US 11,668,331 B2
Device for interlocking and/or frictional connection, and method
Michael Brucksch, Buttenheim (DE)
Assigned to SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT, Munich (DE)
Appl. No. 17/295,769
Filed by Siemens Aktiengesellschaft, Munich (DE)
PCT Filed Nov. 18, 2019, PCT No. PCT/EP2019/081601
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date May 20, 2021,
PCT Pub. No. WO2020/104354, PCT Pub. Date May 28, 2020.
Claims priority of application No. 18207502 (EP), filed on Nov. 21, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2022/0018368 A1, Jan. 20, 2022
Int. Cl. B23P 19/04 (2006.01); F16B 2/00 (2006.01)
CPC F16B 2/00 (2013.01) [B23P 19/04 (2013.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus for connecting a workpiece to a connection element in a form-fit and/or force-fit manner, said apparatus comprising:
a robot for positioning the workpiece;
a spindle for connecting the connection element to the workpiece;
a first support configured to stabilize the workpiece as the connection element is connected to the workpiece, said first support having a contact region substantially in alignment with a longitudinal axis of the spindle and in contact with the workpiece during connection of the connection element to the workpiece, said contact region having a size which is smaller than 0.01 m2; and
a second support configured to stabilize the workpiece as the connection element is connected to the workpiece, said second support having a support surface which in a state in which the workpiece is supported in a substantially orthogonal axis relative to the longitudinal axis of the spindle is disposed in a different plane than a support surface of the first support.