Fastening Clip Structure for Stable Airbag Panel Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fastening clips used for attaching airbags and luggage rings to vehicle structures face challenges such as high deployment forces, risk of accidental removal, and potential damage to panels due to insufficient pull-out force and stability, especially in the case of curtain airbags which require rapid deployment and are subjected to significant impact forces.
Innovation Solution
A fastening clip design featuring a head portion with a plate and a body portion containing elastically deflectable retaining members and resilient spring elements that engage with the support structure, providing enhanced stability and resistance to rotation and tilting, and a configuration that increases the pull-out force required for removal, thereby minimizing the risk of accidental detachment and panel damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional fastening clips are used to attach airbags to vehicle structures, then the clips can be easily installed, but they insufficiently resist high deployment forces and may cause panel damage
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening clip is divided into multiple functional segments: a head portion for component retention, a body portion with elastically deflectable retaining members for panel engagement, and resilient spring elements for providing retention force. This segmentation allows each part to specialize in resisting specific forces during airbag deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the mechanical parameters of the fastening clip by incorporating elastically deflectable retaining members and resilient spring elements, changing the clip from a rigid structure to one with controlled flexibility. This allows the clip to deform elastically under high deployment forces rather than fracturing, increasing pull-out force resistance while protecting the panel.
2Reliability
If fastening clips are designed with high retention force to prevent accidental removal, then security is improved, but the clips may become difficult to install or remove when needed
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening clip incorporates elastically deflectable retaining members that can dynamically change their engagement state. During normal use, the resilient spring elements maintain strong retention force to prevent accidental removal. During intentional installation or removal, the retaining members can be deflected to reduce engagement force, allowing easy operation when needed.
3Reliability
If fastening clips are made robust to withstand impact forces from curtain airbag deployment, then deployment reliability is improved, but the clips may increase the risk of damaging vehicle panels during insertion or under load
Solution Approach 1:
The elastically deflectable retaining members and resilient spring elements are designed to absorb and cushion impact forces during airbag deployment. These elastic components act as shock absorbers, cushioning the transition from insertion to full engagement, and preventing excessive force transmission to the panel during both installation and deployment events.
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 improved fastening clip design enhances the stability and security of airbags and luggage rings by resisting twisting and tilting forces, increasing the pull-out force, and reducing the risk of accidental removal, ensuring safe and robust attachment to vehicle structures.
Implementation Method 1
at least one resilient spring element extending from the head portion to contact an opposite side of the support structure to the at least one elastically deflectable retaining member in use, and to bias the at least one elastically deflectable retaining member into contact with the support structure
Implementation Method 2
a body portion, extending from the head portion to a lower end region along a longitudinal axis, wherein the body portion comprises at least one elastically deflectable retaining member projecting laterally from said lower end region of said body portion, to fixingly engage a surface of the support structure when inserted into an orifice of the support structure
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a fastening clip for mounting a component, such as an airbag or a luggage ring, to a support structure. The fastening clip includes a head portion having a plate arranged to retain a part of the component between the plate and the support structure during use. The fastening clip also includes a body portion, extending from the head portion to a lower end region along a longitudinal axis. The body portion includes at least one elastically deflectable retaining member projecting laterally from said lower end region of said body portion, to fixingly engage a surface of the support structure when inserted into an orifice of the support structure. The fastening clip also includes at least one resilient spring element extending from the head portion to contact an opposite side of the support structure to the at least one elastically deflectable retaining member in use, and to bias the at least one elastically deflectable retaining member into contact with the support structure. Each of the at least one resilient spring elements comprises: a transverse portion extending in a direction across the longitudinal axis; and an intermediate portion extending from an end of the transverse portion between the transverse portion and the plate, the intermediate portion being disposed to engage the part of the component when the resilient spring element is deflected towards the plate during use.