Device and process for joining fitting parts on hollow profiles by means of fluid high internal pressure

US 6,499,212 B2
Device and process for joining fitting parts on hollow profiles by means of fluid high internal pressure
Henning Bloecker, Stelle (Germany); Martin Kruessmann, Stuttgart (Germany); and Jochen Paus, Hamburg (Germany)
Assigned to DaimlerChrysler AG, Stuttgart (Germany)
Filed on 30-Nov-2000, as Appl. No. DaimlerChrysler AG, Stuttgart (Germany)
Int. Cl.7B23P 21/00

US 6,499,212 B2 Device and process for joining fitting parts on hollow profiles by means of fluid high internal pressure Henning Bloecker, Stelle (Germany); Martin Kruessmann, Stuttgart (Germany); and Jochen Paus, Hamburg (Germany) Assigned to DaimlerChrysler AG, Stuttgart (Germany) Filed on Nov. 30, 2000, as Appl. No. 9/725,909. Claims priority of application No. 199 57 508 (DE), filed on Nov. 30, 1999. Prior Publication US 2001/0004804 A1, Jun. 28, 2001 Int. Cl.7B23P 21/00 U.S. Cl. 298212;771 17 Claims 1. A device for joining fitting parts, provided with a passage opening, on a hollow profile through partial expansion of the hollow profile at the location of the fitting parts, slid on with the passage opening, by means of fluid high internal pressure, said device comprising an expanding lance, which can be slid into the hollow profile and exhibits an axial borehole for the purpose of guiding the pressure fluid, said axial borehole being connected, first of all, to a fluid high pressure generating system and secondly exhibiting a cross channel with an outlet for the pressure fluid in a direction of the hollow profile location to be expanded, whereby a shell surface of the expanding lance exhibits sealing elements that are spaced apart and that define an outlet so as to seal axially on both sides against high pressure, wherein the expanding lance comprises two separate, aligned components, of which at least one bears the axial borehole, which axial borehole empties freely on an end face near an outlet of said at least one component, end faces of the components that face each other forming a cross channel for the axial borehole of the expanding lance, and wherein the device includes a drive unit, operable to drive the two components into a respective hollow profile end, facing the respective component, and wherein the two components are supported on respective end sides by the drive unit during an expansion phase.