Fastening structure and fastening method

Abstract

A fastening member for fastening two or more components, ensuring a high degree of freedom in terms of fastening positions and objects, reducing the number of holes, preventing the rotation of the components and the fastening member in one-point fastening, and maintaining high strength and resistance against vibration after fastening. Specifically, a fastening structure for fastening the first and second components, which comprises a first component, a pin that has non-helical grooves running in a circumferential direction and aligned along a longitudinal direction and whose one end in the longitudinal direction is bonded to the first component, a second component that has an insertion hole for inserting the pin, and a collar that is fitted around and bonded to the pin so that the second component is positioned between the collar and the first component, wherein said second component is prevented from rotating with respect to said pin.

Claims

1. A fastening structure, which comprises: a first component that has a plate-like flange portion and a web connected to a back surface of the flange portion, a pin that has a plurality of non-helical grooves running in a circumferential direction and aligned along a longitudinal direction, and one end of the pin in the longitudinal direction is erectly bonded to the flange portion of the first component, a second component that has a planar part and an insertion hole formed through the planar part for the pin inserted therein, and the planar part of the second component is stacked on a top surface of the flange portion of the first component in a surface contact manner, and a collar that is fitted around and bonded to the pin, and abutted against the second component, and a diameter of the collar being reduced so as to engage an inner wall of the collar with the grooves of the pin, wherein said second component is prevented from rotating with respect to said pin, and both of a portion of the pin in the insertion hole and the insertion hole are formed in non-circular shape perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, so that the second component is tightly fastened to the first component by the fastening structure.

2. A fastening structure, comprising: a pipe having a flat portion; a pin having a plurality of non-spiral grooves formed on a circumferential direction along the longitudinal direction, and one end of the pin in the longitudinal direction being fixed to the flat portion of the pipe and erectly coupled to the pipe, a predetermined member that has a planar part and an insertion hole formed through the planar part, the pin being inserted into the insertion hole, the planar part of the predetermined member being stacked on the flat portion of the pipe, and the planar part being abutted against with the flat part of the pipe in a surface contact manner, a collar that is fitted around and bonded to the pin, and abutted against the predetermined member, and a diameter of the collar is reduced so as to engage an inner wall of the collar with the grooves of the pin, wherein the predetermined member is prevented from rotating with respect to the pipe, both of a portion of the pin inserted into the insertion hole and the insertion hole are formed in a non-circular shape so that the predetermined member is tightly fastened to the pipe by the fastening structure.

3. A fastening structure having two fastened products placed back to back, and each fastened product comprising: a first component having a front side and a back side formed with a flat portion, respectively; a pin having a plurality of non-spiral grooves formed on a circumferential direction along the longitudinal direction, and one end of the pin in the longitudinal direction being fixed to the flat portion of the first component and erectly coupled to the first component, a second component that has a planar part and an insertion hole formed through the planar part, the pin being inserted into the insertion hole, the planar part of the second component being stacked on the flat portion of the front side of the first component in a surface contact manner; a collar that is fitted around and bonded to the pin, and abutted against the planar part of the second component, and a diameter of the collar being reduced so as to engage an inner wall of the collar with the grooves of the pin; wherein the second component is prevented from rotating with respect to the first component, both of a portion of the pin inserted into the insertion hole and the insertion hole are formed in a non-circular shape so that the second component is tightly fastened to the first component by the fastening structure.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 shows the fastening member (a pin and a collar) in an embodiment of the present invention.

(2) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the fastening member (a pin and a collar) in an embodiment.

(3) FIGS. 3A to 3C show the fastening procedure for fastening components using the fastening member in an embodiment.

(4) FIGS. 4A to 4D show the fastening procedure for fastening components using the fastening member in an embodiment (continued from FIG. 3).

(5) FIG. 5 shows the fastening structure in an embodiment.

(6) FIG. 6 shows the fastening structure in an embodiment.

(7) FIG. 7 shows an example of fastening using the pins and the fastening method in an embodiment.

(8) FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of part X, which is shown surrounded by a dotted dashed line in FIG. 7.

(9) FIG. 9 shows the pins bonded to a first component by welding and other processes.

(10) FIG. 10 shows the pins bonded to a first embodiment by welding and other processes.

(11) FIG. 11 shows the fastening structure in an embodiment.

(12) FIG. 12 shows a modified example of the pin.

(13) FIG. 13 shows a modified example of the pin.

(14) FIG. 14 shows a side view of the pin.

(15) FIGS. 14A to 14F show modified examples of the bonding part of the pin.

(16) FIGS. 15A to 15E show modified examples of the pin.

(17) FIGS. 16A to 16F show modified examples of the collar.

(18) FIGS. 17A to 17B show a fastening procedure for fastening components using a conventional pin.

(19) FIG. 18 shows a fastening of components using a conventional pin.

(20) FIG. 19 shows a problem in fastening components using a conventional pin.

(21) FIG. 20 shows a problem in fastening components using a conventional pin.

(22) FIG. 21 shows the forming of holes in a component for using conventional pins.

(23) FIG. 22 shows the forming of holes in a component for using conventional pins.

(24) FIG. 23 shows a two-point fastening using conventional pins.

(25) FIG. 24 is an enlarged view of part Y, which is shown surrounded by a dotted dashed line in FIG. 23.

(26) FIG. 25 shows a problem in fastening components using conventional pins.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(27) Below is a description of the fastening member (1) in an embodiment of the present invention with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. As shown in FIG. 1, the fastening member (1) comprises a pin (10) and a collar (30). The pin (10) has a bonding part (12) and a shaft (14). The bonding part (12) has a cone form, and the top is provided with a protrusion. The bonding part (12) is a tip in welding, and there are no special restrictions on the form of the bonding part (12) (the details will be described later). The shaft (14) has, at a minimum, a groove part (18) and a non-welding end ridge part (20). The non-welding end ridge part (20) corresponds to three or so ridges at the non-welding end. How the pin (10) and the collar (30) fasten the components (4) will be described later.

(28) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the fastening member (1) in this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the pin (10), and FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the collar (30). As shown in FIG. 2, the shaft (14) of the pin (10) in this embodiment has a quadrangular axial cross-section.

(29) Unlike the groove part (18), the pillar part (16) does not need grooves because the pillar part (16) does not engage with the collar (30). However, the pillar part (16) may have grooves from the base (see FIG. 12).

(30) Unlike ordinary screws, the grooves of the groove part (18) in this embodiment do not have a helical structure. That is, the grooves are independent lanes and each has a ring form. Thus, the adjacent grooves are not connected. The grooves are formed according to the length of the shaft (14), nearly reaching the non-welding end of the shaft (14).

(31) The independent grooves of the groove part (18), or the unconnected adjacent grooves, prevent the screwed pin (10) from rotating in the direction opposite to the screwing direction and thus loosening due to vibration and the like after two or more components (the components (4) in this embodiment, which will be described later) are fastened together using the fastening member (1) (the pin (10) and the collar (30)).

(32) The collar (30) shown in FIG. 2 has a quadrangular inner wall corresponding to the form of the pin (10). The form of the collar (30) is suitable if the groove part (18) of the pin (10) can engage with the collar (30) in the swaging described below. Possible variations of the collar will be described later (see FIG. 16).

(33) The following is a description of the procedure for fastening components (4) using the fastening member (1) according to the present invention, more specifically the procedure for fastening the first and second components (4a, 4b) using the pin (10) and the collar (30), with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. These figures show the cross-section of the components (4) to be fastened (the cross-section is simply shown without hatching or the like). In this embodiment, the components (4) to be fastened are the first and second components (4a, 4b).

(34) The first component (4a) is a planar component to which the bonding part (12) of the pin (10) can be welded. The second component (4b) is a planar component with an insertion hole (6) for inserting the pin (10). The form of the insertion hole (6) corresponds to the cross-section of the pin (10) (specifically the pillar part (16)). This means that when the pin (10) is inserted into the insertion hole (6), the outer circumferential surface of the pin (10) (specifically the pillar part (16)) comes into substantial contact with the inner circumferential surface of the insertion hole (6).

(35) In this embodiment, the first and second components (4a, 4b) are planar components. However, this is not an absolute requirement. It is also possible that those components have a planar part that allows the welding or insertion of the pin (10), or that the components do not have a planar part but have a form that allows the welding or insertion of the pin (10).

(36) As shown in FIG. 3A, the pin (10) is welded to the fixation position (5) of the first component (4a). In this embodiment, the bonding part (12) of the pin (10) is directed and welded to the fixation part (5) of the first component (4a) so that the shaft (14) of the pin (10) stands substantially vertically on the surface of the component (4a). The fixation position (5) is determined depending on which part the first and second components (4a, 4b) are fastened. The welding is performed by momentarily conducting electricity using an instant welding machine (not illustrated), for example, a stud welding machine.

(37) As shown in FIG. 3B, the pin (10) is welded to the first component (4a) so that the shaft (14) of the pin (10) stands substantially vertically on the surface of the first component (4a), and the shaft (14) of the pin (10) thus united with the first component (4a) is inserted into the insertion hole (6) in the second component (4b).

(38) What is important here is the form of the insertion hole (6) in the second component (4b). This is important for preventing the relative rotation of the second component (4b) with respect to the pin (10). For example, if the minimum distance from the center of the insertion hole (6) to the inner circumferential surface of the insertion hole (6) is greater than the maximum distance from the center of the shaft (14) of the pin (10) to the outer circumferential surface of the shaft (14) of the pin (10), the fastening of the first and second components (4a, 4b) using the pin (10) and the collar (30) may result in a relative rotation of the second component (4b) with respect to the pin (10) (consequently the first component (4a)).

(39) Therefore, the form of the insertion hole (6) preferably corresponds to the pillar part (16), as described above. However, there can be a clearance (for example, 0 to 2.0 mm) between the pin (10) and the insertion hole (6) to the extent that the pin (10) inserted into the insertion hole (6) does not rotate. The requirement is to prevent the idle rotation of the second component (4b) with respect to the pin (10) when the pin (10) is inserted into the second component (4b).

(40) When the pin (10) has been inserted into the insertion hole (6) in the second component (4b), the collar (30) is fitted around the groove part (18) protruding through the second component (4b), as shown in FIGS. 3C and 4A. The inner wall of the collar (30) at this time does not have anything like concavities and convexities that engage with the groove part (18). This means that the collar (30) merely fitted around the groove part (18) can come off of the pin (10).

(41) FIGS. 4B to 4D illustrate the swaging of the collar (30). FIGS. 4B to 4D partially show the cross-section of the insertion hole (6) and the collar (30) for the purpose of convenience (the cross-section is simply shown without hatching or the like). The swaging tool is not illustrated in detail.

(42) An example of an installation tool for swaging is BobTail® (Alcoa Fastening Systems, USA). The installation tool (40) has a grabber (not illustrated), which grabs the non-welding end ridge part (20) of the pin (10) and drags this to the side of the installation tool (40). Thus, the pin (10) is elongated.

(43) As shown in FIG. 4C a swaging anvil (not illustrated) wraps around the collar (30) and swages this in the direction of the groove part (18) of the pin (10) (inward). Thus, the gap between the collar (30) and the pin (10) is closed, and the groove part (18) of the pin (10) bites into the inner wall of the collar (30) (swaging). The swaging reduces the diameter of the collar (30). The collar (30) becomes thinner and longer, and the pin (10) is elongated as described above, generating an axial force in the fastening member (1).

(44) After the swaging of the collar (30) to the pin (10) using the installation tool (40) (see the enlarged illustration in FIG. 4D), the installation tool (40) is taken off of the pin (10), as shown in FIG. 4D. Through the process described above, the fastening of the first and second components (4a, 4b) using the pin (10) and the collar (30) is completed.

(45) As explained above, this embodiment unites the pin (10) with the first component (4a) by welding the pin to the first component. An advantage is that if one of the components (4) (the second component (4b) in this embodiment) has a hole (an insertion hole (6)) formed, this will be sufficient. In addition, the pin (10) inserted into the insertion hole (6) (consequently the first component (4a)) is prevented from rotating with respect to the second component (4b). Furthermore, the non-helical structure of the groove part (18) of the pin (10) prevents the pin (10) from loosening like an ordinary screw while the pin (10) is in engagement with the collar (30). The swaging of the collar (30) to the pin (10) allows maintaining the firm fixation even in strongly vibrating environments.

(46) Thus, the present invention provides a fastening structure for fastening the first and second components (4a, 4b), which comprise a first component (4a), a pin (10) that has non-helical grooves running in a circumferential direction and aligned along a longitudinal direction and whose one end in the longitudinal direction is bonded to the first component (4a), a second component (4b) that has an insertion hole (6) for inserting the pin (10), and a collar (30) that is fitted around and bonded to the pin (10) so that the second component (4b) is positioned between the collar (30) and the first component (4a), wherein said second component (4b) is prevented from rotating with respect to said pin (10).

(47) The present invention provides the fastening structure described above, wherein the portion of said pin (10) inserted into the insertion hole (6) in said second component (4b) has a non-circular cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction in at least a part or the whole of the portion.

(48) Such a fastening structure can prevent the relative rotation of the second component (4b) with respect to the first component (4a) (the pin (10)) after fastening these components (4a, 4b). There is no need for two-point fastening.

(49) In this case, one-point fastening of the first and second components (4a, 4b) using the pin (10) and the collar (30) can prevent the relative rotation of the second component (4b) with respect to the first component (4a). The pin (10) never loosens from the components (4), allowing maintaining the strong fastening between the first and second components (4a, 4b) after fastening these components (4a, 4b).

(50) The fastening structure described above can be used to fasten three or more components instead of two components (the first and second components (4a, 4b) in this embodiment).

(51) The present invention provides a fastening method for fastening the first and second components (4a, 4b), wherein said fastening method comprises a pin (10) that has non-helical grooves running in a circumferential direction and aligned along a longitudinal direction and that has a non-circular part along the longitudinal direction with a non-circular cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and a collar (30) that is fitted around the pin (10), and includes the following steps: said pin (10) is united with said first component (4a) by bonding one end of said pin (10) along the longitudinal direction to said first component (4a); said second component (4b) with an insertion hole (6) for inserting said pin (10) is fitted around said non-circular part along the longitudinal direction (pillar part (16)) from the other end of said pin (10) along the longitudinal direction; said collar (30) is fitted around said pin (10), which has penetrated said second component (4b), from the other end of said pin (10) along the longitudinal direction; and said pin (10) and said collar (30) are bonded together.

(52) Such a fastening method has the advantage that an insertion hole (6) in the second component (4) alone will be sufficient because the first component (4a) and the pin (10) are united together. This reduces the labor for forming holes and prevents the cost increase and strength deterioration due to the forming of holes. Even one-point fastening of the first and second components (4a, 4b) using the pin (10) and the collar (30) can prevent the relative rotation of the second component (4b) with respect to the first component (4a).

(53) FIGS. 5 to 8 show examples of the fastening method for fastening the first and second components using the pin (10) and the collar (30) in this embodiment. In FIG. 5, the first component (400a) is an H-shaped steel component, and the second component (400b) is a U-shaped steel component or other U-shaped component. The first component (400a) has a web and two plate-like flange portions respectively connected to two ends of the web. In other words, the web is connected to a back surface of the flange portion. As shown in FIG. 5, the first and second components (400a, 400b) can be fastened together using the pin (10) and the collar (30) according to the present invention without forming a hole (an insertion hole) in the center of the first component (400a) (the H-shaped steel component). The pin (10) is perpendicular to the flange portion and aligned to the web.

(54) In FIG. 6, the first component (402a) is a metal pipe, and the second component is a U-shaped steel component. As shown in FIG. 6, the first component (402a) (a metal pipe with a closed cross-section) and the second component (402b) (a U-shaped steel component) can be fastened together using the pin (10) and the collar (30) according to the present invention.

(55) FIG. 7 shows a one-point fastening of the components, and FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of fastening part X (the area surrounded by a dotted dashed line) in FIG. 7. In FIGS. 7 and 8, the pin (10) with a non-circular cross-section (a square cross-section in FIGS. 7 and 8) is united with the first component (404a) by welding the pin (10) to the first component (404a) so that the pin (10) is positioned substantially perpendicular to the surface of the first component (404a). Then the pin (10) is inserted into an insertion hole (60) (not illustrated) in the second component (404b) whose form corresponds to the cross-section of the pin (10), followed by swaging with the collar (30). Thus, even one-point fastening of the first and second components (404a, 404b) can prevent the relative rotation of the second component (404b) with respect to the pin (10) (the first component (404a)), reducing the number of fasteners as well as construction time and cost.

(56) In FIGS. 9 and 10, some pins (10) are bonded to the first component (406a, 408a) by welding and other processes. The fastening method using pins (10) and collars (30) in this embodiment makes it possible to determine the precise positioning of the pins (10) beforehand in a factory, not at the very moment and place of fastening. The pins (10) shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 are the same as the pin (10) described before and have a quadrangular cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

(57) In FIG. 11, the pins (10) in this embodiment are united with the first component (410a) by welding the pins (10) to the first component (410a) so that the pins (10) are positioned substantially perpendicular to the surface of the first component (410a). Then the pins (10) are inserted into insertion holes (602) in the second component (410b) whose form corresponds to the cross-section of the pins (10), followed by swaging with the collars (30). FIG. 11 shows two thus fastened products (500) placed back to back. The adjacent placement of the two fastened products shown in FIG. 11 is possible because the first component (410a) of each fastened product (500) maintains the flat surface while the opposite surface has the pin (10) welded.

Other Embodiments

(58) The pin (10) in the embodiment described above has a shaft (14) including a pillar part (16), as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4. However, this is not an absolute requirement. FIG. 12 shows an example in which the groove part (182) covers the whole shaft (142). Because the groove part (182) covers the whole shaft (142), the method in this embodiment can fasten even thin components (for example, with a thickness of 0.1 to 2.3 mm) together.

(59) When the pin (10) is inserted into the insertion hole (6) (see FIG. 3), the portion (the groove part (184) and the non-welding end ridge part (204) in FIG. 13) of the shaft (14) protruding from the first component (4a) may have a nonangular axial cross-section. When the pin (104) is inserted into the insertion hole (6) in the second component (4b), the relative rotation of the second component (4b) with respect to the pin (104) can be prevented if the portion (the pillar part (164) or the shaft (144)) in contact with the second component (4b) has a quadrangular form.

(60) Especially, the groove part (184) of the pin (104) protruding from the first component (4a) can have a form that easily engages with the collar (30) described below. For example, the groove part (184) can have a circular axial cross-section. The concern about the groove part (184) is the engagement with the collar (30), not the relative rotation of the second component (4b) with respect to the pin (104).

(61) As shown in FIG. 14, the bonding part (12) of the pin (10) may have a form different from the form shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. The bonding part (12) should have a form suitable for welding the pin (10) to the first component (4a) using an instant welding machine such as a stud welding machine (a form that allows easy electric conduction). FIGS. 14A to 14F shows possible examples of the bonding part of the pin.

(62) The original embodiment uses an instant welding machine such as a stud welding machine to bond the pin (10) to the first component (4a). However, this is not an absolute requirement. Any method will do if it can bond the pin (10) to the first component (4a).

(63) In FIGS. 1 to 4, the pin (10) has an angular, more specifically, quadrangular axial cross-section. However, this is not an absolute requirement. If the pin (10) can engage with the collar (30) through swaging, the axial cross-section of the pin (10) can be in other forms. As shown in FIGS. 15A to 15E, the axial cross-section of the pin (10) can be triangular (as shown in FIG. 15A), pentagonal (as shown in FIG. 15C), hexagonal (as shown in FIG. 15D), octagonal (as shown in FIG. 15E) and so forth. The angular part of the shaft (14) of the pin (10) may include a circular form. The minimum requirement in designing the pin (10) is to prevent the relative rotation of the second component (4b) with respect to the pin (10) when the pin (10) is inserted into the insertion hole (6) (and after the fastening).

(64) Depending on the axial cross-section of the pin (10), the inner circumference of the collar (30) can be changed, as shown in FIGS. 16A to 16F. Just like the shaft (14) of the pin (10), the outer circumference of the collar (30) can be, for example, triangular (as shown in FIG. 16A), pentagonal (as shown in FIG. 16C), hexagonal (as shown in FIG. 16D), octagonal (as shown in FIG. 16E) and so forth if there is no problem with the swaging. As shown in 16F, both the inner and outer circumferences can be changed according to the axial cross-section of the pin (10).

(65) The swaging method and device in the original embodiment are not the only possible choices. The requirement is to reduce the diameter of the collar (30). The swaging method and device can be changed depending on the form of the collar (30). For example, an angular collar can be made thin by first pressing two opposite faces and then pressing the remaining two faces. Here the diameter reduction of the collar is called swaging, but this expression covers other process names that have the same meaning.

(66) In the original embodiment, the first and second components (4a, 4b) are planar components. However, this is not an absolute requirement. It is possible that the first component (4a) includes a planar part, and the second component includes a planar part or subcomponent. The minimum requirement is that one of the first and second components (4a, 4b) allows the bonding (welding) of the pin (10), and the other allows the forming of the insertion hole (6).

(67) The fastening method according to the present invention, specifically the method for fastening the first and second components (4a, 4b) using the pin (10) and the collar (30), can adopt different orders of steps from the order of steps described above. For example, if the first and second components (4a, 4b) are to be gaplessly fastened, the swaging of the collar (30) must come last in the fastening. However, if the first and second components (4a, 4b) are to be fastened with some allowance for a gap, the swaging of the collar (30) can come before inserting the pin (10) into the insertion hole (6) in the second component (4b) and bonding (welding, etc.) the bonding part (12) of the pin (10) to the first component (4a).

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

(68) The present invention can be applied to fastening members in various industries, including electric machines, automobiles, homes, railways and furniture (racks).

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

(69) 1 Fastening member 2 Conventional pin 4a, 400a, 402a, 404a, 406a, 408a, 410a, 412a, 414a, 416a First component (to be fastened) 4b, 400b, 402b, 404b, 406b, 408b, 410b, 412b, 414b, 416b Second component (to be fastened) 5 Fixation position 6, 60, 602 Insertion hole 10 Pin 12, 112, 122, 124 Bonding part 14, 142, 144 Shaft 16, 164 Pillar part 18, 182, 184 Groove part 20, 202, 204 Non-welding end ridge part 30, 304 Collar 40 Installation tool 500 Fastened products 600, 600a, 600b, 614a, 614b, 616a, 616b Holes