EP0995515B1 - Mechanical assembly device - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a device for mechanical joining flat sheets lying on top of each other by forming according to the generic term of Claim 1.

Mechanical joining by means of forming at connecting sheet metal parts under the effect of tool sets, each made The stamp and die are made up of small three-dimensional structures that Fügelemente. These joining elements are formed by in a joining area the sheet metal material of the sheet metal parts lying flat on top of one another Sheet plane are moved out and compressed together. One speaks so far from clinching.

A joining tool that can be used for this purpose is, for example, from EP 0 077932 B1 known. There a joining area is delimited by a press driven stamp and a stationary die. Will the stamp be in Moved in the direction of the die, the material of the sheets is in a cavity of the Deep drawn die. If the sheet on the die side reaches the bottom of the Cavity, which is formed by an anvil, and the pressure on the Stamps maintained or raised, the bottom of the enforced Spread out the joining section laterally, as the material is compressed and the Dodge the die cavity from the side walls. According to EP 0 366 987 A1 is also known that the stamp in such a joining tool has a stop limiting its penetration depth. Limiting the Depth of penetration and thus a path limitation of the stamp ensures that the Influence is not overused. However, it turned out to be disadvantageous that the known path limitation is rigid and the joining tool is mechanical loaded.

The object of the invention is therefore a device for mechanical joining to create according to the preamble of claim 1, which with a simple and fast-working path limitation.

This task is characterized by the characteristics of the characteristic part of the Claim 1 solved.

This creates a device for mechanical joining, which with a path limitation for the drivable tool part is equipped that directly acts on the drive and thus responds particularly quickly. Furthermore, the Construction of the joining tool by the switching pin and that Shift linkage not loaded.

The execution of the path limitation with a valve for a depth limitation, which can be switched from a flow position into a blocking position by a switching pin carried by the drivable tool part when a selectable penetration depth is reached via the shift linkage Moving out of a latching engagement continues to allow depths of penetration can be set differently. This improves the adaptation to different ones Sheet materials. Trigger for activation of the path limitation indeed the path covered by the drivable tool part, but without to have to take a distance measurement. The one with each joining process the actual depth of penetration triggers the depth limitation. So it is ensures that the specified penetration depth is not exceeded.

The shift linkage can be easily guided on the tool set without hindering its construction. The shift linkage can be guided such that a detent provided on the shift linkage itself spring-loaded supported on the tool set. This can be achieved that entrainment of the shift linkage by the shift pin, the one Movement of the catch away from the closing element of the valve for one Depth limit to get a disengagement, to one Increases the spring preload. An independent return of the It locks into the locking engagement after completion of the joining process increased spring preload eased.

The catch is preferably designed as a pin-like locking element that has a rectilinear stroke movement can intervene in a grid by moving it into a Projecting direction of movement of the closing element. Already a minor one Hub then causes a locking engagement as well as a disengagement.

The fluid supply is preferably equipped with a valve control circuit, which in addition to the valve for a depth limitation as at least one start valve Pilot valve which can be actuated by means of a control lever; for one Trigger joining process.

The fluid supply can continue to act upon the drivable Tool part with a contact pressure for preloading the drivable Tool part against the sheets at the beginning of a joining process and also for Applying a stripping force to the drivable tool part Stripping the sheets from the drivable tool part at the end of one Joining process are used. The respective drive means of the usual pneumatically or hydraulically operated tool set thus becomes Drive used a plurality of functional elements of a tool set, wherein a control sequence can be controlled by valves.

Further embodiments of the invention are the dependent claims and the see the following description.

Fig. 1 zeigt teilweise weggebrochen einen Längsschnitt eines in einer Bereitschaftsstellung dargestellten Werkzeugsatzes mit einer Wegbegrenzung,

Fig. 2 zeigt teilweise weggebrochen einen Längsschnitt des Werkzeugsatzes gemäß Fig. 1 beim Fügen,

Fig. 3 zeigt teilweise weggebrochen einen Längsschnitt des Fügewerkzeuges gemäß Fig. 1 am Ende des Fügens,

Fig. 4 zeigt teilweise weggebrochen einen Längsschnitt des Fügewerkzeuges gemäß Fig. 1 bei einem Abstreifen und Wiederherstellen der Bereitschaftsstellung,

Fig. 5 zeigt einen Schaltplan einer Steuerung einer Fluidversorgung durch Ventile,

Fig. 6 zeigt eine Draufsicht einer Anordnung eines Steuerhebels in bezug auf ein Startventil und ein Resetventil für den Werkzeugsatz in der Bereitschaftsstellung gemäß Fig. 1,

Fig. 7 zeigt die Anordnung gemäß Fig. 6 für den Werkzeugsatz beim Fügen gemäß Fig. 2 und 3,

Fig. 8 zeigt die Anordnung gemäß Fig. 6 für den Werkzeugsatz bei einem Abstreifen und Wiederherstellen der Bereitschaftsstellung gemäß Fig. 4.

The invention is explained below with reference to the embodiment shown in the accompanying figures.

1 shows partially broken away a longitudinal section of a tool set shown in a standby position with a path limitation,

FIG. 2 shows, partially broken away, a longitudinal section of the tool set according to FIG. 1 during joining,

3 shows, partially broken away, a longitudinal section of the joining tool according to FIG. 1 at the end of the joining,

4 shows, partially broken away, a longitudinal section of the joining tool according to FIG. 1 when the ready position is stripped and restored,

5 shows a circuit diagram of a control of a fluid supply through valves,

6 shows a plan view of an arrangement of a control lever with respect to a start valve and a reset valve for the tool set in the ready position according to FIG. 1,

7 shows the arrangement according to FIG. 6 for the tool set when joining according to FIGS. 2 and 3,

FIG. 8 shows the arrangement according to FIG. 6 for the tool set when stripping and restoring the ready position according to FIG. 4.

Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 show a device for mechanical joining flat sheets 4 lying one on top of the other by forming with a tool set at least one punch 1 and a die 2 which delimits a cavity 3, into which is inserted. The stamp 1 and the die 2 form tool parts, at least one of which can be driven so that the stamp 1 is effective a sheet metal material from a sheet level together and upsets. The number of sheets on top of each other and to be joined 4 is selectable and is at least 2.

A characteristic size of the die 2 is a penetration depth DT that is determined by the cavity 3. The cavity 3 follows from a hollow shape Die 2 with an anvil on the bottom side and a protruding side swing-out fittings to limit the cavity 3. For one The penetration depth DT is therefore structurally predetermined.

In the joining process itself there is a penetration depth ET of the stamp 1, which in a locally limited sheet metal area is pressed in and into the cavity 3 of the die 2 penetrates in order to penetrate the sheet material into the cavity 3 and to crush on the anvil. The penetration depth ET is then the distance between the surface plane 5 of the stamp-side sheet 6 and one Imprint of a stamp face 7 on the bottom 8 of a joining element 9 (cf. Fig. 4).

According to the exemplary embodiment, a drive means acts on the stamp 1, to move this against the die 2. For this, pneumatic or hydraulic feed devices are used, e.g. Presses or too beating drive means. A striking drive means 34 is provided here (Hammer) with a hammer piston 10, which acts as a free-flying piston in a cylindrical straight guide 11 is guided. The two sides of the hammer piston 10 can alternately and in rapid succession with a fluid supply, in particular compressed air. The feed and discharge lines for the Fluid supply is not shown. The hammer piston 10 then transmits one Impact stress in the form of individual impacts on a firing pin 12 is engaged with the stamp 1.

The stamp 1 is guided in a cylinder housing 13, which is a straight guide the stamp 1 ensures when executing its lifting movements. To the Stamp 1 is attached to a stop in the form of a switching pin 14 which is transverse extends to a punch axis 15 and opposite the cylinder housing 13 protrudes laterally outwards. The switching pin 14 therefore follows one Stroke movement of the stamp 1, for which purpose a cutout in the cylinder housing 13 16 is provided.

The shift pin 14 is associated with a shift linkage 17, which is relative to the Stamp 1 and its switching pin 14 assume a defined fixed position can, but this position is selectable, as explained below becomes. The shift linkage 17 is provided to a feed movement of the Stamp 1 to be transferred to a mechanical actuation of a valve 18, the an interruption in the fluid supply switches and thereby a depth limitation a coincidence. The actual depth of penetration of the stamp 1 is used to limit the stamp 1.

The shift linkage 17 is held by the straight guide 11 of the Tool set and comprises a rod 19 which is parallel in the straight guide 11 is guided to the punch axis 15. On their associated with the switching pin 14 End, the rod 19 has a counter stop 20 against which the Switch pin 14 can be moved by a stop. On an opposite At the end, the rod 19 has a detent 21 which engages in a releasable detent engagement a closing element 22 of the valve 18 can be brought for a depth limitation. For this purpose, the closing element 22 has a grid 23 in the form of one of the catches 21 adapted recess. The detent 21 is preferably one pin-like locking element formed in a direction of movement of the closing element 22 attacks on this. Slight engagement depths are then sufficient the valve 18 reliably by means of the detent 21 from a flow position into a Switch to the locked position. The depths of engagement are from 0, 15 to 0, 3mm.

So that the shift linkage 17 a feed movement of the stamp 1, transmitted by the switching pin 14 can follow, the shift linkage 17 in the straight guide 11 guided. The shift linkage 17 is supported for this with the detent 21 via a spring 24 on the straight guide 11. The detent 21 further preferably includes an adjustment handle 25 which is an extension or Shortening of the shift linkage 17, i.e. here the rod 19, allows to thereby changing the setting dimension X of a depth limit.

The shift linkage 17 accordingly transmits a feed movement at the end of a joining of the stamp 1 on the notch 21 by taking it with you the switching pin 14 pulls the detent 21 out of the catch 23. On Control sequence of the fluid supply using the valve 18 is described below in connection with FIG. 5.

In the illustrated embodiment, the stamp 1 is with a additional pressure and stripping piston 26 provided to by means of Fluid supply also biases the punch 1 against the metal sheets 4 Carry out the beginning of a joining as well as stripping at the end of a joining to be able to. The pressure and stripping piston 26 is a ring piston formed on which the stamp 1 is held and in a cylinder 27th is movable, against which the cylinder housing 13 for the stamp 1 as Stator can be trained. The annular piston 26 is connected via a feed line 28 from above can be acted upon by a fluid, as a result of which a contact force is exerted on the plunger 1 can be exercised. In addition, the annular piston 26 can have a Feed line 29 are acted upon from below with a fluid, whereby a Wiping force can be exerted on the stamp 1, whereby the stamp 1 is withdrawn with respect to an adjacent hold-down device 30. An insertion game for inserting the sheets 4 can be done with an adjustment dimension Y can be selected.

Based on the joining process, the joining tool is in one in FIG Ready position shown. The annular piston 26 is acted upon at the bottom and presses the stamp 1 into a starting position. The stamp face 7 is preferably flush with a contact surface of the hold-down device 30.

Fig. 2 shows the joining tool described when starting the joining and while joining. By actuating a start valve 32 (see FIG. 5) in one Fluid supply is applied to the annular piston 26 from above and presses the Stamp 1 on the sheets 4. At the same time, the hammer 34 (see FIG. 5) and hammer the punch 1 into the sheets 4, whereby the joining element is generated. During the joining, the punch 1 and the annular piston 26 move downward Shift pin 14 has no contact with the shift linkage 17 Shift linkage 17 is with the detent 21 in the closing element of the valve 18th engages and keeps it in the flow position. About one by one Main valve 31 of the control of the fluid supply led to the valve 18 Supply line 35 flows a fluid through valve 18, the passage of which is open is, and via a supply line 36 to the hammer 34, the hammer piston 10 striking moves.

Fig. 3 shows the joining tool described at the end of the joining. On Adjusted setting dimension X of a depth limit to determine a Penetration depth ET is reached. The switching pin 14 has contact with the Shift linkage 17 and pulls over this the locking engagement of the detent 21 Moving out of the grid 23. The pull-out movement is through an arrow in the detent 21 indicated. The valve 18 for depth limitation responds by switching to the locked position. That about the Supply line 35 supplied pressure medium is blocked by the valve 18 and the supply line 36 (see Fig. 2) to the hammer 34 is fluid-free, i.e. the Hammer 34 is turned off. So that the valve 18 reliably when disengaged closes, the valve circuit is activated by an indirectly acting actuation 40 (cf. Fig. 5) piloted, which is done pneumatically here as a fluid according to the Embodiment compressed air is used. Alternatively, you can of course Hydraulic fluids are used for fluid supply.

Fig. 4 shows the joining tool described when stripping to the ready position to resume. The annular piston 26 is acted on below and presses the stamp 1 into the starting position, the sheets 4 are stripped. The valve 18 for a depth limit switches to the operating position, which is why Valve 18 is switched by means of an actuation. There is a reset valve 33 for this purpose provided that an actuation pulse to the Valve 18 releases. The closing element 22 moves into the flow position, at the detent 21, which is spring-loaded against the spring 24 Closing element 22 rests, engages in the catch 23. Then there is a joining cycle completed.

The path limitation of the described device is in its mode of operation regardless of the design of the stamp 1 with an annular piston 26 for Training of prestressing and stripping forces. To attach the Switching pin 14 on the plunger 1 is not such an annular piston 26 required. Since the valve 18 with a control flow of the fluid supply for the hammer 34 is connected, it is advantageous in this control also the Including preload and stripping forces and therefore stamp 1 to provide an annular piston 26.

The circuit diagram for a control sequence of the fluid supply is in FIG. 5 shown, to which reference has already been made repeatedly. After that is a fluid supply source 41 is initially provided. As a fluid are in particular Compressed air or hydraulic fluid can be used. This pressure medium is used with a selectable pressure, which here is, for example, 6 bar. about This pressure medium is applied in parallel to a supply lines 42, 43, 44 Start valve 32, a reset valve 33 and a main valve 31. The start valve 32 and the reset valve 33 are each a 3/2-way valve that is operated with feeler rollers Return spring. A control lever 47 acts on the feeler rollers 45 and 46 (cf. FIG. 6 to 8) a pivotable activation arm 48 for performing a joining.

The main valve 31 is pilot-controlled by the start valve 32, i.e. is the start valve 32 switched to the flow position by actuating the feeler roller 46, so lines 42 and 49 connected and main valve 31 via line 49 pressure actuated. The main valve 31 is a 5/2 way valve that, as long as it doesn't is controlled by the start valve 32 by pressurization, supply lines 44 and 38 connects and thus pressure medium from the Pressurized fluid source 41 is applied to the joining tool in order to remove the annular piston 26 from to be applied below, as described for FIG. 1. The joining tool is located yourself in the standby position. An associated position of the activation lever 48 for a manual triggering of a joining process is shown in FIG. 6.

But if the start valve 32 is actuated by the feeler roller 46 in the flow position switched, which is shown in FIG. 7 by manually pivoting the Activation arm 48 is reached, the main valve connects lines 44 and 35. Is the valve 18 also switched to the flow position, i.e. the detent is 21 with the grid 23 in a releasable locking engagement, so are the lines 35 and 36 connected. The line 36, the hammer 34 with pressure medium supplied, causes the hammer 34 to hammer. One from line 36 branching line 37 simultaneously acts on the annular piston 26 from above with a pressure medium for the preload so that the stamp 1 preferably not dancing on the sheets 4 at the beginning of the punching. It a further valve can also be provided so that the preload is timed the beating is applied.

The hammer 34 hammers the punch 1 into the sheets 4 until the switching pin 14 strikes against the shift linkage 17 and this at least slightly takes along as long as the hammer 34 continues to hammer. The valve 18 speaks in the way described by disengaging, whereby the connection between the lines 35 and 36 is interrupted and the hammer 34 no longer can hit. To the joining tool after completion of the joining process To bring it back into the standby position, the Activation lever 48 pivoted out of contact with the feeler roller 46 of the Start valve 32. This eliminates the pilot control for the main valve 31, i.e. the Connection of lines 44 and 35 is interrupted and therefore the lines 44 and 38 connected. The annular piston 26 of the stamp 1 then receives one again Pressurization from below, which after stripping a wiping of the Sheets 4 has the consequence that the punch 1 with respect to the hold-down device 30 is withdrawn (see FIG. 4).

In order to switch the valve 18 back to the flow position in order to limit the depth, the activation lever 48 is pivoted so that the feeler roller 45 of the reset valve 33 is operated by the control lever 47. Since the reset valve 33 a Pilot valve of the valve 18 for depth limitation is by the Tracer roller actuation switched to flow position. The catch 21 anchors this Flow position until the punch has passed a depth limit, the corresponds to a selectable penetration depth of the stamp 1 and that by Shift linkage 17 is set. A certain setting dimension X that the Distance between the stamp 1 is determined in a first position, in which the Stamp face 7 rests on the stamp-side sheet 6, and a second Position in which the stamp face at the bottom of the finished joining element rests (Fig. 3), can be changed for each addition. For this is only the Counter stop 20 of the shift linkage 17 with a greater or smaller distance to arrange the switching pin 14 in the first position of the stamp 1. usual Values for setting dimension X are 1 to 5 mm.

In a modification of the described embodiment, the shift linkage can 17 in addition to the rod-shaped design on the angular elements Detent 21 act.

Instead of the activation lever 48, the actuation of the valves 32, 33 can also done electrically. The same applies to the initiation of the forming work for the Joining process. An alternative to the hammer 34 is a conventional press or pliers used. Furthermore, the hammer 34 can also act on the die, for which purpose Stamp 1 and die 2 their positions compared to that described Just replace the embodiment. In addition, when joining a Auxiliary joining part can be incorporated. Auxiliary joining parts are punch rivets, especially those with semi-tubular rivets that remain in the joining zone.

Claims (16)

1. Apparatus for mechanically joining metal sheets (4), which lie flat one upon the other, by deformation, having a tool set comprising at least one punch (1) and one die (2) which bounds a cavity (3) in which the joining operation takes place, it being the case that at least one of these two tool parts can be driven via a driving force, produced by fluid supply, such that the punch (1) displaces sheet-metal material out of a sheet-metal plane, and upsets it, under the action of deformation work, and the driveable tool part has a stop which is moved along with it and limits its penetration depth, characterized in that the stop is formed by a switching bolt (14) which, upon reaching a selectable penetration depth, can be displaced against a switching linkage (17) which can be brought into releasable latching engagement with a closing element (22) of a valve (18) which is arranged in the fluid supply and is intended for depth limitation, it being the case that the latching engagement is provided for maintaining a throughflow position of the valve (18), and the switching bolt (14) is designed as a carry-along element, acting on the switching linkage (17), for disengaging the switching linkage (17) from the closing element (22) and switching the valve (18) into a blocking position for the purpose of interrupting the fluid supply.
2. Apparatus according to Claim 1, characterized in that the switching linkage (17) is guided on the tool set and, for direct transmission of the movement of the switching bolt (14), which is carried along by the punch (1), has a catch (21) for switching the valve (18).
3. Apparatus according to Claim 2, characterized in that the switching linkage (17) supports the latching element on the tool set with spring prestressing.
4. Apparatus according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the switching linkage (17) can be brought into releasable latching engagement via a pin-like latching element, it being possible for the latching element to be latched in such that it protrudes in a movement direction of the closing element (22).
5. Apparatus according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the closing element (22) of the valve (18) for depth limitation can be returned into releasable latching engagement with the switching linkage (17) via a pilot valve (33) for depth limitation.
6. Apparatus according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, for the purpose of setting a selectable penetration depth to which the punch (1) penetrates into the die (2), the switching bolt (14) has a vertically adjustable counteracting stop (20) against which the switching bolt (14) can be displaced with carry-along action.
7. Apparatus according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the switching linkage (17) extends parallel to a stroke direction of the driveable tool part, a counteracting stop (20) being arranged at the end of the same which engages with the stop, and a catch (21) being arranged at the end of the same which engages with the valve (18) for depth limitation.
8. Apparatus according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the fluid supply has valve control with a start valve (32) as the pilot valve for the valve (18) for depth limitation.
9. Apparatus according to Claim 8, characterized in that, for the purpose of starting a joining operation, the start valve (32) can be actuated by the actuation of a contact roller (46).
10. Apparatus according to Claim 8 or 9, characterized in that connected in parallel with the start valve (32) is a reset valve (33) for the valve (18) for depth limitation and, during a joining operation, said reset valve can be actuated, by the actuation of a contact roller (45), in each case before the actuation of the start valve (32).
11. Apparatus according to Claims 9 and 10, characterized in that the contact rollers (46, 45) of the start valve (32) and reset valve (33) can be actuated by a pivotable actuation lever (48).
12. Apparatus according to one of Claims 8 to 11, characterized in that arranged between the start valve (32) and the valve (18) for depth limitation is an additional main valve (31) which, when the start valve (32) has not been actuated, can supply fluids to the driveable tool part in order to subject the latter to the action of stripper forces.
13. Apparatus according to one of Claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the driveable tool part is formed by the punch (1), which extends from a piston (26) guided in a cylinder (27), and the cylinder (27), which can be subjected to the action of a fluid supply, limits upward and downward movements of the punch (1).
14. Apparatus according to Claim 13, characterized in that, for a raising action of the punch (1), the cylinder (27) can be subjected to the action of a fluid supply from beneath, this drawing back the punch (1) in relation to a holding-down means (30), a stripping piston being formed in the process.
15. Apparatus according to Claim 13 or 14, characterized in that, for lowering the punch (1) onto the metal sheets (4), the cylinder (27) can be subjected to the action of a fluid supply from above, this advancing the punch (1) in relation to a holding-down means (30), a pressure-exerting piston being formed in the process.
16. Apparatus according to one of Claims 13 to 15, characterized in that valve-controlled switchover from the piston (26) being subjected to the action of fluid to a prestressing position of the punch (1) can be effected by valve-controlled fluid supply.

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