Compact Fastening Device for Elongated Elements
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fixing devices for elongated elements on motor vehicle engine mounts are either too bulky due to their design, leading to compactness issues, or suffer from flexibility and angular movement uncertainties, which affect reliability and productivity.
Innovation Solution
A compact fixing device with two holding members, each comprising a thinned section for articulation and a solid section for holding force, along with ribs, lugs, and flexible tongues, allowing intuitive and secure attachment of elongated elements with reduced angular displacements and mechanical stresses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a single holding arm is used in prior art devices, then the device can achieve basic fixing function, but the device becomes bulky with significant footprint
Solution Approach 1:
The single holding arm in prior art is segmented into two holding members (first and second holding members) that can move independently. Each holding member has its own articulation point and can be positioned separately, allowing the device to maintain compact dimensions while providing redundant fixing points for improved reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding members are arranged in a substantially parallel configuration extending from opposite sides of the housing toward the center. This spatial arrangement allows both members to occupy different lateral positions, reducing the overall device footprint while maintaining effective clamping action on the elongated element.
2Adaptability or versatility
If large angular movement is allowed in the holding mechanism, then the device has greater flexibility, but mechanical stresses increase and attachment reliability becomes uncertain
Solution Approach 1:
The holding members are designed with controlled angular displacement parameters. Each holding member articulates through a limited angular range about its respective articulation point, optimizing the balance between flexibility for element insertion and mechanical stress reduction for reliable attachment. The thinned section geometry is specifically designed to accommodate this controlled angular movement.
3Productivity
If complex mechanical components with significant angular movement are used, then the device can accommodate various positions, but the assembly productivity decreases and operation becomes less intuitive
Solution Approach 1:
The holding members are biased by resilient means (springs) that automatically exert force to maintain the holding members in their clamping configuration. When an elongated element is inserted into the housing, the holding members self-adjust and engage the element without requiring additional manual manipulation, significantly improving assembly productivity and intuitiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient means pre-position the holding members in a ready-to-clamp state before the elongated element is inserted. This preliminary action eliminates the need for operators to manually position or adjust the holding members during assembly, making the mounting process more intuitive and faster.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The device has housings (100, 200) receiving elongated elements (T, T') and bordered by bases. Elongated element retaining tabs (110, 110', 210, 210') are articulated on uprights (104, 106, 206). The tabs are movable between a rest position, in which the tabs extend towards each other to form elongated element passage spaces, and a retaining position in which the tabs are tilted towards the bases to retain the elements in the housings. Locking arms (120, 120', 220, 220') lock the tabs in the retaining position. Cross-dimensions of the spaces are smaller than cross-dimensions of the housings.