INTERCHANGEABLE DIE, JOINING TOOL AND JOINING METHOD

Abstract

An interchangeable die comprises a die head, on which a die feature is formed, and a die shank extending in an axial direction from the die head. The die shank includes a first axial shank section, which is adjacent to the die head, and a second axial shank section, which is arranged on the opposite axial side of the first axial shank section from the die head. The first axial shank section has a first diameter and the second axial shank section has a second diameter smaller than the first diameter. The die shank is introducible into a shank receptacle of a die receiving section of a joining tool. A fastening contour for fastening the interchangeable die to the joining tool is formed on the interchangeable die. The fastening contour is configured such that a plug-and-turn connection is establishable between the interchangeable die and the joining tool.

Claims

1. An interchangeable die introducible into a shank receptacle of a die receiving section of a joining tool, wherein the interchangeable die comprises: a die head on which a die feature is formed; a die shank extending in an axial direction from the die head, the die shank being introducible into the shank receptacle of the die receiving section of the joining tool, and the die shank includes a first axial shank section which is adjacent to the die head and which has a first shank section diameter, and the die shank includes a second axial shank section which is arranged on the opposite axial side of the first axial shank section from the die head and has a second shank section diameter which is smaller than the first shank section diameter; and a fastening contour for fastening the interchangeable die to the joining tool is formed on the interchangeable die, and the fastening contour is configured such that a plug-and-turn connection is establishable between the interchangeable die and the joining tool.

2. The interchangeable die according to claim 1, whererin the fastening contour is formed in the region of the second axial shank section and has a radial extent which is less than or equal to the first shank section diameter.

3. The interchangeable die according to claim 1, wherein the fastening contour has at least one locking member which protrudes radially with respect to the die shank.

4. The interchangeable die according to claim 3, wherein the fastening contour includes a peg-like protrusion.

5. The interchangeable die according to claim 1, wherein the fastening contour has at least one die bayonet slot which is formed on a nose arrangement which is arranged proximate to a free end of the second axial shank section.

6. A joining tool comprising: an interchangeable die including: a die head on which a die feature is formed; a die shank extending in an axial direction from the die head, and the die shank includes a first axial shank section which is adjacent to the die head and which has a first shank section diameter, and the die shank includes a second axial shank section which is arranged on the opposite axial side of the first axial shank section from the die head and has a second shank section diameter which is smaller than the first shank section diameter; and a fastening contour operable for fastening the interchangeable die to the joining tool with a plug-and-turn connection is formed on the interchangeable die; and a die receiving section for receiving the die shank of the interchangeable die, the die receiving section including a first axial receiving section which is adjacent to an introduction opening of the die receiving section and which has a first receiving diameter, and the die receiving section has a second axial receiving section which is arranged on the opposite side of the first axial receiving section from the introduction opening and has a second receiving diameter which is smaller than the first receiving diameter; and a fastening device for fastening the interchangeable die to the joining tool is formed on the die receiving section, and the fastening device is configured such that a plug-and-turn connection is establishable between the interchangeable die and the joining tool.

7. The joining tool according to claim 6, wherein the die receiving section further includes a main body and a receiving sleeve; and a receiving bore, into which the receiving sleeve is inserted, is formed in the main body.

8. The joining tool according to claim 7, wherein the second axial receiving section is formed by the receiving sleeve.

9. The joining tool according to claim 7, wherein a receiving sleeve contour, which can interact with a fastening contour of the interchangeable die in order to establish the plug-and-turn connection, is formed on the receiving sleeve.

10. The joining tool according to claim 9, wherein the receiving sleeve contour has a sleeve bayonet slot in which a radial protrusion of the interchangeable die can engage in order to establish the plug-and-turn connection.

11. The joining tool according to claim 9, wherein the receiving sleeve contour has at least one radially inwardly protruding receiving protrusion which can engage in a die bayonet slot of the interchangeable die in order to establish the plug-and-turn connection.

12. The joining tool according to claim 6, and further comprising a pretensioning spring arrangement by means of which the interchangeable die in the die receiving section is pretensioned in a direction away from the introduction opening of the die receiving section.

13. The joining tool according to claim 12, wherein the die receiving section further includes a main body and a receiving sleeve; and a receiving bore, into which the receiving sleeve is inserted, is formed in the main body; and the receiving sleeve is pretensioned with respect to the main body in an axial direction away from the introduction opening.

14. The joining tool according to claim 13, wherein the receiving sleeve is pretensioned, in the region of its end directed away from the introduction opening, by means of the pretensioning spring arrangement, which acts between the receiving sleeve and a pretensioning peg which is firmly connected to the main body.

15. A method for joining by means of a joining tool which has a die receiving section for an interchangeable die, the method comprising the steps of: providing a joining tool comprising: an interchangeable die including: a die head on which a die feature is formed; a die shank extending in an axial direction from the die head, and the die shank includes a first axial shank section which is adjacent to the die head and which has a first shank section diameter, and the die shank includes a second axial shank section which is arranged on the opposite axial side of the first axial shank section from the die head and has a second shank section diameter which is smaller than the first shank section diameter; and a fastening contour operable for fastening the interchangeable die to the joining tool with a plug-and-turn connection is formed on the interchangeable die; and a die receiving section for receiving the die shank of the interchangeable die, the die receiving section including a first axial receiving section which is adjacent to an introduction opening of the die receiving section and which has a first receiving diameter, and the die receiving section has a second axial receiving section which is arranged on the opposite side of the first axial receiving section from the introduction opening and has a second receiving diameter which is smaller than the first receiving diameter; and a fastening device for fastening the interchangeable die to the joining tool is formed on the die receiving section, and the fastening device is configured such that a plug-and-turn connection is establishable between the interchangeable die and the joining tool; transferring the interchangeable die into the die receiving section of the joining tool, wherein an axial relative movement and a relative rotation occur between the die receiving section and the interchangeable die in order to establish a plug-and-turn connection between the die receiving section and the interchangeable die; and carrying out a joining process using the interchangeable die.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0069] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawing and explained in more detail in the following description. In the drawing:

[0070] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of an interchangeable die according to the invention;

[0071] FIG. 2 shows an exploded illustration of the interchangeable die from FIG. 1;

[0072] FIG. 3 shows a side view of the interchangeable die from FIG. 1;

[0073] FIG. 4 shows a side view, rotated through 90° compa red with FIG. 3, of the interchangeable die from FIG. 1;

[0074] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a further embodiment of an interchangeable die according to the invention;

[0075] FIG. 6 shows an exploded illustration of the interchangeable die from FIGS. 1 to 4 and of a die receiving section of a joining tool;

[0076] FIG. 7 shows a sectional view of the die receiving section and of the interchangeable die in the inserted state, wherein a plug-and-turn connection has been produced, on the line VII-VII in FIG. 6;

[0077] FIG. 8 shows a view comparable to FIG. 7, but rotated through 90°, on line VIII-VIII in FIG. 6;

[0078] FIG. 9 shows a side view of a receiving sleeve of the die receiving section from FIG. 6;

[0079] FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of the receiving sleeve from FIG. 9, and

[0080] FIG. 11 shows a plan view of the receiving sleeve from FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0081] FIGS. 1 to 4 schematically illustrate an embodiment of an interchangeable die according to the invention that has the overall designation 10.

[0082] The interchangeable die 10 has a die head 12 which is preferably circular in cross section, and also a die shank 14 which is preferably likewise circular in cross section. The diameter of the die shank 14 is preferably smaller than that of the die head 12. A longitudinal axis is shown at 16.

[0083] The die head 12 has a head end side 20 which is remote from the die shank 14. Formed on the head end side 20 is a die feature 18, for example in the form of an axial recess, as is conventional for punch riveting or for other joining processes.

[0084] Formed on a head circumferential section 24 of the die head 12 is a rotary driving contour 22 which can be formed for example by one or two radial grooves that extend in a chord-like manner.

[0085] A shank circumferential section is designated 26 in the figures. A shank end side remote from the die head 12 is designated 28.

[0086] Formed on the die shank 14 is a fastening contour 30. The fastening contour 30 serves to establish a plug-and-turn connection to a die receiving section of a joining tool. The fastening contour 30 is formed in the present case by a locking member 32 which protrudes radially with respect to the die shank 14. As is illustrated in FIG. 2, the locking member 32 is formed by a radial peg 34 which is inserted into a radial bore 36 in the die shank 14 such that the radial peg 34 projects at both ends of the radial bore 36 with respect to the die shank 14.

[0087] The die shank 14 has a first axial shank section 40 which is adjacent to the head underside 42 of the die head 12. To be more precise, the first axial shank section 40 is adjacent to the head underside 42 via a grooved section 44. The first axial shank section 40 has an axial length L1 and has a first shank section diameter D1 that is uniform and constant along the axial length L1 (see FIGS. 3 and 4).

[0088] The die shank 14 furthermore has a second axial shank section 46 which is arranged on the opposite axial side of the first axial shank section 40 from the die head 12. The second axial shank section 46 has an axial length L2 and a diameter D2 that is uniform and constant along this axial length L2 and is smaller than D1. The transverse bore 36 passes through the die shank 14 in the region of the second axial shank section 46, specifically approximately in the axial centre thereof.

[0089] The first axial shank section 40 and the second axial shank section 46 are spaced apart from one another via an intermediate section 48 which is in the form of a cone section in the present case. The intermediate section 48 has an axial length L3. Furthermore, the grooved section 44 has an axial length L4. Furthermore, the radial peg 34 has a length L5. With regard to these dimensions, the following relationships preferably apply:

0.8 L2<L1<1.2×L2

D2<0.85×D1

L3≧0.5×L1

L5≦D1

L5≧D2.

[0090] The above relationships apply either in isolation or in any desired combination with one another.

[0091] FIG. 5 illustrates an alternative embodiment of an interchangeable die 10′ which, in terms of structure and operation, corresponds overall to the interchangeable die 10 in FIGS. 1 to 4. Identical elements are therefore characterized by identical reference signs. In the following text, it is essentially the differences that are explained.

[0092] The die shank 14′ has an intermediate section 48′, the axial length of which is greater, in particular greater than three times, the axial lengths of the first axial shank section 40′ and of the second axial shank section 46′. The axial lengths of the first axial shank section 40′ and of the second axial shank section 46′ are approximately the same.

[0093] The fastening contour 30′ is provided in the region of the second axial shank section 46, specifically in a manner adjoining the free end of the second axial shank section. In this case, the fastening contour 30′ is formed by a first nose 50 and a second nose 52 which project in the axial direction with respect to the free end of the second axial shank section 46′. The two noses 50, 52 are shaped such that they form a die bayonet slot 54 which forms the fastening contour 30′ in the present case. The die bayonet slot 54 contains a die introduction slot 56, which is formed in the radial direction between the two noses 50, 52, and a die locking slot 58. In order to establish a plug-and-turn connection, a locking member in the form of a transverse peg can be introduced axially between the noses 50, 52 in the region of the die introduction slot 56. By way of a subsequent relative rotation, such a locking member then passes into the die locking slot 58, which is oriented substantially radially or tangentially and can contain a latching groove into which such a transverse peg can pass in a mounted position in order to secure this mounted position in a latching manner.

[0094] The plug-and-turn connection corresponds substantially to a bayonet connection in this case.

[0095] FIGS. 6 to 11 illustrate a section of a joining tool 60, wherein the joining tool 60 in the present case has a die holder 62 in the form of a dome which is rigidly connected to a frame of the joining tool 60 via a releasable connection, for example to a C-frame for punch riveting processes. In order to establish the releasable connection, the die holder 62 is provided with a fastening bore 64. The die holder 62 is consequently easily exchangeable. However, the die holder can also be connected to the C-frame integrally or in one piece.

[0096] Formed on the die holder 62 is a die receiving section 66 into which an interchangeable die 10 from FIGS. 1 to 4 can be inserted. The die receiving section 66 contains a fastening device 68 which interacts with the fastening contour 30 of the interchangeable die from FIGS. 1 to 4 such that a plug-and-turn connection in the manner of a bayonet connection is establishable between the interchangeable die 10 and the die receiving section 66.

[0097] The die holder 62 has a main body 70 on which the fastening bore 64 is provided and which has a section that extends in a dome-like manner and in which an axially continuous receiving bore 72 is formed. The die holder 62 furthermore has a receiving sleeve 74 which is inserted into the receiving bore 72. The receiving sleeve 74 is pretensioned by means of a pretensioning spring device 76 in a direction axially away from an introduction opening of the receiving bore 72. To this end, the receiving sleeve 74 has two elongate holes 78 through which a transverse peg 80 passes, said transverse peg 80 being introduced into a transverse bore 82 in the main body 70. The receiving sleeve 74 is consequently mounted so as to be displaceable in a limited manner with respect to the main body by the axial length of the elongate holes 78. The pretensioning spring device 76 has a spring arrangement 84 made of a cage having a spring formed therein and for example a pressure ball. The spring arrangement 84 acts in the axial direction between the transverse peg 80 and an annular shoulder 86 of the receiving sleeve 74, said annular shoulder 86 being formed on the opposite side of the transverse peg 80 from the introduction opening of the receiving bore 72. The spring arrangement 84 consequently pretensions the receiving sleeve 74 with respect to the main body 70 in an axial direction away from the introduction opening of the receiving bore 72.

[0098] In this pretensioned position, an axial end, adjacent to the introduction opening, of the receiving sleeve 74 is spaced apart from the introduction opening, as is illustrated in FIG. 7 at L6 and FIG. 8. A sleeve bayonet slot 90 is formed in the region of this end of the receiving sleeve 74. The sleeve bayonet slot 90 has a sleeve introduction slot 92 which is shaped (see FIG. 11) in such a way that the radial peg 34 of the interchangeable die 10 from FIGS. 1 to 4 can be introduced into the sleeve introduction slot 92 in the axial direction. The sleeve bayonet slot 90 furthermore has a sleeve locking slot 94 into which the radial protrusions formed by the radial peg 34 can be introduced when the interchangeable die 10 is rotated relative to the joining tool 60, in order in this way to establish a plug-and-turn connection in the manner of a bayonet connection.

[0099] A latching depression 95 into which the radial peg 34 is pushed by means of the spring arrangement 84 can be provided at a circumferential end of the sleeve locking slot 94 in order to be able to secure the established locking position in a latching manner.

[0100] In the region of its upper end, the receiving sleeve 74 has an introduction cone 96 which substantially connects an outer circumference of the receiving sleeve 74 to the inner circumference of the inner bore in the receiving sleeve 74. As is illustrated in FIG. 8, the introduction cone 96 preferably has a different angle from the conically formed intermediate section 48 of the interchangeable die.

[0101] The receiving sleeve 74 is mounted in the axial direction with respect to the receiving bore 72 in such a way that a first axial receiving section 98, which has an axial length L6, is formed between the introduction opening of the receiving bore 72 and the upper end of the receiving sleeve 74. The axial length L6 is preferably greater than the length L1 of the first axial shank section 40. The introduction cone 96 extends along an axial length L3′ which corresponds to the axial length of the intermediate section 48. Furthermore, an inner circumference of the inner bore in the receiving sleeve 74 forms a second axial receiving section 100 which has an axial length L7 that is greater than the axial length L2 of the second axial shank section 46.

[0102] The first axial receiving section 98 has a diameter D1′ which corresponds to the diameter D1 of the first axial shank section, such that the first axial shank section 40 can be guided in a tilt-free manner in the first axial receiving section 98.

[0103] The inner bore in the receiving sleeve 74, or the diameter of the second axial receiving section 100 (designated D2′ in FIG. 7), is preferably greater than the diameter D2 of the second axial shank section 46. In this case, a guiding function can be established between the second axial shank section 46 and the second axial receiving section 100, although this is not absolutely necessary.

[0104] When an interchangeable die 10 is introduced into the die receiving section 68, first of all the second axial shank section 46 enters the receiving bore 72. In the event of misalignments, the second axial shank section 46 can be threaded into the bore in the receiving sleeve 74 via the introduction cone 96, this taking place approximately simultaneously with the introduction of the first axial shank section 40 into the receiving bore 72 in the main body 70. In this case, the radial peg 34 first of all enters the sleeve introduction slot 92. Subsequently, a relative rotation takes place, in which the radial peg 34 enters the sleeve locking slot 94 and in the process deflects the receiving sleeve 74 optionally counter to the force of the spring arrangement 84, until optionally the radial peg 34 latches into the latching depression 95. Such a movement requires only a small axial guiding length and can consequently be carried out easily even by a robot, by means of which it is difficult to precisely execute relatively long axial guiding lengths in space.

[0105] As a result of the spring device 84, the interchangeable die 10 is pulled away in the direction of the introduction opening by means of the receiving sleeve 74 such that the head underside 42 comes into abutment against a top side of the main body 70. Micromovements during joining operations can therefore be avoided. Since no transverse bores are to be provided in the region of an upper end of the main body, the latter can be formed in a solid manner and therefore be provided with high stability. Although two such transverse bores can be seen in FIGS. 6 and 8, it is possible to dispense with these transverse bores in the embodiment according to the invention.

[0106] If the joining tool 60 is intended to be set up for an interchangeable die 10′ from FIG. 5, the receiving sleeve 74, rather than a sleeve bayonet slot 90, can have for example in this region a transverse peg which passes between the noses 50, 52 during the introduction of the interchangeable die 10′ and can be introduced into the die locking slot 58 from FIG. 5 during a relative rotation.

[0107] A transverse peg of this kind is indicated schematically at 102 in FIG. 9.

[0108] Although exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the appended claims and their equivalents.