Circular Fastener Attachment Reducing Pressing Force

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for attaching fastener elements to sheet metal parts require significant pressing forces, making them impractical for smaller workshops without heavy presses or robots, and are not easily adaptable to various fastener elements.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a local force applied to the head part of the fastener element, moved circularly around its axis of symmetry, combined with a relative feed movement, to press the component's material into an undercut, reducing the force required and enabling attachment with lighter, more compact apparatus.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional pressing methods are used to attach fastener elements to sheet metal parts, then reliable attachment is achieved, but considerable pressing forces and heavy equipment are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment reliabilityVSAvoidpressing force

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The pressing force is segmented and applied locally at the undercut region rather than distributed across the entire fastener head. The tool applies force specifically at the material engagement point, dividing the attachment process into localized deformation zones that require less total force

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The pressing action is concentrated at the local region where the undercut engages the sheet metal material. The tool design focuses force application at the critical engagement zone rather than applying uniform pressure across the entire fastener, achieving reliable attachment with reduced overall force

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If heavy presses are used for fastener element attachment, then attachment reliability is ensured, but device complexity and equipment weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment reliabilityVSAvoidequipment complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The complex heavy press system is replaced by extracting only the essential function: localized material deformation at the undercut. The invention removes unnecessary components and force transmission mechanisms, keeping only the tool that applies direct local pressure to achieve attachment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The tool acts as an intermediary that translates minimal applied force into localized high-pressure contact at the undercut region. This mediator concentrates the force through its geometric design, allowing simple equipment to achieve the same effect as complex heavy presses

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If conventional attachment methods are used, then fastener elements can be securely attached, but the process is not adaptable to various fastener types and requires specialized heavy equipment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment reliabilityVSAvoidfastener element compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The tool design with die button shape matching the fastener element creates a universal attachment method that can accommodate various fastener types. The localized pressing mechanism at the undercut works similarly across different fastener geometries, making the system adaptable to bolts, nuts, and other fastener elements without requiring specialized heavy equipment for each type

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 method allows for reliable attachment of fastener elements with significantly lower forces, enabling the use of lighter, less material-intensive apparatus and compatibility with multiple fastener types, including bolt and nut elements, without the need for heavy machinery.

Implementation Method 1

a local force is exerted on the head part of the fastener element or onto the tool to the side of the axis of symmetry and is moved circularly around the axis of symmetry while simultaneously carrying out a relative feed movement between the tool and the fastener element between which the component is arranged in order to press the material of the component into the undercut

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPlastic deformation: Plasticity

Data Source

PatentUS7735209B2Method and apparatus for the attachment of a fastener element to a component, in particular to a sheet metal part

Publication Date: 2010.06.15 HVB BANQUE LUXEMBOURG

AI summary

A method and an apparatus for the attachment of a fastener element to a component, for example a sheet metal part, wherein the fastener element has an axis of symmetry, a head part having a contact surface which enters into contact with the component, a fastening section having a thread and also at least one undercut which receives the material of the component, and wherein the material of the component is pressed against the contact surface and into the undercut by means of a first tool having a die button shape matching the design of the fastener element, are characterized in that a local force is exerted on the head part of the fastener element or onto the tool to the side of the axis of symmetry and is moved circularly around the axis of symmetry while simultaneously carrying out a relative feed movement between the tool and the fastener element between which the component is arranged in order to press the material of the component into the undercut.