TW201638481A - Rivet - Google Patents

Abstract

A rivet for securing a first part to a deformable second part is described, the rivet comprising a head for engaging the first part; and a substantially cylindrical and longitudinal shaft extending axially from the head. The shaft comprises a neck portion adjacent to the head, a tapered portion, the neck portion transitioning into the tapered portion, the tapered portion increasing in diameter as it extends away from the neck portion. The shaft further comprises a stem portion adjacent to the tapered portion, the stem portion having at least two beveled edge portions being connected by a split edge, the at least two edge portions adapted to penetrate the second part and displace a deformed portion of the second part. Wherein the split edge is adapted to flare out when the at least two edge portions have penetrated into the second part, thereby urging the at least two edge portions apart and displacing the deformed portion of the second part towards the tapered portion.

Description

rivet

The present disclosure relates to a rivet for joining or joining two micro-components.

The current trend is to make smaller and thinner electronic and electrical devices. Designers therefore have to face the challenge of connecting micro-components without sacrificing the reliability of the product.

Some known fasteners for attaching micro-components include bolts, micro-screws, thread-forming screws, inserts, and special non-metallic inserts.

Some of these fasteners have functional limitations. For example, microscrews, inserts, and thread forming screws require that the components have a sufficient height and/or sufficient length to engage properly. For example, a thread forming screw requires at least 3 thread engagements. In addition, drilling and tapping a 1.0 mm blind hole requires precision work in a material that can be engaged with 0.5 mm, which is time consuming and subject to inconsistency. Most importantly, such fasteners are unable to maintain the required clamping force of the microcomponent due to the limited torque applied.

Another disadvantage of such fasteners is the failure rate of a high percentage of thread collapse in the production combination where a +/- 5% torque accuracy is considered.

A further disadvantage is that the known fasteners require the use of a hard material. Therefore, alternative materials such as aluminum and magnesium that are cost effective, lightweight, and easy to shape cannot be used.

Therefore, there is a need for a fastener that solves the above problems or at least proposes a novel rivet.

According to a first aspect of the invention, a rivet for securing a first component to a deformable second component is illustrated, the rivet including a head for engaging the first component, and a slave The head extends axially into a generally cylindrical and longitudinally shaped shaft portion. The shaft portion includes a neck portion abutting the head portion and a tapered portion that transitions into the tapered portion, the tapered portion gradually increasing in diameter as it extends away from the neck portion. The shaft portion further includes a shank portion abutting the tapered portion, the shank portion having at least two inclined edge portions joined by a separate edge, the at least two edge portions being adapted to extend through the second member and to displace the A deformed portion of the second component. Wherein the separating edge is adapted to open when the at least two edge portions have penetrated into the second component, thereby forcing the at least two edge portions to separate, and displacing the deformed portion of the second component toward the Cone section.

Preferably, the split edge has a split angle that is an obtuse angle.

Preferably, the at least two edge portions each comprise a tip end portion.

According to a second aspect of the invention, a combination is illustrated which includes a first component, a deformable second component and a rivet. The rivet includes a head portion and a substantially cylindrical and elongated shaft portion extending axially from the head portion. The shaft portion includes a neck portion abutting the head portion and a tapered portion that transitions into the tapered portion, the tapered portion gradually increasing in diameter as it extends away from the neck portion. The shaft portion further includes a shank portion abutting the tapered portion, the shank portion having at least two inclined edge portions joined by a separate edge, the at least two edge portions being adapted to extend through the second member and to displace the A deformed portion of the second component. Wherein the head engages the first member, and wherein the split edge is adapted to open when the at least two edge portions have penetrated into the second member, thereby urging the at least two edge portions apart And displacing the deformed portion of the second component toward the tapered portion.

Preferably, the split edge has a split angle that is an obtuse angle.

Preferably, the at least two edge portions each comprise a tip end portion.

Preferably, the second component is made of a magnesium alloy.

Preferably, the second component comprises a blind hole and is made of an aluminum alloy.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a method for securing a first component to a deformable second component with a rivet includes a head and an axial direction from the head A substantially cylindrical and longitudinally elongated shaft portion extends. The shaft portion includes a neck portion abutting the head portion and a tapered portion that transitions into the tapered portion, the tapered portion gradually increasing in diameter as it extends away from the neck portion. The shaft portion further includes a shank portion abutting the tapered portion, the shank portion having at least two inclined edge portions joined by a separate edge, the at least two edge portions being adapted to extend through the second member and to displace the A deformed portion of the second component. The method includes the steps of: placing the first component on the second component, positioning the rivet relative to the first component and the second component, and applying a force such that the at least two edge portions penetrate the first component The two members and the split edge are opened, the at least two edge portions are forced apart, and the deformed portion of the second member is displaced toward the tapered portion.

Preferably, this step of applying a force is accomplished using a combination gun.

The invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The embodiment disclosed in the present disclosure is described below with reference to the following drawings, wherein: FIG. 1(a) shows a front view of a rivet according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 1(b) shows an embodiment according to the present disclosure. Figure 1 (a) shows a side view of the rivet of Figure 1 (a); Figure 1 (c) shows a bottom view of the rivet of Figure 1 (a) in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 2 (a), 2 (b) 2(c) and 2(d) show a method for securing a first component to a second component using a rivet in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 3 illustrates the first How the deformed portion of the two components is displaced toward the tapered portion and onto the edge portion; Figures 4(a), 4(b), 4(c) and 4(d) show another implementation according to the present disclosure A method for securing a first component to a second component using the rivet; Figure 5 (a) shows a front view of a rivet in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure; b) A side view of the rivet of FIG. 5(a) showing another embodiment disclosed in the present disclosure. FIG. 5(c) shows a bottom view of the rivet of FIG. 5(a) according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure

Figure 1 (a) shows a rivet 100 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The rivet 100 has a head portion 101 and a shaft portion 102. The rivet 100 is typically made of a metallic material. The head 101 may have a round shape and may be flat, have a countersunk hole or a peripherally slightly warped. The shaft portion 102 is generally cylindrical and elongated and extends axially from the head 101.

The shaft portion 102 has a neck portion 103, a tapered portion 104, and a shank portion 105. The neck portion 103 abuts the head 101. Preferably, the neck portion 103 is gradually refined in an arcuate manner with a taper angle. The taper angle can be between 2° and 15°.

As the diameter begins to increase, the neck portion 103 transitions into the tapered portion 104. The tapered portion 104 is gradually enlarged in diameter until it reaches a maximum diameter. This maximum diameter can be 1.0 mm.

The shank portion 105 abuts the tapered portion 104. The shank portion 105 has at least two inclined edge portions 106. The edge portion 106 can have a tip portion 107. Although FIG. 1(a) shows two edge portions 106, those skilled in the art will recognize that more than two edge portions 106 are possible. The angle between the adjacent edge portions 106 is the separation angle, and the edge of the edge portions 106 joining the adjacent edges is the separation edge 108. If there are two edge portions 106, the separation angle can be an obtuse angle between 90 and 120 degrees.

Referring to Figure 2(a), the rivet 100 is used to secure the first component 200 to the second component 201. The second component 201 is deformable in that a portion of the second component 201 can be displaced as the shaft portion 102 of the rivet 100 penetrates into the second component 201. Preferably, the second member 201 can be made of a magnesium alloy or an alloy having physical properties similar to those of magnesium. Advantageously, if the second component 201 is made of a magnesium alloy or an alloy having physical properties similar to magnesium; it is softer and has a lower density when compared to aluminum. Therefore, the second component 201 does not need to have a blind hole.

The first component 200 is placed over where the second component 201 would like to have a connection, as shown in Figure 2(a). The force 202 is then applied to the rivet 100, which causes the shaft portion 102 to penetrate into the second component 201, as shown in Figure 2(b). The force 202 can be applied using a combination gun.

In FIG. 2(c), this further application of the force 202 causes the shaft portion 102 to penetrate deeper into the second component 201. This penetration of the shaft portion 102 into the second member 201 deforms the second member 201 such that a portion thereof is displaced. Due to being between the adjacent edge portions 106 The separation angle, and the further penetration of the shaft portion 102 into the second member 201, the separation edge 108 begins to expand or separate wider, urging the adjacent edge portions 106 away from each other. In other words, the split edge 108 acts like a fault line in which the rivet 100 is distorted when the applied force 202 is against the rivet 100 of the second component 201. This urging of the abutting edge portions 106 away from each other displaces the deformed portion of the second member 201 above the edge portion 106 and toward the tapered portion 104 as shown in the direction 301 (see Fig. 3).

The continued application of the force 202 results in a rest position of the rivet 100 where the rivet 100 secures the first component 200 to the second component 201, as shown in Figure 2(d). In this rest position, the head 101 is engaged with the first member 200, and the shaft portion 102 is substantially completely disposed within the second member 201. Furthermore, the split edge 108 has been flared or widened until the split angle is almost flat as an angle.

Since the deformed portion of the second member 201 is sandwiched between the head portion 101 and the edge portion 106, a "clamp effect" is obtained. This is advantageous because it results in a stronger connection between the rivet 100, the first component 200 and the second component 201. Again, the rivet 100 is not limited to any number of threaded bits because it does not require threaded engagement to function.

Referring to Figure 4, a rivet 100 is used to secure the first component 400 to the second component 401. The second component 401 is deformable in that a portion of the second component 401 can be displaced as the shaft portion 102 penetrates into the second component 401. In this alternative embodiment disclosed in this disclosure, the second component 401 can have a pre-formed blind hole 402. Preferably, the second member 401 can be made of an aluminum alloy or an alloy having physical properties similar to aluminum.

The first component 400 is placed over where the second component 401 would like to have a connection, as shown in Figure 4(a). The rivet 100 is then placed within the blind hole 402. Then acting Force 202 is applied to rivet 100 which causes shaft portion 102 to penetrate into second member 401, as shown in Figure 4(b). The force 202 can be applied using a combination gun.

In FIG. 4(c), this further application of the force 202 causes the shaft portion 102 to penetrate deeper into the second component 401. This penetration of the shaft portion 102 into the second member 401 deforms the second member 401 such that a portion thereof is displaced. Due to the separation angle between the adjacent edge portions 106 and the further penetration of the shaft portion 102 into the second member 401, the separation edge 108 begins to expand or separate wider, urging the adjacent edge portion 106. Stay away from each other. In other words, the split edge 108 acts like a fault line in which the rivet 100 is distorted when the applied force 202 is against the rivet 100 of the second component 401. The urging of the abutting edge portions 106 away from each other displaces the deformed portion of the second member 401 above the edge portion 106 and toward the tapered portion 104 as shown in direction 301 (see Figure 3).

The continued application of the force 202 results in a rest position of the rivet 100 where the rivet 100 secures the first component 400 to the second component 401, as shown in Figure 4(d). In this rest position, the head 101 engages the first component 400 and the shaft portion 102 is substantially completely disposed within the second component 401. Moreover, the split edge 108 has been flared or widened to an angle that is almost flat as an angle.

Since the deformed portion of the second member 401 is sandwiched between the head portion 101 and the edge portion 106, a "clamping effect" is obtained. This is advantageous because it results in a stronger connection between the rivet 100, the first component 400, and the second component 401. Again, the rivet 100 is not limited to any number of threaded engagements as it does not require threaded engagement to function.

According to another embodiment disclosed in the present disclosure, the rivet 500 is shown in Figures 5(a), 5(b) and 5(c). Similar to the rivet 100 previously described, the rivet 500 has a head 501 and Shaft portion 502. The rivet 500 is typically made of a metallic material. The head 501 can have a round shape and can be flat, have a countersunk hole or a peripherally slightly warped. The shaft portion 502 is generally cylindrical and elongated and extends axially from the head 501.

The shaft portion 502 has a neck portion 503, a tapered portion 504, and a shank portion 505. The neck portion 503 abuts the head 501. Preferably, the neck portion 503 is gradually refined in an arcuate manner with a taper angle. The taper angle can be from 2° to 15°.

As the diameter begins to increase, the neck portion 503 transitions into the tapered portion 504. The tapered portion 504 is gradually enlarged in diameter until it reaches a maximum diameter. This maximum diameter can be 1.0 mm.

The shank portion 505 abuts the tapered portion 504. Figures 5(a) and 5(b) show that the handle portion 505 has three edge portions 506. The edge portion 506 can have a tip portion 507. The angle between the adjacent edge portions 506 is the separation angle, and the edges connecting the adjacent edge portions 506 are separate edges 508. The separation angle can be between 30° and 90°.

In the present application, unless otherwise specified, the terms "including", "comprising", and the grammatical variations thereof are meant to mean "open" or "inclusive" language, such that Components, but are also allowed to include additional components that are not explicitly quoted.

It is apparent that various other modifications and adaptations of the present application will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the application, and All such modifications and adjustments are intended to fall within the scope of the patent application included in this case.

100‧‧‧ Rivets

101‧‧‧ head

102‧‧‧Axis

103‧‧‧Neck section

104‧‧‧Cone

105‧‧‧handle part

106‧‧‧Edge section

107‧‧‧ tip part

108‧‧‧ separate edges

Claims (10)

A rivet for securing a first component to a deformable second component, the rivet comprising: a head for engaging the first component; and a substantially cylindrical and lengthwise a shaft portion extending axially from the head portion, the shaft portion including: a neck portion abutting the head portion; a tapered portion, the neck portion transitioning into the tapered portion, the tapered portion Gradually increasing in diameter as it extends away from the neck portion; and a shank portion that abuts the tapered portion; the shank portion having at least two inclined edge portions joined by a separate edge; the at least two An edge portion is adapted to extend through the second member and to displace a deformed portion of the second member; wherein the split edge is adapted to open when the at least two edge portions have penetrated into the second member, thereby forcing the At least two edge portions are separated, and the deformed portion of the second member is displaced toward the tapered portion. The rivet of claim 1, wherein the split edge has a split angle that is an obtuse angle. A rivet according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least two edge portions each comprise a tip end portion. An assembly comprising: a first component; a deformable second component; a rivet; the rivet comprising: a head portion and a substantially cylindrical and elongated shaft portion extending axially from the head portion, the shaft portion comprising: a neck portion adjacent to a head portion; the neck portion transitions into the tapered portion, the tapered portion gradually increases in diameter as it extends away from the neck portion; and a handle portion that abuts the tapered portion; The shank portion has at least two slanted edge portions joined by a separate edge; the at least two edge portions being adapted to extend through the second member and to displace a deformed portion of the second member; wherein the head and the The first member is engaged, and wherein the split edge is adapted to open when the at least two edge portions have penetrated into the second member, thereby displacing the at least two edge portions apart, and displacing the second member The deformed portion faces the tapered portion. The assembly of claim 4, wherein the split edge has a split angle that is an obtuse angle. The assembly of claim 4 or 5, wherein the at least two edge portions each comprise a tip end portion. The assembly of any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the second component is made of a magnesium alloy. The assembly of any one of clauses 4 to 6, wherein the second component comprises a blind hole and is made of an aluminum alloy. A method for securing a first component to a deformable second component with a rivet, the rivet comprising a head and a substantially cylindrical and elongated shaft portion, the shaft portion The head extends axially, the shaft portion including: a neck portion abutting the head portion; a tapered portion that transitions into the tapered portion, the tapered portion extending away from the neck portion And gradually increasing in diameter; and a handle portion adjoining the tapered portion; the handle portion having at least two inclined edge portions joined by a separate edge; the at least two edge portions being adapted to penetrate the first a second component and a deformed portion of the second component; the method comprising the steps of: placing the first component on the second component; positioning the rivet relative to the first component and the second component; and applying a The force causes the at least two edge portions to open through the second member and the split edge, forcing the at least two edge portions apart, and displacing the deformed portion of the second member toward the tapered portion. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of applying a force is performed using a combination gun.