Clip Nut Fastener Segmented Housing Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current clip nut fasteners lack sufficient durability and torque capability, and the process of inserting the nut into the housing is cumbersome, necessitating improvements for high-load applications and cost-effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A clip nut design featuring a U-shaped structure with a nut housing that includes a teardrop-shaped cavity and an oval channel, allowing easy insertion and secure retention of the nut, with structural elements that inhibit movement and rotation without deformation, enabling increased durability and load capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the housing's sidewalls are displaced to allow tabs on the nut to project through openings in the housing sidewalls, then the nut can be inserted into the housing, but the insertion process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into a body portion and a separate retaining ring. The retaining ring is a removable component that can be independently manipulated to release the nut, while the body portion maintains the structural integrity. This segmentation simplifies the insertion process as the retaining ring can be easily opened and closed without requiring displacement of the entire housing structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The nut is inserted through the retaining ring which is nested within the housing body. The retaining ring acts as an intermediate structure that guides and secures the nut during insertion. This nested arrangement allows for simple insertion through the retaining ring's opening while the housing body provides overall structural support.
2Ease of operation
If the housing includes a narrowed inlet through which the nut's tubular barrel is pushed through, then the nut insertion is simplified, but the load and torque capability of the clip nut is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is segmented into a robust body portion that maintains full load and torque capability, and a separate retaining ring that facilitates simple nut insertion. The body portion includes the full-strength U-shaped structure with arms and connecting wall, while the retaining ring provides a simple opening mechanism that does not compromise the structural integrity of the main housing body.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining ring acts as an intermediary component between the nut and the housing body. It provides a simplified insertion path for the nut while the housing body maintains its full structural strength. The retaining ring transfers the nut to the housing body without requiring the housing body itself to have a weakened narrowed inlet.
3Reliability
If the clip nut structure is reinforced to withstand high loads and torque, then durability is improved, but the manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into a robust body portion that provides the necessary load and torque resistance, and a separate, simpler retaining ring that facilitates easy nut insertion and release. This segmentation allows the body portion to be optimized for strength while the retaining ring can be manufactured as a simpler, lower-cost component. The modular design also enables independent manufacturing and assembly of these parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The material properties and dimensional parameters of different housing components are optimized independently. The body portion uses parameters and materials optimized for high load and torque resistance, while the retaining ring uses parameters optimized for ease of manufacturing and operation. This parameter optimization for each component separately reduces overall manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining the required durability.
Data Source
AI summary
A clip nut is provided including a clip body and nut. The clip body includes an upper arm connected to a lower arm by a connecting end wall. The clip body has a nut housing upon its upper arm for affixing a nut having a tubular body and a radially projecting base. The nut housing includes an end wall, an intermediate wall and a top wall. A ridge projects upwardly from the upper arm between the intermediate wall and end wall. Furthermore, the top wall includes an opening for allowing the nut's base to slide upon the ridge to enter a cavity during assembly. Thereafter, the nut is tilted forwardly and the nut's base is slid into a nut receiving chamber to complete the assembly of the clip nut.