EP2399712B1 - Setting device with a variable setting lift configuration - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a setting tool, in particular for blind rivet nuts, with a variable setting stroke setting, which has a housing in which a tension bolt is arranged to be movable in the axial direction, wherein a setting stroke of the tension bolt is adjustable with a stop element which can be screwed into the housing.

Such setting tools are used for example in the setting of blind rivet nuts. Blind rivet nuts are used, for example, in sheets and other thin-walled workpieces into which a thread can not be directly introduced. The blind rivet nut is first twisted onto a tip of the tension bolt and then guided into an opening in the workpiece. By a subsequent pulling movement of the tie bolt is a Deformation of the blind rivet nut on the side of the workpiece facing away from the setting tool. After the tension bolt has carried out the desired setting stroke, ie the desired axial pulling movement, and thus sufficient deformation of the blind rivet nut has taken place, the pulling movement of the tension bolt and thus the setting stroke are automatically terminated and the tension bolt is riveted out of the blind rivet nut. The blind rivet nut then remains in the workpiece.

Depending on the thickness of the workpiece and the formation of the blind rivet nut a different sized setting stroke is required. Accordingly, the setting stroke is adjustable in most setting tools. The adjustment takes place in that an adjustable limit in the form of a stop element in the housing is provided for the movement of the tension bolt. The position of the stop element within the housing determines the setting stroke. The tension bolt is then so far axially movable until it rests with a counter surface on the stop element. This leads to a strong increase in force, which leads to the termination of the setting stroke and the beginning of the Ausdrillbewegung.

The stop element can therefore be positioned to set the setting stroke at different locations in the housing. It is known to screw the stopper element to different heights in the housing, whereby the position of the stop element in the housing can be variably adjusted. The problem with this approach, however, is that the location of the Stop element can change independently, especially during vibration, so that an unwanted adjustment of the setting stroke can take place.

GB 5 689 999 A and GB 2 140 727 A Blind rivet nut insertion, in which a setting stroke adjustment can be made using a nose piece, which is connected via a threaded pairing with the housing.

DE 43 45 317 C2 shows a device for setting of Gewindietietmuttern, in which at the rear end of the housing a stop sleeve is screwed, with the aid of a stop can be adjusted.

The invention is based on the object to ensure a secure position of the stop element in the housing.

According to the invention this object is achieved in a setting tool of the type mentioned in that the stop element has at least one area with a polygonal, in particular uniform polygonal contour, wherein a locking means is provided which is movable between a closed position and an adjustment position, wherein the locking means in the closing position engages in a movement path of edges of the polygonal contour and releases the path of movement in the adjustment position.

When screwing in a rotation of the stop element takes place. Move the edges of the polygonal contour Accordingly, during the screwing on a circular path of movement. The locking means can now be positioned between two edges such that it engages in the movement path of the adjacent edges and thus prevents a rotational movement of the stop element. If the latching means is in the closed position, therefore, a rotation of the stop element and thus a change in the setting stroke is effectively prevented. By moving the locking means in the adjustment position, the trajectory of

Released edges so that a rotation of the stop element is possible. In this case, the setting stroke can be adjusted by simple rotation of the stop element, whereby this is screwed into the housing or unscrewed.

It is particularly preferred that the locking means in the closed position lies flat against a surface between adjacent edges of the polygonal contour. The term "planar" in this context also includes a line-touch. As a result, as a result, a latching of the setting stroke takes place, since the stop element must be in an angular position by displacing the latching means into the closed position, in which the latching means can lie flat against a surface between adjacent edges. It may be caused by moving the locking means in the closed position, if necessary, a slight angular adjustment of the stop element. Depending on the design, a detent can be achieved, with which an adjustment of the setting stroke in steps as a function of the ratio of thread pitch to the number of edges or surfaces takes place.

Preferably, the stop element is designed as a hollow cylinder, wherein the tension bolt extends axially through the stop element and the stop element has a radially inwardly projecting stop surface. The stop element is thus arranged to save space around the tension bolt around. Due to the radially inwardly projecting stop surface this can be formed relatively large, so that relatively large forces are transferable. The stop element has an external thread with which it can be screwed into the housing. Optionally, a guide may be provided to guide the draw bolt axially within the stop member so that secure mounting of the draw bolt is achieved. In this case, the stop element is characterized in that it surrounds the tension bolt, relatively easily accessible from the outside, so that a simple adjustment of the setting stroke can be done by rotation of the stop element.

It is particularly preferred that the polygonal contour is formed as an outer contour. The processing of an outer contour is relatively simple, so that the stop element can be produced with little effort. Also, there is relatively much space available around the stop element to accommodate the locking means in the housing. In this case, by forming the outer contour as a relatively large peripheral surface for forming the polygonal contour available, so that either many edges can be formed or the surfaces between the adjacent edges can be relatively large. While a larger moment may possibly be absorbed by the locking means due to larger areas, a smaller increment in setting the setting stroke is possible by increasing the number of edges or corners of the polygonal contour.

Advantageously, the latching means has a peripheral recess, which in the closed position outside and is arranged in the adjustment position within the movement path of the outer edges. In the further embodiment of the locking means one is then relatively free. It is only necessary that the latching means is displaceable in such a way that the circumferential recess can be displaced into the region of the movement path of the outer edges.

It is particularly preferred that the latching means is resiliently held in the closed position. This ensures that the stop element only in the housing on or is unscrewed when the locking means is actuated. Without actuation of the locking means an adjustment of the setting stroke is not possible. An unwanted adjustment of the setting stroke is thus prevented.

Preferably, the latching means is movable perpendicular to the axial direction, wherein the latching means can be guided laterally on the stop element. This results in a displacement of the circumferential recess perpendicular to the axial direction such that the lateral passing of the locking means on the stop element initially a contact surface or contact line of the locking means on the surface between adjacent edges of the polygonal contour is present until the peripheral recess is positioned above this surface, so that the trajectory of the edges is released. When screwing or unscrewing the stop element, the edges of the contour then move through the peripheral recess of the locking means. In this embodiment, the latching means can be guided on both sides of the tension bolt in the housing, so that a stable Storage of the locking means with little play is possible. As a result, an exact setting of the setting stroke can be realized.

In a preferred embodiment, the housing has an opening through which the stop element is manually accessible. Through this opening is e.g. a region of the lateral surface of the stop element accessible so that a moment can be transmitted to the stop element, whereby a screwing or unscrewing of the stop element takes place in the housing. In this case, the stop element may be performed with relatively little friction in the housing, as a detection of the stop element in the housing and thus the setting stroke by means of the locking means. For a screwing or unscrewing of the stop element therefore only relatively small forces are required. This allows tool-free setting of the setting stroke.

Preferably, one end of the locking means is accessible through an opening of the housing, wherein the locking means can be pressed into the housing. The locking means is therefore also manually operable, with a push-in movement is relatively easy to carry out. By pressing the locking means is moved into the adjustment position, wherein the peripheral recess of the locking means is positioned above the stop element such that the path of movement of the edges of the polygonal contour is released. Once the locking means is no longer pressed, it is by means of a return element such as a spring back into the Closed position moves, in which it engages in the movement path of the edges, thus preventing further rotation of the stop element. It is also visible from the outside, whether the locking means has been safely moved back into the closed position. Optionally, a slight movement of the stop element by manual intervention is still required.

Preferably, the polygonal contour is formed as a uniform n-corner, where n is in particular = 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or 12. For a uniform latching or indexing is possible, so that a sufficiently accurate adjustment of the setting stroke can be realized. Thus, for example, a scale can be provided which indicates exactly the set stroke, for example, in mm. Due to the interaction between the polygonal contour and the locking means, the stop element can not assume any angular position, but only angular positions at which a surface between the edges of the polygonal contour extends parallel to the corresponding surface of the locking means. The setting stroke is thus also adjustable only gradually, so that these steps can be set exactly. The setting of unintentional intermediate values is not possible because then the latching means either does not move into its closed position or slightly moves the stop element when moving into its closed position.

Advantageously, the draw bolt on an interchangeable threaded mandrel. By replacing the threaded mandrel the tension bolt can be adapted to different fastening means such as blind rivet nuts with different diameters. The setting device is thus very variable. The respectively required setting of the setting stroke can be done without tools.

It is particularly preferred that a counter surface of the tie bolt, which cooperates with the stop surface, is independent of the threaded mandrel. The counter surface is thus immovably connected to the tension bolt. The set stroke is then not changed by an exchange of the threaded mandrel. Rather, the setting stroke is independent of the particular threaded mandrel used.

Fig. 1

ein Setzgerät in schematischer Darstellung,

Fig. 2

einen Querschnitt durch das Setzgerät mit dem Rastmittel in der Schließposition und

Fig. 3

einen Querschnitt gemäß Fig. 2 mit dem Rastmittel in Verstellposition.

The invention will be described below with reference to a preferred embodiment in conjunction with the drawings. Herein show:

Fig. 1

a setting device in a schematic representation,

Fig. 2

a cross section through the setting tool with the locking means in the closed position and

Fig. 3

a cross section according to Fig. 2 with the locking means in the adjustment position.

In Fig. 1 is a setting tool 1 is shown, which can be used for example for setting blind rivet nuts. Blind rivet nuts can be interchangeable Mandrel 2 of a multi-part pull bolt 3 are twisted by the tie bolt 3 performs a rotational movement. The tension bolt 3 is rotatable and displaceably mounted in a housing 4 of the setting device 1 in the axial direction. The rotational movement of the tension bolt 3 is generated in the rule via an air motor, while the axial pulling movement is effected by means of a pneumatic-hydraulic pressure booster.

The draw bolt 3 is thereby of the in Fig. 1 shown initial position in the housing 4 is pulled in the axial direction, whereby a pulling movement is exerted on a blind rivet nut, which is twisted on the threaded mandrel 2 (not shown). This results in a deformation of the blind rivet nut such that it is held in a form-fitting manner in a workpiece. The length of the pulling movement and thus the setting stroke is dependent on the thickness of the workpiece and the formation of the blind rivet nut.

The setting stroke is set by the position of a stop element 5, wherein the tension bolt has a counter surface 6, with which it rests on the stop element 5 at the end of the setting stroke.

The stop element 5 is designed as a hollow cylinder and can be screwed into the housing 4 via a thread pairing 7, the position depending on how far the stop element 5 is screwed into the housing 4 the stop element 5 is changed and thus the setting stroke is set.

In this case, a radial support of the tension bolt 3 by the stop element 5, so that the tension bolt 3 is guided vibration-free.

To introduce the required for the screwing or unscrewing rotation in the hollow cylindrical stop element 5, an opening 8 is provided in the housing 4, through which a lateral surface of the stop element is manually accessible. An adjustment of the setting stroke is possible without tools. In this case, a scaling on the lateral surface of the stop element 5 can be provided in the region of the opening 8, on which the set stroke setting can be read.

In order to prevent unwanted adjustment of the angular position of the stop element 5 and thus of the set setting stroke even when vibrations occur, a locking means 9 is provided. The latching means 9 is movable perpendicular to the axial direction or pulling direction of the tension bolt and is thereby guided laterally past the tension bolt 3. When displayed in Fig. 1 the latching means 9 is movable into the plane of the drawing.

In Fig. 2 is the locking means 9 and its interaction with the tension bolt 3 shown in detail. In this case, the locking means 9 is in the illustration according to FIG. 2 in its closed position. The locking means 9 is substantially formed as a circular cylindrical pin which is guided in a bore 10 in the housing 4. The stop element 5 in this case has an area with a polygonal outer contour 11, which is designed in this embodiment as a uniform dodecagon. The polygonal outer contour 11 accordingly has twelve edges 12 in this exemplary embodiment. Between adjacent edges 12 each have a surface 13 is formed. In the illustrated closed position of the latching means 9, the latching means 9 lies flat against a surface 13 of the outer contour 11 of the stop element 5, so that a rotation of the stop element 5 is not possible. Since the locking means 9 is formed circular-cylindrical, it is in the contact between the locking means 9 and der.Fläche 13 strictly speaking, a line contact. However, this should also be considered in this context as surface contact.

The locking means 9 is held by means of a spring 14 in the closed position. At its periphery, the locking means 9 has a circumferential recess 15 which is covered in the closed position by a wall of the bore 10.

One end 16 of the locking means 9 is accessible through an opening 17 in the housing 4 from the outside, so that for example with a finger, the locking means 9 can be pressed into the housing 4, in the representation in Fig. 2 to the left. There is a linear shift the latching means 9 from the closed position against the force of the spring 14 in an adjustment position.

In Fig. 3 the locking means 9 is shown in the adjustment position. By an arrow 18, a force is to be symbolized, which acts on the end 16 of the locking means 9 and the locking means 9 presses into the housing 4 against the force of the spring 14. In the adjustment position, the circumferential recess 15 is located above the tension bolt 3 in such a way that the edges 12 of the polygonal contour 11 can be moved through the peripheral recess 15 during a rotation of the stop element 5. The locking means 9 are in the adjustment so the trajectory of the edges 12 free. Is shown in Fig. 3 an angular position of the stop element 5, which is only accessible when the locking means 9 is in the adjustment position. By releasing the latching means 9, this is pushed out of the housing 4 again by the force of the spring 14, so that the circumferential recess 15 is covered again within the bore 10. In this case, an angular adjustment of the stop element 5, so that the surface 13 rests again on the locking means 9. Thus, only defined angular positions of the stop element 5 are adjustable. This can be done indexing the adjustable setting stroke.

By using the latching means can be done without tools setting the setting stroke of the setting tool for blind rivet nuts, while ensuring that an unintentional adjustment of the setting stroke for example, does not occur due to vibrations. In this case, relatively large forces can be absorbed by the latching means, since it is supported on both sides of the area in which forces are absorbed in the housing. Accordingly, a relatively backlash-free setting of the setting stroke is possible. In this case, a release by simply pressing and linear displacement of the locking means, which is moved by means of a spring back into the closed position. Without intentional operation, the locking means is thus always in its closed position, in which no adjustment of the setting stroke can take place.

Overall, therefore, a relatively simple design adjustment for tool-free adjustment of the setting stroke is created by the inventive design so that at the same time an accidental adjustment is prevented for example by vibration.

Claims (10)

1. Setting device, in particular for blind rivet nuts, with a variable setting stroke adjustment, which has a housing, in which a pulling rod is arranged in a moveable manner in the axial direction, wherein a setting stroke of the pulling rod is adjustable with a stop element which can be screwed into the housing, characterized in that the stop element (5) has at least one region with a polygonal, in particular regularly polygonal contour (11), wherein a locking means (9) is provided, which can be moved between a closed position and an adjustment position, wherein in the closed position the locking means (9) engages in a path of motion of edges (12) of the polygonal contour (11) and releases the path of motion in the adjustment position.
2. Setting device according to claim 1, characterized in that the stop element (9) is embodied as a hollow cylinder, wherein the pulling rod (3) extends axially through the stop element (5) and the stop element (5) has a stop surface (19) projecting radially inwards.
3. Setting device according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the locking means (9) has a circumferential recess (15) which in the closed position is arranged outside the path of motion of the edges (12) and in the adjustment position is arranged inside the path of motion of the edges (12).
4. Setting device according to one of claims 1 through 3, characterized in that the locking means (9) is held resiliently in the closed position.
5. Setting device according to one of claims 1 through 4, characterized in that the locking means (9) can be moved perpendicular to the axial direction, wherein the locking means (9) can be moved laterally past the stop element (5).
6. Setting device according to one of claims 1 through 5, characterized in that the housing (4) has an opening (8), through which the stop element (5) is manually accessible.
7. Setting device according to one of claims 1 through 6, characterized in that one end (16) of the locking means (9) is accessible through an opening (17) in the housing (4), wherein the locking means (9) can be pressed into the housing (4).
8. Setting device according to one of claims 1 through 7, characterized in that the polygonal contour (11) is embodied as a regular n-sided figure, wherein n in particular = 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or 12.
9. Setting device according to one of claims 1 through 8, characterized in that the pulling rod (3) has a replaceable threaded mandrel (2).
10. Setting device according to one of claims 1 through 9, characterized in that a mating surface (6) of the pulling rod (3) which interacts with the stop surface (19) is independent of the threaded mandrel (2).

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