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US 10,328,481 B2Granted
Clinching punch and apparatus
AssigneeBTM Corporation
InventorsGlenn R. Koenigbauer, Steven J. Sprotberry, Paul D. Boyes
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A clinching apparatus includes a clinching punch having a specifically dimensioned tapered surface which improves the strength of a clinch joint created therewith. In another aspect, a tapered surface adjacent a distal end of a clinching punch has an angle of 20-35° relative to a distal end. A further aspect of a clinching apparatus provides a tapered surface adjacent a distal end which is configured in accordance with a specific formula.
Claims16
A clinching apparatus comprising:
- a linearly movable clinching punch including a side and an end, a taper located between the side and the end, the taper having an angle of 20-35 degrees relative to the end and the taper including an annular end view shape;
- the side, which is adapted to form an inside cavity of a clinch joint, being free of any step thereon;
- a holder secured to a proximal end of the punch;
- a stripper located adjacent a portion of the punch;
- a resilient member biasing the stripper away from the holder;
- a clinching die including a central anvil coaxially aligned with the punch, and upstanding die blades surrounding the anvil;
- and
- a clinch joint in multiple sheet metal workpieces created between the punch and the die;
- wherein the side and taper are dimensioned according to:
- E
- =
- B
- 2
- -
- P
- thk
- 2
-
- (
- 1
- tan
-
-
- F
- )
- where 2E is a minor diameter of the side where the taper intersects the end, B is a major diameter of the side where the taper intersects the side, Pthk is a nominal punch side-workpiece material thickness, and F is the angle of the taper.
23 more elements
A clinching apparatus comprising:
- a linearly movable clinching punch including a side and an end, a taper located between the side and the end, the taper having an angle of 20-35 degrees relative to the end and the taper including an annular end view shape;
- a stripper located adjacent a portion of the punch;
- a resilient member biasing the stripper;
- a clinching die including a central anvil coaxially aligned with the punch, and upstanding die blades surrounding the anvil;
- and
- a clinch joint in multiple sheet metal workpieces created between the punch and the die;
- wherein the side and taper are dimensioned according to:
- E
- =
- B
- 2
- -
- P
- thk
- 2
-
- (
- 1
- tan
-
-
- F
- )
- where 2E is a minor diameter of the side where the taper intersects the end, B is a major diameter of the side where the taper intersects the side, Pthk is a nominal punch side-workpiece material thickness, and F is the angle of the taper.
21 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.