Rotating Floor Mat Fastener for Secure Carpet Attachment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fastening assemblies for securing floor mats to carpets in automobiles are cumbersome, requiring difficult insertion and sliding operations, and often lack sufficient holding force, making the securing process troublesome and aesthetically unappealing.

Innovation Solution

A fastening assembly comprising a first fastener attached to the carpet, a knob assembly with a knob base, and a second fastener attached to the floor mat, where the knob can be turned to lock the mat in place, enhancing the holding force and providing a clear indication of secure attachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a male fastener is inserted perpendicularly into a female fastener and then slid horizontally to secure a floor mat, then the floor mat can be secured to the floor panel, but the securing operation becomes troublesome and complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecuring reliabilityVSAvoidsecuring operation ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening assembly is divided into separate components: a fastener member with a head and a resilient member with a latching pawl. The resilient member is split into a first portion attached to the floor panel and a second portion forming the latching mechanism. This segmentation allows simple perpendicular insertion without complex sliding operations, while maintaining secure attachment through the latching pawl engaging with the fastener head.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the mat attachment part and carpet securing part are positioned separately in the fastening assembly, then the fastening assembly can attach to both floor mat and carpet, but the mat attaching operation becomes troublesome and the appearance is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment capabilityVSAvoidmat attaching operation ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the attachment functionality into a single integrated fastening assembly. The fastener member with head and the resilient member with latching pawl are combined such that one operation simultaneously attaches to both the floor mat and carpet. The latching pawl engages with the fastener head in a single location, eliminating the need for separate attachment operations at different positions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Strength

If the latching pawl is made thick to provide adequate holding force, then the mat attachment part can resist pulling out, but great force is required for joining and the operation becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveholding forceVSAvoidjoining operation ease
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The resilient member is designed with elastic properties, allowing the latching pawl to dynamically engage with the fastener head. The elasticity enables the latching pawl to flex during insertion and then lock into place, providing strong holding force without requiring a thick, rigid structure. This dynamic engagement allows easy joining operation while maintaining adequate strength to resist pulling forces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

Facilitates easy and secure attachment of the floor mat to the carpet, prevents separation, and enhances the holding force of the attachment knob, while ensuring a clean and aesthetically pleasing appearance.

Implementation Method 1

a resilient member (150) having a latching pawl (154)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2223637B1Fastening assembly for securing a floor mat to a carpet
Publication Date: 2012.05.09 NEWFREY LLC
  • EP2223637B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2223637B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP2223637B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

Problem: To provide a fastening assembly 1 for securing a floor mat 11 to a carpet 2, facilitating the combining operation, preventing separation by pulling out after combining, enhancing the knob holding force, and a clicking sensation confirms completion of the attachment operation. Means for Solving the Problem: A fastening assembly 1 comprises a first fastener 5 that is attached to a carpet 2, a knob 6 that is attached to the first fastener 5, and a second fastener 15 that is attached to a floor mat 11. A knob base 10 is integrally provided in a first carpet grommet 7 of the first fastener 5. The knob 6 comprises a knob shank 37 that is coupled to be able to turn about its axis inside the knob base 10 between an unlocked position and a locked position. The knob base 37 comprises, about itself, projections which fit into and mate with channels in knob coupling latching pawls 33 of the knob base; thus, the knob holding force is enhanced, and a clicking sensation confirms completion of the attachment operation.