Riveting system and process for forming a riveted joint
AssigneeNewfrey LLC
InventorsDieter Mauer, Hermann Roeser, Reinhold Opper, Andreas Wojcik, Christian Schoenig
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Computer software for controlling a riveting system is operable to join two or more workpieces with a rivet. In another aspect of the present invention, a self-piercing rivet is employed. 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.
Claims51
Computer software stored in memory for use in a workpiece riveting process having workpieces, a rivet, a riveting tool, a rivet feeder and an electronic control unit, the software comprising:
- (a) a first software instruction set operably determining if the rivet is located in the riveting tool;
- (b) a second software instruction set operably sending a signal to feed the rivet to the riveting tool if step (a) is negative;
- (c) a third software instruction set operably energizing an actuator of the riveting tool to advance the rivet;
- (d) a fourth software instruction set operably measuring the thickness of at least one of the workpieces;
- (e) a fifth software instruction set operably determining if the thickness is acceptable;
- (f) a sixth software instruction set operably determining a size characteristic of the rivet;
- and
- (g) a seventh software instruction set operably determining the force used to join the workpieces by the rivet.
A riveting process employing a self-piercing rivet, a joint and an electric motor, the process comprising:
- (a) recalling data about the joint to be riveted;
- (b) energizing the electric motor and causing rotary motion of the motor to linearly advance the self-piercing rivet;
- (c) using a real-time sensed signal input which indicates the length of the self-piercing rivet;
- (d) comparing the sensed signal input to the recalled data;
- and
- (e) deenergizing the electric motor to prevent the self-piercing rivet from completely piercing through a die-side workpiece.
Computer software stored in memory for use in a workpiece fastening process having at least one workpiece, a fastener and a fastening tool, the fastening tool including an actuator and a punch, the software comprising:
- (a) first software instructions being operable to energize the actuator in order to advance the punch and drive the fastener into a solid area of the workpiece in a fluid-free manner;
- (b) second software instructions being operable to determine if a portion of the fastener is substantially flush with an exterior surface of the workpiece;
- and
- (c) third software instructions being operable to control energization of the actuator in order to stop advancement of the punch when the desired flushness of the fastener portion relative to the workpiece is determined.
A computer program stored on a medium for use in a riveting process employing a fastener, at least a die-side workpiece, a joint in the workpiece and an electric motor, the program comprising:
- (a) a first set of computer instructions operably recalling data about the joint to be riveted;
- (b) a second set of computer instructions operably energizing the electric motor and causing rotary motion of the motor to linearly advance the fastener;
- (c) a third set of computer instructions operably using a real-time sensed signal input;
- (d) a fourth set of computer instructions operably comparing the sensed signal input to the recalled data;
- (e) a fifth set of computer instructions operably controlling the electric motor to prevent the fastener from completely piercing through the die-side workpiece;
- and
- (f) a set of instructions causing a robot to move a fastening tool including the electric motor, a non-fluid transmission and a punch the motor operably driving the transmission, the transmission operably driving the punch and the punch operably advancing the fastener into the workpiece.
A method of manufacturing by operating computer software for use in a workpiece riveting process having a self-piercing rivet and a riveting tool, the tool including an electromagnetic actuator, a fluid-free transmission and a punch, the method comprising:
- (a) energizing the actuator of the riveting tool and advancing the self-piercing rivet with first software instructions;
- (b) determining the actual electrical power characteristic of the electric motor and comparing the actual electrical power characteristic to a desired electrical power characteristic;
- (c) automatically causing an exterior head surface of the self-piercing rivet to be substantially co-planar with a punch-side workpiece;
- (d) automatically storing the determined characteristic values and displaying historical trends between riveting process cycles;
- and
- (e) causing rotation of a portion of the electromagnetic actuator which drives the fluid-free transmission in order to linearly drive the punch.
A method of manufacturing by operating computer software for use in a workpiece fastening process having a self-piercing fastener and a fastening tool, the tool including an electric motor and a transmission, the method comprising:
- (a) energizing the electric motor of the fastening tool which drives the transmission in a fluid-free manner in order to advance the self-piercing fastener, with at least a first portion of the software;
- (b) determining a fastening characteristic, and if unacceptable, automatically varying the fastening process, with at least a second portion of the software, the fastening characteristic comprising thickness of the at least one workpiece;
- (c) determining if the workpiece thickness is acceptable, and if not, automatically varying the fastener process;
- and
- (d) determining the force needed to join at least one workpiece by the self-piercing fastener, and if unacceptable, varying the fastening process, with at least a third portion of the software.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.