Electrical ground assembly for a vehicle

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016156111-A1
Application number	US-201414557954-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Dec 2, 2014
Priority date	Dec 2, 2014
Publication date	Jun 2, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

An electrical ground assembly includes a vehicle component defining a hole, and a fastener. The fastener includes a flange defining an aperture extending completely therethrough, and a barrel disposed within the hole. The barrel includes a compressed annular locking ring engaged with a side of the component opposite the flange to form a mechanical interlock. Solder is disposed within the aperture to form an electrical bridge between the component and the fastener.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . An electrical ground assembly comprising:
a vehicle component defining a hole; a fastener including a flange defining an aperture extending completely therethrough and a barrel disposed within the hole, wherein the barrel includes a compressed annular locking ring engaged with a side of the component opposite the flange to form a mechanical interlock; and solder disposed within the aperture to form an electrical bridge between the component and the fastener.

2 . The assembly of claim 1 further comprising a grounding lug attached to the fastener.

3 . The assembly of claim 1 wherein the aperture is a notch.

4 . The assembly of claim 1 wherein the flange further includes a first surface engaging the component, a second surface opposite the first surface, and a periphery surface extending between the first and second surfaces, and wherein the aperture is a notch recessed into the periphery surface and extending between the first and second surfaces.

5 . The assembly of claim 1 wherein the compressed annular locking ring includes a first overlapping section and a second overlapping section joined at a bend and wherein the second overlapping section engages with the side of the component.

6 . The assembly of claim 1 wherein the solder is a metal alloy having a melting point less than 840 degrees Celsius.

7 . The assembly of claim 1 wherein the barrel further comprises a threaded section extending axially along an inside portion of the barrel and wherein the assembly further comprises a grounding lug attached to the fastener by a bolt received within the threaded section.

8 . The assembly of claim 1 wherein the barrel and the flange define a bore having a closed end opposite the flange and wherein the fastener further includes a threaded stud connected to the closed end and disposed within the bore and extending past the flange.

9 . A fastener for a vehicle comprising:
an electrical ground rivet nut including a tubular barrel and a flange attached to the barrel, the barrel including a sidewall configured to buckle, during installation, to form a compressed annular locking ring, and the flange defining at least one notch extending completely through the flange.

10 . The fastener of claim 9 further comprising solder disposed within the at least one notch.

11 . The fastener of claim 9 wherein the flange further includes a first surface configured to engage a component of the vehicle, a second surface opposite the first surface, and a periphery surface extending between the first and second surfaces, and wherein the notch is recessed into the periphery surface and extends between the first and second surfaces.

12 . The fastener of claim 9 wherein the compressed annular locking ring includes a first overlapping section and a second overlapping section joined at a bend and wherein the second overlapping section engages with a component of the vehicle.

13 . The fastener of claim 9 wherein the fastener further comprises a grounding lug attached to the fastener.

14 . The fastener of claim 9 wherein the sidewall of the tubular barrel further includes a threaded section configured to receive a bolt or screw.

15 . The fastener of claim 9 wherein the barrel and the flange define a bore having a closed end opposite the flange and wherein the rivet nut further includes a threaded stud connected to the closed end and disposed within the bore and extending past the flange.

16 . An electrical ground assembly comprising:
a vehicle component; a fastener including a coupling portion and a riveting portion axially aligned and separated by a flange defining an aperture extending completely therethrough, wherein the riveting portion is configured to, during installation, pierce through the component and deform to create a mechanical interlock with the component; and solder disposed within the aperture and joined to the component and the fastener to form an electrical bridge therebetween.

17 . The assembly of claim 16 wherein the flange further includes a first surface configured to engage the component, a second surface opposite the first, and a periphery surface extending between the first and second surfaces, and wherein the aperture is a notch recessed into the periphery surface and extending between the first and second surfaces.

18 . The assembly of claim 16 wherein the aperture is a plurality of apertures defined in the flange.

19 . The assembly of claim 16 further comprising a grounding lug attached to the coupling portion of the fastener.

20 . The assembly of claim 16 wherein the solder is a metal alloy having a melting point less than 840 degrees Celsius.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Forsyth Matthew

Classifications

• H01R4/02

  Soldered or welded connections {(H01R4/625, H01R4/723, H01R12/59 take precedence)} · CPC title

• H01R13/648

  Protective earth or shield arrangements on coupling devices {, e.g. anti-static shielding}   (coaxially arranged shields H01R24/38) · CPC title

• H01R4/06 Primary

  Riveted connections (by explosion H01R4/08) · CPC title

• H01R2201/26

  for vehicles · CPC title

• H01R11/12

  End pieces terminating in an eye, hook, or fork · CPC title