mounting of the inventive locking plate unit is thus facilitated compared to known solutions where three different components must be handled at the same time.

The locking plate is suitably elongated and extends longitudinally between the two fasteners. The centre section is also suitably elongated and extends longitudinally between the two fasteners. The first fastener and the second fastener are suitably arranged in parallel with the centre section in between. When the fastener is a screw or bolt the hexagonal portion is suitably the screw head/bolt head. When the fastener is a nut the hexagonal portion is the nut itself. The locking plate is suitably arranged flush with a top surface of the fasteners. The locking plate is thus suitably arranged flush with the top surface of the hexagonal portion.

According to an aspect of the invention the fasteners are adhered to the locking plate by fusion. The fasteners are suitably adhered to the locking plate by welding. The fasteners are suitably adhered to the locking plate by seam welding. This way, the fasteners and the locking plate are firmly attached to each other and thereby constitute a single unit. Alternatively, the fasteners are adhered to the locking plate by an adhesive, such as glue.

According to an aspect of the invention the first end section comprises a first arm portion partly surrounding the circumference of the hexagonal portion of the first fastener and the second end section comprises a second arm portion partly surrounding the circumference of the hexagonal portion of the second fastener. The first arm portion suitably extends from one short side of the centre section and the second arm portion suitably extends from the other short side of the centre section. The first end section suitably consists of a first arm portion partly surrounding the circumference of the hexagonal portion of the first fastener and the second end section suitably consists of a second arm portion partly surrounding the circumference of the hexagonal portion of the second fastener. The first adhesion point is suitably positioned between the first arm portion and the hexagonal portion of the first fastener and the second adhesion point is positioned between the second arm portion and the hexagonal portion of the second fastener. The arm portions suitably extend from the centre section, such that they form an extension of a longitudinal side of the centre section. The arm portions are arranged symmetrically on either side of the centre section. The hexagonal portion of each fastener preferably has a first side, a second side adjoining the first side and a third side adjoining the second side, wherein the first sides are arranged adjacent, and in parallel with, opposing parallel sides of the centre section. The hexagonal portion of each fastener suitably has a first side, a second side adjoining the first side and a third side adjoining the second side, wherein the first side is arranged adjacent, and in parallel with, a short side of the centre section. The fasteners are thus arranged such that their first sides are arranged in parallel and are facing each other. Each short side of the centre section is thus arranged in engagement with a first side of the fastener. The first side may be defined as the inner side. The centre section abutting the first sides of the fasteners will thereby counter any rotational torque applied on the fasteners, such that they do not rotate. The second sides of the hexagonal portions are suitably directed obliquely towards each other. The third sides of the hexagonal portions are suitably directed away from each other.

The first arm portion and the second arm portion of the end sections suitably extend along the second side and at least a part of the third side of the respective hexagonal portion. Thus, the locking plate is arranged such that the centre section abuts the first side of the hexagonal portion and the respective arm portion abuts the second side and at least a part of the third side. This way, a small and compact locking plate unit is achieved. The first arm portion and the second arm portion of the end sections suitably extend along the second side of the respective hexagonal portion and at least half of the third side of the respective hexagonal portion. The arm portions may extend along the whole third side. The arm portions may extend along a fourth side adjoining the third side. The arm portions of the end sections are configured such that they correspond to the shape of the hexagonal portion of the fasteners, on the side arranged in engagement with the hexagonal portion. The arm portions together with the short sides of the centre section thus forms a half wrench-like configuration. The adhesion point between each fastener and the locking plate is suitably positioned at the third side of the hexagonal portion. Thus, the welds are suitably positioned at the third sides of the hexagonal portions. The adhesion point between each fastener and the locking plate is suitably positioned such that it is not affected by any forces caused by a tightening rotational torque applied on the fasteners. The adhesion point between each fastener and the locking plate is suitably positioned where the forces from the tightening torque is smallest. During tightening of the fasteners to the structure the hexagonal portions of the fasteners abuts the centre section and thereby closes any gap between the fasteners and the locking plate. This way, the centre section takes up the majority of the force caused by the tightening torque. The arm portions of the end sections have a smaller width than the centre section. The centre section is thus stiffer than the arm portions and is therefore less deformed compared to the arm portions. Due to the stiffness of the centre section the applied rotational torque causes greater tension in the centre section than in the arm portions. By adhering the fasteners to the locking plate at the third side of the hexagonal portions, tension in the respective adhesion is prevented and the adhesions thus remain intact even when a rotational torque is applied on the fasteners. By positioning the adhesion points such that they are not affected by a tightening torque a relatively weak adhesion can be used and still remain intact. With a weaker adhesion, the locking plate may be removed by manually applying a force on the locking plate. The adhesion between the fasteners and the locking plate is thus suitably configured such that it can hold the components together as a single unit but the adhesion does not have to be configured to withstand forces acting on the locking plate unit when attaching it to a structure. In order to remove the locking plate and thus to be able to dismount the fasteners one by one, the adhesion between the fasteners and the locking plate must break. This is suitably achieved by applying a force from underneath the locking plate. The adhesion between the fasteners and the locking plate is suitably broken by applying a force on the locking plate, directed in the axial direction of the fasteners. This way, the fasteners can be dismounted individually from the side on which the locking plate was arranged. Also, since the locking plate only has one arm portion partly surrounding the respective fastener at each end section, the locking plate can be more easily removed once the adhesion is broken. The locking plate may be removed by moving it perpendicularly to the direction of the rotational axis of the fasteners. That is, the locking plate may be removed by moving it laterally in relation to the fasteners. This facilitates the dismounting of the locking plate and thus the dismounting of the fasteners.

According to an aspect of the invention the weld at the respective adhesion point has an effective throat which is less than 3 millimetres. The weld at the respective adhesion point may have an effective throat of 2 millimetres. This way, the weld will be able to hold the components together as a single unit but will easily break when applying a force directed upwards from underneath the locking plate.

According to an aspect of the invention the locking plate comprises a recess extending from a longitudinal side of the centre section, the recess being adapted to face the structure to which the locking plate unit is adapted to be attached. The recess is thus arranged on an underside of the locking plate. This way, the adhesion between the fasteners and the locking plate may be broken by inserting a tool in the recess and applying a force directed upwards. The recess is suitably formed in the longitudinal side of the locking plate unit comprising the arm portions of the end sections. This way, the force applied will easily break the adhesion and the locking plate can easily be dismounted. The recess is suitably inclined such that it corresponds to the shape of a slotted screw driver head. This way, a screw driver may be used in order to dismount the locking plate.

According to an aspect of the invention the thickness of the locking plate is smaller than the thickness of the hexagonal portion of the fastener. This way, there will always be a gap between the locking plate and the structure to which the locking plate unit is attached. A tool can thereby be inserted underneath the locking plate in order to break the adhesion and to dismount the locking plate. The locking plate may be around 6 millimetres thick.

The centre section is elongated wherein the length of the centre section determines the distance between the fasteners. The length of the centre section, and thus the distance between the fasteners depend on the size of the fasteners. The larger the fasteners are the longer is the centre section. The width of the centre section also depends on the size of the fasteners. The larger the fasteners are the wider is the centre section. The centre section of the locking plate may have concave long sides and straight short ends. The centre section may thus be configured with a waist. The centre section may alternatively be essentially rectangular.

The fasteners and the locking plate may comprise steel. The fasteners and the locking plate may alternatively comprise plastics.

Further objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent to one skilled in the art from the following details, and also by putting the invention into practice. Whereas the invention is described below, it should be noted that it is not restricted to the specific details described. Specialists having access to the teachings herein will recognise further applications, modifications and incorporations within other fields, which are within the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For fuller understanding of the present invention and further objects and advantages of it, the detailed description set out below should be read together with the accompanying drawings, in which the same reference notations denote similar items in the various drawings, and in which: Figure 1 schematically illustrates a vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figures 2a-2b schematically illustrate a locking plate unit according to embodiments of the invention;

Figure 3 schematically illustrates a locking plate unit according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 4 schematically illustrates a locking plate of a locking plate unit according to embodiments of the invention; and

Figure 5 schematically illustrates a locking plate unit according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 schematically shows a side view of a vehicle 1 comprising a propulsion unit 2. The vehicle 1 comprises a chassis 1 0. The vehicle may further comprise at least one locking plate unit (not shown) mounted on a chassis structure. The vehicle 1 may be a heavy vehicle, e.g. a truck or a bus. The vehicle 1 may alternatively be a passenger car. The vehicle may be manually operated, remotely operated or autonomously operated.

Figure 2a schematically illustrates a locking plate unit 100 according to an embodiment of the invention. The locking plate unit 100 is adapted to be attached to a structure 12. The structure 12 may be part of a chassis 10 in a vehicle 1 as described in Figure 1 . This is further illustrated in Figure 3. The locking plate unit 1 00 comprises a locking plate 20; a first fastener 30' and a second fastener 30", each fastener 30', 30" comprising a hexagonal portion 32'. 32", wherein the locking plate 20 comprises a first end section 22'; a second end section 22" and a centre section 24 between the two end sections 22', 22", wherein the centre section 24 of the locking plate 20 is arranged between the hexagonal portions 32', 32" of the fasteners 30', 30" to counter a rotational torque applied on any of the fasteners 30', 30", such that the fasteners 30', 30" do not rotate. The fasteners 30', 30" are adhered to the locking plate 20 at a first adhesion point 50' between the hexagonal portion 32' of the first fastener 30' and the first end section 22' and at a second adhesion point 50" between the hexagonal portion 32" of the second fastener 30" and the second end section 22".

The first fastener 30' and the second fastener 30" may be a screw, bolt or a nut. The first fastener 30' and the second fastener 30" are suitably arranged in parallel with the centre section 24 of the locking plate 20 in between. When the fastener 30', 30" is a screw/bolt the hexagonal portion 32', 32" is suitably the screw head/bolt head. When the fastener 30', 30" is a nut the hexagonal portion 32', 32" is the nut itself. When the locking plate unit 100 is mounted on a structure 12, a second part of a screw joint is suitably engaged with each fastener 30', 30" of the locking plate unit 100 and a rotational torque is thereby applied on the fasteners 30', 30". By arranging the locking plate 20 such that the centre section 24 is positioned between the hexagonal portions 32', 32" of the two fasteners 30', 30" the centre section 24 counters the rotational torque and the forces are absorbed by the centre section 24 of the locking plate 20. Also, since the locking plate 20 and the fasteners 30', 30" are adhered to each other the locking plate unit 100 constitutes a single component which is easy to handle. This way, the fasteners 30', 30" are prevented from rotating and the mounting of the locking plate unit 100 is facilitated. The fasteners 30', 30" are suitably adhered to the locking plate 20 by welding. The fasteners 30', 30" are suitably adhered to the locking plate 20 by seam welding. This way, the fasteners 30', 30" and the locking plate 20 are firmly attached to each other and thereby constitute a single unit. Alternatively, the fasteners 30', 30" are adhered to the locking plate 20 by an adhesive, such as glue suitable for adhesion between metal parts or plastic parts. The locking plate 20 is elongated and extends longitudinally between the two fasteners 30', 30". The centre section 24 of the locking plate 20 is elongated wherein the length L of the centre section 24 determines the distance between the fasteners 30', 30"since the centre section 24 is arranged between the fasteners 30', 30". The length L of the centre section 24, and thus the distance between the fasteners 30', 30" depend on the size of the fasteners 30', 30". The larger the fasteners 30' 30" are the longer is the centre section 24. In this embodiment the centre section 24 has concave longitudinal sides. The centre section 24 is thus configured with a waist.

The first end section 22' suitably consists of a first arm portion 26' partly surrounding the circumference of the hexagonal portion 32' of the first fastener 30' and the second end section 22" suitably consists of a second arm portion 26" partly surrounding the circumference of the hexagonal portion 32" of the second fastener 30", wherein the first adhesion point 50' is positioned between the first arm portion 26' and the hexagonal portion 32' of the first fastener 30' and the second adhesion point 50" is positioned between the second arm portion 26" and the hexagonal portion 32" of the second fastener 30". The first arm portion 26' suitably extends from one short side of the centre section 24 and the second arm portion 26" suitably extends from the opposing short side of the centre section 24. The arm portions 26', 26" suitably extend symmetrically from the centre section 24, such that they form an extension of a longitudinal side of the centre section 24. A first longitudinal side 28 of the locking plate 24 thus comprises the length L of the centre section 24 and the length of the respective arm portion 26', 26", and the second longitudinal side 29 of the locking plate comprises only the length of the centre section 24. The first longitudinal side 28 is thereby longer than the second opposite longitudinal side 29. The hexagonal portion 32', 32" of each fastener 30', 30" preferably has a first side 34', 34", a second side 36', 36" adjoining the first side 34', 34" and a third side 38', 38" adjoining the second side 36', 36", wherein the first side 34', 34" is arranged adjacent, and in parallel with, a short side of the centre section 24 of the locking plate 20. The fasteners 30', 30" are thus arranged such that their first sides 34', 34" are arranged in parallel and are facing each other. Each short side of the centre section 24 is thus arranged in engagement with a first side 34', 34" of a fastener 30', 30". The short side of the centre section 24 which is arranged in engagement with the first side 34', 34" suitably has the same length as the first side 34', 34". Alternatively, the short side of the centre section 24 which is arranged in engagement with the first side 34', 34" is longer than the first side 34', 34". The first side 34', 34" may be defined as the inner side. The centre section 24 abutting the first sides 34', 34" of the hexagonal portions 32', 32" will thereby counter any rotational torque applied on the fasteners 30', 30", such that they do not rotate. The first arm portion 26' and the second arm portion 26" of the end sections 22'. 22" suitably extend along the second side 36', 36" and at least a part of the third side 38', 38" of the respective hexagonal portion 32', 32". In this embodiment the first arm portion 26' and the second arm portion 26" extend along the second side 34', 34" and substantially half of the third side 38', 38". Thus, the locking plate 20 is arranged such that the centre section 24 abuts the first side 34', 34" of the hexagonal portion 32', 32" and the respective arm portion 26', 26" abuts the second side 34', 34" and at least half of the third side 38', 38". The arm portions 26', 26" may extend along the whole third side 38', 38". The arm portions 26', 26" are formed such that they correspond to the shape of the hexagonal portion 32', 32" on the fasteners 30', 30". Thus, the short sides of the centre section 24 together with the respective arm portion 26', 26" forms a half wrench-like portion corresponding to the shape of the hexagonal portion 32', 32" of the fasteners 30', 30".

The adhesion point 50'. 50" between each fastener 30', 30" and the locking plate 20 is suitably positioned at the third side 38', 38" of the hexagonal portion 32', 32". Thus, the welds are positioned at the third sides 38', 38" of the hexagonal portions 32', 32". By adhering the fasteners 30', 30" to the locking plate 20 by welding at the third side 38', 38", the weld is positioned such that it is not affected by any rotational torque applied on the fasteners 30', 30". The centre section 24 is thus arranged to counter the torque and absorb the forces, whereby the weld remains intact. This way, the weld between the fasteners 30', 30" and the locking plate 20 can be relatively weak. The weld may have an effective throat which is less than 3 millimetres, preferably 2 millimetres. The weld is thus suitably configured such that it can hold the components together as a single unit 100 but does not have to be able to withstand forces acting on the unit 100 when attaching it to a structure 12. With a relatively weak weld between the fasteners 30', 30" and the locking plate 20, the locking plate 20 can be easily removed by breaking the weld. How the locking plate 20 is removed is described in relation to Figure 5.

The fasteners 30', 30" and the locking plate 20 are suitably made of steel. The fasteners 30', 30" and the locking plate 20 may alternatively comprise plastic.

Figure 2b schematically illustrates a locking plate unit 100 according to an embodiment of the invention. The locking plate unit 100 is configured like the locking plate unit 100 described in Figure 2a with the difference that the centre section 24 of the locking plate 20 is essentially rectangular. The centre section 24 does thus have straight longitudinal sides instead of concave longitudinal sides. The longitudinal sides 28, 29 of the locking plate unit 100 are thus essentially straight.

Figure 3 schematically illustrates a locking plate unit 100 according to an embodiment of the invention. The locking plate unit 1 00 is suitably configured as described in Figure 2a or 2b. The locking plate unit 100 is herein mounted on a structure 12. In this embodiment the fasteners 30', 30" are screws/bolts and the hexagonal portions 32', 32" are thus the screw heads. The screws/bolts 30', 30" may be of similar length or they may have different lengths. The locking plate unit 1 00 is suitably mounted by passing the screws/bolts 30', 30" through holes in the structure 12 from one side of the structure 12 and subsequently arranging nuts (not shown) on the screws/bolts 30', 30" on the other side of the structure 12. When the nuts are tightened the locking plate 20 will prevent the screws/bolts 30', 30" from rotating.

The locking plate 20 suitably comprises a recess 60 at a longitudinal side of the centre section 24. The recess 60 is suitably adapted to face the structure 12 to which the locking plate unit 100 is attached. The recess suitably extends from the first longitudinal side 28 of the locking plate unit 100. By forming a recess 60 in the locking plate 20 the weld between the screws/bolts 30', 30" and the locking plate 20 may be broken by inserting a tool in the recess and applying a force directed in the axial direction of the screws/bolts 30', 30". This way, the locking plate 20 can easily be dismounted. The recess 60 is suitably inclined such that it corresponds to the shape of a slotted screw driver head. This way, a screw driver may be used in order to dismount the locking plate. This is further illustrated in Figure 4 and Figure 5.

The locking plate 20 is suitably arranged flush with the top surface of the hexagonal portions 32', 32" of the screws/bolts 30', 30". The thickness of the locking plate 20 is suitably less than the thickness of the hexagonal portion 32', 32" of the screws/bolts 30', 30". This way, there will always be a gap between the locking plate 20 and the structure 12 to which the locking plate unit 100 is attached. A tool can thereby be inserted underneath the locking plate 20 in order to break the weld and to dismount the locking plate 20. The locking plate 20 may be around 6 millimetres thick. Figure 4 schematically illustrates a locking plate 20 of a locking plate unit 100 according to an embodiment of the invention. The locking plate 20 is suitably a part of a locking plate unit 100 as described in Figure 2a, 2b and 3. Herein the underside of the locking plate 20 is shown, i.e. the side adapted to face the structure 12 to which the locking plate unit 100 is to be attached. The recess 60 is herein inclined such that it corresponds to the shape of a slotted screw driver head. In this embodiment the recess 60 extends through the whole width of the centre section 24, from the first longitudinal side 28 of the locking plate unit 1 00 to the opposing longitudinal side 29. The recess 60 may alternatively extend from the first longitudinal side 28 of the locking plate unit 100 along a part of the width of the centre section 24. The width of the centre section 24 is defined as the distance from the first longitudinal side 28 of the locking plate unit 100 to the second longitudinal side 29 of the locking plate unit 100.

Figure 5 schematically illustrates a locking plate unit 100 according to an embodiment of the invention. The locking plate unit 1 00 is suitably configured as described in any of Figure 2a, 2b, 3 and 4. The locking plate unit 100 is here attached to a structure 12 and the figure shows how a tool 200 is used to apply a force from underneath the locking plate 20 to break the adhesion between the fasteners 30', 30" and the locking plate 20. By inserting a tool 200 in the recess 60 in the locking plate 20 a force is applied upwards, in the axial direction of the fasteners 30', 30", which will break the adhesion between the fasteners 30', 30" and the locking plate 20. Since the adhesion is positioned where it is not affected by forces caused by an applied rotational torque the adhesion can be configured such that it is strong enough to hold the fasteners 30', 30" and the locking plate 20 together as a single unit but also weak enough to be broken manually by applying a force in the axial direction of the fasteners 30', 30".

The foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention is provided for illustrative and descriptive purposes. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to restrict the invention to the variants described. Many modifications and variations will obviously be apparent to one skilled in the art. The embodiments have been chosen and described in order best to explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications and hence make it possible for specialists to understand the invention for various embodiments and with the various modifications appropriate to the intended use.