Fastener Clip Shoulder Tabs for Self-Aligning Panel Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fasteners for attaching vehicle body panels to chassis face issues with high insertion force, low extraction force, wing breakage due to misalignment, and inability to self-align with varying slot sizes and sheet metal thicknesses, leading to noise, corrosion, and reduced attachment security over time.
Innovation Solution
A fastener clip system with laterally offset legs, curved top portion for easy insertion, and pivot-point weakened wings for high extraction force, along with stabilizing shoulder tabs to prevent excessive movement and ensure secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If conventional fasteners are used to attach body panels to chassis, then the attachment is secure, but the insertion force is high and extraction force is low
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener is divided into multiple functional segments: a base portion for panel attachment, a post portion for structural support, and multiple wings with barbs for frame engagement. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally, with wings providing high extraction force through barbs while the base provides low insertion force through its geometry
Solution Approach 2:
The fastener employs asymmetric design in multiple aspects: the wings have different orientations and lengths, the barbs are positioned asymmetrically on each wing, and the overall structure is non-symmetric to provide different mechanical properties for insertion versus extraction. This asymmetry enables high extraction force while maintaining low insertion force
2Ease of manufacture
If one-piece fasteners are used to reduce cost, then manufacturing cost decreases, but wing breakage occurs due to misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener incorporates preliminary alignment features including guide portions on the wings and corresponding guide slots in the frame. These features perform the alignment action before the main fastening operation, ensuring that even if initial positioning is off, the guide features will align the wings properly with the slots to prevent breakage
Solution Approach 2:
The fastener design includes built-in compliance features such as flexible wing portions and tolerance-compensating geometries that cushion against misalignment forces. These features absorb unexpected stresses from manufacturing tolerances or installation variations before they can propagate to cause wing breakage
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional fasteners are used, then simple structure is maintained, but self-alignment capability is lost with varying slot sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener employs dynamic adaptation through flexible wing portions that can bend and adjust to accommodate variations in slot size and position. The wings are designed with appropriate flexibility to self-align with the frame slots during installation, providing adaptability to manufacturing tolerances without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The fastener design incorporates geometric parameters that enable self-alignment, such as tapered guide portions, angled wing leading edges, and compliance features with specific flexural characteristics. These parameter choices allow the fastener to automatically adjust to varying slot dimensions while maintaining structural integrity
4Strength
If sharp grooves are used for frame slot engagement, then initial engagement is secure, but groove cutting occurs upon removal
Solution Approach 1:
The barbs on the wings are designed with preliminary engagement features that guide the fastener into proper alignment with the frame slot before full engagement occurs. This preliminary action ensures that the grooves engage smoothly without excessive force that would cause cutting upon removal
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 fastener clip system achieves low insertion force and high extraction force, self-alignment, and improved stability, reducing noise and corrosion, and accommodating production tolerances, ensuring secure and reusable attachment.
Implementation Method 1
pivot-point weakened wings for high extraction force
Implementation Method 2
stabilizing shoulder tabs to prevent excessive movement
Data Source
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AI summary
A system and method including a fastener clip (100). The fastener clip is configured to attach over a blade (210) on a panel (400), and the fastener clip is configured to be removably coupled to a slot (250) in a chassis (300). The fastener clip includes at least a pair of legs extending from a top portion of the fastener clip, at least a pair of feet attached to the pair of legs adjacent the top portion, at least a pair of wings originating from the top portion, at least a pair of barbs extending from the pair of feet, at least a pair of stabilizing shoulder tabs originating from the top portion. The pair of wings is configured to facilitate the removable engagement of the fastener clip to the slot in the chassis. The barbs are configured to dig into and secure the fastener clip to the blade. The pair of shoulder tabs is configured to guide the fastener clip over the blade based at least upon the fastener clip being inserted over the blade.