Connection Fastener Assembly That Prevents Short Fastener Buckling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing connection fasteners struggle to stably hold short fasteners due to a fixed width connection band, leading to buckling and operational issues when the fastener length is shorter than the band width, restricting the use of short fasteners with standard tools.

Innovation Solution

A connection fastener design featuring a sheet-shaped connection portion with separate attaching portions that cover the fasteners' leading ends, including first and second holding portions to securely support the fasteners, ensuring stability regardless of length, and a cylindrical member attached to the fastener to enhance holding and prevent buckling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed width connection band is used to match tool specifications, then the connection fastener can be used with standard tools, but short fasteners cannot be stably held leading to buckling and operational issues

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompatibility with standard toolsVSAvoidstability of short fastener holding
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The connection fastener is divided into separate components: a connection band with holding portions and a cylindrical member (attaching portion) that can be attached to the fastener. This segmentation allows the cylindrical member to extend the effective holding length for short fasteners while maintaining the standard connection band width for tool compatibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cylindrical member acts as an intermediary between the connection band and the short fastener. It provides the additional length needed to bridge the gap between the upper and lower holding portions, enabling stable holding of fasteners that are shorter than the connection band width.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the connection band width is increased to hold shorter fasteners, then short fasteners can be stably held, but the connection fastener can no longer be used with standard tools having fixed specifications

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability of fastener holdingVSAvoidcompatibility with tool specifications
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from a static connection band width to a dynamic configuration where the cylindrical member can be attached or removed. When short fasteners are used, the cylindrical member is attached to extend the holding capability; when longer fasteners are used, it can be removed, maintaining compatibility with standard tool specifications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The effective holding length parameter is changed by attaching the cylindrical member rather than changing the connection band width itself. This allows the system to adapt to different fastener lengths while keeping the connection band dimensions fixed for tool compatibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If the connection band holds the fastener directly without additional components, then the structure is simple, but short fasteners cannot be held stably and may buckle during operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of connection band structureVSAvoidstability during driving operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cylindrical member serves as an intermediary component that provides the additional length needed for stable holding of short fasteners. It acts as a mechanical extension that prevents buckling during the driving operation while maintaining relative structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The connection fastener system combines different components (connection band and cylindrical member) to create a composite structure that provides both the holding capability for short fasteners and maintains operational stability during driving.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentEP3269987B1Connection fastener
Publication Date: 2021.09.08 MAX CO LTD
  • EP3269987B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3269987B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3269987B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

A connection fastener (10) includes a plurality of fasteners (11), a sheet-shaped connection portion (20) and attaching portions. Each fastener includes a head portion (12) provided at one end portion side and a tapered leading end portion (15) provided at the other end portion side. The sheet-shaped connection portion is configured to connect the plurality of fasteners in a parallel direction. The attaching portions (30) are separate from the connection portion attached to the fasteners such that each attaching portion covers at least one part of each leading end portion. The connection portion includes first holding portions (22) and second holding portions (23). Each of the first holding portions is configured to support a head portion side of each fastener. Each of the second holding portions is configured to support at least one part of a circumferential surface of each attaching portion.