Press-fit connection between a high-strength component and a press-fit element, method for making such a press-fit connection, and press-fit element for such a press-fit connection

A method for making a press-fit connection between a press-fit element and a high-strength component, which comprises the steps of:

• providing the high-strength component, the high-strength component having a material thickness and an underside;
• making, with an aid of a punch and a punching die, a pre-shaped hole in the high-strength component formed through the material thickness, the pre-shaped hole extending along a line of a circle arc, and for providing resistance to twisting forces the pre-shaped hole being defined by a hole rim that is other than circular in shape, the hole rim being disrupted only in partial regions which overall extend no greater than 180 degrees of a circumference of the hole rim, as a result of which a cross sectional shape that is other than circular is formed, the partial regions each having a diameter that is larger by only a few tenths of a millimeter than a diameter of the line of the circle arc, the press-fit element extending in a longitudinal direction and having a head part with a head contact face for lying on the high-strength component and a collar for providing resistance to extraction being effective in opposition to the longitudinal direction, the collar having a circular cross sectional geometry in a starting condition;
• and
• introducing the press-fit element via the collar into the hole with an aid of a die;
• and
• pressing the collar is merely by an upset process and pressed against the hole rim, and the collar providing a press-fit without the collar embracing the underside of the high-strength component in an area adjacent the pre-shaped hole.