Joining element

Joining element (10, 50, 70, 100, 130) for connection to at least one component layer (34, 62, 84, 112), comprising a head (12, 52) having a head supporting surface (16, 140) for abutment against a component layer and at least one drive feature (14), via which the joining element (10, 50, 70, 100, 130) can be rotated, as well as a shaft (17) which ends via a hole-forming element (18, 54, 90, 106) in a tip (38), wherein the length of the shaft, from the head supporting surface (16) to the tip (38), is shorter than five times the maximum shaft outer diameter (DMax), wherein the shaft (17) has a holding region (H) for connection to the component layer, and a removal region (A) having a removal profile (20, 56, 72, 102, 134) extends on the shaft (17), subsequent to the holding region (H) in the direction of the tip (38), and the removal region (A) starts spaced apart from the head supporting surface (16, 140) at a distance of at least once the maximum shaft outer diameter (DMax);

• wherein the outer diameter increases continuously over the holding region (H) in the direction of the head (12, 52).

Joining element (10, 50, 70, 100, 130) for connection to at least one component layer (34, 62, 84, 112), comprising a head (12, 52) having a head supporting surface (16, 140) for abutment against a component layer and at least one drive feature (14), via which the joining element (10, 50, 70, 100, 130) can be rotated, as well as a shaft (17) which ends via a hole-forming element (18, 54, 90, 106) in a tip (38), wherein the length of the shaft, from the head supporting surface (16) to the tip (38), is shorter than five times the maximum shaft outer diameter (DMax), wherein the shaft (17) has a holding region (H) for connection to the component layer, and a removal region (A) having a removal profile (20, 56, 72, 102, 134) extends on the shaft (17), subsequent to the holding region (H) in the direction of the tip (38), and the removal region (A) starts spaced apart from the head supporting surface (16, 140) at a distance of at least once the maximum shaft outer diameter (DMax);

• wherein the outer diameter increases in the transition from the removal region (A) to the holding region (H).

Joining element (10, 50, 70, 100, 130) for connection to at least one component layer (34, 62, 84, 112), comprising a head (12, 52) having a head supporting surface (16, 140) for abutment against a component layer and at least one drive feature (14), via which the joining element (10, 50, 70, 100, 130) can be rotated, as well as a shaft (17) which ends via a hole-forming element (18, 54, 90, 106) in a tip (38), wherein the length of the shaft, from the head supporting surface (16) to the tip (38), is shorter than five times the maximum shaft outer diameter (DMax), wherein the shaft (17) has a holding region (H) for connection to the component layer, and a removal region (A) having a removal profile (20, 56, 72, 102, 134) extends on the shaft (17), subsequent to the holding region (H) in the direction of the tip (38), and the removal region (A) starts spaced apart from the head supporting surface (16, 140) at a distance of at least once the maximum shaft outer diameter (DMax);

• wherein the outer diameter of the holding region (146) increases in the direction of the head (142).

Method for producing a component connection (30, 80, 130) from at least two component layers by means of a joining element, which joining element penetrates the component layers as it rotates and is subjected to pressure, wherein the joining element (10, 50, 70, 100, 130) removes material (114) from the at least one top component layer—the cover layer (32, 60, 82, 110)—which removed material is entrained in the removal profile (20, 56, 72, 102, 134) of the joining element (10, 50, 70, 100, 130) all the way through the bottom component layer—the base layer (34, 62, 84, 112);

• wherein the joining element (10, 50, 70, 100, 130), after being placed on the cover layer (32, 60, 82, 110), is rotated in a screwing-in direction at a speed of between 5,000 rpm and 10,000 rpm and is pressed against the cover layer (32, 60, 82, 110) with an axial contact pressure of between 2 kN and 5 kN.