Fastening Clip With Segmented Opening For Tool-Free Stud Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fastening systems for automotive components require tool-assisted removal, risk damage during disassembly, and need additional components like washers for sealing, while failing to provide easy installation and compensation for dimensional deviations.
Innovation Solution
A fastening clip with a base part having a stud-receiving opening divided into a fastening region and an unlocking region, featuring resilient retaining means for high axial retention without requiring tool-assisted release, and a return lock to prevent re-engagement, allowing easy installation and compensation for positional deviations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If resilient retaining means are used to hold the stud in place with high axial retention force, then the retention force is improved, but the removal force becomes difficult without tools
Solution Approach 1:
The opening is divided into two distinct regions: a fastening region with resilient retaining means that provides high retention force, and an unlocking region that enables easy removal. This segmentation allows the same opening to serve dual purposes of secure fastening and simple release by laterally moving the stud between regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient retaining means are designed to be dynamically responsive to lateral forces. When lateral force is applied to move the stud into the unlocking region, the resilient means deform to allow passage, then return to their original position to re-establish retention if the stud is moved back, providing adaptive retention and release behavior.
2Reliability
If additional sealing components like washers are added to seal openings, then the sealing performance is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening function and sealing function are merged into a single integrated fastening clip structure. The clip itself forms the seal against the support part surface, eliminating the need for separate sealing components like washers or sealing rings, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining sealing reliability.
3Strength
If the fastening clip requires high retention force, then the attachment strength is improved, but the risk of damage during removal increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the opening into fastening and unlocking regions, the patent enables directional force application: axial forces provide strong retention during normal use, while lateral forces enable damage-free removal. This spatial segmentation separates the retention function from the removal function, preventing damage during disassembly.
4Ease of manufacture
If the opening structure is simplified to reduce manufacturing cost, then the manufacturing precision requirement is improved, but the ability to compensate for dimensional deviations worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient retaining means are designed with specific elastic properties that allow them to deform and accommodate dimensional variations in the stud or support part. This parameter-based design (using material elasticity) provides tolerance compensation without requiring complex adjustable mechanisms, maintaining ease of manufacture while improving adaptability.
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
Enables high retention force with low removal force, non-destructive separation, and easy installation without tooling, while preventing damage during release and accommodating manufacturing tolerances.
Implementation Method 1
resilient retaining means for holding the stud in place are arranged in the fastening region, which means are designed such that the stud can be introduced into the fastening region in the direction of the axis and the stud located in the fastening region can be displaced into the unlocking region by a relative movement of the stud and fastening clip perpendicular to the axis of the opening
Data Source
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AI summary
A fastening clip (10) for attaching a component to a stud of a support part has a base part (11) with an opening (14) for accepting the stud. The opening (14) has an axis and has a fastening region (28) and an unlocking region (29) located next to one another perpendicular to the axis. Resilient retaining means (30) for holding the stud in place are arranged in the fastening region (28), which means are designed such that the stud can be introduced into the fastening region (28) in the direction of the axis and the stud located in the fastening region (28) can be displaced into the unlocking region (29) by a relative movement of the stud and fastening clip (10) perpendicular to the axis of the opening (14), wherein in the unlocking region (29) the stud can be removed from the opening (14).