WO2015110302A1 - Joining device, preferably for applying rivets, for clinching or for punching - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a joining device (1), preferably for applying rivets, for clinching or for punching, comprising a die (2) and a punch (3) which is linearly movable on a carrier (4), wherein the object to be joined can be positioned between the punch (3) and the die (2), a forward stroke unit (5) for executing a forward stroke movement of the punch (3), a working stroke unit (6) for executing a working stroke movement of the punch (3), wherein the working stroke unit (6) is designed to operate the punch (3) with a greater force and/or a shorter linear movement than the forward stroke unit (5).

Description

 Joining device, preferably for setting rivets, for clinching or for punching Description

The present invention relates to a joining device, preferably for setting rivets, for clinching or for punching.

Previously known joining devices, for example for semi-hollow punching, Voilstanznieten or clinching, have a C-shaped support. At one end of the C-shaped support is a solid die. At the other end of the C-shaped support a movable punch is arranged. The objects to be joined are arranged between the die and the stamp. The drive is carried out hydraulically, pneumatically or servo-electric. Typical drive lengths over which the punch must be movable are greater than 350 mm. This long interference geometry leads to accessibility problems at the joint. Flanges must be hired, joining facilities turned, vehicle concepts changed to ensure accessibility with existing plant technology. At some joints, these above-mentioned cheap joining options must be replaced by costly methods, such as blind rivets.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a joining device, preferably for setting rivets, for clinching or for punching, which can be used very flexibly with low-cost production and low-maintenance operation and at the same time enables rapid joining.

The solution of this object is achieved by the features of claim 1. The dependent claims have preferred developments of the invention to the subject. Thus, the object is achieved by a joining device, preferably for setting rivets, for clinching or punching, comprising a die and a liner linearbeweg union stamp. In particular, both the die and the stamp is located on the carrier, which is preferably C-shaped. The object to be joined can be positioned between the punch and the die. Further, the joining device comprises a Vorhubeinheit for performing a Vorhubbewegung of the punch and a Arbeitshubeinheit for carrying out a working stroke of the punch. The power stroke unit is configured to actuate the punch with a greater force and / or a shorter linear movement, as the Vorhubeinheit. The linear movement of the punch carried out by the pre-stroke unit can also be referred to as rapid lift or feed stroke. It is crucial that the punch is moved very quickly and over a long distance to the joint by means of the Vorhubeinheit. During the pre-stroke no or only a very small force acts on the punch. The mechanism for carrying out the preliminary stroke can thus act very quickly and does not have to apply any joining force. As soon as the punch or downholder reaches the joint, the working stroke unit acts. This then only has to move the stamp over a very short distance, but with a great force. During the working stroke, for example, the punch only has to be moved over a distance of less than approximately 20 mm, but with a force of 5 to 100 kN.

Due to the inventive division of the joining device in a Vorhubeinheit and a Arbeitshubeinheit the stamp can be closed very quickly and reopened. This results in improved accessibility to joints and it can simple joining methods, such as the semi-hollow punch riveting or Votlstanznieten or clinching can be used. The joining device according to the invention is relatively lightweight and can be moved for example by robots and thus used for the assembly of vehicle bodies. This results in a cost and space savings. By the invention Pre-lift unit is a quick opening and closing of the punch possible, which reduces the assembly times and thus the costs.

In a first variant, it is preferably provided that the pre-lifting unit comprises a first spindle for moving the punch, and that the working stroke unit comprises a second spindle for moving the punch. The spindles have in particular different pitches, so that different speeds and forces can be generated by means of different spindles.

In the first variant, it is preferably provided that the two spindles are arranged one inside the other. As a result, a compact construction of the joining device is possible.

Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the two spindles are drive-connected via a differential gear with a common drive. By means of the differential gear, the first spindle of the Vorhubeinheit is first actuated when closing the punch and then the second spindle of the working stroke unit is actuated. The drive is preferably designed as an electric motor or hydraulic motor.

In a second variant, it is preferably provided that the pre-stroke unit comprises a first spindle. This first spindle is connected to the stamp. The working stroke unit comprises a sleeve guided linearly movably on the support and a movement device. The movement device is designed for linear movement of this sleeve. The first spindle of the Vorhubeinheit is guided in this sleeve. There is a driver between the first spindle and the sleeve so that the first spindle together with the punch is moved by linear movement of the sleeve. By means of the Vorhubeinheit with the first spindle so the stamp can be brought very quickly and with little force to the joint. Then, the sleeve is moved linearly by means of the movement device. The sleeve shifts the first spindle and thus the punch. As a moving device, a backdrop is preferably provided. This backdrop includes an oblique groove. In this oblique groove a pin is guided. By linear displacement of the backdrop with the oblique groove a corresponding force acts on the pin. Either the scenery or the pin is connected to the Linearbeweg Lich guided sleeve so that a force can be transmitted to the linear guided sleeve on the movement device. The term "pen" is broad and includes, for example, a sliding block.

Alternatively to the use of the gate is preferably provided to connect a hinge lever with the linear guided sleeve. Also on this articulated lever can act a linear force. This is transmitted via the toggle lever on the sleeve.

For the drive in the second variant, there are two preferred ways. In the first possibility, it is preferably provided that the first spindle is drive-connected to a drive and that the movement device is drive-connected to a further drive. The drive of the spindle is preferably designed as an electric motor or hydraulic motor. The further drive of the moving device is preferably designed as a hydraulic cylinder or pneumatic cylinder. According to the second possibility, it is preferably provided that the first spindle and the movement device are drive-connected via a transmission with a common drive. This gear is designed so that when closing the punch, first the force acts on the first spindle and subsequently the linearly movable sleeve is displaced via the movement device. According to a third variant, it is preferably provided that the pre-stroke unit has a hydraulically or pneumatically driven cylinder. This cylinder is connected to the plunger and comprises a piston and a piston rod. The power stroke unit has an engagement element. This engagement element is used for direct power transmission to the piston rod or the piston. It is preferably provided that a thread is formed between the engagement element and the piston or the piston rod. This thread is in particular a fine thread. This thread can be moved over a short distance but with high force of the piston. The engagement element of the power stroke unit is preferably moved via an electric motor or hydraulic motor.

Further details, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and the figures. Show it:

1 shows a joining device according to the invention according to a first

 Ausführungsbeispie l;

Figure 2 shows a detail of the joining device according to the invention according to a second embodiment;

Figure 3 shows a detail of the joining device according to the invention according to a third embodiment; and Figures 4 and 5 schematically simplified views of a joining device according to a fourth embodiment.

Four exemplary embodiments of a joining device 1 will be described below. Identical or functionally identical components are provided with the same reference numerals in all embodiments. According to FIG. 1, the joining device 1 has a C-shaped carrier 4. At one end of the C-shaped support 4 is a stationary die 2. At the other end of the C-shaped support 4, a punch 3 is movably received. Between the punch 3 and the die 2, the objects to be joined are positioned. The joining device 1 is used for example for clinching, punching or for setting rivets.

To drive the punch 3, a pre-stroke unit 5 and a power stroke unit 6 are provided. In the first embodiment, the Vorhubeinheit 5 comprises a first spindle 8 and the working stroke unit 6 a second Spindle 9. The two spindles 8, 9 are arranged one inside the other and one of the two spindles 8, 9 is connected directly to the punch 3.

Between the two spindles 8, 9 and a drive 7, a differential gear is provided. This differential gear initially distributes the power of the drive 7 to the first spindle 8 to deliver the punch 3 quickly. Then the force of the drive 7 is transmitted to the second spindle 9.

Furthermore, FIG. 1 shows an X and Y direction. In the X direction, the delivery of the punch 3 takes place against the die 2. The Y direction is perpendicular to the X direction.

The drive 7 is designed as an electric motor or hydraulic motor.

Figure 2 shows the joining device 1 according to the second embodiment. For the sake of clarity, only sections of the joining device 1 are shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. In the second embodiment according to FIG. 2, the pre-stroke unit 5 has the first spindle 8. This first spindle 8 is connected directly to the punch 3.

The Arbeitshubeinheit 6 comprises a linearly movable sleeve 11. This Linearbeweg Liche sleeve is mounted linearly movable in a fixed relative to the carrier 4 sleeve 12. The sleeve 11 is movable in the X direction.

The fixed sleeve 12 has a groove extending in the X direction. Through this groove, a pin 14 protrudes to the outside. The pin 14 is fixed to the linearbeweg union sleeve 1 1 connected.

Furthermore, the working stroke unit 6 comprises a movement device 10. In the second exemplary embodiment, this movement device 10 has a link 13. The gate 13 includes an oblique groove. In this oblique groove of the pin 14 is guided. By moving the gate 13, a force is transmitted to the pin 14 via the oblique groove. As a result, by moving the link 13, the linearly movable sleeve 11 is displaceable in the X direction. With displacement of the linearbeweg union sleeve 11 and the first spindle 8 moves in the X direction and thus can be transmitted via the link 13, a relatively large force on the punch 3.

FIG. 3 shows the joining device 1 according to the third exemplary embodiment. The third embodiment corresponds to the second embodiment, with the difference that instead of the link 13, a toggle 15 is used to transmit power to the pin 14. As FIG. 3 shows, this articulated lever 15 has a connection point 16. This connection point 16 is arranged shifted with respect to the first spindle 8 in the Y direction. At this connection point 16, the force for moving the articulated lever 15 attacks. In the second and third embodiments, there are two possibilities for forming the drive 7. In the first possibility, a thread, in particular differential thread, provided to the force of a common drive 7 on the first spindle 8 and on the link 13 and the hinge lever 15 to distribute. In the second alternative, there are two drives, in particular a motor for the movement of the first spindle 8 and a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder for moving the link 13 or the articulated lever 15th

Figures 4 and 5 show the joining device 1 according to a fourth embodiment. Figures 4 and 5 are purely schematic representations. FIG. 4 shows the state during the execution of the preliminary stroke. In Figure 5, the power stroke is performed.

The joining device 1 according to the fourth embodiment comprises a cylinder 18 with a guided therein piston 19 and a piston rod 20. The chambers on both sides of the piston 19 are provided with hydraulic or acted upon pneumatic pressure. By means of the cylinder 18, the force and movement is transmitted to the punch 3 for the forward stroke.

Furthermore, FIGS. 4 and 5 show an engagement element 21 of the power stroke unit 6. A thread 22 is formed between the engagement element 21 and the piston 19. Once the forward stroke is performed, the piston 19 is engaged with the engagement member 21. Then, the engagement member 21 can be moved by a motor 23. This can be done with very high power and a small way the stroke.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 joining device

2 matrix

 3 stamps

 4 carriers

 5 pre-lift unit

 6 working stroke unit

7 drive

 8 First spindle

 9 Second spindle

10 Bewegungsvorricht ung

11 Linearly movable sleeve

12 Fixed sleeve

 13 scenery

 14 pen

 15 articulated lever

 16 connection point

18 cylinders

 19 pistons

 20 piston rod

 21 engagement element

22 threads

 23 mother

Claims

claims:  1. joining device (1), preferably for setting rivets, for clinching or punching, comprising  A die (2) and a punch (3) which can be moved linearly on a carrier (4), wherein the object to be joined can be positioned between the punch (3) and the die (2),  A Vorhubeinheit (5) for carrying out a Vorhubbewegung the punch (3),  A working stroke unit (6) for carrying out a working stroke movement of the punch (3),  • wherein the working stroke unit (6) is adapted to operate the punch (3) with a greater force and / or a shorter linear movement than the Vorhubeinheit (5). 2. Joining device according to claim 1, characterized in that the Vorhubeinheit (5) comprises a first spindle (8) for moving the punch (3), and that the Arbeitshubeinheit (6) has a second spindle (9) for moving the punch (3 ). 3. joining device according to claim 2, characterized in that the two spindles (8, 9) are arranged one inside the other. 4. Joining device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the two spindles (8, 9) via a differential gear with a common drive (7), preferably an electric motor or hydraulic motor, are drivingly connected. 5. Joining device according to claim 1, characterized in that the Vorhubeinheit (5) comprises a first with the punch (3) connected spindle (8), and that the Arbeitshubeinheit (6) on the support (4) linearly guided sleeve (11) and a movement device (10) for linear movement of the sleeve (11), wherein the first spindle (8) in the sleeve (11) is guided and wherein by linear movement of the sleeve (11), the first spindle (8 ) together with the punch (3) is movable. Joining device according to claim 5, characterized in that the movement device (10) designed as an oblique groove gate (13) and in the link (13) guided pin (14), wherein either the slide (13) on the linearly movable guided sleeve (11) is formed, or the pin (14) is connected to the linearly movably guided sleeve (11). Joining device according to Claim 6, characterized in that the movement device (10) comprises a toggle lever (15) connected to the sleeve (11) guided in a linearly movable manner. Joining device according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the first spindle (8) with a drive (7), preferably an electric motor or hydraulic motor, drive-connected, and the movement device (10) with a further drive, preferably a hydraulic cylinder or a pneumatic cylinder, is drivingly connected. Joining device according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the first spindle (8) and the movement device (10) via a gear with a common drive (7) are drive-connected. Joining device according to claim 1, characterized in that the Vorhubeinheit (5) comprises a hydraulically or pneumatically driven, with the punch (3) connected to the cylinder (18) with a piston (19) and a piston rod (20), and that the Arbeitshubeinheit (6) comprises an engagement member (21) for direct power transmission to the piston rod (20) or the piston (19). Joining device according to claim 10, characterized in that between engagement element (21) and piston (19) or piston rod (20) is formed a thread (22) for transmitting power.