Fastener Puller Alignment via Stop Shoulder Receiving Area
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing swage-type fastening systems face challenges in securely fastening work pieces due to the inefficiency of current fastener installation tools in engaging and swaging the pin members effectively, leading to incomplete locking and potential failure under axial force.
Innovation Solution
A fastening system featuring a pin member with a threaded shank, stop shoulder, and pull portion, along with a fastener installation tool having a puller with angled teeth and a swage collar that can be swaged onto the pin member, where the puller's angled front face engages the pull grooves and stop shoulder to apply axial force, breaking off the pull portion at a breakneck groove for secure locking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the puller applies axial force to the pin member, then the pull portion breaks off at the breakneck groove providing visual indication, but the alignment between the puller and pull grooves becomes difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The stop shoulder with the annular receiving area is positioned on the pin member before installation to preliminarily establish the correct alignment position. When the puller's front face engages with this receiving area, it automatically guides the puller into proper alignment with the pull grooves, eliminating the need for difficult manual alignment during the forcing action.
Solution Approach 2:
The annular receiving area formed by the inner annular wall and inner face of the stop shoulder acts as an intermediary element between the puller and the pull grooves. This intermediary feature ensures proper alignment by providing a positive engagement surface that guides the puller into the correct position before the axial force is applied to break off the pull portion.
2Productivity
If the puller engages the pull portion to apply axial force, then the pull portion breaks off, but excessive force may damage the threaded portion or shank
Solution Approach 1:
The breakneck groove is pre-formed at a specific location on the pin member, creating a predetermined weak point. This preliminary structural preparation ensures that when axial force is applied, the pull portion will break off cleanly at the groove rather than causing damage to the stronger threaded portion or shank, enabling high-speed installation without risk of damaging the fastener.
3Ease of operation
If the inner face extends at a steep angle, then the receiving area provides good alignment, but the puller cannot fully engage the pull portion
Solution Approach 1:
The inner face is designed with a specific angle range (30 to 60 degrees from the longitudinal axis) that optimizes both alignment and engagement. This parameter optimization allows the puller's front face to align properly with the pull portion while maintaining sufficient engagement surface area for reliable force transmission, resolving the contradiction between alignment ease and engagement reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A fastening system including a fastener and a fastener installation tool. The fastener includes a pin member having an elongated shank portion with a threaded portion, a stop shoulder located at an end of the threaded portion, and a pull portion extending from the stop shoulder. The stop shoulder includes an inner annular wall extending longitudinally from the end of the threaded portion, and an inner face extending outwardly and obliquely from the shank portion. The inner annular wall and the inner face form an annular receiving area. The fastener installation tool includes a puller having a front face. The receiving area of the fastener is adapted to receive the front face of the fastener installation tool when the puller engages the pull portion of the pin member.