Setting device for a blind rivet nut

Abstract

The present invention discloses a setting device for a blind rivet element, comprising an axially displaceable pulling mandrel having a work end and a drive end, wherein the work end includes an outer thread to screw-on a blind rivet nut and the drive end has a coupling structure with which a releasable torque-proof connection with a mandrel drive can be established, comprising the mandrel drive with which the pulling mandrel is rotatable by means of the drive end, comprising a linear pulling drive in an operative connection with the pulling mandrel with which a linear deformation displacement of the pulling mandrel in the direction of the drive end is implementable deforming a blind rivet nut, and comprising a hollow-cylindrical mouthpiece, which passes the pulling mandrel and which is linearly displaceable parallel to and independent of the pulling mandrel, so that an installation state of a blind rivet nut on the work end of the pulling mandrel is detectable by means of a linear displacement of the mouthpiece.

1 . A setting device for a blind rivet element, the setting device comprising the following features:
 a. an axially displaceable pulling mandrel and a mandrel drive to rotate the pulling mandrel, the pulling mandrel has a work end and a drive end, wherein
 a1. the work end includes an outer thread to screw-on a blind rivet element configured like a blind rivet nut or an inner thread to screw-in a blind rivet element configured like a blind rivet bolt and 
 a2. the drive end has a coupling structure with which a releasable torque-proof connection with the mandrel drive can be established, 
   b. a linear pulling drive in an operative connection with the pulling mandrel with which a linear deformation displacement of the pulling mandrel in the direction of the drive end is implementable deforming a blind rivet element, and   c. a hollow-cylindrical mouthpiece,
 c1. which passes the pulling mandrel and 
 c2. which is linearly displaceable parallel to and independent of the pulling mandrel, 
 c3. so that an installation state of a blind rivet element on the work end of the pulling mandrel is detectable by means of a linear displacement of the mouthpiece, 
   d. wherein the hollow-cylindrical mouthpiece is guided on the pulling mandrel and/or in a housing of the setting device, and a relative movement between the mouthpiece and the housing is detectable by means of a sensor or a switch and   e. wherein the setting device further comprises a control unit configured to analyze electric signals from the sensor or the switch and to send control commands to the respective drives of the setting device based on the electric signals to control operation of the setting device such that the blind rivet element is screwed-on onto or screwed-in into the work end of the pulling mandrel by rotating the pulling mandrel after the displaceable mouthpiece has been displaced by a defined way in the direction of the setting device.   
     
     
         2 . The setting device according to  claim 1 , in which the mouthpiece is spring preloaded in a direction facing away from the setting device. 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . The setting device according to  claim 1  which is a handheld device. 
     
     
         6 . The setting device according to  claim 1  which is an automatic setting machine. 
     
     
         7 . The setting device according to  claim 1  in which the linear pulling drive is a hydraulic piston-cylinder-drive, the piston of which is displaceable in the direction of the drive end against an axial spring preload. 
     
     
         8 . The setting device according to  claim 1  in which the linear pulling drive is a linear motor with which the pulling mandrel is displaceable in a torque-free manner against an axial spring preload in the direction of the drive end. 
     
     
         9 . A setting method of a blind rivet element with a setting device according to  claim 1 , wherein the setting method comprises the following steps:
 a. plugging a blind rivet element on the outer work end of the pulling mandrel,   b. axially displacing the non-rotating pulling mandrel with the plugged-on blind rivet element in the direction of the setting device,   c. further axially displacing the non-rotating pulling mandrel with the plugged-on blind rivet element until the blind rivet element abuts an axially displaceable mouthpiece of the setting device, and mutually axially displacing of the blind rivet element with the mouthpiece in the direction of the setting device,   d. screwing-on of the blind rivet element onto or screwing-in of the blind rivet element into the work end of the pulling mandrel by rotating the pulling mandrel after the displaceable mouthpiece has been displaced by a defined way in the direction of the setting device,   e. fastening the blind rivet element in a component opening by crimping the blind rivet element, and   f. detecting the axial displacement of the mouthpiece in the direction of the setting device with a sensor or a switch.   
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . The setting method according to  claim 9  further comprising:
 monitoring a displaced position of the mouthpiece during the screwing-on of the blind rivet nut or the screwing-in of the blind rivet bolt, and 
 terminating the screwing-on or screwing-in when the displaced position changes outside a predetermined tolerance range.