Audi Ag

Bollhoff Verbindungstechnik Gmbh

Jochen Rintelmann

Michael Stumpf

Klaus Friedrich Grubert

Xavier Sutz

Torsten Draht

Hans-Joachim Dembowsky

Martin Jodeleit

Norbert Hornbostel

Carsten Bär

Marc Steinig

Patrick Feldhan

Benjamin Hans

Gerhard Gaull

Jörg Spindler

Frank Stohler

Rainer SuBenbach

Jan-Oliver Brassel

Matthias Egner

A functional component which is designed to be secured to a holding component by pressing a connecting element into a depression of the holding component. In a non-deformed state, the connecting element protrudes in a press-in direction from a base body of the functional component and is designed to be deformed by applying a force to the base body, so that the connecting element is widened in an end area and the end area is introduced into a wall of the depression. The base body includes a contact surface surrounding the connecting element which abuts a support surface of the holding component in a coupled state of the functional component. A functional module of the functional component is provided by a partial area of the base body facing away from the contact surface.

Functional component, component assembly comprising a functional component, and method for securing a functional component to a holding component

A connecting seam is formed between two thin-walled sheet-metal parts as a laser weld seam or laser soldered seam as additional material is supplied, respectively. The sheet-metal parts have flange portions for formation of a connecting region. At least one flange portion includes in the region of a joining zone a bead which is at least partially surrounded or filled by solidified melt from seam material after the production of the connecting seam.

Connecting seam between two thin-walled sheet-metal parts

In a method for joining a functional element with a metal sheet, with the functional element having an attachment part for attachment of a structure to the metal sheet, a cold forming process employed for the metal sheet is also used to mark the metal sheet with a sink mark by which a joining position of the metal sheet with the functional element is indicated. After the functional element is joined with the metal sheet at the joining position, the joining position is checked with respect to a position of the functional element inside of the sink mark.

Method of joining a functional element, having an attachment part, with a metal sheet

In a method for connecting a press-in bolt with a metal sheet, the metal sheet is positioned upon a cover element of a joining tool. The press-in bolt is forced by the joining tool in a pilot hole of the metal sheet as the metal sheet is supported by the cover element in its capacity as a die, until a head portion of the press-in bolt rests upon one side of the metal sheet and the cover element is pressed upon a shaft portion of the press-in bolt and radially deformed to rest upon another opposite side of the metal sheet.

Method of connecting a press-in bolt with a metal sheet and cover element for carrying out the method

The invention relates to a connection comprising at least two components having the following features: a first component and a second component, of which at least the second component comprises reinforced plastic, a self-piercing connection element having a head and a shaft, the head thereof being supported on the first component and the shaft thereof running completely through the first and the second component, and a disc-shaped counter bearing to which the shaft is fastened such that the at least two components are fastened between the head and the counter bearing. The invention further relates to a method for the production of said connection.

Connection between two components made of reinforced plastic and method for the production thereof

A moldable wire thread insert for reinforcing a screw-in opening of a component has the following characteristics: a cylindrical spiral made of a helically, wound wire, the neighboring coils of which are arranged such that a closed cylindrical spiral wall is present, while at least one end of the cylindrical spirals has a fastening flange, which extends radially outwards over the cylindrical spiral wall and with which the wire thread insert is anchorable in the component and/or one end of the cylindrical spiral is designed in a planar manner in order to form an even axial front surface of the cylindrical spiral.

Moldable wire thread insert, method for its production, component with a moldable wire thread insert as well as a method for its production

Method of connecting a press-in bolt with a metal sheet, and cover element for carrying out the method

The invention relates to a connection comprising at least two components having the following features: a first component and a second component, of which at least the second component comprises reinforced plastic, a self-piercing connection element () having a head and a shaft, the head thereof being supported on the first component and the shaft thereof running completely through the first and the second component, and a disc-shaped counter bearing to which the shaft is fastened such that the at least two components are fastened between the head and the counter bearing. The invention further relates to a method for the production of said connection.

A moldable wire thread insertfor reinforcing a screw-in opening of a component has the following characteristics: a cylindrical spiralmade of a helically, wound wire, the neighboring coilsof which are arranged such that a closed cylindrical spiral wallis present, while at least one end of the cylindrical spiralshas a fastening flange, which extends radially outwards over the cylindrical spiral walland with which the wire thread insertis anchorable in the component and/or one end of the cylindrical spiralis designed in a planar manner in order to form an even axial front surface of the cylindrical spiral

Hybrid component for the fastening of functional elements, in particular in an automobile, which has the following characteristics: a component foot consisting of a blind rivet construction made of metal with which the hybrid component can be rigidly fastened to a structural component; a fastening appendage, which is connected with the component foot and comprises a fastening contour for a functional component, wherein the functional component is made of plastic and is connected with the fastening appendage so that a component can be coupled with the structural component via the functional component and the component foot.

Hybrid component

A snap-in coupling for releasably connecting a first structural member and a second structural member. The snap-in coupling comprises a female coupling member comprising a plastic support member and a metallic spring clamp, said support member being insertable into a socket provided at said first structural member such that the female coupling member is retained therein, and a male coupling member comprising a mounting portion for being fixed to said second structural member, and a head portion. Said spring clamp and said head portion are arranged to snappingly engage each other when said female coupling member and said male coupling member are inserted into each other.

Growing community of inventors

Dessau-Rosslau, Germany

Jochen Rintelmann