Radially Elastic Clip for Minimal Aperture Fastening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clips require a large fastening aperture and surrounding space for support, limiting their applicability in situations where space is constrained.
Innovation Solution
A clip with radially elastic fingers and axially extending centering ribs that secure the stud within a cavity, allowing minimal support space and ensuring coaxial orientation, thereby stabilizing the clip and preventing vibration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a spring washer flange is used to press the object against the support part, then the fastening is secure, but a large fastening aperture and large surrounding support region are required
Solution Approach 1:
The spring washer flange is segmented into multiple radially elastic fingers that are distributed around the cavity perimeter. Each finger independently contacts the object around the fastening aperture, providing distributed support across a smaller total area while maintaining secure fastening through cumulative elastic pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
The rigid spring washer flange is replaced with flexible radially elastic fingers that can deform radially to engage with the object. These fingers provide the necessary pressing force through elastic deformation rather than rigid contact, reducing the required support area while maintaining fastening reliability.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the clip is made rigid radially for support, then structural stability is achieved, but it cannot engage in the fastening aperture with minimal space
Solution Approach 1:
The clip transitions from a rigid radial structure to a dynamic structure with radially elastic fingers that can adapt their position. The fingers remain stable axially through their attachment to the hollow body while allowing radial movement to engage with the fastening aperture, achieving both stability and space efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The radial stiffness parameter of the clip is changed by making the fingers radially elastic rather than rigid. This allows the fingers to compress radially when engaging the fastening aperture, reducing the required space, while the axial attachment maintains structural stability during operation.
3Area of stationary object
If the clip is flexible radially to reduce space, then small aperture engagement is possible, but rigid radial support is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The radial support function is segmented into multiple discrete elastic fingers rather than a continuous rigid structure. Each finger provides localized radial support where needed for aperture engagement, while the cumulative effect of multiple fingers maintains overall radial support strength without requiring a large continuous support area.
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 clip achieves secure fastening without play in the axial direction, reduces radial space requirements, and enhances vibration stability, allowing for correct assembly and secure attachment with minimal annular support.
Implementation Method 1
radially elastic fingers which project in the axial direction from the first end of the hollow body and are intended to engage in the fastening aperture of the object
Implementation Method 2
elastic retaining means by which the stud can be secured in the cavity
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A clip (10) for fastening an object (33) that is provided with a fastening aperture (39) to a stud (36) projecting from a support part (35) comprises a hollow body (11) that extends along an axis and that has a cavity (13) and has, at a first axial end (14), an opening (16) for insertion of the stud (36) and has, in the cavity (13), elastic retaining means by which the stud (36) can be secured in the cavity (13). Arranged on the hollow body (11) are radially elastic fingers (26) that project in the axial direction from the first end (14) of the hollow body (11) and are intended to support the clip (10) in the fastening aperture (39) of the object (33).