EP2664393B1 - Method for clinching of a ductile part with two non-ductile components - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a method for clinching three components by means of a clinch device, comprising a setting punch and a die having an anvil with a recess into which the setting punch can be inserted, wherein the punch-side member is a ductile material and the middle and the die-side component having a non-ductile material, wherein the middle component and the die-side member each having a pre-hole, wherein the pre-hole of the central component is at least as large as the pre-hole of the die-side member and the recess of the die larger than the pre-hole of the die-side Component is.

The joining together of two similar components is widely known. This can be done in a variety of ways, for example by gluing, welding, screwing or riveting. More difficult is the permanent joining of components made of different materials, in particular of ductile components with non-ductile components.

Currently, so-called mixed structural joints made of steel or aluminum and WU steel or fiber composites, especially fiber reinforced plastics (FRP), with the help of structural adhesives or auxiliary joining elements, such as rivets or screws, fatigue bonded together. Disadvantages here are the element costs of the auxiliary joining elements, for example semi-hollow punch rivets, blind rivets, solid punch rivets, adhesives, screws, etc. Furthermore, these auxiliary joining elements are in part of not insignificant weight, so that the joining composite obtains a higher total weight through the auxiliary joining elements than without them add auxiliary elements. A joining auxiliary element can also increase the corrosion susceptibility of the compound, since, for example, in a combination of aluminum and carbon fiber plastic (CFRP), a steel rivet is introduced and thus the electrochemical series of stresses is widened. That is, to the two already existing ones Joining partners is disadvantageously still a third material, in particular metallic material introduced.

One known joining technique that does not require joining aids is "clinching", which is also referred to as "clinching". The prior art discloses a multiplicity of devices and methods for clinching components, in particular sheet metal.

In a plurality of clinching devices, a die having a cavity is provided which cooperates with a stamping device, by means of which, for example, material from two sheet metal parts to be joined is displaced into the cavity at the clinching point. Currently, in the state of the art, only two-sheet composite is clinched. Conventional clinching of components from non-ductile material is not possible.

Due to the increasingly important mixed construction, new approaches in cold joining technology are being sought. Currently, however, in the known clinching no connection of a component made of steel or aluminum with a component made of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP), glass fiber reinforced plastic (GRP) or high-strength steel, such as HC1000W, are joined. Carbon fiber reinforced plastic is highly susceptible to corrosion when used with less noble materials such as steel or aluminum, and in addition to corrosive media such as air or water.

From the DE 197 20 867 C1 For example, a method for connecting a component provided with a mounting or connection opening to a carrier element of a motor vehicle is known. Here, a carrier element is used with a pot embossing, which is pushed through a bore of the component and deformable by means of a Sollumformstelle.

The DE 103 29 447 A1 shows a joining method for joining overlapping arranged joining parts. First, two components are clamped between a hold-down and a die. By lowering a punch material of the punch-side component is displaced to the die-side component such that this penetrates the die-side component and thereby generates a punched opening in the die-side component. By moving the die and an anvil, the punched-out material of the die-side component is removed and an undercut of the displaced material of the die-side component is formed on the die-side component.

The EP 0 155 618 A2 describes a clinching device for connecting two sheets. The clinching device has a punch and a die with an anvil that is translationally movable in a perforation of a sheet.

These methods have the disadvantage that a large number of work steps and complex devices are required for connecting the carrier element and component.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method for clinching a ductile component with two non-ductile components that enables a permanently fixed connection of the components in a simple and cost-effective manner, in particular damage or destruction of the non-ductile components. avoids ductile components.

The above object is achieved by a method for clinching a ductile component with two non-ductile components with the features of claim 1. Further features and details of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims, the description and the drawings.

• das mittlere Bauteil und das untere matrizenseitige Bauteil werden derart aneinandergelegt, dass die Vorlöcher der Bauteile fluchtend zueinander angeordnet sind,
• der Setzstempel der Vorrichtung wird in Richtung der Aussparung des Amboss bewegt und zieht dabei einen Bereich des stempelseitigen Bauteils durch die Vorlöcher des mittleren Bauteils und des matrizenseitigen Bauteils in die Aussparung bis der mitgezogene Bereich durch den Setzstempel an eine Anschlagfläche in der Aussparung der Matrize gepresst wird und die der Matrize zugewandte Seite des matrizenseitigen Bauteils von einem Teil des mitgezogenen Bereichs des stempelseitigen Bauteils aufgrund des Anpressens an die eine Anschlagfläche hinterschnitten wird.

The object of the invention is achieved by a method for clinching three components by means of a clinching device, comprising a setting punch and a die, which has an anvil with a recess into which the setting punch can be inserted. The punch-side component has a ductile material and the middle component and the die-side component have a non-ductile material. Furthermore, the middle component and the die-side component each have a pre-hole, wherein the pre-hole of the central component is at least as large as the pre-hole of the die-side component and the recess of the die is larger than the pre-hole of the die-side component. The process is characterized by the following process steps:

• the middle component and the lower die-side component are placed against one another such that the pre-holes of the components are arranged in alignment with one another,
• the setting die of the device is moved in the direction of the recess of the anvil, thereby drawing a region of the punch-side component through the pilot holes of the middle component and the die-side component into the recess until the entrained region is pressed by the setting die against a stop surface in the recess of the die and the die-facing side of the die-side component is undercut by a part of the entrained region of the die-side component due to the pressing against the one stop surface.

The punch-side component, which is formed of a ductile material, such as steel or aluminum, is by means of setting punch, which can also be referred to as a joining die, through the two pilot holes of the central component and the die-side component, both of a non-ductile Material, in each case in each case of a fiber composite material, are formed, pressed. By means of the setting die and the die form, the method results in an undercut or caulking of a portion of the ductile material of the punch-side component behind the die-side component and thus a high connection strength. The middle component in the intermediate position between the punch-side component and the die-side component is in the process between the two outer components, that is sandwiched, clamped. In the recess of the die a stop surface is provided, against which the pulled Material of the ductile component is pressed. The abutment surface is offset from the contact surface of the anvil, to which the die-side component is applied during the clinching process. The stop surface may be the bottom of the recess.

The middle component and the die-side component each have a pre-hole. The pre-hole of the central component is at least as large as the pre-hole of the die-side component and the recess of the die is larger than the pre-hole of the die-side component. The fact that the pre-hole of the central component is at least as large as the pre-hole of the die-side component ensures that the setting punch of the clinching device can be guided safely through the pre-hole of the middle component. The recess of the die is larger than the pre-hole of the die-side component so that the area of the punch-side component pulled through the setting punch can flow behind the die-side component. As a result, in addition to the adhesion, a positive connection between the components is achieved, wherein the middle component is clamped between the two outer components.

The pre-hole of the central component, that is, the middle-layer joining partner, can be made with a large tolerance, since the clinching device, that is, the setting punch / die movement, the punch side and the die-side component, that is, the top and bottom joining partner, each pulls.

By such a clinching process, a ductile member and two non-ductile members can be easily clinched together. In particular, by such a clinching a ductile component, for example a component made of steel or aluminum, with two non-ductile components, in particular components made of high-strength steel or fiber composites, in particular fiber reinforced plastics, such as carbon fiber reinforced or glass fiber reinforced plastic, together. That is, by such a method, three components, one of which is formed of a ductile material which is arranged on the punch side, and two further components, each of which is formed of a non-ductile material, can be easily clinched together without the components made of the non-ductile materials are damaged. In the inventive Procedures are no joining auxiliary elements, such as screws or rivets required. The clinching process represents a favorable cold connection method for connecting a wide variety of material combinations.

The stop surface advantageously corresponds to the size and shape of the contact surface of the setting punch, wherein the contact surface of the setting punch is the die facing the end face of the setting punch.

Preferably, the recess of the anvil of the die and the pilot holes of the central component and the die-side component are formed circular-cylindrical and the diameter of the pre-hole of the central component is at least one millimeter larger than the diameter of the recess. The circular-cylindrical design of the aforementioned elements ensures that the material drawn through the pre-holes of the punch-side component flows evenly, in particular circumferentially, over the die-side component. In this way, a particularly secure positive connection and thus a particularly good bond strength between the punch-side component and the die-side component can be achieved, wherein the middle component is firmly clamped between the outer components.

According to a preferred further development of the invention, it can be provided in a method that the entrained region of the die-side component is pressed against a stop face of a die mandrel which is arranged in the recess of the die, wherein the stop face is arranged facing the setting die. The die mandrel preferably extends from the bottom of the recess towards the setting die of the clinching device. The stop surface of the die mandrel is advantageously aligned parallel to the components.

According to a particularly preferred further development of the invention, it can be provided in a method that the die dome is movably mounted between a first position and a second position, wherein the die dome has the abutment surface at its end facing the setting punch and wherein the abutment surface of the die mandrel in the first Position of the Matrizendoms protrudes from the recess and is in the second position of the Matrizendom in the recess. Advantageously, the movable die dome is with a Force biased in the direction of the setting die of the device, so that the Matrennendom is due to the force in the first position in which the stop surface of the Matrizendoms protruding from the recess of the die. Preferably, the Matrizendom is biased with a resilient element, in particular a spring.

Due to the fact that the stop face of the die mandrel or the end of the die mandrel facing the setting die protrudes from the recess of the anvil in the first position, a simple hole-finding of the pilot holes of the middle component and of the die-side component is ensured. That is, the pre-holes of the central component and the die-side component, which are aligned in alignment with each other, can be easily slipped over the stop face of the die or the protruding from the recess of the anvil end of the die mandrel. This ensures that the right clinch point is found. In particular, this ensures that the setting die of the device can be passed exactly through the pre-holes of the central component and the die-side component, wherein it pulls a portion of the ductile material of the punch-side component through the pilot holes in the recess of the anvil with.

In such a device, it is possible for the movable die dome to be moved downward when the force is introduced by the setting punch of the device until the die dome reaches the second position. In the second position, the die mandrel remains relative to the anvil and thereby serves as a stop for the ductile material of the die-side component drawn through the pilot holes of the middle and the die-side component.

In the second position of the movable die mandrel, the abutment surface of the die mandrel is inserted into the recess of the anvil. This ensures that the ductile material can flow behind the anvil-facing side of the die-side component, so as to effect a force and positive engagement. That is, characterized in that the ductile material of the punch-side component during clinching the side facing away from the die-side component of the die-side Undercut component, an absolutely firm connection between the three components is ensured.

The flow of the ductile material of the punch-side component behind the die-side component is ensured by the fact that the die dome in the second position is immovable to the anvil. As a result of the introduction of force of the setting punch, the ductile material of the punch-side component is pressed against the stationary die dome or against the abutment surface of the stationary die mandrel when it is in the second position, so that the ductile material flows behind the punch-side component.

According to a preferred further development of the invention, it can be provided in a method that, at the end of the clinching operation, a portion of the area of the punch-side component which is drawn through the pilot holes is pressed into an annular channel which extends between the end of the die mandrel facing the setting die and the inner circumferential surface of the recess of the die Anvil is formed. The ductile material of the punch-side component is drawn or pressed into the annular channel at the end of the clinching operation by the setting punch of the device so that the ductile material of the punch-side component flows behind the die-side component through entry into the annular channel. In this case, the annular channel has a larger diameter than the pre-hole of the die-side component.

The setting punch of the clinching device is advantageously inserted concentrically into the recess of the anvil. Preferably, a method in which the die mandrel is disposed concentric with the longitudinal axis of the recess, the die dome and the recess have a same cross-sectional shape, and that the cross-sectional area of the recess is larger than the cross-sectional area of the die mandrel. This ensures that a uniform annular channel is formed between the end of the die mandrel associated with the setting die and the inner circumferential surface of the recess when the die mandrel is moved to the second position. This ensures that the ductile material of the punch-side component at the end of the clinching process can flow evenly behind the die-side component. In particular, this is a particularly good hold of the three components secured to each other. The ductile material flows all the way into the annular channel so that a particularly good fit between the two components is ensured.

It may preferably be provided in a method that the abutment surface of the die mandrel has a smaller cross-sectional area than a main body of the die mandrel. In particular, the setting die facing the end of the die mandrel is frusto-conical. As a result, a simpler hole finding of the pilot holes of the middle and the die-side component is guaranteed. In this case, the pre-hole of the die-side component advantageously has the same cross-sectional area as the broad end of the truncated-cone-shaped end of the die mandrel. This ensures that, during the movement of the setting punch in the direction of the recess, the setting punch is moved along the longitudinal axis of the die mandrel so that it can be guided centered through the pre-hole of the die-side component.

According to a further preferred development of the invention, it can be provided in a method that a circumferential chamfer of the die mandrel is applied to the die-side component. The end of the die mandrel facing the setting die preferably has a chamfering, in particular a circumferential chamfering. In the second position of the die mandrel, the chamfering of the die mandrel together with the end of the die mandrel facing the setting die and the inner circumferential surface of the recess form the annular channel into which the ductile material of the die-side component flows toward the end of the clinching operation.

According to a particularly preferred development of the invention may be provided in a method that for bonding the stamp-side member with the middle component adhesive between the punch side and the middle component and / or that for bonding the middle component with the die-side component adhesive between the middle and the die-side component is introduced before the movement of the setting punch. By the adhesive, the connection strength of the joining compound can be increased again. In addition, with the adhesive at the joint, the insulation of the joint can be increased and external Media, such as water or air, can be safely kept away. For adhesives, the pre-hole in the center, non-ductile component should be slightly larger to allow the adhesive clearance to displace when the components are pressed together or pressed together. The space can, but need not, be completely filled with glue. By using adhesive between the components, the end connection strength can be further increased. By the adhesive additionally takes place insulation or sealing of the components to each other. The bonding strength of the components to each other increases after the curing of the adhesive.

The punch-side component and thus the composite component can be pressed during the process, that is, the clinching, by a hold-down against the die. This ensures that the components are firmly joined together.

The material of the punch-side component is preferably steel or aluminum and the material of the middle component and the die-side component is preferably WU steel or a fiber composite material, in particular a fiber composite plastic, such as carbon fiber reinforced or glass fiber reinforced plastic.

By such a method for clinching a ductile component with two non-ductile components, a solid component composite of these three components can be created in a simple and cost-effective manner and damage or destruction of the joint assembly, in particular of the non-ductile components, avoided , In particular, such a method represents a cost-effective clinching method of a ductile component and two non-ductile components, since no joining auxiliary elements are required for fastening the three components together. To carry out the process only low energy costs are required. In particular, only electrical energy is required to drive an electrical device, in particular the setting die of the device. The clinching process does not require cooling water for cooling during the clinching process. The method ensures that no or at most a slight caulking occurs in the middle and in the die-side component, so that tensions and cracks in the middle and in the die-side component safely be avoided. By the method is given a higher connection strength of the clinched components than would be possible with a standard clinch point in purely ductile components. The method ensures that a sufficient undercut of the die-side component can be produced by the ductile material of the die-side component, so that a high tensile strength of the joint assembly is ensured.

Figur 1

in einer Explosionsdarstellung ein stempelseitiges duktiles Bauteil sowie ein mittleres nicht-duktiles Bauteil und ein matrizenseitiges nichtduktiles Bauteil, welche durch eine Vorrichtung zum Clinchen miteinander verclincht sind,

Figur 2

in einer Schnittdarstellung ein stempelseitiges duktiles Bauteil sowie ein mittleres nicht-duktiles Bauteil und ein matrizenseitiges nicht-duktiles Bauteil, welche durch eine Vorrichtung zum Clinchen miteinander verclincht worden sind,

Figur 3

in einer Schnittdarstellung eine Matrize einer Vorrichtung zum Clinchen, wobei der Matrizendom der Vorrichtung sich in der ersten Stellung befindet,

Figur 4

in einer Schnittdarstellung die Matrize gemäß Fig. 3, wobei der Matrizendom der Vorrichtung sich in der zweiten Stellung befindet, und

Figur 5

in einer Schnittdarstellung die drei Bauteile gemäß Fig. 1 zum Ende des Clinchvorgangs.

The inventive method will be explained in more detail with reference to drawings. It shows each time schamtisch:

FIG. 1

in an exploded view, a punch-side ductile component and a middle non-ductile component and a non-ductile component on the die, which are clinched together by a device for clinching,

FIG. 2

3 shows a sectional view of a punch-side ductile component as well as a middle non-ductile component and a non-ductile component on the die-side, which have been clinched together by a device for clinching,

FIG. 3

3 is a sectional view of a die of a device for clinching, with the die dome of the device in the first position, FIG.

FIG. 4

in a sectional view of the die according to Fig. 3 with the die dome of the device in the second position, and

FIG. 5

in a sectional view of the three components according to Fig. 1 at the end of the clinching process.

Elements with the same function and mode of action are in the Fig. 1 to 5 each provided with the same reference numerals.

In Fig. 1 are an exploded view of a punch-side member 20 which is formed of a ductile material, such as steel or aluminum, and a middle member 30 and a die-side member 40, each of a non-ductile material, such as WU steel, such as HC1000W, or a fiber composite material, such as fiber composite plastic, in particular carbon fiber reinforced or glass fiber reinforced plastic, are formed shown. Furthermore, a device 1 for clinching the three components 20, 30, 40 is shown. The device 1 for clinching has a die 2, which has an anvil 3 for applying the die-side component 40 and a recess 4 for receiving a setting punch 15 of the device 1 for clinching. The anvil 2, the recess 4 and the setting die 15 are preferably formed circular-cylindrical, wherein the setting die 15 can be moved coaxially to the longitudinal axis 7 of the recess 4. The device 1 for clinching further comprises one or two hold-down 16, which presses the punch-side member 20 against the other components 30, 40 during the clinching operation. So that a particularly high bond strength between the three components 20, 30, 40 can be achieved at the conclusion of the clinching process, adhesive is in each case between the punch-side component 20 and the middle component 30 and between the middle component 30 and the die-side component 40 before the clinching operation begins 17 applied. A region 22 of the punch-side component 20 is pulled along by the setting punch 15 during the clinching operation and guided through the pilot holes 31, 41 of the middle component 30 and the die-side component 40 into the recess 4 of the anvil 3 of the die 2. The entrained area 22 is pressed to the completion of the clinching of the setting die 15 against the stop surface 6 of the die 2, so that a portion 23 of the portion 22 of the ductile material of the punch-side member 20 flows to the outside and the die 2 facing side of the die-side member 40 undercuts. As a result, the three components 20, 30, 40 are clinched together positively and positively after completion of the clinching operation, the middle component 30 being jammed between the two outer components 20, 40.

In Fig. 2 3 schematically show, in a sectional illustration, a punch-side ductile component 20 and a center non-ductile component 30 and a non-ductile component 40 on the die-side, which are joined together by the method according to the invention have been reported. The punch-side component 20, which is formed of a ductile material, in particular of steel or aluminum, is fixedly connected to the middle component 30, which is made of a non-ductile material, in particular of high-strength steel, such as HC1000W, or a fiber composite material, as fiber composite plastic, in particular carbon fiber reinforced or glass fiber reinforced plastic, formed on. The middle component 30 in turn rests on the die-side component 30, which is likewise made of a non-ductile material, in particular of WU steel, such as HC1000W, or a fiber composite material, such as fiber composite plastic, in particular carbon fiber reinforced or glass fiber reinforced plastic. By not shown clinching device 1, the three components 20, 30, 40 have been verclincht each other. In this case, a joining composite or composite component has arisen. The three components 20, 30, 40 are non-positively and positively connected to each other. A region 22 of the punch-side component 20 has been pulled through the aligned holes 31, 41 of the middle 30 and the die-side member 40 and engages behind the punch side member 20 remote from the side of the die-side member 40. In this way, the middle member 30 and the die-side Component 40 jammed on the punch-side member 20. If additional adhesive 17 is arranged between the components 20, 30, 40, the connection strength between the components 20, 30, 40 is increased again.

Fig. 3 shows in a sectional view a die 2 of a device 1 for clinching, which can be used in the inventive method. The device 1 for clinching has a movably guided die dome 5, which is in the first position A. Fig. 4 shows in a sectional view of the die 2 according to Fig. 3 , wherein the die mandrel 5 of the device 1 is in the second position B. Die mandrel 5 is movably mounted in the recess 4 of the anvil 3. As a result of the fact that the die mandrel 5 or an end 9 of the die mandrel 5 facing the setting die 15 protrudes from the recess 4 in the first position A, the pilot holes 31, 41 of the non-ductile components 30, 40 can be easily slipped onto the die mandrel 5. Such a device 1 for clinching thereby facilitates the hole finding of the components 30, 40 and thereby ensures that the setting punch 15 of the clinching device 1 safely through the pre-holes 31, 41 of the non-ductile components 30, 40 can be performed. Damage to the non-ductile components 30, 40 due to a clinching device 1 applied in a wrong place can thereby be ruled out.

A possible device 1 for clinching, which is used to carry out the method according to the invention, has a die 2 and a setting punch 15, which in the 3 and 4 not shown on. The die 2 has an anvil 3 with a recess 4 into which the setting punch 15, not shown, can be inserted. Further, the die 2 has a recess 4 between a first position A, see Fig. 3 , and a second position B, see Fig. 4 , movable die dome 5 on. The die mandrel 5 has a stop surface 6 at its end 9, not shown, which protrudes from the recess 4 in the first position A of the die mandrel 5 and is located in the recess 4 in the second position B of the die mandrel 5. In the second position B of the die mandrel 5, this is arranged immovably to the anvil 3. That is, in the second position B of the die mandrel 5, the stop surface 6 of the die mandrel 5 serves as an anvil for the setting punch 15, not shown, of the device 1 for clinching.

The die mandrel 5 is arranged to be movable concentrically to the longitudinal axis 7 of the recess 4. The die mandrel 5 and the recess 4 have a same cross-sectional shape, wherein the cross-sectional area of the recess 4 is slightly larger than the cross-sectional area of the die mandrel, so that the die mandrel 5 can be guided linearly in the recess 4. Advantageously, a biasing element, in particular a resilient element, is provided such that a force is exerted on the die mandrel 5, which presses the die mandrel 5 in the direction of the first position A.

Advantageously, the recess 4, the setting punch 15, not shown, and the die mandrel 5 are circular-cylindrical.

The setting die 15 facing the end 9 of the die mandrel 5 is frusto-conical. The truncated cone-shaped end 9 of the die mandrel 5 adjoins the base body 8 of the die mandrel 5. By the frustoconical Forming the end 9 of the die mandrel 5, the stop face 6 of the die mandrel 5 has a smaller cross-sectional area than the main body 8 of the die mandrel 5. In the transition between the base body 8 and the truncated cone-shaped end 9, a chamfer 10 is additionally provided. That is, the base body 8 facing side of the truncated cone-shaped end 9 of the die mandrel 5 has a smaller diameter than the base body 8. By the chamfering 10, at least in the second position B of the die mandrel 5, an annular channel 11 is formed between the frusto-conical end 9 of the die mandrel 5 and the inner circumferential surface of the recess 4. Depending on the size of the hole 41 of the die-side component 40, it may be provided that the chamfering 10 in the first position A of the die mandrel 5 lies in a plane with the contact surface of the anvil 3 on which the die-side component 40 is applied.

Fig. 5 shows schematically in a sectional view a device 1 for clinching a ductile component 20 with two non-ductile components 30, 40 at the end of a clinching operation. When performing the clinching process, the setting punch 15 of the device 1, when it is introduced into the pilot holes 31, 41 of the central component 30 and the die-side component 40, pulls a region 22 of the punch-side component 20 through the pilot holes 31, 41 without the ductile material of the die punch-side component 20 breaks. Once the die dome 5 reaches the second position B, as in Fig. 5 1, the setting die 15 presses the material of the drawn-in region 22 against the abutment surface 6 of the die mandrel 5 so that a part 23 of the entrained region 22 of the material of the die-side component 20 is the rear side of the die-side component 40, that is to say the side facing away from the die-side component 20 the die-side member 40, undercuts and so a positive and positive connection between the three components 20, 30, 40 produces.

The fact that the setting die 15 facing, in particular frustoconical end 9 of the die mandrel 5 protrudes in the first position A from the recess 4 of the die 2, it is ensured that at the beginning of the clinching the clinching device 1 is recognized at the right place. The setting die 15 facing the end 9 of the die mandrel 5 is in the pre-holes 31, 41 of the middle 30 and the die-side member 40 are inserted so that the setting punch 15 of the clinching device 1 is automatically arranged correctly to the pre-holes 31, 41. In particular, the frustoconical design of the end 9 of the die mandrel 5 ensures that the setting punch 15 is guided coaxially or approximately coaxially to the longitudinal axis of the pilot holes 31, 41 therethrough during the implementation of the clinching process. As a result, damage to the non-ductile components 30, 40 can be easily prevented.

If the die mandrel 5 has been pressed into the second position B by the setting punch 15, an annular channel 11 is formed between the frusto-conical end 9 of the die mandrel 5, the chamfer 10 and the inner circumferential surface of the recess 4. The setting punch 15 presses the pulled-along region 22 of the ductile Material against the abutment surface 6 of the die mandrel 5, so that a portion 23 of the region 22 flows into the annular channel 11, so as to ensure a firm connection of the central component 30 and the die-side member 40 to the punch-side ductile member 20. The recess 4 and the annular channel 11 have a larger diameter than the pre-hole 41 of the die-side member 40. In this way engages behind or undercuts the drawn through the setting die 15 in the recess 4 material of the punch-side member 20, the die-side member 40 and thereby provides a fixed force - And positive connection between the three components 20, 30, 40 ago.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Apparatus for clinching

2

die

3

anvil

4

recess

5

(movable) matrix dome

6

stop surface

7

Longitudinal axis of the recess

8th

main body

9

the set temple facing the end of the Matrizendoms

10

chamfer

11

annular channel

15

Setzstempel

16

Stripper plate

17

adhesive

19

Movement direction of the Setzstempels

20

Stamped ductile component

22

Area of the punch side component

23

Part of the area of the punch side component

30

medium non-ductile component

31

Pre-hole in the middle part

40

Matriceside non-ductile component

41

Pre-hole in the die-side component

A

first position of the movable die mandrel

B

second position of the movable die mandrel

Claims (8)

1. A method for clinching three components (20, 30, 40) by means of a clinching device (1), having a wedge hammer (15) and a die (2) which has an anvil (3) with a recess (4), into which the wedge hammer (15) can be introduced, wherein the component (20) on the hammer side comprises a ductile material and the middle component (30) and the component (40) on the die side comprise a non-ductile material, wherein the middle component (30) and the die-side component (40) each have a prepunched hole (31, 41), the prepunched hole (31) in the middle component (30) being at least as large as the prepunched hole (41) in the die-side component (40), characterised in that the recess (4) in the die (2) is larger than the prepunched hole (41) in the die-side component (40), wherein the method being characterised by the following steps:

   - the middle component (30) and the lower die-side component (40) are placed against one another such that the prepunched holes (31, 41) in the components (30, 40) are arranged in alignment with one another,

   - the wedge hammer (15) of the device (1) is moved in the direction (19) of the recess (4) in the anvil (3) and draws a region (22) of the hammer-side component (20) through the prepunched holes (31, 41) in the middle component (30) and in the die-side component (40) into the recess (4) until the drawn region (22) is pressed by the wedge hammer (15) against a stop surface (6) in the recess (4) in the die (2) and the side, facing the die (2), of the die-side component (40) is undercut by a part (23) of the drawn region (22) of the hammer-side component (20) due to the pressing against the one stop surface (4).
2. A method (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the recess (4) in the anvil (3) and the prepunched holes (31, 41) are in the shape of a circular cylinder and in that the diameter of the prepunched hole (31) in the middle component (30) is at least one millimetre greater than the diameter of the recess (4).
3. A method (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the drawn region (22) of the hammer-side component (20) is pressed against a stop surface (6) of a die dome (5) which is arranged in the recess (4) in the die (2), the stop surface being arranged to face the wedge hammer (15).
4. A method (1) according to claim 3, characterised in that the die dome (5) is movably mounted between a first position (A) and a second position (B), wherein the die dome (5) has the stop surface (6) at its end facing the wedge hammer (15) and wherein in the first position (A) of the die dome (5), the stop surface (6) of the die dome (5) projects out of the recess (4) and in the second position (B) of the die dome (5), it is located in the recess (4).
5. A method (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims 3 or 4, characterised in that the die dome (5) is arranged concentrically to the longitudinal axis (7) of the recess (4), in that the die dome (5) and the recess (4) have an identical cross-sectional shape and in that the cross-sectional area of the recess (4) is greater than the cross-sectional area of the die dome (5).
6. A method (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims 3 to 5, characterised in that the stop surface (6) of the die dome (5) has a smaller cross-sectional area than a main body (8) of the die dome (5).
7. A method (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that in order to adhesively bond the hammer-side component (20) to the middle component (30), adhesive is introduced between the hammer-side component and the middle component (20, 30) and/or in that in order to adhesively bond the middle component (30) to the die-side component (40), adhesive is introduced between the middle component and the die-side component (30, 40) before the wedge hammer (15) moves.
8. A method (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the material of the hammer-side component (20) is steel or aluminium and in that the material of the middle component (30) and of the die-side component (40) is high strength steel or a fibre composite material, especially a fibre composite plastics material.

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