Amorphous Metal Rivets for High-Strength Joint Retention
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional rivets face challenges with high-strength alloys, leading to issues like excessive tensile and shear stresses, and pull-out from joints, due to inadequate material properties and contact force mechanics between the rivet and workpieces.
Innovation Solution
The use of amorphous metal alloys, specifically bulk metallic glass (BMG), in blind and bucked-type rivets that can elastically deform or thermoplastically deform to secure workpieces, with designs that allow for one-sided installation and improved gripping power through barb-like features and anvil-assisted deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional rivet materials are used, then ease of manufacture is maintained, but tensile strength and fatigue life are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameters by using amorphous metal alloy instead of traditional crystalline metal, which provides superior tensile strength and fatigue life while maintaining manufacturability through established amorphous metal forming processes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material strategy by combining amorphous metal alloy with specific geometric features (barbs, deformable portions) to create a rivet system that leverages both material properties and structural design for enhanced performance
2Strength
If traditional rivet materials are used, then ease of manufacture is maintained, but resistance to pull-out and shear stress is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameters by using amorphous metal alloy which exhibits superior shear strength and resistance to pull-out forces compared to traditional metals, while maintaining ease of manufacture through available amorphous metal processing techniques
3Reliability
If amorphous metal alloy is used, then tensile strength and fatigue life are improved, but installation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the rivet into distinct functional portions (barbless shank, deformable portion, barbs) that can be installed in a sequential manner, simplifying the installation process despite using advanced amorphous metal material
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates preliminary action by pre-forming the deformable portion and barbs during manufacturing, so that during installation only final deformation and expansion are needed, reducing installation complexity
4Force
If amorphous metal alloy is used, then gripping power is improved, but access requirements for installation are more restrictive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the rivet installation into two stages: first inserting the barbless shank through accessible aperture, then applying deformation force from the accessible side to expand the deformable portion and form barbs, enabling installation from one side only
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The BMG rivets provide enhanced tensile strength, fatigue life, and secure bonding with reduced risk of failure under stress or vibration, offering a lightweight alternative to welding and bolting, suitable for applications like ship and aircraft construction.
Implementation Method 1
at least one of the first leg and the second leg is configured to elastically deform to secure the first member in position relative to the second member
Implementation Method 2
The anvil head is configured to plastically deform the formable member proximate to the second member
Implementation Method 3
The anvil head is further configured to separate from the interface shaft upon application of a predetermined tensile force to the interface shaft
Implementation Method 4
the formable member may be heated by exciting the anvil ultrasonically or spinning the anvil rapidly across one or more surfaces of the formable member
Data Source
AI summary
A family of rivets including both blind and bucked-type rivets made at least partially from an amorphous metal alloy. A blind rivet includes a head portion and a tail portion. At least one of the head portion and the tail portion is configured to elastically deform to secure a first member in position relative to a second member. The head portion and the tail portion may include one or more deformable legs having an interface feature configured to engage with one of the first member and the second member. A bucked-type rivet assembly includes a formable member and an anvil. The anvil is configured to thermoplastically deform the formable member proximate to the second member by passing current through an electrical circuit that includes at least one of the formable member and anvil.