Fastener System Radial Alignment for Aperture Misalignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Variability in the size or location of apertures on parts can cause alignment issues and complications when using fasteners to attach two or more parts together, especially when multiple fasteners are required for multiple attachment points.
Innovation Solution
A fastener system comprising nut components of varying lengths, a compression component, and screw components that allow for radial movement during insertion, enabling alignment flexibility and secure attachment even with misaligned apertures, using features like notches and locking shoulders to secure the nut and screw in place.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional fasteners are used with fixed dimensions, then manufacturing precision is maintained, but alignment flexibility deteriorates when aperture sizes or locations vary
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener system employs components with varying dimensions - multiple nut components of different lengths and multiple screw components of different lengths are provided. This allows selection of appropriate component sizes to accommodate variations in aperture positions and thicknesses of parts, thereby maintaining alignment flexibility while ensuring precise securement.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastener system incorporates movable elements during the insertion process. The screw component can move radially relative to the compression component during insertion, allowing the fastener to self-align with aperture variations. This dynamic adjustment capability provides alignment flexibility while maintaining secure attachment once inserted.
2Strength
If multiple fasteners are used for multiple attachment points, then attachment strength is improved, but alignment difficulty increases due to cumulative aperture variability
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides multiple nut components with varying lengths and multiple screw components with varying lengths to match different thicknesses and aperture positions at multiple attachment points. This allows each fastener to be optimized for its specific location, maintaining ease of alignment while ensuring strong attachment across all points.
Solution Approach 2:
Each fastener in the multiple-fastener system incorporates radial movement capability during insertion, allowing self-alignment at each attachment point. This dynamic adjustment simplifies the alignment process for multiple fasteners while maintaining cumulative attachment strength.
3Adaptability or versatility
If fastener components allow radial movement during insertion, then alignment flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener system incorporates radial movement capability where the screw component can move relative to the compression component during insertion. This dynamic feature provides alignment flexibility to accommodate aperture variations while the overall structure remains relatively simple, relying on basic geometric relationships rather than complex mechanisms.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
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AI summary
Fastener systems and methods for attaching two or more parts are disclosed. A fastener can include a nut component configured to extend into at least a portion of an aperture in a first part and at least a portion of an aperture in a second part. The fastener can further include a compression body configured to fit into an enlarged portion of the aperture in the second part, and a screw component having a head portion configured to engage with a top notch formed in the compression body and an elongated portion configured to engage with the nut component. A diameter of the head portion of the screw component can be less than a diameter of the top notch in the compression body such that the screw component can move in a radial direction relative to the compression body during placement of the fastener to attach two or more parts.