EXPANSION RIVET

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an expansion rivet for joining components.

[0002] Besides welding, gluing, and screwing, riveting is one of the most important technical methods for forming connections between components. Riveting, as defined in the present invention, refers to the formation of a connection by means of a rivet that is guided in an assembly direction through a rivet channel penetrating at least two components and whose shape can be modified during the riveting process such that an edge region of the rivet channel is engaged by parts of the rivet in such a way that, after the riveting process has been carried out, displacement of the rivet against the assembly direction is prevented. When riveting with metal rivets, the riveting process includes a plastic deformation of the rivet, resulting in a connection that cannot be broken without damage.

[0003] In addition to the long-established riveting methods, which often rely on metal rivets, riveting methods using plastic rivets are also common today. So-called expansion rivets are used particularly in vehicle construction. These rivets have a rivet body whose properties can be adjusted by means of a locking element so that the rivet can be secured in or against the rivet channel. For example, expansion rivets with a locking pin are common. This pin allows the rivet body to be mushroomed and / or movable detent devices to be locked, thus securing the rivet once it has been properly inserted through the rivet channel.

[0004] In the mass production of modern machinery, particularly in the automotive industry, optimizing manufacturing processes is of paramount importance to achieve maximum cost efficiency. Due to the high complexity and extensive integration of diverse vehicle components, fastening solutions frequently require optimization, especially since securing components together with currently available solutions is often a relatively complex and time-consuming process. Protective elements, such as stone guards, sound insulation trays, underride guards, and similar components, must be fastened in such a way that the connection area is inaccessible from the outside after product completion. This prevents the connection between components from unintentionally loosening, for example, due to stone impacts.Some variants of such expansion rivets are disclosed, for example, in the publications WO 2007 / 073821 A1, EP 1 408 244 A1 or FR 2 308 821 A1.

[0005] To prevent twisting and excessive vibration, especially in thin-walled structural elements, these are often fastened at two fixing points in the connection areas mentioned. These fixing points are spaced apart perpendicular to any local expansion of the structural element within the connection section. In practice, it has been found that one of these fixing points is often relatively easy to access, while the other is obscured by the components being joined.

[0006] In the case of the expansion rivets mentioned above, which are known from the prior art, this means that in such a connection with two fixing points, one of the expansion rivets can be mounted very easily, whereas the other can only be mounted with considerable effort.

[0007] German patent application DE 295 09 726 U1 discloses and describes a fastening anchor with which a thin-walled building element, such as a window frame, can be fixed and anchored to a wall. For this purpose, the fastening anchor has two spaced-apart sections of a fastening body, each of which can be expanded radially.

[0008] The object of the present invention is therefore considered to be to provide an expansion rivet by means of which the assembly of components in connection sections with at least two fixing points spaced perpendicular to each other is simplified.

[0009] This problem is solved according to the invention by an expansion rivet for simultaneously forming at least a first rivet joint and a second rivet joint, wherein the expansion rivet can be guided in an assembly direction through a first rivet channel attributable to the first rivet joint and a second rivet channel attributable to the second rivet joint, wherein the expansion rivet has a rivet body and a locking pin, wherein the rivet body has a pin receiving opening and a pin receiving volume extending away from the pin receiving opening in the assembly direction, which is at least partially enclosed by a wall of the rivet body, wherein a nominal diameter of the expansion rivet is defined by an outer surface of the wall directed away from the pin receiving volume and oriented perpendicular to the assembly direction, wherein at least a first locking section and a second locking section are formed on the rivet body.wherein the locking sections are spaced apart from each other in the assembly direction, wherein the rivet body in the locking sections has at least one locking element which extends radially beyond the outer surface of the wall, such that an effective diameter of the expansion rivet in the area of ​​the locking sections is larger than the nominal diameter and thus edge regions of the rivet channels pointing in the assembly direction can be engaged by the locking elements, wherein the locking elements have a contact area with at least one contact surface pointing in an antiradial direction, wherein the locking elements of the expansion rivet are arranged and aligned such that the contact area does not project into the pin receiving volume in a load-free state, wherein the locking elements are displaceable in an antiradial direction such that the respective contact areas can be displaced at least section by section into the pin receiving volume,when a force acting on the locking means is directed at least partially in an antiradial direction, such that the effective diameter of the expansion rivet can be reduced to the nominal diameter and the expansion rivet can be guided through the rivet channels, wherein the pin receiving volume and the locking pin are adapted to one another in such a way that the locking pin can be arranged in the pin receiving volume such that locking sections of the locking pin can be brought into contact with the contact surfaces of the locking means in such a way that displacement of the locking means into the pin receiving volume is prevented and thus the expansion rivet can be fixed at the edge regions of the rivet channels. Such a design of the expansion rivet according to the invention makes it possible tothat rivet connections can be formed simultaneously at at least two perpendicularly spaced fixing points, thus simplifying component assembly. Particularly preferably, the expansion rivet is inserted from a top side of the components to be joined, so that gravity assists in the correct positioning of the expansion rivet.

[0010] In an advantageous implementation of the invention, the rivet body has a rivet head in the area of ​​the pin receiving openings. This rivet head is disc-shaped and extends radially away from the outer surface. Advantageously, the rivet head is in contact with an edge region of the first rivet channel when the expansion rivet is correctly inserted and positioned through the first and second rivet channels. The rivet head thus forms a stop for the expansion rivet according to the invention. Similarly, it is advantageous that the locking pin has a pin head that is designed such that it is in contact with the rivet head when the locking pin is correctly positioned within the pin receiving volume.

[0011] To secure the expansion rivet against loss, it is also possible, and provided for according to the invention, that the expansion rivet may have a wing element in a section opposite the rivet head. This wing element extends radially beyond the nominal diameter in an unloaded state and has at least one wing that acts like a barb, preventing displacement of the expansion rivet against the installation direction. This prevents the expansion rivet from being pulled out of the rivet channels. Such a wing element reduces the risk of the expansion rivet slipping out of the rivet channels should the locking mechanism fail.

[0012] The expanding rivet according to the invention is particularly suitable for fixing a stone chip guard to a control arm of a motor vehicle.

[0013] To enable particularly simple manufacturing of the expansion rivet according to the invention, an advantageous implementation of the invention provides that the wall of the rivet body has, at least in sections, a first wall profile with a first arm section and a second arm section as well as a web section, wherein the web section extends between a first web end section, which can be assigned to a first surface section of the outer surface, and a second web end section, which can be assigned to a second surface section of the outer surface and which is opposite the first surface section of the outer surface, wherein the web section divides the pin receiving volume, at least in sections, into a first partial volume and a second partial volume, wherein the first arm section extends from the first web end section in a circumferential direction of a circumference of the rivet body,The second arm section extends along the outer surface and into the first partial volume, with the second arm section extending circumferentially from the second web end section, along the outer surface and into the second partial volume. This wall design gives the rivet body particularly high stability and flexibility, while requiring relatively little material.

[0014] It is advantageously provided that the rivet body is cylindrical in the area of ​​the pin receiving opening. This facilitates the insertion of the locking pin, as it reduces the risk of the pin getting stuck or jammed in a structure embedded in the wall during insertion.

[0015] It is also possible, and provided for according to the invention, that reinforcing structures, such as ribs in particular, can be incorporated into the wall to increase the bending stiffness and / or deformation resistance of the rivet body. This also applies analogously to the locking pin.

[0016] In an advantageous implementation of the invention, the wall of the rivet body has, at least in sections, a second wall profile comprising a third arm section, a fourth arm section, and a web section. The third arm section extends from the first web end section, opposite to the circumferential direction of the rivet body, along the outer surface and into the second partial volume. The fourth arm section extends from the second web end section, opposite to the circumferential direction, along the outer surface and into the first partial volume. The second wall profile surrounds the partial volumes, at least in sections, in the opposite direction to the first wall profile. Advantageously, the first wall profile and the second wall profile merge into one another in transition areas.

[0017] It is also advantageously provided that the rivet body can alternately have several sections with the first wall profile and with the second wall profile along its path in the assembly direction. This maximizes the stability of the rivet body with minimal material usage.

[0018] To facilitate the simplest possible insertion of the locking pin into the partial volumes, it is advantageously provided that a projection of the first partial volume into a projection plane oriented perpendicular to the assembly direction is completely circumscribed by a projection of a first inner edge of the first arm section adjacent to the first partial volume, a projection of a third inner edge of the third arm section, and a projection of a first web edge of the web section adjacent to the first partial volume, such that a first partial volume profile of the first partial volume is defined by the first inner edge, the third inner edge, and the first web edge, wherein a projection of the second partial volume in the projection plane is circumscribed by a projection of a second inner edge of the second arm section adjacent to the second partial volume.a projection of a fourth inner edge of the fourth arm section and a projection of a second web edge of the web section, which borders the second partial volume, is completely circumferential, such that a second partial volume profile of the second partial volume is defined by the second inner edge, the fourth inner edge and the second web edge. Such a design of the expansion rivet according to the invention ensures that the partial volumes are circumferentially surrounded by walls that have a minimal number of steps and ledges.

[0019] In a further advantageous implementation of the invention, the first and second arm sections and / or the third and fourth arm sections are designed to be point-symmetrical to each other. This ensures that the first and second partial volumes also exhibit symmetry. This reduces the risk of unilateral stress concentrations occurring within the rivet body under load. Particularly preferably, the arm sections are adapted to each other such that the first and second partial volumes have a cross-sectional area that approximately corresponds to a rectangle or square with rounded corners. The generally angular shape advantageously acts as an anti-rotation device and stabilizes the section of the locking pin that is inserted into one of the partial volumes.The rounded corners reduce the risk of voltage spikes occurring under load.

[0020] To enable particularly efficient production of the expansion rivet according to the invention using a primary forming manufacturing process, especially injection molding, it is advantageously provided that the wall of the rivet body in the area of ​​the wall profiles is designed without undercuts in tool directions oriented parallel to the web section and perpendicular to the assembly direction. Undercuts within the meaning of the present invention are design elements that protrude freely from a casting and can thus prevent it from being removed from a mold.

[0021] It is advantageously provided that the rivet body does not need to be completely free of undercuts. For example, the rivet body can be cylindrical in the area of ​​the pin insertion opening. It is provided that such areas of the rivet body can be manufactured using a slide. Slides are machine elements used in mold making to create undercuts in castings.

[0022] Undercut-free design requires that a workpiece has a parting line at which the mold is divided after a casting process in order to eject the cast workpiece. In the expansion rivet according to the invention, it is advantageously provided that this parting line runs through a central axis parallel to the assembly direction and through a center point of the circumference of the rivet body, and is perpendicular to the web section.

[0023] In order to ensure that other design elements, such as locking devices, can also be designed without undercuts, it is advantageously provided that all sections of these design elements are aligned perpendicular to the division plane.

[0024] In an advantageous embodiment of the expansion rivet according to the invention, the wall has a transverse web defined by the web section of the wall profile, which extends through the pin receiving volume and divides the pin receiving volume into the first partial volume and the second partial volume, wherein the locking pin has a web recess that splits the locking pin section by section, so that the locking pin has a first locking tongue and a second locking tongue, wherein the locking tongues and the transverse web are adapted to one another such that the first locking tongue can be inserted into the first partial volume, wherein the second locking tongue can be inserted into the second partial volume, wherein the locking tongues bear against the transverse web at least section by section, and wherein the locking tongues have the locking sections of the locking pin.This design of the expansion rivet achieves two things. Firstly, the expansion rivet can be manufactured without undercuts in the areas covered by the crossbar, as the crossbar stabilizes the rivet body by increasing its area moment of inertia for bending and torsion about the central axis. Secondly, the locking pin can be arranged in a rotationally secure position within the pin receptacle thanks to the crossbar. A rotationally secure arrangement of the locking pin is particularly advantageous for reducing wear on the expansion rivet and increasing its service life.

[0025] In order to manufacture the expansion rivet according to the invention particularly cost-effectively, it is advantageously provided that the expansion rivet has a rivet body manufactured in one piece. The rivet body is particularly preferably manufactured by means of an injection molding process.

[0026] In order to pre-assemble the expansion rivet and thus shorten the assembly time, it is advantageously provided that the locking pin has a first locking section, a notch, a second locking section, and pre-assembly locking means, wherein the notch extends in the assembly direction between the first locking section and the second locking section, wherein the extension of the locking pin transverse to the assembly direction is less in the area of ​​the notch than in the area of ​​the locking sections, so that the notch allows the locking means to be displaced into the pin receiving volume, wherein the locking pin is fixed in the pin receiving volume in a pre-assembled state of the expansion rivet by means of the pre-assembly locking means.that the first locking section of the locking pin is guided past the first detent section and the notch is arranged in the area of ​​the first detent section, so that the detent means of the first detent section and the second detent section are unlocked, wherein the expansion rivet can be brought into an assembly state by fully inserting the locking pin into the pin receiving volume, in which the first locking section of the locking pin is arranged in the area of ​​the second detent section, wherein the second locking section is arranged in the area of ​​the first detent section, wherein the notch is arranged between the first detent section and the second detent section, so that in the assembly state the locking sections are brought into contact with the contact surfaces of the detent means in the first and second detent sections and the expansion rivet is locked. It is advantageously provided thatthat the expansion rivet, once pre-assembled, can be guided through the rivet channels, with the locking elements already engaging behind the edge regions of the rivet channels in this pre-assembly state. In this pre-assembly state, the expansion rivet can be removed by overcoming the holding force exerted by the locking elements, thus displacing the locking elements into the rivet receiving volume. Once the expansion rivet is in the assembly state, the locking elements prevent its non-destructive removal from the rivet channels. To remove the expansion rivet non-destructively, it must at least be in the pre-assembly state.

[0027] In an advantageous implementation of the invention, the locking means are designed as locking tongues embedded in the wall, wherein the locking tongues have ramp-like locking feet that extend in an antiradial direction away from the rivet body and through which the edge regions of the rivet channels can be engaged. It is provided that the locking tongues can be formed integrally with the rivet body, for example, by being molded or formed during the manufacture of the rivet body. Particularly preferably, the locking tongues are formed together with the rivet body by means of an injection molding process.

[0028] It is also possible, and provided for according to the invention, that the locking tongues can be designed as independent components. They can, for example, be made of a metallic material. Particularly preferably, the locking tongues are designed as tabs that extend along the rivet body in the assembly direction, starting from a support ring that surrounds the rivet body.

[0029] To improve the securing of the expansion rivet according to the invention against unintentional displacement contrary to the assembly direction, an advantageous implementation of the invention provides for auxiliary locking means on the rivet body. These auxiliary locking means are independent of the locking means and are adapted to the rivet channels such that they engage in inner wall areas of the rivet channels when the expansion rivet is positioned as intended in the rivet channels. Thus, the expansion rivet is secured to the rivet channels by means of the auxiliary locking means even when it is not in the assembly state. This design of the expansion rivet according to the invention reduces the risk of the expansion rivet being displaced from at least one of the rivet channels contrary to the assembly direction.The auxiliary locking devices exert a holding force on the expanding rivet even if the locking devices should not function properly.

[0030] This increases operational reliability when using the expansion rivet according to the invention.

[0031] In a particularly advantageous implementation of the inventive concept, it is provided that the auxiliary locking means are designed as lamellae that run around the rivet body along the outer surface and perpendicular to the assembly direction.

[0032] The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing one of the expansion rivets described above, wherein the rivet body is first manufactured in a rivet manufacturing step, the locking pin is manufactured in a pin manufacturing step following the rivet manufacturing step, and the locking pin is inserted section by section into the rivet body and fixed to it in a pre-positioning step following both the rivet manufacturing and pin manufacturing steps, such that the expansion rivet is not locked and the locking pin is securely fixed to the rivet body. Forming manufacturing processes, especially injection molding, are particularly preferred in the rivet manufacturing step and / or the pin manufacturing step. Furthermore, it is also possible to use alternative methods for manufacturing the expansion rivet, for example, 3D printing, laser sintering, or similar processes.

[0033] In a particularly advantageous implementation of the method according to the invention, the pin manufacturing step and the rivet manufacturing step are performed simultaneously using a single tool. In a partial ejection step following the pin and rivet manufacturing steps, the rivet body and the locking pin are released from the tool. The pre-positioning step after the partial ejection step is performed with the same tool as the pin and rivet manufacturing steps, by inserting the locking pin into the rivet body using a single slide. In an ejection step, the finished expansion rivet, including the rivet body and the correctly pre-positioned locking pin, is ejected. Preferably, the rivet body is designed without undercuts, except for a cylindrical section in the area of ​​the pin receiving opening.

[0034] Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are explained with reference to exemplary embodiments illustrated in the figures of the drawing. These show: Figures 1A and 1B schematically illustrated sectional views of an embodiment of the expansion rivet according to the invention, Figures 2A to 2C Schematic cross-sectional views of the rivet body of the expansion rivet from the Figures 1A and 1B , Figure 3 a schematic representation of projections of the subvolumes, Figure 4 a schematically represented sectional view of the locking pin of the expansion rivet from the Figures 1A and 1B , Figures 5A and 5B schematically represented sectional views of an embodiment of the expansion rivet in an installation situation and Figures 6 and 7 Schematic representation of the process for manufacturing the expansion rivet.

[0035] In the Figures 1A and 1BFigure 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an expansion rivet 1. The expansion rivet 1 has a rivet body 2 and a locking pin 3. The expansion rivet 1 is guided through a first rivet channel 5 and a second rivet channel 6 in an assembly direction 4.

[0036] The rivet body 2 has a pin receiving opening 7 and a pin receiving volume 8 extending away from the pin receiving opening 7 in the assembly direction 4. The pin receiving volume 8 is partially enclosed by a wall 9 of the rivet body 2. A nominal diameter 11 of the expansion rivet 1 is defined by an outer surface 10 of the wall 9, which is directed away from the pin receiving volume 8 and perpendicular to the assembly direction 4. The outer surface 10 and the nominal diameter 11 are merely Figure 1A depicted and labelled.

[0037] The rivet body 2 has a first locking section 12 and a second locking section 13. The locking sections 12 and 13 are spaced apart from each other in the assembly direction 4.

[0038] The rivet body 2 has two locking devices 14 in each of the locking sections, of which in the Figures 1A and 1B only one is designated. The locking means 14 extend radially (neither shown nor labeled) beyond the outer surface 10 of the wall 9. As a result, the effective diameter 15 of the expansion rivet 1 in the area of ​​the locking sections 12, 13 is larger than the nominal diameter 11. Due to this difference between the effective diameter 15 and the nominal diameter 11, the edge regions 16 of the rivet channels 5, 6 pointing in the assembly direction 4 are engaged behind the locking means 14 (only in Figure 1A (Examples of examples).

[0039] The resting means 14 of the in the Figures 1A and 1BThe expansion rivets 1 shown each have a contact area 17 with a contact surface 18 pointing in an antiradial direction. The contact area 17 and the contact surface 18 are only visible in Figure 1B exemplified. As in the Figures 1A and 1B As shown, the locking means 14 of the expansion rivet 1 are arranged and aligned such that the contact area 17 is in a load-free state in which the expansion rivet 1 is in the Figures 1A and 1B as shown, does not protrude into the pen intake volume 8. As shown in Figure 1A As can be clearly seen, the locking means 14 can be displaced in such a way in an anti-radial direction that the respective contact areas 17 can be displaced section by section into the pin receiving volume 8.

[0040] The locking pin 3 has two locking sections 19, which are only in Figure 1B are designated. The locking sections 19 of the, as in Figure 1BAs shown, the locking pin 3, inserted into the pin receiving volume 8, is brought into contact with the contact surfaces 18 of the locking means 14. This prevents the locking means 14 from shifting into the pin receiving volume 8 and thus secures the expanding rivet 1 to the rivet channels 5, 6.

[0041] In the Figures 2A to 2C are schematically represented sectional views of the rivet body 2 of the rivet body. Figures 1A and 1B The illustrated expansion rivet 1 is shown. Figure 2A The rivet body 2 is in a parting plane 20 aligned parallel to the assembly direction 4 (only in Figure 2B (shown and labeled) shown in section. In Figure 2B is the cut AB and in Figure 2C The CD cut is shown.

[0042] The one in the Figures 2A to 2C The rivet body 2 shown has a first longitudinal section 21 and a second longitudinal section 22, wherein the first longitudinal section 21 has a first wall profile 23 (shown in Figure 2B ) and the second longitudinal section 22 a second wall profile 24 (shown in Figure 2C The rivet body 2 also has a wing element 25 and a transition section 26. The first longitudinal section 21, the second longitudinal section 22, the transition section 26 formed between the longitudinal sections 21 and 22, and the wing element 25 are designed without undercuts with respect to the parting plane 20.

[0043] The in Figure 2B The first wall profile 23 shown has a first arm section 27, a second arm section 28, and a web section 29. The web section 29 extends between a first web end section 30 and a second web end section 31 and divides the pin receiving volume 8 into a first sub-volume 32 and a second sub-volume 33.

[0044] The first arm section 27 extends, starting from the first web end section 30, in a circumferential direction 34 of a circumference 35 of the rivet body 2, along the outer surface 10 and into the first partial volume 32. In contrast, the second arm section 28 extends, starting from the second web end section 31, in a circumferential direction 34, along the outer surface 10 and into the second partial volume 33.

[0045] The in Figure 2CThe second wall profile 24 shown has a third arm section 36, a fourth arm section 37, and the web section 29. The third arm section 36 extends, starting from the first web end section 30, opposite to the circumferential direction 34 of the circumcircle 35, along the outer surface 10 and into the second partial volume 33. The fourth arm section 37 extends, starting from the second web end section 31, opposite to the circumferential direction 34, along the outer surface 10 and into the first partial volume 32.

[0046] In Figure 3Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of projections of the subvolumes 32, 33 onto a projection plane 38 oriented perpendicular to the assembly direction (neither shown nor labeled). The first subvolume 32 is completely enclosed by a projection of a first inner edge 39 of the first arm section adjacent to the first subvolume 32, a projection of a third inner edge 40 of the third arm section, and a projection of a first web edge 41 of the web section adjacent to the first subvolume 32. The edges 39, 40, 41 define a first subvolume profile 42 of the first subvolume 32. A projection of the second subvolume 33 in the projection plane 38 is completely enclosed by a projection of a second inner edge 43 of the second arm section adjacent to the second subvolume 33, a projection of a fourth inner edge 44 of the fourth arm section, and a projection of a second web edge 45 of the web section.Edges 43, 44, 45 define a second partial volume profile 46 of the second partial volume 33.

[0047] In Figure 4 The figure shows a partial and schematic cross-sectional view of an expansion rivet 1. The rivet body 2 is only partially shown.

[0048] The wall 9 has a transverse web 47 defined by the web section of the wall profile. The transverse web extends through the pin receiving volume 8 and divides it into the first partial volume 32 and the second partial volume 33. The locking pin 3 has a web recess 48 that splits the locking pin 3 section by section. The locking pin 3 thus split has a first locking tongue 49 and a second locking tongue 50. The first locking tongue 49 is inserted into the first partial volume 32 and the second locking tongue 50 is inserted into the second partial volume 33. The locking tongues 49, 50 bear against the transverse web 47 section by section. A first locking section 51 and a second locking section 52 are formed on the locking tongues 49, 50 of the locking pin 3.

[0049] Between the first locking section 51 and the second locking section 52, there is a gap in the Figure 4The locking pin 3 shown has a notch 53. In the area of ​​the notch 53, the extension of the locking pin 3 transversely to the mounting direction 4 is less than in the area of ​​the first and second locking sections 51, 52. The function of the Figure 4 The locking pin 3 shown, in particular the function of the notch 53, is described in the following Figures 5A and 5B shown.

[0050] In the Figures 5A and 5BThe figures show schematically represented sectional views of an embodiment of the expansion rivet 1 in an installed position. The expansion rivet 1 is guided through the first rivet channel 5 and the second rivet channel 6. The first rivet channel 5 and the second rivet channel 6 each extend through a first component 54 and a second component 55. The locking elements 14 are each guided through the rivet channels 14 and brought into contact with the respective edge regions 16 of the rivet channels 5 and 6. The locking pin 3 has only schematically represented pre-assembly locking elements 56. By means of the pre-assembly locking elements 56, the locking pin 3 is in a Figure 5AThe pre-assembly state of the expansion rivet 1 shown is fixed in the pin receiving volume 8 such that the first locking section 51 of the locking pin 3 passes the first detent section 12 and the notch 53 is arranged in the area of ​​the first detent section 12, so that the detent elements 14 of the first detent section 12 and the second detent section 13 are unlocked. The pre-assembly detent elements 56 also serve as a loss and transport safety device.

[0051] The one in the Figures 5A and 5B The expanding rivet 1 shown has been passed through the rivet channels 5, 6 in the pre-assembled state. The notch 53 allows the locking elements 14 arranged in the first locking section 12 to be displaced into the pin receiving volume 8.

[0052] Auxiliary locking devices 57, as shown schematically, are formed in the locking sections 12 and 13. The auxiliary locking devices 57 are independent of the locking devices 14. They are adapted to the rivet channels 5 and 6 such that they engage in inner wall areas (not labeled) of the rivet channels 12 and 13.

[0053] In Figure 5BThe expanding rivet 1 is shown in an assembly state in which the locking pin 3 is fully inserted into the pin receptacle 8. In this assembly state, the first locking section 51 of the locking pin 3 is located in the area of ​​the second detent section 13. The second locking section 52 is located in the area of ​​the first detent section 12. The notch 53 is located between the first detent section 12 and the second detent section 13 in this assembly state. The first and second locking sections 51 and 52 are in contact with the contact surfaces 18 of the detent elements 14 in the first and second detent sections 12 and 13 in this assembly state. In this assembly state, the locking pin 3 prevents the detent elements 14 from being displaced into the pin receptacle 8, thus locking the expanding rivet 1.

[0054] In the Figures 5A and 5BIn the expanding rivet 1 shown, the locking means 14 are designed as locking tongues with ramp-like locking feet inserted into the wall 9 of the rivet body 2.

[0055] In Figure 6 A schematic representation of a method 58 for manufacturing an expansion rivet according to the invention is shown. In method 58, the rivet body is first manufactured in a rivet manufacturing step 59. In a pin manufacturing step 60 following rivet manufacturing step 59, the locking pin is manufactured. In a pre-positioning step 61 following rivet manufacturing step 59 and pin manufacturing step 60, the locking pin is inserted section by section into the rivet body such that the expansion rivet is brought into the pre-assembly state and the locking pin is secured to the rivet body in a captive manner.

[0056] In Figure 7An alternative embodiment of method 58 is shown. The pin manufacturing step 59 and the rivet manufacturing step 60 are performed simultaneously using a single tool. In a partial ejection step 62 following the pin manufacturing step 59 and the rivet manufacturing step 60, the rivet body and the locking pin are released from the tool. The prepositioning step 61 is performed after the partial ejection step 62 using the same tool as the pin manufacturing step 59 and the rivet manufacturing step 60, by inserting the locking pin into the rivet body by means of a single slide. In a final ejection step 63, the finished expansion rivet with the rivet body and the correctly prepositioned locking pin is ejected. REFERENCE MARK LIST

[0057] 1. Expansion rivet 2. Rivet body 3. Locking pin 4. Mounting direction 5. First rivet channel 6. Second rivet channel 7. Pin receiving opening 8. Pin receiving volume 9. Wall 10. Outer surface 11. Nominal diameter 12. First detent section 13. Second detent section 14. Detent means 15. Effective diameter 16. Edge area 17. Contact area 18. Contact surface 19. Locking section 20. Dividing plane 21. First longitudinal section 22. Second longitudinal section 23. First wall profile 24. Second wall profile 25. Wing element 26. Transition section 27. First arm section 28. Second arm section 29. Web section 30. First web end section 31. Second web end section 32. First partial volume 33. Second 34. Partial volume 35. Circumference 36. Third arm section 37. Fourth arm section 38. Projection plane 39. First inner edge 40. Third inner edge 41. First web edge 42. First partial volume profile 43. Second inner edge 44. Fourth inner edge 45. Second web edge 46. Second partial volume profile 47. Cross web 48. Web recess 49.50. First locking tongue 51. Second locking tongue 52. First locking section 53. Second locking section 54. Notch 55. First component 56. Second component 57. Pre-assembly locking device 58. Auxiliary locking device 59. Procedure 60. Rivet production step 61. Pin production step 62. Pre-positioning step 63. Partial ejection step 64. Ejection step.

Claims

1. Expanding rivet (1) for simultaneously forming at least one first rivet connection and one second rivet connection, wherein the expanding rivet (1) can be guided in a mounting direction (4) through a first rivet channel (5) that can be assigned to the first rivet connection and a second rivet channel (6) that can be assigned to the second rivet connection, wherein the expanding rivet (1) comprises a rivet body (2) and a locking pin (3), wherein the rivet body (2) comprises a pin receiving opening (7) and a pin receiving volume (8) which extends away from the pin receiving opening (7) in the mounting direction (4) and which is encompassed in portions by a wall (9) of the rivet body (2), wherein a nominal diameter (11) of the expanding rivet (1) is defined by an outer surface (10) of the wall (9) that is directed away from the pin receiving volume (8) and is oriented perpendicularly to the mounting direction (4), wherein at least one first detent portion (12) and one second detent portion (13) are formed on the rivet body (2), wherein the detent portions (12, 13) are spaced apart from one another in the mounting direction (4), wherein the rivet body (2) comprises at least one detent means (14) in each case, in the detent portions (12, 13), which detent means extends beyond the outer surface (10) of the wall (9), in the radial direction, such that an effective diameter (15) of the expanding rivet (1) in the region of the detent portions (12, 13) is larger than the nominal diameter (11) and thus the detent means (14) can engage behind edge regions (16) of the rivet channels (5, 6) facing in the mounting direction (4), characterised in that the detent means (14) comprise a contact region (17) having at least one contact surface (18) that faces in the anti-radial direction, wherein the detent means (14) of the expanding rivet (1) are arranged and oriented in such a way that the contact region (17) does not protrude into the pin receiving volume (8) in a load-free state, wherein the detent means (14) are displaceable in the anti-radial direction in such a way that the respective contact regions (17) can be displaced into the pin receiving volume (8), at least in portions, when a force directed at least in part in the anti-radial direction acts on the detent means (14), such that the effective diameter (15) of the expanding rivet (1) can be reduced to the nominal diameter (11) and the expanding rivet (1) can be guided through the rivet channels (5, 6), wherein the pin receiving volume (8) and the locking pin (3) are adjusted to one another in such a way that the locking pin (3) can be arranged in the pin receiving volume (8) in such a way that locking portions (19, 51, 52) of the locking pin (3) can be brought into contact with the contact surfaces (18) of the detent means (14) in such a way that a displacement of the detent means (14) into the pin receiving volume (8) is prevented and the expanding rivet (1) can thus be fixed at the edge regions (16) of the rivet channels (5, 6).

2. Expanding rivet (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the wall (9) of the rivet body (2) comprises a first wall profile (23), at least in portions, having a first arm portion (27) and a second arm portion (28) as well as a rib portion (29), wherein the rib portion (29) extends between a first rib end portion (30), which can be assigned to a first surface portion of the outer surface (10), and a second rib end portion (31), which can be assigned to a second surface portion of the outer surface (10) and which is opposite the first surface portion of the outer surface (10), wherein the rib portion (29) divides the pin receiving volume (8) at least in portions into a first partial volume (32) and a second partial volume (33), wherein the first arm portion (27), proceeding from the first rib end portion (30), extends in a peripheral direction (34) of a perimeter (35) of the rivet body (2), along the outer surface (10) and into the first partial volume (32), wherein the second arm portion (31), proceeding from the second rib end portion (31), extends in a peripheral direction (34), along the outer surface (10) and into the second partial volume (33).

3. Expanding rivet (1) according to either claim 1 or claim 2, characterised in that the wall (9) of the rivet body (2) comprises, at least in portions, a second wall profile (24) having a third arm portion (36) and a fourth arm portion (37) as well as the rib portion (29), wherein the third arm portion (36), proceeding from the first rib end portion (30), extends counter to the peripheral direction (34) of the perimeter (35) of the rivet body (2), along the outer surface (10) and into the second partial volume (33), wherein the fourth arm portion (37), proceeding from the second rib end portion (31), extends counter to the peripheral direction (34), along the outer surface (10) and into the first partial volume (32).

4. Expanding rivet (1) according to claims 2 and 3, characterised in that a projection of the first partial volume (32) in a projection plane (38) oriented perpendicularly to the mounting direction (4) is completely surrounded by a projection of a first inside edge (39) of the first arm portion (27) adjoining the first partial volume (32), a projection of a third inside edge (40) of the third arm portion (36), and a projection of a first rib edge (41) of the rib portion (29), which adjoins the first partial volume (32), such that a first partial volume profile (42) of the first partial volume (32) is defined by the first inside edge (39), the third inside edge (30) and the first rib edge (41), wherein a projection of the second partial volume (33) in the projection plane (38) is completely surrounded by a projection of a second inside edge (43) of the second arm portion (28) adjoining the second partial volume (33), a projection of a fourth inside edge (44) of the fourth arm portion (37), and a projection of a second rib edge (45) of the rib portion (29), which adjoins the second partial volume (33), such that a second partial volume profile (46) of the second partial volume (33) is defined by the second inside edge (43), the fourth inside edge (44) and the second rib edge (45).

5. Expanding rivet (1) according to any of claims 2 to 4, characterised in that the first arm portion (27) and the second arm portion (28), and / or the third arm portion (36) and the fourth arm portion (37), are configured point-symmetrically with respect to one another.

6. Expanding rivet (1) according to any of claims 2 to 5, characterised in that the wall (9) of the rivet body (2) is configured without undercuts, in the region of the wall profile (23, 24), in tool directions oriented in parallel with the rib portion (29) and perpendicularly to the mounting direction (4).

7. Expanding rivet (1) according to any of claims 2 to 6, characterised in that the wall (9) comprises a transverse rib (47) which is determined by the rib portion (29) of the wall profiles (23, 24) and which extends through the pin receiving volume (8) and divides the pin receiving volume (8) into the first partial volume (32) and the second partial volume (33), wherein the locking pin (3) comprises a rib recess (48) which splits the locking pin (3), in portions, such that the locking pin (3) has a first locking tongue (49) and a second locking tongue (50), wherein the locking tongues (49, 50) and the transverse rib (47) are adjusted to one another in such a way that the first locking tongue (49) can be introduced into the first partial volume (32), wherein the second locking tongue (50) can be introduced into the second partial volume (33), wherein the locking tongues (49, 50) abut the transverse rib (47) at least in portions, and wherein the locking tongues (49, 50) comprise the locking portions (51, 52) of the locking pin (3).

8. Expanding rivet (1) according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the expanding rivet (1) comprises a rivet body (2) that is manufactured in one piece.

9. Expanding rivet (1) according to any of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the locking pin (3) comprises a first locking portion (51), a notch (53), a second locking portion (52) and pre-mounting detent means (56), wherein the notch (53) extends in the mounting direction (4), between the first locking portion (51) and the second locking portion (52), wherein the extension of the locking pin (3) transversely to the mounting direction (4) is smaller in the region of the notch (53) than in the region of the first and second locking portion (51, 52), such that the notch (53) allows for a displacement of the detent means (14) into the pin receiving volume (8), wherein in a pre-mounting state of the expanding rivet (1) the locking pin (3) is fixed in the pin receiving volume (8) by means of the pre-mounting detent means (56) in such a way that the first locking portion (51) of the locking pin (3) is guided past the first detent portion (12) and the notch (53) is arranged in the region of the first detent portion (12), such that the detent means (14) of the first detent portion (12) and of the second detent portion (13) are unlocked, wherein the expanding rivet (1) can be transferred into a mounting state by completely pushing the locking pin (3) into the pin receiving volume (8), in which mounting state the first locking portion (51) of the locking pin (3) is arranged in the region of the second detent portion (13), wherein the second locking portion (52) is arranged in the region of the first detent portion (12), wherein the notch (53) is arranged between the first detent portion (12) and the second detent portion (13), such that the first and second locking portion (51, 52) are brought into contact, in the mounting state, with the contact surfaces (18) of the detent means (14) in the first and second detent portion (12, 13), and the expanding rivet (1) is locked.

10. Expanding rivet (1) according to any of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the detent means (14) are configured as latching tongues which are introduced into the wall (9), wherein the latching tongues comprise latching feet which are configured in a ramp-like manner and extend away from the rivet body (2) in the anti-radial direction and behind which the edge regions (16) of the rivet channels (5, 6) can engage.

11. Expanding rivet (1) according to any of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that auxiliary detent means (57) are formed on the rivet body (2), wherein the auxiliary detent means (57) are independent of the detent means (15), and wherein the auxiliary detent means (57) are adjusted to the rivet channels (5, 6) in such a way that they engage in inner wall regions of the rivet channels (5, 6) when the expanding rivet (1) is positioned as intended in the rivet channels (5, 6), such that the expanding rivet (1) is fixed to the rivet channels (5, 6) by means of the auxiliary detent means (57) even if it is not transferred into the mounting state.

12. Method (58) for producing an expanding rivet (1) according to any of claims 1 to 11, wherein firstly, in a rivet production step (59), the rivet body (2) is provided, wherein in a pin production step (60) that follows the rivet production step (59) the locking pin (3) is produced, wherein in a pre-positioning step (61) that follows the rivet production step (59) and the pin production step (60) the locking pin (3) is introduced into the rivet body (2), in portions, and fixed thereon, in such a way that the expanding rivet (1) is not locked and the locking pin is fixed on the rivet body (2) in an anti-loss manner.

13. Method (58) according to claim 12, characterised in that the expanding rivet (1) is an expanding rivet (1) according to any of claims 8 to 11, wherein pin production step (60) and the rivet production step (59) are carried out simultaneously, by means of a tool, wherein in a partial ejection step (62) that follows the pin production step (60) and the rivet production step (59) the rivet body (2) and the locking pin (3) are released from the tool, wherein the pre-positioning step (61) is carried out after the partial ejection step (62), using the same tool as the pin production step (60) and the rivet production step (59), in that the locking pin (3) is pushed into the rivet body (2) by means of a single slider, wherein in an ejection step (63) the finished expanding rivet (1) with the rivet body (2) and the correctly pre-positioned locking pin (3) is ejected.