Fastening Device With Undercut Holding Element For Theft Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fastening devices for motor vehicle accessories lack a method to simplify the installation process into multiple steps and provide adequate theft protection, as they often require complex latching mechanisms that are difficult to implement and secure.

Innovation Solution

A fastening device with a support element on the exposed side and a holding element on the non-exposed side, featuring undercut elements and latching lugs that allow for separate installation steps, ensuring secure fixation and theft protection by requiring access from the hidden side for detachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a latching or clip connection is used to fasten accessories to body parts, then the accessory can be securely fastened, but the installation process becomes complex and difficult to implement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure fasteningVSAvoidinstallation process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening device is divided into two separate components: a support element that is visible on the exposed side and a holding element that is mounted on the non-exposed side. This segmentation allows each element to have specialized functions - the support element provides the visible mounting surface while the holding element contains the undercut elements for secure attachment, thereby simplifying the overall installation process while maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The holding element with undercut elements is pre-mounted on the non-exposed side of the body part before the support element is attached. This preliminary action ensures that the secure fastening mechanism is already in place, allowing the support element to be simply snapped into position without complex installation steps

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If a latching mechanism with barbs is used to prevent theft, then theft protection is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetheft protectionVSAvoidlatching mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The undercut elements of the holding element are designed with an asymmetric geometry that allows easy insertion and attachment but prevents easy removal. The undercut shape creates a one-way mechanical engagement where the support element can be attached by pushing it onto the holding element, but removal would require complex manipulation or destruction of the undercut structure, thereby providing theft protection without complex latching mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using traditional latching mechanisms where the visible part contains the locking features, the invention inverts the approach by placing the secure fastening mechanism (undercut elements) on the hidden holding element while keeping the visible support element simple. This inversion provides both theft protection and aesthetic simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS7849621B2Fastening device for an accessory

Publication Date: 2010.12.14 DR ING H C F PORSCHE AG

AI summary

A fastening device for fastening an accessory to a body part. The fastening device has a support element and a holding element. The support element is mounted to the body part from an exposed side and the holding element is mounted from a hidden side. The holding element has undercut elements via which it reaches from the hidden side through corresponding openings in the body part and reaches behind holding contours formed on the body part such that it is automatically fixed on the body part.