Fastening Clip With Elastic Lateral Displacement For Axial Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fastening clips in the automobile industry cause external deterioration of attachment pins, lead to unreliable fixing due to progressive reduction in retention quality, and are prone to noise and disengagement under vibration, especially when subjected to axial displacement.
Innovation Solution
The clip incorporates elastic means in internal branches for selective locking or release of the attachment pin, with automatically controlled movement of attachment elements upon clipping, ensuring secure retention and preventing slippage during axial travel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If attachment elements protrude continuously inside the central housing, then the attachment pin can be engaged, but external deterioration of the pin occurs and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment elements are made movable between a retracted position (where they do not contact the pin) and a locking position (where they engage the pin). This dynamic configuration allows the system to avoid continuous contact that causes deterioration while still providing secure engagement when needed, directly resolving the contradiction between reliability and harmful factors.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment elements are retracted during the engagement phase to allow the pin to be inserted without contact, preventing deterioration. Only after the pin is properly positioned do the elements move to the locking position to secure it. This preliminary retraction action prevents harmful contact before engagement occurs.
2Ease of operation
If the clip undergoes axial displacement, then the attachment can be adjusted, but retention quality decreases progressively
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment elements dynamically maintain their locking position on the pin throughout axial displacement of the clip. This ensures that retention quality remains constant regardless of the clip's axial position, resolving the contradiction between adjustability and reliable retention.
3Strength
If high forces are applied to position the staple on the attachment pin, then engagement is achieved, but the interaction causes wear and potential failure
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment elements are retracted before engagement to allow the pin to be inserted with minimal force. Once the pin is in position, the elements move to engage it gently without requiring high forcing forces, thereby maintaining reliability while achieving secure engagement.
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 provides a reliable and noise-free attachment that maintains locking position until the clip is fully disengaged, eliminating slippage risks and ensuring consistent retention of the second part during axial displacement.
Implementation Method 1
each internal branch comprises elastic means for lateral displacement of the corresponding fastening element, to selectively occupy a projecting locking position inside the central housing to axially block the stud
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
This clip (10) for holding two parts together comprises means that snap into an opening in the first part and a central housing (26) for receiving and retaining a male portion on the second part by means of catches (28, 29). The clip (10) comprises spring means allowing sideways displacement of the catch (28, 29) so that it occupies either a locked position in which it projects into the central housing (26) to prevent axial movement of the male portion (27), or a position of release of the male portion (27) in which it is withdrawn from the central housing (26). The clip is also provided with means for causing the catches (27, 28) to move to their locked positions automatically by snapping the clip (10) onto the first part.