Functional Element

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2022099128-A1
Application number	US-202117369352-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jul 7, 2021
Priority date	Jul 10, 2020
Publication date	Mar 31, 2022
Grant date	—

Abstract

The present invention relates to a self-punching functional element that is adapted for punching into a workpiece, in particular into a sheet metal part. It comprises a head part forming a flange and having a contact surface for contact with the workpiece; and a punching section that extends away from the head part, in particular from the contact surface, and that is in particular arranged coaxially to a central longitudinal axis of the functional element. The punching section has a peripheral punching edge at its free end for punching through the workpiece and surrounds a cavity in a peripheral direction, said cavity having an opening defined by the punching edge. An inner wall of the punching section facing the cavity has at least one elevated slug securing portion projecting radially inwardly into the cavity, in particular wherein the elevated portion has the form of a rib extending in an axial direction.

First claim

1 . A self-punching functional element that is adapted for punching into a workpiece ( 36 ), in particular into a sheet metal part, said self-punching functional element comprising
a head part ( 12 ) forming a flange and having a contact surface ( 14 ) for contact with the workpiece; and a punching section ( 16 ) that extends away from the head part, in particular from the contact surface, and that is in particular arranged coaxially to a central longitudinal axis (A) of the functional element, wherein the punching section has a peripheral punching edge ( 22 ) at its free end for punching through the workpiece and surrounds a cavity ( 20 ) in a peripheral direction, said cavity ( 20 ) having an opening ( 24 ) defined by the punching edge, and wherein an inner wall ( 18 i ) of the punching section facing the cavity has at least one elevated slug securing portion ( 26 ) projecting radially inwardly into the cavity, in particular wherein the elevated portion has the form of a rib extending in an axial direction.

2 . A self-punching functional element in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the punching section is designed as a rivet section that can be reshaped to establish a form fit with the workpiece.

3 . A self-punching functional element in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the contact surface surrounds the punching section in the peripheral direction in an axial end view, in particular wherein the contact surface is of annular design.

4 . A self-punching functional element in accordance with claim 1 , claim 2 , or claim 3 , wherein the contact surface and an outer wall section ( 18 a ) of the punching section, which is arranged in parallel with the longitudinal axis, are in connection with one another via a transition section ( 32 ), wherein the transition section is formed and arranged at least sectionally curved and/or obliquely with respect to the longitudinal axis.

5 . A self-punching functional element in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the contact surface, the transition section, and/or the outer wall section is/are provided with at least one feature providing security against rotation, in particular wherein the feature providing security against rotation comprises an elevated portion or a recess.

6 . A self-punching functional element in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the elevated slug securing portion is arranged in an axial end region of the cavity that is remote from the opening of the cavity, in particular wherein the end region comprises less than 50%, preferably less than 40%, of an axial extent of the cavity.

7 . A self-punching functional element in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cavity is bounded in the axial direction at a side remote from the opening by an end section ( 28 ) that has a stepped recess ( 28 z ).

8 . A self-punching functional element in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the functional element is a bolt element that has a bolt section extending from the head part at a side remote from the punching section, in particular wherein the bolt section is at least sectionally provided with an external thread.

9 . A component assembly comprising a functional element claim 1 ; and a workpiece, in particular at least one sheet metal part, wherein a slug ( 43 ) punched out by the punching section is arranged in the cavity and is held in a friction-locked and/or form-fitted manner in the cavity by the elevated slug securing portion.

10 . A component assembly in accordance with claim 9 , wherein the slug is held in a form-fitted manner in the cavity by a reshaped section (H) of the elevated slug securing portion, in particular wherein the reshaped section engages behind the slug at a side remote from the head part.

11 . A component assembly in accordance with claim 9 or claim 10 , wherein the slug is reshaped in a region adjacent to the elevated slug securing portion, in particular in a radial direction.

12 . A component assembly in accordance with claim 9 , claim 10 , or claim 11 , wherein the slug and the reshaped section of the elevated slug securing portion end flush with one another at a side remote from the head part.

13 . A component assembly in accordance with claim 9 , wherein one of the punching sections is formed as a rivet section and a portion of the rivet section is reshaped such that it engages behind the workpiece at a side remote from the head part.

14 . A component assembly in accordance with claim 13 , wherein the workpiece comprises at least two components ( 36 a , 36 b ), in particular at least two layers, that are punched through by the punching section.

15 . A method of fastening a self-punching functional element in accordance with at least one of the claims 1 to 8 to a workpiece, said method comprising the steps:
providing the workpiece and the functional element; and
punching through the workpiece by means of the punching section of the functional element and separating a punching slug such that it is located in the cavity of the functional element,
wherein the slug is brought into engagement with the elevated slug securing portion such that the slug is held in a friction-locked and/or form-fitted manner in the cavity by the elevated slug securing portion.

16 . A method in accordance with claim 15 , wherein the slug is brought into engagement with the elevated slug securing portion after the punching through of the workpiece.

17 . A method in accordance with claim 15 or claim 16 , wherein the elevated slug securing portion is at least sectionally reshaped such that the slug is held in a form-fitted manner in the cavity by a reshaped section of the elevated slug securing portion, in particular wherein the reshaped section engages behind the slug at a side remote from the head part.

18 . A method in accordance with claim 16 , wherein, on the fastening of the functional element, the workpiece is supported on a die ( 38 ) that has a die punch ( 42 ) which is introduced into the cavity of the functional element and by which the elevated slug securing portion is at least sectionally reshaped after the punching through, in particular wherein the sectional reshaping comprises at least partly scraping off the elevated slug securing portion.

19 . A method in accordance with claim 18 , wherein the punching section of the functional element is formed as a rivet section that is reshaped by the die such that it engages behind the workpiece at a side remote from the head part.

Assignees

• Profil Verbindungstechnik Gmbh & Co Kg

Inventors

• Diehl Oliver
• Jene Tobias
• Mahlme Amer
• Sowa Christian
• Humpert Richard

Classifications

• F16B5/04

  by means of riveting (rivets F16B19/04) · CPC title

• F16B25/10

  Screws performing an additional function to thread-forming, e.g. drill screws {or self-piercing screws} · CPC title

• F16B19/086 Primary

  Self-piercing rivets · CPC title

• F16B5/0208

  using panel fasteners, i.e. permanent attachments allowing for quick assembly · CPC title

• B29C66/742

  to metals or their alloys · CPC title