Method and device for setting connecting elements that are self-drilling without chip formation

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for setting connecting elements ( 16 ), such as screws or blind rivets, which are self-drilling without chip formation, in one or more plates, wherein the plate(s) are heated by electrical energy shortly before the start of the setting process, wherein the heating is accomplished by means of an induction coil ( 26 ), which is arranged near a point on the plate(s) at which the connecting element ( 16 ) is set. The invention further relates to a device ( 10 ) for setting a connecting element ( 16 ), which is self-drilling without chip formation, in one or more plates, comprising an induction coil ( 26 ), which at least before and/or during the setting process is arranged near a point on the plate(s), at which the connecting element ( 16 ) is set.

1 . Method for inserting connecting elements ( 16 ) which are self-boring without chip formation, such as screws or blind rivets, into one or more metal sheets ( 18 ,  20 ), said method including the steps of:
 heating the metal sheet(s) ( 18 ,  20 ) by means of electrical energy shortly before commencement of the insertion operation, heating takes place by means of an induction coil ( 26 ) arranged in the vicinity of a point on the metal sheet(s) ( 18 ,  20 ) at which the connecting element is inserted ( 16 ).   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the induction coil ( 26 ) is concentrically arranged with respect to the point on the metal sheet(s) ( 18 ,  20 ) at which the connecting element ( 16 ) is inserted. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the induction coil ( 26 ) has a central opening and remains above the metal sheet(s) ( 18 ,  20 ) during the insertion operation, and the connecting element ( 16 ) is inserted through the central opening in the induction coil ( 26 ). 
     
     
         4 . Device ( 10 ) for inserting a connecting element ( 16 ) which is self-boring without chip formation into one or more metal sheets ( 18 ,  20 ), said device comprising: an induction coil ( 26 ) arranged, at least before and/or during the insertion operation, in a vicinity of a point on the metal sheet(s) ( 18 ,  20 ) at which the connecting element ( 16 ) is inserted. 
     
     
         5 . The device ( 10 ) according to  claim 4 , wherein the induction coil ( 26 ) is, at least before and/or during the insertion operation, concentrically arranged with respect to the point on the metal sheet(s) ( 18 ,  20 ) at which the connecting element ( 16 ) is inserted. 
     
     
         6 . The device ( 10 ) according to  claim 5 , wherein the induction coil ( 26 ) has a central opening and is arranged such that the connection element ( 16 ) penetrates this opening during the insertion operation.