Blind Rivet Mouthpiece With Pre-Setting Seal Pressure Test

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for setting blind rivet elements do not effectively check the sealing function before or after installation, leading to time-consuming and costly processes, with potential for defective components and increased rework.

Innovation Solution

A mouthpiece for a setting device that includes a hollow body with sealing components and a fluid channel, allowing for the testing of the sealing function of blind rivet elements before installation by supplying a testing fluid and measuring relative pressure, enabling identification of defective elements and reducing rework.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If blind rivet elements are set into component openings without pre-testing, then the setting process is faster, but defective elements cannot be identified before installation leading to rework and time loss

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesetting process speedVSAvoidsealing function verification
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The mouthpiece enables preliminary testing of the sealing function of blind rivet elements before they are set into the component opening. The testing fluid is supplied through the fluid channel to the sealing surface of the rivet element while it is still in the mouthpiece, allowing defective elements to be identified and removed before installation, thus preventing rework while maintaining efficient setting processes for verified elements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If post-manufacturing tightness checks are performed on entire components, then sealing defects can be detected, but the process is time-consuming and costly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing defect detectionVSAvoidinspection time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The testing function is extracted from the final component inspection process and integrated into the setting device itself. The mouthpiece with its fluid channel and sealing arrangements enables isolated testing of individual blind rivet elements at the point of installation, eliminating the need for time-consuming post-manufacturing tightness checks on entire components while maintaining reliable defect detection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If the mouthpiece includes fluid channel and sealing components for testing, then sealing function can be verified, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing function testingVSAvoidmouthpiece structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mouthpiece is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as the setting device interface and as the testing apparatus. The hollow body with central through bore accommodates the pulling component for setting, while simultaneously incorporating the fluid channel and sealing arrangements for testing. This integration allows a single device to perform both setting and testing functions without requiring separate complex equipment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

This solution allows for efficient pre-installation testing of blind rivet elements, reducing the number of defective components and eliminating the need for post-manufacturing tightness checks, thereby saving time and resources.

Implementation Method 1

measuring relative pressure, enabling identification of defective elements

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure measurement: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP4296004B1Mouthpiece for a setting device, a setting device with the mouthpiece and a setting method of a blind rivet element using the mouthpiece
Publication Date: 2024.09.18 BOLLHOFF OTALU SA
  • EP4296004B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4296004B1 patent drawingFigure 3a
  • EP4296004B1 patent drawingFigure 3b

AI summary

A mouthpiece (10) for a setting device (1) setting a blind rivet element (50) is disclosed which comprises a hollow, preferably a hollow-cylindrical, body having an abutting end (14) and a central through bore (12) through which a pulling mandrel (3) of the setting device (1) is movable. Further, a first endless sealing (18) is arranged adjacent to the central through bore (12) at the abutting end (14) for abutting at a head portion (52) of the blind rivet element (50). Additionally, a second endless sealing (22) is arranged radially outwardly of the first endless sealing (18) at the abutting end (14) for abutting at a component (9). Finally, a fluid channel (24) extends at least partly through the hollow, preferably hollow-cylindrical, body such that an exit opening (28) is provided between the first (18) and the second endless sealing (22) and an entry opening (26) for supplying a testing fluid is provided, preferably remote to the abutting end (14).