Rivet nut and riveting structure

Abstract

The invention relates to a rivet nut and a riveting structure, the rivet nut comprises a nut body and a separator, and the separator is used for separating the nut body from a connected plate when the nut body is connected with the connected plate; wherein the standard electrode potential difference between the matrix metal of the nut body material and the matrix metal of the separator material, and the standard electrode potential difference between the matrix metal of the separator material and the matrix metal of the connected plate material; and the standard electrode potential difference is smaller than the standard electrode potential difference between the matrix metal of the nut body material and the matrix metal of the connected plate material. The rivet nut is provided with the isolation piece, the large potential difference generated when the nut body makes direct contact with the connected plate is converted into the small potential difference between the nut body and the isolation piece and the small potential difference between the isolation piece and the connected plate, electrochemical corrosion is shared through the isolation piece, and therefore the reliability of the rivet nut is improved. The corrosion degrees of the nut body, the connected plate and the isolation piece are reduced, and the service life of the rivet nut and the service life of a riveting structure are effectively prolonged.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of fasteners, and in particular to a rivet nut and a riveted structure. Background Art

[0002] In the fields of mechanical manufacturing, automobile, aerospace industry, etc., rivet nuts are widely used as a highly efficient fastening connector in thin plates, thin-walled structures or occasions where back operations are difficult. By pressing the rivet nuts into the prefabricated holes of the connected plates and deforming and locking them, the connected parts can be reliably fixed.

[0003] Since the material selection of the connected plates needs to be determined based on requirements such as structural strength, lightweight or corrosion resistance (such as magnesium alloy), and rivet nuts are usually made of high-strength steel, stainless steel and other materials to ensure their own strength and processing performance, there is often contact between dissimilar materials between the rivet nuts and the connected plates.

[0004] When the connected plates and rivet nuts made of dissimilar materials come into contact, a potential difference will be generated between the materials, making electrochemical corrosion more likely to occur. This will affect the connection strength in the long term and create safety hazards. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Based on the above description, the present invention provides a rivet nut and a riveted structure to solve the problem that when the connected plates and rivet nuts made of dissimilar materials come into contact, a potential difference will be generated between the materials, which will easily cause electrochemical corrosion, which will affect the connection strength in the long term and thus create a safety hazard.

[0006] The technical solution of the present invention to solve the above technical problems is as follows: In the first aspect, the present application provides a rivet nut, the technical solution adopted is as follows: A rivet nut comprises a nut body and an isolating member, wherein the isolating member is used to isolate the nut body from the connected plate when the nut body is connected to the connected plate; Among them, the standard electrode potential difference between the base metal of the nut body material and the base metal of the isolation material, and the standard electrode potential difference between the base metal of the isolation material and the base metal of the connected plate material are both smaller than the standard electrode potential difference between the base metal of the nut body material and the base metal of the connected plate material.

[0007] Preferably, the standard electrode potential of the base metal of the nut body material is greater than the standard electrode potential of the base metal of the spacer material; The standard electrode potential of the separator material is greater than the standard electrode potential of the base metal of the connected plate material.

[0008] Preferably, the separator material is aluminum alloy, which is suitable for utilizing the oxidation reaction occurring when the separator serves as an anode to form a layer of aluminum oxide on the surface of the separator to slow down the electrochemical corrosion rate of the separator.

[0009] Preferably, the nut body is made of steel, and the connected plate is made of magnesium alloy.

[0010] Preferably, the surface of the isolating member has an insulating coating.

[0011] Preferably, the isolating piece is sleeved outside the nut body, and a part of the isolating piece can pass through the rivet hole along with the rod of the nut body. When the nut body is connected to the connected plate, the isolating piece is filled between the nut body and the connected plate to isolate the nut body from the connected plate.

[0012] Preferably, the isolator includes a deformation portion, which can pass through the rivet hole with the rod, and when the rod of the nut body is deformed to connect the connected plate, the deformation portion deforms with the rod and fills between the flange formed by the deformation of the rod and the connected plate.

[0013] Preferably, the isolation member includes an annular gasket and an isolation sleeve, the isolation sleeve is coaxially sleeved outside the rod and one end is in contact with the head, the annular gasket is coaxially sleeved outside the isolation sleeve and in contact with the head, the isolation sleeve can pass through the rivet hole, and the annular gasket is restricted from passing through the rivet hole.

[0014] Preferably, the axial length of the isolation sleeve is greater than the distance between the non-contact surfaces of the two connected plates, and an end of the isolation sleeve away from the head forms a deformation portion.

[0015] Preferably, the axial length of the isolation sleeve is smaller than the length of the deformation section of the rod.

[0016] In a second aspect, the present application provides a riveted structure, using the rivet nut described above, comprising: Two connected plates provided with riveting holes; The nut body passes through the riveting hole and is deformed to connect the two connected plates, and the nut body and the two connected plates are isolated by the isolation piece.

[0017] Compared with the prior art, the technical solution of this application has at least the following beneficial technical effects: 1. The rivet nut of the present application is provided with an isolating piece, and when the nut body is connected to the connected plate, the isolating piece is used to isolate the nut body from the connected plate. The standard electrode potential difference between the base metal of the nut body material and the base metal of the isolating piece material, and the standard electrode potential difference between the base metal of the isolating piece material and the base metal of the connected plate material, are both smaller than the standard electrode potential difference between the base metal of the nut body material and the base metal of the connected plate material. That is, when the nut body and the connected plate are in direct contact, the larger potential difference between the nut body and the connected plate is converted into a smaller potential difference between the nut body and the isolating piece, and a smaller potential difference between the isolating piece and the connected plate, thereby allocating electrochemical corrosion through the isolating piece, reducing the respective corrosion levels of the nut body, the connected plate and the isolating piece, thereby effectively extending the service life of the rivet nut and the life of the riveted structure.

[0018] 2. In the rivet nut of this application, the standard electrode potential of the base metal of the nut body is greater than that of the base metal of the separator, and the separator is made of aluminum alloy. Therefore, in the galvanic cell formed between the separator and the nut body, the separator acts as the anode of the galvanic cell, undergoing an oxidation reaction to produce aluminum oxide. Consequently, when electrochemical corrosion occurs on the separator, an aluminum oxide layer forms on its surface. The high insulating properties of aluminum oxide slow the electrochemical corrosion rate of the separator, significantly slowing the rate at which electrochemical corrosion spreads deep into the separator material and extending the life of the separator.

[0019] 3. In the rivet nut of the present application, an insulating coating is applied to the surface of the isolating piece, and the insulating coating isolates the connected plate and the isolating piece, thereby reducing the probability of electrochemical corrosion caused by direct contact between the connected plate and the isolating piece.

[0020] 4. In the rivet nut of the present application, a spacer is arranged to be sleeved outside the nut body. The spacer partially passes through the rivet hole with the rod of the nut body and fills the gap between the nut body and the connected plate when the nut body is connected to the connected plate, thereby isolating the nut body from the connected plate. This method achieves the purpose of isolating the nut body and the connected plate, and can ensure the connection strength between the nut body and the connected plate. At the same time, the spacer is provided with a deformable portion. The deformable portion deforms with the rod and fills the gap between the flange formed by the deformation of the rod and the connected plate. That is, when the rod of the nut body deforms to form the flange, the deformable portion of the spacer is driven by the rod of the nut body to deform and fill the gap between the flange and the connected plate. The deformable portion serves to isolate the flange from the connected plate. During riveting, it can pass through the rivet hole with the rod to adapt to various riveting conditions. At the same time, the deformed portion fully fills the gap between the flange and the connected plate, reducing the axial gap between the nut body and the connected plate, thereby improving the connection strength and stability.

[0021] 5. The riveted structure of the present application adopts the rivet nut provided in the present application for riveting. The nut body and the two connected plates are isolated by an isolating piece. Under the premise of ensuring the connection strength, when the nut body and the connected plates are in direct contact, the larger potential difference between them is dispersed into a smaller potential difference between the nut body and the isolating piece, and a smaller potential difference between the isolating piece and the connected plates. The electrochemical corrosion is distributed through the isolating piece, and the corrosion degree of the nut body, the connected plates and the isolating piece is reduced, thereby effectively extending the service life of the rivet nut and the life of the riveted structure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Figure 1 A schematic structural diagram of a rivet nut provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a partial cross-sectional structure of a rivet nut provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 A schematic structural diagram of an isolating member in a rivet nut provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 A schematic structural diagram of a riveted structure provided by an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Description of reference numerals: 1. Nut body; 11. Head; 12. Rod; 13. Flange; 2. Spacer; 21. Ring gasket; 22. Spacer sleeve; 23. Deformation part; 3. Connected plate. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] To facilitate understanding of the present application, the present application will be described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings provide embodiments of the present application. However, the present application may be implemented in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided to make the disclosure of the present application more thorough and comprehensive.

[0025] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as those commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this application pertains. The terms used herein in the specification of this application are for the purpose of describing specific embodiments only and are not intended to limit this application.

[0026] It will be understood that spatial relational terms such as "under," "beneath," "below," "under," "above," "above," etc., may be used herein to describe the relationship of an element or feature shown in the figures to other elements or features. It will be understood that in addition to the orientations shown in the figures, spatial relational terms also include different orientations of the device in use and operation. For example, if the device in the drawings is turned over, the element or feature described as "under" or "beneath" or "beneath" the other elements will be oriented as "above" the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary terms "under" and "under" may include both upper and lower orientations. In addition, the device may also include alternative orientations (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or other orientations), and the spatial descriptors used herein are interpreted accordingly.

[0027] It should be noted that when an element is considered to be "connected" to another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or connected to the other element through an intermediate element. In the following embodiments, "connection" should be understood as "electrical connection", "communication connection", etc., if the connected circuits, modules, units, etc. can transmit electrical signals or data to each other.

[0028] As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" may also include the plural forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that the terms "include", "comprising", "having", etc. specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0029] Reference Figure 1 As shown, an embodiment of the present application provides a rivet nut, comprising a nut body 1 and an isolating member 2, wherein the isolating member 2 is used to isolate the nut body 1 from the connected plate 3 when the nut body 1 is connected to the connected plate 3.

[0030] The nut body 1, connected plate 3, and spacer 2 are all made of alloy materials to ensure sufficient structural strength. The standard electrode potential difference between the base metal of the nut body 1 and the base metal of the spacer 2, as well as the standard electrode potential difference between the base metal of the spacer 2 and the base metal of the connected plate 3, are both smaller than the standard electrode potential difference between the base metal of the nut body 1 and the base metal of the connected plate 3.

[0031] By the above arrangement, when the nut body 1 and the connected plate 3 are directly contacted, the large potential difference between the nut body 1 and the connected plate 3 is converted into a small potential difference between the nut body 1 and the isolation piece 2 and a small potential difference between the isolation piece 2 and the connected plate 3, so that the electrochemical corrosion is shared by the isolation piece 2, the corrosion degree of each of the nut body 1, the connected plate 3 and the isolation piece 2 is reduced, and the service life of the pull rivet nut and the riveting structure is effectively prolonged.

[0032] Further, the standard electrode potential of the base metal of the material of the nut body 1 is greater than the standard electrode potential of the base metal of the material of the isolation piece 2, and the standard electrode potential of the material of the isolation piece 2 is greater than the standard electrode potential of the base metal of the material of the connected plate 3. By this arrangement, in the primary cell formed between the isolation piece 2 and the nut body 1, the isolation piece 2 acts as the anode of the primary cell to undergo oxidation reaction, and in the primary cell formed between the isolation piece 2 and the connected plate 3, the connected plate 3 acts as the anode of the primary cell to undergo oxidation reaction. Therefore, the electrochemical corrosion can be shared by the connected plate 3 and the isolation piece 2 through the isolation piece 2, and the electrochemical corrosion degree of each component is reduced.

[0033] Further, the potential difference between the two poles in the primary cell formed between the isolation piece 2 and the nut body 1 and the potential difference between the two poles in the primary cell formed between the isolation piece 2 and the connected plate 3 are both smaller than the potential difference between the two poles in the primary cell formed by the direct contact between the nut body 1 and the connected plate 3. The smaller potential difference can reduce the electrochemical corrosion rate, thereby further prolonging the service life.

[0034] Further, the material of the isolation piece 2 is aluminum alloy, and when the isolation piece 2 is used as the anode to undergo oxidation reaction, an aluminum oxide layer is generated on the surface of the isolation piece 2 to slow down the electrochemical corrosion rate of the isolation piece 2.

[0035] By the arrangement of the material of the isolation piece 2, when the isolation piece 2 undergoes electrochemical corrosion as the anode, an aluminum oxide layer is generated on the surface of the isolation piece 2, and the high insulation of the aluminum oxide is used to slow down the electrochemical corrosion rate of the isolation piece 2, thereby greatly slowing down the rate of the electrochemical corrosion spreading to the deep part of the isolation piece 2 and prolonging the service life of the isolation piece 2.

[0036] Further, the surface of the isolation piece 2 has an insulating coating. The insulating coating can isolate the connected plate 3 and the isolation piece 2, further reducing the probability of electrochemical corrosion occurring between the connected plate 3 and the isolation piece 2.

[0037] The above arrangement effectively prolongs the reliability and durability of the pull rivet nut and prolongs the service life of the riveting structure.

[0038] In this embodiment, the nut body 1 is made of steel, and the connected plate 3 is made of magnesium alloy. In actual manufacturing, the material selection of the nut body 1 and the spacer 2 is determined according to the material of the connected plate 3.

[0039] When the nut body 1 is connected to the connected plate 3, the contact surfaces between the nut body 1 and the connected plate 3 mainly include the head 11 and the side surface of the connected plate 3, the flange 13 formed by the deformation of the rod 12 and the side surface of the connected plate 3, and the undeformed part of the rod 12 and the inner wall of the rivet hole. In order to realize the isolation function of the isolation member 2, the isolation member 2 needs to prevent the head 11, flange 13 and the undeformed part of the rod 12 of the nut body 1 from contacting the connected plate 3.

[0040] Reference Figure 1-2 As shown, specifically, the spacer 2 is sleeved over the nut body 1. A portion of the spacer 2 can pass through the rivet hole along with the rod 12 of the nut body 1. When the nut body 1 is connected to the connected plate 3, the spacer 2 is filled between the nut body 1 and the connected plate 3 to isolate the nut body 1 from the connected plate 3. This arrangement achieves the purpose of isolating the nut body 1 and the connected plate 3, and can ensure the connection strength between the nut body 1 and the connected plate 3.

[0041] Reference Figure 2-4 As shown, further, in order to achieve the purpose of the isolating member 2 partially passing through the rivet hole along with the rod 12 of the nut body 1, and when the nut body 1 is deformed to connect to the connected plate 3, the isolating member 2 fills between the nut body 1 and the connected plate 3 to isolate the nut body 1 and the connected plate 3, the isolating member 2 is provided to include a deformation portion 23, and the deformation portion 23 can pass through the rivet hole along with the rod 12, and when the rod 12 of the nut body 1 is deformed to connect to the connected plate 3, the deformation portion 23 deforms along with the rod 12 and fills between the flange 13 formed by the deformation of the rod 12 and the connected plate 3.

[0042] With this arrangement, the deformable portion 23 deforms along with the shank 12 and fills the space between the flange 13 formed by the deformation of the shank 12 and the connected plate 3. That is, when the shank 12 of the nut body 1 deforms to form the flange 13, the deformable portion 23 of the spacer 2 is driven by the shank 12 of the nut body 1 to deform and fill the space between the flange 13 and the connected plate 3. The deformable portion 23 serves to isolate the flange 13 from the connected plate 3. During riveting, it can pass through the rivet hole along with the shank 12, thereby adapting to various riveting conditions. At the same time, after deformation, the deformable portion 23 fully fills the gap between the flange 13 and the connected plate 3, reducing the axial gap between the nut body 1 and the connected plate 3, thereby improving the connection strength and stability.

[0043] Reference Figure 2-3As shown, specifically, the isolation member 2 includes an annular gasket 21 and an isolation sleeve 22. The isolation sleeve 22 is coaxially sleeved outside the rod 12 and one end is in contact with the head 11. The annular gasket 21 is coaxially sleeved outside the isolation sleeve 22 and in contact with the head 11. The isolation sleeve 22 can pass through the rivet hole, and the annular gasket 21 is restricted from passing through the rivet hole.

[0044] Among them, the outer diameter of the annular gasket 21 needs to be larger than the diameter of the rivet hole, and the outer diameter of the isolation sleeve 22 needs to be smaller than the diameter of the rivet hole, so that the isolation sleeve 22 can pass through the rivet hole with the rod 12 of the nut body 1, and the annular gasket 21 and the connected plate 3 are abutted when moving. At this time, the annular gasket 21 is located between the head 11 of the nut body 1 and the connected plate 3, and the isolation sleeve 22 is located between the rod 12 of the nut body 1 and the inner wall of the rivet hole, thereby isolating the head 11 of the nut body 1 and the connected plate 3 as well as the rod 12 and the inner wall of the rivet hole.

[0045] Reference Figure 2 As shown, further, the axial length of the isolation sleeve 22 is greater than the distance between the non-contact surfaces of the connected plates 3, and the end of the isolation sleeve 22 away from the head 11 forms a deformation portion 23. This arrangement allows the isolation sleeve 22 to pass through the riveted hole and one end protrudes from the side of the connected plate 3 away from the annular gasket 21.

[0046] Reference Figure 4 As shown, during the riveting operation, under the axial limitation of the head 11 of the nut body 1, the deformation section of the rod 12 of the nut body 1 is deformed to form a flange 13, and the flange 13 and the head 11 form an axial limitation on both sides of the connected plate 3. When the rod 12 is deformed, an outward force is generated on the deformation portion 23 of the isolation sleeve 22, driving the deformation portion 23 of the isolation sleeve 22 to deform outward to form a flanging. The flanging is filled between the flange 13 and the connected plate 3, thereby isolating the flange 13 and the connected plate 3, and cooperating with the annular gasket 21 and the undeformed part of the isolation sleeve 22, the purpose of isolating the nut body 1 and the connected plate 3 can be achieved.

[0047] Furthermore, the axial length of the isolation sleeve 22 is set to be smaller than the length of the deformation section of the rod 12 .

[0048] In this embodiment, the nut body 1 is a hexagonal rivet nut. The inner hole of the spacer sleeve 22 is adapted to the stem portion 12 of the nut body 1 to prevent radial relative displacement between the spacer sleeve 22 and the nut body 1, ensuring the connection strength and stability when the rivet nut is connected to the connected plate 3. The spacer 2 is integrally formed and can be simply mounted on the stem portion 12 of the nut body 1 during use.

[0049] Reference Figure 4As shown, this embodiment also provides a riveting structure using the rivet nut described above, specifically including two connected plates 3 provided with riveting holes, wherein the nut body 1 passes through the riveting holes and deforms to connect the two connected plates 3, and the nut body 1 and the two connected plates 3 are isolated by an isolation piece 2.

[0050] Specifically, the annular gasket 21 of the isolation member 2 is located between the head 11 of the nut body 1 and the connected plate 3 to isolate the nut head 11 and the connected plate 3 close to the head 11. The isolation sleeve 22 is sleeved outside the rod 12 of the nut body 1 and passes through the rivet hole. The part of the isolation sleeve 22 that does not pass through the rivet hole isolates the undeformed part of the rod 12 and the inner wall of the rivet hole. The part of the isolation sleeve 22 that passes through the rivet hole deforms along with the rod 12 when the rod 12 is deformed, and fills the space between the flange 13 formed by the deformation of the rod 12 and the other connected plate 3, thereby isolating the nut body 1 and the connected plate 3 through the isolation member 2.

[0051] On the premise of ensuring the connection strength, the isolator 2 replaces the nut body 1 in direct contact with the connected plate 3, and the nut body 1 is not in direct contact with the connected plate 3. When the nut body 1 and the connected plate 3 are in direct contact, the larger potential difference between the nut body 1 and the connected plate 3 is converted into a smaller potential difference between the nut body 1 and the isolator 2, and a smaller potential difference between the isolator 2 and the connected plate 3, so that the electrochemical corrosion is distributed through the isolator 2, reducing the corrosion degree of the nut body 1, the connected plate 3 and the isolator 2, thereby effectively extending the service life of the rivet nut and the life of the riveted structure.

[0052] The above are only preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included in the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A rivet nut, characterized in that: It comprises a nut body (1) and an isolating member (2), wherein the isolating member (2) is used to isolate the nut body (1) from the connected plate (3) when the nut body (1) is connected to the connected plate (3); The standard electrode potential difference between the base metal of the nut body (1) material and the base metal of the isolating member (2) material, and the standard electrode potential difference between the base metal of the isolating member (2) material and the base metal of the connected plate (3) material are both smaller than the standard electrode potential difference between the base metal of the nut body (1) material and the base metal of the connected plate (3) material.

2. The rivet nut according to claim 1, characterized in that: The standard electrode potential of the base metal of the nut body (1) is greater than the standard electrode potential of the base metal of the spacer (2); The standard electrode potential of the material of the isolation member (2) is greater than the standard electrode potential of the base metal of the material of the connected plate (3).

3. The rivet nut according to claim 2, characterized in that: The separator (2) is made of aluminum alloy, which is suitable for utilizing the oxidation reaction occurring when the separator (2) serves as an anode to generate a layer of aluminum oxide on the surface of the separator (2) to slow down the electrochemical corrosion rate of the separator (2).

4. The rivet nut according to claim 3, characterized in that: The material of the nut body (1) is steel, and the material of the connected plate (3) is magnesium alloy.

5. The rivet nut according to claim 1, characterized in that: The surface of the isolating member (2) is provided with an insulating coating.

6. The rivet nut according to claim 1, characterized in that: The isolating member (2) is sleeved outside the nut body (1), and a portion of the isolating member (2) can pass through the rivet hole along with the rod portion (12) of the nut body (1). When the nut body (1) is connected to the connected plate (3), the isolating member (2) is filled between the nut body (1) and the connected plate (3) to isolate the nut body (1) and the connected plate (3).

7. The rivet nut according to claim 6, characterized in that: The isolating member (2) includes a deformable portion (23) which can pass through the riveting hole along with the rod (12). When the rod (12) of the nut body (1) is deformed to connect to the connected plate (3), the deformable portion (23) is deformed along with the rod (12) and is filled between the flange (13) formed by the deformation of the rod (12) and the connected plate (3).

8. The rivet nut according to claim 7, characterized in that: The isolating member (2) comprises an annular gasket (21) and an isolating sleeve (22). The isolating sleeve (22) is coaxially sleeved outside the rod (12) and one end of the isolating sleeve is in contact with the head (11). The annular gasket (21) is coaxially sleeved outside the isolating sleeve (22) and in contact with the head (11). The isolating sleeve (22) can pass through the riveting hole, while the annular gasket (21) is restricted from passing through the riveting hole.

9. The rivet nut according to claim 8, characterized in that: The axial length of the isolation sleeve (22) is greater than the distance between the non-contact surfaces of the two connected plates (3), and a deformation portion (23) is formed at one end of the isolation sleeve (22) away from the head (11).

10. The rivet nut according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that: The axial length of the isolation sleeve (22) is smaller than the length of the deformation section of the rod (12).

11. A riveted structure, characterized in that: A rivet nut according to any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising: Two connected plates (3) provided with riveting holes; The nut body (1) passes through the riveting hole and deforms to connect the two connected plates (3), and the nut body (1) and the two connected plates (3) are isolated by the isolation piece (2).

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