Jointing device for connecting a jointing counterpart to a support by means of a fixing
By measuring temperature changes during and after the joining process, the joining state of the screw with the mating parts and support is determined by the thermal conduction effect. This solves the problem of inaccurate connection state determination in the prior art and improves the reliability of the connection and the quality of the process.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Filing Date
- 2023-07-14
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-14
AI Technical Summary
In the prior art, the determination of the connection status between screws and mating parts and supports is easily affected by manufacturing deviations, leading to incorrect judgments and making it impossible to reliably determine whether the support surface is engaged with the mating support surface.
By measuring and testing equipment during and after the bonding process, the bonding state of the support surface and the mating support surface is identified in the test area adjacent to the support surface and the mating support surface, and the bonding state is determined by the thermal conduction effect.
It enables reliable judgment of the joint status, improves the reliability and process quality of the connection, reduces waste, and simplifies the monitoring process.
Smart Images
Figure CN224499756U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a joining device for connecting a mating member to a support member by means of a fastener, and a joining method for connecting a mating member to a support member by means of a fastener. Background Technology
[0002] The present invention is based on prior art (US 2017 / 0089727A1), which discloses a joining device for connecting a mating member to a support member by means of a fastener, said fastener being a screw having a shaft section and a head section (here, a screw head). During the joining process, a target assembly state should be achieved, in which the head section engages with the mating member, i.e., the support surface of the head section indirectly and / or directly engages with the mating support surface of the mating member. To check whether the screw is tightened corresponding to the target assembly state, at least one permanent magnet is placed on the head section, which rotates with the head section during screwing. A Hall sensor placed next to the screw detects the rotation performed by the screw during screwing. Based on the number of rotations performed, it should be inferred whether the support surface engages with the mating support surface.
[0003] Furthermore, it is known to measure the distance from the head segment (e.g., the upper end face of the head segment) to a reference point. If a predetermined distance is reached during screwing, it can be determined that the head segment corresponds to the target assembly state and engages with the mating part.
[0004] A challenge in both approaches is that shape deviations in the manufacturing of the screw, support, and / or mating parts can lead to misjudgments of whether the bearing surface engages with the mating bearing surface. If the external threads of the screw, the internal threads of the mating parts, and / or the support have tolerance-related deviations, this can result in the bearing surface not engaging with the mating bearing surface even after a predetermined number of rotations has been achieved during screwing. For example, if the head segment has a deviation along the geometric screw axis, the bearing surface will still not engage with the mating bearing surface despite a predetermined distance between the head segment and the reference point. Summary of the Invention
[0005] The problem upon which this invention is based is to design and improve known engagement devices in a way that determines, with particular reliability, whether a support surface engages with a mating support surface according to a target assembly state.
[0006] The primary consideration is to be able to identify the correct engagement between the mating member and the support member in the test area during and / or after the engagement process, based on the temperature and / or temperature changes of the support member and / or the fastener. Interestingly, it was found that when the support surface is indirectly and / or directly engaged with the mating support surface, the support member and / or the fastener generate more intense heat in the area surrounding the mating support surface and / or the support surface during the corresponding engagement process.
[0007] During the joining process, friction occurs between the head segment and the mating component upon contact, causing heat generation in the areas of the support surface and the mating support surface. Due to heat conduction, the test area adjacent to the support surface and / or the mating support surface is heated. Therefore, the resulting temperature rise in the mating component within the test area only occurs when the head segment engages with the mating component. In this way, the engagement of the support surface and the mating support surface corresponding to the target assembly state can be determined with particular reliability based on measured temperature and / or temperature changes.
[0008] Specifically, it is recommended that the measurement and testing equipment be designed to measure the temperature and / or temperature change of the mating parts and / or fasteners in a test area adjacent to the support surface and / or the mating support surface, and to identify the indirect and / or direct engagement of the support surface and the mating support surface based on the measured temperature and / or temperature change.
[0009] According to a preferred embodiment, the fastener is designed as a screw or has a screw, thereby enabling the engagement between the support surface and the mating support surface according to the target assembly state to be identified in a particularly effective manner based on the measured temperature and / or temperature changes.
[0010] According to a preferred embodiment, by designing the measuring and testing equipment to form characteristic values from measurements taken by the measuring and testing equipment and setting these characteristic values to be correlated with a defined limit threshold characteristic value, a quantitative and reproducible determination of whether a support surface engages with a mating support surface can be achieved by the measuring and testing equipment. This limit threshold characteristic value can advantageously correspond to a temperature value, temperature change, or temperature change relative to a unit time.
[0011] According to a preferred embodiment, monitoring the bonding process is particularly simplified if temperature and / or temperature changes are measured in a non-contact manner. Here, measurements can be taken using a thermal imaging camera and / or at least one thermoelectric sensor.
[0012] According to a preferred embodiment, the measuring and testing equipment is designed to measure temperature and / or temperature changes without interruption, thereby enabling advantageous detection of temperature and / or temperature changes in mating parts and / or fasteners at any time. In an alternative and particularly preferred embodiment, the measurement process is initiated by a start signal, thereby achieving particularly efficient use of the measuring and testing equipment.
[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the measurement and testing equipment has an analysis unit that enables particularly efficient analysis of images from a thermal imaging camera. The corresponding analysis unit is capable of identifying and distinguishing objects, thereby limiting the analysis to a sub-region of the area detected by the thermal imaging camera in a particularly resource-efficient manner.
[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the measuring and testing equipment has a documentation unit or is connected to a documentation unit. The documentation unit assigns quality standards to each mating member that has been connected to a support member by means of a fastener, based on the measured temperature and / or temperature change. Then, it is possible to traceably assign to each mating member produced during the mating process whether the support surface was joined to the mating support surface according to the target assembly state during the mating process.
[0015] In a preferred embodiment, the joining device has a control and adjustment unit or is connected to such a control and adjustment unit. The control and adjustment unit is capable of changing at least one joining parameter of the joining process based on the measured temperature and / or temperature changes, thereby enabling automatic process adjustment. This adjustment reduces waste and improves process quality.
[0016] In a preferred embodiment, the coupling device includes a clamping device that holds the coupling mating member and the support member in a target engagement position so that the two components can be reliably connected by means of a fastener. Alternatively or additionally, the target engagement position of the coupling mating member and the support member can be identified by means of position recognition.
[0017] A preferred embodiment relates to a particularly advantageous design for mating members, supports, and fasteners made of plastic and / or metal.
[0018] To prevent external interference sources from affecting the measurement of temperature and / or temperature changes, in a preferred embodiment, the joining device has a shield that at least partially surrounds the joining area.
[0019] According to a preferred embodiment, the mating members and / or fasteners have at least a partial coating in the test area, which alters the reflection, absorption, and / or transmission of the mating members and / or fasteners.
[0020] Another aspect of the invention relates to a joining method for connecting a mating member to a support member by means of a fastener having a geometric fastener axis, particularly by means of a proposed joining device, wherein, with the mating member assembled on the support member, the fastener has a shaft segment extending along the geometric fastener axis and a head segment connected to the shaft segment, the shaft segment extending at least partially through the mating member and the support member, the head segment having a support surface that indirectly and / or directly engages with a mating support surface of the support member, wherein the mating member is connected to the support member by means of the fastener, and wherein the indirect and / or direct engagement of the support surface and the mating support surface is determined by means of a measuring and testing device.
[0021] Importantly, the temperature and / or temperature change of the mating parts and / or fasteners are measured in the test area adjacent to the support surface and / or the mating support surface, and the indirect and / or direct engagement of the support surface and the mating support surface is identified based on the measured temperature and / or temperature change.
[0022] This allows for reference to all embodiments of the proposed engagement device.
[0023] According to a preferred embodiment, by forming characteristic values from measured temperature and / or temperature changes and setting the characteristic values as correlated with defined limit threshold characteristic values, it is possible to achieve a quantitative and reproducible determination of whether the support surface is indirectly and / or directly engaged with the mating support surface.
[0024] In a preferred embodiment, quality standards are assigned to each joining process and consequently to each joined component manufactured therein, based on measured temperature and / or temperature variations. It is then possible to assign, in a traceable manner, to each joining process whether or not the support surface is placed on the mating support surface.
[0025] According to a preferred embodiment, at least one joining parameter of the joining process is changed based on the measured temperature and / or temperature changes, thereby enabling automatic process adjustment. This adjustment reduces waste and improves process quality. Attached Figure Description
[0026] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate embodiments only. The drawings show:
[0027] Figure 1 A proposed joining device for connecting a mating member to a support member by means of a fastener is shown, along with a detailed view of the area inspected by measuring and testing equipment of the joining device.
[0028] Figure 2The diagram shows a cross-sectional view of a mating member and a support member connected to each other by means of a fastener, where a) is in the target assembly state, b) is in a state not corresponding to the target assembly state, c) is in the target assembly state when using a fastening auxiliary member, and d) is in a state not corresponding to the target assembly state when using a fastening auxiliary member.
[0029] Figure 3 A graph is schematically shown in which a) torque and speed as a function of time are plotted for the mating components connected to the support with said torque and speed by means of fasteners designed as screws; b) the temperature of the mating components and / or fasteners in the detection area is plotted in a time-varying curve during and after the mating process, within which the target assembly state is reached; and c) the temperature of the mating components and / or fasteners in the detection area is plotted in a time-varying curve during and after the mating process, where the target assembly state is not reached. Detailed Implementation
[0030] Figure 1 The diagram shows a coupling device 1, which allows the mating member 2 to be fixed to and / or connected to the support member 3. The connection between the mating member 2 and the support member 3 is achieved via a fixing member 4. The fixing member 4 has a geometric fixing axis A, such as... Figure 2 As shown. The coupling device 1 also includes a coupling device 5, so as to connect the coupling mating member 2 to the support member 3 by means of the fastener 4.
[0031] The mating component 2 may be, for example, a vehicle accessory, while the support 3 may be a dashboard. Alternatively, the mating component 2 may also be designed as a circuit board and / or a printed circuit board, and the support 3 may also be designed as a circuit board and / or a printed circuit board support. It is also conceivable that the circuit board and / or the printed circuit board is electrically connected to the support 3 via a fastener 4.
[0032] The joining device 1 can be manually operated, and in particular, manually carried, or, in an alternative and preferred embodiment, can be automatically and, in particular, in a fixed position within a mass production framework. The illustrated and preferred embodiment is a joining device 1 that is fixed in position within a mass production framework. All related embodiments are accordingly applicable to all other types of joining devices 1.
[0033] In the assembled state of the mating parts 2 on the support 3, they are connected to each other indirectly and / or directly via the fastener 4, such as Figure 2As shown in a). The term "assembled state" should be understood here as the mating member 2 being arranged on the support member 3, particularly in contact with the support member, and fixed to the support member 3 via the fastener 4, especially in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner in the axial and / or radial directions about the geometric fastener axis A. Here, the fastener 4 has a shaft section 6 extending along the geometric fastener axis A, which at least partially passes through the mating member 2 and extends into the support member 3. Figure 2 a) It can be seen that the fastener 4 preferably passes completely through the mating member 2 and partially through the support member 3. It is also conceivable that the fastener, in the assembled state, passes completely through the mating member 2 and the support member 3.
[0034] At least in the assembled state of the mating member 2 on the support member 3, the fastener 4 has a head section 7 connected to the shaft section 6. The head section 7 has a support surface 8, which directly and / or indirectly engages with the mating support surface 9 of the mating member 2 according to the target assembly state during engagement. The term "direct engagement" should be understood herein as the head section 7 directly abutting against the mating member 2 in the assembled state, such that the support surface 8 abuts against the mating support surface 9. Figure 2 a) shows the direct engagement between support surface 8 and mating support surface 9.
[0035] It is also conceivable that the fastener 4 has a fastening auxiliary 10, which is arranged between the head segment 7 and the mating member 2 in the assembled state, such as... Figure 2 As shown in c). Then, the support surface 8 and the mating support surface 9 abut against the fixing auxiliary member 10 respectively. The term "indirect engagement" should be understood herein as the head segment 7 abutting against the mating member 2 via the fixing auxiliary member 10 in the assembled state (Fig. 2c). Here, the fixing auxiliary member 10 is preferably designed as annular.
[0036] The head segment 7 preferably has a circular outer profile 11 in the region of the support surface 8. The outer profile 11 of the head segment 7 can also be designed in different shapes, such as hexagons. As shown in the figures, the mating support surface 9 appears in direct engagement due to the geometry of the support surface 8 and, more precisely, due to the shape of the head segment 7—the outer profile 11 of the head segment 7. In the case of indirect engagement between the support surface 8 and the mating support surface 9, the mating support surface 9 appears due to the geometry of the fixing auxiliary member 10, particularly the radial edge profile 12.
[0037] To detect whether the support surface 8 engages with the mating support surface 9, the engagement device 1 has a measuring and testing device 13. The measuring and testing device 13 is designed to detect the indirect and / or direct engagement between the support surface 8 and the mating support surface 9 according to the target assembly state. Figure 2 a) and Figure 2 c)).
[0038] Importantly, the measuring and testing equipment 13 is designed to measure the temperature and / or temperature change of the mating pair 2 and / or fastener 4 within a test area 14 adjacent to the mating support surface 9 and / or support surface 8, and to identify the indirect and / or direct engagement of the support surface 8 with the mating support surface 9 based on the measured temperature and / or temperature change.
[0039] During the engagement process, the shaft segment 6 engages with the mating member 2 and / or the support member 3, thereby generating friction between the components in engagement, which causes the corresponding components to heat up. Even if the support surface 8 does not engage with the mating support surface 9, the mating member 2 will still heat up in the detection area 14 due to heat conduction, and therefore the target assembly state will not be achieved, such as... Figure 2 b) Figure 2 d) and Figure 3 As shown in c).
[0040] However, if the head segment 7 of the fastener 4 is directly and / or indirectly engaged with the mating member 2, thereby achieving the target assembly state, a frictional effect occurs between the head segment 7 and the mating member 2, causing additional heat generation in the areas of the support surface 8 and the mating support surface 9. Due to heat conduction, the test area 14 adjacent to the mating support surface 9 and / or the support surface 8 is heated more intensely than when the support surface 8 is not engaged with the mating support surface 9, as... Figure 2 a) Figure 2 c) and Figure 3 As shown in b).
[0041] When the head segment 7 engages with the mating member 2, the heat generated during the engagement process and absorbed by the shaft segment 6 can be transferred to the mating member 2 in the areas of the support surface 8 and the mating support surface 9 through heat conduction, thereby further enhancing this effect. As a result, the mating member 2 generates additional heat in the area of the mating support surface 9, and thus the test area 14 also experiences additional heating.
[0042] Therefore, when the target assembly state is reached, the temperature of the mating parts 2 and / or fasteners 4 appearing in test area 14 rises (e.g., Figure 3 (b) The temperature rise is significantly higher than that during the joining process when the support surface 8 is not engaged with the mating support surface 9 (as shown in the figure). Figure 3 (as shown in c)). In this way, the engagement of the support surface 8 with the mating support surface 9 can be determined in a particularly reliable manner based on the measured temperature and / or temperature changes.
[0043] The friction and heat generated during the joining process depend on the joining speed, the joining force, and the friction pair between the mating member 2 and the retainer 4. The term "friction pair" should be understood as all the influencing factors of the mating member 2 and the retainer 4 that affect the frictional behavior between the two components. For example, only material pairs and surface roughness are mentioned here.
[0044] Furthermore, it was interestingly discovered that the measured temperature and / or temperature changes not only identify the indirect and / or direct engagement between the support surface 8 and the mating support surface 9, but also, based on the measured temperature and / or temperature changes, whether the fastener 4 has been connected to the mating member 2 and the support member 3 using pre-given target parameters, particularly with a target engagement force and / or a target engagement torque. Therefore, even if the support surface 8 and the mating support surface 9 are already indirectly and / or directly engaged, it is still possible to identify connections established with excessively low engagement forces and / or engagement torques, thereby improving the security of the connection between the mating member 2 and the support member 3.
[0045] As explained above, in the assembled state, the test area 14 is directly adjacent to the support surface 8 and / or the mating support surface 9. The test area 14 extends here, preferably radially around the mating support surface 9, and is particularly designed as an annular surface surrounding the mating support surface 9. Particularly advantageously, the test area 14 has a radial outer contour 16 corresponding to the outer contour 15 of the mating support surface 9. The distance between the radial outer contour 16 of the test area 14 and the outer contour 15 of the mating support surface 9 is the same at any location on the radial outer contour 16. Alternatively or additionally, the test area 14 can be directly connected to the support surface 8 and formed in the region of the radial outer surface 17 of the head segment 7.
[0046] If using fixed auxiliary component 10, such as Figure 2 As shown in c), the test area 14 can further extend beyond the fixing auxiliary member 10. Therefore, the test area 14 can extend around the support surface 8 on the end side 18 of the fixing auxiliary member 10 facing the head segment 7. Additionally, the test area 14 can also be formed in the region of the outer contour 11 of the fixing auxiliary member 10, as shown in c). Figure 2 As shown in c).
[0047] Preferably, the distance between the radial outer contour 16 of the test area 14 and the outer contour 15 of the mating support surface 9 is between 0.5 mm and 10 mm, more preferably between 0.5 mm and 7.5 mm, and even more preferably between 0.5 mm and 5 mm.
[0048] Preferably, the distance between the axial outer contour 19 of the test area 14 and the support surface 8 is between 0.5 mm and 10 mm, more preferably between 0.5 mm and 7.5 mm, and even more preferably between 0.5 mm and 5 mm.
[0049] It is possible to conceive of measuring temperature and / or temperature changes at one or more locations within test area 14. The measured temperature and / or temperature changes can then be considered individually or their mathematical averages can be calculated.
[0050] In the following text, the term "joint" is used to indicate the indirect and / or direct joint between the support surface 8 and the mating support surface 9. An indirect or direct joint will only be explicitly stated when the distinction between indirect and direct joints is definitive.
[0051] In the accompanying drawings, and in this preferred embodiment, the fastener 4 is designed as a screw and / or has a screw. In this case, the head segment 7 is a screw head. In principle, according to an embodiment not shown here, a nut may also form a head segment. When using the fastening auxiliary 10, this fastening auxiliary can in particular be designed as a washer.
[0052] Preferably, the fastener 4 is a threaded screw or a self-tapping screw. In this way, engagement can be performed in a particularly simple manner, because it is not necessary to pre-thread the screw into the support 3 and, if necessary, the mating part 2.
[0053] However, it is also conceivable that the fastener 4 is a threaded screw, which is screwed into the cut threads of the mating member 2 and, if necessary, the support member 3. In another alternative, and hereby preferred, embodiment, the fastener 4 has a screw that screws onto a nut to connect the mating member 2 to the support member 3. The engagement is described below with reference to the fastener 4 designed as a screw, which should be understood as merely an example and not an exhaustive list.
[0054] The screw can be any type of screw with a head section 7, especially a countersunk screw.
[0055] As explained above, friction during engagement is influenced by a variety of factors. For the screw, which serves as the fastener 4, this includes, for example, the engagement speed, i.e., the screw rotation speed n during engagement, the thread pitch, the torque M when tightening the screw, and the friction pair between the mating parts 2 and the fastener 4.
[0056] Furthermore, it is preferably specified herein that the measuring and testing equipment 13 is designed to form characteristic values from measured temperatures and / or temperature changes, and to identify the indirect and / or direct engagement of the support surface 8 and the mating support surface 9 by exceeding a limit threshold characteristic value. The term "characteristic value" should be understood herein as a dimensional value used for quantification and based on a specification for a reproducible measurement of a variable, state, or process. Therefore, the characteristic value is compared with a pre-defined threshold characteristic value.
[0057] If temperature and / or temperature changes are measured at multiple locations within test area 14, a characteristic value can be generated for each measurement location, and exceeding a threshold characteristic value at a location represents confirmation of the target assembly state of the connection. Alternatively, it is conceivable that the existence of the target assembly state of the connection is confirmed only if the threshold characteristic value is exceeded at all measurement locations. The measurement results can also be averaged, thereby confirming the existence of the target assembly state of the connection, for example, by the characteristic value obtained by averaging the measurement results exceeding the threshold characteristic value.
[0058] If temperature and / or temperature changes are measured at multiple locations in the test area 14, the presence of a target assembly state with connection can be determined in a particularly reliable manner. Then, based on the different temperatures and / or temperature changes at different locations, it can be identified that the support surface 8 is not uniformly engaged indirectly and / or directly with the mating support surface 9, thereby reliably identifying other states deviating from the target assembly state.
[0059] Preferably, the measurement and testing device 13 is designed to generate a quality signal based on characteristic values. The quality signal can be an optical signal, an acoustic signal, an electrical signal, and / or an electronic signal. Therefore, for example, an optical display device can be provided to indicate whether a limit threshold characteristic value has been exceeded. Alternatively or additionally, it can be acoustically indicated whether a limit threshold characteristic value has been exceeded.
[0060] If the limiting threshold characteristic value corresponds to a temperature value, the presence of a connection between the mating member 2 and the support member 3 corresponding to the target assembly state can be identified in a particularly simple way. A temperature exceeding a certain level in the test area 14 for the support member 3 and / or the fastener 4 indicates that the connection corresponds to the target assembly state. It should be noted that the measured temperature within the test area 14 depends on the ambient temperature and the temperatures of the mating member 2, the fastener 4, and the support member 3 at the start of the joining process. Therefore, the temperature value is particularly suitable as a limiting threshold characteristic value, especially when the ambient temperature and the temperatures of the mating member 2, the fastener 4, and the support member 3 at the start of the joining process are known.
[0061] Alternatively or additionally, it can be envisioned that the limiting threshold characteristic value corresponds to the temperature change of the support 3 and / or the fastener 4 in the test area 14. In this way, the target assembly state can be determined independently of the absolute temperature of the support 3 and / or the fastener 4 in the test area 14. Therefore, it is not necessary to know the temperatures of the mating parts 2, the fastener 4, and the support 3 at the start of the mating process, thereby simplifying the determination of the target assembly state. In this document, the limiting threshold characteristic value can be from 0.3 K to 10 K, preferably from 0.4 K to 5 K, and more preferably from 0.5 K to 3 K.
[0062] In the accompanying drawings, and alternatively or additionally in the preferred embodiment, the limiting threshold characteristic value corresponds to the temperature change over a predetermined time period. Then, the presence of a connection between the mating member 2 and the support member 3 according to the target assembly state can be detected in a particularly reliable manner, independent of the ambient temperature and the temperatures of the mating member 2, the fastener 4, and the support member 3. Preferably, the limiting threshold characteristic value is 0.5 K / s to 25 K / s, more preferably 0.75 K / s to 15 K / s, and more preferably 1 K / s to 5 K / s.
[0063] exist Figure 3 In diagram a), the connection between the mating member 2 and the support member 3 is schematically illustrated by plotting torque M and rotational speed n over time, using a fastener 4 designed as a screw and, if necessary, a fastening auxiliary member 10 designed as a washer as part of the fastening auxiliary member 4. The mating member 2 is tightened to the support member 3 using the torque and rotational speed described above. At the beginning of screwing in the screw, the rotational speed n remains constant, while the torque M initially increases slightly and then becomes increasingly larger. When the support surface 8 of the head segment 7, in the target assembly state, engages with the mating support surface 9 of the support member 3 at time t0, or when further tightening at time t0 requires a higher torque M, the rotational speed n becomes zero. Simultaneously, the torque M reaches its maximum value.
[0064] Figure 3 (b) An example is shown in the time-varying curves of the test area 14 for the mating parts 2 during and after the mating process, within which the target assembly state is achieved. Figure 3 (b) It can be seen that during the bonding process up to time point t0, the temperature of the mating component 2 in test area 14 only slightly increases to temperature T0. From time point t0 onwards, the temperature of the mating component 2 in test area 14 increases significantly and more strongly, exceeding temperature T0+ΔT before time point t0+Δt. min In the temperature measurement of the fastener 4 in test area 14, the same qualitative curve of temperature change over time was obtained.
[0065] Figure 3c) Exemplarily shown is the temperature of the mating member 2 in test area 14 in a time-varying curve during and after the mating process, within which the target assembly state is not reached, for example because the fastener 4, designed as a screw, is hooked and / or stuck in the support 3, or because, for example, dirt prevents the fastener 4 from further penetrating into the support 3 and / or the mating member 2. Figure 3 c) It can be seen that during the bonding process up to time point t0, the temperature of the mating parts 2 in test area 14 only slightly increases to temperature T0. Here, the temperature characteristics during bonding are substantially independent of whether the target assembly state is achieved. From time point t0 onwards, the temperature of the mating parts 2 in test area 14 increases slightly more strongly if necessary. However, until the determined time point t0+Δt, the temperature does not reach or exceed temperature T0+ΔT. min In the temperature measurement of the fastener 4 in test area 14, a qualitatively consistent temperature change curve over time was obtained.
[0066] from Figure 3 b) and Figure 3 The summary in c) clearly shows that only after the joining process, when the target assembly state is reached, does a corresponding sharp temperature rise occur in the mating parts 2 and / or fasteners 4 in test area 14. In this regard, the limiting threshold characteristic value is preferably designed as the temperature value T0 + ΔT. min Temperature change ΔT or temperature change ΔT over a predetermined time period min / Δt.
[0067] When the measuring and testing equipment 13 is designed for non-contact measurement of temperature and / or temperature change, it can measure the temperature and / or temperature change of the support 3 and / or fixture 4 in the test area 14 in a particularly simple manner, such as Figure 1 As shown. Preferably, the measurement and testing device 13 has at least one optical sensor for non-contact measurement of temperature and / or temperature change. The optical sensor can advantageously be a thermal imaging camera or multiple imaging cameras and / or one or more thermoelectric sensors. Thermal imaging cameras and thermoelectric sensors are cost-effective and reliable.
[0068] It is conceivable that the measurement and testing equipment 13 is designed to continuously measure the temperature and / or temperature change of the mating member 2 and / or the fastener 4 in the test area 14. If a limit threshold characteristic value is exceeded, a reliability test can be performed if necessary to determine whether the mating member 2 and the support member 3 engaged before the limit threshold characteristic value was exceeded, or whether the engagement of the mating member 2 and the support member 3 occurred in a corresponding time overlap.
[0069] In an alternative, and indeed preferred, embodiment, the measurement and testing device 13 is designed to initiate the measurement process based on a start signal, preferably a start signal generated by the bonding device 5. For this purpose, the measurement and testing device 13 is connected to the bonding device 5 via signal technology. Measurement by the measurement and testing device 13 begins upon receiving the start signal. By starting measurements sequentially, the reliability test mentioned above can be omitted. Furthermore, erroneous measurements unrelated to the bonding process can be avoided. Moreover, if measurements are performed only during the bonding process, the measurement and testing device 13 can be used more efficiently.
[0070] Preferably, when the mating member 2 is connected to the support member 3, a starting signal is generated when the engagement parameters exceed, fall below, and / or reach a limit threshold. The term "engagement parameters" should be understood herein as all framework conditions affecting the engagement process, such as the force (engagement force) acting between the support surface 8 and the mating support surface 9 in the assembled state, the torque M acting on the fastener 4 (particularly the head segment 7) and / or the mating member 2, and / or the rotational speed n (particularly the absolute rotational speed or the rotational speed relative to the mating member 2) of the fastener 4 (particularly the head segment 7). Therefore, it is particularly advantageous that the limit threshold corresponds to the force, torque M, and / or rotational speed n. For example, a starting signal can be generated when a predetermined torque M for screw tightening is exceeded and / or reached. Alternatively or additionally, a starting signal can also be generated when the rotational speed n (e.g., the screw's rotational speed) is below and / or reached. Other or additional methods for generating the starting signal are also conceivable.
[0071] A particular advantage is that once the joining process is completed ( Figure 3 Measurements are started at time point t0 using test equipment 13. Since heat conduction from the mating support surface 9 to the test area 14 takes time, it is sufficient to begin measurements immediately after the mating process, as per reference. Figure 3 As already explained.
[0072] The measurement and testing device 13 can stop after a predetermined time and / or after exceeding a limit threshold characteristic value. Therefore, the first termination criterion for measurement can be exceeding the limit threshold characteristic value. If the limit threshold characteristic value is not exceeded within the predetermined time, this can be used as the second termination criterion for measurement.
[0073] Furthermore, preferably, the measuring and testing device 13 has an analysis unit 20. This is particularly advantageous when measuring temperature and / or temperature changes using a thermal imaging camera (e.g., an infrared camera). The image captured by the thermal imaging camera can then be directly analyzed by the analysis unit 20. Preferably, the analysis unit 20 is designed to automatically identify the mating support surface 9 and / or the test area 14. Therefore, the analysis unit 20 can eliminate unimportant areas of the mating parts 2, support 3, and / or fastener 4, such as the head segment 7, and / or ignore them during measurement. Simultaneously, the test area 14 can be automatically identified and analyzed accordingly. Therefore, it is not necessary to specifically align the sensor and / or thermal imaging camera with the test area 14.
[0074] Furthermore, it is preferably specified herein that the measuring and testing device 13 has a documentation unit 21 or is coupled to a documentation unit 21, and the documentation unit 21 is designed to assign quality standards to each mating member 2 connected to the support member 3 based on the measured temperature and / or temperature changes. The term "coupled" here should be understood as a connection at least in signal technology, that is, the connection at least allows information and / or signals to be transmitted from the measuring and testing device 13 to the documentation unit 21.
[0075] In particularly simple cases, the quality standard can be a positive value, indicating that the engagement of support surface 8 and mating support surface 9 has been identified by measuring temperature and / or temperature changes, or a negative value, indicating that the engagement of support surface 8 and mating support surface 9 has not been achieved by measuring temperature and / or temperature changes. In this way, it is possible to record which mating component 2 has been connected to support component 3 corresponding to the target assembly state, for example, within the framework of a quality assurance system. In this way, even with a large number of workpieces, the quality of the connection between mating component 2 and support component 3 can be monitored, and a quality standard can be assigned to each connection. This allows for the identification of individual connections or batches that do not conform to the target assembly state.
[0076] It is preferable to store quality standards here so as to allow quality standards to be assigned to specific joining processes over a longer period of time.
[0077] In the accompanying drawings and in the preferred embodiment therein, the engagement device 1 has a control and adjustment unit 22 or is electrically connected to the control and adjustment unit 22, and the control and adjustment unit 22 is designed to change at least one engagement parameter according to the measured temperature and / or temperature change when engaging the engagement mating member 2 to the support member 3.
[0078] Therefore, for example, if it is identified, based on measured temperature and / or temperature changes, that engagement between support surface 8 and mating support surface 9 has not occurred, the engagement process between mating element 2 and support element 3 can be immediately repeated with one or more altered engagement parameters. Thus, fastening element 4, for example designed as a screw, can be retightened using a higher torque M. This process can be repeated until engagement between support surface 8 and mating support surface 9 is identified or another termination criterion is met.
[0079] Alternatively or additionally, it is conceivable to adjust one or more engagement parameters for subsequent engagement processes. Therefore, based on the understanding that previous engagement processes did not result in engagement between support surface 8 and mating support surface 9, the engagement parameters for subsequent engagement processes can be changed. For example, when using a screw as the fastener 4, the torque M can be increased.
[0080] Alternatively or additionally, one or more engagement parameters can be changed only if pre-given change conditions are met. Therefore, multiple consecutive engagement processes that do not result in engagement between the support surface 8 and the mating support surface 9, or a pre-given set of engagement processes, can cause changes in the engagement parameters.
[0081] To ensure reliable engagement of the mating member 2 and the support member 3, it is preferable that the engagement device 1 has at least one clamping device 23 that holds the mating member 2 and the support member 3 in a target engagement position, where engagement of the two components can be performed. This ensures that the mating member 2 and the support member 3 are arranged relative to each other such that engagement of the two components can be reliably performed by means of the fastener 4. Figure 1 and Figure 2 It can be seen that the incorrect positioning of the mating member 2 relative to the support member 3 makes the insertion of the fastener 4 and thus engagement difficult and / or impossible.
[0082] Alternatively or additionally, it is conceivable that the engagement device 1 has a position identification element for identifying a target engagement position of the engagement mating member 2 and the support member 3, in which engagement of the two components is possible. If the engagement mating member 2 and the support member 3 are not in the target engagement position, the engagement process can be prevented from starting, and a fault message can be issued if necessary.
[0083] Particularly advantageously, the mating member 2, the support member 3, and / or the fastener 4 are made of plastic and / or metal. In the preferred embodiment shown in the drawings, the mating member 2 is made of plastic, while the fastener 4 is made of metal. With this combination of materials, the target assembly state of the connection between the mating member 2 and the support member 3 can be determined in a particularly reliable manner by measuring the temperature and / or temperature change of the mating member 2 in the test area 14.
[0084] To prevent temperature measurements in test area 14 from being affected by other heat sources (especially radiation sources), the bonding device 1 is provided with a shield 24. This shield, to shield against external interference (especially other heat sources), at least partially surrounds the bonding area where the bonding mating parts 2 are connected to the support 3 by means of a fastener 4. The use of the shield 24 is particularly meaningful when the bonding mating parts 2 are designed to be made of a low-emissivity material (e.g., metal), and it is capable of reflecting radiation from surrounding radiation and heat sources.
[0085] The term "joining area" should be interpreted broadly herein and should be understood as an area in which the connection between the mating member 2 and the support member 3 is made by means of the fastener 4. Here, the shield 24 can at least partially surround the joining area formed by the test area 14 and, for example, the head segment 7 and / or the fixing auxiliary member 10. Alternatively or additionally, it is also conceivable that the shield 24 at least partially surrounds the entire mating member 2, the entire support member 3, and the entire fastener 4.
[0086] To improve the measurement of temperature and / or temperature changes, it is preferably specified that the mating parts 2 and / or the fasteners 4 have at least partially a coating within the test area 14 for altering reflection, absorption, and / or transmission.
[0087] This allows for the inexpensive and material-independent improvement of temperature and / or temperature change measurements in test area 14.
[0088] Furthermore, based on further teachings of independent significance, a method of joining a mating member 2 to a support member 3 by means of a fastener 4 having a geometric fastener axis A, particularly by means of a proposed joining device 1, wherein, in the assembled state of the mating member 2 on the support member 3, the fastener 4 has a shaft segment 6 extending along the geometric fastener axis A and a head segment 7 connected to the shaft segment 6, the shaft segment extending at least partially through the mating member 2 and the support member 3, the head segment having a support surface 8, which, according to the target assembly state, indirectly and / or directly engages with a mating support surface 9 of the support member 3, wherein the mating member 2 is connected to the support member 3 by means of the fastener 4, and wherein the indirect and / or direct engagement of the support surface 8 and the mating support surface 9 is determined by means of a measuring and testing device 13.
[0089] Importantly, the temperature and / or temperature change of the mating member 2 and / or the fastener 4 are measured in the test area 14 adjacent to the support surface 8 and / or the mating support surface 9, and the indirect and / or direct engagement of the support surface 8 and the mating support surface 9 is identified based on the measured temperature and / or temperature change. This allows reference to all embodiments of the proposed engagement device 1. It is then possible to identify, in a particularly simple and reliable manner, whether the mating member 2 has been connected to the support member 3 by means of the fastener 4 according to the target assembly state.
[0090] Particularly advantageously, characteristic values are formed from measured temperatures and / or temperature changes, and the indirect and / or direct engagement of the support surface 8 and the mating support surface 9 is identified by exceeding a limit threshold characteristic value. Preferably, a quality signal is generated when the limit threshold characteristic value is exceeded.
[0091] Furthermore, it is preferably specified here that a quality standard is assigned to each mating member 2 already connected to the support member 3 based on measurements of temperature and / or temperature changes. This simple method enables the creation of a quality system that assigns a quality standard to each spliced component consisting of mating members 2 via fasteners 4 and support members 3. Preferably, this quality standard is a criterion for whether the support surface 8 is placed on the mating support surface 9.
[0092] When at least one engagement parameter is changed based on the measured temperature and / or temperature change during the engagement of the mating member 2 and the support member 3, a particularly simple and effective adjustment of the engagement process can be achieved.
[0093] List of reference numerals in the attached diagram:
[0094] 1. Connecting device
[0095] 2. Connecting mating parts
[0096] 3 Support components
[0097] 4. Fasteners
[0098] 5. Joining equipment
[0099] 6. Shaft section
[0100] 7. Head segment
[0101] 8 Support surface
[0102] 9. Paired support surfaces
[0103] 10 Fixing Auxiliary Components
[0104] 11 Outer contour
[0105] 12 Radial edge profile
[0106] 13 Measurement and Testing Equipment
[0107] 14 Test Area
[0108] 15 Outer contour
[0109] 16 Radial outer contour
[0110] 17. Outer surface
[0111] 18 end face
[0112] 19. Axial outer contour
[0113] 20 Analysis Units
[0114] 21 Document Unit
[0115] 22 Control and Regulation Unit
[0116] 23. Clamping device
[0117] 24 Shielding components
[0118] A. Geometric fixed center axis
[0119] n rotational speed
[0120] M torque
Claims
1. A joining device (1) for connecting a mating member (2) to a support member (3) by means of a fastener (4) having a geometric fastener axis (A), wherein the joining device (1) has a joining device (5) for connecting the mating member (2) to the support member (3) by means of the fastener (4), wherein, in an assembled state of the mating member (2) and the support member (3), the fastener (4) has a shaft segment (6) extending along the geometric fastener axis (A) and a head segment (7) connected to the shaft segment (6), the shaft segment extending at least partially through the mating member (2) and the support member (3), the head segment having a support surface (8) indirectly and / or directly engaging with a mating support surface (9) of the support member (3) according to a target assembly state, wherein the joining device (1) has a measuring and testing device (13) for identifying the indirect and / or direct engagement of the support surface (8) and the mating support surface (9), Its features are, The measuring and testing equipment (13) is designed to measure the temperature and / or temperature change of the mating pair (2) and / or the fastener (4) in a test area (14) adjacent to the support surface (8) and / or the mating support surface (9), and to identify the indirect and / or direct engagement of the support surface (8) and the mating support surface (9) based on the measured temperature and / or temperature change.
2. The joining device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The fastener (4) is designed as a screw and / or has screws.
3. The coupling device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The measurement and testing equipment (13) is designed to form characteristic values from the measured temperature and / or temperature changes, and to identify the engagement of the support surface (8) with the mating support surface (9) by exceeding the limit threshold characteristic value.
4. The joining device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The measurement and testing equipment (13) is designed to generate a quality signal when the said limit threshold characteristic value is exceeded.
5. The joining device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The limit threshold feature value corresponds to a temperature value; or, the limit threshold feature value corresponds to a temperature change; or, the limit threshold feature value corresponds to a temperature change within a predetermined time period.
6. The joining device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The measurement and testing device (13) is designed for non-contact measurement of temperature and / or temperature change, and the measurement and testing device (13) has at least one optical sensor and / or at least one thermoelectric sensor for non-contact measurement of the temperature and / or temperature change of the support (3) within the test area (14).
7. The joining device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The at least one optical sensor is a thermal imaging camera.
8. The coupling device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The measurement and testing equipment (13) is designed to continuously measure the temperature and / or temperature change of the mating member (2) and / or the fastener (4) in the test area (14), or the measurement and testing equipment (13) is designed to start the measurement process according to a start signal.
9. The joining device according to claim 8, characterized in that, The measurement and testing equipment (13) is designed to start the measurement process based on a start signal generated by the engagement device (5).
10. The coupling device according to claim 8, characterized in that, When the mating member (2) is connected to the support member (3), a start signal is generated when the limit threshold characteristic value of the mating parameter is exceeded, lowered or reached.
11. The coupling device according to claim 10, characterized in that, The limit threshold characteristic value corresponds to force, torque (M), or rotational speed (n).
12. The coupling device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The measurement and testing equipment (13) has an analysis unit (20).
13. The coupling device according to claim 12, characterized in that, The analysis unit (20) is designed to automatically identify the paired support surface (9) and / or the test area (14).
14. The coupling device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The joining device (1) has a document unit (21) or is connected to a document unit (21); and the document unit (21) is designed to assign a quality standard to each joining mating piece (2) connected to the support (3) based on a measurement of temperature and / or temperature change.
15. The coupling device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The engagement device (1) has a control and adjustment unit (22) or is electrically connected to the control and adjustment unit (22); and the control and adjustment unit (22) is designed to change at least one engagement parameter according to the measured temperature and / or temperature change when the engagement mating member (2) engages with the support member (3).
16. The coupling device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The joining device (1) has a clamping device (23) that holds the joining pair (2) and the support (3) in an unjoined state in a target joining position in which the joining of the two joining parts can be initiated; or, the joining device (1) has a position identifier for identifying the target joining position of the joining pair (2) and the support (3) in which the joining of the two joining parts can be initiated.
17. The coupling device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The mating member (2), the support member (3), and / or the fastener (4) are designed to be made of plastic and / or metal.
18. The coupling device according to claim 17, characterized in that, The mating member (2) is designed to be made of plastic, while the fastener (4) is designed to be made of metal.
19. The coupling device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The joining device (1) has a shield (24) that, in order to shield against interference, at least partially surrounds the joining area formed by the joining mating member (2), the support member (3) and the fixing member (4).
20. The coupling device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The joining device (1) has a shield (24) that, in order to shield a heat source, at least partially surrounds the joining area formed by the joining mating member (2), the support member (3) and the fixing member (4).
21. The coupling device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The mating member (2) and / or the fastener (4) have at least a partial coating in the test area (14) to alter reflection, absorption and / or transmission.