METHOD OF ATTACHING SHEETS TOGETHER

• US 20190309775A1
• Filed: 12/04/2017
• Published: 10/10/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 12/02/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: John Richard Potocki, Magna International Incorporated, Steven Reese Falter, William Andrew Kokosza
• Original Assignee: Magna International Incorporated, Steven Reese Falter
• Inventors: POTOCKI, John Richard, KOKOSZA, William Andrew, FALTER, Steven Reece
• Granted Patent: US 11,028,865 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B21J 15/02 Riveting procedures
• CPC Class Codes: B21J 15/025 Setting self-piercing rivets
• CPC Class Codes: B21J 15/08 Riveting by applying heat , e.g. to the end parts of the rivets to enable heads to be formed B21J15/027 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B21J 15/10 Riveting machines electric heating elements H05B
• CPC Class Codes: B21J 15/147 Composite articles
• CPC Class Codes: B21J 15/36 Rivet sets, i.e. tools for forming heads; Mandrels for expanding parts of hollow rivets
• CPC Class Codes: B21J 15/40 for forming rivet heads
• CPC Class Codes: B21J 15/48 Devices for caulking rivets
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 11/006 by gluing gluing of plastics material B29C65/48
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 19/06 Solid rivets made in one piece
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 5/04 by means of riveting rivets F16B19/04

Abstract

The method includes the step of positioning the sheets in an at least partially overlapping relationship. The method continues with the step of inserting a rivet that has a height through an overlapping area of the sheets. The method proceeds with the step of, with the rivet at a temperature in the range of 15-30° Celsius, collapsing the rivet between a pair of ramming surfaces to shorten the rivet and partially expand the rivet outwardly to lock the rivet with the sheets. The entire method results in a very strong connection between the sheets and with a great durability at a low cost.

Claims

1. A method of attaching two or more metal sheets together, comprising the steps of:

positioning the sheets in an at least partially overlapping relationship;

inserting a rivet that has a height through an overlapping area of the sheets; and

with the rivet at a temperature in the range of 15-30°

Celsius, collapsing the rivet between a pair of ramming surfaces to shorten the rivet and partially expand the rivet outwardly to lock the rivet with the sheets.

2. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein at least one of the sheets is made of a different metal than at least one of the other sheets.

3. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the rivet is made of a different metal than at least one of the sheets.

4. The method as set forth in claim 3 wherein the rivet is made of magnesium or a magnesium alloy.

5. The method as set forth in claim 4 wherein at least one of the sheets is made of aluminum, an aluminum alloy, steel or a steel alloy.

6. The method as set forth in claim 4 further including the step of piercing or drilling a hole through the overlapping area of the sheets and wherein the step of inserting the rivet through the overlapping area of the sheets is further defined as inserting the rivet into the hole.

7. The method as set forth in claim 6 wherein before the step of inserting the rivet into the hole, the rivet has no head or tail.

8. The method as set forth in claim 7 wherein before the step of collapsing the rivet, the rivet projects out of the hole on opposite sides of the sheets.

9. The method as set forth in claim 8 wherein each of the ramming surfaces has a spike projecting outwardly therefrom such that the step of collapsing the rivet causes metal of the rivet to plastically deform outwardly whereby a pair of flanges are created in the rivet.

10. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the step of inserting the rivet through the sheets is further defined as piercing the rivet through the overlapping area of the sheets.

16. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the rivet is solid throughout.

17. The component as set forth in claim 1 wherein said rivet is solid throughout.

18. The method as set forth in claim 6 wherein prior to inserting the rivet in the hole in the overlapping area of the sheets, the rivet has a pair of end faces and has a greater diameter at an axial midpoint than at either of the end faces.

19. The method as set forth in claim 18 wherein the diameter of the rivet at the axial midpoint is similar to a diameter of the hole in the overlapping area of the sheets.

11. A component, comprising:

at least two metal sheets which are in an at least partially overlapping relationship;

at least one rivet extending through an overlapping area of said sheets and having a pair of flanges on opposite sides of said sheets to lock said sheets together; and

said at least one rivet being made of metal and said metal of at least one of said flanges being cold worked.

20. The component as set forth in claim 11 wherein both of said flanges of said at least one rivet are cold worked.

12. The component as set forth in claim 12 wherein at least one of said sheets is made of a different metal than said at least one rivet.

13. The component as set forth in claim 12 wherein said rivet is made of magnesium or a magnesium alloy.

14. The component as set forth in claim 13 further including a coating interposed between said rivet and said sheets such that there is no metal-to-metal contact between said rivet and said sheets.

15. The component as set forth in claim 14 wherein said at least one rivet has a pair of end faces and each end face has a dimple.