U-Shaped Bow with Integrated Blind Rivet Mandrels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle U-shaped bows require complex fastening methods, such as welding or screwing, and often necessitate additional carrier plates, which complicate and increase the cost of installation.
Innovation Solution
The U-shaped bow is developed with its ends as blind rivets, allowing for one-sided fastening to a sheet metal component using a setting tool, eliminating the need for additional carrier plates and simplifying the fastening process by using the bow's center section as a pull mandrel for the blind rivets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional fastening methods (welding or screwing) are used for the U-shaped bow, then reliable connection is achieved, but device complexity and installation cost increase due to additional carrier plates and complex processes
Solution Approach 1:
The U-shaped bow is merged with blind rivet functionality by integrating pull mandrels directly into the bow's end sections. This combines the fastening element (U-shaped bow) with the fastening mechanism (blind rivet with pull mandrel), eliminating the need for separate carrier plates and reducing the number of components while maintaining reliable connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The end sections of the U-shaped bow serve multiple functions: they form the pull mandrels for blind riveting, act as the fastening elements themselves, and provide the structural connection points. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated carrier plates and simplifies the overall fastening system.
2Reliability
If traditional fastening methods (welding or screwing) are used for the U-shaped bow, then secure attachment is achieved, but manufacturing cost and installation time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pull mandrels are pre-integrated into the U-shaped bow's end sections during manufacturing. This preliminary action ensures that during installation, no additional components need to be assembled or positioned - the bow is simply inserted through the sheet metal and riveted from one side, significantly reducing installation time while maintaining secure attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The U-shaped bow with integrated pull mandrels is self-contained and self-installing. The bow itself provides all necessary fastening elements, eliminating the need for separate carrier plates, welding equipment, or complex assembly procedures. Installation is performed by simply riveting the bow from one side of the sheet metal.
3Stability of the object's composition
If additional carrier plates are used for fastening the U-shaped bow, then connection stability is improved, but device complexity and material usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier plate function is merged into the U-shaped bow structure itself. The bow's end sections are designed to directly engage with the sheet metal through blind riveting, eliminating the need for separate carrier plates. This reduces the number of components from multiple parts (bow, carrier plates, fasteners) to a single integrated component.
Solution Approach 2:
The U-shaped bow serves as both the structural element and the fastening element. Its end sections are universally designed to function as pull mandrels for blind rivets, allowing direct attachment to sheet metal without requiring additional carrier plates or fastening components.
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 method enables rapid, reliable, and cost-effective fastening of the U-shaped bow to a sheet metal component from a single side, eliminating the need for welding or screwing and reducing installation complexity and costs.
Implementation Method 1
the pull mandrel projecting at the head is pulled out by way of the setting tool. This leads to an upset and thereby to a widening of the rivet behind the bore
Data Source
AI summary
A motor vehicle has a U-shaped bow which can be simply fastened to a sheet metal component. The U-shaped bow is developed at each free end as a blind rivet. The U-shaped bow itself forms the pull mandrel for the blind rivets. Such a U-shaped bow can be used, for example, for fastening a child seat in the motor vehicle according to the Isofix standard, for a locking bow for a lock of a door or lid of the motor vehicle and/or for serving cargo in a vehicle trunk.