Two-Stage Coaxial Punch for In-Place Fastener Piercing and Clinching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for installing self-attaching fasteners on substrates require separate machines for piercing and clinching, leading to increased costs, space requirements, and potential misalignment issues, resulting in inefficiencies and waste.
Innovation Solution
A two-stage device with a punch having coaxial inner and outer pins, capable of transitioning between piercing and clinching states, allows for the simultaneous performance of both operations in a single machine without repositioning the substrate, utilizing a die with a guide pin and suction channel for precise alignment and attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate machines are used for piercing and clinching operations, then each machine can be optimized for its specific function, but the manufacturing cost increases and facility space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the piercing machine and clinching machine into a single integrated device. The punch assembly includes both a piercing portion (with inner pin) and a clinching portion (with outer pin), allowing both operations to be performed by one machine rather than requiring two separate machines, thereby reducing manufacturing cost and facility space while maintaining functional capability
Solution Approach 2:
The punch is designed as a multi-functional tool that can perform both piercing and clinching operations. The punch assembly can be configured in different states: in a first state only the inner pin moves to pierce the substrate, and in a second state both inner and outer pins move concurrently to perform clinching, allowing one device to serve multiple functions
2Ease of manufacture
If the substrate is transported from the piercing machine to the clinching machine, then the operations can be performed separately, but the manufacturing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating both piercing and clinching operations into a single machine, the substrate remains stationary on the support surface while the punch performs both operations in sequence without requiring substrate transport between machines, thereby reducing manufacturing time and improving productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The piercing operation is performed first to create an aperture in the substrate, and then the clinching operation is performed in the same location without moving the substrate. This preliminary piercing action enables the subsequent clinching operation to be performed accurately and efficiently in one setup
3Ease of operation
If the substrate is transported to the clinching machine, then the clinching operation can be performed, but alignment errors may occur resulting in waste
Solution Approach 1:
The integration of piercing and clinching in one machine eliminates substrate transport and the associated alignment errors. The punch maintains precise coaxial alignment between the piercing portion and clinching portion, ensuring that the clinching operation occurs exactly at the intended location without misalignment waste
Solution Approach 2:
The inner pin acts as an intermediary guide during the clinching operation. The inner pin is received within the fastener's aperture after piercing, and its coaxial arrangement with the outer pin ensures precise alignment of the clinching operation with the previously created aperture, preventing misalignment errors
Data Source
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AI summary
A device for installing a self-attaching fastener on a substrate. The device includes a punch having an inner pin and an outer pin. The inner and outer pins are coaxial and translatable along an axis. In a first state of the punch, the inner pin is movable independently of the outer pin, and in a second state of the punch, the inner and outer pins are movable concurrently. The device further includes a die having an engagement surface configured to receive and support the substrate thereon, In a first operable stage of the punch, the punch is in the first state and configured to pierce a through-hole in the substrate. In a second operable stage of the punch, the punch is in the second state and configured to attach the self-attaching fastener to the substrate.