U.S. patent number 10,302,107 [Application Number 15/200,685] was granted by the patent office on 2019-05-28 for fastening system and method using a compressible sleeve.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Ford Motor Company. The grantee listed for this patent is Ford Motor Company. Invention is credited to Sarah Kathryn Sayuri Kawai, Kevin Joseph Kochanski, David Robert Shelley.
United States Patent |
10,302,107 |
Kochanski , et al. |
May 28, 2019 |
Fastening system and method using a compressible sleeve
Abstract
An exemplary fastening system includes, among other things, a
first component providing a first aperture, a second component
providing a second aperture, and a fastener. The fastener has a
shaft extending from a head. The shaft extends along an axis
through the first aperture and the second aperture to clamp the
first component axially between the head and the second component.
A compressible sleeve distributed about the shaft is compressed
radially by the first component. An exemplary fastening method
includes moving a shaft of a fastener along an axis through an
first aperture in a first component into a second aperture in a
second component, and compressing at least a portion of
compressible sleeve radially with the first component. The
compressible sleeve is distributed about the shaft. The method
further includes clamping the first component between a head of the
fastener and the second component.
Inventors: |
Kochanski; Kevin Joseph
(Oxford, MI), Kawai; Sarah Kathryn Sayuri (Lasalle,
CA), Shelley; David Robert (Farmington, MI) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Ford Motor Company |
Dearborn |
MI |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Ford Motor Company (Dearborn,
MI)
|
Family
ID: |
60806063 |
Appl.
No.: |
15/200,685 |
Filed: |
July 1, 2016 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20180003203 A1 |
Jan 4, 2018 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16B
43/00 (20130101); F16B 5/0258 (20130101); F02M
55/025 (20130101); F02M 61/14 (20130101); F16B
5/025 (20130101); F02M 2200/857 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
F16B
5/02 (20060101); F02M 55/02 (20060101); F16B
43/00 (20060101); F02M 61/14 (20060101) |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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837414 |
|
Jun 1960 |
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GB |
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2005090530 |
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Apr 2005 |
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JP |
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Primary Examiner: Masinick; Jonathan P
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Carlson, Gaskey & Olds,
P.C.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A fastening system, comprising: a first component providing a
first aperture; a second component providing a second aperture; a
fastener having a shaft extending from a head, the shaft extending
along an axis through the first aperture and the second aperture to
clamp the first component axially between the head and the second
component; and a compressible sleeve distributed about the shaft
and compressed radially within the first aperture between the first
component and the shaft, the compressible sleeve including a
tapered area disposed within the first aperture, wherein the
compressible sleeve comprises a plurality of protrusions
distributed about the axis, each protrusion extending
longitudinally from a first end portion to a second end portion,
the first end portion closer to the head than the second end
portion.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the compressible sleeve includes
a bore that receives a portion of the shaft, the bore tapering
downward from a first end adjacent the head to a second end that is
opposite the first end.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the compressible sleeve has an
outer diameter at a first end adjacent the head that is larger than
an outer diameter at an opposing, second end such that the
compressible sleeve tapers downward from the first end to the
second end.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein the compressible sleeve is
axially spaced from the second component, and the compressible
sleeve is contained entirely within the first aperture.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein the first component is a fuel
rail bracket and the second component is a cylinder head.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein the fastener threadably engages
the second component.
7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a washer clamped
between the head and the first component.
8. The system of claim 1, wherein the first aperture has a
perimeter, a first portion of the perimeter is provided by a
bracket and a second portion of the perimeter is open.
9. The system of claim 1, wherein the head extends radially past
all portions of the compressible sleeve.
10. The system of claim 1, wherein the compressible sleeve
comprises the plurality of protrusions on a radially outer
surface.
11. The system of claim 1, wherein the compressible sleeve
comprises the plurality of protrusions on a radially inner
surface.
12. The system of claim 1, wherein each portion of the compressible
sleeve is received within the first aperture such that the
compressible sleeve terminates prior to extending axially outside
the first aperture.
13. The system of claim 1, wherein a first radial side of the
compressible sleeve is compressed more than an opposing, second
radial side.
14. The system of claim 1, wherein the first aperture has a
perimeter distributed about an axis of the first aperture, wherein
the axis of the shaft is misaligned relative to the axis of the
first aperture.
15. A fastening system, comprising: a first component providing a
first aperture; a second component providing a second aperture; a
fastener having a shaft extending from a head, the shaft extending
along an axis through the first aperture and the second aperture to
clamp the first component axially between the head and the second
component; and a compressible sleeve distributed about the shaft
and compressed radially within the first aperture between the first
component and the shaft, the compressible sleeve including a
tapered area disposed within the first aperture, wherein the first
aperture has a first perimeter portion provided by the first
component, and a remaining, second perimeter portion that is open,
the first perimeter portion greater than the second perimeter
portion.
16. A fastening system, comprising: a first component providing a
first aperture; a second component providing a second aperture; a
fastener having a shaft extending from a head, the shaft extending
along an axis through the first aperture and the second aperture to
clamp the first component axially between the head and the second
component; and a tapered compressible sleeve distributed about the
shaft and compressed radially between the shaft and the first
component, wherein the aperture has a first perimeter portion
provided by the first component, and a remaining, second perimeter
portion that is open, the first perimeter portion greater than the
second perimeter portion.
17. The system of claim 16, wherein the compressible sleeve
comprises a plurality of protrusions distributed about the axis,
each protrusion extending longitudinally from a first end portion
to a second end portion, the first end portion closer to the head
than the second end portion.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
This disclosure relates generally to a fastening system and, more
particularly, to a fastening system incorporating a compressible
sleeve.
BACKGROUND
A fastener can be used to secure a first component to a second
component. A typical fastener includes a shaft extending from a
head that is enlarged relative to the shaft. During assembly, the
shaft can be received within an aperture of the first component and
an aperture of the second component. The fastener can threadably
engage the second component. The first component is clamped between
the head of the fastener and the second component.
To accommodate manufacturing variations, component tolerances, and
facilitate assembly, the aperture of the first component can be
oversized relative to the shaft. The oversizing can complicate
aligning the fastener with the second component during assembly.
Some fasteners incorporate alignment systems to address
misalignment.
SUMMARY
A fastening system according to an exemplary embodiment of the
present disclosure includes, among other things, a first component
providing a first aperture, a second component providing a second
aperture, and a fastener. The fastener has a shaft extending from a
head. The shaft extends along an axis through the first aperture
and the second aperture to clamp the first component axially
between the head and the second component. A compressible sleeve
distributed about the shaft is compressed radially by the first
component.
In a further non-limiting embodiment of the foregoing system, the
compressible sleeve includes a bore that receives a portion of the
shaft. The bore tapers downward from a first end adjacent the head
to a second end that is opposite the first end.
In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing
systems, the compressible sleeve has an outer diameter at a first
end adjacent the head that is larger than an outer diameter at an
opposing, second end such that the compressible sleeve tapers
downward from the first end to the second end.
In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing
systems, the compressible sleeve is axially spaced from the second
component.
In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing
systems, the first component is a fuel rail bracket and the second
component is a cylinder head.
In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing
systems, the fastener threadably engages the second component.
In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing
systems, a washer is clamped between the head and the first
component.
In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing
systems, the first aperture has a perimeter. A first portion of the
perimeter is provided by a bracket, and a second portion of the
perimeter is open.
In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing
systems, the head extends radially past the compressible
sleeve.
In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing
systems, the compressible sleeve comprises protrusions on a
radially outer surface. The protrusions are circumferentially
distributed about the axis.
In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing
systems, the compressible sleeve comprises protrusions on a
radially inner surface. The protrusions are circumferentially
distributed about the axis.
A fastening method according to another exemplary embodiment of the
present disclosure includes, among other things, moving a shaft of
a fastener along an axis through a first aperture in a first
component into a second aperture in a second component, and
compressing at least a portion of compressible sleeve radially with
the first component. The compressible sleeve is distributed about
the shaft. The method further includes clamping the first component
between a head of the fastener and the second component.
In a further non-limiting embodiment of the foregoing method, the
portion of the compressible sleeve has a diameter prior to the
compressing that is greater than a diameter of the first aperture
such that positioning the compressible sleeve within the first
aperture causes the compressing.
In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing
methods, the portion of the compressible sleeve is placed in the
first aperture during the moving.
A further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing methods
includes receiving the shaft within a bore of the compressible
sleeve. The bore tapers downward from a first end of the
compressible sleeve adjacent the head to a second end of the
compressible sleeve that is opposite the first end.
In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing
methods, the compressible sleeve is axially spaced from the second
component during the clamping.
A further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing methods
includes clamping a washer between the head and the first
component.
A further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing methods
includes securing a fuel rail to a cylinder head during the
clamping.
A further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing methods
includes threadably engaging the second component with the shaft
during the clamping.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
The various features and advantages of the disclosed examples will
become apparent to those skilled in the art from the detailed
description. The figures that accompany the detailed description
can be briefly described as follows:
FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an example fuel rail
secured to a cylinder head.
FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the fuel rail of FIG.
1.
FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of the fuel rail of FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 illustrates a partially exploded view of the fuel rail and
cylinder head of FIG. 1.
FIG. 5 illustrates a close-up view of an area of FIG. 4 showing a
fastening system.
FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of a fastener assembly used to
secure the fuel rail and the cylinder head of FIG. 1.
FIG. 7 illustrates a section view of the fastener assembly of FIG.
6 in a position securing the fuel rail and the cylinder head of
FIG. 1.
FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of an example compressible
sleeve of the fastener assembly of FIG. 6.
FIG. 9 illustrates a side view of the compressible sleeve of FIG.
8.
FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective view of another example
compressible sleeve for use in the fastener assembly of FIG. 6.
FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective view of another example
compressible sleeve for use in the fastener assembly of FIG. 6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
This disclosure relates generally to a fastening system. More
specifically, the disclosure relates to a fastener system
incorporating a compressible sleeve that can accommodate
misalignment between portions of the fastening system.
Referring to FIGS. 1-5, a plurality of fastening systems 10 secure
a fuel rail 14 to a cylinder head portion 18 of an engine block 22.
The fuel rail 14 includes a rail body 26 and a plurality of
mounting brackets 30 providing mounting bracket apertures 34.
The fastening systems 10 each include a fastener assembly 38
extends through each of the mounting bracket apertures 34 to engage
a respective one of a plurality of cylinder head apertures 42
provided in the cylinder head portion 18. The fastener assemblies
38 engage the cylinder head portion 18 to secure the fuel rail 14.
Six fastener assemblies 38 are used to secure the fuel rail 14 in
this example.
In this example, the mounting bracket 30 can be considered a first
component, and the cylinder head portion can be considered a second
component. The fastener assembly 38 clamps the first component
against the second component to secure the first component relative
to the second component.
Although the example embodiment of the fastening system 10 is
described in connection with the fuel rail 14 and cylinder head
portion 18, the fastener assembly 38 could be used to secure
various other components. That is, the fastener assembly 38 of the
present disclosure is not limited to the securing of the fuel rail
14 to the cylinder head portion 18.
In this example, the rail body 26 and the mounting brackets 30
comprise a metallic material. The rail body 26 and mounting
brackets 30 could be steel, for example. The example mounting
brackets 30 are stamped, and then secured to the rail body 26 via
brazing. In another example, the mounting brackets 30 are welded to
the rail body 26. If the fastener assemblies 38 apply a
substantially uneven load to the mounting brackets 30, the mounting
brackets 30 could detach from the rail body 26.
The mounting bracket apertures 34 each have a perimeter P.sub.B
(FIG. 5) distributed about a mounting bracket axis A.sub.B. A
portion of the perimeter P.sub.B is provided by the respective
mounting bracket 30, and another portion of the perimeter P.sub.B
is open to the fuel rail 14. In this example, each of the mounting
brackets 30 provides about 210 degrees of the perimeter P.sub.B,
and the remaining portions of the perimeter P.sub.B are open. In
another example, the mounting brackets 30 provide from 180 to 360
degrees of the perimeter P.sub.B.
The cylinder head apertures 42 each have a perimeter P.sub.CH
distributed about a cylinder head axis A.sub.CH (FIG. 5). The
example cylinder head portion 18 provides the entirety of the
perimeter P.sub.CH. In another example, the cylinder head portion
18 provides a portion of the perimeter P.sub.CH. In such an
example, another structure could provide the remaining portion of
the perimeter P.sub.CH, or the remaining portion could be left
open.
By design, the mounting brackets 30 are positioned along the rail
body 26 such that each mounting bracket axis A.sub.B generally
aligns with the respective cylinder head axis A.sub.CH. Although
coaxial alignment of the mounting bracket axis A.sub.B and the
cylinder head axis A.sub.CH is typically desired, manufacturing
variations and other variables can cause result in misalignment
between the mounting bracket axis A.sub.B and the cylinder head
axis A.sub.CH.
For example, one or more of the mounting brackets 30 could be
misaligned such that the mounting bracket axes A.sub.B of those
mounting brackets 30 is shifted in a direction D (FIG. 1) relative
to the respective cylinder head aperture 42 and cylinder head axis
A.sub.C. Within the fuel rail 14, some of the mounting brackets 30
could be shifted in the direction D, some of the mounting brackets
30 could be shifted in another direction, and some of the mounting
brackets 30 could have their mounting bracket axis A.sub.B
coaxially aligned with the respective cylinder head axis
A.sub.CH.
To address misalignment, some designs have incorporated shouldered
bolts. These prior attempts to address misalignment can result in,
among other things, uneven loading on the mounting brackets 30 when
the fastener assemblies 38 are securing the fuel rail 14.
Misalignment could complicate securing other components to the fuel
rail, such as a fuel rail crossover 46 (FIG. 1). Uneven loading
can, as previously mentioned, disrupt the attachment of the
mounting brackets 30 to the rail body 26.
The example fastener assembly 38 can accommodate misalignment
between the cylinder head axis A.sub.CH and the mounting bracket
axis A.sub.B. By accommodating such misalignment without using, for
example, a shoulder bolt, loading on the mounting brackets 30 can
be more evenly distributed.
Referring now to FIGS. 6-9 with continuing reference to FIGS. 1 and
2, the example fastener assembly 38 includes a fastener 50, a
washer 54, and a compressible sleeve 58. The fastener 50 is a
threaded fastener in this example, and includes a shaft 62
extending from a head 66 along a shaft axis A.sub.S. The head 66 is
enlarged radially relative to the shaft 62 and the compressible
sleeve 58. The shaft 62 includes a threaded portion 70.
To secure the fuel rail 14, the shaft 62 extends through an
aperture 74 in the washer 54 and a bore 78 in the compressible
sleeve 58. The compressible sleeve 58 is distributed about the
shaft 62 when the fastener 50 is engaging the cylinder head portion
18. The compressible sleeve 58 is made of a material that is less
rigid than the mounting bracket 30 and the fastener 50. In this
example, the compressible sleeve 58 is made of a nylon-based
material.
In one non-limiting embodiment, the shaft 62 is positioned within
the aperture 74 of the washer 54 and the bore 78 of the
compressible sleeve 58 prior to inserting the fastener assembly 38
into the mounting bracket apertures 34 and the cylinder head
apertures 42. In another embodiment, the compressible sleeve 58
could be held within the mounting bracket apertures 34, and the
shaft 62 then inserted into the bore 78 as the shaft 62 is inserted
into the mounting bracket apertures 34.
The bore 78 extends from a first end 82 of the compressible sleeve
58 to an opposing, second end 86 of the compressible sleeve 58. At
the first end 82, a bore diameter BD.sub.1 is larger than a bore
diameter BD.sub.2 of the bore 78 at the second end 86. The bore 78
thus tapers downwardly from the first end 82 near the head 66 to
the second end 86. The tapering of the bore 78 can facilitate
inserting the shaft 62 into the bore 78.
At the first end 82, an outer diameter OD.sub.1 of the compressible
sleeve 58 is larger than an outer diameter OD.sub.2 of the
compressible sleeve 58 at the second end 86. The compressible
sleeve 58 thus tapers downwardly from the first end 82 to the
second end 86. The tapering of the compressible sleeve 58 can
facilitate inserting the compressible sleeve 58 into the mounting
bracket apertures 34.
When securing the fuel rail 14 to cylinder head portion 18, the
fastener assemblies 38 are positioned such that each shaft 62
extends through one of the mounting bracket apertures 34 and the
threaded portion 70 is near the cylinder head apertures 42. The
heads 66 are then rotated so that the threaded portion 70 can
threadably engage with one of the cylinder head apertures 42. The
heads 66 can be rotated at the same time, or can be rotated
sequentially. The washer 54 can ensure that, for example, burrs do
not interfere with rotations of the head 66 or impart significant
point loads on the head 66.
After sufficient rotation of the heads 66, the threaded portion 70
of the shaft 62 is fully seated within the cylinder head aperture
42, and the mounting bracket 30 is clamped axially between the
washer 54 and the cylinder head portion 18.
In the example embodiment, the compressible sleeve 58 is axially
shorter than an axial length of the mounting bracket aperture 34.
Further, when the fastener 50 is fully seated, the compressible
sleeve 58 is axially spaced from the cylinder head portion 18 such
that the mounting bracket 30 can directly contact the cylinder head
portion 18. Axially spacing the compressible sleeve 58 from the
cylinder head portion 18 can help to ensure that compressible
sleeve 58 does not undesirably resist axial movement of the
fastener 50 toward the cylinder head portion 18 as the fastener 50
is seated, or prevent the mounting bracket 30 from moving toward
the cylinder head portion 18.
Again, manufacturing tolerances, among other things, can require
the perimeter P.sub.MB of the mounting bracket aperture 34 to be
oversized relative to a diameter of the shaft 62. The oversizing
permits movement of the shaft 62 within the mounting bracket
aperture 34 to engage the respective cylinder head aperture 42,
even if the mounting bracket axis A.sub.B is offset in the
direction D from the cylinder head axis A.sub.CH. In one
non-limiting embodiment, the perimeter P.sub.MB of the mounting
bracket aperture 34 has a diameter that is about 8 millimeters, and
a diameter of the shaft 62 is about 6 millimeters.
Again, the oversizing permits the shaft 62 to shift radially, if
required, within the mounting bracket aperture 34 as the shaft 62
engages the cylinder head aperture 42. The compressible sleeve 58
controls the shifting so that the loading on the mounting bracket
30 is more evenly distributed when the fastener 50 is fully seated.
If not for the compressible sleeve 58, the shaft 62 could rapidly
shift relative to the mounting bracket 30 when the shaft 62 engages
one of the cylinder head apertures 42. Such shifting could
undesirably impact the fastening by, for example, permitting
cross-threading. Some known attempts to address shifting have
resulted in uneven clamp loads that can undesirably compromise the
attachment of the mounting bracket 30 to the rail body 26.
Prior to engaging the shaft 62 into the mounting bracket aperture
34, the compressible sleeve 58 effectively centers the shaft 62
within the mounting bracket 30 such that the shaft 62 is coaxially
aligned with the mounting bracket axis A.sub.B.
As the fastener 50 is rotated into the cylinder head aperture 42,
if the cylinder head axis A.sub.C is misaligned relative to the
mounting bracket axis A.sub.B, one radial side of the compressible
sleeve 58 can compress more than an opposing radial side as the
shaft 62.
Accordingly, after fully seating the fastener 50 the shaft 62 can
then be slightly misaligned relative to the mounting bracket axis
A.sub.B, but the mounting bracket 30 is still tightly held.
At least the outer diameter OD.sub.1 of the compressible sleeve 58
is oversized relative to the perimeter P.sub.MB of the mounting
bracket aperture 34. Thus, inserting the compressible sleeve 58
into the mounting bracket 30 compresses at least some portions of
the compressible sleeve 58 inwardly toward the shaft 62.
At least the outer diameter OD.sub.1 of the compressible sleeve 58
can be sized such that, when collapsed, the compressible sleeve 58
fills the area radially between the shaft 62 and the mounting
bracket 30. In this example, the compressible sleeve 58 fills the
gap between the shaft 62 and the mounting bracket 30 within
portions of the mounting bracket aperture 34 closest to the washer
54 and the head 66 of the fastener 50.
Referring to FIG. 10 with continuing reference to FIGS. 6 and 7,
another example compressible sleeve 158 can include protrusions 190
into a bore 178. When the compressible sleeve 158 receives the
shaft 62, the protrusions 190 extend radially toward the shaft 62.
The protrusions 190 are distributed circumferentially about an axis
of the compressible sleeve 158.
The example protrusions 190 extend axially along a portion of the
bore 178 in another example, the protrusions 190 extend axially
along the entire bore 178.
The protrusions 190 can compress when the shaft 62 is received
within the bore 178. The protrusions 190 can facilitate positioning
the compressible sleeve 158 on the shaft 62 due to, for example,
reduced contact area between the compressible sleeve 158 and the
shaft 62.
In another example, the protrusions 190 are instead, or
additionally, the result of slits cut or formed into the
compressible sleeve 158. Incorporating the slits reduces contact
area between the compressible sleeve 158 and the shaft 62 to
facilitate positioning the compressible sleeve 158 on the shaft 62.
In such an example, the portions of the compressible sleeve 158
without the slits would protrude from the portions with the
slits.
Referring now to FIG. 11 with continuing reference to FIGS. 6 and
7, another example compressible sleeve 258 can include protrusions
290 on an outer surface of the compressible sleeve 258. When the
compressible sleeve 258 receives the shaft 62, the protrusions 290
extend radially away from the shaft 62. The protrusions 290 are
distributed circumferentially about an axis of the compressible
sleeve 258.
The protrusions 290 extend axially along the entire compressible
sleeve 258. In another example, the protrusions 290 extend axially
along a portion of the compressible sleeve 258.
The protrusions 290 compress when the compressible sleeve 258 is
positioned within the mounting bracket aperture 34. The protrusions
290 can facilitate positioning the compressible sleeve 258 within
the mounting bracket aperture 34 due to, for example, reduced
contact area between the compressible sleeve 158 and the mounting
bracket 30.
In another example, the protrusions 290 are instead, or
additionally, the result of slits cut or formed into the
compressible sleeve 158. Incorporating the slits reduces contact
area between the compressible sleeve 158 and the mounting bracket
30 to facilitate positioning the compressible sleeve 158 within the
mounting bracket aperture 34. In such an example, the portions of
the compressible sleeve 258 without the slits would protrude from
the portions with the slits.
The preceding description is exemplary rather than limiting in
nature. Variations and modifications to the disclosed examples may
become apparent to those skilled in the art that do not necessarily
depart from the essence of this disclosure. Thus, the scope of
legal protection given to this disclosure can only be determined by
studying the following claims.
* * * * *