Secure Attachment of Functional Elements to Composite Materials
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Summary
Problems
There is a need for a method to securely attach functional elements to composite materials or soft sheet metal components without damaging the fibers and ensuring secure rotation prevention, while avoiding localized load peaks around attachment holes.
Innovation solutions
A combination of a functional element with a flange section and a pressure plate, where the pressure plate is arranged on opposite sides of a component hole, connected via a connection section that extends through the hole, clamping the component region between the flange and pressure plate, with the pressure plate's non-circular contour and raised portions providing security against rotation.
TRIZ Analysis
Specific contradictions:
General conflict description:
Principle concept:
If a functional rivet element is attached directly to composite material without a pressure plate, then the attachment process is simpler, but the load is concentrated on a small area causing local peaks and potential fiber damage
Why choose this principle:
A pressure plate is introduced as an intermediary element between the functional rivet element and the composite material component. The pressure plate distributes the clamping force over a larger surface area of the composite material, preventing local load peaks and fiber damage while maintaining a relatively simple attachment process using a self-piercing rivet
Principle concept:
If a conventional circular pressure plate is used, then the manufacturing is simpler, but rotation of the functional element cannot be prevented
Why choose this principle:
The pressure plate is designed with an asymmetric non-circular contour instead of a conventional circular shape. This asymmetric geometry creates a geometric interlock with the functional rivet element, preventing rotation while maintaining manufacturability through standard forming processes. The asymmetric shape allows the pressure plate to be pressed into the composite material in a specific orientation, ensuring reliable anti-rotation functionality
Application Domain
Data Source
AI summary:
A combination of a functional element with a flange section and a pressure plate, where the pressure plate is arranged on opposite sides of a component hole, connected via a connection section that extends through the hole, clamping the component region between the flange and pressure plate, with the pressure plate's non-circular contour and raised portions providing security against rotation.
Abstract
The invention relates to a combination of a functional element having a flange section and a connection section, in particular a rivet element, and a pressure plate, in particular a pressure plate having an opening, for attachment to a component, in particular to a panel of composite material or sheet metal, wherein the functional element and the pressure plate are formed to be arranged on opposite sides of a hole of the component and are to be connected together via the connection section which extends through the hole, in particular by riveting, in order to clamp a region of the component surrounding the hole between the flange section and the pressure plate and wherein the pressure side of the pressure plate confronting the component in the attached state is provided with a means providing security against rotation.