Supplying module, setting module comprising the supplying module, and corresponding setting method

Abstract

The invention relates to a supplying module (10; 110; 210) for a material strip (16), comprising connecting elements (62) for a setting tool (1). The supplying module has an unwinding spool (12; 112; 212) with a central longitudinal axle, about which the unwinding spool (12; 112; 212) can be rotated, and two lateral walls (14), which oppose each other along the central longitudinal axle, and the supplying module has a first arm (20; 120; 220), which is connected, adjacently to a first axial end (22), to the central longitudinal axle of the unwinding spool (12; 112; 212) and which has, adjacently to a second axial end (24), a rotatable first roller (26; 126; 226), wherein the first arm (20) is rotatably connected to the central longitudinal axle, and the second axial end (24) of the first arm (20) can be moved along a circular arc between a first position and a second position, said first arm (20) being pretensioned in the direction of the first position; or the first arm (120; 220) has a slotted guide for an axle (28) of the first roller (126; 226), and the first roller (126; 226) can be moved in the slotted guide between a first and a second position, the axle (28) of the first roller (126; 226) being pretensioned in the direction of the first position, whereby the material strip (60) can be clamped by means of the first roller (26; 126; 226) on the basis of the mobility of the first roller (26; 126; 226) between the first position and the second position.

Description

[0001] Provisioning module, setting tool with the provisioning module and associated setting procedure

[0002] 1. Field of the invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a supply module of a material strip with connecting elements for a setting tool, a corresponding setting tool for setting connecting elements using the supply module and a setting method of a connecting element using the setting tool.

[0004] 2. Background of the invention

[0005] A wide variety of setting tools for fastening fasteners are known in the art and are used, for example, in automotive manufacturing. Such setting tools typically consist of a frame to which a setting head and a counter-tool are attached.

[0006] The connecting elements are fed to the setting head, for example, by means of belts or material bands, in which the connecting elements are attached to the material band or belt band.

[0007] A corresponding system is explained, for example, in US Pat. No. 6,296,166 B1. The tape feeding device described therein for feeding a tape of a stapler comprises a cover that is slidable and movable inside and outside a housing, and has a guide channel for receiving the tape. A rotating element is unidirectionally attached to the cover by a shaft and includes a series of external projections for engaging the tape and for incrementally advancing the tape. The rotating element can be rotated step by step relative to the cover as the cover moves inward and outward from the housing. A spring element can engage the rotating element to position the rotating element on the cover.

[0008] From WO 2019 / 165036 A1, it is known that a receiving assembly can be coupled to a spindle to receive self-piercing rivets carried by a strip along a strip path under a punch. A reverse pawl can be designed to allow movement of the strip relative to the reverse pawl along the strip path in a forward direction and engage a locating aperture of the strip to stop the strip's movement in the reverse direction when a rivet is aligned with the punch. One method can include advancing the strip along the strip path until a rivet of the strip is at a position along the strip path that is beyond an alignment position with the punch, and moving the strip back to engage the corresponding locating aperture.

[0009] A fastening machine having a fastening head on which the fasteners in a carrier tape are aligned with the punch is described in WO 93 / 09918 A1. The carrier tape has a web with slots or teeth into which a gear can engage, which advances the fasteners one after the other until the shaft rests against a retractable stop. As the punch is advanced, the fasteners are pushed through the carrier tape and deformed by a counter-tool aligned with the punch. In modified embodiments, the fasteners are pushed transversely from the path of the carrier tape, with the carrier tape being advanced by a gear that engages teeth on a side flange of the carrier tape.The sprocket can be remotely controlled, for example by a flexible cable drive, to compensate for the movement when the fastening head is advanced towards or retracted from the counter tool.

[0010] Finally, WO 2010 / 127755 A1 discloses a device for feeding a quasi-endless material strip. This device for feeding a quasi-endless material strip to a manipulation device receiving the material strip comprises a feed tensioning unit through which the material strip is guided in an S-shaped configuration. The feed tensioning unit has a pivoting feed pendulum roller, the angular positions of which can be detected by a feed angle sensor and fed to a control unit, which, depending on a deviation of the respective angular position from a reference angular position, feeds or returns the material strip toward the manipulation device under the control of a dispenser roller motor. This ensures a substantially constant tensile stress of the material strip, even under extreme operating conditions.

[0011] Especially when using a setting tool in conjunction with a robot, feeding the fasteners via a material belt can lead to loops forming in the material belt. For example, if the setting head is moved back to its initial position after the setting process, the material belt can form a loop in front of the setting head. These loops can impede the movement of the robot-guided setting tool.

[0012] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a supply module that is simplified compared to the known prior art solutions and simultaneously ensures that the tension of the material strip is maintained, even when using robot-guided setting tools. Likewise, it is an object of the present invention to provide a corresponding setting tool and a corresponding setting method.

[0013] 3. Summary of the invention

[0014] The above object is achieved by a provision module of a material strip with connecting elements for a setting tool according to independent patent claim 1, a setting tool for setting connecting elements according to independent patent claim 8 and a setting method of a connecting element using the setting tool according to the invention according to independent patent claim 14. Advantageous embodiments and further developments emerge from the following description, the drawings and the appended patent claims.

[0015] A supply module according to the invention for a material strip with connecting elements for a setting tool comprises: a supply reel with a central longitudinal axis about which the supply reel is rotatable, and two side walls arranged opposite one another along the central longitudinal axis, a first arm which is connected to the central longitudinal axis of the supply reel adjacent to a first axial end and which has a rotatable first roller adjacent to a second axial end, wherein the first arm is rotatably connected to the central longitudinal axis and the second axial end of the first arm is movable along a circular arc between a first and a second position, wherein the first arm is pretensioned in the direction of the first position, or the first arm has a slotted guide for an axis of the first roller,wherein the first roller is movable in the guideway between a first and a second position and the axis of the first roller is pretensioned in the direction of the first position, whereby the material strip can be tensioned by the first roller due to the mobility of the first roller between the first and the second position.

[0016] For greater clarity, the provision module according to the invention is explained based on its use in a setting tool for setting fasteners. The setting tool comprises a frame, preferably a C-shaped frame, a setting head arranged on the frame, and a counter-tool arranged on the frame opposite the setting head.

[0017] The material strip runs from the supply spool over the first roller to the setting head of the setting tool, passes through it, and exits the setting head at the other end. If the setting head is now moved toward the counter-tool by the setting stroke, i.e., the advance of the setting head to the joint, the belt is also moved toward the counter-tool. This causes the first roller on the first arm to move along with it, in particular from the first position toward the second position, and preferably all the way to the second position.

[0018] After the fastener has been placed in the component or component stack, the setting head performs a return stroke, i.e. a movement of the setting head from the joint back to its starting position. During this return stroke, the belt strap is also moved away from the counter tool. Since this movement loosens the tension in the material strap, the first roller is moved back to its starting position, i.e. to the first position, due to the pretension in the direction of the first position. This movement of the first roller back to the first position ensures that the material strap does not form loops during the return stroke. One advantage of the present invention is that material straps with fasteners can be used, especially with robot-guided setting tools, without the formation of loops in the material strap being a problem during use.Another advantage is that this solution is independent of the supply reel fill level. Therefore, the required pre-tensioning force does not depend on the supply reel fill level. Rather, it remains constant and does not need to be varied.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment, the supply module has a rigid second arm which is connected to the central longitudinal axis of the supply spool adjacent to a third axial end and which has a stationary, rotatable second roller adjacent to a fourth axial end. In addition, a stationary, rotatable third roller is preferably provided, which is arranged on the rigid second arm adjacent to the second roller. The second roller is arranged between the supply spool and the first roller with respect to the direction of travel of the material strip from the supply spool via the first roller to the setting head. The third roller is accordingly arranged downstream of the first roller and upstream of the setting head with respect to the direction of travel of the material strip. The second roller can also be used without the third roller. The reverse also applies.

[0020] The second roller acts as a counter-holder to the first roller, causing the material strip to deflect in a particularly S-shaped manner. This further reduces the space required by the supply module, which is particularly advantageous in conjunction with the third roller, which is also stationary on the rigid second arm.

[0021] In a further preferred embodiment of the provision module, the supply reel has a braking device, wherein a braking force of the braking device is greater than a pretensioning force acting on the first reel. The braking device makes the supply reel difficult to move in order to prevent involuntary unwinding. In this way, during the setting stroke of the setting head, it is not the supply reel that is moved, but rather the first arm or the first reel. For this purpose, the pretensioning force that pretensions the first reel into the first position must preferably be less than a braking force of the supply reel. In other words, to ensure the desired functionality, the force applied by the braking device must therefore also be greater than the pretensioning force of the first reel. The first reel is preferably pretensioned by means of a spring. This is because the first reel can be pretensioned in a particularly simple manner using a spring.For example, and with reference to the embodiment with the rotatably movable first arm, a spiral spring can be used as the spring, which is arranged, for example, in the hub of the supply reel. This provides a particularly compact design for the device. However, as an alternative to the spring for generating the pretensioning force, any means by which the first arm and / or the axis of the first reel can be pretensioned toward the first position is preferred.

[0022] In a further preferred embodiment of the supply module, it has a stop in the second position. The stop represents a defined second position because it limits movement of the first roller or the first arm away from the first position. This allows the material strip to be moved further particularly effectively after a setting process, so that the next connecting element is arranged in the setting head for a subsequent setting process. As soon as the first roller is fully deflected, i.e. is in the second position, the stop causes the supply reel to unwind when the material strip is pulled further. This results in a switch from movement against the pretensioning force of the first roller to the unwinding movement of the supply reel.

[0023] Likewise, it is preferred that the first roll of the supply module be mounted on the axle so that it can move freely. The freely movable mounting of the first roll in the axial direction on the axle prevents the material strip from jumping off the first roll, especially when the supply reel has a width that corresponds to a multiple of the width of the material strip. This is because, precisely in this case, when the material strip is unwound from the supply reel, the position relative to the width of the supply reel at which the material strip leaves the supply reel is not fixed, but varies across the width of the supply reel.

[0024] The first arm preferably has a length that corresponds at least to the radius of the supply spool. This ensures that the first roller is arranged adjacent to the side walls of the supply spool, which ensures a compact design, especially when moving along a circular arc, since less freedom of movement is required. In addition, especially when the first arm is rotatably mounted on the central longitudinal axis of the supply spool, the first roller is arranged concentrically to the supply spool. This also ensures a compact design. In this way, a corresponding bearing is preferably arranged in a hub of the supply spool. This preferably also applies to the spring, which is advantageously used to generate the pretensioning force.

[0025] A setting tool according to the invention for setting fasteners comprises: a frame, in particular a C-shaped frame, a setting head arranged on the frame, a counter-tool arranged on the frame opposite the setting head, and a provision module according to the invention. The setting tool according to the invention thus uses the provision module according to the invention, so that, to avoid repetition, reference is made to the above explanations with regard to the technical effects and advantages.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment of the setting tool, the supply module is attached to the setting tool, in particular to the frame of the setting tool. Attaching the supply module to the setting tool, in particular to the frame of the setting tool, minimizes the distance between the unwinding reel and the setting tool. Thus, the length of the unwound material strip is kept to a minimum and requires fewer guide and / or holding points. This further optimizes the setting tool.

[0027] In a further preferred embodiment of the setting tool, in which the setting head can be moved linearly in the direction of the counter tool, thereby defining a setting stroke, a distance between the first and the second position of the first roller or the axis of the first roller corresponds to half the setting stroke. The setting stroke of a setting tool is always constant. In order to keep the material strip under tension, the distance between the first and the second position must be greater than or equal to half the setting stroke. This applies assuming an S-shaped guide for the material strip, as is achieved, for example, by means of the second and / or third roller. In the case of the rotatable first arm, the distance between the first and the second position is defined in particular by a chord of the circular arc. In the case of the slotted guide, the distance between the first and second position is defined by a straight line.If the distance between the first and second positions is smaller, starting from an S-shaped guide of the material strip, more material strip is unwound than can be compensated for by the backward movement of the first roller, i.e., the movement from the second position back to the first position. Therefore, this choice of distance between the first and second positions ensures that the material strip is fully retracted, especially with an S-shaped guide of the material strip.

[0028] It is also preferred that the setting tool further comprises a motor, in particular a roller motor, for pulling the material strap. The use of the motor ensures that the strap can be pulled step by step through the setting head.

[0029] It is also preferred that the setting tool has a cutting device for cutting the material strip. The cutting device, preferably arranged downstream of the motor in the direction of the material strip from the unwinding reel toward the setting head, ensures that excess material strip is removed and does not interfere with the use of the setting tool.

[0030] Advantageously, the setting tool comprises a locking device, in particular a pawl, for preventing retraction of the material strip, in conjunction with a sensor device for detecting the presence of a fastener in the setting head. The locking device is designed to allow movement of the material strip relative to the locking device along the strip path in a forward direction. In a reverse direction, however, it blocks movement of the material strip, in particular at the adjacent fastener.

[0031] A setting method according to the invention for a connecting element using the setting tool according to the invention comprises the following steps: moving the setting head with a connecting element of the material strip arranged therein from a starting position to a setting position, whereby the first roller is moved against the pretensioning force, setting the connecting element, moving the material strip forward so that a subsequent connecting element is arranged in the setting head, moving the setting head back from the setting position to the starting position, wherein the material strip is held in a tensioned state by a movement of the first roller from the second position to the first position. With the setting method according to the invention, a connecting element is set using the setting tool according to the invention with the provision module according to the invention.Therefore, reference is made to the above statements to avoid repetition regarding the advantages and technical effects.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment of the setting method, the material strip only advances when the first roller is in the second position. This step ensures that the first roller is initially fully deflected, so that the stop effectively prevents the spool from unwinding when the strip is further pulled.

[0033] 4. Brief summary of the drawings

[0034] The present invention is described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Like reference numerals in the drawings denote like components and / or elements. They show:

[0035] Fig. 1 is a first perspective view of an embodiment of a provision module according to the invention,

[0036] Fig. 2 is a second perspective view of the embodiment of the provision module according to the invention according to Fig. 1,

[0037] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the embodiment of the provision module according to the invention according to Fig. 1 from below,

[0038] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the embodiment of the provision module according to the invention according to Fig. 1 from below without the second arm,

[0039] Fig. 5 is a side view of the embodiment of the provision module according to the invention shown in Fig. 4, Figs. 6a to 6c are side views of the embodiment of the provision module according to the invention shown in Fig. 4, wherein the first roller is arranged in the first position, in a middle position and in a second position,

[0040] Fig. 7 is a first perspective view of an embodiment of a setting tool according to the invention,

[0041] Fig. 8 is an enlarged view of a section of the setting tool according to Fig. 7,

[0042] Fig. 9 is a first sectional view of a setting head of the setting tool according to Fig. 7,

[0043] Fig. 10 is a second sectional view of a setting head of the setting tool according to Fig. 7,

[0044] Fig. 11 is a first perspective view of a section of the setting tool according to Fig. 7 to illustrate an existing motor,

[0045] Fig. 12 is a first perspective view of the setting tool according to Fig. 11 without the motor cover,

[0046] Fig. 13 is a second perspective view of the setting tool according to Fig. 11 without the motor cover,

[0047] Fig. 14 is a perspective view of a section of the setting tool according to Fig. 7 to illustrate an existing cutting device,

[0048] Fig. 15 is a side view of the supply module according to Fig. 1 to illustrate the distance between the first and the second position of the first roller

[0049] Fig. 16 is a side view of a second embodiment of a provision module according to the invention to illustrate the distance between the first and the second position of the first roller, Fig. 17 is a side view of a third embodiment of a provision module according to the invention to illustrate the distance between the first and the second position of the first roller and

[0050] Fig. 18 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a setting method using the setting tool according to Fig. 7.

[0051] 5. Detailed description of the preferred embodiments

[0052] First, referring to Figures 1-5, the structure of an embodiment of a supply module 10 according to the invention is explained. The supply module 10 comprises a supply reel 12 with a central longitudinal axis about which the supply reel 12 is rotatable. Furthermore, two side walls 14 arranged opposite one another along the central longitudinal axis are provided. The material strip 60, which carries connecting elements 62, is wound onto the supply reel 12.

[0053] The supply module 10 further comprises a first arm 20. The first arm 20 is connected to the central longitudinal axis of the supply reel 12 adjacent to a first axial end 22. A rotatable first roller 26 is provided adjacent to the second axial end 24 of the first arm 20. The first roller 26 is displaceably and rotatably mounted on an axle 28, wherein the axle 28, in the illustrated embodiment, is fixedly connected to the first arm 20 on one side. Furthermore, the first arm 20 has a safety device 30 at the second axial end 24, which in this case consists of a bracket, to prevent the material strip 60 from jumping off during operation.

[0054] The above-described free movement of the first roll 26 on the axis 28 is particularly preferred, since the supply reel 12 typically has a width that is many times wider than the width of the material strip 60. This allows the material strip 60 to be wound onto the supply reel 12 like a tube, so that the position of the material strip 60 leaving the supply reel 12 varies relative to the longitudinal axis of the supply reel 12. If the first roll 26 were not arranged to be movable on the axis 28, this could result in the material strip 60 jumping off the first roll 26, which would prevent proper operation of the supply module 10. Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, the first arm 20 is rotatably connected to the central longitudinal axis of the supply reel 12. Thus, the second axial end 24 of the first arm 20 is movable along a circular arc between a first and a second position.For this purpose, the first arm 20 is prestressed in the direction of the first position, in particular by means of a spring such as a spiral spring, which is preferably arranged on a hub of the supply reel 12, in particular together with a bearing for the first axial end 22 of the first arm 20.

[0055] Instead of this construction of the first arm 20, the first arm 20 can also have a slotted guide for an axis 28 of the first roller 26 at the second axial end 24 (not shown). In this case, the first axial end 22 of the first arm 20 is stationary connected to the central longitudinal axis of the supply reel 10 so that it cannot move. In order to provide efficient slotted guide, a further first arm 20, which is constructed in a similar way, is provided on the other side of the supply reel 12, i.e. adjacent to the opposite side wall 14. The first roller 26 is movable via the axis 28 in the slotted guide between a first and a second position, wherein the axis 28 of the first roller 26 is pretensioned towards the first position.

[0056] In addition to a spring, any other known means can be used to generate the preload, with which a preload of the first roller 26 from the second position to the first position can be realized, preferably via a corresponding preload of the first arm 20 or the axis 28 of the first roller 26 away from the second position and towards the first position.

[0057] In the illustrated embodiments, the supply module 10 further comprises a second arm 40. A third axial end 42 of the second arm 40 is connected to the central longitudinal axis of the supply reel 12, while a stationary, rotatable second roller 46 is provided at an opposite, fourth axial end 44. Adjacent to the second roller 46, a third roller 48 is also provided on the second arm 40. By combining the two stationary, rotatable rollers 46, 48 and the rotatable first roller 26, an S-shaped guide for the material strip 60 can be realized. For this purpose, the material strip is guided from the supply reel 12 over the second roller 46, the first roller 26, and subsequently the third roller 48. For better comprehension, Figures 1 and 2 show respective perspective side views, Figure 3 shows a view from below, and Figures 4 and 5 show views without the second arm 40.

[0058] Figures 6a to 6c show the behavior of the supply module 10 when the material strip 60 is pulled. In order to initially prevent movement of the supply reel 12 and first enable movement of the first roll 26 from the first position toward the second position, the supply reel 12 of the supply module 10 shown here has a braking device. The braking force of the braking device is greater than a pretensioning force acting on the first roll 26. This ensures that the first roll 26 moves first when the material strip 60 is pulled, before further unwinding of the material strip 60 from the supply reel 12 occurs.

[0059] In Figure 6a, the first roller 26 is in an initial state, i.e., in the first position. If the material strip 60 is now pulled, the first roller 26 is moved from the first position toward the second position. Figure 6b shows a corresponding center position between the first and second positions. In Figure 6c, the second roller has reached the second position and preferably a corresponding stop. This preferred stop prevents further movement of the first roller 26 away from the first position at a defined point. The mode of operation is explained below.

[0060] Referring now to Figures 7-15, an embodiment of a setting tool 1 according to the invention will be discussed. The setting tool 1 comprises a frame 3, which in this case is C-shaped. A setting head 5 with a punch 50 is arranged on the frame 3. A counter-tool 7 is arranged on the frame 3 opposite the setting head 5. Furthermore, the provision module 10 is provided.

[0061] In the present case, the supply module 10 is attached to the setting tool 1, namely to the frame 3 of the setting tool 1. As can already be seen from Figures 7 and 8, the material strip 60 runs after the third roller 48 into a guide on the setting head 5, through the setting head 5, and exits it on the other side. A motor 52 is provided to move the material strip 60 through the setting head 5 so that a connecting element 62 is positioned below the punch 50. Excess material strip 60 is removed by means of a cutting device 56 arranged downstream of the motor 52, which will be explained below.

[0062] During a setting process, in which a fastener 62 is located in the setting head 5 below the punch 50 of the setting head 5, the setting head 5 is moved linearly toward the counter-tool 7. This defines a so-called setting stroke Sh. As soon as the joining position is reached, the punch 50 is moved toward the counter-tool 7, so that the fastener 62 is inserted into the component(s) to be joined.

[0063] This process, in particular the linear movement of the setting head 5 toward the counter-tool 7 to the joining position, i.e., the setting stroke, requires that the material strip 60 follows this movement. The provision module 10 is provided to prevent loops from forming in the material strip 60 during the associated movement of the setting head 5 from the joining position back to the starting position.

[0064] Due to the supply module 10 used, during the setting stroke, the first roller 26 is moved from the first position toward the second position, preferably to a stop that defines the second position. With the S-shaped arrangement of the material strip 60 described above, the distance between the first position and the second position is dimensioned to be half the setting stroke, as illustrated in Figure 15.

[0065] In the illustrated rotatable first arm 20, the distance between the first and second positions is determined by a corresponding chord. This chord therefore preferably corresponds to half the setting stroke. In contrast, in the slotted guide, the distance between the first and second positions is preferably defined by a straight line connecting the two positions.

[0066] Due to this construction and the first roller 26 pre-tensioned towards the first position, the material strip is held taut or tensioned during a return stroke of the setting head 5 by the backward movement of the first roller 26 from the second position to the first position. In order to effectively position another connecting element 62 under the punch 50 after the connecting element 62 has been set during the automated joining process, the motor 52 consists in particular of two rollers 54, between which the material strip 60 is guided. This is shown in Figures 11-13. The motor 52 is therefore arranged behind the punch 50 with respect to a direction of movement of the material strip 60 and thus on an output side of the setting head 5.

[0067] The cutting device 56 is provided downstream of the motor 52. This cuts off the no longer required material strip 60 at predetermined intervals and / or time intervals. In this context, reference is made to Figure 14.

[0068] Referring again to Figure 10, a sensor device 58 can also be seen, which detects the presence of a connecting element 62 under the punch 50. In the example shown, the sensor device 58 consists of a lever that is moved by the connecting element in the direction of movement of the material strip 60 until it reaches a stop. This prevents further movement of the material strip 60 by the setting head 5 and signals the presence of a connecting element 62 under the punch 50 of the setting head 5.

[0069] In this context, the setting tool 1 advantageously also comprises a locking device (not shown), in particular a pawl, to prevent retraction of the material strip 60. Such locking devices, for example in the form of a pawl, which allows movement of the material strip 60 with a connecting element 62 into the setting head 5 and prevents movement backward in the direction of the supply spool 12, are known in the prior art, such as from WO 2019 / 165036 A1 discussed above.

[0070] Referring now to Figure 16, a side view of a second embodiment of a supply module 110 according to the invention is shown. This supply module 110 has a first arm 120 with a slotted guide for the first roller 126. In contrast to the previous embodiment, the first arm 120 is therefore not arranged rotatably on the supply reel 112, but rather is rigid.

[0071] The first roller 126 is movable in the link guide between a first and a second position, wherein the axis 28 of the first roller 126 is preloaded towards the first position. The preload is generated by a spring. As in the previous embodiment, the material strip 60 runs from the supply spool 112 via the second roller 146, the first roller 126 and the third roller 148 to the setting head 5. In contrast to the first embodiment, the second roller 146 and the third roller 148 are arranged on the first arm 120. Therefore, there is no need for the second arm. If the rollers 146, 148 are not to be attached to the first arm 120, a second arm for attaching the second roller 146 and third roller 148 can be provided, as in the first embodiment.

[0072] Figure 17 shows a further modification of a provision module 210. This embodiment essentially corresponds to the embodiment according to Figure 16.

[0073] In contrast to the embodiment according to Figure 16, the second roller 146 between the supply reel 212 and the first roller 226 is omitted. Therefore, in this embodiment, the material strip 60 runs from the supply reel 212 over the first roller 226 and then over the third roller 248 to the setting head 5.

[0074] Finally, with reference to Figure 18, a flow chart of an embodiment of a setting method according to the invention of a connecting element 62 using the setting tool 1 is explained.

[0075] In a first step A, the setting head 5, with a connecting element 62 of the material strip 60 arranged therein, is moved from a starting position to a setting or joining position. This moves the first roller 26 against the preload force. Next, in step B, the connecting element 62 is inserted into the component(s) to be joined.

[0076] Following the setting process, the material strip 60 is moved forward (step C) so that a subsequent connecting element 62 is arranged in the setting head 5. This forward movement of the material strip 60 preferably only occurs when the first roller 26 is in the second position. In this position, the first roller 26 rests against the stop, so that further movement of the first roller 26 away from the first position is not possible. Therefore, further pulling on the material strip 60, for example due to the motor 52, causes a subsequent connecting element 62 to be arranged under the punch 50 of the setting head 5. Finally, in step D, the setting head 5 is moved back from the setting or joining position to the starting position. The material strip 60 is held in a taut state by a movement of the first roller 26 from the second position to the first position. This effectively prevents the formation of loops in the material strip 60.

[0077] 6. List of reference symbols

[0078] 1 setting tool

[0079] 3 frames

[0080] 5 setting head

[0081] 7 Counter tool

[0082] 10 Provisioning module

[0083] 12 supply spool

[0084] 14 Side wall

[0085] 20 first arm

[0086] 22 first axial end

[0087] 24 second axial end

[0088] 26 first role

[0089] 28 Axis of the first roller

[0090] 30 Security

[0091] 40 second arm

[0092] 42 third axial end

[0093] 44 fourth axial end

[0094] 46 second role

[0095] 48 third role

[0096] 50 stamps

[0097] 52 engine

[0098] 54 rolls

[0099] 56 Cutting device

[0100] 58 Sensor device 60 Material belt

[0101] 62 Connecting element 110 Provisioning module

[0102] 112 supply spool

[0103] 120 first arm

[0104] 126 first role

[0105] 146 second roll 148 third roll

[0106] 210 Provisioning Module

[0107] 212 supply spool

[0108] 220 first arm 226 first roller

[0109] 248 third role

[0110] Sh setting stroke

Claims

Patent claims 1. A supply module (10; 110; 210) of a material strip (60) with connecting elements (62) for a setting tool (1), comprising: a. an unwinding spool (12; 112; 212) with a central longitudinal axis about which the unwinding spool (12; 112; 212) is rotatable, and two side walls (14) arranged opposite one another along the central longitudinal axis, b. a first arm (20; 120; 220) which is connected to the central longitudinal axis of the unwinding spool (12) adjacent to a first axial end (22) and which has a rotatable first roller (26; 126; 226) adjacent to a second axial end (24), wherein cl . the first arm (20) is rotatably connected to the central longitudinal axis and the second axial end (24) of the first arm (20) is movable along a circular arc between a first and a second position, the first arm (20) being biased towards the first position, or c2.the first arm (120; 220) has a slotted guide for an axis (28) of the first roller (126; 226), wherein the first roller (126; 226) is movable in the slotted guide between a first and a second position and the axis (28) of the first roller (126; 226) is pretensioned in the direction of the first position, whereby d. the material strip (60) can be tensioned by the first roller (26; 126; 226) due to the mobility of the first roller (26; 126; 226) between the first and the second position.

2. The supply module (10) according to claim 1, which has a rigid second arm (40) which is connected to the central longitudinal axis of the supply reel (12) adjacent to a third axial end (42) and which has a stationary rotatable second roller (46) adjacent to a fourth axial end (44).

3. The provisioning module (10) according to claim 2, further comprising a stationary rotatable third roller (48) arranged on the rigid second arm (40) adjacent to the second roller (46).

4. The supply module (10; 110; 210) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the supply reel (12; 112; 212) has a braking device, wherein a braking force of the braking device is greater than a pretensioning force acting on the first reel (26; 126; 226).

5. The provision module (10; 110; 210) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the first roller (26; 126; 226) is pre-tensioned by means of a spring.

6. The provisioning module (10; 110; 210) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a stop in the second position.

7. The provision module (10; 110; 210) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first roller (26; 126; 226) is mounted on the axle (28) in a freely displaceable manner.

8. A setting tool (1) for setting connecting elements (62), comprising: a. a frame (3), in particular a C-shaped frame, b. a setting head (5) arranged on the frame (3), c. a counter tool (7) arranged on the frame (3) opposite the setting head (5), and d. a provision module (10; 110; 210) according to one of the preceding claims.

9. The setting tool (1) according to claim 8, wherein the provision module (10) is attached to the setting tool (1), in particular to the frame (3) of the setting tool (1).

10. The setting tool (1) according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the setting head (5) is linearly movable in the direction of the counter tool (7), thereby defining a setting stroke, and a distance between the first and the second position of the first roller (26; 126; 226) corresponds to half the setting stroke.

11. The setting tool (1) according to one of claims 8 to 10, which further comprises a motor (52), in particular a roller motor, for pulling the material strip (60).

12. The setting tool (1) according to one of claims 8 to 11, which has a cutting device (56) for cutting the material strip (60).

13. The setting tool (1) according to one of claims 8 to 12, which has a locking device, in particular a pawl, for preventing retraction of the material strip (60) in conjunction with a sensor device (58) for detecting the presence of a connecting element (62) in the setting head (5).

14. A setting method of a connecting element (62) using the setting tool (1) according to one of claims 8 to 13, wherein the setting method comprises the following steps: a. moving (A) the setting head (5) with a connecting element (62) of the material strip (60) arranged therein from a starting position to a setting position, whereby the first roller (26; 126; 226) is moved against the pretensioning force, b. setting (B) the connecting element (62), c. moving forward (C) the material strip (60) so that a subsequent connecting element (62) is arranged in the setting head (5), d. moving back (D) the setting head (5) from the setting position to the starting position, wherein the material strip (60) is held in a tensioned state by a movement of the first roller (26) from the second position to the first position.

15. The setting method according to claim 14, wherein the forward movement of the material strip (60) only occurs when the first roller (26) is in the second position.

Images