Fastening Clip Structure for Tool-Free Stud Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fastening clips for attaching vehicle parts are cumbersome, require additional tools, and lack ease of assembly and reusability.
Innovation Solution
A fastening clip with an integral structure, comprising a support element, junction element, and inner element, allowing for tool-free, one-step assembly and disassembly, with features like spring loops and elastic tongues for tolerance compensation and alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If existing fastening clips are used to attach vehicle parts, then the connection between components is achieved, but the assembly process becomes cumbersome and requires additional tools
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functional elements (support element, junction element, inner element, spring loops, elastic tongues) into a single integrated fastening clip structure. This merging eliminates the need for separate assembly tools and multiple loose parts, allowing the entire fastening mechanism to be installed and operated as one unit, thereby improving ease of assembly while managing device complexity through functional integration.
2Productivity
If existing fastening clips are used, then components are connected, but assembly and disassembly require unnecessary steps and are not reusable
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening clip incorporates dynamic elements including spring loops and elastic tongues that enable automatic adjustment during assembly. The inner element can move relative to the support element through the junction element, allowing the mechanism to adapt to tolerance variations automatically. This dynamic behavior reduces the number of manual adjustment steps required and enables quick assembly and disassembly operations that can be repeated multiple times.
3Manufacturing precision
If existing fastening clips are used, then components are attached, but alignment errors and misalignment occur during assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs elastic tongues and spring loops that can deform elastically to compensate for dimensional tolerances and misalignment between components. These elements change their physical state (flexing and deforming) to accommodate variations in hole positions and component dimensions, thereby achieving proper alignment automatically without requiring high-precision manual adjustment by the assembler.
4Reliability
If existing fastening clips with multiple loose parts are used, then components are connected, but the connection reliability is reduced due to assembly errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the support element, junction element, and inner element into a single unified fastening clip structure with no loose parts. This merging eliminates the risk of parts being lost or incorrectly assembled during the assembly process. The integrated design ensures that all functional elements are properly positioned and connected from the start, significantly improving connection reliability while reducing the complexity associated with managing multiple separate components.
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
Facilitates easy, reliable, and reusable attachment of vehicle parts without tools, reducing assembly errors and misalignment risks.
Implementation Method 1
the junction element comprises of at least one spring loop having a first end connected to the support element and a second end connected to the inner element. The inner element is easily positioned with regard to the support element thanks to the spring loop.
Implementation Method 2
at least one elastic tongue extends from the first and/or the second wall. The elastic tongue allows for tolerance compensation.
Data Source
Figure 1~2A
Figure 2B~3
Figure 4~5A
AI summary
Method, fastening arrangement and fastening clip (10) for fastening a first component (12) to a second component (14) comprising a support element (16), a junction element (18), and an inner element (20). The support element (16) comprises holding means (22) adapted to receive a module (24), and a hole (26) adapted to receive the inner element (20). The inner element (20) is movably connected to the support element (16) by the junction element (18) between a disassembled position and a plurality of assembled position and comprises a recess (28) adapted to receive and clamp the head of a stud.