Anti-Wobble Fir Tree Mount With Branch Flange Support

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fir tree mounts experience lateral movement during use, leading to potential noise and damage to attached components due to gaps between the mounting stud and distal ends of the branches, especially under severe impacts.

Innovation Solution

The anti-wobble fir tree mount incorporates a flange member on the branches to limit deflection and reduce lateral movement by providing additional support, ensuring a tighter fit within the mounting aperture without increasing insertion force.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the branches are made flexible to enable insertion into the mounting aperture, then the ease of installation is improved, but the lateral support capability deteriorates under severe impacts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of installationVSAvoidlateral support capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The branch is divided into two distinct portions: a first portion that is flexible and passes through the mounting aperture to engage the backside (providing insertion capability), and a second portion that remains in a flexed position within the aperture (providing lateral support). This segmentation allows each portion to fulfill its specific function optimally.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The solution addresses lateral support (a lateral dimension problem) by utilizing the longitudinal deflection of the branch portions. The first portion deflects longitudinally to pass through the aperture, while the second portion's longitudinal flexing position provides lateral support, effectively solving the lateral stability issue through longitudinal positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the gap between the mounting stud and distal ends of the branches is reduced to prevent lateral movement, then the stability is improved, but the insertion force required increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting stabilityVSAvoidinsertion force
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The branch portions are designed to dynamically deflect during insertion and then maintain a stable flexed position. The first portion deflects longitudinally during insertion to pass through the aperture, while the second portion dynamically flexes to a position that provides lateral support, creating a dynamic insertion process that results in static stability without requiring excessive force.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The solution changes the positional parameters of the branch portions through controlled deflection. The first portion changes its longitudinal position to pass through the aperture, while the second portion changes its flexed position to provide optimal lateral support within the aperture, achieving stable mounting with reduced insertion force.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 flange member reduces lateral movement, maintaining the position of attached components, minimizing noise and damage, and enhancing retention strength during pull-out.

Implementation Method 1

a flange member extending from the lower side, the flange member configured for contacting the upper side of the second branch during insertion of the mounting section into the mounting aperture to limit a deflection of the second branch in the direction of the body section

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical contact and force limitation: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 2

a first portion of the branches may entirely pass through the mounting aperture and spring back to engage a backside of the supporting structure to retain the fir tree mount in the aperture

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation and recovery: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

a second portion of the branches remains in a flexed position within the aperture, providing for lateral support of the mounting section in the aperture

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4299928B1Anti-wobble fir tree mount
Publication Date: 2025.11.26 HELLERMANNTYTON CORP
  • EP4299928B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4299928B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4299928B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4B

AI summary

This document describes anti-wobble fir tree mounts (100) for attaching a component to a supporting structure (10). In aspects, an anti-wobble fir tree mount is configured for reducing the lateral movement of the anti-wobble fir tree mount during use. In some implementations, the device may include a body section (160) having a bottom portion (268) with a mounting section (102) extending therefrom. The mounting section is configured for insertion into a mounting aperture (20) defined in a supporting structure first side. The mounting section having: a mounting stud (104); first and second branches extending from the mounting stud; the second branch spaced apart from the first branch, the first branch positioned between the body section and the second branch, the second branch may include an upper side facing the body section, the first branch may include: a lower side, the lower side facing the upper side of the second branch; and a flange member extending from the lower side, the flange member configured for contacting the upper side during insertion of the mounting section into the mounting aperture to limit a deflection of the second branch in the direction of the body section.