Fastener With Direct-Acting Unlocking Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle fasteners with a free detaching function, such as those described in JP-UM-H02-001525-B, face issues with unreliable locking release due to the indirect transmission of force, leading to poor layout properties as they require deeper insertion and more space for operation.
Innovation Solution
A fastener design featuring a cylindrical body with an insertion hole and a locking portion that includes an elastic claw, which can be reduced in diameter by an unlocking member inserted into the hole, allowing direct force application for reliable unlocking and improved layout efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the contact protrusion is formed in an L-shaped plate, then the fastener structure is simplified, but the drawing force is not directly transmitted to the elastic portion and locking claw, causing unreliable locking release
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener is divided into distinct functional components: the contact protrusion, the elastic portion, and the locking claw. The contact protrusion is designed as a separate element that directly contacts the operation member, while the elastic portion and locking claw form another segment that responds to the transmitted force. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, ensuring reliable force transmission from the contact protrusion to the locking mechanism.
2Reliability
If the operation member is pressed deeper to reduce the diameter of the elastic portion, then the locking can be released, but more space is required between the vehicle panel and the panel for inserting the operation member, deteriorating the layout property
Solution Approach 1:
The solution transitions from a deep insertion approach to a lateral force application approach. Instead of requiring the operation member to be inserted deeply along the axial dimension, the contact protrusion is designed to receive lateral pressing forces from the operation member. This dimensional change allows the locking mechanism to be actuated with minimal insertion depth, improving the layout properties and reducing the required space between panels.
3Strength
If the locking portion is deeply inserted into the attachment hole, then the locking is secure, but the operation member has to be pressed deeper to unlock, requiring more space and deteriorating layout property
Solution Approach 1:
The contact protrusion serves as an intermediary element between the operation member and the locking mechanism. It receives the pressing force from the operation member and directly transmits it to the elastic portion and locking claw. This intermediary design allows the locking portion to remain deeply inserted for secure locking while enabling the unlocking operation to be performed with minimal insertion depth of the operation member, as the force is transmitted through the contact protrusion rather than requiring direct deep insertion.
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 ensures reliable unlocking of the locking portion from the attachment hole with direct external force application, enhancing layout properties by requiring only the space for the locking portion's insertion width, thus improving usability and reducing size.
Implementation Method 1
the elastic claw is elastically reducible in diameter, wherein the unlocking member is movable in a position rearward of the elastic claw in a direction from the one end face to the other end face of the cylindrical portion, and wherein the locking portion is reduced in diameter when the unlocking member is pushed
Data Source
AI summary
According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fastener including: a fastener body including: a cylindrical portion having an insertion hole formed therethrough; and a locking portion protruding outward from the cylindrical portion; and an unlocking member inserted into the insertion hole, wherein the locking portion is inserted into an attachment hole of an attachment object from a front side thereof, and exposed from a rear side of the attachment hole, wherein the locking portion has an elastic claw locked to an edge of the attachment hole at the rear side, wherein the elastic claw is elastically reducible in diameter, wherein the unlocking member is movable in a position rearward of the elastic claw, and wherein the locking portion is reduced in diameter when the unlocking member is pushed.