Weight-reduced non-removable fastener

Abstract

The invention relates to a fastener (10) with a threaded shaft (13) and a head (11) concentric with said shaft (13). As a novelty, it comprises at least two support elements (14) provided in the form of a protrusion on the head (1 1 ), at least one groove (20) provided on one side of each support element (14) and provided to form a side wall (142) that enables the rotation force to be applied to the fastener (10), and a groove base (21) that extends inclined from a lower edge (144) of said side wall (142) to the top of the adjacent support element (14) and the outer diameter of the head (11) decreases as it moves away from the shaft (13).

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION WEIGHT-REDUCED NON-REMOVABLE FASTENER

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The invention relates to a weight-reduced fastener that is non-removable after installation, and to a drive apparatus for enabling installation of said fastener and designed specially for this fastener for enabling installation of said fastener.

[0004] PRIOR ART

[0005] Fasteners are the most essential elements of constructions, regardless of the industry. They are economical and reliable components with the simplest application preferred for joining the parts together whether in a building consisting of steel profiles or in cars consisting of thousands of parts. The development of technology day by day causes people to increase their expectations from the devices and tools they use / own. Innovations emerge to meet these needs. In recent years, with the increasing environmental awareness in the world, the need to reduce CO2 emissions and control / limit emission values has emerged. Automotive manufacturers have also carried out studies to meet this need and have obliged their suppliers to carry out studies for this purpose. The issue of weight reduction in order to increase the driving range, which is one of the important problems of electric and hydrogen fueled vehicles, has become a trend all over the world. Shear bolts, which are not intended to be unscrewed, are frequently used in vehicles, especially in areas where security is required. These bolts are designed in such a way that after the cold forming process, the head area is conically emptied out by machining and the head area breaks off after reaching the target torque during installation. The broken head zone that enables tightening with a wrench eliminates the ability of the bolt to be removed. Thus, it is ensured that non-removable connections are created in areas where security is required. These fasteners are used for similar purposes in different sizes and diameters in almost all vehicles today.

[0006] Non-removable fasteners are often used for safety purposes. The main expectation from these fasteners is that they will not unscrew, but they are also expected to be economical, lightweight and long-lasting. However, in the current situation, these fasteners are produced using excess raw materials and some of the raw material is reduced by machining in order to break them at the targeted torque. In addition, the bolt head, which breaks off after torquing, also becomes scrap. When examined in terms of weight, it can be seen that the bolt, which is intended to make a safe connection, is lighter in the used part than the unused part. The part that makes up the main cost is scrap and extra payment is made for the scrap raw material that will not be used. In addition, the machining process carried out to empty out the head form also causes an additional cost. Therefore, it is known that existing designs with the above-described features included in the state of the art are quite economically inefficient. In addition, the fasteners are coated after cold forming and heat treatment in order to provide friction coefficient control and, more importantly, resistance to corrosion. With this coating, fasteners are expected to fulfill the function imposed on them without corrosion under challenging conditions such as hot, cold, humid, salty, etc. Another important disadvantage of shear bolts is that the uncoated part of the shaft section is open to the risk of corrosion with the breaking off of the head after torquing. The presence of these components that are susceptible to corrosion on vehicles especially used in different conditions poses a risk in every respect. If the fastener becomes unable to fulfill its function due to corrosion in the future, it endangers not only the fastener but also the components it joins. Undesirable accidents may occur in these vehicles carrying people due to the inability to perform service and maintenance correctly and the inability to replace the corroded elements. In addition to economic inefficiency and sensitivity to corrosion, there is also the environmental damage of extra processes. The use of excess materials also poses a threat to the environment by causing inefficient use of resources that are already depleting day by day. In addition, cooling components such as boron oil, etc. used during machining after the cold forming process also pose a threat to environmental health.

[0007] As a result, all the above-mentioned problems have made it imperative to make an innovation in the relevant technical field.

[0008] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The main object of the invention is to provide a fastener with a special designed head form and a drive apparatus designed specially for this fastener for enabling installation of said fastener, in order to overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages in the state of the art. Another purpose of the invention is to provide an unscrewable fastener to be used in areas where security is required.

[0010] Another object of the invention is to design a fastener with a special head form that can only be produced by cold forming without the need for machining.

[0011] Another object of the invention is to provide a fastener produced by a more environmentally friendly, more economical and therefore more efficient process by reducing the use of raw materials.

[0012] Another object of the invention is to provide an unscrewable fastener that, owing to its corrosion resistance, will not suffer corrosion-induced damage, which will shorten the service life of the fastener, when used in corrosive environments with the new designed head form.

[0013] In order to accomplish all the objects mentioned above and which will arise from the detailed description below, the present invention relates to a fastener having a threaded shaft, and a head concentric to said shaft. Accordingly; it comprises at least two support elements provided in the form of a protrusion on the head, at least one groove provided on one side of each support element and provided to form a side wall that enables the rotation force to be applied to the fastener, and a groove base that extends inclined from a lower edge of said side wall to the top of the adjacent support element. Furthermore, the outer diameter of the head decreases as it moves away from the shaft. Thus, when a force is applied to the side wall, the installation of the fastener by rotation is ensured. However, it is not possible to transfer force in the opposite direction. Therefore, a nonremovable fastener is obtained. In addition, with the conical structure of the head, material flow and formability are easily ensured during cold forming of the fastener, which in turn also increases the life of the molds used in the cold forming process. Furthermore, with the smooth transitions provided in the present structure of the head, it reduces the risk of work safety caused by the sharp edges of the exposed fastener after installation, and reduces the risk of injury to the people working around the fastener after installation. In addition, it also eliminates the risk of damage to the parts that have been or will be installed around the fastener of the invention that may arise from the sharp edges in the head design of said fastener. With the conical shape and grooved structure of the head part of the fastener of the invention, the weight of the head and therefore the fastener is reduced, the fastener is prevented from being easily removed and the reliability of the fastener is increased. The special head design of the fastener of the invention also serves the function of said fastener as a safety fastener

[0014] A possible embodiment of the invention comprises an upper wall extending between an upper edge of the side wall and a groove upper edge of the groove base. Thus, flatness is formed on the top of the head and the effect of sharp edges is reduced.

[0015] In a possible embodiment of the invention, there are four support elements provided. Thus, the contact area where the force will be transferred is increased.

[0016] In a possible embodiment of the invention, the side wall is provided in a plane passing through the central axis of the fastener. Thus, maximum force transfer is ensured during torquing for the tightening process.

[0017] In a possible embodiment of the invention, the groove base is provided in a concave form. Thus, the weight of the fastener is reduced.

[0018] The invention also relates to a drive apparatus specific to said fastener. As a novelty, it comprises a slot that is compatible with the form of the support element provided on the fastener. Thus, the drive apparatus engages with the support element of the fastener and provides provides force transfer solely in one direction.

[0019] In a possible embodiment of the invention, the slot comprises at least one drive wall against which the side wall rests when the support element enters the slot. Thus, when the drive apparatus is rotated, force is transferred from the drive wall to the fastener.

[0020] In a possible embodiment of the invention, there is a slot base provided in convex form adjacent to the drive wall. Thus, the contact area between the drive apparatus and the fastener is increased.

[0021] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0022] Fig. 1 shows a representative isometric view of the fastener of the invention. Figs. 2 and 3 show representative front views of the fastener of the invention.

[0023] Figs. 4a and 4b show representative top views of the fastener of the invention.

[0024] Fig. 5a shows a representative side view of the head of the fastener of the invention.

[0025] Fig. 5b shows a representative side section view of the head of the fastener of the invention.

[0026] Fig. 5c shows another representative side view of the head of the fastener of the invention.

[0027] Fig. 5d shows a representative isometric view of the head of the fastener of the invention.

[0028] Figs. 6a and 6b show representative isometric views of the fastener of the invention and a drive apparatus designed specifically for the fastener for installation of said fastener.

[0029] Figs. 7a and 7b show representative isometric views of said drive apparatus.

[0030] Fig. 8 shows representative side views of the fastener of the invention and drive apparatus during the installation process.

[0031] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0032] In this detailed description, the fastener of the invention and the drive apparatus (40) specific to said fastener (10) are described only with the examples that will not create any limiting effect for a better understanding of the subject.

[0033] As can be seen in Fig. 1 , the fastener (10) of the invention essentially comprises a shaft (13) and a head (11 ) provided integrated with said shaft (13). Said shaft (13) has at least a partially threaded part (132), starting from one end (131 ) of the shaft towards the head (11 ).

[0034] The head (11 ) is provided with a larger diameter than the shaft (13). The head (11) is provided in a form that narrows as its outer diameter is moved away from the shaft (13). In other words, the head (11 ) is provided in a conical form. Thus, the weight is reduced by reducing the material used in the head (11 ).

[0035] There are at least two support elements (14) on the head (1 1) which are provided in the form of a protrusion. On one side of said support element (14) there are at least two grooves (20) provided between the support elements (14) to obtain a side wall (142). Said groove (20) is provided in the form of a discharge made between the side wall (142) of a support element (14) and the upper part of the adjacent support element (14). There is a groove base (21 ) extending from a lower edge (144) of the side wall (142) to the top of the adjacent support element (14). Said groove base (21 ) is provided in a concave form in a possible embodiment. Thus, the weight is reduced by reducing the material used in the head (1 1 ). In other words, the protrusion form that forms the support element (14) starts from the groove base (21 ) provided in an inclined manner on one side and ends with the side wall (142) extending straightly on the other side. Between a groove upper edge (22) defined on the part of the groove base (21 ) near the top of the support element (14) and the upper edge (143) of the side wall (142), an upper wall (141 ) is provided. Therefore, the groove base (21 ) of the protrusion forming the adjacent support element (14) starts from the bottom of the side wall (142), where the protrusion forming a support element (14) ends. Thus, the support elements (14) are arranged sequentially.

[0036] The side wall (142) has on one side a lower edge (144) that intersects with the groove base (21 ), on one side an upper edge (143) provided on the top of the support element (14), and a side edge (145) that intersects with the side wall (12) of the head (11 ).

[0037] In a possible embodiment of the invention, between a groove upper edge (22) defined on the part of the groove base (21 ) near the top of the support element (14) and the upper edge (143) of the side wall (142), an upper wall (141 ) is provided.

[0038] In a possible embodiment of the invention, four support elements (14) are provided. Furthermore, the side walls (142) are provided in a plane passing through a central axis (X) of the fastener (10).

[0039] With said embodiments of the fastener (10), its weight is reduced. In addition, with the inclined form of the groove base (21 ) and provision of the side wall (142) on one side of the support element (14), it is ensured that the fastener (10) can only be rotated in one direction, that is, it can only be tightened. In other words, a non-removable fastener (10) is obtained. In the fastener (10) of the invention, since the groove (20) does not have a wall on the side wall (12) of the head (1 1), that is, the side wall of the groove (20) is open, it is not possible for any liquid to accumulate in the groove (20). In other words, since the groove (20) is not limited by the side wall (12), it is not possible for water to accumulate in the groove (20). In this way, the corrosion resistance of the fastener (10) is increased.

[0040] There is a drive apparatus (40) to provide the installation of the fastener (10) of the invention. On said drive apparatus (40) there is a slot (41 ) provided to at least partially receive the support element (14) defined on the fastener (10). When the drive apparatus (40) is placed on top of the fastener (10), the support element (14) is inserted into the slot (41 ). The side wall (142) defined on the support element (14) rests against a drive wall (42) provided at the perimeter of the slot (41 ). Furthermore, when the drive apparatus (40) is placed on top of the fastener (10), the groove base (21 ) at least partially engages with a slot base (43) provided in the slot (41 ). Said groove base (43) is provided as a convex to ensure compatibility with the groove base (21 ) in a possible embodiment.

[0041] In a possible embodiment of the invention, an upper wall (141 ) provided on the support element (14) is inserted into a slot channel (44) provided in the slot (41).

[0042] With said embodiments of the drive apparatus (40), the contact area of the fastener (10) and the drive apparatus (40) is increased. This simplifies the transmission of torque during the installation of the fastener (10).

[0043] With said embodiments of the fastener (10) of the invention, removal after installation is prevented and the weight is reduced compared to the prior art. Since there is no need to break off the head (11 ) part to prevent removal, the risk of corrosion after breaking in the prior art is eliminated. Furthermore, since there is no form that will cause fluid accumulation on the head (11 ), the risk of corrosion is further reduced. As a result, with the fastener (10) of the invention, a weight-reduced, non-removable fastener (10) with increased corrosion resistance is introduced.

[0044] The scope of protection of the invention is specified in the appended claims and cannot be limited to what is described for illustrative purposes in this detailed description. It is clear that a person skilled in the art can produce similar embodiments in the light of what is explained above, without deviating from the main theme of the invention.

[0045] REFERENCE NUMERALS IN THE DRAWINGS

[0046] 10 Fastener

[0047] 11 Head

[0048] 12 Side wall

[0049] 13 Shaft

[0050] 131 Shaft end

[0051] 132 Threaded part of shaft

[0052] 14 Support element

[0053] 141 Upper wall

[0054] 142 Side wall

[0055] 143 Upper edge

[0056] 144 Lower edge

[0057] 145 Side edge

[0058] 20 Groove

[0059] 21 Groove base

[0060] 22 Groove upper edge

[0061] 40 Drive apparatus

[0062] 41 Slot

[0063] 42 Drive wall

[0064] 43 Slot base

[0065] X Central axis

Claims

CLAIMS1. A fastener (10) with a threaded shaft (13) and a head (11) concentric with said shaft (13), characterized in that it comprises: at least two support elements (14) provided on the head (11) in the form of a protrusion, at least one groove (20) provided on one side of each support element (14) and provided to form a side wall (142) that enables the rotation force to be applied to the fastener (10), and a groove base (21) extending from a lower edge (144) of said side wall (142) to the top of the adjacent support element (14) in an inclined manner, and in that the outer diameter of the head (11) decreases as it moves away from the shaft(13).

2. A fastener (10) according to claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises an upper wall (141) that extends between an upper edge (143) of the side wall (142) and a groove upper edge (22) of the groove base (21).

3. A fastener (10) according to claim 1 , characterized in that four support elements(14) are provided.

4. A fastener (10) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the side wall (142) is provided in a plane passing through a central axis (X) of the fastener (10).

5. A fastener (10) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the groove base (21 ) is provided in a concave form.

6. A drive apparatus (40) suitable for the fastener (10) defined by claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises a slot (41) compatible with the form of the support element (14) provided on the fastener (10).

7. A drive apparatus (40) according to claim 6, characterized in that the slot (41) comprises at least one drive wall (42) against which the side wall (142) rests when the support element (14) is inserted into the slot (41).

8. A drive apparatus (40) according to claim 7, characterized in that it comprises a slot base (43) provided in convex form adjacent to the drive wall (42).

9. A drive apparatus (40) according to claim 6, characterized in that it comprises at least one slot channel (44) into which the upper wall (141) provided on the fastener (10) enters.

Images