Elastic Fixing Structure for Gap-Free Releasable Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fixing structures for fixing a base and a fixing target member often result in a gap between them, and the assembly process can be complex, requiring separate components for engagement and guidance.
Innovation Solution
A fixing structure with a fixing member that includes a prevention portion and an operation portion, integrated with an elastic deformation portion, which projects into a fitting hole to prevent pull-out and allows easy assembly by rotating and fitting into a recess, preventing interposition and simplifying the assembly process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If pushing pieces and coupling portion are exposed between base and fixing target member, then fixation can be released, but a gap is formed between base and fixing target member
Solution Approach 1:
The prevention portion is integrated into the fixing member as a unified structure, combining the fixation release function with the gap prevention function. The prevention portion projects into the fitting hole to prevent pull-out while the operation portion allows fixation release, eliminating the need for separate exposed components that would create gaps.
Solution Approach 2:
The prevention portion operates in a direction perpendicular to the fitting direction (fitting perpendicular direction), allowing it to prevent pull-out without interfering with the gap between base and fixing target member in the fitting direction. This dimensional separation resolves the contradiction between enabling release operation and preventing gap formation.
2Reliability
If multiple separate components are used for engagement and guidance, then assembly is reliable, but assembly process becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing member integrates multiple functions into a single component: the prevention portion provides engagement and pull-out prevention, the operation portion enables fixation release, and the overall structure provides guidance during assembly. This integration maintains reliability while simplifying the assembly process by reducing the number of separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixing member is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously provides engagement (prevention portion projecting into fitting hole), guidance (overall structure fitting into recess), and operation (operation portion for fixation release). This multi-functionality reduces assembly complexity while maintaining reliability.
3Manufacturing precision
If prevention portion projects into fitting hole in fitting perpendicular direction, then pull-out is prevented without interposition, but assembly requires rotation and precise fitting
Solution Approach 1:
The prevention portion projects in the fitting perpendicular direction rather than along the fitting direction, allowing it to prevent pull-out without creating gaps between base and fixing target member. The operation portion enables assembly through rotation, and the overall structure guides fitting into the recess, balancing precision requirements with ease of operation.
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 effectively suppresses the formation of gaps between the base and the fixing target member while facilitating easy assembly and detachment, reducing assembly time and costs by integrating functional components.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic deformation portion formed integrally with the fixing member or the assembly counterpart member, and configured to become elastically deformed so as to permit movement of the fixing member to the withdrawn position when the operation is performed, and to return the fixing member to the projection position by a repulsive force of the elastic deformation of the elastic deformation portion when the operation is released
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a fixing member that can fix a base and a fixing target member such that the fixation between the base and the fixing target member can be released and formation of a gap between the base and the fixing target member is suppressed. The fixing member includes a shaft portion and an elastic piece formed integrally with the shaft portion. The shaft portion is provided so as to be movable between an advance position at which the distal end portion thereof is engageable with a hole of the fixing target member and a retraction position at which the engagement is released, in an assembled state to the base. The elastic piece biases the shaft portion to the advance position, and is elastically deformable so as to permit movement of the shaft portion to the retraction position.