Press-In Functional Element With Integrated Sealing Geometry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing functional elements for pressing into sheet metal parts require a separate coating step to seal connections, increasing effort, cost, and environmental impact.
Innovation Solution
A functional element with a sealing region between the workpiece contact surface and the functional section, featuring a conical contact surface and a projection with obliquely inclined flanks, which receives displaced material from the workpiece to create a tight seal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate coating is applied to seal connections between functional elements and workpieces, then sealing performance is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is merged with the functional element itself by forming an integrated sealing structure (such as a sealing flange or sealing edge) that is part of the functional element. This eliminates the need for separate coating applications and achieves sealing through the structural design of the functional element alone, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining sealing performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The functional element is designed to create its own seal through its geometric configuration and interaction with the workpiece during installation. The sealing structure is self-forming, where the functional element's own deformation or positioning against the workpiece creates the seal without requiring external coating materials or additional sealing components, thus simplifying the manufacturing process.
2Reliability
If a separate coating is applied to seal connections, then sealing performance is improved, but production time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is integrated into the functional element's structure, allowing sealing to occur during the primary installation process rather than requiring a separate coating step. This merging of functions eliminates additional production time while maintaining effective sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing structure is pre-formed as part of the functional element during its manufacturing process. When the functional element is installed, the seal is already in place and simply needs to be activated or engaged, eliminating the need for time-consuming on-site coating applications.
3Reliability
If a separate coating is applied to seal connections, then sealing performance is improved, but environmental impact increases
Solution Approach 1:
The functional element creates its own seal through structural design and material properties inherent to the element itself, eliminating the need for external coating materials. This self-sealing approach avoids the environmental hazards associated with coating chemicals, solvents, and disposal requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing function is extracted from the separate coating process and embedded directly into the functional element's structure. This removes the harmful coating materials from the system entirely, achieving sealing through mechanical or geometric means that have no environmental impact.
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 solution enables a tight connection between the functional element and the workpiece with reduced effort and environmental impact, while eliminating the need for additional sealing means.
Implementation Method 1
The contact surface has a first partial surface which runs obliquely to the axial direction of the functional element and which converges when viewed in a press-in direction of the functional element, and a second partial surface which adjoins the first partial surface, runs obliquely to the axial direction of the functional element and diverges when viewed in the press-in direction of the functional element
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3a~3b
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A functional element (10) for pressing into a workpiece (50), in particular into a sheet metal part, comprises a functional section (11) and a fastening section (13) with a stop surface (15) for introducing a pressing force into the functional element (10), a workpiece contact surface (17) opposite the stop surface (15), which can be brought into contact with the workpiece (50) and which is in particular flange-like in design, and a sealing area (19) located in an axial direction and/or a radial direction of the functional element (10) between the workpiece contact surface (17) and the functional section (11) for receiving displaced material of the workpiece (50), which forms a contact surface (21) for the displaced material in order to seal a connection between the functional element (10) and the workpiece (50), wherein the contact surface (21) is a first partial surface (23),which runs obliquely to the axial direction of the functional element (10) and which converges when viewed in a press-in direction of the functional element (10), and has a second sub-surface (25) which adjoins the first sub-surface (23), runs obliquely to the axial direction of the functional element (10) and which diverges when viewed in the press-in direction of the functional element (10).