EP3552731A1 - Setting unit for a punch rivet device and punch rivet device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a setting unit (70) for a punch riveting device (10), in which setting unit a rivet (20) can be held, with a punch (15) by means of which the rivet (20) arranged in a mouthpiece (72) of the setting unit force (F) can be applied and can be introduced into at least one component (11, 12) during a riveting process, a rivet guide device (71) and a rivet feed unit (75) being provided, through which the rivet (20) from outside into the rivet guide device ( 71), whereby the rivet (20) in the rivet guide device (71) can be moved with a directional component guided in a joining direction (R) of the setting unit (70) into the mouthpiece (72), as well as a punch riveting device (10) with such Setting unit (70).

Description

The present invention relates to a setting unit for a punch riveting apparatus and a punch riveting apparatus with such a setting unit

State of the art

Methods and devices for punch riveting serve for connecting at least two in a connecting region in particular flat trained components. A punch riveting method is characterized in that a pre-punching of the components to be joined together is not required. Rather, a rivet is pressed by means of a punch or a punch tool in the at least two components, being ensured by a correspondingly shaped counter-holder, for example. In the form of a die, which cooperates with the punch tool, that the rivet in a certain way deformed within the components to be joined together to produce a positive and positive connection between the components while avoiding penetration of the component facing away from the rivet.

Furthermore, for example, from the EP 2 318 161 B1 or the DE 10 2014 203 357 A1 so-called ultrasonic punch riveting methods or devices are known in which a vibration generator, such as an ultrasonic generator is used to enable one or more components in connecting the components in vibration. By this vibration, for example, the force to be applied for pressing the rivet is reduced.

In riveting, it is usually necessary for automated operation, a supply of rivets, and in particular a simple inclusion of these rivets in the riveting device guarantee. From the DE 699 06 308 T2 For example, various possibilities of rivet feeding in a conventional punch riveting known.

Disclosure of the invention

According to the invention, a setting unit for a punch riveting apparatus and a punch riveting apparatus with the features of the independent patent claims are proposed. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims and the following description.

The invention is based on a setting unit which is provided for a punch riveting device or which serves for use with a punch riveting device. In this setting unit, a rivet can be held and it has a stamp, by means of which arranged in a mouthpiece of the setting unit rivet can be acted upon with force and during a riveting operation in at least one component, preferably at least two components, can be introduced. Such a setting unit is sometimes also referred to as a joining tool or it can be part of a joining tool. When arranged in a punch riveting apparatus, the setting unit can be fastened to a frame, for example by means of a drive, as will be explained in more detail later.

One way of feeding and receiving the rivet in the setting unit or in the mouthpiece, even with manual processing, is now, for example, the use of a belt or the like, in which a plurality of rivets are held in a predefined position and arranged in a row. Such a belt can then be guided in accordance with the setting unit, so that, for example, after each riveting a new rivet is placed in front of the stamp. A Gurtnachführung can be coupled, for example, with the movement of the setting unit or made separately.

Another possibility, especially for larger series and automatic processing, is the supply of rivets on a profile hose or the like. In such a profile tube rivets can be performed in a predefined orientation. The profile hose can then be coupled to a suitable location in the setting unit, so that in each case a rivet can be fed into the desired position or inserted into the setting unit for a riveting operation. It is usual that the rivet directly into the Mouthpiece is introduced, in such a way that the rivet - as seen in the joining direction - is placed directly in front of the stamp. For this purpose, a rivet can be introduced from the profile hose via a rivet feed unit to the mouthpiece.

After the rivet has been introduced into the setting unit, it is generally necessary to hold the rivet in the setting unit until the rivet touches a component during the subsequent riveting operation. In addition to the stamp, the setting unit or the joining tool generally has a so-called hold-down, which surrounds the punch and serves to guide the rivet during the riveting process. The hold-down is usually on the component, while the punch is moved relative to the hold-down to press the rivet into the components. The mentioned mouthpiece is usually part of such a hold-down.

The problem with this type of rivet feeding, however, the accessibility to components, which is sometimes severely limited by the arrangement of the rivet feeding unit on the mouthpiece and thus very close to the components to be joined. Particularly strong this problem occurs in the mentioned punch riveting with vibration coupling, especially so-called. Ultrasonic punch riveting, on, because there is anyway very little free space for the rivet feed due to the necessary length or extent of the vibration system in the joining direction.

According to the invention, a rivet guide device and a rivet feed unit are provided in the setting unit, through which the rivet is adapted from outside, e.g. from a profile tube into which rivet guide device can be introduced, wherein the rivet in the rivet guide device is guided with a direction component in a joining direction of the set unit into the mouthpiece.

The rivet supply unit, to which, for example, a profile hose or the like can be coupled, is thus no longer directly on the mouthpiece, but spaced therefrom against the joining direction (ie above for example vertical alignment with joining direction from top to bottom) and is connected to the mouthpiece by the rivet guide device connected. In particular, the rivet feed unit can thus be arranged in the joining direction at the level of a region (or a portion) of the stamp. The accessibility to components is thus significantly increased because no or only small interference contours in the joint area, in which the components to be connected are to be arranged, are present. The rivet can be guided, for example, in the setting unit - or the rivet guide device as part of it.

In this case, the mouthpiece is preferably part of a hold-down at least partially surrounding the hold-down, wherein the rivet guide device is part of the hold-down. For a particularly compact design of the setting unit is possible.

Advantageously, the rivet guidance device has a rail, in particular a profile rail, for guiding the rivet, which extends from the rivet supply unit to the mouthpiece. For a guide of the rivet is particularly simple and stable, especially in the correct orientation, possible.

The rail is preferably arranged such that the rivet is completely guided guided within the hold-down. This rivets are specially protected. Alternatively, it is preferred if the rail is arranged and integrated in the hold-down device such that the rivet is partially guided outside the hold-down device. For this purpose, the rail can be formed, for example, as a part of the hold-down, in which the hold-down has a correspondingly shaped, elongated opening or recess. Thus, the setting unit can be made very compact and lightweight.

It is advantageous if the setting unit is designed such that the rivet is actively movable from the rivet feeding unit into the mouthpiece. In particular, the rivet can be actively moved from the rivet supply unit into the mouthpiece by means of compressed air and / or by means of rivets arranged touching one another in the rivet guiding device. Thus, the rivet feed is ensured even when using the setting unit or the corresponding punch riveting "overhead". It is also conceivable, however, the leadership or movement of the rivet in the rivet guide means by gravity, especially if no use is provided "overhead".

It is particularly preferred if the punch forms a component of a vibration system which can be coupled to a vibration generator in such a way that it can be set into vibration when the rivet is pressed into the at least one component. In this type of setting unit or associated punch riveting the problems with respect to. The Accessibility so far has been particularly great, as mentioned, which is why the proposed rivet guide device is particularly advantageous here. With regard to a more detailed explanation of the vibration system, reference is made to the following comments on the punch riveting device, which apply accordingly here.

The invention further provides a punch riveting apparatus for connecting at least two components by means of a rivet, with a setting unit according to the invention and a counter-holder, between which (or in particular between the punch and the counter holder) the at least two components and the rivet can be arranged, and with a Drive by means of which a force on the punch in the joining direction is exercised.

The drive can in particular be arranged on a frame of the punch riveting device. If the punch riveting device has a vibration system, this can in particular be attached to the drive and be movable relative to the frame by means of the drive. The oscillating system in this case comprises the stamp, which in turn may in particular be formed as part of a sonotrode used in the oscillating system. This sonotrode can also form the stamp or serve as a stamp. In particular, the vibration system can also have a vibration converter, for example an electro-mechanical converter such as a piezo converter, to which the vibration generator can be coupled or is coupled and which is connected to the sonotrode. In particular, a booster (i.e., an amplitude amplifier) can also be provided, via which the oscillation converter is connected to the sonotrode. Furthermore, the oscillating system can be coupled or coupled to a vibration generator in such a way that it can be set into oscillation when the rivet is pressed into the at least two components. The vibration generator may preferably be a frequency or sound generator, in particular an ultrasound generator, in particular a function generator.

With regard to the further refinements and advantages of the punch riveting apparatus, reference is made to the statements concerning the setting unit, which apply correspondingly here.

Further advantages and embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the description and the accompanying drawings.

It is understood that the features mentioned above and those yet to be explained below can be used not only in the particular combination indicated, but also in other combinations or in isolation, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The invention is illustrated schematically by means of exemplary embodiments in the drawing and will be described in detail below with reference to the drawing.

figure description

FIG. 1

shows simplified and schematically a manufacturing device with a punch riveting device according to the invention.

FIG. 2

schematically shows a punch rivet device not according to the invention.

FIG. 3

schematically shows a setting unit according to the invention in a preferred embodiment.

FIG. 4

schematically shows a setting unit according to the invention in a further preferred embodiment.

Detailed description of the drawing

In FIG. 1 is simplified and shown schematically a manufacturing device 100. The manufacturing device 100 may be, for example, an industrial robot in a production hall, for example for an automobile body shop.

In this case, the production device 100 has a carrier structure 3 arranged on a base and two arms 4 and 5 arranged thereon and connected to one another and movable. At the end of the arm 5, a punch riveting device 10 according to the invention is arranged in a preferred embodiment, which is shown here only schematically and will be described in more detail below.

Furthermore, a computing unit 80 is shown, which is, for example, a control unit of the punch riveting apparatus 10. The arithmetic unit 80 may also be used as a control unit for the entire manufacturing facility, i. be provided in addition to the punch riveting especially for the control of the movable arms. Furthermore, display means 81, for example a display, are provided on which, for example, current operating parameters of the punch riveting apparatus can be displayed. The element 81 may also be a combined display / input means, e.g. a touchscreen, act.

In FIG. 2 schematically a punch rivet 10 according to the invention is shown. The punch riveting apparatus 10 has a frame 60, which is preferably in the form of a C-frame or C-bracket, on which the individual components are usually arranged in a punch riveting apparatus in order to be able to assume the desired position relative to one another. About the frame 60, the punch rivet 10, for example, on an arm as in FIG. 1 be shown attached, in particular also rotatable or pivotable.

The punch riveting apparatus 10 has a setting unit 70, which in turn has a punch (or sonotrode) 15, by way of example with a round cross section. In the setting unit 70, a rivet 20 is arranged, in particular in a mouthpiece 72 of the setting unit 70. The mouthpiece 72 in turn is formed as part of a hold-down 16 in the embodiment shown. Via a rivet feed unit 75, to which, for example, a profile hose 90 can be coupled, a rivet can be introduced into the setting unit 70 from outside and be brought there via a rivet guide device 71 into the position shown in the mouthpiece 72. For a detailed explanation of the setting unit 70 shown here only schematically, reference is made to the following figures with associated description.

The punch 15 is radially surrounded in the embodiment shown by the (sleeve-shaped) hold-down 16 and arranged movable relative to this in the longitudinal direction. In this case, the hold-down device is preferably fastened to a so-called zero-amplitude passage of the punch, ie a position of the punch at which oscillation amplitudes are zero or at least as low as possible, by means of a spring. In particular, the punch 15 and thus the setting unit 70 is coupled to a drive 50, which serves to a for Pressing the rivet 20 in the two components 11, 12 applied force F in joining direction R apply. The drive 50 can be controlled, for example, by means of the computing unit 80. In this case, the force F can be predetermined, for example, via a desired value and recorded as an actual value.

Also, the hold-down 16 and the mouthpiece 72 are adapted to press against the surface of the die 15 facing member 11 with a hold-down force. For this purpose, for example, a separate drive can be provided. However, the hold-down may also be coupled (as shown here) to the drive of the punch or to the punch itself, for example by means of a spring.

On the opposite side of the set unit 70 of the two components 11, 12 a counter-holder in the form of a die 18 is arranged. The punch 15 and the die 18 are in the vertical direction, as well as the hold-16, arranged and movable relative to each other, wherein the die 18 itself is not movable in the rule. The hold-down 16 and the die 18 serve to clamp or compress the two components 11, 12 between the hold-down 16 and the die 18 during processing by the punch 15.

The rivet 20, here by way of example a semi-hollow punch rivet, preferably consists of a material which is harder than the materials of the two components 11, 12, at least in the region of a rivet shank. The component 11 facing away from the flat top of the rivet is arranged in operative connection with the punch 15, which rests flat against the top of the rivet 20.

The stamp 15 is as part of a vibration system 39 with an (electro-mechanical) vibration converter 30, such as a piezoelectric converter, operatively connected. The oscillation converter 30 in turn is connected to an (electric) oscillation generator 32, for example an ultrasonic generator, in particular a function generator. In this way vibrations or vibrations can be generated and coupled to the stamp, and thus the rivet. In particular, by means of the vibration generator 32 ultrasonic vibrations with an amplitude (distance between the maximum positive and negative amplitude of a vibration, in particular measured at the interface between the punch and rivet) between 10 .mu.m and 110 .mu.m (corresponds to an amplitude of 5 microns to 55 microns) and a frequency between 15 kHz and 35 kHz or possibly higher generated. The oscillator 32 is connected to the arithmetic unit 80 (or may also be part of the arithmetic unit) and can be controlled by it.

The drive 50 can be, for example, a ball, roller, planetary thread or threaded roller screw drive or the like which is suitable for applying a force F for pressing in the rivet 20 into the components 11, 12. On the drive 50, a holding device 35, for example in the form of a frame or a frame attached. On the holding device 35, the setting unit 70 and the oscillating system 39, which in the present case comprises the oscillation converter 30, a booster (amplitude amplifier) 31 and the punch or the sonotrode 15 and the hold-down 16, respectively.

In FIG. 3 1 schematically shows a setting unit 70 according to the invention in a preferred embodiment. These may be, for example, those already in FIG. 2 The set unit 70 can be used or the set unit 70 can be used with the punch riveting apparatus shown there.

In the hold-down 16, a rivet guiding device 71 designed as a profiled rail is integrated in the side wall shown on the left in the figure. The profile tube 90 is coupled to a rivet feed unit 75 arranged on the setting unit 70 or the hold-down 16 so that rivets 20 can be fed to the setting unit 70. Rivets output from the profile tube 90 can first be rotated in the rivet feed unit 75 and then transferred to the profile rail 71.

There, the rivets 20 can then be moved in the direction of the mouthpiece 72, wherein they are partially guided outside the hold-down or are arranged such that they are partially - here with one end of the rivet shank - located outside of the hold-16. There, the profile rail 71 can then be designed such that the rivets are rotated again, so that they can be arranged in the desired position or position in front of the punch 15. On the punch 15, a rivet 20 can then be held in position, for example by means of magnetic force.

Furthermore, a compressed air connection 76 is shown schematically, can be introduced via the compressed air in the rivet feed unit 75 and the Nietführung 71 to actively move a rivet of the rivet feed unit 75 along the Nietführungseinrichtung or rail 71 in the desired position in the mouthpiece 72 or to spend. For this purpose, the rivets can each be moved individually from the rivet feed unit 75 to the mouthpiece 72.

In FIG. 4 schematically a setting unit 70 'according to the invention is shown in a further preferred embodiment, which, for example, also in the in FIG. 2 shown punch riveting can be used.

In the hold-down 16, a rivet guiding device 71 designed as a profiled rail is integrated in the side wall shown on the left in the figure. The profile tube 90 is coupled to a rivet feed unit 75 arranged on the setting unit 70 'or the hold-down 16 so that rivets 20 can be fed to the setting unit 70'. In this case, rivets guided in the profile tube 90 can already be aligned in such a way that they are no longer rotated in the rivet feeding unit 75, but only transferred into the profile rail 71.

There, the rivets 20 can then be moved in the direction of mouthpiece 72, wherein they are completely guided here within the hold-down. There, the profile rail 71 can then be designed such that the rivets are rotated again so that they can be arranged in the desired position or position in front of the punch 15. On the punch 15, a rivet 20 can then be held in position, for example by means of magnetic force.

In the embodiment shown here, a rivet 20 can be actively moved or moved from the rivet feed unit 75 along the rivet guide device or profile rail 71 with a directional component in the joining direction R to the desired position in the mouthpiece 72 by being pushed through rivets arranged in contact with one another. By feeding a further rivet into the rivet feed unit 75, a rivet located at the other end of the rivet guide device or profiled rail 71 can thus be brought into the desired position or position in front of the stamp 15, for example.

Claims (11)

Setting unit (70, 70 ') for a punch rivet device (10), in which setting unit a rivet (20) can be held, with a punch (15), by means of which arranged in a mouthpiece (72) of the setting unit rivet (20) Force (F) can be acted upon and during a riveting operation in at least one component (11, 12) can be introduced, characterized by a Nietführungseinrichtung (71) and a rivet feed unit (75) through which the rivet (20) from outside into the Nietführungseinrichtung (71) can be introduced, wherein the rivet (20) in the Nietführungseinrichtung (71) with a direction component in a joining direction (R) of the setting unit (70, 70 ') guided into the mouthpiece (72) is movable. The setting unit (70, 70 ') according to claim 1, wherein the mouthpiece (72) is part of a hold-down (16) at least partially surrounding the punch (15), and wherein the rivet guide means (71) is part of the hold-down (16). Setting unit (70, 70 ') according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the Nietführungseinrichtung (71) has a rail, in particular a profile rail, for guiding the rivet (20) extending from the rivet feed unit (75) to the mouthpiece (72). The setting unit (70) according to claim 3, wherein the rail is arranged such that the rivet (20) is fully movably guided within the hold-down (16). The setting unit (70 ') according to claim 3, wherein the rail is arranged and integrated in the hold-down (16) such that the rivet (20) is partially movable outside the hold-down (16). Setting unit (70, 70 ') according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the rivet feed unit (75) in the joining direction (R) seen at the level of a portion of the punch (15) is arranged. The setting unit (70, 70 ') according to any one of the preceding claims, which is designed such that the rivet (20) is actively movable from the rivet feeding unit (75) into the mouthpiece (72). Set unit (70, 70 ') according to claim 7, wherein the rivet (20) by means of compressed air and / or means in the rivet guide means (70') each other arranged rivets actively from the rivet feed unit (75) in the mouthpiece (72) is movable , Setting unit (70, 70 ') according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the punch (15) forms a component of a vibration system (39) which can be coupled to a vibration generator (32) in such a way that it is pressed into the groove when the rivet (20) is pressed in at least one component (11, 12) is set into oscillation. Punch riveting device (10) for connecting at least two components (11, 12) by means of a rivet (20), with a setting unit (70, 70 ') according to one of the preceding claims and a counter holder (18) between which the at least two components (11 , 12) and the rivet (20) can be arranged, and with a drive (50) by means of which a force on the punch (15) in the joining direction (R) is exercisable. A punch riveting apparatus (10) according to claim 10, comprising a vibrating system (39) for displacing at least one component (11, 12, 15, 18, 20) involved in connecting the at least two components (11, 12) by means of the rivet (20) ,

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