Push-Rivet Gasket Mounting for Maintainable Soldering Furnaces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing soldering apparatuses face challenges in efficiently attaching and detaching gaskets due to the use of screws or bonds, which require time and effort, and the gaskets deteriorate quickly, necessitating frequent replacement, leading to low maintainability.

Innovation Solution

The use of push rivets to fix the gasket to the furnace body, allowing for easy attachment and detachment, with a configuration that includes a first and second sealing portion and a fixation portion, enabling uniform pressure application and minimizing protrusion, thus maintaining sealing efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If screws or bonds are used to fix the gasket to the furnace body, then the gasket can be securely attached, but the attachment and replacement process requires significant time and effort

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegasket attachment securityVSAvoidattachment and replacement time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical fastening methods (screws, bonds) with a push rivet system that uses a simple pushing motion to attach the gasket. The push rivet includes a head portion and shaft portion that deform upon insertion to create a secure mechanical interlock, eliminating the need for threading, tightening, or bonding processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the attachment mechanism from multi-step processes (screw threading, bond curing) to a single-step deformation process. The push rivet's shaft portion changes shape upon insertion, transforming from a straight state to a bent or expanded state that locks the gasket in place, achieving secure attachment instantly without time-consuming operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If bonds are used to fix the gasket, then the gasket can be attached without additional components, but it takes one day for the bonds to dry, significantly reducing工作效率

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment mechanism simplicityVSAvoidgasket attachment efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces chemical bonding (which requires drying time) with a mechanical deformation system. The push rivet's shaft portion deforms upon insertion to create immediate mechanical interlocking, eliminating the waiting period required for bond curing while maintaining secure attachment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The push rivet is pre-formed with a straight shaft portion that is designed to deform upon insertion. This preliminary configuration allows the attachment mechanism to activate automatically during the pushing operation, achieving secure fixation instantly without requiring subsequent drying or curing time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Loss of energy

If the gasket is tightly sealed to prevent in-furnace air leakage, then heating efficiency is maintained, but the gasket is more susceptible to heat deterioration and flux fume corrosion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvein-furnace heating efficiencyVSAvoidgasket durability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the gasket material properties to withstand high-temperature and chemically aggressive environments. The gasket is made from heat-resistant and corrosion-resistant materials that maintain their sealing properties even when exposed to prolonged heating and flux fumes, thus preserving both sealing efficiency and durability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3702648B1Soldering apparatus and method of fixing gasket to the soldering apparatus
Publication Date: 2025.08.13 SENJU METAL IND CO LTD
  • EP3702648B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3702648B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3702648B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A soldering apparatus (100) is provided that allows a gasket (10) to be easily attached to and detached from the soldering apparatus. A method of fixing the gasket (10) to the soldering apparatus (100) is also described. The soldering apparatus includes: a furnace body (110); a gasket (10) that is provided to at least a part of the furnace body, and that seals the furnace body; and a push rivet (20) that fixes the gasket (10) detachably to the furnace body.