Method for attaching at least one connecting part on a workpiece

Abstract

A method for attaching at least one connection part on a workpiece comprises the steps of: providing a premounted contact-making unit including a first attachment element and a holding unit on which the first attachment element is held rotatable relative to the holding unit; inserting at least one connection part into the holding unit so that the connection part makes contact with the first attachment element; and connecting the first attachment element to a second attachment element which is secured to the workpiece.

1 . A method for attaching at least one connection part on a workpiece, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a premounted contact-making unit comprising a first attachment element and a holding unit on which the first attachment element is held rotatable relative to the holding unit,   inserting at least one connection part into the holding unit, wherein the connection part makes contact with the first attachment element, and   connecting the first attachment element to a second attachment element which is secured to the workpiece.   
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the first attachment element comprises a screw including a head and a shank, and
 the holding unit comprises a connection part-holding section into which at least one connection part can be inserted, and a screw-holding section into which the screw is inserted in a longitudinal direction of the holding unit and that the screw is held captively in the screw-holding section in the longitudinal direction but is rotatable relative to the holding unit, and in that a connection part which is inserted into the connection part-holding section can make electrical contact with the inserted screw, and   wherein a radially protruding bearing section is formed on the head of the screw, and the screw-holding section has a shoulder section which longitudinally supports the bearing section on the holding unit.   
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the step of connecting the first attachment element to the second attachment element includes the steps of:
 self-tapping the first attachment element into threaded engagement with the second attachment element; and   measuring the torque applied to self tap the first attachment element into threaded engagement with the second attachment element.   
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 3 , wherein the step of connecting the first attachment element to the second attachment element further includes the steps:
 sensing the start of the self-tapping threaded engagement from an increase in the applied torque, and   measuring a rotational angle of the first attachment element.   
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 4 , and further comprising the steps of:
 generating a measured torque curve from the torque measurements and rotation angle measurements; and   comparing the measured torque curve to a target curve or envelope curve predetermined for a number of the connection parts to be secured and a predefined length of the threaded engagement.   
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the step of connecting the first attachment element to the second attachment element includes the steps of:
 engaging a tool to a tool engagement portion of the first attachment element;   applying a torque with the tool to the first attachment element; and   screwing the first attachment element into the second attachment element, while   preventing rotation of the at least one connection part with an anti-rotation device of the tool.   
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 6 , further including the steps of:
 engaging a non-rotating portion of the tool to an anti-rotation section of the holding unit; and   preventing rotation of the holding unit while screwing the first attachment element.   
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 6 , further including the steps of:
 engaging a non-rotating portion of the tool to a connection part; and   preventing rotation of the connection part while screwing the first attachment element.   
     
     
         9 . A method according to one of  claim 8 , wherein the tool has a tubular mouthpiece into which the holding unit can be introduced. 
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 9 , wherein a holding device is formed on the mouthpiece in order to hold the holding unit on the mouthpiece. 
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 10 , wherein the anti-rotation device is formed on the mouthpiece.