WO2016135319A1

WO2016135319A1 - Punch connection element

Info

Publication number: WO2016135319A1
Application number: PCT/EP2016/054140
Authority: WO
Inventors: Christ Eberhard
Original assignee: Ejot Gmbh & Co. Kg
Priority date: 2015-02-27
Filing date: 2016-02-26
Publication date: 2016-09-01
Also published as: DE102015203608A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a punch connection element (10, 36, 50, 70, 104) having a head (12) and a shaft (13), wherein the shaft (13) has a first shaft section (14) and, continuing towards the end thereof facing away from the head, widens into a second shaft section (16) having a thickening (18, 52), and the shaft (13) tapers again up to the end of the shaft (13) facing away from the head (12), wherein a punch section for punching a hole in a sheet metal is positioned on the side of the second shaft section (16) facing away from the head (12), said punch section having a cross-section wherein at least two outer points are positioned on an outer circle with a punch diameter (Dstanz), wherein the thickening (18, 52) relative to the punch region (22, 42) is configured in such a way that the maximum diameter (D_max) is greater than the punch diameter (Dstanz) by 25% at most, in particular 20% at most.

Description

Punching connecting element

The invention relates to a stamped connection element according to the preamble of claim 1 and a component connection according to the preamble of claim 15.

Semi-hollow punch rivets or solid punch rivets are known for connecting at least two sheet metal layers. Thus, DE 102 59 334 C1 discloses a solid punch rivet which is introduced into a component assembly in a self-piercing manner. The punch rivet has a groove in the sheet material by plastic

Material deformation is forced to set the punch rivet in the composite component.

Such a punch rivet has the disadvantage that the lowermost component layer must be plastically deformable in order to fill in the undercut and in this way produce a positive fit.

Since in a riveting always a plastic deformation of the lower component to produce an axial positive engagement must be made, a riveted joint for a composite component with a hard bottom component layer, the material is poorly plastically deformable, unsuitable. It is an object of the invention to provide a stamped connection and a suitable connecting element, with which a connection of several component layers is made possible, wherein the lowermost component layer is a material of high strength and thus has poor plastic deformation properties.

The object is solved by the characterizing features of claim 1 in conjunction with its preamble features.

The dependent claims form advantageous developments of the invention. In a known manner, a punching connection element for connecting two, in particular plate-like components, comprises a head and a shaft. Further, the head merges into a shank having a first shank portion, the first shank portion having a cross-section which lies in an enveloping circle having a first diameter. In addition, the shaft thickened in the course to its head facing away from the end towards a second shaft portion. The second shaft portion represents a thickening, which has a cross section in an enveloping circle with a

Maximum diameter is relative to the rest of the shaft. The shank tapers correspondingly in its further course back to the end of the shaft facing away from the head. The punching connection element has on the side facing away from the head of the second shaft portion a punching section for punching a hole in a metal sheet. The punching section has a cross-section which lies in an enveloping circle with a punch diameter, wherein the thickening relative to

Punching range is designed so that the maximum diameter is at most 25%, in particular at most 20%, in particular 15%, greater than the punch diameter. An enveloping circle in the sense of the invention is a circle which completely encloses the cross section with the smallest possible diameter. The envelopes are in particular coaxial.

By virtue of this embodiment, a positive connection can be achieved when at least two component layers are joined, in which the lowermost component layer is a hard or superhard sheet. Due to the slight thickening compared to the punch diameter, the elasticity of the component can be exploited such that a penetration of the lowest component position with the punching connection element is possible such that this due to the radial spring back, after

Penetration of the thickening, the sheet caulked against the shaft. Conceivable cross sections are for example tribolare, polygonal or even circular cross sections. For a circular cross-section, the cross-sectional radius may be identical to the enveloping circle radius.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, it may be provided that the diameter of the first shaft part corresponds at least to the punch diameter. This has the consequence that the recess introduced into the cover layer can rest tightly against the first shaft part, which enables a backlash-free, radial and axial positive locking.

Preferably, the pitch of the first shaft portion to the maximum diameter, ie for thickening, an inclination of at most 10 °, in particular about 6 °, have. This has the consequence that at Zurückfedem the component position to the shank of the connecting element, the component position with the

Lateral surface, which widens in the corresponding pitch, forms a bracing situation and the positive connection is made in the axial direction. In a further advantageous embodiment of the shaft ends in a cone, truncated cone or a cylinder. If the shank ends in a cone, it should be noted that the end face of the shank does not necessarily form the punching area. Thus, for example, the punching area can be formed by a cross section which is arranged axially behind the cone. If the shank ends in a truncated cone, the end face of the truncated cone can represent the punching area, the truncated cone closing in particular with its base circle to the thickening. By a

doppelkonische design can be a particularly gentle expansion and Rückfedem the lower component location.

In particular, the transition region extends conically from the first to the second shaft section.

This has the consequence that there is an ideal contact surface for the spring-back lowermost component layer.

Alternatively, the transition region from the first shaft section to the maximum diameter of the thickening may have a curvature, for example a concave profile, as a result of which a higher axial extension force can be achieved.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the shaft tapers conically from the maximum diameter of the thickening towards the shaft end. During punching, this results in a uniform, elastic widening of the punching hole in the lowest part of the component.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, it can be provided that the shaft has a central recess in its end face. This can on the one hand increase the elasticity of the punching connection element, on the other hand, a receiving space for material of the cover layer can be provided.

These properties are particularly well met when the central recess extends in axial alignment at least up to the maximum diameter. In a further advantageous embodiment it can be provided that in the end face a first central recess is introduced, which extends in the axial direction in the direction of the head, wherein the recess has a first recess diameter and one to the first

Ausnehmungsmesser different second recess diameter. The second

Ausnehmungsdurchmesser lies in the axial direction between the first

Recess diameter and the head. In particular, the second recess diameter lies between the first recess diameter and the maximum diameter. Due to the different design of the recess diameter, the material flow and

Displacement behavior can be influenced during punching.

For example, the first recess diameter at the end face of the punched connection element may be larger than the second recess diameter, which is then present in the remaining area of the central recess. This has the consequence that as much as possible of the stamped-out material can be removed through the tapered recess, which leads to an improved formation of a cutting edge in the lowest component position.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the first recess diameter, which faces the end face, have a smaller recess diameter than the second recess diameter following in the head direction.

This has the consequence that a punched material slug with a diameter corresponding to the first recess diameter, is introduced into a central recess, which then has a larger diameter than the material use. This can ensure that a sufficiently large clearance between material and use recess remains, whereby a compression is not hindered.

It has proven to be particularly advantageous that a third recess diameter can be provided, which lies in the axial direction between the second recess diameter and the head, wherein the second recess diameter is smaller than the third

Recess diameter is.

This combines the design of a sharp cutting edge with a largest

Outer diameter at the end face, which tapers to a smaller recess diameter in the head direction to set the diameter of the displaced Materialbutzens and then again expanded into a larger third recess diameter to provide a sufficiently large volume of air.

In addition, it can be provided that in the lateral surface a bore is introduced, which meets the central recess. As a result, a venting of the central recess can take place when displaced material is received in the central recess during the punching process.

Preferably, the axial extent of the head bottom to thickening about 0.8 times to three times the punch diameter correspond.

In addition, an axial extent of the head bottom to the cutting edge about one to three times the punch diameter correspond.

By appropriate dimensioning a penetration of the cover and base layers of correspondingly hard material can be ensured.

According to a further aspect of the invention, this relates to a component connection comprising a punching connection element and at least one cover layer and a base layer, wherein the

Connecting element has a head and a shaft, wherein the head in a first

Shank portion passes, which has a cross-section which lies in an enveloping circle with a first diameter. In the further course to its end facing away from the head, the first shaft section merges into a second shaft section, which has a second cross-section lying on an enveloping circle with a thickening diameter, whereby a thickening is formed. After thickening, the shaft tapers to the end of the shaft facing away from the head, resulting in a punch diameter with which a hole is punched out in the base layer to form a passage, into which the punching connection element extends with its shaft.

Punch diameter and maximum diameter are matched to one another, so that after introduction of the punching connection element of the passage a restoring force against the

Driving direction can exert on the punching connection element, whereby this is determined form-fitting.

This is particularly the case when the difference of the maximum diameter to the punch diameter is less than or equal to the sum of the maximum diameter increase of the hole in the base layer due to elastic deformation and the diameter reduction of the expansion of the

Connecting element due to the elastic deformation in the radial direction.

This ensures that a sufficient elastic recovery of the base layer is made possible. In the case of a stamped connection element of solid material, the diameter reduction due to elastic deformation of the stamped connection element is negligible. The widening then takes place exclusively via the elastic deformation of the punching hole in the lower base layer.

In an advantageous embodiment of the component connection, the sum of the thickness of the at least one cover layer and the thickness of the base layer is less than the distance of the expansion maximum to the head. This has the consequence that after introduction of the punching connection element, the thickening outside of the component assembly comes to rest and can provide a positive connection in the axial direction. In particular, the thickness of the component connection also closes during the

Connection operation resulting passage. In particular, the lowermost component layer is formed of a material of high strength, in particular a high-strength material, in particular of a material having a tensile strength of more than 800 megapascals (MPa), in particular more than 1000 MPa. The base layer may preferably be formed of metal, in particular steel.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the component connection comprises a

inventive connecting element as described above. The connecting element is dimensioned such that the distance from the widening to the lowermost component layer is less than the thickness of the base layer. As a result, the lowermost component layer comes to rest in the expanding region of the punched connection element.

In a further aspect, the invention relates to a method for producing a component connection described above, wherein a punching connection element according to the invention is pressed under axial force by at least one cover layer and a base layer. The base position will be during the

Driving operation by a die, in particular cutting die, supported, which has a larger inner diameter than the punch diameter of the punching connection element. Preferably, the diameter difference between the punch diameter and the inner diameter of the die is greater than the thickness of the base sheet. As a result, an elastic deformation of the base layer upon penetration of the punching connection element is made possible with its thickening in the base layer.

In particular, the diameter difference of maximum diameter and inner diameter of the die may be greater than 0.9 times the thickness of the base layer.

This supports the formation of a draft that supports the resilience of the base situation. Preferably, the diameter difference between the punch diameter and the inner diameter of the die is less than three times the thickness of the base sheet.

It is also advantageous if the diameter difference of punch diameter and

Inner diameter of the die is less than three times the thickness of the base layer. This can prevent the area of the base layer embracing the punch connector from being prevented

Startup process breaks up.

Further advantages, features and applications of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with those shown in the drawings

Embodiments.

In the description, the claims, and the drawing, the terms and associated reference numerals used in the list of reference numerals below are used. In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a front view of a punching connection element according to the invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of a component connection according to the invention;

Fig. 3 is a front view of a punching connection element;

4 shows a partial sectional view of a further embodiment of a punched connection element according to the invention; 5 is a partial sectional view of a component connection according to the invention;

6 shows a partial sectional view of a further embodiment of a punched connection element according to the invention;

7 is a partial sectional view of a component connection with a cover layer and a superhard base layer, and

Fig. 8 is a schematic view of a setting device according to the invention for producing a composite component.

1 shows a front view of a punched connection element 10 according to the invention with a head 12 and a shank 13, which merges into a first shank section 14. According to this

Embodiment, the first shaft portion 14 is cylindrical. Subsequent to the first shaft section 14, a second shaft section 16 adjoins, which widens conically to a thickening 18. The thickening 18 has the maximum diameter D _ma x and thus represents the thickest point of the shaft.

After the thickening, in turn, the shank tapers into a third shank portion 20 until, in the present example, it ends in a punching area 22 with a punching diameter Dstanz which forms a circular plane surface. In the present case, the maximum diameter Dmax is about 10% larger than the punch diameter Dstanz.

2 shows a sectional view of a component connection 30 according to the invention comprising two component layers with a lower base layer 34 of high-strength steel of more than 800 MPa, in particular more than 1000 MPa tensile strength. On this base layer 34 is a cover layer 32 made of light metal, fiber reinforced plastics or steel. The two components are held together by an inventive punching connection element 36, wherein the punching connection element 36 is driven without pre-punching through the two plates. This creates a punched hole, in particular in the lower plate with the diameter Dstanz. During the driving operation, the thickening 18, when penetrating the punching hole in the base layer 34, causes a radial expansion of the hole in the radial direction, which is determined by a deformation of the sheet 34 in the driving direction. The draft formed there is essentially deformed only in the elastically deformable region. This has the consequence that a restoring force results, which endeavors, the elastically expanded hole diameter again to reduce the punch diameter. Since the thickening is outside the passage and in particular the base layer 34 rests in the conical region of the punching connection element 36, a positive connection is produced in this way in the axial direction. Thus, a high-strength sheet can be connected to a further material layer in a simple manner by a punching operation with a connecting element designed according to the invention.

Fig. 3 shows a front view of a punching connection element 40, which substantially corresponds to the punch connection element described in Fig. 1, wherein at the front end of the shaft, a punching portion 42 is provided with the punch diameter Dstanz, but with a conical tip 44 connects. The conical tip has the advantage that the material of the cover layer is better displaced, passes through elastic deformation of the base layer better punching conditions and also a greater elastic recoil.

A component connection results with the punching connection element 40 as described in FIG. 2.

Fig. 4 shows a partial sectional view of another embodiment of a punching connection element 50 according to the invention. This is configured in its basic form similar to the punching connection element according to FIG. 1 and correspondingly has a thickening 52. In the end face of the punching connection element, it can be clearly seen in this partial sectional view that a hole is made in the end face 54 of the punched connection element 50, which extends in the axial direction in the direction of the head. The recess 56 is configured cylindrically and can then absorb there existing material in the form of a Butz when penetrating a cover layer. This improves the punching quality of the hole in the base layer. In addition, the central recess allows a compression of the shaft in the region of the thickening. Such behavior is described in more detail in FIG.

5 shows a partial sectional view of a component connection 60 according to the invention during the driving operation comprising a cover layer 62 and a base layer 64 made of a high-strength material. A punching connection element 50 according to FIG. 4 is shown there during the insertion process at approximately half the insertion distance. Exaggerated here is the compression of the thickening 52, which thus results in the elastic deformation of the hole edge of the sum of the elastic expansion of the hole edge and the elastic deflection of the thickening 52. After penetration of the component composite results in a springing of the punching connection element 50 in the region of the thickening 52 and leads to a positive connection, as already described in Fig. 2. 6 shows a partial sectional view of a further embodiment of a punched connection element 70 according to the invention, which is constructed similarly to the punched connection element 50 from FIG. 4. The punching connection element 70 has in its end face 74 a conical recess 76, which tapers in the direction of the head from a first recess diameter DAI to a smaller second recess diameter DA2. After the second recess diameter DA2, a widening of the recess diameter to a third recess diameter DA3 takes place.

This design has the advantage that the material punched out of a cover layer is received in the punch connection element 70 in the form of a piece having a diameter DA2.

Due to the extension of the recess 72 shows that not the entire

Recess volume is filled with material of the cover layer, but a volume that is filled with air remains.

The conical taper of diameter DAI to the diameter DA2 results in a clear cutting edge on the circumference of the end face 74, wherein the material of the cover layer is forced into the recess 72. This results in an improved punching behavior for the punching process in the

Base layer, also the compression of the punching connection element is improved.

Fig. 7 shows a partial sectional view of a component connection 80 with a cover layer 82 and a high-strength base layer 84 with a material located in the recess cut, wherein a

Connecting element 86 is shown similar to the connecting element shown in Fig. 4, which is introduced without pre-hole in the component assembly. In order to improve the absorption of the material of the cover layer 82 in the recess 88, a vent hole 90 is radially introduced. Through this vent hole 90 can in the recess 88 trapped gas, especially air, escape and allow the inclusion of the Materialbutzens the cover layer 82.

8 shows a setting device 100 for producing a component composite 102 from an upper component layer 102a and a lower component layer 102b by a punching connection element 104 according to the invention. For this purpose, the setting device 100 comprises a holding-down device 106 which, together with a cutting die 108, clamps the sheet-metal composite 102. The cutting die 108 has a diameter that, as shown, is slightly increased in comparison to the punch diameter to allow free spring-back deformation of the lower component layer 102b. In the present embodiment, the diameter difference is about twice the thickness of the base layer 102b. The punching connection element 104 is introduced into the material by means of punches 110. After the punching connection element 104, as described in the preceding figures, has penetrated the sheet metal composite 102, the component composite 102 is fixed in a form-fitting manner by elastic springback of the lower component layer 102b. The invention provides a simple and quick way to connect multiple component layers with a high or high strength sheet metal as the lowest base layer.

Claims

P a n t a n s p r e c h e

A punching connector (10, 36, 50, 70, 104) having a head (12) and a shank (13), the head (12) merging into a shank (13) having a first shank portion (14) , wherein the first shaft portion (14) has a cross section which lies in an enveloping circle with a first diameter, furthermore the shaft (13) expands further towards its end remote from the head (12) towards a second shaft portion (16) wherein the second shank portion (16) has a thickening (18, 52) which has a cross-section which lies in an enveloping circle with a maximum diameter (D _ma x), and the shank (13) extends up to the head (12). on the side facing away from the head (12) side of the second shaft portion (16) has a punching section for punching a hole in a sheet having a cross section in an enveloping circle with a punch diameter ( Dstanz), wherein the thickening (18, 52) relati v to the punching area (22, 52) is designed so that the maximum diameter (D _ma x) is at most 25%, in particular at most 20%, greater than the punch diameter (Dstanz).

2. punching connection element according to claim 1, characterized in that the

Diameter of the first shaft portion (14) at least equal to the punch diameter (Dstanz).

3. punching connection element according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the slope of the first shaft portion (14) to the maximum diameter (D _ma x) has a pitch of about 6 ° (range).

4. punching connection element according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the shaft (13) terminates in a cone, truncated cone or a cylinder.

5. punching connection element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized

characterized in that the shaft (13) in its end face (54, 74) has a central

Recess (56, 76, 88)

6. punching connection element according to claim 5, characterized in that the

central recess (56, 76, 88) extends in the axial direction at least to the thickening (18, 52).

7. punching connection element according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that in the end face (54, 74) has a first central recess (56, 76, 88) is provided which extends in the axial direction in the direction of the head (12) wherein the recess (56, 76, 88) one with a first recess diameter (DAI) and one to the first

Recess diameter (DAI) different second recess diameter (DA2), wherein the second recess diameter (DA2) in the axial direction between the first recess diameter (DAI) and the head (12).

8. punching connection element according to claim 7, characterized in that the first

Recess diameter (DAI) is greater than the second recess diameter (DA2).

9. punching connection element according to claim 7, characterized in that the first

Recess diameter (DAI) is smaller than the second recess diameter (DA2).

10. punching connection element according to one of the preceding claims 7 to 9, characterized in that a third recess diameter (DA3) is provided, which lies in the axial direction between the second recess diameter (DA2) and head, wherein the second recess diameter (DA2) is smaller than the third recess diameter (DA3) is.

11. punching connection element according to one of the preceding claims 5 to 9, characterized in that in the lateral surface of the shaft (13) has a bore (90) is introduced, which meets the recess (56, 76, 88). Punching connection element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized

characterized in that the thickening (18, 52) from the cylindrical first shaft portion (14) to the thickening (18, 52,) is conical.

Punching and connecting element according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the second shaft portion (16) in the course of the first shaft portion (14) to the thickening (18, 52) has a curvature.

Punching connection element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized

characterized in that the shaft (13) tapers conically from the thickening (18, 52) to the shaft end.

characterized in that the axial extent of the head to thickening about 0.8 times to three times the punch diameter (Dstanz) corresponds.

A component connection (30, 60, 80, 102) comprising a punching connection element (10, 36, 40, 50, 70, 104), at least one cover layer (32, 62, 82, 102a) and a base layer (34, 64, 84, 102b ), wherein the punching connection element has a head (12) and a shank (13), wherein the head (12) merges into a first shank portion (14) having a cross section which lies in an enveloping circle with a first diameter, in the further course to its head remote from the end in a second shank portion (16) has a second cross section which is in an enveloping circle with a maximum diameter (D _ma x), whereby a thickening (18, 52) is formed, after which the shaft (13) tapers again to the end of the shaft (13) facing away from the head, whereby a punching diameter (Dstanz) results, with which in the base layer (34, 64, 84, 102b) to form a

Blechdurchzugs a hole is punched out, in which the punching-connecting element (10, 36, 40, 50, 70, 104) with its shaft (13) extends, characterized in that the punch diameter (Dstanz) and maximum diameter (D _ma x) such are matched to one another that after introduction of the punching connection element of the base layer (34, 64, 84, 102b) a restoring force is exerted counter to the driving direction on the connecting element and thereby the punching connection element is fixed in a form-fitting manner. A component connection according to claim 15, characterized in that the difference of the maximum diameter (D _ma x) to the punch diameter (Dstanz) is less than or equal to the sum of the maximum diameter increase of the hole in the base layer (34, 64, 84, 102 b) due to elastic deformation and the Diameter reduction of the thickening (18, 52) of the punching connection element (10, 36, 40, 50, 70, 104) due to the elastic

Deformation in the radial direction.

A component connection according to claim 16, characterized in that the sum of the thickness of the at least one cover layer (32, 62, 82) and the thickness of the base layer (34, 64, 84, 102b) is less than the distance of the thickening (18, 52). to the head (12).

A component connection according to claim 17, characterized in that the sum of the thickness of the at least one cover layer (32, 62, 82, 102a) and the thickness of the base layer (34, 64, 84) including a passage resulting during the connection process is less than the distance of the Maximum diameter (D _ma x) to the head (12).

Component connection according to one of the preceding claims 15 to 18, characterized in that the base layer (34, 64, 84,102b) consists of a hard material, in particular of a material having a tensile strength of more than 800 MPa, in particular more than 1000 MPa.

21. Component connection according to one of the preceding claims 18 to 19, characterized

characterized in that the base layer (34, 64, 84, 102b) is formed of metal.

A component connection according to any one of claims 15 to 20, characterized in that the punching connection element (10, 36, 40, 50, 70, 104) corresponds to a stamped connection element of claims 1 to 14.

A method for producing a component connection (30, 60, 80, 102) according to one of

Claims 15 to 21, wherein a punching connection element (10, 36, 40, 50, 70, 104) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 14 under axial force by at least one cover layer (102a) and a base layer (102b) is pressed, the base layer (102b) is supported by a die (108) having a larger inner diameter (DM) than the punch diameter (Dstanz) of the punched connection element (104).

24. The method according to claim 23, characterized in that the difference in diameter of the punch diameter (Dstanz) and inner diameter (DM) of the die (108) is greater than the thickness of the base layer (102b).

25. The method according to claim 23 to 24, characterized in that the

Diameter difference of maximum diameter (DM ₃ X) and inner diameter (DM) of the die (108) is greater than 0.9 times the thickness of the base layer (102b).

26. The method according to claim 23 or 25, characterized in that the

Diameter difference of punch diameter (Dstanz) and inner diameter (DM) of the die (108) is less than three times the thickness of the base layer (102b).