Box Nut Retainer Geometry for Secure Panel Attachment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional box nuts often fail to remain securely attached to panels due to inadequate engagement angles and compression pressures, leading to instability in fastening systems.

Innovation Solution

A box nut retainer system with adjustable engagement angles and planar bends that extend from retainer legs, allowing for customizable insertion forces and maintaining a fixed position through compression pressure on mating panels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional box nuts are used to secure panels, then the fastening system is simple to manufacture, but the box nuts fail to remain securely attached due to inadequate engagement angles and compression pressures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure attachment of box nut to panelVSAvoidcomplexity of box nut retainer system

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The box nut retainer is divided into multiple functional segments: retainer legs that engage with the panel, planar bends that provide structural transition, and straight beams that create engagement angles. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally while maintaining overall system reliability for secure attachment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If engagement angles are increased to improve secure attachment, then the insertion force requirements increase, but this makes manual insertion more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure attachment through engagement angleVSAvoidease of fastener insertion

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The engagement angle is designed as a variable parameter that can be adjusted by modifying the geometry of the straight beams and planar bends. By optimizing the angle magnitude and configuration, the system achieves secure attachment while controlling insertion force within acceptable limits for both manual and machine-assisted operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If compression pressure is increased to maintain fixed position, then the secure attachment improves, but the insertion force and torque requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixed position maintenance through compression pressureVSAvoidinsertion force and torque requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The retainer legs are designed to dynamically respond to insertion forces by flexing and adjusting their position. This dynamic behavior allows the system to achieve the necessary compression pressure for secure attachment while accommodating variations in insertion force, making the system adaptable to both manual and automated insertion processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11199216B2Ergonomic box nut retainer

Publication Date: 2021.12.14 ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC

AI summary

A box nut retainer system includes a panel configured to receive a fastener. The box nut retainer system includes a plurality of retainer legs extending from the panel. The box nut retainer system includes planar bends positioned at distal ends of the plurality of retainer legs. Straight beams extend from the planar bends. The straight beams have engagement angles relative to the plurality of retainer legs.