Box Nut Retainer Structure for Thin-Panel Anti-Rattle Fastening

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fastening systems for thin panels often result in misalignment and rattling noises due to relative movement between the retainer and the panel, leading to wear and instability.

Innovation Solution

A box nut retainer system featuring a support, fastener sleeve, and wings with kinks and snap arms that engage with the panel to securely fasten and prevent movement, using a combination of tabs and extenders to clamp the panel from both top and bottom surfaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a known retainer is used to fasten thin panels, then the panel can be connected to other components, but the retainer does not tightly engage the thin panel leading to misalignment, rattling noises, and wear

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveengagement stabilityVSAvoidmisalignment and rattling noises

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The retainer features a localized expansion mechanism where the expansion section expands in response to fastener insertion to tightly engage the thin panel. This local quality change allows the retainer to adapt to thin panels specifically at the engagement point, providing tight engagement and preventing misalignment and rattling noises while maintaining overall structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The retainer transitions from a non-expanded state to an expanded state when the fastener is inserted. The expansion section dynamically changes its configuration to tightly engage the thin panel, transforming the retainer's engagement characteristics based on the fastening process stage, thereby eliminating misalignment and rattling issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of manufacture

If a fastener is threaded into a retainer that does not tightly engage the panel, then the fastening process can be completed, but relative movement occurs leading to wear to the panel

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefastening processabilityVSAvoidpanel wear

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The retainer is designed to tightly engage the thin panel through expansion before the fastener is fully threaded in. This preliminary tight engagement prevents relative movement between the retainer and panel during the fastening process, eliminating panel wear while maintaining ease of manufacture through the simple expansion mechanism activated by fastener insertion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If a traditional retainer design is used, then the structure remains simple, but the retainer cannot securely hold thin panels in a fixed position

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveretainer structureVSAvoidposition stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The expansion section is nested within the retainer body and remains compact until activation. When the fastener is inserted, the nested expansion section expands outward to tightly engage the thin panel, providing secure position stability while maintaining a simple, compact retainer structure that does not increase overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS11692581B2Box nut retainer

Publication Date: 2023.07.04 ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC

AI summary

A first example box nut retainer includes a support, a fastener sleeve, and a wing. The fastener sleeve defines an opening and extends downwardly from the support. The wing extends from the support and has a top corner between the support and the fastener sleeve.