Fastening Element Tab Bending for Secure Anchoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Disc-shaped fastening elements with small wall thicknesses lack sufficient engagement with components, leading to insecure fastening as they typically only rest on the surface and do not engage within, resulting in a risk of being torn out.
Innovation Solution
A tab on the fastening element can be bent from a radial to an axial position upon insertion of the fastening member, increasing the contact surface area with the inner wall of the fastening hole, transforming the fastening element from two-dimensional to three-dimensional and enhancing anchoring without requiring additional elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If a disc-shaped fastening element with small wall thickness is used, then the fastening element can be applied to thin-walled components, but the contact surface area with the inner wall is insufficient leading to insecure fastening
Solution Approach 1:
The tab is bent from a radial position into the fastening hole to an axial position, transforming the contact geometry from a two-dimensional planar surface to a three-dimensional extended structure. This dimensional change allows the tab to engage with the inner wall of the fastening hole along the axial direction, significantly increasing the contact surface area without increasing the overall wall thickness of the fastening element.
2Area of stationary object
If the wall thickness of the fastening element is increased to provide sufficient contact surface, then the contact surface area is enlarged, but the fastening element can no longer be used with thin-walled components
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing the wall thickness of the entire fastening element, the invention extends the contact surface by bending the tab into the fastening hole along the axial direction. This creates additional contact area within the existing wall thickness, allowing the fastening element to maintain compatibility with thin-walled components while providing sufficient engagement surface for secure fastening.
3Ease of manufacture
If a flat disc-shaped fastening element is used, then the manufacturing is simple, but the fastening element does not engage in the component leading to risk of being torn out
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening element is segmented into a flat disc-shaped body and a separate tab portion. The tab can be bent into the fastening hole to provide engagement, while the main disc body remains flat for simple manufacturing. This segmentation allows the fastening element to maintain manufacturing simplicity while adding the functional capability of positive engagement through the bent tab.
Solution Approach 2:
The tab is bent from the radial plane of the disc into the axial direction of the fastening hole, creating a three-dimensional engagement structure from a initially two-dimensional flat component. This dimensional transformation provides secure engagement with the inner wall of the fastening hole, preventing the fastening element from being torn out, while the main disc body remains flat for easy manufacturing.
Data Source
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AI summary
In a fastening device with a fastening element (10) of small wall thickness, for example a fastening plate or fastening washer for fastening to another component, with at least one fastening hole (12) for passing a fastening member (24) which can be brought into contact with its outer surface (28) on an inner wall (26) of the fastening hole (12) forming a contact surface, the inner wall (26) is extended or extendable in the axial direction of the fastening hole (12) by at least one tab (16) to increase the contact surface.