Rivet-Like Fastener Assembly for Sealed Spin-Resistant Sheet Joints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fastener technologies fail to provide a secure, spin-resistant, and sealed connection in thin sheet materials, often compromising on either the structural integrity or the sealing capability when attempting to combine these features.
Innovation Solution
A rivet-like fastener assembly with an elongated tubular body featuring a radially extending head portion, a hollow shank with internally threaded and thin-walled sections, and an elastomeric seal, along with protrusions and flutes for rotational retention and sealing, which deforms to engage both wall surfaces and provides a strong, threaded connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a conventional fastener is used to provide a threaded connection in thin sheet materials, then structural integrity is improved, but sealing capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the threaded connection function and sealing function into a single integrated fastener assembly. The tubular body provides threaded engagement for structural strength, while the elastomeric seal integrated within the same assembly provides sealing capability, eliminating the need for separate sealing components.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastener assembly uses composite construction combining a metallic tubular body with an elastomeric seal. This composite approach allows the metal portion to provide structural integrity and threaded engagement, while the elastomeric material provides sealing capability, resolving the contradiction between strength and sealing.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a fastener is designed to prevent rotational movement, then connection stability is improved, but device complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing protrusions only at specific locations on the tubular body where rotational retention is needed, rather than making the entire fastener complex. The protrusions are strategically positioned to engage with the wall material and prevent rotation, adding minimal complexity only where necessary.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses protrusions that extend radially outward from the tubular body to engage with the wall material in a different dimensional approach. Instead of complex threading or multi-component retention mechanisms, the protrusions utilize radial extension to provide rotational retention through geometric interlocking.
3Reliability
If an elastomeric seal is compressed to provide a water-tight seal, then sealing capability is improved, but structural integrity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The tubular body is segmented into different radial thickness sections - a thinner-walled section and a thicker-walled section. The thinner section allows for effective seal compression, while the thicker section maintains structural integrity. This segmentation allows the structure to accommodate seal compression without compromising overall strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the radial thickness parameter of the tubular body at different locations. By varying the wall thickness, the structure can provide the necessary compliance for seal compression in one region while maintaining structural strength in another region, resolving the contradiction between sealing and structural integrity.
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 assembly achieves a secure, spin-resistant, and sealed connection in thin sheet materials by compressing the elastomeric seal and engaging the protrusions with the wall, ensuring a water-tight seal and enhanced resistance to rotational movement without compromising on structural integrity.
Implementation Method 1
an elastomeric seal adapted to be compressed between the second portion (31) of the rear head surface and a portion of the front wall surface
Implementation Method 2
an elastomeric seal adapted to be compressed
Implementation Method 3
The thin-walled section of the intermediate section of the shank portion may be adapted to be deformed outwardly (65) to engage a portion of the rear wall surface
Data Source
AI summary
A rivet-like fastener assembly adapted to be mounted in a hole through a wall having front and rear surfaces and comprising a body having a head portion and a hollow shank portion extending axially from the head portion and having an internally threaded section and an intermediate section, the head portion having an inner radial section having a first axial thickness between a front head surface and a first portion of a rear head surface and an outer radial section having a second axial thickness between the front head surface and a second portion of the rear head surface, the first axial thickness being greater than the second axial thickness, the first portion of the rear head surface adapted to abut a portion of the wall, and an elastomeric seal adapted to be compressed between the second portion of the rear head surface and the wall.