Riveting system and process for forming a riveted joint
AssigneeNewfrey LLC
InventorsDieter Maurer, Hermann Roeser, Reinhold Opper, Andreas Wojcik, Christian Schoenig
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A computer program operably controls a riveting system to join two or more workpieces with a rivet. In another aspect of the present invention, a self-piercing rivet is employed with computer software to sense, measure and/or determine riveting and/or joint characteristics. Still another aspect of the present invention employs an electronic control unit and one or more sensors to determine a riveting characteristic and/or an actuator characteristic.
Claims66
A computer program recorded on a medium for use in a workpiece riveting process, the program being operated according to the steps comprising:
- (a) recalling data about a joint to be riveted;
- (b) determining if a rivet is located in a riveting tool;
- (c) sending a signal to feed a rivet to the riveting tool if step (b) is negative;
- (d) energizing an actuator of the riveting tool to advance the rivet;
- (e) measuring workpiece thickness;
- (f) determining if the workpiece thickness is acceptable, and if not, stopping the riveting process;
- (g) determining a rivet size characteristic, and if unacceptable, stopping the riveting process;
- and
- (h) determining the force used to join the workpieces by the rivet, and if unacceptable, stopping the riveting process.
Computer software stored on a medium for use in a workpiece riveting process having a rivet and a riveting tool with an electric motor, the software being operated according to the steps comprising:
- (a) energizing the electric motor of the riveting tool and advancing the rivet;
- (b) determining thickness of a workpiece;
- (c) determining if the workpiece thickness is acceptable, and if not, altering the riveting process;
- (d) determining a rivet characteristic, and if unacceptable, stopping the riveting process;
- and
- (e) determining the force needed to join workpieces by the rivet, and if unacceptable, stopping the riveting process.
Computer software stored on a medium for use in a workpiece riveting process having workpieces, a rivet, a riveting tool, a rivet feeder and an electronic control unit, the software being operated according to the steps comprising:
- (a) determining if the rivet is located in the riveting tool;
- (b) sending a signal to feed the rivet to the riveting tool if step (a) is negative;
- (c) energizing an actuator of the riveting tool to advance the rivet;
- (d) measuring the thickness of at least one of the workpieces;
- (e) determining if the thickness is acceptable;
- (f) determining a size characteristic of the rivet;
- and
- (g) determining the force used to join the workpieces by the rivet.
A computer program stored on a medium for use in a riveting process employing a self-piercing rivet, a joint, and a riveting tool having an electric motor, a transmission, a punch and a die, the program being operated according to the steps comprising:
- (a) recalling data about the joint to be riveted;
- (b) energizing the electric motor and converting rotary motion of the motor to linear motion in the transmission operably driven by the motor;
- (c) linearly advancing the self-piercing rivet in response to step (b);
- (d) determining a riveted characteristic of at least one of:
- (i) the self-piercing rivet and (ii) the joint;
- (e) comparing the determined riveted characteristic of step (d) with the data of step (a);
- and
- (f) deenergizing the electric motor to prevent the self-piercing rivet from directly contacting against the die when the rivet is in a substantially optimum workpiece-engaging position between the punch and the die.
A computer program stored on a medium for use in a riveting process employing a self-piercing rivet, a joint, and a riveting tool having an electric motor, a transmission, a punch and a die, the program being operated according to the steps comprising:
- (a) recalling data about the joint to be riveted;
- (b) energizing the electric motor and converting rotary motion of the motor to linear motion in the transmission operably driven by the motor;
- (c) linearly advancing the self-piercing rivet in response to step (b);
- (d) determining a riveted characteristic of at least one of:
- (i) the self-piercing rivet and (ii) the joint;
- (e) comparing the determined riveted characteristic of step (d) with the data of step (a);
- and
- (f) receiving a signal responsive to a force applied by a clamp, linearly advancing at least partially with the punch, to a workpiece being riveted.
A computer program stored on a medium for use in a riveting process employing a self-piercing rivet, a joint, and a riveting tool having an electric motor, a transmission, a punch and a die, the program being operated according to the steps comprising:
- (a) recalling data about the joint to be riveted;
- (b) energizing the electric motor and converting rotary motion of the motor to linear motion in the transmission operably driven by the motor;
- (c) linearly advancing the self-piercing rivet in response to step (b);
- (d) determining a riveted characteristic of at least one of:
- (i) the self-piercing rivet and (ii) the joint;
- (e) comparing the determined riveted characteristic of step (d) with the data of step (a);
- and
- (f) determining the actual torque of the electric motor and comparing the actual torque to a desired torque.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.