Clip Nut Fastener With Non-Circular Projections For Panel Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional clip nut fasteners often mar panels, require significant assembly time, and may not provide sufficient strength to securely maintain nuts under high loads, especially when used in large quantities such as in aircraft assembly.
Innovation Solution
The development of a fastener assembly featuring a nut with non-circular perimeter projections supported by a nut support that limits rotation and pivoting, allowing axial float and featuring a cage structure to distribute torque loading, with engagement surfaces on the nut support and nut element that provide multiple points of contact for enhanced stability and security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional clip nuts are used to secure panels, then the fastening function is achieved, but the panel surface may be marred and assembly time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening system is divided into separate functional components: a panel receiving element that interfaces with the panel surface, a nut support structure, and a nut element. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the panel receiving element can be designed to protect the panel surface while the nut support provides structural stability and torque bearing surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The panel receiving element acts as an intermediary between the fastening system and the panel surface. It receives the panel, protects it from damage, and transfers loads without marring the visible surface, thereby maintaining panel quality while enabling secure fastening.
2Strength
If conventional clip nuts are used under high loads, then fastening is achieved, but the nut may rotate or pivot excessively causing instability
Solution Approach 1:
The nut element is given a non-circular cross-section with protrusions that engage with corresponding features on the nut support. This asymmetric geometry prevents rotation and pivoting of the nut under load, providing rotational stability while maintaining high load bearing capability through the engaged features.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution adds rotational constraint features in the radial dimension (protrusions engaging with bearing surfaces) while maintaining axial floatability. This multi-dimensional approach allows the nut to accommodate thermal expansion and manufacturing tolerances axially while preventing harmful rotation through radial engagement features.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the nut is fully constrained to prevent rotation, then stability is improved, but the nut cannot accommodate thermal expansion or manufacturing tolerances
Solution Approach 1:
The nut support structure is designed with dynamic characteristics that allow controlled movement in certain directions while preventing movement in others. The structure provides axial float to accommodate thermal expansion and manufacturing tolerances, while simultaneously providing bearing surfaces that prevent rotation through geometric engagement features.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution differentiates constraints across different spatial dimensions: axial freedom is maintained to allow thermal expansion and tolerance accommodation, while radial engagement features through protrusions and bearing surfaces prevent rotation. This dimensional differentiation resolves the contradiction between stability and adaptability.
4Stability of the object's composition
If multiple engagement surfaces are added to prevent rotation, then rotational stability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functions are merged into integrated components: the nut support structure simultaneously provides structural support, rotational constraints through bearing surfaces, and guidance for the nut element. The panel receiving element combines panel protection, load reception, and positioning functions. This merging reduces overall assembly complexity compared to separate components for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The nut support structure serves multiple purposes: it supports the nut element, provides bearing surfaces for rotational constraint, guides assembly, and distributes loads. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components, thereby reducing overall device complexity while achieving rotational stability.
Data Source
AI summary
Fasteners such as clip nut fasteners can include a clip having a nut cage and a nut supported by the nut cage. The nut cage can have a wall supporting a portion of the nut wherein the wall can flex toward and away from the nut. The nut can have projections or other discontinuities for engaging bearing surfaces in the nut cage, for limiting rotation of the nut when under torque.