EP1186359B1 - Apparatus for joining metal sheets together - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a device for Enforcing overlapping sheet metal parts with one Stamp and an anvil, on which at least two die parts are laterally movably supported, which delimit an opening, so that when the stamp moves in the opening dodge sideways when deforming the sheets and so a Joining point is formed.

In all previously known methods and devices for Enforcing there is the problem that the strongest possible Undercut of the stamp-side sheet on the anvil-side Outside edge of the joining point must be achieved so the joining point reaches the required strength.

The devices for clinching according to the state of the Techniques (e.g. U.S. Patent 4,910,853) have previously been disclosed an anvil that is only slightly larger in diameter than the stamp had. The anvil was in the direction of movement of the stamp elongated die parts surrounded by the backflow, by which the Undercut was formed, spread apart from the anvil. However, this allowed the material along the joining point flow down the outside of the anvil. The undercuts thus remained relatively small and Insufficient strength of the joining point.

In order to remedy this problem, have already been in the prior art multi-stage enforcement joining proposed at to which the joining point is compressed again after enforcement has been. This multi-stage enforcement is only with a very complicated device can be realized and required a large number of work steps.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a device to enforce that without creating additional apparatus expenditure in the joining device and without additional Machining steps better strength of the Joining points.

This object is achieved according to the invention solved the features of claim 1.

It is particularly preferred if the opening of the die is one has circular cross-section, and the joints in shape from inward curved arches, so that the Opening like an iris can open. With this solution there are no columns at all and this results in a Uniform backflow process over the entire circumference of the joining point. The undercut is equally strong everywhere and firm.

FIGUR 1 eine Matrizenanordnung mit radial verlaufenden Fugen gemäß dem Stand der Technik in geschlossenem Zustand;

FIGUR 2 die Anordnung der Figur 1 in geöffnetem Zustand (während des Hinterfließvorgangs);

FIGUR 3 einen mit der Matrizenanordnung gemäß dem Stand der Technik nach Figur 1 hergestellten Fügepunkt in Draufsicht;

FIGUR 4 einen Schnitt entlang der Linie A-A der Figur 3;

FIGUR 5 einen Schnitt entlang der Linie B-B der Figur 3;

FIGUR 6 eine erfindungsgemäße Matrizenanordnung in "Iris-Blendenform" im geschlossenen Zustand;

FIGUR 7 die Anordnung der Figur 6 in geöffnetem Zustand (während des Hinterfließvorgangs);

FIGUR 8 eine weitere erfindungsgemäße Matrizenanordnung in Iris-Blendenform aus nur zwei Teilen und

FIGUR 9 die Matrizenanordnung der Figur 8 auf dem Amboß montiert in Schnittdarstellung.

The present invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings. Show it:

FIGURE 1 shows a matrix arrangement with radial joints according to the prior art in the closed state;

FIGURE 2 shows the arrangement of Figure 1 in the open state (during the backflow process);

3 shows a joining point produced with the die arrangement according to the prior art according to FIG. 1 in plan view;

FIGURE 4 is a section along the line AA of Figure 3;

FIGURE 5 is a section along the line BB of Figure 3;

FIGURE 6 shows a matrix arrangement according to the invention in an "iris diaphragm shape" in the closed state;

FIGURE 7 shows the arrangement of Figure 6 in the open state (during the backflow process);

FIGURE 8 shows a further matrix arrangement according to the invention in the form of an iris diaphragm consisting of only two parts and

FIGURE 9 shows the die assembly of Figure 8 mounted on the anvil in a sectional view.

To understand the solution according to the invention with the "iris-shaped" The matrix arrangement is shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 the prior art is also shown again. Figure 1 shows a currently common matrix arrangement, which consists of four 300 separate matrix elements through radial joints 313, 314, 315, 316 consists of a quarter circle each form.

FIG. 2 shows the same arrangement in the open state, i.e. at the end of the backflow if through the flow of the joining point, the matrix elements 313, 314, 315, 316 maximum are dispersed.

Figure 3 shows a joining point with the matrix device is made according to Figures 1 and 2, in plan view. It it is clearly recognizable that the joining point is not complete is round, but in the places where the individual matrix elements Bump 313-316 through the gap Has 300 recesses caused.

As can be seen from Figures 4 and 5, these recesses to a significant reduction in the strength of the Joining point.

FIG. 4 shows a section through the joining point of the figure 3 along the line A-A. As you can see, there is the undercut there good and the joining point seems good strength values exhibit.

However, one cuts along the line B-B of Figure 3, how this is shown in Figure 5, the section then through the recesses of the Joining point runs, it can be seen from Figure 5 that here almost no undercut has been formed. These areas of the joining point thus do not contribute to the strength. The joining point produced according to the prior art is missing therefore a significant part of the theoretically achievable maximum Strength.

To remedy this problem, the present invention teaches the corresponding column 300 is not radial (in the direction of flow of the backflow process). A a particularly preferred embodiment is shown in FIG. 6. Here, the joints 400 are between the individual Matrix elements 413 to 416 arcuate so that even when the die is opened by the backflow process cannot form columns because the individual matrix elements 413 to 416 move apart without gaps can, as shown in Figure 7.

Since there are no gaps in this solution according to the invention can form between the individual matrix elements also a simplified arrangement according to FIG. 8 with only two Matrix elements 414, 416 possible. Of course it works this arrangement also with a different number of Matrix Elements. With more than five matrix elements the construction, however, become too complex.

FIG. 9 shows a sectional illustration through the die anvil arrangement for a die shape according to Figure 8. The anvil 412 is also wider here than the maximum width of the joining point executed. The L-shaped die elements 414 and 416 are attached to the side surfaces of the anvil. she are movable by a spring ring 420 and spring back elastically held in place.

The present invention can be done by a less complex Modification of the anvil-matrix arrangement a considerably better strength of the joining points can be achieved without for this additional work steps in the clinching process would be required.

Claims (2)

1. Apparatus for clinching of overlapping metal sheet members having a punch and an anvil on which at least two die members are supported in a laterally movable way limiting an opening such that these members with a movement of the punch into the opening during the deformation of the metal sheets are yielding sidewardly such that a clinching point is formed wherein the opening (410) of the die is having a circular cross-section and the die elements (413, 414, 415, 416) are separated by joints (400) which are not extending radially, characterised in that the joints (400) are extending tangentially with respect to said opening (417).
2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that the joints (400) are having the shape of inwardly bent arcs such that the opening can open like an iris-diaphragm.

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