EP1961523A2 - Positioning device for a fixing unit - Google Patents

Abstract

The placing device (1) has a housing (2), a screw pin and a contact surface (11) for a fixing unit. The screw pin has a rotation axis (27) and is brought in the contact surface by an opening in interference with the fixing unit. The contact surface is assigned a forked receiving. The forked receiving is movable along the rotation axis. The forked receiving has two receiving elements (6,7).

Description

The invention relates to a setting device for a fastening unit, which has a housing, a screw mandrel and a contact surface for the fastening unit, wherein the screw mandrel has an axis of rotation and can be brought through an opening in the contact surface with the fastening unit in engagement.

Such a setting device is used for example for setting a fastening unit, as they are made DE 102 53 888 B4 is known. The fastening unit disclosed therein has a blind rivet nut and a screw. The blind rivet nut has a rivet shank with an internal thread and a setting head. It is used to fasten components to thin-walled workpieces, such as sheet metal.

The fastening unit is first performed by the component to be fastened and then through a hole in the sheet. While the setting head of the blind rivet nut is held in contact with the sheet metal, an axial tensile force is exerted on the rivet shank of the blind rivet nut via the screw. This leads to the formation of a closing head on the other side of the sheet, so that the blind rivet nut is fastened in the manner of a blind rivet in the sheet metal. In order to prevent co-rotation of the blind rivet nut during the setting process, the blind rivet nut generally has a polygonal cross-section in the region of the rivet shank, wherein the opening in the workpiece is designed accordingly so that torques introduced by the screw are picked up by the workpiece.

Often, the component to be fastened is already temporarily fixed to the workpiece or sheet metal before the fastening unit is set. The attachment takes place for example by plastic clips. One then has to insert the fastening unit through the component to be fastened and then guide it through the workpiece. Often, it is necessary that something to be fastened to move or rotate in order to guide the fastening unit through the opening in the workpiece can. This applies in particular when the rivet shank of the fastening unit has a polygonal cross-section which has to be brought into conformity with a corresponding opening in the workpiece.

For a fast and reliable setting of the fastening unit, it is desirable, the fastening unit already introduce with the help of the jig in the workpiece.

The invention is therefore based on the object to provide a setting device with which the fastening unit can already be performed by the component to be fastened and by the workpiece.

This object is achieved in a setting device of the type mentioned above in that the contact surface is associated with a fork-shaped receptacle.

With the aid of a fork-shaped receptacle, it is possible to releasably connect the fastening unit with the setting device. The fastening unit can be inserted laterally into the receptacle, for example. In the case of a correspondingly formed fastening unit, torques can also be transmitted via the receptacle to the fastening unit, so that the entire fastening unit can be rotated and moved together with the setting device in order to guide the fastening unit through the component to be fastened and the workpiece.

It is particularly preferred that the fork-shaped receptacle is spaced from the contact surface. This makes it possible that the receptacle overlaps, for example, a projection on the fastening unit, so that there is also an axial securing of the fastening unit to the setting device. Axial direction corresponds to the direction of the axis of rotation of the screw mandrel. The attachment unit can be so secure on the Setting device can be attached so that unintentional release of the fastening unit during insertion through the component to be fastened and the workpiece is prevented.

Preferably, the fork-shaped receptacle is displaceable along the axis of rotation, ie in a direction which is parallel to the axis of rotation. The receptacle can thus be slightly removed from the contact surface during insertion of the fastening unit into the setting device, so that the threaded mandrel can be brought into engagement with the fastening unit. The threaded mandrel itself then does not have to be axially movable.

Preferably, the fork-shaped receptacle on two receiving elements. From two individual recording elements, a fork-shaped receptacle can be easily produced. In this case, a subsequent adaptation to the fastening unit is also easier, since the distance between the two receiving elements is not fixed from the outset.

It is particularly preferred that at least one receiving element is movable. Thus, the release of the setting device can be simplified after setting the fixing unit of the fixing unit by a movable receiving element.

Preferably, the distance between the receiving elements is variable. This could for example be possible to adapt the setting device to different fastening units. If the fastening unit by the receiving elements in the axial direction held, for example, by the fact that the receiving elements embrace projections of the fastening unit, a release of the jig of the fixing unit is possible in that the distance between the receiving elements is increased. It is thus a quick and easy release of the jig of the mounting unit allows.

Preferably, the setting device has a bearing block which can be displaced along the axis of rotation and in which the receiving elements are rotatably mounted. Due to the axial displacement of the bearing block in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation, the position of the receiving elements in relation to the screw mandrel changes, whereby the fact that both receiving elements are rotatably mounted in the bearing block, the position of the receiving elements to each other initially unchanged. By the rotatable mounting of the receiving elements, however, it is possible to change the distance of the receiving elements to each other.

It is particularly preferred that the contact surface is arranged on the bearing block. The axial distance between the receiving elements and the contact surface then remains constant even with a displacement of the receiving elements in the direction of the axis of rotation. Therefore, this distance can be matched exactly to projections of the fastening unit, so that the fastening unit is connected in the axial direction almost free of play with the setting device.

Preferably, the jig on a support member that is stationary in the housing, wherein the receiving elements are guided in grooves of the carrier element. The receiving elements are thus mounted in two places: on the one hand rotatably in the sliding bearing block, on the other in grooves of the support element. With a displacement of the bearing block thus takes place a well-defined movement of the receiving elements. For example, the distance of the receiving elements to each other depending on their axial position.

It is particularly preferred that the grooves extend partially parallel to the axis of rotation and partially at an angle to the axis of rotation. As a result, with an axial displacement of the bearing block, the spacing of the receiving elements remains constant over a first region in which the grooves are arranged in parallel. In a second region in which the grooves extend at an angle to the axis of rotation, however, the distance of the receiving elements to each other changes. This makes it possible to keep the distance of the receiving elements to one another during insertion of the fastening unit constant, although an axial position change takes place in order to bring the fastening unit with the screw mandrel in engagement. To release the jig from the mounting unit, the jig must be moved away from the mounting unit only in the axial direction. As a result, the receiving elements pass from the parallel region of the grooves into the region extending at an angle to the axis of rotation, so that the distance of the receiving elements from one another increases and the fastening unit is released. This configuration thus enables a secure holding of the fastening unit during the setting process and at the same time a quick and easy release after completion of the setting process.

The setting device preferably has a first spring which holds the bearing block on the carrier element. As a result, the rest position of the bearing block is defined in the support element. At the same time, however, an axial displacement of the bearing block away from the support element is not prevented.

Preferably, the setting device has a second spring, which exerts a force on the bearing block only after a defined displacement of the bearing block along the axis of rotation, this force being rectified by the force generated by the first spring. This makes it possible to move the bearing block initially by means of a relatively small force in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation. Further displacement of the bearing block, which would lead to an increase in the distance between the receiving elements, then takes place only by the application of a larger force. Both springs can have the same spring hardness. But it is also possible that the second spring has a higher spring hardness.

Preferably, the screw mandrel over the contact surface over. This can be done with the help of the screw mandrel a radial fixation of the fastening unit to the jig. Since the abutment surface is arranged on the displaceable bearing block, the abutment surface can be displaced relative to the screw mandrel during the insertion of the fastening unit, that the fastening unit can be guided over the screw mandrel.

Preferably, the setting device comprises a guide element which is arranged on one side of the contact surface between the receiving elements, wherein the guide element is attached to the housing and extends beyond the contact surface in the axial direction further than the screw mandrel, wherein the guide element on its side facing away from the contact surface a chamfer having. The fastening unit is then pushed during insertion into the setting device on the tapered side of the guide element between the receiving elements, wherein due to the axial extent of the guide element, an axial displacement of the receiving elements. As a result, the fastening element can slide over the screw mandrel, wherein subsequently an axial rearward movement of the receiving elements takes place, so that the fastening unit is secured radially by the screw mandrel and also by the guide element.

Preferably, the guide piece opposite side of the contact surface is limited by a stop. This prevents movement of the fixing unit in any direction. In the radial direction, movement through the stop, the guide element and the two receiving elements and the screw mandrel is prevented. In the axial direction, a movement of the fastening unit is opposed to the contact surface and the receiving elements. The attachment unit is thus captive and reliable in the setting device held, and it can also be easily solved after completion of the setting process.

Preferably, the housing has a receiving geometry for a screwdriver. To drive the screw mandrel so a conventional screwdriver, so an electrically or pneumatically operated or otherwise operated hand tool can be used, which is connected via the receiving geometry with the setting device. For a simple adaptation of existing setting tools is possible.

Preferably, the housing is cylindrical. A cylindrical shape is easy to produce.

Fig. 1

eine Schnittdarstellung einer Setzvorrichtung,

Fig. 2

eine weitere Schnittdarstellung der Setzvorrichtung,

Fig. 3

eine schematische Darstellung einer Stirnseite der Setzvorrichtung,

Fig. 4

eine schematische Darstellung eines Aufnahmeelements,

Fig. 5

eine schematische Darstellung eines Lagerblocks,

Fig. 6

eine weitere schematische Darstellung des Lagerblocks,

Fig. 7

schematische Darstellung des Trägerelements,

Fig. 8

schematische Darstellung einer Befestigungseinheit und

Fig. 9

Schnittdarstellung einer Befestigungseinheit.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawings. Show:

Fig. 1

a sectional view of a setting device,

Fig. 2

a further sectional view of the setting device,

Fig. 3

a schematic representation of an end face of the setting device,

Fig. 4

a schematic representation of a receiving element,

Fig. 5

a schematic representation of a storage block,

Fig. 6

another schematic representation of the bearing block,

Fig. 7

schematic representation of the carrier element,

Fig. 8

schematic representation of a fastening unit and

Fig. 9

Sectional view of a fastening unit.

Fig. 1 shows a setting device 1 in a sectional view. The setting device has a housing 2, which is cylindrical in the present embodiment. Other embodiments are possible. The housing 2 is divided into two sections 3 and 4, wherein the section 3 serves to receive a screwdriver, not shown. At the side facing away from the section 3 end face of the housing 2, a fork-shaped receiving device 5 is arranged, which has two receiving elements 6 and 7. The receiving elements 6 and 7 are rotatably supported by bolts 8 and 9 on a bearing block 10. The bearing block 10 has a contact surface 11 for a in 8 and 9 shown and described in more detail below fastening unit. The receiving elements 6 and 7 each have a hook-shaped projection 12, 13, which serves for fastening a fastening unit. The bearing block 10 is held by means of a first spring 14 to a support member 15. The carrier element has two flanges 16 and 17, wherein the first flange 16 for fastening the carrier element in the housing 2 is used. On the second flange 17 of the support member 15, two webs 18, 19 are arranged on the side facing away from the first flange 16, in each of which a groove 20, 21 is arranged. The grooves 20, 21 are formed as breakthroughs. The receiving elements 6 and 7 are mounted with pins 22, 23 in the grooves 20, 21.

The support member has a central bore 24 through which a screw mandrel 25 is guided. The threaded mandrel 25 extends further through an opening 26 in the bearing block 10 and the contact surface 11th

The screw mandrel 25 has on the contact surface 11 associated end face a screw head, which has a Torxprofil in this case. Other engagement profiles, such as Phillips or hex, are also possible. At the opposite end of the screw mandrel 25 has a polygonal cross-section to allow a torque-transmitting connection with a screwdriver. An axis of rotation 27 of the screw mandrel 25 is shown in dashed lines.

For fastening the carrier element 15 in the housing 2, two screws 28, 29 are provided. With the help of a further screw 30, the axial adjustment movement of the bearing block 10 is limited.

The housing 2 is shown as a one-piece housing. However, it is also conceivable to produce section 3 and section 4 separately. The adjustment of the setting device 1 to different screwdriver is then carried out by an exchange of the section 3, the Recording geometry 31 for the screwdriver has. A modification of section 4 is not necessary.

In Fig. 2 the same setting device 1 is shown as in Fig. 1 , However, the cutting plane is rotated by 90 ° about the axis of rotation. A guide element 32 is fixed in the housing 2 such that it projects beyond the contact surface 11. In this case, the guide element 32 on the outwardly directed side on a chamfer 33. The guide element 32 stands further on the contact surface 11 as the screw mandrel 25. For fastening the guide member 32 in the housing 2, two screws 34, 35 are provided.

The setting device 1 has a second spring 36, which is arranged by means of a movable disc 37 on a bolt 38 which is connected to the bearing block 10. In this case, the bolt 38 extends through a bore 39 in the carrier element 15. The disk 37 is connected to the bolt 38 in such a way that initially a displacement of the bearing block 10 in the axial direction is possible without the second spring 36 being compressed. A screw 40 serves as a stop which limits the maximum axial movement of the bearing block 10 relative to the carrier element 15 when the second spring 36 is compressed.

The bearing block 10 has a stop 41, which is arranged opposite the guide element 32 on the contact surface 11.

An attachment unit, not shown, can be described with reference to the illustration of the setting device 1 in FIG Fig. 2 be inserted from the left into the fork-shaped receptacle 5. Due to the bevel 33 of the guide member 32 is thereby a displacement of the receiving elements 6 and 7 and the bearing block 10. In this case, the fixing unit, not shown, is guided over the screw mandrel 25 with the aid of the guide member 32. The fastening unit is not as wide as the free area between guide element 32 and stop 41, so that the bearing block 10 and the receiving elements 6 and 7 are moved axially back in the direction of the support member 15 when the fastener has been guided over the guide member 32.

The bearing block 10 is guided over the bolt 38 and a bolt 42 in the carrier element 15, wherein the bolt 42 extends through the first spring 14 therethrough. The bolt 38 extends through the second spring 36 therethrough.

Since the guide element 32 extends further over the abutment surface 11 than the screw mandrel 25, there is also a securing position of the fastening unit when the screw mandrel does not yet engage in the corresponding mating surface of the fastening unit 58. However, this takes place at the latest during a rotation of the screw mandrel 25.

To release the jig 1 from the mounting unit, the jig 1 must be moved axially away from the mounting unit. As a result, the receiving elements 6 and 7 and thus the bearing block 10th moved axially away from the carrier element 15, wherein initially only the force of the first spring 14 is overcome. In this case, the bolts 22, 23 which guide the receiving elements 6 and 7 in the grooves 20 and 21, in the region of the grooves 20, 21, which extend parallel to the axis of rotation 27.

In a further removal of the setting device 1 of the fixing unit, the disc 37 comes into contact with the support member 15. For further movement, the spring force of the second spring 36 must now be overcome. At the same time reach the bolts 22, 23 in the region of the grooves 20, 21, which extend at an angle to the axis of rotation 27. As a result, the receiving elements 6 and 7 are pivoted about the bolts 8, 9, thus releasing the fastening unit. By the springs 14 and 36, the bearing block 10 is then pulled back against the support member 15, so that the setting device 1 assumes the position shown again.

In Fig. 3 the end face of the setting device 1 is shown, to which the fastening unit is attached.

Fig. 4 shows a receiving element 6, 7. The receiving element 6, 7 in this case has two holes 42, 43, wherein the bore 42 for receiving the bolts 8, 9 and the bore 43 for receiving the bolts 22, 23 is used. Parallel to these holes extends a projection 12, 13, wherein the receiving elements have a perpendicular projecting extension 44 in this area. This extension 44 serves a sufficiently long guide surface to have available during insertion of the fastening unit.

In the FIGS. 5 and 6 the bearing block 10 is shown. The bearing block 10 has two grooves 45, 46, in which the receiving elements 6 and 7 are partially received. He has two holes 47, 48 which serve for the rotatable mounting of the receiving elements 6 and 7 by means of the bolts 8 and 9.

Furthermore, the bearing block 10 has a groove 39, which provides the necessary space for the guide member 32 is available. At the contact surface 11 opposite end face of the bearing block 10 four threaded holes 49 to 52 are arranged, in which the screws 30 and 40 and the bolts 38 and 42 are attached.

In Fig. 7 the carrier element 15 is shown. The support member 15 has in its first flange 16 has two holes, which serve for fixing the support member 15 in the housing 2. The second flange 17 of the support member 15 has four holes 53 to 57. Through these holes 53 to 57, the bolts 38, 42 and the screws 30 and 40 are guided. At the side facing away from the first flange 16 side of the flange 17, the two webs 18 and 19 are arranged, which have the openings 20 and 21 formed as openings. To guide the screw mandrel 25, the bore 24 is provided.

The grooves 20, 21 extend in a first section parallel to the axis of rotation of the screw mandrel 25. In a second section, the two grooves 21 and 20 converge towards each other.

The formation of the support member 15 allows the reception of the first spring 14, the second spring 36 together with the corresponding bolts 22, 23 and the screws 30 and 40, which serve as a stop. Overall, this results in a compact design.

In Fig. 8 a fastening unit 58 is shown, which can be set by means of the jig 1. The fastening unit 58 has a blind rivet nut 59 with a rivet shank 60, wherein a screw 61 is screwed into the blind rivet nut 59. The screw 61 in this case has a split screw head, wherein the outer part is referred to below as a disc 62. The disc 62 has formed as a square 63 torque application surfaces, wherein projections 64 project beyond the surfaces of the square 63.

Fig. 9 shows the mounting unit 58 after Fig. 8 in a cutaway view.

To set the fastening unit 58, it is pushed into the fork-shaped receptacle 5 of the setting device 1. At the same time, the projections 12, 13 of the receiving elements 6, 7 engage over the projections 64 of the fastening unit 58. If the fastening unit 58 is then pressed against the bevel 33 of the guide element 32, takes place an axial displacement of the receiving elements 6 and 7 with respect to the guide member 32 and the screw mandrel 25. As a result, the fixing unit 58 can be guided via the screw mandrel 25. When the attachment unit 58 abuts against the stop 41, it has also already been moved past the guide element 32. As a result, a movement of the receiving elements 6 and 7 has already taken place together with the bearing block 10 in the direction of the carrier element, so that the fastening unit 8 can not be moved back. The threaded mandrel 25 is in a cylindrical recess 65 of the mounting unit 58, which merges into a screw head 66, even then taken when the corresponding torque application surfaces of the screw mandrel 25 and the screw head 66 have not been brought into line. This is done automatically when turning the screw mandrel 25th

The screw mandrel 25 has no axial play within the jig 1. As a result, forces that are applied by a screwdriver in the axial direction of the screw mandrel, transferred directly to a mounting unit 58. A load on the jig does not take place.

The release of the fastening unit 58 from the setting device 1 is effected as described above by a simple axial movement of the setting device 1 away from the fastening unit 58.

The setting device 1 thus allows a quick and easy insertion of the fastening unit in a receptacle, while the fastening unit 58 reliable is held in the recording. As a result, an unintentional release of the fastening unit 58 during insertion of the fastening unit 58 into a component to be fastened and a workpiece is virtually eliminated. During the actual setting process, the disk 62 of the fastening unit 58 is held against rotation in the setting device. With a corresponding, torque-transmitting connection between the disc 62 and the blind rivet nut 59 is thus also a setting of the fastening unit in round openings in the workpiece possible. The release of the jig 1 of the mounting unit 58 is then carried out by a simple axial train.

Claims (17)

A fastening device for a fastening unit, which has a housing, a screw mandrel and a bearing surface for the fastening unit, wherein the screw mandrel has an axis of rotation and through an opening in the contact surface with the fastening unit is engageable, characterized in that the contact surface (11) a associated fork-shaped receptacle (5). Setting device according to claim 1, characterized in that the fork-shaped receptacle (5) from the contact surface (11) is spaced. Setting device according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the fork-shaped receptacle (5) along the rotation axis (27) is displaceable. Setting device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the fork-shaped receptacle (5) has two receiving elements (6, 7). Setting device according to claim 4, characterized in that at least one receiving element (6, 7) is movable. Setting device according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that a distance between the receiving elements (6, 7) is variable. Setting device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it has a along the axis of rotation (27) displaceable bearing block (10) in which the receiving elements (6, 7) are mounted rotatably. Setting device according to claim 7, characterized in that the contact surface (11) on the bearing block (10) is arranged. Setting device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it comprises a carrier element (15) which is fixedly arranged in the housing (2), wherein the receiving elements (6, 7) in grooves (20, 21) of the carrier element (15 ) are guided. Setting device according to claim 9, characterized in that the grooves (20, 21) extend partially parallel to the axis of rotation (27) and partly at an angle to the axis of rotation (27). Setting device according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it comprises a first spring (14) which holds the bearing block (10) on the carrier element (15). Setting device according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that it comprises a second spring (36) which only after a defined displacement of the bearing block (10) along the rotation axis (27) exerts a force on the bearing block (10), wherein this force is equal to the force applied by the first spring (14). Setting device according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the screw mandrel (25) projects beyond the contact surface (11). Setting device according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that it comprises a guide element (32) which is arranged on one side of the contact surface (11) between the receiving elements (6, 7), wherein the guide element (32) on the housing (32). 2) is fixed and in the axial direction further beyond the contact surface (11) protrudes than the Schraubdorn (25), wherein the guide element (32) on its contact surface (11) facing away from a chamfer (33). Setting device according to claim 14, characterized in that the guide element (32) opposite side of the contact surface (11) by a stop (41) is limited. Setting device according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the housing (2) has a receiving geometry (31) for a screwdriver. Setting device according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the housing (2) is cylindrical.

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