Rivet Assembly with Anti-Rotation Pressure Plate

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for a method to securely attach functional elements to composite materials or soft sheet metal components without damaging the fibers and ensuring secure rotation prevention, while distributing the load effectively to avoid local peaks.

Innovation Solution

A component assembly comprising a functional rivet element with a flange section and a connection section, combined with a pressure plate having an opening, where the rivet element and pressure plate are connected via the connection section through a hole in the component, with the pressure plate providing security against rotation by means of a non-circular contour and raised portions, ensuring even load distribution and secure clamping.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a functional rivet element is attached directly to composite material without a pressure plate, then the attachment process is simpler, but the load is concentrated on a small area causing local peaks and potential fiber damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment process simplicityVSAvoidlocal load peaks and fiber damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A pressure plate is introduced as an intermediary element between the functional rivet element and the composite material component. The pressure plate distributes the clamping force over a larger surface area of the composite material, preventing local load peaks and fiber damage while maintaining a relatively simple attachment process using a self-piercing rivet

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If a conventional circular pressure plate is used, then the manufacturing is simpler, but rotation of the functional element cannot be prevented

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure plate manufacturing simplicityVSAvoidrotation prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure plate is designed with an asymmetric non-circular contour instead of a conventional circular shape. This asymmetric geometry creates a geometric interlock with the functional rivet element, preventing rotation while maintaining manufacturability through standard forming processes. The asymmetric shape allows the pressure plate to be pressed into the composite material in a specific orientation, ensuring reliable anti-rotation functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

3Adaptability or versatility

If the composite material is heated to soften it for attachment, then the material becomes more formable, but the risk of damaging the material or fibers increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial formabilityVSAvoidmaterial and fiber damage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment process replaces thermal softening with a mechanical self-piercing rivet process. The self-piercing rivet element mechanically pierces through the composite material and deforms to create a secure attachment without requiring thermal softening. This eliminates the risks associated with heating while maintaining effective attachment to the composite material

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 solution achieves secure and stable attachment of functional elements to composite materials or sheet metal, preventing rotation and distributing loads evenly, thereby avoiding damage to the fibers and ensuring a firm connection.

Implementation Method 1

The self-piercing rivet element (15) is pressed into the pressure plate (17) so that the self-piercing rivet element (15) and the pressure plate (17) are connected to one another in a form-fitted manner

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPlastic deformation: Plasticity

Implementation Method 2

with the self-piercing rivet element (15) and the pressure plate (17) connected to one another via the self-piercing rivet element (15) extending through a hole (21) in the component (19), a region of the component (19) surrounding the hole (21) being clamped between a flange section (13) of the self-piercing rivet element (15) and the pressure plate (17)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical compression: Compression

Data Source

PatentEP2618005B8Component assembly with functional rivet element and pressure plate

Publication Date: 2016.10.19 PROFIL VERBINDUNGSTECHNIK GMBH & CO KG

AI summary

The invention relates to a combination of a functional element having a flange section and a connection section, in particular a rivet element, and a pressure plate, in particular a pressure plate having an opening, for attachment to a component, in particular to a panel of composite material or sheet metal, wherein the functional element and the pressure plate are formed to be arranged on opposite sides of a hole of the component and are to be connected together via the connection section which extends through the hole, in particular by riveting, in order to clamp a region of the component surrounding the hole between the flange section and the pressure plate and wherein the pressure side of the pressure plate confronting the component in the attached state is provided with a means providing security against rotation.