Loading pin for a joining device, joining device and joining element feed method
AssigneeNewfrey LLC
InventorsMichael Schneider, Alexander Schug, Jochen Hain
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A loading pin, for a joining device, having a first axial end portion connectable to an axial drive, and having a second axial end portion which is realized for the purpose of exerting an axial force onto a joining element in order to push the joining element into a holding device and/or in order to support the joining element axially during a joining process, wherein the loading pin comprises an axial hollow channel portion through which a joining element is guidable in an axial feed direction. The loading pin partially defines a lateral joining element feed opening, via which a joining element is feedable into the hollow channel portion.
Claims16
A loading pin for a joining device with an axial drive, the loading pin operable for exerting an axial force onto a joining element in order to push the joining element into a holding device or to support the joining element axially during a joining process, the loading pin comprising:
- a first axial end portion connectable to the axial drive;
- a second axial end portion opposite the first axial end portion;
- an axial hollow channel portion partially defined in the loading pin and open towards the holding device and through which the joining element is guidable in an axial feed direction toward the holding device,
- a lateral feed opening, defined in a radial side of the loading pin between the first axial end portion and the second axial end portion, and through which the joining element is feedable into the hollow channel portion.
A joining device for setting a joining element supplied from a joining element feed device, the joining device comprising:
- a joining element receiver partially defining a receiver channel operable for guiding the joining element, and further partially defining an axially extending loading pin guide;
- an axial drive;
- a holding device operable to support the joining element axially during a joining process
- a loading pin, mounted in the loading pin guide so as to be axially displaceable between a feed position and a joining position and operable for exerting an axial force onto the joining element in order to push the joining element into the holding device, the loading pin including:
- a first axial end portion connectable to the axial drive;
- a second axial end portion opposite the first axial end portion;
- an axial hollow channel portion partially defined in the loading pin and open towards the holding device and through which the joining element is guidable in an axial feed direction toward the holding device,
- a lateral feed opening, defined in a radial side of the loading pin between the first axial end portion and the second axial end portion, and through which the joining element is feedable into the hollow channel portion.
Method for feeding a joining element into a joining device, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a joining device comprising:
- a joining element receiver partially defining a receiver channel operable for guiding the joining element, and further partially defining an axially extending loading pin guide;
- an axial drive;
- a holding device operable to support the joining element axially during a joining process
- a loading pin mounted in the loading pin guide so as to be axially displaceable between a feed position and a joining position and operable for exerting an axial force onto the joining element to push the joining element into the holding device, the loading pin including:
- a first axial end portion connectable to the axial drive;
- a second axial end portion opposite the first axial end portion;
- an axial hollow channel portion partially defined in the loading pin and open towards the holding device and through which the joining element is guidable in an axial feed direction toward the holding device,
- a lateral feed opening, defined in a radial side of the loading pin between the first axial end portion and the second axial end portion, and through which the joining element is feedable into the hollow channel portion;
- a one-way passage on the second end portion of the loading pin;
- feeding the joining element into the receiving channel and from there radially through the lateral joining element feed opening into the loading pin;
- turns the joining element as it passes into the axial hollow channel portion;
- and
- passing a first portion of the joining element through the one-way passage of the loading pin.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.