Fastening Clip Structure for Variable Plate Thickness Clamping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fastening clips struggle to securely connect plates of varying thicknesses, often requiring high insertion force and lacking sufficient fastening force for thin plates while being inefficient for thick plates.
Innovation Solution
A fastening clip design featuring a fastening pin and sleeve with inclined retaining wings and raised ribs, allowing for adjustable clamping force based on plate thickness, with the pin's guide ribs and sleeve's guide grooves preventing rotation and ensuring secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the fastening clip uses a conventional design with uniform retaining wings, then it can be inserted into plates, but it cannot provide sufficient fastening force for plates of varying thicknesses
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining wing is divided into multiple segments: a first retaining wing portion and a second retaining wing portion, where the first portion has a greater thickness than the second portion. This segmentation allows different portions of the retaining wing to engage with plates of different thicknesses, providing both adaptability and reliable fastening force for varying plate configurations
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the retaining wing are given different local properties - the first retaining wing portion has greater thickness for engaging thinner plates to provide sufficient fastening force, while the second retaining wing portion has lesser thickness for engaging thicker plates to reduce insertion force. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between adaptability and fastening reliability
2Reliability
If the fastening clip is designed for thin plates with high fastening force, then it secures thin plates firmly, but it requires high insertion force for thick plates
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining wing is segmented into a first portion with greater thickness for thin plate engagement and a second portion with lesser thickness for thick plate engagement. This segmentation enables the fastening clip to provide high fastening force for thin plates while requiring reduced insertion force for thick plates
Solution Approach 2:
The first retaining wing portion has locally greater thickness to provide high fastening force for thin plates, while the second retaining wing portion has locally lesser thickness to reduce insertion force for thick plates, resolving the force contradiction
3Ease of manufacture
If the fastening clip uses a single uniform design, then it simplifies manufacturing, but it cannot effectively fasten plates of different thicknesses
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining wing is segmented into two portions with different thicknesses, allowing the fastening clip to adapt to different plate thicknesses. While this increases structural complexity slightly, the segmentation is achieved through a single continuous forming process that maintains manufacturing simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining wing is designed with varying thickness along its length, creating a dynamic structure that adapts to different plate thicknesses. This dynamic design is achieved through progressive deformation during a single stamping process, 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
The clip effectively secures plates of different thicknesses with improved fastening force for thin plates and reduced insertion force for thick plates, maintaining stability and ease of use across various thickness ranges.
Implementation Method 1
The elastic fixing component is in a contracted state before being inserted into the plates to be connected. When being completely inserted into the plates to be connected, the elastic fixing component is expanded outward to abut against the plates
Implementation Method 2
The outer sides of at least one of the two pairs of retaining wings have raised ribs extending in a circumferential direction
Data Source
AI summary
The present application provides a fastening clip, which comprises a fastening pin and a fastening sleeve. The fastening pin can be inserted into the fastening sleeve, the fastening sleeve comprises a base and two pairs of retaining wings, the two pairs of retaining wings respectively extend downward from a lower surface of the base, and outer sides of at least one of the two pairs of retaining wings have raised ribs extending in a circumferential direction. The fastening clip of the present application can firmly fasten at least two plates.