EP1916065A1 - Support head - Google Patents

Abstract

The setting head (10) has a channel (12) formed at a front end (10.1) in a discharge- or assembly hole, with which the head is positioned for setting a clip nut (1) in a workpiece (8), by a supply position (17) formed in a transport direction of the nut within the channel from the hole for the nut. A unit (14) is provided for supplying the clip nut from an outer supply unit into the channel. A feed element (18) is movable by a drive (19) for pushing the nut present in the supply position onto the workpiece.

Description

The invention relates to a setting head according to the preamble of claim 1.

The object of the invention is to show a setting head with which in a rational manner the setting or mounting so-called clip nuts on workpieces, in particular on workpieces made of a flat material is possible. To solve this problem, a setting head according to the patent claim 1 is formed.

In a development of the invention, the setting head can also be designed, among other things,
in that a feed element which can be moved by a drive for pushing on the respective clip nuts located in the ready position by the
Dispensing opening is provided on the workpiece,
and or
that the setting head with its discharge or mounting hole for mounting the
Clip nuts can be positioned on the workpieces such that the respective, to be provided with a clip nut portion of the workpiece in the axial direction of the
Canal extends,
and or
in that the discharge opening or mounting opening is formed by two opening sections, of which one opening section is an end opening or axial opening and another opening section is a lateral or radial opening of the channel,
and or
that a contact surface for the workpiece is formed laterally of the further opening section,
and or
that the at least one contact surface lies in a plane parallel or approximately parallel to the axis which the channel at least at the transition to
Having discharge opening,
and or
in that the channel has a guide or channel extending in the channel longitudinal direction
Abutment surface for the clip nuts forms, and that the at least one
Workpiece abutment surface lies in a plane that is offset from the abutment surface,
and or
the at least one workpiece abutment surface lies in a plane which is offset from the abutment surface formed in the channel by a dimension which is at least equal to the material thickness of the component,
and or
that the feed element of at least one slider or a
Feed pawl is formed
and or
that the advancing element engages in the respective working stroke with a section reaching into the channel behind the respective clip nut arranged at the provision position and moves the latter in the direction of the delivery opening in a sliding manner,
and or
that the advancing element or its cooperating with the clip nuts
At the beginning of each working stroke, moving it from a position outside the channel and moving it out of the channel at the end of each working stroke;
and or
that the advancing element, at least at its section cooperating with the clip nuts or extending into the channel, is designed such that it deflects passing clip nuts, for example by yielding resiliently,
and or
the at least one feed element with its section interacting with the clip nuts constantly extends into the channel,
and or
that a lock device formed in the channel or exchange lock in
Direction of movement of the clip nuts is provided before the deployment position,
and or
that an external supply unit for immediate introduction respectively
at least one clip nut is provided at the ready position before each working stroke of the at least one feed element,
and or
that an external supply unit to maintain each one more
Clip nut forming supply is provided in the setting head,
and or
that the at least one workpiece abutment surface opposite at least one clamping element for clamping the workpiece between abutment surface and
Clamping element is provided,
and or
that the clamping element is pneumatically or mechanically actuatable,
and or
that the change-over lock is mechanically positively controlled or pneumatically controlled,
and or
that of the clip nuts cooperating portion of the
Feed element is formed by a sprung or resilient movable pawl or driver element,
and or
that at least one bearing or support element for supporting the
Clip nuts at the ready position when mounting or seating at
Workpiece is provided,
and or
that the bearing or support element is designed such that it allows a movement of the respective clip nut in the ready position, but prevents mounting of the clip nut but a dodge of this nut,
and or
that the bearing or support element is movably provided, for example by a controlled drive or by spring means movable,
and or
in that the demanding end of the setting head is provided with the provision there at a setting head part which opens from a loading position in which the channel for feeding the clip nuts opens into the provision position
Working position is movable, in which the setting head part is spaced with the provision position of the channel for feeding the clip nuts having remaining part of the setting head,
and or
in that the setting head part is perpendicular to at least in one axial direction
Longitudinal extent of the channel is movable for feeding the clip nuts,
and or
that the setting head for pushing the at least one clip nut on the
Workpiece by relative movement between the setting head and the workpiece
is trained,
wherein the aforementioned features can be used individually or in any combination.

Other embodiments, advantages and applications of the invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments and from the figures. In this case, all described and / or illustrated features alone or in any combination are fundamentally the subject of the invention, regardless of their summary in the claims or their dependency. Also, the content of the claims is made an integral part of the description.

Fig. 1

in vereinfachter Darstellung einen Setzkopf zum Aufbringen bzw. Aufschieben von Klipp-Muttern auf Werkstücke;

Fig. 2 und 3

in vereinfachter Darstellung im Längsschnitt sowie in Draufsicht das vordere Ende des Setzkopfes der Figur 1;

Fig. 4

in schematischer Darstellung einen Setzkopf an einem Transferbalken eines für den Einsatz in bzw. unter einer Presse bestimmten Stufenwerkzeugs;

Fig. 5

in Einzeldarstellung und in Seitenansicht eine Klippmutter;

Fig. 6 und 7

jeweils in vereinfachter Teildarstellung weitere Ausführungsformen des erfindungsgemäßen Setzkopfes.

The setting head according to the invention is very universally applicable, inter alia, in or under a press. The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the figures of an embodiment. Show it:

Fig. 1

in a simplified representation of a setting head for applying or pushing clip nuts on workpieces;

FIGS. 2 and 3

in a simplified representation in longitudinal section and in plan view of the front end of the setting head of Figure 1;

Fig. 4

a schematic representation of a setting head on a transfer bar of a particular intended for use in or under a press stage tool;

Fig. 5

in detail and in side view a clip nut;

6 and 7

in each case in a simplified partial representation of further embodiments of the setting head according to the invention.

In the figures, 1 so-called clip nuts, which consist essentially of a made of spring steel sheet clip 2 and a sleeve-like nut threaded part 3 with internal thread on this clip. The bow-shaped clip 2 forms two leg sections 4 and 5, which are connected to each other via a yoke section 6 and of which the leg section 4 is flat or substantially planar. The leg portion 5 is angled at its free end at 5.1 for ease of assembly. Furthermore, the leg 5 forms a section 5.2 which is in the region of the bend 5.1 with the rest of the leg 5 in conjunction, extending parallel or substantially parallel to the leg 4 in the direction of the yoke section 6. At the section 5.2, the nut threaded part 3 is provided or formed. In the leg 4 is coaxially with the axis of the nut threaded piece 3, an opening for the passage of an engaging in the nut threaded part 3, but not shown screw provided.

The leg portion 5.1 and this section opposite free end 4.1 of the leg 4 form the front end 1.1 of the clip nut 1. The rear end 1.2 of the clip nut 1 is formed by the yoke portion 6 connecting the two leg sections 4 and 5.

8 designates in the figures a workpiece made of a flat material, for example metal or steel sheet, on whose edge region one or more clip nuts 1 are mounted, in such a way that each clip nut 1 is located in the region of an opening 9 provided in the workpiece 8 , The mounting of the clip nuts 1 is done by sliding using the setting head 10th

The setting head 10 forms in a housing 11 a channel 12 for the clip nuts 1. The rectangular or square cross-section of this channel is adapted to the shape of the clip nuts 1 such that the clip nuts 1 in the channel 12 each have a predetermined orientation, namely such that the clip nuts 1 are each oriented with their front end 1.1 in a conveying direction A, in which these nuts are moved through the channel 12. Furthermore, the clip nuts 1 are arranged in the channel 12 so that they rest with their legs 4 on the underside 12.1 of the channel or are slidably moved in the conveying direction A through the channel 12 on the guide surface 12.1 formed by this underside.

The channel 12 terminates at the setting head shown on the left in Fig. 10.1 or at a local discharge or mounting opening 13 and passes at the rear end 10.2 of the setting head 10 in a supply channel, which is formed in a flexible hose 14, which the setting head 10 connects with a supply unit, not shown, for the clip nut 1.

In the region of the setting head front side 10.1 or in the region of the assembly or discharge opening 13, the channel 12 is not only at its front end, but also radially or towards the bottom open, as shown in Figures 2 and 3 with the sections 13.1 and 13.2 of the discharge opening 13 is designated. On each side of the channel 12 to the bottom opening section 13.2 of the discharge opening 13 of the setting head 10 each form a contact surface 15. Each contact surface 15 is an example pneumatically actuated clamping element 16 with respect to, so when mounting the respective clip nut 1, the workpiece 8 with its edge region between the contact surfaces 15 and the associated clamping elements 16 is received and clamped. The two contact surfaces 15 are in this case formed so that the side facing away from these plant surfaces of the workpiece 8 lies in a plane which is spaced from the plane of the guide surface 12.1 of the channel 12, by a measure which is equal to or slightly larger than that Material thickness of the leg 4, so that the respective clip nut 1 can be pushed with the leg 4 on the underside of the workpiece 8.

At one of the discharge or mounting opening 13 in the transport direction A preceding and formed in the channel 12 supply position 17, a feed element is provided, in the illustrated embodiment in the form of a rocker 18, by a drive, namely in the illustrated embodiment by a pneumatic cylinder 19th and with a control arrangement, namely in the illustrated embodiment with a crank control 20 is movable such that at each full stroke of the pneumatic cylinder 19 initially located in a starting position outside the channel 12 feed rocker 18 with its swing head 18.1 through an opening 21 in the surface 12.1 entering the channel 12, the oscillating head 18.1 then moves in a working stroke in the channel 12 in the conveying direction A and thereby carries the respective located in the ready position 17 clip nut 1 and on the setting head 10 and at the local mounting opening 13 fixed work piece 8 postpones. After this working stroke, the swing head 18.1 moves out of the channel 12 through the opening 21 and returns outside the channel 12 in a return stroke to the starting position.

The provision position 17 in the conveying direction A is preceded by a lock or change lock 22 is formed in the channel 12, after each stroke of the pneumatic cylinder 19 or after each pushing a clip nut 1 or even during this pushing for the advance or advancing another clip nut 1 on the supply position 17 opens and possibly further, on the supply hose 14 in the channel 12 already promoted or there magazine-like provided or magazinated clip nut 1 withholds. The change lock 22 is formed in the illustrated embodiment of two plungers 23 and 24 which are spaced by the length of a clip nut 1 in the transport direction A, ie in the axial direction of the channel 12 from each other, and in synchronism with the movement of the feed pawl 18 are moved in opposite directions, and Although in such a way that whenever a plunger 23 or 24 is moved radially out of the channel 12 and thus releases the channel, the other plunger 24 and 23 is moved into the channel 12 and thus the channel 12 blocks. In order to achieve the opposite movement of the plunger 23 and 24, these are each articulated at one end of a rocker-like lever 25 which is about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the channel 12th and is pivotable perpendicular to a plane in which the axes of the plungers 23 and 24 are arranged. The rocker 25 or provided on this rocker guide member cooperates with a control cam 26 which is formed on a carriage 27 which is guided in the interior of the housing 11 in the direction of the axis of the channel 12 back and forth, by means of rollers 28 on an outer surface of the channel 12 forming hollow profile 29. The carriage 27 is further drivingly also connected to the pneumatic cylinder 19.

The operation of the setting head 10 can be described as follows:

To set a clip nut 10, the setting head is fixed with its discharge opening 13 at the relevant edge region of the workpiece 8 by clamping between the contact surfaces 15 and the clamping elements 16. By activating the pneumatic cylinder 19, this clip nut is pushed out of the ready position 17 onto the workpiece 8 with the feed rocker 18 or the head 18.1. After the feed rocker 18 has been moved back into its starting position or already before, another clip nut 10 passes from the sluice 22 to the ready position 17. The advancing movement of the clip nuts 1 within the channel 12 takes place, for example. by conveying air. During operation of the setting head 10, via the supply hose 14, by injection, i. by conveying air constantly clip nuts 1 either individually or as a pulp fed so that a sufficiently large number of Klippmutern 1 in the channel in front of the lock 22 are.

By not shown sensors, the operation of the setting head 10 is monitored and in particular to the effect that before each stroke at the ready position 17 a clip nut 1 is located. The sensor then monitors and controls the provision of the setting head 10 with clip nuts 1 from the supply unit via the supply hose 14.

It has been assumed above that the clip nuts 1 are stored in this setting head or in the guide 12 during operation of the setting head 10 be in each working stroke only the first of the collated clip nuts 1 is forwarded to the staging position 17 by the change lock 22. Basically, it is also possible to promote the clip nuts 1 of the supply unit individually and synchronously with the working stroke of the setting head 10 directly to the ready position 17 or shoot, in which case the lock unit or lock 22 can be dispensed with.

FIG. 4 shows, in a very schematic representation, the transfer bars, designated 30 and 31, of a stepping tool. On the transfer bar 31, a setting head 10 is provided, at which, for example, during the transfer of the workpiece 8 between two stages of the tool and thus e.g. to reduce cycle times the mounting of the respective clip nut 1 takes place. The setting head 10 can also take over the function of the provided on the relevant area of the transfer bar clamping or clamping device for the workpiece 8. Analogously to FIG. 4, it is furthermore possible to provide setting heads 10 on so-called lifting beams of following tools in order to also insert clip nuts 1 into the components 8 produced with such a tool.

6 shows a simplified representation of the front end 10a.1 of a setting head 10a, which basically differs from the setting head 10 only in that instead of one, the respective clip nut from the ready position 17a on the workpiece 8 aufschiebenden feed element an investment or support element 32 is provided, against which the clip nut 1 located in the ready position 17 a rests with its rear end 1.2 when pushed onto the workpiece 8. The sliding of the clip nut 1 takes place by a relative movement between the workpiece 8 and the setting head 10, for example, by a corresponding advancing movement of the setting head 10a in such a way that while the workpiece 8 is pushed with its edge region on the clip nut 1. The abutment element 32 is part of a lever 33, which by a drive synchronously with the supply of the clip nuts 1 or synchronously with the also in this embodiment in the feed direction (arrow A) of the clip nuts 1 before the provision position 17a sluice or Change lock 22 (Figure 1) is pivoted (double arrow B) that when feeding a clip nut to the provision position, the abutment element 32 is located outside of the channel 12a. By means of controlled latch means 34, the respective clip nut 1, which is conveyed to the provision position 17a by conveying air, is stopped at this position. Basically, it is also possible to move the workpiece 8 relative to the setting head 1 for pushing the respective clip nut 1. This training may also be useful in particular when several clip nuts 1 are to be mounted on a workpiece 8 with several setting heads 10 at the same time. Furthermore, it is also possible to move or deliver both the workpiece 8 and the setting head 10 for pushing the respective clip nut 1.

7 shows, in a very simplified schematic representation as a further embodiment, a setting head 10b, which differs from the setting head 10a in that the setting head 10b is designed in two parts, consisting of a front part 35, the front 10b.1 and the provisioning position 17b.1 forms, as well as from a rear 36, which also has the lock or exchange lock 22. The front part 35 is displaceably guided on a guide 37 fastened on both sides to the rear part by a drive not shown, corresponding to the double arrow C in an axial direction perpendicular to the conveying direction A from a loading position in which the front part 35 is the continuation of the rearward Part 36 forms, in a working position, which is indicated in the figure 7 with broken lines and in which the front part 35 is spaced from the rear portion 36, that is located laterally or above the rear portion 36. The mode of operation of the setting head 10b, in turn, is essentially such that in each case a clip nut 1 is introduced into the loading position of the part 35 into the provision position 17b there. Subsequently, the part 35 is moved in the direction indicated in Figure 7 with broken lines working position in which the guide 37 forms a support for the rear end 1.2 of the respective clip nut 1, so that in turn by relative movement between the workpiece 8 and the setting head 10b can be pushed onto the workpiece.

The setting head 10b has the advantage that its effective length in the working position is determined only by the axial length of the relatively short part 35, so that with the setting head 10b and the sliding of clip nuts 1 not only at the edge region of a workpiece 8, but for example the edge region, for example, the closed edge region of a recess formed within the workpiece 8 is possible.

The invention has been described above by means of exemplary embodiments. It is understood that further changes and modifications are possible without thereby departing from the inventive concept underlying the invention.

It is thus possible, for example, for the insertion of the respective clip nut 1 from the supply position 17 on the workpiece 8 used feed or push member so that it constantly extends with its cooperating with the clip nuts 1 when sliding section or head into the channel 12 , but in the transport direction A to the supply position 17 moving clip nuts 1 but, for example, resiliently evades. Furthermore, there is also the possibility of the interlock 22 not mechanically, but in other ways, for example, to realize pneumatically. In this case, in particular, it is also possible to design the feed element such that it is moved out of the channel 12 by the conveying air for the passage of the respective clip nut 1.

It has been assumed above that the clamping of the setting head 10 on the workpiece 8 or vice versa of the workpiece 8 at the setting head 10 by clamping between the contact surfaces 15 and the pneumatic, formed for example by at least one membrane clamping elements 16. In principle, it is also possible to mechanically form these clamping elements.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

clip nut

1.1

Front end of the clip nut 1

1.2

rear end of the clip nut 1

2

Strap or clip

3

Mother threaded piece

4, 5

leg

4.1

leg end

5.1

leg portion

5.2

made of the material of the leg 5 tab

6

yoke

7

Opening in the leg 4

8th

workpiece

9

Opening in the workpiece

10, 10a, 10b

setting head

10.1, 10a.1, 10b.1

front end of the setting head 10

10.2

rearward end of the setting head 10

11

casing

12

channel

12.1

Guide surface or bottom of the channel 12

13

Dispensing or mounting opening

13.1, 13.2

Section of the delivery opening

14

supply hose

15

Contact surface for workpiece 8

16

clamping

17, 17a, 17b

Ready position

18

Feed element or rocker

18.1

swing head

19

pneumatic cylinder

20

crank control

21

opening

22

Lock or exchange lock

23, 24

tappet

25

seesaw

26

cam

27

carriage

28

guide rollers

29

hollow profile

30, 31

Transfer bar of a step tool

32

Investment or support element

33

lever

34

pawl

35, 36

Part of the setting head 10b

37

guide

A

conveying direction

B

pivotal movement

C

displacement movement

Claims (16)

Setting head for mounting or setting of clip nuts (1) on workpieces (8) by lateral sliding by relative movement between the Werkstüch and the respective clip nut (1) and / or the setting head (10, 10a, 10b),
marked
by at least one channel (12) formed in the setting head (10, 10a, 10b), which at a front end (10.1, 10a.1, 10b.1) of the setting head (10, 10a, 10b) into a dispensing or assembly opening ( 13) opens, with which the setting head (10, 10 a, 10 b) for setting the clip nuts (1) on workpieces (8) can be positioned,
by a provision position (17, 17a, 17b) formed in a transport direction (A) of the clip nuts (1) within the channel in front of the delivery opening (13) for at least one clip nut (1), as well as
by means (14) for feeding the clip nuts (1) from an external supply unit into the at least one channel (12). Setting head according to Claim 1, characterized by a feed element (18) which can be moved by a drive (19) for pushing the respective clip nuts (1) in the provision position (17, 17a, 17b) through the discharge opening (13) onto the workpiece ( 8th). Setting head according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it can be positioned with its dispensing or mounting opening (13) for mounting the clip nuts (1) on the workpieces (8) in such a way that the respective, with a clip nut (1) to be provided area of the workpiece (8) in the axial direction of the channel (12). Setting head according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the dispensing or mounting opening (13) of two opening portions (13.1, 13.2) is formed, of which an opening portion an end-side or axial opening and a further opening portion (13.2) has a lateral or radial Opening the channel (12) are
wherein, for example, laterally of the further opening section (13.2) for the workpiece (8) at least one abutment surface (15) is formed, which lies for example in a plane parallel or approximately parallel to the axis which the channel (12) at least at the transition to the discharge opening ( 10, 10a, 10b). Setting head according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the channel (11) forms a channel or longitudinal direction extending guide or contact surface (12.1) for the clip nuts (1), and that the at least one workpiece abutment surface (15) lies in a plane, which is offset from the contact surface (12.1),
wherein, for example, the at least one workpiece abutment surface (15) lies in a plane which is offset from the abutment surface (12.1) formed in the channel (12) by an amount which is at least equal to the material thickness of the component (8). Setting head according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the feed element of at least one slide or a feed pawl (18) is formed. Setting head according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the feed element (18) engages in the respective working stroke with a section (18.1) extending into the channel (12) behind the respective clip nut (1) arranged at the provision position (12) and this moves in the direction of the discharge opening (13). Setting head according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the advancing element (18) or its cooperating with the clip nuts (1) portion (18.1) at the beginning of each stroke from a position outside the channel (12) moves into this and at the end of each Working stroke is moved out of the channel (12). Setting head according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the advancing element (18) is designed at least at its section (18.1) cooperating with the clip nuts (1) or into the channel (12) in such a way that clip nuts (1 ) evades, for example evades springy,
wherein, for example, the at least one feed element (18) with its with the clip nuts (1) cooperating portion (18.1) extends continuously into the channel (12). Setting head according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a lock device or exchange lock (22) formed in the channel (12) in the direction of movement of the clip nuts (1) in front of the provision position (17, 17a, 17b),
wherein the change lock (22), for example, mechanically positively controlled or pneumatically controlled. Setting head according to one of the preceding claims, characterized
by an external supply unit for directly introducing in each case at least one clip nut (1) to the provision position (17, 17a, 17b) before each working stroke of the at least one advancing element (18), and / or
by an external supply unit for maintaining a respective plurality of clip nuts (1) forming supply in the setting head (10, 10a, 10b). Setting head according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one workpiece abutment surface (15) opposite at least one clamping element (16) for clamping the workpiece (8) between the contact surface and clamping element (16) is provided
wherein, for example, the clamping element (16) is pneumatically or mechanically actuated. Setting head according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that with the clip nuts (1) cooperating portion (18.1) of the feed element (18) is formed by a sprung or resilient movable pawl or driver element. Setting head according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least one abutment or support element (32) for supporting the clip nuts (1) at the provision position (17a) during mounting or setting on the workpiece (8),
wherein, for example, the abutment or support element (32) is designed such that it allows the respective clip nut to move into the ready position (10a), but prevents the nut from evading when mounting or setting the clip nut, and / or
wherein, for example, the bearing or support element (32) is movably provided, for example by a controlled drive or by spring means movable. Setting head according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the front end (10b.1) of the setting head (10b) with the provision there position (17b) is provided on a setting head part (35), which from a loading position in which the channel ( 12) for feeding the clip nuts (1) into the ready position (17b) opens, is movable to a working position in which the setting head part (35) with the provision position (17b) of which the channel (12) for feeding the clip nuts (1) having remaining part (36) of the
Setting head (10b) is spaced,
wherein, for example, the setting head part (35) is movable at least in an axial direction perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the channel (12) for feeding the clip nuts (1). Setting head according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is for pushing the at least one clip nut (1) onto the workpiece (8) is formed by relative movement between the setting head (10a, 10b) and the workpiece (8).

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