Method for Producing a Component Connection and Component Connection

Abstract

A method is provided for producing a component connection, which has a first component and a male connecting element with at least one sphere or at least one spherical element. The at least one ball or the at least one spherical element is pressed into the material of the first component in such a way that a positive-locking connection results between the first component and the connecting element, by which positive-locking connection the connecting element is connected to the first component in a translationally fixed and rotationally fixed manner.

Claims

1. A method for producing a component connection, the method comprising the acts of: providing a first component; providing a male connecting element in a form of at least one ball or at least one spherical element; pressing the at least one ball or the at least one spherical element into a material of the first component such that a form-fitting and/or a frictionally engaged connection is produced between the first component and the connecting element, by which the connecting element is connected to the first component in a translationally and rotationally fixed manner.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein during the act of pressing the at least one ball or the at least one spherical element into the material of the first component, the material of the first component flows into a region above an equatorial plane of the at least one ball or the at least one spherical element and adheres in a close-fitting manner against the at least one ball or the at least one spherical element.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein during the act of pressing the at least one ball or the at least one spherical element into the material of the first component, the at least one ball or the at least one spherical element flows and is plastically deformed.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein during the act of pressing the at least one ball or the at least one spherical element into the material of the first component, the at least one ball or the at least one spherical element flows and is plastically deformed.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein: the at least one ball or the at least one spherical element is pressed into the first component from a first side of the first component, and a counter holding is undertaken, via a counter holding tool, during the pressing of the at least one ball or the at least one spherical element into the first component, from a second side of the first component, the second side being opposite the first side.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein: the connecting element is pressed into the first component via a pressing tool, the pressing tool comprises an upper tool and a lower tool, between the upper tool and lower tool the first component is introduced, and the connecting element is pressed out of the upper tool or the lower tool into the first component.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first component is composed of a ductile material.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first component is composed of a metal material.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first component is composed of steel or aluminum.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one ball or the at least one spherical element is composed of steel.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the connecting element is entirely composed of steel.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the connecting element is connected to the first component exclusively by the pressing of the at least one ball or the at least one spherical element into the material of the first component.

13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one ball or the at least one spherical element penetrates the first component.

14. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one ball or at least one spherical element does not penetrate the first component.

15. The method according to claim 1, wherein the connecting element comprises exactly two interconnected balls or two interconnected spherical elements.

16. A component connection produced according to the method of claim 1.

17. A component connection, comprising: a first component; and a male connecting element comprising at least one ball or at least one spherical element, wherein the at least one ball or the at least one spherical element is pressed into a material of the first component such that a form-fitting and/or frictionally engaged connection exists between the first component and the connecting element, by which the connecting element is connected to the first component in a translationally and rotationally fixed manner.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] FIGS. 1 and 2 show the pressing of a ball into a sheet-like component provided with a hole in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and

[0019] FIGS. 3 and 4 show an alternative exemplary embodiment according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] FIG. 1 shows a first component 1 which can be, for example, a steel or aluminum sheet. The first component 1 has a through hole 2 which, for example, can be punched out of the first component 1. A counterholding tool 3 presses against the first component 1 from a lower side 1a of the first component 1.

[0021] A ball 4 which is, for example, a steel ball, is pressed at the location of the through hole 2 into the through hole 2 of the first component by way of an upper tool 5. As is apparent from FIG. 1, the diameter of the ball 4 is larger than the diameter of the through hole 2.

[0022] When the ball 4 is pressed into the through hole 2 or into the material of the first component 1, material of the first component 1 begins to flow. The flowing material adheres from the outside in a close-fitting manner against the ball 4 and flows into a trough-like depression 3a of the counterholding tool 3.

[0023] As is apparent from FIG. 2, the material of the first component 1 in the pressed-in state extends into a region above an equatorial plane 6 of the ball 4 and into a region below the equatorial plane 6 of the ball 4, as a result of which a form-fitting and frictionally engaged connection is produced between the ball 4 and the first component 1. The ball 4 is therefore connected to the first component 1 in a translationally fixed and rotationally fixed manner. Depending on the material of the ball 4 and of the first component 1 and depending on the shape of the counterholder 3 and of the upper tool 5, when the ball 4 is pressed into the material of the first component 1, deformation of the ball 4, i.e. flowing of the material of the ball 4, may also occur.

[0024] As is apparent from FIG. 2, when the ball 4 is pressed in, ball material flows into the trough-like depression 3a of the counterholding tool 3, which leads to an undercutting of the pressed-in connecting element with the first component 1 and therefore to a nonreleasable form-fitting connection.

[0025] It should be expressly emphasized that provision may be made for the ball 4 to be only part of a connecting element (not illustrated specifically here). For example, a connecting element which consists of two balls 4, 4a (cf. FIG. 2) can be used. As an alternative thereto, a functional element, such as, for example, a threaded bolt, a nut, a polygon or the like, can also protrude from the ball 4.

[0026] A connecting element which, as illustrated in FIG. 2, consists of a double ball (balls 4, 4a) can be used for connecting the first component 1 to a further component (not illustrated). For example, a clip element composed of plastic or another component provided with a hole, for example a further sheet or a plastic component, can be clipped or clamped onto the upper ball 4a.

[0027] In a further embodiment, FIG. 3 shows a first component 1 (for example a metal sheet) which has a through hole 2 with a collar 2a bent upward. The clamping collar 2a is curved concavely in a manner complementary to the shape of a ball (not illustrated here).

[0028] Furthermore, a second component (for example sheet) 7 is provided which has a through hole 8 with a collar 8a bent upward.

[0029] In order to connect the two components 1 and 7, the component 7 is placed onto the component 1 from above in such a manner that the collar 8a engages around the clamping collar 2a from the outside. A ball 4 (for example a steel ball) is subsequently pressed into the through hole 2 of the first component 1 from above or from below. The clamping collar 2a is elastically bent up in the process and springs in again after the ball 4 has been pressed in. In the pressed-in state, the clamping collar 2a presses against the ball 4 from the outside.

[0030] The foregoing disclosure has been set forth merely to illustrate the invention and is not intended to be limiting. Since modifications of the disclosed embodiments incorporating the spirit and substance of the invention may occur to persons skilled in the art, the invention should be construed to include everything within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereof.