Floor Mat Fastener With Foldable Retaining Arms Against Slipping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fastening apparatuses for floor mats to vehicle floors lack simplicity, safety, and reliability, necessitating an alternative solution that is easy to connect and securely fasten without slipping.
Innovation Solution
A fastening apparatus comprising an annular base element with foldable retaining arms and a catching device, which connects to a vehicle floor via a conical assembly body and stop edges, ensuring secure retention through frictional and retaining forces, and can be manufactured cost-effectively using injection molding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing fastening apparatuses are used to fasten floor mats to vehicle floors, then the fastening function is achieved, but the structure becomes complex and reliability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening apparatus is divided into two separate components: a fastening device with retaining arms for the floor mat, and a fastening apparatus with an assembly body for the vehicle floor. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, simplifying the overall structure while maintaining reliable fastening function.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastening device is inserted through a through-opening in the vehicle floor into the fastening apparatus, creating a nested configuration. The assembly body of the fastening apparatus receives the fastening device, forming a compact integrated structure that reduces complexity while ensuring reliable connection.
2Reliability
If existing fastening apparatuses are used, then fastening is achieved, but the apparatus is prone to slipping and lacks safety
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining arms are designed to be foldable and movable, allowing them to dynamically adapt to the insertion process. During assembly, the retaining arms can move outward to accommodate the fastening device, then return to a retained position to prevent slipping, providing both ease of operation and safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining arms are pre-configured to exert retaining force against the fastening device before any slipping can occur. The articulated joints and spring elements prepare the retaining arms in advance to counteract potential slipping forces, ensuring safety without complicating the assembly process.
3Reliability
If a secure fastening connection is achieved, then reliability is improved, but the manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Both the fastening device and fastening apparatus are made from the same plastic material through injection molding, creating homogeneous components with consistent mechanical properties. This uniformity ensures reliable connection security while simplifying manufacturing processes and reducing costs compared to multi-material constructions.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastening device and fastening apparatus are designed as integrated components that combine multiple functions into single parts. The assembly body integrates guiding surfaces, retaining structures, and mounting features, reducing the total number of parts and manufacturing steps while maintaining secure connection.
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 apparatus provides a simple, safe, and reliable method to fasten floor mats to vehicle floors, preventing slipping and distributing forces effectively to prevent deformation and damage, while being easy to manufacture and install.
Implementation Method 1
ensuring secure retention through frictional and retaining forces
Implementation Method 2
the retaining arms are each connected to the assembly element and the base element via a respective joint or hinge and form an articulated joint in the region between the joints
Data Source
AI summary
A fastening apparatus includes an annular base element having an assembly wall for abutting a first component and a first fastening wall for abutting the second component, and an assembly element having a bottom wall. To enable passage through a second through-opening of the second component, the assembly element has a smaller diameter than the base element. At least two diametrically opposed foldable retaining arms are arranged radially circumferentially and connect the assembly wall to the assembly element. The retaining arms are each connected to the assembly element and the base element via a respective joint and form an articulated joint in the region between the joints. A region of the retaining arms between the articulated joints and the assembly wall forms a fastening portion, and at least one catching device is provided to connect the base element to the assembly element in an assembly position.