Fastener Stud Hold-Out Position for Curved Panel Alignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ¼ turn fasteners face difficulties in alignment and securement due to the extension of the stud and cross pin, which interfere with panel positioning, especially when installing curved panels, as they 'hang up' on surfaces, making it challenging to properly align and secure multiple fasteners simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a flexible locking element, such as a washer or ring, that can change shape or diameter to accommodate the stud and cross pin, allowing for a range of unlocked and holdout positions by compressing or expanding to fit within the grommet, enabling easier alignment and securement without requiring significant retraction of the stud and cross pin.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the stud is pulled outward to eliminate interference with panel alignment, then proper alignment can be achieved, but the installation process becomes difficult when multiple fasteners are involved
Solution Approach 1:
The spring mechanism provides self-service by automatically maintaining the stud in the appropriate position during different phases of installation. During alignment, the spring allows the stud to be positioned within the grommet without manual intervention, and during unfastening, it enables easy extension outward.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention performs preliminary positioning of the stud within the grommet before the actual panel alignment process begins. This preliminary action eliminates the need for manual stud retraction during alignment, as the stud is already in the correct position to avoid interference.
2Ease of operation
If the stud extends inward significantly to prevent hang-up, then alignment is facilitated, but the securement strength may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the position parameter of the stud relative to the grommet based on operational phase. During alignment, the stud position parameter is set to be within the grommet for ease of positioning, while during securement, the stud position parameter is adjusted to extend beyond the grommet for optimal engagement with the receptacle, thus maintaining securement strength.
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
This solution allows for flexible positioning and secure engagement of panels, reducing interference issues and simplifying the installation process, particularly for curved panels, by providing a range of unlocked and holdout configurations that maintain secure fastening without the need for extensive retraction of the stud and cross pin.
Implementation Method 1
a spring on the shaft between the head and cup member and received in the cup member... keeps the head 32 of the stud 14 biased by the spring slightly outward
Data Source
AI summary
A fastener assembly (400), having: a grommet (402) for extending through an aperture (412) of a first element (408), the grommet including a perimetric wall (416) defining an opening through the grommet; a stud (404) including a head (422) at one end and a cross pin (424) adjacent to an opposite end, the stud being received in the opening of the grommet; a cup member (426) interposed between the stud and the grommet, the cup member being moveable relative to the stud and movable relative to the grommet; and a locking element (444, 448, 802) that is moveable relative to the grommet. In a secured configuration (438) the stud is relatively lowered with respect to the grommet and the locking element is disengaged from the grommet. In a holdout configuration (600) the stud is relatively raised with respect to the grommet and the locking element is engaged to the grommet.