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OwnerMichael Ruther, Sven Dickes +3inventors
InventorsMichael Ruther, Sven Dickes, Virginio Buonaccorso, Gerson Meschut, Torsten Draht
Estimating the term…
A method for joining at least two workpieces in abutment to each other by a joining element. The joining element 6 is driven so as to perform rotational and translational movements in order to be moved through the upper workpiece 2 and into the lower workpiece 4 without full penetration of the lower workpiece in order to provide for an integral one-piece joint between the joining element and the lower workpiece due to friction as a result of said rotational and translational movements. The joining process will result further in a joint between the joining element and the upper workpiece which is mainly a positively interlocking and/or friction joint. The workpieces remain in engagement to each other and are being interconnected. The method enables to join workpieces 2, 4 not only of similar but also of different materials such as aluminium/steel or plastic material/metal. Generally it is sufficient that the joining area is accessible only from one side.
A method of joining at least two workpieces in abutment to each other by means of a joining element wherein said joining element, during a joining process, is driven so as to perform rotational and translational movements in order to be moved through a first workpiece of said at least two workpieces and into a second workpiece thereof without full penetration of said second workpiece so as to provide for an integral one-piece joint between said joining element and said second workpiece as a result of friction caused by said movements of said joining element while the workpieces remain in abutment to each other.
A joining element for joining at least two workpieces in abutment to each other, the joining element comprising a member which is at least partially of rotationally symmetrical or substantially rotational symmetrical shape, said member comprising a body portion of a cross-sectional area which increases in a predetermined direction so as to provide for a positive interlocking joint with a first workpiece of said at least two workpieces when it is moved through said first workpiece by rotational and translational movements.
A method of joining at least two workpieces in abutment to each other by means of a joining element wherein said joining element is driven so as to perform rotational and translational movements in order to be moved through a pre-manufactured hole of a first workpiece of said at least two workpieces and into said second workpiece without full penetration of said second workpiece so as to provide for an integral one-piece joint between said joining element and said second workpiece due to friction as a result of said rotational and translational movements while said workpieces remain in abutment to each other, said pre-manufactured hole of said second workpiece being dimensioned with respect to said joining element such that there is a gap between a circumferential wall of said hole and said joining element to receive material of said second workpiece which is displaced during the joining process.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.