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Automotive Interior Door Handle

A company was using a Semi-Tubular Rivet as a hinge pin in an automotive door handle application. Their installation process consisted of installing the Rivet used to join the bracket to the handle assembly, and then clinching/peening the end opposite the head of the Rivet in a secondary operation to secure the part in place. The Rivet rotates freely while the handle is cycled. However, since it is only retained by the opposing heads on either end of the part, the Rivet is also quite loose in both the bracket and the housing which can result in rattling. A third operation of greasing was required to improve the overall BSR (buzz, squeak and rattle) caused by the free fit condition of the Rivet in the assembly. A short term fix consisted of staking the Rivet tighter to the assembly, however this caused excessive cracking of the plastic and larger long term quality concerns. The customer approached SPIROL for a recommendation for a hinge pin that would eliminate the BSR problems, improve plant productivity and possibly provide a savings for the overall cost of the assembly.

app solid pin automotive interior door handle rivet

Use of a semi-tubular rivet required secondary operations such as riveting, peening and greasing.

app solid pin automotive interior door handle pin

Use of the LP500 Latch Pin eliminated secondary operations and resolved the buzz, squeak and rattle issues.

SPIROL considered the use of either a standard Coiled Spring Pin or a special order LP500 Latch Pin for plastics. Ultimately it was decided that the inherent design of the Latch Pin would provide many benefits when used in this plastic door handle. SPIROL’s LP500 Latch Pin for plastics was specifically developed for the automotive handle and latch market. This pin is ideal for plastic handle applications because the barbed section under the head locks the pin into the plastic host assuring the handle pivots properly while the pin remains stationary. The LP500 Latch Pin completely eliminates the concern for BSR. In addition, since the pin is pressed securely into place upon insertion, all secondary operations such as riveting and peening are eliminated.

Replacing the current Rivet with SPIROL’s LP500 Latch Pin for plastics quickly resulted in the simplification of assembly, improved production efficiencies, the elimination of lubricants, and better overall product quality of the door handle.

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