# US 10,371,186 B2 · Method for producing a component connection and component connection > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,371,186 B2 - Document ID: US10371186B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/284,569 - Filed: 2016-10-04 - Published: 2017-01-26 - Granted: 2019-08-06 - Earliest claimed: 2014-06-18 - Assignees: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft - Applicants: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft - Inventors: Johann Van Niekerk - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10371186B2 ## CPC - F16B 5/0642: {the plates being arranged one on top of the other and in full close contact with each other} - A44B 17/0023: {Press-button fasteners in which the elastic retaining action is obtained by the own elasticity of the material constituting the fastener} - A44B 17/0041: {Press-button fasteners consisting of two parts (A44B17/0029 takes precedence)} - A44B 17/007: {Stud-member} - B21K 25/00: Uniting components to form integral members, e.g. turbine wheels and shafts, caulks with inserts, with or without shaping of the components (uniting by interference- or press-fitting B23P11/02, B21K19/02) - B23P 11/00: Connecting or disconnecting metal parts or objects by metal-working techniques not otherwise provided for (connecting sheet metal or metal tubes, rods or profiles B21D39/00; riveting B21J; soldering, unsoldering, welding B23K; hand tools for connecting wire or strip B25B25/00; connecting metal parts by adhesives F16B11/00) - B23P 11/005: {by expanding or crimping} - F16B 17/00: Connecting constructional elements or machine parts by a part of or on one member entering a hole in the other {and involving plastic deformation}(riveting F16B19/04) - F16B 17/008: {of sheets or plates mutually (joining sheets by riveting without the use of separate rivets F16B5/045)} - F16B: DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING (couplings for transmitting rotation F16D) - A44B: BUTTONS, PINS, BUCKLES, SLIDE FASTENERS, OR THE LIKE (fastenings specially adapted for footwear A43C) - B21K: MAKING FORGED OR PRESSED METAL PRODUCTS, e.g. HORSE-SHOES, RIVETS, BOLTS OR WHEELS (making particular articles by working sheet metal without essentially removing material B21D; processing wire B21F; making pins, needles or nails B21G; making particular articles by rolling B21H; forging machines, pressing machines, hammering machines, in general B21J; making chains B21L; plating B23K) - B23P: METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; COMBINED OPERATIONS; UNIVERSAL MACHINE TOOLS (arrangements for copying or controlling B23Q) ## 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 ### Claim 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; and 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; 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, wherein 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, 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, wherein the counter holding tool has a depression and wherein when the at least one ball or the at least one spherical element flows and is plastically deformed the at least one ball or the at least one spherical element flows into the depression of the counter holding tool. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) 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. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the first component is composed of a ductile material. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the first component is composed of a metal material. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the first component is composed of steel or aluminum. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one ball or the at least one spherical element is composed of steel. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the connecting element is entirely composed of steel. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) 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. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one ball or the at least one spherical element penetrates the first component. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the connecting element comprises exactly two interconnected balls or two interconnected spherical elements. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) A component connection produced according to the method of claim 1. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein when the at least one ball or the at least one spherical element flows into the depression of the counter holding tool the at least one ball or the at least one spherical element forms an undercutting with the first component.