IE62499B1 - Apparatus and method for fixing self-clinching fastener means - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus for fixing fasteners 2 and 3 in a sheet metal component 4 comprises a plurality of headed dies 36 mounted in a templet 37 on an anvil 27 of a punch and die mounting assembly 5. The dies 36 correspond to positions where the fasteners 2 and 3 are to be fixed in the component 4. Openings 46 in the dies accommodate the fasteners 2 and 3. Punch members corresponding with clusters of fasteners 2 and 3 are adjustably mounted to a support plate 55 secured to a punch plate member 31 of the assembly 5. The component 4 is placed with holes 17 aligned with dies 36 and the appropriate fasteners are inserted in holes 17. The punch membsrs are brought into engagement with heads 7 of fasteners 2 and 3 and component 4 to secure the fasteners 2 and 3 in the component.

Description

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for fixing a plurality of self-clinching fastener devices in a component, and preferably, in a sheet metal component.

Such self-clinching devices will be well known to those skilled in the art. They may be fasteners or spacers. In the case of fasteners, they may comprise, for example, a threaded stud, a threaded stand-off sleeve or a threaded nut. In the case of spacers, they may comprise a spacer sleeve or a spacer rod. In virtually all cases, they comprise a head which may abut the component or be fully or partly recessed into the component. A portion, usually a stem, extends from the head to engage and usually to extend through a hole punched in the component. An annular groove or a plurality of recesses extend around the stem portion. When the head of the device and the component are pressed together material of the component flows into the annular groove or recesses, thereby retaining the device in the component. Where the devices are provided with a hexagonal head, recessing the head into the component keys the device in the component. Where the devices are provided with a round head, keying is achieved by radial ridges extending on the head adjacent the annular groove or recesses.

To secure such self-clinching devices in a sheet metal component, it is normal to rest the component on a die and insert the self-clinching device through a hole provided in the component. A hole is normally provided through the die to receive the device. A punch is then brought into engagement with the head of the fastener means. In general, the punch is provided with a flat face to engage both the head of the device and sheet metal material of the component adjacent the fastener. In general, the head is pressed into the sheet metal material flush with the sheet metal. Alternatively, the punch may be provided with a recess, and in which case the head is not punched flush with the sheet metal material.

Because of the complexity of fitting such selfclinching devices in sheet metal components, it is necessary to secure each device individually and by a separate operation in the component. Where a component is provided with a large number of such devices, this requires a separate operation to secure each device. This, it will be appreciated, is a considerably time consuming task and is also wasteful on both manpower and machine time.

There is therefore a need for a method and apparatus for securing a plurality of such self-clinching devices simultaneously to a component.

The present invention is directed towards providing such a method and apparatus.

According to the invention, there is provided apparatus for simultaneously fixing a plurality of self-clinching devices of one or more of the type hereinbefore described in a component, the apparatus comprising die means for mounting in a punch and die mounting assembly, the die means having a top face for supporting the component at least adjacent the selfclinching devices, punch means for mounting in the punch and die mounting assembly for striking the selfclinching devices and/or component adjacent the selfclinching devices to cause the material of the component adjacent the devices to flow into a selfclinching portion of the respective devices to secure the devices in the component, and a plurality of receiving means being provided in the die means or the punch means to accommodate portions of the respective self-clinching devices. In one embodiment of the invention, the receiving means are provided in the die means .

In another embodiment of the invention, the die means comprises a plurality of elongated die members, each having a top face for supporting the component, each receiving means being provided by an opening in each die member extending from the top face to receive the self-clinching device extending from the component, retaining means being provided to retain each die member in a fixed position relative to the others.

Advantageously, the die members releasably engage the retaining means. Preferably, the retaining means is provided by a templet and the die members extend upwardly therefrom.

In one embodiment of the invention, the punch means comprises a punch member having a flat face to engage the self-clinching devices and/or component. In one embodiment of the invention, a plurality of punch members are provided, at least some of the punch members being provided to correspond with respective die members .

Alternatively, at least one of the punch members is provided to correspond to a cluster of die members.

In one aspect of the invention, each punch member extends from a plate member.

Further, the invention provides a method for simultaneously fixing a plurality of self-clinching devices of one or more of the type hereinbefore described in a component using the apparatus of the invention in which the method includes the step of placing the component with holes formed therein to receive the self-clinching devices on the die means, aligning the holes for the self-clinching devices in the component with the receiving means in the die means, placing the self-clinching devices in the holes in the component so that some or all of the devices extend into the receiving means in the die means, bringing the punch means into engagement with the selfclinching devices and/or the component, and pressing the devices and/or component adjacent the devices between the punch means and the die means to cause the component material adjacent the devices to flow into self-clinching portions of the respective devices.

Preferably, the method includes the step of placing at least six self-clinching devices in the component.

Advantageously, the method includes the step of placing between six and sixty self-clinching devices in the component.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the method includes the step of bringing the punch means into engagement with the self-clinching devices and/or component by applying a force in the range of 500 kgms to 5,000 kgms for each self-clinching device to the punch means. Preferably, the force is 3,000 kgms for each self-clinching device.

Advantageously, the method further includes engaging the component with aligning means for aligning the holes for the self-clinching devices with the die means.

Additionally, the invention provides a component manufactured according to the method of the invention.

Further, the invention provides a component manufactured using the apparatus of the invention.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the 10 following description of a preferred embodiment thereof, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, «in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of apparatus according to the invention illustrated mounted in a punch and die mounting assembly, Fig. 2 is a perspective view of portion of the apparatus of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a perspective view of another portion of the apparatus of Fig. 1, Fig. 4 is a cut-away perspective view of a detail of the apparatus of Fig. 1, Fig. 5 is a sectional view of portion of the apparatus of Fig. 1, Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a component according to the invention manufactured on the apparatus of Fig. 1, Fig. 7 is an underneath perspective view of the component of Fig. 6, and Fig. 8 is a cut-away perspective view of a detail of the component of Fig. 6.

Referring to the drawings, there is illustrated apparatus according to the invention indicated generally by the reference numeral 1 for fixing a plurality of self-clinching devices, in this case fasteners, namely studs 2 and stand-off threaded sleeves 3 in a sheet metal component 4. The apparatus 1 is illustrated in Fig. 1 mounted in a punch and die mounting assembly 5 for mounting in an hydraulic press (not shown). The assembly 5 is described in more detail below.

However, before describing the apparatus 1 and the punch and die mounting assembly 5, the component 4 will be described. The component 4 in this case is of sheet metal and comprises ten self-clinching studs 2 and eleven stand-off sleeves 3. In this case, the fasteners 2 and 3 are arranged in clusters 10 to 13 and singly at 15 and 16, see Fig. 6. Fig. 8 illustrates in section how the fasteners 2 and 3 are secured to the component 4. Holes 17 in the component 4, see Fig. 4, are provided to engage the fasteners 2 and 3. A head 19 of each stud 2 is pressed into the sheet metal component 4. This causes a portion 22 of the sheet metal of the component 4 to flow into an annular groove 23 in the stud 2, thus securing the stud 2 in the component 4. Radial ridges 24 in the head 19 key the stud 2 in the component 4. The stand-off sleeves 3 are provided with hexagonal heads 25 which key the sleeves 3 in the component 4. Otherwise, the sleeves 3 are secured to the component in similar fashion as the studs 2.

Returning now to the apparatus 1 and assembly 5, the assembly 5 comprises an anvil plate 27 and a top plate 28 supported on four posts 29 extending from the anvil plate 28. A punch carrying plate member 31 slidably engages the posts 29 by brushes 32. A rod 34 extending from the plate member 31 slidably through the top plate 28 is adapted for connecting to the ram (not shown) of the hydraulic press (not shown).

The apparatus 1 comprises a die means for supporting the component 4. The die means are provided by a plurality of headed die members 36 extending upwardly from a retaining means, in this case provided by a templet 37 of sheet metal. Holes 38 in the templet 37 releasably engage the headed dies 36. Circlips 39 secure the dies 36 in the holes 38. The dies 36 are provided with a top face 41 for receiving and engaging the sheet metal component 4. Heads 43 of the headed dies 36 rest on the anvil plate 28. The top face 41 and a face 42 of the head 43 of each die 36 are precision ground and parallel, so that the distance between the top face 41 and the face 42 is constant for all the dies 36. The top faces 41 define a common plane for supporting the component 4. The surface 45 of the anvil plate 27 is also a precision prepared surface to ensure that the top faces 41 define a common plane. As can be seen, the headed dies 36 are provided in positions corresponding to the positions of the fasteners 2 and 3 in the component 4.

Receiving means provided by receiving openings 46 extend from the top faces 41 into the dies 36 to receive the fasteners 2 and 3. This can clearly be seen in Fig. 4. The receiving openings 46 extend through the dies 36 although this is not necessary.

Punch means provided by punch members 48 to 54 are mounted in a support plate 55 which is secured to the punch plate member 31. The punch plate member 31 is precision mounted relative to the anvil plate 27 so 1 that all the punch members 48 to 54 simultaneously strike the fasteners 2 and 3 and the component 4. The punch members 48 to 52 are positioned and sized to strike corresponding clusters 10 to 13 respectively of fasteners 2 and 3. The punch members 53 and 54 correspond respectively to the single fasteners 15 and 16. Each punch member 48 to 54 engages a corresponding recess 56 in the support plate 55.

Screws 57 secure the punch members 48 to 54 in the recesses 56. To ensure that the face 58 of each punch member 48 to 54 is level and the faces 58 of all the punch members 48 to 54 define a common plane, shims 59 may be inserted in the recess 56 for levelling the punch members 48 to 54. Counter-sunk screws 60 secure the support plate 55 to the punch plate member 31.

Four locating brackets 61 secure and locate the templet 37 on the anvil plate 27. Alignment means for aligning the component 4 so that the holes 17 align with the recess openings 46 in the headed dies 36 is provided by a pair of pins 62 which extend upwardly from the templet 37. The pins 62 engage alignment holes 63 in the component 4. It will of course be appreciated that in certain cases, the alignment pins 62 may be dispensed with, as indeed may the alignment holes 63.

In use, the templet 37 with the headed dies 36 secured therein by the circlips 39 is placed on the anvil 27 and located by the locating brackets 61, The support plate 55 with the punch members 48 to 54 correctly positioned in the recesses 56 is secured to the punch plate member 31. The punch and die mounting assembly 5 is then mounted in the hydraulic press (not shown) and the assembly 5 is ready for use. A sheet metal component 4 with the holes 17 punched therein is placed on the dies 36 and aligned so that the alignment pins 62 engage the holes 63, thus aligning the holes 17 with the receiving opening 46 in the headed dies 36. The fasteners 2 and 3 are then inserted in the holes 17 in the component 4 so that they extend into the receiving openings 46. The appropriate fasteners are placed in the appropriate holes 17. This operation may be done automatically or manually. Where it is done manually, it is envisaged that a templet (not shown) will be placed over the sheet metal component 4 and the templet will indicate precisely which type of fastener 2 or 3 should be inserted in the holes 17 of the component 4.

Where such a templet is used, when the fasteners have been inserted in the holes, the templet is removed.

The ram of the hydraulic press is then activated, and the punch plate member 31 is moved downwardly to bring the punch members 48 to 54 into engagement with the heads 19 and 25 of the fasteners 2 and 3 and the component 4 so that the heads 19 and 25 are pressed flush into the component 4. The ram applies a force of 3,000 kgms for each self-clinching device, thus, in this case, the force applied by the ram is 63,000 kgms, since there are 21 devices.

The punch plate member 31 is then raised and the component 4 with the fasteners 2 and 3 fixed therein is removed. The next sheet metal component is positioned on the die 36 and the operation repeated again.

The advantages of the invention are many, and these will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. The main advantage of the invention is that any number of fasteners or other self-clinching devices may be simultaneously fixed in a component. Indeed, it is envisaged that in virtually all cases all selfclinching devices for any particular component will be fixed simultaneously.

It will be appreciated that although the component in which the fasteners have been fixed has been described as being a sheet metal component, it could be any component, for example, it could be a formed sheet metal component where the sheet metal would be formed into a particular shape. In which case, the die means and punch members would be arranged to accommodate this. Further, it will be appreciated that should the sheet metal component be stepped and defining two planes, the fasteners could be provided in the two steps simultaneously by suitably arranging the height of the top faces 41 of the dies 36 and the punch members 48 to 54. Such an arrangement will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Further, the apparatus and method could be used for fixing selfclinching devices into components of a material other than sheet metal. Further, it is envisaged that components of material other than metal could be provided, for example, the method and apparatus could be used for fixing self-clinching devices into a component of any material, such as, for example, a component of plastics material.

It will, of course, be appreciated that while the die means has been described as comprising a plurality of headed die members, other suitable arrangements of die means could be provided. Indeed, in certain cases, it is envisaged that a single die means may be provided with a plurality of openings to accommodate the fasteners. Alternatively, die means could be provided by a plurality of dies, and each die would accommodate a cluster of fasteners. Further, it will be appreciated that other suitable retaining means besides a templet could be used for retaining the die members in position. In fact, in certain cases, it is envisaged that the die members may be fixedly mounted in the templet or other retaining means, although needless to say, it is advantageous to have the dies releasably mounted in that they may be removed from one particular templet and placed in another templet for a different component.

Further, it is envisaged that other punch members may be provided. For example, in certain cases, it is envisaged that a single punch member may be provided for each fastener, and in an alternative case it is envisaged that a punch member with a single planar surface may be provided to strike all the fastener means. In this case, it is envisaged that the planar surface may be formed by a plurality of replacable segments to permit a portion to be removed in the event of wear.

It is also envisaged in certain cases that the fastener receiving means instead of being provided in the die means could be provided in the punch means. This would particularly be the case in the event of one wishing to secure a fastener extending from the opposite face of the component or a nut.

While the apparatus has been described as being mounted in particular punch and die mounting assembly, the apparatus could be mounted in any other assembly, and needless to say, it could be mounted in any other suitable press machine besides a hydraulic press. Further, it will be appreciated that the ram could apply any other desired force for fixing the fasteners in the component besides 3,000 kgms for each selfclinching device. The force required will vary depending on the material of the component and the number and type of fasteners. In general, however, it is envisaged that a force in the range of 500 kgms to 5,000 kgms for each self-clinching device will be adequate for each fastener to be fixed in mild steel sheet. Needless to say, forces greater than or lesser than these values may be used without departing from the scope of the invention.

While particular fasteners have been illustrated in particular positions in the component, components with fasteners in different positions could be provided. Indeed, in certain cases, it is envisaged that the component may be provided with identical fasteners. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that the method and apparatus could be used for securing other selfclinching devices besides studs and stand-off threaded sleeves. For example, self-clinching nuts or selfclinching spacers could also be secured by the method and apparatus.

It is envisaged that the apparatus and method could be used for fixing self-clinching devices in sheet metal of any thickness. Typically, it is envisaged that the sheet metal will be of thickness in the range 14 standard wire gauge to 28 standard wire gauge, although needless to say, the apparatus could be used for fixing self-clinching devices to sheet metal of any thickness greater or lesser than this range. Needless to say, the sheet metal could be of any material, steel, copper, brass or indeed any other material.

Claims (15)

1. Apparatus for simultaneously fixing a plurality of self-clinching devices of one or more of the type hereinbefore described in a component, the apparatus comprising die means for mounting in a punch and die mounting assembly, the die means having a top face for supporting the component at least adjacent the selfclinching devices, punch means for mounting in the punch and die mounting assembly for striking the selfclinching devices and/or component adjacent the selfclinching devices to cause the material of the component adjacent the devices to flow into a selfclinching portion of the respective devices to secure the devices in the component, and a plurality of receiving means being provided in the die means or the punch means to accommodate portions of the respective self-clinching devices.

2. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 in which the receiving means are provided in the die means.

3. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 in which the die means comprises a plurality of elongated die members, each having a top face for supporting the component, each receiving means being provided by an opening in each die member extending from the top face to receive the self-clinching device extending from the component, retaining means being provided to retain each die member in a fixed position relative to the others .

4. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 3 in which the die 5 members releasably engage the retaining means. 5. For the self-clinching devices with the die means. 26. A method as claimed in any of Claims 20 to 25 in which the method is for fixing self-clinching fastener means in a sheet metal component. 27. A method as claimed in Claim 26 in which the 5 with the self-clinching devices and/or the component, and pressing the devices and/or component adjacent the devices between the punch means and the die means to cause the component material adjacent the devices to flow into self-clinching portions of the respective 5 of the punch members being provided to correspond with respective die members.

5. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 3 or 4 in which the retaining means is provided by a templet and the die members extend upwardly therefrom.

6. Apparatus as claimed in Claims 4 or 5 in which

7. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 5 or 6 in which the templet is provided by a sheet metal member. 15

8. Apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 5 to 7 in which each die member is provided by a headed die member, and is retained in the templet by a circlip, the templet being engaged by the die member between the die head and circlip. 20

9. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which the punch means comprises a punch member having a flat face to engage the self-clinching devices and/or component. 10. Method is for fixing self-clinching flush head studs, self-clinching nut fasteners and/or self-clinching stand-off threaded sleeves. 28. A method substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying 15 drawings. 29. A component having a plurality of self-clinching devices secured thereto using the method of any of Claims 20 to 28. 30. A component as claimed in Claim 29 in which the 20 component is provided with between six and sixty selfclinching devices . 31. A component as claimed in Claim 29 or 30 in which the self-clinching fastener means are arranged separately and in clusters. 32. A component as claimed in any of Claims 29 to 31 5 in which the component is of sheet metal material. 33. A component as claimed in any of Claims 29 to 32 in which the self-clinching devices comprise selfclinching flush head studs, self-clinching nuts and/or self-clinching stand-off threaded sleeves. 10 34. A component substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 35. A component having a plurality of self-clinching devices secured thereto using the apparatus of any of 10 devices. 21. A method as claimed in Claim 20 in which the method includes the step of placing at least six selfclinching devices in the component. 22. A method as claimed in Claim 20 in which the 15 method includes the step of placing between six and sixty self-clinching devices in the component. 23. A method as claimed in any of Claims 20 to 22 in which the method includes the step of bringing the punch means into engagement with the self-clinching 20 devices and/or component by applying a force in the range of 500 kgms to 5,000 kgms for each self-clinching device to the punch means. 24. A method as claimed in Claim 23 in which the force is 3,000 kgms for each self-clinching device. 25. A method as claimed in any of Claims 20 to 24 in which the method further includes engaging the component with aligning means for aligning the holes

10. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 9 in which a plurality of punch members are provided, at least some 10 holes are provided in the templet, each die member being engagable with a corresponding hole in the templet.

11. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 10 in which at least one of the punch members is provided to correspond to a cluster of die members. 10

12. Apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 9 to 11 in which each punch member extends from a plate member.

13. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 12 in which each punch member engages a corresponding recess in the plate member. 15

14. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 13 in which each punch member is secured in the recess by a screw, and a shim member is provided between the punch and the base of the recess. 15. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in 20 which the die means is adapted to receive a sheet component. 16. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which the openings in the receiving means are for receiving self-clinching flush head studs, selfclinching nut fasteners and self-clinching stand-off threaded sleeves. 17. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which aligning means are provided for aligning the component with the die means. 18. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 17 in which the aligning means is provided by at least one pin extending upwardly from the die means to engage a corresponding hole in the component. 19. Apparatus substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 20. A method for simultaneously fixing a plurality of self-clinching devices of one or more of the type hereinbefore described in a component using the apparatus of any of Claims 1 to 19 in which the method includes the step of placing the component with holes formed therein to receive the self-clinching devices on the die means, aligning the holes for the selfclinching devices in the component with the receiving means in the die means, placing the self-clinching devices in the holes in the component so that some or all of the devices extend into the receiving means in the die means, bringing the punch means into engagement

15. Claims 1 to 19.