Fastening Element Centering for Tolerance Compensation and Holding Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fastening systems for components on carrier components, such as in automobiles, face challenges in compensating position tolerances of fastening projections while maintaining high holding forces during operation.
Innovation Solution
The system employs positive-locking elements with prestressing means and a centering opening in the fastening element's holding receptacle, allowing for automatic centering and alignment of the fastening projection, which temporarily suppresses positive locking to enable lateral displacement and subsequent secure engagement, ensuring a defined position and high holding force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If curved, elastic plastics arms are used to compensate position tolerance of the fastening projection, then position tolerance compensation is improved, but holding force during operation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening element is designed with dynamic characteristics, allowing it to be displaced laterally during insertion to accommodate position tolerances of the fastening projection. The element can move dynamically during the fastening process and then locks into position, providing both tolerance compensation and high holding force during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the fastening element, specifically providing a lateral extent in a first direction that exceeds the lateral extent of the positive-locking elements in that same direction. This parameter change allows the fastening element to accommodate position variations while maintaining structural integrity and holding force.
2Ease of operation
If simple assembly is used, then ease of operation is improved, but position tolerance compensation capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening element is designed to perform self-alignment and self-centering functions automatically during insertion. The element's broader lateral extent allows it to guide itself onto the fastening projection, and the positive-locking elements automatically engage without requiring precise manual alignment, thus maintaining simple assembly while achieving position tolerance compensation.
3Device complexity
If positive-locking elements with equal lateral extent are used, then structural simplicity is improved, but automatic centering capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening element is designed with asymmetric dimensions relative to the positive-locking elements. The fastening element has a greater lateral extent in the first direction than the positive-locking elements. This asymmetric design enables automatic centering during insertion, as the broader fastening element guides itself onto the narrower fastening projection, while maintaining relatively simple structural 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
This solution allows for simple automatic alignment and secure fastening of components, effectively compensating for position tolerances and maintaining high holding forces during operation, ensuring reliable positioning and increased holding force without the need for complex assembly.
Implementation Method 1
prestressing means are provided which prestress the mutually corresponding positive-locking elements into positive engagement
Implementation Method 2
the holding receptacle of the fastening element has a centering opening at least partially tapering in the insertion direction of the fastening projection, against which centering opening the fastening projection of the carrier component strikes during the course of insertion into the holding receptacle
Data Source
AI summary
A system for fastening a component on a fastening projection. A fastening device has a fastening element with a holding receptacle with holding means to hold the fastening projection and positive-locking elements. The component or an intermediate element arranged on the component has corresponding positive-locking elements. Prestressing means prestress the mutually corresponding positive-locking elements into positive engagement in a premounted position of the fastening element on the component so that lateral displacement of the fastening element relative to the component along a first direction of movement is prevented. The holding receptacle has a centering opening at least partially tapering in the insertion direction of the fastening projection so that the fastening projection is centered with respect to the holding receptacle of the fastening element with temporary suppression of positive locking of the mutually corresponding positive-locking elements and with lateral displacement of the fastening element along the first direction.