Punch rivet supply device and punch riveting device

Abstract

A supply device for a joining element which has a shaft, extending along a joining element axis with a first diameter, and an adjacent head with a second diameter which is greater than the first diameter. The supply device comprising a base enclosing a first joining element channel, a second joining element channel and a third joining element channel, which are at least partially arranged in a common channel plane, and which each have a cross-section which is adapted to the shape of the joining element. And the first and the second joining element channels are orientated relative to each other at a switching angle which is in a range from 5° to 45°, while the first and the second joining element channels merge into the third joining element channel at a junction with a switching arrangement.

1 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A supply device for a joining element, the joining element including a shaft, which extends along a joining element axis and which has a first diameter, and an adjacent head, with a second diameter which is greater than the first diameter; wherein the supply device comprises:
 a base which partially defines a first joining element channel, a second joining element channel and a third joining element channel which are at least partially arranged in a common channel plane, and which each joining element channel has a cross-section which is a polygon adapted to the shape of the joining element and includes a head region and a shaft region with the shaft region perpendicular to the head region, and which each joining element channel has an opening, and wherein the first and the second joining element channels are orientated relative to each other at a switching angle which is in a range from 5° to 45°, and wherein the first and the second joining element channels merge into the third joining element channel at a junction; and   a switching arrangement located in the base at the junction.   
     
     
         17 . A supply device according to  claim 16 , wherein the cross-section of the first, second, and third joining element channels are each constructed in such a manner that the joining element axis, when conveyed therein, is orientated parallel with the channel plane, such that the joining element is conveyed in a horizontal posture. 
     
     
         18 . A supply device according to  claim 17 , wherein the head regions of the first and the second joining element channels merge in a continuous manner into the head region of the third joining element channel. 
     
     
         19 . A supply device according to  claim 16 , wherein the cross-sections of the first, second, and third joining element channels are each constructed in such a manner that the joining element axes of the joining elements, when conveyed therein, are orientated transversely relative to the channel plane with the joining element axis oriented transversely to a longitudinal direction of the channels. 
     
     
         20 . A supply device according to  claim 16 , and wherein the switching arrangement includes a switching element supported in the base so as to be able to be moved between a first position, wherein the first joining element channel is connected to the third joining element channel, and a second position, wherein the second joining element channel is connected to the third joining element channel. 
     
     
         21 . A supply device according to  claim 20 , wherein the switching element includes a sliding member displaceable parallel with the channel plane. 
     
     
         22 . A supply device according to  claim 21 , wherein the sliding member partially defines a fourth joining element channel and a fifth joining element channel which are arranged in the channel plane beside each other, and wherein the first position of the switching element the fourth joining element channel connects the first joining element channel and the third joining element channel, and wherein the second position of the switching element the fifth joining element channel connects the second joining element channel and the third joining element channel. 
     
     
         23 . A supply device according to  claim 20 , wherein the switching arrangement further includes an actuation member operable for moving the switching element between the first position and the second position. 
     
     
         24 . A supply device according to  claim 16 , wherein the base includes a first base member and a second base member which are connected to each other at a connection plane, and wherein the connection plane is orientated parallel with the channel plane. 
     
     
         25 . A supply device according to  claim 24 , wherein the first, second, and third joining element channels are constructed in the first base portion, and the second base portion forms a planar cover for the joining element channels. 
     
     
         26 . A joining device for installing a joining element in a workpiece, the joining element including a shaft, which extends along a joining element axis and which has a first diameter, and an adjacent head, with a second diameter which is greater than the first diameter; and wherein the joining device comprises:
 a joining head operable for installing the joining element in the workpiece;   a joining element supply arrangement operable for supplying the joining elements to the joining head, and the joining element supply arrangement includes a supply channel through which joining elements can be transported, and   a supply device operable for connecting the joining head and the joining element supply arrangement; and wherein the supply device includes:   a base which partially defines a first joining element channel, a second joining element channel and a third joining element channel which are at least partially arranged in a common channel plane, and which each joining element channel has a cross-section which is a polygon adapted to the shape of the joining element and includes a head region and a shaft region with the shaft region perpendicular to the head region, and which each joining element channel has an opening, and wherein the first and the second joining element channels are orientated relative to each other at a switching angle which is in a range from 5° to 45°, and wherein the first and the second joining element channels merge into the third joining element channel at a junction; and   a switching arrangement located in the base at the junction.   
     
     
         27 . A joining device according to  claim 26 , wherein the joining element supply arrangement further includes a blown air generator connectable with the supply channel and operable for blowing a joining element towards the joining head via the supply channel. 
     
     
         28 . A joining device according to  claim 26 , wherein the supply device the cross-section of the first, second, and third joining element channels are each constructed in such a manner that the joining element axis, when conveyed therein, is orientated parallel with the channel plane, such that the joining element is conveyed in a horizontal posture. 
     
     
         29 . A joining device according to  claim 28 , wherein the supply device the head regions of the first and the second joining element channels merge in a continuous manner into the head region of the third joining element channel. 
     
     
         30 . A joining device according to  26 , and wherein the supply device the switching arrangement includes a switching element supported in the base so as to be able to be moved between a first position, wherein the first joining element channel is connected to the third joining element channel, and a second position, wherein the second joining element channel is connected to the third joining element channel. 
     
     
         31 . A joining device according to  30 , wherein the switching element includes a sliding member displaceable parallel with the channel plane. 
     
     
         32 . A joining device according to  31 , wherein the sliding member partially defines a fourth joining element channel and a fifth joining element channel which are arranged in the channel plane beside each other, and wherein the first position of the switching element the fourth joining element channel connects the first joining element channel and the third joining element channel, and wherein the second position of the switching element the fifth joining element channel connects the second joining element channel and the third joining element channel. 
     
     
         33 . A joining device according to  30 , wherein the switching arrangement further includes an actuation member operable for moving the switching element between the first position and the second position. 
     
     
         34 . A joining device according to  26 , wherein the supply device the base includes a first base member and a second base member which are connected to each other at a connection plane, and wherein the connection plane is orientated parallel with the channel plane. 
     
     
         35 . A joining device according to  34 , wherein the first, second, and third joining element channels are constructed in the first base portion, and the second base portion forms a planar cover for the joining element channels.