Fastening system
The combined design of metal fasteners and sealing elements solves the problem of existing fasteners preventing smoke and pollutants from invading automobiles, provides efficient sealing and durability, and is suitable for the welded structure of electric vehicles.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202510260786.9
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2025-02-07
- Filing Date
- 2025-03-06
- Publication Date
- 2025-09-09
AI Technical Summary
Existing fasteners in the automotive field are difficult to effectively prevent the intrusion of smoke and pollutants, especially in electric vehicles. Traditional sealing materials are prone to failure during high-temperature welding and are not suitable for structures where the battery is located under the cab.
A combination of metal fasteners, retainers and sealing elements is used. The sealing elements are made of softer metal materials. Through sealing fit and deformable design, a barrier is formed to prevent the penetration of smoke and pollutants. The weldable materials are combined to ensure the durability of the system.
It effectively prevents the ingress of smoke and pollutants under high load conditions, meets safety standards, is suitable for welding processes, and enhances the sealing and durability of fasteners.
Smart Images
Figure CN120608914A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a fastening system, in particular a fastening system with an insert-type fastener, in particular a fastening system for use in the automotive sector. Technical Background
[0002] In contrast to existing fasteners, the present invention relates to an insert fastener having a seal that protects its components, particularly the insert, from the ingress of contaminants, fumes, or liquids. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0003] Embodiments of the invention are described below, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0004] Figure 1 The fastener is shown in a first embodiment in partial cross-section (View A), with an insert in partial cross-section (View B), and from the side of the insert (View C).
[0005] Figure 2 The fastener is shown in a second embodiment in partial cross-section (View A), with an insert in partial cross-section (View B), and from the side of the insert (View C).
[0006] Figure 3 The fastener is shown in a third embodiment in partial cross-section (View A), with an insert in partial cross-section (View B), and from the side of the insert (View C).
[0007] Figure 4 The fastener is shown in a fourth embodiment in partial cross-section (View A), with an insert in partial cross-section (View B), and from the side of the insert (View C). Summary of the Invention
[0008] The present invention aims to provide a fastening system having an optimized sealing, in particular to protect the insert of the fastening system.
[0009] The invention relates to a fastening system comprising a fastener and a holder, wherein the fastener is surrounded and retained by the holder, and a sealing element is arranged such that the sealing element is placed in a sealing area between the holder and the fastener using the fastener.
[0010] For example, the sealing element also forms a seal around an insert placed in a fastener.
[0011] For example, when a fastener is used, the sealing element sealingly interferes with the fastener.
[0012] The sealing element may be arranged to sealingly interfere between the fastener and the insert.
[0013] The sealing element may also comprise a soft cap.
[0014] The soft cap may be located on the sealing element and facing away from the retainer.
[0015] For example, the sealing element is loosely connected to the retainer and / or the fastener.
[0016] For example, the sealing element is directly connected to the fastener and / or the retainer.
[0017] For example, the fastener, the retainer and / or the sealing element are each made of or comprise a metal. The metal may include copper, a copper alloy, aluminum and / or graphite.
[0018] For example, the sealing element may be made of a metal having a reduced hardness compared to the metal used to make the fastener and / or the retainer. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] Certain terms used in the following description are for convenience only and are not limiting. The words "right," "left," "lower," "upper," "front," "rear," "upward," "downward," and "bottom" refer to directions indicated in the accompanying drawings and relate to the components described when assembled and installed. The words "interior" and "exterior" refer to directions toward and from a designated centerline or geometric center (e.g., a central axis) of the components described, respectively, and their specific meanings are readily inferred from the context of the specification.
[0020] Furthermore, as used herein, the terms "connect," "attach," "couple," and "mount" are intended to include both a direct connection between two components without any other components interposed therebetween, and an indirect connection between components with one or more other components interposed therebetween. The terms include those specifically mentioned above, their derivatives, and terms of similar meanings.
[0021] Additionally, unless otherwise specified, the use of ordinal adjectives such as "first," "second," "third," and "fourth" merely indicates that different examples of similar objects are being referenced and are not meant to imply that the objects so described must be in any given order, whether temporally, spatially, sequentially, or in any other manner.
[0022] Throughout the specification, similar reference numerals are used to describe similar features.
[0023] To comply with current safety standards, a vehicle's cabin must be designed to withstand smoke ingress for a defined period of time. Many white-body fasteners are not flameproof. This can present a risk, especially as more vehicles move to electric drive systems, where the battery is typically located on the vehicle's chassis, directly below the driver / passenger compartment.
[0024] Polymer sealants can be used, but these washers should not be used in adjacent components that are to be welded together, as the heat of the welding process may cause such products to fail prematurely. Fasteners designed to withstand high loads are often tack welded and are therefore not suitable for use with such polymer sealants.
[0025] Figure 1 A fastening system 104 according to a first embodiment is shown. Fastening system 104 includes a retaining frame 102 in combination with a retaining fastener 106. This fastener 106 is movable relative to retaining frame 102, but only to a limited extent such that the two components cannot be completely separated. A sealing element 108 is loosely connected to retaining frame 102 and / or fastener 106. This arrangement is useful in manufacturing because tolerances can be relaxed while allowing for effective coupling via fastening system 104.
[0026] The retracted fastening system 104 is designed to support high loads, such as seat rails within a cab or the attachment of a vehicle's body-in-white. The fastening system 104 is typically made of a weldable metal, such as steel. The fasteners 106 held in the retainer can be made of the same material or metal, or a different material, as long as the properties of the selected material are suitable for the intended use of the fasteners 106.
[0027] As already described above, the fastening system 104 includes a fastener 106 and a holder 102. The fastener 106 is retracted by the holder 102. The sealing element 108 is arranged so that the sealing element 108 is placed in a sealing fit between the holder 102 and the fastener 106 using the fastener 106. The sealing element 108 can form a barrier to prevent the penetration of smoke or other expected contaminants.
[0028] The fastener 106, the retainer 102, and the sealing element 108 are made of metal. The sealing element 108 is generally made of a relatively softer material than the material that constitutes the retainer 102, the fastener 106, or other surrounding materials (such as the white body), so that operating the fastener 106 pushes the sealing element 108 toward another harder material and deforms the sealing element 108 to provide a sealing fit between the components in which the sealing element 108 is positioned. Where the fastener 106, the retainer 102, or the white body is made of steel, suitable materials for the sealing element 108 include copper or aluminum. Therefore, the sealing element 108 is made of a metal that has a reduced hardness compared to the metal used to make the fastener and / or retainer. Plastic, rubber, or any other material with a low melting point / heat resistance is not suitable due to the heat generated when the retainer 102 is welded to the white body.
[0029] The sealing element 108 may also form a seal around an insert 110 placed in the fastener 106, such that a seal is formed between the insert 110 and the fastener 106. In this case, the insert 110 is any element designed to operate the fastener 106 and form a connection, such as a screw, threaded rod, or bolt. Figures 1 to 4 An unthreaded insert 110 is shown in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the drawing.
[0030] refer to Figure 2 , a fastening system 104 according to a second embodiment is provided, which fastening system is Figure 1 The fastening system of FIG. 1 is similar and like reference numerals are shared for like parts. When the fastener 106 is used to form a barrier, the sealing element 108 may be arranged to sealingly interfere with the fastener 106. Figure 2 , this can be achieved through the sealing interface between the fastener 106 and the insert 110 and through the ductility of the sealing element 108, which enables the sealing element 108 to be drawn and / or pressed between the parts, such as into the mating threads (if present) of the fastener 106 and the insert 110. This interaction can be enhanced by providing the sealing element 108 with a flange that guides the material to fit tightly between the connected components.
[0031] Insert 110 can be self-threading and sealing element 108 can be unthreaded, so that operating insert 110 with fastener 106 creates a tight-fitting thread that prevents the ingress of smoke or other contaminants. In other words, the threads cut into sealing element 108 also create a seal between insert 110 and sealing element 108.
[0032] refer to Figure 3 , shows a fastening system 104 according to a third embodiment, which is Figure 1The fastening systems in are similar and share similar reference numerals for similar components. The sealing element 108 is connected to the fastener 106 and / or the retaining frame 102. Connecting the sealing element 108 to the fastener 106 or the retaining frame 102 makes operation of the fastening system 104 easier because the components maintain a predefined relationship to each other and do not need to be aligned before installation. This connection can be temporary or loose so that the sealing element 108 can be easily removed from the other component. The clamping of the other component on the sealing element 108 only needs to be sufficient to enable the insert 110 to be accurately positioned in the fastener 106 via the sealing element 108. Thus, the connection can be formed by an adhesive or by pressing the sealing element 108 onto the other component. Figure 3 In the embodiment shown in , an interlocking fit is used and the sealing element 108 is provided with teeth to increase the contact area between the two components in order to provide adequate clamping.
[0033] refer to Figure 4 , a fastening system 104 according to a fourth embodiment is provided, which fastening system is Figure 1 The fastening systems in are similar and share similar reference numerals for similar components. The holder 102 is typically a component that is spot welded to the white body and therefore presents a thermal risk to the sealing element 108. Depending on the size of the holder 102 and the ability of the component to dissipate heat due to its material properties or design or otherwise provide thermal insulation for the sealing element 108 in the holder 102, a soft cap 402 may be provided over the sealing element 108 to provide a seal or an additional seal against smoke or contaminants. The soft cap 402 may be made of a sealing material such as rubber, polymer, silicone, etc. The word "cap" does not require the presence of a closed end or blind hole, but the soft cap 402 may be a sleeve where both ends are open. This material may have a low heat resistance, but due to the small amount of this material and due to the location of the soft cap 402, the material may be arranged so as not to contact the holder 102 and still provide a suitable seal. In Figure 4 , the sealing element 108 includes a cap 402, and the cap 402 is positioned on the sealing element 108 away from the retainer 102. Insertion of the insert 110 can penetrate the cap 402 so that the cap 402 can provide a sealing fit against the insert 110 and / or between the insert 110 and the fastener 106.
[0034] The soft cap 402 may itself ensure an adequate seal against the ingress of smoke / contaminants, or may work in conjunction with the sealing element 108 which may be deformed to provide another seal as previously described herein.
[0035] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the above detailed embodiments are by way of example only and are not intended to be limiting, and that various changes are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims. Various changes can be made to the above detailed examples.
[0036] In the description and claims of this specification, the words "comprise" and "include" and variations thereof mean "including but not limited to" and do not mean (and do not exclude) other parts, additives, components, integers or steps. In the description and claims of this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the singular includes the plural. In particular, when the indefinite article is used, the specification should be understood to include the plural as well as the singular unless the context requires otherwise.
[0037] Unless inconsistent with any other aspect, embodiment or example described herein, any feature, whole, characteristic, compound, chemical part or group described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment or example of the invention should be understood to be applicable to these aspects, embodiments or examples. All features disclosed in this specification (including claims, abstract and drawings) and / or all steps in the steps of the method or process so disclosed may be combined in any combination except combinations in which at least some of such features and / or steps are mutually exclusive. The invention is not limited to the details of the embodiments described above. The invention extends to any new feature or any new combination of features disclosed in this specification (including the accompanying claims, abstract or drawings), or to any step in any method or process so disclosed.
[0038] List of reference numerals:
[0039] 102: Cage
[0040] 104: Fastening system
[0041] 106: Fasteners
[0042] 108: Sealing element
[0043] 110: Insert
[0044] 402: Soft Hat
Claims
1. A fastening system (104), comprising: Fasteners(106) Cage(102) wherein the fastener (106) is surrounded and retained by the retainer (102), and A sealing element (108) is arranged such that the sealing element (108) is placed in a sealing area between the retainer (102) and the fastener (106) using the fastener (106).
2. The fastening system (104) of claim 1, wherein the sealing element (108) also forms a seal around an insert (110) placed in the fastener (106).
3. The fastening system (104) according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the sealing element (108) sealingly interferes with the fastener (106) when the fastener (106) is in use.
4. The fastening system (104) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the sealing element (108) is arranged to sealingly interfere between the fastener (106) and the insert (110).
5. The fastening system (104) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the sealing element (108) comprises a soft cap (402).
6. The fastening system (104) of claim 5, wherein the soft cap (402) is positioned on the sealing element (108) facing away from the retainer (102).
7. The fastening system (104) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the sealing element (108) is loosely connected to the retaining frame (102) and / or the fastener (106).
8. The fastening system (104) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the sealing element (108) is directly connected to the fastener (106) and / or the retaining frame (102).
9. The fastening system (104) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the fastener (106), the retaining bracket (102) and / or the sealing element (108) are each made of metal.
10. The fastening system (104) of claim 9, wherein the sealing element (108) is made of a metal having a reduced hardness compared to the metal used to make the fastener (106) and / or the retainer (102).