Elastic Locking Clip Structure for Low-Force Secure Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clip structures require strong pushing-in force to engage and restrain the male member, making them inefficient and difficult to operate, especially in narrow spaces, and are prone to detachment due to vibrations or impacts, such as from flying stones during vehicle use.
Innovation Solution
A clip design featuring a male member with a head portion and shaft, and a female member with a locking leg and flange, incorporating an engagement device with elastically movable claw and hole portions that engage with a weak force, allowing for stable attachment while resisting disengagement, even under external forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the engagement or restraining force is increased to prevent detachment, then the pushing-in operation force proportionately increases, deteriorating operation efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The locking claw is designed to be elastically movable, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position during the pushing-in operation. The claw moves from an initial position where it engages the locking flange with minimal force to a final position where it provides strong restraining force, thus resolving the contradiction between easy operation and reliable engagement
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement force parameter changes during the operation. Initially, the locking claw engages with minimal force to allow easy pushing-in, then as the male member is fully inserted, the elastic deformation of the locking claw increases the engagement force to provide strong restraining action against detachment
2Reliability
If the engagement force is increased to maintain stable attachment under vibration and impact, then the operation force required increases, making it difficult to operate in narrow spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The elastically movable locking claw provides dynamic engagement that adapts to impact conditions. During normal operation, it engages with minimal force for easy insertion. Under vibration or impact from flying stones, the elastic structure of the locking claw increases its restraining force to maintain stable attachment, all without requiring high initial operation force
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic structure of the locking claw acts as a cushioning element that prepares for impact loads. The elastic deformation capability allows the locking mechanism to absorb and resist external impacts from flying stones or vibrations before they can cause detachment, while still allowing easy initial engagement
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 maintains excellent workability by reducing the pushing-in operation force while increasing the engagement force, preventing unexpected disengagement of the male member from the female member, even under impact conditions like flying stones.
Implementation Method 1
the engagement device projects a claw portion 14 to a piece portion 13 which is elastically moveable, and forms one portion of a hole forming portion defining the hole portion so as to be elastically moveable through the hole portion
Data Source
AI summary
A clip includes a male member including a head portion and a shaft portion; a female member including a locking leg portion forming an insertion hole into which the shaft portion is inserted, and a flange portion provided in an upper periphery of the locking leg portion; and an engagement device restraining the head portion in the flange portion substantially at the same time when the locking leg portion comes to a use state by pushing the shaft portion into the insertion hole. Essential parts are the engagement device formed by a claw portion provided in one of the head portion and the flange portion, and a hole portion provided in the other of the head portion and the flange portion, and engaging the claw portion. The claw portion projects to a piece portion elastically moveable, and one portion of a hole forming portion dividing the hole portion is formed to be elastically moveable through the hole portion.