Clip With Guide Surfaces and Empty Spaces for Accurate Centering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional clips face difficulties in attaching to narrow spaces without proper alignment, leading to chipping and detachment issues when inserted into openings in unnatural postures.
Innovation Solution
A clip design featuring a center support pillar and auxiliary support pillars symmetrically disposed relative to a line and point, respectively, with guide surfaces and empty spaces to ensure accurate centering and secure attachment, even in inclined conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the clip is inserted into an opening portion in an unnatural working posture, then the attachment can be completed, but the claw may be chipped and the clip may come off after insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The guide surfaces on the support pillars are designed to preliminarily guide the clip into correct alignment with the opening portion before the elastic legs engage. This preliminary centering action prevents misalignment during insertion, eliminating the risk of chipping the claw or improper engagement that would cause the clip to come off later.
2Ease of manufacture
If the clip has a symmetric structure with respect to a line, then the manufacturing is simplified, but the clip cannot be properly centered when inserted at an angle
Solution Approach 1:
While the overall clip structure remains symmetric for ease of manufacture, asymmetric guide surfaces are introduced on the support pillars. These guide surfaces have specific inclination angles that create a self-centering effect during insertion, allowing the clip to automatically align itself with the opening portion even when inserted at an angle, thereby achieving high attachment alignment precision without complicating the manufacturing process.
3Reliability
If the elastic legs are deformed during insertion into the attachment hole, then the locking action is achieved, but there is no space to house the deformed portions
Solution Approach 1:
The empty spaces are strategically positioned within the body of the clip to nest and house the deformed portions of the elastic legs during insertion. This nesting arrangement allows the elastic legs to deform and engage the locking action while the deformed portions are contained within the predetermined empty spaces, preventing interference with other components and eliminating the need for additional external housing structures.
Data Source
AI summary
A clip of the present invention includes at least a head portion, a center support pillar, an auxiliary support pillar, elastic legs, locking portions, and empty spaces. The head portion has a shape capable of locking on one surface of an attached member. The center support pillar extends downward from the head portion, and has a shape to be inserted into the attachment hole. The auxiliary support pillar extends downward from the head portion in the same manner as the center support pillar, and is integrally formed with the head portion and the center support pillar in such a way that a base portion inserted into the attachment hole is perpendicular to the center support pillar. A pair of the elastic legs expanding in a V-shape is interconnected with ends of the center support pillar and the auxiliary support pillar, and also formed in a shape so as to be turned back toward a direction of the head portion and the auxiliary support pillar. The locking portions locking the attached member are provided in end portions of the elastic legs, and lock the other of either the attaching member or the attached member. Also, the empty spaces are provided in the auxiliary support pillar, and house deformed portions when the elastic legs are inserted into the attachment hole while deforming.