Fluid-Tight Fastener Assembly With Overmolded Watertight Seal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fastener assemblies fail to provide a watertight seal, allowing moisture to infiltrate between secured components, which is a challenge in applications where fluid-tight connections are required.
Innovation Solution
A fastener assembly comprising a retaining clip and a fluid-tight housing with an outer cap and outwardly-flared skirt, where the housing is overmolded onto the clip, providing a resilient seal with components, and includes couplers that extend downwardly to ensure a watertight interface, often using rubber for the housing and plastic for the clip.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional fastener assemblies are used to secure components together, then the components can be easily installed with low force, but moisture can infiltrate between the secured components through channels and gaps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible elastomeric housing that deforms during installation to create a fluid-tight seal between components. The elastomeric material allows the housing to conform to the mating surface and maintain sealing pressure, preventing moisture infiltration while enabling installation with acceptable force levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastener assembly combines rigid plastic components (retaining clip, couplers) with flexible elastomeric material (housing) to achieve both structural integrity and fluid-tight sealing. This composite construction allows the rigid parts to provide mechanical strength while the elastomeric housing provides the sealing function.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a fluid-tight housing is added to the fastener assembly, then moisture infiltration is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the sealing function directly into the housing structure that also serves as the fastening element. The elastomeric housing combines the roles of seal, structural component, and fastener interface, eliminating the need for separate sealing elements and reducing overall assembly complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomeric housing performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides fluid-tight sealing, maintains structural integrity during installation, enables mechanical coupling between components, and accommodates deformation during the fastening process. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the housing is made from elastomeric material for sealing, then fluid-tight interface is achieved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the viscoelastic properties of the elastomeric material to compensate for dimensional variations. The material's ability to deform and recover allows it to accommodate manufacturing tolerances and create reliable seals even when precise dimensional control is difficult to achieve during manufacturing.
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 solution effectively prevents liquid infiltration by creating a watertight seal between components, ensuring a reliable and secure fluid-tight connection even under varying conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The housing is formed of an elastomeric material, such as rubber, that is configured to provide a fluid-tight interface with the panel
Implementation Method 2
The fluid-tight housing is overmolded onto a portion of the retaining clip... the fluid-tight housing prevents liquid infiltration therethrough
Data Source
AI summary
A fastener assembly is configured to securely couple to one or more components. The fastener assembly includes a retaining clip, and a fluid-tight housing coupled to the retaining clip. The fluid-tight housing is configured to provide fluid-tight interfaces with the retaining clip and the one or more components. The fluid tight housing includes an outer cap and an outwardly-flared skirt extending from the outer cap. The fluid-tight housing further includes couplers extending downwardly from the fluid-tight housing on opposite sides of the fluid-tight housing.