Soldering Furnace Gasket Fastening With Push Rivets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing soldering apparatuses face challenges in efficiently attaching and detaching gaskets due to small operational spaces and the time-consuming nature of using screws or bonds, leading to low maintenance efficiency and frequent gasket replacement due to heat-induced deterioration and flux fume corrosion.
Innovation Solution
A soldering apparatus equipped with a gasket that uses push rivets for easy attachment and detachment, featuring a configuration with a first and second sealing portion and a fixation portion, allowing for uniform pressure application and easy replacement, while maintaining the seal integrity even when one sealing portion deteriorates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If screws are used to fix the gasket, then the gasket can be securely attached to the furnace body, but the screwing operation becomes difficult due to small operational spaces and requires more time and effort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional screw-based mechanical fastening system with a push rivet system. The push rivet includes a pin with a head portion and a shaft portion that is inserted through the gasket and furnace body, then expanded using expansion means (such as a tapered section or splitting mechanism) to create a secure mechanical interlock. This substitution eliminates the need for threading operations in confined spaces while maintaining strong attachment.
2Strength
If bonds are used to fix the gasket, then the gasket can be attached to the furnace body, but it takes one day for the bonds to dry and the attachment efficiency becomes low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces chemical bonding (adhesive-based) with a mechanical fastening system using push rivets. The push rivet provides immediate mechanical interlocking through the expansion mechanism, eliminating the curing time required for adhesive bonds. The gasket can be attached and detached within minutes rather than requiring a full day for drying.
3Device complexity
If the gasket is designed with a single sealing portion, then the structure is simple, but the gasket deteriorates due to heat and flux fume corrosion and needs frequent replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the gasket into multiple functional segments: a first sealing portion that directly contacts the furnace body to provide the primary seal, and a second sealing portion that provides an additional sealing layer. This segmentation allows the gasket to maintain sealing reliability even if one portion deteriorates, as the other portion continues to provide protection against heat and flux fume corrosion.
4Reliability
If the gasket attachment structure is made complex to improve sealing, then the sealing performance improves, but the attachment and replacement operations become more time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a push rivet system that combines complex sealing functionality with simple operation. The push rivet's expansion mechanism provides secure attachment and maintains sealing integrity, while the attachment process itself remains simple: insert the pin through the gasket and furnace body, then activate the expansion means. This allows for rapid replacement without requiring complex manipulation tools or procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a soldering apparatus that allows a gasket to be easily attached to and detached from the soldering apparatus, and a method of fixing the gasket to the soldering apparatus. The soldering apparatus includes: a furnace body; a gasket that is provided to at least a part of the furnace body, and that seals the furnace body; and a push rivet that fixes the gasket in an attachable/detachable manner to the furnace body.