Blind rivet insert, component with built-in blind rivet insert and method for installing such a blind rivet insert in a component opening

Abstract

A blind rivet insert (1), in particular a blind rivet nut, comprising: a. a bearing head (10) forming an annular flange and b. a shank (40) extending from an underside (14) of the bearing head (10) and comprising a head end (42), a foot end (44) and a cylindrical bore (46) extending in lengthwise direction from the head end (42) to the foot end (44), and having a first bore segment near the foot end (44), provided with an internal thread (50), and a second bore segment (52) near the head end (42) whose diameter is greater than the diameter of the first bore segment (48), the wall surrounding the second bore segment (52) forming a deformable region of the shank (40), wherein c. the underside (14) of the bearing head (10) comprises an annular underhead groove (16) concentrically arranged to the shank (40) and adapted for receiving a sealing ring (70) in a mounted condition of the blind rivet insert (1), and d. at least one annular retaining shank groove (18), being separate from the annular underhead groove (16), extends circumferentially around the shank (40), and being arranged adjacent to the underside (14) of the bearing head (10), for retaining the sealing ring (70) in a preloaded position before mounting the blind rivet insert (1).

Description

[0001] Regarding European patent EP 3 885 589 (DE 60 2020 003 041), the 8th Senate (Voidance Senate) of the Federal Patent Court, based on the oral proceedings of May 13, 2025, with the participation of Presiding Judge Hartlieb and Judges Dr.-Ing. Krüger, Dr. Himmelmann, Judge Dipl.-Ing. Univ. Schenk and Judge Dipl.-Ing. Univ. Maierbacher, rendered the following decision: recognized as rightful: I. The European patent EP 3 885 589 is partially declared invalid with effect for the territory of the Federal Republic of Germany by amending its claims to the following wording:

Claims

[1] A blind rivet insert (1), in particular a blind rivet nut, comprising: a. a bearing head (10) forming an annular flange and b. a shank (40) extending from an underside (14) of the bearing head (10) and comprising a head end (42), a foot end (44) and a cylindrical bore (46) extending in lengthwise direction from the head end (42) to the foot end (44), and having a first bore segment near the foot end (44), provided with an internal thread (50), and a second bore segment (52) near the head end (42) whose diameter is greater than the diameter of the first bore segment (48), the wall surrounding the second bore segment (52) forming a deformable region of the shank (40), wherein c. the underside (14) of the bearing head (10) comprises an annular underhead groove (16) concentrically arranged to the shank (40) and adapted for receiving a sealing ring (70) in a mounted condition of the blind rivet insert (1), and d. at least one annular retaining shank groove (18), being separate from the annular underhead groove (16), extends circumferentially around the shank (40), and being arranged adjacent to the underside (14) of the bearing head (10), for retaining the sealing ring (70) in a preloaded position before mounting the blind rivet insert (1). [2] The blind rivet insert (1) according to claim 1, wherein the bearing head (10) has a flange thickness in the lengthwise direction of the blind rivet insert (1), and the annular retaining shank groove (18) is positioned in a circumferential retaining region of the shank (40) starting at the underside (14) of the annular flange (10) having a maximum width in lengthwise direction equal to the flange thickness. [3] The blind rivet insert (1) according to claim 2, wherein the shank (40) has a cylindrical outer wall comprising the annular retaining shank groove (18) which has a partially circular cross-section, preferably a semicircular cross-section. [4] The blind rivet insert (1) according to claim 3, wherein the annular retaining shank groove (18) is regularly separated by radial webs defining a plurality of circumferential partial sectors of the retaining shank groove (18). [5] The blind rivet insert (1) according to claim 4, wherein the radial web extends in circumferential direction within the annular retaining shank groove (18) thereby filling the annular retaining shank groove (18) in a circumferential subsection. [6] The blind rivet insert (1) according to claim 2, wherein the shank (40) comprises a polygonal outer cross-section, preferably a hexagonal outer cross-section, and the annular retaining shank groove (18) is separated in the plurality of groove sections each individually positioned in a corner region of the polygonal shank (40). [7] The blind rivet insert (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the annular underhead groove (16) and the annular retaining shank groove (18) are separated by an intermediate securing edge, in particular a continuously extending securing edge. [8] The blind rivet insert (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the annular underhead groove (16) has a partially circular or a partially curvilinear cross-section for receiving the retaining ring in the compressed condition. [9] The blind rivet insert (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the retaining shank groove (18) is positioned in a non-deformable region (56) of the shank between the bearing head (10) and the deformable region (40) of the shank. [10] The blind rivet insert (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the retaining shank groove (18) is positioned in a retaining region directly beneath the underside (14) of the bearing head (10) wherein the retaining region has a maximum extension in axial direction from the underside (14) of the bearing head (10) of twice the longitudinal bearing head thickness, preferably once the longitudinal bearing head thickness. [11] The blind rivet insert (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a sealing ring (70), preferably an O-ring, is arranged in the annular retaining shank groove (18). [12] A component (C) having an installation bore (0) in which the blind rivet insert (1) according to claim 11 is mounted wherein a surrounding edge of the installation bore (0) is clamped between the annular flange (10) and a crimping bead (60) of the blind rivet insert (1) so that the sealing ring (70) is compressed within the annular underhead groove (16). [13] A setting method of a blind rivet insert (1) according to claim 11 into an installation bore (O) of a component (C), comprising the following steps: a. inserting the blind rivet insert (1) into the opening (0) (S1), b. while inserting, displacing the sealing ring (70) from the annular retaining shank groove (18) into the annular underhead groove (16) by an edge of the opening (0) (S2), and c. deforming the blind rivet insert (1) in lengthwise direction into a crimping bead (60) and thereby clamping the component (C) between the annular flange (10) and the crimping bead (60), and compressing the sealing ring (70) within the annular underhead groove (16) (S3).