Patent ID: 11904551
Assignee: WOODWELDING AG
Field: Other special machines (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC B  F | IPC B  F

Claim 21:
22. A method of anchoring a connector element in a receiving object, the receiving object being a lightweight building element comprising a first building layer, a second building layer, and an interlining layer, wherein the interlining layer is arranged distally of the first building layer and the interlining layer is arranged between the first and second building layers, wherein the first building layer and the second building layer each are thinner and have a higher density than the interlining layer, and wherein the receiving object is provided with a mounting hole for receiving the connector element, the mounting hole penetrating the first building layer and extending into or through the interlining layer, and the connector element having a distal end and a proximal end, the method comprising the steps of:
inserting the distal end of the connector element into the mounting hole in an insertion direction along an insertion axis;
inserting a sleeve comprising a thermoplastic material into the mounting hole, the sleeve enclosing the connector element;
causing a distally facing liquefaction face of the sleeve to be in contact with a proximally facing support face of the connector element;
wherein the proximally facing support face of the connector element is a proximal face of a collar, and wherein the connector element comprises, distally of the collar, a distance holding portion,
using a sonotrode engaging with a proximal end of the sleeve to transfer energy to liquefy at least a flow portion of the thermoplastic material of the sleeve and to press the liquefaction face against the support face so as to cause at least a fraction of the flow portion to flow radially outward; and
causing the flow portion to re-solidify, whereby the re-solidified flow portion anchors the connector element in the receiving object;
wherein prior to liquefying said at least a portion of the thermoplastic material, the distal end of the connector element is moved into an axial end position, in which the distance holding portion abuts an axial support face of the mounting hole and thereby keeps the collar at a distance from the axial support face,
wherein the axial support face is an inner surface of the second building layer,
wherein the proximal end of the sleeve is moved in the insertion direction while said flow portion of the sleeve is liquefied, and
wherein the sleeve presses the connector element against the inner surface of the second building layer while said flow portion of the sleeve is liquefied.