Process and device for joining by punching and riveting
AssigneeNewfrey LLC
InventorsDieter Mauer, Reinhold Opper, Joachim Möser, Dirk Hermann
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method as well as an apparatus manufactures a punch riveted joint, wherein at least two layers are pressed by a holding-down device against the die and a rivet, in particular a semitubular rivet, is provided for joining the layers. The holding-down device is connected by a coupling unit to the punch in such a way that during a punch riveting operation a coupling of the holding-down device to the punch may be varied between a substantially rigid coupling state and an uncoupled state.
Claims59
A method of manufacturing a riveted joint in at least two layers using a holding-down device, a punch, a die and a rivet, the method comprising connecting the holding-down device to the punch in such a way that during a punch riveting operation a coupling of the holding-down device to the punch may be varied between a substantially rigid coupling state and an uncoupled state as a function of a characteristic associated with at least one of:
- the punch, at least one of the layers, the rivet and a force.
An apparatus for manufacturing a riveted joint, the apparatus comprising:
- a die;
- a holding-down device;
- a punch and the holding-down device being movable towards and away from the die;
- at least two layers of components being clampable between the holding-down device and the die;
- a punch rivet operably joining the layers, the punch rivet being drivable by the punch into at least the layer adjacent to the holding-down device;
- and
- a coupling unit connecting the holding-down device and the punch in such a way that during a riveting operation a coupling of the holding-down device to the punch may be varied by fluid pressure between a substantially rigid coupling state and an uncoupled state.
A riveting machine comprising:
- a riveting punch movable from a retracted position to an advanced and riveting position;
- a first piston coupled to and being movable with the punch;
- a workpiece clamp movable from a retracted position to an advanced and clamping position;
- a second piston coupled to and being movable with the clamp;
- and
- fluid operably moving from a first substantially enclosed area adjacent the first piston to a second and spaced apart, substantially enclosed area adjacent the second piston.
An apparatus for manufacturing a riveted joint, the apparatus comprising:
- a workpiece clamp;
- a rivet punch;
- and
- a coupling unit operably coupling movement of the clamp to movement of the punch in such a way that during a riveting operation, a coupling of the clamp to the punch is automatically varied between a coupled state and an uncoupled state in response to a sensed riveting characteristic.
A riveting machine comprising:
- a self piercing rivet having an end which operably diverges during riveting;
- a riveting punch movable from a retracted position to an advanced and riveting position;
- a first piston coupled to and being movable with the punch;
- a workpiece clamp movable from a retracted position to an advanced and clamping position;
- a second piston coupled to and being movable with the clamp;
- fluid operably moving from a first substantially enclosed area adjacent the first piston to a second and spaced apart, substantially enclosed area adjacent the second piston;
- and
- a controller operably flowing the fluid between the areas in order to vary a coupling state of the punch to the clamp in response to comparisons of a sensed riveting characteristic to at least one previously stored value.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.