DE102015108621A1 - Device and method for attaching a joining element to a component section - Google Patents

Abstract

It is proposed a device for attaching a joining element (6) to a component section, wherein the device comprises a punch (10), and a joining element (6) via a feed line in front of a punch face of the punch (10) can be submitted, wherein a presented joining element (6) can be taken with a forward movement of the punch (10) and moved in a guide line of a hold of the device. According to the invention, the holding means are movable at least over a partial distance together with the punch (10) relative to the hold-down device in the direction of movement of the punch (10) and the holding means have contact members (29, 30) provided on an elastically deformable bending section (21, 22) are, so that the joining element (6) is frictionally clamped by the bending force.

Description

State of the art

Devices such as tool heads or complete tools for attaching a joining element or a functional element to a component section are known. Joining elements are, for example, all types of rivet elements such as solid rivets, semi-punched rivets or clinch rivet with or without functional section on the joining element, which is present and usable on the component section by the attached joining element.

With the devices or tools joining elements are pressed into metallic components such as steel sheets and / or non-metallic materials, partly under deformation of the joining element. A variety of applications can be found, for example, in the automotive industry.

Purpose and advantages of the invention

The object of the present invention is to improve devices or tools mentioned in the introduction in terms of high reliability even at high cycle data. In particular, disturbances in the processing of joining elements, which are due to unfavorable geometric relationships of the joining elements and the tool parts involved, are excluded. Particular attention is paid to the processing of clinch rivets, the processing of which has hitherto been difficult or requires complex measures.

This object is solved by the independent claims.

In the dependent claims advantageous variants of the invention are shown.

Hereinafter, the term joining element is used as a collective term for joining elements and / or functional elements.

The invention is based on a device for attaching a joining element to a component section, the device comprising a punch which can be moved forward and back again linearly from a retracted position, a joining element being able to be introduced via a feed line in front of a punch end side of the returned stamp. wherein a presented joining element can be entrained in a forward movement of the punch and displaced in a guide line of a blank holder of the device, wherein retaining means are provided for holding a pre-punch side presented and forward movable joining element, and the holding means are adapted to release the held joining element when the punch moves for an attaching operation. The device relates in particular to a tool head or setting head of a riveting or clinching tool or a corresponding rivet or clinching tool which also comprises further elements such as, in particular, a die unit, a C-frame and, for example, a drive unit for moving the punch.

The hold-down device serves in particular for the upper-side pressing action on an upper side of the component section, around a region in which the joining element is pressed in from above with the punch. On the underside, the component section is supported on a support of a matrix unit, so that the component or the component section can be clamped during the joining process between the hold-down device and the support.

A first fundamental aspect of the invention is that the holding means are movable at least over a partial distance together with the punch relative to the hold-down in the direction of movement of the punch and the holding means have separate contact members, which are provided on an elastically deformable bending portion, so that the joining element is frictionally clamped by the bending force. Preferably, the deformable bending portions are present such that due to the elastic shape variability of the bending portion by a regularly predefined force acting on the holding means, so that they bend, a bending force-dependent clamping action of the contact elements on the joining element can be set and canceled again. Thus, a compact and easy to implement arrangement is created, which works reliably in the automated process at high clock rates. Furthermore, the device can advantageously be flexibly adapted to predetermined environmental conditions on the tool or to other tool elements of known tools. In particular, it is advantageous that a joining element can be clamped continuously from the original position in front of the end face of the stamp being moved back to the beginning of the attachment to the component section with the holding means. In particular, it is advantageous that the joining element can be clamped in front of and in contact with or in contact with the punch end side.

Due to the defined position in the charged state of the joining element under the stamp, a further advantage of the invention is that it is easily possible to interrogate the presence of the charged joining element, for example with a sensor device, for example with a light barrier arrangement.

The joining element can advantageously be pressed thereby at least approximately in an upper plane of the component section, so that the attached joining element is flush with its upper side with the upper side of the component section or slightly offset to the latter.

Advantageously, the punch face in its outer dimension, for example, in its diameter be greater than an outer dimension or an outer diameter of the joining element in the unprocessed state or in the initial state before a possible deformation, which z. B. in clinching is the case. The size of the punch face is for example tuned so that the clinch rivet is compressed or widened so that the top of the Clinchniets at the end of its deformation by the punch force corresponds approximately to the outer dimension of the punch face.

The, for example, separate contact members are formed in particular at the front free end portion of the holding means. Each contact element is assigned a preferably elongated bending section extending in the longitudinal direction of the punch or in the direction of movement of the punch, which, for example, runs on a web-like outside parallel to the length of the punch. The contact elements are present in particular at the free front ends of the bending sections. The bending portions may extend over a substantial length of the punch circumferentially of the punch at least over a substantial length separated from each other. It is not excluded that in a region remote from the contact members in the length region of the bending sections, these are interconnected. The holding means are preferably provided as a separate component. The holding means comprise, for example, exactly two elongated narrow bending arms, each with a front contact body.

The regularly predefined occurring force which causes the shape of the bending portion, in particular when presenting the joining element in front of the stamp in particular by a force of a movable slide for the lateral feeding of a joining element by the function of the device specified. The pushed joining element acts even on the contact elements and urges them apart against a respective elastic force of the associated bending section.

Before the introduction of the joining element into the component section, the clamping state of the joining element with the holding means is canceled by a predefined force which is provided by the stamp, which interacts with the holding means in a coordinated manner. For this purpose, the punch can press on the retaining means on the inside and bend it further apart, with the contact members moving away from and away from the joining element, so that the joining element comes free of the retaining means or their clamping contact.

Due to the elastic shape variability of the bending section, an evasive movement of the holding means with the contact members to the outside against an elastic restoring force of the bending sections is possible. A return movement of the outwardly bent contact members when the joining element is mounted in the component section, therefore, advantageously takes place automatically inwards. The holding means then assume, for example, a ground state. The distance between the contact members in the ground state is usually slightly less than a relevant external dimension of the joining element, which should hold the contact elements. If then the joining element is inserted with the slider between the contact members, the contact elements soft against the outside of the joining element elastic slightly outward. The joining element remains clamped with the first contact by the contact members until the joining element assumes an end clamping position between the contact members and the slider retracts. For this purpose, it must be ensured that a sufficiently large space for the evasive movement to the outside is available for the holding means or the bending sections with the contact members. Advantageously, a maximum possible deflection path of the holding means or the bending sections can be limited to the outside by a mechanical stop.

For the establishment of the clamping action as described, the contact elements must be forced apart, which by another element such. B. a slide takes place. Preferably, the slider does not act directly in contact with the contact members, but the pushed forward by the slider joining element urges them in contact aside.

Advantageously, the holding contact of the contact members with the joining element is exclusively frictionally engaged. A positive connection between the contact members and the clamped held joining element is not necessary. The contact members are then adjusted so that a blocking in the direction of movement of the punch positive connection does not exist. A pulling away of the clamped between the contact members joining element in the forward movement direction of the punch would therefore be possible. This is advantageous for the subsequent detachment of the joining element from the holding means.

In addition, the contact elements and / or the joining elements are advantageously almost arbitrarily or simply formed, which concerns their sides in clamping contact, in particular without contours with paragraphs or sloping flanks. The contact elements are advantageously tuned such designed that the contact elements in the point, line or preferably in the surface contact with counter sections outside the joining element in the holding clamp contact are bringable bar.

In a simple case, a clinch rivet may have a lateral surface in a cylindrical shape. A contact member thereby comes with its contact surface to the shell shape tangentially adjacent clamping in frictional engagement or in Haftreibschluss in plant. This is also a joining element with a contour-free outside securely clamped festhaltbar of the contact organs. Preferably, at least one contact surface of a contact member, possibly of both contact members, the joining element outer shape in the area in which the respective contact surface of the contact member comes to rest on the joining element. Thus, in the case of an externally, for example, cylindrical or otherwise bent joining element, an advantageous clamping effect in the final delivery position in front of the punch face can be established by a flat frictional or adhesive friction contact. In the case of an externally cylindrical joining element, in clamping-holding contact with the contact elements, two opposite partial circumferences on the joining element can be in surface contact with circularly curved contact surfaces of the opposing contact elements. Umumfang between the contact members of the circumference on the joining element is free of contact with the holding means or the contact members.

With the invention, an extension of the application limits for joining elements is created, in particular for joining elements, which are smaller in diameter than the punch or setting pin and rotate within a feed channel itself or would make inadmissible inclined.

Especially with clinch rivets, but also with semi-hollow punch rivets or solid punch rivets, the range of applications is increased, in particular extended over previous applications on thinner sheets or sheet metal layers, which brings economic advantages, for example in the automotive industry. This can be achieved advantageously lower vehicle weights through thinner sheets.

According to a further basic aspect of the invention, the holding means are designed so that the holding means engage in the area in front of the punch face to hold the joining element with an elastic pressing force acting on a side face of the joining element, the punch acting on the joining element in such a way is agreed that the side surface of the presented before the punch face joining element is offset to an edge of a projected punch face inward. This is particularly advantageous for tools for clinching. A Clinchniet-joining element is in the outer dimension or in the outer diameter regularly dimensioned smaller than the stamp or its end face, the stamp is advantageously cylindrical or has another geometrically regular outer shape.

In this way, it is advantageously possible to securely hold even comparatively narrow joining elements and / or joining elements without a shoulder or undercut in the lateral surface in front of the punch face, which are smaller in external dimension or width than a projection face of the punch face or smaller than a punch outer dimension. It is also advantageous that no positive connection between the contact members and the joining element is necessary. A frictional connection is sufficient. It only has to be correspondingly large the pressing force of the contact members. The pressing force on the joining element can be specified in particular by the shape, size, positioning and / or the material properties of the holding means or in particular of the bending sections.

The holding means are preferably designed in such a way that a joining element can be brought into a contact with the holding means or the contact members outside in a region for holding or clamping, which represents a maximum external dimension of the joining element. In other words, there is none

Area outside of the joining element, which is located in the clamped by the holding means state of the joining element further out or is further away from the longitudinal axis of the joining element, as the area which is in clamping contact with the holding means or the contact surfaces of the contact members.

Furthermore, it is advantageous that the holding means are designed such that in a state without joining element, the contact elements protrude inwardly in relation to an outer edge of the punch face in the area in front of the punch face. In particular, the contact surfaces of the contact members are offset from the outer edge of the punch face inwardly in an initial state with the punch moved back. Thus, a joining member having an outer dimension that is smaller than an outer dimension of the punch, defined in front of the punch face can be held. Beginning with the first contact with the contact surfaces of the contact members, the joining element is securely clamped between the contact surfaces on its further path to the final position presented in front of the punch face, as explained above, over the entire displacement, which takes place under an evasive movement of the bending sections.

By matching the contact elements on the front of the stamp with a predetermined Engagement depth from the outside at the edge of the punch face, the contact elements with the distance of the punch movement axis in particular opposite contact surfaces can be adjusted so that different or almost any small dimensioned joining elements are held securely clamped before the punch face. It is not excluded that in the starting position with the stamp moved back before the beginning of presenting a joining element from a waiting position, eg. B. laterally offset to the punch face, the opposite contact surfaces of the separate contact members touch each other.

In principle, a joining element pushed by the side can pass between the contact elements and their contact surfaces by pushing forward, the contact elements deflecting due to the elastic bending sections, so that the joining element rubs along the contact surfaces and thereby reaches the original position of the joining element in a clamping manner. After releasing the joining element during subsequent pressing into the component section, the contact members or their spaced-apart contact surfaces snap together again with or without a remaining air gap between the contact surfaces. This happens automatically by the prestressed bending sections.

It is also advantageous that a contact member is formed integrally with the bending portion. In particular, both contact members are each integrally connected to an associated bending section. The contact member preferably forms a mutually bent end portion on the particular straight elongated bending portion. The end section is, for example, hook-like with a coordinated or preferably flat or linear contact surface.

A lateral deflection, ie laterally to the longitudinal extent of the bending sections is effected by the inherent elasticity of the bending sections. The bending sections are in particular predeterminably bendable, for example in one or more directions. The bending sections may be bendable radially and / or in another direction. For example, the bending sections may preferably be bendable or resettable, preferably or mainly radially to the direction of movement of the punch or to its longitudinal axis.

Further, it is advantageous that two bending sections are provided, wherein a Kontakorgan is present at both bending sections. This is particularly compact and easy to produce. This makes an advantageous variant possible, compared to another variant in which a common bending section engages two contact members.

It is also advantageous that the holding means are formed with the bending sections and the contact members in the manner of a tweezer construction. In particular, two opposing contact elements are present, to which in each case an associated bending sections connects. The bending sections are elastically deformable, in particular two identically constructed resilient retaining arms according to the "forceps principle". According to the invention, the tweezer arms are not compressed for clamping the joining element, which automatically reset themselves when eliminating the force acting from the outside inside, but pressed apart, the reset to the inside again upon removal of the external force.

An advantageous embodiment of the invention is characterized in that a receiving side of the contact members is so matched to a joining element that diverge by a predetermined feed movement of the joining element, the contact elements by conditioning the joining element to the contact elements. The receiving side of the contact members, for example, be funnel-like or have oblique or approaching flanks, so that a zusobenes joining element presses against the receiving side or its flanks, wherein the contact elements diverge. The holding means or the contact members with the funnel-shaped receiving side, for example, are preferably matched to an outer dimension or an outer shape of the joining element.

A further advantageous modification of the invention results from the fact that a bearing device for a bearing of the holding means is provided such that a relative movement between the holding means and the punch in the longitudinal direction of the punch is possible. The longitudinal direction of the punch coincides with the direction of movement of the punch.

Control means are advantageously present which control an interaction of the punch movement with the holding means such that a movement of the punch in a punch moving direction is coupled with a movement of the holding means in the punch moving direction.

Depending on the operating phase, the holding means are moved with the stamp or not moved. The holding means are, for example, movably mounted in the manner of a sliding seat relative to the punch over a limited distance in the longitudinal direction of the punch. With the sliding seat, it is advantageously possible on the bending stiffness symmetry of the holding means, for. B. spring elements to pass the existing centricity of the punch to the joining element. This is the most important task or function of the centering of the joining element also assigned to the holding means or the spring elements.

The holding means are preferably mounted or received on the stamp. During the forward movement of the punch from the moved back position with the presented at the front side joining element, the holding means are moved by the stamp. When the punch reaches the region of the front end of the blank holder with its end face, the holding means come into a stop position on the blank holder. Since the punch continues to move with the joining element, a relative movement between the holding means and the moving punch takes place over a part of the movement of the punch, in that the punch with the joining element moves further forward. In this case, the contact members are outwardly soft and release the joining element for pressing into the component section. For the passage of the punch past the contact members, which are fixed in position in the hold-down device, the contact members are extended beyond the outer edge of the punch face. When moving back the punch after the joining process in the opposite direction, the holding means are taken back from the stamp after the contact organs come together again in front of the punch face.

An alternative to the stamp storage or additional storage of the holding means, for example on the hold-down is not excluded.

It is also advantageous that control means are provided which control an interaction of the punch movement with the holding means such that a movement of the punch is coupled with a resilient movement of the contact members. This is done as described above, when the holding means abut the front of the hold-down and moves the punch with the joining element further in the direction of the component portion.

The control means are also tunable so that there are conditions in which a common linear movement of punch and holding means is given and a decoupled situation in which the punch moves linearly, but not the holding means.

In particular, it is advantageous for a first control section to be provided on the holding means, on which the punch can be brought into contact, so that the moving punch moves along the first control section, whereby coupled the resilient movement of the contact members takes place. The first control section is preferably an oblique flank on the inside of the contact members or bending sections on which the edge of the punch face acts.

The first control section preferably has sliding such. B. inclined surfaces on the holding means, against which abuts the punch and is movable along. Accordingly, corresponding portions on the punch include, for example, a leading edge of the ram which surrounds the ram face and presses against the sliding surfaces to the control means. At maximum outwardly bent bending sections or outwardly moved contact members of the stamp slides on the contact surfaces of the contact members along until the end of the joining operation or the forward movement.

In reverse order of the described processes, the provision of the retaining means in the initial position with the return movement of the punch or the entrainment of the holding means.

A further advantageous embodiment of the invention is characterized in that a second control section is provided on the holding means, on which the punch is engageable, so that the moving punch moves along the contact portion, wherein no resilient movement of the contact members takes place. The second control section preferably comprises the contact surfaces of the contact members.

It is also advantageous that spring means are provided for a force-assisted return of the holding means in the direction of movement of the punch. The spring means may comprise, for example, a coil spring guided spirally around the punch.

The return movement of the relative movement between the holding means, such as retaining clips, and the punch, may alternatively be realized otherwise. For example, the return movement of the relative movement can take place by a take-away, for example, when an anti-rotation of the holding means abuts against an upper stop in the longitudinal direction of the punch.

With the spring means but advantageously independent of the position of the components and regardless of friction effects or frictional forces between the movable parts a position defined at any time position obtained, in particular without a game.

Finally, it is advantageous that an anti-rotation device is designed to prevent twisting of the holding means about the punch longitudinal axis. Thus, in particular an exclusively lateral or radial deflection to the punch longitudinal axis of the holding means can be realized. In order for a rotational effect of twisted bending sections is avoided on the held joining element, so that the held joining element is not rotated or no unwanted position change related to the waiting position learns.

The invention also relates to a method for attaching a joining element to a component section with a device as described above. Advantageously, the joining element is frictionally clamped by the bending force provided with the holding means. Preferably, the holding means are moved with the held joining element over at least a partial distance together with the punch. Thus, in the attachment method according to the invention, the advantages discussed above in connection with the device according to the invention can be achieved. In particular, this is an advantageous rivet or Stanznietverfahren for processing any Nietarten or z. B. punched rivets or clinch riveting provided. The inventive device or the inventive method is particularly tuned so that in addition to joining elements such. As clinch rivets, and whose diameter is regularly smaller than the diameter of the punch, are deformed by the stamp effect, other joining elements that are not deformed, are easily processed. Because with the holding means and such joining elements can be kept advantageous, for example, comparatively short solid rivets. In this case, the punch or its punch face usually has a not significantly larger diameter than a diameter of an upper side of the joining element or the Vollstanzniets, where the punch face comes into abutment. In the case of short solid punch rivets, a positive connection between the held solid punch rivet and the holding means or the contact members of the holding means can advantageously be achieved, which is possible with a so-called closing head. The holding means or the contact members with contact areas are advantageously matched to the outer shape of the Vollstanzniets.

figure description

Further features and advantages of the invention are explained in more detail with reference to a partially schematically illustrated embodiment of the invention.

In detail shows:

1 a perspective partial view of a device according to the invention or a setting head according to the invention,

2 an enlarged section of the device according to 1 , in longitudinal section along a tool-joining axis,

3 the device according to 2 in a non-perspective sectional view in a first operating phase,

4 the device according to 3 in a second phase of operation,

5 a sectional view 4 from below on the device according to the line AA in 4 .

6 the device according to 4 in a third operating phase with indicated component sections,

7 the device according to 6 in a fourth phase of operation,

8th a section of the device according to 7 in longitudinal section, the longitudinal section in 7 rotated by 180 ° to the joining axis,

9 Perspective a stamp unit of in 1 illustrated device in the fourth phase of operation,

10 the arrangement according to 9 in longitudinal section and 11 a partial view according to the view in 8th in a fifth phase of operation.

The different operating phases one to five shown in the figures follow in practice operation of the arrangement shown in the order given successively from the first to the fifth phase of operation, wherein the operating phases one to five only show a snapshot of a continuously running overall process, which a variety or includes more than five operational and intermediate phases. Accordingly, there are further operational or intermediate phases lying between or before and after the illustrated operating phases one to five, which are not shown in the figures. After the fifth operating phase, the joining process is completed with the attachment of a joining element in a component section and the overall process is terminated, for example with a return operating phase, to which the according to 1 connected illustrated first phase of operation. After that, a next overall process begins, which corresponds to the previous overall process repetitively and accordingly includes the first to fifth operating phases.

1 shows in perspective a device according to the invention, as a tool head or as a setting head 1 is formed and forms part of a joining tool, which serves for connecting superimposed flat components. The setting head 1 according to the figures is an example of a Clinchniet-setting head of a clinching tool for processing clinch rivets. A to the setting head 1 in Corresponding functional structure formed according to the invention setting head can be used accordingly in tools for processing, for example, connecting elements such as solid-stamped rivets, semi-hollow punch rivets and / or functional elements that serve to connect components with or without additional functionality in the case of solid punching or semi-hollow punching rivets of components.

With the setting head 1 or the associated tool (not shown), two (s. 6 ) or more components are processed or connected to one another at a joining point of the component sections B, wherein the component sections B consist in particular of sheet metal materials or other mechanically high-strength or technical materials. The joining element itself consists z. B. also from one of the materials mentioned.

The setting head 1 includes as a basic components a hold-down 2 with associated hold-down spring 3 , a stamp device 4 and a feeding and loading unit 5 , The setting head 1 or the corresponding tool, a joining axis F is associated, which with the central longitudinal axis of the blank holder 2 , the hold-down spring 3 and the stamping device 4 coincides and extends beyond this lengthening. The stamp device 4 includes here as an example as Nietsetzstift 10 trained stamp, a sealing sleeve 24 , which with the Nietsetzstift 10 from the feeding and loading unit 5 to the downholder 2 and is movable back.

Inside the feeding and loading unit 5 is a plurality of joining elements submitable to the setting head 1 to provide a supply of joining elements for processing, wherein in the sectional views according to the 3 . 4 . 6 and 7 by way of example only two joining elements 6 and 7 are shown. The joining elements 6 . 7 are via a supply line 8th from outside or a joining element memory (not shown) in the direction of P1, for example, with compressed air of the feeding and loading unit 5 fed. The two joining elements 6 and 7 are in operational phase 1 according to 3 at the end of the supply line 8th stacked on top of each other. A first or foremost joining element 6 lies with its underside in the operating phase 1 on a flat support surface 18 a slider 9 the feeding and loading unit 5 on. On an upper side of the joining element 6 lies the identically aligned joining element 7 , over which in turn further joining elements, not shown, can be lined up.

The controlled movable slide 9 is from the in 3 shown moved back position according to the movement arrow P2 movable forward and opposite in direction P3 zurückbewegbar. The elongated slider 9 is in the front in the direction of P2 with an offset to the top down paragraph 16 provided that the bearing surface 18 a pedestal 17 for the joining element 6 forms. To the rear closes to the support surface 18 a right-angled upstanding wall 19 at which the joining element 6 comes into contact.

In operating phase 1 is one in the feed line 8th Foremost joining element, here joining element 6 , for picking up from a waiting position of the joining element 6 submitted what 3 clarified. In the direction of movement P2 in extension in front of the pedestal 17 is a portion of a trajectory of Nietsetzstiftes 10 so that the joining element 6 in front of a setting pin frontal 10a is positionable when the Nietsetzstift 10 in its retracted position according to the 3 located. The rivet setting pin 10 is transverse to P2 or P3 linearly reversible along the joining axis F movable in the forward direction P6 and opposite in the reverse direction.

So that the presented joining element 6 not slipped undefined especially in the direction of P2, is a restraint 11 with two sprung deflectable pawls 12 . 13 available. The pawls 12 and 13 are formed as an angle bent pivot lever which about the pivot axes S1 and S2 according to the pivot arrows P4 and P5 (s. 5 ) are movable. A Federkraftbeaufschlagung the pawls 12 and 13 is from coil springs 14 . 15 provided.

Above a front part of the support surface 18 in the direction P3 according to 3 fully retracted slide 9 press the pawls 12 and 13 with front abutment surfaces on the pivot axes S1 and S2 facing away from the free ends spring force against each other and block a path between the joining element 6 and the area in front of the setting pin front 10a , The correct position from the supply line 8th incoming joining element 6 is defined positioned in the space between the front ends of the pawls 12 . 13 and the upstanding wall 19 of the slider 9 or the support surface 18 and lateral walls that control the path of movement of the slider 9 limit. When the slide-back slider 9 with the joining element 6 is moved forward in the direction of P2, presses the joining element 6 against the pawls 12 and 13 , so this against the action of coil springs 14 . 15 about the pivot axes S1 and S2 to the outside or separated from each other or pressed apart. The pawls 12 . 13 have this oblique edges, which when pressed against each other pawls 12 . 13 a funnel-like notch in the joining element 6 form the facing area, bringing the joining element 6 the pawls 12 . 13 tilt-free and safely can push apart.

To present the joining element 6 from the waiting position to the original position in front of the rivet setting pin 10 the slider moves 9 before and pushes the joining element 6 between the laterally pushed pawls 14 . 15 through or sliding past it to the slide 9 a maximum in the direction P2 shifted forward position in a loading position of the setting head 1 takes what 5 in operating phase 2 clarified.

The distance between the pawls 12 . 13 and contact organs of a holding device 20 holding means is tuned such that before the joining element 6 the holding and leading contact with the two pawls 12 . 13 loses, the contact elements the joining element 6 pick up and defined and clamped hold until the joining element 6 its final template position in front of the setting pin frontal 10a occupies.

With the interaction of the slider 9 , the pawl 12 . 13 and the holding device 20 is when advancing the slider 9 with the joining element 6 in the direction of P2 ensured that during transport of the joining element 6 from the waiting position according to the operating phase 1 in accordance with 4 shown original position according to operating phase 2 the moving joining element 6 remains in its defined according to waiting position defined alignment remains.

At the end of the transport path of the slider 9 forward according to 4 is the joining element 6 exactly or at least almost exactly with its longitudinal axis concentric to the joining axis F or force axis or to the central longitudinal axis of the Nietsetzstiftes 10 , The holding device 20 is exemplary or preferably designed in the manner of a tweezer holder and comprises two elastically resilient, in particular narrow elongated retaining arms 21 and 22 facing the longitudinal axis of the rivet setting pin 10 are opposite. Both retaining arms 21 and 22 are the same structure with each at the front free end of a contact jaw 29 or contact jaw 30 trained contact organ. The holding arms 21 . 22 and the contact jaws 29 . 30 are a component made of an elastic material. The contact jaws 29 . 30 can themselves be rigid, but are evasive and resettable movable by the elastic or resilient change in shape of the support arms 21 . 22 , The contact jaws 29 . 30 point to the outside of the joining element 6 conformed or here partially circular curved clamping surfaces 29a and 30a on, the flat outside of the joining element 6 press in with a spring-loaded pinch. In the template position is the joining element 6 accordingly between the contact jaws 29 . 30 or the clamping surfaces 29a and 30a frictionally engaged or under static friction and defined aligned clamped. The exact positioning of the joining element 6 , in particular exactly aligned to the central longitudinal axis of the Nietsetzstiftes, via a defined position of the holding device 20 on the rivet pin 10 , For this purpose, a fit of the sliding seat of the holding device 20 or the holding arms 21 . 22 and the rivet pin 10 responsible. Accordingly, the retaining arms 21 . 22 and the rivet pin 10 manufactured with comparatively high precision and exactly matched to each other.

The contact jaws 29 . 30 form mutually separate half-shell-like elements, which are partially annular in cross-section. Both contact jaws 29 . 30 have sloping inlet flanks 31 . 32 onto. 5 ), which is the guided insertion of a joining element with the slider 9 facilitate by forming a funnel-shaped indentation. When inserting the joining element 6 in the direction of P2 between the inlet flanks 31 . 32 become the contact jaws 29 . 30 forced apart by a widening or bending of the holding arms 21 . 22 outward.

After the joining element 6 has reached the template position (s. 4 and 5 ), the slider becomes 9 in accordance with 6 shown moved back slider position, what phase 3 equivalent. The joining element 6 remains clamped between the contact jaws 29 . 30 , At the maximum pushed back slider 9 This can be done at the end of the feed line 8th submitted next joining element 7 down on the support surface 18 reach.

Advantageously, the joining element 6 with the holding arms 21 and 22 and the contact jaws 29 . 30 just below the longitudinal center axis of the rivet setting pin 10 held, so that advantageously no further clamping or holding elements are necessary.

A sensor 23 (S. 5 ) a sensor device such as a light barrier arrangement detects the presence of the joining element 6 in phase 3 and forwards a corresponding signal to a higher-level unillustrated control unit with a computer unit of the relevant tool.

During operation of the tool becomes the setting head 1 moved down towards P5, leaving the setting head 1 with its front flat front side 33 on a top of a relevant in 6 indicated upper component section B meets ( 6 ), which starts a loading stroke. The loading stroke represents a relative movement or a relative stroke between the punch device 4 and the hold-down 2 according to the 7 to 11 , The setting head 1 is structurally designed so that before the clamping of the joining element 6 with the holder 20 is solved, the joining element 6 over the rivet pin 10 is pressed on the low-holder side or upper component portion B and thus fixed in exact position.

When loading stroke drives coupled with the Nietsetzstift 10 the holding device 20 velvet held joining element 6 with, wherein in accordance with the 7 to 10 States shown the joining element 6 clamped between the holding arms 21 and 22 fixed in position.

Now meet front flat end surfaces 29b . 30b the contact jaws 29 . 30 to a stop 25 passing through an annular collar inside at an exit opening 34 formed on the hold-down, begins a relative movement between the further advancing Nietsetzstift 10 and the holding device 20 or the holding arms 21 . 22 , This is possible because the retaining arms 21 . 22 on the rivet pin 10 along the rivet setting pin 10 are axially displaceable, against the action of a return spring 27 , The inside of the sealing sleeve 24 spirally on the rivet pin 10 absorbed return spring 27 pushes against one at the rear end area with the holding arms 21 . 22 connected sleeve 35 ,

With the further movement of Nietsetzstiftes 10 towards P6 are the holding arms 21 . 22 opened or expanded outwards in the direction of P7 or P8, whereby the clamping of the joining element 6 will be annulled. Here comes the Nietsetzstift 10 or its front peripheral edge on a respective inclined surface 26 inside the contact jaws 29 . 30 (S. 8th ) and the holding arms 21 . 22 are simultaneously elastically bent outwards according to the direction P7, P8, wherein the clamping surfaces 29a . 30a from the joining element 6 take off.

The relative movement of Nietsetzstift 10 and the holding device 20 will continue until the joining element 6 completely out of the outlet 34 has been postponed (s. 11 ) and is pressed under a plastic deformation or compression in the component. If necessary, the joining element 6 with its top also slightly recessed to a surrounding top of the upper component portion B are introduced.

However, the arrangement according to the invention can also be used advantageously for other methods or tools for processing joining elements, for example for punching a pad element into a component section such as, for example, when inserting a solid punch rivet in a full punch rivet method.

In addition, preferably a rotation 28 for a rotation of the retaining arms 21 . 22 to the longitudinal axis of the rivet setting pin 10 available. The anti-twist device 28 has a ring shape with an opening and opposite to the opening outwardly extended grooves for the evasive movement of the support arms 21 . 22 on. The ring shape forms a collar-like closed outside around the holding arms 21 . 22 set anti-twist device 28 , the holding arms on the contact jaws 29 . 30 is applied. In the direction of P6, a stop acts 36 inside in the front end area of the hold-down 2 , where the stop 36 is tuned for a mechanical striking the rotation 28 when the contact jaws 29 . 30 at the stop 25 queue. The anti-twist device 28 has the task of being in the loading position according to the 4 and 5 with the inlet flanks 31 . 32 formed receiving opening of the contact jaws 29 . 30 position is correct, so that the joining element 6 from the slider 9 without jamming or blockage between the contact jaws 29 . 30 is insertable.

After pressing in a return stroke of the setting head 1 and the elements of the setting head 1 However, as described above, they move back to their original position in reverse order.

The sealing sleeve 24 provides the seal against an air spring chamber of the hold-down spring 3 for sure. There is also the sealing sleeve 24 via appropriate fits with the Nietsetzstift 10 and the hold-down 2 advantageously a centricity of the joining element 6 further. The holding device 20 with the holding arms 21 and 22 and the sleeve 35 is preferably made in two parts, which is advantageous in terms of manufacturing.

Via a dynamic pressure control with a back pressure bore 37 is the position of the slider 9 in the basic position at a maximum in the direction P3 shifted position advantageously precise queried. This will cause a malfunction due to a collision between the slider 9 and the also on the control unit and a drive unit controlled drivable Nietsetzstift 10 reliably avoided.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

setting head

2

Stripper plate

3

Hold down spring

4

stamping device

5

Feeding and loading unit

6, 7

joining element

8th

feed

9

pusher

10

Nietsetzstift

10a

Setting pin face

11

Restraint

12, 13

lock left

14, 15

spiral spring

16

paragraph

17

base

18

bearing surface

19

wall

20

holder

21, 22

holding arm

23

sensor

24

grommet

25

attack

26

sloping surface

27

Return spring

28

twist

29, 30

contact jaw

29a, 30a

clamping surface

29b, 30b

end face

31, 32

entry profile

33

front

34

outlet opening

35

shell

36

attack

37

Pitot hole

Claims (14)

Contraption ( 1 ) for attaching a joining element ( 6 . 7 ) on a component section, wherein the device ( 1 ) a stamp ( 10 ) which is linearly movable forward and backward from a retracted position, wherein a joining element ( 6 . 7 ) via a supply line ( 8th ) in front of a punch face ( 10a ) of the returned stamp ( 10 ) can be submitted, wherein a submitted joining element ( 6 . 7 ) during a forward movement of the punch ( 10 ) and in a management line of a hold-down ( 2 ) of the device ( 1 ), wherein holding means for holding one in front of the punch face ( 10a ) and forwardly movable joining element ( 6 . 7 ) are provided, and the holding means are formed, the held joining element ( 6 . 7 ) when the stamp ( 10 Moves for an attachment process, characterized in that the holding means at least over a partial distance together with the stamp ( 10 ) relative to the hold-down ( 2 ) in the direction of movement of the stamp ( 10 ) are movable and the holding means contact organs ( 29 . 30 ), which on an elastically deformable bending portion ( 21 . 22 ) are present, so that the joining element ( 6 . 7 ) is frictionally clamped by the bending force. Device according to the preamble of claim 1, in particular according to claim 1, characterized in that the holding means are designed so that the holding means in the region in front of the punch face ( 10a ) engage the joining element ( 6 . 7 ) having an elastic pressure force acting on a side surface of the joining element ( 6 . 7 ) acts to hold, whereby the stamp ( 10 ) on the joining element ( 6 . 7 ) is tuned such that the side surface of the front of the punch ( 10a ) presented joining element ( 6 . 7 ) to an edge of a projected punch face ( 10a ) is offset inwards. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the holding means are designed such that in a state without joining element ( 6 . 7 ) the contact organs ( 29 . 30 ) based on an outer edge of the punch face ( 10a ) inwards into the area in front of the punch face ( 10a protrude). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a contact organ ( 29 . 30 ) in one piece with the bending section ( 21 . 22 ) is trained. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that two bending sections ( 21 . 22 ) are provided, wherein at both bending sections ( 21 . 22 ) a contact organ ( 29 . 30 ) is available. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding means with the bending sections ( 21 . 22 ) and the contact organs ( 29 . 30 ) are formed in the manner of a forceps construction. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a receiving side ( 31 . 32 ) of the contact organs ( 29 . 30 ) in such a way to a joining element ( 6 . 7 ) is matched, that by a predetermined supply movement of the joining element ( 6 . 7 ) the contact organs ( 29 . 30 ) by abutment of the joining element ( 6 . 7 ) at the contact organs ( 29 . 30 ) diverge. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a bearing device for a storage of the holding means is provided such that a relative movement between the holding means and the punch ( 10 ) is possible in the longitudinal direction of the punch. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that control means are provided which control an interaction of the punch movement with the holding means such that movement of the punch ( 10 ) with a resilient movement of the contact organs ( 29 . 30 ) is coupled. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a first control section ( 26 ) is provided on the holding means, on which the stamp ( 10 ) is engageable, so that the moving punch ( 10 ) at the first control section ( 26 ) moved along, with which coupled the resilient movement of the contact organs ( 29 . 30 ) takes place. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a second control section ( 29a . 30a ) is provided on the holding means, on which the punch is engageable, so that the moving punch moves along the contact portion, wherein no resilient movement of the contact elements ( 29 . 30 ) takes place. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that spring means ( 27 ) for a force-assisted return of the holding means in the direction of movement of the punch ( 10 ) are provided. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an anti-rotation device ( 28 ) is designed to prevent twisting of the holding means about the punch longitudinal axis. Method for attaching a joining element ( 6 . 7 ) on a component section with a device according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 13.

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