DE102014211796B4 - joining process - Google Patents

Abstract

Joining method for joining two overlapping components by means of melting thermoplastic, comprising:providing two components (20, 30; 20', 30'), each made of thermoplastic, as the two overlapping components;providing a metallic joining element (1; 1");Heating the joining element (1; 1") to a joining temperature which is at least a melting temperature of the thermoplastic of the two components (20, 30; 20', 30');Insertion of the joining element (1; 1 ") on the side of one of the components (30; 30'), so that the joining element (1; 1") moves this component (30; 30') in the direction of the other component (20; 20') lying against it by melting its thermoplastic material. completely penetrates and penetrates the other component (20; 20') by melting its thermoplastic with a predetermined penetration depth; and allowing the joining element (1; 1") and the components (20, 30; 20', 30') to cool down to a solidification temperature of the thermoplastic material of the components (20, 30; 20', 30'), the penetration depth of the joining element (1 ; 1") in a last one of the components in a penetration sequence is dimensioned such that the joining element (1; 1") does not penetrate it completely, characterized in that penetration of the joining element (1 ; 1") is mechanically impeded as soon as the joining element (1; 1") has penetrated the other component (20; 20') with the predetermined penetration depth, the mechanical impeding on the part of the part through which the joining element (1; 1") has completely penetrated a component (30; 30') is carried out by the mechanical hindrance being carried out by for a penetration depth specification section (Z; Z'') of the joining element (1; 1''), which shortly before reaching the predetermined penetration depth into the other Component (20; 20') on the side of the F tension element (1; 1") completely penetrated one component (30; 30') is still exposed, an increase in a penetration force is provided, the penetration force for the penetration depth specification section (Z) being increased in such a way that penetration of it into the area formed by the joining element (1) completely penetrated one component (30) is completely blocked, with a blocking element (62), which cannot be melted at the joining temperature, between the penetration depth specified section (Z) and that of the joining element (1) to block the penetration of the penetration depth specification section (Z). penetrated is arranged a component (30) or the increase in the penetration force for the penetration depth specification section (Z'') is realized by the joining element (1") being provided in such a way that the penetration depth specification section (Z'') when penetrating into the components (20, 30) increases the effective total contact area of the joining element (1") by leaps and bounds, with the penetration depth specification section (Z") at an angle of 90 degrees transverse to the joining direction.

Description

The invention relates to a joining method for joining two overlapping components by melting thermoplastic material.

Out of DE 10 2009 056 580 A1 a joining method for joining two overlapping components by melting thermoplastic material and a joining element for use in this joining method are known. According to the joining method described there, two fiber composite components each formed with thermoplastic material are provided as the two overlapping components and a pin-like metallic joining element. The joining element is heated to a joining temperature which is at least a melting temperature of the thermoplastic of the two components. The joining element, which is at the joining temperature, is introduced on the side of one of the components, so that the joining element completely penetrates this component by melting its thermoplastic material in the direction of the other component lying against it and by melting its thermoplastic material with a predetermined penetration depth penetrating the other component . More precisely, after it has been introduced into the components, the joining element can both end flush with their outer surfaces and also protrude beyond them. Finally, the joining element and the components are allowed to cool to a solidification temperature of the thermoplastic of the components.

Out of DE 20 2014 100 137 U1 a joining element in the form of an electrically conductive metal wire clip is known. The joining element has a joining section and a manipulation section. In a joining direction, the joining section has such a length dimension that, after heating to the joining temperature, it can penetrate with a predetermined penetration depth into two plastic components arranged in an abutting manner next to one another in order to connect them. The manipulation section serves to control the introduction of the joining element into the plastic components.

Out of DE 10 2010 053 958 A1 For example, a joining method for joining two overlapping components by melting thermoplastic material and a joining element for use in this joining method are known. In the joining method described there, a repair component (an additional body part) is attached to the body in order to repair a deformation point in a body part of a passenger car that is coated with a thermoplastic material, so that the repair component spans the deformation point and overlaps with the area of the body part adjacent to the deformation point. The body part and repair component are joined together in the area of the overlap by means of plastic welding with thermoplastic material as the joining element, with the thermoplastic material of the body part also being used for the assembly.

However, with this method, if, for example, one of the overlapping components has a paint finish, the heat input into the components to be joined during plastic welding would have to be viewed as an operating parameter that needs to be monitored intensively, since excessive heat input could have a negative effect on the paint surface. This risk of excessive heat input can thus impair the process reliability of the method and complicate the joining method due to the required parameter monitoring.

WO 2012/066522 A2 discloses a joining method for joining two overlapping components by melting thermoplastic material. A joining element is heated to a joining temperature and introduced into the components. In the joining area, the joining element has a step-shaped contour which is designed in such a way that a base penetrates through an upper component and partially penetrates into the second component. Stepped portions adjoining the base penetrate into the upper member.

The object of the invention is to provide a joining method for joining two overlapping components by melting thermoplastic material and a joining element for use in such a joining method, so that the components can be joined together in a simple and process-reliable manner.

This is achieved with a joining method according to claim 1. Advantageous developments of the joining method according to the invention are defined in the dependent claim.

The invention relates to a joining method for joining two overlapping components by melting thermoplastic material, the joining method having the following method steps: providing two components each made of thermoplastic material as the two overlapping components; providing a metallic joining element; Heating the joining element to a joining temperature that has at least one melting temperature of the thermoplastic material of the two components is; Introduction of the joining element at joining temperature on the side of one of the components, so that the joining element completely penetrates this component by melting its thermoplastic material in the direction of the other component lying thereon and by melting its thermoplastic material with a predetermined penetration depth penetrating the other component; and allowing the joining element and the components to cool down to a solidification temperature of the thermoplastic material of the components.

In the context of the invention, the wording “two components each consisting of thermoplastic material” should not be understood to mean that the two components consist exclusively of thermoplastic material. Rather, this wording is to be understood in such a way that the two components to be joined together are made of thermoplastic material in the areas that are provided for joining these components together.

Because according to the invention only the joining element is heated and its heat is only transferred to the components in the region of its contact with the latter, the risk of excessive heat input into the components is reduced or eliminated and the process reliability of the joining method is increased. Since the joining temperature only has to be set to a temperature at least equal to the melting temperature of the thermoplastic of the two components and the joining is realized by simply pressing a joining element that is at the joining temperature into the components by melting their plastic, the joining of the two components can be done in a simpler way , can be carried out more quickly and cheaply.

In this context, it should be mentioned that by pressing the joining element through one component and then pressing the joining element into the other component, melted plastic from one component is transported to the other component in a cross-linked manner, thereby increasing the bond strength of the connection achieved by the joining process between the two components is increased.

According to the invention, the joining method is not limited to the joining of two overlapping or sandwich-like components placed flat against one another, but more than two overlapping or sandwich-like components placed one against the other can also be joined using the inventive joining method. For example, in the case of three such overlapping components, the joining element would completely penetrate an external first component, penetrate into a central second component with such a predetermined penetration depth that the second component is also completely penetrated by the joining element, and into an external third component also penetrate with a predetermined penetration depth.

According to the invention, the penetration depth of the joining element into the last component in the penetration sequence is dimensioned such that the joining element does not completely penetrate this last component in the penetration sequence (e.g. a penetration depth of 50-70 percent of a thickness dimension of the last component).

The joining method according to the invention can be used in the production of new products having plastic components, such as motor vehicles, toys or the like, in the repair of such products and also when retrofitting such products. The joining method according to the invention can be used, for example, to fasten plastic components, such as holders for distance sensors of a driving assistance system or cable holders, in a bumper cover of a vehicle that may be painted on the outside.

The joining method according to the invention also has considerable advantages over other conventional joining methods such as gluing or ultrasonic welding. Gluing shows process uncertainties regarding curing time and surface treatment, e.g. in production and in the case of repairs. With the joining method according to the invention, no special surface treatment of the components to be joined is required and the solidification time of the plastic is so short that it cannot lead to process insecurity. Ultrasonic welding, in turn, requires relatively large and expensive equipment, which makes this joining process unsuitable for repairs. The joining method according to the invention only requires a metal joining element that is inexpensive to produce and a heat source for heating the joining element, such as an electrical energy source for energizing and thereby heating the joining element. This means that, for example, two plastic components that were originally ultrasonically welded during production can be reconnected to one another at low cost in the event of repairs.

Since plastic parts can be repaired easily and inexpensively with the joining method according to the invention, e.g. by applying a repair patch, these parts do not have to be completely replaced in the event of damage and the variety of spare parts in the spare parts system for plastic parts can thus be reduced.

According to the invention, further penetration of the joining element into the other component is mechanically impeded as soon as the joining element has penetrated the other component with the predetermined penetration depth.

The mechanical impeding of the joining element penetrating further into the other component advantageously simplifies the implementation of the predetermined penetration depth into the other component and further increases the process reliability of the joining method according to the invention.

The mechanical impeding is carried out on the side of the one component through which the joining element completely penetrates.

This advantageously avoids additional precautions, e.g. in the other component or between the components, and thus simplifies the provision of the mechanical hindrance or limitation of the penetration depth.

According to the invention, the mechanical impeding is carried out by providing an increase in a penetration force for a penetration depth specification section of the joining element which is still exposed shortly before reaching the predetermined penetration depth into the other component on the side of the one component completely penetrated by the joining element.

By increasing the penetration force for the penetration depth specification section, a tactile or sensory detectable parameter change is provided, which proves to be advantageous for increasing process reliability both in the case of manual and automated introduction of the joining element into the components.

According to the invention, the penetration force for the penetration depth specification section is increased by providing the joining element in such a way that the penetration depth specification section suddenly increases a total contact area of the joining element that is effective when penetrating into the components.

According to the invention, the total contact area is considered to be the entire cross-sectional area of the joining element, which is arranged first or frontally when it penetrates into the components and which must displace the melted plastic material of the components in the direction of penetration of the joining element.

Due to the abrupt (rather than gradual) increase in the total contact area, the penetration force also increases abruptly, so that an even more precise tactile or sensory detection of reaching the predetermined penetration depth and thus a further increase in process reliability is ensured.

According to the invention, the penetration force for the penetration depth specification section is increased in such a way that its penetration into the one component completely penetrated by the joining element is completely blocked.

By completely blocking penetration of the penetration depth specification section into one component, a tactile or sensory detection of reaching the predetermined penetration depth is made particularly easy and the process reliability for the joining method is thus increased.

According to the invention, in order to block the penetration of the penetration depth specification section, a blocking element that cannot be melted at the joining temperature is arranged between the penetration depth specification section and the one component completely penetrated by the joining element.

By arranging a blocking element that cannot be melted at the joining temperature between the penetration depth specification section and one component, the penetration of the penetration depth specification section into one component can be completely blocked in a simple and cost-effective manner.

According to one embodiment of the joining method according to the invention, an electrically conductive metal wire clip is used as the joining element, with two ends of the metal wire clip being connected to an electrical energy source in order to heat the metal wire clip to the joining temperature, so that the metal wire clip is electrically powered and thereby heated.

Metal wire clamps can be produced in large numbers in a simple manner, inexpensively and prefabricated, which keeps the costs for the joining element low. In addition, a metal wire clip can be easily connected to an electrical energy source via its two ends and also held and manipulated, which further simplifies the joining process and reduces the effort.

According to the invention, a joining element for use in a joining method according to one, several or all of the above-described embodiments of the invention is provided in every conceivable combination, the joining element having: a joining section which in a joining direction has such a length measurement that, after heating to the joining temperature, it can completely penetrate the one component in the direction of the other component lying thereon and can penetrate the other component to a predetermined penetration depth, and which has a first contact surface that is effective when penetrating the components; a penetration depth specification section, which defines a second contact area and which is designed in such a way that when the predetermined penetration depth of the joining section in the other component is reached, it comes into contact via the second contact area with the one component completely penetrated by the joining section; and a manipulation section for controlling insertion of the joining element into the components.

In order to avoid repetition, it is pointed out here that all definitions, effects and advantages mentioned above with reference to the joining method according to the invention also apply to the joining element according to the invention according to the second aspect of the invention. The total contact area mentioned above results from the sum of the contact areas in contact with the two components. It is therefore clear that when the second contact area comes into contact with one component, the effective total contact area is the sum of the first and second contact area and the total contact area is thus increased, which increases the penetration force required for the joining element to penetrate further into the components and so that the tactile or sensory detectable penetration depth limitation described above is realized.

The manipulation section provided for controlling the introduction of the joining element into the components serves in particular to hold and press in the joining element.

According to one embodiment of the joining element according to the invention, this is formed in one piece by an electrically conductive metal wire clip, which has two legs with respective free ends and a connecting web connecting the two legs, the two legs being part of the joining section and the manipulation section and the connecting web being part of the joining section and of the penetration depth specification section, the joining section and the manipulation section extending in a common first plane running in the joining direction, and the penetration depth specification section extending in a second plane running at an angle to the first plane and the joining direction.

The angular arrangement of the penetration depth specification section to the first level or to the joining direction allows the second contact area to be made relatively large, which increases the effective total contact area and thus the penetration force even more when the component comes into contact with the second contact area, whereby the tactile or sensory detection of the penetration depth limit is even more accurate.

Due to the relatively large second contact area, when the penetration depth specification section is pressed into one component to a certain extent, the adhesive bond between the joining element and a component can be increased and the bond strength can thus be increased overall.

The second plane runs at an angle of 90 degrees to the first plane. In other words, the penetration depth specification section is bent at an angle of 90 degrees transversely to the joining direction. The ninety-degree bevel of the penetration depth specification section provides a depth stop, so to speak, which means that when the second contact surface comes into contact with one component, the effective total contact surface and the penetration force are increased even more and the tactile or sensory detection of the penetration depth limit is even more precise . Also will the

Adhesive bond between the joining element and one component is increased even more, which further increases the overall bond strength.

According to this embodiment of the invention, the manipulation section can, in addition to holding and pressing, also serve to connect the metal wire clip to an electrical energy source and to heat it to the joining temperature by means of current flow. This enables the joining element to be heated quickly and easily to the joining temperature.

The metal wire clip is preferably made of stainless steel. This has the advantage of avoiding scaling, which increases the bond strength of the joint that can be produced with the joining element according to the invention.

The invention also expressly extends to those embodiments which are not given by combinations of features from explicit back references of the claims, with which the disclosed features of the invention - insofar as this is technically meaningful - can be combined with one another as desired.

• 1 zeigt eine Ansicht eines Fügeelements zur Verwendung in einem Fügeverfahren gemäß einer Ausführungsform der Erfindung.
• 2 zeigt eine Ansicht eines weiteren nicht erfindungsgemäßen Fügeelements.
• 3 zeigt zwei Ansichten noch eines Fügeelements zur Verwendung in einem Fügeverfahren gemäß einer Ausführungsform der Erfindung.
• 4 zeigt eine seitliche Schnittansicht zweier einander überlappender Bauteile, die mittels eines Fügeverfahrens gemäß einer Ausführungsform der Erfindung zusammengefügt sind.
• 5 zeigt eine in einer Fügerichtung gesehene Draufsicht auf die zusammengefügten Bauteile von 4.
• 6 zeigt eine in Fügerichtung gesehene Draufsicht zweier einander überlappender Bauteile, die mittels eines Fügeverfahrens gemäß einer weiteren Ausführungsform der Erfindung zusammengefügt sind.

The invention is described below using preferred embodiments and with reference be described in the attached figures.

• 1 shows a view of a joining element for use in a joining method according to an embodiment of the invention.
• 2 shows a view of a further joining element not according to the invention.
• 3 shows two views of another joining element for use in a joining method according to an embodiment of the invention.
• 4 shows a side sectional view of two overlapping components, which are joined together by means of a joining method according to an embodiment of the invention.
• 5 shows a top view of the assembled components of FIG 4 .
• 6 shows a plan view, seen in the joining direction, of two overlapping components which are joined together by means of a joining method according to a further embodiment of the invention.

The following are with reference to the 1 until 6 Embodiments of a joining method according to the invention for joining two overlapping components by means of melting thermoplastic material are described.

In the 1 until 3 different configurations of a joining element suitable for use in a joining method according to the invention are shown.

1 shows a joining element 1 which is formed in a one-piece design by an electrically conductive metal wire clip and which is preferably made of stainless steel. The joining element 1 has two mutually essentially parallel legs 2, 3 with respective free ends 2a and 3a, respectively, and a connecting web 4 connecting the two legs 2, 3. The connecting web 4 serves as part of a joining section X for introduction into components to be joined and the two legs 2, 3 serve as part of the joining section X and a manipulation section Y for controlling the introduction of the joining element 1 into the components 1 As can be seen, the metal wire structure of the joining element 1 has a shape similar to the capital letter "M" and extends as a flat structure in a single plane.

2 shows a joining element 1' not according to the invention, which is also formed in a one-piece design by an electrically conductive metal wire clip and which is preferably made of stainless steel. The joining element 1 'of 2 again has two mutually essentially parallel legs 2', 3' with respective free ends 2a' and 3a' and a connecting web 4' connecting the two legs 2', 3'. The connecting web 4' again serves as part of a joining section X' for introduction into components to be joined together and the two legs 2', 3' again serve as part of the joining section X' and a manipulation section Y' for controlling the introduction of the joining element 1' into the components. . How out 2 visible, has the metal wire structure of the joining element 1 'of 2 a gabled roof-like shape and extends as a flat structure in a single plane.

3 shows a perspective view (left view) and a side view (right view) of a joining element 1", which is the joining element 1 of 1 is similar but modified in its tie bar structure in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

The joining element 1'' from 3 is again formed in one piece from an electrically conductive metal wire clip and is preferably made of stainless steel. The joining element 1'' from 3 again has two mutually essentially parallel legs 2", 3" with respective free ends 2a" and 3a" and a connecting bridge 4" connecting the two legs 2", 3". The connecting web 4" is again used as part of a joining section X" for introduction into components to be joined, and the two legs 2", 3" are again used as part of the joining section X" and a manipulation section Y" for controlling the Components introduction of the joining element 1 ''. How out 3 visible, has the metal wire structure of the joining element 1 '' 3 has a shape similar to the capital letter "M" with an angled central area and extends in two planes running at an angle to one another.

How from the 1 and 3 As can be seen, the two joining elements 1 and 1" of these figures also have a penetration depth specification section Z or Z'', which is formed by the respective connecting web 4 or 4". In contrast to the joining element 1 of 1 extend in the joining element 1 '' from 3 the joining section X'' and the manipulation section Y'' in a common first plane E1 running in a joining direction FR, whereas the penetration depth specification section Z'' of the joining element 1'' of 3 extends in a second plane E2 running at an angle to the first plane E1 and the joining direction FR. In the present example, the second plane E2 runs at an angle of 90 degrees to the first plane E1, ie the penetration depth specification section Z'' of the joining element 1'' 3 is in one Angle of 90 degrees folded transversely to the joining direction FR.

Now, with additional reference to the 4 and 5 a joining method according to a first embodiment of the invention will be described.

The joining method is used to join two overlapping components 20, 30 by melting thermoplastic material from which the two components 20, 30 each consist. In the present simple example, the first component 20 forms a base body and the second component 30 to be attached thereto forms a reinforcement plate for the base body.

According to the example described here, the following method steps are carried out in order to join the two components 20, 30 together.

First of all, the two components 20, 30 are to be provided in an arrangement that overlaps one another or is laid flat against one another like a sandwich. Also, a like with regards to that 3 Described metallic joining element 1 "to provide. In the 4 and 5 shown example is the joining element 1 "according to 3 selected.

The joining element 1" is inserted with its manipulation section Y" into a manipulation device (not fully shown) 50, which has two corresponding receptacles 51, 52 for receiving the two legs of the manipulation section Y". Furthermore, the manipulation device 50 has a DC battery-designed electric energy source 55, the plus and minus poles of which are connected to one leg of the manipulation section Y'' via the receptacles of the manipulation device 50. A switch 56 for closing and interrupting the circuit is also provided in the manipulation device 50.

After receiving it in the manipulation device 50, the joining element 1" is traversed by electrical direct current by means of the switch 56 closing the circuit and is thereby heated to a joining temperature which is at least a melting point of the thermoplastic material of the two components 20, 30. In this context, It should be mentioned that if the two components 20, 30 are made of different thermoplastics and have different melting temperatures, the joining temperature is of course at least the higher melting temperature in each case.

After the joining temperature has been reached, the joining element 1" that is at the joining temperature is introduced on the side of the second component 30 (reinforcing plate), so that the joining element 1" moves the second component 30 in the direction of the first component 20 (base body) lying against it by melting its thermoplastic material penetrates completely and penetrates the first component 20 by melting its thermoplastic with a predetermined penetration depth.

In this context, it should be mentioned with regard to the structural design of the joining element 1" that its joining section X" has such a length dimension in the joining direction FR that the joining section X" after heating to the joining temperature moves the second component 30 in the direction of the first Component 20 can completely penetrate through and penetrate into the first component 20 with the predetermined penetration depth.

As in 4 shown, by pressing the joining element 1" through the second component 30 and then pressing the joining element 1" into the first component 20, melted plastic of the second component 30 is transported in a crosslinking manner into the first component 20, as a result of which two crosslinking zones VN1, VN2 are formed are, which increase the bond strength of the connection between the two components 20, 30 achieved by the joining method.

After the predetermined penetration depth has been reached, the circuit is interrupted by the switch 56, so that the joining element 1" and the two components 20, 30 can cool down to a solidification temperature of the thermoplastic of the components 20, 30, i.e. below the respective melting point.

The manipulation device 50 is then separated from the joining element 1" and the end sections of the legs of the joining element 1" protruding from the second component 30 (from its exposed surface side) can be separated flush.

Will as per the 4 and 5 the joining element 1" after 3 selected, the joining method according to the invention can have the additional steps described below.

Since the joining element 1 'after 3 the penetration depth specification section Z'', which is preferably angled by 90 degrees, after the penetration depth specification section Z'' has come into contact with the exposed surface side of the second component 30, i.e. as soon as the joining element 1'' has penetrated the first component 20 with the predetermined penetration depth gene, further penetration of the joining element 1" into the first component 20 is mechanically prevented on the part of the second component 30, through which the joining element 1" has completely penetrated.

More precisely, the joining section X'' when penetrating into the components 20, 30 has an effective first contact area, which as long as the penetration depth specification section Z'' has not yet come to rest on the exposed surface side of the second component 30, a total contact area of the joining element 1 '' forms. The total contact area here is the entire cross-sectional area of the joining element 1'', which is arranged first or on the front when it penetrates into the components 20, 30 and which the melted plastic material of the components 20, 30 in the direction of penetration of the joining element 1" (i.e. in the joining direction FR) has to displace. As the size of the total contact area increases, a penetration force for introducing the joining element 1" into the components 20, 30 also increases.

The penetration depth specification section Z'', which is preferably angled by 90 degrees, in turn defines a second contact surface which, when the predetermined penetration depth of the joining section X'' in the first component 20 has been reached, comes into contact with the exposed surface side of the second component 30 and becomes effective with this contact .

When the second contact area of the penetration depth specification section Z'' comes into contact with the second component 30, the effective total contact area now results as the sum of the first and second contact area, whereby the total contact area and thus also the further penetration into the components 20, 30 of the joining element 1" required penetration force increased.

Thus, according to this embodiment of the joining method according to the invention, the mechanical impeding is carried out in that for the penetration depth specification section Z'' of the joining element 1", which shortly before reaching the predetermined penetration depth into the first component 20 on the side of the second component through which the joining element 1" has completely penetrated 30 is still exposed, an increase in the penetration force is provided. In particular, by angling the penetration depth specification section Z'' by ninety degrees, the penetration force for the penetration depth specification section Z'' is increased in such a way that the penetration depth specification section Z'' covers the total contact area of the joining element 1" that is effective when penetrating into the components 20, 30. and thus also the penetration force increases by leaps and bounds.

Now referring to the 1 and 6 a joining method according to a second embodiment of the invention will be described. Apart from the additional steps described above, the joining method according to the second embodiment of the invention is essentially identical to the joining method according to the first embodiment of the invention. Therefore, essentially only the additional steps of the joining method according to the second embodiment of the invention will be described below.

The joining method according to the second embodiment of the invention is also used to join two overlapping components 20', 30' by melting thermoplastic material from which the two components 20', 30' each consist. In the present simple example, the first component 20' forms a bumper cover of a vehicle and the second component 30' to be attached thereto forms a holder for a distance sensor of a driving support system (Park Distance Control - parking aid).

Will as per 6 the joining element 1 after 1 selected (in 6 are six identical joining elements 1 after 1 shown or introduced into the components 20', 30'), the additional steps described below can be carried out according to the joining method according to the second embodiment of the invention.

Since the joining element 1 after 1 has the penetration depth specification section Z, further penetration of the joining element 1 into the first component 20' can also be mechanically prevented in the joining method according to the second embodiment of the invention on the part of the second component 30', through which the joining element 1 has completely penetrated, by for the penetration depths -Default section Z of the joining element 1 from 1 , which is still exposed shortly before the predetermined penetration depth into the first component 20' on the side of the second component 30', through which the joining element 1 has completely penetrated, an increase in the penetration force is provided.

For this purpose, a blocking element that cannot be melted at the joining temperature is arranged between the penetration depth specification section Z and the second component 30′. In the present example, the blocking element is designed as a round metal shaft 62 on a handle 61 of a mandrel 60 and is inserted in an insertion direction ER, which runs transversely to the joining direction FR, between the penetration depth specification section Z and the second component 30' (i.e. in a the exposed surface side of the second component 30 ′ protruding from the penetration depth specification section Z formed eyelet) pushed in.

Therefore, when the penetration depth specification section Z (the eyelet) rests against the round shaft 62, the penetration force for the penetration depth specification section Z is abruptly increased so that its penetration into the second component 30' is completely blocked. After the plastic of the components 20', 30' has solidified, the round shank 62 can again be pulled out of the eyelet formed by the penetration depth specification section Z, counter to the insertion direction ER.

In conclusion, with the joining methods and joining elements according to the invention described above, the first and second components 20, 30; 20', 30' can be realized in a simple and reliable manner.

reference list

1; 1'; 1"

joining element

2; 2'; 2"

leg

2a; 2a'; 2a''

free end

3; 3'; 3"

leg

3a; 3a'; 3a''

free end

4; 4'; 4"

connecting bar

20; 20'

first component

30; 30'

second component

50

manipulation device

51, 52

recording

55

electric power source

56

Switch

60

mandrel

61

Handle

62

round shaft

X; X'; x''

joining section

Y; Y'; Y''

manipulation section

Z; Z''

Penetration Default Section

E1

first floor

E2

second level

FR

joining direction

VN1, VN2

meshing zone

HE

insertion direction

Claims (2)

Joining method for joining together two overlapping components by melting thermoplastic material, comprising: providing two components (20, 30; 20', 30'), each made of thermoplastic material, as the two overlapping components; providing a metallic joining element (1; 1"); heating the joining element (1; 1") to a joining temperature which is at least a melting temperature of the thermoplastic of the two components (20, 30; 20', 30'); Introduction of the joining element (1; 1"), which is at the joining temperature, on the side of one of the components (30; 30'), so that the joining element (1; 1") can move this component (30; 30') in the direction of the completely penetrates the other component (20; 20') lying thereon and penetrates the other component (20; 20') by melting its thermoplastic with a predetermined penetration depth; and allowing the joining element (1; 1") and the components (20, 30; 20', 30') to cool down to a solidification temperature of the thermoplastic material of the components (20, 30; 20', 30'), the penetration depth of the joining element ( 1; 1") in a last one of the components in a penetration sequence is dimensioned such that the joining element (1; 1") does not penetrate it completely, characterized in that the joining element penetrates further into the other component (20; 20'). (1; 1") is mechanically impeded as soon as the joining element (1; 1") has penetrated the other component (20; 20') with the predetermined penetration depth, the mechanical impeding on the part of the joint element (1; 1") completely penetrated one component (30; 30') is carried out by the mechanical hindrance being carried out by for a penetration depth specification section (Z; Z'') of the joining element (1; 1"), which shortly before reaching the predetermined penetration depth in the other component (20; 20 ') on the part of the joining element (1; 1") is still exposed in one component (30; 30') that has been completely penetrated, an increase in the penetration force is provided, the penetration force for the penetration depth specification section (Z) being increased in such a way that penetration of this into the area formed by the joining element (1) completely penetrated one component (30) is completely blocked, with a blocking element (62), which cannot be melted at the joining temperature, between the penetration depth specified section (Z) and that of the joining element (1) to block the penetration of the penetration depth specification section (Z). penetrated a component (30) is arranged or increasing the penetration force for the penetration depth specification section (Z '') is realized by the joining element (1 '' is provided so that the Penetration depth specification section (Z'') suddenly increases a total contact area of the joining element (1") effective when penetrating into the components (20, 30), the penetration depth specification section (Z'') bending at an angle of 90 degrees transversely to the joining direction is. Joining method according to claim 1 , wherein an electrically conductive metal wire clip is used as the joining element (1; 1"), and wherein two ends of the metal wire clip are connected to an electrical energy source (55) to heat the metal wire clip to the joining temperature, so that electric current flows through the metal wire clip and is thereby heated becomes.

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