Rivet Fastener Pin Head Design for Confined Space Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rivet fasteners with independent body and pin components can be cumbersome to install, especially in restricted areas, as the pin's short shank and recessed channel hinder manipulation, leading to slowed installation and potential loss of the pin.
Innovation Solution
A rivet fastener design featuring a narrow grip between the sides of the pin head with a channel and outer surface hollows, allowing easier access and handling, facilitating the insertion of the pin into the body, even in recessed cavities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the pin head is designed with a narrow grip between sides for secure handling, then the ease of operation improves, but the area of the pin head decreases making it harder to access in recessed cavities
Solution Approach 1:
The pin head transitions from a conventional circular cross-section to an elongated rectangular cross-section with narrow sides and broader ends. This dimensional change creates narrow grip areas (sides) for secure handling while maintaining sufficient overall area (ends) for access in recessed cavities, resolving the contradiction between secure grip and accessibility
2Shape
If the fastener is installed in a recessed channel or well to conceal heads, then the aesthetic appearance improves, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to hindered pin manipulation
Solution Approach 1:
The elongated rectangular pin head with narrow sides extends beyond the channel edges when installed, providing accessible grip areas for manipulation while the broader ends remain concealed within the channel, thus maintaining aesthetic appearance while improving operability
3Volume of moving object
If the pin shank is made relatively short for a compact fastener, then the volume of the fastener decreases, but the ease of operation worsens due to hindered pin positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The elongated rectangular pin head with narrow sides provides extended grip surfaces that compensate for the short shank length, enabling installers to effectively position and manipulate the compact pin in restricted installation areas
Data Source
AI summary
A rivet fastener includes a fastener body and a fastener pin which is inserted into the fastener body. A head of the fastener body defines a channel for receiving a head of the fastener pin, with lateral lands of the fastener body head exposed outwardly of sides of the fastener pin head. The exposed surface of the fastener body head defines hollows or recesses to accommodate tips of fingers of an installer.