Arrangement comprising a stack of sheet metal made up of at least three stacked layers of sheet metal, electrical contact comprising this arrangement and method for clinching a stack of sheet metal

Abstract

Arrangement (1) comprising a stack of sheet metal (4) composed of at least three directly adjacent sheet metal layers (2), the directly adjacent sheet metal layers (2a, 2b) of which are each connected to each other in pairs by at least one clinch joint (28), wherein the at least one sheet metal layer (2) arranged between the sheet metal layers (2a, 2b) connected by the respective clinch joint (28) and at least one outer surface (6) of the stack of sheet metal (4) has at least one access recess (8, 8a, 8b) aligned with the respective clinch joint (28).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an arrangement comprising a stack of sheet metal assembled from at least three superimposed layers. The invention further relates to a method for manufacturing the stack of sheet metal and to an electrical contact comprising an arrangement.

[0002] There are various ways to join multiple layers of sheet metal. For example, welding can create a reliable, material-bonded connection. However, a disadvantage of this method is that the high thermal stress during welding can damage heat-sensitive components of the sheet metal layers. A purely mechanical solution for joining the sheet metal layers is, for example, bolting, although this increases the weight and size of the assembly.

[0003] US Patent 5,923,112 A relates to a laminated article, particularly for electrical use, comprising stacked metal sheets provided with elements or clips for joining the sheets together. The clips project from a surface of the sheets and are formed by deformation of the sheets. The sheets contain cavities spaced at an angle to the clips. Each cavity is arranged to receive a corresponding clip from an adjacent sheet, so that the sheets are joined to one another via the clips and cavities. The cavities and clips form separate coupling elements. The cavities are preferably continuous cavities extending from one flat surface of the sheet to an opposite flat surface.

[0004] WO 2020 / 135 927 A1 concerns a process for producing a laminate from a number of sets of metal parts, with a multi-layer stamping process step for cutting these sets from a layered base material. The individual layers are interlocked by local plastic deformation within the contour of the metal parts to be cut, for which a bead is formed on the layered base material and on the metal parts cut from it. In the multi-layer stamping process step, each set of metal parts is provided with a hole to receive the bead of an adjacent set of metal parts in the laminate.

[0005] DE 103 52 761 A1 relates to a connection contact for electrically connecting a printed circuit board or a stamped grid. The connection contact is formed by a stamping and embossing process with a press-fit zone of at least two layers and at least three (for example, six) spring arms that spring together and apart in a star-shaped pattern. The press-fit zone improves the mechanical and electrical connection with a printed circuit board or a stamped grid.

[0006] US Patent 4,760,634 A describes a method and apparatus for carrying out the method of joining stacked thin sheets or sheet metal sections, whereby stacked flat parts of both sheets are first deep-drawn together. The bottom area of ​​the deep-drawn flat parts is compressed and expanded. The radial expansion of the bottom area of ​​these deep-drawn flat parts is limited, resulting in plastic deformation of the sheet metal material, particularly in the edge region, so that a joint is formed.

[0007] The invention aims to provide a compact stack of sheet metal consisting of at least three layers of sheet metal joined together with high bond strength.

[0008] According to the invention, this objective is achieved firstly by an arrangement mentioned at the outset, wherein the directly adjacent sheet metal layers of the sheet metal stack are each connected to each other in pairs by at least one clinch joint, and wherein the at least one sheet metal layer arranged between the sheet metal layers connected by the respective clinch joint and at least one outer surface of the sheet metal stack has at least one access recess aligned with the respective clinch joint.

[0009] Secondly, the objective is achieved according to the invention by a method for joining a stack of sheet metal with at least three superimposed sheet metal layers, wherein the directly superimposed sheet metal layers of the stack are each joined together in pairs by at least one clinch joint and wherein a clinch jointing punch and / or a clinch jointing die is moved through at least one access recess of the at least one sheet metal layer arranged between at least one outer surface of the stack of sheet metal and the sheet metal layers to be joined together.

[0010] In clinching, also known as press-fit joining, a sheet metal layer is pressed into the directly adjacent sheet metal layer in a joining direction by a clinching die. The adjacent sheet metal layer rests on a clinching die, causing both sheet metal layers to deform plastically. This plastic deformation creates a positive and force-fit connection between the sheet metal layers. A durable mechanical joint is formed without the use of any filler material.

[0011] A key advantage over welding is that clinching is also suitable for heat-sensitive components, sheet metal layers made of different materials, and / or coated sheet metal layers. The access recesses allow clinching to join only one pair of sheet metal layers at a time, without stressing or deforming the material of the other layers. Joining the sheet metal layers in pairs results in a particularly strong connection of the sheet stack, as it avoids excessive stretching in the neck area of ​​the clinch joint, which could otherwise negatively affect the load-bearing capacity of the joint, especially under shear stress.

[0012] Further advantageous embodiments of the device and the method are explained below by way of example. The individual embodiments can be combined and interchanged independently of one another.

[0013] According to one exemplary embodiment, all directly adjacent sheet metal layers of the stack can be connected to each other in pairs by at least one clinch joint. This ensures that each sheet metal layer of the stack is fixed by at least one joint. Two pairs of sheet metal layers can overlap. That is, one sheet metal layer can be part of two different, joined pairs of sheet metal layers. In such an arrangement, the sheets facing away from each other in the sheet metal pairs are fixed relative to each other via the common sheet metal layer of the sheet metal pairs.

[0014] If multiple interlocking joints are present, the different interlocking joints can be spaced apart vertically and / or transversely to the stacking direction, so that the plastic deformation of one interlocking joint does not affect the other interlocking joint.

[0015] The clinch joint can form a projection extending from the sheet stack in the joining direction. The size, particularly the diameter, as well as the shape of the clinch joint or projection can be determined by the clinching die used in the process, especially by its shape and / or clear opening. Different clinch joints within the arrangement can differ in shape and size, which, however, might necessitate different clinching dies and / or punches. This is particularly advantageous when the sheet layers have different material thicknesses and / or compositions. With this design, the clinch joint can be optimized for each pair of sheet layers according to their material composition and / or thickness. Different clinching tools can be used for different clinch joints.

[0016] The joining direction, i.e., the direction in which the clinching die is moved during clinching and in which the clinch joint projects, can essentially run parallel to the stacking direction, i.e., the direction in which the sheet metal layers are stacked. The joining directions of clinch joints of different sheet metal layer pairs and / or of one and the same sheet metal layer pair can be parallel or antiparallel to each other.

[0017] If several sheet layers are arranged between the sheet pair to be joined and at least one outer surface of the sheet stack, all of these sheet layers can be penetrated by the at least one access recess, so that a continuous access recess is formed from the at least one outer surface to the nearest sheet layer of the sheet pair.

[0018] To avoid manufacturing errors, a specific joining direction can be specified for a particular punched joint, for example, by means of a coding. It is particularly advantageous if at least two different access recesses of a punched joint have different clear widths. In this way, the clear width of the access recesses can be used to create a coding effect without the need for an additional processing step.

[0019] The clear width of an access recess can, for example, be larger than the diameter of the clinch joint or the clear width of the clinching die, which can be determined by the diameter of the plastically deformed area or projection. The diameter of the plastically deformed area, in turn, depends on the diameter of the clinching die, particularly its clear width. The clinching die should be able to pass through this access recess. This is the case when the clear width of the access recess is larger than the outer diameter of the clinching die. Thus, an access recess dimensioned in this way can mark the side of the sheet metal stack intended for the clinching die.

[0020] If the clear opening of at least one access recess is smaller than the diameter of the clinch joint and / or the clear opening of the clinch die, the clinch die cannot be moved through the at least one access recess. However, a clinch punch can be moved through such an access recess. The different clear openings of the access recesses thus represent a code that can be used to specify the joining direction.

[0021] In a central region of the sheet metal stack, in a pair of sheet layers separated from each outer surface of the stack by at least one sheet layer, the access recesses on opposite sides of the sheet layer pair can be arranged coaxially. These coaxially arranged access recesses can, in particular, have different clear widths, so that the joining direction is immediately apparent during the joining process.

[0022] The joining direction can be particularly important when dealing with sheet metal layers with different material properties or geometries. For example, the sheet metal stack may contain at least two layers of different material thicknesses and / or different material compositions. When clinching a pair of sheet metal layers of different thicknesses, it is particularly advantageous if the layer of greater thickness is pressed into the layer of lesser thickness. To ensure this, the access recess on the side of the layer of greater thickness can have a smaller clear width than the clinching or the opposite access recess, so that the clinching punch can move towards the thicker sheet metal layer, but the clinching die cannot.

[0023] A sheet layer of greater material thickness can be arranged in a central area of ​​the sheet stack, with the at least one sheet layer on either side having a lesser material thickness.

[0024] Outward-facing outer sheet layers of the sheet stack can surround a middle sheet layer, at least partially. The outer sheet layers can be formed as a single, monolithic component joined together in one piece. Such a component can surround one or more middle sheet layers on at least three sides.

[0025] For example, a sheet metal strip can be bent into an essentially U-shape, with each leg of the U preferably forming an outer sheet layer. This simplifies the manufacturing process of the outer sheet layers and makes it more efficient, especially in high-volume production.

[0026] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the sheet metal stack can have exactly three stacked sheet metal layers. In this embodiment, a single middle sheet metal layer is arranged at least partially between the two outer sheet metal layers. In such an embodiment, each outer sheet metal layer is connected to the middle sheet metal layer by at least one clinch joint, thus forming a particularly compact sheet metal stack.

[0027] Each outer sheet layer can be provided with at least one access recess, wherein the access recess of the respective outer sheet layer is arranged, in particular perpendicular to the stacking direction, offset from the opposite outer sheet layer. Thus, the access recess can directly and unambiguously indicate where the respective sheet layers are paired with the middle sheet layer.

[0028] The invention further relates to an electrical contact comprising an arrangement according to one of the preceding embodiments. A particularly compact electrical contact can be produced by using a stack of sheet metal with sheet layers joined by clinching.

[0029] The middle sheet layer can, for example, be a busbar that is contacted via the outer sheet layers. At least one sheet layer, preferably both outer sheet layers, can be provided with at least one electrical contact element configured to contact a mating contact of a connector. The contact element can be, for example, a plug contact, pin contact, solder contact, socket, or press-fit contact. If the mating connector is a printed circuit board (PCB), the mating contact can be a through-hole into which the contact element can be inserted. Alternatively or additionally, the PCB can have a solder pad to which the contact element can be soldered. It is particularly advantageous if both outer sheet layers are each provided with at least one contact element or even a series of contact elements.This is particularly advantageous in high-voltage or high-current applications, as two shorter, parallel rows of contact elements can be provided instead of a single long row. With more than three sheet metal layers, more than two parallel rows of contact elements can also be provided.

[0030] The at least one contact element and the respective sheet metal layer can, in particular, be formed together in one piece as a monolithic component. This enables the most efficient and cost-effective production of the sheet metal layers. The sheet metal layer and the contact element can thus be produced together by a stamping and bending process. The sheet metal layer can be part of the stamped strip, from the remaining part of which the at least one contact element or the series of contact elements can be formed.

[0031] The invention is described in more detail below using exemplary embodiments. As explained above, features of the exemplary embodiments can be omitted if the technical effect associated with these features is not important for a particular application. Conversely, further features can be added to the exemplary embodiments if their technical effect is important for a particular application.

[0032] In the following, the same reference symbols are used for features that correspond to each other in terms of function and / or spatial-physical design.

[0033] It shows: Fig. 1 a schematic sectional view of a first exemplary embodiment of an arrangement according to the invention before clinching; Fig. 2 a schematic sectional view of a second exemplary embodiment of an arrangement according to the invention before clinching; Fig. 3 a schematic sectional view of the in Fig. 2 shown exemplary design after clinching; Fig. 4 a schematic sectional view of a third exemplary embodiment of an arrangement according to the invention before clinching; Fig. 5 a schematic sectional view of a fourth exemplary embodiment of an arrangement according to the invention before clinching; Fig. 6 a schematic perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an electrical contact with an arrangement according to the invention; and Fig. 7 A schematic perspective view of an exemplary design of an outer sheet of an electrical contact.

[0034] In Fig. Figure 1 shows a first exemplary embodiment of an arrangement 1 according to the invention in a schematic sectional view.

[0035] The arrangement 1 comprises a stack of sheet metal 4 made up of at least three superimposed sheet metal layers 2, the directly superimposed sheet metal layers 2a, 2b of which are connected to each other in pairs by at least one clinch joint. For this purpose, the sheet metal layers 2 arranged between the sheet metal layers 2a, 2b connected by the respective clinch joint and at least one outer surface 6 of the stack of sheet metal 4 are provided with an access recess 8 aligned with the respective clinch joint.

[0036] In the Fig. Figure 1 shows the arrangement before clinching. Here, a clinch joint is provided for each pair of sheet layers 3 of the sheet stack 4, with each pair of sheet layers 3 overlapping another pair of sheet layers 3. This means that each pair of sheet layers 3 has at least one sheet layer 2a, 2b that is simultaneously sheet layer 2a, 2b of another pair of sheet layers 3.

[0037] The sheet metal layers 2 are stacked on top of each other in a stacking direction S parallel to their material thickness M. In particular, all sheet metal layers 2 of the sheet metal stack 4 can overlap at least section by section, so that the sheet metal layers 2 are connected to each other in an ordered sheet metal stack 4.

[0038] In clinching, a sheet metal layer 2a is pressed into another sheet metal layer 2b in a joining direction F using a clinching punch 10. A clinching die 12 is positioned on the side of the other sheet metal layer 2b facing away from sheet metal layer 2a in joining direction F. For this purpose, the clinching punch 10, which is located in the Fig. Figure 1 schematically depicts a shaft 14, which can be inserted through the access opening 8 and abuts the sheet metal layer 2a. The force exerted on the sheet metal layer 2a by the punch 10 causes the sheet metal layers 2a and 2b to be pressed into the shape predetermined by the clinching die 12 and thus plastically deformed. Consequently, the resulting clinch joint has a projection extending in the joining direction F.

[0039] In the design according to Fig. In the sheet stack 4, five superimposed sheet layers 2 of the same material thickness M are present. However, the material thickness M of the sheet layers 2 of the sheet stack 4 can also differ. The joining direction F of each clinch joint can be the same, so that the individual clinch joints can be carried out together in a single process step.

[0040] The sheet stack 4 has two outer sheets 16, each forming an end of the sheet stack 4 facing the outside 6, and between which a central area 18 with central sheets 20 is arranged. An outer sheet 16 can only be part of one sheet layer pair 3, namely by being connected to the central sheet 20 immediately below it. The central sheets 20, on the other hand, can each form a sheet layer pair 3 with each of the two directly adjacent sheet layers 2. Consequently, in every clinch joint where one of the outer sheets 16 forms a joining partner of the sheet layer pair 3, the sheet stack 4 has an access recess 8 on a side of the sheet layer pair 3 facing away from the outer sheet 16. If two central sheets 20 are joining partners, two access recesses 8 are provided, each extending through at least one outer sheet. The clear width 22 of an access recess 8 is in the following generally designated by the reference numerals 22.

[0041] To indicate the joining direction F and to avoid production errors, an access recess 8a can have a clear width 22a that is smaller than the diameter 24 of the clinch joint, which is determined by the clear width of the clinch die 12. Consequently, only the clinch punch 10 with the shank 14, but not the clinch die 12, can move through the access recess 8a.

[0042] The clinching punch 10 can have a shoulder 26. The shoulder 26 can serve to strike the stack of sheets 4 when the shaft 14 is inserted into the access recess 8, in order to limit the depth of the clinching joint and thus prevent tearing of a sheet layer 2.

[0043] Alternatively or additionally, at least one access recess 8b with a clear width 22, 22b can be provided, which is larger than the diameter 24 of the clinching joint and, in particular, larger than an outer diameter 27 of the clinching die 12. Thus, the clinching die 12 can be inserted into the access recess 8b.

[0044] If at least two center plates 20 form a sheet layer pair 3, then, in the corresponding clinching operation, access recesses 8, 8a, 8b opposite each other, in particular arranged coaxially to each other, can be provided with respect to the sheet layer pair 3. These access recesses 8, 8a, 8b can have different clear widths 22a, 22b in order to clearly and unambiguously define the joining direction F.

[0045] To prevent the different puncture joints from influencing or even impairing each other, it is advantageous if, in particular, adjacent puncture joints are spaced apart from each other essentially perpendicular to the stacking direction. Specifically, the respective access recesses 8 can be spaced apart from each other to keep the individual puncture joints separate during manufacturing.

[0046] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the stack of sheets 4 can have exactly three superimposed layers of sheets 2. Such an embodiment is described below with reference to Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 explained in more detail.

[0047] With exactly three sheet layers 2, each outer sheet 16 forms a sheet layer pair 3 with the middle sheet 20, which is joined by a clinch joint. The different sheet layer pairs 3 ensure the cohesion of the sheet stack 4.

[0048] In Fig. Figure 3 shows clinch joints 28, which have a projection 29 with a diameter 25 extending from the sheet metal stack 2 in the joining direction F. The diameter 25 is essentially determined by the clear width 24 of the clinching die 12.

[0049] In contrast to the previous embodiment, the different access recesses 8 have the same clear widths 22, so that a single tool is sufficient to produce the access recesses 8, for example by drilling or punching.

[0050] The clear width 22 of the access recesses 8 is preferably smaller than the diameter 25 of the clinching joint 28 or the outer diameter 29 of the clinching die 12, thereby defining the joining direction F. In such a configuration, the joining directions F of the different clinching joints 28 are arranged essentially antiparallel to each other.

[0051] Of course, an arrangement with three sheet metal layers 2 can also be designed such that the joining direction F of the different clinch joints 28 is essentially parallel to each other and aligned in the same direction. For this purpose, at least one outer sheet metal layer 16 can have an access recess 8, 8b, which is designed to receive the clinching die 12, as in the exemplary embodiment according to Fig. 4 is shown.

[0052] If the material thicknesses M of the sheet layers 2 differ, it is particularly advantageous if the sheet layer 2 with the greater material thickness M is pressed into the sheet layer 2 with the lesser material thickness M in the joining direction F. To ensure this, the access recesses 8, 8a, which terminate at the sheet layer 2 of a sheet layer pair with the greater material thickness, can each have a clear width 22a that is smaller than the diameter 25 of the clinch joint 28 or the clear width of the clinch joint die 12. This predetermines the joining direction F, as in the exemplary embodiment of the Fig. 5 can be seen. If the sheet layer 2 of higher material thickness M is located between the outer sheets 16 of a three-layer sheet stack, the joining direction F of the different sheet layer pairs 3 can be essentially antiparallel to each other.

[0053] With an arrangement 1 according to the invention, a particularly compact electrical contact 30 can be produced, which is especially advantageous in the high-voltage or high-current range. An exemplary embodiment of such an electrical contact 30 is described with reference to Fig. 6 explained in more detail.

[0054] The electrical contact 30 can have three stacked layers of sheet metal 2. The middle sheet metal 20 can, for example, be part of a busbar 32 that is intended to contact a printed circuit board 34 or the like. The outer sheets 16 are placed on opposite flat sides of the busbar 32, so that the busbar 32 and the outer sheets 16 form the stack of sheets 4, at least in the section where the busbar and outer sheets overlap.

[0055] For contacting the circuit board 34, one, preferably each, outer sheet 16 can have at least one electrical contact element 36, in particular a series or several series of contact elements 36. The contact elements 36 and the respective outer sheet 16 can preferably be formed in one piece as a monolithic component 37, for example by a stamping and bending process.

[0056] In this exemplary embodiment, the contact elements 36 are designed as press-fit contacts 38, but they can also be designed as plug contacts, press-fit contacts, pin contacts, contact sockets, solder contacts or similar.

[0057] For example, if a single contact element 36 is only rated for 10 amperes, then at least forty contact elements 36 are necessary if a current of 400 amperes is to be transmitted through the contact 30. If only a single sheet metal layer 2 can be attached to the busbar 32, then the sheet metal layer 2 must have a correspondingly greater length in order to form the required number of contact elements 36.

[0058] With the solution according to the invention, both sides of the busbar can be used to establish an electrical connection. The third sheet layer, which is also provided with contact elements, allows the length of a single outer sheet to be essentially halved compared to a two-layer construction. Adding further layers allows the length to be reduced even further.

[0059] The strength of a clinch joint 28 decreases significantly with an increasing number of sheet metal layers to be joined. Even with a three-layer joint, a reliable clinch joint cannot be guaranteed. To avoid this, only one sheet metal layer at a time is directly joined using a single clinch joint 28. For this purpose, each sheet metal layer 2 not involved in the joint has an access recess 8 that aligns with a clinch joint 28. Consequently, the clinch die 12 and / or the clinch punch 10 can be moved through the access recess 8, 8a, 8b during the joining process and join the two sheet metal layers together.

[0060] If the bond strength of the sheet metal layer pairs is to be further increased, they can be joined together by several clinch joints spaced perpendicular to the stacking direction S. For this purpose, the outer sheet 16 can have several access recesses 8 offset perpendicular to the stacking direction S, as shown in Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 is shown.

[0061] In the Fig. Figure 6 shows two separate outer sheets 16, each fixed to opposite sides of the middle sheet 20. However, the two outer sheets 16 can also form a single, monolithic component 40, as shown in Fig. 7 is shown.

[0062] The monolithic component 40 can be essentially U-shaped with two legs 42, each leg 42 forming an outer sheet 16. The legs 42 are connected by a web 44, the length of which between the legs 42 preferably corresponds substantially to the material thickness M of the middle sheet 20. Thus, the monolithic component 40 can encompass the middle sheet 20, with the legs 42 being arranged substantially parallel to the middle sheet 20 in the assembled state.

[0063] As in Fig. As can be seen in Figure 7, each outer sheet 16 has access recesses 8 offset perpendicularly to the stacking direction S, wherein the clear width 22b of the access recesses 86 on one outer sheet 16 may be larger than the clear width 22a of the access recesses 8a on the other outer sheet 16. Reference sign 1. Arrangement 2, 2a, 2b sheet metal layers 3 pairs of sheet metal 4 stacks of metal sheets 6 Outside 8, 8a, 8b Access recess 10 punch-fit dies 12 Cling die 14 shaft 16 Outer sheet 18 Middle area 20 Center plate 22, 22a, 22b clear width of the access recess 24 Diameter of the penetration joint 25 Diameter of the clinching die Paragraph 26 27 Outer diameter of the clinching die 28 Enforcement order 29 lead 30 electrical contacts 32 busbar 34 circuit board 36 contact element 37 monolithic components 38 Press-fit contact 40 monolithic component 42 thighs 44 Bridge F Leading direction M material thickness S Stacking direction

Claims

[1] Arrangement (1) comprising a stack of sheet metal (4) composed of at least three directly adjacent sheet metal layers (2), the directly adjacent sheet metal layers (2a, 2b) of which are connected to each other in pairs by at least one clinch joint (28), wherein the at least one sheet metal layer (2) arranged between the sheet metal layers (2a, 2b) connected by the respective clinch joint (28) and at least one outer surface (6) of the stack of sheet metal (4) has at least one access recess (8, 8a, 8b) aligned with the respective clinch joint (28). [2] Arrangement according to claim 1, wherein all directly adjacent sheet metal layers (2) of the sheet metal stack (4) are connected to each other in pairs by at least one clinch joint (28). [3] Arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, wherein different penetration joints (28) are spaced apart from each other transversely to the stacking direction (S) of the sheet stack (4). [4] Arrangement (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein at least one access recess (8a) has a clear width (22) which is smaller than a clear width (24) of the penetration joint (28). [5] Arrangement (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein at least one access recess (8b) has a clear width (22) which is larger than a clear width (24) of the penetration joint (28). [6] Arrangement (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein at least two access recesses (8a, 8b) have different clear widths (22). [7] Arrangement (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the stack of sheet metal (4) has at least two layers of sheet metal (2) of different material thickness (M). [8] Arrangement (1) according to claim 7, wherein at least one access recess (8a) opens towards a sheet layer (2) of higher material thickness (M) of the sheet layer pair (3) and has a smaller clear width (22) than the clear width (24) of the clinching joint (28). [9] Arrangement (1) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein a middle sheet (20) arranged between two sheet layers (2) has a greater material thickness (M) than at least one of the two sheet layers (2) directly adjacent to the middle sheet (20). [10] Arrangement (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the stack of sheet metal (4) has exactly three layers of sheet metal (2). [11] Arrangement (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein two outer sheets (16) of the stack of sheets (4) facing the outside (6) and surrounding at least one middle sheet (20) at least partially are formed in one piece as a monolithic component (40). [12] Arrangement (1) according to claim 11, wherein the monolithic component (40) is essentially U-shaped. [13] Electrical contact (30) comprising an arrangement (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein at least one of the at least three sheet metal layers (2) is provided with at least one electrical contact element (36). [14] Electrical contact (30) according to claim 13, wherein two outer sheets (16) of the stack of sheets (4) facing the outside (6) are each provided with at least one electrical contact element (36). [15] Method for clinching a stack of sheet metal (4) with at least three layers of sheet metal (2) lying on top of each other, wherein two layers of sheet metal (2a, 2b) lying directly on top of each other are joined together in pairs by clinching and wherein a clinching punch (10) and / or a clinching die (12) is moved through at least one access recess (8) of the layer of sheet metal (2) arranged between the layers of sheet metal (2a, 2b) to be joined and at least one outer surface (6) of the stack of sheet metal (4).

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