Riveting device, collection container for rivet mandrel remnants and a method for mounting and removing such a collection container

This application is a national stage application, filed under 35 U.S.C. § 371, of International Patent Application PCT/DE2023/100495, filed on Jun. 29, 2023, which claims the benefit of German Patent Application DE 10 2022 116 432.2, filed on Jun. 30, 2022.

The present disclosure relates to a riveting device, for example a blind rivet setting tool. Furthermore, the present disclosure relates to a collection container for rivet mandrel remnants and a method for mounting and removing such a collection container.

Riveting devices are typically used to produce a rivet connection between two or more materials, such as for example metal sheets, at a connection point at which the materials are placed on each other. To form the rivet connection, a plastically deformable, often cylindrical connecting element is used which is generally referred to as a rivet. The rivet usually has a rivet head prefabricated on one end. To produce the rivet connection, the rivet is introduced into a connection hole at the connection point up to the rivet head and then the other end of the rivet is plastically deformed to form a closing head.

Commonly used riveting devices usually comprise a riveting tool which is set up to cause a plastic deformation forming the closing head. The riveting devices have a drive device accommodated in a device housing for actuating the riveting tool. Often, the drive device is electromechanical and comprises, for example, an electric motor and a spindle gear formed as a ball screw drive having a threaded spindle and a spindle nut. Typically, the spindle nut is driven by the electric motor and the threaded spindle is secured by torque supports against rotation, so that the threaded spindle shifts axially and in the process acts on the riveting tool when the spindle nut rotates.

Such a riveting device is described in EP 0 527 414 A1. The riveting device is formed and set up for blind riveting, by exerting a pulling movement to pull a rivet mandrel out from the rivet body of a blind rivet, compressing the rivet body to create a closing head, until it results in tear-off of the rivet mandrel. The torn-off rivet mandrel piece can be disposed of in a collection container, in the axial direction, i.e. in the direction of the pulling movement of the rivet mandrel, via a continuous bore in the threaded spindle and an adjoining tubular element.

In the case of the riveting device, the collection container is releasably fixed on the device housing. For this purpose, an interposed tube piece is provided which, on the one hand, is screwed onto the device housing by means of screw elements and, on the other hand, serves as a receiver in which the collection container is releasably inserted with a corresponding extension. Often, the tube piece and the extension are each provided with a thread and the connection of the collection container to the tube piece is realised by screwing. To ensure that the collection container is still held securely on the riveting device when it is filled with rivet mandrel remnants, typically a significant screw-in length is required. Therefore, the riveting device is relatively bulky in the axial direction, in particular when the collection container is removed.

In the context of an ongoing further development, it can therefore be seen that there is a need to improve the compactness of a riveting device, in particular for the state in which the collection container is removed. The expectation is that an improved compactness when the collection container is removed facilitates reaching those difficult-to-access riveting points which can only be reached with the collection container removed. It is also expected that improved compactness makes the riveting device lighter and/or easier to handle. Furthermore, the expectation is that despite the improved compactness, the collection container can be held securely on the riveting device even when the collection container is filled with rivet mandrel remnants.

One embodiment of a basic riveting device comprises a collection container for rivet mandrel remnants and a support structure for the collection container. An improvement in the compactness is provided by one embodiment of the riveting device, in which a fixing mechanism is provided, which is set up in such a way that the collection container can be brought into a fixing position on the support structure by a translational movement with respect to the support structure along a spatial axis. Preferably, the fixing mechanism is furthermore formed in such a way that the collection container is to be released from the fixing position by a rotational movement with respect to the support structure around the spatial axis. Preferably, the translational movement is an exclusively translational movement.

Mounting the collection container on the support structure without screwing is possible with the proposed fixing mechanism. Therefore, with regard to its overall size when the collection container is removed, the riveting device can be realised in a shorter axial overall length relative to the spatial axis than is the case when the riveting device has a screw thread for screwing on the collection container. Simultaneously, removing the collection container from the support structure by a movement method other than during mounting is possible with the proposed fixing mechanism. This aims to decouple the release force to be applied for releasing the collection container from the fixing position largely or completely from the operative direction of the retaining force, which is created by the translational movement along the spatial axis as part of mounting and holds the collection container in the fixing position in the direction of this axis. Therefore, the retaining connection acting in the direction of the spatial axis can be formed to be more robust between the collection container and the support structure, since release does not take place in this direction. Subsequently, in this manner, an undesired self-actuated release of the collection container due to its own gravitational force, for example in the state filled with rivet mandrel remnants, is counteracted.

In one embodiment, the fixing mechanism comprises a fixing connection assigned to the collection container and a fixing connection assigned to the support structure, which in particular are set up that in the fixing position they form a snap connection with each other. The fixing connections are also set up that the collection container is blocked in the snap connection in the direction along the spatial axis against loosening from the support structure.

Such an embodiment enables the more compact design of the riveting device, sought in comparison to the screw connection, in the axial direction for the case that the collection container is removed. The snap connection additionally represents a connection type which can build up system-induced higher retaining forces in the mounting direction, i.e. in the direction of the spatial axis, in order to hold the collection container securely in the fixing position for example, when it is largely or completely filled with rivet mandrel remnants. In this respect, the snap connection can be dimensioned by way of an appropriate design such that an undesired self-actuated release of the collection container counter to the snap direction, i.e. counter to the mounting direction, due to its own gravitational force, for example in the state filled with rivet mandrel remnants, is avoided.

Furthermore, the improved riveting device is to be created so that the fixing mechanism is set up that the collection container is blocked in the snap connection against rotation around the spatial axis relative to the support structure up to a predetermined torque, i.e. there is a rotary lock. Therefore, an undesired, in particular early release of the collection container is counteracted by a torque acting around the spatial axis. This makes it possible that an outward movement of the collection container is only moved out from the fixing position on the support structure when the predetermined torque is exceeded and therefore the rotary lock is overcome.

A possible embodiment of the fixing connection can be that one of the fixing connections has at least one latching projection and the other fixing connection has at least one recess which can be used as a counter latching structure, for example. The latching projection and the recess are in particular set up so that in the fixing position, the latching projection latches in the recess or engages in the recess. The latching projection can be a latching lug which, for example, is formed in the shape of a lug in the direction of the spatial axis.

In order to achieve latching acting in the axial direction, according to one embodiment, the recess has a latching edge extending transverse, in particular orthogonal to the spatial axis. In order to achieve the above-described rotary lock, according to one embodiment, the recess is closed at the ends in the circumferential direction relative to the spatial axis. This can be realised in that the recess is delimited in the circumferential direction relative to the spatial axis by side wall surfaces spaced apart from each other, between which the latching projection is in the fixing position, or when a snap connection is present.

In order to overcome the rotary lock by exceeding the predetermined torque, and thus to release the collection container from the fixing position on the support structure, it is provided according to an embodiment that the latching projection and/or the recess has a rounded contour on at least one end section in the circumferential direction relative to the spatial axis. Therefore, the locking effect caused by engaging the latching projection into the recess is reduced in the circumferential direction relative to the spatial axis. The rounded contour is therefore set up for example, such that when reaching the predetermined torque, the latching projection and thus a wall surface in contact with it slide against each other and therefore the latching projection and the recess are moved away from each other in the radial direction relative to the spatial axis and are disengaged.

A sufficiently high retaining force to prevent rotation is enabled by the rounded contour, as long as the latching projection is completely plugged into the recess. The further the latching projection emerges from the recess, the lower the retaining force to prevent rotation. In this respect, a rounded contour is useful since it facilitates easy release after the retaining force has been exceeded.

Alternatively, the latching projection and/or the recess or the latching recess can have a slanted contour on at least one end section in the circumferential direction relative to the spatial axis. Therefore, it is also possible that the locking effect caused by the engagement of the latching projection into the recess is reduced in the circumferential direction relative to the spatial axis, so that it is easier to bring the collection container out from the fixing position on the support structure. The slanted contour enables the latching projection to always rest against the wall of the recess at the same angle, so that the force ratios are approximately the same when releasing.

The improved riveting device can also be designed so that the at least one end section of the latching projection and the associated at least one end section of the recess are formed to be aligned with each other in the circumferential direction relative to the spatial axis and/or have an orientation corresponding to each other. This measure also supports releasing the snap connection in the above-described manner.

On the one hand, an undesired release of the snap connection in the axial direction is counteracted by the above-proposed embodiment of the fixing connection, and on the other hand, the rounded contour or slanted contour allows a desired release of the snap connection when applying a torque above a predetermined force value. In other words, removing the collection container from the support structure is only possible by applying a torque around the rotational axis, and only when a predetermined torque is built up.

In one possible embodiment, the latching projection or the recess is arranged on a resilient snap lug and the snap lug is provided at least twice, for example. In this case, the improved riveting device can be designed so that the at least two resilient snap lugs extend in the direction of the spatial axis with their longitudinal extension, and in particular are at a radial distance from each other in relation to the spatial axis and in particular are sprung towards each other. Therefore, a technically simple production of the fixing mechanism or the fixing connections is favoured.

For example, in the same vein, according to one embodiment, the aim of the measure is that the at least two resilient snap lugs are provided on one of the fixing connections and in the fixing position act from the outside against the circumference of the other fixing connection.

The improved riveting device can also be designed that the support structure has a circumferential wall surface around the spatial axis which corresponds to a circumferential surface of the collection container. In this case, it can be provided that in the fixing position, the circumferential wall surface and the circumferential surface overlap each other and form a plug connection. Therefore, support and/or centring of the collection container is achieved on the support structure in the radial direction when the collection container is located in the fixing position, i.e. the plug connection is created.

In one possible embodiment, the support structure is formed on a preferably tubular housing part or comprises such a housing part. For example, the housing part has a round cross-section. For example, the housing part extends with its longitudinal extension in the direction of the rotational axis and/or is arranged coaxially to the rotational axis.

The improved riveting device can be designed in this embodiment so that one of the fixing connections is formed on the housing part on opposing surface sections of its outer circumference and in particular the surface sections extend parallel or essentially parallel to each other and in particular the surface sections are flat. Therefore, a design of the fixing mechanism is enabled in which in the fixing position, the collection container is adapted in the radial direction to the outer circumference of the housing part. The fixing connection is then, for example, recessed on the straight surface sections in comparison to the round outer circumference.

The improved riveting device can be designed in this embodiment so that in each case the above-described counter latching structure is arranged on the surface sections, in particular formed thereon, for example moulded thereon. For example, the counter latching structure is a wall or wall surface, for example a recess in the relevant surface section.

Preferably, the riveting device has a riveting tool and a drive device present in the housing part for actuating the riveting tool. In this case, the improved riveting device is designed so that the riveting tool is arranged on one longitudinal end of the housing part and the collection container is arranged on an opposing longitudinal end of the tubular housing part.

In a further embodiment, the riveting device is formed as a hand riveting device and comprises a handle part, which for example has a longitudinal extension transverse to the rotational axis. For example, the handle part is formed on a device housing comprising the housing part, in particular moulded thereon. The riveting device can be held in the hand or manually guided by the handle part. In particular, the handle part allows the riveting device to be positioned manually at a point to be riveted.

According to one aspect, a collection container for rivet mandrel remnants is proposed. In particular, the collection container is suitable to be used as a collection container for the above-described riveting device. The collection container comprises, for example, a base body performing a container function and a fixing connection for fixing on a riveting device, for example the above-described riveting device.

In one embodiment, the fixing connection is set up to form a fixing mechanism with a fixing connection of the riveting device in such a way that the collection container is to be brought into a fixing position on the riveting device by a translational movement with respect to the riveting device along a spatial axis, and that the collection container is to be released from the fixing position by a rotational movement with respect to the riveting device around the spatial axis.

In particular, the collection container comprises at least individual or all features of the collection container for the above-described riveting device. In this respect, the advantages described above in the context of the riveting device can be achieved with the collection container.

Therefore, mounting and removing the collection container is possible for a user in a simple manner and with relatively low effort.

Further characteristics and features result from the following description of two exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawing.

shows an exemplary embodiment of a riveting devicethat is also referred to as a setting device by experts. The exemplary riveting device is suitable for applying or setting rivets according to the blind riveting method, and in this regard is designed for using blind rivets.

The exemplary riveting devicecomprises a riveting tooland a drive device (not shown in) for actuating the riveting tool. Preferably, the riveting toolis assigned to a tool housing. Preferably, the drive device is assigned to a device housing, in particular received therein. Preferably, the tool housingis a metal housing. Preferably, the device housingis a plastic housing.

The exemplary riveting devicecan be a hand riveting device. The hand riveting devicehas a gripping surfacefor example which can be formed at least partially on the device housing. For example, the hand riveting devicehas a handle partwhich is at least partially formed by the device housing. The riveting devicecan be held in the hand by the gripping surfaceor the handle partwhen it is used for setting a rivet, in particular a blind rivet, on a workpiece. The riveting process as such then takes place by actuating the riveting toolvia the drive device.

For example, the drive device is an electromechanical drive device which comprises an electric motor (not shown in), for example. A preferably replaceable electrical energy storage device, such as an accumulator, can be provided for the electrical energy supply of the drive device, which energy storage device is arranged, for example, in the region of an end of the handle partfacing away from the riveting tool. Therefore, the riveting devicecan be a cordless tool. In principle, the drive device can also be a pneumatic drive device having a pneumatic drive or a hydraulic drive device having a hydraulic drive.

The riveting toolcan comprise a mouthpieceand a mandrel holder (not shown in) that can be moved with respect to the mouthpiecein the direction of an operative axis W. For example, the mouthpiece.is fixed to the tool housing, for example screwed to it. Preferably, the mandrel holder is received in the tool housingso as to be moveable in the direction of the operative axis W. For example, the tool housinghas an elongate, in particular tubular base body. In this respect, the tool housingis also referred to as a setting sleeve by experts. For example, the mouthpieceis fixed on one end of the tool housingand the opposing end faces towards the device housing.

The mouthpieceserves, for example, to receive a rivet (not shown in) to be set, in particular a blind rivet, and preferably has a through hole, in order to insert the rivet mandrel of the rivet therein. The mandrel holder serves, for example, to fix the rivet mandrel, so that a non-displaceable connection between the received rivet mandrel and the mandrel holder is created. For example, the riveting devicehas a through hole (not shown in) which leads from the mandrel holder into a collection container. For example, in this manner a mandrel removal path is realised, wherein the collection containercan serve as a collector for rivet mandrel remnants.

For example, the collection containeris a plastic container and has or consists of a plastic material. For example, the collection containerhas a base body.which performs a container function (). For example, the collection containerhas an opening.on one end, via which rivet mandrel remnants can be received from the collection container(). For example, the collection containeris cylindrical. For example, the collection containerhas a round cross-section. For example, the collection containeris elongate and extends with its longitudinal extension along the rotational axis A when it is fixed to the riveting device. For example, the collection containeris then arranged coaxially to the rotational axis A and/or to the operative axis W.

In relation to the basic construction and the basic functioning of the riveting deviceand in particular the collection container, the German patent application with the official file number DE 10 2022 116 431.4 is referred to for the purpose of the completion and expansion of the present disclosure, with the note that the patent application may attribute a meaning to identically worded terms which differs from the present meaning.

In the exemplary riveting device, a support structureis provided for example, on which the collection containeris fixed, i.e. it is located in a fixing position B. The support structurecan be arranged on a housing part, for example, of the device housing, in particular can be formed thereon or can be formed by the housing part. For illustration purposes,shows the exemplary riveting devicein an enlarged section in the region of the collection containerand the support structureor the housing partin a perspective representation. There, the collection containeris located in the fixing position B on the support structure.

For example, the housing partis tubular. For example, the housing partis elongate. For example, the housing partsurrounds the operative axis W and/or is arranged coaxially to the operative axis W. For example, the housing parthas a round, in particular circular cross-section and extends with its longitudinal extension in the direction of the operative axis W. For example, in the housing parta drive element (not shown in) of the drive device is accommodated, which is set up to be moved along the operative axis W, in order to drive the mandrel holder.

In the exemplary riveting device, a fixing mechanism is provided for example, by means of which the collection containeris to be released from the fixing position B on the support structureor is to be brought into the fixing position B on the support structure. The fixing mechanism is preferably set up in such a way that the collection containeris to be brought into the fixing position B on the support structureby a preferably exclusively translational movement with respect to the support structurealong a spatial axis A. In, the translational movement or mounting movement is indicated by way of example with the arrow. In particular, as can be seen therefrom, the spatial axis A can lie on the operative axis W or coincide with the operative axis W.

The fixing mechanism is more preferably formed in such a way that the collection containeris to be released from the fixing position B by a rotational movement with respect to the support structurearound the spatial axis A. In, this rotational movement or removing movement is indicated by way of example with the arrow. After performing the removing movement, the collection containeris released from the fixing position B and can be removed from the support structureand emptied at a target location and/or stored.

illustrate examples of a possible design and/or functioning of the fixing mechanism.show an example of the collection containerand the support structurein a state removed from each other, in different perspective representations.each show the collection containerin a state during mounting () and in a final mounted state on the support structure() in a sectional representation along the rotational axis A, in which the collection containeris located in the fixing position B.each show the collection containerin the fixing position B () and the collection containerin a state released from the fixing position B () in a sectional representation transverse to the rotational axis A.

For example, the fixing mechanism comprises a fixing connectionwhich is assigned to the collection container, in particular arranged thereon, for example is moulded thereon. For example, the fixing mechanism further comprises a fixing connectionwhich is assigned to the support structure, in particular arranged thereon, for example is moulded thereon. Preferably, the fixing connections,are set up to form a snap connectionto each other in the fixing position B ().

In the present disclosure, a “snap connection” is understood to mean a preferably releasable form-fitting and/or frictional connection of two connecting pieces by using the material elasticity of at least one of the connecting pieces, preferably without an additional joining element.

Preferably, one of the fixing connections,, in particular the fixing connectionassigned to the collection container, has a latching projection. For example, the latching projectionis a latching lug which is formed in a nose shape in the direction of the spatial axis A. Preferably, the other fixing connection, in particular the fixing connectionassigned to the support structure, has a recesswhich can be used as a push pull structure for the latching projection.

Preferably, the fixing connections,are set up that the collection containeris blocked in the snap connectionin the direction along the spatial axis A against release from the support structure. For example, the recesshas a latching edge.or snap edge extending transverse to the spatial axis A. For example, the latching edge.forms an edge, in particular radial outer edge of a wall surface of the recess. For example, the latching projectionis engaged or snapped on or around the latching edge.or against the assigned wall surface when the snap connectionis produced.

For example, the latching projectionis arranged on a resilient snap lug, in particular formed thereon, for example moulded thereon. For example, the snap lugis arranged on the collection container, in particular moulded thereon. For example, the snap lugprotrudes over the edge of the opening.of the collection containerin the axial direction relative to the rotational axis A.