Integrated Extruded Fastener Strip for Retention and Length Flexibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current extruded fasteners, such as push pins and attachment clips, are expensive and time-consuming to manufacture, lack adequate retention, and have limited flexibility in changing their length, with individual pieces being prone to loss.
Innovation Solution
An integrated fastener system where a continuous strip is extruded with a wider upper portion and a lower depending portion featuring grippers, allowing for fabrication tooling to cut notches and form fasteners that can be linked together and cut to any desired length, reducing manufacturing costs and improving retention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional molding methods are used to manufacture individual fasteners, then each fastener can be produced as a separate piece, but the manufacturing cost increases and production time is extended
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple individual fasteners are merged into a single continuous extruded strip, allowing them to be manufactured simultaneously as one integrated component rather than separately molding each fastener individually
Solution Approach 2:
The continuous extruded strip is segmented into multiple individual fasteners through scoring lines that allow the strip to be separated into discrete sections, each functioning as an independent fastener
2Reliability
If individual fasteners are manufactured separately, then each piece can be produced with consistent dimensions, but the fasteners become loose pieces that are prone to loss and have inadequate retention
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple fasteners are combined into a single continuous strip that remains intact during handling and installation, eliminating the risk of individual loose pieces being lost while maintaining the functional independence of each fastener section
3Adaptability or versatility
If fasteners are manufactured with fixed dimensions, then manufacturing is simplified, but the capability to change fastener length is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous strip is divided into multiple sections by scoring lines, allowing the strip to be separated into different lengths and configurations based on application requirements, providing manufacturing flexibility without complicating the base extrusion process
Solution Approach 2:
The fastener design allows for dynamic adjustment of length and configuration by varying how the continuous strip is segmented and arranged, enabling the same manufacturing process to produce multiple fastener lengths and styles
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 significantly reduces manufacturing costs by approximately ¼, enhances retention properties, and eliminates loose pieces by linking fasteners together, allowing for customizable lengths and improved application flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
A continuous strip of predetermined profile is extruded
Data Source
AI summary
An extruded integrated fastener assembly comprising a plurality of fasteners cut to length from an extruded length of material. Unwanted areas of material are cut away leaving the individual fasteners, which fasteners are also connected together by an expanse of material that remains. The fastener assembly can be single durometer or double durometer. A profile with retention members and/or leg features are formed in the fasteners for connecting to a predetermined component. The process for manufacturing the extruded integrated fastener assembly includes providing fabrication tooling suitable to cut away the unwanted area between the fasteners. The fasteners are thereby able to be cut to any desired length.