Connecting element and component connection and method for the production thereof
The invention relates to a connecting element ( 10 ) having a hollow-cylindrical shaft ( 12 ) and a drive ( 16 ), via which the shaft ( 12 ) can be driven in a direction of rotation, wherein the hollow-cylindrical shaft ( 12 ) has at least one free end, wherein the drive ( 16 ) is arranged opposite the free end, wherein a hollow space is formed by the hollow-cylindrical shaft ( 12 ). The invention is characterized in that driver structures ( 22 ) acting in the circumferential direction of the hollow-cylindrical shaft ( 12 ) are arranged in the hollow space, which, projected on the lateral surface, are arranged to extend in the setting direction on the lateral surface, rectilinearly parallel to the element mid-axis (M) or with an angular deviation of at most 20° with respect to the element mid-axis (M), and/or are arranged at the end on the drive side.
1. Method for the production of a component connection between a base layer ( 52 , 72 ) and a top layer ( 54 , 74 ), comprising the steps of:
driving and rotating a connecting element ( 10 , 30 , 40 , 58 , 78 ) having a hollow-cylindrical shaft ( 12 , 42 , 76 ) into said top layer ( 54 , 74 ) while applying an axial force, thereby causing a slug ( 62 , 82 ) to be cut out of said top layer ( 54 , 74 ) by an interior of said hollow-cylindrical shaft, said slug being entrained by said connecting element as it rotates;
preventing deformation of said connecting element ( 10 , 30 , 40 , 58 , 78 ) when cutting said slug ( 62 , 82 ) until said connecting element ( 10 , 30 , 40 , 58 , 78 ) has reached a surface of said base layer ( 52 , 72 );
after said connecting element passes through said top layer, welding said slug ( 62 , 82 ) to said base layer ( 52 , 72 ) under a rotational speed of at least 2000 rpm and under an axial force which is greater than said axial force used for cutting said slug ( 62 , 82 ), and at least partially pressing said connecting element ( 10 , 30 , 40 , 58 , 78 ) into said base layer ( 52 , 72 ).
2. Method according to claim 1 , characterized in that said connecting element ( 10 , 30 , 40 , 58 , 78 ) has a head which terminates said hollow-cylindrical shaft ( 12 , 42 , 76 ) at an end opposite said hollow-cylindrical shaft ( 12 , 42 , 76 ), said head of said connecting element applying said axial force for welding to said slug ( 62 , 82 ).
3. Method according to claim 1 , characterized in that said hollow-cylindrical shaft ( 12 , 42 , 76 ) of said connecting element ( 10 , 30 , 40 , 58 , 78 ) is open and that contact pressure is applied to said slug ( 62 , 82 ) by a setting tool that also applies contact pressure to said connecting element ( 10 , 30 , 40 , 58 , 78 ).
4. Method according to claim 1 , characterized in that a welding axial force on said connecting element ( 10 , 30 , 40 , 58 , 78 ) and said slug ( 62 , 82 ) is applied at decreasing speed with increased axial rivet force compared to said welding axial force to produce a positive connection in the axial direction with said base layer ( 52 , 72 ) and/or said top layer ( 54 , 74 ).
5. Method according to claim 4 , characterized in that said connecting element ( 10 , 30 , 40 , 58 , 78 ) is open and that contact pressure is applied to said slug ( 62 , 82 ) by a setting tool that also applies contact pressure to said connecting element ( 10 , 30 , 40 , 58 , 78 ), and, an end of said slug ( 62 , 82 ) located opposite said hollow-cylindrical shaft ( 12 , 42 , 76 ) of said connecting element ( 10 , 30 , 40 , 58 , 78 ) is flared.