Friction Welding Fixing Element Bead Groove Oxide Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fastening elements with radially running beads for friction welding face contamination issues due to oxide layers, which are not effectively removed, leading to compromised connection durability and material loss during the welding process.

Innovation Solution

The fastening element features radially extending beads with a front groove embedded in the friction surface, allowing for efficient removal of contaminants like oxides, which are pushed into the groove, and a design that minimizes bead elevation to ensure direct contact and optimal material utilization, with optional rear grooves for additional material accommodation and improved manufacturing flexibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If beads are designed as milling cutter-like cutting edges for removing oxide layers, then contamination removal capability is improved, but bead material is lost and mixed with oxide contaminants, compromising connection durability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoxide layer removal capabilityVSAvoidconnection durability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The end face is segmented into distinct functional zones: scraping surfaces for oxide removal, front grooves for contaminant collection, and a preserved central friction welding zone. This segmentation prevents bead material from mixing with oxide contaminants while maintaining effective contamination removal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The harmful oxide layers and contaminated materials are extracted and isolated into front grooves embedded in the friction surface, separating them from the connection zone. This ensures that bead material is not mixed with contaminants, preserving connection durability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If beads are elevated significantly above the friction surface for effective scraping, then contamination removal is improved, but bead material is consumed faster and connection zone material is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontaminant removal efficiencyVSAvoidfastening element material loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The beads are designed with localized scraping surfaces that are only slightly elevated above the friction surface. This local quality change provides sufficient scraping capability while minimizing material loss and preserving the connection zone material.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Object-affected harmful factors

If multiple grooves are added to accommodate bead material and contaminants, then contamination management is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontaminant containmentVSAvoidfriction surface structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The front grooves are embedded within the friction surface plane rather than adding external structures. This dimensional integration manages contaminants effectively while minimizing increases in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 design ensures a secure, quick, and efficient friction-welded connection by effectively removing contaminants and maintaining material availability, enhancing connection reliability and manufacturing efficiency, particularly suitable for automatic fabrication.

Implementation Method 1

dirt is first rubbed off by the scraping surface during the friction welding process

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbrasion: Abrasion

Implementation Method 2

the friction effect and thus plasticization of the material of both the fastening element and the component very quickly results

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction welding: Friction Welding

Data Source

PatentEP2064021B1Fixing element for a friction welding joint
Publication Date: 2011.06.15 EJOT GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2064021B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~8

AI summary

The invention relates to a fixing element, comprising a concentric front face forming a friction surface for friction welding joining to a planar component fixed against the rotational and axial forces acting on the component by the fixing element and with several radial beads on the front face. The beads are defined in the rotational direction by a front groove let into the friction surface, the beads only having a marginal axial projection relative to the friction surface and are provided with a scraper surface from which the scraped material is pushed into the front groove during the welding process.