Expanding Grommet Fastener Assembly for Low-Force Panel Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fastener assemblies, such as H-style grommets and bushings, face challenges including small size leading to loss or damage, cumbersome installation, and high insertion forces, which result in inefficiency and increased costs, particularly in applications requiring high integrity and mechanical isolation.
Innovation Solution
A fastener assembly comprising a bolt with a medial ridge, a limiter with a brim and tube, and a grommet with expanding tabs, where the tabs flare outward upon downward force, allowing for secure engagement with a panel and reducing installation difficulties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a prior art H-style grommet and bushing are used as separate components, then noise and vibration isolation can be provided, but the components are small and easily lost or damaged, and insertion is cumbersome requiring significant forces and dexterity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the grommet and bushing into a single integrated fastener assembly. The grommet is formed with an integrated bushing structure, eliminating the need for separate components. This integration prevents loss or damage of separate small parts and simplifies installation to a single insertion operation rather than multiple steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated grommet-bushing assembly incorporates a tab structure that segments the installation process. The tab provides a grip portion that enables easy insertion by allowing the installer to pull or push the assembly through the aperture with minimal force and without requiring dexterity for handling small separate components.
2Ease of manufacture
If high insertion forces are applied to install prior art grommets, then the grommet can be inserted through the aperture, but this can cause damaged components and excess manual labor
Solution Approach 1:
The grommet is designed with flexible, resilient material properties that allow it to dynamically adapt during insertion. The body can elastically deform to pass through the aperture and then recover its shape, reducing the peak insertion forces required and preventing damage to the component aperture.
Solution Approach 2:
The grommet material properties are optimized to change from a more compliant state during insertion to a more rigid state after installation. This parameter change allows easy insertion with minimal force while maintaining structural integrity and isolation performance after the grommet is seated in the aperture.
3Adaptability or versatility
If prior art grommets are designed for high insertion forces, then they can be installed in various applications, but they are limited to components capable of withstanding high insertion forces
Solution Approach 1:
The grommet material is selected and formulated to have optimized mechanical properties including lower insertion force requirements while maintaining adequate strength for isolation applications. This allows the fastener assembly to be used in a broader range of components that cannot withstand high insertion forces, expanding the application versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The grommet may utilize composite material construction combining different materials with complementary properties. This allows the outer surface to be gentle on the aperture during insertion while the inner structure provides adequate strength and isolation performance, enabling use in more delicate components.
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 assembly provides efficient and secure noise and vibration isolation, reduces manual labor, and minimizes component damage, enabling reliable installation in various applications with improved ease and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
A grommet has a central passage extending through a top section. The top section further includes a central wall and a bottom surface. At least one tab extends from the bottom surface... The at least one tab may extend at an angle from the bottom surface... The plurality of tabs are configured to couple to a bottom surface of the component
Data Source
AI summary
A fastener assembly that is configured to securely couple to a component includes a bolt, a limiter, and a grommet. The bold has a head, a shaft, and a medial ridge disposed around a portion of the shaft. The limiter has a brim and a tube, with the tube extending away from the brim. A grommet has a central passage extending through a top section. The top section further includes a central wall and a bottom surface. At least one tab extends from the bottom surface.