FASTENING STRUCTURE AND FASTENING METHOD

Abstract

The present invention provides a fastening structure and a fastening method for fastening first and second components, ensuring a high degree of freedom in terms of bonding positions and objects, and reducing the number of holes in the components. Specifically, the present invention provides a fastening structure for fastening the first and second components, wherein said fastening structure comprises a pin that has non-helical grooves running in a circumferential direction and aligned along a longitudinal direction, and a collar that is fitted around said pin, and said pin is united with said first component by bonding one end of said pin in the longitudinal direction to said first component without forming a hole in said first component, and said second component has a hole for inserting said pin so that said collar is fitted around and swaged to said pin protruding through the hole.

Claims

1. A fastening structure for fastening a first and second component, wherein said fastening structure comprises a pin that has non-helical grooves running in a circumferential direction and aligned along a longitudinal direction, and a collar that is fitted around said pin, and said pin is united with said first component by bonding one end of said pin in the longitudinal direction to said first component without forming a hole in said first component, and said second component has a hole for inserting said pin so that said collar is fitted around and swaged to said pin protruding through the hole.

2. A fastening method for fastening a first and second component, wherein said fastening method comprises a pin that has non-helical grooves running in a circumferential direction and aligned along a longitudinal direction, and a collar that is fitted around said pin, and said pin is united with said first component by bonding one end of said pin in the longitudinal direction to said first component without forming a hole in said first component, said second component has a hole and is fitted around said pin, which has been united with said first component, from the other end of said pin in the longitudinal direction, and said collar is fitted around said pin, which has penetrated said second component, from the other end of said pin in the longitudinal direction and swaged to said pin.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] FIG. 1 shows the fastening member (a pin and a collar) in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the fastening member (a pin and a collar) in the embodiment.

[0025] FIG. 3 shows the fastening procedure for fastening components using the fastening member in the embodiment.

[0026] FIG. 4 shows the fastening procedure for fastening components using the fastening member in the embodiment (continued from FIG. 3).

[0027] FIG. 5 shows the fastening structure in the embodiment.

[0028] FIG. 6 shows the fastening structure in the embodiment.

[0029] FIG. 7 shows the pins bonded to a first component by welding and other processes.

[0030] FIG. 8 shows the pins bonded to a first component by welding and other processes.

[0031] FIG. 9 shows the fastening structure in the embodiment.

[0032] FIG. 10 shows modified examples of the bonding part of the pin in the embodiment.

[0033] FIG. 11 shows a fastening procedure for fastening components using a conventional pin.

[0034] FIG. 12 shows a fastening of components using a conventional pin.

[0035] FIG. 13 shows a problem in fastening components using a conventional pin.

[0036] FIG. 14 shows a problem in fastening components using a conventional pin.

[0037] FIG. 15 shows a problem in fastening components using conventional pins.

[0038] FIG. 16 shows the forming of holes in a component for using conventional pins.

[0039] FIG. 17 shows the forming of holes in a component for using conventional pins.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0040] 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.

[0041] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the fastening member (1) in this embodiment. FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the pin (10), and FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the collar (30). 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 (not illustrated).

[0042] 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).

[0043] 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)).

[0044] 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).

[0045] 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).

[0046] In this embodiment, the first and second components (4a, 4b) are planar components. However, planar components are 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).

[0047] 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.

[0048] 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).

[0049] 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 4D. 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).

[0050] FIGS. 4E to 4G illustrate the swaging of the collar (30). FIGS. 4E to 4G 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.

[0051] An example of an installation tool (40) 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 part to the side of the installation tool (40), as shown in FIG. 4E. Thus, the pin (10) is elongated.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 4F, 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).

[0053] After the swaging of the collar (30) to the pin (10) using the installation tool (40) (see the enlarged illustration in FIG. 4G), the installation tool (40) is taken off of the pin (10), as shown in FIG. 4G. 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.

[0054] As explained above, this embodiment unites the pin (10) with the first component (4a) by welding the pin (10) to the first component (4a). 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 loosening from 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.

[0055] Thus, the present invention provides a fastening structure for fastening the first and second component (4a, 4b), wherein said fastening structure comprises a pin (10) that has non-helical grooves running in a circumferential direction and aligned along a longitudinal direction, and a collar (30) that is fitted around said pin (10), and said pin (10) is united with said first component (4a) by bonding one end of said pin (10) in the longitudinal direction to said first component (4a) without forming a hole in said first component (4a), and said second component (4b) has a hole (6) for inserting said pin (10) so that said collar (30) is fitted around and swaged to said pin (10) protruding through the hole (6).

[0056] 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).

[0057] 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 a collar (30) that is fitted around said pin (10), and said pin (10) is united with said first component (4a) by bonding one end of said pin (10) in the longitudinal direction to said first component (4a) without forming a hole in said first component (4a), said second component (4b) has a hole and is fitted around said pin (10), which has been united with said first component (4a), from the other end of said pin (10) in the longitudinal direction, and said collar (30) is fitted around said pin (10), which has penetrated said second component (4b), from the other end of said pin (10) in the longitudinal direction and swaged to said pin (10).

[0058] Such a fastening method has the advantage that an insertion hole (6) in the second component (4b) 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.

[0059] 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. 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).

[0060] In FIG. 6, the first component (402a) is a metal pipe, and the second component (402b) 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.

[0061] In FIGS. 7 and 8, 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.

[0062] In FIG. 9, 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. 9 shows two thus fastened products (500) placed back to back. The adjacent placement of the two fastened products shown in FIG. 9 is possible because the first component (410a) of each fastened product (500) maintains the flat surface while the opposite surface has the welded pin (10).

Other Embodiments

[0063] 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. For example, the groove part (18) may cover the whole shaft (14) (not illustrated). If the groove part (18) covers the whole shaft (14), the method according to the present invention can fasten even thin components (for example, with a thickness of 0.1 to 2.3 mm) together.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 10, 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 electrical conduction). FIG. 10 shows possible examples in 10A to 10F.

[0065] 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).

[0066] 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.

[0067] 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).

[0068] 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

[0069] The present invention can be applied to fastening members in various industries, including electric machines, automobiles, homes, railways and furniture (racks).

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

[0070] 1 Fastening member [0071] 2 Conventional pin [0072] 4a, 400a, 402a, 406a, 408a, 410a, 412a, 414a, 416a First component (to be fastened) [0073] 4b, 400b, 402b, 406b, 408b, 410b, 412b, 414b, 416b Second component (to be fastened) [0074] 5 Fixation position [0075] 6, 602 Insertion hole [0076] 10 Pin [0077] 12 Bonding part [0078] 14, 142, 144 Shaft [0079] 16, 164 Pillar part [0080] 18, 182, 184 Groove part [0081] 20, 202, 204 Non-welding end ridge part [0082] 30, 304 Collar [0083] 40 Installation tool [0084] 500 Fastened products [0085] 600, 600a, 600b, 614a, 614b, 616a, 616b Holes