Tacking Device For The At Least Temporary Fastening Of Components To One Another

Abstract

A tacking device for a temporary fastening of components has a sleeve having a first end, a second end, an axial hole and a radially projecting collar at the first end, and an elongate mandrel having a head end and a tensioning end. The mandrel can be inserted into the axial hole at the second end of the sleeve, can be brought into stop contact with a sleeve rim surface by the head end and projects beyond the first end from the sleeve in the inserted state. A holding unit is designed to hold the mandrel when the tacking device is inserted into an opening of a component. The sleeve has a deformable material, which is squashed against the component when is inserted into an opening of a component. The mandrel has a predetermined breaking point with a weakened cross section, positioned between the head end and the tensioning end.

Claims

1. A tacking device for the at least temporary fastening of components to one another, comprising: a sleeve having a first end, a second end, an axial hole and a radially projecting collar at the first end; and an elongate mandrel having a head end and a tensioning end; wherein the elongate mandrel is configured to be inserted into the axial hole at the second end of the sleeve, to be brought into stop contact with a sleeve rim surface by the head end and to project beyond the first end from the sleeve in the inserted state, wherein the tacking device further comprises a holding unit, configured to hold the elongate mandrel when the tacking device is inserted into an opening of a component, wherein the sleeve has a deformable material, configured to be squashed against the component when the tacking device is inserted into an opening of a component, as the head end of the mandrel is moved in the direction of the first end of the sleeve, and wherein the mandrel has a predetermined breaking point with a weakened cross section, positioned between the head end and the tensioning end and configured to ensure that, with the sleeve squashed, the mandrel breaks at the predetermined breaking point and a section having the tensioning end is detached.

2. The tacking device according to claim 1, wherein the holding unit is formed by a funnel-shaped section at the first end of the axial hole and by a separate collar element, and wherein the collar element has a radial projection, and an insertion section extending axially and in a tapering manner from the latter, configured in a manner corresponding to the funnel-shaped section and having a through hole for the passage of the mandrel.

3. The tacking device according to claim 2, further comprising: at least one first engagement element arranged in the funnel-shaped section, extending part way round an inner surface of the funnel-shaped section, and at least one second engagement element arranged on the insertion section, extending part way round an outer surface of the insertion section, said second engagement element configured to enter into a latching connection with the first engagement element.

4. The tacking device according to claim 3, wherein the first engagement element and the second engagement element are configured as latching elements.

5. The tacking device according to claim 3, wherein the first engagement element and the second engagement element are configured as barbs.

6. The tacking device according to claim 2, wherein the holding unit is in the form of an internal thread in the through hole of the collar element and of an external thread on the mandrel.

7. The tacking device according to claim 2, wherein the radial projection of the collar element is configured to be placed on the collar when the collar element is pressed into the funnel-shaped section of the sleeve.

8. The tacking device according to claim 2, wherein the collar element has a deformable material, and wherein the collar element is configured to be squashed radially inwards when the collar element is pressed into the funnel-shaped section.

9. The tacking device according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined breaking point of the mandrel is spaced apart axially from the radial projection in the direction of the insertion section.

10. The tacking device according to claim 1, wherein the holding unit is formed by an internal thread integrated into the sleeve and an external thread arranged on the mandrel.

11. The tacking device according to claim 1, wherein the mandrel is composed of a stronger material than the sleeve.

12. A method for tacking two components to one another, the method comprising: inserting a tacking device according to claim 1 into a through opening in the two components, and moving the mandrel in a direction towards the first end of the sleeve in order to squash the sleeve against the components until the mandrel breaks.

13. The method according to claim 12, further comprising, after a use of the tacking device: drilling a remaining part of the mandrel out of the tacking device, and removing the sleeve.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Further features, advantages and possible uses of the present invention will be found in the following description of the illustrative embodiments and the figures. Here, all the features described and/or depicted, in themselves and in any desired combination, form the subject matter of the invention, even when considered independently of their combination in the individual claims or the dependency references thereof. In the figures, the same reference signs furthermore stand for identical or similar objects.

[0027] FIGS. 1 to 4 show a first illustrative embodiment in different states in a section from the side.

[0028] FIG. 5 shows a second illustrative embodiment in a fastened state in a section from the side.

[0029] FIGS. 6 and 7 show a third illustrative embodiment in an unfastened state and in a fastened state in a section from the side.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] FIG. 1 shows a tacking device 2 for the at least temporary fastening of components 4 and 6 to one another. Here, the tacking device 2 is shown inserted into an opening 8. The components 4 and 6 can be, for example, sheet-like or flat components for a section of an aircraft fuselage, which are tacked to one another before the final production of riveted joints.

[0031] The tacking device 2 has a sleeve 10 with a first end 12 and a second end 14. Provided at the first end 12 is a radially projecting collar 16, which, by way of example, has a circular base surface. Otherwise, the sleeve 10 has a cylindrical lateral surface 18, which, in the example shown, has a constant outside diameter from below the collar 16 to the second end 14. Provided in the sleeve 10 is an axial hole 20, which, along a significant part of the sleeve 10, has a larger diameter than at the second end 14. A funnel-shaped section 22, which widens in the direction of the first end 12, is formed at the first end 12.

[0032] Moreover, a collar element 24 having a radial projection 26 and an insertion section 28 that tapers from the projection 26 is provided. The collar element 24 is inserted in the funnel-shaped section 22 of the axial hole 20. A mandrel 30 extends in the axial hole 20, and has a head end 32 and a tensioning end 34. The head end 32 has a larger outside diameter than the axial hole 20 at the second end 14. The mandrel 30 furthermore extends through the collar element 24 and projects outwards from the sleeve 10.

[0033] Between the head end 32 and the tensioning end 34, the mandrel 30 has a predetermined breaking point 36, which has a weakened cross section and is designed to cause the mandrel 30 to break when a certain tensile stress is exceeded in the mandrel 30. The tacking device 2 is designed in such a way that, first of all, the sleeve 10 can be inserted into the opening 8 concerned, with the result that the collar 16 comes into surface contact with a surface of the upper component 4. The sleeve 10 is thus positioned correctly in the opening 8. By holding down the collar 16 and simultaneously removing the mandrel 30, i.e. moving the head end 32 in the direction of the first end 12 of the sleeve 10, the sleeve 10 is squashed towards the component 6 on a lower side of the lower component 6.

[0034] By means of the collar element 24 introduced into the funnel-shaped section 22, the mandrel 30 can initially be held in the sleeve 10. During this process, there is initially only slight clamping of the mandrel 30 in the collar element 24 and the sleeve 10. When the sleeve 10 is squashed, tacking can be further improved by the clamping of the mandrel 30. In order to assist this, an inner surface 38 of the funnel-shaped section 22 can be provided with engagement elements in the form of latching elements (not visible here), wherein an outer surface 40 of the collar element 24 is equipped with corresponding engagement elements embodied as latching elements (likewise not visible here). By virtue of the insertion of the collar element 24 into the funnel-shaped section 22, the collar element 24 consequently latches into the funnel-shaped section 22 and, in the process, holds the mandrel 30 fast. Consequently, the elements involved in this can be regarded as a holding unit 41.

[0035] The longitudinal extent of the funnel-shaped section 22 is dimensioned in such a way that it does not exceed a minimum clamping length of the components 4 and 6 to be clamped. Consequently, the tacking device 2 can also be employed for different clamping lengths. Moreover, just two components 4 and 6 to be connected to one another are shown purely by way of example in the figures. It is self-evident that it is also possible for more than two components to be tacked and for the clamping length then to be greater than shown here. This applies to all of the illustrative embodiments.

[0036] As illustrated in FIG. 2, this tacking device 2 is suitable particularly for automated handling from a single side of the components 4 and 6. The insertion of the tacking device and the subsequent clamping can take place completely without manual intervention. For this purpose, a robot-guided tool 42, illustrated schematically here, is shown, said tool having a mount-on sleeve 44, by means of which the collar element 24 is pressed into the funnel-shaped section 22 of the sleeve 10. During this process, second engagement elements 46 enter into a latching connection with first engagement elements 48 of the sleeve 10. In FIG. 2, the engagement elements 46 and 48 are embodied as barbs. At the same time, the mandrel 30 is pulled in the direction of the first end 12 by the tool 42, with the result that the second end 14 of the sleeve 10 is squashed against the lower component 6 from below. To facilitate the exertion of a tensioning force on the mandrel 30, the mandrel has a plurality of groove-shaped depressions 50 on its tensioning end 34. After the state shown in FIG. 2 has been reached, with the sleeve 10 fully squashed, a limiting stress can be reached, leading to the breaking of the mandrel 30 at the predetermined breaking point 36. Consequently, part of the mandrel 30 breaks off and, as a result of this, part of a through hole 52 in the collar element 24 remains free. This makes it possible to insert a cutting tool into a cavity 54 arising as a result in order to remove the mandrel 30 again and, together with it, the entire tacking device 2. That part of the mandrel 30 which has been broken off is clamped fast by the collar element 24. This is promoted by further groove-type depressions 33, which are connected non-positively and/or positively to the collar element 24. The tensioning force of the mandrel 30 can thus be transmitted to the collar element 24.

[0037] The squashing of the sleeve against the lower component 6 gives rise to a sufficiently high surface pressure between the two components 4 and 6. At a short distance therefrom, the surface pressure may be sufficient to simultaneously drill both components 4 and 6 without a separate clamping device and without drillings getting between the two components 4 and 6. Consequently, it is possible, through the arrangement of several tacking devices 2, which fill between 20 and 50% of all holes to be produced for example, which are provided for the production of riveted joints. This may be sufficient to produce all the remaining 50-80% of the riveted joints in one pass with tacking devices 2 inserted. The tacking devices 2 can then all be removed in order to implement respective final riveted joints in their stead.

[0038] FIG. 3 shows the same illustration as FIG. 2 but without a robot-guided tool 42. Here, the cavity 54, which can be used to receive and guide a drill 55 or milling cutter, is readily visible. This is illustrated in FIG. 4, as it successively removes the mandrel 30. Here, the selected diameter of the drill 55 is somewhat greater than the diameter of the mandrel 30.

[0039] FIG. 5 shows an alternative embodiment in the form of a tacking device 56. Here, a collar element 58 is provided, which has an internal hole 60 with an internal thread 62. A mandrel 64 having an external thread 66 extends through the collar element 58. A holding unit 67 is thereby formed. A sleeve 68 is of very similar design to sleeve 10 but does not have any engagement elements 48. In FIG. 5, the squashed sleeve 68 is already shown, and the mandrel 64 is already broken at a predetermined breaking point 70. Here, the movement of the mandrel 64 takes the form of rotation. The threads 62 and 66 allow very good clamping when the mandrel 64 is broken by means of a non-positive joint.

[0040] FIG. 6 shows another variant of a tacking device 72, which consists of just two parts. Here, the mandrel 64 from FIG. 5 is combined with another sleeve 74, which has an internal thread 76 only at its first end 12. The extent of the internal thread 76 is dimensioned in such a way that it does not exceed a minimum clamping length of the components 4 and 6 to be clamped. A holding unit 78 is thereby formed. This is a particularly simple variant since just two components have to be used. As shown in FIG. 7, adequate squashing is also possible without a collar element. A non-positive joint is achieved by threads 66 and 76 of self-locking design.

[0041] For the sake of completeness, it should be noted that having does not exclude any other elements or steps and a or an does not exclude a multiplicity. It should furthermore be noted that features which have been described with reference to one of the above embodiment examples can also be used in combination with other features of other embodiment examples described above. Reference signs in the claims should not be regarded as restrictive.

REFERENCE SIGNS

[0042] 1 tacking device [0043] 4 component [0044] 6 component [0045] 8 opening [0046] 10 sleeve [0047] 12 first end [0048] 14 second end [0049] 16 collar [0050] 18 lateral surface [0051] 20 axial hole [0052] 22 funnel-shaped section [0053] 24 collar element [0054] 26 projection [0055] 28 insertion section [0056] 30 mandrel [0057] 32 head end [0058] 33 depression [0059] 34 tensioning end [0060] 36 redetermined breaking point [0061] 38 inner surface [0062] 40 outer surface [0063] 41 holding unit [0064] 42 tool [0065] 44 mount-on sleeve [0066] 46 second engagement element [0067] 48 first engagement element [0068] 50 depression [0069] 52 hole [0070] 54 cavity [0071] 55 drill [0072] 56 tacking device [0073] 58 collar element [0074] 60 hole/internal hole [0075] 62 internal thread [0076] 64 mandrel [0077] 66 external thread [0078] 67 holding unit [0079] 68 sleeve [0080] 70 predetermined breaking point [0081] 72 tacking device [0082] 74 sleeve [0083] 76 internal thread [0084] 78 holding unit