Asymmetric Elastomeric Retention Element for Differential Assembly Force
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing retention devices with rounded retention elements fail to provide sufficient differential in forces required for assembly and disassembly of components, leading to inefficient assembly and potential disassembly issues.
Innovation Solution
An elastomeric protuberance with a flexible free end is integrated into the aperture of a component, allowing for low-force assembly and high-force disassembly by varying the angle and orientation of the inside and outside walls, facilitating easy insertion while requiring more force for disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a rounded retention element geometry is used, then the assembly is simple to manufacture, but the differential force between assembly and disassembly is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The retention element employs asymmetric geometry with a first wall portion having a first angle and a second wall portion having a second angle, creating different force requirements for assembly versus disassembly. This asymmetry allows the element to be easily inserted while requiring significantly more force to remove, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and force differential.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the retention element by specifying different angles for the first and second wall portions. By varying these angular parameters, the element achieves optimized force characteristics for both assembly and disassembly operations while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.
2Reliability
If high retention force is achieved, then the components remain securely assembled, but the assembly force required becomes excessively high
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric wall geometry creates a mechanical advantage where the first angle facilitates easy insertion with low force, while the second angle provides high resistance to removal. This asymmetry resolves the contradiction by decoupling the assembly force requirement from the retention force level.
Solution Approach 2:
The retention element inverts the traditional approach by designing the geometry to require more force for disassembly than for assembly. The angled wall portions are configured so that insertion is the easy direction while removal is the difficult direction, achieving secure retention without high assembly forces.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution significantly reduces the assembly force to less than 5% of the disassembly force, ensuring secure retention with minimal installation effort and easy disassembly when needed.
Implementation Method 1
an elastomeric protuberance extending into the aperture from a base adhering to the inner wall to a distal edge which spans a portion of the aperture; and the said protuberance also having an inside wall and an outside wall which meet at said distal edge and together define a flexible free end. Upon insertion of the second component into the aperture of the first component, the free end of protuberance engages the second component and flexes in the direction of insertion
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is directed to a retention element for retaining first and second components in assembled relationship. The first component comprises a body having first and second external surfaces and an inner wall defining an aperture extending through the body, and the second component comprises a longitudinal member having a size and configuration to permit insertion within said aperture to thereby assemble the components. The retention element comprises: an elastromeric protuberance extending into the aperture from a base adhering to the inner wall to a distal edge which spans a portion of the aperture. The protuberance also has an inside wall and an outside wall which meet at the distal edge and together define a flexible free end. Upon insertion of the second component into the aperture of the first component, the free end of the protuberance flexes in the direction of insertion such that the force required to assemble the two components is less than the force required to disassemble the two components.