Airbag Fastening Clip Assembly With Insert-Latch Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fastening clip assemblies struggle to securely attach and retain airbag devices to vehicle body parts, both during deployment and non-deployment states, due to inadequate retention mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A fastening clip assembly comprising a clip with side walls, a head, and internal cavity, and an insert with legs and latching arms that cooperate with the clip to prevent withdrawal and ensure secure attachment to vehicle body parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a simple clip structure is used for fastening, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of retention during airbag deployment is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening assembly is divided into two independent components: a clip and an insert. The clip provides the basic fastening function while the insert provides the latching mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, improving overall reliability without requiring a monolithic complex structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The insert is inserted into the clip, with the insert's legs fitting into the clip's internal cavity. The latching arms of the insert engage with the clip's retaining portions to create a nested configuration that provides secure retention during airbag deployment while maintaining a compact overall structure.
2Reliability
If a secure retention mechanism is added to prevent detachment, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The latching mechanism is designed to automatically engage when the insert is inserted into the clip. The latching arms of the insert automatically hook onto the retaining portions of the clip without requiring additional actuation or complex control systems, providing secure attachment through self-service operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The insert acts as an intermediary component between the airbag device and the vehicle body. It provides the latching function that mediates the connection, allowing the clip to remain relatively simple while the insert handles the complex retention task through its latching arms and legs.
3Ease of manufacture
If the fastening structure is simplified for ease of manufacture, then the manufacturing precision requirements are reduced, but the ability to retain during deployment is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the fastening assembly into a clip and an insert that can be manufactured separately using different processes, each component can be optimized for its manufacturing requirements. The clip can be formed by stamping or molding while the insert can be manufactured with precise latching features, improving ease of manufacture without compromising deployment retention.
Solution Approach 2:
The separation of functions allows different material parameters and geometric parameters to be optimized for each component. The clip can use materials and dimensions optimized for structural strength and ease of formation, while the insert can use materials and dimensions optimized for latching engagement, improving manufacturability while maintaining retention reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a fastening clip assembly comprising a clip and an insert. The clip includes a pair of side walls and a head provided at first ends of the pair of side walls. The clip further includes an internal cavity between the pair of side walls, and the head is provided with an opening in communication with the internal cavity. The insert includes a pair of legs and a pair of latching arms respectively provided on outer sides of the pair of legs. The pair of legs are connected together at their proximal ends and form free ends at their distal ends. The pair of latching arms each is positioned between the respective proximal end and the respective distal end and extends toward the proximal end. The pair of legs are inserted at least partially into the internal cavity of the clip through the opening. The pair of latching arms are configured to, when the clip is in a use state, cooperate with the head of the clip to limit the withdrawal of the insert from the clip.