Self-Piercing Rivet Recess Geometry for Stable High-Tensile Joints

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Solution Overview

Problem

Self-piercing rivets used for joining high tensile and super high tensile steels often face issues such as asymmetrical spreading, shank bending, and difficulty in insertion, leading to potential rivet fracture and increased setting forces, which can result in damage to the rivet or workpieces during the joining process.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of an axial circular recess at the transition portion between the head and shank of the self-piercing rivet reduces setting forces by allowing the head protrusion to stand out radially, preventing cracks and maintaining stability, even when used with high tensile steels, and can be adapted for various materials including aluminum and standard steel.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If self-piercing rivets are used for joining high tensile steels, then joint strength is achieved, but setting forces increase and rivet fracture occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvejoint tensile strengthVSAvoidsetting force
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by providing a chamfered transition portion between the head and shank with specific geometric parameters (chamfer angle α between 135° and 165°, radius R between 0.15-0.35mm). This localized geometric modification reduces stress concentration at the transition zone, allowing the rivet to withstand high setting forces without fracture while maintaining joint strength for high tensile steels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Strength

If self-piercing rivets are used for joining high tensile steels, then joint strength is achieved, but the rivet shank bends and spreading becomes asymmetrical

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvejoint tensile strengthVSAvoidrivet shank stability
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by providing a chamfered transition portion between the head and shank with specific geometric parameters (chamfer angle α between 135° and 165°, radius R between 0.15-0.35mm). This localized geometric modification reduces stress concentration at the transition zone, allowing the rivet to withstand high setting forces without fracture while maintaining joint strength for high tensile steels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of manufacture

If self-piercing rivets are inserted into high tensile steel workpieces, then joining is achieved, but insertion difficulty increases and rivet fracture occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsertion easeVSAvoidrivet fracture resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by providing a chamfered transition portion between the head and shank with specific geometric parameters (chamfer angle α between 135° and 165°, radius R between 0.15-0.35mm). This localized geometric modification reduces stress concentration at the transition zone, allowing the rivet to withstand high setting forces without fracture while maintaining joint strength for high tensile steels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3455507B1Self-piercing rivet and self-piercing riveted joint
Publication Date: 2021.11.03 NEWFREY LLC
  • EP3455507B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3455507B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP3455507B1 patent drawingFigure 6~13

AI summary

Self-piercing riveted joint with a self piercing rivet and self-piercing rivet (10') for joining workpieces having a head (12') which comprises a head diameter, and having a shank (14') which comprises a shank diameter. The shank (14'), on the foot end (18') located opposite the head (12'), comprises an axial recess (22') which has an axial depth (LB'). The shank (14') comprises a flat surface portion (20) or a circular cutter on the foot end (18'). An axial circular recess is realized in a region of a transition portion (16') between the head (12') and the shank (14').