U.S. patent application number 11/116910 was filed with the patent office on 2005-11-03 for method and apparatus for the attachment of a fastener element to a component, in particular to a sheet metal part.
Invention is credited to Diehl, Oliver, Humpert, Richard.
Application Number | 20050244243 11/116910 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34965929 |
Filed Date | 2005-11-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050244243 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Diehl, Oliver ; et
al. |
November 3, 2005 |
Method and apparatus for the attachment of a fastener element to a
component, in particular to a sheet metal part
Abstract
A method and an apparatus for the attachment to a component, for
example a sheet metal part, of a fastener element comprising a head
part and a tubular rivet section which is disposed concentric to an
axis of symmetry of the fastener element and merges via a contact
surface extending in a radial direction into the head part, wherein
the rivet section is passed through the hole in the sheet metal
part and the rivet section is beaded over, whereby the component is
clamped in the region of the hole between the contact surface and
the beaded over rivet section, are wherein the component is
arranged above a riveting die button and the rivet section is
pressed through the component and subsequently beaded over by the
exertion of a local force on the head part of the fastener element,
the local force moving in circles around the central axis of
symmetry, or by exerting such a force on the die button, while
simultaneously carrying out a relative axial feed movement between
the tool exerting the force and the die button
Inventors: |
Diehl, Oliver; (Bad Homburg,
DE) ; Humpert, Richard; (Rosbach, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GREENBERG TRAURIG, LLP
MET LIFE BUILDING
200 PARK AVENUE
NEW YORK
NY
10166
US
|
Family ID: |
34965929 |
Appl. No.: |
11/116910 |
Filed: |
April 28, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
411/34 ;
411/29 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 29/49915 20150115;
Y10T 29/49963 20150115; Y10T 29/53709 20150115; Y10T 29/49924
20150115; Y10T 29/49908 20150115; Y10T 29/49936 20150115; B23P
19/062 20130101; B21J 15/12 20130101; Y10T 29/49966 20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
411/034 ;
411/029 |
International
Class: |
F16B 013/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 28, 2004 |
DE |
10 2004 0020 675. |
Claims
1. A method for the attachment to a component having a hole, for
example a sheet metal part, of a fastener element comprising a head
part and a tubular rivet section which is disposed concentric to an
axis of symmetry of the fastener element and to an attachment
section of the fastener element and merges into the head part via a
contact surface extending in a radial direction, wherein the rivet
section is passed through the hole in the sheet metal part and the
rivet section is beaded over, whereby the component is clamped in
the region of the hole between the contact surface and the beaded
over rivet section, wherein the head part of the fastener element
is received in a cut-out of a first tool and a second tool having a
die shape for the progressive beading over of the rivet section is
rotated in a position inclined to the axis of symmetry of the
fastener element about the axis of symmetry of the fastener
element, with a relative axial feed movement being simultaneously
effected between the tool receiving the head part and the tool
having the die shape until the rivet section is completely beaded
over.
2. A method according to claim 1, wherein during the beading over
movement features providing security against rotation which are
provided on the fastener element are brought into engagement with
the component, said features providing security against rotation
being provided at at least one of at the rivet section, at the
contact surface and at a transition from the rivet section into the
contact surface.
3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the relative axial feed
movement is brought about by movement of the second tool towards
the fastener element.
4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the second tool is not
only rotated around the axis of symmetry of the fastener element
but rather simultaneously about the inclined axis which is defined
by the inclined position of the second tool.
5. A method according to claim 1, wherein the pre-pierced component
is provided with a conical rim surrounding the hole, wherein the
rivet section is pushed from the side of the projecting conical rim
through the hole and wherein, through the beading over operation,
the rivet section fills out the ring space which is provided at the
side of the component remote from the head part of the fastener
element in the region of the conical rim, so that the beaded over
rivet bead at least substantially does not project beyond the side
of the component remote from the head part of the fastener
element.
6. A method according to claim 5, wherein the conical rim of the
component is at least partly pressed flat during the beading over
of the rivet section.
7. A method according to claim 1, wherein the radially extending
contact surface around the tubular rivet section has at least one
of an axial recess and a radial recess and wherein, during the
beading over of the rivet section, the material of the component is
pressed into a said recess and is trapped there by the beading over
of the rivet section.
8. A method according to claim 1, wherein the section of the first
tool which receives the fastener element is so dimensioned in
comparison to the head part of the fastener element that the
contact surface is recessed below the end face of the first tool
confronting the sheet metal part, with a receiving space for the
conical rim region of the hole in the component being provided
during the reshaping of the rivet section.
9. A method according to claim 8, wherein a ring-like receiving
space for the rivet bead is formed in that the cut-out merges via a
conical surface into the said end face of the first tool.
10. A method according to claim 9, wherein the included cone angle
of the conical surface is smaller than that of the conical rim
region of the component.
11. A method for the attachment to a component having a hole, for
example a sheet metal part, of a fastener element comprising a head
part and a tubular rivet section which is disposed concentric to an
axis of symmetry of the fastener element and to an attachment
section of the fastener element and merges into the head part via a
contact surface extending in a radial direction, wherein the rivet
section is passed through the hole in the sheet metal part and the
rivet section is beaded over, whereby the component is clamped in
the region of the hole between the contact surface and the beaded
over rivet section, wherein the head part of the fastener element
is received in a cut-out of a first tool and a second tool having a
die button shape for the progressive beading over of the rivet
section is brought into a position coaxial to the axis of symmetry
of the fastener element and is pressed by a third tool inclined to
the axis of symmetry and rotated about the axis of symmetry onto an
end face of the second tool remote from the die button shape, with
a relative axial feed movement being effected between the first
tool which receives the head part and the third tool which co-moves
the second tool until the rivet section has been completely beaded
over.
12. A method according to claim 11, wherein the second tool is held
in a circularly cylindrical recess of a guide part and guided with
some radial clearance.
13. A method according to claim 12, wherein the guide part is
biased towards the sheet metal part and serves, at least in the end
stage of the beading over of the rivet section, as a hold-down
member for the sheet metal part and clamps the latter against the
end face of the first tool.
14. A method according to claim 11, wherein the third tool has a
cylindrical end which is likewise arranged in the circularly
cylindrical recess of the guide part and is guided by the
latter.
15. A method according to claim 11, wherein the end of the third
tool which presses onto the end face of the second tool remote from
the die button shape has a conical shape, whereby the third tool
forms an at least substantially linear contact with the end face of
the second tool, with this line of contact being located at least
predominantly to one side of the axis of symmetry and moving around
the axis of symmetry on rotation of the third tool.
16. A method according to claim 11, wherein during the beading over
movement features providing security against rotation which are
provided on the fastener element are brought into engagement with
the component, said features providing security against rotation
being provided at at least one of at the rivet section, at the
contact surface and at a transition from the rivet section into the
contact surface.
17. A method according to claim 11, wherein the relative axial feed
movement is brought about by movement of the third tool towards the
second tool and the fastener element.
18. A method according to claim 11, wherein the third tool is not
only rotated about the axis of symmetry of the fastener element but
rather also simultaneously about the inclined axis which is defined
by the inclined position of the second tool.
19. A method according to claim 11, wherein the pre-pierced
component is provided with a conical rim surrounding the hole, that
the rivet section is pushed from the side of the projecting conical
rim through the hole and wherein that the rivet section fills out,
through the beading over operation, the ring space which is
provided at the side of the component remote from the head part of
the fastener element in the region of the conical rim, so that the
beaded over rivet bead at least substantially does not project
beyond the side of the component remote from the head part of the
fastener element.
20. A method according to claim 19, wherein the conical rim of the
component is at least partly pressed flat during the beading over
of the rivet section.
21. A method according to claim 11, wherein the radially extending
contact surface has at least one of an axial recess and a radial
recess around the tubular rivet section and wherein, during the
beading over of the rivet section, the material of the component is
pressed into a said recess and is clamped there by the beading over
of the rivet section.
22. A method according to claim 11, wherein the cut-out of the
first tool which receives the fastener element is so dimensioned in
comparison to the head part of the fastener element that the
contact surface is set back below the end face of the first tool
confronting the sheet metal part, with a receiving space for the
conical rim region of the hole being provided in the component
during the re-shaping of the rivet section.
23. A method according to claim 22, wherein a ring-like receiving
space for the rivet bead is formed in that the cut-out merges via a
conical surface into the said end face of the first tool.
24. A method according to claim 23, wherein the included cone angle
of the conical surface is smaller than that of the conical rim
region of the component.
25. A method for the attachment to a component having a hole, for
example a sheet metal part, of a fastener element comprising a head
part and a tubular rivet section which is disposed concentric to an
axis of symmetry of the fastener element and to an attachment
section of the fastener element and merges into the head part via a
contact surface extending in a radial direction, wherein the rivet
section is passed through the hole in the sheet metal part and the
rivet section is beaded over, whereby the component is clamped in
the region of the hole between the contact surface and the beaded
over rivet section, wherein the rivet section of the fastener
element is pressed at least substantially in the direction of the
axis of symmetry onto a die button designed for the progressive
beading over of the rivet section by means of a tool arranged in an
inclined position to the axis of symmetry of the fastener element,
rotatable about the axis of symmetry of the fastener element and
pressed onto an end face of the head part remote from the rivet
section and wherein a relative axial feed movement is
simultaneously effected between the tool acting on the head part
and the die button until the rivet section is completely beaded
over.
26. A method according to claim 25, wherein the tool has a
cylindrical front part confronting the fastener element, with the
front part being held in a right cylindrical recess of a guide part
and being guided with some radial clearance.
27. A method according to claim 26, wherein the guide part is
biased towards the sheet metal part and serves, at least in the end
stage of the beading over of the rivet section, as a hold-down
member for the sheet metal part and clamps the sheet metal part
against the end face of the die button.
28. A method according to claim 25, wherein the end of the tool
which presses onto the end face of the head part of the fastener
element remote from the die button shape has a conical shape,
whereby the tool forms an at least substantially linear contact
with the end face of the head part of the fastener element, with
this line of contact being located at least predominantly on one
side of the axis of symmetry and moving on rotation of the tool
around the axis of symmetry.
29. A method according to claim 25, wherein during the beading over
movement features providing security against rotation which are
provided on the fastener element are brought into engagement with
the component, said features providing security against rotation
being provided at at least one of at the rivet section, at the
contact surface and at a transition from the rivet section into the
contact surface.
30. A method according to claim 25, wherein the relative axial feed
movement is brought about by movement of the tool towards the
fastener element and towards the die button.
31. A method according to claim 25, wherein the tool is not only
rotated about the axis of symmetry of the fastener element but
rather simultaneously about the inclined axis which is defined by
the inclined position of the tool.
32. A method according to claim 25, wherein the pre-holed component
is provided with a conical rim surrounding the hole, wherein that
the rivet section is pushed from the side of the projecting conical
rim through the hole and wherein, through the beading over
operation, the rivet section fills out the ring space which is
provided at the side of the component remote from the head part of
the fastener element in the region of the conical rim, so that the
turned-over rivet bead at least substantially does not project
beyond the side of the component remote from the head part of the
fastener element.
33. A method according to claim 32, wherein the conical rim of the
component is at least partly pressed flat during the beading over
of the rivet section.
34. A method according to claim 25, wherein the radially extending
contact surface has at least one of an axial recess and a radial
recess around the tubular rivet section and wherein the material of
a component is pressed into a said recess during the beading over
of the rivet section and is clamped there by the beading over of
the rivet section.
35. A method according to claim 26, wherein a ring-like receiving
space for the rivet bead is formed in the component in that the
head part of the fastener element is received within a cut-out of
the guide part and this recess merges via a conical surface into
the end face of the guide part which, in the final stage of the
beading over operation, presses the component against the end face
of the die button, with the contact surface of the fastener element
merging from a first position aligned with the end face of the
guide part into a position set back relative to this end face at
the end of the beading process.
36. A method according to claim 35, wherein the included cone angle
of the conical surface is smaller than that of the conical rim
region of the component.
37. A method for the attachment to a component having a hole, for
example a sheet metal part, of a fastener element comprising a head
part and a tubular rivet section which is disposed concentric to an
axis of symmetry of the fastener element and to an attachment
section of the fastener element and merges via a contact surface
extending in a radial direction into the head part, wherein the
rivet section is passed through the hole in the sheet metal part
and the rivet section is beaded over, whereby the component is
clamped in the region of the hole between the contact surface and
the beaded over rivet section, wherein the head part of the
fastener element is received in a cut-out or a first tool and a
second tool is provided with at least one body of rotation
rotatable about an axis oblique to the axis of symmetry for the
progressive beading over of the rivet section, wherein for this
purpose the second tool is rotated about the axis of symmetry and
simultaneously a relative axial feed movement is effected between
the first tool receiving the head part and the second tool until
the rivet section is completely beaded over.
38. A method according to claim 37, wherein the second tool has an
outer ring-like part and a central cylindrical part, the body of
rotation is provided with a bearing spigot rotatably guided in the
outer ring, with either only the inner ring being directly driven
around the axis of symmetry, whereby the body of rotation rolls off
in the rivet section and is supported by the inner part of the
second tool, with the outer ring being driven by the movement of
the body of rotation, or with the outer part being driven
simultaneously with the inner part about the axis of symmetry.
39. A method according to claim 37, wherein the shape of the inner
part of the second tool in the region of its end face which
contacts the jacket surface of the body of rotation has a shape
complementary to the shape of the body of rotation, whereby the
body of rotation has at its jacket surface, over a considerable
part of the length of the jacket surface, a line contact to the end
face of the inner tool and is supported by the latter.
40. A method according to claim 37, wherein the body of rotation
has a radially extending surface in the region of the guide spigot
related to the oblique axis, with the radially extending surface
being supported against a counter surface of the outer ring of the
second tool, whereby the position of the body of rotation along the
inclined axis in the direction away from the axis of symmetry is
fixed.
41. A method according to claim 37, wherein the body of rotation
has a first conical section arranged in the region of the guide
spigot and converges going away from the guide spigot, as seen in
the direction of the oblique axis, i.e. going towards the axis of
symmetry, and has a tapered section following the conical region,
for example with the shape of an hour glass, a bollard or a
capstan, which cooperates with the rivet section to carry out the
beading over, with the contact of the conical section of the body
of rotation at the inner part of the second tool preventing or
restricting a movement of the body of rotation along the oblique
axis towards the axis of symmetry.
42. A method according to claim 37, wherein the body of rotation
has a first conical section disposed in the region of the guide
spigot and converging going away from the guide spigot when viewed
in the direction of the oblique axis, i.e. going towards the axis
of symmetry, and has a circularly cylindrical section following the
conical region and cooperating with the rivet section for carrying
out the beading over, with the contact of the conical section of
the body of rotation at the inner part of the second tool
preventing or restricting a movement of the body of rotation along
the oblique axis towards the axis of symmetry.
43. A method according to claim 37, wherein two or more bodies of
rotation are provided which each have a conical section which
enters into contact with the inner side of the tubular rivet
section and enter into contact with a conical section of the inner
part of the second tool, at a side diametrically opposite to the
contact position with the rivet section, and are supported at the
second tool.
44. A method according to claim 43, wherein the or each body of
rotation has at its end face remote from the fastener element a
curved surface which contacts a support surface of the ring-like
part of the second tool standing at least approximately
perpendicular to the respective oblique axis.
45. A method according to claim 37, wherein the inner part of the
second tool is supported by an axial bearing.
46. A method according to claim 37, wherein the beading over of the
rivet section is effected with a circularly cylindrical body of
rotation.
47. A method according to claim 37, wherein during the beading over
movement features providing security against rotation which are
provided on the fastener element are brought into engagement with
the component, said features providing security against rotation
being provided at at least one of at the rivet section, at the
contact surface and at a transition from the rivet section into the
contact surface.
48. A method according to claim 37, wherein the relative axial feed
movement is brought about by movement of the second tool towards
the first tool and the fastener element.
49. A method according to claim 37, wherein the pre-holed component
is provided with a conical rim surrounding the hole, in that the
rivet section is pushed through the hole from the side of the
projecting conical rim and wherein, through the beading over
operation, the rivet section fills out the ring space which is
provided at the side of the component remote from the head part of
the fastener element in the region of the conical rim, so that the
turned-over rivet bead at least substantially does not project
beyond the side of the component remote from the head part of the
fastener element.
50. A method according to claim 49, wherein the conical rim of the
component is at least partly pressed flat during beading over of
the rivet section.
51. A method according to claim 37, wherein the radially extending
contact surface has at least one of an axial recess and a radial
recess around the tubular rivet section and in that, during the
beading over of the beading section the material of the component
is pressed into a said recess and is clamped there by the beading
over of the rivet section.
52. A method according to claim 37, wherein the cut-out of the
first tool which receives the fastener element is so dimensioned in
comparison to the head part of the fastener element that the
contact surface is set back below the end face of the first tool
confronting the sheet metal part, with a receiving space being
provided in the component to accommodate the conical rim region of
the hole during the re-shaping of the rivet section.
53. A method according to claim 52, wherein a ring-like receiving
space for the rivet bead is formed in that the cut-out merges via a
conical surface into the said end face of the first tool.
54. A method according to claim 53, wherein the included cone angle
of the conical surface is smaller than that of the conical rim
region of the component.
55. A method for the attachment to a component, for example a sheet
metal part, of a fastener element comprising a head part and a
tubular rivet section which is disposed concentric to an axis of
symmetry of the fastener element and to an attachment section of
the fastener element and merges via a contact surface extending in
a radial direction into the head part, wherein the rivet section is
passed through the component while forming a hole in it and the
rivet section is beaded over, whereby the component is clamped in
the region of the hole between the contact surface and the beaded
over rivet section, wherein the component is arranged above a
riveting die button and the rivet section is pressed through the
component and subsequently beaded over by the exertion of a local
force onto the head part of the fastener element, the local force
moving in circles around the central axis of symmetry or by
exerting such a force on the die button and simultaneously carrying
out a relative axial feed movement between the tool exerting the
force and the die button.
56. An apparatus for the attachment to a component having a hole,
for example a sheet metal part, of a fastener element comprising a
head part and a tubular rivet section which is disposed concentric
to an axis of symmetry of the fastener element and to an attachment
section of the fastener element and merges into the head part via a
contact surface extending in a radial direction, wherein the rivet
section is passed through the hole in the sheet metal part and the
rivet section is beaded over, whereby the component is clamped in
the region of the hole between the contact surface and the beaded
over rivet section, wherein the head part of the fastener element
is received in a cut-out of a first tool and a second tool having a
die shape for the progressive beading over of the rivet section is
rotated in a position inclined to the axis of symmetry of the
fastener element about the axis of symmetry of the fastener
element, with a relative axial feed movement being simultaneously
effected between the tool receiving the head part and the tool
having the die shape until the rivet section is completely beaded
over.
57. An apparatus according to claim 56, wherein during the beading
over movement features providing security against rotation which
are provided on the fastener element are brought into engagement
with the component, said features providing security against
rotation being provided at at least one of at the rivet section, at
the contact surface and at a transition from the rivet section into
the contact surface.
58. An apparatus according to claim 56, wherein the relative axial
feed movement is brought about by movement of the second tool
towards the fastener element.
59. An apparatus according to claim 56, wherein the second tool is
not only rotated around the axis of symmetry of the fastener
element but rather simultaneously about the inclined axis which is
defined by the inclined position of the second tool.
60. An apparatus according to claim 56, wherein the pre-pierced
component is provided with a conical rim surrounding the hole,
wherein the rivet section is pushed from the side of the projecting
conical rim through the hole and wherein, through the beading over
operation, the rivet section fills out the ring space which is
provided at the side of the component remote from the head part of
the fastener element in the region of the conical rim, so that the
beaded over rivet bead at least substantially does not project
beyond the side of the component remote from the head part of the
fastener element.
61. An apparatus according to claim 60, wherein the conical rim of
the component is at least partly pressed flat during the beading
over of the rivet section.
62. An apparatus according to claim 56, wherein the radially
extending contact surface around the tubular rivet section has at
least one of an axial recess and a radial recess and wherein,
during the beading over of the rivet section, the material of the
component is pressed into a said recess and is trapped there by the
beading over of the rivet section.
63. An apparatus according to claim 56, wherein the section of the
first tool which receives the fastener element is so dimensioned in
comparison to the head part of the fastener element that the
contact surface is recessed below the end face of the first tool
confronting the sheet metal part, with a receiving space for the
conical rim region of the hole in the component being provided
during the reshaping of the rivet section.
64. An apparatus according to claim 63, wherein a ring-like
receiving space for the rivet bead is formed in that the cut-out
merges via a conical surface into the said end face of the first
tool.
65. An apparatus according to claim 64, wherein the included cone
angle of the conical surface is smaller than that of the conical
rim region of the component.
66. An apparatus for the attachment to a component having a hole,
for example a sheet metal part, of a fastener element comprising a
head part and a tubular rivet section which is disposed concentric
to an axis of symmetry of the fastener element and to an attachment
section of the fastener element and merges into the head part via a
contact surface extending in a radial direction, wherein the rivet
section is passed through the hole in the sheet metal part and the
rivet section is beaded over, whereby the component is clamped in
the region of the hole between the contact surface and the beaded
over rivet section, wherein the head part of the fastener element
is received in a cut-out of a first tool and a second tool having a
die button shape for the progressive beading over of the rivet
section is brought into a position coaxial to the axis of symmetry
of the fastener element and is pressed by a third tool inclined to
the axis of symmetry and rotated about the axis of symmetry onto an
end face of the second tool remote from the die button shape, with
a relative axial feed movement being effected between the first
tool which receives the head part and the third tool which co-moves
the second tool until the rivet section has been completely beaded
over.
67. An apparatus according to claim 66, wherein the second tool is
held in a circularly cylindrical recess of a guide part and guided
with some radial clearance.
68. An apparatus according to claim 67, wherein the guide part is
biased towards the sheet metal part and serves, at least in the end
stage of the beading over of the rivet section, as a hold-down
member for the sheet metal part and clamps the latter against the
end face of the first tool.
69. An apparatus according to claim 66, wherein the third tool has
a cylindrical end which is likewise arranged in the circularly
cylindrical recess of the guide part and is guided by the
latter.
70. An apparatus according to claim 66, wherein the end of the
third tool which presses onto the end face of the second tool
remote from the die button shape has a conical shape, whereby the
third tool forms an at least substantially linear contact with the
end face of the second tool, with this line of contact being
located at least predominantly to one side of the axis of symmetry
and moving around the axis of symmetry on rotation of the third
tool.
71. An apparatus according to claim 66, wherein during the beading
over movement features providing security against rotation which
are provided on the fastener element are brought into engagement
with the component, said features providing security against
rotation being provided at at least one of at the rivet section, at
the contact surface and at a transition from the rivet section into
the contact surface.
72. An apparatus according to claim 66, wherein the relative axial
feed movement is brought about by movement of the third tool
towards the second tool and the fastener element.
73. An apparatus according to claim 66, wherein the third tool is
not only rotated about the axis of symmetry of the fastener element
but rather also simultaneously about the inclined axis which is
defined by the inclined position of the second tool.
74. An apparatus according to claims 66, wherein the pre-pierced
component is provided with a conical rim surrounding the hole, that
the rivet section is pushed from the side of the projecting conical
rim through the hole and wherein that the rivet section fills out,
through the beading over operation, the ring space which is
provided at the side of the component remote from the head part of
the fastener element in the region of the conical rim, so that the
beaded over rivet bead at least substantially does not project
beyond the side of the component remote from the head part of the
fastener element.
75. An apparatus according to claim 74, wherein the conical rim of
the component is at least partly pressed flat during the beading
over of the rivet section.
76. An apparatus according to claim 66, wherein the radially
extending contact surface has at least one of an axial recess and a
radial recess around the tubular rivet section and wherein, during
the beading over of the rivet section, the material of the
component is pressed into a said recess and is clamped there by the
beading over of the rivet section.
77. An apparatus according to claim 66, wherein the cut-out of the
first tool which receives the fastener element is so dimensioned in
comparison to the head part of the fastener element that the
contact surface is set back below the end face of the first tool
confronting the sheet metal part, with a receiving space for the
conical rim region of the hole being provided in the component
during the re-shaping of the rivet section.
78. An apparatus according to claim 77, wherein a ring-like
receiving space for the rivet bead is formed in that the cut-out
merges via a conical surface into the said end face of the first
tool.
79. An apparatus according to claim 78, wherein the included cone
angle of the conical surface is smaller than that of the conical
rim region of the component.
80. An apparatus for the attachment to a component having a hole,
for example a sheet metal part, of a fastener element comprising a
head part and a tubular rivet section which is disposed concentric
to an axis of symmetry of the fastener element and to an attachment
section of the fastener element and merges into the head part via a
contact surface extending in a radial direction, wherein the rivet
section is passed through the hole in the sheet metal part and the
rivet section is beaded over, whereby the component is clamped in
the region of the hole between the contact surface and the beaded
over rivet section, wherein the rivet section of the fastener
element is pressed at least substantially in the direction of the
axis of symmetry onto a die button designed for the progressive
beading over of the rivet section by means of a tool arranged in an
inclined position to the axis of symmetry of the fastener element,
rotatable about the axis of symmetry of the fastener element and
pressed onto an end face of the head part remote from the rivet
section and wherein a relative axial feed movement is
simultaneously effected between the tool acting on the head part
and the die button until the rivet section is completely beaded
over.
81. An apparatus according to claim 80, wherein the tool has a
cylindrical front part confronting the fastener element, with the
front part being held in a right cylindrical recess of a guide part
and being guided with some radial clearance.
82. An apparatus according to claim 81, wherein the guide part is
biased towards the sheet metal part and serves, at least in the end
stage of the beading over of the rivet section, as a hold-down
member for the sheet metal part and clamps the sheet metal part
against the end face of the die button.
83. An apparatus according to claim 80, wherein the end of the tool
which presses onto the end face of the head part of the fastener
element remote from the die button shape has a conical shape,
whereby the tool forms an at least substantially linear contact
with the end face of the head part of the fastener element, with
this line of contact being located at least predominantly on one
side of the axis of symmetry and moving on rotation of the tool
around the axis of symmetry.
84. An apparatus according to claim 80, wherein during the beading
over movement features providing security against rotation which
are provided on the fastener element are brought into engagement
with the component, said features providing security against
rotation being provided at at least one of at the rivet section, at
the contact surface and at a transition from the rivet section into
the contact surface.
85. An apparatus according to claim 80, wherein the relative axial
feed movement is brought about by movement of the tool towards the
fastener element and towards the die button.
86. An apparatus according to claim 80, wherein the tool is not
only rotated about the axis of symmetry of the fastener element but
rather simultaneously about the inclined axis which is defined by
the inclined position of the tool.
87. An apparatus according to claim 80, wherein the pre-holed
component is provided with a conical rim surrounding the hole,
wherein that the rivet section is pushed from the side of the
projecting conical rim through the hole and wherein, through the
beading over operation, the rivet section fills out the ring space
which is provided at the side of the component remote from the head
part of the fastener element in the region of the conical rim, so
that the turned-over rivet bead at least substantially does not
project beyond the side of the component remote from the head part
of the fastener element.
88. An apparatus according to claim 87, wherein the conical rim of
the component is at least partly pressed flat during the beading
over of the rivet section.
89. An apparatus according to claim 80, wherein the radially
extending contact surface has at least one of an axial recess and a
radial recess around the tubular rivet section and wherein the
material of a component is pressed into a said recess during the
beading over of the rivet section and is clamped there by the
beading over of the rivet section.
90. An apparatus according to claim 81, wherein a ring-like
receiving space for the rivet bead is formed in the component in
that the head part of the fastener element is received within a
cut-out of the guide part and this recess merges via a conical
surface into the end face of the guide part which, in the final
stage of the beading over operation, presses the component against
the end face of the die button, with the contact surface of the
fastener element merging from a first position aligned with the end
face of the guide part into a position set back relative to this
end face at the end of the beading process.
91. An apparatus according to claim 90, wherein the included cone
angle of the conical surface is smaller than that of the conical
rim region of the component.
92. An apparatus for the attachment to a component having a hole,
for example a sheet metal part, of a fastener element comprising a
head part and a tubular rivet section which is disposed concentric
to an axis of symmetry of the fastener element and to an attachment
section of the fastener element and merges via a contact surface
extending in a radial direction into the head part, wherein the
rivet section is passed through the hole in the sheet metal part
and the rivet section is beaded over, whereby the component is
clamped in the region of the hole between the contact surface and
the beaded over rivet section, wherein the head part of the
fastener element is received in a cut-out or a first tool and a
second tool is provided with at least one body of rotation
rotatable about an axis oblique to the axis of symmetry for the
progressive beading over of the rivet section, wherein for this
purpose the second tool is rotated about the axis of symmetry and
simultaneously a relative axial feed movement is effected between
the first tool receiving the head part and the second tool until
the rivet section is completely beaded over.
93. An apparatus according to claim 92, wherein the second tool has
an outer ring-like part and a central cylindrical part, the body of
rotation is provided with a bearing spigot rotatably guided in the
outer ring, with either only the inner ring being directly driven
around the axis of symmetry, whereby the body of rotation rolls off
in the rivet section and is supported by the inner part of the
second tool, with the outer ring being driven by the movement of
the body of rotation, or with the outer part being driven
simultaneously with the inner part about the axis of symmetry.
94. An apparatus according to claim 92, wherein the shape of the
inner part of the second tool in the region of its end face which
contacts the jacket surface of the body of rotation has a shape
complementary to the shape of the body of rotation, whereby the
body of rotation has at its jacket surface, over a considerable
part of the length of the jacket surface, a line contact to the end
face of the inner tool and is supported by the latter.
95. An apparatus according to claim 92, wherein the body of
rotation has a radially extending surface in the region of the
guide spigot related to the oblique axis, with the radially
extending surface being supported against a counter surface of the
outer ring of the second tool, whereby the position of the body of
rotation along the inclined axis in the direction away from the
axis of symmetry is fixed.
96. An apparatus according to claim 92, wherein the body of
rotation has a first conical section arranged in the region of the
guide spigot and converges going away from the guide spigot, as
seen in the direction of the oblique axis, i.e. going towards the
axis of symmetry, and has a tapered section following the conical
region, for example with the shape of an hour glass, a bollard or a
capstan, which cooperates with the rivet section to carry out the
beading over, with the contact of the conical section of the body
of rotation at the inner part of the second tool preventing or
restricting a movement of the body of rotation along the oblique
axis towards the axis of symmetry.
97. An apparatus according to claim 92, wherein the body of
rotation has a first conical section disposed in the region of the
guide spigot and converging going away from the guide spigot when
viewed in the direction of the oblique axis, i.e. going towards the
axis of symmetry, and has a circularly cylindrical section
following the conical region and cooperating with the rivet section
for carrying out the beading over, with the contact of the conical
section of the body of rotation at the inner part of the second
tool preventing or restricting a movement of the body of rotation
along the oblique axis towards the axis of symmetry.
98. An apparatus according to claim 92, wherein two or more bodies
of rotation are provided which each have a conical section which
enters into contact with the inner side of the tubular rivet
section and enter into contact with a conical section of the inner
part of the second tool, at a side diametrically opposite to the
contact position with the rivet section, and are supported at the
second tool.
99. An apparatus according to claim 98, wherein the or each body of
rotation has at its end face remote from the fastener element a
curved surface which contacts a support surface of the ring-like
part of the second tool standing at least approximately
perpendicular to the respective oblique axis.
100. An apparatus according to claim 92, wherein the inner part of
the second tool is supported by an axial bearing.
101. An apparatus according to claim 92, wherein the beading over
of the rivet section is effected with a circularly cylindrical body
of rotation.
102. An apparatus according to claim 92, wherein during the beading
over movement features providing security against rotation which
are provided on the fastener element are brought into engagement
with the component, said features providing security against
rotation being provided at at least one of at the rivet section, at
the contact surface and at a transition from the rivet section into
the contact surface.
103. An apparatus according to claim 92, wherein the relative axial
feed movement is brought about by movement of the second tool
towards the first tool and the fastener element.
104. An apparatus according to claim 92, wherein the pre-holed
component is provided with a conical rim surrounding the hole, in
that the rivet section is pushed through the hole from the side of
the projecting conical rim and wherein, through the beading over
operation, the rivet section fills out the ring space which is
provided at the side of the component remote from the head part of
the fastener element in the region of the conical rim, so that the
turned-over rivet bead at least substantially does not project
beyond the side of the component remote from the head part of the
fastener element.
105. An apparatus according to claim 104, wherein the conical rim
of the component is at least partly pressed flat during beading
over of the rivet section.
106. An apparatus according to claim 92, wherein the radially
extending contact surface has at least one of an axial recess and a
radial recess around the tubular rivet section and in that, during
the beading over of the beading section the material of the
component is pressed into a said recess and is clamped there by the
beading over of the rivet section.
107. An apparatus according to claim 92, wherein the cut-out of the
first tool which receives the fastener element is so dimensioned in
comparison to the head part of the fastener element that the
contact surface is set back below the end face of the first tool
confronting the sheet metal part, with a receiving space being
provided in the component to accommodate the conical rim region of
the hole during the re-shaping of the rivet section.
108. An apparatus according to claim 107, wherein a ring-like
receiving space for the rivet bead is formed in that the cut-out
merges via a conical surface into the said end face of the first
tool.
109. An apparatus according to claim 108, wherein the included cone
angle of the conical surface is smaller than that of the conical
rim region of the component.
110. An apparatus for the attachment to a component, for example a
sheet metal part, of a fastener element comprising a head part and
a tubular rivet section which is disposed concentric to an axis of
symmetry of the fastener element and to an attachment section of
the fastener element and merges via a contact surface extending in
a radial direction into the head part, wherein the rivet section is
passed through the component while forming a hole in it and the
rivet section is beaded over, whereby the component is clamped in
the region of the hole between the contact surface and the beaded
over rivet section, wherein the component is arranged above a
riveting die button and the rivet section is pressed through the
component and subsequently beaded over by the exertion of a local
force onto the head part of the fastener element, the local force
moving in circles around the central axis of symmetry or by
exerting such a force on the die button and simultaneously carrying
out a relative axial feed movement between the tool exerting the
force and the die button.
111. An apparatus according to claim 56, wherein it is installed
into a tool resembling a drill press in order to achieve the
relative movement.
112. An apparatus according to claim 80, wherein it is installed
into a tool resembling a drill press in order to achieve the
relative movement.
113. An apparatus according to claim 92, wherein it is installed
into a tool resembling a drill press in order to achieve the
relative movement.
114. An apparatus according to claim 110, wherein it is installed
into a tool resembling a drill press in order to achieve the
relative movement.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus
for the attachment to component having a hole, for example a sheet
metal part, of a fastener element comprising a head part and a
tubular rivet section which is disposed concentric to an axis of
symmetry of the fastener element and to an attachment section of
the fastener element and merges into the head part via a contact
surface extending in a radial direction, wherein the rivet section
is passed through the hole in the sheet metal part and the rivet
section is beaded over, whereby the component is clamped in the
region of the hole between the contact surface and the beaded over
rivet section. The present invention also relates to similar
methods and apparatus suitable for attaching a fastener element to
a non pre-holed component in which the fastener element is used to
form the hole in the component.
[0002] Methods and apparatus of the above-named kind are extremely
well known in the field of attachment of fastener elements to sheet
metal parts. For example, the German patent 3447006 describes how a
fastener element, which can be obtained in commerce under the
designation SBF from the company Profil Verbindungstechnik GmbH
& Co. KG can be introduced in self-piercing manner into a sheet
metal part. Furthermore the European patent 539793 describes the
so-called clamping hole riveting process with which elements,
particular so-called RSN elements and RND elements (EP 1116891) of
the company Profil Verbindungstechnik GmbH & Co. KG can be
introduced into sheet metal parts.
[0003] In order to carry out the previously known methods it is
mainly presses with considerably pressing forces which are used and
which take care of the attachment of the fastener elements to sheet
metal parts and indeed, in particular when the intention is to give
the sheet metal part a specific shape in the press. Not only
elements of the company Profil-Verbindungstechnik GmbH & Co. KG
can be secured in this way and means to sheet metal part but rather
also a series of further fastener elements from other competitors.
It is also known, instead of using a press for the attachment of
fastener elements, to secure these to sheet metal parts in C-frames
and/or by means of robots, and in both cases corresponding force
producing devices must be present which frequently have to generate
forces in tons in double figures.
[0004] With such devices the fastener elements must be attached to
the sheet metal part in one stroke, the process thus takes place
relatively quickly.
[0005] However, in smaller and larger workshops there are amongst a
multiplicity of possible applications, for example for the
manufacture of small series, where no heavy presses or any of the
other named devices (C-frame or robot) are available, either
because the corresponding businesses do not have such devices or
because these are otherwise fully employed.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] It is thus the object of the present invention to propose
reliable methods and apparatuses which are able to attach fastener
elements of the initially named kind to sheet metal parts without
considerable forces having to be required for this purpose so that
businesses are able to secure fastener elements to components, in
particular, to sheet metal parts reliably even without large
investments in relatively heavy apparatuses, with the method of the
invention or the apparatus of the invention being able to be used
for a multiplicity of diverse fastener elements.
[0007] In order to satisfy this object, a method of the initially
named kind is provided, in accordance with a first variant of the
invention, which is wherein the head part of the fastener element
is received in a cut-out of a first tool and a second tool having a
die shape for the progressive beading over of the rivet section is
rotated in a position inclined to the axis of symmetry of the
fastener element, about the axis of symmetry of the fastener
element, with a relative axial feed movement being simultaneously
effected between the tool receiving the head part and the tool
having the die shape until the rivet section is completely beaded
over.
[0008] In accordance with the invention, instead of using a large
rapidly acting force a substantially smaller force is used which
acts locally on the fastener element, or on its rivet section, and
indeed over a comparatively long time (which can however
straightforwardly lie in the range of seconds), with the force
being progressively moved around the axis of symmetry of the
fastener element and acting locally on the fastener element or on
the rivet section or on the sheet metal part until the beading over
of the rivet section is completed. Since the force which is used is
significantly smaller in comparison to the forces previously used
the apparatus which is required to carry out the method is loaded
to a substantially lower level and can be made correspondingly
lighter, compacter and also at a more favorable cost and consumes
even less material than was previously be necessary. Furthermore,
on carrying out the method it is possible to work with die buttons
which are identical to the die buttons previously used for the
corresponding elements, or which have only been insignificantly
modified, so that proven systems and systems tested in practice can
also still be used with the new method and the new apparatus.
[0009] A first solution of the above object in accordance with the
invention provides a method of the initially named kind which is
wherein the head part of the fastener element is received in a
cut-out of a first tool and a second tool having a die shape for
the progressive beading over of the rivet section is rotated in a
position inclined to the axis of symmetry of the fastener element,
about the axis of symmetry of the fastener element, with a relative
axial feed movement being simultaneously effected between the tool
receiving the head part and the tool having the die shape until the
rivet section is completely beaded over.
[0010] A second solution of the above recited object provides a
method of the initially named kind which is wherein the head part
of the fastener element is received in a cut-out of a first tool
and a second tool having a die button shape for the progressive
beading over of the rivet section is brought into a position
coaxial to the axis of symmetry of the fastener element and is
pressed by a third tool inclined to the axis of symmetry and
rotated about the axis of symmetry onto an end face of the second
tool remote from the die button shape, with a relative axial feed
movement being effected between the first tool which receives the
head part and the third tool which co-moves the second tool in the
sense of the feed movement until the rivet section has been
completely beaded over.
[0011] This method also has the same advantages as quoted above in
connection with the first variant of the solution in accordance
with the invention.
[0012] A third solution in accordance with the invention of the
above recited object provides a method of the initially named kind
which is wherein the rivet section of the fastener element is
pressed at least substantially in the direction of the axis of
symmetry onto a die button designed for the progressive beading
over of the rivet section by means of a tool arranged in an
inclined position to the axis of symmetry of the fastener element,
rotatable about the axis of symmetry of the fastener element and
pressed onto an end face of the head part remote from the rivet
section and in that a relative axial feed movement is
simultaneously effected between the tool acting on the head part
and the die button until the rivet section is completely beaded
over.
[0013] This method also has the same advantages as set out above in
conjunction with the first variant of the solution in accordance
with the invention.
[0014] A fourth solution in accordance with the invention of the
above recited object provides a method of the initially named kind
which is wherein the head part of the fastener element is received
in a cut-out of a first tool and a second tool is provided with at
least one body of rotation rotatable about an axis oblique to the
axis of symmetry for the progressive beading over of the rivet
section, wherein for this purpose the second tool is rotated about
the axis of symmetry and simultaneously a relative axial feed
movement is effected between the first tool receiving the head part
and the second tool until the rivet section is completely beaded
over.
[0015] This method also has the same advantages as were set out
above in conjunction with the first variant of the solution in
accordance with the invention. Special further developments of this
fourth variant of the method in accordance with the invention can
be found in the claims 38 to 54.
[0016] A fifth solution in accordance with the invention of the
above recited object provides a method of the initially named kind
which is wherein the component is arranged above a riveting die
button and the rivet section is pressed through the component and
subsequently beaded over by the exertion of a local force on the
head part of the fastener element, the local force moving in
circles around the central axis of symmetry or by exerting such a
force on the die button or simultaneously carrying out a relative
axial feed movement between the tool exerting the force and the die
button.
[0017] It is thus in no way essential that the component of the
sheet metal part be pre-holed, but rather the rivet section can be
pressed with an appropriate design of the tools through the
component, so to say "in a self-piercing manner".
[0018] Further preferred variants of the methods and of the
apparatus can be seen from the further patent claims and also from
the following description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] The invention will now be explained in the following in more
detail with reference to the drawing and to embodiments. In the
drawing:
[0020] FIG. 1A shows a first embodiment in accordance with the
invention of the attachment of a fastener element known per se to a
sheet metal part immediately before the start of the beading over
of the rivet section,
[0021] FIG. 1B shows an illustration corresponding to FIG. 1 but
immediately at the end of the beading over of the rivet
section,
[0022] FIGS. 2A and 2B show Figures corresponding to FIGS. 1A and
1B but of a variant of a method of the invention and of the
apparatus of the invention,
[0023] FIGS. 3A and 3B show Figures corresponding to FIGS. 1A and
1B but of a further variant of the method of the invention and of
the apparatus of the invention,
[0024] FIGS. 4A and 4B show Figures corresponding to FIGS. 1A and
1B but of another variant of the method of the invention and of the
apparatus of the invention,
[0025] FIGS. 5A, 5B; 6A, 6B; 7A, 7B; and 8A, 8B show modified
versions of the method and of the apparatus of FIGS. 4A and 4B,
likewise in accordance with the invention,
[0026] FIGS. 9A, 9B; 10A and 10B show Figures corresponding to
FIGS. 1A and 1B but of two "self-piercing" variants of the method
of the invention and of the apparatus of the invention, and
[0027] FIGS. 11A, 11B and 12A, 12B show Figures which show further
embodiments in accordance with the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0028] Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B an apparatus is shown which is
designed in order to carry out a method for the attachment of a
fastener element 12 to a pre-holed component, for example a sheet
metal part. The fastener element has a head part 14 and a tubular
rivet section 16 which is arranged concentric to an axis of
symmetry 18 of the fastener element and of the fastener section 20
of the fastener element and which merges via a contact surface 22
extending in the radial direction into the head part 14. In this
specific case the fastener element is an RSN nut element of the
company Profil Verbindungstechnik GmbH & Co. KG so that the
fastening section here has a thread arranged concentric to the axis
of symmetry. The fastener element shown here is to be understood
here as being representative of a plurality of different elements
including also RND nut elements or SBF bolt elements of the said
company, with the attachment of the SBF bolt elements being
described later with reference to FIGS. 9A, 9B and 10A, 10B. In
this first variant of the method the rivet section is passed
through the hole 24 in the sheet metal part and subsequently beaded
over whereby the component 13 is clamped in the region of the hole
24 between the contact surface 24 and the beaded over rivet section
16' (FIG. 1B). In this method and in this apparatus the head part
14 of the fastener element is received in a cut-out 26 of a first
tool 28 and a second tool 30 having a die button shape for the
progressive beading over of the rivet section is rotated in a
position 32 inclined relative to the axis of symmetry 18 of the
fastener element about the axis of symmetry of the fastener element
(arrow 34). At the same time a relative axial feed movement (arrow
36) is effected between the tool 28 receiving the head part 14 and
the tool 30 having the die button shape until the rivet section 16
has been completely beaded over, as is shown at 16' in FIG. 1B.
Because the tool 30 is inclined at the oblique axis 32 and is
rotated about the axis of symmetry 18, the oblique axis 32 moves
continuously and can for example be found at a later time at
32'.
[0029] The lower end face of the tool 30 shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B
has a shape corresponding to that of the die button known per se
for an RSN element, it can however be advantageous to ease or
relieve the shape of the die button projection 38 somewhat in order
to permit the squashing movement. At that point in time, during the
beading over of the rivet section 16, the die button projection is
in contact with the cylindrical rivet section at only a relatively
small area which progressively moves around the axis of symmetry on
rotation of the tool 30 and leaves to a progressive local
deformation of the bead of the rivet section. The feed movement in
the direction of the arrow 36 which takes place at the same time
leads, in combination with this rotary movement, to a progressive
formation of the rivet bead 16' so that the latter can be finished
with just a few rotations of the tool 30.
[0030] In order to carry out this process an apparatus (not shown)
similar to a pillar drill or drill press can be used in which the
first tool 28 is installed on the table of the pillar drill and the
second tool 30 on the drilling head of the pillar drill in a
position corresponding to the inclined axis 32 which ensures the
rotation about the axis of symmetry 18. The feed movement can take
place by hand by manual movement of the drilling head towards the
table (as is customary in a pillar drill) or by a drive which moves
the table towards the drilling head or the drilling head towards
the table. Naturally special devices can also be provided which
ensure the required movements. The sheet metal part can be
positioned by hand or by a small robot on the rivet section or the
rivet section, or can be secured or clamped to the table or to a
support adjacent to the tool 28 or surrounding it (not shown),
insofar as the tool 28 is not itself used in this purpose which is
entirely possible.
[0031] During the beading over movement features 40 providing
security against rotation which are provided on the fastener
element, for example in the region of the rivet section 16 and/or
the contact surface 22 and/or the transition from the rivet section
16 into the contact surface 22 can be brought into engagement with
the component 13.
[0032] In a further development of the method the second tool can
be rotated not only about the axis of symmetry 18 of the fastener
element but rather simultaneously about the axis of inclination 32
which is defined by the inclined position of the second tool. An
additional rotary movement of this kind is indicated by arrow 42 in
FIG. 1A.
[0033] Although the pre-pierced component could lie in a plane in
the region of the hole the pre-pierced component 13 is provided
with a conical rim 44 surrounding the hole 24. The rivet section 16
is pushed from the side of the projecting conical rim 44 through
the hole 24. This makes it possible for the rivet section 16',
through the beading action, to fill out the ring space 46 which is
provided at the side 48 of the component remote from the head part
14 of the fastener element in the region of the conical rim 44, so
that the beaded over rivet bead 16' at least substantially does not
project beyond the side 48 of the component remote from the head
part and is preferably disposed set back from this side.
[0034] The conical rim 44 of the component can be at least partly
pressed flat during the beading over of the rivet section, whereby
a type of clamping-hole riveting can be realized.
[0035] The radially extending contact surface 22 around the tubular
rivet section 16 can have an axial recess corresponding to an RND
nut and/or a radial recess in accordance with an EBF nut or an EBF
bolt (both not shown). In such a case the material of the component
is pressed into the corresponding recess during beading over of the
beading section and is clamped there by the beading over of the
rivet section, which favors the press-out resistance and the
security against rotation.
[0036] The section 26 of the first tool 28 which receives the
fastener element 12 is so dimensioned in comparison to the head
part 14 of the fastener element that the contact surface 22 is set
back below the end face 50 of the first tool adjacent to the sheet
metal part 13, with a receiving space 52 for the conical rim region
of the hole in the component being provided during the re-shaping
of the rivet section.
[0037] Furthermore, the ring-like receiving space for the rivet
bead is formed or maintained in that the cut-out 26 merges via a
conical surface into the said end face of the first tool.
[0038] The enclosed cone angle of the conical surface 54 is smaller
in this example than the conical rim region 44 of the component
13.
[0039] A further second method in accordance with the invention and
a further second apparatus in accordance with the invention for the
attachment of the fastener element which has already been described
in detail in conjunction with FIGS. 1A and 1B are shown in FIGS. 2A
and 2B. The same reference numerals are used in the description of
FIGS. 2A and 2B for parts which were previously used in the FIGS.
1A and 1B embodiment but with the additional number 100. It will be
understood that the same description applies to these parts as for
the embodiment of FIGS. 1A and 1B unless something is stated to the
contrary.
[0040] In this method and in this apparatus the head part 114 of
the fastener element is likewise received in a cut-out 126 of a
first tool 128. The second tool 130 having a die button shape for
the progressive beading over of the rivet section 116 is here
however brought into a position coaxial to the axis of symmetry 118
of the fastener element and is pressed by a third tool 160 inclined
to the axis of symmetry and rotated around the axis of symmetry 118
onto an end face 162 of the second tool 130 remote from the die
button shape. The relative axial feed movement between the first
tool 128 which receives the head part 114 and the third tool 160
which co-moves the second tool 103 is executed during rotation of
the third tool 160 about the axis of symmetry 118 until the rivet
section 116 has been fully beaded over 116' (FIG. 2B).
[0041] The second tool 130 is normally not co-rotated by the rotary
movement of the third tool but rather adopts different slightly
inclined positions during the rotation of the third tool which
serve for the local force transmission to the rivet section.
[0042] The second tool 130 is held here in a circularly cylindrical
mount 164 of a guide part 166 and is guided with some radial
clearance. The guide part 166 is biased by means of a
non-illustrated spring towards the sheet metal part and serves, at
least in the end stage of the beading over of the beading section
116, as a hold-down member for the sheet metal part 113. It clamps
this against the end face 150 of the first tool 128. The third tool
160 preferably has a cylindrical end face 168 which is likewise
arranged in a circular cylindrical mount 164 of the guide part 166
and is guided by the latter.
[0043] The end face 170 of the third tool which presses onto the
end face 172 of the second tool remote from the die button
projection 138 has a conical shape whereby the third tool 160 forms
an at least substantially linear contact 174 with the end face 172
of the second tool, with this line of contact 174 being located at
least predominantly to one side of the axis of symmetry 188 and
moving about the axis of symmetry 118 on rotation of the third
tool.
[0044] Here also features 140 providing security against rotation,
which are provided on the fastener element, for example in the
region of the rivet section and/or of the contact surface and/or at
the transition from the rivet section into the contact surface are
brought into engagement with the component 113 during the beading
movement.
[0045] The possibility also exists here of not rotating the third
tool 160 only about the axis of symmetry 118 of the fastener
element, but rather simultaneously also by the axis of the
inclination 132 which is defined by the inclined position of the
second tool.
[0046] The design of the tool 128 and the mount of the fastener
element in the cut-out 126 are identical to the embodiment of FIGS.
1A and 1B and will not be especially described here.
[0047] Here the conical rim of the component can also be at least
partly pressed flat during beading over of the rivet section.
[0048] The radially extending contact surface around the tubular
rivet section can also have an axial recess and/or a radial recess
here and the material of the component can be pressed into this
recess during the beading over of the rivet section and trapped
there by the beading over of the rivet section.
[0049] A third method in accordance with the invention and a third
apparatus in accordance with the invention for the attachment of
the fastener element are shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. In the
description of FIGS. 3A and 3B the same reference numerals will be
used for parts previously described in connection with the FIGS. 1A
and 1B embodiment but will be provided with the additional number
200. It will be understood that the same description applies to
these parts as for the embodiment of FIGS. 1A and 1B unless
something is stated to the contrary.
[0050] This third embodiment is wherein the rivet section 216 of
the fastener element 212 is pressed at least substantially in the
direction of the axis of symmetry 218, onto a die button 280
designed for the progressive beading over of the rivet section, by
means of a tool 282 arranged in an inclined position relative to
the axis of symmetry 218 of the fastener element. The tool 282 is
rotatable about the axis of symmetry 218 of the fastener element
and is pressed onto an end face 284 of the head part remote from
the rivet section 216. At the same time a relative axial feed
movement is effected between the tool 282 acting on the head part
214 and the die button 280 until the rivet section 216 is
completely beaded over at 216' (FIG. 3B).
[0051] The tool 282 has a cylindrical front part 286 confronting
the fastener element which is held in a circular cylindrical mount
of a guide part 288 and guided with some radial clearance. The
guide part 288 is biased towards the sheet metal part by means of a
non-illustrated spring and serves, at least in the end stage of the
beading over of the rivet section 216 as a hold-down member for the
sheet metal part 213 and clamps this against the end face 290 of
the die button 280.
[0052] The end face of the tool 282 which presses onto the end face
of the head part 214 of the fastener element remote from the die
button projection 238 as a conical shape, whereby the tool forms an
at least substantially linear contact 272 with the end face of the
head part of the fastener element, with this line of contact being
located predominantly to one side of the axis of symmetry 218 and
the moving around the axis of symmetry 218 on rotation of the tool
282.
[0053] Here also features 240 providing security against rotation
which are provided on the fastener element, for example in the
region of the rivet section 216 and/or of the contact surface 222
and/or at the transition from the rivet section 216 into the
contact surface 222 are brought during beading movement into
engagement with the component.
[0054] Here also the tool 282 can not only be rotated about the
axis of symmetry 218 of the fastener element 212 but rather also
simultaneously about the axis of inclination which is defined by
the inclined position of the tool.
[0055] The pre-holed component 213 is also provided here with a
conical rim 244 surrounding the hole 224, with the rivet section
216 being pushed through the hole from the side of the projecting
conical rim. Through the beading over of the rivet section the
latter fills out the ring space 246 which is provided at the side
of the component 213 remote from the head part 214 of the fastener
element in the region of the conical rim, so that the turned over
rivet bead at least substantially does not project beyond the side
of the component remote from the head part of the fastener
element.
[0056] In this example the conical rim 244 of the component can be
at least partly pressed flat during the beading over of the rivet
section 216 in the sense of the clamping hole riveting process.
[0057] Here also the radially extending contact surface 222 can
have an axial recess and/or a radial recess around the tubular
rivet section 216. During beading over of the rivet section the
material of the component is pressed into this recess and is
clamped there by the beading over of the rivet section.
[0058] A ring-like receiving space 290 for the rivet bead 216 in
the component 213 can be formed here by receiving the head part 214
of the fastener element within a cut-out 292 of the guide part 288,
with the cut-out merging via a conical surface 294 into the end
face of the guide part. In the end stage of the beading process the
guide part 288 can press the component against the end face of the
die button, with the contact surface 222 of the fastener element
212 transferring from a first position aligned with the end face of
the guide part (FIG. 3A) at the start of the beading process into a
position set back relative to this end face (FIG. 3B) at the end of
the beading process.
[0059] A fourth method in accordance with the invention and a
further fourth apparatus in accordance with the invention for the
attachment of a fastener element are shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. In
the description of FIGS. 4A and 4B the same reference numerals are
used for parts as were previously used in the FIGS. 1A and 1B
embodiment but provided with the additional number 300. It will be
understood that the same description applies to these parts as for
the embodiment of FIGS. 1A and 1B unless something contrary is
expressed.
[0060] This fourth embodiment is wherein the head part 414 of the
fastener element 412 is received in a cut-out 426 of a first tool
428 and a second tool 402 having at least one body of rotation 404
rotatable about an axis set obliquely to the axis of symmetry 418
is provided for the progressive beading over of the rivet section
416, with the second tool being rotated about the axis of symmetry
418 for this purpose and with a relative axial feed movement
simultaneously being effected between the first tool 428 receiving
the head part 418 and the second tool 402 until the rivet section
416 has been completely beaded over.
[0061] The second tool 402 has an outer ring-like part 406 and a
central cylindrical part 408. The body of rotation 404 is provided
with a bearing spigot which is rotatably guided in the outer ring
406. The inner part 408 is directly driven around the axis symmetry
418, whereby the body of rotation 404 rotates about the oblique
axis 413, rolls off on the rivet section 416 and is supported by
the inner part 408 of the second tool 402. The outer part 406 is
then co-driven via the bearing spigot, but can otherwise be
regarded as freely rotatable. Alternatively the outer part 406 can
be driven simultaneously with the inner part about the axis of
symmetry.
[0062] The shape of the inner part 408 of the second tool 402 in
the region of its end face 415 which contacts the jacket surface
417 of the body of rotation 404 is complementary to the shape of
the body of rotation. The body of rotation has, at its jacket
surface, over a considerable part of the length of the jacket
surface, a line contact with the end face 415 of the inner tool 408
and is supported by the latter.
[0063] The body of rotation 404 has a radially extending surface
419, related to the oblique axis 413 in the region of the guide
spigot 411, with the radially extending surface being supported on
a counter surface of the outer ring 406 of the second tool 402
whereby the position of the body of rotation 404 along the oblique
axis 413 is fixed in the direction away from the axis of symmetry
418.
[0064] In the example of FIGS. 4A and 4B the body of rotation 404
has a first conical section 421 arranged in the region of the guide
spigot and converging when going away from the guide spigot 411 as
seen in the direction of the oblique axis 413, i.e. going towards
the axis of symmetry 418. Following the conical region the body of
rotation 404 has a waisted section 423, for example with the shape
of an hour glass, a bollard or a capstan which cooperates with the
rivet section 416 for the carrying out of the beading over
operation. This waisted section 423 merges via a small ring chamfer
423' into the conical section 421. This ensures that the beaded
over rivet section 416 lies beneath the upper side 448 of the sheet
metal part. The end face of the inner part 408 has a small relief
at the position of the ring chamfer. Through the contact of the
conical section 421 of the body of rotation at the inner part 408
of the second tool 402 a movement of the body of rotation along the
inclined axis 413 towards the axis of symmetry 418 is prevented or
restricted.
[0065] Further modified versions of the embodiment of FIGS. 4A and
4B will now be described in more detail with reference to the
further FIGS. 5A, 5B; 6A, 6B; 7A, 7B and 8A, 8B. In these Figures
the same reference numerals are used as in FIGS. 4A and 4B and it
will be understood that the description of FIGS. 4A and 4B applies
correspondingly for the further Figures.
[0066] In the embodiment in accordance with FIGS. 5A, 5B the body
of rotation 404 likewise has a first conical section 421 arranged
in the region of the guide spigot which converges going away from
the guide spigot 411 in the direction of the oblique axis 413 i.e.
going towards the axis of symmetry 418. Following the conical
region the body of rotation 404 has a circular cylindrical section
425 which cooperates with the rivet section 416 for carrying out
the beading over operation. The contact of the conical section 421
of the body of rotation 404 at the inner part 408 of the second
tool 402 prevents and restricts a movement of the body of rotation
404 along the oblique axis 419 towards the axis of symmetry
418.
[0067] In accordance with FIGS. 6A, 6B two or more bodies of
rotation 404 can be provided which each have a conical section 421
which enters into contact with the inner side of the tubular rivet
section 416 and with a conical section 431 of the inner part 408 of
the second tool 402, each body of rotation being supported on the
second tool at a side 428 diametrically opposite to the point of
contact 427 with the rivet section.
[0068] In this embodiment, the or each body of rotation 404 has, at
its end face 433 remote from the fastener element 412, a curved
surface 433 which contacts a support surface 435 of the ring-like
part 406 of the second tool 402 which stands at least approximately
perpendicular to the respective inclined axis 413 at the position
of the respective body of rotation 404.
[0069] The outer part 406 of the second tool 402 is supported by an
axial bearing 437 at the inner part, whereby a relative rotary
movement between these parts, which arises automatically, takes
place more easily.
[0070] In accordance with FIGS. 7A and 7B the beading over of the
rivet section 416 is effected with a circularly cylindrical,
obliquely inclined, body of rotation 404. It would also be
conceivable for the axis of rotation of the body of rotation or of
the bodies of rotation to be arranged horizontally i.e.
perpendicularly to the axis of symmetry with a corresponding design
of the body of rotation, for example a design resembling a
bottleneck and a complementary design of the end face of the inner
part 408.
[0071] In accordance with FIGS. 8A and 8B the body of rotation 404
only has a conical section 421 in addition to the guide spigot
411.
[0072] In all these embodiments features 440 providing security
against rotation, which are provided on the fastener element 412,
for example in the region of the rivet section 416 and/or the
contact surface 422 and/or at the transition from the rivet section
416 into the contact surface 422 are brought during the beading
movement into engagement with the component.
[0073] Here the pre-holed component 413 is also provided with a
conical rim 444 surrounding the hole 424, with the rivet section
416 being pushed through the hole from the side of the projecting
conical rim. Here the rivet section, through the beading over
operation also fills the ring space 446 out which is provided at
the side of the component 413 remote from the head part 414 of the
fastener element in the region of the conical rim 444, so that the
laid-over rivet bead at least substantially does not project beyond
the side of the component remote from the head part of the fastener
element. The conical rim of the component can be at least partly
pressed flat during the beading over of the rivet section 416.
[0074] In these embodiments it is possible to provide the radially
extending contact surface around the tubular rivet section with an
axial recess and/or a radial recess and, during the beading over of
the rivet section, to press the material of the component into this
recess and to clamp it there by the beading over of the rivet
section.
[0075] The method of the invention for the attachment to a
component, for example a sheet metal part, of a fastener element,
in which the fastener element has a head part, a tubular rivet
section which is disposed concentric to an axis of symmetry of the
fastener element and to an attachment section of the fastener
element and which merges via a contact surface extending in a
radial direction into the head part, and in which the rivet section
is passed through the component while forming a hole in it, with
the rivet section being beaded over, whereby the component is
clamped in the region of the hole between the contact surface and
the beaded over rivet section, can be carried out in such a way
that the component is arranged above a riveting die button and a
local force is exerted onto the head part of the fastener element
with the local force moving in circles around the central axis of
symmetry whereby, on simultaneously carrying out a relative axial
feed movement between the tool exerting the force and the die
button, the rivet section is pressed through the component and
subsequently beaded over. Alternatively the local force can be
exerted onto the die button rather than onto the head part.
[0076] With this method and with the corresponding apparatus an
unpierced sheet metal part is used instead of a sheet metal part
which is pre-holed at the position of the attachment of the
functional element and the rivet section of the fastener element is
now pressed through the sheet metal part.
[0077] The way this can be done will now be described with
reference to FIGS. 9A and 9B and indeed for the variant in which
the local force is exerted onto the head part of the fastener
element.
[0078] Referring now to FIGS. 9A and 9B a functional element 512 is
shown there which represents an SBF element of the company Profil
Verbindungstechnik GmbH & Co. KG, either in accordance with the
older embodiment of German patent 3447006 or with the special
design of the rivet section 516 in accordance with the PCT
application PCT/EP02/10001. The fastener element 512 also has a
head part 514 here with a tubular or cylindrical rivet section 516
which is disposed concentric to an axis of symmetry 518 of the
fastener element or of the fastening section 520' of the fastener
element. In this example the fastener section 520' is formed by an
external thread, i.e. the fastener element is a male fastener
element.
[0079] The cylindrical rivet section merges via a contact surface
522 extending in the radial direction into the head part 514. When
the discussion here is of a contact surface extending in the radial
direction this does not mean that the contact surface can only lie
in a plane perpendicular to the axis of symmetry 518 but rather
that the contact surface leads away from the axis of symmetry in
the radial direction, i.e. with a radial component. That is to say
the contact surface could for example also be a conical surface.
These considerations apply here for all examples. In this example
the sheet metal part 513 is supported on a customary die button 502
for the attachment of an SBF bolt to the sheet metal part, with
this die button being known per se from the mentioned German patent
3447006.
[0080] Above the head part 514 of the bolt element 512 there is
located an upper tool 505 with the central passage which serves to
accommodate the shaft part, i.e. the fastener section 520' of the
fastener element. The lower end face 507 of the tool 505 in FIG. 9A
is formed as a conical surface and the tool 505 adopts an inclined
position 532 to the central axis of symmetry 518 of the fastener
element 512. As a result of the conical shape of the upper tool 505
and the corresponding inclined position of the upper tool 505 the
conical end face of the upper tool 505 lies in the illustration of
FIG. 9A only on the left side of the ring surface 509 which is
provided at the transition of the fastener section 520' into the
head part 514. On rotation of the tool 505 in the inclined position
shown around the axis of symmetry 518 a local force, indicated by
the arrow K in FIG. 9A, is exerted onto the ring surface 509 of the
bolt element, with this force K moving around the ring surface on
rotation of the tool 505, i.e. around the axis of symmetry 518.
This movement corresponds to the movement which was described in
conjunction with the other method variants. It signifies that the
rivet section also exerts a local force onto the sheet metal part
513, whereby the rivet section first leads to an indentation of the
sheet metal part into the corresponding hollow cavity 511 of the
die button until, shortly before reaching the end face 513' of the
central post 515 of the die button, the rivet section 516 cuts
through the sheet metal part and is subsequently rolled radially
outwardly by contact with the ring-like rolling surface 517 of the
die button, whereby the ring collar 519 which is formed from the
sheet metal material 513 is clamped between the beaded over rivet
section 516' (FIG. 9B) and the radially extending contact surface
522. The piercing slug 521 which arises through the piercing of the
sheet metal part is urged between the inner projection 515 of the
die button and the base 523 of the tubular rivet section 516 and is
firmly clamped there by light expansion of the rivet section
beneath the piercing slug, whereby the connection between the bolt
element 512 and the sheet metal part 513 is also stiffened. On
achieving the position shown in FIG. 9B the attachment process is
completed. The upper tool 505 can be lifted away and the sheet
metal part with the attached fastener element 512 can be lifted
from the die button 502.
[0081] The FIGS. 10A and 10B show an apparatus similar to the
apparatuses of FIGS. 9A and 9B, with the same reference numerals
being used in FIGS. 10A and 10B as were used in FIGS. 9A and 9B and
only the particular differences being described more precisely. It
will be understood that the description of FIGS. 9A and 9B likewise
applies for parts of FIGS. 10A and 10B which are provided with the
same reference numerals.
[0082] The main distinction between the embodiment of FIGS. 10A and
10B and that of FIG. 9B lies in the fact that the upper tool 505
does not work here directly on the ring surface of the bolt element
512 but rather indirectly via a ring 525. Furthermore, the ring 525
and also the cylindrical lower section of the tool 505 is guided in
a guide part 588, in the cylindrical guide recess 592, with some
radial clearance, which facilitates the alignment of the bolt
element 512 with the die button 502. It is namely important that
the die button 502 and the fastener element 512 are aligned coaxial
to one another i.e. to the axis of symmetry 518 so that the
riveting process can be executed more cleanly.
[0083] Instead of allowing the local force to act on the head part
of the bolt element 512 the local force can be exerted by means of
the die button 512' onto the sheet metal part in accordance with
the embodiment of FIGS. 11A and 11B.
[0084] In this example the shaft part, i.e. the fastening section
520' of the fastener element 512, is received in a guide mount 527
of a lower tool 600. The sheet metal part 613 is placed onto the
rivet section 516 of the bolt element 512 and the die button 502'
is rotated in an inclined position 632 around the axis of symmetry
518 of the fastener element 512. The lower end face 602 of the die
button 502' is made slightly conical here in FIG. 11A, so that a
contact with the sheet metal part 613 takes place in FIG. 11A only
at the left side of the axis of symmetry 518. By rotation of the
die button 502' around the axis of symmetry 518 the local force K
moves in ring-like manner around the axis of symmetry 518 and takes
care, in accordance with the embodiment of FIGS. 9A and 9B of the
generation of a recess in the sheet metal part (in the illustration
of FIG. 11A an elevation) inside the hollow cavity 511' of the die
button until the rivet section 516' pierces through the sheet metal
part and is laid by the roll surface 517' around the so-formed
collar 519' of the sheet metal part 513, whereby, in accordance
with FIG. 11B this collar 519' is also clamped here between the
contact surface 522 and the beaded over rivet section 516'. Here
the slug 521' is also fixedly clamped within the rivet section.
[0085] Instead of rotating the die button as a whole about the axis
of symmetry the front section 701 of the die button 502 in
accordance with FIG. 9A can be used in order to carry out the
piercing and riveting process. In this variant, shown in FIGS. 12A
and 12B, the front section of the die button stands coaxial to the
fastener element 512 i.e. coaxial to the axis of symmetry 518. A
tool 703 is used which is arranged in an inclined position 732 and
is rotated about the axis of symmetry 518. The lower end face 705
of the corresponding tool is conically executed, whereby a line
contact 707 takes place with the upper end face of the die button
section 701 in FIG. 12A remote from the sheet metal part 713. This
line contact can be seen here at the left side of the axis of
symmetry. However, on rotation of the tool, it migrates in a
ring-like manner about the axis of symmetry 708.
[0086] In this embodiment the die button is received in a
cylindrical mount of a guide part 788 with some radial clearance.
This clearance is necessary because (as in other corresponding
embodiments) the exertion of a local force K which moves in
ring-like manner around the axis of symmetry 518 leads to a slight
tilting of the die button section 701 or of the corresponding tool
part and the mounting of the guide part 788 must permit this slight
tilting. On the other hand the guide part 788 serves for a good
alignment of the die button section with the central longitudinal
axis 518 of the fastener element, i.e. with the axis of
symmetry.
[0087] In the embodiments of FIGS. 9A, 9B; 10A, 10B; 11A, 11B; 12A,
12B the tool which is rotated about the axis of symmetry 518 can
also be rotated about the oblique axis if this seems
advantageous.
[0088] Finally, it should be pointed out that all steel or aluminum
or magnesium sheet metal parts can be considered for the sheet
metal part which have deep drawing qualities while somewhat
stronger materials are used for the functional element. In all
embodiments all materials can be named as an example for the
material of the functional elements which reach the strength values
of class 8 in accordance with the ISO standard or higher in the
context of cold deformation, for example a 35B2 alloy in accordance
with DIN 1654. The so formed fastener elements are suitable,
amongst other things, for all commercially customary steel
materials for drawing quality sheet metal parts and also for
aluminum or its alloys. Also aluminum alloys, in particular those
of higher strength, can be used for a functional elements, for
example AlMg.sub.5. Also functional elements of higher strength
magnesium alloys such as for example AM50 can be considered.
* * * * *