CN101988539A

CN101988539A - Fastening assembly capable of isolating vibration

Info

Publication number: CN101988539A
Application number: CN2009101644645A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 周永恒
Original assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Co
Current assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Co
Priority date: 2009-08-05
Filing date: 2009-08-05
Publication date: 2011-03-23
Anticipated expiration: 2029-08-05
Also published as: CN101988539B

Abstract

The invention discloses a fastening assembly, which is used for fixing a first workpiece and a second workpiece together as well as keeping the vibration isolation between the first workpiece and the second workpiece. The fastening assembly comprises a rigid fastening piece and an elastic bushing which are fixed integrally. The invention also provides a method for fixing the first workpiece and the second workpiece in a mode of providing vibration isolation between the first workpiece and the second workpiece.

Description

The fastener assembly of separating vibration

Technical field

The present invention relates to the fastener assembly that a kind of device (for example cooling fan etc.) that is used for having moving element often is connected to the separating vibration on the electronic equipment (for example computer, server, projector etc.).

Background technique

In the time of on the electronic equipment that will the device such as cooling fan be connected to such as computer, server, projector with moving element; this moving element can cause that usually electronic equipment produces undesirable vibration; thereby need provide a kind of securing means that can separating vibration; thereby when will the device such as fan by this securing means being connected on the electronic equipment, can make any vibration that is transmitted to electronic equipment from this device all minimize.

Summary of the invention

The invention provides a kind of fastener assembly, can adopt the mode that between first and second workpiece, provides vibration to isolate that first and second workpiece are fixed to one another.Fastener assembly comprises Rigid Fastener and the resilient bushing that integrally is fixed together.

Therefore, according to an aspect of the present invention, provide a kind of fastener assembly, be used for when first and second workpiece are fixed together, keeping the vibration between described first and second workpiece to isolate, comprising:

Axially extended Rigid Fastener, be included in the head that enlarges in the radial direction, the head of described expansion comprises that wherein, at least a portion of described shank comprises fastening structure from radially outward extending flange of the head of described expansion and the shank that axially extends from the head of described expansion;

Resilient bushing, described resilient bushing surrounds at least a portion of described fastening piece, and described resilient bushing has the cylindrical axis that roughly aligns with the long axis of described fastening piece, described lining comprises the head of expansion radially, the head of described expansion encapsulates the described flange of described fastener head at least in part, thereby, described lining and described fastening piece integrally are fixed together;

Wherein, described lining comprises at least two protuberances that extend, separate and can depart from the axial direction on circumference, each protuberance comprises the head of the protuberance that is positioned at end and the neck of protuberance, described neck head than described protuberance on general radial direction is thin, and described neck is located axially between the head of the head of described protuberance of described lining and described expansion;

And by carrying out bending at described neck, each protuberance can be at least from the position that first position deviation that axially extends curls to second portion ground, wherein, the head of described protuberance is axially promoted towards the described radially enlarged head of described lining.

According to a further aspect in the invention, provide a kind of method that first and second workpiece are fixed together in the mode that provides vibration to isolate between described first and second workpiece, described method comprises:

First and second workpiece are provided, the described first and second workpiece each intervals, and have corresponding opening;

Fastener assembly is provided, and described fastener assembly comprises:

The axial stiffness fastening piece, described axial stiffness fastening piece comprises radially enlarged head, described radially enlarged head comprises by radially outward extending flange of the head of this expansion and the shank that axially extended by the head of this expansion, wherein, at least a portion of described shank comprises fastening structure;

Resilient bushing, described resilient bushing centers at least a portion of described fastening piece and has the cylindrical axis that roughly aligns with the long axis of described fastening piece on circumference, described lining comprises radially enlarged head, described radially enlarged head encapsulates the described flange of described fastener head at least in part, so that described lining and described fastening piece integrally are fixed together;

Wherein, described lining comprises at least two protuberances that extend, separate, can depart from the axial direction on circumference, each protuberance comprises the head and the neck of the protuberance of the tail end that is positioned at described protuberance, described neck head than described protuberance on general radial direction is thin, and described neck is located axially between the head of the head of described protuberance of described lining and described expansion;

The head that will comprise the described at least protuberance of the described at least part of described shank of described fastening piece of described fastening structure and described lining is passed in the opening in described second workpiece; And,

The described fastening structure of described fastening piece shank is fastened to described first workpiece,

Thereby, described first and second workpiece are pulled with close to each other; Make the described terminal surface that contacts first workpiece of the opening that is close to first workpiece of each lining protuberance, and then make each protuberance in the bending of neck place, cause the crimped position of each protuberance from the first axially extended position deviation to second portion ground, the head of wherein said protuberance is axially promoted towards the radially enlarged head of described lining; And described second workpiece is securely held between the head of expansion of the head of described protuberance of described lining and described lining.

These and other aspects of the present invention will become obvious from following detailed description.Yet, in no instance can be with the content interpret of above-mentioned aspect theme for the restriction claim, the theme of claim only by appended claim and in checking process possible modification limit.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 is the perspective view according to the fastener assembly of exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is the perspective exploded view of fastener assembly shown in Figure 1.

Fig. 3 is the perspective view of the bolt of fastener assembly shown in Figure 1.

Fig. 4 is the side sectional view along the bolt shown in Figure 3 of the line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is the perspective view of the resilient bushing of fastener assembly shown in Figure 1.

Fig. 6 a is the plan view of resilient bushing shown in Figure 5.

Fig. 6 b is the side sectional view along resilient bushing shown in Fig. 6 a of the line 6b-6b of Fig. 6 a.

Fig. 7 is a fastener assembly side sectional view shown in Figure 1, shows the first and second workpiece relative positions secured together.

Fig. 8 is two side sectional views that workpiece tightens together by fastener assembly shown in Figure 1.

Identical reference character is represented identical parts in different accompanying drawings.Some parts can be expressed as a plurality of in the same way; In this case,, it should be understood that this reference character can be applied to all this same parts though have only single representative components to indicate by reference character.Unless indication is arranged in addition, whole views herein and accompanying drawing are not shown to scale, and have selected these accompanying drawings for diagram different mode of executions of the present invention.Especially, the size of different parts only is described with exemplary term, unless clearly show, the relation between the size of different parts can not derive from accompanying drawing.Though, used the term such as " top ", " bottom ", " top ", " bottom ", " under ", " on ", " preceding ", " back ", " outwards ", " inwardly ", " making progress " and " downwards " and " first " and " second " in this article, but should understand, unless otherwise noted, these terms only use in their scope of relative meaning.

Embodiment

Disclosed as exemplary embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 1 and 2 shows and to comprise the fastening piece 20 that integrally is fixed together and the fastener assembly 1 of lining 50.Fastening piece 20 by rigid material form (yet a part of not getting rid of fastening piece 20 can be deflected fully, thereby for example as the mushroom head type securing means).Fastening piece 20 can be made by metal (for example steel, aluminium etc.), pottery, rigidity plastics or the like.Shown in Fig. 3 and 4, fastening piece 20 elongates at axial direction, and comprises that radially enlarged head 22, head 22 comprise from the head 22 radially outward extending flanges 23.Fastening piece 20 also comprises 22 shanks 30 that axially extend from the head.At least a portion of shank 30 comprises fastening structure.In the exemplary embodiment in Fig. 3 and 4, fastening structure comprises the helical thread portion 31 (exemplarily comprising one or more separate threads 32 in this article) of shank 30, and helical thread portion 31 threadably engages and be fastened to workpiece.Can adopt to comprise that other fastener meanses replace or the attached threaded joint of carrying out with helping, for example, the fastening piece that is clasped of rivet, a mushroom fastening piece or other types; The interference fit fastening piece; Bayonet formula link; Can be as the hook of a part of hook and ring fastening system or ring plate or the like.Can be instead or add ground in addition, this mechanical fasteners means, fastening piece 20 can comprise bonding fastener means.This for example can comprise the lip-deep tackiness agent (fastening piece 20 can be connected to workpiece by tackiness agent bondedly) at fastening piece 20; Perhaps, the surface of fastening piece 20 can suitably be adhered on the tackiness agent that is coated on the workpiece.

As mentioned above, the radially enlarged head 22 of fastening piece 20 comprises at least one flange 23, and flange 23 generally 22 radially stretches out from the head.In the term in a broad sense, flange 23 can show as the form of any suitable prominent features, perhaps has the feature that generally extends radially outwardly from head 22 outer surface 34 radially of fastening piece.Suitable flange can comprise post, pin, flank, beam, hook or the like.This flange usually can be from surface 34 vertical extent of the head 22 of fastening piece; Perhaps they can extend (extending) with any angle easily for example non-perpendicularly.These all flanges can comprise identical shape, radial thickness and/or angle; Perhaps can use the projection of multiple difformity, size or band angle.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in Fig. 3 and 4, flange 23 is continuous circular disk on circumference normally.In such an embodiment, ring disk flange 23 can comprise the common first axially facing surface 24 and the second relative axially facing surface 35 that deviates from shank 30 usually towards shank 30.In certain embodiments, flange 23 (no matter being disc or other shapes) can comprise discontinuous opening or the like.One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that in a flange of for example being made up of discontinuous circular disk and a plurality of flange each all comprises between a plurality of flanges of spoke independently there is not strict differentiation line.In certain embodiments, flange 23 can comprise a plurality of circular disks, spiral thread or the like.

Shown in Fig. 3 and 4, the head 22 of fastening piece 20 can comprise axially facing surface 28, when the diameter of shank 30 during less than the diameter of radially enlarged head 22, can form this axially facing surface 28, and shank 30 can axially extend from surface 28.Fastening piece 20 can also comprise shoulder 29, and intersect at shoulder 29 places on the surface 28 of axially extended surperficial 34 and radially extension of the head 22 of fastening piece.The head 22 of fastening piece 20 can comprise extension 25, and described extension 25 is crossed flange 23 and extended axially in the opposite direction in the sides of extending with shank 30 of head 22.The diameter of the extension 25 of head 22 can with the remaining part of head 22 () diameter different a little (for example, greater than the diameters of the remaining part of head 22) for example as shown in Figure 4.The head 22 of fastening piece 20 can comprise open-ended chamber 27 (for example, slit, hexagon or star-shaped aperture), is suitable for holding the screw thread bottle opener that for example is used for turn Fastener 20 or the terminal of drill bit, so that fastening piece 20 threadably is fastened to workpiece.Alternatively or additionally, at least a portion of head 22 (for example the extension 25) can be held tool holding to realize this rotation.Though columniform shape can be for example by this clampings of realization such as pliers, but may make clamping more favourable in some modifications, for example, special shape (for example is arranged in the extension 25 of head 22, square or hexagon) so that more easily clamp by spanner or the like instrument.

As illustrated in fig. 1 and 2, lining 50 circumferentially around fastening piece 20 to small part, and have the cylindrical axis that usually aligns with the long axis of fastening piece 20.Lining 50 can be made by any elastic material, and the flexibility and the elasticity of expectation are provided, with protuberance 55 bendings (part after a while of this paper is described) that allow lining 50.In special embodiment, lining 50 can be moulded material by the thermoplastic of rubber-like moulding when solidifying or the thermosetting plastics manufacturing forms.The suitable moulding resin that is used for lining 50 can comprise neutral rubber, and synthetic polymeric material for example can be isoprene rubber, butyl rubber, vinyl benzene-butadiene rubber, silicone rubber, nitrite rubber, polyurethane, plastic PVC or the like.In different embodiments, the shore hardness A of suitable elastic forming material (Shore A) can less than about 77, less than about 67 or less than about 57.In another embodiment, the Shore A hardness of suitable elastic forming material can be at least about 14, at least about 24 or at least about 34.Especially, suitable elastic forming material can select to have high relatively vibration-damping characteristic those materials of (for example, in order to have high relatively loss modulus).For example, suitable material can be that Aeroart is Aearo E-A-R department (St.Paul, MN) product of Gou Maiing of the 3M company of ISODAMP, VERSADAMP and ISOLOSS.

In different embodiments, lining 50 can Overmolded by being referred to as (overmolding) or is embedded the moulding process manufacturing and form, wherein fastening piece 20 is inserted forming cavity at least in part, and moulding resin is injected the chamber, so that center at least a portion of fastening piece 20 circumferentially, and solidify then to form lining 50.The internal surface radially 68 of lining 50 thereby can contact the major component of outer surface radially 34 of head 22 of the expansion of (for example, can radially be positioned at) fastening piece 20.This way of contact helps lining 50 and fastening piece 20 integrally are fixed together to form fastener assembly 1.In this article, mode with overall fixed is fixed together lining 50 and fastening piece 20, thereby they can be handled as individual unit, thereby, do not using special tool(s) and/or damage or destroying under the situation of lining 50 and/or fastening piece 20, they can not separate, if separately, they can not be secured together at an easy rate again.

In order to realize the overall fixed each other between fastening piece 20 and the lining 50, the flange 23 of fastening piece 20 is useful especially.That is, lining 50 can be provided with radially enlarged head 52, with the flange 23 of packing at least in part, thus fastening piece 20 and lining 50 integrally and is regularly kept together.Especially, in the exemplary embodiment shown in Fig. 1-8, flange 23 can be a continuous circular disk on circumference basically, and the head 52 of the expansion radially of lining 50 comprises groove 72 annular, that inwardly face, and disc type flange 23 remains among the groove 72.In such an embodiment, the material of the head 52 of the expansion of lining 50 will contact with first and second axially

facings surface

24 and 35 of flange 23, at least a portion of radially outer opposed face 36.In specific embodiment, all parts of first and second axially facings of flange 23

surface

24 and 35, radially outer opposed face 36 will contact (for example, as shown in Figure 7) with the material of the head 52 of the expansion of lining 50.

As in accompanying drawing 5,6a, 6b and 7, further showing in detail, lining 50 can comprise hollow basically and in a tubular form main body 51 roughly, main body 51 comprises outer surface 64 that the footpath makes progress and the internal surface 68 that directly makes progress, and comprises the head 52 that aforesaid footpath upwards enlarges.The main body 51 of lining 50 can comprise at least two protuberances 55, and protuberance 55 extends and away from the head 52 of lining along the axial directions of lining 50 usually.In a further embodiment, axle sleeve 50 can comprise at least four such protuberances 55.Protuberance 55 separates each other circumferentially by the recess 56 that is orientated in the axial direction.Each protuberance 55 comprises the head 66 of the protuberance with radial thickness L1 and has the protuberance neck 70 of radial thickness L4 that the thickness L4 of protuberance neck 70 is thinner on general radial direction than the radial thickness L1 of the head 66 of protuberance.In this article, on general radial direction 70% of the radial thickness L1 of the head 66 of the thinner no more than protuberance of radial thickness L4 that is meant protuberance neck 70.In a further embodiment, the radial thickness L4 of protuberance neck 70 be less than protuberance head 66 radial thickness L1 about 60%, 50% or 40%.

The head 66 of each protuberance can comprise outside opposed face 58, inside opposed face 59 radially and axial opposed face 57 radially, and wherein axial opposed face 57 is defined as away from the end on the axial direction of the protuberance 55 of liner head 52.When along the end on observation of lining 50, the head 66 of protuberance can adopt the anchor ring form of interruption (easier in Fig. 6 a find out), and its outer diameter D2 (as shown in Figure 7) is limited by the outer surface 58 of the head 66 of protuberance.As the easiest illustrating among Fig. 5, in certain embodiments, the head 66 of protuberance can for example be divided into the auxiliary head 67 of protuberance by the protuberance groove 65 that extends in the axial direction, on general radial direction than the described protuberance auxiliary head thinner part of the auxiliary head 67 of protuberance by protuberance (that is, the radial thickness of described part be not more than the auxiliary head of protuberance radial thickness 70%) on circumference, be connected to each other.In this case, the auxiliary head of each protuberance can have radially outside opposed face 58, inside opposed face 59 radially and axial opposed face 57.The circumferential edges of the auxiliary head 67 of the head 66 of protuberance or protuberance can be the inclined-plane, (for example, as shown in Figure 5), thereby the head 66 of protuberance has the gradient in the axial direction to have rounding etc.When the cylindrical axial direction of lining 50 is seen, protuberance 55 and its part (head 66 that comprises protuberance) can be arc (for example, shown in Fig. 5 and 6a) roughly.Selectively, independent protuberance 55 and each several part thereof can be linear relatively in shape, though they may still separate on circumference, thereby form the anchor ring roughly of interruption as shown in Figure 5.

For example has the relative design of the protuberance 55 of thin protuberance neck 70 of head 66 with radial direction at the thicker relatively protuberance of radial direction, combine with the elastic material of making lining 50, do not discuss after a while as civilian, contact surface (for example when the axial terminal (for example axial opposed face 57 of protuberance 55) of protuberance 55, the surface of workpiece) time, can help by bending at least protuberance neck 70 head 66 of protuberance is outwards being departed from the radial direction.

The head 52 that enlarges in the radial direction of lining 50 can comprise axial opposed face 54.In certain embodiments, when using fastener assembly 1, surface 54 can in abutting connection with and/or the surface of contact workpiece.In alternate embodiments, a plurality of elastic protrusions can be axially outstanding from liner head 52, thereby, when using fastener assembly 1, the surface of one or more elastic protrusions adjacency and/or contact workpiece.This projection can be made by elastic material, for example, makes (the whole parts that for example, comprise projection lining 50 form single unit in single forming operation) by the elastic material identical with the remaining part of lining 50.This elastic protrusion can be advantageously provided lining 50, as described later, can hold the workpiece of different-thickness.

In specific embodiment, as shown in Figure 5, that the elastic protrusion of liner head 52 can comprise in the axial direction is outstanding, at the flank 60 that extends in the radial direction, separates on circumference.The main body 51 of lining 50 also can comprise flank, for example, is radially assisting flank outstanding, that extend in the axial direction, separate on circumference).The extending portion 60B of the flank 60A that this flank can be axially outstanding as forming as shown in the exemplary design of Fig. 5, radially extend, separate on circumference.

In certain embodiments, flank 60B can align with protuberance head 66 on circumference.In other embodiments, flank 60B can have radially and protuberance head 66 (for example, within ± 10% scope) identical thickness roughly.In specific embodiment (as shown in Figure 5), flank 60B can roughly align with the auxiliary head 67 of protuberance on circumference, and can have the roughly the same radial thickness of radial thickness of assisting head 67 with protuberance.

Further go through the position of lining 50 on fastening piece 20 with reference to Fig. 6 B and 7.As mentioned above, lining 50 centers at least a portion of fastening piece 20 circumferentially, and has radially enlarged head 52, and described head 52 encapsulates the flange 23 of fastener head 22 at least in part.Lining 50 can additionally comprise extension 53, it centers on the extension 25 of fastener head 22 circumferentially, for example, thereby the extension 53 of lining 50 is ended in the axial direction even can be the some place (as shown in Figure 7) on the surface 26 of fastener head 22.In different embodiments, lining 50 and fastening piece 20 can be designed such that the shoulder 29 of fastening piece 20 is located axially within the axial range of protuberance neck 70 of lining 50 (as shown in Figure 7).Once more as shown in Figure 7, in such an embodiment, the head 66 of protuberance can extend in the axial direction, thereby at the threaded portion 31 of partly overlapping fastening piece 20 in the radial direction.

Fastener assembly 1 can be used for first workpiece 80 and second workpiece 90 are tightened together in the mode that provides vibration to isolate between these two workpiece, that is to say, makes between these two workpiece not occur being rigidly connected or the path.As shown in Figure 7, fastening piece 20 can be designed so that in the protuberance 55 of the shank 30 of fastening piece 20 and lining 50 at least one can pass the opening 92 of second workpiece 90, so that the fastening structure of the shank 30 of fastening piece 20 is fastened to first workpiece 80.Particularly, can select the diameter D2 of the anchor ring that head 66 outer surfaces 58 by protuberance limit littler, thereby make the head 66 of the protuberance of lining 50 can pass opening 92 than the diameter D4 of workpiece 90 openings 92.Though for convenience, opening, fastening piece 20 and lining 50 in the workpiece 90 of Miao Shuing all is circle roughly in this article, but be appreciated that also and can use other geometrical shapies, under this situation, term " diameter " should be understood that also can be applied to the special physical dimension of employed workpiece openings and fastener assembly.

The head 66 of the shank 30 of fastening piece 20 and the protuberance of lining 50 can pass the opening 92 of second workpiece 90, up to the surface 81 of surface 57 contacts first workpiece 80 of the head 66 of protuberance.In exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 7, in the reason process, the shank 30 of fastening piece 20 penetrates the opening 82 of first workpiece 80 at least in part herein.Thereby, in such an embodiment, can select the maximum dimension D 3 of the shank 30 of fastening piece 20, so that the maximum diameter part 31 of shank 30 can be coupled in the opening 82.In specific embodiment as shown in Figure 7, the part 31 of shank 30 is to be coupled to threadably, also threadably to be fastened in the opening 82 of workpiece 80.

For the ease of realizing that protuberance surface 57 contacts with first workpiece 80, the above-mentioned diameter D2 that selection is limited by the outer surface 58 of the head 66 of protuberance, so that the surface 57 of the head of protuberance 66 is on the surface 81 of regional 81a place contact workpiece 80, regional 81a from opening 82 in adjacent openings 82 outwards in the radial direction.Protuberance surface 57 causes making active force be applied to the head 66 of protuberance by the surperficial 81a of workpiece 80 with contacting of first workpiece 80.Though this active force applies along the axial dimension of lining 50 usually, but the structure of " head and the neck " of protuberance 55 can be arranged so that also head 66 that this active force can cause protuberance by the neck of protuberance at least 70 of crooked at least protuberance 55 is initial from them, axially extended position (for example, position as shown in Figure 7) is radially outwardly-bent.The continuity of this process (just, by 20 pairs first workpiece 80 of securable fastener are applied active force, for example, by part 31 screw threads of fastening piece 20 being attached to the opening 82 of workpiece 80) cause protuberance 55 to be curled arriving the position of partly curling, in this process, the head 66 of protuberance promotes towards liner head 52 in the axial direction.The result, the surface of the head 66 of protuberance (for example, surface 58) will contact second main surperficial 94 of second workpiece 90, and will promote workpiece 90 towards the head 52 of the expansion of lining 50 along the axial direction of fastening piece 20, thereby make the head 52 of expansion of first main surperficial 91 contact bushes 50 of workpiece 90.Thereby as shown in Figure 8, second workpiece 90 will be subsequently buckled between head 66 surfaces (for example, surperficial 58) of the surface of the head 52 of the expansion of lining 50 and protuberance.Thereby second workpiece 90 can be held in place regularly, and workpiece 90 contacts with any part of first workpiece 80 or any part of Rigid Fastener 20 without any part.

Except that recited above with lining 50 integrally be fixed to can gain in strength on the fastening piece 20, the rigid flanges 23 that one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that Rigid Fastener 20 can also be used to promote that workpiece 90 is held in place regularly, simultaneously by producing the effect of separating vibration under the elastomeric layer that rigid flanges 23 is isolated in lining 50.The head 66 that those skilled in the art also will notice protuberance outwards depart from the radial direction, the part of protuberance 55 curl can towards liner head 52 compressing workpiece 90 and workpiece 90 is firmly held in the surface of head of protuberance and the surface of liner head between, and needn't use the rigid sleeve of any kind to trigger and/or auxiliary triggering is this departs from/curly course just can realize above-mentioned compressing and maintenance function.

In order to make second workpiece 90 be buckled the surface of the head 52 that lining 50 enlarges, the maximum dimension D 1 of head 52 of expansion that fastener assembly 1 can be designed so that lining 50 is greater than the diameter D4 of the opening 92 of second workpiece 90.This setup can make some positions that the surperficial 91a of the radially outer adjacent openings 92 of workpiece 90 can contact bush head 52.In certain embodiments, the axially facing surface 54 that the surperficial 91a of workpiece can contact bush head 52.In other embodiments, can above-mentioned a plurality of elastic protrusion just be set, thereby the surperficial 91a of workpiece is contacted with the surface of at least some projections from liner head 52.Use this projection can increase the range of movement of liner head 52 flexibilitys and/or the relative liner head 52 of increase workpiece surface 91a, and thereby allow fastener assembly 1 can be applied to the workpiece 90 of different-thickness.In specific embodiment, a plurality of projections comprise a plurality of flanks, and as shown in Figure 8, the surperficial 91a of second workpiece 90 is securely held between the surface 62 of the surface 58 of head 66 of lining protuberance and flank 60A.When keeping workpiece 90 by this way, the opening 92 of second workpiece 90 radially inwardly opposed face 93 can or cannot and/or can or cannot contact with the outer surface 64 of lining 50 main bodys 51 with the flank 60B surface 63 of lining 50.

When

workpiece

80 and 90 adopts the method disclosed in the present to be firmly fastened to together, they can be at least to keep separating with the roughly corresponding distance of radial thickness L1 of the head 66 of protuberance.Thereby, can select the radial thickness L1 of the head 66 of protuberance, favourable with for example size to the miscellaneous part of lining 50.Relation between the radial thickness of the radial thickness of head 66 of protuberance and protuberance neck 70 has been discussed in the above.In addition, the radial thickness L1 of the head 66 of protuberance can be chosen as protuberance neck 70 axial range (length) L5 about at least 110%, about at least 120% or about at least 130%.Go through after a while as this specification, when

workpiece

80 and 90 was fixed together, the head 66 of protuberance was certainly compressed a little.For example, as shown in Figure 5, the disclosed numerical relation of this specification is meant that lining 50 does not depart from, the relation under the compressive state not.

Outermost surface on the axial direction of any projection of selection liner head 52 that can also be favourable (for example, under the situation that does not have projection to exist from the surface 54 of liner head 52, perhaps on the next surface 62 of the situation that is provided with these flanks from flank 60A), and the protuberance neck 70 of lining 50 and the axial spacing L2 between the junction point between the main body 51.Particularly, selected this spacing should be large enough to hold the thickness L3 of second workpiece 90, allows enough spaces simultaneously and allows protuberance 55 in the 70 places bending of protuberance neck.In different embodiments, the scope of spacing L2 is that about 0.5mm is to about 1.5mm.In another embodiment, spacing L2 scope can be about 70% to about 130% of the thickness L3 of workpiece 90.

Can combine and select the parameter of above explanation,, can easily obtain the best (axially) decrement of the specific features of resilient bushing 50 like this so that

workpiece

80 and 90 is connected.This optimal compression amount is can be enough high, and fully closely to keep workpiece 90, the optimal compression amount can not be high be subjected to negative influence to the vibration damping characteristic of the elastic material of the head 66 that makes protuberance (and/or miscellaneous part of lining 50) simultaneously.The advantage of at least some mode of executions disclosed herein is, when the axial surface 28 of the head 22 of fastening piece 20 contacts with the surperficial 81a of workpiece 80, that is to say, when fastening piece 20 might be a little or when no longer inserting the opening 82 of workpiece 80, can locate " automatically " " stopping step " and obtain this optimal compression amount.Can minimize or eliminate any uncertainty whether fastening piece 20 that the user can not hold fastener assembly 1 fully inserts the opening 82 of workpiece 80 like this.

For example, can realize effect of the present invention to the axial spacing L6 on the surface 28 (abutting the surface on the surface 81 of workpiece 80) of fastener head 22 and in conjunction with the radial thickness L1 of the head of protuberance and the thickness of workpiece 90 by selecting the axial opposed face (promptly abutting the opposed face on the surface 91 of workpiece 90) of liner head 52.Promptly, can select spacing L6 (shown in the exemplary embodiment of Fig. 7, L6 for from the surface 62 of flank 60 to the spacing on the surface 28 of fastener head 22) so that when given thickness be the workpiece 90 of L3 when occupying spacing L6 a part of, the remainder that may be highlighted the spacing L6 that the head 66 of portion occupies is slightly smaller than the head 66 thickness L1 (compressing) of protuberance.Thereby in order to occupy this remainder of spacing L6, the head 66 of protuberance must be compressed a little.

In fact, the axial of the head 52 of the expansion of the head 66 of protuberance and lining 50 can be subjected to some axial compression in the face of part (for example, axial in the face of flank 60) both.Thereby, for convenience of description, employed in this article compressed value adopts term spacing L2 to define, it from liner head 52 (for example is meant, under the situation that does not have projection, from liner head 52 surface 54, perhaps be provided with under the situation of these flanks, from the surface 62 of flank 60) any projection axial outmost surface to the axial spacing the junction of the main body 51 of protuberance neck 70 and lining 50 (lining 50 and its protuberance 55 stretch out, under the uncompressed state).When fastener assembly 1 during in fixed position as shown in Figure 8, the part that the part of spacing L2 will be highlighted the head 66 of portion occupies, typically, the thickness L1 that the thickness that occupies part like this approximates the head of protuberance greatly deducts the thickness L4 of protuberance neck, and the remainder of spacing L2 can be occupied by the thickness L3 of workpiece 90.Decrement used herein is defined as the ratio between the actual (real) thickness of the theoretic axial spacing that is used for 90 of workpiece determined by the not reduced size of L2 and protuberance 55 and workpiece 90.Therefore can think that this decrement is the head 66 of protuberance and both decrements of flank 60A for example.Adopt this mode to define under the situation of decrement, the inventor finds that decrement is suitable roughly in about 10% scope.In the embodiment who changes, the scope of this decrement can be from about at least 8% to maximum about 12%.And, as mentioned above, can select spacing L6 to realize this decrement with the step place that stops that inserting workpiece 80 at fastening piece 20.

As the example of numerical value, can use the spacing L2 of about 1.5mm.Combine with the thickness L4 of the protuberance neck of 0.6mm, the head thickness L1 of protuberance can be 1.2mm.Thereby as shown in Figure 8, when fastener assembly was fixed, spacing L2 (partly) occupied (that is, the thickness 1.2mm of the head of protuberance deduct the protuberance neck thickness 0.6mm) by head 66 parts of the protuberance of the about 0.6mm of width.So remaining 1.5mm deducts the space of 0.6mm (or about 0.9mm), can be occupied by workpiece 90 on this Space Theory.If the actual (real) thickness of workpiece 90 is 1.0mm, will cause decrement is (1.0-0.9)/1.0 (or about 10%), has reflected such fact, and promptly the head 66 of protuberance and/or flank 60 must stand a little compression to hold the actual (real) thickness of workpiece 90.Provide these numerical value just to be used for illustrating concrete example; For example it will be appreciated by the skilled addressee that for workpiece 90 of holding different-thickness or the like, above-mentioned parameter can change.

Workpiece

80 and 90 can be that expectation is by any workpiece fixed to one another and that setting vibration is at least to a certain degree isolated between these workpiece.For example, workpiece 80 can be the parts that for example are used for the shell of movable part (for example, rotating or the to-and-fro motion part), and workpiece 90 can be connected to (for example, can be shell etc.) expectation parts of shielding vibration at least to a certain extent.Perhaps, vice versa.In specific embodiment, one of them workpiece can be the parts of cooling fan, and another workpiece is an electron device part, and the cooling fan expectation is connected to electronic equipment in the mode that provides vibration to isolate.As required, can use a plurality of fastener assemblies 1 (for example 2,3,4 or more a plurality of).

The opening 92 of second workpiece 90 can be a through hole, thereby, as mentioned above, the head 66 of shank 30 and protuberance is therefrom passed.The opening 82 of first workpiece 80 can be through hole or blind hole (dead-end hole).In specific embodiment shown in Figure 7, opening 82 is tapped through holes.Though in the exemplary embodiment of Fig. 7 and 8, workpiece 80 is shown as has threaded openings 82,, the helical thread portion 31 of fastening piece 20 still can have the ability of Thread Forming TF, thereby the opening 82 of workpiece 80 may not must need to have screw thread.In these embodiments, the shank 30 of fastening piece 20 can comprise not screwed terminal part 33, and its diameter is further less than the diameter of helical thread portion 31.These features can allow the helical thread portion 31 of shank 30 more easily to be guided and enter the threaded openings of workpiece.

Example

Can adopt metal formation method well known in the art to make the rigid metal fastening piece of general type shown in Fig. 3 and 4.Whole axial lengths of fastening piece are about 13.3mm, comprise that length is about the head of expansion of 6.2mm and the shank that length is about 7.1mm.The diameter of the head that enlarges is about 6.5mm, and comprises that the outer diameter of continuous circular disk is about 10mm, axial thickness is about 0.7mm from the radially outwards outstanding continuous circular disk of head that enlarges.The open-ended chamber that is suitable for holding the asterism drill bit is positioned at the end of the head of expansion.Shank comprises the helical thread portion (axial length is about 4.2mm) with self-tapping screw, and the axial length of the non-threaded part of shank terminal (having the diameter slightly littler than helical thread portion) is about 3.0mm.

The forming cavity of the lining that can form general configuration as shown in Figure 5 is provided.Above-mentioned metal fastenings is placed in the forming cavity, and the thermoplastic of fusing is moulded material elastomer formation resin injection in this forming cavity, thereby at the head that enlarges and mobile from the outer surface of its circular disk of radially giving prominence to.The cooling forming resin, and from forming cavity, shift out final finished product.Use two different moulding resins to make this sample, these different moulding resins can (St.Paul MN) obtains, and its Aeroart is ISODAMP C-1002 and ISODAMP C-8002 from the Aearo E-A-R department of 3M company.

Adopt this technology that the fastener assembly of general configuration as illustrated in fig. 1 and 2 can be provided.Find that resilient bushing and metal fastenings can integrally be fixed together each other, and under the situation of not destroying lining, be not easy separately.Maximum diameter in the lining (for example, the head of the expansion of lining centers on the part of the circular disk of fastening piece circumferentially) is about 11.2mm.The diameter of the anchor ring of the interruption that is limited by the outmost surface radially of the protuberance of lining is about 9.0mm.The radial thickness of the auxiliary head of protuberance is about 1.2mm, and the radial thickness of protuberance neck is about 0.6mm.The radial thickness of axial guiding flank is about 0.6mm.

When (for example being used for first and second workpiece, the sheet metal that has the opening of appropriate size in it) finds when being fixed together, the process that threadably secures fasteners to first workpiece will cause that the head of protuberance radially outwards departs from, and protuberance partly curls towards the head of the expansion of lining in the axial direction, therefore, with aforesaid similar manner, cause second workpiece to be securely held between the surface of flank of the surface of head of protuberance and liner head.Adopt the engage thread jointing fastener, reach up to the axially facing surface of the head of the expansion of fastening piece and to stop step, described stop step against fastener threads the surface of the workpiece that is connected to, provide compression (as defined herein) thereby show as in about 10% scope of hope.

The cooling fan that also adopts aforesaid way to make fastening piece will be used for the traditional type of personal desktop's computer is connected to the rear portion sheet metal of typical computer casing.When connecting like this, fan (in traditional fan drum) is positioned at the inboard of computer casing, and fastener assembly partly passes the through hole of the back sheet metal of computer casing, and the guide wire fastening piece enters the tapped hole of fan drum.Fastening piece engages threadably with the tapped hole of fan drum, the metal plate sections that causes computer casing thereupon radially outwards near through hole, and be securely held between the flank of the head of protuberance of resilient bushing and liner head, stop the step state up to reaching.Four such fastener assemblies are installed in the through hole of four alignment in fan drum and the computer casing, thereby cooling fan and computer casing are achieved a fixed connection.

Can be installed on the metal side plate of computer casing apart from several inches degree of will speed up meters of fan.Fan is with the operation of the speed of about 8V, and corresponding rotation speed of the fan is about 3000RPM, as common doing, at the back plate regional perforation of the computer that is used to install fan, with the permission air flows.Use the vibration situation of accelerometer measures computer side plate, examining report is with gravity G value representation.In frequency range is that 20Hz writes down testing result under the situation of 1500Hz.

In the examining report in table 1, show G value at two that are shown as the highest G value (" peak value ") frequency places.Compare with the situation of using conventional rigid metal fastening screw trip bolt to be connected fan, table 1 has shown by use and has comprised that the fastener assembly of resilient bushing of the present invention is connected to fan the detection data of computer casing.As seen, when employing comprised that the fastener assembly of resilient bushing of the present invention is installed fan, the vibration that occurs in computer casing side plate place significantly reduced.

Table 1

Above-mentioned process of the test and test result be only for illustrative, rather than the result of prophesy, and can expect to change test procedure and can produce different results.In view of in used process, having comprised known tolerance, be appreciated that the whole numerical value in the example part are approximative value.Above-mentioned detailed description and example are only understood effect of the present invention for clear, and not should be understood to limit protection scope of the present invention.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that and to improve and/or combination disclosed concrete schematic structure, feature, details, structure etc. in the various embodiments of the present invention.But the inventor can expect that all these improvement and combination are all within protection scope of the present invention.Thereby protection scope of the present invention is not limited to the concrete exemplary configurations described in specification, and the equivalent of structure defined by the claims and these structures limits.

Claims

1. a fastener assembly is used for keeping when first and second workpiece are fixed together the vibration between described first and second workpiece to isolate, and comprising:

2. fastener assembly according to claim 1, wherein said fastener assembly are applicable to that described first and second workpiece that will wherein be provided with opening are fixed together, and wherein, the fastening structure of described fastening piece is applicable to fastening described first workpiece; And described fastener assembly also is applicable to and makes when the described fastening structure that passes the described opening of described second workpiece and described fastening piece when the part of the described shank of described fastening piece is secured to described first workpiece, the surface of described first workpiece of described terminal contact of each protuberance, cause that each protuberance is in described neck flexion, cause each protuberance from position that first position deviation that axially extends curls to second portion ground, wherein, the head of described protuberance is axially promoted towards the described radially enlarged head of described lining, causes described second workpiece to be securely held between the described radially enlarged head of the head of described protuberance of described lining and described lining thus.

3. fastener assembly according to claim 1, the described radially enlarged head of wherein said lining comprises a plurality of flexibility projections, described projection is axially outstanding towards the end of described lining protuberance from the described radially enlarged head of described lining, so that when the described fastening structure of described fastening piece is secured to described first workpiece, described second workpiece is securely held between the described flexibility projection of the head of described protuberance of described lining protuberance and described liner head.

4. fastener assembly according to claim 3, wherein said a plurality of flexibility projections be a plurality of outstanding in the axial direction, at the flank that extends in the radial direction, on circumference, separates.

5. fastener assembly according to claim 1, wherein said lining also comprise a plurality of at the flank of giving prominence in the radial direction, extending in the axial direction, separate on circumference.

6. fastener assembly according to claim 1, wherein the described neck of each lining protuberance has axial length, and wherein at least one lining protuberance comprises the head of protuberance, the radial thickness of the head of described protuberance be described at least one lining protuberance described neck described axial length at least 110%.

7. fastener assembly according to claim 1, the head of the described protuberance of at least one of wherein said lining comprises that two protuberances assist head, and the auxiliary head of described two protuberances is by connecting on circumference in protuberance part thinner on the general radial direction than the auxiliary head of described protuberance.

8. fastener assembly according to claim 7, wherein said lining also comprises a plurality of at the flank of giving prominence in the radial direction, extending in the axial direction, separate on circumference, and wherein at least one described flank aligns with the auxiliary head of protuberance on circumference.

9. fastener assembly according to claim 8, wherein said at least one flank has radial thickness, described radial thickness is substantially equal to the radial thickness of the auxiliary head of described protuberance, and described by this flank aligns on circumference with the auxiliary head of described protuberance.

10. fastener assembly according to claim 1, the head of the expansion radially of the radially enlarged head of wherein said fastening piece, described shank and described lining is cylindrical.

11. fastener assembly according to claim 10, the head of the described protuberance of wherein said lining protuberance combines and is limited to the anchor ring that is interrupted on the circumference, the outmost surface radially of the head by each described protuberance combines the external diameter that limits described anchor ring, and wherein said fastener assembly is fit to be applied to:

Second workpiece, the external diameter of the anchor ring of the interruption that the diameter of the circular opening of described second workpiece limits than the head by the protuberance of described lining is bigger, and the diameter of the circular open of described second workpiece is littler than the diameter of the radially enlarged head of described lining; With

First workpiece, the circular opening of described first workpiece has enough big diameter holding at least a portion of described fastening piece shank, but the external diameter of the anchor ring of the described interruption that the diameter of the circular open of described first workpiece limits than the head by the described protuberance of described lining is littler.

12. fastener assembly according to claim 11, wherein said fastening piece shank comprises the part that is suitable for described opening coupling in described first workpiece, and when the described opening coupling of the described part of described fastening piece shank and described first workpiece, the described fastening structure of described fastening piece is secured to described first workpiece, the surface of the described opening of described first workpiece of vicinity of described terminal contact first workpiece of each protuberance of described lining is to cause that each protuberance is in described protuberance neck place's bending.

13. fastener assembly according to claim 12, wherein said fastening structure comprises the shank threads part of described fastening piece, wherein, the described opening of described first workpiece is suitable for threadably holding at least a portion of the described helical thread portion of described fastening piece shank.

14. fastener assembly according to claim 13, wherein said fastening piece shank also comprises not screwed terminal part, described not screwed terminal part is positioned at described fastener head far-end, and its diameter is littler than the diameter of the described helical thread portion of described shank.

15. fastener assembly according to claim 1, wherein said fastener head comprises open-ended chamber, is used to hold helical thread portion.

16. fastener assembly according to claim 1, wherein said fastener head comprises the cylinder with first and second axial end portions, and described fastening piece shank extends from described second axial end portion of described fastener head, and described first axial end portion of described fastener head comprises that its shape is suitable for being held the part of tool holding.

17. fastener assembly according to claim 1, wherein the head by described radially enlarged fastening piece and the junction point of the described shank that axially extends from described fastener head limit the shoulder of described fastening piece, and described shoulder is roughly alignment in the axial direction within the axial length of the neck of the protuberance of described resilient bushing.

18. fastener assembly according to claim 1, the described radially outward extending flange of wherein said fastener head is a circular disk continuous on the circumference, and the described radially enlarged head of described resilient bushing comprises the inside groove of annular, and the described circular disk of described fastener head remains in the groove that described annular inwardly faces.

19. fastener assembly according to claim 1 wherein forms described resilient bushing by the local Overmolded moulding resin at described fastening piece, thus on the circumference fully around described fastening piece at least axially on the part.

20. fastener assembly according to claim 1, the described radially enlarged head of wherein said fastening piece comprises the cylinder with first and second axial end portions and radially-outer surface, described fastening piece shank extends from described second axial end portion of described fastener head, and the described radially enlarged head of described lining comprises columniform part, described columniform part on circumference fully around the axial component at least of the described radially-outer surface of described fastener head and axially end at the described first axial end portion place of described fastener head.

21. fastener assembly according to claim 1, wherein said fastener assembly does not comprise the rigidity axle sleeve.

22. the method that first and second workpiece are fixed together in the mode that provides vibration to isolate between described first and second workpiece, described method comprises:

Fastener assembly is provided, and described fastener assembly comprises:

23. method according to claim 22, the described opening in wherein said first workpiece are the through hole or the blind hole of circular, and the opening of described second workpiece is the through hole of the diameter circular bigger than the diameter of the opening of described first workpiece.

24. method according to claim 23, the described fastening structure of wherein said fastening piece comprises the helical thread portion of described shank, described helical thread portion can threadably be screwed into the opening of described first workpiece, and the head of the described protuberance of described lining combines and is limited to the anchor ring that is interrupted on the circumference, the outmost surface radially of the head by each described protuberance combines the external diameter that limits described anchor ring, the size of described external diameter is set for and is made that when the described helical thread portion of described fastening piece shank threadably was screwed into the described opening of described first workpiece, the end of each protuberance contacted the surface of radially outside described first workpiece of the opening that is positioned at described first workpiece.

25. method according to claim 24, the described radially enlarged head of wherein said fastening piece comprises the axial opposed face towards described fastening piece shank, and described method comprises that the described helical thread portion with described fastening piece shank threadably is screwed into the step in the described opening of described first workpiece, so that the described axially facing surface of the head of the described expansion of described fastening piece contacts with the surface of described first workpiece.

26. method according to claim 25 when the described axially facing surface of the head of the described expansion of wherein said fastening piece contacts with the surface of described first workpiece, realizes arriving about 12% decrement at the most at least about 8%.

27. method according to claim 22, wherein when described first and second workpiece are fixed together, at least a portion of the head of described protuberance is positioned between at least a portion on surface of at least a portion on surface of described first workpiece and described second workpiece, thereby makes the directly contact each other of described first and second workpiece.

28. method according to claim 22, one of wherein said first and second workpiece comprise the panel of electronic instrument, and described another workpiece comprises the panel of the device that may vibrate.

29. method according to claim 28, wherein said electronic instrument comprises computer or projector, and the described device that may vibrate comprises ventilation fan.