Blind Fastener With Pivoting Legs For Secure Panel Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing blind fasteners for panels with openings lack sufficient clamping force and ease of installation, making them difficult to securely attach and remove, especially when subjected to extraction forces.
Innovation Solution
A fastener design featuring a plastics body with a collar, foot, and finger, where the foot comprises pivoting legs with flap and brace members that transition from a retracted to extended position upon finger insertion, providing high retaining force and facilitating easy installation with moderate pushing force, and preventing extraction by distributing force across locked flaps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the fastener uses a simple clamping structure, then the device complexity is reduced, but the retaining force and clamping force are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener employs dynamic legs that can pivot between retracted and extended positions. The legs are not fixed but can change their configuration in response to applied forces, allowing them to transition from a compact state during installation to a clamped state during use, thereby increasing retaining force without permanently increasing structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The foot is divided into multiple independent legs, each with its own flap and brace member. This segmentation allows each leg to independently respond to extraction forces and provides multiple contact points with the panel, distributing and multiplying the total clamping force while maintaining manageable structural complexity
2Strength
If the fastener requires high installation force, then the securing strength is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The legs are designed to be dynamic rather than fixed, allowing them to pivot into their clamping position with moderate force. The hinge connection enables the legs to rotate from a retracted to an extended position, reducing the installation force required while still achieving strong securing when engaged
Solution Approach 2:
The legs are pre-configured in a retracted position that facilitates easy insertion onto the panel. The hinge mechanism is pre-positioned to allow smooth rotation into the clamping state, eliminating the need for high installation forces and enabling simple manual or automated installation
3Force
If the fastener uses a rigid clamping structure, then the clamping force is increased, but the ease of manufacture and adaptability decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge-connected legs provide dynamic adaptability, allowing the fastener to adjust to variations in panel geometry and opening dimensions. The legs can pivot to accommodate different panel configurations while still delivering effective clamping force, combining adaptability with functional performance
Solution Approach 2:
The fastener utilizes changes in the geometric parameters of the legs through their pivoting motion. The flap and brace members can change their spatial arrangement and orientation, allowing the same structure to adapt to different panel configurations while maintaining effective clamping through parameter variation rather than rigid fixed geometry
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 design enhances clamping force and ease of installation, ensuring secure attachment and preventing removal by distributing extraction forces effectively, thus improving the performance and usability of blind fasteners.
Implementation Method 1
each comprising a flap and a brace member, each said flap being adapted to pivot around a hinge which connects it to the remainder of said foot
Implementation Method 2
each said brace member of a respective said leg extending to a free end, each leg being able to adopt a retracted position in which its flap faces the flap of the other said leg and its brace member is oriented towards its hinge and towards the other said leg
Implementation Method 3
said free end of each brace member abutting said finger when it is inserted into said hollow in said locking position, by virtue of which each said leg is held in the extended position
Implementation Method 4
On pushing in of the finger into the hollow of the body, by pressing the finger on the end of the brace members, each leg pivots by deformation of the hinge which connects it to the rest of the foot
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The fastener for blind mounting on a panel provided with an opening, comprises a body, having an axial hollow and a foot (21 ) for holding onto said panel. The fastener (1 ) also comprises a finger (2) adapted to be inserted into said hollow. Said foot (21) comprises two legs (31 ) each comprising a flap (32) and a brace member (33), each said flap (32) being adapted to pivot around a hinge (34), each leg (31 ) being able to adopt a retracted position in which its flap (32) faces the flap (32) of the other said leg (31) and its brace member (33) is oriented towards its hinge (34) and towards the other said leg (31 ), and an extended position in which its flap (32) has pivoted outwardly, said legs (31 ) passing from said retracted position to said extended position on insertion of said finger (2) into said body (3).