Floating Fastener Mounting Structure with Convex Wall and Annular Groove
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing floating fastener designs suffer from weak structural strength due to limited contact surface area between the mounting socket and metal panel member, leading to potential breaking under external forces, and are prone to loosening or displacement when subjected to applied forces.
Innovation Solution
A floating fastener mounting structure featuring a metal panel member with a convex wall portion and a mounting socket with an annular step, stop flange, and annular locating groove, which are riveted together to enhance the shear strength and prevent displacement, along with a transverse partition wall and C-shaped retainer for additional support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the mounting socket is attached to the metal panel member through welding with solder paste, then the mounting socket can be fixed to the metal panel member, but the structural strength between the mounting socket and the metal panel member is not strong enough due to limited contact surface area
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from a 2D surface contact (solder paste on flat surface) to a 3D mechanical interlocking structure. The convex wall portion extends radially outward to engage with the annular locating groove, creating a multi-dimensional mechanical connection that significantly increases the effective contact area and structural strength between the mounting socket and metal panel member.
Solution Approach 2:
The convex wall portion of the metal panel member is nested within the annular locating groove of the mounting socket. This nesting arrangement creates a interlocking mechanism where the convex wall fits into the groove, providing enhanced mechanical engagement and distributing the load across a larger contact area, thereby improving structural strength.
2Reliability
If the mounting socket is subjected to external stretching forces, then the mounting socket may break easily due to weak structural strength, but adding more contact area increases the complexity of the mounting structure
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting structure is segmented into distinct functional elements: the convex wall portion of the metal panel member and the annular locating groove of the mounting socket. This segmentation allows each element to be optimized independently while working together to provide enhanced strength. The convex wall acts as a reinforcing element that distributes stress, while the groove provides the engagement feature, together preventing breaking without excessive complexity.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the cap member is coupled to the mounting socket, then the lock screw can be held in place, but the applied force may stretch the mounting socket, loosening it or even forcing it out of place
Solution Approach 1:
The convex wall portion and annular locating groove are pre-configured to provide mechanical interlocking before the cap member is installed. This preliminary structural reinforcement ensures that when forces are applied during cap member coupling, the mounting socket is already supported by the engaged convex wall, preventing stretching or displacement that would otherwise occur during the fastening operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A floating fastener mounting structure includes a metal panel member defining a convex wall portion and a mounting through hole at the convex wall portion, a mounting socket including an axially extended center hole, an annular step and a stop flange extended around the periphery at different elevations and an annular locating groove defined between the annular step and the stop flange. The mounting socket is riveted to the metal panel member to force the annular locating groove into engagement with the convex wall portion, enabling the convex wall portion to be tightly stopped between the annular step and the stop flange. The annular step defines a downwardly and outwardly sloping top surface for guiding the convex wall portion of the metal panel member into engagement with the annular locating groove of the mounting socket in the rivet operation.