Tool for setting expanding rivets

Abstract

Tool (1) for setting expanding rivets (2), the pins (2.3) of which have a plate (2.4) at their free end, comprising a plunger (5) which is arranged axially movably in a housing (4), wherein at one end of the housing a receiving chamber (10) for receiving the expanding rivet (2) and a clamping device for holding the plate (2.4) of the pin (2.3) are provided, which clamping device consists of an elastic adhesive element, characterized in that the adhesive element is an O-ring (11) which is arranged on the outer circumference of the housing (4) at the level of the insertion end formed by the plate (2.4) of the expanding rivet (2) inserted into the receiving chamber (10) and projects with part of its circumference into the receiving chamber (10), so that the O-ring (11) can encompass the plate (2.4) at two points on its circumference.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a tool for setting expanding rivets, in particular expanding rivets with a pin having a plate at its free end, wherein the tool consists of a ram movable in a housing for driving the pin into the expanding rivet, according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

[0002] Expanding rivets are used in a variety of ways, particularly in the automotive industry. Expanding rivets are divided into those with a stud and those without a stud. Expanding rivets are typically installed individually by hand using a tool. However, they can also be applied using a robot, with the installation tool being designed the same in both cases. However, when installed manually, a knob is provided to actuate the plunger, while in automated installation, it is moved by a drive unit on the robot.

[0003] DE 40 08 829 A1 discloses a hand-held device for setting expanding rivets. The device includes a knob connected to a plunger movable within a housing. The end of the housing opposite the knob has a receiving chamber for receiving the expanding rivet to be set, which is inserted into this receiving chamber by hand. To hold the expanding rivet in the receiving chamber, three spring tongues are provided on the circumference of the housing in the area of ​​the receiving chamber. These spring tongues can engage and clamp the pin of the expanding rivet through slots in the housing. Such an arrangement can only hold expanding rivets with pins without plates. Other prior art documents that disclose tools for setting expanding rivets without plates are US 2 932 422 A, DE 10 2009 036 334 A1, and DE 27 14 504 A1.

[0004] If expanding rivets are to be held with a pin that has a plate, the generic US 4 709 841 A proposes arranging three rubber fingers on the inner circumference of the receiving chamber of the hand tool, which are connected to a ring on the front side of the receiving chamber and are supported on the inside of the housing. The inner holding surfaces of the fingers are conical so that even plates with diameter tolerances can be held securely. Since the flange of the expanding rivet must rest against the front end of the housing for setting, this generic arrangement has the disadvantage that when inserting an expanding rivet into the receiving chamber, the plate is held by the fingers relatively early and is thus pushed into the expanding rivet during further insertion. However, its expanding parts then open, so that the expanding rivet can no longer be mounted on the component.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to propose a clamping device for a tool for setting expanding rivets whose pins have a plate, with which expanding rivets with tolerances in the plate diameter can also be securely held.

[0006] This object is achieved according to the invention by the features of patent claim 1. The subclaims describe advantageous developments of the invention.

[0007] The advantage of the invention is that the O-ring only holds the plate of the pin and thus the expanding rivet with part of its circumference. Furthermore, the O-ring is positioned at the end of the receiving chamber, so that it only engages immediately when the expanding rivet is almost completely inserted into its receiving chamber. This reliably prevents the pin from pushing into the expanding rivet and expanding it while the expanding rivet is being inserted into the receiving chamber. This allows even inexpensive expanding rivets with diameter tolerances on the plate of + / - 0.6 mm to be securely held. The O-ring used is also a cost-effective mass-produced component.

[0008] The development of the invention according to claim 2 has the advantage that, in the event of a damaged O-ring, the entire tool does not have to be removed from the assembly. Instead, only a separate component needs to be removed and replaced with a new one with a new O-ring. This minimizes the need for complete replacement tools. Downtime is also minimized.

[0009] Advantageously, the separate component is designed as a turned part (cylindrical sleeve), as proposed in claim 3. It is thus simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

[0010] It is advisable to hold the O-ring in a groove, especially if the separate component is a sleeve.

[0011] Two segment-like holding surfaces have proven to be completely sufficient for holding expanding rivets with diameter-tolerant plates, as suggested in claim 5.

[0012] A suitable dimensioning for the slots according to claim 5 is proposed by claim 6.

[0013] The invention will be explained in more detail below using a preferred embodiment in conjunction with the drawings. They show: Fig. 1 a side view, partly in individual parts, of the tool according to the invention; Fig. 2 a longitudinal section through the front end of the tool with an expanding rivet inserted into a component; Fig. 3 a cross-section through the receiving chamber at the level of the O-ring.

[0014] In Fig. 1 shows a hand tool 1 for setting expanding rivets 2. It consists of a hand knob 3, a housing 4, a plunger 5, and a sleeve 6. The plunger 5 is guided axially displaceably within the housing 4. At its left end, it carries the hand knob 3. Its opposite end projects into the sleeve 6. For better gripping of the hand tool 1, a grip plate 7 is provided on its circumference. The structure of the hand tool 1, with the exception of the sleeve 6, and its mode of operation are generally known and will therefore not be described further.

[0015] The sleeve 6 is screwed to the housing 4 at the end opposite the handle 3. For this purpose, the housing 4 is provided with a shoulder 8 having an external thread 9. The expanding rivet 2 is commercially available and comprises expanding elements 2.1, a flange 2.2, and a pin 2.3 with a plate 2.4.

[0016] The sleeve 6 encloses a receiving chamber 10 ( Fig. 2), into which the expanding rivet 2 is pushed with its pin 2.3 until its flange 2.2 rests against the free end face of the sleeve.

[0017] An elastic O-ring 11 is used to hold the expanding rivet 2 in the receiving chamber 10, which is located in an annular groove 12 on the outer circumference of the sleeve 6, as shown in Fig. 2. Here, it is also evident that the O-ring 11 is arranged at the upper end of the receiving chamber 10, so that it can just encompass the plate 2.4 of the fully inserted expanding rivet 2 at two points along its circumference. For this purpose, slots 12.1 are milled into the annular groove 12 at two opposite points, which extend into the receiving chamber 10 ( Fig. 3).

[0018] If the plate 2.4 of the expanding rivet 2 varies in diameter, the inventive design of the O-ring and the length of the slots 12.1 in the annular groove 12 still ensure that it is held by the O-ring 11. Furthermore, its position and elasticity, as well as its ability to deflect radially outward without hindrance, prevent the pin 2.3 from being pushed into the expanding rivet 2, thus causing its expanding elements 2.1 to expand even before setting.

[0019] In Fig. 2 shows a longitudinal section through the sleeve 6 with the expanding rivet 2 inserted, wherein the hand tool 1 has already inserted the expanding rivet 2 into an opening 13 in a component 14, 15.

[0020] If the plunger 5 is now in Fig. 2 moves downwards, the lower end of the plunger 5 pushes the plate 2.4 and thus the pin 2.3 into the expanding rivet 2. As a result, its expanding elements 2.1 expand and hold the component 14 to the component 15.

[0021] If the O-ring 11 becomes dirty or worn, it can be quickly replaced on-site. Alternatively, it is possible to simply unscrew the sleeve 6 containing the O-ring 11 to be replaced and replace it with a new one. The time and cost involved are minimal. This means that the hand tool 1 is quickly available again.

Claims

[1] Tool (1) for setting expanding rivets (2), the pins (2.3) of which have a plate (2.4) at their free end, consisting of a plunger (5) which is arranged to be axially movable in a housing (4), wherein at one end of the housing there is provided a receiving chamber (10) for receiving the expanding rivet (2) and a clamping device for holding the plate (2.4) of the pin (2.3), which clamping device consists of an elastic adhesive element, characterized by that the adhesive element is an O-ring (11) which is arranged on the outer circumference of the housing (4) at the level of the insertion end formed by the plate (2.4) of the expanding rivet (2) inserted into the receiving chamber (10) and projects with a part of its circumference into the receiving chamber (10), so that the O-ring (11) can encompass the plate (2.4) at two points on its circumference [2] Tool (1) according to claim 1, characterized bythat the receiving chamber (10) is arranged in a separate component (6) which is connected to the housing (4). [3] Tool (1) according to claim 2, characterized by that the separate component is a cylindrical sleeve (6) which is connected to the housing (4) via a screw connection (9). [4] Tool (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the sleeve (6) has a groove (12) on its outer circumference for receiving the O-ring (11). [5] Tool (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that at least two slots (12.1, 12.2) are provided in the groove (12). [6] Tool (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the width of the slots (12.1) is dimensioned such that the smallest outer diameter of the plate (2.4) is held straight by the area of ​​the O-ring (11) projecting through the slots (12.1).

Images