Corner Engage Clip Support Flange for Stronger Panel Openings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing push-in fastener assemblies often fail or suffer damage at the opening in a panel, leading to unreliable connections between components, particularly in automotive applications where quick and efficient fastening is crucial.
Innovation Solution
A push-in fastener assembly featuring a cross member with downturn flanges and resilient retaining legs that distribute forces closer to the corners of the opening, providing increased rigidity and strength, and optionally incorporating spring flanges for enhanced contact and movement absorption, to prevent bending and improve engagement with the panel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional push-in fasteners are used, then quick and efficient fastening is achieved, but failure or damage occurs at the opening in the panel
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening system incorporates a support flange with specific geometric features (downturn flanges, retaining legs) positioned at critical locations around the opening. These local structural enhancements concentrate support where needed most - at the corners and edges of the opening - to prevent failure while maintaining overall fastening efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The support flange extends perpendicular to the panel surface, adding a third dimension to the fastening system. This dimensional addition creates multiple engagement points (downturn flanges contacting panel edges, retaining legs engaging the opening) that distribute forces in ways a flat, two-dimensional fastener cannot achieve
2Strength
If force distribution is moved closer to the corners of the opening, then rigidity and strength are increased, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support flange is segmented into multiple functional elements: downturn flanges positioned at corners, retaining legs extending along edges, and integral connection to the cross member. This segmentation allows each element to perform its specific function independently while working together as a unified structure, achieving high strength without excessive complexity
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 enhances the reliability and strength of the connection by distributing forces closer to the corners, reducing the likelihood of deflection and damage, thereby improving the overall efficiency and durability of the fastening system.
Implementation Method 1
resilient retaining legs that distribute forces closer to the corners of the opening, providing increased rigidity and strength
Implementation Method 2
optionally incorporating spring flanges for enhanced contact and movement absorption
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a push-in fastener assembly for attaching a first component having a first opening relative to a second component having a second opening. The push-in fastener assembly includes a fastener and a push-in retainer. The fastener has a head and a threaded shank. The push-in retainer has a cross member having a female fastener portion configured to engage the threaded shank. A pair of retaining legs are resiliently connected to the cross member. The pair of retaining legs includes a first retaining leg and a second retaining leg. One or more downturn flanges coupled to the cross member and extending downwardly from cross member to engage a portion of the first retaining leg or the second retaining leg. Each of the first retaining leg and the second retaining leg includes a shelf that biases a respective one of the first retaining leg and the second retaining leg outwardly once the threaded shank passes through the female fastener portion.