EP0689888B1 - Blind fastener - Google Patents

Abstract

The setting tool comprises an adjustable mouth piece (7) which is shaped as a polygon. The mandrel guide channels (8) extend from one side (14) to an opposite corner (15). The mouth piece is rotatable about a mainly stationary axis, which extends at right angles to the drawing direction of the drawing mechanism (3). The mouth piece has bearing journals, which project at right angles to the mandrel guide channels. The journals support the mouth piece on a bearing section of the housing (2). The drawing mechanism is moveable relative to that housing section. <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to a blind fastener setting device a pull mechanism and an adjustable one Mouthpiece, which has several mandrel guide channels, from one of which can be aligned in relation to the pulling mechanism is.

Blind rivets are mainly used as blind fasteners used. However, blind rivet nuts are also understood underneath.

The most common rivet dimensions today are between 2.4 and 5 mm diameter in different Materials. The diameter of the mandrels attached to a predetermined breaking point when the required Tear off setting force, have diameters from 1.5 to 3.2 mm. That is why the mouthpieces that are on the rivet head supports the rivet mandrel diameters be adjusted. Accordingly, the Bores of those used for the most common rivets Mouthpieces in the range from 1.9 to 3.6 mm. Is the Hole or the mandrel guide channel too small, you can do not use larger rivets because the thicker ones Do not fit mandrels in the mouthpiece. However, one uses If the holes are too large, the thinner mandrels will fit into the mouthpiece, which is processing the blind rivet however problematic. For one thing, the thorn can pass through the Rivet can be pulled through without demolition. Second, you can ring-shaped impressions and deformations on the visible rivet head arise because of the necessary contact surfaces is not present. In short, the mouthpiece always has to suitable for the rivet size used.

Most setting tools are therefore interchangeable Mouthpieces provided. However, to change the A mouthpiece usually requires a tool. The Number of work steps when changing a rivet size is significant. With the help of the tool, the mouthpiece removed, a suitable mouthpiece must selected and installed using the tool will. The removed mouthpiece must be stowed away, so it doesn't get lost. For applications where a frequent change of rivet sizes is necessary therefore takes a considerable amount of setup time Dimensions.

US 4,648,259 shows an adjustable mouthpiece for Blind rivet setting tools. Here the mouthpiece is in essentially of two cheeks. Each cheek has one triangular recess so that the opposite Bake together an approximately rectangular or form a square mandrel guide channel. The two Cheeks taper towards the tip. You can with Help a union nut in the area of its tip more or less closely approximated by tilting will. With a larger diameter of the mandrel guide channel arises between the two jaws Slit clearly visible on the rivet head. When the mandrel guide channel is reduced, the two contact surfaces that are still available with large diameters are arranged coplanar, at an angle to the rivet head. This on the one hand leads to a visible impression the rivet head and on the other hand also worsens that Setting behavior.

EP 0 173 817 shows a blind fastener setting device of the type mentioned above. The mouthpiece is here an axis rotatable, which has an angle of about 45 ° to the pulling direction of the pulling mechanism. The Mandrel guide channels are accordingly at this angle inclined to the axis. By twisting of the mouthpiece around the axis, the individual Mandrel guide channels in alignment with the pulling mechanism bring. The disadvantage here is a relatively high production cost for mouthpiece and housing. Is also one relatively large size required for the housing. In particular, its diameter must be large to get voted. This makes the device heavy and unwieldy. In many cases rivets are required Have rivet mandrels with excess lengths, so the pulling mechanism through the mouthpiece and the necessary housing parts guided spines can capture.

The invention has for its object a quick Allow change of mandrel sizes.

This task is done with a blind fastener setting tool of the type mentioned in that the Mouthpiece in the shape of an odd number Has polygons, the mandrel guide channels from one side to the opposite corner.

The term "corner" only means the transition between two sides. It is not necessary that the two sides forming the corner here under one collide certain angle. Also a transition is in the form of a curve or a polygon possible. By using an odd number Polygons will allow a variety of mandrel guide channels to pass through the mouthpiece without that the diameters influence each other. On one end of each mandrel guide channel is through the Side of the polygon is given a flat surface to which the rivet can put on when setting without using any profiles or impressions will. The height of the mouthpiece exceeds of conventional mouthpieces not at all or only in to a small extent. You can therefore rent without normal Process long rivet mandrels. The enlargement of the Weight is practically barely noticeable. The housing of the Device can be more or less from its outer dimensions are left less unchanged.

The polygon is preferably a regular polygon educated. On the one hand, this simplifies production the mouthpiece and on the other hand the storage of the mouthpiece in the device. Regardless of the size of the mandrel guide channel the mouthpiece can always be the same Manage and deal with ways.

Preferably the mouthpiece is essentially one stationary axis rotatable, perpendicular to the direction of pull the pull mechanism runs. The mouthpiece remains So when moving essentially stationary in the device. This drastically reduces the risk of loss. Also the setting is simplified because a certain Alignment of the mouthpiece through the fixed storage is specified. The rotatability increases the ease of use quite considerable.

The mouthpiece preferably points perpendicular to the mandrel guide channels protruding journal with which it is supported on a bearing part of the housing, in contrast the pull mechanism is movable. The housing thus absorbs the forces that the Pulling mechanism on the mandrel. The bearing journals serve on the one hand to transfer power from the mouthpiece to the housing, but also for adjustability of the mouthpiece.

In a preferred embodiment, the journals are round. In another advantageous embodiment has at least one of the trunnions in section Shape of the polygon with reduced sides, whereby the polygon of the tenon opposite the polygon of the mouthpiece is rotated by an angle that divides 180 ° by the number of sides of the polygon, and the pin rests on a surface that is essentially extends perpendicular to the direction of pull. With With the help of the polygonal pin, a fixation can be made of the mouthpiece in the assumed position to reach. The side of the peg polygon that is on the Surface is due to the angular position of the pin substantially parallel to the mouthpiece to the side of the mouthpiece, which in this position is the Forms contact surface for the rivet head. Because the area extends essentially perpendicular to the direction of pull, thus the normal vector of the surface parallel to Direction of train runs, here is that on the rivet head acting force completely absorbed. The on the surface adjacent side of the cone polygon causes one increased resistance to twisting of the mouthpiece. The Mouthpiece must be moved at least a little bit so that the side of the pin of the surface can stand out.

The mouthpiece preferably projects in the ready state with a corner of the polygon in a recess in one Housing part and is at least with a part the sides enclosing the corner on the housing part on. Under "standby state" the state is closed understand in which the device has a blind rivet (or a Blind rivet nut), to then close it put. The pull mechanism is at its forefront Position. In this condition, the mouthpiece be fixed so that no accidental adjustment occurs, i.e. the desired diameter of the mandrel guide channel is actually available. Once the Pulling mechanism has taken hold of the thorn is this fixation no longer necessary to this extent because of the mandrel the mouthpiece in the appropriate orientation holds. The corner of the polygon is used for fixation of the mouthpiece in the standby state. As a result of that this corner protrudes into a recess in the housing part and at the same time the two enclosing the corner Sides at least partially rest on the housing part, is an accidental twisting of the mouthpiece practically excluded. In addition to the advantage of Polygons with the odd number of pages that here a plurality of mandrel guide channels can be provided can, this polygon also offers the others Advantage that the fixation without additional measures is greatly simplified.

The housing part is preferably opposite the housing movable. This makes it easier to adjust the mouthpiece. You only have to move the housing part so far that the corner protruding into the housing part from the housing part can be moved out. If now the housing part moved back to its original position the mouthpiece is fixed.

In this case, means are preferably provided that one increased friction between the housing part and the housing cause. The housing part remains because of the increased Friction normally in its set Status. To move it, are acting from the outside Forces required, for example, by an operator must be applied. An accidental Moving the housing part relative to the housing, about in the course of a work process, however largely prevented.

The housing part is advantageously in the ready state acted upon by a restoring force. The restoring force thus secures the mouthpiece against twisting because she presses the housing part against the mouthpiece.

It is particularly advantageous that the restoring force via the pull mechanism on the housing part works. There is a restoring force for the pull mechanism anyway required, normally by one Spring, in particular a compression spring, is applied. You can now use the power of this spring to to press the housing part against the mouthpiece. in the Ready status is the desired fixation of the mouthpiece reached. To adjust the mouthpiece the pull mechanism must move back a small distance will. This can be done either by hand or done by motor. This then becomes the housing part released so far that it shifted relative to the housing can be.

The housing part is preferably a jaw opening device trained for the pull mechanism. If the Pull mechanism moved back to its front end position in the standby state, must be Open jaws to dispense the old mandrel and to be able to pick up a new mandrel. If now the housing part is designed so that it is simultaneously can serve as a jaw opening device ensures that the housing part in the ready state always with the necessary force against the mouthpiece is pressed. As soon as the mandrel is removed the operator knows that the fixation of the Mouthpiece is reached again.

The mouthpiece is advantageously on both sides the mandrel guide channels essentially symmetrical trained spherical disc formed on her Scope in the area of one mouth of each mandrel guide channel has a substantially flat flattening. The mandrel guide channels are in one Plane that forms the center plane of the spherical disc. If a ball or spherical disc is flattened, the flattening takes on a circular shape. But this is exactly the shape that serves as a contact surface for the rivet head is desired. A spherical disc can be relatively easily manufacture, for example as a turned part. The flattenings can be attached just as easily, for example by milling. When training as a spherical disc However, the shape of the polygon is only in the Middle plane recognizable. On the two ends of the Ball disc can only be a circle from the outside detect. Accordingly, if this is used the recess in the housing part in the area the end faces of the spherical disc with corresponding Be provided with inner radii.

The width of the spherical disk preferably corresponds to essentially the length of one side of the polygon. The Mouthpiece is so given dimensions kept as small as possible. The flattenings then have a diameter that is exactly the width of the mouthpiece or the spherical disc. The individual flats then collide at the corners of the polygon.

Strictly speaking, this only applies to the middle level. The further you get outside, the bigger there will be transitions in the form of curves.

A union nut is advantageously provided, that holds the mouthpiece in the housing. Such a nut can be easily screwed on. But there is the mouthpiece has the necessary freedom of movement inside, so that it can be adjusted accordingly. The union nut preferably only acts on this the trunnions, so that the mouthpiece though when others Fixations are removed, can be freely rotated, but is still held captive in the housing.

It is particularly preferred here that the union nut has a through opening that faces the mouthpiece expanded conically. On the one hand, this only leaves a little gap between the union nut and Mouthpiece exist so that the penetration of dirt is difficult. Such dirt could increase mobility of the mouthpiece in the housing. On the other hand, the conical expansion allows one free movement of the mouthpiece without the cap nut must be placed excessively far outside. Especially in connection with the spherical disc shape of the Mouthpiece there are advantages here because namely Ball disc with corresponding curves relatively free step past the inside of the union nut can.

Fig. 1

einen schematischen Querschnitt durch einen Teil eines Blindnietsetzgeräts,

Fig. 2

einen Teil des Gehäuses des Blindnietsetzgeräts im Schnitt,

Fig. 3

eine Draufsicht auf das Gehäuse von links in Fig. 2,

Fig. 4

eine Vorderansicht eines Mundstücks und

Fig. 5

eine Seitenansicht einer anderen Ausgestaltung eines Mundstücks.

The invention is described below on the basis of preferred exemplary embodiments in conjunction with the drawing. Show here:

Fig. 1

2 shows a schematic cross section through part of a blind rivet setting device,

Fig. 2

part of the housing of the blind rivet setting tool in section,

Fig. 3

a plan view of the housing from the left in Fig. 2,

Fig. 4

a front view of a mouthpiece and

Fig. 5

a side view of another embodiment of a mouthpiece.

A blind rivet setting device 1 has one in a housing 2 movable pull mechanism 3 with chuck jaws 4, pressure piece 5 and a return spring 6. The pull mechanism 3 can by a not shown Drive that can be moved manually or by motor, from the standby position shown to the right be moved. Here the chuck jaws 4 approach each other. A rivet mandrel, not shown, which in the setting tool 1 has been inserted is then detected and also pulled to the right. Building a such pull mechanism and the operation of a In principle, blind rivets are well known. On them will only be dealt with in the following if necessary is.

At the front end of the housing 2, which in Fig. 1 after shows a mouthpiece 7 is arranged, the one Has a plurality of mandrel guide channels 8. The mouthpiece 7 is shown in front view in FIG. 4. The Mouthpiece is formed by a spherical washer 11 a diameter D. The spherical disc extends essentially symmetrical on both sides of its central plane 9. The mandrel guide channels 8 are in this central plane arranged. On both sides of the mouthpiece 7 bearing pins 10 are arranged. With these trunnions 10 is the mouthpiece in bearings 12 in the housing 2 stored and so that it can be rotated about an axis which is essentially perpendicular to the direction of pull the pull mechanism 3 extends. The bearings 12 support the mouthpiece 7 at the same time in the direction of movement the pull mechanism 3.

The ball washer 11 has a number on its circumference provided by flats 13. Because every flat flattening a sphere forms a circular surface therefore on the peripheral surface of the spherical washer 11 and thus on the circumference of the mouthpiece 7 a number of circular flats that have a diameter a exhibit. This diameter a corresponds essentially the width b of the spherical disc 11. The individual Circular areas formed by the flats 13 are therefore encounter in the central plane 9 of the mouthpiece 7 to each other. The mouthpiece 7 then points in the area its central plane 9 in cross section the shape of a Polygons on, as can be seen from Fig. 1. This Polygon is regularly trained, i.e. his sides 14 all have the same length a. The polygon has an odd number of pages 14 and corners 15. The concept of corners 15 is only a connection here to understand between two sides 14. The corners 15 can also by a transition between two sides 14 be formed, which is rounded or the shape of a Has polygon.

The mandrel guide channels 8 are now through channels, for example as holes, through the mouthpiece 7 trained and that they extend from one side 14 to the opposite corner 15. Around an estuary the mandrel guide channel 8 therefore always extends an essentially flat surface due to the flattening 13 is formed. On this flat surface, the Apply rivet head when setting.

The corner 15 protrudes into a recess 16 in a housing part 17. The recess 16 is used to carry out a Rivet mandrels towards the chuck jaws 4. You expanded is approximately V-shaped towards the front end, so that the Sides 14 of the mouthpiece 7 rest on the housing part 17 can. The housing part 17 is in a sliding part 18 arranged axially relative to the housing 2, i.e. 1 can be moved from left to right and vice versa is. To increase the friction between the Housing 2 and the sliding part 18 is a round ring 19 provided, for example made of rubber, for one Friction between the sliding part 18 and the housing 2 cares. The sliding part 18 can therefore only against one moved certain resistance to the housing 2 will. Furthermore, a fastening ring 20 is provided which holds the housing part 17 in the sliding part 18. in the Housing 2 has an opening 21 through which the Projecting through the housing part 17.

The housing part 17 indicates one of the pull mechanism 3 pointing projection 22 which is bevelled outwards and as an opening mechanism for the chuck jaws 4 serves. The chuck jaws 4 are through the Force of the return spring 6 pressed against the projection 22. As a result, the housing part 17 in the Fig. 1 standby position against the Mouthpiece 7 pressed. The mouthpiece 7 is therefore in the set position fixed.

To push the mouthpiece 7 out of the housing 2 to prevent a union nut 23 is provided, which has an opening 24 through which the mouthpiece 7 protrudes through. The opening 24 widens conically inside. So it arises between the union nut 23 and the mouthpiece 7 only a narrow gap 25. Due to the shape of the mouthpiece 7, which comes from the spherical disc 11 was created, can be conical Widen the opening 24 of the gap 25, without the rotatability of the mouthpiece 7 in the housing 2 is affected. The union nut acts on the Bearing pin 10 of the mouthpiece 7.

In order to twist the mouthpiece 7, the pull mechanism 3 operated. It moves through a certain amount Route to the right. It is not necessary that it will move to its end position. It is enough from when the chuck jaws 4 the protrusion 22 so far release that the housing part 17 through the sliding part 18 is moved as far to the right that the mouthpiece 7 comes free from the recess 16. In this Case it is no longer fixed. It can therefore in the Bearings 12 can be rotated freely. As soon as the mandrel guide channel 8 with the desired diameter on the Front appears, the pull mechanism 3 is again move to the left. Here the chuck jaws press 4 the housing part 17 again in contact with the mouthpiece 7, so that the mouthpiece is fixed.

If a rivet is now set, the pull mechanism will move 3 also to the right, which increases the pressure subsides on the housing part 17 and later canceled becomes. In this case, the mandrel is through the mandrel guide channel 8 and the recess 16 in the Feed jaws 4 out, so that the fixation of the mouthpiece 7 done by the mandrel itself.

To adjust the mouthpiece 7, it is therefore not necessary to loosen the union nut 23.

The formation of the mouthpiece 7 as a pentagon is sufficient for most use cases. On the one hand there are enough different diameters of the mandrel guide channels 8 available, namely five pieces. On the other hand the mouthpiece is still stable enough to accommodate larger ones To be able to absorb tensile forces.

5 shows a further embodiment of a mouthpiece 7 '. The only difference is the shape of the Bearing pin 10 '. This also shows in cross section the shape of a polygon based on that in the mathematical sense is similar to the polygon of the mouthpiece 7, i.e. the number the corners that are angles and aspect ratios equal. The polygon of the pin 10 'is around one Angle α rotated relative to the polygon of the mouthpiece 7 '. One can also say that the polygon of the cone 10 'around one through the axis of rotation and parallel to one Page 14 level 26 is mirrored. Hereby it is achieved that always one side c of the polygon of the Mouthpiece 7 'and one side d of the polygon of the journal 10 are parallel to each other. With this page d can the bearing pin 10 'supported on a bearing surface 12' are shown in dashed lines in Fig. 2 is. This ensures security against twisting achieved that the mouthpiece 7 'with its journal 10 'initially by a certain distance from the Bearing surface 12 'must be lifted so that it rotates can be. Here is the loosening of the union nut 23 required. The housing part 17 can in this case Housing be firm, so it can also be in one piece with the Housing 2 may be formed.

Claims (15)

1. Blind fastener applicator device (1) with a pull mechanism (3) and a displaceably mounted mouthpiece (7, 7') having several mandrel guide channels (8) one of which can be aligned in relation to the pull mechanism (3), characterised in that the mouthpiece (7, 7') in section has the shape of an odd-numbered polygon, the mandrel guide channels (8) running from one side (14) to the opposite corner (15).
2. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the polygon is constructed as a regular polygon.
3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the mouthpiece (7, 7') is rotatable about an essentially stationary axis which runs perpendicularly to the pulling direction of the pull mechanism (3).
4. Device according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the mouthpiece (7, 7') comprises journals (10, 10') which project perpendicularly to the mandrel guide channels (8) and with which it is supported on a bearing portion (12, 12') of the housing (2) relative to which the pull mechanism (3) is movable.
5. Device according to claim 4, characterised in that at least one of the journals (10') in section has the shape of a polygon with reduced sides (d), the polygon of the journal (10') being rotated relative to the polygon of the mouthpiece (7') through an angle (α) which is 180° divided by the number of sides (14) of the polygon, and the journal (10') abuts against a surface (12') which extends essentially perpendicularly to the pulling direction.
6. Device according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the mouthpiece (7) in the standby state extends with one corner (15) of the polygon into a recess (16) in a housing portion (17) and abuts against the housing portion (17) with at least some of the sides (14) forming the corner (15).
7. Device according to claim 6, characterised in that the housing portion (17) is movable relative to the housing (2).
8. Device according to claim 7, characterised in that means (19) are provided which cause increased friction locking between housing portion (17, 18) and housing (2).
9. Device according to claim 7 or 8, characterised in that the housing portion (17) in the standby state is acted upon by a return force.
10. Device according to claim 9, characterised in that the return force acts via the pull mechanism (3) on the housing portion.
11. Device according to any of claims 6 to 10, characterised in that the housing portion (17) is constructed as a jaw opening device (22) for the pull mechanism (3).
12. Device according to any of claims 1 to 11, characterised in that the mouthpiece (7, 7') is formed by a spherical washer (11) which is constructed essentially symmetrically on both sides of the mandrel guide channels (8) and which has an essentially plane flattened portion (13) at its circumference in the region of one mouth of each mandrel guide channel (8).
13. Device according to claim 12, characterised in that the width (b) of the spherical washer (11) essentially corresponds to the length (a) of one side (14) of the polygon.
14. Device according to any of claims 1 to 13, characterised in that a cap nut (23) which keeps the mouthpiece (7, 7') in the housing is provided.
15. Device according to claim 14, characterised in that the cap nut (23) has a through-opening (24) which widens conically towards the mouthpiece (7, 7').

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