Abstract: A riveted joint in which a rivet foot of a rivet element is driven into a component with a setting force, in particular by spreading the rivet foot. The rivet foot has a reduced cross-section in the still undeformed state and has an expanded cross-section in the driven-in state. The rivet foot is designed as a bistable spring portion that has two equilibrium states, namely the undeformed cross-section-reduced state and an expanded spread state. As a result of the setting force being applied, the rivet element changes from the undeformed state to the spread state, in which the rivet foot is spread with an expanded cross-section in the component, in particular without the build-up of a springback force that biases the rivet element towards the undeformed state.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A riveted joint in which a rivet foot of a rivet element is driven into a component with a setting force, in particular by spreading the rivet foot. The rivet foot has a reduced cross-section in the still undeformed state and has an expanded cross-section in the driven-in state. The rivet foot is designed as a bistable spring portion that has two equilibrium states, namely the undeformed cross-section-reduced state and an expanded spread state. As a result of the setting force being applied, the rivet element changes from the undeformed state to the spread state, in which the rivet foot is spread with an expanded cross-section in the component, in particular without the build-up of a springback force that biases the rivet element towards the undeformed state.

Abstract: A punch rivet connection having at least two joining partners, which are connectable to one another in a setting process, in which a semi-tubular punch rivet is drivable in a setting direction with its rivet foot through the setting-side joining partner into the die-side joining partner, while maintaining a residual base thickness in the die-side joining partner and with spreading of the rivet foot, so that the joining partner, viewed in the setting direction, is clamped under compressive stress between a rivet head and a rivet foot cutting edge of the semi-tubular punch rivet. The setting-side joining partner includes a pilot hole through which the semi-tubular punch rivet is drivable into the die-side joining partner, so that in the setting-side joining partner a build-up of shear stress transverse to the setting direction is reduced or eliminated.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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 (30) 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.