Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US7160072?dq=patent:+7360079
Timestamp: 2014-03-15 01:11:36
Document Index: 171659824

Matched Legal Cases: ['art.\n1', 'art 12', 'art 10', 'art 10', 'art 10', 'art 10', 'art 10', 'art 10', 'art 10', 'art 10', 'art 10', 'art 10', 'arts 16', 'art 12', 'art 10', 'art 12', 'art 13', 'arts 16', 'art 12', 'arts 116', 'arts 116', 'art 140', 'art 140', 'arts 116', 'art 10', 'art 10', 'art 12', 'art 12', 'art 12', 'art 212', 'arts 216', 'art 212', 'arts 216', 'art 212', 'art 210', 'art 212', 'art 210', 'art 210', 'art 210', 'art 210', 'art 210', 'art 210', 'art 212', 'arts 216', 'arts 216', 'arts 216', 'arts 216', 'arts 216', 'art 212', 'art 210', 'arts 216', 'art 210', 'art 412', 'art 412']

Patent US7160072 - Method of attaching a functional element; die; functional element; component ... - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign inAdvanced Patent SearchPatentsA method of attaching a functional element (10, 210), in particular a fastener element to a sheet metal part (12, 212), optionally in liquid and/or gas-tight manner, is characterized in that the functional element (10, 210, 410) is pressed against the sheet metal part (12, 210, 410) supported by a die...http://www.google.com/patents/US7160072?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US7160072 - Method of attaching a functional element; die; functional element; component assemblyAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS7160072 B2Publication typeGrantApplication numberUS 10/643,126Publication dateJan 9, 2007Filing dateAug 18, 2003Priority dateOct 16, 1998Fee statusPaidAlso published asDE59910383D1, DE59915014D1, EP0993902A2, EP0993902A3, EP0993902B1, EP1445059A1, EP1445059B1, US7322086, US20050025564, US20050172469Publication number10643126, 643126, US 7160072 B2, US 7160072B2, US-B2-7160072, US7160072 B2, US7160072B2InventorsRichard Humpert, Jiri Babey, Oliver DiehlOriginal AssigneeProfil Verbindungstechnik Gmbh & Co. KgExport CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (21), Classifications (20), Legal Events (3) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetMethod of attaching a functional element; die; functional element; component assemblyUS 7160072 B2Abstract A method of attaching a functional element (10, 210), in particular a fastener element to a sheet metal part (12, 212), optionally in liquid and/or gas-tight manner, is characterized in that the functional element (10, 210, 410) is pressed against the sheet metal part (12, 210, 410) supported by a die (14, 114, 214, 414) and sheet metal material (13) is pressed by means of at least one movably mounted shaped part (16, 116, 216, 416) of the die (14, 114, 214, 414) into an undercut (18, 218, 418) of the functional element (10, 210, 410). The disclosure also claims a die, a functional element, and a component assembly comprising the functional element and a sheet metal part.
1. A combination of a functional element with a sheet metal part comprising a single continuous piece of sheet metal, said functional element being in the form of a pin having first and second ends, a length, a diameter and a thread formed at said first end and extending along at least a part of said length, said pin diameter being substantially constant along said length between said first and second ends and at said first end, said pin further having features interrupting said thread at said first end, said end being adapted for attachment to said sheet metal part, said sheet metal part having a cylindrical side wall and continuous base, recieving said first end with an end face of said first end contacting said continuos base, material of said sheet metal part being deformed radially inwardly of said thread at said first end and engaging said features, whereby said threaded pin is permanently attached to said sheet metal part and projects beyond said sheet metal part for the attachment of another component thereto.
2. A combination as set forth in claim 1, wherein said features define a groove disposed crosswise through said thread thereby providing anti-rotational properties to said thread.
3. A combination as set forth in claim 1, wherein said features define a rib disposed crosswise through said thread thereby providing anti-rotational properties to said thread.
RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/418,875 filed Oct. 15, 1999 now abandoned.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a method for the attachment of a functional element, in particular of a fastener element, to a sheet metal part, optionally in liquid and/or gas-tight form.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Functional elements which can also be termed function carriers, such as for example nuts and bolts are attached to sheet metal parts, for example in automobile construction, in order to be able to connect the most diverse components to the sheet metal parts.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The object of the invention is to provide a method of the initially named kind and also apparatuses of the initially named kind which ensure a connection between the sheet metal part and the functional element which is easy to manufacture and of high quality.
In accordance with a further preferred embodiment of the invention the shaped part; i.e. the shaped part of the die, can be moved by means of the functional element which is moved in the direction of the longitudinal axis of a die for the attachment to the sheet metal part.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be described in the following with reference to embodiments and to the drawings, in which are shown:
FIG. 1 b the functional element of FIG. 1 a in a cross-sectional view along the line I�I,
FIG. 4 c a plan view of a nut element similar to the head part of the functional element of FIGS. 1 a and 1 b in an illustration corresponding to FIG. 1 a, FIG. 4 d the element of FIG. 4 c in a side view at the left side of the central longitudinal axis and in a radial section on the right side of this axis,
FIGS. 11 a�k a sequence of drawings which show different stages of the joining process and in each case a sectioned view in the longitudinal direction through the functional element arranged in a setting head and through the die of FIG. 9,
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The functional element 10 of FIG. 1 a which is intended for attachment to a sheet metal part 12 in accordance with FIG. 1 c comprises a head part 10 a and a substantially cylindrical shaft part 10 b which is connected in one piece to the head part 10 a at a flat upper side of the head part 10 a extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 36 and is provided with a thread. The shaft part 10 b can basically be executed as desired in dependence on the respective function which the functional element 10 has to satisfy. By way of example, the shaft part 10 b can also be formed free of threads and simply executed as a smooth pin�in deviation from FIG. 1 a�and serve as a bearing spigot for components which are to be rotationally mounted. Furthermore the free end of the shaft part lob could also be designed for a latch connection to connection parts which can for example be clipped into place.
The total transition region between the region 10 d of maximum diameter of the head part 10 a and the shaft part 10 b of the functional element 10, i.e. both the surface region extending obliquely towards the longitudinal axis 36 and also the surface region joining it and extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 36 represent an undercut 18 in the sense of the invention with which�with a corresponding design of the die�sheet material of a sheet metal part to which the functional element 10 should be attached can be brought into engagement in accordance with the invention.
The cut-outs 21 have�as can be seen from the left-hand non-sectioned part of FIG. 1 a�an oval outline at the peripheral wall at the head part 10 a and�as can be seen from FIG. 1 b�taper in the direction towards the longitudinal axis 36. It can be seen, in particular from the right hand section depart of FIG. 1 a, that the cut-outs 21 each form a line 19 at their deepest point in the radial direction which is disposed closest to the longitudinal axis 36 and in each case extends parallel to it, with the boundary line 19 of the cut-out 21 at the leftmost part of FIG. 1 a being indicated by a broken line.
The form of the cut-outs 21 results from the formation of the longitudinal grooves which were introduced into the jacket surface of the functional element and can for example be produced in a cold forming or rolling process. The longitudinal axes of these longitudinal grooves or cut-outs 21, which extend parallel to the longitudinal axis 36 of the functional element 10 in the embodiment of FIG. 1 a can basically have any desired orientation with respect to the longitudinal axis 36. FIG. 1 b shows that the depth of the cut-outs 21 is small in comparison to the diameter of the head part 10 a of the functional element 10. Basically however the number, the type and manner of the arrangement, the specific design and also in particular the radial depth as well as the shape of the cut-outs 21 can be varied in dependence on the respective application.
In the upper region of the recess 42 having a larger free inner cross-section there are arranged�as can be seen from FIG. 2�six shaped parts 16 of identical design which each have an approximately triangular cross-section in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and are arranged in cake-like manner around the longitudinal axis 22.
The component assembly produced in the above-described manner, i.e. the functional element 10 in the state attached to the sheet metal part 12 and removed from the shaping space 30 of the die 14, is illustrated in FIG. 2 a above the die 14 and�enlarged�in FIG. 4, in which the head part 10 a is arranged in a pot-like recess of the sheet metal part 12 produced by the shaping process, with the sheet metal part 13 pressed by means of the projections 20 of the shaped parts 16 into the undercut 18 engaging around the region 10 d of maximum diameter and in this manner holding the functional element 10 at the sheet metal part 12.
The die 114 in accordance with the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 3 a and 3 b has, in distinction to the embodiment of the invention described with respect to FIGS. 2 a and 2 b, shaped parts 116 which can be shifted in the axial direction and which are arranged in a recess 142 formed in a two-part block 140 distributed in the manner of pieces of cake around a cylindrical abutment element 34 of the die 114�as shown in FIG. 3 b. Gap-like intermediate spaces 115 are provided between the shaped parts 116. The block 140 includes a base part 140 a and a wall part 140 b which are screwed together or which can be releasably connected together in a different way or means for the assembly and dismantling of the die 114.
The projections 120 which are respectively formed on the engagement surfaces 116 a of the shaped parts 116 press additional sheet metal material 13 during the last part of the downward movement of the functional element 10 against the surface region of the head part 10 a extending obliquely towards the longitudinal axis 36 and thus�as seen from the lower side 10 c of the head part 10 a�behind the region 10 d of maximum diameter, i.e. into the undercut 18 of the functional element 10.
As a consequence the functional element 10 is connected or hooked in form-fitted manner to the sheet metal part 12 and is attached in a rotationally secure manner to the sheet metal part 12 as a result of the cut-outs 21, and in the axial direction as a result of the undercut 18. In the above described manner a component assembly is produced which is partly shown in FIG. 3 a above the die 114 and also�in enlarged form�in FIG. 4 a. The FIGS. 3 c and 3 d show the embodiment of the die of FIGS. 3 a and 3 b which is preferred in practice. Parts in the embodiment of FIGS. 3 c and 3 d which correspond to parts of the die of FIGS. 3 a and 3 b are characterized with the same reference numerals. The description of the corresponding components with reference to FIGS. 3 a and 3 b also applies for this preferred embodiment in accordance with FIGS. 3 c and 3 d, insofar as nothing is stated to the contrary.
An advantage of the method of the invention lies in the fact that�as can in particular be seen from FIG. 4 a�the sheet metal part 12 is not perforated or holed during the attachment of the functional element 10, so that the sealed nature of the sheet metal part with respect to liquids and/or gases is preserved, and a universely utilizable component assembly is provided which can have a plurality of functional elements, which can also be of different design.
In a manner known per se the respectively used setting head has a normally tube-like sheet metal hold-down part which presses the sheet metal part against the immovable end face 40 c and 140 c of the die or against the upper side of the tool (not shown) accommodating the respective die 14, 114. A particularly preferred embodiment of the functional element of the invention and also of the die and of the method for attaching the element will now be described with reference to the FIGS. 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 a�11 k. For this description the same basic reference numerals will be used as previous figures but increased by the number 200 in order to bring about a distinction over the previous figures. The previous description however applies for parts which will now be described and which have the same last end digits, unless something is stated to the contrary in the following description.
For the attachment of the element in the sheet metal part the die in accordance with FIG. 9 and 10 is used, which is similar to the die of FIG. 3.
In the further course of the joining process the setting head 300 moves further towards the die 214 and the end face of the functional element 210 presses the sheet metal material into the shaping space 230 so that a recess 212 a is formed there in the sheet metal part 212. The force which is exerted via the setting head and the functional element onto the sheet metal part is not sufficient in order to depress the shaped parts 216 against the force of the compression coil spring 228 so that, as shown in FIG. 1 d, the deformation 212 a, i.e. the denting of the sheet metal part 212 continues further without an axial deviation movement of the shaped parts 216 until the sheet metal part 212 is clamped between the dome-like projection 234 c of the abutment element 234 and the end face 270 of the head part 210 a of the functional element 210, with the dome-like projection 234 c producing a slight upwardly directed dent 212 b in the sheet metal part, so that this is pressed somewhat into the opening at the end face of the functional element.
The representation of FIG. 11 f is similar to the representation of FIG. 11 e, one sees here a further advanced deformation of the sheet metal part 212 which is now less thick in the region above the ring surface 234 d in comparison to FIG. 11 e. The shaped parts or segments 216 are still located in the upper position, i.e. the compression coil spring 228 has still not been compressed by the force of the setting head. This also applies to the illustration of FIG. 11 g, where the setting head 300 has moved further downwardly in the direction towards the die 214, whereby a pronounced further deformation of the head part 210 a of the functional element has taken place and the sheet metal part has further reduced in thickness in the region of the ring surface 234 d and in the lower region of the dome-like projection 234 c. This deformation of the head part 210 a of the functional element 210 now progresses while the setting head 300 of the die 214 approaches further until the state of FIG. 11 h is reached. One notes that on the cylindrical wall region of the head part 210 a has now been so compressed that a radially outwardly projecting bead 310 is formed as a result of a folding of the cylindrical wall region and one also notes that a further pronounced folding is present at the point 312, where the axially directed wall of the head part 210 a merges into the radially inwardly directed region which is formed from the previous end face of the head part 210 a. The material of the head part 210 a starts at the point of this fold to form a second radially outwardly directed bead-like projection 314. One also notes that the ring-like, bead-like projection 310 has pressed in the sheet metal part 212 in the region of the rounded portion of the bead-like projections 220 of the shaped parts, so that the sheet metal thickness has become smaller there. In the state of FIG. 11 h the force of the spring is still sufficient to prevent a closing movement of the shaped parts 216 of the die. After reaching the state of FIG. 11 h the closing forces however are now so large that the shaped parts now move downwardly as shown in FIG. 11 i, the compression coil spring 228 is compressed and the shaped parts 216 simultaneously press the abutment element 234 downwardly via the contact surface 278 and the ring shoulder 280, so that the axial height of the shaping space 230 does not change. Since the downwardly directed movement of the shaped parts 216 has led to them sliding along the oblique shaped surface 226 of the die they are forced to simultaneously move radially inwardly, whereby, on the one hand, the gap spaces 215 between the individual shaped parts 216 become smaller and, on the other hand, the radially inwardly directed movement of the bead-like projections 220 of the shaped parts 216 presses the sheet metal material of the sheet metal part 212 into the ring-like groove which has formed between the bead-like projection 310 of the functional element and the lower end of the head part 210 a. This closing movement of the die, i.e. the radially inwardly directed movement of the shaped parts 216 then continues until, as shown in FIG. 11 g, the close state of the die has been reached, the sheet metal part is fully enclosed between the end face of the setting head and the end face of the die 214 facing it. The result of this further compression movement is, that the ring-like under-cut 218 between the bead-like projection 310 and the bead-like projection 314 at the lower end of the head part 210 a is even more pronounced and an even more intimate connection with the sheet metal material has taken place in this region. Furthermore the sheet metal material partly engages over the bead-like projection 310 of the functional element, so that a form-fitted connection also arises here.
However, the possibility also exists of connecting a functional element such as 410 to a sheet metal part which has undergone a special preparation, as shown in FIG. 12 b. FIG. 12 b namely shows a sheet metal part 412 which has been provided with a pot-like recess 413 a with a hole 413 c provided in the base region 413 b in an earlier working process, for example in an earlier station of a progressive die tool set, with the hole shown in FIG. 12 b being circular, which also applies to the pot-like recess 413 a. The attachment of the functional element 412 of FIG. 12 a to a sheet metal part 412 in accordance with FIG. 12 b takes place using a die 414 in accordance with FIGS. 13 and 14 which is identical to the die 214 of FIG. 9 and 10 apart from the formation of the centrally arranged projection 434 c. This projection 434 c is provided in the embodiment of FIGS. 13 and 14 with a slightly conical jacket surface 435 which converges slightly upwardly towards the central longitudinal axis 422 in FIG. 13 and merges via radii 437 and 439 into the ring surface 434 d, i.e. into the upper circular end face 441 arranged perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis 422. The feature designated as the radius 437 can also have the form of one or more radial noses which, as will be explained in more detail in the following, take care of additional security against rotation in the finished component assembly. These radial noses have in side view the same shape as the radius 437 or obliquely straight upper boundaries which are generally rounded at the edges.
Patent CitationsCited PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS1827884 *Dec 18, 1929Oct 20, 1931Edward H EllisonMethod for fastening articles togetherUS2342170 *Jul 24, 1941Feb 22, 1944Tinnerman Products IncFastening deviceUS3800401Apr 5, 1971Apr 2, 1974American Flange & MfgMethod of making container closure constructionUS3871264Nov 27, 1972Mar 18, 1975Robert L HallockDriven fastener for limited penetration of metalUS4064617Sep 1, 1976Dec 27, 1977Maclean-Fogg Lock Nut CompanyDie assembly and method for clinching fasteners to panelsUS4818165 *Apr 12, 1987Apr 4, 1989Rexnord Inc.Threaded element for use as an insertUS4900210 *Jul 19, 1989Feb 13, 1990Square D CompanyPush in-screw out fastening systemUS5339509Apr 16, 1993Aug 23, 1994Btm CorporationMethod for attachment of fastener to sheet materialUS5407311 *Aug 9, 1993Apr 18, 1995Textron Inc.Ultrasonic stud and method of assemblyUS5528815Sep 12, 1994Jun 25, 1996Webb; Edward L. T.Clinching tool for sheet metal joiningUS5697744 *Dec 26, 1996Dec 16, 1997Unimation, Inc.Method and insert for connecting components to plastic membersUS6108893 *Apr 23, 1998Aug 29, 2000Fabristeel Products Inc.Fastener, die button and method of installing a fastener into a panelUS6146072 *Sep 4, 1997Nov 14, 2000Profil Verbindungstechnik Gmbh & Co. KgPress form element, method of installation and assemblyUS6418609 *Aug 16, 2000Jul 16, 2002Fabristeel Products, Inc.Fastener, die button and method of installing a fastener into a panelDE8002790U1 Title not availableDE19647831A1Nov 19, 1996May 20, 1998Profil Verbindungstechnik GmbhVerfahren zur Anbringung eines Funktionselementes; Funktionselement, Zusammenbauteil, Matrize und SetzkopfEP0171348A1Aug 1, 1985Feb 12, 1986Rexnord Inc.Fastener for thin material and method for installing sameEP0842733A2Sep 17, 1997May 20, 1998Profil Verbindungstechnik GmbH &amp; Co. KGMethod for attaching a functional element, functional element, mounting assembly, die and setting headFR2388636A1 Title not availableGB827245A Title not availableGB1532437A Title not available* Cited by examinerClassifications U.S. Classification411/180, 403/279, 411/418, 411/417, 411/171International ClassificationB23P19/06, F16B5/04, F16B37/06, F16B17/00, F16B37/04Cooperative ClassificationF16B37/068, B23P19/062, F16B5/04, F16B17/006, F16B37/065European ClassificationF16B37/06B2, F16B37/06B4, F16B17/00B4, F16B5/04, B23P19/06BLegal EventsDateCodeEventDescriptionJun 30, 2010FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 4Jul 2, 2008ASAssignmentOwner name: HVB BANQUE LUXEMBOURG SOCIETE ANONYME, LUXEMBOURGFree format text: CHARGE OVER CERTAIN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SUPPLEMENT;ASSIGNOR:PROFIL VERBINDUNGSTECHNIK GMBH & CO. KG;REEL/FRAME:021185/0025Effective date: 20080605Owner name: HVB BANQUE LUXEMBOURG SOCIETE ANONYME,LUXEMBOURGFree format text: CHARGE OVER CERTAIN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SUPPLEMENT;ASSIGNOR:PROFIL VERBINDUNGSTECHNIK GMBH & CO. KG;US-ASSIGNMENT DATABASE UPDATED:20100209;REEL/FRAME:21185/25Free format text: CHARGE OVER CERTAIN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SUPPLEMENT;ASSIGNOR:PROFIL VERBINDUNGSTECHNIK GMBH & CO. KG;US-ASSIGNMENT DATABASE UPDATED:20100316;REEL/FRAME:21185/25Free format text: CHARGE OVER CERTAIN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SUPPLEMENT;ASSIGNOR:PROFIL VERBINDUNGSTECHNIK GMBH & CO. KG;US-ASSIGNMENT DATABASE UPDATED:20100323;REEL/FRAME:21185/25Free format text: CHARGE OVER CERTAIN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SUPPLEMENT;ASSIGNOR:PROFIL VERBINDUNGSTECHNIK GMBH & CO. KG;REEL/FRAME:21185/25Oct 17, 2007ASAssignmentOwner name: PROFIL VERBINDUNGSTECHNIK GMBH & CO. KG, GERMANYFree format text: CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP FROM PROFIL (OLD) TO PROFIL (NEW);ASSIGNOR:PROFIL VERBINDUNGSTECHNIK GMBH & CO.KG;REEL/FRAME:019965/0895Effective date: 20040101Owner name: PROFIL VERBINDUNGSTECHNIK GMBH & CO. KG,GERMANYFree format text: CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP FROM PROFIL (OLD) TO PROFIL (NEW);ASSIGNOR:PROFIL VERBINDUNGSTECHNIK GMBH & CO.KG;US-ASSIGNMENT DATABASE UPDATED:20100209;REEL/FRAME:19965/895RotateOriginal ImageGoogle Home - Sitemap - USPTO Bulk Downloads - Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - About Google Patents - Send FeedbackData provided by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services©2012 Google