Self-Piercing Press-In Element with Displacement Ridge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Self-piercing press-in elements, such as pierce nuts, face challenges in achieving reliable axial pull-out strength and anti-twist security while maintaining a compact size, often compromising on weight savings and installation space in lightweight metal components.
Innovation Solution
A self-piercing press-in element with a stamped collar featuring a conically inclined outer lateral surface and a circumferential displacement web that presses sheet metal material into an undercut, providing axial pull-out protection and anti-twist security through friction, without the need for additional form-fitting elements or deformation of the component's underside.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If the press-fit element is made compact to reduce weight and save space, then weight reduction and space efficiency are improved, but axial pull-out strength and torsional rigidity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The head support surface is segmented into two functional zones: an inner pressing area that contacts the die during installation, and an outer annular displacement area that engages the sheet metal component. This segmentation allows the compact structure to generate sufficient pressing force through the concentrated inner area while the outer area provides extended engagement for pull-out resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The displacement area extends radially outward from the pressing area, utilizing the radial dimension to increase the effective engagement area without increasing the axial height of the press-fit element. This allows the compact element to achieve sufficient surface area for friction-based pull-out resistance without compromising weight or space efficiency.
2Weight of moving object
If the press-fit element is made compact to reduce weight and save space, then weight reduction and space efficiency are improved, but torsional rigidity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The head support surface is segmented into a centralized pressing area and a surrounding displacement area. This segmentation creates a lever arm effect where the radial distance between the pressing area and displacement area provides mechanical advantage for resisting rotational forces, enhancing torsional rigidity without increasing overall element size.
Solution Approach 2:
By utilizing the radial dimension through the annular displacement area, the element achieves greater moment of inertia for resisting torsional loads. The radial extension provides leverage against rotational forces while maintaining compact axial dimensions, thus improving torsional rigidity without adding weight.
3Strength
If conventional designs with additional form-fitting elements are used, then axial pull-out strength and anti-twist security are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The head support surface performs multiple functions: it provides bearing contact during installation through the pressing area, generates friction-based pull-out resistance through the displacement area, and creates lever arms for torsional resistance. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate form-fitting elements, reducing structural complexity while maintaining strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The displacement area automatically engages the sheet metal component during the pressing operation itself, using the installation process to create the friction-based locking mechanism. No additional forming steps or separate locking elements are required, simplifying the overall device design while achieving reliable pull-out and anti-twist security.
4Strength
If material is displaced into undercut from top surface, then axial pull-out protection and anti-twist security are improved, but the component top surface is deformed
Solution Approach 1:
The head support surface is divided into a pressing area that contacts the die and a displacement area that engages the component. This segmentation confines the material displacement action to the annular displacement area, preventing deformation of the central hole region and maintaining surface smoothness where it is most critical.
Solution Approach 2:
By utilizing the radial dimension through the annular displacement area, the element achieves material displacement and locking without requiring axial deformation of the component surface. The displacement occurs in the radial plane, preserving the axial smoothness of the component surface while still achieving pull-out protection.
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 solution ensures a reliable press-fit connection with enhanced axial pull-out and anti-twist resistance, maintaining a compact size and smooth component underside, achieving high filling efficiency and sufficient strength even in small-sized elements.
Implementation Method 1
material from the top of the component is displaced and thus pressed into the undercut or recess by means of a forming process
Implementation Method 2
The displacer ridge therefore generates additional, advantageous friction in the pressed-in state
Implementation Method 3
This is achieved both through the circumferential friction of the displacer ridge and through the friction between the pressed-in material and the outer surface of the stamping collar
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6
AI summary
The invention relates to a self-piercing press-in element, in particular a piercing nut (2), which has a heat part (6) having a head support (8) for placing on a component (22) and a piercing collar (10) having an end-side cutting edge (24). An undercut (26) is formed between the piercing collar (10) and the head support (8). A peripheral displacing ridge (16) is formed adjacent to the piercing collar (10) on the head support (8), which displacing ridge is adjoined in the radial direction (14) by a further outer region (18) of the head support (8), which outer region is set back from the displacing ridge (16) in the longitudinal direction (4). When the press-in connection is formed, material is pressed from the top side (28) of the component (22) into the undercut (26) by means of the displacing ridge (16). The bottom (34) of the component (22) is preferably not deformed. Fig.