DE102018206915B4 - Hand tool for setting plugs and method for setting plugs - Google Patents

Abstract

Hand tool (1) for placing plugs (2) in openings in a body component, comprising - a setting device (3) for receiving a plug magazine (4), - a plug magazine (4) for receiving a plurality of plugs (2), - a Drive unit (5) for pushing stoppers (2) out of the setting device (3), and - a manual trigger (6) via which the drive unit (5) can be operated, characterized in that - the stopper magazine (4) has at least one first partial magazine (7) and at least one second partial magazine (8) which are designed to accommodate stoppers (2) with different outer diameters, and wherein - the second partial magazine (8) has a drive element for pushing out one or more of the first partial magazine (7) arranged plug (2) forms.

Description

A hand tool for setting plugs is specified. The hand tool can be designed, in particular, for placing sealing plugs in openings in body components. A method for setting plugs is also specified.

In the manufacture of the body of a vehicle, holes are often set or punched in, for example to ensure that the paint emerges after painting or to enable complex geometries to be created.

After production, these holes usually have no other function and can even lead to damage in the form of corrosion attacks on the body due to the ingress of liquids. The acoustics of the vehicle interior can also be influenced by the component openings. This can be remedied by plugging the holes using injection molded parts after the function has been fulfilled.

Currently, this is usually done manually by the workers in the assembly process. Attempts to automate the process are proving to be a great challenge, as industrial robots, due to their spatial size, have difficulties getting into the niches and cavities of the body. The robots need more time to assemble than the workers.

Another possibility is described in the pamphlet DE 10 2014 211 257 A1 explained. It is a joint orthosis that is designed to protect parts of the body, especially the thumb. The step of pushing the stopper in is carried out by one worker up to 2,000 times per shift. Overloading the thumb joint is easy to understand. Ultimately, as an ergonomic tool, the thumb support is an annoying activity for the worker, as it is attached to a glove and therefore has to be put on and taken off every time. Furthermore, each plug has to be carried individually and the dexterity and the feeling of gripping are slightly restricted by the material at the tip of the thumb and complicate possible other assembly processes within the activity to be performed.

The pamphlets JP 2017 - 13 213 A , DE 20 2014 102 558 U1 and DE 10 2016 002 290 A1 each show devices for setting plugs.

In the pamphlet DE 10 2015 217 208 A1 describes a stacking device for stacking paint and assembly plugs.

The pamphlet DE 697 23 129 T2 describes an apparatus and method for sampling an earth formation through a cased borehole.

In the pamphlet DE 26 28 825 A1 a device for driving a stopper into the tap hole of a barrel is shown.

The pamphlet DE 10 2015 211 543 A1 describes a hand tool for placing sealing plugs in openings in a body component with a setting device in which a plug magazine with a large number of plugs is accommodated, which can be placed in the respective openings immediately one after the other without reloading using the setting device, as well as a method for securely setting the plugs, wherein the plugs can be pushed out of the stopper magazine accommodated in the setting device via a drive unit in predefined steps. A manual trigger is arranged on the hand tool, via which the drive unit can be controlled so that the plugs can be moved into predefined push-out positions.

The disadvantage of the one in the publication DE 10 2015 211 543 A1 Hand tool described is that only sealing plugs of a certain size can be set by means of the hand tool.

It is therefore an object to be achieved of at least some embodiments to provide a hand tool for setting plugs by means of which plugs of different sizes or with different diameters can be set without reloading. Another object is to provide a method for setting plugs.

These objects are achieved by an object and a method according to the independent patent claims. Advantageous embodiments and developments of the subject matter are also evident from the dependent claims, the following description and the drawings.

A hand tool described here for setting plugs in openings in a body component has a setting device for receiving a plug magazine, a plug magazine for receiving a plurality of plugs, a drive unit for pushing plugs out of the setting device and a manual trigger via which the drive unit can be actuated, on.

The stopper magazine can, for example, have a cylindrical shape and be designed to accommodate a multiplicity of sealing plugs, which can in particular consist of plastic.

According to the invention, the stopper magazine has at least one first partial magazine and at least one second partial magazine, which are designed to accommodate stoppers of different sizes. For example, the first partial magazine is designed to receive first plugs, each of which has a first outer diameter, and the second partial magazine is designed to receive second plugs, each of which has a second outer diameter, the first outer diameter being larger than the second outer diameter. For example, each partial magazine can have a partial area which positively encompasses the plug (s) arranged in the respective partial magazine.

Furthermore, the second part magazine forms a drive element for pushing out one or more plugs arranged in the first part magazine. For example, the first partial magazine can be formed by a partial section of the stopper magazine, in particular a partial section of the stopper magazine formed in the area of the outlet opening, and the second partial magazine can be designed to be movable relative to the first partial magazine, with a stopper arranged in the first partial magazine passing directly or indirectly through the second Partial magazine can be moved in such a way that the stopper is pressed out of the stopper magazine.

According to a further embodiment, the second partial magazine is designed to be telescopically displaceable in the first partial magazine at least in sections. The second partial magazine can preferably be shifted relative to the first partial magazine directly or indirectly by the drive unit, which can be actuated by the manual trigger, in order to move a stopper out of the stopper magazine or out of the outlet opening setting device.

In an advantageous embodiment, the hand trigger is preferably designed as a one-hand grip, e.g. designed as a one-hand grip with pistol grip shape. By using a one-handed grip, the second hand remains to guide and apply the hand tool to the body component.

According to a further embodiment, the hand tool for setting plugs has one or more further partial magazines, each of the partial magazines being designed to accommodate plugs of different sizes. Each further sub-magazine preferably forms a drive element for pushing out stoppers from another sub-magazine.

For example, the hand tool can have a third partial magazine, in which third plugs with a third outer diameter that is smaller than the second outer diameter are arranged. The third part magazine can form a drive element for pushing out stoppers which are arranged in the second part magazine. Correspondingly, the hand tool can comprise a fourth part magazine for receiving fourth stoppers, which have a smaller outer diameter than the third stoppers, plugs arranged in the third part magazine being able to be moved through the fourth part magazine, etc.

In particular, the individual sub-magazines can include sections which are each designed to move or displace the stoppers of a preceding sub-magazine directly. Furthermore, the individual partial magazines can each have partial areas or partial areas that are designed to interact directly with partial areas or partial areas of a preceding partial magazine so that the individual partial magazines can be telescoped into one another in order to successively remove the individual stoppers of different sizes from the stopper magazine or from the setting device. The last part magazine can be moved directly or indirectly by the drive unit. For example, the drive unit can have a stamp which acts directly on the last partial magazine and can move it. Alternatively, a slide can be arranged between the punch and the last part magazine so that the punch can move the last part magazine indirectly via the displaceable slide.

According to a further embodiment, a magnetic positioning aid is provided at the outlet opening of the setting device. For example, the magnetic positioning aid can be arranged circumferentially around the outlet opening of the setting device. The magnetic positioning aid can e.g. have a permanent magnet. The magnetic positioning aid makes it easier to center the stoppers to be placed.

According to a further embodiment, the stopper magazine and / or the partial magazines are at least partially transparent. As a result, it can advantageously be recognized from the outside how many stoppers are still arranged within the stopper magazine without opening the hand tool or the stopper magazine.

According to a further embodiment, the second partial magazine is designed to be guided so as to be displaceable within the first partial magazine, and each further partial magazine is designed to be guided so as to be displaceable within the preceding partial magazine. As a result, an inner guidance of the part magazine part magazine can be achieved.

According to a further embodiment, the second partial magazine and each further partial magazine are designed to be guided in a displaceable manner in direct contact with an inner wall of the stopper magazine. As a result, the plug magazine can form an external guide for the second partial magazine from the further partial magazine.

The hand tool described here for setting plugs can advantageously be used to set plugs of different sizes or with different external diameters.

Furthermore, a method for placing plugs in openings in a body component is specified. The hand tool used here can have one or more features of the aforementioned embodiments. The embodiments described above and below apply equally to the hand tool as well as to the method for setting plugs by means of the hand tool.

In the method, a hand tool described here and a body component with a plurality of openings are provided. Subsequently, at least one first stopper with a first outer diameter, arranged in the first partial magazine, is placed in a first opening of the body component by means of the hand tool, in which the manual trigger of the hand tool is actuated.

Thereafter, a second plug, which is arranged in a second partial magazine and has a second outer diameter, which is greater than the first outer diameter, is placed in a second opening in the body component by means of the hand tool. The plugs are set without reloading.

When the first stopper is placed, the second partial magazine is preferably used as a drive element for pushing out the first stopper. In particular, a sub-area of the second sub-magazine can move the first stopper directly or indirectly in that the second sub-magazine is moved relative to the first sub-magazine by actuating the manual trigger and the drive unit moved thereby.

Analogously to this, one or more further stoppers with different sizes or with different outer diameters, which are each arranged in different further sub-magazines, can be moved out of the outlet opening by a telescopic displacement of the individual sub-magazines, in particular by inserting the respective plug directly or indirectly drives.

• 1 eine schematische Darstellung eines Handwerkzeugs zum Setzen von Stopfen gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel,
• 2 eine schematische Schnittdarstellung eines Stopfenmagazins eines hier beschriebenen Handwerkzeugs gemäß einem ersten Ausführungsbeispiel, und
• 3 eine schematische Schnittdarstellung eines Stopfenmagazins eines hier beschriebenen Handwerkzeugs gemäß einem weiteren Ausführungsbeispiel.

Further advantages and advantageous embodiments of the hand tool described here or of the method for setting plugs result from the following in connection with the 1 to 3 described embodiments. Show it:

• 1 a schematic representation of a hand tool for setting plugs according to an embodiment,
• 2 a schematic sectional illustration of a plug magazine of a hand tool described here according to a first embodiment, and
• 3 a schematic sectional illustration of a plug magazine of a hand tool described here according to a further embodiment.

In the exemplary embodiments and figures, identical or identically acting components can each be provided with the same reference symbols. The elements shown and their proportions to one another are fundamentally not to be regarded as true to scale. Rather, individual elements can be shown exaggeratedly thick or with large dimensions for better representation and / or for better understanding.

1 shows a hand tool 1 for setting plugs in a perspective illustration according to an embodiment.

The hand tool 1 has a setting device 3 , in which a plug magazine 4th is arranged for receiving a plurality of plugs, as well as a drive unit 5 for pushing stoppers out of the setting device 3 and a manual print 6th through which the drive unit 5 is operable on.

The plug magazine has at one end 4th an outlet port 10 on, from which the stopper magazine 4th arranged plug can be conveyed to the outside. At the outlet opening 10 is a magnetic positioning aid 11 attached by the hand tool 1 or the setting device 3 can be temporarily magnetically attached to an opening of a body component for centering the plug to be set.

In the 2 Figure 3 is a schematic sectional view of the plug magazine 4th of the hand tool 1 from the 1 shown according to a first embodiment.

The stopper magazine 4th has a first part magazine 7th for holding plugs 2 with a first size and a second partial magazine 8th for holding plugs 2 a second size. Furthermore points to the stopper magazine 4th further sub-magazines 9 to accommodate additional plugs 2 on, with all other part magazines for receiving plugs 2 different sizes are formed.

The individual magazines are included 7th , 8th , 9 Arranged in such a way that the size or the outer diameter of the partial magazines 7th , 8th , 9 plug to be received 2 towards the outlet port 10 increases. The individual sub-magazines 7th , 8th , 9 are designed in such a way that the plugs arranged therein are encompassed in a form-fitting manner.

The second part of the magazine 8th forms a drive element for pushing out the one in the first partial magazine 7th arranged stopper 2 . The next part of the magazine is similar 9 a drive element for pushing out the second part of the magazine 8th arranged stopper 2 . The other magazines too 9 form drive elements for pushing out plugs 2 of a previous part of the magazine. The second part of the magazine 8th and the other sub-magazines 9 Sub-sections through which they have at least one plug 2 a previous part of the magazine can contact and move directly. Furthermore, the second part magazine 8th and the other sub-magazines 9 Subareas through which they are pushed together telescopically 7th , 8th , 9 each touch at least one area of a preceding sub-magazine and move the previous sub-magazine when moving.

The last part of the magazine 9 is by a sliding slide 13 designed to be displaceable, which in turn by a stamp 12 the drive unit 5 is movable.

In the embodiment shown, the second partial magazine 8th and the other sub-magazines 9 directly on an inner wall of the stopper magazine 4th guided displaceably so that an outer guide is implemented.

The 3 shows a plug magazine 4th a hand tool described here 1 in a schematic sectional illustration according to a further embodiment.

In contrast to that in the 2 The embodiment shown is not realized in the individual part magazines, but an inner guide from part magazine to part magazine. The last part of the magazine 9 Stopper magazine in which the stopper 2 with the smallest outer diameter is arranged directly through the punch 12 the drive unit 5 designed to be displaceable.

The features described in the exemplary embodiments shown can also be combined with one another in accordance with further exemplary embodiments. Alternatively or additionally, the exemplary embodiments shown in the figures can have further features in accordance with the embodiments of the general description.

List of reference symbols

1

Hand tools

2

Plug

3

Setting device

4th

Plug magazine

5

Drive unit

6

Manual trigger

7th

first part magazine

8th

second part magazine

9

another part of the magazine

10

Outlet opening

11

magnetic positioning aid

12

stamp

13

Sledge

Claims (10)

Hand tool (1) for placing plugs (2) in openings in a body component, comprising - a setting device (3) for receiving a plug magazine (4), - a plug magazine (4) for receiving a plurality of plugs (2), - a Drive unit (5) for pushing plugs (2) out of the setting device (3), and - a manual trigger (6) via which the drive unit (5) can be actuated, characterized in that - the stopper magazine (4) has at least one first partial magazine (7) and at least one second partial magazine (8) which are designed to receive stoppers (2) with different outer diameters, and wherein - the second partial magazine (8) has a drive element for pushing out one or more of the first partial magazine (7) arranged plug (2) forms. Hand tool after Claim 1 , wherein the second partial magazine (8) is designed to be telescopic at least in sections in the first partial magazine (7). Hand tool according to one of the Claims 1 or 2 , wherein the first partial magazine (7) is designed to receive stoppers (2) with a first outer diameter and the second partial magazine (8) is designed to receive plugs (2) with a second outer diameter which is smaller than the first outer diameter. Hand tool according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the setting device (3) has an outlet opening (10) on which a magnetic positioning aid (11) is arranged. Hand tool according to one of the preceding claims, having one or more further partial magazines (9), wherein each of the partial magazines (7, 8, 9) is designed to accommodate plugs (2) of different sizes, and wherein the further partial magazine (9) and / or the further partial magazines (9) each form a drive element for pushing out stoppers (2) from another partial magazine (8, 9). Hand tool according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the plug magazine (4) and / or the partial magazines (7, 8, 9) are at least partially transparent. Hand tool after Claim 5 , wherein the second partial magazine (8) is designed to be guided in a displaceable manner within the first partial magazine (7) and each further partial magazine (9) is designed to be guided in a displaceable manner within a preceding partial magazine (7). Hand tool after Claim 5 , the second partial magazine (8) and each further partial magazine (9) being guided in a displaceable manner directly adjacent to an inner wall of the stopper magazine (4). Method for placing plugs (2) in openings in a body component, comprising the following steps: - Provision of a hand tool (1) according to one of the preceding claims, - Providing a body component with a plurality of openings, - Insertion of a first stopper (2) of the first partial magazine (7) into a first opening of the body component by means of the hand tool (1) by operating the manual trigger (6), - Placing a second stopper (2) of the second partial magazine (8) in a further opening of the body component by means of the hand tool (1) by operating the manual trigger (6), - wherein the first stopper (2) and the second stopper (2) have different outer diameters, and - The plugs (2) are set without reloading. Procedure for setting stoppers (2) according to Claim 9 , wherein when the first stopper (2) is set, the second partial magazine (8) acts as a drive element for pushing out the first stopper (2).

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